Linking Worlds

I have a database of story ideas that I keep adding to each time I'm struck with a new idea. I started it about 12 years ago and it has grown to about 90 story ideas now. I probably won't write all of them, but it is fun to read through it every now and then and remember stories I came up with years ago.

These stories re-enter my mind all the time, they come back into the forefront and dance around for a while, sometimes spawning brand new book ideas. The old ideas gets developed during this process and I add more details to my database. My one sentence premise turns into paragraphs of dialogue or descriptions of a few clear scenes in my mind.

I am so glad I started doing this, because as my writing has evolved I've been able to link my stories. Rather than having a database of 90 separate story ideas I'm beginning to see ties....and I'm loving it. You see, I get a little bored writing the same thing all the time. I like variety, so that's why I have so many stand alone stories floating around in my head, but I've quickly concluded that ties can be made between these books and I think that's pretty cool.

Betwixt was originally a one-off story, but people loved Dale and Nicole so much that I decided to include them in my upcoming series - The Masks Series. I'm so glad I made that choice. I love Dale and Nicole too and it's nice not to have to say goodbye to them yet.

As a reader, I love seeing old favorites pop back into stories. One of my favorite series of all time for that is The Chesapeake Bay Series by Nora Roberts. Four novels each following one of the four main characters, in a sense they can stand alone, but reading them together gives you this amazing world and lets you see the characters you loved from the first book grow and change in the background throughout the rest of the series.

I've really taken this concept on board and through this thinking have decided to develop a series of stand alone novels that will all make sense individually, but will also let you see the characters from previous stories having a background role. I've entitled it the Songbird Series. The first book, Fever (due for release in June 2014), I've had planned for a long time now. Originally I was just going to make it a stand alone novel, but then I went back through my book database and I found 9 other stories that all had a musical thread running through them and it sparked an idea. What if I created a series and linked all these stand alone novels together. I could give each book a soundtrack! I jotted down all the stories I thought would fit and easily found links and connections and so a one book novel has now turned into a 10 book series with the possibility of two novellas to go with it. I am so super pumped about this idea and I can't wait to start putting it together. I plan to release 2-3 Songbird books a year, so this is a really long term project, but it's going to be so fun to work on.

As a reader, do you prefer reading series or stand alone novels?
As a writer, do you think it's better to produce series or stand alone novels?

True Colors Cover Reveal

I know I've posted this on my YAlicious blog already today, but I just have to post it here as well. This cover is too beautiful not to be splashed all over the internet.

I want to thank Kate Strawbridge of Dwell Design and Press for giving this book such a stunning cover. Your hard work and patience did not go unnoticed and I love you for all the energy and enthusiasm you gave to this project. You are a talent, lady.

Blurb:

Caitlyn Davis always cruised through life, not being the type to ruffle feathers or involve herself in high school drama…until a chance encounter with a strange, homeless man changes everything.

Suddenly, Caitlyn has the ability to see behind people’s masks. She discovers that her life isn’t as simple as she imagined and her high school is filled with secrets…some very sinister ones.

Unable to ignore her new gift, Caitlyn embarks on a mission to learn why one of her friends now appears terrified, but masks her fear behind a bright, smiling veneer. Will Caitlyn’s new ability lead her into hot water? Or is her new found vision a blessing that will expose her friends’ true colors?

Her quest will lead Caitlyn to lose friends, stand up for those in need, and even find love.

At Palisades High School every face tells a story…

Book Link:

Goodreads

And don't forget about the True Colors Masquerade Ball.

True Colors Masquerade Ball Facebook Event

The True Colors Masquerade Ball is happening on February 16th to celebrate the release of True Colors. All party-goers will be entitled to purchase a copy of True Colors for only 99c. There will also be competitions, giveaways and guest appearances from other authors who will be unveiling their own secrets. So come and join in the fun and help us welcome True Colors into the world with style.

I'm Back and Raring to Go!

The last two weeks has shown me the importance of taking a break. Feeling weary at the end of 2013, I enjoyed a relaxing Christmas and New Year with my family and am now launching into 2014 with fresh energy. I am so excited and wanted to share with you my writing plans for this year. I actually have a bunch of other plans this year too, but for this particular post, I'll just let you know about the books I have planned. I'll tell you about the other stuff in tomorrow's Indie Life Post - "Taking Every Opportunity."

So - as far as writing goes, I have six books planned, four of which will be published by Evatopia Press.

True Colors, The Masks Series #1 is coming out on February 16th and we're kicking it off with a big party.

There are going to giveaways, competitions, author appearances...a whole bunch of fun. Plus, all party-goers will be able to purchase a copy of True Colors for only 99c!
I'd love for you to join me. Here's the event link: TRUE COLORS MASQUERADE BALL.

My second and third books, that I'm hoping to release in the first half of this year, are the I Know Lucy Series. I have had so much fun working on this series. I Know Lucy is already written and I just started the 1st draft of Set Me Free yesterday. I always say that I fall for my characters as I write and I really do, but this bunch have nestled into my heart and I can't wait for you to meet them.

My summer release this year is going to be the start of a Contemporary Romance Series - The Songbird Series. They will all be stand alone novels. I am branching away from YA for these particular books. I guess you could label them NA, but they are going to be clean enough for YA readers to still enjoy. Although it will be written about older characters in their early-mid twenties, I still hope my YA readers will be able to enjoy these stories. At this stage I'm planning on writing one Songbird book a year, but I may up that to two next year - I'll see what else I'm squeezing in :)

For the rest of 2014, I want to work my way through books 2 - 4 of The Masks Series, I don't like to leave readers waiting too long. This will probably end up taking me through until January 2015. And then for Valentine's Day, 2015 - I'm hoping to release a very sweet, poignant story that has been close to my heart for years. I don't know why I've been sitting on it for so long, but I need to get it out. I was going to write it earlier on, but I thought a Valentine's Day release would be perfect for this particular tale.

So that's what I'm up to this year. How about you?
How many books are you hoping to get through this year - either reading or writing?
If you're a writer, what have you got coming out next?
I'd love to hear your news :)