Indie Life: Writing Book Two

The Indelibles will be hosting a monthly feature called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh's awesome Insecure Writer's Group, this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

What is Indie Life? How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page here. When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month. What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie. Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!

This month, I'm participating in Camp NaNoWriMo. My main goal is to write at least 50,000 words in Reforged, Book Two of The Fate Challenges. Ideally, I'll have the entire book written this month, if I can keep up writing a chapter a day and doubling up on days off from the day job. That's a big IF and one I'm already failing at. *sighs*

I must admit I'm a little nervous about writing book two. This trilogy has been in my mind since 2006. I wrote the first draft of Reborn in 2009. I rewrote Reborn in November 2012 and finished up in April 2013. Now, I'm writing book two. In November I'll be writing book three, Redestined. To think in a few short months I'll have the entire trilogy written. A trilogy that I've spent seven years daydreaming about.

It's kinda scary. And exciting. And what if I completely screw the entire thing up?

If I keep to my schedule, I will be sending Reforged to beta readers and getting ready to edit Redestined when Reborn comes out next May. Besides my critique partners and beta readers' reactions and perhaps a few early reviews, I won't even know how people will receive Reborn. True, I think it's awesome, but I don't count. Would I have wasted a bunch of time on books two and three, if no one likes book one? Plus, I'll be working on the companion trilogy (The God Challenges, featuring the seventh and last Phoenix Prophetess), so there could be six books in the end that no one will like except me.

And yet, I still feel compelled to write them, even if I'm the only one who likes them. Apenth (God of Prophecy, Wisdom, Music from the trilogies) would likely curse me if I didn't write them. Heh. So, I will keep writing, even if it's just for me and a handful of others.

Have you written a book two or multiple books in a series? How did you overcome the doubts? Did you write the books before book one was published? Or after?

Fellow Untethered Realms author Graeme Ing recently interviewed me here. I'm talking about Foxwick, The Fate Challenges, Untethered Realms, and am revealing a secret about myself.

Also, Smashwords is once again having its Summer/Winter Sale. Through the end of July, you can purchase the ebook of Gravity: The Complete Trilogy and The Nightmare Collection for $1.50 using the coupon code: SSW50.

 







Please follow the other Indie Life writers:

An Excerpt of Dariel Raye's TORIN

Mother Nature is Fighting Back!

Meet the “Dark Sentinels.” Weary of shedding tears over the senseless murders of her children, thoughtless abuse of her resources, and blatant disrespect for her authority, she had to take drastic measures. Mother Nature created sentinels to protect and preserve nature, their first priority to stand vigil against those responsible for the destruction of wildlife.

Two sentinel wolf-shifters are born to each pack – male and female. Larger, stronger, and faster than other shifters, and able to shift at will, regardless of the moon’s phases, they risk their lives daily to restore balance between man and nature. Unfortunately, their very strengths have gained the attention of arrogant beings bent on exploiting their abilities for selfish gain.

Forced to leave their packs for a time to find mates, the sentinels are no longer able to avoid human contact. Dr. Sable Adler, of “Dark Sentinels Book One: Sable,” alpha of the Washington pack, one of the largest packs in the United States, was the first sentinel to fall in love with a human female. He’s a calm-natured Libra, while Torin DuMont, of “Dark Sentinels Book Two: Torin,” is a hot-headed, bad-tempered Scorpio alpha who resides in the Florida Everglades.

Like Sable before him, Torin is about to find himself in uncharted territory when he seeks the legal counsel of Stephanie Bates, an uppity human lawyer who needs his help more than he needs hers…

Dark Sentinels BookTwo: Torin

When greedy land developers set their sights on Dark Sentinel land, Torin turns to attorney Stephanie Bates for help, but she’ll need his protection to stay alive long enough to save his land.

Real estate lawyer, Stephanie Bates, has risen to the top of her field through meticulous sacrifice and goal setting. She has no time for distractions – and that includes pets, messy relationships, and loose ends.

Torin DuMont is a forensic scientist who chose the profession to avoid dealing with people as much as possible. Raised by a stepfather who hated him, he’s been forced to live a life of solitude, fueled by anger and distrust. When wolves and shifters start turning up dead, Torin must battle an enemy bent on destroying those he was born to protect. His greatest challenge, however, is Attorney Bates and the surprising effect she has on his heart.

Short Excerpt

Torin  sensed the sun had gone down before he stepped over to the small window and looked out. Even in the complete darkness, his eyes did not fail him, and he saw the grounds as clearly as if daylight greeted him. Finally, one man remained in the waiting room with him, but it was well after six p.m.

He picked up the pleasant scent of mint, lemongrass, and lilies and turned just in time to see shapely legs, a voluptuous body full of promise. The warm, mocha-colored face wasn’t bad either. Clearly, it was the owner of the musical voice. His wolf bristled beneath his skin, forcing an internal battle just to remain civilized. Confusion increased his frustration. He’d never reacted to a female this way before, and certainly not a human.

She glanced at the other client and headed straight for Torin, arm extended to shake his hand as she called over her shoulder, “Go on home, Cindy. It’s already late. No need for both of us to stay.”

Cindy was out of the office in a flash, glancing back apprehensively as she closed the door.

“Mr. DuMont? I’m Ms. Bates, Stephanie Bates.”

Torin nodded and grasped her hand but did not return her smile. He was far too busy trying to resist the crippling effect her melodious voice seemed to have on him. His nerve endings sizzled as he attempted to manage the sensory overload. This isn’t supposed to happen, he secretly seethed. What in the hell is wrong with me? His sexual encounters had been quick, unemotional, and necessary for physical satisfaction only, and he’d never been overtaken so--completely. Her scent intensified, tinged with desire, as molten chocolate-colored eyes gazed at him confidently, only confusing him further. Desire?

 

“Dark Sentinels BookOne: Sable” on Amazon             

 “Dark Sentinels BookOne: Sable” on Barnes and Noble

“Dark Sentinels BookTwo: Torin” at Amazon           

 “Dark Sentinels BookTwo: Torin” at Barnes and Noble

Dariel’s Blog             Dariel’s Website                  

Post a comment on this blog with your email address and click here to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway (“Torin” tour Rafflecopter) for books and gift cards.   

Release Week for HE CAME FOR MINE by C.M. Brown

He Came For Mine

Book Two in ‘The Protector Series’

By C.M. Brown

Available as and eBook at:

Smashwords

and

Amazon

Price: $2.99

Add He Came For Mine to your TBR list on Goodreads

For the next two weeks Carolyn is holding a Rafflecopter Draw on her Blog, to celebrate the following three reasons:

The release of Book Two in the Protector Series titled:

He Came For Mine

 One full year of Blogging!

&

 Twelve months since the launch of Book One in The Protector Series!

~~~~

Prizes will include:

One $20 AUD (Australian Dollars) Amazon Gift Card

One free eBook of Book Two in The Protector Series, He Came For Mine!
One free book cover illustration by Rebekah Romani

TO ENTER CLICK HERE!

Also, during the two week launch
Book One, in The Protector Series

He Came For Me

will be free as an eBook
to download
from
Smashwords

JUST USE THIS CODE: 
RF83E

Desperate to save the life of a child he never knew he had, Sebastian returns to Earth to find Jazz in the arms of another man.  A man he knows all too well.  One who cannot be trusted!  Sebastian worries if Jazz’s feelings for him have fleeted in his absence and he vows to win her back.
 

Jazz struggles to find ground between Sebastian and her new life, unsure who to trust and still holding resentment for Seb’s abandonment.  She seeks solace through someone who was there for her when she needed help to pick up the pieces.

After coming to terms with her new life, Jazz is struck down with confusion and longing when Sebastian suddenly returns.

However, a dark battle is forthcoming, one that is bound to bring bloodshed.

About Carolyn Brown

I live on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia and love the beach lifestyle. I try to share some of the wonders of this area with my readers, in the content of my books.

I am happily married and have two children, one in university the other in his second last year of High School.

Many years spent supporting high school students with Learning Difficulties has inspired me to take on the challenge of writing, which I am finding I am enjoying immensely. I spend my free time reading and writing and try to relax on the beautiful beaches I live near, walking my dog and swimming, at every possible opportunity.

I love and am drawn to the dark and mysterious things that go bump in the night and love writing in the paranormal romance genre for New Adults as I enjoy enticing my audience with small hints of sexual fantasy.

Connect with Carolyn Online:

Smashwords

 My Blog

My Author Page

Email me

Facebook

     Goodreads

Twitter