What's Going On #2

I'm lucky my publishers have all been wonderful & understanding over my train wreck of a 2016.

Destiny House: This will be a spin off series I'm starting which will be coming this year (6 books in all). In essence it's a spin off from my The Connelly Chronicles series. The characters from TCC won't be main characters, but will be floating around in the background stories. I want to tell the stories of the young men who come to reside at the refuge GG set up.

The Connelly Chronicles: I love this series and can't wait to start writing it again. Originally I had planned 5 books, but in my year away I came up with a story for one last book, so now there will be 6 I'll have this whole series finished by the end of 2018 because I want to not let too much time to pass between each writing. #3  Dan & Nate, #4 Declan & Sean, #5 Jamie & Bear, #6 Ben & ??? (I'm still thinking).

Wardens of the Guild: I'm still figuring out where I'm heading with this series. I have so many ideas, but not sure which direction I should take to get to my end place. I know #2 is about Eric & Murtagh, but after that I'm still a little hazy.

What's Going On #1

I have most of my books through MLRPress, they were the first publishing company to take a chance on me, and I'll be forever grateful to Laura and the team. Over the next 3 years I plan on finishing: 

The Lines of Marsden (up to Book 6): We'll follow Michael and his ever-changing family before hand of the story to the next generation. This story takes up a large part of my heart, and yes Doyle is still my favourite character for the first Line. the more I write these books the more I love unravelling the secrets of their lives.

Experimentals: Another story I wrote by accident. Originally it was supposed to be part of the Mixed Tape anthology, but as per usual with me the story line took off and in the end it had nothing to do with 80's music. Never-the-less it is a story that I really enjoyed writing & can't wait to explore more in the lives of the characters within.

Intended Mates: This is still a new concept to me. I'm still trying to figure out who is who, and where they fit within the story line. pardon the pun─I wasn't even intending to write this story, but when my editor pitched it to me I couldn't help but jump on board. I'll have to do some more planing on this one before I can share, because I can't tell you what I myself haven't figured out.

Lancaster's Way: I should have this series finished by the end of July this year. I know I have been promising to pull my finger out and get it done─now that I'm writing again it's time to make true on that promise. #3 is Chet & Grady, #4 is Kelly Mac & (I'm still deciding), & #5 we visit Riley's family in Australia.

Pack Matters & Watson Falls: Here I'm hoping to tell of the beginning background story (or prequels if you will) to Sons of Evenmore: This is another series I've been lax on and for that I apologise, but I promise to make up for this over the next 3 years. Hopefully I'll tie up all the lose ends.

Toowoomba Boys:  #1 of this series was the first story I ever had released and by the time we get to #7 we'll have come full circle. and have come back to Angelo & Marlowe. I know the wait will be worth it in the end.

I Have A Plan...

I've spent the last couple of evenings going over all of my books, and coming up with a 3 year writing plan. I know people will think I'm being ambitious. the truth is only I know how much I can write each day (in case your wondering it's between, 1K & 10K) I must admit the most I've ever written is 12K... but being realistic I'm slotting in 6K each week day─leaving afternoons and weekends for editing and running household errands.

I'm not going to write out a list for you all as it would take ages and you all know I'll eventually change the writing order. I always do. but on paper it looks good so far. I actually have one more year to write up 2019 (I hope to finish writing it up tonight)─which will use up the last of my WIPS page. Sadly in my enthusiasm I forgot to add Toowoomba Boys to 2017. but I swear in 2018/19 the series will be finished.

I've been playing catch up with all my editors, and asking and getting instructions now that I'm back. the cramps in my arms have settled down a lot for which I'm very thankful. I've also been chatting with my beta reader & getting organised.

I have to give myself a haircut at some stage later today (yes I cut my own hair) I have a crew cut so it's not like I can stuff it up (and if I do it will grow back in 3 weeks).

My Day Today...

I have to write this all out because seriously my day has been weird and a little bit hectic.

1) I have a sore back─basically because I still have the last minute things to unpack and find homes for. A lot of my gently used stuff found it's way to other people via our disabled facility they sell it for money for their causes.

2) I had to take my mother to get her hearing tested, after my brother and I have tried explaining that she needs to wear them every day and her telling us she doesn't. The hearing doctor agreed with me and now mum has finally worn the damn aids all day and I haven't had to repeat myself, and the TV doesn't have to be on high.

3) Hoping this is the week Emily takes the last of her stuff to her house and gets it out from under my feet. I'm sick of tripping over crap that isn't mine. then it will only be her books to go.

4) It's all overcast and it looks like we may be in for another storm. Thank God my washing no longer gets hung outside it might take longer to dry, but at least it does... we are supposed to get a few decent storms in the next couple of weeks.

5) Emily went on a picnic and took my car instead of her own. I hate driving other people's cars, because I never want to fix them if they break.

6) I had to book my car in to get the rear tyres changed (Friday 9 am).

7) Shopping this morning, but had to get home in time to watch the 3rd  cricket test match between Australia & Pakistan... we've won the series, but it's always good to watch regardless. tomorrow is Jane McGrath breast cancer day at the cricket so it will be a sea of pink. Always awesome to see.

8) My cats are acting sookie and acting all cuddly. Driving me nuts but I love them both to death. So naturally I'm letting them climb all over me rule the roost.

9) I couldn't find any of my grocery reusable shopping bags, so I've had to buy more... only to realise Emily has them all with her stuff packed in them. I will be glad when she brings them all back to me. I don't like using plastic bags. They always seem to tear.

10) Also been trying to figure out how to place my pictures on the wall. They are ones I've collected, I've drawn, or were given to me over the years. I can't wait to see it all done.

Tuesday's Thoughts...

Today I'm back to writing, but before I start I want to update my blogs to make sure they are current... I don't mean colours as I like them the way they are. I'm more along the lines of changing out the pictures and getting ready for anything that is released this year.

I'm not going to have word counters for each book... Instead I'll only have a wordage metre for the words I plan on writing 1,560,000─ a little over the Penny Brandon Challenge which is still in progress... I will have a counter for that as well... 

I'm tying to look ahead for the whole year─as you can tell by the list I blogged on January 1st. You'll notice that I already have 63 K in my total wordage for 2017─that's because I added up all the bits of stories in the list that I have already done. Mind you most will be reviewed and re-written. but I wanted to be honest with you all from the very start & hopefully you all can kick my arse and keep me on track.

So who out there made New Years Resolutions? I think I might have already told you that I didn't make any this year. I just figured that this year I'm only concentrating on family & my writing. Speaking of: I have only one room left to finish putting together. but that can't happen until I buy some more storage (drawers & wardrobe/linen closet)─This is for the spare room. I also have to  move my spare bed & trundle in (at the moment they are at my brother & sister in-laws place). I can't wait for it all to be done.

For now I'm working on:

The Lines of Marsden 4: The Trail of Red Roses
Wardens of the Guild 2: All that Shimmers
Moon Runners 2: I Won't Let You Go

Catch you all in the next couple of days
NJ

Happy New Year

Happy New Year.

Breathe in—breathe out… I’ve made it to another year and I’m so grateful to be alive… Not that I was dying last year—it only felt like I was. I survived to get my life back on track…

I don’t have any New Year’s resolutions… I guess I know I wouldn’t stick to them…LOL. But I've been thinking a lot about writing, and this is what I’ve come up with:

If I write 6K a day 5 days a week I can write 36 books 34 novellas and 2 novels: 365 (w-days) – 105 (days) X 6K (per day) – 200K (2 novels) ÷ 40K Novellas = 34. But I'll be happy just to make the 22 needed for the PB Challenge. The following lists aren't written in any particular writing order─more just what I plan on working. I'll let you know daily/weekly how I'm doing on my wordage.

Fireborn Publishing: 11 (all 40K)

·      Hidden Hearts 3: Going By the Book

·      Hidden Hearts 4: Couples Cover

·      Moon Runners 2: I won’t Let You Go

·      Moon Runners 3: Something That You Said

·      The Diamond Rose 2: So Pretty On The Outside

·      The Diamond Rose 3: Sometimes it Hurts

·      The Diamond Rose 4: Monsters Like Me

·      The Freedomers 2: Craine’s Everlasting Faith M/F

·      The Freedomers 3: Drake’s Broken Prophecy

·      The Freedomers 4: Finding Arotol’s Destiny M/F

·      The Freedomers 5: Maven’s Guardian Angel

MLRPress: 13 (1 x 100K/12 x 40K)

·       Experimentals 3: Messages from the Dead

·       Experimentals  4: Movements in the Dark

·       Intended Mates 2: Dancing to the Sounds of Madness

·       Lancaster's Way 3: Pre-loved

·       Lancaster's Way 4: Riding Fences

·       Lancaster's Way 5: A Stuart Family Christmas

·       Sons Of Evenmore 3: Fear the Scarlet Moon

·       Sons Of Evenmore 4: Pieces of You

·       Sons Of Evenmore 5: Always Been Yours

·       The Lines Of Marsden 4: The Trail of Red Roses

·       The Lines Of Marsden 4.5: On the 12^th Day

·       Toowoomba Boys 4: Securing the Heart

·       Toowoomba Boys 5: Bending the Law

Pride Publishing: 6 (1 x 100K/ 5 x 40K)

·       Wardens Of The Guild 2: All That Shimmers

·       Wardens Of The Guild 3: Heart Strings

·       Wardens Of The Guild 4: Gilded Cages

·       The Connelly Chronicles 3: Because of You

·       House Of Destiny 1: Saving Shane

·       House Of Destiny 2: Needing Norman

Not Yet Decided: 6 (all 40 K)

·       Quaide's Crossing 1: Meghan’s Way M/F

·       Taking Chances 1: Lie To Me

·       SPAM Inc. 1: Claiming Roxby’s Heart

·       Mountain Made 1: Jessup’s Retreat

·       Admetus Gaea 1: The Gaean Prophecy

·       Guardians Of The Dragon Born 1: Cullen Arianan

End Of Year Speech/Ramble

I have never been so grateful for a year to be over. This year has probably been one of the hardest in my life. For the last month I have really been thinking about my future and where the hell I’m heading. Every time I think that I have it sorted out something crops up to throw my plans all out of whack.

My family fell apart and went their separate ways (but I won’t get into that—as no one wants me to re hash it)... Let's just say that in 2017 I'll still have to go to court for separation/divorce and that’s something I’m really not looking forward to, but know it has to be done for me to close one chapter in my life for the next to begin... But let's not dwell on the past.

I never got to accomplish everything I wanted to do. I also had to postpone some things until next year… Like the Penny Brandon Writing Challenge (22 books… 2 (90/100K) Novels and 20 (30/40K) Novellas)… I know I can get it done, and after the shitty year I’ve just lived through I deserve to be able to take some time to devote specifically to my writing.

I sat down and figured out which series has waited the longest to get their next books written… if you have a thought on the matter let me know, before I get side-tracked again by other stories, which let’s face it is more than likely to happen.

I have to say along with the bad that has happened this year ─ some good things have happened as well. Okay, maybe they’re only good to me.

1) The house sold fairly quickly—so I was able to move on and start the next journey in my life.

2) Hidden Hearts 2: One Last Kiss Goodbye was released with Fireborn Publishing.

3) The Freedomers 1: Zephania’s Chance was released with Fireborn Publishing.

4) Intended mates 1: Lay Your Body Down was released with MLRPress as part of the Seasons of Murder anthology.

5) Wardens of the Guild 1: The Real You was released with Pride Publishing.

6) The Connelly Chronicles 2: Beautiful Goodbyes was released with Pride Publishing

7) No one died in the family except our beautiful cat Toby… though 15 years was a grand old age for him. He will be missed very much.

I have spent the last three weeks unpacking my house and trying to set up my rooms. I promise to post pictures in the new year when it's finally finished. On that note I'll away and get ready for the New Year... catch you all tomorrow.