Character Interview - Law - Part One

 

He walks in dressed in jeans, a grey t-shirt and black boots. He’s a handsome guy with sharp cheekbones, black hair and dark brown eyes. He has a scar on his jaw and another on his cheek, which gives him a rough sexiness.

I can’t help but notice that in one sweep, he takes in the room around him, which I’m guessing makes him an observant guy. It could be the shifter in him though that makes him that way.

Without a word, he takes a seat. He looks relaxed but alert. There’s an intensity to his spirit that makes me restless.

I clear my throat.

ME: Afternoon, Law. It’s good to see you.

He nods.

ME: This part of the interview is recording basic information, so even if you think I know the answer, please tell me anyway.

Another nod.

ME: What is your full name

He sighs.

LAW: Law

ME: Last name? Middle name?

Another sigh.

LAW: Law Harris

ME: How did your parents decide on your name?

LAW: I don’t have parents.

ME: How tall are you?

LAW: 6 ft 3

ME: What colour is your hair?

LAW: Can’t you just look?

I give him a stern look and he smirks.

LAW: Black.

ME: What colour are your eyes?

Law looks up as if he’s searching for patience.

LAW: Brown

ME: How much do you weigh?

(Bursts out) LAW: Fuck off, I don’t know. Been a while since my last weight watchers visit.

ME: Who raised you?

LAW: A god awful pack. I left them and went solo when I was fourteen. I do better on my own.

ME: Where do you live now?

LAW: Wherever

ME: Any medical problems?

LAW: If I say no, can I skip the rectal exam?

ME: Um… Yes. Any distinguishing marks?

LAW: (waves at his face) You see the scars. There are a few others, and I have a tattoo. You need to see it? (He’s definitely getting impatient.)

ME: Maybe just describe it.

LAW: Circles on my forearm.

ME: Any religion?

LAW: What do you think?

ME: What kind of car do you own.

LAW: BMW X3. Black.

ME: Do you have any pets?

LAW: No

ME: Are you married?

LAW: No

This seems like a natural stopping point for now. We’ll pick this back up later.

LAW: How about for good?

Before I can answer, he’s leaving.

Starting Again

Wings of Passion is in edits, and I'm starting a new story. 

I'm at that point where Wings of Passion is in edits at Evernight Publishing, so I am starting a new shifter story. The plan is for this one to be a short, but then I plan that a lot, and then they often end up longer. 

I'm excited that I've got my artwork for Wings of Passion and I can't wait to start sharing teasers and promos for the paranormal romance. 

As a romance writer, though, I don't want to wait to finish this story before I start the next, so I'm in the plotting stages. 

I'll be keeping myself busy writing, but if you want to stay up to date with what I'm doing, visit my social media pages or my website. 

Goodbye 2022

For me, if 2022 was a book in a series it would be the filler book that does nothing but set up for later stories. 

I feel like I did a lot, and achieved some things, but at the same time, have nothing to show for the year that we're about to leave behind. 

Maybe I'll hit the ground running when we get into 2023 or maybe I'll plod through the start, but mostly I don't want to be in the same place this time next year. I don't want to be stuck in this limbo that 2022 was trapped in. 

It doesn't mean there was no progress, but it's all behind the scenes and that makes it feel like it didn't happen. 

I know I'm moving forward, but sometimes it's hard to see when it happens so slowly, and it's easy to get disheartened. I'm clinging to motivation through the new year. 

Earn a Reward

One of the things I do is reward myself when I achieve a task, especially if it's a boring one. I'm not saying I buy myself a bottle of champagne for every little accomplishment, but even a little extra reading time, a nice drink, watching a movie. Whatever gets the job done. 

Break Up the Goal

Big things are easier to complete when broken up into smaller tasks, so that's what I do. I figure out what I want and then build the steps to reach it. I think looking at something like losing 3 stone in weight, or publishing a book can be intimidating when looked at, but starting small like getting into healthy habits or writing character profiles make is much more realistic. 

Why Do This?

Sometimes when I'm struggling or disheartened, I have to think about why I'm pushing myself. Why am I sitting at my computer two days after Christmas working when I could be doing something else? I visualise the end result. I need to know exactly what I want so that I can keep going. 

Prepared for Set-Backs 

The trajectory of success is never straightforward. I'm not shooting straight ahead. I falter, I get rejected, I make mistakes, and I do things wrong. Sometimes, I just straight out fail. I take time to feel bad about it, I cry, I complain and then I try again. 

Still Trying

2022 is on its way out and 2023 is coming which means I'm almost onto the next book of this series called life. 

If you liked this blog then take a look at some of my other sites, including my lifestyle blog. 

It's Christmas Time

 It's Christmas time and this romance writer is ready for it. 

The decorations are up. Twinkling lights make the living room look warmer. I've done all my Christmas shopping. All that's left is to wait for the big day to arrive. 

Christmas Spirit

I love Christmas. The cosy nights at home with cinnamon candles, watching festive movies, wrapped up in a blanket with a hot water bottle and even better if I can have a glass of wine - which isn't always possible with the early starts at my day job. If I can't though then luckily, I'm a hot chocolate enthusiast.

I had hoped to write a festive story for Christmas this year, but time really has flown by and taken me by surprise with how quickly Christmas has arrived, so hopefully next year I'll get the idea written down. 

Keep Writing

I've got lots of story ideas, including the second book in my new shifter series, so for 2023 I'm on a mission to write as much as possible. It's not a New Year's Resolution or anything like that. It's just a hope. A wish.

I always want to write more than I do, but obviously working at a day job alongside writing severely limits my time, but there will hopefully be some new paranormal romance stories and some new fun characters coming soon. 

What the New Year Brings...

I don't have any specific plans for New Year. I'm at work in the morning and then I think I'll mostly be chilling at home, but I do love the start of a new year. It feels like wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch. A fresh outlook, new motivation, new goals... 

I'll be writing to the very end of 2022 because I'm a writer and it's what I do, and when the clock strikes midnight, it's page one of a new year. 

If you like this blog, feel free to take a look at my other articles, or if you prefer you can visit my website here, for updates and news. 

Wings of Passion

 

I signed my contract for Wings of Passion yesterday, which means it's coming soon. It's on its way. 

I'm so excited to get this story published and it's my first foray into a series. This is the first installment of a shifter romance, and I'm getting started on the second. Each book will be about different characters, all connected through their pack. 

I love writing shifter romances, I'm such a fan. I think it's one of my favourite genres of paranormal romance to read and write. 

I've written shifter romance before, and if it's your cup of tea too, then check out my bear shifter romance Feral Serenity.  Stick with me and I'll update with Wings of Passion updates as they come. I can't wait for you to read this book. 

 

Summer Holidays

 Get me to the beach...

Am I Going Abroad This Year? 

No!

It's a staycation for me. I'm heading to Skegness, and I couldn't be more excited if I was going abroad. 

It'll be donuts and ice cream, fish and chips, malibu slushies, meals out, and wine by the beach. I'll be paddling in the sea with my furbaby and buying tourist gifts. 

No Writing For Me

I'll obviously be taking my notebook with me, but my laptop is staying at home, so there will be no serious writing. There might be some serious reading though because I will be taking a few books with me. 

You have to have choice when it comes to reading, right?

Writer Not Writing

For four days. That's how long I'll be away. Four days without my laptop. I think it's the longest I've gone in a long time without it. 

No adding to WIPs. This romance writer is shutting the computer down. 

Not this week though. This week is for finishing and hitting deadlines. 

Why Do I Write?

From the moment I read paranormal romance, I fell in love with it.  

I've never been a particularly romantic person in real life, and I wonder if that's unusual for a romance author, or if we put it all into our writing, so we're not so interested in the reality of it. 

Still, give me an alpha male who knows what he wants, and a woman who makes it complicated for him, and I'm sold. Shifter romance is my jam, but whatever the genre, what is it that makes writers write? I can only answer for myself. 

Imaginary Friends

If I don't get them onto paper, the characters don't leave me alone. The persistent little buggers demand their story be told, and even when I'm writing it, they make their presence known. I can have full-on conversations with them. They're always there and until it's written, they're in my head. 

Living in Little Worlds

I have many different worlds inside my head. Many different stories. They're set on earth, in space, in fantasy worlds. I can visit them anytime and I often do. There's a universe in my mind. 

Words Are Brilliant

The words we choose, the words we like; we build our style on our word preferences. Words are amazing, the way you can make people see what you see. See what's in your mind. In your heart. 

Paranormal Romance is Key

Shifter romance, werewolf romance, vampire romance. The possibilities for a romance writer are endless. Is it any wonder I love reading these romance novels as much as I enjoy writing them? 

Karma

Okay, I probably shouldn't admit it, but it's cathartic adding people who frustrate you in real life to your work in progress and giving them their karmic retribution. Think you got away with shoddy behaviour. Not in my mind, you didn't. 

It's Bloody Fun

It's as simple as that. Writing is fun. That doesn't mean it isn't agony and torturous and exhausting and infuriating. But at the end of the day, it's a pretty good way to spend my time. 

Romance Author Forever

Yes, paranormal romance is my favourite, but when it comes to reading I'm less picky. Shifter romance is the best, and as an indie writer, it's my go-to genre. It doesn't mean it's all I'll ever write. 

Stay tuned, and if you want to follow my goings-on, you can do that on my author website. 

Real or Fake? Writing Characters.

 When writing, should you use real people to inspire your characters?

As a romance writer I don't use them for my main characters. I don't think I could write the kind of love scenes I write if I had a real person in my mind. Way too awkward. Not to mention, I haven't run into any alpha male sexy bear shifters lately to inspire me. 

Feral Serenity

So, character inspiration? No, not for the main ones. For side characters, though, I personally don't have any objections and I've been known to borrow a name or two for a few characters.

I may have also borrowed inspiration for some villains too. Hey, we all know the writer threat of 'be careful or I'll put you in my novel.' There have to be some perks for spending all our spare time chained to a computer or a laptop. 

When there are so many people around us, it's hard not to dip into that pool, and for writing exercises, I was advised a lot to watch people.

One piece of advice I would give, is don't make it a carbon copy. While some people might be flattered to be included in your book, may even ask to be, you don't want someone to be offended by reading themselves as an unlikeable character in your work of fiction. I feel like that might lead to some legal ramifications. 

Something we can probably agree on is that writers, and artists of all kinds, are influenced by life around them, and that means people, so there is probably a chance that you've been impacted without even realising. 

Real characters. Yes or no? My answer: Sometimes. 

So tell me, have you used any?

All Over the Place

 Organisation is key...

I feel like there's no order in my life right now.

I have to-do lists and schedules and still I've fallen into chaos. In fact, I'm so busy making check-lists and rotas that I forget to write and work toward my goals. My goal now is to keep it simple. 

This blog is specifically for updates on my writing, and I'm going to try and keep the personal parts of my life out of it a bit more than I have. I think that will help streamline things a little. I'll write about other parts in a separate blog. Of course, if anyone is interested in reading about my IVF journey you can do that by vising my site, To Be a Single Mother.

I have a few days off coming up, and I'm hoping they can be exclusively for writing, which means I need everything to be done before then. My time over the next few days will be scheduled within an inch of my life. I have the day job to contend with, and the real-life responsibilities that get in the way of writing time. 

A busy few days so I can earn my writing time. 

A Year of Writing

 An unproductive year ends...

...The next begins

Last year... What can I say? It passed by without me really achieving anything. 

I wrote, but published nothing. 

I wrote, but finished nothing. 

I wrote, but it was nothing. 

I think it's safe to say, that any plans I had this time last year, have come to zero, but that's why I'm such a fan of New Year. It's like starting a brand new book. It's like starting from scratch. 

And so as 2022 begins, have I set myself any resolutions? Yes. And they're all writing based goals. 

So many projects to finish that I have enough to keep me busy for years, but I want to finish the ones that I feel like I've been working on for years. Wings of Passion, my untitled sci fi romance, and a few others that I started but never finished. 

In 2022, these books are getting finished! They just are! I'm finishing them!

And to do that, I'm giving myself achievable deadlines, lots of free time, and a new set of priorities. Writing and publishing is my main New Year resolution!

To Write or Not To Write

 

When there's a distraction how do you write through it? I'm actually asking, because I have no idea. Is it okay to take time off when your heart's just not in it, or should you push through and force yourself to get words on blank screen. 

It's been a few weeks, and because I've had some distractions, I took  time off writing. I've read, I've watched TV. I've done practically nothing. 

Maybe I could have opened my laptop and pushed myself to work, but I felt that because my mind was on other things, that I could be forgiven for not doing that. For giving myself some time to keep my brain empty and my imagination banked. 

I take writing seriously, and hope that one day it will be my full-time career, but that doesn't mean I can do it when I can't focus. There's a part of me that thinks, keep writing, but I don't think that would have benefited my mental or emotional state. To force myself to write. So, yeah, I gave myself permission to take some time off. 

Now I'm feeling better, now my brain is back in the game, now it's time to get back to work, because I took the time I need. Now I'm ready. I'm editing and I'm writing again. 

It's Gonna Take Longer

 

So, it's been about a year of trying, and so far, I'm still trying.

I've gotten stuck on the rewrite for Wings of Passion, I've had rejections from many writing submissions, I've had doctor appointments delayed because of covid, I've felt tired, I've been exhausted, but I'm persevering, and even if it feels like I'm not getting anywhere, I guess I kind of am. Slowly.

I keep submitting, I keep editing that shifter romance, and I've just completed the last test for the referral to the fertility clinic, but sometimes it gets me down that it's taken a year to take these small steps. I've also binge-watched Teen Wolf and started a healthy eating kick, but on the whole, I know for most people, including myself, it hasn't been the easiest year.

They say with hard work and belief you can achieve anything, and that's why I keep trying, but I admit there are days when I doubt that. There are days when I think that all the writing is for nothing. That it doesn't matter how hard I try, I'll just keep getting rejected, and in those moments, I'll keep watching Teen Wolf, I'll talk to my people, and I'll keep trying, because, I think that sometimes, you just have to feel it. Things might be sucky right now, but I'll wait for it to pass, for the regression to the mean, because in the words of Teen Wolf: “Life Can’t Ever Be All Bad Or All Good. You Know, Eventually, Things Have To Come Back To The Middle.”

It's been a year of trying, but apparently, it's gonna take longer.

 

Losing Motivation

 

I love writing. I am a writer after all. But right now, I'm uninspired. 

I have a book, it's finished, but it's hard to not keep making changes. It's hard to send it out into the world. I feel like I need to keep making changes. 

And from there it spirals. I keep wanting to make changes, but because I never feel like it's finished, I can't start work on anything else. I work on scenes, I write parts, but I'm just jumping between writing projects. Unfortunately, it's not the first time this has happened. It's like when you finish reading a series and you don't know what to do with yourself. 

I'm lost. I want to write, but I need closure with my finished book. 

I need a home for Wings of Passion.

I’ve got so many starts, and I want to get lost in a story. I want to immerse myself in characters. I want to write again.

Christmas Break for Writing

 

My brain has decided to go on its Christmas break, and it doesn't want to work anymore.

Unfortunately, I have a day job that thinks differently, and so, all my breaks are occurring during the writing part of my day. I'm still getting odd words down, and ideas are still coming to me, but whenever I sit down to do any actual writing, a rush of festiveness washes over me, and suddenly I find myself eating candy canes and and Christmas shopping online.

I'm looking ahead to the new year, planning Christmas day. I'm searching for recipes, knitting decorations. I'm doing online Christmas quizzes and scavenger hunts. Watching Christmas movies, listening to festive music.

If it wasn't for the day job keeping me grounded I'd be adrift in a haze of Christmas.

We're all aware that this year it's going to be different. It's going to be quieter and a little sadder. We haven't been able to do all the celebrations, parties, and outings that we might usually have done, but even with our quiet, little Christmas, I'm still in the mood to see Santa.

I've been good all year. Well, most of it. Okay, some of it. Fine, I've been okay, but that's enough for the good list, right?

 

Christmas Excited

...and skilled in procrastination!

I'm all ready for Christmas. I've done nearly everything I need to. I go to work, I'm tidying up, the decs are up, cake made, present bought. 

What I've fallen done on is writing. I never realised how helpful Christmas is with my procrastination. Any time I sit down to write, and I can't get on track, well, there are always more Christmas gifts to look at.

 Now, I'm turning my procrastination skills to prep for the new year. I'm setting up worklists, doing background info for stories and now I'm trying to finish some small projects, editing, poems. Clearing the decks so that when I do get back into writing I have a clear path. Do I know that this is no more than procrastination? Absolutely, but excited for Christmas and having too much fun getting ready for it, so I'm trying to do the best I can with my weak concentration.

I just want it to be Christmas already!

Break Time

Sometimes you just need a break, or you end up having a breakdown. 

I've been tired, I've been working and I've been preparing for Christmas, and so I found that these last couple of weeks something had to give, and that something was social media. I just needed to not worry about logging on, thinking about hashtags and what I could say to entertain. 

And I gave myself that rest, because I needed it. 

Obviously, I kept writing, even if not as much as I usually do, but there are times when the rejection, the thought of rejection and the possibility of rejection makes me not want to try, and so I wrote for fun, things that were just for me. I journaled, wrote poetry, and I worked a little on my WIP, but this was a vacation for me. One where I concentrated on Christmas excitement and focussed a little more on that. 

Now, I feel slightly rejuvenated, though still tired, and I'm ready to get back to work. 

Feeling Autumnal. Winter’s On Its Way!

It’s raining outside, it’s dull. It’s mere days until Halloween.

Hello Autumn!

It’s officially the season of pumpkin spice everything, hot soup for dinner, fluffy pjs and a nice cuppa tea.

This is my favourite time of year. I like coming home from work and getting cosy on the sofa to get some serious writing done. Enter #NaNoWriMo!

November first starts the journey of fifty thousand words in thirty days. A book written in a month and my favourite part of it is the wordcount and the visible track of progress while I write. Something that’s usually missing. I love a wordcount.

I’ve got my story in mind, I’ve got my prep done, I’ve even got the start of the book planned. I’m good to go, and the best thing, National Novel Writing Month takes me straight to December. And that is Christmas.

I love Christmas! Controlling my excitement is the hard part. Even though this year is going to be different because of a certain pandemic ruining everything, I still feel the Christmas spirit simmering.

I’m glad we’re at the latter part of the year and not just because I want this year to end so we can get to the next, with the sunshine hope that next year will be better, but because all my favourite things about the year, comes with Autumn.

Halloween, Bonfire Night, Toffee Apples, Sherry, Christmas Cake, Egg Nog, Advent Calendars, Turkey Dinner, Christmas Pudding, Big Jumpers, Welly Boots, Hot Chocolate, Soup, Christmas Movies, Old Traditions. And that’s just a few things.

Told you I was excited.

 

 

 

Week of Sleep

I'm reaching the end of my week off and I'm more tired than ever. 

Fatigue has been an issue, and I think I've had a little bit of an illness. Maybe a virus or infection, but as I recover, the fatigue clings to me. Maybe by the time it's time to go back to the day job, I'll be good as new. Or maybe I'll just be back to my usual late-thirty year old tired self. 

I did plan to write a butt-load this week off, but in the end, I've done very little. I actually think I'm one of those weird people who works better with a routine. Going to work gets me up and active early, and then I've got the rest of the day to write. I don't always make the most of my free time, but it does help to have a schedule and to wake up straight away. 

Once the routine goes, all my motivation goes with it. 

So, yeah, this has been a bit of a wasted week in one respect. But in another, I've absolutely loved going to bed early and not setting my alarm. Not setting my alarm is one of my most favourite things ever. 

I've got two days left of this week off, and if I get to it, I might get a bit of writing done, but the weekend might fade away into making the most of the final two days. And by making the most, I mean wearing pjs and being sleepy. 

The writer's life! 

Fertility Financials

 

Fertility treatment is expensive, and I’m not exactly a high earner. This is the infuriating thing about IVF/IUI.

I have a fantastic support system, and I earn a steady income with my day job, but the bulk payment of treatment is the issue that’s in front of me right now. I live by a strict budget I don’t spend what I don’t have to, and I save any spare money.

Do I see and end to saving? No. Because there are always expenses in the future. Once my fertility treatment is paid for, then it’ll be a house deposit, then it’ll be my post-work life. Not to mention any surprise expenses that come along. I also have to fit in the funding for a lot of dogs because I’m going to need pets.

Saving is hard, though, especially when it feels like there is a time limit. I’m not getting any younger and my biological clock is ticking loudly, which means I resent every penny I spend, and if it’s a treat for myself, it comes with a butt-load of guilt.

I have to say though, that as a person who has never been great at saving, I’m definitely getting better at it. Any money I make from my books is saved, any loose change goes into a pot to be deposited into my account, and any money gifted to me goes straight into savings.

I confess, my one weakness is books, but even that has been curbed drastically for the sake of fertility treatment.

I might just reach my savings goal yet.

Blocked Brain

 

My brain is stuck.

I’m editing today, but because I’m tired and struggling to concentrate, I’m venturing into a new story, to get my mind going. Wake it up, so to speak.

I’ve already been to the day job this morning, getting up at quarter to five in the morning to get there in time, and now I’m home in desperate need of a nap or a boat-load of coffee. The problem is, when I find myself reading the same sentence over and over again, I know I need to do something.

Usually, if I’m stuck while writing, my trick is to switch from typing to longhand, but it’s harder when it’s editing, because it’s all on the laptop. That’s why, I’m working on the start of something new, just to get into the swing of it.

Until my rain is unstuck.