I'm writing again by Janice Seagraves

Good news, I'm writing again.

I talked to several of my writer friends about it, but the ones who are also suffering from writer's block are more stymied then ever with the isolate at home situation we have now.  Or they gave me that same advice I gave them...do something different, take a walk, hike, get out, take a class, try a new hobby...

Getting out is nearly impossible right now and as for starting a new hobby....well that's kind of hard to do, too.

I spoke to my husband and explained to him the last words I had written was when the phone rang with the news of my stepdad's death.

My husband said, "But, honey, that was two years ago."

"Two years?"

"Yes."

For some reason, that seemed to snap me out of my writer's block funk. I picked up where I left off with a story about a dragon inhabiting a woman.

It's a complicated story.

I sent it into my critique group and one of my critiquers absolutely loved it, unfortunately, the other said it needed some work, but the one who loved my story as incomplete as it was did the trick. I started to write more about that story.

I can't share it with you because I still have a long way to go until I finish it, but I can share one of my favorite published stories.

Year of the Cat

Blurb:
Morgan isn’t expecting romance when she accompanies her friend for a week of skiing, but when she meets Jared all bets are off.
Haunted by the loss of his parents, werecat Jared Catterick earns his keep working for the Catclaw Clan. Jared has secrets that he doesn’t mind sharing with a special lady, and he hopes Morgan is that special someone. When his past and present collide it’s worse than he imagined, and he’s forced to fight for his life.


Excerpt:
Auntie walked into the middle of the hollow. “We the Catcall Clan are gathered here together to witness a challenge. Called by Munch son of Tiger, who challenges Jared Catterick son of nobody.”
“I am the son of somebody,” Jared yelled. The sudden flow of anger had his heart pounding hard against his ribs.
“Who? What are their names?” Auntie crossed her arm and leaned on one hip and tapped a toe.
“I donna remember. I was too young when they killed them and took me away,” Jared muttered. “And she knows that.”
“Is Catterick your real last name?” Killer asked him in the canine speech.
“Aye. I donna remember much about me old life, but I never forgot me name.”
“Just tell her Mr. and Mrs. Catterick,” Killer said.
“Me parents were Mr. and Mrs. Catterick,” Jared said in a loud clear voice.
A few people around the hollow snickered.
Auntie gave a quick nod. “Jared son of Mr. and Mrs. Catterick. Munch challenges you for the death of his da, Tiger.”
Munch marched to Auntie’s side. He was every bit as big as his father. Well-muscled and not just tall but wide. Where Tiger’s hair was gray and white, Munch was blond and black. Another man accompanied him, his second, a tall, lanky male named Boyd. Jared knew him well, even though he was younger.
“Och. Here we go,” Jared told Killer and walked out into the middle of the hollow.
“He’s big,” Killer said in the canine speech.
“And ugly. I wouldna want to ride him into battle.”
Killer stayed at his side. “Psst.”
“Eh?”
“You can fight, right?” Killer asked.
“Aye.”
“Good to know.”
Auntie looked at both males. “Jared, as the challenged, you may decide on weapons and forms.”
“Human and no weapons,” Jared said.
“Very well,” Auntie said. “You may use your feet, hands, elbows and knees. Even your head if you feel the need.”
“What aboot sticks and stones?” Munch asked, his voice youthful.
“Will break my bones,” Jared said under his breath.
Killer snickered.
“No weapons,” Auntie shook a finger at Munch. “That includes sticks and stones.”
“Well,” Munch crossed his arms, “since I canna change into cat form, I think I should be able to use whatever I find in the hollow.”
“This isn’t a free-for-all, Munch. There is discipline to a challenge. You must remain in your human form and fight like a human. With this match, we’ll have a square go.”
“Not very cat-like.” Munch sniffed.
Auntie fisted her hands and leaned toward Munch. “You’re not a cat. You are a shifter. You shift between three forms. Now stay with one for the duration of the fight.”
“Doesn’t he understand?” Killer asked.
“A bit daft that one,” Jared muttered back. Munch doesn’t seem have a lot of self-control. Unlike Tiger who would have done exactly what Auntie said to the letter.
“Seconds, to the side.” Auntie pointed. “You may view the fight only. Do not interfere unless your partner is hurt or someone breaks the rules.”
Both Boyd and Killer trotted to edge of the clearing.
Jared stood facing Munch. Several feet separated them. Jared shook out his arms, moved his head from side to side, and loosened his muscles.
Auntie raised her hand and did a karate chop between them. “Now fight.”
“I swear on me da’s grave, I will end you!” Munch roared and the skin on his face boiled. His hands burst out of his gloves and feet from his boots. The shift made Munch bigger, tearing his clothes. He stopped in the in-between state, like movie werewolves of old, but in this case half-cat and half-human. The only thing that remained of his clothes was his black overall snow pants and even that stretched taunt across him. Extending his claws, he snarled and reached for Jared. “I want to see you bleedin’.”

 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0748CP9JH

#Confession Time by Janice Seagraves

I have a confession...I haven't been writing anything new in two years.

However, I have been revising some old manuscripts. One is science fiction romance from my Chronicles of Arcon series and the other is something very old. My first book-length manuscript. I'm taking them both through critique groups and revising them.

How are you doing with your own writing? Are you writing anything new or revising something old?

Still free on Kindle Select:

Year of the Cat

Blurb:
Morgan isn’t expecting romance when she accompanies her friend for a week of skiing, but when she meets Jared all bets are off.
Haunted by the loss of his parents, werecat Jared Catterick earns his keep working for the Catclaw Clan. Jared has secrets that he doesn’t mind sharing with a special lady, and he hopes Morgan is that special someone. When his past and present collide it’s worse than he imagined, and he’s forced to fight for his life.


Excerpt:
Auntie walked into the middle of the hollow. “We the Catcall Clan are gathered here together to witness a challenge. Called by Munch son of Tiger, who challenges Jared Catterick son of nobody.”
“I am the son of somebody,” Jared yelled. The sudden flow of anger had his heart pounding hard against his ribs.
“Who? What are their names?” Auntie crossed her arm and leaned on one hip and tapped a toe.
“I donna remember. I was too young when they killed them and took me away,” Jared muttered. “And she knows that.”
“Is Catterick your real last name?” Killer asked him in the canine speech.
“Aye. I donna remember much about me old life, but I never forgot me name.”
“Just tell her Mr. and Mrs. Catterick,” Killer said.
“Me parents were Mr. and Mrs. Catterick,” Jared said in a loud clear voice.
A few people around the hollow snickered.
Auntie gave a quick nod. “Jared son of Mr. and Mrs. Catterick. Munch challenges you for the death of his da, Tiger.”
Munch marched to Auntie’s side. He was every bit as big as his father. Well-muscled and not just tall but wide. Where Tiger’s hair was gray and white, Munch was blond and black. Another man accompanied him, his second, a tall, lanky male named Boyd. Jared knew him well, even though he was younger.
“Och. Here we go,” Jared told Killer and walked out into the middle of the hollow.
“He’s big,” Killer said in the canine speech.
“And ugly. I wouldna want to ride him into battle.”
Killer stayed at his side. “Psst.”
“Eh?”
“You can fight, right?” Killer asked.
“Aye.”
“Good to know.”
Auntie looked at both males. “Jared, as the challenged, you may decide on weapons and forms.”
“Human and no weapons,” Jared said.
“Very well,” Auntie said. “You may use your feet, hands, elbows and knees. Even your head if you feel the need.”
“What aboot sticks and stones?” Munch asked, his voice youthful.
“Will break my bones,” Jared said under his breath.
Killer snickered.
“No weapons,” Auntie shook a finger at Munch. “That includes sticks and stones.”
“Well,” Munch crossed his arms, “since I canna change into cat form, I think I should be able to use whatever I find in the hollow.”
“This isn’t a free-for-all, Munch. There is discipline to a challenge. You must remain in your human form and fight like a human. With this match, we’ll have a square go.”
“Not very cat-like.” Munch sniffed.
Auntie fisted her hands and leaned toward Munch. “You’re not a cat. You are a shifter. You shift between three forms. Now stay with one for the duration of the fight.”
“Doesn’t he understand?” Killer asked.
“A bit daft that one,” Jared muttered back. Munch doesn’t seem have a lot of self-control. Unlike Tiger who would have done exactly what Auntie said to the letter.
“Seconds, to the side.” Auntie pointed. “You may view the fight only. Do not interfere unless your partner is hurt or someone breaks the rules.”
Both Boyd and Killer trotted to edge of the clearing.
Jared stood facing Munch. Several feet separated them. Jared shook out his arms, moved his head from side to side, and loosened his muscles.
Auntie raised her hand and did a karate chop between them. “Now fight.”
“I swear on me da’s grave, I will end you!” Munch roared and the skin on his face boiled. His hands burst out of his gloves and feet from his boots. The shift made Munch bigger, tearing his clothes. He stopped in the in-between state, like movie werewolves of old, but in this case half-cat and half-human. The only thing that remained of his clothes was his black overall snow pants and even that stretched taunt across him. Extending his claws, he snarled and reached for Jared. “I want to see you bleedin’.”


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0748CP9JH/

Profiling Character

A story cannot be written without character. Authors spend a great deal of time creating their characters. There are various tools that authors use to develop characters. A questionaire is completed with details such as name, physical description, family, education and other such items. The generic questionaires can be lacking when trying to get to the essences of the character.

Then another character development tool is the character interview. The questions can seem ridiculous and some questions are outlandish that even the author doesn’t know their own personal answers.

The tool that I use comes from my love of magazines—the celebrity profile. Grab any
magazine, Vogue, Elle or Seventeen and read the article on the celebrity featured on the cover and the reader comes away with a fully formed person that everyday people come away with the character or personality of the celebrity.

That is exactly what authors strive to do with their characters. So, when I am creating a character, I construct the magazine profile style interview. The great thing about this tool is the creation of the character in their world and how they fit or don’t.

My current project that is being developed is a Regency romance. Here is an example of character profile.

 Lady Diana Langley appears as the lady the title proclaims however she is much more. She swept into the drawing room, a smile upon her face.

Those two sentences help round out her character. Lady Diana is of noble birth but she isn’t formal but friendly as well as energetic. She smiles as she sweeps into the drawing room. She doesn’t walk, or glides or stomps in. She is like a wind blowing in. That is her energy that the world sees in her.

This freeform allows the author to interact with the character in a way that isn’t abstract as the character is explored through quotes, setting, and daily life or any other way the author wishes.

The other positive aspect of the character profile is that anything and everything can be explored and depends upon the author and can be added to as the character progresses.

There are no rules.

And you have probably read a few of these celebrity profiles and know how to construct one and if you don’t pick up your favorite magazine, draw a hot bath and just read. It’s research then craft your character.

Bone Frogs Are Back In Town!

Sharon Hamilton here. It's been awhile, and I miss you guys!

The Bone Frog logo is sacred to SEALs because it signifies SEALs passed. A good tattoo artist won't do a Bone Frog tat on someone unless they know for sure they are either in the community, or have lost someone close to them, usually a brother, father, son, etc.

I've twisted this a bit to mean "older guys".  I started using the term Bone Frog when I had my Bachelor SEALs series back in 2017 and 2018. Since they were mostly guys who had failed marriages, and were failing in other ways as well. They had money problems, suffered from lack of quality women in their lives and had questionable lifestyles. I called their little "support group" which met at one of the local Coronado pubs, "Bonefrog Brotherhood."

Only guys who were divorced, or getting divorced or on their multiple wives got to join. Of course, there were those who thought they might wind up there and came along for the support! A SEAL always has to be planning for his next move, right?

I've just released the third book in my Bone Frog Brotherhood series, SEALed Forever. It traces the story of a former SEAL, who, at forty, re-qualifies a second time for another enlistment. He's already been a medic for the first ten years, but after ten years of being out, he wants back into the Brotherhood. Over the series he meets his plus-sized heroine, Brandy (Tucker is a big man with a gentle heart), and together they fall in love, get married and now deal with his first re-tread deployment to Northwest Africa, Nigeria, to be exact.

With the backdrop of the old Slave Coast history, which almost becomes a dangerous character in my book, the men go on a mission to look for a sex trafficking and gun-running ring. The mission will continue in Book 4, due out in June, in SEAL's Rescue.

We're working on the audio now, but the digital book, and print versions are both out now. You can preorder SEAL's Rescue.

Do You Love Series?

Anthology or Series? This was one I participated in from 2015. Short run but very successful.

Sharon Hamilton here. I have a question for you. We'd love to hear from you, both as a reader and as a writer.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT SERIES?

Do you love to binge read? Are you a series lover? I know I am. So, in your opinion, what makes a great series? What is it that makes you pick up that Book 1 and go non-stop until you finish them all?

If I love the author's voice, I can binge read for two days straight. In the case of an anthology, again, I remember that this is a smorgasboard of tastes and styles, and I may not love every one of them, but I usually find several that are worth my time and money. As an author, it's a great way to get discovered, especially when your genre or your pen name is new. As a reader, it's an inexpensive way to find new authors you can then go on to follow, especially if the work is new.

Here are some elements I think a great series should contain. But we'd love to hear what you think.

1. Either the same character is the hero throughout the whole series, or is in every book in the series, sometimes the hero changing per book. And, you can bundle them for an additional way to release to the readers. The files are big, but we love our super readers, don't we? Audio bundles sell the best in my book.

2. There is a common theme, such as "Bad Boys" or "Bachelors", but the mini-series is part of an overall arc within the author's genre. Sometimes some characters appear more often. Many times, these are the ones readers like, and have told the author about why they wanted to see them again.

3. Without doing cliffhangers (some authors do this successfully), at the end of the first book, you are compelled to read the second one. Each book sells and draws traffic to the other books in the series. In the case of a multi-author series like the one below, the call to action is different for each book, but the setup is the same, so readers get to see how the new author in the series will handle the call.

New multi-author series starting 1/15/19

4.  Creates reader engagement. Don't you love seeing your favorite characters on TV? Aren't you sad when the series is over? Look at the success of the Outlander books - all over 1000 pages long! Something that was said couldn't be done! But we can't get enough of Jamie and Claire, can we?

So what about you? If you are a reader and have questions, either I or one of my RB4U sisters will be happy to chime in. This post is for everyone. What do you love about series? Why? What is it that you look for in a good series, say, with a new author?

And for authors, do you keep a series Bible like I do? How do you keep track of all the kids, eye colors, wedding dates and names of parents and exes? What do you love about doing a series, either multi-author or a set of your own?

Thank you again for showing up today. We'd really love to hear from all of you, authors and readers alike!