children of the apocalypse

The "When's That Book Coming...?" Update: Winter 2012 Edition

How about an updated book state of the union? Plenty has changed in three months.

* Exhumed: Complete. Awaiting a second draft from me in the spring. I have to do some schedule shuffling so there's a strong chance this release will be summer now.

* Amends: This'll be hit when I'm done with my writer burn out. I finished two books back to back in Nov/Dec and really needed a break from writing. I will update my blog when we're back on track (hopefully within a few weeks).

* Oblivion: This is the fifth book, after Exhumed. I don't need it done summer/fall but it's tickling my brain. I think it just needs to percolate awhile longer and it'll be ready to start. Currently I'm jotting notes down on my murder board and I almost have a first draft of the jacket copy written.

* Solace: I'm plotting this one as well (it's the sixth). I likely won't start it until the end of the year, but then sometimes I surprise myself.

* In Darkness Waits: I'm going through that thing again where I'm struggling with the voice and wonder if it's supposed to be in first person. The book won't tell me. None of you have read it, though, so you don't much care but I still want the first draft of this done by March.

* Godless (Dess bd 5): It's still baking in my head.

* Ashes: It's likely a trunk novel so I pull it out and play now and then.

* CotA 3: I'm re-reading everything written so far and I'm hoping before I dive back into another book, I'll get my feet wet finishing up this one. Fear not! It's on my radar, at least.

* Haunted: I have to edit the other novellas coming out before I can get to my rewrites on this.

* River/Wolfe omnibus on Kindle: Delayed as I haven't the time to proofread with extra work stuff. *pushes to bottom of to-do list.*

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I think that's it. I need to write a post about other stuff and I'm trying but I keep thinking I sound bitchy so haven't saved it. For now: bitching at me that the series isn't The Zara and Nate Show? Yeah, that's not going to change. They're not the main characters of the series--they never will be--nor can I write books that are carbon copies of Bloodlines. If you feel you have to suffer the other books for moments of them, you're probably going to be really disappointed. Baking cupcakes might be a better idea than reading stuff you'll hate. Or write fanfic. Fanfic about cupcakes. Or something.

Please send me fanfic about cupcakes. Yeah, I think that was my point.

The "When's That Book Coming...?" Update: Fall 2011 Edition

Everyone wants me to finish something.

Freebie serial readers have asked when Children of the Apocalypse 3 will be done.

Zara fans want to know when Exhumed will be done (never mind released).

Zara fans who either don't buy books and/or are impatient for Exhumed want to know when the next Amends chapters will be up.

Beta reader wants me to finish Dessa 5 (as do the couple of other people who have read some of the other books in this unpubbed series).

I want to do all of the above along with finishing Ashes and IDW, which I can maybe do something with. Mostly, though, I'd like to sit down long enough for the room to stop spinning. This year I wrote one new novel, totally gutted and rewrote from the ground up (and expanded) two novels, and I'm on track to finish another new novel. And it never seems like enough.

Most importantly, however, I have a book called Lineage which has been contracted for *cough* three years now and my last draft has to be in by December for edits so we can make a February 21 release date. It's one I get paid money for, so it will be finished before everything else. If I can jump in late with NaNo, maybe one of the above will be written in part next month too.

So, to answer the FAQs (I try to keep this updated on my author page as well):

* CotA: It's always been my intent to finish by the end of the year. I wrote most of the end of the book--I think I have 3-4 chapters to finish. I will post when it's done. I realize it is frustrating because it's basically one big long story divided into five parts and even when three is done, I'll be leaving it with a cliffhanger because there's a lot to go. But it's still a freebie so I do what I can when I can. I'm also going to try to slip in time to redo the covers. Maybe around Christmas I can schedule a week to devote solely to CotA.

* Exhumed is in my head but unwritten and as I have a novella out next summer, Exhumed won't hit until late 2012. Your eagerness pleases me, though you'll come to regret it when you read the damn thing, or when you hear me tweet "WOE" while writing it. But it won't be seen by anyone until November 2012 at the earliest--I don't even have jacket copy written for it yet.

* Amends will be updated when I can update it. Every 2-4 weeks. Please keep an eye on my blog/FB/Twitter (and chapter five has been up for awhile now).

* Lineage, as said above, is February 21, 2012. Buying the ebook from Mundania or the paperback will get you a Nate short story I'm finishing right now, called Sunrise.

* Dessa 5 (99.5% of you can skip this): It's called Godless and I have a few scenes in my head but unlike the first four, I've no idea how it will end. It also breaks my heart a little to write it and end Dess's story (and Vaughn's, and all the rest) for good, so that could be why I don't want to think too hard about it. They might all die at the end, so I don't want to rush.

So there you have it. What I'm working on and when you may see some of it. I'll do another round up early next year.

Playing Favourites

So I've written a lot during the past month, and I'm whipping through September's chapter of Children of the Apocalypse (the characters, they beckon...I've reached the point where I reward getting mundane work done by then letting myself write 1K words of CotA).

I'm looking at the characters and subjects that are dominating this part of the story and it's raised some concerns I have...

You know what it's like when you're watching a show or reading a series of books, and there's that character that's kinda fun, but the writer clearly loves them WAY too much and soon it becomes the ____ show rather than an ensemble? For me, that's John Locke on Lost, or Spike during the latter part of Buffy (look, I love Spike, and I know James Marsters has amazing screen presence, but a lot of the time it felt like Spike's wacky adventures, and not about the Scoobs)...so now I'm a little worried that I'm going to overdo it with a character that's my personal favourite.

How objective can a writer be about her favourites?

Also, is there such a thing as TOO much Michael in Children of the Apocalypse? Go vote in this poll and let me know. I really am curious...

An Actual Writing Accomplishment

So it's been just over a week since I decided to sit down, recharge my batteries, and get some writing done.

I've written June's CotA chapter, July's, August's, and then I decided that--since I'm technically one chapter behind my plan due to missing March's--I'd have a mid-month chapter in August.

In summary, that's four chapters and twenty thousand words, all on top of my other full time work. Go me!

And, even better, I'm really stoked about some things I've written. I'm also petrified--for the first time in my life--of pissing off a whole lot of readers, but thems are the breaks. Sometimes, bad things just have to happen to characters...

I have a bit more work to do, but then I think I'll dive in and get a bunch of Curio Killed the Cat written, and relaunch that (oh, I did finally make a decision on the poll where I asked for reader advice). Then I'll get around to that other paying writing work...

Warning: Here Be Spoilers!

Consider yourself warned...there are important spoilers about Children of the Apocalypse here!

22/03/2009

IM Conversation between Skyla and Elaine regarding Children of the Apocalypse characters and plot twists.

Skyla: no, for reals! they all get new love interests
Elaine: Because all their current love interests die horribly?
Skyla: um...
Skyla: actually, I can't kill any lesbian love interests
Skyla: apparently that's a horrible cliche and I don't' want to Tara anyone
Skyla: I mostly hate Janine's name, so I desperately want her to go away...
Elaine: Curse you, Joss Whedon, for making us unable to kill lesbians anymore!
Elaine: LOL, now that's a reason to kill a character if I ever heard one. ;D
Elaine: Snerk, poor Janine, doomed by her name.
Skyla: yeah, pity I didn't rename her...
Elaine: Maybe she could decide to start going by her middle name?
Skyla: she can rebel--change her name, cut her hair...
Skyla: or turn out to be a runaway like Merri and Janine is a fake name
Elaine: Or maybe she's an evil minion, and it's been just a lie (including her name)! Okay, that would take a lot more planning ability than any character has shown themselves capable of so far, but w/e.
Skyla: she could be working with Thad! and that's not his real name either
Elaine: OMG, Thad's like her secret brother!
Skyla: OMG, yes! that's perfect!
Skyla: and...they're spying on everyone because...
Skyla: Michael ran out on his last Cher show!
Skyla: he owes people money. big time
Elaine: That's right! And the big dance competition is coming up, and it's their only chance to come up with the money, only Janine/Thad enter and are gonna win for EVIL.
Elaine: So only Gen/Michael can win the competition! After like a dance training montage thing.
Skyla: Yeah! And costumes
Skyla: they need to wear sandals so that they can show off their toenails
Elaine: Heels! Open-toed!
Skyla: yeah. omg this totally needs fanart
Skyla: they have to dance to "I Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing
Elaine: Yes, that would pretty much be the only possible choice of music.

Dragging My Feet...eer...Fingers?

So we all know the story of Skyla accidentally overwriting the file for CotA Chapter 3-3. And how she was supposed to have it done and up by the 15th. And by now we've probably figured out that it's not up yet.

Truthfully, I've been insanely busy. I've been working a lot (promotions are awesome, although they usually come with more responsibility, meaning lots more to do). I just signed the lease agreement for my apartment. I've been spending several hours on my free days to do fundraising for my other job. I was going to spend last weekend getting shit written, but then I changed my plans and went to my mum's early. And while I did get some writing done there, I still have to bulk up the work and fill in some blanks.

But, of course, rather than writing, I spend my time trying to figure WHY I'm avoiding this so much.

It's not just the rewriting aspect. I mean, don't get me wrong--I fucking HATE rewriting shit that I've actually lost. It's happened a few times. Sometimes 'cause I'm stupid and lost the work. Other times, it's 'cause I'm stupid and deleted it (I get VERY self-destructive when I have bad depressive episodes, and do shit like cut my hair, delete files, and throw out things important to me). I had to rewrite the last several chapters of Hunter last year, and several chapters of CotA...

And I bitched, complained, and whined...and it was hard...but I STILL got it done.

But this time, it's different. I've had a few weeks since the incident. I should be good to go.

I...just...can't....do it.

To be honest, I was dragging my feet on this one even before I lost the chapter. Part Three of CotA contains all the major plot/character things I've been planning since day one. THIS is what I've been excited for. I could sit and write the final five chapters today because I know this part of the story SO well.

And I'm thinking part of my brain just doesn't want to go there.

The problem, as far as I can see it, is probably twofold. 1. I've been waiting so long to get here that I'll be sad when its over, so maybe I'm now putting it off. This is a strong possibility. 2. I know where it's going, and I know it's a direction that isn't going to win me any popularity contests with readers. This is an even stronger possibility.

I'm thinking it's a combination of things.

I've never been someone who's ruled by what readers think. I feel it's important to stay in touch with readers and to ensure I have a sense of how they're responding to things. It keeps me grounded. However, I'm not going to change anything vital because it pisses people off.

I think by the time we're into Part Four, everyone's going to be really on board with the events of Part Three. It's all necessary. But...we still have to get through Part Three first. And I don't think it's going to go over well.

And so, I'm dragging my feet.

Want to know how much I'm dragging 'em? I randomly started pulling out old stories to read to procrastinate, and I actually like my awful NaNo novel from a few years ago, Mournful Blade. Yes, the (other) bane of my existence. I glancing through it and actually thinking, "Damn...I can work with this. This has awesomeness!"

And MB was baaaaad so I know I've lost touch with reality and should really go back to CotA.

Obligatory First of the Month Post

So I've got lots of new stuff coming your way.

New Children of the Apocalypse chapter has been posted. Yay! Now I have to scramble to get the next one done--it's too short, needs a serious rehaul, but I've been too lazy to do anything about it). We're on Chapter Two of Part Three: The Ritual, and the girls are--of course--getting themselves into a spot of trouble...read it all here: http://www.apocalypsenovel.com

Tomorrow (well, likely tonight) will see the posting of the next Curio Killed the Cat chapter. Chapter Five: Praise Jesus, Not Satan sees more trouble befalling the shop. Is there truly no such thing as bad publicity? Head over to http://www.curiokilledthecat.com shortly to find out.

I also added a little poll on my main website, asking who your favourite of my heroines is? http://www.skyladawncameron.com/poll/1

I'm otherwise doing okay. I'm on medication right now and the (hopefully temporary) side effects have kicked in full force today. I can barely sit up to work on the computer, and am incredibly thankful I don't have to walk to work today. Lots of pain = badness. I have a few covers that I'm trying to get finished today, as well as some acquisitions work. Between all my jobs, I think I've been working fourteen hour days for the last couple of weeks...ah, the life of a poor person. ;-)

As an aside, WTF is wrong with some people who insist on kicking you while you're down? I'm so happy that all of the new people I have in my life now are quite the opposite (although I still think I'm doomed to always have potential in laws who dislike me). At the very least, it's incredibly comforting to know that they can kick me all they want--they invariably underestimate me and the things I'm capable of doing...

I'm going back to work now, where I shall continue listening to this awesome album Voodoo Blues, which I highly recommend.