Making Plans

Hi everyone,

With my latest book, Against the Darkness now available across Amazon and work about to be started on my next novel, I’ve decided to take stock of the year so far and make plans for what remains of it. To say 2020 has been interesting so far would be a major understatement. With so much going on I thought I would find it hard to write, but the opposite is true. My desire to write has increased. New characters have stepped forward to give me their stories, and I’m loving where they are taking me.

So, what does the rest of this year hold for me? I’m working on a second Nocturnus novel and after that the second Kacie Rayne novel. I’m also working on something with a darker edge that I’m aiming to release before the end of the year. There are several things I intend on doing to progress my writing career to where I want it to be, but in regard to them it’s one step at a time.

One thing I am sure about is I’m going to keep moving forward and ensure my focus remains exactly where it needs to be.

Until next time, stay safe and well,

Raven.

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Pondering? Maybe.

Hi everyone,

I have a question for all you writers out there. Has something one of your characters said made you stop and think? Mine have. While I’m writing their story I’ll focus on getting the words down, but when I’m editing I will occasionally come across a sentence or paragraph that makes me sit back and think. It could be a small nugget of wisdom or an insight into something personal, which given they are a part of me shouldn’t really be much of a surprise.

Every story we write, every character who makes an appearance has an impact on not only us, but on those who read their stories, and as long as mine are willing to talk to me I’ll continue to write their words down and perhaps along the way gain some more nuggets of wisdom.

Raven.

Enjoying the Chaos

Hi everyone,

I hope that life is treating you all with a touch more kindness and not throwing too many curve balls your way. My world is its usual blend of chaos, moments of confusion, and wondering how much coffee I need to get through the day.

I’ve finished the read through of book three of the Resurrection City series, so once some minor changes have been made it should be okay to get it ready for Amazon. I finally have the title and the cover is underway, both of which will be revealed soon. I do have the release date and that is July 31st. Once it goes live I will make sure to provide the link.

The first story in the new series I’m working on is moving along smoothly and the characters personalities are definitely shining through, which makes for some interesting head conversations. *Laughs*

Well, that’s all from the world of Raven for now, so back into the writing cave I go. Take care one and all, and I will catch you all again soon.

Raven.

Where’s The Coffee?

Hi everyone,

Welcome back to my sometimes crazy world of words and characters who like to do their own thing. At the moment I swear there aren’t enough hours in a day for me to get everything done. Book three in the Resurrection City series is on its final read through, I’m also hard at work on the cover and blurb, and I’m working on the first of a new series (more to come about that later). So as you can imagine coffee is my best friend at the moment.

One look at that might have some people asking why I do what I do, and my answer is simple – I love writing. I love creating worlds where for a few hours people can lose themselves and escape. As long as I have that love, as long as I get joy in siting down and listening to my characters, I will continue to create worlds and weave stories.

Raven.

Music Anyone?

Do you ever listen to music while writing? I was one of those writers who preferred to shut themselves in their office and write in silence, but one of the main characters in a new book I’m working on was damned insistent he wanted music. Now, over the years I’ve learned not to try and force them to do what I want as all that achieved was to kick start their stubborn streaks. So I opened up Spotify and started browsing. Fifteen minutes later I had a small playlist up and one happy character.

While some of the music on the playlist is not what I would usually listen to, it works because this morning he was chatty and definitely on form. This has me rethinking the whole “working in silence” route I was going, and while I won’t abandon it completely, it is something that will be used when my characters and myself feel it is required.

As writers we learn and grow, and while this might not be a major step in the grand scheme of things, it is still a step forward and shows I am growing as a writer and a creator of worlds.

Raven.

Vampires, Oh My!

Happy World Dracula Day everyone! Today marks the one hundred and twentieth anniversary of the publishing of the novel by Bram Stoker. It is one of the books that peaked my interest in vampires and a classic that I still grab from my bookcase and read when I want to get lost in his world.

Talking of getting lost in the world of vampires, book three in the Resurrection City series is well underway and I’m getting ready to start round two of the dreaded edits. The research for my secret project has finally been completed which means I can start mapping out the first book. All goes to plan it will be out before the end of the year.

Well that’s all for now. So until next time, stay safe and well.

Raven.

Reboot

Hi everyone,

So far editing is going well, though my characters have decided it would be fun to toss some changes my way. Still, no matter how much of my hair they might make me contemplate pulling out, I sill love them.

There is something else going on during this time of isolation and my post title alludes to it. I’ve decided to give my life a reboot. Not in regard to my writing, no that is still progressing nicely and each story I write continues to teach me new things. This is in regard to the other parts of my life. This time has given me an opportunity to look at them and I’ve realized some things have remained stagnant for too long. Change, whether we like it or not is necessary for us to grow and progress. So over the past week that is what I have been doing. It’s small things first, like getting rid of something that connects me to a part of the past I want to forget, but each step forward tells me I’ve made the right decision. And I know that when I’ve finished I will face a blank page on which I can write my own story.

Talking of stories, it’s time to get back to my edits. So until next time,stay strong, stay, healthy, and dream big.

Raven.

Away From Reality

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe during this difficult time. I’m busy working through the first round of edits for book three in the Resurrection City series, which is part pleasure and part pain, working on the first draft of book four in the Hell Bound Chronicles, and doing research for my new project. Though I’m uber busy (which I love), I am making sure to set by time to read, because in the midst of all the madness I think it’s good to escape from reality for a while. Getting lost in realms where vampires, demons, and others live is in my opinion good for heart, soul, and mind. There are certain authors that are my go to when I want to vanish for a while, one of whom is Kerrelyn Sparks. At the moment I’m reading How to Seduce a Vampire Without Really Trying and loving it.

Talking of vampires, I think it’s time I got back to my ones and their stories before they start complaining, so I will catch you all again soon.

Raven.

The Sound of Silence

Hi everyone,

I’m currently in week four of lock down and the one thing I’ve noticed where I am is the silence. While it has in a strange way helped to make me more productive, it also seems to have the days blurring into one. When I get up to start writing it is not the sound of cars I hear, but nature. The sound of the morning chorus is calming and wonderful, a perfect pick me up.

In regard to my writing, I’ve released book three in the Hell Bound Chronicles series, entitled Reversal of Fortunes and it is now available across Amazon. I’m currently working on book three of the Resurrection City series which should, fingers crossed, be out end of June.

Well, that’s all for now.

Raven.

Edits, Edits, Everywhere

Hi everyone,

At the moment I swear I am swimming through a sea of edits. I’m currently on the second round of those for book 3 in the Hell Bound Chronicles and on round one for another story I’m working on. I’ll be announcing the release date for the Hell Bound Chronicles on my Facebook page tonight (Monday March 16th), so make sure to head over and check it, the already revealed cover, and blurb out.

Well, time to dive back into the pool and get back to work.

Raven.