I'm Back!

Did you miss me?

I have to admit, I've missed posting and my responses from my readers. Thank ya’ll very much for supporting me.

I spent the holidays in Virginia and Washington DC. If I ever find my camera, I'll post pictures. I had a wonderful time and the weather was beautiful. After we returned, I spent the rest of my blog hiatus editing.

Yeah, typically I’d say I’d rather be doing anything but editing. I include poop scooping during my dog’s evening walk in this list. However, do you know what I’ve noticed during this last round of editing—I love it.

How the world did this happen?  

I’d like to think it’s because I’m better at self-editing while writing the story. I tend to catch my tense slips, run-on sentences, and lapses into telling not showing. I’ve also learned a ton from my critique partners. They tend to catch the invisible words in the ms. You know, the words my brain tells me are there, but not. See, I forgot—they’re—in that sentence. I’m still sketchy on comma placement, but I’m learning.

I finished editing Djinni. It’s ready for my critique partners, but I’m holding off sending it to them for the simple fact that I’d prefer for them to read Quest for the Golden Apple first. I so totally love this story.

Yes, I’m biased. A bad mommy to play favorites, but this story has wiggled its way into my heart, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Still, I have a wee bit of a problem. I think subconsiously, or rather consciously now I've figured out my issue, I love Quest so much that I can't bear to finish it. I still have one last chapter to write. I've put it off for two months. It's outlined in my head. I know exactly what needs to happen, but I haven't put The End down on paper.

It's purely a matter of not wanting to abandon my characters. How can I say goodbye?

I guess I'll have to come up with a sequel.

SPECIAL GUEST: BLAKELY CHORPENNING Author of FRAYED: A Madison Lark Novella

I’m very excited to introduce an extra special guest, Blakely Chorpenning, author of FRAYED: A Madison Lark Novella.

Fray loves being a semi-pro fighter and free spirit. However, when a deadly faction begins abducting supernatural teens in the Blue Hills of North Carolinafor excruciating experiments, she quickly learns there is more to life than glitzy opponents and late night trysts. Fray and a crew of unlikely allies must rescue the children before they are dissected alive. Being a leopard shapeshifter helps. Confronting personal prejudice and traversing feelings for a tempestuous ex do not mix. But Fray is willing to go all the way to stop her world from changing. That is, until the ultimate sacrifice forces her to realize just how overdue change is.

Her most shocking discovery: Everyone’s human. At least a little…

Before letting her tell you about herself, I wanted to gush a little bit about how much I enjoyed this novella. I began reading it the week after I finished with NaNo. I was exhausted and needed to relax. What I didn’t expect the high octane ride she took me on. From the opening page to the climactic ending, I was enthralled (I fell asleep at 2 a.m. with my Kindle clutched in my hand). I loved the laugh-out-loud, witty dialogue, intricate plot, and fully actualized multicultural cast of characters.

As an African-American woman, I found it refreshing to read book where the protagonist, Madison Lark aka Frayed, is of mixed racial heritage. This character proudly reflected my heritage (although I’m not a wereleopard, darn it) without being the stereotypical “Magical African-American Friend” seen in a lot of books and movies. Blakely also touched on some sensitive issues in regards to the prejudice in a way that wasn’t preachy. It was great seeing the character’s bias transform over the course of the story.  

All of which, leads me back to Blakely who can give you more insight into her motivation for writing FRAYED: A Madison Lark Novella

Thank you, Angie, for inviting me to be a part of your wonderful blog. I am totally thrilled to talk about Frayed: A Madison Lark Novella, officially debuting today! I guess I’ll start from the beginning.

One sunny morning in the seventies, a baby was born in a Texas hospital. That little sugar cookie was me. Okay, fast forward an insane amount of years. Good. Now stop before I end this blog hovering in a bubble while a computer records my thoughts, because that would be awkward for everyone.    

Seriously, though, I began writing Frayed a year and a half ago –My first post-daughter project from scratch. I was looking for truth, grit, and “that something that matters”, to quote one of my characters. First, I needed a heroine that could keep up. So along came Fray (a.k.a. Madison Lark), who is a dynamic, enigmatic modern woman. She lives for her semi-pro martial arts career, she’s multiracial (predominately African American and Italian), loves her family fiercely and…well, let’s just say the day ain’t over until she says it’s over. Ha.

I loved the idea of a multiracial character because 1) sometimes the world needs to be reminded that heroines (like all women) have no boundaries and 2) Fray just spoke to me as this unique, relatable woman fighting to take control of the changes happening to her world.

Hopefully Fray reminds readers of that time –that night, that year, that minute- when they were on fire in all the right ways… As well as the moment when they realized it was time to grow up a little, because some choices = no going back.

Especially when supernatural forces are at work.

All of my writing incorporates supernatural elements, some more obvious than others because I think each day should have a touch of the fantastical. However, had someone predicted that I would pen a character that *gasp* hates vampires and is, herself, a shapeshifter… Oh, I would have yelled, “Shut your mouth!” and slapped their beloved grandmamma before they dared utter the words. (Hence the inspiration for Fray’s prejudice towards other supernaturals–her largest fault.)

But I have to say, I’ve experienced true “nana-slapping-free” love all over again during this writing process. I feel just as enamored with my ‘shifters’ and ‘weres’ as I do with my beloved vamps. Especially Jack Tomas’ character, the young lion responsible for Fray’s peaking rage as well as the breaking point of her ever-pressing elitism. 

Frayed tackles a lot of heavy themes, including loyalty, family/friendship, the power to rise above, loss/grief, personal awakening, and much more. Through the storyline, Fray experiences horrific circumstances that challenge her to the core, forcing her to reevaluate the way she lives her life. In so, she finds her gateway to the next chapter of her life. But it costs her flesh, blood, and a chunk of innocence for everyone involved.

Thank you again, Angie, for this opportunity. I could go on forever about Frayed, but it was hard enough to stop myself before giving away the best parts. So I will end it here before I’m too tempted.

If you would like to immerse yourself in Fray’s world, please visit http://blakelychorpenning.com/books.html for a list of online retailers. Frayed: A Madison Lark Novella is available in print and e-copy formats. E-copies contain a prologue excerpt from my upcoming ‘new adult’ urban fantasy novel, Souled Out, while print copies contain the prologue as well as the first three chapters.  

First, check my website for these Frayed: A Madison Lark Novella debut specials running Dec. 16th-18th:

-An e-coupon code for $1.00 off all e-copies.
-Purchase a print copy and receive a coupon for a free e-copy. (Details listed on my website.)

For more antics, you can find me here:

Website: http://blakelychorpenning.com
My blog, Indiscriminate Writes: http://indiscriminatewrites.blogspot.com
Twitter: bchorpenning
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bchorpenning

Frayed: A Madison Lark Novella excerpt:

Dome lights toasted the blood streaking from brow to breastbone, turning it to liquid heat on my flesh. The sensation thrilled like the first touch of a lover, and when I realized it wasn’t mine the pleasure spike awoke a fever calling to that part of me that was never human. I wanted to relinquish my human bonds, unleash that feral leopard energy for real, but that was against the rules. This time. Instead, I smiled like the devil and I were sharing a beer in hell and hook-punched Danica, my opponent, in the face. Scarlet splatters filled the air like tiny dancers. I closed my eyes, smiling as the fresh blood caressed my tender eyelids and the hyper sensitive pout of my lips.

This is my moment, the point in every fight when they see what they did wrong.

When they see me winning.

December 16th is Fun Friday

I'm very excited about tomorrow.

For two reasons. The first is I have a special guest post by an amazing author. I CAN'T WAIT to introduce her, so don't forget to pop by tomorrow.

The second reason. Season 3 of MISFITS starts on HULU.

Oh yeah! I cannot wait for Friday, Friday, party, fun, yay!

KATE EVANGELISTA'S BIG NEWS

My vow of silence has lifted.

Yesterday, Kate Evangelista announced her big news. I’ll let her fill you in on all the wonderful details and get a TASTE (LOL) of the virtual goodies she’s left for you on her blog.

What I want to convey is how proud and excited I am of her accomplishment. This breaking news has been a long time in the making; yet, I NEVER doubted this day would come. This is a testament to Kate’s level of commitment to perfecting her craft, her enthusiasm for her work, and her determination to fight for her dreams.

We’ve been friends and critique partners for two years. We’ve shared the good and bad. Without her, I don’t know whether I would be where I am right now in terms of my writing career. There were times during the course of these two years when I wanted to quit.

Kate threatened to get on a plane, and fly to the states so she could smack me upside the head. Tough love? Oh yeah, she dished it out when I needed it. Other times, she held my hand through my spurts of self-doubt. She taught me how to be a better writer, critique partner, and friend.

She’s my champion and my hero.

I’m so thrilled for her I had to share. So, please pop over to Kate’s Blog and offer her your warmest congratulations and good wishes on her future endeavor. I know she would appreciate it.

NaNoWriMo ALMOST DROVE ME INSANE, Kidding.

Or am I?

Dramatic wiggle of the eyebrows.

Would I even know if I’m cuckoo-ca-choo…huh, huh?

Surely, someone would tell me if I’ve lost it. It’s not like walking around for hours with a price tag on your shirt that everyone sees, but nobody bothers to point out…‘cause you know…hmm, bad analogy. Maybe it’s just my friends who can be so oblivious.

Don’t get me wrong. I loved participating in NaNo. I experimented writing within a new genre, new tense and duel POV’s. I love how Quest for the Golden Apple came out. Actually, I just plain adore everything about this story. I had no problems with writers block, and two weeks in, I was on track to finish early.

So why is it that on November 29^th, I was at
36k. 

A few things.

The most significant and heartbreaking was that my uncle, Charles Baldon, passed away the week before Thanksgiving. He and his family live across the country, so I wasn't able to attend his funeral. I found out he wasn't doing well the day before he passed. I called too late to say goodbye.

Charles Baldon 1930-2011

My motivation waned.
The following week, Thanksgiving. I'll admit being in a turkey coma added to my lethargy. Add a Vampire Diaries marathon into the mix, and I sat on the couch with my sister and daughter for two days eating leftovers and working through season one instead of working on the NaNo project.

I really wanted to reach my goal. So bring on the insanity. I wrote 10k in two days—a fairly decent 10k, because I can’t write without editing for some reason. I threw in the towel and crashed on the 30^th at ten pm. My brain felt mushy. I was afraid if I shook my head to hard, brain matter would pour out my ears and damage my keyboard.

My final NaNo word count was 46,148.

This puts my actual word court (I had to deduct 10k because I started early) at 56,148. I’m four chapters from writing the END-Hallelujah.

It’s been five days since NaNo ended, and I’ve spent my time recuperating. I’ve enjoyed recuperating, which basically means I’ve finished up the second season in Vampire Diaries and have started on the third.

However, playtime is over. It’s time to get back to work. My goal is to finish Quest for the Golden Apple by this weekend, and then I’ll put it aside to simmer. Djinni should be nicely cooked by now, so I’ll start on my edits. I’d like to have ready for my critique partners before Christmas. That way I can start editing Quest in January.

How did ya’ll do with NaNo, if you participated? Are you editing right now or letting the story simmer for a while before diving in?