New Book is Coming!

The death of a spouse is life-changing and so my writing has changed. It's taken three years for me to work on a book, but I am and that's a major accomplishment. It's a different genre, don't have the desire to write dark horror any more. I do have the inspiration and affection for my cat and for felines in general. I learned a great deal about cats, their history and their surprising and unique personalities.

Please be patient and follow me through this journey. The cat that features in the book is special and so are her adventures. She has a mission to follow. It is of great benefit to those lucky enough to meet her.

I can't say when it will be done, but each day is a day closer. There's history, humor, pathos, poignancy and an array of emotions--from human and animal points of view. It is not a children's book. Please stay tuned!

My Work and Upcoming Work

It's so ironical but all of the work that is published is dark. There's a 4-novel vampire series, book 1 of another vampire series and a horror novel about a circus as well as the darkest work about Countess Bathory. There is also my collected horror stories. All my books are published by Next Chapter Pub.  The irony is, I wrote these works during the happiest time of my life!

Truthfully, my life has been no picnic. Childhood was great but for about twenty five years after it, it was pretty awful. Traumatic actually. That's probably where the horror comes from. Those years tore into my soul and left a presence. Just the way it is. That presence is what I tapped into when I was married and wrote all that work.

I have written about hell, but now I really know what it feels like since my husband's death. I'm still clawing my way back. But I'm writing again and feel like myself. I have a work in progress which is going well.

Meanwhile, If you like dark horror, please check out my Amazon Author page:

AMAZON 

THANK YOU!

Never Say Never!

There I was minding my own business, sitting and working on my cat fantasy novel when along comes something else--something dark and different this way comes!

Expect something more in line with what I write, however it's not vampires. It's a thriller with suspense and of course lots of horror. Also, it's historic. But you know me, it's not 'just' historic!

That's all I'll say for now, watch for updates. And as for the cat fantasy, it'll follow! This new project pushed its way in! How rude! Inspiration is like that, though!

It's Time to Get Going!

What are your New Year's resolutions? Are you going to work more regularly on your work in progress?  I hope to!

I feel when we survive Christmas and get past New Year with resolutions and everything, we should (keyword) dust ourselves off and do all those post holiday things. Lose weight, possibly--and get going with our writing if that's what we do.

I am planning on working on my work in progress more regularly! I do have another book in mind to follow it, but that can be tricky. It's almost a fool-proof way to procrastinate and shelve the w.i.p. by jumping ahead to the other work! I've discussed this with friends and after some sniggering they say, "No!"  They know me, you see!

I'd love to hear from you if you are resolved to do more work on your writing, planning or even researching.

And meanwhile, let me wish us ALL a very happy, prosperous new year filled with determination and positive thinking! 

Writers: How do you outline?

Assuming you do that is! Over the years, I have found outlining to be crucial. I not only have a sense of my story, how it begins--where it's going and what the end's like--I have a sense of what the point to it all is!

My work in progress has changed a little as I am writing and planning, but I think that's to be expected. I have written seven novels and a collection of short stories. In each book I've faced this and dealt with it. As I got more experienced, I thought of the change in plot and other aspects due to the fact of the novel evolving. You sit down and start--the best thing that can happen, in my opinion, is for your creativity to dictate the story and characters. I've often thought of that as the characters becoming so real, they TELL you off!

But I want to know how others feel about this issue.

For instance, take some cats and a human being who has suffered. The cats talk about him. As they do, we see their personalities.

"I just hope he gets it together, I have my doubts."

"Don't be so negative, you're negative sometimes!"

"Look, don't criticize her!"

See, Eduard doesn't know the cats are arguing, but they are. That argument affects my story and how they act to him. They want to protect him because he's suffered a lot. There's a great deal else they do, which is at the core of the story and the reason why it exists!

Back to my question of outlining. I think having a sense of each chapter, of each character, whether they are human or not, gives me my story. It's a journey--it's a process that anyone who writes knows and understands but it's worth it. Just to get your book or story completed is worth it!

I used to say characters give you your story. They do. Give a man a gun, have him stuck in an elevator with his wife's lover and there's your story!

Okay! Until next time! 

Dump the negativity!

Some people are crabby! You don't need them! No one does! I've learned that!

One of the most important factors in writing or staying with any project you might be doing is to get rid of all the malignant garbage, dust and negative thinking.

If you know a great many people, you've probably already run into the emotional messes that are contrary, spiteful and just not necessary to interact with. You can always tell you've encountered someone you need like an infection, when you feel you've walked through cobwebs. You can continue to move, but the cobwebs stick to you. You brush them off but more often than not, you have to shower.

I've known people that, for whatever reason, are detrimental to my well being. I have written about them and enjoyed the release it's given me.

Writing is a committment. It's to be done day in, day out. I'm just writing now, but I thought I'd do this post. I do want to blog regularly again because I feel more up to it.

Writing is hard enough without having to deal with people you don't need around you. This, I've discovered and although, it seems straight forward, it might not be. I would say to make it a priority. I'm going to be pretty strict about who and what influences me.

I don't want to dialogue with negative people. I don't owe them anything, not even my time.

Friends are important, but remember, if you think your friend is negative, and you're constantly getting annoyed, that 'friend' is no friend!

Chances are they'll attach themselves to other victims and stay there, for whatever length of time they can. Most people that are chosen by negative folks get fed up and move on. It's the logical thing to do.

You can always move on without being rude, remember that!

Forgive me for the short post. It's all I had time for today. Stay tuned.

See you soon!

CAN A SMILE HIDE EVIL?

I don't really think it can. I think evil is worse when a smile is its cover. This is so, in my opinion, because real rotteness, honest to goodness (?) horrifying evil, is impossible to hide. It is detectable in so many ways. When it slips into a disguise it fails.

This is one-to-one evil I'm talking about. Personal and in the room with you. The stuff of horror films and books!

I've encountered evil along the way and shrugged it off, but sometimes, it's so potent, so in your face, it can't be ignored. If that ever happens and you're a writer or artist--observe it! Analyze it for future reference. Let its horrific image stay with you so you can use it creatively. Whatever you do, know evil for what it is, because when you do, you take its power.

All writers do is observe, we have a great big world in which to learn so much! And everything learned, becomes a library from which we can draw resources!

New Writers, Some Good Advice!

I was inspired to do this post. Please read the source of the inspiration: ORGANIZATION AND THE 500 CLUB

It's the best advice I've seen in a long time for new writers. Each step in the journey to getting your work out there is a challenge. Just writing for yourself, no matter how good you are isn't going to get your name out there.

What the post suggests, is to write 500 words of first draft quality--in other words 500 words that are nearly good enough to submit. Not 500 words that aren't up to that.

I am finally, after two years of zero, getting 1k-2k words daily that go into my work in progress. When I first tried to get back on my feet following my husband's death, which was about a year and a half later, I found I not only couldn't write, I found whatever I did, I had to nap after 20 minutes on my laptop. I was exhausted.

Being new to writing, is also difficult. A person builds up to it. The more you work at it, the more proficient you will be and the more likely to achieve your goals. Forget about rejection, that comes later, but!!! there is acceptance too!

Go for it, writers! Try the 500 words, get into the habit and don't deviate. You'll get there!
Best of luck!

SO HOW'S THE BOOK COMING!

Firstly, I had to put this image in beecause I hate auto correct! I particularly hate it on Facebook! Ever write to someone and all of a sudden a moronic thing comes up that turns the person's name into some group or page! Okay, that aside, today's post!

SO, HOW'S THE BOOK COMING!

Well, it wanted to fly in, you know, to save time, but the airports were crowded. So, instead  it is taking a train. Of course, it does like to drive, but only if it's a scenic route. On the other hand, I did have a book that came by rowboat once, no outboard motor or anything!

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HOW IS THE BOOK COMING?
DID YOU EVER TRY TO WRITE ONE!

Seriously, books tend to come when they darn well feel like it. They're a great deal like cats. My cat comes or doesn't according to her own wishes. She's her own woman and nothing I can say will change that.

I am working on something that I like. Liking what I'm writing is crucial. I open up the files and might cringe--but that's until I get going. Something takes over. I think of it as my work having a voice and telling me off or praising me. STICK TO IT, DON'T SLACKEN. AND FOR GOODNESS SAKES, DON'T WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING, LIKE THE MULE GOING BLIND, THE WEATHER, IF I GAINED WEIGHT, LOST SOME, OR WHAT I SHOULD MAKE FOR DINNER.
DON'T THINK ABOUT PEOPLE I KNOW, THAT WISH I DIDN'T KNOW OR THOSE I'D LIKE TO KNOW, BUT DON'T!

I used to just sit down at the laptop every day and write. I am finally back to that. And that's good.

I've read widely over the past year, different sort of books, and what I've read has influenced me. No horror for me, I went through enough when I lost my husband.

What I'm writing is giving me pleasure because it's different. A lot of it is funny, poignant and special I think. It will appeal, hopefully to a certain target readership. In other words, I'm writing a book I'd have wanted very much to read! Yes! I finally understand what that means and I'm one of the readers that is interested in this particular genre. Here I go!

SO NOW TELL ME, HOW'S YOUR BOOK COMING ALONG!  JUST KIDDING!
:)

HOW TO BE TICKED OFF!

Just checked on a group I'm in for book promotion, only allowed to advertise your book ON THE RELEASE DAY! Holy moly! Vot good is dot???? I was first published 7 years ago so each of my seven books had one release day! That's terrible! It precludes promotion of a special offer. I get them periodically, scheduled by  my publisher.

I've been in this group for years! Just don't post there. I'll probably leave, as any published author will agree, I am sure, that one release day does not constitute a marketing strategy. I would feel just as happy to jump off a tall building than to wait for a book to be finished so I can put up a link there. I am writing a book now, and it's taking long as I'm still recovering from a life-changing loss. Heck! I had two releases of already finished books when my husband died. Those were the two releases! Oh cripes! I missed my chance! Darn it! There is nothing I can do about it.

Pardon the sarcasm but it really is called for. I think I'll write a book about sarcasm! Should also have bits of irony.

One questions the motives of a group like that. Could it be hostility against authors in general, published that is.

Oh! And by the way, the group IS NOT CALLED NEW RELEASES, I guess because that would have made sense.

See ya!

Work in Progress Update!

It's coming! I know it's taking long, but when you've lost everything that you valued, it's a hard battle to get back to where you want to be. Still, I am making so much progress.

I love what I am writing, it's full of light and romance. It's fanciful and fun to write. The characters are getting more real every day to me, that is, they are really coming alive.

I am researching, which I love, finding out things that are amazing and interesting.

The story is from my heart. It's the deepest truth I have ever come to terms with, actually I still am coming to terms with.

Life is so multi-faceted, there are people you can love, like and trust and there are those that you most certainly cannot. It's all going to be there.

It's going to be a story that I could never have written if I hadn't lived through it. Even though I don't really believe in an after life, I feel I'm being guided, so who knows maybe I'm wrong.

How does anyone know for certain what lies around us? What revealations might there be!

All I ask, is for patience. I promise you something very different and fresh--a gift from the heart incorporating light and love and a little magic!

RANT! PUSHY WRITERS!

TIME FOR A GOOD OLD RANT!

 I don't like links in direct messages on Facebook or Twitter, ESPECIALLY AFTER A PERSON HAS JUST 'BEFRIENDED' ME!

The second awful thing was to ask me, 'what do you write?'

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!

Use your eyes, are you so self-absorbed in your overly aggressive sales pitch that you actually haven't bothered to see all the books I have out there?! They're on my facebook profile and author page and  twitter.

Poor you! Maybe you thought by moving too much, fingers, head--you would get whiplash. Or is it possible you broke your fingers so you can't use a keyboard to google anything?

I think not because you were able to type and be pushy.

You have the nerve to ask for someone's 'friendship' and then flog your books! Ugh!

Major no, no as it results in instant unfriending. 

Get real, pushy people. Market like the rest of us. Don't be disrespectful and use people. You turn off professional writers and I would think obliterate any chance of a sale.

My advice is to be professional, have respect for yourself and others.
You won't do it a second time to me, that's for sure.

And no, I won't share your link. That's a given.

Re-Inventing Myself and My Writing!

Sorry for the wait but it'll be worth it. Life changes us sometimes and if that's so, profound loss certainly does!

I wrote 8 books in 5 years. But that was before I lost everything, dogs, house and worst of all, the best friend and husband I could ever have.

There will be books already written and published on offer, lots to read while you wait. Just expect the unexpected from me! Magic and fantasy, adventure and yarns a plenty, fiction to thrill and entertain. Characters to love and hold in your hearts forever. It's all coming.

Book Update: Fantasy about cats!

Sasha at 8 weeks. 

My work in progress is really coming along. My publisher has been advised and is enthused. It's a departure from dark horror but of course those 8 books that are horror are out there and will remain on sale.

A little background first on the new work, the first in a series.

Sasha, my Maine Coon kitten came into my life shortly after my husband died. I was in quite a state. Both of our dogs had to be re-homed as I could no longer walk them. This kitten had a big job ahead of her. I was happy to just play with her and watch her. She offered a great deal more, though. I found such comfort and love from her and became so aware of a bond between us.

Now, Sasha at 18 months, is far from tiny! She is big and beautiful. She's mischievous, playful and clownish sometimes. Just what I need. Always at my side. A kind of furry leprechaun. Turn around and she's there and so is her love.

I have learned so much about cats, that I was hugely inspired to write about them. There was no way I could ignore the need to do this!

This fantasy I'm working on is about kittens and cats and other animals too but it's Sasha that is featured. She's the chief protagonist, a funny gutsy, clever girl--exactly what she's like!

The story is about other things too. Some of it's funny and some of it's poignant, like life, really!

I'll be giving periodic updates, I promise. Meanwhile, here's a short excerpt:

Sasha was a pensive and thoughtful cat, she pondered deeply about things, like her past. If she thought about it, and she did occasionally, she recalled a ship.

She was newborn when she was carried away from her dead mother and siblings. Where there had been comfort and food, there was now something awful and deadly and cold.

Kindness saved her. Even before her eyes opened, she knew this. When she was able to open her eyes, she saw her first human face. It belonged to the steward of a cargo ship, the man who had found the squealing, newborn kitten among her family. He had cried because he was an emotional man. 

SASHA NOW

Expect the Unexpected!

I don't like just being online only to market my books. I like writing too much. And since it's taken me nearly two years to enjoy writing again, I'm going to write as well as market.

Inspiration has returned and with it, a sense of adventure. I want to entertain and please myself too! I've had stories, including flash, become novels. So who knows where it will all go and meanwhile it's fun!

I wrote a flash piece today about an evil fairy. Hope you like it.

I'll be blogging more and writing more. This, I will do as I work on my work in progress. The wip is a lot of fun and so is blogging and writing. Writing is a part of me. It's who I am, so I do it!

I'm experimenting and it's fun. But the main thing is to write. When I lost my husband, I didn't think I'd write again. I mean I had other concerns, but it's back and so am I.

Paris for Justine!

Write what you know they say! Well, I was inspired to write Justine: Into the Blood when I was in Paris!

and by the way, Justine is a seamstress at the palace in the beginning. 

Take The Versailles Palace in France...add to it:

The Paris Catacombs

Mix in Georgian London and brothels with rakes, but also with:

VAMPIRES!

Blend with that my love and study of history and you have Justine: Into the Blood! 

You all know how much I love history! By the way, even though my work in progress will surprise you, it's got history in it, too. But it is integral to the story. 

I believe all my work is, but perhaps the next one in the pipeline is even more so. 

As for Justine, though the story begins in Paris, it ends in England and finally on a ship bound for another place, as it is another time that this vampire is existing in. If they are immortal, their stories need to be expansive and Justine's is.

The best inspiration for a novel is whatever magic you feel and yes, it is a magical moment when suddenly you feel something special. You see it too, in your mind's eye. It's like a road with signs on it, where to go next--where to set your tale, even!

Your characters begin to step forward. They're waiting ahead for you. They might even introduce themselves to you.

"Yes, that's' right. This way."

The road becomes your setting. Countries and cities, their depiction in the past or present or future! You're the director! It's what you want. You decide.

I find history inspires me because it's a story that has already been written. I just have to wait for someone to tell me the tale! And you know what, they do!

AMAZON

A vampire prince and a beautiful Parisienne meet in the 18th century City of Light.

Born in pre-Revolutionary France and orphaned as a child, Justine Bodeau is taken in by a family friend who employs her as a seamstress. Eventually, she winds up to work in the court of Queen Marie Antoinette. A strong-willed survivor, defeat does not occur to her. When she fights off an attack by an aristocrat and kills him, she is given refuge but is soon betrayed and winds up on the streets of Paris, where she is attacked and killed by rogue vampires. But the Vampire Prince of Paris 

"Top of its genre!"

"Revenge, betrayal, passion, bloodshed, lust and love are just a few of the elements of this dark and spellbinding book."

"This vampire romance is rich in history, deep in blood sex and exotic locations and is very highly recommended."

"Vampires have their own allure and none more so than the female.

“An amazing historical vampire romance that must surely rank at the top of its genre.”

Where I Was When I Wrote About Vampires and Demons!

I'm busy working on my new book. But I want to blog more. I think readers like to know about the writing process.

As I just put up a tweet about book 2 Unholy Testament - The Beginnings, in The Blackstone Vampires Series, I happened to think of where I was when I wrote one of the chapters. My darling husband made it possible because when we went away with the doggies in our caravan, I had my laptop and whatever else was needed!

I'll start here even though it's book two. I'll give you two for one today. Book 1 of course came first.
That was The House on Blackstone Moor. I remember starting that after an exhausting outing on Haworth Moor which we did after seeing the Bronte Parsonage. I've blogged about it.

https://carolegillauthor.blogspot.co.uk/p/know-what-it-is-ive-seen-it-many-times.html

Let me just say briefly about the inspiration: there is an old ruin there, some say it was the inspiration for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights. That gave me an idea, but the main inspiration was the moor itself. It's dramatic and bleak, even on a nice day.

I pictured a house and began to fill it with inhabitants. I imagined the land haunted and the storyline followed!

This post is about Book 2, Unholy Testament - The Beginnings and where I was. Well, we were in Scotland with very good friends. It was summer and the midges were out. They're nasty little things like mosquitoes. They're not always out or troublesome, we were just lucky! But it turned out great. We drove along the northern coast and thrilled at the wild beauty of the place.

I really had to use my imagination in order to write about a mad demon confessing his sins because it was so beautiful there. But I did!

Another world opens up when you need it to. It's the world of your fiction, the fiction you are working on. Your characters dwell there and you watch them. They live and breathe, too. And if you have to wait for them to 'come alive,' you will. They do, I promise you.

Sometimes it takes awhile and it can be annoying, but then it happens. Just keep up with it. They'll let you know how and when. Your characters like and respect you, even if you are wary of them and their motives!

Remember, imagination is everything in writing. Inspiration is the spark that sets the whole thing off. Standing by a loch in Scotland can inspire me to see something in my mind: a ship sailing on open seas, staffed by vampires, overseen by a demon. See? That's how it works!

Each novel is sold singly $2.99 and all 4 are $4.99 at Amazon

AMAZON 

NEW POST COMING!!

Blogging's A Lot Like Writing! IT'S ONE WORD AT A TIME!

I would say, and I am sure, most writers would agree, that the most daunting thing a writer faces, is the BLANK page.

There you are, all fired up with an idea. Perhaps you're going to work on an outline first. Whatever your style, outline or not--you have, when you begin, A BLANK PAGE. It's white as snow. It's staring at you, teasing you.

You might even feel it's laughing at you. "Oh, so what's wrong, Hot Shot, go blank all of a sudden? Well, it's your move. Go on! WRITE SOMETHING!

Seven novels so far and an anthology of published short stories--later it's the same. It never gets easy.

But it's interesting and rewarding. Creating a work from nothing is very rewarding. Going from start to finish is fraught with hazards, but we get there, somehow, some way!

 I'm working on two projects. Well one has precedence over the other. It's something I agreed to do last year, but I'm sure, if you follow this blog, you know this past year has been the biggest horror of my life.

Now that the year has gone and there are no more 'firsts' , I am going to get cracking! You'll be hearing a lot more about that! Meanwhile, if you're a reader, happy reading and if you're a writer, happy, productive creative writing! Let's all go for it!  Who knows what we'll discover and how we can grow along the way!

Noir Horror!

I wrote this just for fun. I was such a big fan of noir films and books, Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain--anyway, I wrote this horror/noir! It's spoofy and fun!

Toothsome Came the Vampire!

My secretary told me. "There's a lady to see you. I think you're gonna want to see her!" 

Josie, all smirky and long looks showed this babe in. I gave her the once over twice.

"What can I do for you." I was all cheesy grin. What killed it was her. She smiled and flashed the longest incisors I ever saw. That could be a problem I thought.

"You've been highly recommended, Mr. Spillstreet. Some of the undead remember how you helped them after they were turned. That's why I'm here."

"Gee, that's nice.”

“Yeah and that's not all. You see Mr. Spillstreet, there's this guy I want you to find for me. He turned me and left me flat. The first year of a vamp's existence is the hardest and it ain't no good when you get dumped. Do you think you can help me?"

I asked her if she wanted a scotch  and she laughed. “What's that on your face, cut yourself shaving?” She asked, licking her lips.

I thought of Dracula with Bela Lugosi and dropped my cigarette. She offered me one of hers. "They're specially made for me, kind of moist. You might not like them, it's an acquired taste.”

I reached for it. I had to. Something was making me do it. I knew I'd be sorry and frankly I didn't care. If I went the blood sucker route so what? 'Course I'd have to change my hours…

Noir Horror!

I wrote this just for fun. I was such a big fan of noir films and books, Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain--anyway, I wrote this horror/noir! It's spoofy and fun!

Toothsome Came the Vampire!

My secretary told me. "There's a lady to see you. I think you're gonna want to see her!" 

Josie, all smirky and long looks showed this babe in. I gave her the once over twice.

"What Can I do for you." I was all cheesy grin. What killed it was her. She smiled and flashed the longest incisors I ever saw. That could be a problem I thought.

"You've been highly recommended, Mr. Spillstreet. Some of the undead remember how you helped them after they were turned. That's why I'm here."

"Gee, that's nice.”

“Yeah and that's not all. You see Mr. Spillstreet, there's this guy I want you to find for me. He turned me and left me flat. The first year of a vamp's existence is the hardest and it ain't no good when you get dumped. Do you think you can help me?"

I asked her if she wanted a scotch  and she laughed. “What's that on your face, cut yourself shaving?” She asked, licking her lips.

I thought of Dracula with Bela Lugosi and dropped my cigarette. She offered me one of hers. "They're specially made for me, kind of moist. You might not like them, it's an acquired taste.”

I reached for it. I had to. Something was making me do it. I knew I'd be sorry and frankly I didn't care. If I went the blood sucker route so what? 'Course I'd have to change my hours…