Movie Moments of Stillness – A Creative Necessity
Movie references tend to creep into my stories a lot; in my most recent paranormal release, In the Company of Witches, my heroine Raina (half-succubus, all witch) is a big fan of the movie Titanic, and she and Mikhael, my hero (a Dark Guardian, something like a cop/sorcerer), end up necking in a theater where they’re showing New Moon (I’m not ashamed to admit it – I LOVE the Twilight movies!). Anyhow, though I’m a bit of a movie addict…(ahem – 500+ DVD library and counting!), the movies serve a creative purpose, as any source of good storytelling does. In fact, this week they helped me turn a flat, ugly scene into something worth reading. To make that happen, I employed what I call the “Moment of Stillness” exercise. Let me explain, with a few less parentheses (lol).
There’s an amazing movie called The Legend of Bagger Vance, with Matt Damon and Will Smith. It centers around a golf game between Matt Damon’s relatively unknown character, Junuh, and golf legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. During the movie, there’s a part where Bagger (Will Smith) tells Junuh to watch Bobby Jones when he steps up to the ball to take his swing. Once Bobby arrives at the tee, everything else disappears. He clears his mind completely, and when he does, a synergy of instinct and experience happen—and so does a great shot. It’s as Bagger tells Junuh: “All we got to do is get ourselves outta it’s way.”
I have noticed this theme in other movies. In Finding Neverland, Johnny Depp portrays playwright J.M. Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan. Caught in writer’s block, he strikes up a friendship with a widow and her children. As he gets lost in the enjoyment of being with them (rather than worrying about his stale play), he starts “seeing” a new story, Peter Pan. There’s an extraordinary scene where the boys are jumping on their beds but, in J.M.’s imagination, he sees them bounce, bounce, and then begin to fly through the air, finally soaring out the window, just as will eventually happen in the Peter Pan story.
In Star Trek – Insurrection, Captain Picard meets a people who have slowed down the aging process. In a lovely moment with one of the female leaders of the community, he is sitting by a stream with her where she helps him “stay in this moment”. We see a hummingbird’s wingbeats get so slow we can see the delicate wing structure, everything in slow motion.
Final example – Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr and Jude Law. In both the first and second installment of these incredible movies, there are times Sherlock, with his amazing ability to anticipate action and reaction, shows in slow motion what will unfold and plans his response to it, all before it happens. Though in reality, it all happens very quickly, it is slow and steady in his head, the rest of the world tuned out.
Anyhow, this process of slowing down the mind, opening it up, “getting out of its way” is vital in almost every creative endeavor. It becomes absolutely essential to find this method when you evolve from doing something you love merely because you love it, and doing it professionally. Business and creativity have always had an uneasy relationship. For instance, the athlete who is pure poetry on the broken asphalt of the inner city basketball court, must learn to hold onto that craftsmanship when playing for a million dollar contract, with the demands of team owner, fans, etc piled on his back.
On the same note, writers have to make the transition from scribbling away in their glorious solitude, where getting published is no more than a distant pipe dream, to being an author who writes on deadline, meeting promo requirements, answering copious amounts of email, social networking, etc… Yet every subsequent story must be a creative and fresh as the ones they created in the beginning, in their little private cubbyhole.
Impossible? Nope. Not with that moment of stillness. At the beginning of this post, I claimed that “moment of silence” had really helped me this week. I was working on the latest book in my Vampire Queen Series, Taken by a Vampire, which features a threesome—Evan, my vampire hero, his Scottish servant Niall, and Alanna, the rigidly trained Inherited Servant who has come under their protection until her treasonous Master is apprehended. My editor needs a partial sooner than expected, so over the past several weeks I’ve been typing furiously, getting that first draft vomited out onto the pages (yeah, no better way to put it than that). But now I’m in the first edit. I can do the “barf to meet deadline” for only so long before my soul shrivels up into a husk.
So I take a deep breath, slow it all down. Surround myself with that creative stillness, and tap deeper into who and what my characters are, where they are, etc. As such, what was a pretty bland, bare-bones section became the following, which I like much better, even though this is still only a rough first draft. I’m too proud to give you the first version for comparison; just imagine blah blah blah, vomit, vomit, vomit, and you’ll have the essence of it – grin.
Background: Alanna is meeting Evan for the first time in the root cellar of a mountain cabin, which he also uses as a dark room to develop film – he’s an artist/photographer:
Turning away from the ladder, she faced her new Master. She was five-four in height, so the tilt of her head to view his face suggested he was just at six feet. Evan Miller, a common enough name, but he had the absorbing features and piercing eyes of a handsome Jewish man, the charisma obvious even without the vampire enhancement. He didn’t have Niall’s height or breadth—she didn’t imagine many men did—but his shoulders were broad, despite a rangy body type, lean and knotted. He had a long face with straight slash cheekbones, his mouth a firm, thin line. His straight nose was the dividing marker for wide-spaced eyes that were gray and heavy lidded, with dark fine brows beneath a straight fall of dark hair.
She was wrong. She had seen his face at some point, because she remembered his eyes. How long had he and Niall stayed at her bedside when Stephen was torturing her through their mindlink? Evan’s painting on her bare skin, the touch of Niall’s hands on her face…it had seemed to go on a long time, hell’s minions howling at the door but unable to get through while they were there.
“Just as impossibly beautiful as I expected,” Evan murmured. Without permission, her body swayed toward his at the recollection of that voice. He put a hand on her shoulder, steadying her. “Though a little dizzy. Niall didn’t feed you.”
“No, he did, Master. My apologies. I…” It wasn’t dizziness, not that kind, but she couldn’t explain it to herself, let alone him. She knew now they’d been real, the both of them. While learning more about them should be putting her feet more solidly on the ground, she was so outside her normal milieu, they seemed even more fantastic.
He touched a loose lock of her hair at her temple, apparently considering the red-gold color that had always made her more noticeable than most servants. His fingers were truly extraordinary. Elegant but capable, the hands of a master artisan. She remembered a greeting card her brother had sent her. The stained glass style painting had shown an oak tree coming to life, the branches turning into male arms, wrapping around the body of a human woman, who was kissing the face surfacing through the bark, the powerful, graceful tree spirit that shared life with the oak. Evan’s hands reminded her of that. He also smelled like the forest.
She had to fight the urge to turn into that touch. InhServs could show pleasure at a Master’s attention, when the time was appropriate. This didn’t feel like that time. He’d think her a fool.
“Was your trip a pleasant experience?” he asked. “ I expect the opportunity to skewer Niall was one of the highlights.”
She blinked. “Yes… I mean, the trip was fine, Master.”
Evan chuckled. Brushing her cheek with his fingertips, he kept his other hand on her waist, but it didn’t feel like a casual touch. She was practically vibrating beneath it. By the flicker in those heavy-lidded eyes, she could tell he was aware of it, but now he’d shifted his regard from her hair to her face.
It felt different from how she’d been studied by vampires in the past. It was a full exploration, as if he was trying to determine what emotions and experiences radiating from her soul made her face what it was. It was disconcerting, but she held still. She was on firm ground as long as she relied on her training.
Evan glanced toward the ladder. Niall was leaning against it, the trap door closed above him. She hadn’t heard him come down. He moved like a hunter, even more silently than she was used to thirdmark servants moving. His eyes were darker in the dim light, the broad planes of his face even more rugged. “She didn’t have any questions, except how best to serve you.”
“I’m sure Niall told you he was not the best person to answer that,” Evan noted dryly. “You know that I call our gorgeous mountain view the Atheist Test, but did Niall tell you his response, when I first called it that?”
“No, sir.”
“I told him all it proves is God likes to pick up a paintbrush,” Niall said, shifting his gaze to her, then back to the vampire. “Just like Evan, He may not be good for much else than pretty pictures.”
She blinked, astonished at the rudeness to his Master, but Evan merely bared his fangs at his servant, a feral smile. “But you didn’t refute the theory. Whether you think He’s an inept deity or not, you don’t deny His presence in your life.”
“No more than I deny when there’s a thorn stuck in my arse,” Niall said mildly.
Evan lifted a brow, but shifted his attention back to Alanna. “It’s my understanding that you are an exceptionally intelligent woman, Alanna. A very accomplished one. As such, you’ve already realized we’re a far cry from the formality and etiquette of high echelon vampires.” His gaze intensified on her face. “Much of your training may not apply here.”
* * * * *
So did this intrigue you, or does it need more work? Yeah, I know, it’s a first draft, so it needs more work, but now that I’m more in tune with the characters, I think there’s some solid stuff there, enough to engage my creative interest and make me pursue it as much for the sake of the story as that looming deadline. And that’s the key to keeping it fresh (wink).
Leave a comment or question (if you have one!) and your EMAIL ADDRESS, and in a couple days I’ll choose a random winner for one of my book-of-your-choice giveaways. You can have whatever book you like from my current titles! Thanks for letting me be here today. :>
Where to find me:
Website: www.storywitch.com
Fan forum: www.jwhconnection.com (free novella downloads revisiting the characters, graphics inspired by the books, giveaways and much more!)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoeyWHillAuthor
Twitter: @JoeyWHill
App: Joey W. Hill for Apple or Android – search your app library!
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Joey,
I love your books. The characters are always so layered and full of depth; your stories full of emotion. I appreciate that your characters have to come to terms with their pasts and face themselves: their fears, desires and needs in order to have the future they want and deserve. Fundamentally, your stories are extraordinarily human and they always resonate with me.
Any way you can pass on all that to us real people? : )
Keep writing, I am on board for the journey.
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I’m so THRILLED that Alanna gets a book! It’s amazing how her character shone through in “Vampire Trinity”.
I can’t wait for this one….as always.
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Shawna, what an awesome comment to start the day. Thank you for that! That gave me an energy burst to carry me through another few thousand words in the edit process this morning (beaming). I’ll see what I can do about passing that on to us real folk – I wouldn’t mind some of that myself! Of course, that’s the pleasure of writing the romance genre – taking real emotions, real yearnings, real obstacles, and yet giving the characters the happily-ever-after they deserve after they struggle through all that (lol). It makes us feel like it’s possible for us as well. :> Have a wonderful day, and thanks for commenting.
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Jennifer, thanks, girl! Me, too. She was one of those whose appearance, like Gideon in Mark of the Vampire Queen, fairly screamed “I WILL have my own book.” lol…
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I have not read any of your books yet but this has me now. I know what you mean about the movies. I’m the same with music in a way. I have a mp3 player with 735 songs on it and it goes all day and when I write only certain things catch in my brain that fits the story I’m working on. These give me a push in the direction I need to go. It is like something is controlling the right music. I’m new to the writing world and have yet had to have a deadline but I know it has to be hard to almost force yourself to come up with what is needed and I bet takes a lot out of you. Even movies help me with my stories since I have seen so many. I don’t have a collection like you do but I use to be a store manager to a Movie Gallery for about 10 years.
Keep up the great work and be sure you are now on my list of authors to read everything you write.
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There goes my brain faster than my fingers. I forgot to leave my email LOL.
ebwriter2525(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
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Deb, I agree, music is also another essential part of the creative process, at least for you and me! (grin) I love my playlist function. I have MiscEmote (lots of sappy, emotional love songs), fast scores, slow scores, sultry scores, and playlists that were compiled as I was writing specific books, so it became their theme music, so to speak. It really does help create and drive the right moods. Good luck in all your writing projects!
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Excellent blog Joey. I’m still reading your witchy first book..Not had much time to just sit and relax and enjoy… I’m going to though.. just realised I’ve not done that in a long time. 😆
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Thanks, Gail! Hope you like Derek and Ruby. I know what you mean. Life moves at such a fast pace for so many of us now. I indulge my movie addiction as a multi-tasking exercise. I watch them while I do my daily exercise, or work on preparing promo packs, etc. My husband and I have instituted a “date night” where on that night we don’t do any work or anything else but watch a movie, have dinner, etc, but that may be the only time except for the occasional vacation or snatch of a few minutes here and there I indulge in a leisure pursuit. We humans are a strange bunch (laughter). My cats just nap, lay around, and watch me like “boy, she really doesn’t get it, does she?” Here’s hoping you enjoy much leisure time going forward!
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The possibilities are endless on the things that can stir the creative juices in your mind when molding characters and storylines. I know that music is a big part of your writing process as well. Thanks for sharing this will us. While you might “vomit” out these words beforehand the end results are the most amazing, emotion filled stories that readers and aspiring writers like myself look up to as the example of excellence in writing. I’m so looking forward to TBV, that Niall is so fiesty! 🙂
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Hi Joey, I have not read your books before but you have my attention now. This book will be going on my TBB list and I’m going to be checking out your website for other books. You can definately add me to your fan list. Lindakcgayatn(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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As always Joey, “intrigued” is an understatement! But then I know from all of your other books that the full story is going to be off the charts!
And if that’s a rough draft, or first pass or whatever you call it…where were YOU in my English Comp classes? :lol
You are, quite simply, the best there is at keeping a storyline as alive and as well as the day it started, with characters that just get richer, and deeper as time goes on.
Time for a cup of Celestial Seasonings now… 😉
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Oh, Joey Hill, welcome! 😀 You are one my all-time favorite authors across all known genres on the planet. It is such a pleasure to have you here today. Vampire Trinity and Rough Canvas are two of my very favorite stories. This new one is right up that alley, and I can hardly wait for it to be released!
I also quite liked Virtual Reality. Along with Rough Canvas, do you have any plans to write more contemporary erotic romance in the near future?
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LOL! I definitely enjoyed the excerpt, Joey! Looking forward to this one, and catching up with the rest of your backlist 🙂 What a lovely way to start the week!
What does your to-do look like this week/month?
f dot chen at comcast dot net
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Delilah, you guys are just making me feel all sorts of wonderful today – thank you! And I know you understand exactly how that writing process works as well (one part inspiration, three parts cursing, pulling hair out…all set to music – lol). Yes, Niall and Evan have a very unusual relationship for a vampire and servant – it doesn’t just bemuse Alanna; I found myself surprised by some of the twists and turns it takes (smile). Niall and Evan live a very nomadic life, not given to a lot of formality between them, such that when Niall things Evan is being “an arse”, he’s usually pretty blunt about it. But Evan is the really intriguing one of the two – he’s a vampire who considers that a vehicle for his art, not necessarily a vehicle for im to gain power, prestige etc… Okay, I’m going to start doing that rambling thing authors do when we’re in the discovery phase with our characters. Stopping now…! Going to run go eat a bite of lunch and take out the dogs, then I’ll be back to answer further comments! :>
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Hey Joey I have never read your books but after
reading this I’m close to loving you already. I love
the fact that you use movies in your books especially
since you used to of my favorites. I love the twilight
Saga and twilight. I’m looking forward to reading your
book
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So so glad that we get to read Alanna’s story next, and you did a fabulous job with that excerpt. You set the scene with these characters and I can’t wait for their story.
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Linda, glad I grabbed your attention! When you go to my website, if vampires are your particular interest, just click on the Vampire Queen Servant series link in the gold bar menu on the left. You’ll see the series order, blurbs, and free excerpts on all of them. It also tells you which books can be read as standalone, and which one might need one or more of the books of the series read first for full appreciation. All my series are set up in a similar way on the site, so you can browse at your leisure (smile).
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Jaycee, no time for CS yet – have 7 more pages to edit before making today’s quota for the first edit. But I’ll be doing some Tension Tamer later tonight, believe me! Thanks for the encouragement. I’ve been enjoying learning more about Scottish history, thanks to Chloe on the forum site directing me to some great sources, and from listening to Neil Oliver talk about non-stop for the past few days, I think I’ll be able to pull off a Scottish accent before long (lol).
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Kathleen wrote: “You are one my all-time favorite authors across all known genres on the planet.”
Wow – that’s a compliment and a half. As I said, you guys are spoiling me today! Glad you’ve enjoyed Marcus/Thomas, as well as Daegan/Anwyn/Gideon’s story. I’m sure you’ve heard about this or read it, but I always have to say it, just to be sure. You’ve visited the fan forum site and downloaded the free novella revisiting Daegan/Gideon, right? Called “One-on-One”? It’s a big hit with those who love the Vampire Mistress/Vampire Trinity story, and even with those who haven’t read it yet (lol). And best yet, it’s free! ;>
I will absolutely be writing more contemporaries. They’re my favorite kind of books to write. I love my paranormals, but they are MUCH harder for me. It’s like the difference between a freely rushing spring and a sludge-filled creek. The next contemporary will be about Janet and Max, secondary characters from the Knights of the Board Room series. Janet is Matt Kensington’s VERY imperious admin assistant, and Max is the limo driver – as well as an ex-Navy Seal, so it will be interesting to see where that goes.
If ever you want to know what I’m working on (or planning), I try to keep the Future Projects section of my website up to date – when you go to the home page, the third section of text talks about Future Projects and links you to that page. Hope that helps! Oh, and just as an interesting mention, Taken by a Vampire is going to have a little cross-series stuff going on. They’ll be attending Brandon/Chloe’s wedding (from Branded Sanctuary) and private reception afterward hosted by Tyler/Marguerite – one of their infamous BDSM parties (wink).
Thanks again, Kathleen!
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Hey, Fedora! You asked “What does your to-do look like this week/month?”
It’s going to be a busy one. The Authors After Dark Conference in New Orleans is next week, so I’ll be there pretty much all next week. As a result, this week is split between working on Taken by a Vampire and preparing for the con – stuffing promo packets, preparing raffle baskets, deciding if I’m brave enough to wear what I have planned for the Echoes of New Orleans dinner (and bringing a backup if I chicken out – lol). When I return, the rest of August will be dedicated to TBV, doing Navy Seal research in preparation of Janet/Max’s story just mentioned, etc and hopefully starting that story as I get further along in the edit rounds for TBV. Then tehre’s the eight animals, the one husband, the house issues, etc etc etc. TMI, right? In short, just the usual chaos! Hope all is well in your world.
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Alanna just found two masters that will protect and cherish her.
Thank you for the look see. I think it’s perfect. Hostile Takeover, is one of the books I would like. I have long list. 🙂
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Aniya, hello! I’m so pleased to hear my work intrigued you. You wrote: “I love the fact that you use movies in your books especially since you used to of my favorites.”
Yes, I love all the Twilight movies, but there’s something about New Moon – I think it captures that essential “first love” fervor many of us can remember from our teenage years – and of course romanticizes it on screen so we can enjoy the yearning beauty of it instead of how much it sucked to feel that way 120% of the time (laughter). And if Titanic is another of your favorite, definitely read In the Company of Witches. There’s a particular twist at the end that connects to that movie, which makes it one of my favorite scenes. If you’re a series traditionalist, you’ll want to read Book One first, Something About Witches, because Derek and Ruby, the protagonists in that one, are key to Mikhael and Raina’s story in the second one, but if you go to my website and check blurbs/excerpts under the Arcane Shot series, you can see if it’s your cup of tea (wink). Thanks for coming by!
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Cathy, so glad you enjoyed the tidbit about these three. One of the things I like about each of my stories (even though it can sometimes make me want to hurl rotten fruit at the characters), is the characters often develop in ways I don’t expect. I wasn’t expecting Evan to be Jewish, or an artist, or be as insightful as he is. One of the things Niall says about Evan in the course of the book is he’s “one of the least religious and most spiritual men he knows.” I have Niall and Alanna pretty well figured out (okay, Niall still has a little ways to go), but I think Evan’s going to be the real surprise in this one.
Anyhow, glad to see you, as always! Thanks again.
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Tracy, you picked up on that, did you? Even though Niall is Evan’s servant, he’s got quite a bit of the dominant in him as well, which is a confusing and intriguing dynamic for Alanna, in a whole list of things that are confusing about these two (grin).
Good luck in the drawing!
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Joey, as always, your writing pulls me in–whether real-life people, angels, vampires, merpeople, or the fae world–you’ve got me! The excerpt from your new Vampire Queen’s series, Taken by a Vampire, makes me want more, and I will be watching for the release of your book! You amaze me Joey with your awesome characters and compelling stories, but most of all the fact that you are so accessible to your fans. You are one of a kind, and I am honored and pleased to have found you!!!
HUGS,
MarySM 😉
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I liked it. 🙂 Movies are a big part of my life. I can recite alot of the lines in Bull Durham and Major League. Yes, I LOVE baseball.
Marika
maw1725@gmail.com
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For someone who claims to be “vomiting”, this excerpt was WONDERFUL! But I’m noy surprised at that; you are fabulous, Ms Hill! Looking forward to the book! And I find the tension between Evan and Niall to be like throwing gasoline on a blaze. It will make everything even hotter!
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I was so totally captivated that it took me a minute to realize there was no more to read. I paused looking around to see if there was more, unfortunately there was not. I love the the draft as I will love the book as I do with all your work.
I think it’s time to start a new countdown to the release of Taken by a Vampire
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Mary, it always thrills me that readers want to talk to me about the stories, the characters…about our mutual love of romance, great stories etc. So I am very happy to be accessible! :> Thank you so much for coming by, and for the lovely compliments.
Marika, we used to have a cat (Guinevere), that had a walk exactly like Charlie Sheen in that last Wild Thing scene, where he’s so wound up. She was a little skinny thing that could beat up anything (laughter). Have you seen The Natural? That’s another great baseball movie, I think. And of course The Sandlot is one of my husband’s favorite. Oh, one of my favorites – Hard Ball, with Keanu Reeves! I sobbed through the last part of it, but it is an awesome redemption tale.
Tina, fabulous! I’m so relieved to hear I was able to clean it up enough to make it enjoyable (lol). I’ll give Niall and Evan credit for that; I love my heroines, but good heroes can pretty much save a scene even when I falter!
Kevin, thank you!! Yes, I wish it was going to be a shorter countdown, but we’ll have to see if we can get Janet and Max’s book out there in the interim to fill in the gap. :>
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Oh Joey, Taken is going to be AWESOME!! Thank You for that tease!! Oh so cannnot wait for this book!! Naill reminds me a little like Dev in attitude.
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Wow, just wow! As always Joey I loved this first draft, I’m sure you’ll find fault with it but I thought it was amazing and I can’t wait to read the completed work. I was first introduced to you by your Vampire Queen Series and it will always be a special series for me although I’ve come to LOVE all of your other works that I’ve read so far as well. You might want to hide in NOLA… on second thought I’ll probably be the one too star-struck to speak lol! If I hold out a book it’s because I’d like an autograph if you don’t mind. 😳
Thanks for the post and the chance to win!
pypercharmed@yahoo.com
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Great interview. Love that you use movie references in your books. You’re a new author for me and your books sound great. Thank you for the giveaway.
mythic021@gmail.com
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Moira, I think you’re right – I see some definite similarities in the Aussie and Scottish pragmatism (lol), the men’s way of dealing with things in a somewhat dry, unperturbed way. Though Niall does have a temper… ;>
Pyper, I will be so thrilled to meet you! And don’t worry – within seconds of meeting me, everyone realizes I’m pretty much just an awkward dork and you feel very comfortable immediately. In fact, you may have to repress the urge to pat me on the head and make sure I can cross the street okay by myself (laughter). And I’ll be happy to sign anything you bring. :>
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Vanessa, you’re very welcome – glad you enjoy the movie references – I think I could compare everything in life to a movie scene (smile).
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That was an awesome tease… Can’t wait! Will be happy to beta read for you? I know it’s a terrible sacrifice on my part, but I’ll take one for the team:) Still re-reading N o D, just have Brenden and Chloe left. Been nice to read those all again! Looking forward to the next book, as always!
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LOL – I’ll keep that in mind, Dotty. Your generosity knows no bounds! Though in actuality, beta reading one of my books can be a bear, so if I took you up on that offer you might be tempted to slap me (grin). Glad you’re enjoying your visit with Brendan and Chloe…
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I have read all your vampire books (and most of the others as well). Can’t wait for Taken!! What a great excerpt! Even as a rough draft you sucked me into their world! Thanks for sharing. 😈
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Thank you so much Joey! What a way to end my day after a trying 10 hours at the office.
I find it especially hard to believe that this was “blah blah blah, vomit, vomit, vomit.” If it was, you are just amazing! Thank you for sharing!!
I am simply thrilled that you are writing this book. As usual, all of the characters sound fascinating. What an unexpected turn that Evan is of Jewish heritage! Can’t wait to see how he develops…
I hope all that are not already members come and visit http://jwhconnection.com/ You will not find a better author based site anywhere!
Be safe on your trip to NOLA! See you there.
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Hi Joey!!!! I’m getting a little behind on the Vampire Queen series.
I’ve read books 1,2,4 & 7. And I’ve loved them all as well as the Daughters of Arianne and the Nature of Desire series. I haven’t read any of the KOTB. I’ve been living under a rock! I can’t wait to see you in October!!!! I hope the Vampire Queen series goes on forever. I enjoyed your post today, thanks for sharing.
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Love your books and not only because the covers are done by Don Sipley!
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Great excerpt Joey. I was so blown away by “Vampire Instinct” that I wondered how you could top that one but this one sounds intriguing as usual. Thanks for sharing your creative process.
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Ashley, thanks!! Can’t wait to see what you all think of the full story.:>
Boardroom Fan, thanks to you as well. And I agree- the fan forum has so much to offer folks, not just in terms of my work, but as a great community of readers who love to talk about and celebrate erotic romance. I enjoy it every time I visit. And yes, I’m enjoying exploring Evan’s character. He already has quite a few traits I’ve noticed in the Jewish men of my acquaintance. I stumbled over an article this morning that had a humorous but also affectionate treatment of their love for their mothers, their great business sense, what good husbands they make because they already have a healthy respect for women… it almost made me decide to tell my husband he needs to convert (laughter). Now those of you who have Jewish husbands lacking in those traits are probably going to advise me not to believe everything I read, right? (grin)
Julianne, no worries – I know how crazy life can get. Hope you enjoy those when you can get to them, and I’m looking forward to seeing you at Romanticon as well!
Infinitieh, but that is a great reason to be drawn to the books. Don has done an awesome job with the Berkley covers!
Elf, fingers crossed, I always hope the next book is even better than the last. You’ll have to let me know if I succeed with this one. :>
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Joey,I always love reading your posts.And thanks for sharing the excerpt.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
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I’m intrigued. I haven’t read any of your vampire stories. I want to know what happens next. Thanks for sharing the rough draft. jepebATverizonDOTnet
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Elaine, good to hear from you. And it was a pleasure to share the early peek with you all. Jen, also glad to hear you were intrigued. Hope you have a chance to try my vampires in the future and enjoy that experience!
It’s been lovely to be here with you all this week, and thanks tremendously to Delilah for having me as a guest. The winner of my book giveaway is ANIYA!! Congratulations, Aniya. However, you didn’t leave your email address (no worries, I know it’s hard to remember that!), so I’ll need you to email me directly so I can get the information on what book you want, etc. Just shoot me an email at storywitch @ storywitch.com (no spaces). I’ll look forward to hearing from you. :>
Thanks again to all, and hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!