Loose Writing Schedule for the rest of 2013

So this is a very loose writing schedule. I realize that I haven't spoken a lot about my books etc these last couple of months, or rather, about what's bouncing about it my head. Surprisingly there is a lot bouncing around in my head, and although there is a lot of room for creativity and it is up to me what I write . . . unfortunately I can't write quick enough and I have to organize projects.

I kinda hate organizing projects. I should just write whatever I am most interested in, but the thing is when you have series - ones that you have started and published - they kinda take priority over all the new ideas. So, I gotta lock all the new ideas away for now and hope I will get around to them eventually.

The nice things if that for the last couple of weeks I have been having scenes and slithers of dialogue for the sequel to Cranberry Blood, which hasn't got a title at the moment. I have delayed starting this next book due to all the havoc that took place with the publishing company last summer, but I miss my characters and their world and despite everything I can't, and won't, stop writing just because of what has happened. Why should I, my characters, or you the readers miss out on this adventure?

So, I plan to crack on with the next book in The Blood Series, but not until I have finished my current WIP, and figured out if it's a standalone, a series, or a mini series.

I also plan to write the next book in The Overseers Series at some point at the end of the year. I don't like the fact there has been a big gap since book 1 was released, but due to low sales I have had to step back and make some decisions in regards to The Collector and the series on a whole, but more on that nearer the time.

As for my planned self-pub series - Generation-Breed - which I am still in the process of writing . . . After looking at it, I have realized this is going to be a side project that I work on slowly. The story has layers. More than I thought. More than I can currently get my head around and I need it to fit, and work, make sense, and be good. I don't want to rush it, or ruin it. So, it is a semi-back-burned project.

The other thing is I am currently waiting to hear back on two submissions and another matter. I'm so not a patient person, but what can I do? If there is anything I have come to learn - and at least it is starting to sink into my head this year - it's that I need to keep busy so I don't obsessively check my inbox. And that it really doesn't matter how much I write a year as long as what I write is good and interesting, and that I'm happy with it.

So, this is a very loose writing schedule for this year:

Truth or Dare? (Contemporary Erotic Short) - In submission

Watermaker: Book 1 in the Black Water Trilogy (New Adult Futuristic Romance) - In submission

Let Me In (Dark Erotic Paranormal) - Writing  - I hope to have this completed by mid-July

Blood Book 2 (Dark Paranormal Sensual Romance) - I plan to start this book in August and have it finished before Christmas.

Project - I'm waiting to hear about this particular story and aim to self-publish and release it in September, with a little luck.

The Keeper: Book 2 in The Overseers Series (Paranormal Erotic Romance) - I hope to start this project in December and finish it early 2014

Hopefully there is something on there for you all to look forward to? All I know is that I can't wait to share these stories with y'all. Wish me luck! :-D

The lull before the storm

I am happiest when I am busy. Well, perhaps the word isn't happy, but I like being busy even if I have my stressful moments.

The first five months of 2012 seemed to have rolled by. I mean, seriously, it's going to be Christmas again in six months. As crazy as it sounds I measure my years by Christmas, and damn, it's going to be here in no time.

Any way, in a lot of ways the first five months of this year have been slow, but in a good way. The slight lull has given me a chance to look at ideas I've had and I've managed to pad them out a little more so there are actual stories there. I have managed to work a little on a new series - which I've had to put on the back-burner at the moment - and figure out the world etc. which I'm happy about. I've also managed to write a novella for one anthology and a short story for another. The novella was accepted, which I'm excited about - news when I have it. But sadly the short story was rejected, but I'm actually cool with that, because I felt that there was more to the story then the world limit would allow. Plus, I felt my story was a little too twisted for this particular anthology. So, silver lining to every cloud.

So, even though, during those 5 months I didn't feel overly busy, looking at all that I realise I was, but now the storm clouds are rolling in and I am having to look at my very loose writing schedule and tighten it up.

As you know my dark sensual paranormal romance, Cranberry Blood, is being released on July 2nd. The edits are done on that and I am eagerly awaiting my cover while I write blog posts and interview for the two weeks worth of promo I'm organising.

I found out the other day off my lovely editor that my sweet contemporary romance, Stepping Stones, is actually being released on August 6th with Noble Romance. So eek, I'm going through the manuscript to this shorter novel at the moment. As soon as my two hectic weeks of Promo are over for Cranberry, I have to start again and organise some promo for Stepping Stones. *pulls hair out* I actually enjoy promo, though, so I'm cool with that.

During all that madness, I am hoping to extend the short story I mentioned above, which should hopefully only take me a couple of days. *Fingers crossed* Then I plan to start the next book in The Blood Series, which is currently untitled, followed by Book 2 in The Overseers Series: The Keeper.

*Takes a deep breath then exhales*

Needles to say I am going to be very busy and I am super excited about it. I know, I'm somewhat crazy. :-D But I refuse to believe I'm the only one who loves to be run off her feet. Do you prefer to be busy?

I'm going to leave you with the blurb for my upcoming August 6th release, Stepping Stones, which is the first sweet romance I have written. I don't know if it will be the last. I don't like to say never when it comes to genres, so we shall have to wait and see.

~ * ~

Stepping Stones Blurb:

There's nothing like a wedding to bring the family together....

And if it wasn't her baby sister’s wedding, Margaret West wouldn't be returning home at all.

Why else would she go back after six years knowing full well that she has people to face, and explanations to give?

If her parents interrogation isn't bad enough, the fact that she has to be civil to her foster brother, Adrian, is. Best friends since childhood, they haven't spoken since he went to America... The day before Margaret was supposed to be getting married.

And to make matters worse, her ex-fiancé, William, is the Reverend who will be conducting her sister’s wedding ceremony!

All want an answer from her, and they aren't taking no as one of them. Why did she run in the first place? Why has she been so angry with, Adrian? Why didn't she marry, William?

Margaret isn't even sure she knows the real reasons any more.

Coming August 6th 2012 from Noble Romance Publishing.

Project Theme Songs

So I thought today I would go with a more laid back – perhaps fun? – blog post instead of the semi-serious ones I’ve been doing the last couple of weeks. And since I’m in the midst of a new project – and one that is slow going – I thought I would make today’s post a musical one.

I am one of many authors who likes to whip up a playlist when she has projects. Mainly because when I am on the bus I like to listen to my MP3 player and I will listen to the playlist I have made for my current WIP. Let’s face it, when you’re on the bus all you can do is think and plan, so I like to have a good think when I’m on public transport.

I just find that having a playlist helps me get in the mood. Certain songs for certain characters and scenes, and it just set the mood for me.

So, I thought I would share all the theme songs to my manuscripts. And by theme songs I just mean the song that either inspired me to write the story in the first place, or the songs that just fit so perfectly for the general feel.

(All the songs are off of YouTube and I had to basically pick the ones that would work on the blog.)

She-Wolf (The Blood Series Prequel.) Now I think I have mentioned it a few times, and anyone who has read the book will know that the awesome music of Nickleback was the soundtrack for this book. But, it was one song in particular that inspired the first chapter/scene of the book – yup, the moment Owen realizes that the stripper he is watching is Clare; tasty tension -  and that song was . . . “Follow you Home” which is quite fitting, really. :-P

Nickleback – Follow you Home

Cranberry Blood, book 1 in The Blood Series. I wrote this novel before She-Wolf and the playlist is quite mixed. There are three songs from the brilliant 30 seconds to Mars which fit great, and there is a particular fight scene that was inspired by the Black Eyed Peas – “Pump it.” Oh yeah, but I’m not going to spoil it by telling you which scene or where it happens. I’m sure you will be able to tell once the book has been released.

In saying all that, another band that helped create the mood for this book was The Hoosiers. I don’t know if anyone on the opposite side of the pond will have heard of them? A lot of their songs are rather upbeat and catchy but others are quite, what’s the word I’m looking for? Not darker, but softer, perhaps sadder. The lead singer has a lovely unusual voice and I really do like the band, but it was the title track to their album that I heard and just though, “yeah, that sums up the heroines life perfectly.”

So, the theme song for the soon to be released – you’ll know the date when I do – Cranberry Blood is “The Trick to Life.” I think this song gives a good feel for what the next book in The Blood Series will be like.

The Hoosiers – The Trick to Life

Home: The Collector Prequel

I hope you have all had a lovely and relaxing Easter and that you're not feeling to sick after all that delicious chocolate. :-)

Today I thought I would share one of my free reads with you.

"Home" is the short prequel to my fallen angel novella, The Collector. It is set nineteen years before the novella and shows the moment that Kale and Samantha first meet.

~ * ~

Home

The Collector Prequel

By Elizabeth Morgan

(Home is a free read, offered unedited & as-is.)

~ * ~

Kale had already seen what was about to happen. He knew the driver of the black beetle would lose his grip on the wheel, due to the icy country road. And he knew that once it collided with the silver Ford, the man would be hurled through the window, killed instantly from the blow and that the car would tip. But all he could do was wait until it happened.

Kale was a hand, one of The Collectors. He was the one who came for a persons spirit when they died. It was his job to open the gateway of light and deliver the spirits into the afterlife. Without him, a persons spirit would be trapped between worlds, unable to cross.

He stood patiently underneath an old oak, unseen by all those who drove by. Just watching.

Waiting.

The country road glistened due to the thin winter ice that sat snugly upon the crumbling stone.

He could see that each blade of grass sparkled with dew as the morning light covered the landscape. He knew it was cold by the way the random passengers of individual cars sat in their thick hats and coats, their breath frosting the glass, but he couldn’t feel it. Even though he stood in nothing more than silk trousers, he couldn’t feel the bitter wind against his naked flesh.

He looked up at the naked branches above his head, he could clearly see the wind dancing through the bare branches of the oak, making them shake frantically. But he felt nothing.

He sometimes found himself wondering how something as simple as rain or a summer’s breeze would feel against his skin. But it was something he would never know. He shook the thought out of his mind and lifted his head as he sensed the faint dark fog of death invading the air. He looked to the right, to the distant hill that the road had climbed over….

It was time.

Fate in the world of The Overseers

The Overseers: Book 1 - The Collector

Blurb

After watching millions die, those human emotions are starting to take effect. Instead of collecting his next spirit from the car accident that is about to kill her, Kale saves her life. His punishment for ruining fate... is mortality.

Samantha hasn't been able to stop thinking about her beautiful hero. So when she stumbles across him, lying in a hospital bed with a small case of amnesia, she is more than happy to offer him her help. It's the least she can do to re-pay the man who saved her life.

Though Samantha soon learns that Kale isn't the guardian angel she thought he was, not to mention how far he has fallen to earn a place in her heart.

~ * ~

 Excerpt

The Makers. One woman. Three individuals. Each represented the three phases of a mortal’s existence upon earth. Adelpha, birth. Iva, life and Thana, death. Over the centuries, they had become known as many things, the Moerae. The Parcae. The Norms. The Matrones. The Fates. They were the first created after Earth and its mortals, and they were designed for one reason and one reason only. To create purpose within the World. To design and control the Creator’s divine plan for all eternity. He waited patiently, not daring to lift his head. Seconds stretched into minutes, yet they did not speak to him. Kale took a deep breath and raised his head carefully in hope of not meeting any of their eyes, but his gaze fell upon a giant hole within their tapestry.

Fates’ tapestry. It was an exquisite and vibrant design that covered the walls of the chamber in layers. Each individual thread was a lifeline, spun delicately from the hair and blood of the Fates themselves. Each length was chosen to match that of a mortal’s time on earth. Each individual thread was cut and woven into the ongoing design, linking people’s fates and circumstances. It was a design that only the Makers understood.

And something told him the reason he was brought here was because of that very hole.

Buy Link: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/thecollector.htm

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This is a post taken from my own blog which I wrote in October - the release month of The Collector. I find that a lot of people have very interesting views regarding life after death, and fate etc. So I thought it would be interesting to have a discussion. :-)

~ * ~

So today I thought I would whip this post up to follow on from my October 2011 blog post at Sarah Ballance's blog - These posts can be read in any order. The post at Sarah's is about how I came up with this story based on my own personal beliefs. 

But instead of discussing beliefs a little more, I thought I would talk a bit about fate within the world of The Overseers.

Now, over at Sarah's I was discussing how I view fate as a road map. That no matter what we decide in life, everything is already planned out for us. Like a driver on a journey, we are just choosing which route to take.

So, what would happened if a bomb was suddenly dropped a mile or so ahead of you, taking all the roads with it and leaving you with a pit?

The only difference between my view on fate, and my characters view on fate, is that I am viewing it as an individual. We each have a road map, that may run alongside and join with others road maps. But, The Makers have to view fate for billions upon billions of people, all of who are there and then gone again. They have a future for the entire world to map out as the present slowly fades in to the past, and quickly becomes our history. So, Fate's design is an ongoing tapestry. Why a tapestry? Because it is colourful. Detailed. Vibrant. And so complex, no one would understand it.

As you may already know from the blurb - and could probably guess from the above little excerpt - Kale has gone and ripped a hole in Fates design. *Cue the fatal "dun, dun duuuuuuun!"* Perhaps it seems a little harsh to punish a man for ripping a hole in a piece of material - an extremely important piece of material - but let us look at the effect ripping a hole in material has...

Have you ever looked closely at... oh lets say jeans. If you look at a pair of jeans you will, naturally, see the tightly woven threads, all of which make a little double criss cross. Now, when you rip that material, you have cut those threads; you have created two frayed halves of each thread, and completely disturbed that neat, tight flowing pattern.

Naturally it is easy to fix - even though people do sport holes in jeans. It is meant to be more cool, right? - you can just sow up the hole. But you will never get that original pattern back. Ever. You are just taking a different piece of thread and pulling, or rather, forcing everything back together, and all in a weak attempt to seal that hole and fix the problem. But those original fibres are still severed. That break in the pattern is lost forever.

This is what Kale has done. He has unintentionally ripped a hole in the vast vibrant material, severing all the threads in half and disturbing the well planned flow of things.

He has cut peoples life lines. Disturbed the natural flow of their lives. He has basically caused havoc, and cut fate out of the picture for one moment, and because of this, people are dropping dead way before their time. There are crazy accidents happening. A sudden influx in premature births, and so on.

Just one moment you ask?

(Well, despite the fair size of the hole, you have to remember that The Makers have been around since the world was created, so they are rather good and quick at the job. Plus you have to remember that the other plain is timeless.)

But none of that stops the fact that they are now having to take spare pieces of threads, and link them to old threads - extensions on pre-planned lifelines - and link them in. One big disruption of flow, and unfortunately they can't just pull that hole close and seal it. Oh no. They have to create a new pattern. A new flow for that point of time.

So, that road map of yours that had a canyon in the middle of it due to that silly bomb, has now got bridges running over it. The roads continuing from it have obviously been tampered with because that hole disrupted your routes, but... Fate prevails never the less.

The Collector is the bomb in this story Arc. Kale has disrupted the flow of fate. In The Collector we get to see Kale dropping zed hypothetical bomb, and then watch his punishment, help him figure out the reasons behind him doing such a thing. We get to see how he feels about what he has done. We get to join him on his new route, on his road map.

Next - and I am determined there will be a next - we will get to see the effects of his spontaneous decision, and how they have effect the celestial order, and other peoples lives.

So, what are your views on life after death? Do you believe in fate?