I realized today that I haven't blogged since Valentine's Day. Sheesh. A bad blogger am I. And even then it was just a chunk of the book, so that probably doesn't even count as blogging.
Anyway.
Anyway.
This past weekend, I had the
chance to present my books to a local audience at an author luncheon. And you
know long-winded me: rattling off that elevator spiel in five-minute intervals
isn’t always my strong suit. The event went really well, though, and it turns
out dusting off the spiel was personally helpful. One of my marketing points
was this: I like to write the kinds of characters you probably shouldn’t like,
but whom you can’t help but love.
I’ve been thinking about
that line in particular the last few days, and it’s true not only of my
writing, but of my reading as well. I tend to become attached to the sorts of
characters who have some explaining to do. Who don’t slot neatly into the win
or lose column. When I write, I like to dig into the minds of characters with
hang-ups, phobias, dark pasts, or problematic viewpoints. Whether it’s Luke, or
Sly, or Mercy, my favorite part of writing is diving into the heads of
characters you can’t imagine befriending…and asking readers to love them
anyway.
For me, holding hands with
that character makes the journey worth taking.
I’ve also been thinking
about my new series. The one I intend to start this fall/winter. And I’ve been
wondering how I can talk you all into taking the journey with me. I realized I’ve
gotten the approach all wrong. I was looking at the journey…and not the most
important part. That hand reaching out. Because it doesn’t matter if we travel
through history and see impossible and dazzling things, if you don’t want to
take hold of that hand, then it’s all for naught.
I’ve been itching to start
sharing teasers the last few Teaser Tuesdays, but that would be really
premature. So I wanted to tease without teasing. And maybe reassure.
First off, never fear, the
Lean Dogs aren’t going anywhere. I have some Legacy books I promised (Fox,
Albie), and Hellhound is spawning
more stories. So Dartmoor is going to continue going forward. The new series
won’t replace it; they’ll run along at the same time. So think of it as gaining
something new without losing anything. I really hope everyone will give it a
chance. It’s a new genre, yes, but it’s going to be a wild ride.
Speaking of. This new series
(currently titled the Sons of Rome Series) is full of those questionably
loveable characters I mentioned before. It has a big and varied cast. Intrigue, action, romance, steam, heartbreak,
friendship, angst, history, flashbacks. Bad boys, and tough girls, and lots of
pushing the envelope. It’s a series I’ve toyed with, scribbled notes for, and
wanted to bring to life for a long time now. It’s got everything you guys love
about Dartmoor, and the potential to continue book-after-book.
Originally, I thought it
might be best to publish it under a pen name, to create some separation between
the two series. But, in thinking it over, that’s a flawed idea. Sometimes,
stupidly, I allow the publishing business’s preoccupation with genre-adherence
to bother me, and that’s a mistake. I’m only a one-trick pony if I allow people
to label me as one. And I’m not. Or maybe I am – but the trick is in the
characters, and not the setting.
On that note, I can’t wait
to start sharing teasers when it gets closer to time. And a title, and the
cover, and all the requisite goodies. It’s going to be a busy next few years,
guys, and I for one can’t wait.
Happy Wednesday.
As an avid reader and a fan of your series, all I can say is that I have not been disappointed at all with everything you've published. Your characters as realistic and your stories well developed.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why writers write under multiple pen names so unless it's a marketing scheme or they're not sure if their audience will appreciate the different genres, I say stick to one name, your name. I have favorite writers and I will always search for their latest books regardless of the subject matter. If I don't like it I'll just pass on it but it doesn't mean I'll stop reading that writer.
That's my reader's point of view and I will now get off of my soapbox....
I love everything you've published, Lauren, and will continue to love and grab every book you do! I cannot wait for the new series. I'm sure just like Walking Wounded caught me by surprise with just how much I adored it, this new series will be the same :) ( and YAY more Lean Dogs <3 )
ReplyDeleteQuestionably lovable characters - cannot wait.
ReplyDelete