I'm conflicted.
I feel like this post might be a cop-out. Or the easy way. But Coffee Time Romance asked me to write an article and I thought it was an interesting topic. Which comes first when you start a new story? The title? The characters’ names? The plot? Explain your starting process and what you need before you can write the first words. So, I wrote my article about "Dr. Vampyre" because inspiration hit and I wanted to share. So you'll have to hit another button *groan* that will take you directly to my article but it also takes you to a great site. Explore and learn more about my process of writing! Click the button below to read my answer to the answer of which comes first when I start a new story... I had an opportunity to interview Carol McKibben LIVE on Facebook and we had a blast! My list of questions included 21 great things to ask on a first date and I modified them for authors. Take a look at the question below, then watch the interview for Carol's answers! All of them were mind-blowing! 1. What do you like to do in your free time?
2. Are you more of an indoors or outdoors person? 3. Who is the most fascinating person you’ve met? 4. What was the last book you really got into? 5. What are some movies that inspired you to write? 6. What amazing adventures have you been on? 7. What pets have you had? 8. Have your travels lead to a book? 9. Which author/s has/have inspired you? 10. If there was an Olympics for everyday activities, what activity would you have a good chance at winning a medal in? 11. What are some things everyone should try at least once? 12. What are some accomplishments that you are really proud of? 13. What’s your favorite app on your phone? 14. Who’s your favorite character from a TV show, movie, or book? 15. What skill or ability have you always wanted to learn? 16. What’s something that most people haven’t done, but you have? 17. What says the most about a person? 18. What are your top 3 favorite things to talk about? 19. What do you care least about? 20. How many other countries have you visited? 21. What’s the best present you ever gave someone or ever received? It's a sign! Valentine's Day is the same day that I post my blog, so I can't help but fool around!
By the way... my Pin-up name is Lola Twinkle Divine Tell me yours in the comments! Happy Valentine's Day! This image, by far was the favorite by you guys of Cynthia's illustrations for THE KING'S THIEF. And while I thought about using it for the cover, I feel this story needs something comparable to the market in its genre. So... I have THREE favorites that I'm trying to choose from. But there's an issue... We have a time limit! I'll post the winner here when the poll is complete, but I need for you to give me your votes ASAP! We have until the end of SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2nd, 2019. YES! I KNOW! It's not a lot of time. That's why this call to arms is so urgent! Get me your input NOW! It will take no more than three minutes, tops. Then, if you want to review the story (unedited) then click "The King's Thief" in the categories on the right → → → → → → OR scroll down below for the first chapter as I've revised it. Take a look at the covers below then scroll down to VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! Click on the cover for a larger image. Thank you so much for your participation! Below is the revised first chapter. I still haven't gotten it to a copy editor so you might find spelling, grammar, punctuation errors, but let me know in the comments and I'll fix it in the final manuscript. THANK YOU! Happy reading! ~ Stephy Seducing a man is harder than one might think. Especially if that man is Chartan LeBeau.
I don’t know why the King of Thieves returned to Xaxyia after twenty years, but I recognized him the moment his doe-skin, silver-tipped boots stepped into my hall. Already he was gathering attention from my girls. Being the good courtesans that they were, each woman tried to attend him. A small sense of satisfaction rippled up my chest when he rebuffed them all and headed straight for me. I wondered if he remembered the night he whisked me away, by my uncle’s command, saving me from death. It was the last time I ever saw the King of Quenarre, my uncle. Chartan was one of two people who knew my true origins. Still, Chartan was dangerous. I stayed in my chair, frozen by the beauty of him. Long legs, a perfect bulge below his V-shaped torso, hidden behind a rogue’s cape and hood. If you looked carefully, you’d find his riches within his tailor. Clothing of soft fineness but not audacious gold. The King of Thieves flaunted nothing. Though not born from nobility, Chartan knew how to command royalty through his walk, subdue arguments with the language of silent intimidation, and keep my affections, though I hadn’t seen him for two decades. Wooing a master seducer such as myself was not easy. He should have been a military commander, but for one reason or another he chose to remain a thief. A thief that caught the eye of a king…and me, a former Quenarre noblewoman. I smiled to calm the flutter in my heart and stood to greet him. Perhaps he would not know me after all this time, but even if he suspected, I would not give my identity away easily. I knew the art of pretense now. “Dear Sir, thank you for coming to Courtesan’s guild. How can we pleasure you?” His eyes were hidden but his lips curved down slightly at my informal greeting. Coming to a full halt he bowed. Then his smooth accent had my thighs clench together. “Lady Dauphine, may we speak in private?” My stomach detached from my belly and came rushing to my throat. But my smile grew wider, hard as it was to keep it. “I’m sorry my dear, but I don’t entertain new customers.” Chartan scanned the room. “I have something of import to discuss with you, I’m not interested in your services.” I laughed. “That’s the tactic you wish to take. I assure you we are all discreet here. Perhaps you would like to speak to Lady Glen?” He’d better not. Straining to keep from shaking I pointed to Lady Glen as she passed by. Hearing her name she immediately came over. Chartan waved her away. “No, this is for you only.” “Oh, I bet it is.” I sat, showing I was not some pithy girl to shove around. He stepped closer to me, leaned down to my ear and whispered. “I know who you are Lady Dauphine of Quenarre, noble princess of the house Rouelle. I escorted you to safety here before the overtaking of our King. Do not chuff me off.” It was not the first time I’d been threatened, nor would it be the last. But I was the ultimate impendent. He would not get away with blackmail. Nor would he see me panic. I kept my heart slow and retorted, “Then you will expose yourself.” He stood and chuckled. My nose flared and I looked up at him. His waist was at the perfect height to unbutton his pants and bring him to his knees, the way a woman who knows what she’s doing can. Our eyes locked and damn if I was going to give in to him. That infuriating half quirk of a smile. That arrogance. His scent beating at my control. A pouch appeared in his hand and he let the contents clink before he placed the money bag between my cleavage. “That should be sufficient to avoid unpleasant speculation.” He stepped back and motioned his hand to indicate he would follow. I was not a horse to lead. Nor a slave to his whims. But, the side of me that wanted him in my bed snuck reason and excuses to take him to my chambers. Really, what choice did I have with what he threatened? If I refused he’d call attention to my Roullean heritage. It wouldn’t take too much time for the rumors to fly across the land to The Randish pope. My fate would be sealed. I’d probably be dead in a matter of weeks. Painting on my nonchalant smile, I played demure host and did as he bade. Passing my guards, I gave them the signal to interrupt us in two minutes. Luca nodded. My personal guard was more than a brute. He understood. Down the corridor, Chartan’s smooth voice resumed battering against the stronghold of my heart. “How much time do I have before your guards crash it?” I turned up the spiral stairs and said nothing. “I’m guessing a few minutes,” he said. “No matter. You’ll hear what I have to say.” I wanted to grit my teeth. Damn thief. We crossed the hallway where several of my girls were hard at work pleasuring their clients. You couldn’t pass a door without hearing the particulars of a client’s needs. The sound of a slap on flesh halted my motion. I listened at the door where it came from. If a man was being too harsh with any of my women I wouldn’t have him back. Another slap. My hand rested on the door knob. “You like that, hun? You like being ruffed up?” The woman’s muffled voice belonged to Lady Andrea. “Yes.” Responded a breathy male voice. “Please, again.” Slap. Apparently, Duke Undore found his pleasure from women giving him pain. Good to know. I smiled, backed away and continued down the corridor. Chartan waited for me with piercing eyes. Taking the stairs to the second floor, I turned into the hallway and reached under my sleeve. “Stop.” Chartan halted me. “You’ve been a larcenist too long, LeBeau.” I continued to door number twelve. This was where I played with clients and teased secrets from their souls. I pulled out the iron key to my door and showed him. “I hope you hold no dangerous value in a chunk of metal.” “Chucks of metal, as you say, have killed men before.” Chartan took the key and inserted it into the lock. He opened the door and stepped back. Trying to go forward Chartan threw his arm out and waggled a finger at me. His touch was my exquisite pleasure. A genuine smile parted my lips. He took me seriously. I crossed my arms and pursed my lips in defiance. Chartan took the key and inserted it into the lock. He opened the door and stepped back. “Not yet my courtesan.” The smile didn’t reach his eyes. Heart tearing itself apart knowing what I had to do, my inner most desire pleaded with me to take him to my bosom and show him he did not need all these precautions, not with me. But it would be a lie. I would go to any length to protect my identity. If I was pointed out as a Rouellean it wouldn’t be long before the Theocracy of the Randish would spill my blood. Chartan freed a dagger from inside his cape and pushed the door wide open with the tip. He looked inside, up then down and finally through the crack of the door. I sighed in feigned disgust but he had every right to be suspicious. “Have a lot of enemies?” I said. He went inside, quiet as a stalking cat, and swept the room. While he was preoccupied with his security check I closed the door—slowly. Reaching under my sleeves, I grabbed my throwing sticks, one for each hand. Thin, with three edges, shaped almost like a dowel I positioned to turn and deploy. My movement swift, my aim true I lopped the weapons at Chartan’s heart. The thief deflected one and caught the other. Then slammed me against the wall. The point of my own dagger scrapping against my chin. Despite my attempt to kill him, Chartan’s smile was hearty and his eyes sparkled to life. “My King was right.” “About what?” “You are truly the right choice.” “For what?” “To regain the crown and return Quenarre to it’s glory.” His words stung. Quenarre. My beloved home. The land that stole my life. “I’ll never return to that place.” “You will return and you will rule.” My guards pounded the door open and rushed in. Chartan flew backwards, hopped in the air, and folded himself forward while sailing through the open window—backward. His flight took a blink of an eye and then he was gone before the guards were down the hall. My personal security, Luca, eyed me up and down, checking for any harm that may have come to me. “My Lady?” “I’m fine.” “We’ll chase after him.” Luca peered out the window. “Don’t contemplate jumping after LeBeau.” If Luca did catch up to Chartan I’d lose a guard. “Besides, he paid for my time.” I reached for the bag of coin Chartan lusciously shoved down my corset. It wasn’t there. I reached further in. Nothing. The money was gone. My blood boiled. “Chartan!” I slammed the window. LeBeau was a mile away by now but his chuckle rang in my ears. He would not win. I would never go back to Quenarre. As for his blackmail threat… if he wanted to fight in the game of espionage, he’d found a formidable opponent. My respect for you is great, so I'm not going to lie to you.
Because of my sick days in bed I had precious little time to construct my blog. My blathering may look like slapped together comments but I assure you─time and effort really do go into each blog. Even this one. But I have to make it short and I don't want to skip a week. So while I determine how I want to proceed with my blog this year and analyze the data, I'm giving you my very Happy New Year gif! Have a wonderful two-thousand-nineteen! This blog is one of the most fun things I do in my day. I take pride in each post and carefully research images and take time to make sure I have material─except when I don't.
I usually have a stock pile in case things get crazy, go hay-wire, go off the rails or some such. But I reached the time limit before I could do more. Please accept my humble apology as my schedule has been running me thin. Paltry excuses do not create reviews or stories so I don't give them. Excuses are like belly buttons. Every one's got one on hand and... after the first one they are fairly useless. But I can tell you that I'm going to take the time to build another stock pile and start delivering blogs again in October. Don't be sad, this is the perfect time to re-read any one of my internet stories I have for you. Or take a look around and see how the blog has emerged from its silly beginnings. It's been going for seven years now and it's seen lots of changes. Until next time! Happy reading! ~ Stephy Me and a Water BottleThat doesn't sound like two girls and a cup at all... I promise it's nothing like that. Rather, in my quest to entertain you and for you to get to know me I've created this video. I've transcribed it below so if you don't want to watch the video or if you happen to not be able to hear, then scroll for the text part to read about the story. It's edited because I'm a dork and have a hard time omitting "ummm..." and "errrrr..." and other annoying pauses that have nothing to do with the tale; which is a love story between a writer and her water bottle. This quirky biography has a happy ending and you get to know a little more about me. I realize I need a better camera so I'm off trying to find a good quality one for future episodes. Any recommendations? Leave them in the comments! Happy... listening! XOXO ~ Stephy The Water Bottle Story Below is the transcriptionOh, god, okay, yes... this video is going to need editing...
I'm also going to lower this (desk) to get rid of the fan... because the fan sucks... the fan sucks man. So this is good. Oh my god. Yes definitely going to need to be edited. I wanted to share a story with you... This is my favorite canteen. It's a little Swell water bottle... God, do I not like even how to tell a story... This insulated Swell bottle is the most awesome thing. Now, when I saw it at Starbucks, sitting on the shelf just like this and it was very beautiful and I was like wow, this thing is gorgeous. And I picked it up and I looked at it and I looked underneath and I saw the price. The price, (thud as the bottle is set down) well, I'm just like forty bucks? You might be thinking well, forty bucks isn't bad. I guess not but comparatively, these things are five to fifteen dollars... but this was a limited edition print, that was from some museum that I can't remember... from their tapestry collection. Oh yes, tapestry. With that price I was like ohhhh... and I put it back. (thud as the bottle is set down) Well Donald was with me at the time, that's my S.O., and he said, "Why are you putting it back?" And I said, "It's too expensive." And he reaches out and he grabs it and takes it to the register and.. I was like, "Nooooooo. It's too expensive." And he said, "You're worth it." Do you have any idea? That's like awesome! So this is become my favorite item in the world. Because I'm worth it. *Giggles.* So that's about me. You also know that I like Swell water bottles. (Takes a sip of water) I filled this sucker up at 9am it's still cold... (thud as the water bottle is set down) See if you can do that with your igloo. Sometimes I need a break. One that isn't planned for. Like getting up in the morning, calling into work sick and taking a drive to the coast, or the forest, or even just to sit in your favorite coffee shop in that plush chair and the jazz music.
I haven't been blogging as of late. Sickness then laziness got in the way. No, not lazy sickness. Really, I was in a bed trying to get better from a brontosaurus of hell standing on my chest. Or did the doc say bronchitis? Either way, writing was not happening. But now, I'm back. My apologies for the delay. There's this whole plan I've got going on. I think I'm going to start my blogs with the usual theme of WHAT I'M...
Combined with Story Time ... the stories I'm going to draft and post here. This is all so I can recount, look back and remember what I wanted to do with this blog. Why I started it and to keep connecting to the things I've written in the past. I want to keep remembering why I write. Blogs, Facebook posts, stories. It's all for the human connection. Funny how I'm looking for people on screens, but aren't we all? And from the comfort of home. Why do I write? Because writing is how I help change the world. This is how I help someone reach out through the ones and zeros to find me. (Hello, how are you?) Changing the design of the blog seems to be a bi-annual thing. This time I didn't make huge changes. Just, things I would like. I like this--for now. So, I'm still here. Still blogging. Thinking about Vloging the book reviews. That might be fun. We shall see how that goes. Mwahhahah! That's the update, the big shazham. The were, the am, what it be. No insight, no words of wisdom, just a shout out and love to you all! Check it next week for What I'm... doing :) ~ Stephy There are 5 weeks in June, August, and November this year. Which means my four week schedule is interrupted because of dead Caesars. Which means this week is a FREE FOR ALL! So this week, I've decided to do an Ask the Author. I occasionally answer questions on Goodreads and have reenacted them here. I think they are very good answers worth taking a look at. They range from process to what I read. So if you're interested in the life of an author, keep reading! What books are on your summer reading list this year?SOFT WEAR by Marilyn Lakewood HUSBAND FOR HIRE by Patricia A. Knight CHIEF by Kris Michaels STORM RUNNERS by Nara Malone The whole EROGENOUS ZONE series by Brandi Evans What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?My books are an extension of my life. Things I've encountered or experienced are within the stories I write. But a mystery in my own life? Fortunately, I have no murder mysteries to speak of. But I could tell you about the mystery of the lost keys, or the mystery of the lost $20 bill. They'd be a whirlwind romance that would end in HEA. Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?As of March, 2017, the most recent book idea was Marilyn Lakewood's challenge to write a dragon story. I'm writing this one for her. :) Love you Marilyn! How do you get inspired to write?Inspired? Seriously? No, no, no, when you have murderous creatures in your head whispering they want their story out in the wild, it's not inspiration, it's survival. What are you currently working on?My friend, Marilyn Lakewood, challenged me to a dragon story. I accepted. I'm writing that now :) What’s your advice for aspiring writers?I really wish I could help them understand that, while plagiarism is out there, it's no excuse not to show your work, not collaborate or not share. You're story is awesome, I'm sure, but it's not what I want to write. I want to write my own stories. And my stories will be exactly the way I want them. So why would I copy yours? What’s the best thing about being a writer?Being able to shut-up these people in my head. How do you deal with writer’s block?Ahhh...writer's block. The nemesis. Writer's block can be a bane, but I've found there are 3 different types of writer's block. Not all of them bad. At least for me. Empty, Buzzed and Plot Problems. Let me explain. EMPTY - This is when I've written and written and written and there's just nothing left. This happens to me when I've finished a book, look around for the next one to write and...nothing. Nada. Zilch. I've got bupkis. SOLUTION: Nothing. I don't write. I take a break. I watch movies. Read books. Let my mind rest because the creative process does not just run on coffee and see's candies. Blasphemy! Yes, I know, but imagine your heart bleeding out all its desires, fears, wants and dreams. Once all of that is purged into a book, why would you think there was anything left? Take a nap. Don't be afraid. The muse will come back. BUZZED - This is when I've been writing and writing and my head is so fuzzy I'm not sure where to go next. I don't feel empty, I feel buzzed. Like a little drunk, and swimming. This happens because BICHOK. But-In-Chair-Hands-On-Keyboard. I've been thinking and thinking and I just can't think anymore. SOLUTION: Take a walk, a drive, talk to friends on the phone. I get my mind out of the game of writing. Take a nap. Anything to stop thinking. I allow the unconscious mind to work it out. I've even been known to start another project and come back to that one because my mind needs time to work it out. PLOT PROBLEMS - This happens when I'm working away and then I peter out. Like I get the characters somewhere and things come to a screeching, brick wall halt. THAT is my unconscious mind saying YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION. This happens most, when I don't make a complete outline. This is the tough writer's block and the one most people are asking about when they say, "How do you deal with writer's block?" What writer's are really asking is, "How do I finish this book without doing an outline?" 99% of every writer I've known who asks the get rid of writer's block question has not completed their outline for the story. Shoot me, call yourself a pantser, but the truth is, no outline means meandering. I am a notorious pantser. I will start an outline, get excited, start the book before finishing the outline because all the wonderful scenes are coming and then...where do we go from here? Yes, I'm just as bad. But the good news is I have suggestions if you're just stuck and can't even get working on the outline. Or most likely, don't want to. Don't ask me how I know. SOLUTION: I have many solutions and find that each book gives me a challenge on how to fix it so, I'll tell you what I've done in the past. #1 - A solution I do, which I don't recommend, is reading what I have. This allows me to find things in the story that a reader might have questions on. That in turn jars something loose and lets me work on it. #2 - I have been known to write a different POV in the same story. #3 - I have chosen a manga and emulated it, making it subject to my world and characters. If I'm writing a fantasy, I draw on the characters inspirations. For instance when writing Dr. Vampyre, the main characters were modeled after real people. I observed those real people and took sections of their life and applied it to the story. I didn't copy what happened. I took a facet of their life, twisted it and figured out how my characters would solve the problem. #4 - What has been most effective has been a simple question. "What is the worst thing that could happen to my characters in the situation they are in now?" Is it a meteor hitting the earth? Is it them breaking up? Is it one dying? Write that. I don't always include that situation in the book, but I no longer have writer's block. #5 - When all else fails, I take a nap. Fresh and awake, I try to work on the outline. Hope this helps! Until next time!
Happy reading! ~ Stephy |
Thanks for taking a look at my little hodgepodge of a blog. The format and subjects of my blog has changed through the years as it's my log of S.N.McKibben's writing journey. You've now been sufficiently forewarned, happy reading! Categories
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