Bucket List

I kinda didn't post yesterday and the honest truth is I forgot until I got in to bed and my head hit the pillow and I had a "damn it," moment. So, I apologize for missing my day.

I'm afraid this post is going to be another "random thoughts" type of post, because lately I have been doing a lot of think about my future. It seems sort of crazy to say that because in a way I am always thinking about my future, but I find that so far this year I have been looking at my life, and then life in general and seriously thinking about what I want; and I mean the type of deep, proper grown-up type of thinking.

You see, as silly as it may sound I sometimes forget that I am the age I am, which isn't old, but I am able to do anything I want unlike when I was a teenager. My teens years were horrible - as I am sure most peoples were - and naturally, I did a lot of dreaming, but stuff has change. My priorities have changed. Things I didn't want, or wasn't interested in back then have turned in to things I really want.

Basically, I have spent the first four months of 2013 thinking how funny life is. How when you're a teenager time drags. Life seems so complicated and hard, and then BAM you're an adult and time is flying quicker with each year and life is severely complicated and messed up.

This no doubt sounds rather trivial to many people. A lot of people tend to go with the flow, but I have always been a deep thinker and find that I need goals. I need direction and focus otherwise I feel very lost. I feel like I'm just floating along with no point of purpose, and it isn't a feeling I like very much.

So, I have spent the beginning of 2013 creating a bucket list for myself, but mine kinda takes on the form of a really large cork-board with a ton of pictures etc stuck on it. From tattoos I want to the countries I plan to visit, and then to the big goals in life such as marriage, kids and what I hops to achieve in my career.

It's nice to see your goals set out before you. Make everything so much clearer and possible. It gives direction and purpose. Somehow it makes life seem a little less crazy, because it really is if you actually stop and take the time to think about it.

If you were to create a bucket list what would you put on it? Give me one small trivial want and one big important goal.

My small trivial want: an ankh tattoo on my left forearm.

Big Goal: to work with Tim Burton one day.

Hey, it might sound crazy, but hell, I think the man is brilliant, I've been a fan since I saw Edward Scissorhands at the age of 5, and it would be an honour and a dream come true. So, why the heck shouldn't I aim that high? :-P

Writing on The Last Dragon has "officially" begun.

And this was my excuse for not blogging last night. I felt the pull of writing and really needed to get stuck back into it for my own sake - to know that I still could!

I'm not a writer who can finish one project and go straight into the next. I need to be "obsessed" with my characters to a certain extent to write them, so I sort of feel like I need to get to know them all over again to be able to write from inside their heads.

Well, I'm pleased to say that last night, the characters came to life and the writing flowed smoothly :) All under the Scorpio, partially eclipsed, full moon. I completed 1160 words, and since my aim is 1000 words a day, that's good.

Unfortunately, the rest of the night was difficult, with my daughter awake for most of the night with a healing (and highly itchy, and still slightly gungey) inner-ear - no fun at all. I finally got some sleep from about 5:30am. Needless to say, my sense of humour appears to be missing this morning.

Anyway, onto more motivational thoughts... I posted this up on my FB page and thought I'd share it here too:

Yeah ... I'm looking forward to this too :D

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Dianna xxx

Promotion

Promoting. I find there is a fine line between "too much" and "not enough." Although, I have to say that not enough seems to be the easier outcome.

As an author I have to promote my books on an ongoing basis; or rather, as much as I can. From the portion of promotion I have tried I have seen what works and what doesn't, but I am always looking for new ideas, which also goes for competitions.

So, today's post is actually rather short, because today I want to ask you all what you would find interesting to read about in regards to an authors work (background, process, personal thoughts etc.) Outside of their work what would interest you? One thing I struggle with - which I am sure you can tell after reading a lot of my blogs on this very site - is blogging about interesting subjects. I never really know what to talk about. I mean, I have things I can talk about, but would anyone find them interesting? Would you prefer to know something else? I really want to write interesting posts for you, but never really know what would be classed as interesting.

I guess what I am saying is what would you like to know about? My books, me, my views on writing - or anything else you might want to throw in there? Do you find you learn more from interviews than you would a guest post? Do you prefer chat nights - actually talking to the author - rather than reading a post/interview and leaving a comment? 

And competitions, what type of swag would you like to win? Do you like personalized - series/book based - items? Clothing, jewellery, gift vouches, books etc?

What would capture your attention most - outside of the book cover/blurb -make you give the authors work a chance?

Basically, I'm asking for your suggestions. You are the readers who are so kindly purchasing my work - and hopefully enjoying it - so I want to give you the information you want, answer your questions, basically talk about and giveaway interesting information and items.

Any suggestions you could offer would be most appreciated. Hope you've had a lovely Monday. :-)

Cry Of The Wolf release day party!

(all links below the photo)

PAPERBACK GIVEAWAYS AT:

Paranormal Pleasures

http://paranormalpleasures.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/reviews-giveaway-interview-with.html

Bookaholics Book Club

http://bookaholicsbkcl.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/guest-post-dianna-hardy-vlog-and.html

Close Encounters With The Night Kind

http://closeencounterswiththenightkind.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/giveaway-and-release-day-party-for-cry.html

Reviewed on Release Day by Bitten By Paranormal Romance http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2013/04/review-cry-of-wolf-by-dianna-hardy.html

Mentioned as a new release in USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/04/18/new-releases-paranormal-romance-april-2013/2091263/

BUY LINKS

Amazon US

http://www.amazon.com/Cry-Wolf-Eye-Storm-ebook/dp/B00CEHHWW6

Amazon UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cry-Wolf-Eye-Storm-ebook/dp/B00CEHHWW6

Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/307395

ENJOY THE PARTY, EVERYONE :D ♥

Truth or Dare? is finished!

Found this through pinterest.
For me, it basically sums up the story.

People did not leave me alone last week, but despite the fact that my time shrank to less than half of what I thought I would have I managed to complete "Truth or Dare?" Can I get a "hell yeah!"

I have yet to edit the life out of my new shiny and submit it, which I did aim to do this week, but the reason for the delay on those two particular steps is because I wanted someone to read the story first, and who better than my lovely co-blogger. Thank you, Dianna! :-D xxx

So, I eagerly await her honest opinion.

Until then, I am catching up on a couple of things, and eagerly awaiting pay day as I have some virus software that is going to expire in like two weeks. Eh.

So, I thought I would leave you with a very rough blurb for "Truth or Dare?" and a - unedited - excerpt. Enjoy!

~ * ~

Truth or Dare?
(An erotic contemporary short)

Do you dare tell the truth?

A house-warming party was the last thing Dani wanted, but what she didn't expect upon clearing her apartment was to be roped into a tequila fuelled game of truth or dare.

Just harmless fun? Not when Cameron, the guy of her fantasies and the most irritating man she has ever known, is the one provoking her into playing.

When the game turns intimate and their friends leave them alone, things suddenly turn serious. Is it bravado pushing them forward? The desire for one night of fun? Or will a dare give both Dani and Cameron the courage they need to tell the truth?

~ * ~

Excerpt:

I wandered over to my glass cupboard, and reached up on tiptoes to find the cluster of tumblers. A large hand landed on my hip. Fingertips skimmed the band of my jeans as solid muscle pressed me into the kitchen counter.

“Need any help?”Amusement lit Cameron’s voice.

Words seemed to escape me. I sucked in a deep breath at the feel of his rough fingertips skimming my waist. An involuntary shudder shook me as the thought of him ripping my jeans open, spreading my legs, and fucking me right on the spot sent tingles to my clit. God, how many times had I imagined him doing that? Too many.

“Not from you, I don’t.” The words were shaky as I forced them past my lips.

His husky laughter rumbled through my back. He was so hot and hard, I wanted to melt into him, and I hated myself for it.

Soft lips pressed against my ear. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“Why are you so impatient? Can’t a girl cut limes and grab glasses in peace?”

My stomach quivered as he slipped his hand round to my stomach; playing with the button on my jeans. “Are you sure you want to play?” His voice dropped to a soft growl. “I can think of so many other ways you and me could christen your new place; starting right here, right now.”

A ragged breath left me. He slid his hand from under my T-shirt, and walked his fingers up my arm as he reached into the cupboard. His hips pinned me to the counter, and I had to cut off a groan at the feel of his impressive erection digging in to my ass.

“What do you say?”

I clenched my thighs together as moisture flooded my panties. My eyelids fluttered shut. “I say the day I agree to such activities with you will be the day hell freezes over.”

He laughed, low and husky. “You want to play the hard way, I’m game.”

My eyelids snapped open as glass hit the side. I glanced down to see four tumblers in his grasp as his hand rested on the counter beside me. “But who knows what I might ask you.”

“Ask whatever you want.” I glanced over my shoulder. “You don’t scare me.”

His lips twisted. “Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.”

~ * ~

Hope you've had a lovely Monday. :-)

It's a good thing I write fiction because...

I've come to think that it's a good thing I write fiction, because I don't know how good I am at the real life stuff. I find it hard to see it as real life - most of the time, I feel like I'm living other people's reality. Is this my world? It doesn't feel like my world...

I can be a bit of a clutz. I get things wrong.

I call people (who I am trying to acquire a service from) by the wrong name - did it today. Ah ... at least my little hole is comfy...

I never know what's going on half the time. I hate interrupting conversations that people are having, so often I'll be the one at the edge of some social gathering trying not to look uncomfortable and like I don't belong. My thoughts are so weird most of the time, that I often find conversation either difficult or pointless. I hate formal occasions. Sometimes I can get into the role and pretend this is "me" for an evening, but it is a pretense - give me my worn out jeans to wear any time.

Growing up, ever since I can remember, I often felt like an alien, or like I was born in the wrong time and place. As if The Powers That Be chucked me out of the proverbial plane by accident and I ended up ... not where I was supposed to be.

Still I feel like this. Even as an adult, I have not been able to shake it.

Yeah. Thank god for the ability to write my own reality fiction.

Dianna x

Expert turned Novice

Okay, I’ve never really been an expert at writing. I’m still learning as I go, but I’ve been feeling like a right novice the last couple of days. You see, I started two projects in October, managed to get a decent 4k done on both of them . . . and then my hours went up at work, it was Christmas and then New Year . . . then I quit my job because I was offered a better one. . . .

Life invaded my space, zapped my energy and stole my attention. That diva.

Yes, I know that outside of my head there is a world where my family and friends live, where jobs happen because bills need to be paid, but it has been so horrible not writing. I sat down last night and said, “hey, I know I have to work. I know there will be days where I am tired, and not motivated. I know I have friends and a family, and general things to do, but enough is enough. I need to write.”

I have never been quite about my dry periods. I don’t mean to whine about them, and I really hope I don’t come across that I am. Its just frustration that has to come out, but I have felt rather lost these last few months; like part of me is disappearing.

So, the other day I woke up and said to hell with the cleaning and the laundry and everything else. Writing is my top priority, before anything else. It’s my passion, what I love and what I enjoy spending my time doing. And guess what, I managed to get 1.5k written on one of my projects. I know it doesn’t seem a lot, but I was very happy that I had managed it.

Then I re-read it all and realized it was no good. It didn’t sound right, or flow well.

I feel like I’m starting all over again. As a writer you are continually growing, and improving with each story you write, but I honestly felt like an absolute novice who really had no idea what she was doing.  I don’t know if any other writer has this problem when they have had a dry patch, but if you have, how the heck do you snap out of it?

I mean, I spent last month editing my co-authored project – which my writing partner and I have decided to self-publish, so more on that when I have news – but editing is so very different from starting fresh.

Needless to say I deleted everything I wrote and did it again, and then I tweaked and moved, and continued in this very slow manner for two days until everything clicked in to place. The funny thing is I only have another 1,000 words to write and then I’m done, and it will be time to edit. *Head desk*It feels good to be writing again, though. So damn good. And I have to say that I’m very excited about cracking on with my next project, but it is a longer story which is why I decided to wait. It made more sense to get the shorter story done and dusted first.

The current project is a short story titled, “Truth or Dare?” It’s not plot heavy, just something sexy and fun, and it involves tequila shots and a game that turns serious for two of the players. ;-P

The next project is a paranormal novella titled, “Let Me In.” I’m not sure at the moment if it will be longer and end up being a novel, or if it will be three novella’s. I haven’t got that far in to the planning, because well, I’m a punster. Ha. But it’s a dark paranormal about the dangers of falling in to bed with strange sinful men. :-D

So, I have 1k to go. I plan to have “Truth or Dare?” finished this week, edited, and submitted. Surely I can do that? *Gets on knees and prays, “Please let everyone leave me alone for a week. Amen.”*

TRIVIA about Cry Of The Wolf and its publication date.

When the paperback of Cry Of The Wolf is released on 25th April, there will be a partial lunar eclipse of the full moon in Scorpio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2013_lunar_eclipse

It is also the Buddhist (Theravada) New Year, and the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA was announced on this date in 1953.

The blurb of the book begins, "The full moon is a week away...", and so the eBook is released one week early - one week before the full moon.

At first, it was a fluke that I picked publication around these dates (it was all set for release, one day ahead), but after a bit of research, I moved things back a date so it could all coincide with what the universe is telling us. Let's go with the flow ;)

For more trivia about thunderstorms, lightning and DNA - and if you missed it - here's my first video guest post (courtesy of Nancy at The Avid Reader) about writing the series.

Have a happy Friday / weekend :)

Dianna xxx

Happy Easter!

Firstly, I would just like to point out that Dianna's short story "Happy Anniversary" has been nominated for "Best Indie Short Romance." So, if you could head on over to - http://indieromanceconvention.blogspot.co.uk/ - and vote for her that would be fab. Also, you can get a copy of this sexy little story for free on Amazon, which you just have to go do now, because it is delicious.

~ * ~

I can't believe it is April already. Time seems to be slipping away at an alarming rate, even more so now that we have lost an extra hours sleep. Boo! Although, I have to admit I am looking forward to sunshine and some heat - insert laughter - because I am seriously done with winter.

So, my Easter weekend has been spent Spring cleaning and eating chocolate and a range of other naughty things. Not much excitement I'm afraid so I decided I would share an unedited excerpt from the project I am currently working on. Please be kind because I really mean unedited in the sense of "haven't checked for mistakes what so ever."

This is from my current WIP titled "Let Me In" which is a little story about the consequences of jumping into bed with a demon. ;-P I hope you enjoy!

~ * ~

“Remind me again, how does putting myself out there to be used for one night actually help my self-esteem?”

“This isn’t about self esteem. This is about fun; sexy, dirty, fun.”

“Oh, so I have fun and then continue to feel like crap once it is over? Right, now I remember why this is a really idiotic game.”

“Just pick or I will pick for you.”

“Go ahead and pick. I’m not going up to some stranger and saying, “hey baby, wanna get in my panties, so I can feel like shit in the morning.”

“Now, the first part might actually work. Just stop talking after the word pants, push your tits together, and bat your eyelashes. Simple.”

Grabbing the twenty dollars from the table, I stood up. “I’m getting a drink. Anyone who isn’t interested in feeling cheap in the morning want one?”

Cindy raised her hand. I glanced at Loretta who nodded.

“You use to be fun.” Paige sighed, and stood up. “Shaun has really-”

“Done enough. So, please stop reminding me.” The words felt like gravel in my mouth as I bit them out. Twisting round, my shoulder met with a solid wall of muscle. Stumbling to a halt, I looked up and an apology died on my tongue. Amber eyes looked down at me from the sexiest face I had ever seen in my life; sharp cheekbones accompanied by a jaw that had been made for nibbling. His ink black hair stopped just under his ears, the strands curved out at the bottom.

“Sorry.” The words fell from my lips too silent for the stranger to have heard me, but his lips twisted at the corners.

His large hand came to rest on the small of my back, and he leaned in, pressing his mouth to my ear. “It was my fault entirely.” His breath skated down my neck causing goosebumps to rise over every inch of my skin. A shudder racked down my spine. “And I’m happy to take the blame.”

~ * ~

Happy Easter! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. :-D