Hello again, friends! Can you believe it’s November already? O_o I can’t really… and yet here it is, with another monthly “Guest Author & A Giveaway” feature! As you can see, this month’s special guest is Vivian Arend! She’s here sharing a fun post about writerly stuff and her journey, and sharing a bit about her new books!
Also- because of this post… well you know I normally don’t interject in posts – but I couldn’t resist here!
Writing has been a whirlwind for me. Since the first day until now when I think of writing I think of three main things.
1) Friends.
I started writing on a dare. Well, not true. I started because I had a friend who had challenged herself to participate in the Nanowrimo event—30 days to write 50K words [National Novel Writing Month]—and she’d decided she needed backup. She enticed me with the idea of weekly get-togethers with the rest of the crazies in our area who were trying it, Location? The local coffee shop that had the best treats and coffee anywhere. SOLD! I, of course, said I would love to hold her hand (drink coffee) and encourage her (eat brownies) in her adventure (not take care of my children for a few hours).
So for a month I wallowed in supporting and giving to my buddy. And a strange thing happened. I wrote not only on the weekends, but during the week. I started to enjoy visiting with these characters, and by the time the month was over, I had not only finished the book while encouraging my friend to do the same, I’d fallen in love with writing.
After that start, the friends continued. As critique partners, as cheer leaders as I submitted and sold more stories. All through the excitement, my writing world has been filled with friends.
2) Learning
The learning curve on any new job can be a bitch (can I say that word here?) [isn’t she so cute for asking, you guys? ;-)] And even though I was having fun (see point #3) this was a new job for me. I was spending hours a day writing. And then promoting. Researching, and filling in forms. OH THE FORMS!!! For a person who had never held a 9-5 before, this was craziness to the nth degree, and I loved every minute of it. Every time I turned around there was something new to learn. Setting up an Amazon author page. Making a book trailer. Sending in an ad for a print book. Planning and revising and edits…oh, funny story.
I had never used track changes before I got my first set of edits from my Samhain editor of awesomeness, Anne Scott. She explained that I had to leave it on and do XYZ…and I learned. Well, we were on our 11th book together before she realized that I didn’t know about the ‘next’ button to FIND the additions/comments she’d made. I was scrolling through by hand. Yeah, two years after starting I finally got that step right. And THEN, I did edits with a different editor at Samhain, and Jennifer asked me why I wasn’t accepting the inserts she’d done, like the million commas that I seem to miss every story. OH! There’s a button for me to do that as well? Yeah, I’m still learning…
The bottom line is that entire trip has been a trip. From me deciding spur of the moment to write a book for the anthology call at Samhain, having no idea what a cover letter should look like, to seeing the first cover art. To attending my first conference and having someone (OH LORDY, I LOVE YOU, WOMAN) say- “Yeah, Vivian. I know you! You wrote that book about the deaf werewolf!”
Heart stopping, cheek to cheek grinning fun. Writing great lines in a book. Opening the box of author copies of my first print book…I can go on and on and on. Because that’s what ends up motivating me. The letter from a reader who said I made them laugh out loud. The fellow author who blows me kisses on twitter. My daughter announcing she’s proud of me. (Thanks darling, and no, you still can’t read my books.)
So here I come to the point of having published over 20 books. This month my sixteenth ebook with Samhain releases—and it’s a special special occasion for all those three reasons all over again.
Rocky Mountain Heat was written with the help and encouragement of friends. It was friends/readers who liked it enough the first time out of the chute that I approached Samhain to see if they’d like to take over the series. I had to learn about reversion of rights, and removing books from sales sites. I had to figure out how to revise and expand a book by over 20K words and still keep the flow and the feel. And I had fun while I was doing it.
That’s how it should be. How I hope it always will be.
Vivian Arend: Website | Blog | Twitter
Release information for the upcoming SIX PACK RANCH books
Book 1: Rocky Mountain Heat: November 15.
Book 2: Rocky Mountain Haven: January 10, 2012
Book 3: Rocky Mountain Desire: March 13, 2012
___
Rocky Mountain Heat
Six Pack Ranch, Book 1
He’s the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.
Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.
Jaxi has other plans for Blake’s hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s perfect for him. Except he can’t seem to see past the big “don’t touch” sign that’s apparently still hanging around her neck.
When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake’s nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi’s brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.
That is, if Blake’s finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…
Warning: Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?
~~~
First Chapter: Excerpt
What’d you think? Have you ever read anything by Ms. Arend before? Are you an author? If not, would you ever consider being one? Are you trying now? Got any questions for Vivian Arend? What do you think the “author journey” would be like?
And of course, as it’s the monthly feature, there’s a giveaway. Vivian Arend is crazy generous and is giving away four books today. Three e-books (electronic), and one print copy of Turn It On. Winner’s choice of Ms. Arend’s backlist for the ebooks. So – let me know if you want to be in the drawing for the print book, or one of the ebooks when you answer the questions. 😀 Winners will be drawn on Saturday.
I love Vivian Arend! I’ve been told that I should be a writer because I tend to narrate everything. I don’t know, I think people would be bored out of their minds if they read a book I wrote. I think that I’ll leave the book writing to the experts like Vivian! ;D I would love an ebook from Ms. Arend’s backlist!
Love Vivian, too. I’m a big fan of the Granite Lake Wolves series. I’d like to be entered for an ebook from the backlist!
Like probably thousands of people out there, I have been writing for myself for longer than I care to recall. Finally after some gentle prodding from an online friend I finished a book that I had been tinkering with and will be self publishing it before the end of the year. I’m just waiting now on the cover page. It’s the most satisfying thing I’ve done outside of having a family. Vivian’s journey to writing sounds amazing and she’s so funny!
If I could ask her a question, I would want to know what she does when she gets writers block and what was the longest case of it she ever had?
Thanks for the contest and the great post!
Hi Liz!
Congrats on the upcoming release. All the best to you in that.
In terms of writer’s block, never had it. I think because I write so many different genres it helps–if I am getting ‘stuck’, I switch projects and keep moving forward. Also- having a lot of different interests helps. There’s always something new to throw at my characters to see how they react.
Ms. Arend sounds like a lot of fun. I have one of her books in my tbr monstrosity but I have never read any of her books. Everyone I talk to says READ THEM!!!! I would love to write. A friend and I write VERY well together as we RP and we keep saying “we need to write a book!”
Question…….what kind of program do you use to write? I know some authors use Scryvener (sp?)…..we want to start writing so I guess we should just do it!!!!
The journey??? Exciting….the characters doing what they want and taking over sometimes…..but….what’s this about FORMS?!?!?!?
I would love to win the back copies in ebooks so I can try to “catch up” on how she has progressed and flowed throughout her career.
Great to meet you….and Lime: as always, awesome job!
I’m in the TBR PILE? No wonder I was feeling lost in the wilderness! *weeps* 😉
The only program I use to write is a Word doc. Programs are tools to help, but the only thing that actually gets the books written is putting words on the page. Doesn’t take a lot of words to eventually add up!
And the forms are the business end of things. Like information about what your characters look like so the part department can make a cover. And forms regarding what happens in a story so we can make the cover copy for books. And forms to set up…see? No fun at ALL!
Never read anything by Ms. Arend; but the books certainly sound interesting. Just started reading ebooks and really enjoy them. Put my name in the hat for the drawing. Thanks!
I can’t wait to read Rocky Mountain Heat and Rocky Mountain Haven.
I have read some of Vivian’s books and have others waiting to be read on my reader.
I am not an author and no don’t plan on writing anytime soon. I’ll leave it to the professionals 🙂
Vivian will we get any more books from The Turner Twin series. I know the brother and sister got their story but there is a certain secondary character I would like to see get her story told?
I would love to be entered for an ebook.Thank you
elaing8[at]netscape[dot]net
Hi Elaing! You’re not going to let up on that question, are you? 😀
Right now I’m concentrating on the Takhini Wolves and the cowboys, but I won’t say NEVER. But I won’t say a date either…sorry!
It was TOTALLY AWESOME to meet Vivian Arend at the Emerald City Writer’s Convention Book Signing event! I am a big fan of her Granite Lake Wolves series and just started the Forces of Nature series. Her Six Pack Ranch series looks like something I also need to check out. I would LOVE to win more of her books!
ferishia.1@gmail.com
**hugs**
I love meeting people at the conferences! 😀
I have not read anything by her yet, but I am putting books in my wish list as we speak. Omg I love those covers and the story’s sound great. Exactly the kid of book I like to read. *Happy Face*
I tried my hand at writing a book, but I got about 100 pages into it and it lost all momentum and stalled. I re-read it a few years later and realized it was bad…so bad. lol
But then a few year ago I started writing about things I love…small animals and have written over 200 published articles on Small Animal Care. So it worked out well for me. I’ve got some author friends on fb and hearing the stress they go through while writing a book, seems like hell to me. I love writing but I don’t think I’m cut out for writing books, I’ll stick with smaller easier to write articles. lol
Oh and I forgot, I would love to win the print book. 🙂
Vivian, you are a new author for me, but your books sound like must reads. I will have to look for some of them now. How do you come up with your writing ideas. Do they come to you easily or do you have to think about it?
Please put my hat into the drawings ring. Thanks!
Hi Cathy- glad you like the sounds of my work.
I’d have to say it’s both. That ideas just come to me for some books, and for others I have to think a little harder about the real issues. Even in, let’s say Rocky Mountain Heat, I knew the story was about the girl next door all growing up and wanting Blake. But the actual story?? Had to figure out what details would keep them apart and bring them together. (It’s fun!)
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My first Vivan Arend good was Falling Freestyle book one. I loved it and even graciously shared my Kindle with a few friends so they could read it also. I shocked a lot of people who just couldn’t believe I read “those kinds of books”. I have started reading through her blacklist and I have not found a book I don’t enjoy. I find the my husband enjoys when I read her books also. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I’ve always wanted to write a book, but talk myself out of even trying. I would like to be entered to win the print book please.
**snickers**
I shock people because I write ‘those kinds of books”.
But honestly? My response is now: “What kind of books? Ones with happy endings where the heroine ALWAYS wins? Yes, I definitely write those…”
I am a huge fan of Vivian’s wolf books! I am going to have to get her other books too. I think she is amazing and I loved that the first book I read of her’s (WOLFSIGNS) had a deaf heroine. I have thought a few times of trying to write a book but I am just not that creative and I am scared I would just combine bits and pieces from my favorite authors. LOL
I’ve read her Granite Lake wolves series and loved them. I’m a fan. I’d like to be entered for the backlist choice. Thanks for the chance
mythic021@gmail.com
I love your books, Vivian! I am not an author, but I love to write. Right now it’s just for me, though 🙂
I would love to win the print book!
Thanks, Chelsea.
And writing for yourself is very important. Don’t ever stop.
I love Vivian’s books! She became an auto-buy for me instantly. I even read her paranormals which means a lot for me as I’m not much into paranormals generally. But I figured if I like her contemporaries that much I’ll give her paranormals a try, too. 😉 And I haven’t regretted it. Can’t wait to read her new series! Thank you for the giveaway!
I have not yet read any books by Vivian Arend. I know!! I need to quit my job & just read.
I would love a print copy thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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