Jax's Artistic Journey...

Published or not, it's easy to let paranoia get the best of you. I've been feeling like I'm so very close but each time I'm optimistic, something happens that makes me frown. So, I've been working on novellas, edits, proposals and so on...as much as I write, you would think I actually have another deadline but right now I won't have anything out next year. That could change in a heartbeat so I need to produce more projects. Here I am, freaking out that I won't have a book release and halfway into my YA project I am hit with a lightning bolt for a new 'Secret' project.

I can't begin to tell you how much fun it is to write this Urban Fantasy. It's dark, snarky, and gritty. I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would and it's first person! Which I totally don't write. It's also a lot different than I usually write, less lyrical and more mainstream. Sometimes it's good to change things up a bit. Now, if I can get this proposal done by the weekend, I'll be so happy. I'm already excited about wanting to send it to my agent...I think she'd be proud of me taking on a new challenge. It's also very liberating because sometimes you got to tackle something you aren't necessarily comfortable with. Now, I hope I can keep the momentum. I'm being a bit superstitious so I'm not going to tell anyone about it. No one knows except me and Mr. Right. In the past I've told my dearest friends but this time, I'm going to practice restraint.

Okay, back to working on the masterpiece. Now, you should read the rules on the picture. It's so true!

I've finished plotting my urban fantasy novel and it's DARN GOOD, I tell ya! I figured out some new elements that will add to the storyline, also fleshed out some new characters. It's amazing how easy things come back to you. With this renewed writing streak I was able to produce a few pages of my YA urban fantasy, too.

Yes, I'm working on two projects at once! Yes, I know I'm nuts but these projects are NOT vampire books. Hopefully they'll be fresh and engaging...I'm all about creating a new trend so I hope it works.

Well, I've made a list of titles for my YA series and they are awesome. Yeah, I guess this blog today is just about praising myself. Why not? If we can't be proud of what we're doing then we shouldn't be doing it. I haven't been this inspired in a long while and today I feel like I'm finally back on track! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEE!

P.S. I'm talking about Wong Kar Wai's movie MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS at Hooked on Romance...

I've been having these strange dreams every night and often I wake up, not knowing what is reality and what is a product of my subconscious. During the midst of writing my women's fiction and contemporary romance proposals, I've been thinking about the first paranormal/urban fantasy I wrote. Of course, the first draft was total crap...but I didn't know then what I know now. Yes, we all started somewhere and those days I was a total newbie. I had no idea the proper way to pen this world, no idea how to pour the entire universe into the story without losing the readers. After all, I knew every character and back story in my head...so naturally I would assume others would too. What's so fantastic about this universe is my chance to pull in Chinese mythology, and a touch of Irish folklore. But the most important part of this entire world boils down to one thing, eternal love.

Four years later, and 12 revisions, I'm seeing the manuscript with a different pair of eyes. I thought my love for this genre was gone, but as I re-read the most recent draft--I was proud. Proud of not throwing over fifteen years of world building away. Maybe I put it aside because I was scared of writing it but now I know that this story is too good to be locked away in the inner recesses of my mind. I've got so much of it swirling inside and if I don't write it, no one will ever have a chance to see this world.

This weekend, I've decided to re-plot and re-write this story. Maybe 13 isn't such an unlucky number because, right now, I feel I need to write this.

I woke up this morning and decided that I'm going to get a super-agent and a NY publishing contract by New Years 2009, even if it kills me. Well, not literally, but you know what I'm talking about...I think it's time to kick my writing career into high gear. After all, I've got 4 print books (soon to be 6 by next year) and 7 novellas under my belt. I think I'm warmed up enough to follow the path that my girlfriends have taken to international publication. 2008 started out very bizarre and exciting! I watched a lot of my close friends realize their writing dreams. Five friends landed 2-4 book deals as first time authors, and 4 of my pubbed friends got offered additional contracts, then there is one amazing friend who landed a screenwriting gig and waiting on a greenlight for her pilot. With the fantastic momentum, I hope to be the next up for something great. I have faith it's my time. I should have been looking for an agent sooner..well, I did have an agent that lasted a full month before I left him, but that really doesn't count. It felt good for two seconds. :) Well, I'm working hard this weekend to get my proposal done for my urban fantasy and I'm really close. I want to send it out in about a week or so. I have decided to get back on schedule and make myself more productive...I know, I should seriously be working on my book deadline, but I'll get it done...I always do.