IY: Mah Plans – 10/11

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Ileandra Young

goal shooting goals from open clip artSince changing the form of my posts it always seems that I have some big news in the morning that has a bearing on the goals for the rest of the week.

I guess that just gives weight to the idea that changing up the format was a good idea!

Last week

Write content for at least three of my blog hosts
Two. That’s not so bad, I’ll just have to play catch up with the rest this week.

Finalise page size, paper type and trim for printing with CreateSpace and record for Karen
Done. I have the .pdf file that I’ll soon be uploading the CreateSpace (depending on what happens with my submission) and it rocks up at 255 beautiful pages. ^_^

Outline changes required for the Silk Over Razor Blades blog page
Yes, that’s done too. All I need to do is make those changes now!

This Week

Given how much as changed between today and last week, I’m surprised that I still have so much to do. After all, I have to treat things as though my plans haven’t changed and continue to arrange content, put together posts, teasers and gifts the way I originally planned. Remembering that, while forcing myself not to check my email every six minutes, is going to be the hardest part of the upcoming week.

  1. Finish writing content for blog hosts
  2. Read through Silk Over Razor Blades with a few to give Karen the final ‘okay’
  3. Make changes to the Silk Over Razor Blades blog page

That is going to keep me mega busy. Hopefully, with so much to distract me, I won’t spend too long watching my inbox!new ileandra signature,

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IY: The Whiplash of Change

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Ileandra Young

My neck hurts. My head hurts. Every joint in my body hurts. I actually have flu or my own personal, annual variant, but that’s not what I’m talking about with this post title.

I’m talking about change. About how fast it can come and throw out all your carefully laid plans.

I’ll explain.

As you all know by now, Silk Over Razor Blades is due for release through Little Vamp Press on 1 December 2014. My giveaway is running, I have a blog tour planned and all is in hand to see that done on schedule.

On Thursday I had the greatest pleasure of attending a panel in which Marc Gascoinge from Angry Robot had a chat with Rod Duncan about the Changing Face of Publishing. I’ve always liked Angry Robot, I’m impressed with the authors they have on their books and the types of stories they release. However submissions are closed unless you’re already known to Angry Robot or recommended to them by an existing author on their books. Neither of these things were true until the end of Thursday night.

I’m all for self publishing, I love the freedom that comes with looking after everything and the thrill that comes hand in hand with seeing a finished product that you planned from start to finish. But an opportunity like this…? I’d be an idiot to pass it up. An idiot beyond measure.

So I put together my proposal and sent it in.

raw terror meme

Created on: imgflip.com

o.O The submission consideration period at Angry Robot is anywhere from 10 to 12 weeks. I don’t for a second believe that I’ll be looked at sooner just because I happened to be speedy or because I got to meet Marc in person. But I do know that I’ll be considered just like everyone else, which means my own plans to publish Silk Over Razor Blades must go on hold.

I’ll be contacting all blog hosts today to let them know what has happened and ask for their understanding and patience. My giveaway information will change slightly to incorporate the fact release of the book may not be as soon as entrants think. But it will continue to run. If the unthinkable happens (yes, unthinkable, you didn’t think I was actually confident about any of this, did you?) and Angry Robot chose to take on the book (and possibly the other two) then I will negotiate with them as to how to honour the terms of the giveaway and winners will be kept fully in the loop at all times. If they chose not to take on the book, then the issue is moot and I will continue to give out the prizes exactly the way I intended to, just a little late.

I’m telling you all this because I never want to mislead you or lie to you. I want be honest and upfront about what I’m doing and how changes in my life affect what I’ve said I can offer you. That’s important to me – I know how it feels to be lied to and I never, ever want to do that.

I hope you’ll understand why I made the decision to submit, despite being ready to hit ‘go’ on Amazon any second now. I also hope you’ll feel as happy for me as you were for Raven when her chance came up with Breathless Press. If you ask Da Shared Brain, she doesn’t expect to be so lucky twice in one year, but stranger things have happened.

I’ll keep you all informed.new ileandra signature,

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RS: Learning From Editing – Intro

Posted on November 8, 2014 by Raven ShadowHawk

In a break from NaNoWriMo chatter I want to talk about Breathless Press and my experience editing Slippers & Chains: Sugar Dust with them. I’m so excited about what I’ve done and what I’ve learned that I’d really like to share it with you. After all, I wouldn’t be where I am now if other folk like me hadn’t taken the time to share their experiences.

I’m going to do this in as sensible a way as I can – unlike my usual way of working, ha! – and take the posts in small chunks. That way I’ll be able to keep up with myself, in a way. I’m hoping to cover these points across the next few posts.

All Editors are Different
Dependant on training, genre and personal style, all editors will have something different to offer you.

Your Story Can Always Be Better
The end point is a head-rush when you reach it, but is your story ever finished?

UK English vs US English
UK authors writing for a UK market and writing for a US/global market.

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS)
This little baby is a veeeeeery interesting tool, used in the industry more than I thought it was.

Repetition
Better get used to doing things again and again (and again and again and again and…)

Waiting Is An Art Form
The waiting game? Nothing compared to what’s coming.

The Speedy Way is (Sometimes) The Only Way
Deadlines are your friends. Promise.

If I think of more topics to cover I’ll add them into this post so that there’s a good starting point and I’ll cover it much like the others.

Hope these series of posts helps you in some way. The experience is certainly one I’ll carry with me going forward.

Raven's Signature In Black

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RS: I Haz Planz 06/11 and October Round Up

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Raven ShadowHawk

goal shooting goals from open clip artTo give you an idea of my day, I had an appointment at the dentist this morning. This follows on from madly rushing from the house yesterday thinking I was late. So despite today being a nursery day for The Sprogs I still had to rush off and have my mouth poked, prodded and drilled. And fork out money for the pleasure. -_- But…! If I put that to the side the rest of the day has been pleasant enough and there are two writing events this evening I’ll be attending. Well… Da Shared Brain is going. I’m not.

Given that I had a massive change of heart on Saturday a lot of these goals are now moot. However, it won’t hurt to take a look at what I’ve done with regards to finishing them off and assessing where I need to be going forward.

Last Weekbook and reading light form openclipart.com
~Transfer ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’ edits back to Scrivener
Done. It took far longer than I was hoping, but it’s done.

~Do a ‘kindle read’ of ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’
Nope.

~Send ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’ to beta readers
Since I hadn’t done the ‘kindle read’ I didn’t want to send the file to betas. It didn’t seem fair.

~Send one review request for any story in the Meeting Each Other Series
Nope.

~Start NaNoWriMo (and keep up with the daily word count – DON’T go overboard if unnecessary)!
No. Well… I started, as you saw this morning, but I’m not up to date. And I’ll need a pretty major day devoted to it if I plan to catch up. Don’t know if I’m going to get that to be honest. *sigh* Early days yet. We’ll see.

October 2014 Goal Recap
~Complete all tasks assigned by Breathless Press with regards to Slippers & Chains
Frankly put, this is the most important goal. And yes, I’ve kept up pretty well. So well in fact that this is the only area where I’m up to date. But, looking at the priorities, I believe (and am happy) that this is the right way around.

~Complete edits on ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’ reading for sending to Karen in November
My edits are done. I just need to get some beta comments before I’m happy sending anything to Karen. I should be able to get that this weekend. *fingers crossed*

~Read and review one erotic novel/novella for the 2014 Book Challenge
Done. And written up. The review went up at the end of the month in my usual review slot.

~Ensure chapter by chapter outline of Slippers & Chains: Second Base is ready for working on
Done, which leads neatly into:

~Make decision with Ileandra about who will do NaNoWriMo this year
Also done. It’s me – if you hadn’t already guessed(!). And I still think this was the right decision; it’s not like Ileandra would have had better luck what with the work she needs to do for Fab Fables.

Goals for November 2014
Well… I guess there are two things I need to focus on really. Everything else can go on hold.

  1. Complete any and all additional tasks assigned by Breathless Press
  2. Send ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’ to Karen for editing
  3. Complete draft of Slippers & Chains: Second Base

a pen and a pencilThis Week
I don’t have any more Breathless Press tasks right now, so I have a bit of wiggle room.

  1. Do a ‘kindle read’ of ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’
  2. Send ‘Simone & Mr Bradford’ to beta readers
  3. Send one review request for any story in the Meeting Each Other Series
  4. Complete 500 words of Slippers & Chains: Second Base daily (only attempt the full NaNo goal if other jobs are complete)!

I think that should prevent my head from blowing off. Let’s see how we do. 🙂

Raven's Signature In Black

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RS: #NaNoWriMo Check In – Week One

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Raven ShadowHawk

nanowrimo web bannder 2014

Ugh. *head desk* Now… I know I said I wasn’t going to beat myself up about this but I am a little disappointed. I was hoping to at least stay par with the daily word counts, but nope. Just nope. At the time of writing I’m 3,281 words in.

But! But I am pleased to say that all the other stuff I was hoping to do is going well. As a result of focusing on current projects rather than this one I’m staying on top of all the odds and sods I need to do, as is Ileandra.

In fact, on Saturday I’ll be going through what I’ve learned through working with Breathless Press and how the experience has (already) changed the way I write. Even with the 3k words I’ve written I can feel that I’ve grown so much through working with Jenn. So that can only be a good thing.

As for the rest, well I suppose I could give you a snippet of what I’ve written. Remember, this is first draft and it’s a NaNo first draft, but the Slippers & Chains characteristic humour is still there peeping through.

The best part so far is writing about Dan and Karen again. It’s like visiting old friends after months apart. I forgot how much I love these two and the closeness of their relationship. That, in of itself, is something to be pleased about.

Karen took a deep breath and put her wrists behind her back. “Okay, go.” She held still, wincing as the soft cords bit the skin beneath her palms. “Does it have to be that tight?”
To her right, stripped to the waist, wearing a wide smile, Dan jerked on the ropes. They tightened. “Yes. They do.”
“But-”
“Do you want to fall out when I get you up there?”
“No…”
“Then relax and let me do my thing. I’ve watched all the videos; I know what I’m doing.”
Though he said it with quiet, easy confidence, Karen couldn’t help but disagree. Videos on YouTube, filmed and executed by professionals were somewhat different to an impromptu bondage session in their living room. Even with proper ropes, knots and hooks installed.
She glanced at the ceiling, eyeing the thick metal hook screwed into the plaster and supported by a wide base, complete with more screws. “What did it say about blood supply?”
Dan laughed. “Stop worrying. You won’t be up there long enough to cause any harm; I just want to spank you a bit.” He ran his hands over her rear, teasing the edge of her lacy knickers. “And maybe, if you’re really good, I’ll use the wand again.”
Karen bit her lip. She fucking loved that wand. The smell of ozone still hung in the air and her back prickled at the memory of fizzing sparks dancing over her skin.

So, as usual, Karen and Dan are playing and getting themselves into a bit of a mess. Hehee.

How is your NaNo experience going? I know a lot of you have different goals and plans for this month but I haven’t spoken with many of you about it. Why not tell me how you’re getting on? I’d love to hear what you’re up to.

Raven's Signature In Black

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