Merging of Greatness…

In an effort to cut down on how much of a time suck cyberverse is, I wrangled my Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor and had his alternate persona, King of Tech, merge my www.jamigray.com address to this–my most awesomest blog site ever!  Now if you type in jamigray.com you’ll come here, and you can still peruse my holy list of links on my Links page, buy my world changing books on my Books page, stalk me through the electronic world on my Blog Tour page, all in one spot!  I kneel to the genius of my hubby in the weird ways of tech, because it’s all Greek to me (and I mean that seriously!).

On top of this nifty change, I also set up an Author Fan Page on Facebook.  You can see it here http://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter .  Feel free to go over and share your love of moi and click the LIKE button.  It took time before I bowed to the requests for one of these as I was uncertain exactly how to use it.  Now that I know it’s where you post all your blog visits, book releases and general writing news, viola it is created!

So even though I finally got a tighter handle on book 3, I have yet to sit down and start again, but now that all the pressing cyber demands have been met, I’m ready to go! WOO HOO!

Now, I need your support because this upcoming week (May 14th-18th) will become a testing ground on just how thick I’ve managed to get my writing skin to as I embark on a five stop review tour of Shadow’s Edge.  Oh yes, I hear you.  Why would I subject myself to such a rack of torture? Because, I really would like people out there to give me their honest feeback–good or bad–because how else will I be able to stretch myself as a writer? And because I don’t want to inhibit any postings, I’ll be there to thank the reviewer, but I’ll lurk in the shadows to see what is said.  Fingers crossed that the reviewers find Shadow’s Edge exciting and thrilling!

If you’d like to swing over and see what’s up next week, feel free.  Here’s the schedule:

• 5/14/12      Come on over and see the review of Shadow’s Edge at Live To Read
• 5/15/12      Stop over at A Case of Reading Insomnia for another review of Shadow’s Edge
• 5/16/12      Shadow’s Edge is up for review at V’s Book Life
• 5/17/12      Another review of Shadow’s Edge over at Unabridged Andra’s
• 5/18/12     Last Review stop of the tour, so stop by Books Are Magic

And lastly, I had to share a moment I had this weekend.  Life was getting stressful, you know how it is when everything around you seems to sit their big, heavy weight upon your shoulders and you just want to slither away into a small, hidden place?  Okay, so I had a few bad moments because, hey, we’re all human, right?  Just when the light of creativity was beginning to sputter, one of my favorite Twitter Peeps (@KindlesConsort) was chatting with another bud of mine and she gave strength to my flame through her excitement and anticipation of my writing and how much she enjoyed chatting with authors.  I couldn’t resist, I had to tell her how much her words meant and that it was because of readers like her that authors, especially me, continue to put pen to paper.  Then later that night through Facebook I received another message from another fan, Kim Hawk, who shared how much she enjoyed Shadow’s Edge and why.  Again, I was humbled by such words.  I may put my stories out there, but the reason I have the courage to continue onward is because of you, the readers, who so eagerly embrace these fantastical worlds and then share your excitement with the writers.

Long story short, authors write for you readers so take the time and drop a line to your favorite authors, big or small.  Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one that strengths their flickering creative light on a dark day, giving them the strength to pick up the pen once more and forge forward!

–Wicked

It’s Amazing What A Little Time Off Will Bring…

I came back to the Swamp on Sunday after spending the weekend with Snarky at the RWA Desert Dreams conference down in the Valley of the Sun and found the Zombie Horde had finally deserted Dreamer’s little piece of property.  I’m guessing Eerie and Mischevious have been making tracks to the Impentrable Forest considering the path of gnawed bones littering the trail.  Have to love those Piranha Hummingbirds, they clean their dinner plates!  Not to worry, the Prankster Duo has no problem attracting new Zombies, it seems to be an inborn talent of theirs.

So after rounding up the Hellhound, I was pleased to see my Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor had managed to keep the Duo busy while I was away.  Seems there was a required marathon of movies involving a horned-helmeted blond with a facination for hammers, a green muscle head with a temper problem, and that dashing king of sarcasm who looks good in red and self perpetuating battery.  Something about all three, plus a red-head in latex and, if I do say so myself, a rather good looking archer gathering for their debut this weekend. The tickets have already been purchased–twice.

In the meantime, Snarky and I attended this conference.  Now you may wonder why two paranormal, urban fantasy writers would attend a gathering of those mavens of love and hard chests, but there are some really good workskhops at these things. Plus we were considering kidnapping a few agents and editors for our own amusement.  Since this time I wasn’t on pins and needles endlessly practicing my story pitch, I was able to enjoy the expierence.  For writers, conferences are like a red carpet gala–you get to meet the actual human that writes those books you wait on pins and needles for every Tuesday.  It can reduce a 41 year old to a 16 year old in like two minutes flat.  It’s so embarrassing!

Anyway, other than the massive amounts of information that I’m still processing, the biggest success I pulled from my three day stint was the eight hour brainstorming session Snarky and I indulged ourselves in.  What was funny was there was an actual brain storming session planned on Saturday night during the dinner.  We got a head start, because that’s just how we roll.  We headed over to the nearest barrista heaven, spent two and half hours there before realizing we might miss dinner, dashed back to the conference, gathered necessary sustanance, then hunkered down in our room and balcony and spent the next 6 plus hours taking everything that had been thrown at us and incorporating it into our WIPs (works in progress).

Doing things this way is a double edged sword.  I was having issues with Shadow’s Moon (Book 3 of the Kyn Kronicles) and by the end of the evening realized why (you really do need a strong villian for a good story!), and now all those pages I’ve accumlated are being moved to the cut pile–yes indeed, we are starting over.  Here’s hoping that since there’s a clearer picture of where we’re going and Xander’s stopped being so damn coy, it will go much faster.  Plus Snarky figured out her sticking point on her hush-hush project.  It’s hard to explain to a non-writer how much fun the expierence was because for some peeps the idead of talking through plot points, character motivation, series arcs, and personalities is just….blehh!  But for me–I LOVED IT! 

Plus it was the most awesomest thing in the world to meet both newbie and not-so-newbie writers and READERS! I swear the writing community just rocks.  Conferences are where no one gets upset if you space in the middle of a conversation, they understand sometimes those voices in your head just drown out those around you.  Plus where else could you chat about what exactly constitutes a psychopath versus a sociopath, or why corsets are a hell of a lot harder to get rid of than just “ripping” them off–think bones and damn tough material? There was even the most entertaining conversation regarding the staminia of the men of the Paranormal community versus the rakes of the historicals–truly riveting!

Now the goal is to make it to the Paranormal Conference next year because as lovely as the RWA crowd was–I think I’d like to expierence the wild, twisted worlds of the Paranorms for a bit.  Think of what it would do to my Muse!  She’d have others to play blade-darts with, they could go on Zombie hunts, and maybe torment a few demons along the way.   Who knows, maybe we’ll get to come back with new alligator boots next year! 

-Wicked

I Left My Heart In…

Well, anyway.

Just checking in this weekend to say Mr. Jedi and I are on vacation in the city by the Bay.

And if I ever escape from Alcatraz, I promise a better post next weekend.

In the meantime, keep on doing and remember, no matter where you are in the world, you can collect ideas and inspiration to write.

More next week!

Take care,

Jedi

Inspiration

“Do or do not.  There is no try.”

So says Yoda, one of the greatest Jedi Masters of them all.  As a student of the ways of the Force, I try and implement this strategy in my writing life.  It’s not easy though.  People will talk about “inspiration,” and how they’re just waiting for their muse to come down and strike them with the right idea.  The clouds will part, the sun will shine, and suddenly they will know the right words to put down on the page.

I used to be one of those people.  Sometimes, truthfully, I still am.  But I’ve had to learn the hard way that the best way to write is just to write.  Not to make lists and endless back stories.  Not to spend an inordinate amount of time on diagrams, timelines, maps, and family trees.  Now, I’m not saying not to do these things.  They are helpful instruments and sometimes the only way you can order your thoughts is by scribbling things out in an outline, whether you use it later or not.

But if you wait for inspiration to write the perfect story, you’ll be waiting forever.

I am no Jedi Master yet.  I have had to relearn this lesson about inspiration over and over and over again.  I have resolved this year to pick up on that pace in my writing and also in my blogging.  I’m tired of Yoda hitting me over the head with his walking stick and I really do owe my fellow dwarves more for all they’ve done.

So back to the grindstone.  Welcome to 2012, all.  Now get off that couch and do.

the frightening world of a writer’s mind…

In one of my many writer group links (yep, I belong to some and my inbox tends to crash on occasion at the many conversations running around out there) someone sweetly shared a link to a very insightful blog about being a writer. After picking myself up off the floor, I quickly forwarded it on to the other ED’s, and then, because I’m mean, I made my hubby sit down and read it.

I sat on pins and needles (okay so I basically stood over him with a blunt object) and waited for him to be swept away by the genius evident in the post.  He laughed, which was good–nice to know the warped sense of humor I married him for all those eons ago is still there–and then he looked at me with (gasp!) pity?!!! What the hell?  No, no, no, he was suppose to say, “Oh honey, now I understand why the Prankster Duo and I have to exist on unidentifiable left overs and delivery, while you sit in a dark office illuminated only by the flicker of a computer screen and why you sometimes resemble Gollum from Lord of the Rings (that’s the weird little dude who glows in the dark for you non-nerds).  It all makes sense!”

Did he say that? Um, nope.  Instead his response is, “It’s okay baby, I knew that when I married you and I still said ‘I do’.”

Seriously?? Did he not see the mad genius that exists in each writer’s mind? The mad babble of voices that fight for supremacy while leaving things like groceries, doctor appointments, eating, basic hygiene in their frenzied wake?  There’s a reason a writer will stare at you with a bemused smile while their eyes keep darting off to the side in the midst of your conversation.  Really, they’d love to listen to you but it’s a bit hard when the worlds in your head start to get pushy and demand exclusive attention.  I know, it sounds a bit psychotic, but it’s not our fault.  It’s why we write!

This week I read something that clicked. They said to make great art, you had to expose your soul and some things are better left safely in the dark. Those that fear exposing such darkness are constantly tormented by the fact they can almost touch the creative beast, while those who grit their teeth and reach out may burn, but the beauty of such exposure ensnares those around them.  Much like music, playing or creating, writing demands a price from its creator.  Every writer uses their own experiences in some way or fashion to help put life into their words, but it’s one of the scariest things they’ll ever do.

The next time you run across one of us, be gentle and understand, regardless of the genre (poetry, children’s books, songwriting, screen writing, mystery, romance, etc.) published or unpublished, we are writers and it’s not as simple as sitting down and typing out a string of words.  We’re sharing with you something infinitely precious, so if you damage it expect repercussions.  We may not all be Stephen King, but we are all story tellers.

So here’s the link:

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/08/10/what-its-like-being-a-writer/

For those with sensitive minds, please don’t go there and check it out. I really don’t want your family members contacting me and insisting I pay for  your medical bills.  For those who can stare into the abyss and survive, go forth and enjoy!

 

Wicked

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Greetings once again my my loyal minions,

It's not Kansas But it's home.

Mischievous and I are grateful to be home.  The Zombies are looking a little haggard, I’m thinking that Wicked’s Prankster  Duo might have taken a toll on them in my absence.

The 7 Evil Dwarves first annual writing retreat was a huge success.  Situated in the White Mountains, deep in troll country, we convinced our muses to buckle down and get the word count soaring.  When we arrived we had enough electronic gear to launch a space shuttle.  Yet, I believe if the power went out we would have been scratching away with pens and paper.  It was very intense.  We squeezed in lots of good food and fellowship along the way.  Every now and then someone would say something like “I need a smell, or what would you call a flesh eating humanoid, ect.”  Random answers bounced off the high ceiling of our cabin in response.

When the evening wound down we’d take a break in the hot tub and compare notes.  Then back to the keyboards where we worked until well past dark-thirty.  Of course some of us are more resilient than others and speaking for myself, well I’ve got to get my rest if I’m expected to look this good everyday.  Writing is not for the faint of heart.

I am both blessed and proud to be a member of such a dedicated and generous critique group.  My writing partners are my friends, and I count myself one, very fortunate writer to be able to sit amongst them.  When I do my daily devotions I always thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon this sinner.  My friends are always on that list.

When Sunday rolled around we packed up mission control.  Mixed emotions abounded as we were sad to be leaving and looking forward to getting home to our loved ones at the same time.  It took us several years of planning to actually make this happen, but I know everyone is already thinking about next year.

As is my custom I  leave you with a quote this one is from, Richard Bach.

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

Write On,

Eerie

A True Writer’s Holiday…

So this week the the Evil Dwarves headed out on a well earned vacation, a true writer’s holiday.  Since summer in the swamp is not really an ideal way to coax your muse into a sharing frame of mind, we decided to offer them some time up in the mountains.  Unfortunately, the gods of the isle of fire had followed my clan home and set up shop about where we were thinking of sneaking away to.  So, I have to admit I was expecting:

 

Imagine my surprise when we arrived and found this instead:

As long as you don’t mind a little brown along the edges of your forest line, it’s absolutely gorgeous.  A great spot to entice those pesky muses to sit down and cooperate for a little while.   Since I missed last week on the blog due to circumstances beyond my control (an irritating gnat known as the “real world” intruded) I thought I’d take a few minutes to share the joy of finding a spot away from the day-to-day reality demands that can tempt a writer to stray away from the keyboard. So before I began interrupting the sounds of nature with the soft clacking of the keyboard as I put to paper Raine and Gavin’s next adventure, it’s a strangely unreal experience not to have to worry about cooking anything (we have enough food to feed an invading army if so inclined), watering the hellhound, providing nourishment for the Prankster Duo, or being tempted (on oh so many levels) by my own knight in shining armor, I’m actually daunted by the fact I find myself with almost three days of uninterrupted writing.  It’s enough to send a girl into a swoon!

Until next week, go forth and live your own adventures!
–Wicked

PS: And not to rub noses of those left behind, but it’s only in the 70′s over here.

 

Fame, such a fleeting thing…

Fame, or as close am I’m going to get to it…

When you go to submit your soon to be world famous novel to the lucky editor who’ll get to say, “I knew them when…” all advice tells you to include your writing achievements.   These accolades are not to include the research paper you did in high school and smoked all your classmates with, or the nifty little poem that made it to the state fair.  No, these noteworthy successes are to be final masterpieces that have been…gasp…published.

Now up until recently, I had to struggle with this lovely part of my dreaded query letter.  Why? Because the only piece I had “published” was a non-fiction short on National Public Radio which I wasn’t even aware was out there.  Here’s what happened.  A handful or two years ago, before I found my place among the Evil 7, I tried a few different writing groups. You know how it goes. You’ve been out of practice so you think, “I’ll find a little group, and start small. Just get those creative juices flowing.”  Soon each week I would end up in a room with other moms and we would present short stories, generally non fiction, for critique.  Or as I now know better, discussions.  Not a lot of critiquing, more friendly “perhaps you should…”s.   Nowadays, I have to say,  I’ve come to value the blood baths that I currently endure with the Evil 7.  They seem a bit more productive, funnily enough.

Anyway, I digress.  So we did these mom pieces, and I had one.  They asked me to record it for something, which I now can’t remember what it was.  Then two years later, a co-worker calls me up from Oregon and says,  “By the way are you the one who has two tattoos and tons of siblings?”  Color me shocked. Seemed  he liked to listen to NPR, and lo and behold my recorded story was out there.  Ah fame…gone before you even know you have it.

Fast forwarded to current times.  I’m trudging through the torturous endurance test known as a query letter, and I’m hitting up the other six for some advice, lamenting how I have no publishing cred.  Then Mistress of the Whip, Snarky, dryly points out that I do indeed have some cred, doofus.  Yep, she’s one of the few who gets away with calling me that. A few bloody slashes later, the notation of a piece on NPR made it’s way into the letter. Viola!

Recently I had a request from an e-pub who’s had my story for some time, but since it seems my book has disappeared into the great abyss, I’ve started shopping it out again. Since the notorious piece with NPR, I got to take part in another non-fiction anthology, also to do with moms.  Although it’s under my “real” name because it’s non-fiction, I’m doing this for two reasons.  The ever elusive publishing cred and the fact that all proceeds from the book sales go to charities.  You can’t beat that.

So if you’re looking for a sweet Mother’s Day gift for a mom or grand-mom, check out this site (www.oursharedwisdom.com) and enjoy the anthology, “A Mother’s Wisdom” edited by Cathryn Lomardo.  Lots of great stories from lots of great moms and grand-moms. Yep, I’m in there, on page 15. Have at it.

It’s all I can give you for now because somewhere out there is an editor just waiting to pick up my next great novel. And when they do, even you can join in the “I read her when…”

–Wicked

Sitting on…I mean down…with your Muse

Not sure if this is me chasing my muse or my muse tormenting me, but either way it fits.

It took a bit to chase her down, but I finally found her hanging out with this white-haired old guy with a tool belt  who was muttering about procrastination and ravens, down by the Filet My Own Deli just passed the old motel.  Due to the truly evil looks cast my way by her companion as I politely interrupted a truly desultory  conversation with a sharp object, just to get my point across, this was going to be one tough conversation.

Me– leaning against the rickety table covered in unmentionable substances.  “So, where you’ve been?”

Her–ignoring the pointed object rudely inserted under her chin.  “Shouldn’t that be my question to you?”

Me–”Seriously? Did you happen to miss the massive black hold of chaos I trip into?”

Her–doing the wicked eyebrow arch.  “Like I care? Really, Wicked, if you want to get a little you got to give a little.”

Me–putting some distance between my sharp edged blade and her neck, it’s just too tempting sometimes.  I swear she does this on purpose.  “What? You want me to apologize for life getting in the way?”  Not that guilt isn’t chewing a big hole in my stomach already, thank you very much.  I take the seat white hair tool belt left and start tracing the old carving on the table.

Her–looking her superior best,  I’ve always wondered how she manages not to get swamp crap all over those sweet thigh high boots.  “Should I start spouting pithy little quotes about how life happens?”  Her lips curl into a delicate snarl of disgust.  “I’ve given you some damn good ideas over the years, girl.  Do you expect me to follow through on them too?”  She leans forward and I catch a whiff of some exotic spice.  “I uphold my end of the bargain, how about you hold up yours?”

Me–holding up a single digit as I struggle to maintain eye contact because no way in hell am I letting her win this one.  “I have been, oh mighty bitchiness, but you’ve been awfully quiet the last few months.”

Her–is that a blush I see working its way up her sharp cheekbones?  Ohhhh, it is! Yeah, I’ve hit a nerve.  “Maybe you should limit your guest list to our little get-togethers, it’s been a little crowded lately.”  She leans forward.  “I’m glad you got rid of that annoying little leech who was sucking your monetary well dry.  What was his name?”

Me–in total agreement.  “Cam.” Shrugging my shoulders.  “It took some doing but me and the clan we managed to boot him out.”

Her–nodding.  “A move in the right direction.”

Silence descends.  Let me correct myself, not really silence since I can hear Eerie’s zombies shuffling around out in the woods, Mischievous Raven heckling some poor lost soul trampling after Will O’ Wisp, and the Swamp Thing is doing yard work. Again.   I take a good look at my muse.  Now that I’m not trying to move the clan into better accommodations, have managed to boot out a few leeches like Cam,  I realize she has a right to be pissed at me.  She hasn’t been my priority lately.  As a matter of fact, I’ve been pushing her further and further back because “something more important” has come up.   I tend to forget, she is something important.  If I don’t keep her happy, no one’s happy.   Time to buck up and pay the piper.  Apologies suck.

Me–no struggling to make eye contact now.  “Hey, Muse.”  She glances up, face still.  “Sorry.”  And I mean it.

She nods, because there’s not much else to say.  “We back on for tomorrow?”

Me–ignoring the niggling threads of  fear and trepidation about getting back on this roller coaster ride.   “Yeah, same place, same time.”  I push to my feet.  Time to head back home.  “Think you can convince Raine and Syn to join us?”

Her–darkly amused smile lighting her features and an evil sparkle in her eye.  “Oh, I think that can be arranged.”

–Wicked

To be or not to be

I’m not big on inspirational quotes or pictures. I heard writers were supposed to be, so I tried. It didn’t work very well.

But there are some that have stuck in my brain since the first time I heard them.

“First drafts are steamy piles of alien puppy poo.” (Paraphrased) Stephen King

Seriously? If a master of the written word can say his first drafts are shit, then mine being steamy and stinky can’t be a bad thing. Right?

And that ties in to my second all time favorite quote.

“You can’t edit a blank page.” The all wise, all knowing, Anonymous.

Even if what I write is shitty, I can always fix it later. If I don’t write it, either from fear or disgust, then it will never be anything I can turn into a slightly better third draft. And an even better fourth draft. And so on…

I think the quotes people find inspirational change as their life changes. But, those are the ones that really stuck to me.

What do you find inspirational?