Keep changing until it goes 'click'.

I've always loved change. It brings excitement, adventure and that "smell" of new things!

Whenever anything has been stagnant in my life in the past, I simply changed it. (Admittedly, that's a little harder to do nowadays with a family that needs structure and stability to be nourished.) But the same applies to my writing: don't like it? Change it. And I also change the materials around the book or story, until something goes click. You've seen me with my book covers, right? And with my websites? And header designs? And book trailers? That's right - you get the picture! Create, create, create, change it, create, change, change some more, create, change... and so it goes on until the change that you've made clicks something into place and everything can grow from there.

I'm in a slightly stagnant place now with The Last Dragon, not least because May has been a hell of a month in terms of family and holidays, and sickness and birthdays... my god, May has been a LOOOOOONG month.  And so damn busy in many ways that I'm a little shocked I managed 11,000 words and only had one mild panic attack.

Please, Powers That Be, I am BEGGING you for an easier June, where the ideas can flow into my mind, my soul can transmute them, and then words can flow out of my hands onto paper (or eReader), and maybe most of all, the TIME to allow that flow to take place.

Oh, yes, I need time! Time please!

And for the end of May (there's only a day left) you may see those changes I'm talking about take place. Don't be alarmed - it is me trying to get energy moving; trying to get things flowing. If you do happen upon them, I hope you enjoy them :)

Dianna x

The Agony of Gardening

I hope you all had a lovely Bank Holiday weekend, or weekend in general for those of you who don't live over in the lovely UK.

I spent Sunday in both my front and back garden. It has been raining and windy and just cold and horrible all through April and May, which means there has been no chance to do the garden. So, I spent the day hacking and digging and pulling weeds and all sorts of other delights out of the ground, while getting pricked by thorns and dodging wasps and all other sorts of idiocy.

I'm not a gardener. I don't have a green thumb. I hate insects, especially wasps, bees and spiders, and I don't know what is a plant and a weed. I know, I'm such a girl, but I like pretty gardens, and I like sitting outside in the sun. It sounds stupid, but on nice, sunny, warm days, I get nostalgic and I go all deep and life just seems good and hopeful . . . but I haven't been able to sit outside due to the mess that is my garden. Plus, no one else is going to tidy it up for me, and I don't have the money for a gardener, which also seems pointless, because the gardens really aren't that big.

So, Sunday was an interesting day. I learnt that weeds are a master of disguise and can sometimes look rather pretty. I learnt that soil can be rock hard and stubborn. That grass likes to grow in places it shouldn't like the flower beds and the cracks between the paving stones. Rotten wood(en fencing) is just a pain in the ass. And that grass never ends.

I also got to use my new lawnmower. I should have took a picture of it. It's my first mower. I know that sounds a little sad, but purchasing it made me feel like a proper adult. It's small and green and I had to put all the pieces together with a knife because I don't own a screwdriver. Something which is now on my must buy list, because screwdrivers are very handy, but yes, I made up my mower and took it out for a spin and had to switch it off like five times, because the plastic cage kept getting full of grass. I swear the strip of grass in my garden is not that long or wide, but there was sooooo much grass, which went everywhere when I tried to tip it in the bin. I got some in my eye and let me tell you, grass hurts when it is in the eye.

Any way, after all the huffing puffing, sweating, stabbing, cramping, I am happy to say the garden is neat. I now just have to buy some ready to plant flowers - it's safer that way - and tidy up the far end of my garden and I will feel happy sitting outside. Of course it then decided to start raining at about 2pm this afternoon and hasn't stopped. Needless to say, I might be doing all of the above again next Sunday. O_o

What did you do this weekend? Anyone have a BBQ? I haven't had a BBQ in such a long time. It's on my "must do once garden is presentable" list.

Writing With Synchronicity

I've no idea if I've mentioned this before in any of my other posts, but have you noticed (those that write) that when you're writing a story, or plot line, or character trait, that those things then start to happen to you? Or you experience them somehow, even if just in a small way?

Or if you don't write, have you experienced this in relation to some other area or activity in your life?

I'm writing about a fairly chaotic time in most of my characters' lives at the moment, and today has definitely been a chaotic day (and so has the past few weeks in a way). It's a bit like I'm given the chance to act out my book.

As above, so below. As within, so without.

And another things happened to me, involving my knees (those of you on my Facebook page will know, lol), that also gave me better insight into one of my characters.

I know that when I was writing The Demon Bride, I wrote it often during slightly freaky weather conditions (which I also got in spades today, by the way) and it mirrored the essence of the book perfectly. That also happened while writing Releasing The Wolf - thunderstorms galore.

Anyone had any similar experiences while writing?

Dianna x

Loose Writing Schedule for the rest of 2013

So this is a very loose writing schedule. I realize that I haven't spoken a lot about my books etc these last couple of months, or rather, about what's bouncing about it my head. Surprisingly there is a lot bouncing around in my head, and although there is a lot of room for creativity and it is up to me what I write . . . unfortunately I can't write quick enough and I have to organize projects.

I kinda hate organizing projects. I should just write whatever I am most interested in, but the thing is when you have series - ones that you have started and published - they kinda take priority over all the new ideas. So, I gotta lock all the new ideas away for now and hope I will get around to them eventually.

The nice things if that for the last couple of weeks I have been having scenes and slithers of dialogue for the sequel to Cranberry Blood, which hasn't got a title at the moment. I have delayed starting this next book due to all the havoc that took place with the publishing company last summer, but I miss my characters and their world and despite everything I can't, and won't, stop writing just because of what has happened. Why should I, my characters, or you the readers miss out on this adventure?

So, I plan to crack on with the next book in The Blood Series, but not until I have finished my current WIP, and figured out if it's a standalone, a series, or a mini series.

I also plan to write the next book in The Overseers Series at some point at the end of the year. I don't like the fact there has been a big gap since book 1 was released, but due to low sales I have had to step back and make some decisions in regards to The Collector and the series on a whole, but more on that nearer the time.

As for my planned self-pub series - Generation-Breed - which I am still in the process of writing . . . After looking at it, I have realized this is going to be a side project that I work on slowly. The story has layers. More than I thought. More than I can currently get my head around and I need it to fit, and work, make sense, and be good. I don't want to rush it, or ruin it. So, it is a semi-back-burned project.

The other thing is I am currently waiting to hear back on two submissions and another matter. I'm so not a patient person, but what can I do? If there is anything I have come to learn - and at least it is starting to sink into my head this year - it's that I need to keep busy so I don't obsessively check my inbox. And that it really doesn't matter how much I write a year as long as what I write is good and interesting, and that I'm happy with it.

So, this is a very loose writing schedule for this year:

Truth or Dare? (Contemporary Erotic Short) - In submission

Watermaker: Book 1 in the Black Water Trilogy (New Adult Futuristic Romance) - In submission

Let Me In (Dark Erotic Paranormal) - Writing  - I hope to have this completed by mid-July

Blood Book 2 (Dark Paranormal Sensual Romance) - I plan to start this book in August and have it finished before Christmas.

Project - I'm waiting to hear about this particular story and aim to self-publish and release it in September, with a little luck.

The Keeper: Book 2 in The Overseers Series (Paranormal Erotic Romance) - I hope to start this project in December and finish it early 2014

Hopefully there is something on there for you all to look forward to? All I know is that I can't wait to share these stories with y'all. Wish me luck! :-D

I have a mini canvas/easel!

 It's Thursday and I'm posting? Yes, Dianna is away at the moment and I didn't post on Monday because I suck. My shifts at work were extended due to a colleague being sick. So, I've been too tired to think straight the last couple of days, but thankfully Dianna has let me pinch her spot.

Mini canvas/easel. Look how cute it is!!!

It was my day off today so I went shopping with my mother. It was a nice day out and I bought myself a mini easel and canvas. It's the size of my hand, and it's all cute and small, and is sitting in front of my computer.

Why buy a mini canvas/easel? Because it really is cute, but more to the point I use to paint and draw a lot. I'm not fantastic at it. I can't draw faces, so I leave them blank. I think it is a little more interesting that way, but that's just my opinion. I feel that there is a childlike quality to everything I do, which you can see for yourself below, but even though I am not fantastic at art there is something therapeutic about drawing/painting. It's a nice way to spend my time.

Cinderella

Soul mates

Dragon
(I copied this off a picture I found. I think it turned out rather well)

Pegasus
(Same as above. I copied this from an encyclopaedia I have. I love Greek mythology.)

Lady by Moonlight

Untitled

I haven't done either in a very long time, but I've been thinking about taking it up again. So, I thought I would start with the mini easel and make something cute and simple for my work space.

Any suggestions?

(All pictures - apart from those that I have stated were copied from other sources - are the result of my own imagination.)

A hundred guest posts coming up...

Well, not quite! But I'm copping out today and instead of a post on here, I'm giving you my blogging schedule to date, which will become much more full now, thanks to my awesome new PR Manager.

Don't miss out on some things below, including the EXCLUSIVE FIRST EXCERPT of The Last Dragon over at Fiction Fascination on 6th June, and the cover reveal for Heart Of The Wolf, on 30th June. Lots coming up!

End of May (date TBC) - guest post over at Paranormal Book Club

6th June - Author interview and EXCLUSIVE FIRST EXCERPT of The Last Dragon, over at Fiction Fascination.

13th June - 20 Questions over at Love Books? Blog Books!

30th June - Cover Reveal for Heart Of The Wolf (Eye of The Storm #3), plus guest post on book three, over at Fiction Fascination.

4th October - The Last Dragon release day

4th and 5th October - Indie Romance Convention, Lebanon TN (book signing / chats via Skype), and exclusive giveaway and SWAG from me for those attending.

31st December - Heart Of The Wolf release day (tentative date which may go into 2014)

Nostalgia

I hope everyone in the UK had a nice Bank Holiday Monday. The weather has been lovely today, which is why I have spent most of it in the garden "trying" to get the place tidy. Not easy to do when you're not very good at the whole gardening thing.

My gardening is basically hack everything back so it is tidy and can grow again, dig anything up that shouldn't be where I want it to be, and mow the grass, which I actually enjoy doing.

Yes, it is surprising that my garden is still in a fairly decent state, and can be classed as a garden, but hey, someone's got to tidy the place up now winter has decided to bugger off.

Any way, I spent the morning and a good half of the afternoon in the garden, and I have to say it was lovely to be outside in the heat, and with the sun . .  . Oh sun, how you have been missed. . . but I always find I get somewhat nostalgic on sunny days. That will no doubt sound odd since we go through a mass amount of sunny days in summer, but every now and again I will stop long enough to think about how much I miss hanging out with my best friend.

Since childhood right up to our early twenties my friend and I would just laze around in her garden with drinks and snacks and . . . I don't know, it's not like it was some big exciting thing sitting in the garden and lapping up the sunshine, but I miss do that. Something so simple and nice, and I miss it. Another reason why I need to sort my garden out; I miss hanging outside.

So, what have y'all been up to on this fine day? And what odd things do you find make you feel a little nostalgic?

Bad things, good things, family life and sunshine.

Yep ... it's Friday and the week has flown by! (And I should have posted yesterday...)

Bad things: my daughter's ear infection has been persistent, even with antibiotics, which she's just finishing off. It makes any parent crazy, and I don't know if I have the right to add double to that with being a writer and trying to squeeze in the writing around illness - everyone needs to work - but it sure feels like insanity is brewing! Trying to coop up an arty type of person is like trying to cage anything wild. It's close to suffocation. Add to that that my partner is also not feeling too well, and we have the perfect recipe for "caged in" ... but he has been fantastic with helping out, even through his own cold, so I really can't complain there. I was out for about two hours yesterday from tiredness alone (and the tell-tale signs of hayfever - God, I hate hayfever) but am refreshed today :)

Good things: over 3% of The Last Dragon has been written and WHAT a 3% it is. Talk about an opening :p Now, 3% doesn't sound a lot, but this is going to be a long book I think, and we all have to start somewhere. I will get more writing time in tonight hopefully...

Also, my daughter (even with her ear) goes to her very first dance class tomorrow morning! She's growing up so fast. Yeah, it's a little sad, but mostly I'm over the moon that she's growing and becoming independent. Of course I'll miss my baby girl a little, but I don't think I'll be one of those mums that pine for the time when their kids were itty-bitty. I want to see her grown up and taking life by the horns. I do kinda wish I didn't have to get any older though, lol. Immortality rocks - I'd choose to be young and immortal any day! In our heads, I don't think we ever grow over the age of 24 - I'm still there at twenty-four.

And it looks like this bank holiday weekend (we get a long weekend here in the UK, with Monday being a holiday) is going to be super-sunny and warm. Welcome back, summer - I have missed you :D

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Dianna x