August 4th, 2010 | by KateDouglas |
I decided to use my original banner, sort of for old time’s sake. As most of you know (since I’ve been whimpering about it long enough!) I’m writing the final Wolf Tales, with orders from my editor to make it longer than I’d planned, which is a very cool thing. There’s a lot to tie up in this story, and the weird thing is, I know how it’s going to end, though I’m not quite certain how I’m getting there. Now I’ve got room to expand in ways I hadn’t thought I’d be able to, so I’m enjoying the process more than I expected.
I’m going to miss my Chanku–for over five years now, my days have been spent with Anton and Stefan, Adam, Mik and AJ. Last week I wrote about Baylor and Jake and found myself caught up in their teasing and loving and it was sort of hard to write, knowing I’ll soon be putting them aside, at least for awhile. I still have hopes of bringing them back, and I did talk to my editor about some of my ideas.
We got together last week at the Romance Writers of American national conference in Orlando, Florida. This is a shot of the hotel where I stayed–the Dolphin Hotel. 
The conference, originally planned for Nashville, was moved to Orlando after the hotel we were planning to be in was flooded. The folks at RWA did an amazing job, pulling off the new location so quickly–it’s not easy to move an event that’s planned to accommodate over two thousand people! It was a great conference, but the best part, of course, is getting to see so many other authors.
I also had some readers manage to come all the way to the hotel–had lunch with Lisa on Saturday and a quick visit with Maureen in the afternoon, but also met quite a few who came to the signing on Wednesday night. I do appreciate those of you who were able to come out to the event taking the time. It’s such a thrill to meet people who actually read and enjoy my books. Wonder if I’ll ever get used to that? 
Anyway, I have photos up on my Facebook page with a public link if you want to take a look–you can see them here.
I left the hotel in Orlando Sunday morning at 4:30 and caught a plane out at 7:00 a.m. which put me in San Francisco by 9:30 in the morning. It was still after two before I got home, after the shuttle and then my husband hauling me home to Cobb. My own bed felt SO good, but the best thing has been getting back to work in my quiet office and losing myself, once again, in the world of my Chanku.
Of course, as soon as this book is done, I have to make a quick move into the world of the DemonSlayers and write the final book in that series, too: CrystalFire is already hanging out in the back of my mind, sort of taunting me with hints of what I’ll be writing.
In the meantime, HellFire will be out in just a few more weeks–it’s due for release August 31 
and then, just a week later, the Nocturnal anthology is coming out with my story, Crystal Dreams. 
Anyway, that’s sort of what I’m up to now–back to writing and hanging out on Facebook. I’m still learning how Twitter works–so far, I just don’t get it. 
But I’m trying! After a week of non-stop talking, I have to admit I’m enjoying the quiet here in Cobb and don’t have plans to go anywhere for awhile. May send my husband off to the mountains–I know he wants to do some hiking, but I really can’t take the time to get away. Hopefully I’ll go later in the year, once the current book is done.
In the meantime, if you stop by and leave a comment, you’ll automatically be entered in a contest to win either a copy of Wolf Tales 10 or DemonFire, and if you have both and don’t mind waiting, I will send you a copy of HellFire once my copies arrive. Oh…one other thing! I know a lot of you who read Wolf Tales are also fans of Elizabeth Amber’s–she was at the conference and we got some time to hang out together, which was very cool. Here’s what we looked like at our agent’s party in a karaoke bar where, thankfully, neither of us did any singing! 
And ya want to know what we both hear ALL the time? “You don’t LOOK like you write THOSE books…” 
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Kate, I only saw you in passing at Nat’l. I have to (selfishly) say, I’m glad you’re back home writing.
Eager for your books to hit the shelves. Confession: I don’t “get” Twitter either. Thanks for the update on your writing.
by Megan Kelly · August 4th, 2010 at 1:21 amJust found this when I was reading my FB home page.
Very impressed by your writing speed, I wish I could also write that fast!
And your fascinating, flow smoothly and non-stop like tap water ideas!
Congradulations and good luck!
by mingmei yip · August 4th, 2010 at 8:47 amMegan, already so much of the conference is turning into a blur–does that happen to you? I think it’s a case of sensory overload. I spend so much time alone in my office that when I get to a conference where I’m surrounded by so many people, the brain can’t handle it! I had a great time, I’m glad I went but SO glad to be home!
Good morning, Mingmei! I am so glad we got a chance to see each other–I always enjoy the Kensington cocktail party with a chance to actually talk to people. I hope you enjoyed the conference–they’re always a bit overwhelming for me, but I do love to go to them. As far as the ideas–so far I haven’t run out, which is a good thing in this business, but it appears you haven’t either! Best of luck with Petals From the Sky. And to my readers, Mingmei’s Peach Blossom Pavilion is a wonderful story.
by Kate Douglas · August 4th, 2010 at 10:37 amGlad to hear you are enjoying the writing, and the conference. The photos were great!
Looking forward to more Chanku!
by mylilypad · August 4th, 2010 at 10:56 amBaylor has been one of my favorites in the series. He is so kind, and loving to his mate. He was there for her through some bad times. I also like Jake, he “was” such a bad boy before Maine. Looking forward to more books and will not give up the fight for more Chanku.
by connie in Nashville · August 4th, 2010 at 10:56 amOh yeah, the Florida heat was probibaly some of the sensory overload.
Hi Kate love your books ,great photos looks like everyones having a great time .
by wanda flanagan · August 4th, 2010 at 11:59 amLOL….I always enjoy the writing. Still can’t believe they pay me to do this–and in my jammies, yet!
Connie, Baylor was not a planned character at all. He showed up in Wolf Tales III, totally out of the blue, and has become a favorite of mine, as well. My visual for him is the doctor from LOST, just as I see Sawyer when I write Jake. I was still into the series while writing that first book, and those images have stuck with me. Jake will forever be the bad boy with the vulnerable and loving heart, and Baylor will always be Type A and yet head over heels in love with Manda–and willing to do whatever he has to in order to keep her safe. (Can you tell I’m a bit attached to these guys?)
Wanda, thanks for stopping by!
by Kate Douglas · August 4th, 2010 at 12:54 pmSounds like you had a great time at RWA!
by Estella · August 4th, 2010 at 4:51 pmAm looking forward to the release of Hellfire.
I’m so glad you had a great time. Wish I could have come to the conference. Maybe next year. I would love to meet my fav authors.
Can’t wait for the next Wolf Tales book. I love them!!!!!
by Christi Brown · August 4th, 2010 at 5:54 pmI did, Estella. It was great, but I’m SO glad to be home!
HellFire will be out in a couple of weeks.
Hi Christie–next year’s RWA will be in New York and RT will be in Anaheim, CA. I’m also hoping to attend Lori Foster’s event in Cincinnati, Ohio in June.
Next Wolf Tales will be out at the end of December. Wolf Tales 11.
by Kate Douglas · August 4th, 2010 at 8:04 pmSniff-Sniff- Missed it and you againnnnn~
Glad you had a good time and made it home safe.
Still kinda reeling over the last Wolf Tales bit…
by Dana · August 4th, 2010 at 8:19 pmGlad that you had a great time at the conference. Will be peeking at photos.
Funny how even with a great trip, nothing quite compares to coming home and being in one’s own bed.
by Little Lamb Lost · August 4th, 2010 at 10:29 pmhad to stop by and say hello. I love the pix of you & Elizabeth. she is so sweet.
getting ready to read Hellfire for review next week. I can’t wait.
by Heather Brewer · August 4th, 2010 at 10:46 pmDana, I’m so sorry you couldn’t make it — you really should have been there. It was such a great con, and i was hoping to get to meet you!
LLL…so true. I really missed my husband, my dog and my bed…and yes, in that order!
Hi Heather–isn’t that a great shot? Elizabeth is a hoot. Do hope you enjoy HellFire. Getting ready to start the last one as soon as I finish Wolf Tales.
by Kate Douglas · August 5th, 2010 at 12:16 amKate, it was wonderful to meet you at the signing Wed. night. Thanks so much for Bumper, he’s sitting on my desk
by Jenn Ryan · August 5th, 2010 at 5:42 pmJenn, it was great to meet you, too! So glad you stopped by and introduced yourself. LOVE having a face to put with a name!
by Kate Douglas · August 5th, 2010 at 11:44 pmSounds like you enjoyed yourself at RWA.
And Yay on the longer book.
And it seems like more than 5 years that the Chanku have been around in my book stacks. I’ll miss getting new ones.
Anxiously waiting for Hellfire right now.
(I would be wanting Hellfire, if I’m lucky enough to be the winner, as I already have the other two you mentioned for the contest.)
by Beth C. · August 6th, 2010 at 6:12 amI did, Beth. It’s fun and exhausting, and so neat to be around so many writers and authors–many of them on my keeper shelves at home! The worst part is getting back into the writing groove when I get back to work. I’m always charged up and ready to go, but so tired that I can’t focus the way I should. Now that I’ve been home a few days, though, I’m back at it and the book is flying.
I’ll probably wait until Sunday to choose my winner. Thanks to all for stopping by.
by Kate Douglas · August 6th, 2010 at 11:11 amKate, I’ve been such a huge fan for so long. I love reading your books and hearing the little tidbits about upcoming books that I can’t wait to read.
That comment you get about not looking like you write Those books, that’s so funny.
I’m just glad that you DO write those books. 
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
by Mary Kirkland · August 6th, 2010 at 6:58 pmthanks, Mary–and yep. That’s one I hear ALL the time! Of course my kids have their own complaints…Mom? Do you HAVE to write THOSE books? (They’re 33 and 37, btw…old enough to know they were NOT virgin births!)
by Kate Douglas · August 6th, 2010 at 7:00 pmCongratulations to Mary Kirkland, who is this month’s blog winner. Mary, please drop me a note and let me know what book I can send to you!
kate
by Kate Douglas · August 8th, 2010 at 11:20 pmHey Kate, glad you had a great time at the conference and was successful networking so that we can keep enjoying what you do so well. Elizabeth is such a sweet person and I’m so glad that I got a chance to put a face to her emails. You looked kinda classy in that dress. hubba hubba lol
by Mo · August 14th, 2010 at 9:40 pmI’m also glad that you’re back to writing WT12 cause I so want to read it. I REFUSE to say goodbye to the Chanku. They’ve become so a part of my life also.
I dig the Demonslayer series with it’s characters too. So dear lady…..keep on writin’ so I can keep on reading. P.S. I like your blogs too. Mo
I couldn’t do classy if my life depended on it, but I thank you for thinking I pulled it off. I really didn’t but I had fun anyway.
Btw, you’re being way to nice to me. Why does that make me so nervous?
Thanks, sweetie!
by Kate Douglas · August 15th, 2010 at 1:48 amSounds like you’ve been super busy – looking forward to reading your upcoming releases!
by Anna Shah Hoque · August 23rd, 2010 at 9:51 pm