Gang A-Gley Giveaway!

What happens when you just can't meet a writing goal or deadline?

The best laid schemes o' mice an' men

Gang aft a-gley.

~Robert Burns

So...

I'd asked for this date on the illustrious Here Be Magic calendar - governed by the menacing and truly frightening Calendarzilla - because I'd planned to have book three in my Sorcerous Moons, fantasy romance series out around now. 

Like yesterday, even. 

Instead, I finished writing it the day before yesterday. This isn't the first time I've had to adjust a deadline, but it feels like the most egregious slip. When I had to push back a deadline by a month once before - also (not coincidentally) for the third book in a trilogy - it was for my publisher, who'd built in months of buffer to the production schedule. I knew it; my editor knew it (and was cool with it); otherwise it didn't show.

This time it shows and I feel sheepish about it. Maybe that's not a strong enough word.

See, I figured back in mid-August that I simply wouldn't be able to write this book in time. Part of it was tying up the story. The rest was... well, all those mice and men!  I started off great - I wrote more than 18,000 words the first week, at the end of July. Good words, too. They survived mostly intact to the draft I just completed. 

Then I had a couple of weeks of totally unproductive shite. I could go into all the things that did happen instead, but I'm pretty clear with myself that I make the writing a priority, regardless of what else happens. 

And, really, what happened is the dominoes that started falling back in February caught up and smashed down. It wasn't that I didn't make the time. I just couldn't produce the words.

For the first time, I believed that burn-out might be a real thing.

I hauled back, shed a few tears, spent a few days staring at the sky, and pushed back my own personal production deadline.

TA DAHHHH!!!

Pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain.

At any rate - the big ratchet-back helped. I finished a story I owed Grace Draven for TEETH, LONG AND SHARP, which turned out pretty damn cool after all.

And I finally finished THE TIDES OF BARA. More: I'm happy with it. Just wait until you see the freaking cover for that! It's coming out October 29, so stay tuned for that.

In the meanwhile, I'm offering a giveaway of the first two Sorcerous Moons books. Comment here and tell me about a plan gone wrong, and I'll give a commenter those two novels in the digital format of their choice. Open to international!

Cover Reveal for ORIA'S GAMBIT!!!

Finally, it's here!

Book Two of my Sorcerous Moons series is ready to go! ORIA'S GAMBIT will be hitting the virtual shelves this week.

The book's been ready, but we've been tweaking the cover. And Louisa Gallie did an amazing job, as always. I'll put up the buy links as they go live.

A Play For Power

Princess Oria has one chance to keep her word and stop her brother’s reign of terror: She must become queen. All she has to do is marry first. And marry Lonen, the barbarian king who defeated her city bare weeks ago, who can never join her in a marriage of minds, who can never even touch her—no matter how badly she wants him to.

A Fragile Bond

To rule is to suffer, but Lonen never thought his marriage would become a torment. Still, he’s a resourceful man. He can play the brute conqueror for Oria’s faceless officials and bide his time with his wife. And as he coaxes secrets from Oria, he may yet change their fate…

An Impossible Demand

With deception layering on deception, Lonen and Oria must claim the throne and brazen out the doubters. Failure means death— for them and their people.

But success might mean an alliance powerful beyond imagining...

In the meanwhile, if you haven't yet picked up a copy of book one, LONEN'S WAR, then this is a good time to do it! 

Here Be News

New Releases

New from Kelly Jensen: Counting Fence Posts

There are over two hundred thousand fence posts between Syracuse and Boston. Henry Auttenberg likes numbers—it’s his job—but he isn’t going to count them all, even if the view outside the rental car is less confounding than the driver, his attractive but oh so obnoxious colleague, Marcus Winnamore. It’s Christmas Eve and Henry would much rather be home with his family. When the blizzard that grounded their flight forces them off the road, however, he’s stuck with Marc until the storm passes—or a plow digs them out.

As the temperature outside plummets, the atmosphere inside the car slowly heats up. Henry learns the true reason for Marc’s chilly distance—he’s not exactly straight…maybe…and he’s been fantasizing about Henry’s mouth, among other things. Confession laid out, Marc is all for sharing body heat…and more. Henry isn’t interested in being an experiment, but as the night and cold deepen, he could be convinced to balance certain risk against uncertain reward.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | ARe | Dreamspinner Press

New!

NEVERWYLDE
The Rim of the World, Book 4
Sensuous Sci-Fi Romance
Word Count: 42.4K
$2.99 e

On a half-world filled with danger and deception, the only thing keeping them sane and safe was their love.

They were no longer Terran and Seenecian. They were brothers-in-arms, fighting against a common foe.

With all new obstacles to face—a new climate, new enemies, and new personal issues for Kelen—the crew has their work cut out for them in this new territory. Already beaten down and broken, their food and water rations dwindling, and constant, non-stop attacks, it’s only a matter of time before they’re defeated.

On Neverwylde, you must learn to adapt. Protect those you love. But most importantly, be careful who, or what, you trust. 

Warning! Contains ice quakes, meat eaters, purple rooms, death, glowing stones, truth in advertising, dwindling supplies, and a catastrophe and separation that could end in disaster.

Excerpt and buy links: http://lindamooney.com/Neverwylde.htm

Other News

Fantasy Romance Sale, including Veronica Scott's Award Winning  GHOST OF THE NILE, and Jeffe Kennedy's new LONEN'S WAR and HEART'S BLOOD Details and links here.

Release Day! LONEN'S WAR

I have a new book in a new series out today!

LONEN'S WAR kicks off a new Fantasy Romance series, Sorcerous Moons. I did it on my own (self-published) because my agent felt the story concept too closely paralleled that of THE MARK OF THE TALA.

I can see it. Marriage of convenience between rulers of warring nations just really rocks my fantasy romance heart. What can I say?

And I really wanted to tell this story, particularly a very slow-burn romance. Also, caveat: as some reviewers rightfully point out, this first book has no heat and very little romance, because slow burn.

Oh yeah - we'll get there, people.

This review tickled me no end:

If you like stories of overlooked princesses coming into their own in spite of withering expectations, you will love Lonen’s War. Likewise if you enjoy epic fantasy with lots of political skullduggery, ( like The Goblin Emperor and Sorcerer to the Crown) because this book certainly fills that bill as well.
And if you are a fan of Jeffe Kennedy’s Twelve Kingdoms series, you are going to absolutely adore this.

I hope you all DO adore it! It really hits my own personal sweet spot. 

An Unquiet Heart

Alone in her tower, Princess Oria has spent too long studying her people’s barbarian enemies, the Destrye—and neglected the search for calm that will control her magic and release her to society. Her restlessness makes meditation hopeless and her fragility renders human companionship unbearable. Oria is near giving up. Then the Destrye attack, and her people’s lives depend on her handling of their prince…

A Fight Without Hope
When the cornered Destrye decided to strike back, Lonen never thought he’d live through the battle, let alone demand justice as a conqueror. And yet he must keep up his guard against the sorceress who speaks for the city. Oria’s people are devious, her claims of ignorance absurd. The frank honesty her eyes promise could be just one more layer of deception.

A Savage Bargain
Fighting for time and trust, Oria and Lonen have one final sacrifice to choose… before an even greater threat consumes them all.

BUY IT NOW

Amazon   |   Kobo   |   Smashwords

Here Be News

New Releases

New from Jeffe Kennedy!!

LONEN'S WAR, the first book in her new fantasy romance series, Sorcerous Moons, will be out on Tuesday!!

Watch this page for buy links.

An Unquiet Heart

Alone in her tower, Princess Oria has spent too long studying her people’s barbarian enemies, the Destrye—and neglected the search for calm that will control her magic and release her to society. Her restlessness makes meditation hopeless and her fragility renders human companionship unbearable. Oria is near giving up. Then the Destrye attack, and her people’s lives depend on her handling of their prince…

A Fight Without Hope

When the cornered Destrye decided to strike back, Lonen never thought he’d live through the battle, let alone demand justice as a conqueror. And yet he must keep up his guard against the sorceress who speaks for the city. Oria’s people are devious, her claims of ignorance absurd. The frank honesty her eyes promise could be just one more layer of deception.

A Savage Bargain

Fighting for time and trust, Oria and Lonen have one final sacrifice to choose… before an even greater threat consumes them all.

Other News

Cindy Spencer Pape will be speaking and signing books at Motor City Steam Con this weekend! If you're in the Detroit area , stop by and check out the action.


HUGE Science Fiction Romance Sale, 40 books, including Veronica Scott's Award Winning  WRECK OF THE NEBULA DREAM, and Shona Husk's DECADENT MOON and YOURS TO COMMAND. Details and links here.  

Overcoming Two Towers Syndrome

It's been a great week for my duology with Grace Draven, FOR CROWN AND KINGDOM! I'm frankly astonished at the response and grateful to all of you enthusiastic readers. If you'd still like to pick up a copy, here are some linkys:

Amazon
Apple/iTunes
Kobo
Barnes & Noble

Now that the promo pony parade is wearing down for both this release and for THE PAGES OF THE MIND, which also released last week to the best rankings that series has seen so far (yay - thank you!!), I'm turning my attention back to book two in this new series I'm writing, The Sorcerous Moons. Book one, LONEN'S WAR, is done and I have an actual blurb now!

An Unquiet Heart 

Alone in her tower, Princess Oria has spent too long studying her people’s barbarian enemies, the Destrye—and neglected the search for calm that will control her magic and release her to society. Her restlessness makes meditation hopeless and her fragility renders human companionship unbearable. Oria is near giving up. Then the Destrye attack, and her people’s lives depend on her handling of their prince…  

A Fight Without Hope 

When the cornered Destrye decided to strike back, Lonen never thought he’d live through the battle, let alone demand justice as a conqueror. And yet he must keep up his guard against the sorceress who speaks for the city. Oria’s people are devious, her claims of ignorance absurd. The frank honesty her eyes promise could be just one more layer of deception.  

A Savage Bargain 

Fighting for time and trust, Oria and Lonen have one final sacrifice to choose… before an even greater threat consumes them all.

Book two is called ORIA'S GAMBIT and it's slow going so far. I'm working hard to keep from hitting Two Towers Syndrome, which is a common pitfall of second books in trilogies. 

You know what I'm talking about? It's a common complaint that the second book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, THE TWO TOWERS, is simply a bridge between THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and THE RETURN OF THE KING. Nothing really happens in the book, except things that fill in from the grand beginning to the crashing finale.

Now, if we can get over criticizing Tolkien, master of all things epic fantasy, we can take a look at why the book feels this way.

Something I like to do to create a scaffolding for my novels, given that I'm much more a gardener than an architect - so this is more like a trellis for the story vine to grow on - is to break down into the three-act structure. This is a natural storytelling structure for most of western culture, hearkening back to the Greeks. 

Basically, it works like this: 

Act I = first 25%

Act II = middle 50%

Act III = final 25%

Breaking this into beats it goes:

Act I Climax - 25%

Midpoint - 50%

Act II Climax - 75%

Act III Climax - 90%

Denouement

This matches the perhaps more familiar structure of introduction, rising action, climax, falling action. Or get your heroine up a tree, throw rocks at her, get her down again.

Thus, for say a 100,000 word novel, the word count would break out roughly as:

Act I Climax - 25K

Midpoint - 50K

Act II Climax - 75K

Act III Climax - 90K

Denouement - 100K

Of course there's variation in there, but it's remarkable to me how closely my major beats hit this scaffolding. It helps me because I know I have to have all the stakes set by the first 25%, a big pivot around 50%, a huge all-is-lost climax at 75% and then the final climax. 

Okay, so! Now's where it gets fun! (If you're a geeky, spreadsheet queen like me.) You can apply this same math to the arc of a trilogy. Let's say you have three books, all 100K, for ease of round numbers. The numbers in parentheses are the running sum of the wordcount for the entire trilogy.

Book 1

Act I Climax - 25K

Midpoint - 50K

Act II Climax - 75K

Act III Climax - 90K

Denouement - 100K

Book 2

Act I Climax - 25K (125K)

Midpoint - 50K (150K)

Act II Climax - 75K (175K)

Act III Climax - 90K (190K)

Denouement - 100K (200K)

Book 3

Act I Climax - 25K (225K)

Midpoint - 50K (250K)

Act II Climax - 75K (275K)

Act III Climax - 90K (290K)

Denouement - 100K (300K)

Now let's figure the overall arc:

Overall Arc

Act I Climax - 75K

Midpoint - 150K

Act II Climax - 225K

Act III Climax - 270K

Denouement - 300K

With me so far? Then we paste this against the three-book story arcs:

Book 1

Act I Climax - 25K

Midpoint - 50K

Act II Climax - 75K - Overall Act I Climax

Act III Climax - 90K

Denouement - 100K

Book 2

Act I Climax - 25K (125K)

Midpoint - 50K (150K) - Overall Midpoint

Act II Climax - 75K (175K)

Act III Climax - 90K (190K)

Denouement - 100K (200K)

Book 3

Act I Climax - 25K (225K) - Overall Act II Climax

Midpoint - 50K (250K)

Act II Climax - 75K (275K) - Overall Act III Climax

Act III Climax - 90K (290K) - Overall Denoument

Denouement - 100K (300K)

See what we did there?? Hopefully you're getting excited and the lightbulbs are going off in your pretty heads. So, looking at the overall arc, the Act II all-is-lost climax of book one is the Act I climax of the trilogy. We spent basically the first 75% of book one setting up the stakes for the entire trilogy! Then the Act I Climax of book three is the Overall all-is-lost moment. Book three also contains the overall Act III Climax. This can move a little to coincide with the book three Act III Climax for even more punch. Or, often there's a series of climaxes in book three, to wind everything up. 

But let's look at The Two Towers syndrome. What happens in the overall arc in book two? Right! ZERO CLIMAXES. Basically the book is one big midpoint, all-is-lost moment, so far as the overall arc is concerned. *This* is why the middle book of a trilogy can feel like a bridge. It kind of IS.

What are some solutions to this? Well, one that works well is to make book two longer. If book two is 125K, then the Overall Act II Climax can occur at the end. Though this can create a cliffhanger. The other solution is to be very aware of this syndrome and make the act climaxes particularly powerful. The book gets no help from the overall arc, so needs a strong momentum of its own. Resist having the quest team be split up, wandering about having various incidental adventures. *cough*

Any other solutions?? I'm all ears as I dive back into ORIA'S GAMBIT. One big midpoint... yeah.