Greetings Nevermore fans! So I know all has been silent on the Plutonian shores of my blog for quite some time.  Most of that has been because there hasn’t been much to report, other than that I’ve been working hard on Enshadowed.  

Many of you have been asking via my e-mail and Facebook about the release date for Enshadowed. The novel needed substantial re-writing, so that is why it is now set for this August. Writing a sequel was a doozie for me. Not only because I needed to rework so much of the story but because I had to do some stumbling through the dark in terms of fleshing out my process, especially since Nevermore was the first novel I’ve written from start to finish.

Here are a few of the major things I have learned.

1.)    Don’t be afraid to make a mess. Make the mess, take a step back and then assess what really is a mess. And don’t demand of yourself that you write a story perfect the first time. No one does it perfect the first time.  Or the last for that matter. In fact, while we’re at it, let’s just throw this ‘perfect’ word out of our writer’s vocab. Great story. That is our goal. Of course, this is all stuff that I knew in my mind. All points were things I’d told myself before and continue to tell myself today. Putting this wisdom into practice was a bit harder than I anticipated, however. But as far as artists go, I’ve also learned that I’m in good company. Poe himself would constantly write and re-write his work. Even years after some of his poems were published, Poe would revisit and revise. The thing to remember about the process is that…it’s a process.

2.)    If you have a plan, and the plan isn’t working, don’t be afraid to chuck the plan (or parts of the plan) for something that is working. This also falls into the category of listening to your characters instead of trying to tell them what to do.  They know better. So let them do their thing, yo.

3.)    Trust your instincts and those who are guiding you. Trust your characters. Trust the process. In the end, the act of creating is, in essence, an act of trust. **** We’re putting stars by this one. Look, here are some more. *******  

4.)    Believe.

5.)    Keep going.

6.)    Chill. Out.

You know those old fashioned wringer washers? The ones that look like this?

 

 I feel like writing a sequel (or maybe it’s just writing a second book) is much like being pressed through one of these wondrous contraptions. But you know what? You come out cleaner, better, wiser (and thinner, wee!)  on the other side.

Plus, I can also say I’m freaking geeked about the surprises that popped up during the writing process. Some things I knew were going to happen and other things??? Two words—Oh and Snap!

So thank you all for your patience. Thank you also to those of you who have e-mailed me and who I have not gotten a chance to write back to. I’m SO excited so many people have enjoyed Isobel and Varen’s story. Know that there is more of that story to come and I can’t flipping wait.

Oh but guess what my fellow Poe Fan Freaks? If you have an e-reader or a kindle app or some other fandangly contraption that allows you to enjoy the magic of e-books, you should check out THIS!

*INSERT FANFARE MUSIC (with beating heart sound effect in the background)*

 

 It’s the Nevermore Poe Collection! An e-book containing all of the works by Poe that appear in Nevermore in addition to the poems and stories that influenced the novel as a whole. This special collection also includes a forward by moi.

 My personal favorites? William Wilson and Annabel Lee. This collection just became available for download and can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Simon and Schuster’s website. It’s also available on itunes. 

And OMG. Speaking of Poe, guess what tonight is? Tonight is THE NIGHT. The night the Poe Toaster will (or won’t) visit Poe’s grave.  

For those of you who may not know, the Poe Toaster is the cloaked and masked man who visit’s Poe’s grave every year on Poe’s birthday, the 19th of January. Now I know today is the 18thbut it’s after midnight tonight that he makes (or doesn’t make >.> ) his move.

The Poe Toaster, who is the inspiration for the character Reynolds, has been appearing at Poe’s gravesite since 1949, leaving behind three roses and half a bottle of Cognac. After toasting Poe, he pulls a Batman (complete with swishing cape) and vanishes into the night.

In 2009, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the bloke and I went to watch because I wanted to make sure I got it right when the time came to write that scene. (Enshadowed!) It’s the only year I’ve gotten to go but it also happens to be the last year he showed. :( The next year, 2010, he shocked the world by not visiting Poe’s grave. In 2011 he again failed to pay tribute.

 Needless to say I’m kind of in a tizzy over what’s going to happen (or not happen) this year. Especially since 2012 is the last year the vigil is being held—at least officially. If the Toaster does not show tonight, it seems as if the ritual will be stamped with a big “it’s over.”

So cross your fingers and your toes and Mr. Toaster, if you’re reading this—I know it’s cold and that it’s probably getting harder and harder skate by without getting snapped in a photo but, dude, if you can leave us a note about football, you can leave note to tell us you’re done. Just sayin’.  Love! Hugs and kisses! Heart you big much!!! <3 <3 <3

Last thing on the blog items for today is my German COVER!!!! It’s SO BEAUTIFUL! Freaking check it OUT!!! 

It’s so purply and swirly twirly. I also love how my name appears on the pages of the mini book.

 I tell you what, I sure have hit the book cover lottery, haven’t I?