I've been listening to ALL IN by LIFEHOUSE. It kind of says everything I've been feeling about the release of Incendiary. Thank you for having my back a few weeks ago when I was having doubts. Your comments and support have really helped me get to this better place. NOW GET PUMPED because Incendiary might be published sooner than I expected. I don't have a date, but I just found out something completely awesome, so keep your fingers crossed! XOXOX (Thank you, Courtney Houston, for posting this song on my Facebook page!) CreateSpace did something awesome. I had a conversation with the team leader on my project yesterday. She let me know that they're doing things differently now. Now, instead of formatting the interior and then working on the cover, they're going to do both at the same time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What does that mean? That means that when I get my first proof in seven days (YES, I SAID SEVEN DAYS, NOT TWO WEEKS) I should have the PDF (interior format) of Incendiary and the first cover mock-ups!!!!!
I totally girl-screamed into the phone, "YOU'RE KIDDING ME?" when she told me that. (It was really bad of me because I already have the voice of an eight-year-old and it gets even higher when I'm psyched.) Here's what that means big picture: it may cut 3-4 weeks off the process. Eeeeepppppp!!!! I feel like I need to be cautiously optimistic about that because this is publishing and anything can happen to delay things, but squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! *bouncing up and down * And then, WHAT IF the first round of cover mock-ups ROCK? If that happens, we could be done in a few weeks! (Trying not to jinx myself.) I will keep you posted with EVERY development! When I get a date, you will know first. (Actually, second because I will know first, but you get my point.) Love you guys!
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Missing Brennus? I can understand that, since he's on my mind (and in it) constantly. I found a song that is Brennus: BABY CAME HOME by THE NEIGHBOURHOOD. I was asked (more like begged) to give a Brennus teaser, since I've posted a teaser with Reed. (Apparently, Brennus fans are feeling slighted.) I can give you one, but it may be less satisfying than the other teaser I did because it will be REALLY, REALLY short. (Only a few lines.) I really don't want to spoil anything for you, so it will be just a taste. I'll leave it up to you to decide if you want to read it. I'll put it at the end of this post. I have the LCCN # for Incendiary. I uploaded the manuscript to CreateSpace last week. They contacted me to set up a consultation for the interior formatting. I usually skip the consultation for the interior, preferring to trust that they'll just analyze the first three books and do it the same way. That didn't work out so well for me the last two times I asked them to do it just like Inescapable, so I'm going to go over every point with them. Why is that important? If I can get them to do it right the first time, than I save myself weeks of going back and forth with them. Although the corrections don't cost me money when we're working it out, it costs me time. Every time I make a correction, CreateSpace is allowed seven to ten days to make said correction. This is where I lose months. I hate losing months. So, if you know how you want them to format your book, definitely tell them. My consultation is on Monday (tomorrow) at 11:30 a.m. so don't call me then because I will be on the phone hashing this out. :D After that, it can take a couple of weeks to get the first proof.
Okay, that's really it as far as the update goes. Consultation tomorrow, proof in a couple of weeks. Now for the teaser...(I modified it just a little so that it's not a huge spoiler.) TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASE “It never seems ta lessen,” Brennus says to me, while stepping with regal grace down the staircase to my position. “Dis stabbing thrill of desire dat bleeds trough me whenever I behold ye, mo chroí.” The icy path is expanding around him, covering every surface with frost. I feign composure as I reply, “Come in and get your overdose then.” I straighten my shoulders. “I’m surprised that you’re not tired of the hangover.” (Sorry...that's it. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Love you!!) Incendiary is officially in the early stages of publishing. Eeeepppp! To say that I'm scared would really understate how I feel right now. I know that I should be used to this by now. It's my fourth book, right? Doesn't matter. There is more pressure now not to let you down. I've poured over it so many times trying to make it perfect. The problem is that I'm imperfect (and therein lies the rub, huh?). Now that it's underway, I can't really make any major changes to it. It is what it is--what will be will be. I've been listening to KILL YOUR HEROES by AWOLNATION like it's a mantra. "Never let your fear decide your fate..." In the coming days, I'm going to crank this up and dance around like a ridiculous fool until it all feels okay again. :) Thank you for being completely awesome and sticking with me through this. I feel really fortunate to have you! Okay, this is where we are right now in the publishing process. I initiated a new title on my dashboard at CreateSpace for Incendiary. I contacted my rep at CreateSpace and paid for the Total Design Freedom-Standard package, which is the Interior Formatting of the print book and a Unique Book Cover. I always opt for the free ISBN (International Standard Book Number). This is a number that acts sort of like a social security number for your book. Some writers purchase their own ISBNs because getting one free here immediately alerts everyone in the industry to the fact that this is Indie published. My thoughts have always been: it is what it is. My writing will speak for me, not my ISBN. You can purchase your own and then create your own "publishing company" to try to hide the fact that you're not traditionally published. I like to live out in the open (but that's me, I'm not knocking you if you have a different strategy).
So then I made all the mundane decisions that you have to think about when creating a book. I went with the 6" x 9" size book, black ink on cream paper (I like cream paper way better than white). I had to decide the BISAC code (Book Industry Standards And Communication--it's a category or generic code to help sellers and buyers browse easier and locate products in a search). The BISAC code for Incendiary is Fiction/ Romance/ Paranormal. I also purchased a LCCN ( Library of Congress Control Number) for Incendiary. This number is used by libraries to catalog and order books. Many authors choose not to worry about getting one of these. I think it makes my books legit, so I bought it. I have to wait a few days for it to be assigned. It's worth it to me. I don't think you can get one after you publish. I think you'd have to republish the book if you don't have it assigned up front. (At least, that's my understanding.) So I can't officially upload my manuscript until the LCCN is assigned. That will probably happen on Monday or Tuesday. Once it does, I'll send the manuscript along with the answer to the "Content Questionnaire." (Note: get this questionnaire up front and fill it out, then cut and paste your answers to it when you go to upload your manuscript. The form is time sensitive; it only gives you 30 minutes to fill it out, which I had to learn the hard way with my first novel.) For anyone interested, here are the questions: What is your book's tone, and how do you want readers to perceive your text? (For example, a light-hearted and easy-to-use guide to home finances, or a romantic fiction comparable to Nicholas Sparks, etc.) * Provide a brief summary of your book. (Fiction: list the main characters, plot, storyline and any quotes from the book that are particularly telling. Non-fiction: state your main objective, how you differ from others of your genre.) Describe your book's theme(s). What is your book's genre? * Describe your target audience by factors such as age group, interests, education, gender, etc. What inspired you to write the book? What distinguishes your book from others? * Describe any specific design ideas for the interior of your book. For example, "I would like my interior to look modern" or "I would like my interior to look like my manuscript." Do you plan to submit an index? If you would like to include one, we will request that you upload the paginated and completed index later on in the process. Describe any specific design ideas for the cover of your book. Are there particular color(s) or types of imagery that you would like to see on your cover? <----Riveting stuff, huh? Being an author/ publisher is so glamorous *wink* Okay, so once I upload the manuscript, they'll format the interior and then send me a PDF proof to approve. Once I go through that a couple of rounds and approve the PDF, they'll begin working on the cover. They'll give me 2 options for the cover, one based on my specifications, and then one based on their design aesthetic. (This is actually a good thing. I went with the designer's version for Intuition. True story.) After the cover is done, they'll send me the physical proof in the form of a paperback copy. Once I approve that, CreateSpace will have Amazon create a page for it on Amazon.com. Next, the Kindle conversion will be started (formatting the PDF to an ebook in a mobi file format). That takes 2-3 weeks to come out after the print book is up. So I'm hoping this somehow makes it by the end of November of 2012, but it could be December. Ugh, I know: SO SLOW. I will keep updating you every single step of the way. You'll know where we are at all times! Thank you for being so awesome!! I really can't wait for you to read it, even if I'm scared. :D I'm done. I'm going to submit Incendiary to the publisher on Monday. I love you guys. Thank you for supporting and encouraging me. I'm so very grateful. This is my favorite song right now (I'm obsessed with it). It sounds like Russell, but the lyrics remind me of Reed, so I put it on Reed's playlist on Spotify. It's called HO HEY by THE LUMINEERS... I wrote another chapter to finish Incendiary. There are now 29 chapters (<--I know, insanity, traditional publishers are scoffing at me). Drink coffee. Lots and lots of coffee and I apologize up front for the book hangover. That's what took me so long...well, that and the teaser chapter I wrote and added for book 5 Iniquity. I know...there is just too much story left to tell so I have to go with it. I'm planning on working on my new series, too. I can write them at the same time. It's fun to go back and forth between stories. That's what I did when I was writing Incendiary (I wrote it alongside Kricket--the new series).
The next step is submitting the manuscript of Incendiary to the publisher. It usually takes 2-3 months to publish and appear on Amazon. Then, it takes 2-3 weeks after that to convert it to a mobi file for Kindle. So you'll be able to buy it in print before you can buy it as an ebook. (I know that reeks. Sorry!) I have to create the blurb for the back of the book. For each of the sequels, I usually find a dramatic paragraph or two in the book and use it. I'm not sure if this is the best strategy for book blurbs, but I should continue the trend now that I did Intuition and Indebted like that. Book blurbs are really hard for me to write, but I'm not complaining because I have the luxury (yes, I said luxury) of being able to write my own blurb. I have creative control of what you read, good or bad, it's mine. It comes from me. I will give you a step-by-step update of what I'm doing and where I am in the publishing process as we go forward. I want to do this because there are a few people interested in how publishing works. I have to say up front that I do things differently than most Indie authors. I publish my print books first and then I have it converted to an ebook. I do it that way because there are so many more chances to catch an error. I also like how the ebooks turn out on Amazon when they are formatted by a professional. I convert my own files on Smashwords. I want to release them at the same time. I will also be putting Indebted on Smashwords (so it will be loaded to B&N, Kobo, Apple, Sony, etc.) now that I'll have more time. I'll let you know when that happens. If you're interested in listening to any of the character playlists I have created, you can join Spotify for free. Here is a link to Spotify: http://www.spotify.com/us/ If you absolutely need to talk to me (and I completely understand that because I have a hard time sometimes responding to comments here--I read them all, I just wish I had more time!!! :D) you can find me on Facebook and try to get me there. Here's a link to my Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/authoramyabartol?ref=hl You can get my attention on Twitter, too. Again, thank you for your encouragement and your extreme awesomeness. I'm really lucky to have you!! I’m finished with chapter 28 (which is currently the last chapter). I rewrote the entire thing. I can’t talk about it too much, but there is something so compelling about it compared to the original version that I’m dying to tell you what it is. I have to wait until I publish it to talk about it and that’s killing me. (Is it any consolation that I’m being tortured too, so it’s fair?) This is SAFE & SOUND by TAYLOR SWIFT & THE CIVIL WARS (Yes, this is from The Hunger Games, but it’s so beautiful that I had to post it.) <--Love The Hunger Games series, BTW. Love Every. Single. Word. I’m adding a chapter 29 to Incendiary. It’ll be short, maybe 2000 or 3000 words, but I had this really great idea that is so crazy and will leave you going, “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” (In a good way!) So yeah, I’M FREAKING EXCITED! I want to be done this week—meaning finished writing and sending it to the publisher. I’m making it the only priority in my life. WATCH FOR ANOTHER NEW POST THIS WEEK BECAUSE I WILL BE FREAKING OUT WHEN I’M DONE!!! Here are some other interesting developments. I’ve been creating playlists of songs for each character on Spotify. You can also see it on my Facebook timeline. You have to friend me on Facebook, though, or you can join Spotify and find me there. http://www.facebook.com/amyabartol I’d love for you to check it out because you guys always have such great suggestions for songs and I want to hear them. You can post your song picks here too if it’s more convenient. Here's a song from Evie's playlist just to get a taste. It's called BLACK SHEEP by METRIC. Another thing I want to tell you all is that I’ve reconsidered my position on Smashwords. I’m going to publish Indebted and Incendiary on Smashwords and then have them put them on B&N and Apple and Kobo as well as others. I’ll probably publish Indebted there as soon as I send Incendiary to the publisher—I’ll have time to work on it then. ALSO, I have a book signing coming up on September 1st & 2nd. It’s the Decatur Book Festival near Atlanta Georgia. I’ll be in Booth 532D near the food court. If you’re in the area, I’d love to see you! Come and hang out with Georgia Cates, Heather Self, and me. I’ll be in the booth right next to Shelly Crane (I know, I love her, too). My official book birthday for Inescapable is coming up August 29th. It’ll be a year old! I’m not really sure what I’m going to do to celebrate—any suggestions?
I've been neglecting you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I haven't kept up with this post like I want to. (And I want to so badly because this blog connects me to you. I can talk about all the crazy things that are going on with Incendiary and with me.) In an effort to get back to what's important (this story and you) I have a new song for you; it's called ARMS by CHRISTINA PERRI --it's definitely Evie. (My friend, Kelsey Rae Keeton, introduced me to this song—she's a singer. You can check her out at http://www.kelseyraekeeton.com).
I also have a TEASER (an excerpt from chapter 2). I know that some of you hate them, so I posted it at the end of this blog and I will mark it as TEASER to warn you so you can avoid reading it if you hate them. Okay? Here's what I thought would happen this past weekend in Nashville: I thought I would be working on Incendiary in between a few people trickling over to have me sign a book—maybe I'd get a chance to take pics to blog about it. The reality was that I hardly had time to sit down because I was on panel discussions, and then I had people following me to the bathroom to talk to me. I shared a room with three other writers (well, two writers and a very nice person) so I never really had a quiet moment to work. But that's over now. Now I can get back to Incendiary. I woke up this morning and swore that I will hang out less on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest until I finish the novel and turn it over to the publisher. I hope to be done with the editing in a week or so. I plan to blow off anything and anyone who tries to distract me from my goal (except for my family because they need me). I haven't been slacking really, it's just that marketing and special events have taken all of my time, but the bottom line is that I need to publish if I want to continue to have readers, so that's what I'm going to do. I want to put some minds at ease before I move on to the Incendiary teaser. Marianna (@LifeAsMarianna on Twitter) told me that I need to clear up something on this post. She explained that a few of you are worried that Evie no longer has "butterflies" when Reed is around. I'm sorry that it was confusing. A few of you were right when you said that it was because Casimir hit Evie so that she didn't feel them. And the other time, on Zee's island, Evie was so deep in thought that when Reed snuck up on her she didn't feel them then, but the butterflies are still there. Reed and Evie still have that magnetic force pulling them to each other. Is that cleared up? Okay...here it is, this is a teaser from Chapter 2 of Incendiary (I hope you like it): TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASER TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASER TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASER TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASER TEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASERTEASER Standing in the heavy downpour on the beach, I let rivulets of water stream down my face, dripping in torrents from my bottom jaw. I angle my chin downward and slightly to the left so that I can see any movement Reed might make toward me. Th-thump…th-thump…th-thump...my heart wants to increase its beat, but I’m trying to control it as I wait like a statue for him to make a move. The clang of swords being clashed together near me fades to the background because I know the lethal threat is the one just ahead of me. My fingers twitch on the long-handled dagger in my left hand while my hand tightens on the sword hilt in my right. I take a deep breath, and as I begin to exhale Reed makes his move, instantly cutting in half the distance between us. I tense for a millisecond, waiting for him to get closer before I spring forward, running at him with all my speed. I jump up and over the swing of the sword in his right hand, planting one foot on his arm. I feel the whistle of air from the dagger in his left hand blow upward, inches from my cheek as my other foot steps on his shoulder. I launch into the air, using my planted foot to kick off from his shoulder, and hopefully, knock him off balance. Stretching my crimson wings out and gliding back to the sand, I spin around, facing my opponent again. As I stare into Reed’s dark green eyes, a slow smile twitches on the corners of his lips, causing me to narrow my eyes at him. Then, I feel the severed left strap of my tank top slip from my shoulder. The fabric of my shirt slouches over, but still clings to my wet body. Looking at it, my eyes narrow more before I lift them to Reed’s face again. Both his eyebrows rise quickly before he lets them fall, making his face go blank. I wait a half a second, and then, as if on cue, the front pocket of his t-shirt droops over and falls to the ground at his feet. Reed looks down at it and then over at me. I lift my eyebrows quickly before letting them both fall. Reed’s charcoal-gray wings unfold from his back menacingly, as a frown touches his lips. Tensing, I wait for him to make another move toward me. In an instant, he shoots straight up in the air and seems to dematerialize. Turning in circles, my heartbeat kicks up as I try to see where he went, and more importantly, from which direction he’s going to pounce. Pulling energy to me rapidly, I whisper words quickly, erecting a transparent wall of energy around me as a shield, I feel safe for maybe a millisecond. Then, warm arms wrap around my waist, startling a scream from me as Reed comes from behind me, pulling me against his chest. Shifting in his arms, he grins down at me in triumph before leaning down and kissing my lips. “How did you get through my shield?” I ask breathlessly, feeling my heartbeat increase as his warm lips trail lower. “I was already here by the time you employed it,” he says, reaching out and tapping on the invisible energy field around us. “But, it was impressive, nonetheless.” I drop my weapons to the sand, putting my arms around Reed’s neck lightly and touching his dark brown hair. It’s dripping wet from the rain. “I should’ve built a wall around you instead,” I whisper, brushing my lips against his jaw and over his cheek to his lips, tasting the salty water on his skin. “That would’ve been a better strategy,” he agrees, his fingers tracing a path from my waist up my side. “One I would’ve had to outrun.” “As if you could outrun my magic,” I reply sarcastically, kissing his lips gently. “As if I could,” he agrees, deepening our kiss. Tap, tap, tap…Knocks sound on the invisible barrier surrounding us, startling me. I look over to see water dripping from Zephyr’s disapproving face staring down on us. His startling-blue eyes narrow as my cheeks redden. “It does not appear to be dinner time, yet,” he says, showing us his watch and reminding us that we have more training time left before Reed and I can have some private time together. “Uh…sorry,” I mutter, pulling energy back to me so that the shield I erected around us melts away to nothingness. “We are switching partners,” Zephyr says sternly to Reed as I pick up my weapons from the sand. “You go train with Russell,” he orders Reed, while his light brown wings unfold in agitation. “Naw, Zee, I’ll train with Evie,” Russell says from behind him, his face growing dark. “That will not work, since I want the two of you to learn how angels fight,” Zephyr argues. “I want you to study what to look for in an angelic opponent. You cannot learn that from Evie.” “C’mon, Zee,” Russell says, scowling at Zephyr. “We need to bring Evie up to your level, Russell,” Zephyr explains. “She had no real training in fighting while she was with the Gancanagh.” “Uh…I trained a little…” I trail off when I see the frown on Zephyr’s face. “They trained you to fight like a Faerie. We will have to break you of all the bad habits they taught you,” Zephyr replies, sounding superior. He lifts his wicked broad sword and looks down the hilt of it as he points it at me. “You cannot concentrate with your current partner.” Looking at Reed, he gives me a sensual smile. I lose my train of thought for a second as my mind wanders to the way he kissed me just a few second ago. In the next moment, I am jolted out of my revelry by Zephyr again. “Did you hear what I said?” he asks. “Uh…bad Faerie habits?” I ask, looking as his eyebrows draw together, indicating he probably said something I completely missed. “Reed,” Zephyr says in a stern tone as water drips from his brown hair. Reed steps reluctantly forward, putting his arms around me and hugging me to his chest. “We’ll have time alone together tonight, love,” he whispers in my ear, and I nod. As Reed walks over to Russell, each of them begins sizing the other one up. They haven’t been training together, not really. They barely speak to one another, as the bond between them that had formed when I was a captive of the Gancanagh dissolves by the day. Brownie and Buns have both noticed it. We’ve discussed it a few times when I took my flying lessons with them in the evenings after dinner. It worries me to see them spar now, like this is a real battle over a coveted prize. “Zee,” I murmur, watching Russell’s sword cut dangerously close to Reed’s neck. “Is this a good idea?” “Time will tell,” he replies. Hi. I'm currently editing chapter 26 of Incendiary. (There are 28 chapters.) Yeah, I'm close. Someone asked for some teasers of Incendiary. I'm of two minds on that. Some people love teasers and some people hate them. Readers have told me that they won't read the teaser chapters I give you in the back of my books because they don't want to know anything. I'm a HUGE believer in never spoiling a plot for anyone. With that said, I'm trying to find a way to give you a teaser without a spoiler. I thought maybe it would be okay to give you a "theme song" for one of the new characters (there are 4 new characters)...but I won't tell you who the character is. (Ugh, this is so hard because I want to lay it all out for you right now, but I won't because I'm stronger than that.) Okay, so here it is; the song is called START A WAR by THE NATIONAL <--I love this band. Let's call this new character: CHARACTER #3. (Yes, there is a reason it is #3 not #1. I'm going by the order they (new characters) show up in the story.) I read all of your posts practically the minute you post them. I'm in love with you. I get a huge kick out of your predictions. Some are spot on and others I marvel at because I can't believe how creative you are and where the story could've gone. It makes me think that maybe some of you should write. I've been asked lately what it's like to be a writer. I'm sure every writer is different. For me it's like I'm caught between the real world and the worlds I create. I'm lucky to have a family that grounds me in this world or I'd live in the other ones—the ones I make—and that's probably not healthy. So I was thinking about a "theme song" for me as a writer and I think I found one. It's called QUIET LITTLE VOICES by WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS <---Love that name. And then, just for fun, I'll include the song that I've been listening to when I need a break from editing. I'm obsessed with it. Bought the whole album. Okay, so here it is; it's called I BET THAT YOU LOOK GOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR by ARCTIC MONKEYS. Now I have to go edit so you can read Incendiary this year :D
OKAY! Just for fun, I have something new! I've been reading your comments from previous posts and it's so amazing to see which characters you LOVE, which characters you LOVE TO HATE, and which characters you HATE TO LOVE! I have devised a poll so you can lodge your concerns with management. Below I have listed Team REED, Team RUSSELL, Team BRENNUS, with a fourth option being: I'll let EVIE decide. Let me know whose team you're on! I have tried to do a "Theme Song" for each character (sorry if you don't like the song for your team's character--it's just for fun). As always, feel free to comment and tell me whatever you have on your mind. I read it all! Here we go... Team REED: GO WITH THE FLOW by QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE Team RUSSELL: SWING LIFE AWAY by RISE AGAINST Team BRENNUS: HOW YOU LIKE ME NOW by THE HEAVY Thanks for checking in! I rewrote chapter 11 and chapter 15 ( a couple of the chapters that have been bothering me). I'm currently on chapter 16 proofreading. (There are 28 chapters in Incendiary at present.) I know, I'm so slow, but it will be worth it. I promise.
Okay, this is a quick update to tell you I'm still editing. I know, I'm driving you mad. If it's any consolation, I'm driving me mad, too. Most of the book is finished, it's just chapter 11 and chapter 27 that I'm mulling over--they need a little work, so that's what I'm doing. (There are 28 chapters right now.) This brilliant song by PEARL JAM called CORDUROY reminds me of Evie in Incendiary...but you should know up front that there are more than four new characters in this book...so you may think you know, but you may not be right :D P.S. I love your music, Eddie Vedder. Corduroy (Lyrics)
Artist: Pearl Jam Composer: Pearl Jam Lyrics: The waiting drove me mad...you're finally here and I'm a mess I take your entrance back...can't let you roam inside my head I don't want to take what you can give... I would rather starve than eat your bread... I would rather run but I can't walk... Guess I'll lie alone just like before... I'll take the varmint's path...oh, and I must refuse your test Push me and I will resist...this behavior's not unique I don't want to hear from those who know... They can buy, but can't put on my clothes... I don't want to limp for them to walk... Never would have known of me before... I don't want to be held in your debt... I'll pay it off in blood, let I be wed... I'm already cut up and half dead... I'll end up alone like I began... Everything has chains...absolutely nothing's changed Take my hand, not my picture, spelled my T-shirt I don't want to take what you can give... I would rather starve than eat your breast... All the things that others want for me... Can't buy what I want because it's free... Can't buy what I want because it's free... Can't be what you want because I'm... Why ain't it sposed to be just fun Oh, to live and die, let it be done I figure I'll be damned, all alone like I began... It's your move now... I thought you were a friend, but I guess I, I guess I hate you. Lyrics from: http://www.pearljam.com/music/songs I'm still proofreading and improving Incendiary. I've been listening to BREATH OF LIFE by FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE. This is what's playing in Evie's head in Incendiary.... I'm going over each word carefully as I proofread right now, which I always sort of did, but not with the intensity that I am now. When I first started writing this series, I thought that I was the authority of the world I created--that I could do and say anything and get away with it. I have since learned that's not the case. I have to make readers believe everything I write or it just won't work. Everything--and that is a huge challenge. As I read, I'm saying to myself, "Would he say that? Would he say it that way?" If the answer is no, I change it.
In Incendiary, I'm tying up most of the loose ends. The question that I am getting lately is: Is this the end? Will the Premonition Series end at four books? The answer to that question is: It can. Will it? Well, that's another question entirely. There is so much story left to tell and I don't know if I can stop at four. This feels like the middle to me. There is an argument for "leave them wanting more." But, the characters are still talking in my head, showing me where to go next with the story--they really don't shut up, so...yeah...I don't know...but there will be some major resolutions at the end of four, resolutions for which I know you have been waiting. I don't have a teaser chapter for the end of this book. I have one in my head, but I haven't written it...yet. |
AMY A. BARTOLI'm not a Pepper or the car I drive. Evie's Playlist on SpotifyReed's playlist on SpotifyRussell's Playlist on SpotifyBrennus' Playlist on SpotifyThe Fellas' Playlist on SpotifyZephyr's Playlist on SpotifyArchives
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