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This week’s topic: "People
always say they want to take their writing to the next level. Well, what are
the levels, as you see them?"
Do people always say this?
Well, ok then…
Far be it from me to try to define levels for anyone but myself.
Each author’s path is different, in my opinion, based on what they write, what
they prioritize and care about, what they want to give their readers, their own
goals, events happening in their real lives…so what I might think in terms of
my own writing career is only applicable to me.
I’m pretty much content, actually, just writing away.
In the past, in 2010 I made a conscious effort to get a much
better grasp on the craft itself (i.e. not ‘just’ be an unpublished storyteller who scribbled the story once and didn't edit or revise) and learn
not to head hop, not to tell vs show, not to rely on lazy words (adverbs ending
in –ly or the word ‘that’) etc. The result of that was my first published book,
which sold in 2011.
Then I concentrated on getting another book released, this
time as an independently published author, which required me to learn some new
skills on the business side (getting a cover, having the formatting done,
uploading to ebook seller sites, navigating production of a paperback and an
audiobook…)
Simultaneously I was working on learning to write the second
book in a connected series, not just standalones.
At that early stage of my career, I thought I could never
write an actual SERIES, with the same characters recurring and advancing a
series plot arc. I was in total awe of people who could do that. (Well, I still
am! Jeffe, Nalini, Ilona…there are some authors who do it so well and with such
richness of plot and world building…) As one who is pretty much a total pantster,
I believed it was beyond me to do such a thing and keep my Muse interested in
writing the books, because if I plan out a book too much in advance, the Muse
clams up, dusts off her hands and says “We’re done with that book.” So how was
I ever going to keep a series moving forward?
Well, now I’ve done that, with my award winning Badari
Warriors scifi romance series (released the 8th book, more on that
below)…
So my next self-challenge is to start a new series at the
same time I’m continuing to write the Badari Warriors.
I don’t really know what other ‘levels’ I might want to
tackle someday. I guess I’ll wait and see!
I just released CAMRON and here’s the blurb:
Dr. Gemma Madarian is far from her home in the human
Sectors, kidnapped along with hundreds of other humans to be used for
horrifying experiments conducted on a remote planet by alien scientists.
She and another prisoner, Camron of the Badari, are the only
survivors of a deadly crash landing. She’s paired up with the genetically
engineered soldier by their mutual enemies and sent fleeing through rough
country, hunted for pleasure by an enemy officer and his ferocious trackers.
The enemy wants a triumphant kill. Gemma and Camron want to
survive.
Camron never dreamt of having a mate but Gemma shatters his
preconceptions and makes him desperate to do everything in his power to save
her life and claim her for his.
There’s no help or refuge to be had in the desert where
they’re fleeing for their lives.
Or is there?
Will Camron and Gemma live to fight another day and explore
the growing attraction between them, or will ancient secrets and bitter
rivalries end their bid for freedom?
This is the eighth book in the Badari Warriors world (and
the seventh book in the numbered series) and each novel has a satisfying Happy
for Now ending for the hero and heroine, not a cliffhanger. Some overarching
issues do remain unresolved in each book since this is an ongoing series but
romance always wins the day in my novels!
BADARI WARRIORS Timeline:
AYDARR
MATEER
TIMTUR
JADRIAN
DARIK
GABE
KIERCE
CAMRON
