Proof Copy Coming

Spoke with the publisher this morning. I should have the proof copy of my book in my hands within the next week!!! Christmas is looking better and better.

Book Cover Revealed

After much anticipation, the cover of Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key is finally revealed.

An Official Title

One of the questions I have been asked over and over since I announced my book's publication has been, "What is the title?" It was hard to officially give a title since book titles are subject to change in editing. Thus, I am pleased to announce that my book now has an official title: Serpent's Treasure - The Ancestral Key.

Back to the Publisher

Revisions are done and the manuscript is back in the hands of the publisher.

As the Plot Thickens...

Ooooh, even in Book one the plot can thicken. I love writing!

Caution: Revisions Ahead!

Received my manuscript back! Hmmm. Looks like some fun time in the revision department ahead. I think the final product is going to be amazing, but then I may be slightly biased.

Production Begins

YAY!!! The Publisher has informed me that Book Production has officially begun.

New Characters

New characters add to fun twists to plot. Try them, you'll like them.

What do I do in my spare time

Took a break from actually writing Book Two to focus on some new characters in it. Maybe someday I'll learn that doing new character backgrounds should come before I start writing, but so far it always seems to come after I've written four to five chapters. I know just enough about them to be dangerous and that's when I have to sit down and figure out who they are.

Research is necessary

One thing that surprised me as I began writing was the fact that research was necessary. Really? Research for a fiction novel? Yes, research. I wanted the characters to be able to exist in our world. That meant the locations needed to be accurate, their skills and professions had to be as realistic as I could make them. There were tons of questions that required answers. Some were simple. What size plane would be needed to accurately fly the distance I needed it to? How long would it take? Would it need a fuel stop? How many passengers could be on the plane? Others were more complicated. How could I make a computer genius correctly troubleshoot a broken system when I am not one? Research involved the internet, interviews with people who actually do what I wanted my characters to be capable of doing, and of course with the fiction end of things, a vivid imagination. It was an amazing process watching the pieces all come together.

Villians

Villains are entertaining because they rarely see themselves as such and some are very good at even convincing the audience they are not.

Fun Facts

When I wrote my "first chapter" Nicolai Cavallo's name was Nicolai Hirsh and Juliana Matthews' was originally Juliana Gerrard. As the characters developed so did their names. Other characters had several name changes - one started as Amy and finally ended up Anjai. Another named Geoff became Leigh, even a nurse who's name only appears on a whiteboard in the story had multiple changes as the manuscript progressed.

Inspiration - Part 1

I was asked earlier today about inspiration for my novel. That is a long story, since it is a multi-faceted answer. This post will focus on why I began typing to begin with. Recently, I have thought long and hard about why I sat down at my computer two years ago and started typing. What was my motivation? It is truly a blur, but as I have tried to recall the why, I realize it was the timing of a lot of events in my life, not just one moment. I had just read two separate book series'. One I loved so much that read it twice. The other (in my opinion, not technically as well written, yet entirely inspirational) was written by someone the same age as myself. At the time my father had mentioned wanting to start writing and asked if I'd be willing to edit his work. Of course I had agreed, but somehow the combination of the timing flipped a switch. I hadn't written in years. Even when I sat down that night, I did not do it with the idea that it would ever be published, it was for me. Could I write something I would enjoy. More importantly, could I start it and finish it. Only the encouragement of family and friends along the way finally convinced me that it was worthy to send to publishers. If others out there could do it, why couldn't I? A few short months after I had started, a dear friend announced that she was going to be a published author. So I actually knew someone who had succeeded in the arena. After the first draft was complete, I finally started considering the "What if..." possibility. Finally in early 2012, my determination switched from, not if, but when. Eventually, some publisher would like my work. It might take a hundred or more, but sooner or later the right one would be contacted. Imagine my shock when the first publisher I sent it to offered me a contract. My husband actually thought I was in pain when I called to tell him the news, I was so choked up and crying tears of joy. It was a day I will never forget. It was the beginning of this incredible journey.

Patience is a Virtue

Obviously, I am elated that my first novel is about to be published. Two years ago I would not have imagined that it would be a reality as I began the writing journey. Yet here we are. The manuscript is safely in the hands of the publisher and the new venture, the actual production process of the book, awaits. I know many of you are as eager as I to hold a hard copy in your hands. Please visit this site often for updates and before you know it we will possess our very own copy.- Elaine