Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog

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.

I finally sat down today and started writing Wolf Tales 12. I’ve been thinking a lot about this one since it’s the final book in the current series, and I realized I couldn’t just start it at a point where Wolf Tales 11 leaves off. I decided to jump five years into the future so that I can show a lot of story lines resolved, but as I was getting set to write, I realized that in five years, there HAD to be more babies born! I mean, I left off WT11 with Tala’s twins and Lisa’s daughter’s birth (both are pregnant in Wolf Tales 10) and Keisha and Xandi both considering having more babies, and a few other characters pregnant, and I had a typical, author-like “OH SHIT!” moment.

That lasted about ten seconds before I sat down with my list of characters and figured out who would have babies in the ensuing five years, what sex they’d be, what their names and birthdays and ages were, and all the details that are required to turn imaginary characters into real living, breathing people. I had NO IDEA how much fun that would be, and I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the next generation of Chanku…once I get them all written, of course! They’ll all be in Wolf Tales 12, along with, hopefully, the resolution to a lot of issues I’ve raised throughout the series. In fact, if you have any questions you want to see answered, I hope you’ll leave them in the comments section below. I really don’t want to risk missing anything!

I got the cover art for Wolf Tales 11 the other day, and as usual, it’s gorgeous! What do you think?
It’s got a different feel from the others–the color scheme is more along the lines of my DemonSlayers books. Not sure if that’s on purpose or just the current “color of the day” for bookcovers, but what I really love is the female model–she looks exactly the way I picture Liana, who has a fairly good role in WT10 and 11. Of course, the guy looks more like Logan Pierce than Adam Wolf, but I’ll take what I can get…and you KNOW how those Chanku are! I’m sure Liana and Logan have diddled at some point…

Wolf Tales 10 is out, and I’m hearing great things from readers. I was a bit worried about this one–killing off a character is frowned upon in romances, but as I told readers, this IS paranormal. Dead doesn’t necessarily mean gone… I can promise a few tears and a lot of smiles with this one, and you will never again hear the phrase, Louiseville Slugger, in quite the same way…

Anyway, that’s about all the news I’ve got for now. My editor assures me that, even though the series is ending with 12, there’s a good chance I’ll be able to bring it back at some point, so I’m tending to think of it more as if I’m just going on hiatus. You know…sort of like killing off characters in a paranormal romance–they might be dead, but they’re never really gone. And please, let me know what story lines you want to see settled. I really appreciate your input, and I’ve discovered that often my readers have much better memories than I do when it comes to the nitty-gritty about my books! I will be following up on those hieroglyphics that were discovered on the cavern walls in the cave beneath Anton’s Montana home (Wolf Tales VII) and telling you more about Lily and her amazing abilities. She’s definitely her father’s daughter! But remind me, if you will, of other things I need to remember. I’ll be picking a few names from those leaving comments to win a free book, so even if you just leave a post saying “HI!” you’re entered!

If you’re 18 or over (yes, they’re WAY hot) check out first chapter excerpts of Wolf Tales 10 and Wolf Tales 11

>I almost forgot! I just heard from Danielle, one of the reviewers at Coffee Time Romance, letting me know that Wolf Tales 10 has been given the CTRR (Coffee Time Recommended Read) award.

The first Wolf Tales released in January 2006. Chanku Rising, in Sexy Beast, came out the following March, and in July, Wolf Tales II hit the stores. I think Wild Nights, with Camille’s Dawn, came out in September or October, but that schedule is one that I’ve stuck to with my series since the beginning.

The second year started with Wolf Tales III, then Chanku Fallen in Sexy Beast II, and Wolf Tales IV in July, and then Chanku Journey in Sexy Beast III. Of course, at this point, the numbering was seriously screwed up by that Wild Nights anthology, and the fact that I couldn’t write novellas that weren’t totally connected to the main series. Readers are still giving me hell about that, but I kept on writing. By now, I was totally involved in the lives and loves of my Chanku.

And, I have to admit, I have gotten some gorgeous covers–of course, there was that little incident with Sexy Beast V–the one where the publisher had to add fog over that gorgeous hip and thigh to make it more acceptable. Of course, I’m showing you the original because I’m quite fond of that cover–he is absolutely gorgeous, and in my mind, it was flat out criminal to cover up that perfect slice of manflank, but the third year of Wolf Tales introduced Millie West and Manda, and Adam Wolf, who is one of my favorites, who showed up in Chanku Destiny. It’s also the year when Oliver found himself, with Adam’s help, and also found the love of his life when he met Mei Chen–and it was in Chanku Wild/Sexy Beast V, where their lives finally came together.

Wolf Tales VII was my first Romantic Times Top Pick for the series, followed by another one for Wolf Tales VIII. This year also brought six young Chanku into the pack, when a group of homeless kids rescued Tala from an assault in Golden Gate Park in Chanku Honor/Sexy Beast VI. Chanku Challenge, in Sexy Beast VII explored some of the issues facing Beth, one of the new members of the pack, but by now, my packs were not only expanding and growing, they were starting to reproduce! Keisha and Xandi had Lily and Alex, and Tia was pregnant. You ever try writing erotic romance with babies in the room? It’s not easy!

Wolf Tales 9 was a totally different book. I took a poll of my readers to find out which characters they wanted to know more about–I knew that this story would take place the night Tia gave birth, and I imagined the pack members gathering to hold vigil while Tia labored, all of them telling their own, personal stories as they passed the long night. Romantic Times gave this one two stars and said it was too emotional–I’ll grant them that. It is an emotional book–it was a tough one to write. I honestly didn’t know a lot of the background histories of my Chanku, who, by now, had become totally real to me. It will always hold a place in my heart because I realized that, during the course of writing this one, I had come to know each of my characters as real, living, breathing individuals. At the same time, there was a sense of change in the series, and I really felt it when I wrote Chanku Spirit in Sexy Beast VIII. I knew this was my last novella in the series–I’d recently signed my contract for The DemonSlayers series, and just didn’t have enough time to write four books plus two long novellas a year.

When I was working on Wolf Tales 10, my editor asked me to consider ending the series. With so many books (there will be 21 total, counting the novellas) she felt it was time to draw the story line to a close. As much as I hated to think of winding down and ending with number 12, I had to agree that it was time. Still, it’s a difficult adjustment to make, and I’m still not sure what will happen in that final book. In the meantime, I’ve got a proposal with my editor for a new series, one tentatively called SpiritWild, that follows the lives of the next generation–Lily and Alex all grown up, as well as Tia’s twin girls, and the other babies who will appear in the final books–Wolf Tales 11 and 12. I hope Kensington will pick up the new series–I’m really not ready to walk away from my Chanku entirely, not after spending the last five years so deeply connected to their world.

Anyway, the reason for this post is to formally announce that the series will be ending with Wolf Tales 12, due to release in July of 2011, but with any luck, the Chanku will go on in the next generation. And, there’s always a chance I’ll be able to bring my original Chanku back–my editor was adamant that I leave things open enough possibly to return to the same characters at a later date. We shall see. In the meantime, I need to reread all the books in the series so I don’t miss anything as I prepare to write that last title. I keep thinking we need to plan SOMETHING when it ends…anyone know a good therapist?

I’ll be giving away a couple of ARCs of HellFire to a couple of you leaving comments, even if it’s just to say you’re glad the series is ending! Take care, all…this will be a short contest and I’ll be choosing my winner Saturday morning.

My apologies to all. Today is my day to post, but I’m just back from the Romantic Times convention and my mom is not doing well, so I’m off this morning to drive to Stockton to see her. Instead of a rundown of the conference, I’m giving the link to all my pictures (116 of them) if you’d like to see what a bunch of us were up to last week in Columbus, Ohio. Do hope you enjoy the photos–and for your patience, I will be giving away ONE copy of my new HELLFIRE ARC which arrived while I was gone.

Take care. I will choose ONE winner from today’s posts.

Kate

Good morning, all. I just discovered a couple of days ago that today is Easter Sunday…does that tell you I’ve not had my head out of the office in way too long? Not that I mind living in my fantasy world, but I should, on occasion, probably try and remember to crawl out of the paranormal world and check on the real one.

The problem is, I love it in here! Actually, I’m having to make up for a month lost over December when my husband and I were both ill with the flu, and then that stupid car accident in February, as it’s all set me behind on my deadlines when I was already tightly booked. There’s the book I’m working on now–StarFire, the third in the DemonSlayers series, that’s due May 1, only I’m leaving for the RT convention in Ohio on April 26 so I’m trying to finish before my trip, and then the next in the Wolf Tales series is due in August, but there’s also a novella due in July, and I forgot the trip to NY for Book Expo America at the end of May and the last in my DemonSlayers series due November 1 and yeah, next time I schedule out my life for the next few years, I’ll plan to leave more room to actually live it!

But it’s all good and I’m not complaining, just explaining why I’m not really going to blog about anything beyond wishing everyone who celebrates this day a wonderful Easter, and sending good thoughts for some gorgeous spring weather.

We’re supposed to get a foot of snow. I’m going back to my fantasy world, thank you very much! But, if you leave a comment, only to bitch about all the stuff you have to get done or to comment on the weather (though I must admit, my tolerance for GOOD WEATHER stories is growing thin) I’ll throw your name in the hat for a free book–either DemonFire or one of my Wolf Tales or Sexy Beast books. Sexy Beast VIII is out, and I finally got my author copies! Good luck, and have a wonderful week!

Oops! Forgot to mention that I’m still running my photo contest for “DemonFire sightings” of pictures of the book wherever you see it displayed. Send them to me at kate@katedouglas.com or through Facebook by posting them in your album and sending me the link, and I’ll put you in the running for an advance readers copy of HellFire. Contest will run until I get my ARCs from Kensington.

I forgot to mention that I’ll be choosing a couple of names from comments to win a free book–either a copy of DemonFire or one of my Wolf Tales or Sexy Beast books (from the ones I have left) Just leave a comment to enter.

I’m finishing up final edits on Wolf Tales 11 tonight, so I’ll have to make this brief, but today has been pretty amazing, and it’s gotten me to thinking about dreams and goals and what we want out of life.

Back in 1984, when I first started writing romances, my dream was to some day, publish a book. I sold my first romance in 1998 to an epublisher, long before anyone had heard of ebooks–believe me, the Kindle and the Nook weren’t even on the radar then–but I was published, and so my dreams shifted up a notch. My next goal was to get an agent, someone who would like my writing enough to help me grow my career.

In May 2001, I signed with a new, unknown agent named Jessica Faust, who had just formed her own agency, BookEnds. The running joke then was that she could get me rejected in a fraction of the time it took me–it wasn’t unusual for my submissions to languish in the slush pile at various publishers for over a year. Jessica could get a rejection for me in less than a month!

So, my goals and dreams moved up a notch. I was doing well with epubs and small presses, it was time to dream big. I had an agent–I wanted a New York contract. That came in the summer of 2005 when Audrey LaFehr at Kensington liked my first Wolf Tales enough to not only offer me a contract, but start an entire imprint–Aphrodisia. (Hey, I most certainly wasn’t dreaming THAT big!) My 18th story in the series, Chanku Spirit in Sexy Beast VIII will release this month. Dream fulfilled–but it was time for a new dream.

Mass market. I really wanted a mass market contract, so I worked on a proposal and in Christmas 2008, after a few false starts with ideas that didn’t fly, I signed one for a parnormal series, The DemonSlayers, also with Kensington.

Another dream, checked off, so it was time to aim higher. How about a list? Is that a goal, to hit a list? That first book, DemonFire released last week and showed up on BookScan this morning. It hit the Nielsen BookScan list at #83 today! This is my first week out for my very first mass market book and my very first time to hit a major book list, so to say it’s exciting is a bit of an understatement! What’s next? Well, I’ve had damned good luck dreaming, so I guess I’ll shoot for either the NY Times or USA Today. Impossible? Maybe, but that’s what I heard from friends and family so many years ago when I said I wanted to publish a book. And I heard it over and over again when the rejections rolled in, but I kept writing and dreaming.

If we don’t dream, if we don’t follow those dreams and work hard to make them come true, then what is there? I think I’d rather dream and fail than not have dreams at all. Is there something you’ve wanted badly enough to sacrifice for, to dream of, that’s come true? I love stories about people setting a goal and reaching it, whether it’s to lose 20 pounds, go back to college, have a child, take a trip or anything that you’ve wanted for yourself, that you’ve dreamed of achieving and actually succeeded at. Or do you have a dream that’s not yet fulfilled? One you’re still working toward? If so, you have my utmost respect, because I know how hard it is to try and fail and then try again.

But trust me, if feels SO good when it finally comes true.

What a week! I’ve been scrambling to get Wolf Tales 11 done by my February 15 deadline (and no, I’ve already accepted the fact–and thankfully, so has my editor–that it’s not going to happen) while dealing with all the promotion for DemonFire, my first mass market release that’s coming out on February 23, and I realized this morning what the hold up is on WT11–my brain is stuck in the DemonSlayers world while trying to write about the Chanku! (Trust me, that does not work well.)

I’ve been spending tons of time going over notes–for the life of me I could NOT remember what color wolf Logan Pierce becomes (black) or who was taller–Mik or AJ. And it’s Mik at 6’5″ as AJ’s just 6’4″, and normally I can recall details like that because I KNOW these guys, but for the past couple of weeks I’ve been working on promo for DemonFire and thinking about my six foot, eight inch Lemurian warrior Alton, and Dax, my fallen demon who has so much going against him in his fight to save the world from demonkind that it’s a miracle–and Eddy’s love–that he was still around for me to write him into HellFire. (okay, Kate…take a DEEP breath…)

Needless to say, I am not my usual calm, collected self! Anyway, when I get totally frustrated and to the point where I can’t get my thoughts together, I do something that takes me away from writing. Today I baked cookies and cleaned my office. The cookies are wonderful–double chocolate chip/chocolate cookies with pecans. Horrible for the waist but wonderful for the psyche–AND I cleaned my office, and you, my friends, or at least one of you, will benefit from my little writer breakdown, because deep in the piles stacked around the room I found an ARC of DemonFire I didn’t know I had, and one of you who leaves a post, even if it’s just to tell me I’m a ditz for losing it, will have a chance to win.

So there ya have it–a scary glimpse into the mind of a woman who can’t figure out which world to play in, but it’s all good, eventually! And while I worry about finishing the book, at least I’ve got yummy cookies to eat and an ARC of a really great story (if I do say so myself!) to give away. And just to get the ball rolling, what do you do when it all seems too much and you’re spinning your wheels? Maybe I can learn something new to help me deal with…well, sexy Chanku and really hot Lemurian warriors and this fallen demon who is just flat out gorgeous. Hey, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it!

I’ll pick a winner in a couple of days, so be sure and check back.

I just realized two things–it’s my day to blog, and I’m supposed to head to town in about an hour for an appointment! So, m’dears, I’m going to make this one short and sweet and just let you know that Wolf Tales 9 is out. I’m already hearing from the world’s most terrific readers who have bought and read the book and would definitely give it more than the two star review it got from Romantic Times! I’ve been thrilled to hear from those of you who’ve taken the time to send an email or leave a comment on my Facebook page, because, as you know, this one is really dear to my heart.

A year ago, when I was getting ready to write the book, I polled my newsletter readers and asked which characters they would like to know more about. I already knew this would be the book where all my Chanku gathered while they awaited the birth of Tia and Luc’s first baby, and I figured it would be a perfect opportunity for them to talk about themselves and how they discovered their Chanku heritage.

I was amazed by the number of you who took the time to write and tell me who you wanted to know more about. Mik and AJ were the obvious winners, but there were requests for background on Luc Stone and Jacob Trent, on Oliver and Anton’s early years and also on a number of others. They are all in the book, and the response from readers has been even better than I’d hoped.

If you haven’t yet read Wolf Tales 9, I encourage you to take a look. Because of the backstory, if you’re not into the series at all, it might be a good place to start, to give you an idea whether or not you want to get into the lives and loves of my Chanku shapeshifters.

Now I need to head out–but I’m going to make this a one day only contest to win a copy of Wolf Tales 9–or any other of the newer books in the series. (I’m out of the earliest ones) The winner will be chosen from one of the comments.

My question is a little off topic–have you ever hesitated to start a series because you’re afraid you’re really going to like it, and just don’t want to make the commitment? I’m that way! I have never gotten into Laurel K. Hamilton’s books because I just know I’m going to get hooked! There are a couple of other wonderful authors out there as well, and as much as I want to read their books, I know I just don’t have the time to give them the attention they’re due. I know…pretty dumb, right? So, am I the only one with this stupid hang up?

Take care, all, and have a great day and a wonderful New Year!

My apologies for posting late, today, but I’ve been dithering. Yep…no excuse whatsoever. I’m not sure if it’s the time of year or just the fact that I have so much to do I don’t know where to begin next. There’s the first chapter for StarFire, due on my editor’s desk by the end of the year as a teaser in the back of the second book in the DemonSlayers series, HellFire. There’s the next Wolf Tales, number eleven, that I’ve got to write and deliver by February 15. There’s the Christmas dinner menu to plan, with no idea if I’m cooking for twenty-five or forty. I know that will include a whole roasted top sirloin, a baked salmon and roasted veggies and potatoes among other things, but a head count would be nice…I’ve got the boughs stacked up in my potting shed so I can build the Christmas wreaths I give away every year, and the Christmas cards to buy, not to mention address and send. Of course, there’s still a huge stack of DemonFire postcards to mail to my readers–I’ve been promising them since October–and the promotion to gear up for before Wolf Tales 9 comes out in a couple of weeks.

So guess that’s where I’ll start–with Wolf Tales 9. I was really shocked when it only got a two-star review in Romantic Times magazine, especially since I expected so much better! I think this is the best book in the series so far, but the reviewer though it filled with “gushy emotion-fests that only diehard fans of the series will be able to tolerate.” LOL…well, personally I love those gushy emotion-fests, so I’m hoping my “diehard” fans will more than tolerate them–I’m hoping you’ll love them as much as I do! This book was written as a result of a poll I did with my newsletter readers last year when I asked them which characters they wanted to know more about.

The winners, hands down, were Mik and AJ, so their story of their early years and how they met in Folsom Prison as cell mates is the longest. The one that really surprised me, though, was Luc and Jake’s “how we met” story. It actually unfolded as a complete surprise to me as I was writing it, and gave me a new appreciate of Jacob Trent. He can be sort of an arrogant pain in the ass at times, but there’s a much softer, more vulnerable side to him I never expected. It was fun exploring Anton’s early years, including how he met Oliver and again how he met Stefan and ended up cursing him–which led to Stefan’s five long years trapped as half man and half wolf.

There are others in the book as well, including a couple of unexpected events that add to the overall tension of the story, but the main thrust of the book is the various Chanku and their introduction into the pack. I do hope you’ll enjoy the book, and to get you in the mood, I’ll be giving away a couple of copies of past releases of either Sexy Beast or Wolf Tales to those who leave a comment.

So, let me know…are you ever caught up with too much to do which results in doing nothing? And if so, how do you get past it? For me, it requires just sitting down at my computer and triaging what has to be done first–and hoping I go beyond the act of merely putting things on a list!

To all of you, Happy Holidays, and don’t let the hustle and bustle of the season keep you from finding the time to read a few good books!

I was in the local Safeway today picking up some groceries, and I stopped to look at the books to see what was new. An older lady stood beside me picking up one, then putting it down with an audible grunt of disgust, then picking up another book, same thing. Finally she turned to me and said, “My daughter reads all the time. I don’t understand what she sees in this shit. It’s a waste of time.” And she grabs a copy of COVET by JR Ward. “It’s all make believe,” she said. “None of it’s real. It’s garbage.”

Coming December 29

Obviously, I could NOT keep my mouth shut–especially since I absolutely loved JR’s COVET! I smiled and said, “Well, I’m an author and that’s what I write—paranormal romance—and I certainly don’t think it’s garbage. It’s
entertainment, pure and simple.”

She got sort of a blank look on her face so I reached into my purse and grabbed a Wolf Tales bookmark and a DemonSlayers postcard (yes, I ALWAYS have them with me!) and handed them to her and said, “Maybe your daughter would like these.”

She stared at them a minute and then gave me a bug-eyed look and held up my Wolf Tales bookmark and said, “My daughter has almost all of these. She reads your books!” Now she wasn’t grunting, but she was definitely excited to be talking to the author of the books that her daughter reads that bug her so much.

We parted on good terms. Hopefully she won’t be quite so critical of her daughter, who, she said is 34 and has always loved to read. She, however, does not like to read. I feel sorry for her, but at least her daughter’s obviously got a mind of her own and reads in spite of dear mom…and she reads MY books!

I’m still chuckling over that little interlude…but it made me sad, in a way, to think that a mother would be so critical of her adult daughter who enjoys reading, simply because Mom doesn’t understand the books her daughter enjoys. Of course, my own mother doesn’t understand the books I write—she did ask me if she could read DemonFire, “because it’s not one of THOSE.”

I explained that it may not have as much sex in it, but it’s still got demons and spirits and make believe. So then she said she still wanted to read it, but I’m not supposed to tell anyone. Sure thing, Mom…uh, do you mind if I blog about it?

Hope you’re able to enjoy a good book without guilt. We should all be free to read–and write–what entertains us, what inspires us and what makes us happy. Do you ever find yourself having to defend your choice of reading material? If so, I want to hear what you have to say when someone asks why you’re reading “THAT BOOK!”

I’ll be choosing ONE WINNER for a copy of an ARC of DemonFire, the first book in my DemonSlayers series, out of those of you who leave a comment.