Happy New Year! Here's hoping for a prosperous year!
I'm currently still writing/editing. I'm beginning to think that I may be a perfectionist when it comes to this book. I just want it to be "right." All this double checking has paid off some though as I've managed to tie up a few loose threads and replace some scenes with which I was less than happy.
Happy writing and reading to all of you!
R.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Selected bites from friends
This from my friends after mentioning the dead body found in the park:
T: did the body have two bite marks? and are you waking up in your bed in the morning with tattered clothes and the taste of blood in your mouth? Just curious...
O: even though u r my sister, u r weird
A: O, I can't speak for all her friends, but for this one, that's what makes me love her so!
Rebecca Taylor Little: ROFLMAO!!! And for the record, the guy had lacerations on the face consistent with a fall. No mention of bites ;)
(and when I say ROFLMAO, I very nearly meant it literally!)
T: did the body have two bite marks? and are you waking up in your bed in the morning with tattered clothes and the taste of blood in your mouth? Just curious...
O: even though u r my sister, u r weird
A: O, I can't speak for all her friends, but for this one, that's what makes me love her so!
Rebecca Taylor Little: ROFLMAO!!! And for the record, the guy had lacerations on the face consistent with a fall. No mention of bites ;)
(and when I say ROFLMAO, I very nearly meant it literally!)
Monday, December 13, 2010
Irony, Part Deux
Ok, now it's just getting weird. First I posted about the irony of a scene in Blood Thief in which Celeste nearly creams a deer portended my husband hitting a deer in our Explorer. Blood Thief is set in Sarum, which is a mythic mirror of my hometown. There is a scene in Blood Thief which takes place in City Park and results in a drug dealer being killed. Now you have to understand the town where I live is small and finding a dead body here is a rarity. So guess what they found in City Park yesterday? Yep. A dead body. I think I'll go back and add a scene in where my main character wins the lottery!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Oh deer, how ironic!
Chris hit a deer in our Explorer this morning on his way to work. Very ironic considering that this scene was written as an add-in scene for Blood Thief two days ago:
As I drove home, I tossed things around in my mind. The fire at the club had been called arson at first and then dismissed as accidental. Had someone been paid off or threatened? If it was arson, who was behind it and why? The kid I'd caught in the greenhouse had been at the club that night. What if he was watching me since the night Catherine had been killed and I'd seen him at the Five and Dine? If he had set the fire, was it in order to draw me out? He knew more than was tolerable, that was for certain. I needed to find him and fog his mind. It wasn't likely that anyone would believe him if he started spouting off to authorities that vampires existed, but I couldn't risk the safety of my kind.
At the traffic light where Old Sarum highway crosses Lee Farm Road, another thought came to me. What if someone had hired the kid? Anna's ex, maybe? The light changed and I drove forward. Suppose Anna wasn't the only target? If by trying to hurt or kill Anna in a fire, someone was attempting to hurt me . . . all the unfortunate things that had happened lately were coincidence, right? Surely there was no way that Maggie Kelly's murder, the theft of the reliquary and the break in at my home were all connected. I was just becoming paranoid.
I very nearly missed seeing the deer that bounded out of the woods to cross in front of me until it was too late. As it was, I swerved and hit the brakes, but my car didn't slow at all. I tried to wrest the wheel back the other direction even as I kept pumping the brakes, but it was futile. I slid into the ditch. The deer gave a backward glance at me and then leapt into the woods, its natural camoflauge causing it to vanish nearly instantly, even to me. I slammed my hands against the steering wheel and cursed a blue streak.
I got out to inspect the damage. The grass had been slicked down and mud oozed up over my shoe as I stepped around the front of the car. One tire was partially off the wheel and the rim was bent. Thankfully, the only body damage was a dent about the size of my fist and a few scratches leading up to it. I did then what almost every girl would do in a similar situation. I got back in the car, called the AAA and had a good cry.
By the time I'd used up all the tissues I could find in the car, the tow truck driver had arrived. He took one look at all the bloody tissues and asked if I needed an ambulance. I assured him I was fine and told him I'd just gotten a nosebleed while waiting. He comforted me and told me it was probably just stress, to which I readily agreed, and then set about getting my car out of the ditch while I waited in the nice toasty cab of his truck with a fresh pack of tissues just in case. I do love the AAA.
When was he done hooking up my car and climbed back in the cab, I signed the mandatory paperwork. He asked me how I'd managed to get into the ditch. I explained about the deer and my brakes failing to respond. He gave me a long appraising look and the climbed back out of the cab. He called to me a moment later and I got out as well. When I went around and looked at what he was pointing at I felt a chill run up my spine.
His words confirmed my suspicions, "Brake line has been cut."
Maybe everything wasn't coincidence after all.
As I drove home, I tossed things around in my mind. The fire at the club had been called arson at first and then dismissed as accidental. Had someone been paid off or threatened? If it was arson, who was behind it and why? The kid I'd caught in the greenhouse had been at the club that night. What if he was watching me since the night Catherine had been killed and I'd seen him at the Five and Dine? If he had set the fire, was it in order to draw me out? He knew more than was tolerable, that was for certain. I needed to find him and fog his mind. It wasn't likely that anyone would believe him if he started spouting off to authorities that vampires existed, but I couldn't risk the safety of my kind.
At the traffic light where Old Sarum highway crosses Lee Farm Road, another thought came to me. What if someone had hired the kid? Anna's ex, maybe? The light changed and I drove forward. Suppose Anna wasn't the only target? If by trying to hurt or kill Anna in a fire, someone was attempting to hurt me . . . all the unfortunate things that had happened lately were coincidence, right? Surely there was no way that Maggie Kelly's murder, the theft of the reliquary and the break in at my home were all connected. I was just becoming paranoid.
I very nearly missed seeing the deer that bounded out of the woods to cross in front of me until it was too late. As it was, I swerved and hit the brakes, but my car didn't slow at all. I tried to wrest the wheel back the other direction even as I kept pumping the brakes, but it was futile. I slid into the ditch. The deer gave a backward glance at me and then leapt into the woods, its natural camoflauge causing it to vanish nearly instantly, even to me. I slammed my hands against the steering wheel and cursed a blue streak.
I got out to inspect the damage. The grass had been slicked down and mud oozed up over my shoe as I stepped around the front of the car. One tire was partially off the wheel and the rim was bent. Thankfully, the only body damage was a dent about the size of my fist and a few scratches leading up to it. I did then what almost every girl would do in a similar situation. I got back in the car, called the AAA and had a good cry.
By the time I'd used up all the tissues I could find in the car, the tow truck driver had arrived. He took one look at all the bloody tissues and asked if I needed an ambulance. I assured him I was fine and told him I'd just gotten a nosebleed while waiting. He comforted me and told me it was probably just stress, to which I readily agreed, and then set about getting my car out of the ditch while I waited in the nice toasty cab of his truck with a fresh pack of tissues just in case. I do love the AAA.
When was he done hooking up my car and climbed back in the cab, I signed the mandatory paperwork. He asked me how I'd managed to get into the ditch. I explained about the deer and my brakes failing to respond. He gave me a long appraising look and the climbed back out of the cab. He called to me a moment later and I got out as well. When I went around and looked at what he was pointing at I felt a chill run up my spine.
His words confirmed my suspicions, "Brake line has been cut."
Maybe everything wasn't coincidence after all.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Blood Thief Crew
A question from a friend prompted me to give you all a brief rundown of the dramatis personae:
Celeste – Celeste was born in 1701, but she’s a thoroughly modern vampire. She lives with her brother in an old Southern town that is rife with vampires due to an incident in a Civil War prison camp. Adapting and changing to fit each era, Celeste doesn’t always do what is expected of her by vampiric society. She serves her Regent loyally though and works as a revenant hunter for him. She is more progressive than most of her peers.
Nick – Celeste’s biological brother, he was turned by Celeste a couple of years after her own turning. He supports Celeste’s choices, but tries to serve as a voice of reason to her as well. He is fiercely protective of his sister. He shares his sister’s dark hair and his smoldering good looks draw in admirers easily.
Viktor – Celeste’s vampiric suitor. He has been seeing Celeste for several months, but they don’t always see eye to eye, especially on the subject of humans. He has an Old World charm about him though and makes everything he does look easy. Always well dressed and classically handsome.
Anna – Celeste’s best friend who also happens to be human. Anna knows Celeste’s secret, a rarity since most humans aren’t aware of the existence of vampires, and helps with daytime tasks that Celeste can’t manage. Anna runs the nightclub, Locus, that Celeste frequents.
Ryan – The contractor doing work on Celeste’s home. He has his eye on Anna and turns into a staunch ally. Besides, there’s just something about a good looking man in tool belt.
Elly – The newest member of Celeste and Nick’s bloodline. She looks more angelic than vampiric, but her actions are questionably devilish at times.
Joss – A human thief that Celeste interrupts mid-burgle. With his piercing blue eyes, swimmer’s build and sinful good looks he is quite possibly the most beautiful human male Celeste has ever seen. Celeste develops a fast fascination with Joss - - much to the consternation of her brother. A self-educated motorcycle-riding walking contradiction, Joss has an agenda all his own.
Celeste – Celeste was born in 1701, but she’s a thoroughly modern vampire. She lives with her brother in an old Southern town that is rife with vampires due to an incident in a Civil War prison camp. Adapting and changing to fit each era, Celeste doesn’t always do what is expected of her by vampiric society. She serves her Regent loyally though and works as a revenant hunter for him. She is more progressive than most of her peers.
Nick – Celeste’s biological brother, he was turned by Celeste a couple of years after her own turning. He supports Celeste’s choices, but tries to serve as a voice of reason to her as well. He is fiercely protective of his sister. He shares his sister’s dark hair and his smoldering good looks draw in admirers easily.
Viktor – Celeste’s vampiric suitor. He has been seeing Celeste for several months, but they don’t always see eye to eye, especially on the subject of humans. He has an Old World charm about him though and makes everything he does look easy. Always well dressed and classically handsome.
Anna – Celeste’s best friend who also happens to be human. Anna knows Celeste’s secret, a rarity since most humans aren’t aware of the existence of vampires, and helps with daytime tasks that Celeste can’t manage. Anna runs the nightclub, Locus, that Celeste frequents.
Ryan – The contractor doing work on Celeste’s home. He has his eye on Anna and turns into a staunch ally. Besides, there’s just something about a good looking man in tool belt.
Elly – The newest member of Celeste and Nick’s bloodline. She looks more angelic than vampiric, but her actions are questionably devilish at times.
Joss – A human thief that Celeste interrupts mid-burgle. With his piercing blue eyes, swimmer’s build and sinful good looks he is quite possibly the most beautiful human male Celeste has ever seen. Celeste develops a fast fascination with Joss - - much to the consternation of her brother. A self-educated motorcycle-riding walking contradiction, Joss has an agenda all his own.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Chair Dancing
Am doing a bit of happy dancing as I have corrected a timeline problem with Blood Thief! Rocking through some editing today, chair dancing as I listen to Timo Descamp's "Like it Rough" and "Phonecall" along with "Undead Heart" by Vampires Everywhere! If by some miracle Blood Thief becomes a film I know who I want on the soundtrack.
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving and the Blood Thief crew
I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I spent a little time wondering how Thanksgiving would affect my characters. Cel and Nick would probably celebrate by finding a nice plump tourist to share and then perhaps working at the soup kitchen, serving the homeless. Viktor would find it totally beneath him to celebrate such a human ritual and would treat it like any other day. Anna would go to see her family and spend time with them. Ryan would go visit his elderly parents. Joss probably wouldn't celebrate, not because he doesn't have things to be thankful for...staying out of jail is always good...but because he has no one he trusts enough to spend time with. His landlord, Mark, would likely bring a plate of turkey and dressing by for him, which he would eat alone.
If you are writing currently, I ask what your characters would do for Thanksgiving?
If you are writing currently, I ask what your characters would do for Thanksgiving?
Friday, November 12, 2010
In progress...
Bear with me, changing computers...there may be a slight lag in updates for a bit, but never fear... Celeste and Nick and Joss and the crew will be back asap!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Save, save, save
And so I stress the importance of saving one's work frequently. Thankfully I had done so before O.C. decided to take a nap on my keyboard and thus bringing up a seemingly never ending string of "8"s in my work.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Halloween is almost here and...
Halloween is almost here and I'm loving the ready availability of vampire-themed stuff. I've got a new Dracula candle, a wicked pair of coffin shape sunglasses, bat and vampire Pez dispensers, Vampire Blood hand sanitizer (Bath and Body Works) and some fun and funky fang jewelry adorning my desk to put me in the mood to write. I plan to stock up before Halloween is gone, too!
What about everyone else? Do you adorn your desk with the theme of what you are writing to put you in the mood?
R.
What about everyone else? Do you adorn your desk with the theme of what you are writing to put you in the mood?
R.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Hard to believe
It's difficult to believe that fifteen years ago today, I walked down the aisle got married. It doesn't seem like it has been that long. Even harder to fathom, thirteen years ago today I woke up at 4 a.m. when my water broke and by dinner time I had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. He's a teenager today. So, happy anniversary to my hubby and, as hard to believe as it is, happy birthday to my 13 year old son . . . the best anniversary present ever.
Love you guys.
Love you guys.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Making notes
After a wonderful weekend spent with dear friends at my college homecoming, I find myself full of fresh notes and ideas for a follow up to Blood Thief. Lots of fun and laughter was just the break I needed :)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Knocking on wood!
O happy (software) day! I finally managed to find a version of yWriter that works on the laptop. Most of you know my old computer bit the dust. The computer a (very dear) friend of mine gave me to use in its place was an older model (but still much appreciated) that wouldn't run yWriter 5. This past week I found old versions available for download while browsing the net at the library (yay, library!) and now have Blood Thief imported to yWriter for MUCH easier editing. :::Happy Dances:::
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Autocrit
Gave Autocrit a try yesterday. Wow. I really want to get a membership. It picked up on stuff I had totally looked over. Again, wow. If you want to see for yourself there is a free autocrit wizard at autocrit.com. I'm not shilling for them, I'm genuinely that impressed and felt the need to share. ::saving my pennies to get a membership!:::
Friday, September 24, 2010
A link for other writers
Really like this and recommend it to other writers. It was very inspiring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJ809QKmas&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJ809QKmas&feature=related
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
An Awesome Contest
There's an awesome contest over at: http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/Sixth+Dear+Lucky+Agent+Contest+Paranormal+Romance+Urban+Fantasy.aspx
Be sure to enter!
Be sure to enter!
Monday, September 20, 2010
A link for you...
http://www.salisburypost.com/Opinion/092010-edit-my-turn-rebecca-little-qcd
Here's an article I wrote for my local paper, enjoy :)
Here's an article I wrote for my local paper, enjoy :)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Cast of characters
Thought I'd provide you with the cast of characters for Blood Thief since some of you so generously allowed me to use your last names. Thank you to my Facebook friends!
Celeste St. Ange “Cel”
Nicolas St. Ange “Nick” or “Nicky” – Celeste’s brother
Joss Larson – thief
Viktor Klausen – Celeste’s suitor
Anna Lamb - owner of Locus (nightclub)
Ryan Donovan - General contractor
Catherine Strider - “the Keeper”
Margaret “Maggie” Kelly - Celeste’s next door neighbor
Edgar Kelly – Maggie Kelly’s deceased husband
Ona Caussin – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Gamble Ridge – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Sonja English – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Brendan Howard – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Elly Kincaid – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Marcello Brunati – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Tina Finch – the St. Ange’s housekeeper
Ethan Frey - teenager
Matt Lesher – club goer
Dani Bennett – club goer
Dr. Terry Roberts, DDS
His Majesty, the Regent of the bloodline, Alexandre Valois
Mark Culpepper, Joss’s landlord
Celeste St. Ange “Cel”
Nicolas St. Ange “Nick” or “Nicky” – Celeste’s brother
Joss Larson – thief
Viktor Klausen – Celeste’s suitor
Anna Lamb - owner of Locus (nightclub)
Ryan Donovan - General contractor
Catherine Strider - “the Keeper”
Margaret “Maggie” Kelly - Celeste’s next door neighbor
Edgar Kelly – Maggie Kelly’s deceased husband
Ona Caussin – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Gamble Ridge – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Sonja English – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Brendan Howard – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Elly Kincaid – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Marcello Brunati – member of Celeste’s bloodline
Tina Finch – the St. Ange’s housekeeper
Ethan Frey - teenager
Matt Lesher – club goer
Dani Bennett – club goer
Dr. Terry Roberts, DDS
His Majesty, the Regent of the bloodline, Alexandre Valois
Mark Culpepper, Joss’s landlord
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Because you've all been so good and patient...
Thank you guys for all the lovely feedback! Here's another little snippet for you as a thank you!
-------------------------
The automated voice stated, “You have two new messages. First new message received Sunday 3:07 a.m.”
Joss’s voice followed, “Hi. Don’t know if you’re home yet, but since I got your voicemail I’m guessing you didn’t turn the volume back up on your phone.” There was a pause, then, “Yeah. Well, anyway, I just wanted to wish you a good night, er day, um…yeah, sleep well.” He even sounded sexy over the phone. I caught myself licking my teeth.
The automated voice returned, “Next new message received Sunday 1:43 a.m.”
Anna’s voice was next, “Hey, where are you? You usually answer right away. At any rate, I don’t think you saw him, but I thought you should know Viktor was at the club right before you left. He saw you with that guy. Who was hot, by the way. I figured you’d want to know. Call me.”
I erased the messages and plunked down on the side of the bed, closing the phone. The grin that had stolen over my face when I’d heard Joss’s voice had faded as soon as Anna’s message played. Viktor had been at the club. He had seen Joss kiss me. I was so screwed. My vampire boyfriend had seen a human kiss me. This could only end badly.
-------------------------
The automated voice stated, “You have two new messages. First new message received Sunday 3:07 a.m.”
Joss’s voice followed, “Hi. Don’t know if you’re home yet, but since I got your voicemail I’m guessing you didn’t turn the volume back up on your phone.” There was a pause, then, “Yeah. Well, anyway, I just wanted to wish you a good night, er day, um…yeah, sleep well.” He even sounded sexy over the phone. I caught myself licking my teeth.
The automated voice returned, “Next new message received Sunday 1:43 a.m.”
Anna’s voice was next, “Hey, where are you? You usually answer right away. At any rate, I don’t think you saw him, but I thought you should know Viktor was at the club right before you left. He saw you with that guy. Who was hot, by the way. I figured you’d want to know. Call me.”
I erased the messages and plunked down on the side of the bed, closing the phone. The grin that had stolen over my face when I’d heard Joss’s voice had faded as soon as Anna’s message played. Viktor had been at the club. He had seen Joss kiss me. I was so screwed. My vampire boyfriend had seen a human kiss me. This could only end badly.
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