IY: Mah Plans 24/08/15

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Ileandra Young

Wow . . . I know it’s a leap of faith, this writing for a living lark, but some days are so bright and sunny, while others look like the end of the road. There’s no in between with me! Maybe that’s more a reflection of me and my personality than anything happening in the writing world?

. . . naaaaaaaah! 😉

Actions Last Week

~Send x3 review requests for ‘Silk Over Razor Blades’
Four. I felt guilty so I did an extra one. But . . . I’m done now. This process is far too time consuming for what I’m getting from it. I need to find a better way. Also, at least five of the people who told me they could’t review, but were happy to post promo pieces, are yet to do so. I wouldn’t mind, except the deadlines they set for doing so have passed. Makes me cross. So . . . alternatives. *puts on thinking cap*

checking off feedback~Work through feedback on first section of ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Two,’ fresh from the PWG
Sorted. The piece sings now and I’m more than ready to read them the next piece. Not sure when I’ll get to though, as DSB is in the chair this week and she prefers not to read when doing so. Meh . . . we’ll see.

~Work through the rest of ‘Episode Two’ in preparation for reading at PWG
Completed in hard copy this morning. I still need to transfer it back to Scrivener and do a lil bit of cleaning before reading, but the hard(est) bit is done for now. Let’s see what they make of it, eh? 😉

Activities For This Week

  • Transfer deep edits of ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Two’ back to Scrivener
  • Finalise ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Two’ cover art
  • Chase DaveJ re updates on WTRE cover art

Thoughts…

I won’t lie, I’m a little upset at how little impact review requests are making, but the advice hear over and over seems to be relevant here: ‘the best advert for a front list is a back list. The best advert for a back list is a front list.’ The takeaway message here?

Keep writing!

I’d never intended to stop, but reminding myself of the fact takes the edge off and allows me to smile when what I really want to do is punch pillows and stuff my face with chocolate (bad Illy!).

write because you love it meme

Credit: Moi

new ileandra signature,

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IY: Fantasy Creatures – Dragons – Chinese Dragons

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Ileandra Young

Okay folks, this is going to be a diddy one because I really don’t know all that much about these guys. So . . . Chinese dragons:

Are Cool Because . . .

I mentioned last week that I know very little about these types of dragon. So it makes sense to chat about them a lil bit, right? Well, as you do, I started here and had a read around. Seems like dragons don’t always look like dragons! I like the idea that these creatures – in Chinese mythology anyway – can take on different forms. I also like that they represent things that are tangible, such as water and weather.

What Do They Look Like?

Depends who you’re chatting to. Some of them look like this cool chap on the left. Some of them are missing the legs.  Some have squared off heads, others have roundish heads. No wings (*sad face*). Others of them don’t look like dragons at all, but take on the shapes of other creatures just to mess with your brain. Niiiiice, right?

In Legend

Long or Loong is the name of an ancient Chinese dragon of legend. It’s said that the emperors Yan and Haungdi were related to dragons: the former, born of his mother’s telepathy with such a creature and the former immortalised into a dragon upon his birth. In Chinese culture, the dragon also symbolises power, good luck and strength They’re also known for their fancy powers over things like water, floods and hurricanes.

In Movies

This is a tough one. Maybe I don’t want enough world cinema, but I can’t think of a single Chinese dragon in any live action film. Even after scouring blogs like this one I drew a blank on films I’ve actually seen.Guess that’s something I need to work on. Still, check out the blog in that link for a cool run down of dragons in films, in general. This chap did some nice work. I guess the only example I have (if it counts at all) is Shenlong from the travesty that is the live action Dragon Ball Z movie which I believe was named ‘Dragonball: Evolution.’ Now . . . Shenlong is the name of the dragon in the anime, I have no idea what the dragon was called in the movie, but the creature had the same serpentine shape with iiiiiiitty biddy legs. Guess I need to watch more films.

Then again . . .
Falcorvisit

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RS: I Haz Planz 20/08/15

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Raven ShadowHawk

Brain . . . fizzling . . . losing grey matter!

We have guests (again) this week. DSB‘s father and youngest brothers are sticking around until tomorrow meaning work has been there, but not quite as frantic as usual. And while I don’t mind seeing The Fam 😉 I do feel that the push for work has eased off a little too much. I’ll talk about it more below . . .

Actions Last Weekblank calendar from OpenClipArt

~Complete ‘Read Aloud’ of ‘Second Base’ with all resultant changes
Done. Didn’t have much to do actually and I crammed it all in while DSB’s sister was off shopping.

~Format Createspace versions of ‘Second Base’ to get page numbers
Sorted. I also got started on the Kindle version. ‘Second Base’ clocks 174 pages using the same CreateSpace template as the one for ‘Sugar Dust.’ That means the books are about the same length, which pleases me greatly. 🙂

~Commission ‘Second Base’ cover art with Ravenink on Fiverr
Eeeeerm. She’s currently unavailable. 😦 I don’t know when she’s back or even if she’s okay, but Raven’s profile on Fiverr simply says that she isn’t available right now. Urk!

Activities For This Week

  1. Format Kindle and Smashwords versions of ‘Second Base’
  2. Research cover art alternatives 😦
  3. Make the list of all those who are to receive ARC copies of ‘Second Base’
  4. Start writing ‘Slippers & Chains: Three’ (min 3,000 words)

Thoughts…

blue smilie face

Credit: IslandVibz

Yeeeeeeah . . . that last goal is a big’un. But let me explain!

Waiting until November to start drafting seems like a really silly thing to do when I have so little else left on my list for the rest of the year. I may as well start now, take my time over it and perhaps, as a result, reduce the time required to edit as I’ll be working in less of a mad rush.

Also, Ileandra is going slightly crazy over the ‘Dead and Alive’ thing. You may have heard her say, on Monday, that’ she has already outlined the second season of her series, but she’s not allowed to start writing it until it’s her turn once more. To keep us both happy, I should start sooner rather than later. Maybe she can write that during NaNoWriMo instead of waiting around for me.

As for cover art; I hope Ravenink is back soon, but I can’t wait too long for her as I need time to order proofs, check colours and whatnot. If she isn’t around by the end of September (or if she hasn’t at least responded to my question by then) I’ll have to go to someone else. *sigh*

So, yes. ^_^ As of this week, I’m in drafting mode. Writing the third instalment in the ‘Slippers & Chains’ series. Maybe by this time next week I’ll have a title for it! 😉

Raven's Signature In Black

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RS: Tropes In Erotica – The Yearning Best Friend

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Raven ShadowHawk

Yep. The poor dude(tte) who just can’t get none, no matter how hard they try. They want to be a part of the action in the protagonists’s life, but they’re usually one of the following:

  • Too good a friend to risk ‘ruining the friendship’
  • In a relationship already and trapped within it
  • Living very far away or about to move to a distant location
  • A good friend of their interest’s current partner, and thus would be breaking some kind of bro’code (this is for the dudes)

They are usually men, but I’m not on the hunt for this trope in the form of a female. It must be around but I’m yet to read about her. Can you guys give me any suggestions?

Anyway, sad to say, I have this written this trope too. Pete from ‘Sugar Dust‘ is very much enamoured of Karen, but she’s with his best friend and a good friend of hers himself. No matter his feelings, he’s just never going to be a part of the relationship, nor is he ever going to get his hands on Karen. *sniffle* Poor bastard. 😦

The other example of this that sticks out in my mind is the poor chap from ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ who nearly got his lights punched out by Grey. Yes, Ms James did kinda save Grey from being a total dick and have him punch José—José Luis Rodriguez Jr!—when he put the moves on a drunk and slightly out of it Ana, but still . . . this guy is described by Ana as good-looking, smart, funny, nice and conventional. He’s pretty much perfect for her . . . except that she thinks of him as a brother (and he doesn’t have his own helicopter—oops!).

Oh well, José!
Better luck next time, yo.

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IY: Mah Plans 17/08/15

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Ileandra Young

Skeggy!!!

If I can upload my pictures, I’ll do so, but I’ve been in Skegness all day and it’s lovely out there. I’ve been once before and that was (not long) before The Sprogs were born, so it was lovely to go back and remind myself there are beaches with sand in this country. 😉

Actions Last Week

~Perform last few cover art for tweaks for ‘Episode One’ of ‘Dead And Alive.’
Dooooooooooooone! And so pleased with it too! Like nothing I’ve ever created in PS before, so I’m feeling quite proud too.
Wait, have I shown you yet? Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaail!

cover art for S1E1 Reunion

Season One, Episode One: Reunion

checking off feedback~Release ‘Episode One’ of ‘Dead And Alive’
Eeeyup! All sorted and the teaser is out too. I’m still waiting for Amazon to update the price to £0 (which is what the teaser should be) but they’re taking their time over it. Hopefully not too long as it’s currently priced the same as the full episode; that’s as low as Amazon will allow me to go. -_- *sigh* Self publishing eh? Who’d do it? 😉

~Send x3 review requests for ‘Silk Over Razor Blades’
Done. Phew! I think, at the end of the month, I’m going to give this a rest and let some of the existing requests filter through. I’m just not happy enough that the return on this exercise is worth the time spent.

Activities For This Week

  • Send x3 review requests for ‘Silk Over Razor Blades’
  • Work through feedback on first section of ‘Dead And Alive, Episode Two,’ fresh from the PWG
  • Work through the rest of ‘Episode Two’ in preparation for reading at PWG

Thoughts…

I’m suitably distracted from ‘Walking The Razor’s Edge’. Haven’t thought about it all with all the work I’m doing on ‘Dead And Alive.’ And reading the start of ‘Episode Two’ on Saturday was very encouraging. One member in particular showed enthusiasm that had me skipping in my seat (thanks honey!), because she’s not too far off the mark with her thoughts on where this scene leads and the point of writing the characters in this very specific manner.

This makes me super-keen to keep reading at the group and super-keen to keep writing.

I know I shouldn’t have, but I outlined Season Two on Friday . . . I couldn’t stop myself! I know exactly how I want Season Two to start and end and I could start writing it now. Like . . . right now.

Raven might have something to say about that, however. It’s her turn with DSB right now.
>.<
So! . . . if any of you hear me talk about drafting Season Two of ‘Dead And Alive’ before Raven has finished her draft of ‘Slippers & Chains: Three,’ be sure to give me a nudge and a ‘what the hell?’ sort of look, okay?

But I can—and will!—talk about it. Lots.

In fact, a lot of my weekly evening updates will probably discuss progress with later episodes of Season One. As it stands, I could release these monthly rather than every two months. We’ll just have to see how the rest of my life goes before I commit to that. ^_^

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