Scribbles and thoughts ...

These are ramblings from J L Wilson, published author of romantic suspense, mystery, and paranormal -time travel fiction....

Saturday, August 30, 2008

It's here! It's here!


Yay! My latest book is in print -- Candy, Corpses and Classified Ads -- available right here:



This book has a long and checkered history: bought by a publisher 2 years ago, said publisher closed, the book bounced around a bit, and now ... ta da ... it's here!

So excited .....

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Once again ... first chapters

State Fair update: chocolate covered bacon is interesting, but not a keeper. I did like the Frog Legs, though (battered green beans, deep fried). Quite yummy.

I'm on a new WIP and feeling pretty good about it. The first chapter is going well, and as we all know, that's critical -- this one is tricky because it's the second book in a series, so I want to give a bit of history but not too much. I have to introduce the characters quickly but not give too much detail for those who know the characters from the first book.

A challenge ... I are up to it!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Changing voices ... again

I struggled for a couple of days with that WIP and I've decided to put it aside for now and edit a previous book for submission. The plot just wasn't coming together for me -- luckily, I've got a couple of other things in the queue that will distract me enough so I can come back with a fresh eye (I hope).

Off to the State Fair today, that extravaganza of eating, people-watching, and gossip with my friends. I'm wearing my pedometer and if it's like last year, we will walk about 10 miles today.

Feet, don't fail me now!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Learning a new voice

I'm starting book 3 of my paranormal series, and I'm focusing it on a new set of characters. The first book focused on Isbel and Cyrus; the second on Dru and Jak; and this third book will focus on Jessa and Bron.

Isbel, Dru, and Bron are half-siblings, which is part of the continuity thread running through the books. The other thread is the political upheaval on their planet -- Dru, Jak and Bron are leaders in their government and they face a lot of challenges in this third book.

As you can tell -- it's complex, but that's not the part that has me worried. With each book I need to slip into the mind of a different person, a different personality. I have a good sense for this book of 'who' Bron is, but Jessa has me a bit worried. I'm not sure I'll so easily slip into her mind for her chapters. So I'm spending a lot of time fleshing out her history (none of which will appear in the book except by allusion to it) so I can get a sense of who she is.

Most of my characters are loosely based on people I know or on archtypes, but Jessa is a bit of a conumdrum. So I may need to postpone her entry into the story until I know her better.

Thoughts and musings on the writing life for a Tuesday ....

Saturday, August 16, 2008

That in-between place again


I finished the second book in my paranormal series for Wild Rose -- finished it on Thursday. So I'm at that in-between place again: not quite done with the last book, not ready to start the next one.

I did decide what I'll start next: Book 3 in this series. The characters are firmly in my head, so I want to continue on. The In-Between Place (IBP) is somewhat relaxing, but I find that I always have a lot of catching up to do. I tend to put a lot of things on hold when I'm deep into writing, and now I have to deal with those things: promotion, scheduling, balancing the checkbook .... just daily Stuff.

I'm pleased with how the last book turned out and I'm anxious to start the next one, but I'm trying to restrain myself a bit ... I think the book is better (and the writing goes faster) if I take some time to think about it because I launch into it.

So I'm in Think Mode now ...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

There it is!

Look over there to the right -------------)))))))))))))))))))

Yep, another book out today! I didn't get the buy-link until just a few minutes ago. Here's the blurb (it's REALLY a fun book):

Nick Baxter, an undercover FBI agent, thinks his BRILLIANT DISGUISE will fool the hicks in New Providence, Iowa. They won't suspect he's there investigating widow Shannon Delgardie, under suspicion of treason. What Nick doesn't know is that everybody in town is conspiring to protect her and investigate him in return.


Shannon needs help. The men her late husband blackmailed are closing in and the FBI might be involved. When Nick approaches her, can she trust him? With the aid of computer hackers and hair stylists, she uncovers the truth, finding a love she never expected in a tiny Iowa town.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Good starts


I attended a critique session today with a bunch of people reading someone's work.

I doubt I would have had the fortitude to read my work aloud, although as I think about it, maybe I would. I'm getting pretty confident about my writing, although I do still find myself pausing sometimes and thinking, "hmm, is that a good way to handle that?"

Case in point: my WIP. I think I wrote a good first chapter, but is it the RIGHT first chapter?

I'm not sure. Maybe I'm just too accustomed to writing mysteries, in which action starts with a bang. The first chapter in my current WIP starts with an argument between the heroine and a naked man.

Hmm. Maybe not a bad place to start, after all.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Once again ... give thanks

I heard today that an old acquaintance of mine has terminal cancer. I haven't seen her for years, but have kept in touch with her peripherally all this time. She's younger than me by about 5 years, and as far as I know, has lived a healthy life all her life. She's in stage 4, and the prognosis is obviously grim.

Once again: pause, think, and reflect. Health is the most important thing, followed by financial security, emotional security, etc.

This news came as I was worrying about whether I was releasing too many books too fast. It's a reminder to me:

This is life. It is not a rehearsal. We may not get tomorrow.

I'm going to release the books as I see fit and not worry about 'saturating' the market. I think it can handle 4 books a year.

A timely reminder, albeit a grim one.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

The benefits of visitors ....

I'm having some company this weekend -- my mother and sister are coming to visit. This has prompted my husband (and, admittedly, myself) to finish all those projects that we were going to do but just haven't quite gotten to. So now the tools are put away, the paint brushes are cleaned, the floor is patched ....

It's useful to have this kind of 'inspection' now and again. It helps clean up that "To do" list!