Back in the Game (Part Deux)

You know, it has been a REALLY long time since I've been on here. Like ridiculously long. And I could give excuses like the demanding legal job, losing that job to getting another demanding job to general life stuff...but who wants to hear about that?

That's old and boring. So we won't go down that route. 

Let talk about what's new! A couple of things. It's only taken me about 4 years, but I've taken my novel, polished as best as I could and finally sent it out to agents.

First let me say, the book has gone over a serious makeover. No longer called The Balancer but The Want. More unexplained phenomena with earthquakes, tsunamis, and even people. I've ripped apart twice, had editors look it it, rip it apart a third time and I've come to the nitpick stage. They usually say if you are there, it probably no more you can do with it.  

Even with the nerve-wracking fear of rejections, there is a particular beauty and sense of accomplishment to seek to sell your work. To say that I've written a novel and I'm sending it out for representation. I actually said it out loud at work. You may think that's not a big deal to say but when it's been my little secret for years...that's massive. 

(You might be saying, we've know that you write for years. Yeah you might but they don't!)

So there's that little diddy. 

And with every sense of accomplishment, it starts the clock over for the next project. And I've been waiting for a year to start working on it. Yes, I could have started the moment I was hit with the idea but I wanted to let go of The Want (not entirely but close to 80%). That way I know I could give the 2nd one the attention it deserves. 

Guys, I'm excited for this one. 

This one, tentatively called Harry and Me, includes all the elements I love in a book but also time travel. Partly inspired by the ever so wonderful Doctor Who (can't pick between 10 or 11). It's a three part series and will be in the new adult genre. Even now, as I think about it, I get a bit giddy. My characters are awesome! #ButReally

And always, my characters will feature characters of color. Not to get on my soapbox but I do believe that I want to help foster a literary world where it will become normal to see other people of color on the covers of novels. 

And all the more props to me when I can say to my little girl or boy, "That's my mummy's book." 

So that's going on with me. There are other side projects I've also abandoned that will be picking back up. Third Times a Charm, I am talking about you! (I'm coming home)

There is this sense within that I am actually coming home. Back to my corner, with my laptop and my little table, exploring my dreams in written form. I didn't realize it had been calling back until right about now. 

It feels like my mother is calling for me. 

Coming, mom!

The Dangers of Two-Timing....Myself

Imagine this scene:

I say softly, "Wow, you are so exciting! I would really like to spend some time with you, New Idea."

"Hey! What are you doing! We're not finished yet!" First Idea screams, stomping its foot.

I do a double take, realizing what it looks like. "No, wait! I can explain. I can handle both!"

"Look, its either me or New Idea. You can't have both!"

It is a danger I think all artistic people face – one day you’re working on a project when a new exciting idea comes along, with its new dips and turns and drama. Your mind starts cranking, making you want to start working on it immediately. The siren call of New Idea – its allure into a new unknown, a new spot of pleasure that only you can fully explore. A world that you have yet to discover and tell the world about.

But then there is First Idea that you fell in love with that you have been working months on tirelessly.

NaNoWriMo in 1 WEEK! New Book Synopsis Inside!!

This is it...one week from today....

I will be embarking on a journey never taken....by me that is...

I will be writing an entire novel from scratch starting next Tuesday...

Do you know how excited I am? Oh let me tell you... I have gone crazy with reference books, name books, schedules, research in the name of writing this new book.

Shall I give you a synopsis.... Should I.... yea, sure why not?

:) Ok! I don't have a title for it yet but here it goes.

"As a child, Katya Stevens always had a gift - a gift to see spirits, the unknown, things not of this world. But due to familial pressure, she locked it away, never to be opened again. But at the age of 24, destiny would have other ideas for her when she is suddenly thrust together with Gregor, a sexy 600 year old Scottish Kyrios - a harbinger of Death. When her gift begins to activate in strange ways in response to odd events, Katya finds herself in a pact with Gregor and the rest of the Kyrios to find out the true extent of her powers. Powers that might be the only way to save the world of the Living from total annihilation."

That's a little taste of it. I was thinking of how the caption would look like in the back of the book once published.

Yes I said it - published. Sometimes you must speak things into existence in order for it to be happen. Anyway, I am super excited about this. I'm even waking up and finding myself writing notes down from my dreams. All of them related to the novel.

What do you think of the synopsis? Would you read something like that? I have a theory about the fascination with Death but they will be for another time. Tell me what you think!!!

And It Starts...You Think You Know a Guy...

A line from one of my favorite Disney movies, the Lion King. It's the part where Timon and Pumba walk away in shock after Simba sends them away to discuss with Nala kingdom matters. Believing that they knew everything about Simba, to be sent on the merry way was enough for them to start questioning, who is this guy? I mean sure we've lived with him for god knows how long, but do we really know him?

Can you believe it I am my own Timon? To think I actually I want to write a novel. Not just any old novel or one novel but several novels! It's amazing when you finally start clearing the clutter in front of your eyes that you begin to see what really makes you tick. What really makes you smile. What really makes places you in that utter bliss.

For me, it has become writing. Or is this really a recent occurrence?

Since I can remember, I have had the most torrid love affair with books. Fiction. The stories that can take you from your mundane existence to different worlds. Worlds you were taught never existed and never would. Worlds and characters that only existed in dreamlike fantasies. Characters you wished from the deepest parts of your soul could be in front of you and interact with you. Everything the real world told you became non-existent with the story before. That story was the only truth you needed.

Some of the best afternoons and nights I have had have been with a toe-curling, gut-wrenching, breathtaking, eyes-popping book.

Sure, it sounds like something completely orgasmic, but a GOOD book can do that. Imagine the imagery words can illicit. The feelings that can swell in your heart. The sense of justice that can take root in your mind. That's what a good book can do. Turn your entire world upside down.

Is it amazing that people get to do that everyday? That people can draw up the power of fiction writing and change mindsets, change lives? Can you believe that simply with words, someone's life can be turned for the better? Get you to smile? Make you laugh or cry?

That, my friends, is my love affair with fiction. It constantly kneads my heart, massages my soul and enlightens my mind. It feeds my desires and enraptures my attention from beginning to end. And the best part? It happens over and over again with each book. Each book comes its own experience, its own passion, its own joy.

Again, I've always been the avid reader. My imagination knows no bounds and I have finally realized that I can't be alone feeling the way I do. Why not impart my passion to others who love to have the same experience I do?

So it starts...The "no-nonsense fact" lawyer by day becomes the fantasty-romance-suspense budding author by night.

Hmmm....You think you know a Girl...