October 2013 Update

Shalia’s Diary:  Storyline 2 wraps this month and the third of Shalia’s tales begins.  More drama and adventure to come, of course.  A big change of scenery and new characters are on their way!

New Year’s Challenges

Start a new book each month:

(January)  Clans of Kalquor 8:  Alien Caged – Edits are finished, and this one has moved on to the proofreader.  If all goes well, you will see this out by the end of the month.  I still can’t pin a specific release date down yet, but I’m working on it.

(February)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire – A quarter of the way done with the first draft.  No release date set.

(March)  First Mataras:  Michaela – I’m still writing a bit here and there.  No release date set. 

(April)  Clans of Kalquor 9:  Alien Indiscretions –The outline is done.  Further work on hold.

(May)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan and Crown – Half of the outline is done.  Further work on hold.

(June)  Brianna’s Clan -  Plotting done.  Further work on hold.

(July)  Clans of Kalquor 10:  Alien Hostage – Plotting done.  Further work on hold.

(August)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan Bacoj (Untitled) – Character sketches and plotting done.  Further work on hold.

(September)  Clan Companions 1 (Untitled) – Character sketches and plotting done.  This goes all the way back to when then-Ambassador Ospar first approached Earth about DNA testing.  One of his security guards sees a gorgeous young Earther assigned to guard the Earther ambassador, and sparks fly between the young man and that Nobek’s clan.  Further work on hold.

(October)  Clans of Kalquor 11:  Alien Revolt – Writing character sketches and plotting this month.  The premise at this point (which could always change as things often do this early on) is that Admirals Piras and Tranis discover a rebellion within the Kalquorian fleet itself.

The Couch to 5K Running Program:

The spirit is willing, but the knee keeps saying, “Go fuck yourself, Tracy.”  I just got back to running this past week.  Hubby is now telling me he thinks my poor body, traumatized from that car accident all those years ago, is not going to let me accomplish this goal.  Maybe not, but I really, really want this.  Stubborn beast that I am, I will keep trying.  On days I can’t run, I walk five miles instead.  I have now shed 43 pounds, and my end goal for weight is 12 pounds away. 

Have an awesome month, all.  Enjoy the Halloween season!

September 2013 Update

Tomorrow begins a new month, so this update is a little earlier than usual.  So what have I been up to?  Oh, just the usual...writing.  Let’s see where things stand right now:

To Protect and Service:  Ravenous Virtue – It’s out!  Balls-to-the-wall story and sex, and making no apologies for either!  ;)  Get your copy at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Shalia’s Diary:  So Shalia finally got her some Nang.  Will it last?  We are closing in on the grand finale of Storyline 2 this month, and there is serious craziness in store.  Earther and Kalquorian alike betray Shalia, leaving her with no idea of who she can trust.

New Year’s Challenges

Start a new book each month:

(January)  Clans of Kalquor 8:  Alien Caged – I am within a week of completing the first draft of this one.  October is still looking good for the release.

(February)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire – I’m nearly a quarter of the way through this first draft.  Rajhir and Flencik’s first date – aww.  They are so cute at that age!  No release date set.

(March)  First Mataras:  Michaela – I’m writing a bit here and there.  Michaela’s self-acceptance issues have Clan Korkla in a tizzy.  No release date set. 

(April)  Clans of Kalquor 9:  Alien Indiscretions –3/4 of the outline is done.  Further work on hold.

(May)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan and Crown – Half of the outline is done.  Further work on hold.

(June)  Brianna’s Clan -  Plotting done.  Further work on hold.

(July)  Clans of Kalquor 10:  Alien Hostage – Plotting done.  Further work on hold.

(August)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan Bacoj (Untitled) – Character sketches and plotting done.  Further work on hold.

(September)  Clan Companions 1 (Untitled) – Will begin character sketches this week for new series featuring Earther males seduced by Kalquorian men/clans.

I mentioned last month that I would be slowing down the writing pace a bit, and you can see I’ve done that.  My comfortable limit seems to be three books at a time, along with writing entries for Shalia’s diary. 

The Couch to 5K Running Program:

Well hell.  The knee went out again just as I had managed to work up to 2 3/4 miles (4.35 km) in 30 minutes.  I don’t foresee being sidelined for very long this time as I did not stubbornly attempt to keep going until I could no longer even walk.  In fact, I think I should be able to start up again as early as next week.  On a happier note, my weight has dropped a total of 39 pounds now.  I have gone from a size 14 down to a sassy size 6!  Not bad, huh?

Take care, all!

August 2013 Update

I’m back from vacation.  I did get a little writing done while I was roaming about, so here’s the latest and greatest.

To Protect and Service:  Ravenous Virtue – I sent this to the proofreader just before going on my break.   He’s going over it in his usual scrupulous fashion and catching all my goof ups.  I will have this first installment of the To Protect and Service Trilogy out by the end of the month if all goes well.  Please note that this is heavily into the captive fantasy with a lot of coerced/questionable consent ... if books like Alien Embrace and Alien Conquest bothered you, you do NOT want to read this book.  More info about this will come in the next few weeks as we approach release. 

Shalia’s Diary:  Yes, there have been big changes.  I know you hated seeing Dusa and Esak leave ... but this story is huge with so much to come yet that you just can’t imagine.  This month, Nang gives his presentation and Shalia makes decisions that are probably not for the best ... or are they?  We’ll just have to wait and see.

New Year’s Challenges

Start a new book each month:

(January)  Clans of Kalquor 8:  Alien Caged – Two-thirds of the first draft is written.  I’m still planning to get this to you in October.

(February)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire – Still writing a little here and there of this one.  Rajhir’s first day as the aide to new councilman Dramok Ospar includes meeting a big, handsome Imdiko surgeon he likes to make blush.  No release date set.

(March)  First Mataras:  Michaela – Outline is done. 

(April)  Clans of Kalquor 9:  Alien Indiscretions – About 3/4 of the outline is done. 

(May)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan and Crown – Outlining Bevau’s part of the story.

(June)  Brianna’s Clan -  Plotting done.

(July)  Clans of Kalquor 10:  Alien Hostage – Plotting done.

(August)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan Bacoj (Untitled) – Enhancing character sketches from Alien Salvation.

As you can see, that’s a lot of writing.  Since the challenge was to start a book each month (not finish, as I’ve reminded myself several times), I am slowing down the hectic pace I set for myself earlier this year.  I have approached the point of burn-out with all the projects and must back off for a bit.  For the moment, I have put further work on hold on Alien Indiscretions, Clan and Crown, Brianna’s Clan, and Alien Hostage.  Once I have Clan Bacoj’s character profiles and plot done, I will halt work on that as well. 

Hey, a writer has to sleep once in awhile, you know.  ;)

The Couch to 5K Running Program:

Despite the vacation, I kept up pretty well with my running.  I have managed to complete the first 6 weeks’ worth of the program and the knee is holding up well.  It was enjoyable running in the cooler temps of upstate NY ... it’s a much bigger challenge to do so in the sultry (a nice way to say ‘sweaty-ass’) South.  Weight loss stalled because the MIL is a cooking demon.  At least I didn’t gain any pounds though!  I count that as a victory.

That’s it for now, folks.  Take care, all!

July 2013 Update

Sister Katherine – It’s coming out next week!  Edits and formatting are done.  I will begin the process of loading it to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Smashwords tomorrow...so be on the lookout.  I hope you enjoy our step back to the Kalquorian capture of the Europan convent that was the setting for Alien Conquest.

Clans of Kalquor 1:  Alien Embrace (re-edited) – I got the electronic rights back and you can get the updated version with over 12,000 more words now at Amazon, Amazon UK, and Smashwords.  Barnes & Noble is giving me trouble over getting it to Nook, but I will continue to work on the issue in the hopes I can get it on that platform next week.  Two book releases in two weeks...wow.  Can there be a such thing as too many Kalquorians at once?  Oh, hell no.

To Protect and Service:  Ravenous Virtue – The first round of edits is almost done.  I am planning on releasing this wild ride next month...fans of captive fantasies, this is your book.  Very gritty and not a pretty story, so put on your big girl panties for this one.

Shalia’s Diary:  If you’re keeping up with the regular posts, you have a lot coming this month:  Shalia’s new friend, a shocking change, a clanning ceremony, more danger, more insanity ... more and more and more of everything.

New Year’s Challenges

Start a new book each month:

(January)  Clans of Kalquor 8:  Alien Caged – Somehow I managed to write almost half of the first draft already.  I’m planning to get this to you in October.

(February)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan, Honor, and Empire – Outlining is done, and I’m dabbling in writing a little bit here and there.  Rajhir’s parents are an interesting bunch ... there’s a lot of tension between his mother Nivere and his Dramok father Gegra.  Hmmm...

(March)  First Mataras:  Michaela – Outline is done. 

(April)  Clans of Kalquor 9:  Alien Indiscretions – Over halfway through the outline.  An Imperial Father goes on trial along with two Dramoks we know and love. 

(May)  Clan Beginnings:  Clan and Crown – Outlining Clajak and Egilka’s story and laughing my ass off at Clajak.  What a mess he is as a devil-may-care young man!  Poor Egilka...what is that man doing to you?

(June)  Brianna’s Clan -  I’m just starting to outline the story of Dramok Sojan, Nobek Cincad, Imdiko Kires, and the woman they try to rescue from dying post-Armageddon Earth (who doesn’t want to be rescued).  Brianna is one tough lady, and she’ll be keeping these unclanned boys on their toes.

(July)  Clans of Kalquor 10:  Alien Hostage – Tasha, the twin of Cissy who is the heroine of Alien Indiscretions, is captured by the Basma and held prisoner as the revolt heats up.  What happens when hostage and rebels do the unthinkable and fall in love?  I’m currently building the characters to this story.

The Couch to 5K Running Program:

I’ve done very well with my knee to the point where I’ve been cleared to go back to my running program early...but I had to start from the very beginning again.  I have just begun the third week of this nine-week program, and so far, so good.  I have dropped three sizes since the beginning of the year and 34 pounds.

That’s it for now, folks.  Take care, all!