I think a couple of images should explain. Thank you, everyone, for your continued support.
And while I'm at it, here's a teaser image.
And while I'm at it, here's a teaser image.
I just read a couple of very strange reviews -- not for my books, for someone else's. There was a 2-star and a 1-star review. The reviewers admitted the writing was good, etc. Their main complaint: there weren't enough characters of diverse ethnic origins.
Yes, that's how you get a 1-star review, I guess, from some reviewers.
Do reviewers have ANY IDEA how difficult it is to write outside your own socio-economic background? One of the reviewers asked, "Does this author even have any black friends?" I have black friends, but I wouldn't dream of trying to write important black characters because I would get it wrong. Flat out, I would get it wrong.
If people don't feel there is enough ethnic diversity within a particular genre, rather than complain about it -- and hand out 1- or 2-star reviews because a book doesn't fit your agenda -- write some books yourself. Put the diversity in yourself.
*shaking head*
Yes, that's how you get a 1-star review, I guess, from some reviewers.
Do reviewers have ANY IDEA how difficult it is to write outside your own socio-economic background? One of the reviewers asked, "Does this author even have any black friends?" I have black friends, but I wouldn't dream of trying to write important black characters because I would get it wrong. Flat out, I would get it wrong.
If people don't feel there is enough ethnic diversity within a particular genre, rather than complain about it -- and hand out 1- or 2-star reviews because a book doesn't fit your agenda -- write some books yourself. Put the diversity in yourself.
*shaking head*
http://www.upworthy.com/an-awful-tabloid-decided-to-review-her-lady-parts-instead-of-her-music-so-she-responded-awesome?c=reccon1
Amanda Palmer. Not safe for work.
Amanda Palmer. Not safe for work.
I'll let this image speak for itself:
Okay, I found this article while doing a little research. All I needed was one or two words, but I found the article absolutely fascinating.
It's sort of long, but it's worth reading. Wow.
http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2013/12/the-food-lab-the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
It's sort of long, but it's worth reading. Wow.
http://sweets.seriouseats.com/2013/12/the-food-lab-the-best-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
This is a TED talk. You need to watch this.
http://youtu.be/AOtsNMCRYG0
Note: this is a new link. The last one went to the wrong video.
Robin
From time to time, I receive email encouraging me to produce this book or that one. The Privateer sequel is the most common. More Fox books are a steady request.
And Nori's story from Amazon Companion comes up often.
I started writing a Nori story, but I set it aside and have been focused in other directions. I have a bit of a conundrum, and I wouldn't mind feedback.
Early in Amazon Companion, Nori tells Maya, "We do not consider a girl a woman until her 16th birthday." This is actually older than humanity has historically considered the age of consent and marriageable age for a young woman.
http://discover-the-truth.com/2013/09/09/age-of-consent-in-european-american-history/
That link is interesting. For perspective, Juliet was 13.
It is only in about the last 50 years or so that we have had a dramatic increase in the age of consent to 18, coupled with the societal values that drive that.
At the time I wrote what Nori said, I didn't have to worry about it. This book was about Maya and Malora, both clearly adults, and I was clearly on the safe side. Then when I began Beria's story, I realized I had a problem. I squirmed my way around it, although I never felt comfortable with it.
In Amazon Companion, Nori also told Maya that her 16th birthday was a long-awaited experience, and she wore out her warrior that night. I didn't worry about that because I never expected to actually write it.
So... I'm not sure what to do. I can keep the sex as fade to black. But it's starting to get well into the creepy side.
As I said -- it is only in recent history that we have developed the concept that people should be more mature, with 18 being the norm in the US (and most of us thinking 18-year-olds shouldn't have sex, either). In spite of what I write, I'm not any less a prude than the average America, I think. But marriage age within fantasy novels can often be lower.
But I've written myself into a corner. I don't know how I can write Nori's story and not start at the beginning, and that's what everyone wants, anyway.
Comments, anyone?
And Nori's story from Amazon Companion comes up often.
I started writing a Nori story, but I set it aside and have been focused in other directions. I have a bit of a conundrum, and I wouldn't mind feedback.
Early in Amazon Companion, Nori tells Maya, "We do not consider a girl a woman until her 16th birthday." This is actually older than humanity has historically considered the age of consent and marriageable age for a young woman.
http://discover-the-truth.com/2013/09/09/age-of-consent-in-european-american-history/
That link is interesting. For perspective, Juliet was 13.
It is only in about the last 50 years or so that we have had a dramatic increase in the age of consent to 18, coupled with the societal values that drive that.
At the time I wrote what Nori said, I didn't have to worry about it. This book was about Maya and Malora, both clearly adults, and I was clearly on the safe side. Then when I began Beria's story, I realized I had a problem. I squirmed my way around it, although I never felt comfortable with it.
In Amazon Companion, Nori also told Maya that her 16th birthday was a long-awaited experience, and she wore out her warrior that night. I didn't worry about that because I never expected to actually write it.
So... I'm not sure what to do. I can keep the sex as fade to black. But it's starting to get well into the creepy side.
As I said -- it is only in recent history that we have developed the concept that people should be more mature, with 18 being the norm in the US (and most of us thinking 18-year-olds shouldn't have sex, either). In spite of what I write, I'm not any less a prude than the average America, I think. But marriage age within fantasy novels can often be lower.
But I've written myself into a corner. I don't know how I can write Nori's story and not start at the beginning, and that's what everyone wants, anyway.
Comments, anyone?
I just hit Publish on a new novella, Submission. It should be available through Amazon late today (Sunday) or certainly by Monday morning.
Here is the blurb:
Cassidy Ellis knows what she wants but has a horrible history trying to find it. What she wants is a woman who ties a good knot but treats her well in the process.
Then she meets Miranda Gogburn. The two share a torrid, passionate, spectacular weekend. Then they must each go back to their regular lives. For Cassidy, this means her job as a deeply introverted computer nerd.
But then fate brings the two women together again.
Fate is not always a kind lady.
This is a long novella of 43,000 words.
Here is the blurb:
Cassidy Ellis knows what she wants but has a horrible history trying to find it. What she wants is a woman who ties a good knot but treats her well in the process.
Then she meets Miranda Gogburn. The two share a torrid, passionate, spectacular weekend. Then they must each go back to their regular lives. For Cassidy, this means her job as a deeply introverted computer nerd.
But then fate brings the two women together again.
Fate is not always a kind lady.
This is a long novella of 43,000 words.
I wrote a short story and submitted it to MCStories.com. You can find my story here: http://www.mcstories.com/SweetSubmission/index.html
It's a little different than my other stories. I'll be interested in hearing what you think.
Expect more Arlette and Tabitha stories in the future.
It's a little different than my other stories. I'll be interested in hearing what you think.
Expect more Arlette and Tabitha stories in the future.
I've been letting myself get pulled in multiple directions lately. But here are the drafts I've completed recently:
Snow Fox is part of a new series of shorts called Ski Bindings. Of course, it's about Michaela and Lara, but other stories in the series may be completely different. I've only read it through once, so it has some editing yet.
I'm actually going to publish Sweet Kisses for free reading over at mcstories.com. I'll let you all know when it's there.
Submission is a novella of, of course, dominance and submission. It carries elements of The Interrogation and even starts out in a very similar fashion, but it becomes a very different story after that. I'm actively working on the editing.
In addition to these, I've been working on:
More soon. I'm taking Snow Fox and Submission to bed with me, so hopefully I'll have one or both out by the end of the week.
- Snow Fox, a short
- Sweet Kisses, a short
- Submission, a novella
Snow Fox is part of a new series of shorts called Ski Bindings. Of course, it's about Michaela and Lara, but other stories in the series may be completely different. I've only read it through once, so it has some editing yet.
I'm actually going to publish Sweet Kisses for free reading over at mcstories.com. I'll let you all know when it's there.
Submission is a novella of, of course, dominance and submission. It carries elements of The Interrogation and even starts out in a very similar fashion, but it becomes a very different story after that. I'm actively working on the editing.
In addition to these, I've been working on:
- The Privateer sequel
- A sequel to Fitting In
- A Fox novel
- A gender-bender series about a modern day Cupid living in Key West
- A story I'm calling White, which was originally designed to be a spoof of the alien abduction genre, but I've decided it's a little too sweet to be a spoof
- A sequel to The Emergency Claus, told by Petunia.
More soon. I'm taking Snow Fox and Submission to bed with me, so hopefully I'll have one or both out by the end of the week.