I'm slowly putting together the soundtrack to the next project. It's elusive--possibly because I haven't really started writing it yet. But some things are definitely standing out in my mind, little roadsigns on the path to a completed story.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Music Monday
Since I thought it might be a good idea to get this blog in a regular schedule, and since I've mentioned in the past that one of my greatest inspirations in writing is music, I figured that making a music post every Monday would only be natural.
I'm slowly putting together the soundtrack to the next project. It's elusive--possibly because I haven't really started writing it yet. But some things are definitely standing out in my mind, little roadsigns on the path to a completed story.
The music I listen to isn't necessarily directly related to the tone of what I'm writing. Sometimes it's good to just have some atmospheric stuff going on. I was recently reminded of how much I enjoy Radiohead, and as a result, I've been listening to it a lot.The great thing that I love about Radiohead is that the sound is so beautifully layered. I can listen on headphones and be in my own little world.
I'm slowly putting together the soundtrack to the next project. It's elusive--possibly because I haven't really started writing it yet. But some things are definitely standing out in my mind, little roadsigns on the path to a completed story.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Progress Report 2
I just sent in my edits for final approval, so I should be getting my advanced reading copy shortly! You know what that means...
The book is coming out soon!
Now that this one is done-done, I can finish up revising the second book in the series (and hopefully get it out quickly, since it's a sequel), and then I can start working out the book idea that I have that's been alternately whispering in my mental ears and screaming at me to start already.
I'm slowly working out a soundtrack to composing the next project. I think I've mentioned before; soundtracks are incredibly important to me when I'm writing. With the right soundtrack I can get 4000 words down without even realizing it. Ideally, the next book will be over 45k words, and thus eligible for print-on-demand.
Also, since there's going to be some real action coming up, I'll be making real efforts to keep this blog maintained, as well as to get some guest blogging in. Be on the lookout, folks!
xoxo
Mary K.
The book is coming out soon!
Now that this one is done-done, I can finish up revising the second book in the series (and hopefully get it out quickly, since it's a sequel), and then I can start working out the book idea that I have that's been alternately whispering in my mental ears and screaming at me to start already.
I'm slowly working out a soundtrack to composing the next project. I think I've mentioned before; soundtracks are incredibly important to me when I'm writing. With the right soundtrack I can get 4000 words down without even realizing it. Ideally, the next book will be over 45k words, and thus eligible for print-on-demand.
Also, since there's going to be some real action coming up, I'll be making real efforts to keep this blog maintained, as well as to get some guest blogging in. Be on the lookout, folks!
xoxo
Mary K.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Release Date Pushed Back
I hadn't heard back from Siren since I sent in my edits on the 21st, so I checked in on the publication schedule.
Bad news: my book's release date is pushed back.
It's not the worst thing that could happen, because it's still coming out in the month of February. Looks like the new release date is at the end of the month. They're moving a lot of books right now, which makes sense--Valentine's Day and all.
The good news is, this gives me more time to prepare for promoting the book!
Bad news: my book's release date is pushed back.
It's not the worst thing that could happen, because it's still coming out in the month of February. Looks like the new release date is at the end of the month. They're moving a lot of books right now, which makes sense--Valentine's Day and all.
The good news is, this gives me more time to prepare for promoting the book!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Progress Report
I'm working on the edits for the soon-to-be-released Striking a Chord. I'm pleased to have gotten a good bit of positive feedback, though some of the critiques baffle me a little, at least in terms of how I'll work them into the story.
It's good to have a clear editing structure, though. I haven't much worked with the "Track Changes" function in Word, and maybe it's just because I'm exhausted, but it's confusing at times. But I shall persevere!
I listened to The Strokes a lot while writing the original draft, and now, editing it, I've moved onto Hot Hot Heat. One of my writer-like quirks is a belief in finding the right music for the writing one does. For me, anyway, the music I'm listening to at a given moment informs the way I approach the story. Stephen King wrote about writing with the door closed, with your music cranked loud--and editing with the door open. I can kind of see his point; when you're composing, you need to be very much in your own world. But I like being in my own world when I'm editing too--a different world from the composing land, granted. If composing is, like King asserts, like digging up archaeological finds, then editing is like cataloging those finds and giving them context.
I'm very tired. I think maybe it's time for sleep.
It's good to have a clear editing structure, though. I haven't much worked with the "Track Changes" function in Word, and maybe it's just because I'm exhausted, but it's confusing at times. But I shall persevere!
I listened to The Strokes a lot while writing the original draft, and now, editing it, I've moved onto Hot Hot Heat. One of my writer-like quirks is a belief in finding the right music for the writing one does. For me, anyway, the music I'm listening to at a given moment informs the way I approach the story. Stephen King wrote about writing with the door closed, with your music cranked loud--and editing with the door open. I can kind of see his point; when you're composing, you need to be very much in your own world. But I like being in my own world when I'm editing too--a different world from the composing land, granted. If composing is, like King asserts, like digging up archaeological finds, then editing is like cataloging those finds and giving them context.
I'm very tired. I think maybe it's time for sleep.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Next Big Thing blog survey
The wonderful Susan Hayes tagged me in her go 'round of the "Next Big Thing" blog hop, so here are my answers to the burning questions.
The Next Big Thing
How did you come by the idea?
What genre does your book fall under?
Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it were a movie?
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Will your book be self-published or traditional?
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The Next Big Thing
What is the title of your book?
Striking a Chord. I sort of debated using that as a title, but I couldn't think of anything better.
How did you come by the idea?
Originally, the plot was a short story for a Creative Writing class with a hilariously bad professor. I was sitting around thinking of what to write and the image of Angharad (my female protagonist) standing outside of an apartment door, working up the nerve to knock, just jumped into my brain. It was a very vivid, very intense picture, and I knew I had to write the story.
What genre does your book fall under?
Contemporary Romance.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters if it were a movie?
Hmmm. I'm not sure, actually. Paolo DeLuca would need to be played by a handsome Italian-American actor, Nick Laurent maybe by someone like Colin Morgan? I picture Nick with very striking, but kind of soft good looks. Angharad I have trouble casting. Maybe Kat Dennings, with auburn hair.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Paolo DeLuca worries about his best friend Nick and decides to send his girlfriend Angharad to seduce him and take his mind off of grief.
Will your book be self-published or traditional?
The book is being published by the wonderful company, Siren-Bookstrand.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About a month, with a few days of lazily not writing anything included.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'm not sure really. For someone who writes genre fiction, I'm bad about reading the same stuff as what I write.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Some musicians I know, and some musicians I only wished I knew...
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The conflict is internal, instead of external. It's a lot about interpersonal dynamics and choices, rather than us-vs-them.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Things Afoot
I've been terribly busy the last few days, so I haven't followed up here the way I'd like to. I hope everyone had a good New Year's! I certainly did. I spent it with a good friend, at a small gathering at her house.
Sometime in the next couple of days, I'll be posting my responses to the "Next Big Thing" questionnaire; I was tagged by Susan Hayes, another Siren author (mandatory plug: check out her work, she's awesome!).
I've got book two almost done, and I've gotten in the edits for book one. It's coming out on February 12, barring any delays. After I finish the current WIP, I've got my idea for the next one--unrelated to these two, but hopefully just as good.
Things might get rather busy in the next few days/weeks, but I'll be keeping everyone updated through here on developments in the world of my Romance career.
Ta for now!
Mary K
Sometime in the next couple of days, I'll be posting my responses to the "Next Big Thing" questionnaire; I was tagged by Susan Hayes, another Siren author (mandatory plug: check out her work, she's awesome!).
I've got book two almost done, and I've gotten in the edits for book one. It's coming out on February 12, barring any delays. After I finish the current WIP, I've got my idea for the next one--unrelated to these two, but hopefully just as good.
Things might get rather busy in the next few days/weeks, but I'll be keeping everyone updated through here on developments in the world of my Romance career.
Ta for now!
Mary K
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