I thought I’d point everybody in the direction of smart erotica writer, Lauren Dane, because she invited me to post about the craft of writing, and I did! I wrote about how to choose a name for your fictional character–those who have read my Firan stuff will laugh uproariously at the idea that I should be allowed anywhere near this discussion, but I’m better now. Seriously.

I went ahead and spelled out the methodology for choosing names that I’ve used with HQN. It’s a system in progress but it’s working very well, and I will continue to use it and include the suggestions of others, so if you have something to say about it, go on over and add your two cents.

This Random Generator amuses me!

It almost inspires me to write for Harlequin Presents. Look at the ideas in there. Besides, I love words like BESOTTED.

For the past month I’ve been outlining my next modern mythology novel for Silhouette Nocturne. It’s going to feature a number of creatures from ancient myth–the hero is going to be a Minotaur–and in it I’ll explore the themes of war, beauty, and sexual repression. I sure like to keep it light! And while I’m excited at the progress I’ve made and by all the research I’ve done, it’s now time to shift gears.

The first book in this modern mythology series, tentatively titled POISONED KISSES is due to the publisher on August 15th, and now that I have the manuscript back from my victims readers, it’s time for the editing to begin. I shall begin by tearing out chapter two and using a ruthless red pen!

Well, I’ve finished the first draft of my first full-length novel for Silhouette Nocturne, tentatively titled “POISONED KISSES.” It ended up having more explosions and gun battles than I would have otherwise predicted. In any case, I packaged it up and sent it off to the group of kindly souls who agreed to be my alpha readers. I am nervously awaiting their verdict, and trying not to edit anything in the meantime.

The thing with fiction–for me–is that it needs to sit. I need to give it a little time to breathe, and I need to come to it with fresh eyes. Unfortunately, with a tight deadline, four weeks of breathing time is about all I’m going to get, so I’m letting my knife-wielding nymph of the underworld nap while I work on something new. (The gods of Olympus all know, she’s earned a little shut-eye!)

My second Nocturne is due in January, and I want to get a head start so that I can give it lots of breathing room. I’d originally wanted to continue my Greek Gods theme for my modern mythology series, but those aren’t the only Western myths that interest me. I’m also interested in Arthurian legend and I have an idea that has gripped me and won’t let go.

I love building urban fantasy around familiar stories like Camelot. What’s more, I love the idea of setting the book in my home state of Maryland and I have started an outline accordingly. It’s going to have spooky mirrors and wild ponies galore. It will also take full advantage of the Eastern Shore and all its creepy lore! (Why am I rhyming?) 

This time, I’m not going to write by the seat of my pants. This time, I’m going to have an outline. (I promise this every time, and I do outline, but it never seems to resemble the end product. This time will be different, I say.) To this end, I’m using a book called “First Draft in 30 Days” by Karen Wiesner. The title is a bit of a misnomer. You don’t have a first draft at the end of 30 days so much as a very detailed outline, but for my purposes that will do. Theoretically, by July 1st, I’ll have a complete outline for what just may be the most swooningly romantic modern-but-historical book I’ve written yet.