into the dark: November 2006

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

hump day happy place . . .

Huh. I rather like the title of today's post. Maybe I'll have to make it a regular thing! Anyway, today is good news day. Just because I say so.

#1. I'm about halfway done or better with KISS OF CRIMSON revisions. Hurray! For some reason, my brain is not clicking through these changes like I usually do. Too many other things going on at the same time. I need some chocolate and Red Bull!

#2. I'm about halfway done with my holiday shopping. Hip, hip, hurray! That'a a major relief that will be even greater when I get home from Mexico next month and don't have to rush around buying and shipping presents.

#3. I got a surprise delivery from my publisher yesterday -- cover flats for KISS OF MIDNIGHT! Unfortunately, I only got four of them, and one of the four has a blemish, but I was very excited to see that the the top half of the cover has a metallic wash! It really makes the artwork pop. And the word "Midnight" is set in silver foil. Squeee!! (It doesn't take much to get me excited, evidently.)

But enough about me.

#4. Lots of good stuff is going on around blogland. A brief sampling: Jaci just got a Top Pick review from Romantic Times for SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND (coming next month!). Larissa just got DIK'd by AAR (which is a good thing, for those of you as yet uninitiated) for her novella in the new Red Sage anthology. Shannon got a great review for her traditional romance, FOREVER AGAIN.

#5. Lastly, for those of you doing The Google and arriving here searching for Daniel Craig in a blue swim suit eye candy, here he is! Ogle to your heart's content. I know I will. :)

Posted by Lara Adrian at 4:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

ho, ho, ho . . .

So, there I am, recovering from a couple of days of tryptophan overdosing, when it hits me: because of a vacation that gets me home a few days before Christmas, I have to complete all of my holiday shopping and get it shipped out to various destinations . . . this week!! GAH!

Plus, I still have Crimson revisions to finish up before I go. And website content to think about so I can give it to my site designer. And a few to-do items from my publicist that need addressing. And probably half a dozen other things I'm forgetting at the moment.

I'm tired already!

Posted by Lara Adrian at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

thankful . . .

This year our Thanksgiving will be a quiet one: just the hub, his son who lives nearby, and me. And the cat, who is generally anything but quiet, particularly where table scraps are involved. I'm making a big turkey and all the trimmings (got pumpkin pie in the oven as I type this!), and I'm looking forward to a long, lazy day tomorrow and dinner with my guys.

It's been a bittersweet year, but I'm so very grateful for everything I have and everyone I love. I hope that wherever you are tomorrow, it's somewhere warm and peaceful, surrounded by family, friends, and plenty of good food.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! See you next week.

Posted by Lara Adrian at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments

Friday, November 17, 2006

shut up and write . . .

Yesterday was fun! Too much fun, because I didn't end up getting a lick of work done. So, today I'm shutting off my internet and email, and knuckling down on the revisions. Since our lunatic feline has a vet appointment this afternoon and we are having company for the weekend, I'm not expecting to make big progress. But today the hacking and slashing must begin. . . .

Happy weekend, all!

Posted by Lara Adrian at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, November 16, 2006

thursday thirteen #1 . . .

Thirteen Things I Know For Sure

1. I know for sure that if you read enough Thursday Thirteen lists, you will be unable to resist doing one yourself.

2. I know for sure that as much as I love George Clooney, he is *not* the Sexiest Man Alive. That title really belongs to this guy.

3. I know for sure that I am not procrastinating on making that first big cut into my current WIP. I'm just warming up the keyboard.

4. I know for sure that there is a special pit in hell reserved for the spammers who are clogging my in box with "hi it's (insert name here)" messages. May you each burn slowly and painfully. Forever. Amen.

5. I know for sure that 3 months of 16+ hour days chained to a desk results in fright-wig hair (good lord, those roots!), fried retinas, and an ass the size of Texas.

6. I know for sure that my husband loves me, because in spite of #5, he's never recoiled in horror. Trust me, I've given him plenty of cause!

7. I know for sure that whatever they put in cat treats is a highly addictive substance. To cats, I mean. Not to me. I can take them or leave them.

8. I know for sure that I am living my dream. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I'd still continue writing. I love it that much. How many people can say that about their job?

9. I know for sure that each day is a gift, and the life I'm living is heaven on earth. Would that time didn't fly by so quickly.

10. I know for sure that I will never be able to read all of the books currently stacked two rows deep on my book shelves. Or all the ones in storage bins in the garage. Or all the ones I intend to keep on buying month after month as long as cash and Citibank will allow.

11. I know for sure that, barring a miracle on the Total Gym these next few weeks, I will not be bikini-ready in time for my vacation next month. Sigh. Guess I'll just have to console myself with pina coladas once I get there.

12. I know for sure that the only movie I'll go to the theater to see this year will be the new James Bond "Casino Royale." Oh, Daniel Craig, how I wronged ye! Until I saw the trailer a few weeks ago, I was convinced you were all wrong for the role. But you--and your hot baby blue swimsuit--have shown me the error of my ways. Mrrowwrrr!

13a. Finally! I know for sure that it is damn hard to come up with thirteen things for one of these lists. (But more fun than tackling this morning's ms revisions.)

13b. I know for sure that I will be changing the color scheme of my TT next time around. This green is harsh! Sorry about that.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!1. Angela; 2. Jaci; 3. Alison; 4. May; 5. (you're next!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Posted by Lara Adrian at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

the editor has spoken . . .

My editor called yesterday with revision comments on KISS OF CRIMSON--surprisingly light revisions!

As with KISS OF MIDNIGHT before, I need to go deeper with the world-building and the character development/backstory in this subsequent book. Since I had those areas on my personal fix list, along with a few other things that I want to address even if they weren't mentioned by my editor, I'm feeling pretty relieved. No big surprises or major overhauls. Whew!

Now all I have to do is wrap this baby up by the end of the month so I can toddle off stress-free with hubby on vacation in December! :-)

On a completely unrelated note, I hope Emmitt Smith wins Dancing With The Stars. Yes, I'm admitting it in public: I've been happily rotting my brain on that show for months. I'll be glad to reclaim my Tuesday and Wednesday nights . . . .

Posted by Lara Adrian at 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

tcb and good stuff . . .

Still awaiting my editor's verdict on KISS OF CRIMSON (although by waiting, I mean that I am nearly finished with my own list of things I want to fix about the ms and just need to add her revision suggestions to the mix). I've also got pricklings of plot ideas for the next book, which I am really eager to start!

So, while I'm taking care of business, check out some of the good things that are happening to other writers: Jaci got reviewed by Publishers Weekly; Jordan landed a 3-book deal from TOR; Meljean landed an agent; Richelle sold two YA books to Penguin/Razorbill . . . and I'm sure I'm leaving out lots of other good stuff that's been going on in blogland. Doesn't it seem like the publishing world is buzzing with activity lately? I know some areas are in a slump (believe me, I *know*) but other areas are absolutely cranking!

What about you? Do you have good news to share, writing or otherwise? Let's hear it!

Posted by Lara Adrian at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments

Friday, November 10, 2006

strength and honor . . .

In romance fiction, we celebrate the idea of the courageous, capable man who would charge headlong into any danger to protect the things he holds sacred. He's not afraid to risk life or limb for the things he believes in, his code of honor and willing sacrifice making him larger than life. A hero in every sense of the word.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to a real-life hero. His name is Will Mock, and on October 22, 2006, he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq. I didn't know Will personally, but he was a regular poster--and all-round popular guy--on BooksForSoldiers.com, a website I first heard of in 2004, when my husband and I were looking for ways to support the troops overseas. While Will wasn't one of "our" soldiers, we're very saddened to hear of his passing. On CNN.com, you can see a short video interview of Will. Please take a few minutes to watch the clip and see why Will was such a special person. And whatever you're doing on this Veteran's Day weekend, wherever you are, please pause for a moment to remember all of our fallen soldiers.

Strength and honor, Sgt Willsun Mock. With love and gratitude to you, and to every man and woman serving in the US military, past and present.

Posted by Lara Adrian at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, November 09, 2006

back to work . . .

The post-ms celebration (also known as, housecleaning, laundry, and God I have to do something about this hair!) has ended and this morning I begin one of my favorite parts of the writing process . . . revisions. Woo-hoo! FYI, these are my own revs right now, working off the ms draft; I'm still awaiting word from my editor about the "real" revisions. For those interested in my process, it goes a little something like this:

Export manuscript file from WriteWay to RTF. Open RTF file(s) in TextAloud voice software, add 5-second pauses at chapter ends, then convert from text to spoken word mp3. Load mp3 book file(s) onto iPod--all 9+ hours of it!--then slap on earbuds and listen.

I prefer to listen to my manuscript being read in someone else's voice, particularly the first time through. That way I get a better sense of pacing, characters, plot flaws, etc. See, when I write, I don't go back and edit previous chapters. I don't even read them in order to prepare for the next day's writing session. I pretty much know where I left off, and I also know that if I stop to read what I already have, I'll be tempted to fix and fiddle and lose all of my enthusiasm. If I have hunches that a scene doesn't quite work, or needs something more, I'll jot down my thoughts in a Revision notecard in WriteWay, but I won't do any real editing until later. I have found that plowing straight through a draft is the best, most efficient, way for me to write. The reviewing and editing doesn't start until the whole story is down on paper (I do outline extensively before I begin a book).

So, today I listen and absorb. After I've heard the entire book, I'll make a few notes of my overall impressions--things that need to be fixed, opportunities missed, etc. Tomorrow I will print out and read the ms on paper, looking for places where I can insert new scenes and dialogue, and/or rip out dead weight based on what I hear today. After that? Let the bloodletting begin!

I always approach Listening Day with a mix of excitement and apprehension. How much of this ms is going to suck? Will I like any of it?? I'll know in about 9 1/2 hours . . . .

Posted by Lara Adrian at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

a day of anARChy . . .

No, that post title does not refer to the state of the midterm elections, although the neck-and-neck Senate race is killing me! Who'da thunk we'd have this show of interest in an off year? Yay, America! Way to rock the vote!

But back to the ARCs. Yesterday, I gave a copy of KISS OF MIDNIGHT to Angie, who twisted my arm very nicely (not to mention, publicly) about wanting an early read. Jaci's already read it. And last week I sent copies to my fellow Bantam Dell pals, Larissa and Steph. Then, while emailing about other things with Colleen, we agreed to trade ARCs (which means I have a copy of THE REST FALLS AWAY! Neener, neener, y'all!).

Now here's the truly bizarre thing: this morning I got an unexpected email from none other than Santa Claus, the Jolly One, telling me that I'm very pretty and that I should send an ARC to Shannon. I mean, wow! Santa thinks I'm pretty!! The ARC is on the way, Shan! ;-)

Posted by Lara Adrian at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments

Monday, November 06, 2006

off it goes . . .

I'm pleased to report that KISS OF CRIMSON is winging its way to NYC this morning. Actually, my manuscripts go via email to my editor, a convenience I appreciate all the more today because I am still sick (my cold has morphed into a nagging, lung-ripping cough). My plan for the remainder of the day consists of a long, hot shower, snuggly sweats, thick socks, and rest. If I feel better later, I may try to catch up on some reading (my TBR has reached staggering proportions) or check out what's been happening in blogland.

All in all, not a bad way to spend a dreary Monday.

Posted by Lara Adrian at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

the end is here . . .

In a mad burst of creativity (you might say desperation *g*) spawned from days of stagnation because of my lingering cold, yesterday I worked pretty much non-stop from dawn to bedtime and--brace yourselves--FINISHED THE DAMN BOOK!!!!

Almost.

I mean, I wrote to the end, but the final scenes are a bit sketchy and need some fleshing out. But they're out of my head and into the computer and it feels soooo good! For the rest of this week, I will be polishing these final scenes, then going back to proof and clean up the rest of the ms so that I can volley this beast to NYC.

And it's rather apropos that I should finish KISS OF CRIMSON on Halloween night because that's exactly when the first scene of the book opens! Freaky!

Posted by Lara Adrian at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

into the dark

blogsite for lara adrian, author of erotic contemporary vampire fiction