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Archive for March, 2015

When I stated my goals in January, I had two goals I wanted to accomplish during the round and one I wanted to accomplish sometime in 2015. Here is a recap and the outcome.

1) Finish and publish the novella written under my other pen name for the anthology I’m doing with another author. Goal to finish: January 31 Finished this January 20

2) Finish the mystery I’ve started and publish under that same pen name. Goal to finish: Mid to Late March Finished this in early March

3) Write and publish at least one title under my Lauralynn name. I have three ideas and don’t yet know which one I’m going with. Goal: Sometime this year. I’ve chosen the story (sequel to Soul of a Vampire) and have started some plotting with some help from Susan Bischoff This one wasn’t a round goal, but a 2015 goal, so I think I’m doing fine. 🙂

I know I didn’t have MAJOR goals this round, but I honestly think I did really well considering I have a full time job and a proofreading business.

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I almost didn’t post because I didn’t have a whole lot to say. I already talked about my sub-plot issue on my Friday post.I haven’t been writing because 1) I’m proofreading for a client and 2) I’m still plotting another book. I feel like plotting, planning, etc. is still part of writing, so I’m okay with that. I have a novella written under my other pen name almost ready to publish. The cover is almost done, and I have just a few corrections to make. But I can’t think of a TITLE!!! I have the title for the series this starts, but not the actual book. Titles are so hard for me unless the title comes to me, and I write the story around the title. That’s happened a couple of times, once with Soul of a Vampire and again with Fire Wizard. But most of the time, I’m struggling with that title. And since it’s my first mystery, it’s more of a challenge than my paranormal romances. It’ll come to me. I must have patience!

And since this post is pretty boring, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Willow. 🙂

willow 3-22-15

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I’m actually in the middle of writing two stories, which is something I’ve never really done before. Now that I have two pen names, it might be necessary to do this fairly often. Anyway, for the Lauralynn name, I’m writing a sequel to Soul of a Vampire. This one is going to be a little tricky. The story focuses on Jan, the best friend of Tessa, the “shero” in Soul of a Vampire. However, this story is going to have a sub-plot. I’m very weak in the sub-plot area, so this is going to be hard for me. Anyone have any suggestions on how to write a great sub-plot? The biggest problem with this one is I’m afraid the sub-plot might overpower the actual plot if I’m not careful. The sub-plot is going to be an adventure, but a lot of the main plot is, too. The main plot will have a lot to do with feelings, too.

I must get out Susan’s Toolkit and do some work!

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Synopsis

 *Taabia Dupree, Amazon Best Selling Author of Jessica’s Obsession, wants readers to know that WolfsBlood has mature content.* When Kaine Maccon left the Rocky Mountains, he thought he had turned his back on them forever. As fate would have it, his father falls ill, and he must return to claim his rightful place. Blood will spill, and old lovers will reunite, but for how long? Will he be removed as the true heir?
 
Buy Link
 
Buy Link WolfsBlood Pre-Order Buy link will be the same as the buy link on March 20th. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U426K4Y
 
 Teaser
 Chapter 1- Kaine sat at his desk and read his brother Aohdan’s letter over. Kaine! Da is sick! You have to come back home. Aiden was told to not write. I was away and when I returned Da was down. Brother it hurts me to see him this way. I do not know if he will be in this world for long and it worries me. Rua Rainer has stepped up to help the young ones and my fur bunches to think Aiden or I were because of how he is taking care of the young ones. Kaine come home! No more wasting time away. Ma is gone, and Da has been going downhill for years. He tells you only what he wants you to know. He knows you will not listen to anything else. Brother I am telling you, get your ass home. This time listen to me. Rua will take the lead if Da dies and our family will no longer rule these mountains. Kaine stopped reading, grabbed his keys off his desk and walked out of the office to his car. Once inside the car he slammed his fist against the window pain. He could care less that he’d hit the window so hard it shook. He yelled, “Da, what are you thinking letting that animal come near our clan?” Kaine pounded the steering wheel. His body was tense, and his blue eyes turned gray. He needed to calm himself he thought. He got out of his car and walked away before he did any damage inside. Despite his temperament, he found himself headed in the direction of the nearby park. For six years, he’d stayed away from the Rocky Mountains. His father and brothers still lived near the stream at Oakea. The family was midway into the mountains but not too far up that the weather does not change. The cabin that his grandfather and grandmother built for their family still stood sturdy through tough winter storms. Kaine’s father, Stephan Maccon, and siblings helped keep the land around the cabin cleared and vegetated. The lower village’s townspeople stayed clear of particular paths in the mountains if they hiked. Anyone who walked close to that area would say the area above where they did not trespass was not feasible to vegetation. They also passed gossip around that it was dangerous for folks if they trekked higher up because there was a strange type of wolf that dwelled in that area. His grandmother, Stephan’s mother, who died several years before Kaine came into the world, loved her flower beds and tended them until she expected the first frost. She would fill their cabin with the scent of freshly cut wildflowers during their springs and summers. His brothers and sisters had separate areas to rest their heads, but when they were old enough they went off on their own. Mostly the boys, the girls lived nearby in the village of Oakea. Kaine heard these stories over and over as he grew up. As he walked closer to the parks edge, he watched children playing and mothers sitting nearby watching and chatting with others on benches. The park was near his office, and he usually went there to think. Today he went there to figure out what he would do about his brother’s letter. His younger brother Aiden was only twenty-one years old, he’d heard Aiden had a backbone but not enough to take on someone like Rua Rainer. Aohdan, twenty-six, strong willed, but more of a nature lover like their grandmother, had not sufficient strength to take on any Rainer, Kaine thought. Perhaps one of the others in Rainer’s pack, but not Rua himself. Anyone who took on a pack leader had to be as strong as his Da, and cocky. Willful wasn’t enough; they had to be that assured of themselves to fight for what was right, and fight to kill if needed. With a tensed body and balled fist, Kaine cursed his father. Dammit Da! Why did you have to get sick and not tell me? Why? Why is it so hard to speak to me? So I left! So I made a life for me! I deserved a bit of freedom. I worked hard to get where I am, and I refuse to…. He stopped. He knew his next thoughts would be lies, and he could not lie to himself. He wanted to say he would not go home. However, he knew if Rua took over as pack leader, the Maccon’s would be shunned and run off their land. Kaine turned away from the children who agitated him, because they stirred up memories of his childhood.
 
Connect with Taabia
 
 
Author Bio
 
 Author Bio Taabia Dupree was born in the United States and grew up on the Eastern Seaboard. Her love of books and anything with words came from her parents. As a young person, Taabia read anything she could get her hands on, from cereal boxes, to the Encyclopedia Britannica, to the National Geographic, to the business section of the local newspaper. Yet some of her favorite reads came from writers; L’Amour, Tolstoy, Eddings, Tolkein, Hugo, Wright, Dickens and Hemingway. In 1999, Taabia started writing erotic fantasy stories for online story groups. She self-published her first erotic story in 2011. Today, Taabia Dupree writes coming of age stories, erotic short stories, mystery & psychological-thrillers, paranormal shapeshifter stories, and poetry. Taabia enjoys a challenge. Her plans are to write more romance mysteries and shapeshifter books. So, keep watch for her books coming out in 2015, and 2016. Author Taabia Dupree’s books include an Amazon Best Seller Jessica’s Obsession, book one in her Anthony Stone Series. This book was recently put on a Barnes & Noble bookstore shelf in Boston. Her book Wolfsblood is releasing March 20, 2015. It’s the first in a two part series in the paranormal genre for shapeshifters.
 
Interview with Taabia
 
Where do you get your inspiration from? One of the things that I am really drawn to is art and photography. I can see a picture and a story comes to light. Another way that I am inspired is by watching people. I can be anywhere and notice someone and instantly I become enthralled in an idea that they would make a great character. I have an unlimited source inside my head. I believe writers call them muses, and psychologist call them voices. (Big grin)
 
 
 What words of wisdom would you pass on to other aspiring authors? I tend to tell anyone who is interested in writing, write. Write your name, tell your story on a piece of paper. Find something of interest and write about that or write what in your head. Worry about grammar later. There are editors and proofreaders out there that will be more than happy to help you succeed. Don’t give up if anyone tells you that what you have written isn’t good enough. Join writer groups, find peers that are like you so you won’t feel alone. Get support and ideas from these groups that will enhance what you already know about your writing. Never give up, and always keep learning about what’s new out there in genres. Also, write outside of your box just once to have the experience of doing something different. Make your writing a challenge, and try not to be like everyone else, be different. Lastly, be leery of a good thing. If you are offered a contract, make sure you not the only one reading the fine print. Money may sound good, but be wise not to sell your soul. There are going to be people who want to read and review your work, be sure to copyright. Publish your work first before giving your work to a blogger or reviewer.
 
 
 What is your favorite book you have written? Favorite character? I loved writing all of my books, but my favorite character to write is Jessica of the Anthony Stone Series, book 1 Jessica’s Obsession. That first book was way outside of my box. It started with an idea. I wanted to stay within my erotica genre but I wanted to play around with mystery too. The model and pro ex-wrestler John Quinlan has many fans, and some are pretty wild about him. So, as I was reading one of his post one day on Facebook, I recalled a person who tried to use his name as their own. I remember when it happened John and I talked about this guy and how John had to get this guy blocked. While I read this particular post an adoring fan of his was saying how John inspired her. John thanked her and that anything that he has done to inspire anyone in their life is what keeps him humbled. Then I thought if I put a story together where a guy had someone so in love with him that she wanted to stalk him, what would happen. My character Jessica was born. I loved writing about Jessica because she is twisted, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I even surprised John and put his real name into the first book as himself. John is on both covers, Jessica’s Obsession and book two Flagentio’s. John has said he has gotten many types of fans in his past and present day.
 
 What made you choose wolves? What led you to write this book? I have been fascinated by wolves since childhood. I learned about my families mixed heritage, and Blackfoot and Cherokee where among the largest part of my families past. I studied American Indian culture, plus learned about the different types of tribal people. As my studies progressed into college I learned my totem was the wolf. No surprise to me, my fascination had turned to love. I’d always wanted to write a story that included wolves and it finally came to past when Billy Thomas, a bodybuilder, showed up to a photo shoot at a writer’s convention in Vegas. Billy became my cover model for WolfsBlood. His picture, his personality, and my idea of what a hero should be, made up the blend of the heart of a wolf. That is when I began to write the story about Kaine Maccon, and his clan. The name Kaine Maccon came from two contest winners for a competition I posted for fans to come up with a name for my main character in WolfsBlood. The name became the symbolism of heart and loyalty, like a wolf.
 
 Who is your biggest author inspiration? I would have to say there are four authors that inspired me, Judy Blume, Piers Anthony, David Eddings, and Tolkein. Judy Blume wrote Are You There God It’s Me Margaret, and ever girl back then wanted to increase their breast or know about menstrual cycles didn’t they? Ha. My best friend and I did, and after that I read every one of her books, even into adulthood. I liked her style and how she could put the reader inside the story. Which made her in my book, a great storyteller. Anthony, Eddings, and Tolkein are three of my favorite fantasy writers. I never thought I could write fantasy. There is a fantasy novel inside of me dying to get out, and because of these gentlemen, I will write that epic novel. They took me on many journeys and had me believing every place I went was real, until the end of the book of course. Then I was back to reality wanting more. I want to write books like that I said, and I am hoping that I am on my may to being just as great as they are to millions of readers.
 
Who do you picture playing the characters of your book if it were to be made into a movie/tv show? This is my list so far that I have come up with for my wish list of stars to play my characters. Link to my IF List http://www.iflist.com/stories/wolfsblood#
 Peter Facinelli or Bradley Cooper or Cam Gigandet as Kaine Maccon
Jensen Ackles as Aohdan Maccon Wyatt Smith as Aiden Maccon
 Kate Winslet as Rhiannon Rainer
Theo Theodoridis as my Rua Rainer
 Grey Damon as Tobak Rainer Amber Heard as Chrystelle
The beautiful Ms. Sigourney Weaver for Lucialla & Pedro Moreno as Tre’
 


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I’ve written a few words here and there, but I’m behind my goal for the year. I like to get my proofreading jobs behind me first. Sometimes I can write some words during that time, but I don’t want to take away from my client’s time. I should be done in about a week, then I’m going to try to catch up on word count until the next job.

I’ve gotten feedback from my five beta readers and editor on my mystery written under the other pen name. I’ve gotten everything from “I LOVED it!” to “Mystery isn’t my thing, but I liked the romance in it”. The feedback was mostly good with very few changes suggested. I’m waiting mostly on the cover.

About the Southern stuff. I’ve noticed from time to time that my editor makes changes in my manuscript that I don’t quite understand. And, occasionally, so will a beta reader. And I try to figure out WHY it’s wrong. And it finally occurred to me that some of the words and phrases I write are used a lot here in my area but probably aren’t where they’re from. I’ve tried to take some of the southern stuff out of my speech and writing, but some of it I refuse to let go of. I’m Southern, and I’m proud of that heritage. But when it’s REALLY local, I have to decide whether to keep it or ditch it. One such phrase I remember writing is “sick at my stomach”. My editor changed it to “sick to my stomach”. I fixed this one because I assumed the way I say it is probably localized in this area. But I have NEVER said “sick to my stomach”. I’ve always used “at”. So then, hubby and I talked and decided if you were physically ill, “at” is used, but if you were appalled at something, “to” is used. “I’m sick at my stomach.” “That just makes me sick to my stomach.” So what do you think? Which way do you say it? And are there things that are local to your area or your region that editors or betas call you on? I’d love to hear them!

By the way, when I proofread, there are sometimes things that must be local to where those authors are from since I’ve never heard some of the phrases, or they sound wrong to me. So it’s not just the South. 🙂

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If you haven’t read Encore! by Jamie Salisbury, you need to do that right now! Because coming in a couple of months is the sequel, Archangel. I don’t read a lot of “racy” books, so Encore! made me blush a bit. But the story between these two, Daniel and Mary, is so good. The love between them is so powerful. I can’t wait to get my copy of Archangel and read about their continuing story. It’s actually available for pre-order HERE on Smashwords. And look at this beautiful cover designed by the talented Anya Kelleye Prepare to blush while reading both books! *grins*

Archangel (ebook) 1600x2400 (1)

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It had been a long time since I’d used my Wii for anything but watching Netflix. You know, a very sedentary activity. I originally bought the Wii to get more fit, but in the last few years, I’ve used it to sit on my butt and watch TV.

But today, I decided to get out the Fit Board and my games. I mostly used the original Wii Fit Plus that came with my game console. I had forgotten how much I loved the Wii. I boxed, bicycled, did Yoga, did Karate, did step aerobics. I couldn’t believe how much I loved the step aerobic game. I actually worked up quite a sweat today! I feel like my motivation for fitness just came back. I’ve had this Wii for four or five years. I was surprised to find I weighed 18.5 lbs. less than I did when I first weighed on the Wii board all those years ago. Since then, my weight has been up and down, and I was pleased to find it was down this time.

Now I’m going to have to figure out when I can do this from now on. It’s easy on Saturdays because hubby is in bed after working all night. Sometimes, on weekdays, he gets up when I come home, but lately, he’s been sleeping longer. So maybe he’ll sleep long enough to let me use the TV to work out with the Wii. I plan on continuing to walk on the treadmill (haven’t lately because of a foot problem) in the mornings and doing the Wii in the evenings. I don’t want to do the Wii in the mornings because it requires set up time, and I would have to get up earlier than if I just walked on the treadmill. But I’m going to be flexible and take the time to exercise when I can.

I hope this renewed enthusiasm for exercise continues. My goal is to be able to stop taking insulin shots by the end of 2015. Exercise is SO important for diabetics. Wish me luck!

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You know, I used to blog all the time. Fun posts. Interesting posts. Now, it seems all I do is ROW80 updates. Not that those aren’t important! They are. But if that’s all I blog about, then I’m reaching only authors and not non-author readers. I need to change that. I don’t know what happened along the way to make me stop. Probably just too much stuff to do and not enough time. Hopefully, the full time job will slow down a bit in the next week or two.

Now…about that ROW80 update. I haven’t written any words yet, except for edits on my mystery. I just finished that, and I need to get it to beta readers. (I haven’t asked any of them yet.) I had a name picked out for my little town, but unfortunately, Kait found a series by the same name (Pine Hollow). And I want this to be a series about this town. I would LOVE to hear some ideas for a small town name. Throw some at me! Even if you want to be silly and give me goofy names, it will still be fun. 🙂 I should have had this name decided before I started writing, but it just wouldn’t come to me, and I didn’t want my zeal for the story to run out while I was piddling around thinking of a name.

Hopefully, when I get the proofreading jobs done, I can get back to some serious word count on my WIP.

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forge badgeThings have been going along smoothly, but I’ve suddenly found myself with three proofreading jobs coming up (already working on one). I always sort of have a dilemma with this as pertains to my actual writing, but I have to look at my client jobs first because that brings in more money that my writing at the moment. That might change someday, but right now I have to be practical. I can easily work on 2-3 proofreading jobs simultaneously (or back to back depending on their deadlines), but to do that AND write is tricky. However, I have a goal of 150,000 words for this year, which averages out to 12,500 per month, and I intend to make that goal. I made the January goal, but fell a little short (by about 1100 words) on February. I can still make that up later. In order to make the goal of 150K, I have to write 411 words per day. I usually write more than that, and I take a couple days a week off. So my plan is to just try to make the 411 (15-30 minutes) a day while I’m proofing for others, then when I have no proofing jobs, I can write more and try to get ahead. That’s the plan right now.

So…my lunch hours and my after work hours will be spent proofreading. I’ll be a busy bee. 🙂 And I’m very thankful for the jobs.

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