It’s official! Atlantean’s Quest Bk. Four: Return will be released on Jan. 4th! Woo Hoo! I had to cut an entire subplot from this book, which took a while, but it’s finally here.
Over the last week, I’ve learned something about my writing that’s both good and bad. The good is that I can create pretty good alpha heroes. The bad is that they’re strong enough to have their own books.
As you might imagine, it wasn’t fun to hear from my critique partner that she didn’t know which character was the true hero of the book. She liked them both, but found my subplot hero more intriguing. Ugh! (This wasn’t for AQ4, but I did have a similar problem in that book too.)
Apparently, I can write subplots as long as they don’t revolve around a secondary romance. *ggg*
What have you discovered about your writing this year?
December 19th, 2005
Congrats on the release of your book! What a way to start 2006! *g* As for discovering things about my writing, since I entered the Best Opening Scene contest, I’ve discovered I can’t write a romantic comedy. Early during the year I discovered I suck at writing erotic romance. So my scope of writing keeps narrowing down…
by Silma December 19th, 2005 at 7:38 pmYAY on the release date! and Strong hero’s is not a fault!! LOL
This year I learned to write the stories I want, and that I need to not take on too much at once.
by Sasha December 19th, 2005 at 7:47 pmThanks Silma! You know sometimes finding these things out early can save you a lot of time and trouble. (I was not so fortunate.) I know many writers who continue to try to fit a square peg into a round hole. (shaking head)
by Jordan December 19th, 2005 at 9:59 pmSasha, Those are great things to learn. Unfortunately, the latter of the two that you mentioned tends to occur the hard way. :-/ Glad you have that lesson behind you.
by Jordan December 19th, 2005 at 10:02 pmCongrats on the release date, Jordan!
What have I learned this year? That the friends who liked my writing weren’t just being kind–and that there’ll always be people who don’t like it. And that’s ok.
(as long as I don’t catch ‘em in a dark alley).
by raine December 19th, 2005 at 11:59 pmWhat have I learned about writing? That I can! Now I just have to do. Now is it good enough for publishing? Guess I’ll find out. I had that same problem with a secondary character - just means spin-off time.
CONGRATULATIONS on the release date.
by Eve December 20th, 2005 at 7:40 amCongrats, Jordan! What have I learned? I learned that I’m really good at writing sex scenes, and that sex scenes can really tell a lot about a character.
by Trace December 20th, 2005 at 8:16 amCongrats on the release Jordan!!! Wohoo for you!!!
I learned that I need to trust my instincts and go with my gut, and not write what I think others want me to write. I also learned that I have NO patience, and that is something I must cultivate in the new year!!
by Vivi Anna December 20th, 2005 at 9:09 amWoohoo! Congrats Jordan! Your book, my next Bad in Boots book Ty’s Temptation and Anya Bast’s next vampire book are all releasing on the same day! LOL!
What have I learned this year…hmmm, that I can write short but that my “short” is always a little longer than I thought it would be. I think it has to do with the fact the more books I write the deeper my characterization goes and it’s just harder to do that super short.
by Patrice Michelle December 20th, 2005 at 9:41 amCongratulations on the book release. I’ll look for it.
by Linda December 20th, 2005 at 10:01 amThe main thing I learned this year is that I’m not “plot-challenged”. I can do perfectly fine plots–as long as you don’t ask me to do them in order, from the beginning to the end of the book. My plots come from my characters, so I get events in random order and figure out where they go in the book as I write. I keep a list and pull things from it when I get to the point where that thing goes. So far, it’s working out much better than trying to do a complete plot outline before writing the book.
Yay! Congrats on the upcoming release, Jordan! What I’ve discovered about my writing this year is that I can, in fact, write paranormal romance– something I wasn’t sure about until recently!
by Ellen Fisher December 20th, 2005 at 12:53 pmCongrats on the release.
What I’ve learned this year is that if I give my characters biographies and pasts, they come out a lot more interesting. Also, I’m no longer afraid to make even some of the heroes rather dark (and I don’t mean the hair *g*).
by Gabriele December 20th, 2005 at 1:39 pmCongratulations on the looming publication date.
After this year I can now confirm that I’m much, much better at non-fiction than I am at fiction - or more successful at least. I’ve enjoyed going back to work and editing again, and I’ve enjoyed working with people again too. So I suppose I’ve learned quite a bit.
by Diane December 20th, 2005 at 1:56 pmThanks Raine! That’s a very good lesson to learn. I’m still working on it. (wg) Speaking of stories, I really enjoyed your contribution to the Howl anthology. Made me want to read more about that world.
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:45 pmEve, Thanks! Good for you. It’s important to believe that you can write.
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:47 pmThanks Trace! Woo hoo on the sex scenes. *ggg*
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:47 pmVivi, Thanks! I’m working on the ‘trusting my gut’ thing right now. I think every writer eventually reaches this place in their writing life. Some long before others. I truly envy them.
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:49 pmPatrice, That’s great. Now I have two books to look forward to.
I still tend to only go into deep characterization with my straight paranormals. Not sure why that is, but I hope to change it. *g*
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:51 pmLinda, Thanks and congrats on figuring out your plotting situation. I always thought I was plot challenged, until recently. Apparently, that aspect of my writing is evolving.
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:53 pmThanks Ellen! That’s actually a good thing to know, especially if you enjoy paranormals. (grin)
by Jordan Summers December 20th, 2005 at 2:54 pmGabriele, Thanks! That’s great. I think stories need more dark heroes.
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:56 pmThank you, Diane! All those things you discovered about yourself are important. So many people waste time in areas that don’t magnify their true strength. Good for you!
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 2:58 pmAw, thanks, Jordan.
by raine December 20th, 2005 at 3:51 pmMeans a lot. blush
Raine, You’re welcome. It’s much deserved.
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 4:06 pmCongrats on the release, Jordan!!!
I learnt to follow my gut.
by Jaq December 20th, 2005 at 9:07 pmThanks Jaq! I’m still working on that one. :-/
by Jordan December 20th, 2005 at 10:27 pm