Angel of the Morning

I know this will sound hokey, but writing can sometimes feel like magic. For the last few months, writing has been that way for me. I’ve had creative grooves before, and I know they don’t last forever. For now, I’m in love with writing.

Yesterday, I produced over 10,000 words in a single day. Certain authors can perform that feat every day, month, and year. I’m not one of them. I average 1000-5000 a day. This last Tuesday, I was flying and couldn’t be stopped.

Today, I uploaded Sunday Morning to Amazon and other outlets. I also finished writing Junkyard Dog. By this weekend, I’ll complete JD's main edit and begin my next book. I’m planning on doubling up like I did with SM and JD. Whenever I get stuck with one, I can jump to the other.

I admire those authors capable of producing books with ease. They’re so in touch with their creative sides, and I swear some of them publish every other week. Authors like Alexa Riley, CM Steele, Jenika Snow, and Sam Crescent, to name a few, are machines. I don’t know how they do it, but they’re my damn heroes.

In non-hero news, I was on FB the other day and spotted the particular author I dislike so much for her affinity for the R-word. In the past, she was blocked because I wanted to pretend she didn’t exist. Of course, she’s attending the Dallas signing with me so pretending is now out the window.

The last few weeks, I’ve pushed myself to accept how there are many people who like the R-word. They even find it funny or think it’s daring to say. Anyway, I’m calmer about meeting this author now. I tell myself she’s never been hurt by the word. She doesn’t know anyone who’s been shamed with it. She thinks it’s harmless. Or maybe she uses it, but not on disabled people, so she thinks the word is okay. Whatever the reason she uses it, I’m at peace with the thought of engaging with a woman I disliked only weeks ago.

The reality is most people don’t care about that word like I do. Back in the day, STGRB posted a long explanation about how the word was perfectly okay and I was picking on an author because I was jealous. They really couldn't imagine the word might be offensive to me (or anyone for that matter). I thought they were assholes for championing such a nasty word. They thought I was an asshole for making a big deal out of a harmless word. I was clearly on the side of the angels, right?

Sure, until I looked at Twitter, FB, and every other social site where everyone casually uses the word against both disabled people and “normal” people. There’s no avoiding the R-word.

I’ll always hate the R-word because people have used it to label my sons. Bullies at school often called my oldest that word because he has autism. Even though the word feels ugly to me, I’ll need to accept that like STGRB, the author they posted about, and this author I’ll see in August, the majority of society feel the R-word is no big deal. I can't change the fact that I'm in the minority.

With my newfound calmness about this author, I’m even more psyched about Dallas. Until then, I plan to write and write and write some more. My goal is to publish six more Bijou books in 2016. Fingers crossed my writing magic continues for a while longer.

Last week, I published my first box set. I don’t know why I took so long to put one together. I’ve bought my friends’ box sets plenty of times, and they’re great deals. I am pretty proud of the main cover for the Little Memphis MC set. It’s my first cover in awhile and my first box set design.

Miranda is still creating covers and not only for me. She did this one and that one for Forbes West. I keep telling Candy Girl to go pro, but she doesn't need the hassle. Apparently, authors can be high-maintenance to deal with. WHAT? I don't know where she got that idea. :P

I should probably return to editing Junkyard Dog if I want to get it finished by this weekend. My next two books have different vibes than my normal Bijou stories so I’ll likely need more time to plot. If so, I really should get started if I plan to publish one of them by April.

Hope the weather isn’t too wild where you are! We’re experiencing a snowstorm only days after enjoying beautiful 70-degree weather. I moved to Indiana for the changing seasons, and it hasn't disappointed.

I Told You I Was Mean

So far, so good. My plan to publish a book a month remains on schedule. I know this pace won’t last past April, but I’m still excited to be more productive.

Sunday Morning will be published next. The novelette was originally meant for a biker themed anthology connected to the OAMC signing. I won’t be able to travel to Mississippi this June, so I’m publishing the short story on my own at the end of February.

I never really intended to write about Kirk and Jodi Johansson. For years, readers requested their story, but I felt their relationship was too complicated because of the age difference. Besides, I always viewed them as the parents from the Damaged series rather than a main couple.

I did enjoy writing the story. With the Ramsey Security series, the characters were well off financially. I missed my down on their luck, rougher characters.

After Sunday Morning, I’ll focus on finishing Junkyard Dog. I’m really digging this book. Hayes and Candy are fun characters. He’s my fave kind of hero. The big jerk that mellows once he finds the right woman.

In the spring, I plan to start a project I’ve been toying with since January 2014. Lost Highway could turn into a train wreck, and I’ll likely publish it under a pen name. If the book comes out like I imagine it, the plot does not fit the Bijou brand. Of course, my books often take off in odd directions so who knows what will happen with this one.

Even though I had to bail on the MS signing, I still plan to attend Deliciously Dirty in Dallas. I have several friends going including Aimie Grey. One author who signed up has me worried though.

I really, really don’t like this woman. When I saw her name on the banner, I was instantly pissed at the thought of meeting her. This won't be the first time I've attended signings with authors I dislike. Usually though, the authors I don’t like, don’t like me in return. We avoid each other. Easy peasy, everyone’s happy.

This author doesn’t know I dislike her. She likely barely knows I exist. Last year though, I saw her post something that angered me tremendously. She’s one of those people that love throwing around the R word.

Now because she writes in my sub-genre and we share author friends, I’ll no doubt meet her. I can’t avoid it without being obviously rude. These signings are part of my job and throwing a fit at one can’t happen.

I’ve decided to work on my hatred of the R word. Mostly, I want to learn to calmly accept how many people find the word acceptable. I’ve already taken steps to embrace this new way of thinking. By August, I should be able to look into this author's eyes and not judge her at all. That’s the plan anyway.

So I’ve been more productive this year and I’m learning to deal with certain kinds of people. What else is new? Photoshop! I’ve learned two new skills! Yes, I’m aware there are hundreds of things Photoshop can do, but I’m not a very visual person. Fortunately, YouTube is full of videos to help dorks like me learn.

I’m currently working on a few box set designs. I also plan to create new Damaged covers. April will mark the three-year anniversary of my first Bijou book. With the upcoming audio books, I figured now was a good time to give the series a fresh look.

January was a busy month and February is proving to be even more so. Roo is working hard with homeschooling, Tigger is really into action flicks lately, and Pooh is settling into his new house. Sally is in reader heaven this week with new releases from some of her favorite UF authors.

Well I better get back to editing. I hope everyone stays warm during this odd winter. I'll leave you with another great song by one of my fave new singers.