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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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?

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 :)

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:::

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!:::

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

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!

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 :)

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

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.

A mention

At least I made the final cut:

http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/2010/08/great-gassy-goblins-we-have-winner.html


I think I may be too verbose for 100 words or less.  Hmmm.  That poses a question:  Would you rather read fiction that has swift clear action and little description or would you rather read fiction that is in bloom with descriptions?  (No waffling answers here please, I know we'd all like "balanced," but that isn't an option in this question)

Let me know.

Quick update

Just a quick update . . . have been adding in and deleting stuff to improve the pacing of Blood Thief.  Also, very happily, I have been reading some of my older work and some work by someone I admire.  I think going back to earlier stuff has allowed me to see where my "voice" as a writer has changed.  I also believe this book will be better for doing so.  There's still a lot of work ahead, but there is light at the end of the tunnel . . . and it's not the train!  I'll try and post another snippet in the coming weeks.  I should be kicking things up a bit now that the kids are ready to return to school.  Bring on the coffee and red pencils!

More fun . . .

Am also loving on http://bittenbybooks.com/ and http://www.vampire.com/  Go check 'em out and share the love!

Helpful info

Really, really liked this post from SFWA:

http://www.sfwa.org/2010/08/5-resources-to-assist-your-research-pants-not-required/

Here is the first of the (long-promised) tidbits from Blood Thief.  Enjoy :)


     Sometimes the brain can’t process what it sees. When something is so wrong, so horrible, the brain refuses to recognize it. That was the case when I walked into Catherine’s house, intent on getting a nice, steaming cup of tea to warm my cold hands and delivering an invitation to a party. As I entered, I had called out, “Hello, it’s Celeste, anybody home?” and then headed straight to the kitchen, as was my custom. I’ve seen enough human death that I should have recognized what I was seeing, but I stood there looking at Catherine, laying in a dark pool of blood with her head severed from her body for a good three minutes before my brain ever registered what I was viewing. Catherine had been the Keeper. It was her purpose to guard the reliquary that was vital to our bloodline. Only a few members of the bloodline knew where it was hidden, myself among that number, and I was on high alert as I went to the Grandfather clock and removed the reliquary from its hiding spot.


     I flipped open my phone and made a quick call to my brother as I left Catherine’s house. He would make the necessary calls to get the scene cleaned up and avoid the involvement of the authorities. It wasn’t prudent for our kind to let our secrets become common knowledge. The crisp autumn air swirled the fallen leaves at my feet as I rushed down the walkway. As I snapped my phone shut, I realized I had made a huge mistake. Faint footsteps behind me informed me that I was being followed. I’d taken the reliquary from its hiding place and whoever had killed the Keeper was now somewhere behind me, waiting on the chance to take it. I had played right into their hands.

     I picked up my pace, hurrying along the wide, oak-lined sidewalk. If I ran it would announce my awareness of my pursuer. I tried a quick illusion, but the footsteps kept coming. Whoever was chasing me was immune. I cursed inwardly. The reliquary must be protected. My Regent would want to take possession of it as soon as he learned that Catherine was gone. My plan was to keep moving and to get out of the historic district where, at this hour, it was nearly deserted and go somewhere I could hide in a crowd. That is, that was my plan until I heard the distinctive sound of a revolver being cocked. I started running. The echo of the pistol firing three times in succession bounced off the painstakingly restored homes and nearly deafened me. Only one attempt found its mark.

     Getting shot hurts. Even when you’re a vampire. And if I didn’t move a little faster I was going to find out just how much it would hurt to be shot repeatedly. My second death was on its way and catching up quickly. My ribs felt as if they were being pried apart, but I kept running, my hand splayed over the wound. I knew if I slowed, I’d be caught and the reliquary, which was tucked into the pocket of my jacket, would be lost. I’m not entirely sure which would be worse, displeasing my Regent or losing my long-standing ability to breathe. It felt as if I’d been running for an hour, not the few minutes it had taken me to snatch the enamel and silver heart-shaped vessel after finding out that Catherine had met her second death. Her killer was now chasing me and doing a fine job of it. Luckily only one bullet had hit me and it was in the ribs, a spot that wouldn’t keep me from running. I would heal quickly, but the bullet would have to be removed or the process would be much slower. I hopped over a low stone fence and kept running. I moved so quickly that human eyes would have difficulty following my progress. My pursuer’s footfalls joined with mine in a strange syncopated beat, mimicking the sound of a racing heart about to burst. I neared the edge of the historic district of this small Southern town, the last place one would expect to find a vampire, but here I was, running as if my un-life depended on it.

     A quick turn down another street, lined with old oaks whose skeletal branches grabbed for the cold silvery moon, gave me a brief advantage. My passing made dead leaves reanimate, dancing in the pale dappled moonlight. Distant traffic was all that kept these buildings with their wrought iron fences and wedding cake-like porticos in this century. One could just as easily be in 1850 as in the new millennium with out that discordant accompaniment. I slowed and slid quietly into one of those grand old beauties. The building had been damaged in a recent fire and I was hoping the strong burnt odor would mask my scent from the vampire chasing me. It could only be another vampire, no human could run that fast. Entering the foyer, I was startled as I saw someone with long, dark hair and pale skin staring back at me. I realized it was only my reflection in a huge, gilt-framed mirror after a moment. I laughed quietly at myself. A vampire scared by her reflection. While popular myth would have everyone believe otherwise, we are able to see ourselves in mirrors much to my momentary chagrin. I turned away from my smirking features in the glass and silently went up the main staircase, listening for pursuit all the while, and then paused in the first doorway I reached.

     While focusing so intently on hearing noises behind me, I had failed to note what was ahead of me. My disbelieving eyes fell on what had to be the most beautiful human male I have ever encountered. Had I not heard the heartbeat I would have thought him to be another vampire. He was busy stuffing valuables into a black messenger bag and didn’t hear my ghost-like arrival. The fire that had damaged the antebellum home had done its worst on the opposite side of the house. Here, the walls were only blackened from smoke from the chair-rail up to the ceiling. When the owners had fled, they had taken very little, so there were still some very good pickings for thieves. I knew I had only a few moments before the vampire chasing me passed this way. I had to silence this human and do it quickly or he would give away my position. His beauty and youth caused me to hesitate. Make no mistake, I wanted to drink him down badly. Killing him suddenly wasn’t an option. I wanted to savor him, taste him a little at a time. I cleared my throat and he spun toward me, his eyes wide. As stupid as it was, I was going to save this one, for now at least, knowing it was probably going to cost me.

     “You need to leave. Now.” I pointed toward the door. I would track him down later and enjoy him at my leisure. He was a delicacy to be savored over time.

     He shook his head, making his soft auburn curls bounce against his shoulders, and his blue eyes met my green ones, while his lips pouted defiantly. “I was here first, find your own place.”

     I laughed. This bold, gorgeous creature thought I was trying to steal his heist. “I was followed, you need to run or what is chasing me will do worse than take your loot or turn you in to the cops.”

     He lifted an eyebrow as if to say, “Yeah, right,” but asked, “And just what is chasing you?”

     I was getting pissed now. Here I was trying to save his ass and he wanted a conversation! I gave up the pretense of trying to appear human, “The same thing you are arguing with currently.” I stepped forward into the shaft of moonlight pouring in through the open window, and allowed him to see my true nature. As if the fangs and hunger-dilated eyes weren’t frightening enough, I added what should have been just enough illusion to terrify him.

     His eyes widened and his breathing picked up its pace, but to his credit he didn’t back away from as most do when confronted with something they thought was only real in horror novels and nightmares. I let the illusion drop and I watched his gaze fall from my face to where the bloodstain had blossomed on my shirt-front. His eyes grew even larger; “You’re hurt.”

Please Read, Seriously.

This has nothing to do with my novel, but it could save a life, therefore it is worth passing on:

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/drowning/?10981

Rebecca