Workshop Wednesday - A Year of Writing

Where in the world did 2014 go? I mean, really. It's just gone. Poof. I can't believe that tomorrow begins 2015. I see quite a lot of writing on my horizon. 2015 is going to be a year of words for me, I feel sure. I'm delighted. Perhaps addicted, obsessed. What have you. There's so much to do in the coming months, and I can't wait to share it all with my wonderful readers.

But for today, the workshop topic is all about reflection. I'm looking back at 2014, its words, and learning from my mistakes and minor successes.

God Love Her came out in February, and it was a long time in the making. A rewrite of a much-earlier story, it is actually the book that has sold the least copies for me. Sly and Layla's was the first love story I wrote, and though it needed massive revision, and ultimately, a total rewrite, it's one that I hold special. I'm not sure it will ever be widely-read, but that's okay; I feel like I learned so much about writing during the years I carried it with me.

"Things" was in July, a quick short story to bridge the second and third Russell volumes. This was such a fun piece. A bit of fluff. I hadn't thought about doing a oneshot in an official capacity like this before, but it was well worth the effort, and it's inspired a second Russell short, "Green Like The Water," that I'm hoping to have out in January.

Keeping Bad Company was September's release, and in addition to indulging my ongoing love with Sly and Layla, it gave me a chance to decide if I really wanted to write a story dedicated to bikers. I'd written that sort of thing before, but thought I was done with it. Turns out, I wasn't. Which leads us to...

The behemoth. On a bit of a whim, as I grieved for my dearly departed dog, I wrote the first three lines of Fearless. What was supposed to be an idle side project quickly took hold. I released Part I because I wasn't sure anyone would read it in the first place, and didn't want to spend months on a hopeless project. I was stunned by the reaction, and 256,000 words, and four months later, Fearless has become the launch pad of a whole new series.

In retrospect, I think Fearless was the thing I was always building toward. My work has become steadily more outlaw this year, and so far, 2015 is shaping up to be counterculture-friendly too. I hope to release at least 2 more Dartmoor novels this year, and who knows what else will pop up along the way. There's a long road ahead with these Lean Dog boys, and I for one couldn't be more excited to get started.

I want to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to my truly wonderful readers who continue to  inspire and encourage me. Your support is appreciated more than you know. I am your humble servant.

Happy New Year! A toast to the old, and to the new, and the adventures it promises.

The Right Boots

Remember these boots that I pinned a while back for Ava? I put them on my Dartmoor Pinterest board and shared them here as a bit of character wardrobe inspiration. Well, for Christmas, my mom tracked them down and gifted a pair to me. I was so surprised!

If you're like me, you dream of boots. I splurge on a pair only every so often, but it's fun to look. Here's my current favorites on the wish list:

The family bought these for my mom from Country Outfitter this year.

I really like the strap across the toe on these.

These are red! (and leagues out of my price range. Love Frye)

Love the studs on this pair.

Old Gringo makes some of the most unique, gorgeous boots, like this turquoise pair.

These are pretty, I think, and very different.

Oh, boots. How I do love you.

The Real Thing

When it comes to books, Kindles are great for convenience and immediacy, but there's just nothing like the real thing. As both a book nerd, and someone who wasn't sure I'd ever see Fearless in print, getting my first proof in the mail last week was joyous.

I have some tweaking to do before I'm ready to order final copies for next month's two giveaways, but I couldn't wait to share this big hunk of book with everyone.

The lowdown: 738 pages. It was originally over 1,000, and I managed to compress it down. Ten point font, no frills, narrow margins, and a minimalistic matte cover.

Front

Title page.

Touch of Bronte.

Back

Spine

The meaty view

This sucker is heavy! I'll be giving away several (haven't decided how many yet) of these signed, 6x9 paperback editions of the complete novel in both a Goodreads, and a social media giveaway. Details coming soon, so stay tuned.

Merry Happy

Christmas Day. After the party, after the crush, after all the cooking and table-setting and cleanup. That's my favorite part. Curling up with a book and eating too many leftovers. Ahh. The basking.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I helped my mom host 19 for dinner last night, and though I had the best intentions of documenting the festivities via photos, it didn't happen.

Last year, we experimented with several tables fitted together to make one long, eclectic dining experience, and it was so much fun, we did it again, this time with extra tree greenery and tiny woodland animals. I did manage to snap a few pics of the table yesterday.

Today, even the dog's worn out. He digs his new toys.

If you saw it on FB, I received my first proof in the mail Tuesday, and I can't wake to start in on final edits and proofreads. I'll share some decent photos tomorrow.

For tonight, Merry Christmas, and best wishes from Mercy :)

A Holiday Staycay

I don't think I realized, until the moment I turned it loose and sat back in my chair, just how deeply entrenched I was in Book Land. There was a moment of disorientation. What day is it? Where am I?

Okay, not really. But I was a little absorbed, shall we say. And the worst part? I had this intense urge to start writing again. Just stop, Lauren. Step away from the laptop.

So after the rush of Christmas dinner, I'm treating myself to a little staycation time to put my feet up.

I'm going to read this, and this, and this.

I'm so excited to go see the final chapter of The Hobbit. Tolkien and Christmas are irrevocably linked for me. It's a holiday tradition, and this year, it'll be the very last trip to Middle-Earth. I won't even pretend that I won't be crying into my sleeve the entire time.

Viktor's craziness has made nail care a bit of an impossibility. I bought this polish and want to try it out.

I'm also expecting my proof of Fearless in the mail any day now, so I'll put the finishing touches on it this holiday and get it ready for the giveaway. I have several cover ideas; maybe I'll put up a poll on FB and see which one you guys like best.

Giveaways will begin next month, and then I'll start work on Angels. Gah, I'm so excited. This little holiday breather will get me all energized to get back to work.

If I don't check back in until the 25th, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Thanks so much for reading.

12/19/14

Release day! Well, not really. It's a bit anticlimactic, isn't it? If you haven't seen it yet, Fearless Part IV went live Wednesday night. You can find it here. I wanted to say again how grateful I am for the emails, reviews, comments, and support from my readers. You've all helped make this such a fun project.

Countdown Day 7 - Merry Christmas!

I was hoping I'd be able to do this - as I shared on FB last night, Part IV is live! My readers have been the best, and I wanted to release the final Fearless installment a day or two before the date, as a way to say "thank you" for all the support. Merry Christmas and please do enjoy. Get your copy right here.