Hump Day Hook #HDH – The Vampire of Blackpool

Hello and welcome to the Hump Day Hook. Today I will share a snippet from my manuscript for NaNoWriMo 2012. The novel is called The Vampire of Blackpool, and I was quite pleased with the result. I have yet to return to the project for edits, but I certainly plan to have this one published in the future. Enjoy!

In a flash I was out of my bedroom, leaping through the open window and landing softly on the grass below. I flew across the lawn and leaped over the thick hedgerow that bordered my land. Keeping close to the trees, I stepped nimbly over the muddy ground, my feet barely touching the floor. The dry leaves below never felt my weight, and my bare feet did not recognize the cold temperature. I saw the teenagers walking along the lane, approaching the narrow driveway that led to my house. They had a torch, and the light wobbled and bounced on the tarmac in front of them. They walked close together, a boy and a girl, holding hands. I stalked silently behind, deliberately forcing myself to wait, so that I could savour the moment when I tasted their sweet flesh and drank deeply of their youthful blood.

If you enjoyed this one, why not pop over to our dedicated Hump Day Hook blog and peruse some new and exciting authors. We write about romance, love, science fiction, fantasy, erotica and everything in-between, so you are sure to find something that delights the senses. You can also find us on Facebook. Happy Humping!  

*Lady Vampire image courtesy of Pinterest*

2013 Writing Plans for Redcliffe and Beyond

I have begun 2013 on a bit of a mission. In 2012 I got a little distracted by other activities, but I still managed to publish my second novel and write a separate one for NaNoWriMo. I also wrote a couple of short stories, but they took a while. In retrospect, I did not put in the effort I would have liked with my writing, and so this year I intend to reconcile that issue.

A big challenge for an Indie author is that of self promotion and book marketing. I have learned a lot about the industry during my almost two years on the job, so to speak. There is still a lot more for me to learn, and I have several books and training manuals still to consult on the topic of SEO, marketing and treating the job like a small business. All in all, I rather like being an entrepreneur, or rather, a mumpreneur!

Anyway, one of my targets for 2013 is to submit more short stories for publication in anthologies. These are a good way to spread the word about writing talents, to share ideas for prospective new novels, and continue to build on the growing audience for a series we might be writing. In my case I have written two short stories that feature characters and locations from my Redcliffe novels. One is a vampire story, and the other one features the werewolves.

I was pleasantly surprised today to discover that I already have three short stories that are edited and presentable for submission. Now I need to find the right publishers. Shouldn't be too hard! I also have a novella seeking publication, I have a novel waiting to be edited, and I am writing another separate novel about a vampire hunter who discovers something interesting about her past lives (even I am not sure what that is just yet!)

When I have completed all of that, or rather, while I am still completing all of that, I have to write the fourth Redcliffe novel. This will be a little difficult since I changed the ending to Love Redeems (A Redcliffe Novel) - book 3, and so my original notes for book 4 are totally useless! Hey-ho, it's all part of the fun. Now if only my beloved Muse would wake up, step forward, and give me some inspiration it will all come together...

I’m a #NaNoWriMo Winner 2012, Hooray!

I did it! I won NaNoWriMo 2012 and I feel epic (to quote a rather annoying British television commercial!) My final word count came in at a very healthy 50,055, which means that by the time I finish editing the manuscript, I will have a decent sized novel to pitch. Wonderful! I am also totally in love with the story, which is always a bonus.

The month has been a long one, and it isn’t even over. NaNoWriMo 2012 was definitely harder than NaNoWriMo 2011. Perhaps this was because in 2011 I was writing the sequel to my debut novel and it was all clearly mapped out in my mind. Perhaps it was the fact that I then had a child under the age of 1, who was easily satisfied with a nap and some sensory toys. Whatever, this year was a tough one.

But I did it, and in just 25 days! I know there are many hundreds (and probably thousands) of other NaNoWriMo winners around the world, some who finished ahead of me, and to those I say hearty congratulations. To my fellow Wrimos who are still slogging at the final hurdles, do not give up. You will do this, and we will meet at the finish line! 

Meet the Vampire Book Realm Authors at Coffee Time Romance

I have already posted about this a few weeks’ ago, but remember our date for Friday 30^th November (oh, that would be today, now in fact!) I will be live in the Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance, along with my fellow authors from the Vampire Book Realm.

This is an all-day event, so drop by anytime and say hello! We are running cool competitions, discussing all aspects of our books, and I will even post excerpts from my newest vampire tale, The Vampire of Blackpool (fresh from the NaNoWriMo press!)

So remember, pop in to our forum any time today at Coffee Time Romance. If you love vampires, you will love the Vampire Book Realm… 

http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/board/forumdisplay.php?f=1955

#NaNoWriMo – It’s in the Bag!

Well, this year’s NaNoWriMo challenge has proved especially tough, and it is only my second attempt at the contest! It was easier to write last year partly because I was writing the sequel to my debut novel and the story was already planned, and partly because my daughter was under 1 and therefore easier to entertain.

This month, in NaNoWriMo 2012, my novel has literally been a surprise to me. My title is The Vampire of Blackpool. It probably won’t stick, but it was all I could come up with in time for the challenge. My story has literally developed every time I sit down to write. I have no prior understanding of my characters or the plot. All I knew in the beginning was that I had a female vampire living in solitude on the outskirts of Blackpool. She was a traditional vampire, feeding and killing humans with no sense of remorse. It was supposed to be a horror story.

It hasn’t quite turned out that way, but I am still happy with the developments. My vampire, Meredith Hanson, has been on a killing spree. A vampire hunter is also chasing her and they have so far battled to near-death and then engaged in conversation, albeit brief. She feels something for him, but she is confused. Meredith has also become intimately acquainted with a young nurse who just happens to be a witch, and this sub-plot has taken me by surprise during the last couple of days.

The icing on the cake for NaNoWriMo 2012 has been the arrival in my story of a familiar face from the Redcliffe novels. Detective Jack Mason has arrived on the scene! He has travelled up from Cornwall to Lancashire, and it seems that he and Meredith have a history. We might learn a little about it soon enough, but I am not sure. I will give Meredith free reign to tell her story. My muse has suddenly woken up and seems very eager to share. Wonderful!

So, as it stands, I am now at 38,493 words. I have to write another 11,507 words in just 8 days. The estimate is to write 1,439 words per day, according to my stats on the NaNoWriMo website. This means I will finish my novel on 29^th November. Perfect! And, a little early but I’m feeling generous, Merry Christmas!