May Update Amid the Chaos

I figured I should do a May update while it is still May. Things have just been so busy lately, I've barely had time to breathe, so I'm taking some time to get caught up on things tonight. Here's what has happened in the last month:

In my writing world:

1. Riding the Board comes out in a few days. June really has crept up on me and I didn't even realize it's less than two weeks away. I haven't even really told very many people about it. Sometimes life just gets in the way of my plans. It's actually quite annoying.
There's still time to take advantage of the discounted Daily Dose and get a whack of great stories from some amazing authors for a pretty low price.
You can see the list of stories here: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3838&cPath=63_854

2. I've decided to go to the Gay Romance North-West Meetup in Seattle. If you're from the area and can make it, you should come. Registration is really affordable (only $15 if you register early, and $25 if you don't), and they've got a good lineup of authors going. I believe the venue only holds 275, so register early if you can. It's going to be a blast!
Here is the link for their website where you can register: http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress.com/


3. While I was in Disneyland (already the Happiest Place on Earth), I received an email from Dreamspinner Press letting me know that they were contracting my Hope Cove series. I can't tell you how excited I was. I danced (which is totally acceptable in Disneyland). There are three novels in total, and the first one is due to hit shelves in November of this year, the second in December and the third in January. It's going to be a very busy summer/fall, but I am so looking forward to it.

4. Skylar M. Cates and I have begun working on a co-authoring project. We intended to write it over the summer, but once we got started talking about it, we were too excited to wait. So... less than two weeks into it, we're almost done!
The novella follows the two main characters: Trey a punk rock star who comes from an over-privileged family, and Liam, a classical violinist and teacher. I will have more details to release soon, but for now I think it's going to be pretty good!

5. I am the luckiest little writer in the world because I get to beta read some really amazing stories. I will keep you updated on which ones as they become available, but let's just say that there are some pretty awesome stories that are going to be coming out in the next year.


In My Personal World:

1. I'm a vampire. Okay, not really, but I am getting pretty good at phlebotomy. I started my practicum at the lab and hospital. I am living with my aunt for a month while I'm here, and so far things have been going really well. I wasn't entirely sure I would like my new job (because nobody likes hurting people and even fewer people like needles), but I am finding that I am really enjoying it. Not so much stabbing people with a 21-gauge, but the talking to people and interacting with them. It's nice to be the person that gets to make a painful experience maybe just a little less awful.

I'm also finding the science-y side of it really interesting. I've always liked biology, but getting right down into it has been good. And fun!
There are some downsides too. I've only been on the job for two weeks, and have already seen some pretty sad stuff. I almost lost it the other day with a mom who was crying because the doctors were trying to decide between two pretty horrible diagnoses for her little boy. That was hard.
There have been some surprises along the way too. When I walked in there I expected that there would be some people who would feel nervous or maybe faint (my sister is one of those people), what I didn't expect is for them all to be big, muscular, tough-guys. I had a guy yesterday that almost collapsed on me (although, this guy, I wouldn't have minded so much ;) )

2. My sister is back in Canada. I can't tell you how happy I am not to live on the other side of the continent from her. She's only a 45 minute flight away now, rather than a 7 hour one, so I am a pretty happy camper, but am hoping that she decides to move to Vancouver so we'll be even closer! A girl can dream.


That is all the news I can think of for now... Although my brain feels pretty scrambled, so there are no guarantees that I didn't miss something really important.

Skylar M. Cates's Casting Couch Interview

Skylar M. Cates loves a good romance. She is quite happy to drink some coffee, curl up with a good book, and not move all day. Most days, however, Skylar is chasing after her husband, her kids, and her giant dog, Wasabi.

How did you get started in writing? What made you decide to submit your first story and what was your experience with that? Who was the first person you told when you got your first contract? What was their reaction?

Well, I always made up stories. I loved to write from an early age, and my parents were very encouraging. Although he never finished anything, my dad loved to write poetry too. I can remember listening to the clanking sound of his typewriter as he wrote late into the night. I was lucky. Writing was valued in my house.

The first person I told about my contract? Um…must have been my mom or my husband?  I was in a whirlwind of excitement. I can’t remember!

Where does your inspiration come from for your books?

I like certain tropes in fiction: the hate-to-love one, the big secret, the betrayal, friends-to-lovers. I usually start with an idea to play with one of those. Writers are also great eavesdroppers. We listen.  

How do you make the important choices when it comes to writing your stories? Point of View? Voice? Theme? Title?

I just started writing. I let the story dictate the POV and themes. Although, I do think about the voice and I try and work on it. For instance, I did not want Daniel and Rafe to sound identical. I would consider their word choice both in dialogue as well as in their thoughts.

Are your characters purely fictional, or do you sample from people you’ve met in real life? Which one of your characters is most like you? How so?

The characters are fictional, but I find inspiration for them everywhere. Some of Christie’s views in the novel, for example, were inspired by my obnoxious neighbor.

I think all my characters have pieces of me. I’m shy like Daniel. I rush into things like Rafe. I worry for my kids like Susan.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a writer?

Finishing anything.

Surviving the entire process of sending out a book is enough for me. It’s grueling. I found it nerve-wracking right up through my release date.

If you could co-author a book with any other writer, who would it be?

Living or dead? There are so many!

Since my roots are in poetry, I’d have like to co-author a poem with the following list of dead poets: Adrienne Rich, Anne Sexton, and Anna Akhmatova. I’d love to have written one epic, kickass poem with these gals. Maybe we’d just drink some wine and write poems all over the walls of my house.

Roald Dahl comes to mind too. I’d just like to sit with him and see how he worked.

What is the one book that you think that very few people have read but everyone should read? What are you reading right now?

I don’t know.

I just read Tell The Wolves I’m Home. It was about a young girl and her uncle during the 80’s AIDS crisis. I liked it.

What do you find the most difficult part of the writing process?

Letting go! I’m a tweaking addict. I edited Exposed right through the galley stage. My good friend advised me not to read it for 5-6 years now. I’d just want to take it back and revise it. LOL! I’m very hard on myself and my work.

What is a typical working day like for you? Where do you write? Do you wait for inspiration? Do you set certain writing goals? Are there any specific tools you use to help you write?

I have no typical day.  I have little kids!  I try and put my ass in my writing chair. My family knows not to bug me there. They respect “the zone.”  I fail to do it on a daily basis, but I manage to get there a few times a week.

I don’t wait for inspiration. For some reason, I think because I’m relaxed, I often think of ideas in the swimming pool. It kind of sucks. I have to get out of the pool immediately, dripping wet, and write it down. Otherwise, I’ll forget it.

What is your greatest guilty pleasure (literary or otherwise)?

Sex and booze and chocolate--- I don’t know if I feel all that guilty about them though.

And…last but not least: What are you working on now and what can we expect to see from you in the coming year?

My WIP is about a guidance counselor with a slightly crazy, but loving family. I really wanted to have some fun with this guy and his sisters.  I like books with big families. The other MC is a military man and he really needs some love.  

Thanks for hosting me today!

Exposed is available from Dreamspinner Press

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3605

  

You can find Skylar on her website: http://skylarmcates.wordpress.com/