And can I say, finally? ~ Physically, I think I might actually be getting better ... for real this time. Please, keep your fingers crossed for my immune system.
~ I finished the second book of my latest series, STEPPING STONES. It's a very good series, different, romantic ... and almost TOO realistic. Fingers crossed that the third book is as fun to write as the first two were.
~ My publisher says they should have on OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE for THE PROMISE by Friday. This Friday! Fingers crossed again, with fervor please. They will be offering a pre-order as well. I'll let you know when all this takes place.
I'm about to begin a very uncomfortable part of the novel I'm currently writing and I have to say, writing the "uncomfortable stuff" isn't my favorite. Creating an outline for a story line is easy. Yet when it comes to the depth, intensity, and seriousness of the conflicts my characters go through, that unpleasantness isn't felt until I'm writing it. The second book of my latest series, STEPPING STONES, is no different. It'd be so much easier, more fun, more enjoyable to keep my stories light and happy, but that's not fiction. That's not romance or fantasy. And like every novel I've written, at least once during the process I say to myself, "I wish they hadn't done that," or, "I wish it didn't have to be that way." I know, it's my story. But at a point that changes and it becomes "their" story; Brynn, Cori, Meagan, Landrie, and Aniston's. Other authors will attest to this, to the story being so big--in and of itself (<-Idiom, er ... WORD OF THE WEEK)--that regardless of desire, they have to write it through to fruition for the mere sake of it.
With STEPPING STONES, I'm there and I'm already tired.
Kristin
Ps. Some less-exhausting news - THE PROMISE is in the queue at the printing press. We're literally just a few short weeks away from release. YES!
When privileged, beautiful, sixteen year old Aniston Tate is arrested for stabbing her prom date, the only life she knows is turned upside. Sentenced to eight years in prison for the crime, Aniston is thrown into a world of abuse, betrayal and pain. She relocates to Apex—an alternative prisoner program for first time youth offenders—and is tested both physically and intellectually on a daily basis. She meets and falls hard for fellow convict Clayton Massey, and just when she seems to have a handle on life behind bars, she finds herself the object of twisted desire of the program’s director, Dr. Long. Over time, the real objective of the program comes out—a breakthrough medical venture that proves dangerous to all involved—and Aniston’s ethics are tried against her obligation to Dr. Long and his program. In the fight of her life, Aniston’s true test comes from finding the strength to keep her spirit and heart intact while working The Apex Objective.
It's getting close. The release of THE PROMISE is getting so close. I can't wait to open that first box of freshly printed books and thumb through a copy.
Some of the the fun things I've been working on:
~ Dust jacket ~ Front matter, back matter, and everything in between including end papers, title page, and one of the hardest things I've had to do the second time around, the dedication page. ~ Pagination. WORD of the WEEK. This one isn't my favorite, but I'm getting better at. Just kidding. Pray for me, please. ~ Blurbs for THE PROMISE ~ Media kits for The Trait series - THANK YOU AA for your help with this! ~ AND ... I'm 43,000 words into my newest novel, A ROOM WITHOUT WINDOWS, volume one of The Apex series.
I'm so grateful for the amazing people I work with and for my friends, family and colleagues that support me. The publishing process is very much like a roller-coaster ride. I edit and edit (the climb up that first hill), the book is released (the drop from the highest point), then comes the feedback, both good and bad, (the twists and turns), and finally I start working on the release of the next book (the slowdown and eventual stop). One thing that I was determined to do differently with this book was to take my time with the final edit. I will never rush a copy-edit to meet a deadline again - I don't have to. In hindsight, I've decided that its better to push the release date back then to rush to print.
So, there you have it. My busy, fun, goodness at a glance.
Here's a video clip of my favorite roller-coaster. Enjoy.
