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WIP Updates

WIP Update 01

WIPUHere’s my official first WIP update. I figured a weekly article like this will help to keep me accountable for my writing.

First, I am receiving a very positive response from my betas about the sequel to Eternal Curse. Even though I’m still waiting for a response from one more, everyone has said that they like it better than the other. So since I’m still waiting to send it off to my editor I’m starting to think of marketing strategies for it.

Also, I’m trying to get together with my artist to work on a new set of select images. What’s cool about the ebook versions of these books is that the images are optional. They are a part of the story via links so the reader has the option as to whether they want to see them or not.

Second, my little romance, “It’s Like the Full Moon” is coming along. I think this has been the hardest thing for me to write lately. Romance and contemporary fiction don’t come as natural to me as fantasy, but I really do love this story and feel I just have to tell it.

Since the last time I mentioned it, I finally decided to make the notions of a possible love triangle become a reality. Rebecca is torn, at the moment, between bliss and guilt as two wonderful men now openly woo and compete to be the last man standing. Rebecca has done all she can to avoid this situation, not wanting to be the kind of woman to date multiple men, but these guys just won’t leave her alone and are eager to compete for her affection.

Lastly, I have even gone back and looked at my notes for the adventure story I started so long ago. It’s not even a WIP yet; just lots of notes, but the notes are getting good. Right now I’m trying to decide just how far into the world of fantasy and adventure I’m willing to take this. So far I have a special sword, twin sons, lots of death, and the onslaught of war. There are no elves, dragons, or wizards in the story now, but there is a magical flare to it…a sense of the unknown or unexplained. I still have much more to think about. Maybe next time, I’ll have details from a completed outline to share.

Do you have a WIP update to share?

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Full Moon WIP Updates

Unstuck :D

Ok so, I was stuck for a lot longer than I thought I would be. That eleventh chapter of “It’s Like a Full Moon” was haunting and taunting me for days. I couldn’t figure out what to do to mix up the story and move forward. Finally I had a break through.

I have been reading like a mad woman lately trying to finish stories for enjoyment as well as for review. Plus I’ve been fairly busy interviewing other authors, but think it was the interviews that made the light bulb go off in my head. One of the authors I was interviewing answered a question by providing a very unexpected answer. It was clear that there was a misunderstanding about the nature of the question. Once all things were cleared up, the answer made much or sense.

Later as I sat in front of my laptop, staring into to the abyss of white, while my cursor blinked mockingly at me, the words began to rattle around in brain. I started writing and didn’t stop until chapter 12 was completed and my story was ready to take a whole new exciting direction.

What I think I failed to realize before was that even if I came up with a great angle to spin my story on, I couldn’t just have it happen out of the blue.  That’s when I thought about the funny misunderstanding with that interview.  Well after that, it didn’t take long for me to come up with a great misunderstanding for two of my other characters to get caught up in, which just so happen to pull my heroine, Rebecca, right into the middle of.

So now my little romance is making its slow descent from its climatic plateau towards the conclusion of this tale. Hopefully I’ll be able to fill up another ten or so chapters working out a way for Rebecca, Teddy, Lisa, Paul, and even the quirky parents to all find love or at least lifelong companionship. (see article Stuck! For reference)

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I’ve been interviewing authors over at the Eternal Curse Series Blog, check it out to see what author Jimi Akanbi has been up to.

Interview: http://ecsuniverse.blogspot.com/2012/12/interview-06.html

Guest Post: http://ecsuniverse.blogspot.com/2012/12/guest-post-03-jimi-akanbi.html

Categories
Full Moon WIP Updates

Stuck!

Well I’ve written two more chapters of my new romance, but now I’m stuck. Excuse the expression if it offends, but praise Jesus I don’t have writer’s block. I’ve been steadily writing and working on this and other stories, but I’ve come to a part in my romance where I’m just not sure which way to take it. In my attempt to take a not so new or original idea and mix it up a bit, I’ve mixed it up so much I can’t seem to settle it down.

Rebecca’s character has evolved in the story, but all the rest of the characters have remained much the same. I guess the problem I’m having is trying to figure out what else I can do to mix things up without turning this into a comedy. I think I’m ready to bring out the other characters to put a spin on things, but I’m afraid I’ll end up making the others more interesting than my main character Rebecca.

So here’s what I’m dealing with. Lisa is Rebecca’s best friend. Teddy is Becca’s brother. Paul is Teddy’s new best friend. Mr. Thornton is Paul’s father. Ms. Rapture is Teddy and Becca’s mother, Lucy is their aunt, and Virgil is Becca’s fiancé. There are a few more minor characters, but I think I’ve got my hands full with these.

Lisa is a mess to begin with so I don’t think it will be hard to stir up her character; all she needs is a fling or the experience of true love and that could be enough to turn the story around entirely. Rebecca could come to her friend’s aid in either getting over her fling or helping her understand how to be in love, while inadvertently answering some of her own tough questions about her relationship.

Teddy and Paul are both young virile men who have no trouble getting the attention of women, but they are opposites in their approaches. Teddy never takes women seriously while Paul is always looking for the one. I know there’s something here, I just have to figure out what.

The parents are hysterical already. Ms. Rapture, Lucy, and Mr. Thornton have been comically supportive up to this point, but I’m thinking of adding some kind of twist involving them. In any case, I have too many options that could work, but I have to choose just one. Or do I?

Next week at the Eternal Curse Series blog, I will be hosting author Bridget Straub. It’s sure to be a good time. Stop by and check it out.