Sunday, June 30, 2013

Clyde isn't ready just yet

I really wanted to have the novella all hammered out by the end of the day, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. There is a really slim chance that I can get it as long as I was hoping in the next twelve hours or so. I am not holding my breath, so I don't suggest anyone trying. With the holiday this week, I will have a mostly full extra day to work and July 4th is my new date that I am shooting for.

I can give you a little more information about the book itself and a few snippets of wordage. The title of the little ditty is Advice by Clyde. The warning in the front of the book state "This book is the musings of a Hellhound. Don't believe a word of anything he says and please don't follow his advice." What the heck, here is the first chapter just for fun, Advice by Clyde - Chapter 1. It is just a page on the site so don't expect any fancy downloadable file.

That should take you a couple of minutes to read and it will give you a sense of how insane Clyde really is. I am hoping it will elicit laughs and not nightmares, but that is yet to be seen.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Evil dog

For once I am not talking about Clyde. This is Snowflake, otherwise known as the most evilest dog in the world. She decided this morning that bathroom time should be spent rolling in the wet grass causing her beautiful cotton ball fur to become a mud coated mess.



Thankfully, by the time I got home from work the mud had vanished, but I do have the photographic evidence in case she tries to pretend it never happened. Sorry nothing book related here, just trying to shame a puppy into behaving better in the future. Yes, I am aware she doesn't even know that is the goal, but it makes me feel better.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

It's Wednesday, that means chaos has ensued

Well, I went ahead and hit the button last night on Amazon. Night Rises is available there as well as a e-book that consists of all seven Nyx Slaughter books for those new to the series. I will hopefully get the file formatted for Smashwords tonight and get it there also.

Lynda over at Books Direct has posted her review of Night Marks for those of you that like to read what other people think. She also still has the giveaway going for two copies if Night Calls.

I have gotten a good start on Clyde's book even with us not getting along. I think I will work on it more tonight and I hope to have something posted here sometimes Sunday. It won't be crazy long, so if you have a half an hour of free time that should be enough to get through it, maybe forty five minutes if you have to take a break to wipe your eyes after laughing so hard you cry at Clyde's shenanigans.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Another update

I had been so busy writing and fixing the house up, we are on to fencing the side of the yard now, that it seems like I rarely ever was posting things and now I just can't stop.

I did complete a proofreading session yesterday and was shocked to find that I started seeing things I had already fixed still being wrong. I looked at my mobi and epub copies that I had made for the beta readers and the things were correct there, so I was completely perplexed. I don't know where my file that had the first round of proofreading done to it disappeared, but it is for sure vanished.

In a round about way I was able to convert the files I had to a document I could compare to my working copy and I think I got everything copied back over, in addition to the changes I was making yesterday in my second proofing. The crazy computers I own are working against me, I swear they are.

Anyway, because of the mix up, I went ahead and spent this morning doing another reading and things are looking really good as far as I am concerned. One of my betas got back to me yesterday and she liked where things went, but of course wants more. My husband told me once that he hasn't read the books because he is sure he would turn into Kathy Bates from the Stephen King book based movie Misery and force me to keep writing. I don't think things would get that drastic, but reading the email I was sent it flashed into my mind.

I really hope my beta doesn't read this and get any ideas. I think I need to go make plans to finish off the moat I am planning around the house.

Silliness aside, I am for sure things will be ready to be published by Friday now. I am making the dogs do a happy dance for me since I am busy. Since this is the final book in this story arc, I was hoping to find maybe a couple of more people to read through it before I publish, but so far pleas for beta readers haven't been very successful here. I will ask again that if anyone has read books 1 to 6 and would like to read Night Rises now, please send an email to, amberlynnbooks@gmail.com and tell me which format works best for you. All I ask is that you tell me if I am crazy by Wednesday, so I can either hit the button to publish or rework the crazier parts of the story.

I did decide, maybe just this morning, that I am going to spend some time working on other stories, including the quick one about Clyde, and then late this year/early next year write another seven book story arc about Nyx and what happens next in her life. I don't know that I will last that long, but I need to clear my palate just a little. I will probably write some novellas in the in between and just post the pdfs here on my site to hold everyone over until then. I have the Clyde one in the works and this current story gives me an idea for one about Phee and Sam. Any of the guards could easily have their own short story and Ben has so many I don't know where I should even start.

Let's just say I plan to keep busy and Nyx won't be far from my mind.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Clyde is a jerk

There I said it and boy do I feel better. I have been awake for a whole two hours today and the jerk won't leave me alone. Yes, I know he is a made up character and I am two seconds away from visiting a nice padded room, but it's the truth.

Between making rice pudding, God that takes forever; writing a synopsis for Night Rises, working version below; and brushing my dogs teeth, only to have one of them run outside and eat dirt afterwards; and visiting all my usual morning websites Clyde was there all morning telling me about his great idea for a book all about him. Oh look the definition of egotistical and hey there is a picture of Clyde. How weird.

So, in the midst of finishing off the proofreading work on Night Rises, I am going to start working on a novella, short story if he really gets on my nerves, about Clyde and how he spends his days when he is not following Nyx around. The quick pitches he has been giving me are eye opening and really do need to be told.

I am taking a road trip today, so maybe I can get a jump start on things since I find it difficult to proofread while my husband is blaring Muse. I think the music will put me in the right frame of mind to write about Clyde.

Night Rises synopsis
How does one go from being the scary monster mothers warn their babies about to being a mother herself? Painfully, that's how. At the same time, how does that mother decide to make sure her child will never have to look over her shoulder or be scared that one day her parents won't make it home? Funny, I believe the answer is the same for either question. Although with the latter, I hope I am the one dealing out the pain instead of feeling it.

My knives are sharpened, the guns are oiled, and my teeth are filed. It is time for a throwdown and when all is said and done, we will all either be dead or wearing crowns. I won't say I am cheering for the crowns, because my head is just too small for one, but I guess I will suffer with it over the other option.

Will I rise to the occasion and help free paranorms from their corrupted leadership? Will I earn my halo and become the super power everyone keeps talking about? Can you really potty train a one-day-old? Will I stop being annoying by asking all of these questions?

Who knows, but I am sure it will be an interesting trip to find out.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Night Rises excerpt

Here is the sneak peek still being edited first five chapters of Night Rises. I am hoping to learn tomorrow whether the ending goes over as well with others as it did with me. Hopefully I will get another proofreading session in tomorrow and then a last one Thursday, so I can upload next Friday.

Sadly, that is all I have for now. If anyone was looking for a knee update, it only hurts to go down stairs, is mildly swollen and slightly bruised. I guess I will have to ask the door frame to run into me harder next time.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Ouch

So, I finished doing enough audio proofreading that Night Rises is good to go to the beta readers tomorrow, which pleases me. As I wrapped up for the night, and was on my way to take my contacts out before my eyes bugged out, I drove my knee into a door frame stepping over a gate we have in place to keep the dogs out of rooms they shouldn't go.

A funny thing that not many people know about me is that I don't curse at all in real life - that is part of the reason why I have Nyx do it as often as possible. So, as my knee started immediately swelling, I just kind of hopped around a little to walk it off while thinking nice thoughts about it. Another interesting fact, I refuse to take medicine, so ice is working to numb things as I type.

I am hoping the swelling will go down by morning and just leave a neat bruise, I love those. I think tomorrow night, which for me is Friday night, I will post the first five chapters of Night Rises for those curious few who like to get a jump on things to read. I am to the point where it is just typos and grammar and such that I am fixing, so unless the people that get a look at the full thing tell me I need to scrap it all and start over, I think I can share.

Well, I am off to try to figure out how to go to sleep while keeping the ice bag in place and the dogs from jumping on my knee. I think for the first problem, I may employ a roll of duct tape and for the second one, I may go hide in the other room.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Happy Dance is in full swing in my brain

The story itself is now written. I have started going back over things to edit and fill out some chapters that were hurried through in order to get everything down. I don't know if others will feel the emotions I was feeling when I was writing, but there were a couple of places I got a little misty eyed.

I am sure not everyone will like the ending. In a way, I was able to kill off a character like I was hoping. It was necessary for the sequence of events and I think it works. It ends with so many different places I could take the story when I get back around to it, but yet feels like an ending that could stand alone and leave the reader to decide for themselves where things end up.

I am planning to go through most of the initial edit still today. I should have at least two days this week that I can start doing the audio edits and I am hoping to get it to my beta readers by the end of the week. If I can get another couple of edits in next week, I may be able to get it published by the end of June. We are talking either the 29th or 30th, but that is still June.

Thanks again for everyone that has given me support in this journey. Giant imaginary cookies for everyone.

Monday, June 10, 2013

General random lines from Night Rises

I feel like I am pretty close to being back on track with Night Rises, so I am picking 5 random lines to share with you today. The small twist is I am not going to say who says what. If anyone feels like guessing, I will probably be kind enough to confirm or deny the guesses. If you are familiar with the characters, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out who says what. I will try to leave spoilers out, but some lines are just too funny not to share. Also these are pre-edited and may not be what makes it to the final draft.

Why don't you come back to bed? Waking up with Alex trying to cuddle with me isn't my idea of a great way to start the morning. It felt like he was very eager to give Sophia a sibling and he was barking up the wrong tree letting me know it.

There are a few spells in place, but they are mainly for protection. There is one to keep people's language clean around Sophia and one to keep wandering eyes away from Marcus, but other than that they are all for protection. If you want any added, like sending a shock to any guy that doesn't put the toilet seat down, let me know.

I was just on my way to bake him a big batch of cookies. I think someone told me ultraviolet flavored was his favorite.

It wouldn’t work with any other girl between them. You are the glue that holds it together. They need someone strong that doesn’t need a lot of defending, even if they act like they want to do all of the protecting. They need someone that is willing to let their own agenda get altered, or thrown out the window, when it isn’t the best for everyone involved. They need you.

Do I look like a front-end loader? Is there a pile of dirt somewhere you think I can use to fill it up?

Okay now I feel like a movie trailer for a comedy that shows every single good part of the movie and you are let down when you realize that watching the movie. Not really. I think I have written a lot of good lines so far for this book. I don't have the synopsis for it yet, which reminds me I need to get that together by week's end, but the general premise is going to be about Nyx dealing with her angel side of things, learning how to fit into the new familial roles she is presented with in the book, and just maybe the Collective getting defeated.

And, since I have already been asked by one person, yes, Ben is in this one.

Friday, June 7, 2013

So busy

Life is still busy for me and I haven't posted anything for almost a week. I am sure everyone thought I fell off the face of the earth, unless of course you found me over on the site that has a little blue bird as a logo. I haven't posted a lot over there, but have been working on the whole finding followers and following people thing. So far, it is still terrifying me. Eventually I will probably get over that.

I have been working hard to get back on track writing Night Rises. I am still behind if I wanted to get it all done by the end of this month, so it will probably be out in July, but hopefully before my birthday on the 14th. I am hoping to be halfway done with it this weekend and I spent the night grouting tile in hopes that I have the next two days to achieve that goal. I am pretty sure in the morning I will find Popeye arms attached to my body.

I am really gearing up for a battle in this book and I am working to make the planning portion of it more exciting than a bunch of guys sitting around a map with little green army men indicating which side is which. The other night I was trying to sleep, but was so in my Nyx world that I started answering advice column questions from Clyde's point of view. Talk about hilarious stuff to keep you up all night.

Well, I have a round of buffing the grout off the tile and I think I will be able to call it a night. I need some rest or Alex is going to find himself helping the workers who are still finishing the guards' apartments lay tile. After 168 square feet, I have decided I am an expert on the subject.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

My first interview with another blogger

One of those great people I have met from over at Goodreads posted an interview with me on her blog today/last night depending on where in the world you live. She is also hosting a giveaway for two copies of Night Calls. I am pretty sure most people on my blog have already taken in the first book in the crazy world of Nyx, but you may be interested in seeing how I responded to her questions. You can see it here. She showcases a lot of other books on there as well, so you might stumble on another great read by browsing.

I am laying ceramic tile most of the day today, but hope to get some writing in by the end of the day. By then I don't know if I will still be able to walk. My back and legs are already starting to protest and we have only got through cutting a mess of tiles.