Taking a walk today with Jackson, a preemptive strike against his autumn restlessness, and talking about the domestication of cats and dogs (as one does), along with worldbuilding and perfectionism.https://mcpigpearls.blogspot.com/
Talking today about knowing where a story starts and how that can be difficult, along with taking critique in general. I mention Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey and answer a question from a listener on Exile of the Seas. The morning glory photo is a bit out of focus, but I love how the throat looks full of light.
Talking today about revisions for developmental edits on THE ORCHID THRONE, and revisions in general - what to cut, how to know, the importance of post-production. I mention the somewhat inaccurate adage that commands writers to kill their darlings and Ann Patchett's advice on clearing the pipes by writing lots of words. Here's the article I mention on How the Original Star Wars Was Saved in the Editing Room https://www.themarysue.com/star-wars-saved-editing-rocketjump/
Today is the release of EXILE OF THE SEAS, so I'm mostly talking about that, release days in general and why they're on Tuesdays, finishing THE ARROWS OF THE HEART and a bit about Georgia O'Keeffe. As one does.
Around the shifting borders of the Twelve Kingdoms, trade and conflict, danger and adventure put every traveler on guard . . . but some have everything to lose. ESCAPED
Once she was known as Jenna, Imperial Princess of Dasnaria, schooled in graceful dance and comely submission. Until the man her parents married her off to almost killed her with his brutality.
Now, all she knows is that the ship she’s boarded is bound away from her vicious homeland. The warrior woman aboard says Jenna’s skill in dancing might translate into a more lethal ability. Danu’s fighter priestesses will take her in, disguise her as one of their own—and allow her to keep her silence.
But it’s only a matter of time until Jenna’s monster of a husband hunts her down. Her best chance to stay hidden is to hire out as bodyguard to a caravan traveling to a far-off land, home to beasts and people so unfamiliar they seem like part of a fairy tale. But her supposed prowess in combat is a fraud. And sooner or later, Jenna’s flight will end in battle—or betrayal . . .
“The storytelling is lush and vivid, some parts, particularly the peeks into Jenna’s psyche, so beautiful and raw, they make your heart hurt.”
~Julie Fine on Goodreads
“(…) a sweeping piece of fantasy that captured my imagination and I’m blown away by this authors talent.”
~Marta Cox on Goodreads
“Jenna’s character is one of the best that I’ve read in terms of development. I may not have read the first book, but she grows so much during the course of this book that I didn’t feel like I was seeing her for the first time.”
Final day of completing THE ARROWS OF THE HEART, so I'm talking about my process, finishing books, and the importance of observing our own creative process.
I'm closing in on the ending of THE ARROWS OF THE HEART, so I talked about that, and referred back to previous discussions on work, play and happiness. Also experienced some unusual bird sightings and talked about financial independence and my friend Megan Mulry.
A beautiful summer evening on the patio last night. Today I mused about how beauty - the concept of paradise - uplifts us and is an antidote to the aspects of life that can be crushing. I talk about the architectural control in Santa Fe making it a beautiful city and how the Capitol building and Civic Park in Denver follow the same principles. I also talk about marketing and advertising, and how those influence the subconscious, too.
I'm back from mini-break and talking about my birthday and family gathering, including wine-refrigerator shout-out to Alexia Chantel Also talking about cover discussions for THE ORCHID THRONE, and finishing THE ARROWS OF THE HEART - particularly cuing the reader when the characters are safe enough to have sex. Also sharing a pic from Crested Butte - the window boxes and hanging baskets were enviably gorgeous. I guess that's the benefit of being at 10,000 ft and living in what amounts to a refrigerator!
I wax philosophical today, talking about how to work with the creative self and how it's like training a puppy. Also about stopping for the day when you hit wordcount, why pushing can be destructive, and plans for Bubonicon tomorrow. http://bubonicon.com/
Reporting on Mary Robinette Kowal and John Scalzi at George RR Martin's Jean Cocteau theater, on my lovely birthday spent with wonderful friends. I also discuss SHOOTING STAR - why I changed the cover and what a cover is supposed to do in the first place. Guest post I mention is here https://twimom227.com/2018/08/author-guest-post-jeffe-kennedy-5.html
Not all desires are shiny and sweet—and the dark ones might change you forever…
It’s not the kind of obsession a tough Army guy can admit to—a jones for Ava, the pretty-princess pop star. Not just her body, the perfect product that sells all those magazines. Her music.
The critics call her human lip gloss, all style and no substance. To Joe Ivanchan, Ava is the exact blend of reality and fantasy that he can tolerate, the closest he’s willing to get to giving his heart after the injury and breakdown that got him out of the service.
But Ava is real. She’s a flesh and blood woman with a publicity machine and an album deadline, along with a whole team of handlers paid to shellac a pristine sheen over a damaged, desperate soul. A woman with fears, with secrets, with desires.
When Joe finds himself in an interview to join her security team as her driver, his instinct is to get away. But the woman behind Ava’s carefully focus-grouped image is even harder to walk away from. The angry needs tormenting her speak to something within Joe. Something empathetic, protective—and primal…
Besides, even a falling star can light up the darkest night.
Today is the release day for EXILE OF THE SEAS! 
