Tag Archives: Blood Chord

Tearing My Hair Out

Posted on January 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

So I don’t mean, literally. I’m too homely to make myself bald.

Unfortunately I don’t have the eight-foot, stick-thin model personae to pull that off. Plus, I get cold easily. No way could I walk around all bare-headed. But I digress.

So why, you may ask, am I stressed? Because it’s that time of year where all of my electronic devices only want to work in fits and starts. I swear they know I’ve spent all my money on Christmas and are doing it on purpose.

Last year, my Macbook and my Kindle died within days of each other– both right after Christmas. This year, my desktop is being retarded. I got a virus that didn’t look like a virus. I got rid of it, but in the process all my “pathways” to programs now have no destination. So basically I can’t open any programs. Except for Google Chrome– still not sure how that escaped the bug. I can open file folders and such, but running my word program or Photoshop (which I need, dammit!) isn’t happening.

I have an ipad, but I can’t format books or work images/ art on it. So no book business and no photography business. Basically, I’ve been at a stand-still. Trying to fix the issue… researching laptops to bridge the workflow gap. All the while ticked that I can’t finish edits on BLOOD CHORD. Super-frustrating to say the least.

Now that I finally have a working laptop, I’m busy importing files, organizing folders, installing programs, setting up Chrome bookmarks and trying to catch up on some of the housekeeping issues around here.

I’m mostly done, thank goodness. So I’m off to transfer Blood Chord over and recommence the edits! (Cracks whip at myself. “Get to it!” I say.)

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Posted in rants, Reading and writing

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Character Sketches from Polyvore (Blood Chord Novel)

Posted on December 30, 2011 | Leave a comment

For lack of any serious drive to edit my forthcoming novel, Blood Chord, I decided to spend the evening in mindless Computer-dom. Enter wicked-kewl website Polyvore! I first noticed this site over on Shea MaCleod’s blog and then again the other day while hopping around the IWU Christmas Blog Hop, over on Christine’s site. Polyvore looked like the perfect way to waste away an evening, and I was right. Sort of.

Aside from the few hours I spent searching for the perfect inspirations for two of the main characters from my upcoming release Blood Chord, I discovered something interesting: I have a moderate boo-boo to correct in the novel. Confused yet?

I still am a little. You see, while compiling the polyvore board for one of my secondary characters, Bette, I discovered that I made her do something completely out of character towards the end of the novel. How did I figure that out, you might wonder? Well, I spent over an hour crafting Bette’s board and when I was done, I compared it to what I know of Bette in the novel to see if everything gelled. It didn’t.

Bette is sultry, seductive even without trying. She is controlled and coiffed. Bette is courtly, reserved. She is above flagrant dislays of emotions, especially in the presence of others. And I made her wig out- a complete scratch-your-eyes out hissy-fit. Bette would never do that. She’d rather take a stake to the chest, but that’s another topic altogether. So now I have to fix the gaffe, but I’m glad I discovered it sooner rather than later.

So I didn’t exactly waste my time tonight playing on Polyvore, now did I? On top of making my novel better in the long run, I’ve now discovered the first place I’m going to stop when creating new characters. It’s a perfect way to get to know the people inside my head that much better!

So what do you think of the Polyvore boards below?

Character Sketch - Bette's Style (Blood Chord Novel)
Character Sketch - Claire's Style (Blood Chord Novel)

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Posted in publishing, Reading and writing, Uncategorized, Writing

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Book Trailer for BLOOD CHORD

Posted on May 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

I wanted to make a video for BLOOD CHORD’s kickstarter campaign, so I spent a good chunk of last night and the last several hours today putting one together. (Okay, and I watched like a dozen Ghost Whisperer episodes at the same time. I like to multi-task!)

I know. It’s pretty terrible. But I was a book-trailer virgin, so now at least I can say “Been there, done that.” Before the book is published, I guess I’m going to have to find someone to remake it for me. regardless, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

***EDIT, I can’t get the stupid video to load here. Sigh. You can see the video on YouTube or over on BLOOD CHORD’s Kickstarter page. Sorry!

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Posted in books, Reading and writing

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Reserve a Copy of Blood Chord and Get Swag too!

Posted on May 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

I know it’s late out there in cyber-land, but I’m just so excited about my upcoming novel Blood Chord that I had to share a few updates!

First I’ve changed the name from Claire of the Moon to Blood Chord. I won’t get into the reasons behind the title change, but I’ll just say that it was necessary to avoid any confusion with a movie out by the same name.

Second I’ve updated the novels page (see link above) with new cover mock-ups and a sample banner ad. Ignore the watermarks on the images. Once I decide which images I’m going with, I’ll purchase the image and those will go away.

Third, in an effort to pre-sell some of the ebooks, I’ve just launched a Kickstarter campaign for Blood Chord. The purpose is to pre-sell so that I can cover the expenses associated with professional editing, formatting, cover art and modest marketing. Basically, I’ve got a page on that site with all the details from Blood Chord, and sponsors can choose which level of sponsorship that they would like to offer. Each level has various rewards. For example, on one level, you would receive a copy of the ebook. At another you’d get a limited edition, signed and numbered hard copy of the novel once its published. I’m even offering up the chance to name a minor character, and a copy of the original, unedited first draft!

Which brings me to something else I’d like to share. This eveing, after only launching the project on Kickstarter last night, I’ve had several backers contribute, and my campaign is up to $150! ( I should mention that if the campaign fails to reach the goal I pre-set, then the project isn’t successful and I get none of the sponsorship pledges.) So I could really use some help spreading the word! I’ve got 26 days left to reach my target and I’m crossing my fingers!

But aside from that, how great is it that complete strangers liked what they saw of my novels synopsis and cover images that they decided to plunk down some pledges? If complete strangers think my work is worthy, then it’s about time that I considered that I might very well have what it takes. Of course, I’m a sucker for validation, so there’s that.

That’s enough for tonight. I’ll keep you all posted on the developments!

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Posted in books, Make A Difference, Reading and writing

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