Research

Even for a short story, research is imperative. Can't just write everything as if it takes place today, especially when it's an historical. Even if it's not, places, characters, plots have different aspects that require a different approach.

So I'm spending today resting, recharging, and reading up on different places I plan to set my upcoming stories. Starting with Philadelphia 1882. But I might get distracted by the World Series parade...I make no promises. :)

Facebook

I've joined Facebook - complete with myFarm, (Lil) Green Patch, and friends! It's fun in a time-sucking way, but I like the simplicity of use. Everything's right there, I don't have to search for it. Plus it's super easy to update.

So join me on Facebook! Isabel@isabelroman.com

Rewrites

Got back Memorable today for a couple rewrites to make it tighter. It's my own fault, I hate it when I see things so clearly in my head but don't translate it enough onto paper. So I'll spend my writing time doing that and finishing Red Bow.

It's cold, rainy, and miserable outside today, and I plan to curl up and not think about summer. I guess fall is truly here.

Red Bow

Going to finish this Christmas story today. I want to also edit DDoD: The Tryst and send it and Memorable out. Going to work on my website a little more, which isn't as easy as it sounds. You'd think I was finished it by now but no...you change something and something else needs fixing. Or rearranging. Or you don't like it any more. Always something.

Promo Groups

My introverted self has joined promo groups. Three of 'em. Time to get the word out I suppose. But they have a lot of rules, these groups. Which is fine, if I read them all. Which I didn't. Because how hard was it to remember which day to post my promo? Yeah...I'll be reading about them thare rules this week. Don't want to get kicked off my first attempt to promote myself! Sheesh, how embarrassing would that be.

Ravenous Romance - enter to win a free iPod Touch!

Accomplished!

I was a very good girl yesterday and managed to do a LOT of writing.

1. Finished DDoD prequel entitled Tryst. Sure, it's only 6000 words but I wrote 400+ of them yesterday!
2. Started new Christmas story entitled Red Bow. Didn't get as far with that, 2 pages but I love where it's going and will finish it up Monday when I have time again.
3. And hey, back in the groove of blogging!

Today's Goals

I have all day to write. I plan on doing just that. Maybe plotting, maybe breaking a new story, but definitely devoting an entire day to my stories.

1. Finish prequel to Raven's story
2. Flesh out Archaeology story broke last night
3. Continue Colonial Boston story
4. If time & inclination start Act I of Morganna's story

Website

Working on the website today. Not as easy as it sounds. I can't decide on anything: picture, font, format, anything. What a pain. Then I decided I wanted a page for each different universe: DDoD, short stories, miscellaneous, etc. Oy.

Also wanted to put Ravenous Romance on the homepage. Gotta link to my publisher!

COVER!

I got my cover for Dark Desire of the Druids I: Murder & Magicks. (Formerly known as Birthrite: Raven) Oh, I love it! It's exactly what I envisioned. No release date yet but I'll post that as soon as I know it.

Now back to Colonial Boston and my lusty maiden vying for attention of her intended with the beginning of the American Revolution. Who do you think will win?

Between Posts

I didn't mean to go so long between posts, but things have been busy! Writing of course :)

My Christmas story is finished and The Dark Desires of the Druids Raven's story (formerly Birthrite now abbreviated to DDoD) prequel is moving right along. I also managed to break down each chapter for Morganna's story. In addition to enjoying the gorgeous October weather! How great is this!!

I hope you're enjoying the weather, and don't forget to register for an iPod Touch at Ravenous Romance!

NJRW Conference

I'm bummed I won't be going this year. It's a great conference with lots of wonderful workshops, authors, a ton of agents and editors to meet and greet, but this year didn't work out. I was going to go. Signed up and everything. But it's a week after my surgery and there's no way I want to jeopardize my recovery with the drive and energy it takes to actually do the conference. So, I had to cancel.

It'll leave me with more time to write, though! And since I have several stories contracted with Ravenous Romance, I better get to getting!

Christmas story

I've finished that story, Memorable, Possessions, not sure which yet. Both work. One sounds darker than the other. Yeah, still can't decide.

Am now working on a short prequel to Raven's story. Had a little trouble starting it, despite the synopsis, but think I have it now. It's barely 5000 words but I still have to write them, so starting is always a plus.

Have you registered for your free iPod yet?

The Mara Triangle

Still plugging away at my stories and am just about finished the Christmas paranormal one. Am thinking Memorable for the title but might go with Possessions. It's darker and sexier. *G* Don't forget to check out Ravenous Romance for a free short story download and the chance to win an iPod Touch!

Now, onto the real point of this blog.

This is my new pet project. I'll start in the beginning: January of this year, after I'd just bought a pair of boots costing about $100, I read about this conservancy. For $105 I could buy a medical kit, uniform, and boots for one ranger. Feeling incredibly guilty, I did. I don't regret it.

Last week I received their e-newsletter pleading for even $25 to help with their monthly budget shortfalls. I strongly believe in what they're doing and donated. (Yes, it's legit and yes it's tax deductible!)

Times are tough, we're all tightening our belts and cutting things out. What could a Reserve in Kenya have to do with us here in America? Everything. With the collapse of the Kenyan government earlier this year, funding for the Mara Triangle has also collapsed. No tourists = no money. The animals are in danger as is the economy of the region. The Reserve does so much more than protect animals, the environmet, and their home. They create jobs and offer food and economic alternatives to poaching.

Read about the Reserve, it's worth the few moments it'll take. If you don't want to visit the site, here's a little bit about them from their About section:

The Masai Mara is a National Reserve, not a National Park, which means that
it is held in trust for the people and managed by the local county councils, as
opposed to the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The Mara Triangle, an area of 510 sq kms (197 sq miles), was gazetted
as a Game Reserve in the late 1940s and in 1968 the local authority, Narok
County Council trebled the size of the Reserve by adding 1,000 sq kms (386 sq
miles) on the eastern side of the Mara River; thus creating the Masai Mara
National Reserve.

From that time until 1994 the whole area was managed by the Narok County
Council. In 1994 Narok District was divided into two and a new District, Trans
Mara, was created. Trans Mara County Council then became responsible for the
management of the section of the Masai Mara National Reserve falling within
their jurisdiction – known as the Mara Triangle.

Christmas

No, it's not too early for Christmas! Ravenous Romance offered me a contract for a Christmas short story! It's paranormal contemporary, but very much Christmas-y. I'm thrilled. And yes, doing the happy dance. How can I not?

Also check out their website for a free short story download.

Birthrite

Birthrite as a title has changed. My publisher, Ravenous Romance, changed it to The Dark Desires of the Druids. I like it, very dark and sexy. Each book in the series will have its own name. For instance, Raven's story is Murder & Magick.

December 1 is a Ravenous Romance's launch date, but don't forget to go there beforehand to register for an iPod Touch!

Ravenous Romance

The countdown is on! In less than a month, Raven's story will be available! If you haven't already, check out Ravenous Romance, my new publisher. They're new and the site isn't 'live' yet but it's still a pretty cool place to visit.

And hey, you can register to win an iPod Touch!

Next week I'll talk more about Raven's story and the complicated but fascinating world she lives in.

Copy Edits

Wow, my first copy edits. Pretty exciting! OK, kinda tedious even though I'm accepting 99.9% of the changes. Still gotta go through each one - accept deletion, accept insertion. That aside, it's great to finally say, "Oh yes I'm working on my edits today!" Got them yesterday, and am 1/3 finished, plan to finishing them today and sending them back.

It's been a long road, an interesting one where I learned tons of stuff but a long one. I'm so excited to be able to promote myself now! So yes, go to Ravenous Romance and check out their site. You can even register to win an iPod Touch!