Brain Noise

Let's see if I can remember my blog post from before I fell asleep last night.

Ah yes. Brain noise. I've been struggling with what I call "too much input". It's been too noisy in my head for my characters' (those imaginary friends we writers all have) voices to come through.
I keep telling myself I need to unplug, to only use my computer as the writing tool it was meant to be. I need to leave possible social networks either turned off or relegated to special use on my phone only.

Social networks are awesome. Some of them. We won't get into my strong dislike of Facebook. Buuut, I've got this thing that makes me keep going back to my networks of choice. I've got cultivated relationships there, and I am afraid that everyone will leave, if I go Do All the Things.

One wise person commented: life has a tendency to rear its ugly head when most inopportune. Anyone that doesn't understand that isn't human. (Thanks, Matthew Stevens! You really helped me take this needed step. :) )

Still, the fear of abandonment runs deep in my psyche. It's not a rational fear. So I stay waiting for the next instantly gratifying interaction that satisfies my addiction and calms my fear. It's a fear I need to battle to gain the victory of discipline.

I love the besties I've made on Twitter and Pinterest. I may have an overblown perception of the level of BFF I've got going with some, but I still love them. My awesome tweeps say A LOT, and as I said, my chatty and interesting network is starting to drown out my more fragile and introverted imaginary friends I call my characters.

If I can't hear my characters voices, I can't write. I always (almost always) start every story with my characters. If they run and hide, I'm doomed to a writers' block as real as this winter has been horrid.

So my darlings, if this blog gets neglected...if you don't see me much on Twitter or Pinterest...it's because I'm trying to clear the noise in my head.  I may have a fear of everyone leaving, but my characters abandoning me is even scarier. I have to trust that I'll get real people back, but characters are even more easily surrendered to the ether, if they aren't allowed to shine through above everything else.

 I know I've said things like "I'm unplugging" before. Fear has kept me from complying with discipline. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Incidentally, while I'm clearing out some brain noise, you'll want to go read a book by one of my very first BFF tweeps, Jen Naumann. She's got an intriguing take she calls Mind Static. I guarantee it's more entertaining than my noise. Also, if you like a little creepy in your life, check out her newest release Paranormal Keepers. Don't forget the rest of her books. You won't be disappointed!

See you back when I've got a grubby little manuscript clutched in my ink stained fingers! 

Kicking the Blarney Stone

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I'm Irish. I forgot to wear green today. Maybe that's why the leprechauns were particularly nasty to me today. I feel like I kicked the Blarney Stone instead of kissed it. It was just one of those days.

So much for the Luck O' the Irish.

This is really just a filler post. I could ramble on about a hundred different random things. I am not going to risk it though, because I have had enough bad luck for one day.

I hope everyone is having better luck than me today and the leprechauns have left you all alone.

Enjoy the rest of your evenings/days/afternoons, etc. Remember, at least there are no more snakes in Ireland.

Smoking Hot Cover Reveal

It's Teaser Time! Oh yeah, and this book cover is steaming! It's going to keep you in anticipation until the book's release date on March 26th, I can tell you that much.

So roll out the red carpet and get your programs folded into fans to cool you down...

I present to you the cover for (drum roll please!)

Night Moves by Kristen Strassel - the steamy, raw tale that is second in her Night Songs Collection and will keep you hanging on the edge of your seat until the third book comes out! I just love the intensity of her expression and the art deco style of the font. This book has the style, the heat, and the tension.

Melanie Vaughn’s job ruined everything. Her social life, nonexistent. Her relationship with her boyfriend, a hostile roommate situation. She resolves to fix everything one snowy afternoon, but instead comes home to discover her boyfriend is already exploring other options. Blonder, bustier options. Rage drives Melanie to do the unthinkable.

When Soul Divider was on the top of the world, so was Ryder Maddox. When the band faded into obscurity, Ryder’s luck plummeted with it. In a last ditch effort to rekindle the band’s heyday, Soul Divider teams up with powerful vampire clan leader, Talis de Rancourt. In return for her services, the band pays the ultimate price for never ending fame.

Now on the run, Melanie meets Ryder in a middle of nowhere hotel. She never expected her teenage rock star crush to be as lost and as in need of a companion as she is. Their connection is all consuming, even before they find they share another kinship: murder.

The newly turned vampires in Soul Divider still have a lot to learn. The police and public begin to connect the girls that go missing or die in sync with the band’s tour schedule. Back at home, clues are also adding up against Melanie as well. Between constant media coverage and unrelenting attention from the authorities, Melanie and Ryder find themselves in uncharted territory.

Add Night Moves on Goodreads! 

Whew! Got those programs flapping? It's hot! Save the date! Night Moves comes out March 26! Be sure to read Because the Night and Seasons in the Sun to get in the mood!