Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

I am officially at the half way point in my vampire novella which is due May 1. It’s scheduled for release in December as half of Nocturne’s Holiday with a Vampire anthology. The other author is Merline Lovelace. I’ve done a couple of proposals with vampires before, but they never made it to the “present to editors” stage. Not because I didn’t like them, just because things changed while I was working on them and I didn’t feel their time was right. I have one I particularly like though set partially in current time and partially in the late 1700’s, kind of a dual timeline thing. At some point I may go back to that one because it still calls to me.

But back to this vampire. :) His name is Drystan and hers is Aimee. I’m calling it my “heartwarming tale of the undead.” Okay, that is kind of a joke, but it is heartwarming–not a single throw someone up against the wall scene yet. Although I may have to add at least one…maybe in the church….

Sorry, left you there for a second. So, I’m at the halfway point, and here is my dilemma. I’ve been taking it easy with this one, writing just a couple pages a day on it and spending my other writing time working on a new idea I have (paranormal, but not like my Nocturnes–kind of a paranormal romantic thriller). But at the halfway point I’m thinking it may be time to knuckle down and push through to the end. Spring break is coming up, as is the Ninc Conference. It would be great to have my rough done before I headed out at least on the latter.

But I hate to leave that other idea completely either…It’s so hard.

For other writers out there, are you one idea workers? Meaning you work on one thing solely until it is done? Or do you bounce between things? Work on mutliple projects in the same day, week, what?

I don’t want to be one of those authors who has been using the same picture since her high school prom, so when they offered a good price at portraits at the Love is Murder Conference, I slapped on my battle makeup and plopped down on the stool.

Which do you like? (you can’t say none…)

Click on them to see a bigger version. I think I like #8 best…Once I pick one they will retouch it (one only) as part of the price I paid. So, look at those crow’s feet now, baby.

Another crazy day ahead of me. January was a blur of crazy days and the non-stop snow didn’t make them any more sane.

Today I have spin class–which I am going to because I had to skip the last two weeks. Then I’m meeting some writer-types for lunch, then I have a book signing at Waldenbooks at West Towne Mall in Madison, Wisconsin. Kathryn Albright and Kathy Steffen will be signing with me.

Then you get into the normal life stuff–like the library and Target. The fun never ends–especially since at that point I will be dragging two horse anchors (excuse me, children) along behind me.

Remember when you were seven and Saturdays basically meant getting up, eating a donut and watching Scooby Doo? Those were the days. Now I run in fear if someone shows me a donut. (Do you know how long I’d have to spin to burn that thing off?)

On other fronts, I have news. Harlequin is starting a fun new program called Nocturne Bites. They are 10 to 15,000 word short stories that will be available as downloads only from eHarlequin. If you are familiar with Spice Briefs it’s the same idea. I’m not sure what the price will be. Spice Briefs are under $3. Anyway, I’ve been asked to write one–so I’m looking for ideas of a character people would like to know more about. I’m thinking a hellhound. Thoughts? It’s going to be a short, sexy read with some action because I gotta have that action.

I’ve also been asked to participate in another project for Nocturne, but I’m not going to say too much about it just yet. I will say it is something outside of my Unbound world. I just started on it, but I think it is going to be fun to write. Always good to try something a little different now and again…

You ever feel that way? As a writer I get frustrated because I have TIME to write, but I hit a point where I just can’t…well, that’s not true…I can, but my head might explode.

I asked my friend, Eve Silver, who writes for three houses, how she does it–the woman has had deadlines out the wazoo this year. She says she just buckles down and writes, turns off all internal editors, and doesn’t get up until one of her predetermined to-be-allowed breaks.

Ann Voss Peterson takes naps. Writes, hits the wall, refreshes her brain with a nap. I can’t do that. I’m one of those, once I’m up…people.

I have friends who have written entire books in two weeks. And as far as I know their brains are still intact–or as intact as any writer’s brain is, which probably isn’t saying much since in general I think we are a pretty bizarre lot.

It isn’t that I’m not productive. I’m very productive, some people would even say I’m prolific, but I have more time. Why can’t my brain fill that time working on my chosen WIP? Why does it feel the need to wander over to Webkinz for a game of CashCow? or to RTB for a bit of blog hopping? Seriously, I need to slap it around, but then, of course, I face the risk of head explosion.

And that really wouldn’t help me, now would it?

I’m interviewed at Reading Is So Much Fun today. She’s also going to be posting excerpts from my books–including one from my June release, Wild Hunt (Venge’s story). Oh, and I’m giving away two copies of Unbound.
Stop by!
Lori

Stop by! I’m talking about the inspirations for my books.

Join Three Wisconsin Women Authors
as they share insights about the writing journey
and read selections from their latest novels.

	Lori Devoti Author of Guardian’s Keep, Sillouette Nocturne www.loridevoti.com
	Isabel Sharpe Author of Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakthrough, Avon/Harper Collins www.isabelsharpe.com
	Kathy Steffen Author of First, There is a River, Medallion Press www.kathysteffen.com

Ideas and inspiration, writing novel-length fiction, selling a book and
the road to publication, come hear the inside scoop
on writing and selling women’s fiction.

Book Signing and Question and Answer to follow discussion.
Refreshments served.

Sunday, January 20th, beginning at 2:00pm

A Room of One’s Own Feminist Bookstore
307 W. Johnson St. Madison, WI 53703

My friend Caroline Linden posted an interview with me on her web site. She asked WAY better questions than I do. Here’s the link.

We had a very Madison day today. Madison is frequently called the Berkley of the Midwest if that gives you any clue what I’m talking about. (We didn’t hand out flyers or stage a sit in, in case that is what you are thinking.) No, we went to the Willy Street Fair.

The Willy Street Fair is an annual event and one I’d heard of before, but for whatever reason we have never gone. This year we even got there in time to watch the parade–a short, but fun and eclectic event. It had everything from a bubble-blowing car to jugglers, unicycle riders, and a car covered with tiny statues and nicknacks. (That was my son’s favorite, because it had an elephant on it. Not a political statement by the car’s owner or my son. (G) )

The fair itself is made up of food booths, vendors and causes. I bought a lion key chain (see below) to benefit “African Youth Outreach“. The money goes to areas affected by aids. My daughter was given $325 of shredded dollar bills, and both kids got lots of tootsie rolls and fruit leathers. (Where else but Madison would they be handing out organic fruit leathers at a parade.) I resisted the urge to buy a political T that I thought my conservative dad wouldn’t get and might wear. (I am a good daughter.) And my husband resisted the lure of the $5 beer. (If had been warmer than 60 degrees that would have been a tough battle.)

Anyway, a good time was had by all and it really reminded me why I like this city. It isn’t generic. It has personality. And that is always a good thing.

Lori

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot. There was also a woman selling these purses that were the cutest things… Check them out. This one was my favorite. Isn’t that about the perfect purse for a romance writer to have? Except there was also a big one in HOT PINK. C’mon–someone reading this needs that!

First full week of the new schedule. With days pretty much to myself, my goal is to get my writing work done while I’m alone. Then have the time my family is around to actually spend with them. There is one little problem I’m discovering though. I am too trained to write in short snips.

When I first started writing I had an almost two-year-old and a five-year-old at home with me. This meant writing in five or ten minute snips of time. Maybe if they really got involved in Maisy or playing dinosaurs or whatever, I’d get a solid half hour. Plus I had to keep the house clean enough we could walk through it. I was quite proud of my ability to write with the constant requests for juice and channel changes. But now I’ve discovered, my brain expects those little breaks. My dogs are quite happy passed out on the floor at my feet. The dirty dishes in my kitchen sink don’t clamor for my care. No one is the least bit interested in interrupting me…How am I supposed to write like this?

Sigh. Sad isn’t it? But there is some good news. I have a dentist appointment, a car to fill up with gas, and invitations to a birthday party to mail. So, a break is on its way. But then tomorrow will come and another big block of minutes to fill with writing–uninterrupted, blissful writing time. (insert curse)

Lori