Chicks-n-Scratching

Archive for the ‘KATE’ Category

when an idea is going to hit and when one is going to miss? Granted the books I’m talking about came out one day apart and have seen completely different degrees of sales.

Two different publishers, both paranormal books. One is  contemporary comedy, the other a more serious historical paranormal- but still fun.

One book hit number one on the publisher’s website, the other I believe -though I can’t verify this – has had dismal sales despite good reviews.

I’m absolutely heartbroken. My editor wanted me to write a sequel for the second book I mentioned, and asked me to back when I contracted said book. Now, since the sales have been horribly slow, I really don’t want to even bother, though I’m already about a third of the way through. I feel it’s going to be a waste of my time and energy and I should concentrate on books that are going to sell well or have a wider audience. Of course there is always the chance that I may see better sales from book one if I do come out with book two. Readers wanting to go back to see what happened in the first book, will go back and buy it – at least that’s the short theory.

The other theory I have on sluggish sales are covers. One cover rocked in a hipster way, the other not so much. I know I’m one who let’s a cover draw them in, but I have to read something in the blurb that catches my eye, sparks my interest. What about you? In other words, the cover may rock, but if the subject don’t, I won’t buy. What about the other way around? If the cover doesn’t draw you in, but the title does enough to get you to the blurb, would you buy then? For me, I guess it all comes down to the blurb and if the plot is intriguing enough to make me spend my money. But something has to draw me in -cover or title. Word of mouth? I’m about 50-50 on that one. A lot of what other writers are reading out there, I’m not really interested in either, so I might buy based on that or I might not.

If this seems a long and rambling post, you’re right. I’m sitting here trying to rethink strategy and figure out a way to get some sales going with the limited resources I have at the moment. Not a good situation. My books are like my babies. I don’t want to see one languishing on a website waiting for someone to choose them. I want it to see awesome sales and readers to adore it and wait on tenterhooks for the next installment. Is that too much to ask?

So, if you have any really kicking ideas. Have had this happen to you in the past and managed to bust through the less than enthusiastic response? Let me know. I’m looking for a few good ideas here.

-Kate

No, I haven’t gone balmy and think it’s Christmas. The season I’m referring to is Contest Season!!! My favorite time of year.

I’m  a chronic volunteer when it comes to judging contests. I will judge any writing contest that comes my way, that anyone asks me to judge just because I love it so much. Why do I break out into a resounding chorus of “My Favorite Things” when someone contacts me they are a few judges shy of a load? The answer may surprise you—I really don’t know. I can only speculate.

There is just something so fulfilling about taking a pristine, unmarked entry and digging in to give feedback to a hopeful entrant in order to make the book better. Or to read one so well-written you can’t understand why it isn’t already published and sitting on bookstore shelves. To be the one to comment on how much you love their work and give that nameless, faceless writer a healthy infusion of “well done” is the ultimate feeling.

I know it sounds hokey, but I love to help people. Most people who know me well, know I work a primary job in the health care field. It’s probably a similiar mindset that makes me want to jump in and do what I can to pump life into another writer’s sagging plot, wooden characters or dragging prose. I’ve never felt any qualms about offering suggestions when needed, or giving praise when it’s warrented. The giving back portion of this writing job is terribly rewarding. Funny thing is, I only entered maybe three contests myself. The very first I won first place in the paranormal category, the other two I tanked. (Different manuscripts by the way.) However, I don’t think those experiences really had any influence on why I like to get those loverly packets of hopeful manscripts in my email (most contests I judge nowadays have gone to electronic entry format, thank God and all that’s holy!). It did make me a better judge, I think. (A few of the judges’ comments on one my entries were made to sound like mandates. Rubbed me completely the wrong way.)

And not all contests are created equal.

Though I finished my judging of the Golden Heart contest about a month ago, I finally posted the scores to my account at the RWA site yesterday. I understand their reasoning behind the “no comments, score only rule” but I have to say, my fingers absolutely itch to write something to some of the authors I’ve judged. Not all mind you, but some. The idea of the “score only” is because RWA believes that by entering the Golden Heart the author has gone over their manuscript with a fine-toothed grammar check, had several set of critiquing eyes focused on it so what you get to judge is error-free and ready to submit to an agent/editor. That’s not always the case and the need to help the author, to point out what could be strengthened, tightened or changed, rises up in me like a molten gush of magma. I want to spew forth suggestions and changes and all manner of fixes—but alas, due to the rules, I cannot. But don’t worry, I’ve saved up all my helpful hints for the Merritt Contest entries I received for judging the other day. *rubs hands together in glee*

Oh, and if that wasn’t enough to start my little heart to pitter-pattering, I’ve offically received my mentee for the Romance Diva Mentorship Program.

I’m so excited I don’t think I can stand myself!!!

Happy Writing everyone.

-Kate

Yes, I’m there. That special time between finishing a rough or first draft…or a rough first draft and the humbling experience of adding, embelishing or fixing mistakes in the second draft. For me, this is usually the place where I find I’m at my most vulnerable with a manuscript. Even if I’m confident the book is good in the initial writing phase, the read-through always fills me with doubts and trepidations.

Why is that?

I’m not exactly a novice writer. I’ve had a total of 13 books contracted, 11 of those out in print and ebook. I’ve had varying degrees of success with all of them. Great reviews for all, and yet I can’t seem to stop second-guessing that second read.

More so with the book I’m currently in the second-through read on.

Tin Gods is the beginning of a new series for me. A sort of treasure hunt/romantic suspense book with lots of quick quips and deep emotions. The problem for me comes in when a government agency has incomplete or faulty intel. Well, it can happen, but I’m questioning how it makes the hero look, since he’s employed by said agency.

I never want my heroes to appear weak. And by that, I don’t mean they never show emotion or are know-it-all jerks. I think there is definate strength in showing some vulnerability, the apprehension comes from a fear of his employers not looking quite professional enough. It’s a hard road to tread between needing enough fiobles in their plan to allow the villian to do his evil best to disrupt things, and allowing the hero to show his ability to think on his feet and keep himself and the heroine alive.

I’m a compulsive note taker while doing these read-throughs. If I have a question I need answered, or additions I need to make I want to know where they go. I may need to fix continuity if I think there is a problem – I jot that down too.

I’ve also noticed my transitions aren’t as smooth as they could be. Where exactly was my head while I was writing this particular book. Not that it’s bad, it’s just a little bumpier than my others. Could I be writing too many things at once, not giving enough attention to the small details I usually do while going through a first draft and just getting the main points on paper. If so, that hardly seems an efficient way for me to work.

*sigh*

But that’s fine. I’ll do what I always do and fix it on the read-through.

-Kate

Tuesday will be a big day for me. I have two releases, from two publishers coming out that day.

I know! How weird is that?

Both releases are paranormals, but have completely different tones. One is a romantic comedy set in contemporary times. The other is set in Victorian New York.

Here’s some blurbage.

ParaMatch.com by MK Mancos from Samhain Publishing.

Dating in today’s world is tough enough. Pair it with a paranormalady, and Lucille Wainwright is living the recipe for loneliness. Born a talentless witch in a family of legendary spellcasters, she’s managed to carve a niche for herself with ParaMatch.com, a matchmaking service for paranormal beings.

What she lacks in the magic department, she more than makes up for with her uncanny ability to conjure committed relationships out of any combination of traits and backgrounds. Until now.

Enter Jager Cronus, deposed king of the Titans and successful paratrader. As a client, he’s a nightmare. As a man, he’s irresistible. When he demands a date with her to the annual Legion Halloween Dance, she’s hard pressed to refuse. With her professional ethics warring with a deep need to prove herself, she gives him two more chances to find love.

That’s all the opening Jager needs. After all, he didn’t survive his downfall without learning a few things about prevailing in the face of the stiffest negotiations.

Now he’s about to negotiate the deal of a lifetime—a future with Lucilla.

**********

Kingmaker’s Gold by MK Mancos  from The Wild Rose Press/Faery Rose

Gold —the name alone evokes dreams of riches beyond imagination. Whether one is a mortal woman or one of the fey men who inhabit New York in 1910, the precious metal can have great impact and far-reaching consequences. For Abigail Westmorland, a single gold coin stands between her and destitution. For Venn, a contender for the leprechaun throne, it means the difference between leading the fey or being led by his cousin, the dark fey, Lachlan. Together Venn and Abigail find true love is more precious than any gold. 

******

Come share some laughs, love and a bit of magic.

-Kate

It’s true. We are our own worst judges of our work. Over the course of the last few months, I’ve had two different people read stories of mine—one an editor read, the other a crit partner. Now these were different stories, so when they each proclaimed the one they read the best thing I’ve written, I was a little shocked. Not that two people could give me that assessment about two different books, because neither of them had read the other story—but due to the fact I really didn’t think they were my best work ever.

Which got me to thinking? How can we adequately judge our own voice, if when we read our own work it’s like hearing our voices on a recording. It comes through tinny, nasal and just plain different. Personally, I think my strongest writing is in my sci-fi/futuristics. For some reason I seem to be one with my characters and the gritty worlds of the future. I revel in the barren landscapes or forever darkness of space. The characters are strong, independent and ready to kick ass at the drop of air pressure.

So, why don’t I see that in my Gothic romance or a Victorian paranormal? It’s not that I don’t love those two particular stories. On the contrary, I love all my stories with equal affection and devotion. I created the world and characters who inhabit them—they are part of my genetic code and sub-conscious mind. But were they my strongest work? – I simply don’t know.

And that bothers me.

Why? Glad you asked.

Though it’s the toughest job a writer does, being able to clearly assess and correct your own mistakes before sending a book to a crit partner or an editor/agent is very important to me. I want them to read a story that is clean and free from most errors. I want them to see my work at it’s best. There have been times, however, when I’ve sent off something to my cp and asked for just a quick eval to see if I’d been moving in the right direction, or the goal I wished to accomplish in an opening scene is coming together. Then I don’t really care if the grammar is splotchy and the continuity ragged.

I am getting more savvy at rethinking scenes that have spewed out of me like a mouth full of soda during a Will Farrell movie. But then I’ve always enjoyed rewriting over writing. There is just something about the knowledge of already having something on a page that is very comforting to me. Blank pages have a tendency to mock me.

And I let them.

Because who knows. The next thing I write might be better still.

-Kat

I’d nickel in the morning. I’d nickel in the evening…all over this land~~~~~~~~~~

Oh, wait. That’s hammer. Nevermind.

But seriously, If I did have a nickel for every idea that sprouts new ones, I’d be a wealthy woman and would never have to lift a finger to write or sell another book as long as I live. It’s true.

So, I told you last week how I had decided to try my chops on category, see if I had what it takes to make it. Well, I had three really great ideas for some romantic suspense, which seemed to be all unrelated stories—on the surface. Silly me. Turns out they all happen in the same small town near the NJ Pine Barrens. Yes, and didn’t I just find an excellent way to introduce characters from book three into book one so the readers will already know the characters well before they get to book three? (Or two) Depends on the order I choose to write them in. I might flip the last two. Hmmm…yes, that might work better. Anyhow, the point is, that my seemingly easy-to-write stand alone romantic suspense is now taking place in a small town rife with corruption and a couple-three killers.

Hey, it’s NJ, where when people buy cars they discuss trunk size in how many bodies can be stuffed in.

That’s just a little local humor. You might have to live here to get the joke. Anyhoo, so I’m almost 6K into the first book—49K more to go. I still have to decide which line it works better for, either Harlequin Intrigue or Silhouette Romantic Suspense. I’m not sure yet. I keep weighing the differences and similarities. I hope by the time I’m ready to send a submission I know which it a better target.

But I digress.

How do my stories end up getting into the series territory I try so hard to avoid? I have several theories. The first one deals with the fact I started out writing fantasy fiction. No fantasy author worth their weight ever does a one-off. The second, is the fact I tend to fall in love with my secondary characters. I have a driving need to know that all my characters get happy endings. Third, I love reading me some series. The follow through, the familiarity, the comfort, the closure. It’s just so awesome. Better even than sliced bread with jam.

Wish me luck in seeing this series—one of at least three series I have slated for category land—find a home.

Sign me,

Serious About Series

Over the last six months, my hubby and I have been dog sitting for our friend who owns a chocolate lab. We’ve quite frankly fallen in love with the dog. He’s an old man of a pooch, set in his ways and never gives us any trouble. In short, we were gonners the moment we met him. So, when the opportunity to have a dog of our own arose we jumped at the chance.

Today is Lily’s first day in her new home. She’s a 22-month golden mix. (I’m leaning towards the mix being goat.) Why? Well, she seems to have taken a liking to eating everything in her path. Kindling sticks, door stoppers, telescope lenses – (what she has against astronomy, I’ll never know, but I think something Carl Sagen said once, must have pissed her off.) For four hours today, she actually stopped eating, gnawing and chewing to curl up on the bed with me and sleep like a good girl. – Now, don’t get me wrong she’s a sweet, beautiful dog – she just needs to learn some rules.

Same with me.

While I’m not into munching expensive optics, I have decided to chart some new territory (for me) while continuing to persue my other writing passions.

During the past year, I’ve been drawn to the tight story and HEA’s of the category romance. I always shied away from writing them myself because I tend to be all over the map with my storytelling. I’m the one who might keep her hero and heroine separate in the story until I’m heading into the second third of the story if I think it calls for it. I might even have them not meeting until Chapter 10. I don’t follow any one particular pattern. I do love a challenge, and writing romantic suspense in fewer that 90K presents a big one for me.

There is simple beauty in a complete story being told in 55-60K. And since my first few published (under different psudeonymns) were brought in under 40K complete with space battles and graphic sex – I’d say 55-60 might not be that far of a stretch.) It does present some interesting challenges. For example: Writing tight and concise, making sure your plot is strong, weaving suspense and romantic elements in a tighter braid, introducing GMC by the end of Chapter 1, introduce hero and heroine no later than Chapter 2, finding a plot and characters compelling enough to keep the plot moving at a quick clip. All these things I can do. It’s just retraining the storytelling gene to keep it to the point. My novella roots are going to get a definate work out in the next few months and relearn those skills I acquired writing fast-paced sci-fi/futuristic romances.  

And while you might find me sitting at my computer chewing on the end of a pen, I promise not to destroy anything of import.

Oh, and by the way, Lily has a new nickname. I’m going to call her G.G. (short for Goat Girl.)

-Kate

No, I’m not going to finish that sentence. Use it as you see fit. Plug in your own words – dirty or clean. But whatever you do, own it.

That’s what I’m doing today – I’m owning the fact I can’t seem to get my act together lately. Oh, on the big things like handing in my edits on time and working on my deadlines, I’m solid. On the other things…well, let’s just say if it wasn’t for some very well-meaning prompts, I’d be writer in absentee again this week. Which makes me want to ask? How do we know when we’ve bitten off too much to chew?

Does a little bit of promotion get lodged in our throats? Do we suddenly see a calendar and turn into a drooling mess of catatonic words and phrases? Do our ideas spontanously combust in our brains? Maybe none of these, maybe all three. For me, it seems to show when I forget to post on my weekly blogs. Then I know it’s time to step back and take a breather.

But since this is the beginning of a brand new year, maybe a fresh approach to organization might be the key to “getting to class” on-time. I’m thinking a dry erase board I can update every month. I need a huge visual on my wall for weekly things, and one for monthly. Hmmm, I think a trip to Staples is in order. (For me that’s like being in the Promised Land!)

I’ll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime, I’ll keep writing along and looking for a place to stick my pencil, since my head doesn’t seem to be where it should.

-Kate