So nice to have you here, and I hope you enjoy your visit.
Okay, Gail, take it away. Give us your thoughts. I'm eager to hear them.
Recap! Past and
Coming Soon!
I’ve got a
private theory all writers are a bit crazy.
And some of us are crazier than others.
I mean, think about it. Writers create a whole new world with every
book, peopled with characters birthed in their brains, rather like Zeus giving
birth to Athena from his head. First we
have this little seed of an idea. We
plant that over to the side of daily life and see if it germinates. Sometimes it does and sometimes it
doesn’t. If it’s good, then it sprouts
on up, sometimes with the speed of Jack’s beanstalk, and sometimes like one of those
exotic plants that garden enthusiasts painstakingly tend in their greenhouses,
the ones that require precise watering and fertilizing and take years to reach
full beauty.
For some
writers, those ideas fall into one particular genre of books. They write romance or mysteries or
action-adventure or fantasy or horror.
And that’s pretty much the genre they write most of the time, because
that’s how their brains function.
Sometimes I envy those folks. They’re still crazy, don’t get me wrong,
but they’re not as crazy as those of us whose work doesn’t usually fall in one
particular genre or the other. And for
sure they’re not as crazy as those of us who never write in one particular genre or the other, and for good
measure, usually mix several genres up in one book. That’s me.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to even attempt to submit a book for
publication when you don’t know if
it’s romantic fantasy or action-adventure or mystery thriller or paranormal
suspense or urban fantasy? And you’re
the crazy person who wrote it in the first place?
So far,
I’ve published paranormal romantic suspense (that’s the War-N-Wit, Inc. series, starring warlock Chad Garrett and witch
Ariel Anson Garrett), which is also sorta, kinda urban fantasy with a lot of
humor thrown in. Then there’s Miami Days
& Truscan (K)nights, a romantic fantasy with elements of sci-fi and
time-travel and a lot of humor thrown in.
Down Home is a crime thriller mystery with lots of action
adventure, a healthy dose of the paranormal, and a lot of humor thrown in. For good measure, I went over to the dark
side. Literally. The Dark
series is southern gothic, dark romance,
horror, and paranormal. Nor does it have a lot of humor thrown in, which is
somewhat unusual for me.
The good news is my readers seem to like them all and no
reader will ever understand what it means to a writer when their fans
(fan? I have fans? I have fans!)
take the time to comment on their blogs or Facebook pages or leave a
review. And to all my readers, I send
the biggest heartfelt “Thank You!!!” it’s
possible to send. So from here, where am
I going?
Well, The Coven, the third book in the War-N-Wit, Inc. has reached full boil. It’s clamoring for attention and the birthing pains are beginning. Which means it’s time to get it out of my head and onto the computer screen.
You’ve never met Chad and Ariel Garrett? Well, let me introduce you. See, it all
started in The Witch. And it happened like this:
Ariel
Anson thought she had her life in
order. She was young, smart, and beautiful, even though she didn’t believe the
beautiful part. She had a great career as a paralegal and a CPA fiancé. Life just couldn’t get any steadier. Even though it was all pretty boring. Especially
the fiancé. Then she met private
investigator, bounty hunter, process server Chad Garrett, CEO of War-N-Wit,
Inc. That’s Chad’s private shorthand for
Warlock and Witch, don’t you know?
Because Chad Garrett’s a warlock on the lookout for a witch. Not just any witch, either, his witch. You guessed it! Ariel Anson.
Life as she knew it was over!
Anyway,
Chad and Ariel survived the wedding (rather unconventional, to say the least – hint – think Vegas) and the honeymoon
(which was cut a bit a short, things didn’t work out exactly like Chad planned,
bringing in that ho and pimp who’d skipped bail and high-tailed it Vegas, which
is why they were there in the first place).
Then they plunged straight into Resurrection. A secret
society. Not everyone can
join, just the elite few who remember their past lives. Only the Seer, chosen by the
Tear of Isis, knows if those memories are truth or fabrication. There’s
just one problem. The Tear’s chosen a new Seer. Oliver Hedgepath, deposed Seer, isn’t happy a
bit. And the new Seer’s missing in
action. War-N-Wit’s new assignment was a blast from the past! But
whose past? You’ll have to visit Savannah with Chad and Ariel to find out.
So what’s up next for Chad and
Ariel Garrett? It’s Biker’s Week in
Daytona! Did I mention Chad was a
biker? Did I mention Ariel’s pretty
certain all his past credentials and job qualifications aren’t listed on either
his resume or War-N-Wit’s website? I
mean, besides the magical part. For
certain sure, the magical part doesn’t get advertised. But aside from that, our Chad Garrett’s a man
with a past. We’ll find out a little bit about that this time around. A past that certain government—well—agencies sometimes like to take
advantage of. And since he’s taking
Ariel to her first Biker’s Week anyway, one of those agencies has a little
favor they’d like him to do, a little matter they’d like him to look into. Oh, yeah.
The broomstick rides again. On a
Honda. (Bet you thought I was gonna say
Harley, didn’t you? Chad’s a Honda man,
sorry.) Some friends from The Witch might
show up, too. Oh, yeah. See, it’s
growing. The Coven. (Hint:
That isn’t just a reference to the title of this book. I mean the Coven is growing.) Keep a lookout during the next full moons!
Coming Soon from Books We Love,
Ltd.
Quick link to all
Gail Roughton Books on Amazon:
Quick link to all
Gail Roughton Books on Barnes & Noble:
Quick link to all
Gail Roughton Books on Smashwords:
Also Available on
http://www.Kobo.com and http://www.omnilit.com/ -- Search for Author Gail Roughton
Oh, they sound like terrific reads, Gail. I suggest, with winter coming, we all snuggle down with a cup of our favorite beverage
and get set for some yummy reading.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Gail. Happy writing.
Leave a comment folks. Are all writers crazy?
Good post, I liked it. And, I agree with your theory. AND, I'd suggest that you include sculptors and painters within your theory. (No offensive to sculptors and painters, but, you know...)
ReplyDeleteStan
(SS Hampton,Sr., Musa Author)
? I really need to drink more coffee before typing in the mornings. Make that "...no offense to..."
ReplyDeleteStan
LOL Stan, knew what you meant! And you're right. Friend of mine saw a show a few years ago where some brain study indicated that the brains of "creative" folks, writers, artists, etc., actually function differently than "scientific" folks like doctors and math brains. Has an entirely different pattern. Which makes sense. Thanks for stopping in!
DeleteI'll want to check out your other books. Miami Days was the first I read of yours. I liked it a lot. It put you on my "crazy authors to watch" list.
ReplyDeleteI'm honored. That's one of the nicest things anybody ever said to me, thank you!! (I work hard at being crazy)
DeleteFabulous, darling. You are one gifted writer, even if you are a little crazy.
ReplyDeleteMost folks define it as a lot crazy, honey, but thank you so much! Takes one to know one. (Crazy and gifted.)
DeleteSanity is, um, over-rated :-).
ReplyDeleteThink about the first relationship you ever had. Were you attracted because the victim^H^H^H^H^H, er 'candidate' :-P, was 'normal', and 'just like everybody else'?
Probably not :-).
Sane people are, by definition, 'normal. Is Gail Roughton 'normal'? 'Just like everybody else'? _Sane_?
No she bl**dy well isn't. And that's a _bl**dy_ good thing :-)). I know she's kept _me_ up for large parts of more nights than one - yes, I can see you at the back, Jones Minor. Stop sniggering! - and made me enjoy every night.
And that's crazy talk, that is :-P :-).
The Idiot
or
Jack's Shadow
Graeme! Or is it Jack today? Or The Idiot? Or even Charlie a/k/a -- whoops, nope, won't give out Charlie's a/k/a!! Thank you, darlin'. You give me hope. Because if Graeme Smith considered me normal, I just ain't been livin' up to my own expectations!!
ReplyDeleteThe only expectations you ever have to live up to are your own, lassie. Which in your case is a tough row to hoe - I know how high your standards are :-).
DeleteSo for you - a riddle game :-)
Riddle me once and riddle again
My first lies in gorgeous and never in plain.
My second is first in the first of the Greek
My third in the second and third here I speak
My last lies the first in the count I have laid
So tell me who am I and and what have I made?
OK. So it's an easy one. But I'll give you a clue to make it even easier - she's a damn fine writer!
DAMN, Graeme, I'd actually figured it OUT. BY MYSELF. And then you went and told me!! I was PROUD of that! (Because oddly enough, I'm NOT good at esoteric things like riddles and anagrams like you and Tanja can just throw out at the drop of a hat. Nor can I play chess worth a diddle.) So I won't try to make a riddle to tell you, I'll just tell you -- you have been a delight and joy in my life since you first walked through the Muse doors! Ain't cyberspace GREAT?!? And you know dang well your writing turns me pea green with envy.
DeleteI read that too, Stan and Gail. I'm equally crazy--got the logic side (the accountant) and the artistic side( writer, knitter) I love the artistic side more. :)
ReplyDeleteHEY Marian! Thanks so much for stopping in! Anything math related waved by-by to me before I ever entered the first grade, I think, but oddly enough, I'm very good in the business world (paralegal for 38 years). Very organized. But the artistic side? Oh, my! Like I tell folks, working as a paralegal is what I DO. A writer is what I AM. So I'm glad I'm not alone and you're just as much a split personality as I am!
DeleteIf your books are as hilarious as this blog, then I'll be a happy camper. lol I bought some and put the rest on my wish list. Christmas is right around he corner...
ReplyDeleteIf you'd ask my husband, he'd definately say I'm crazy. He tells me all the time that it's hard to follow a converstion with me. What can I say? I've got too many people living in my brain!
It all starts with me talking about something that happened that day and then I stop abruptly becauses an idea just made itself present in my brain and I must concentrate or I will lose said idea.
I talk to myself all the time, mulling things out loud because I hear them better that way. Too many things going on up there at times, it's hard to 'think' on one thing.
I change subjects at the drop of a hat. He'll ask me, "Who died?" And I'll say a character's name. He'll go, "Did I know him/her?" I tell him that if he 'knows' him/her then he's crazier than I am! lol
And might I add that you, in all your craziness, picked the perfect crazy writer's blog to be on. :)
HEY Darla!! You did? You bought some of my books? Oh, my. Thank you, thank you. It still always amazes me when I hear that, after keeping so many of my books in the closet for over twenty years. For real. Finish a book, toss it in the closet. Rinse and repeat. Some of the stuff I published this year is new, the War-N-Wit series is very recent. Whatever you bought I hope you enjoy it! My husband's scared to talk to me. "Who'd you kill in this one?" "Didn't you already kill him?" SON! Pay attention! I mean, if WE can do it with that many characters running around in our brains, why can't husbands? Yes, Lorrie's an absolute delight and another joy in my world, and I REALLY appreciate your stopping in and taking the time to tell me you did. Thank you so much!
DeleteHey! _I'm_ one of those husband-thingies!
DeleteOh. Right. Male. Yes. Back to my simple little plot lines... (blushes) :-).
Graeme honey, you're a one-of-a-kind, even if you are male and one of those husband thingies.
DeleteOkay, Darla, so I admit I'm crazy too. But didn't you know that all writers are a little bit crazy? Gail said so. So, I may step over that crazy line once in a while. I just can't help myself.
ReplyDeleteI've so many books on my wish list, Gail, and yours are there too.
Are we having fun yet, or not? Mwah, ha, ha.
Lorrie, this has been a BLAST!! Thank you so much for inviting me over!
DeleteHey, let the blast continue for a few days. I hope more will join us. And you are certainly welcome back anytime. Crazy are my kind of people.
ReplyDeleteOops, gotta go. They're unlocking my cell,and the nurse wants to give me my sleepytime meds.
And you're not gonna share?!?! Now what kind of hostess is THAT?!?
DeleteOkay, okay, stick your arm out your door, I'll pass you some of the good stuff I hide under the mattress. Come on, you can reach. Oh, stop making those grunting noises, just stretch a little bit farther. There, you got it.
ReplyDeleteNow, don't say I didn't share with you. I'm a dang good hostess.
*Yawns* I'm getting sleepy. Now, don't overdo it on the good stuff. Nighty-night. *snores*
Thank you. Best night's sleep I've had in weeks. (For real, actually). Even up at 6:30, really awake, not groggy. (For real, actually).
DeleteCrazy definitely seems to work for you, Gail! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann! It's a natural talent I've worked hard to refine over the years.
DeleteI prefer to believe the artistic right side of the brain is more developed, thus not crazy. Well, that's my theory and I'm stickin' to it! Love all your books, Gail, and having been on pins and needles waiting for the third book in War n Wit series. Love, love, love handsome Chad! Maybe instead of crazy, authors just have more fun! Best wishes!!!
ReplyDeleteGood story, darlin'! I'll stick to it to! And just wait'll you see what Chad and Ariel get into this time!!
DeleteGreat post, Gail. As you know, I'm not certifiable--I'm certified by the VA, and my book Rock Crazy tells part of the story. And thank you for reading it. I love all of your books and can't wait for The Coven! Woo Hoo! Ariel and Chad ride again! Literally. But on a Honda? As close as we are to the Harley factory up here, you'd risk getting lynched riding anything else. Hugs, my friend!
ReplyDeleteHUGS, Rochelle! Rock Crazy was wonderful. And I already told you which scenes made me cry. I've got some motorcycle friends --well, friends who ride motorcycles, anyway -- and they've advised that Harley's are for the name but if you ever own a Honda you'll never go back. And since I ain't gettin' on one in the first place, I'll never know, personally. But you know me. And Chad and Ariel. Can't expect any of the three of us to be conventional, now can you?
Delete