Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog

I’ve recently finished up a series called Forbidden Passions that I co-wrote with a friend, Loribelle Hunt. I wrote the first and third stories in the series, she wrote the second and fourth. You have no idea how many people seemed totally confused by this, and kept emailing me to ask where the second and fourth books were, when I only had the first and third on my website. My web designer managed to get those other books on my site for me, so hopefully it’s less confusing now, but it got to the point that I had a form email for whenever that question came into my inbox.

Aside from that, the co-writing was a fun experience. We both write erotic, paranormal, shape-shifters, and suspense (her more than me), and we decided to combine those similarities and see what we might come up with in terms of a world and characters we were both willing to write. This series is what we came up with. Add to that some kickin’ cover created by the very talented Kanaxa and we were in business.

I’ve heard horror stories of series that get co-written where one person or persons override everyone else’s suggestion and make unilateral decisions abut The Way Things Will Be. If you go into a situation where you know you won’t get to make the world-building decisions, that’s one thing. It’s something else entirely when your input is completely ignored when you thought you’d get to contribute.

I think why it worked for Loribelle and me is that we have a pretty good friendship to start with, which means we’re good at communicating with each other and have a healthy respect for the others talents. Also–and I think this is key–the major worldbuilding decisions were made together, but there were also certain parts of the world that we each claimed “ownership” of, so it wasn’t all compromise and hashing things out. That give and take made the experience a lot more pleasant than it could have been.

I think I’m rambling at this point, but what I think worked for us in this co-writing experience is: communication, respect, compromise, and little bit of owning our own part of the series and world.

We have had a few emails asking if we’re going to write more in the series, and to be honest, I have no idea. We’d have to sit down and figure out more stories, how to grow the world even more, and whether or not we have time to carve out of our very busy writing/deadlines schedule to make it happen. Could go either way, but I’m glad our readers are enjoying the series enough to ask!

-Crystal Jordan

Picking up on Kate Douglas’s last post (March 18), I, too am a glass half-full person. I’m optimistic and a worker. I get things done. I’m determined and energetic. I do get upset or depressed sometimes, like everyone, though. Everyone except my mom, who is the most optimistic person I know. Even when she should be unhappy because her life is not going well, she’s not! As you can imagine, I enjoyed growing up under her wing.

So I’m watching the news and reading news blogs. I was glued to CNN when Egypt first revolted. My husband has a very good friend here on a school visa from Egypt and she was super-glued to the TV. In her family’s town, the neighborhood residents trolled the streets at night, trying to protect themselves against looters taking advantage of the unrest.

Sometimes, the world seems to be going crazy around us, doesn’t it? And it’s unsettling. There are things I’ve counted on before that are changing. When I say ‘counted on’ I don’t mean I wanted the status quo to remain in Egypt or Libya. I just knew where things stood. Change is often a good thing, but it still rocks our world–the big world and the small one made up of our friends, families, jobs, homes. And some change is not so good. In Japan, they couldn’t count on the very ground beneath their feet to remain steady. Now that, is a frightening thought. I lived in the ‘ring of fire’ at one time and went through only one small quake. Talk about rock your world. I’ve never run out of the house so fast.

I moved to NC a few years ago and we bought a house. I didn’t really hang many pictures or get enthusiastic about furniture arrangement in this house. It has been fine, but not home. Suddenly, I’m hanging pictures and making pillows. I’m cleaning. I’m making sure to get together with neighbors and friends. After reading Kate’s post it occurred to  me that I’m trying to fix my nest. Or more accurately, maybe exert some control over it. I used to do this when things felt unsettled in my family home growing up. It makes me feel better, more in control, more able to carry on and accomplish my goals and be the person my family depends upon.

I’m so glad I can lose myself in writing and reading–a mix of work and pleasure immersion. I’ve been re-reading books I know and love, which I think is another way to comfort myself. I know what to expect with these old friends. We’ve met before and they didn’t let me down. I’m still making time for new books–Maya Banks’ KGI series, Lora Leigh’s Elite Ops, and I’m looking forward to Kate’s Starfire here shortly. (She’s holding a giveaway of it for members of my enewsletter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElizabethAmber/ ) And my new release, BASTIAN, The Lords of Satyr, is coming in one month! I revel in these successes and pleasures. I’m a half-full lady, remember?

I hope you’re all finding ways to make your “small” world make sense. How are you coping in your life, with the broader picture? Do you see your kids or families finding ways to cope that surprise or touch you? I’d love to hear from you. Hugs to all. xox

~ Elizabeth Amber

The Lords of Satyr series:
Nicholas | Raine | Lyon | Dominic
Dane ~ RT Book Reviews TOP PICK! RT best erotic fantasy romance winner!
Bastian ~ coming April 26, 2011
paranormal erotic historical romance
Kensington Aphrodisia
http://www.elizabethamber.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElizabethAmber/

I’ve known all week I have a blog to post today, but I keep waiting for something good to happen so I wouldn’t feel like writing depressing stuff. I’ve been angry over the crappy stories out of Wisconsin, glued to the news about Japan, depressed watching reports on the fighting in the Middle East, worried about my dear friend, author Alyssa Day, who lives near Tokyo where her husband is stationed, and in a total funk over the crappy weather, and the fact that there’s been damned little good news to feel happy about.

Well, it’s time to look for some light in the darkness–I refuse to stay down and depressed over things that can’t be changed, so what are some of the positives? Well, the nuclear reactors in Japan haven’t blown up, yet. There are some very brave, self-sacrificing workers over there, risking everything to keep their people safe. That alone is such an amazing affirmation of the human spirit that you have to take heart.

The UN has called for action in Libya, which, if it isn’t too late, just might help the rebels hold on. Just the fact that so many nations were able to agree on something is a good thing, isn’t it? I mean, even Russia and China didn’t vote against it–those two nations chose to abstain.

Alyssa and her kids AND Daisy the pug are packed and ready to fly back to the US as soon as the planes are ready to leave, and that’s a REALLY good thing, though please keep her husband in your prayers. Judd’s military position means he’s essential to the search, rescue and aid operation, and he’ll remain in Japan, though at least Alyssa, the kids and Daisy will be safe.

I just got a tweet that a lower court judge in Wisconsin has overturned the vote to take away the rights of public employees to bargain. Here’s hoping it moves through the court system with the same result at every level. When did our government stop caring about people?

And the sun came out. It’s still snowing, but actually kind of pretty with sun shining through the flakes, so that gives me hope. I know it won’t last, but at least I got a little sip of lemonade out of all the lemons life’s been throwing. Maybe we don’t need a “do over” after all. Maybe what we all need to do is take a deep breath and think of the good things in our lives.

We can’t change the bad, but we can make it better. We can’t fix everything, but if we all do as much as we can, it’s going to add up and make a difference. I’ve donated for the relief operations in Japan, and while it’s not a lot, it does help to make me feel connected, as if I’m part of the solution. My heart goes out to those who are suffering, but it also goes out to those who are working to make a difference.

My personal “do over?” To get my positive outlook back in spite of bad news, and to keep searching for as much good as I can. I really am a “glass half full” kinda gal. What about you? Half full or half empty?

Lemons or lemonade, and no, I’m not going to criticize. I think we’re all wired differently, and we are who we are, but if you leave a comment, there’s a chance you might get picked to win a book or a stuffed dog. And please, let me know if you’ll be at the Romantic Times Book Convention in LA next month. I’m hoping to take something for everyone who contacts me before the convention.

Just remembered–please be sure and pre-order your copy of StarFire, the third book in The DemonSlayers series. Distribution could be a bit funky with all the Borders stores closing.

For the last week or so I’ve been working on a new novel, and immersed as my head’s been in the story, I completely forgot it was my blog day until this morning. Being completely and utterly unprepared I frantically began thinking, oh shux, what the heck am I going to post for the nice visitors who come here? My brain scrambled for ideas, and for about 20 minutes I had nothing.

Then a little voice in the back of all that sizzling egg that is oftimes my brain spoke up in its coffee-thirsty voice, “Book, you moron. Aphrodisia is a book line, and so these folks obviously read books. So it’s a good bet these folks even like books, don’t you think? Talk about books. Now find the damned Hazelnut flavoring for the java and we’re set.”

Ok, I found the Hazelnut. Now what? What books was I to talk about? The ones I  have in the works? Nah. That’s a limited and boring subject -at least from my cluttered desk. So I thought well maybe I’ll just post about book subjects with a popular appeal. And what’s popular right now, I asked myself? Uh, hmm, of course! EROTIC ROMANCE!

I just couldn’t get into the subject so early in the day. So next I contemplated that as a lot of Aphrodisia readers are women maybe some of them are Moms too and would enjoy a talk about Children’s classics.

But that didn’t seem to fit. Next I wondered, hmm just maybe these visiting Moms would prefer a discussion about popular YA books? My own 14 year old daughter loves the Charlie Bone series, maybe they’re keen on this too?

But there’s always a chance not everyone likes kids books. And as How-to books are very popular I considered that for a little while..

Then it occurred to me that hey, maybe that husky voice in the back of my head was just playing me for a fool. Just perhaps people are tired of discussing books? So next I considered upcoming sure-to-be-a-hit movies

But alas, I remembered that these days I don’t see enough new movies for that idea to even be plausible.

So here I am, still void of ideas. And now its time to get to writing and I leave you with no post. Sigh, ah well, love you all anyway

Anya

http://anyahoward.com

In another week, everything should begin to slow down, but for now, life is more nuts than usual, which is why this post is going up so late. I thought my novella, DREAM CATCHER, was done until it went to my beta readers, who promptly pointed out that I’d neglected to add the romance. Oh. THAT little thing? LOL…the plot was there, but I hadn’t done enough in the heroine’s point of view, which meant no one really connected with her. The hero was easy–I had a great visual for him.

Cue visual: This is MacArthur Dugan, in reality a health/fitness TV guru named Jessie Pavelka. He’s gorgeous. He’s inspirational. He made it SOOO easy to connect with Mac.
I never really found one that fit the heroine, so maybe that’s my problem, but to be honest, after I spotted this guy, I couldn’t think of much else!

I went back and totally rewrote the novella and it’s with my agent now. Hoping she approves, as it goes to NY next week. In the meantime, the page proofs for Wolf Tales 12 arrived. They need to be finished today and in NY by next Tuesday, and since I’m in California, that means they’ll have to go out this afternoon. Reading through this manuscript is so bittersweet. I love the story. All of my Chanku play a part in this one, because it was my last chance to write them for the foreseeable future. It takes place five years after WT11, when Lily is six years old. She overhears Anton worrying about the undiscovered Chanku and goes off on a trip on the astral plane to see the Goddess Eve–who Lily calls “Sparkly Eve.” While she’s missing, a lot of changes are coming to the packs, but Lily’s discoveries will answer so many questions.
That was the fun part about writing this story–as I wrote, I was learning things I never really knew for sure–like where the Chanku came from and what was in their future. I’ve added enough back story that I think even a reader new to the series will enjoy this one. I certainly hope so.

And looking at this cover for WT12, it just dawned on me that the model here could be my heroine in Dream Catcher. Interesting–I wonder if I had this cover in mind while I was writing? You never really know where the ideas come from! Another thing keeping me busy has been preparation for the Romantic Times Convention in LA next month. I’ll be flying in on April 5 and staying until the 10th–please let me know if you’re going to be there, especially for the book signing on Saturday. I’ll be posting details on my website at www.katedouglas.com and I’m also planning to do a chat, probably on Friday, where I’ll be giving away books–in fact, my newest DemonSlayers will be out that week: StarFire. Can’t believe that one’s only a month away. It’s up for preorder at Amazon.com, Borders.com and BN.com–for those reading the series, this is Dawson Buck’s story. Dawson is sort of a nerdy veterinarian with some hidden talents. He’s definitely a beta hero who turns out to have what it takes. I’ve got a first chapter excerpt up at http://www.katedouglas.com/id56.htm Anyway, I need to get back to the page proofs, so probably won’t be checking back until this evening, but if you get a chance, leave a comment and give me some ideas for destressing. I’m gonna need them by this afternoon! What do you do when life begins to crowd in and make you nuts? I’m open to advice! Those who leave a comment will be in the running for books OR a stuffed Bumper dog from DemonSlayers.