I'm back from vacation. School is out for the summer and I'm ready to write. I have been thinking about my part in the Rogue's Angels anthology for St. Patty's Day 2011. Wow, it is a long time from now because we are still working on the Valentine anthology to be published February 2010. I took an idea from a tale my mom told me. It was passed down from her mother and I'm guessing her mother which would be my--great grandmother--I think. So today, I'm running off my plotting cheat sheets, working on my characters (although they have been building in my mind for about three months) and hopefully starting on the first scene.
Allana Angel
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Flying too high causes hypothermia
Sable Angel here. I've been working 50 plus hours a week and surviving on oxygen, at least that's what the devil with the red suit and wings told me. Something about the gleam in his eyes made me wonder...
The push to catch up at work is over and other obligations have been whittled to a small mole hill. I've been feeling breathless and flighty. Finally figured out I need an influx of fingers to keyboard and faeries, dragons, and wingers to make me feel better. When you find what you love you should pursue it to the ends of the earth.
Oh yeah! Wingman has gotten employment and is flying on his own now. Think we may hop on the softtail and head to the coast for a day this Memorial Day weekend. Can't beat the Oregon sea air for rejuvenation.
All of you out there take care. As we Harley riders say, keep the shiny side up!
Sable Angel
The push to catch up at work is over and other obligations have been whittled to a small mole hill. I've been feeling breathless and flighty. Finally figured out I need an influx of fingers to keyboard and faeries, dragons, and wingers to make me feel better. When you find what you love you should pursue it to the ends of the earth.
Oh yeah! Wingman has gotten employment and is flying on his own now. Think we may hop on the softtail and head to the coast for a day this Memorial Day weekend. Can't beat the Oregon sea air for rejuvenation.
All of you out there take care. As we Harley riders say, keep the shiny side up!
Sable Angel
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
SO, HOW'S THE STORY GOING?
Just a quick post before I dive back into edits of CHASING RAINBOWS, my story in our Rogue's Angels anthology to be released February 2010. Ideally, I still need to cut a few thousand words, but I've strengthened the hero's motivation and ramped up the sexual tension between the hero and heroine. The cameo appearance by our gracious LINDA is also developing nicely.
Once edits are done, I'll pass this story to my critique partners for their comments. Soon after that I'll introduce some of the characters in this story--they are keeping me entertained with their antics!
Even though there are still about nine months of production time until the anthology is released, I'm getting more and more excited about it!
Now, back to edits...
-Amber Angel
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Grand Opening!
May 9th, I can't believe it is almost upon us. And what a busy three days it will be. With the signing on Saturday, Mother's Day on Sunday, and my youngest daughter's birthday on Monday, I will have lots to keep me busy.
The Angels are all hoping that all our friends and family can be there. I know I'm a bit dissapointed, my mom and dad, who were the inspiration for this business adventure will not be able to make the drive up from Medford. Ah well, they will be with us all in spirit.
So, mark the date and time, 1:00 to 4:00, on Saturday to come to the Blue Pepper, visit, and maybe even download a book or two. There will be print versions of our books available also.
See you there! Allana.
The Angels are all hoping that all our friends and family can be there. I know I'm a bit dissapointed, my mom and dad, who were the inspiration for this business adventure will not be able to make the drive up from Medford. Ah well, they will be with us all in spirit.
So, mark the date and time, 1:00 to 4:00, on Saturday to come to the Blue Pepper, visit, and maybe even download a book or two. There will be print versions of our books available also.
See you there! Allana.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sable Angel flying high
Greetings!
Aren't Amber and Allana Angels amazing? I have insider's information to know just how much each of them does outside of their writing personas... truly amazing people. That's why they are Angels.
Sable Angel here. All of the positive thinking and good wishes of family and friends has come through for Sable Angel and her wingman. She is now working a job which puts food on the table and keeps the roof over our heads. I've been able to write [looming deadline] and get some work done for the publishing house. I'm also beginning to do the things I moved back to Oregon to do. It's very wonderful to spend time with children and grandchildren.
I'm keeping in touch with the writing world and indulging myself in Middle Eastern dancing [laymen's terms - belly dancing]. It has become apparent Sable's wingman has flown his last mission, physical limitations hampering his flight, so Sable is the main breadwinner now.
Just means I have to get busy on the Dragon story. Wingman is certain it is a best seller. It was to be a trilogy but I've rethought the story and decided to go for a series. Just too many dragons' stories to fit into a trilogy. Now to find the time...
Thank you all for your continued positive thoughts. Know they helped and I'll be passing them forward to someone else who needs them.
Don't forget to circle May 9th on your calendars. Rogue's Angels along with another Rogue Phoenix author, Rosemary Indra, will be signing books at The Blue Pepper, Commercial Street, in Salem from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Come see if we keep all our feathers or if some wind up on the floor.
Aren't Amber and Allana Angels amazing? I have insider's information to know just how much each of them does outside of their writing personas... truly amazing people. That's why they are Angels.
Sable Angel here. All of the positive thinking and good wishes of family and friends has come through for Sable Angel and her wingman. She is now working a job which puts food on the table and keeps the roof over our heads. I've been able to write [looming deadline] and get some work done for the publishing house. I'm also beginning to do the things I moved back to Oregon to do. It's very wonderful to spend time with children and grandchildren.
I'm keeping in touch with the writing world and indulging myself in Middle Eastern dancing [laymen's terms - belly dancing]. It has become apparent Sable's wingman has flown his last mission, physical limitations hampering his flight, so Sable is the main breadwinner now.
Just means I have to get busy on the Dragon story. Wingman is certain it is a best seller. It was to be a trilogy but I've rethought the story and decided to go for a series. Just too many dragons' stories to fit into a trilogy. Now to find the time...
Thank you all for your continued positive thoughts. Know they helped and I'll be passing them forward to someone else who needs them.
Don't forget to circle May 9th on your calendars. Rogue's Angels along with another Rogue Phoenix author, Rosemary Indra, will be signing books at The Blue Pepper, Commercial Street, in Salem from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Come see if we keep all our feathers or if some wind up on the floor.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Here is Genene--Amber Angel
Rogue: What inspired you to start writing?
Amber: I read a book I didn't particularly care for and thought, "I can write better than that!" Of course, once I actually sat down to write, I learned it's not quite as easy as saying, "I'm going to write a book."
Rogue: How did you come up with the idea for your trilogy, Songs of the Heart, Feathers on the Floor, and Stars in Your Eyes?
Amber: Like most females, I had a crush or two on rock stars when I was a teenager. However, the stereotypical rock star is not known for being faithful to one woman. But I played one of my favorite writing exercises--What If. What If a rock star loves one woman enough to be faithful? What If that woman has a secret that won't let her trust his love? What If their love is strong enough to overcome their fears and the interference of well-meaning friends and family? Though I rewrote SONGS OF THE HEART many times over the fourteen years it took for the idea to develop into a publishable story, Geoff and Shannon were two characters who stayed in my mind until I gave them their happily-ever-after.
The idea for FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR developed as I was writing SONGS. A former bodyguard who handled physical confrontation every day and a studious psychiatrist who resolved conflict with calming words are pretty opposite personalities. However, as Julia faced a husband who turned abusive and Mitch's emotional trauma from the past surfaced, they were perfect to help each other heal.
STARS IN YOUR EYES was also born as I wrote SONGS OF THE HEART. Zach and Lauren had been in love for years but were too busy convincing themselves that their separate lives were perfect to admit they really wanted each other. When Zach suffers a heart attack, he and Lauren realize they've wasted a lot of time they could have been sharing.
Rogue: What expertise did you bring to your writing and these three books?
All three books deal with deeply emotional issues--including losing a child, domestic violence, facing death--and finding the courage to heal and open your heart to loving again. In the years I worked for a social service agency and in my personal life, I've seen people do this. It still amazes me!
Rogue: What would you like your readers to know about you that may not be in your bio?
Amber: I love dogs--all sizes and breeds and personalities. They are incredible teachers if only we pay attention to the lessons they offer.
Rogue: A little on the personal side, what can you tell us about your plans for your dog sanctuary?
Amber: I was just under a year old when a Collie came into my life. He was my pillow, my protector and my confidante. He started my life-long love affair with dogs. When I started working at the local animal shelter about three years ago, I realized many dogs who didn't do well in a shelter absolutely blossomed when they went home with a family. So my dream of a very special dog rescue and sanctuary took root. Animal communicators to greet new arrivals and explain what was happening. Healing hands to soothe and comfort. Soft beds to sleep on and people to cuddle with. Other dogs to play with and an ever-changing range of smells to explore. My goal is to sell my house in town and buy property where my current crew of dogs and I can settle in, then start welcoming new arrivals. You can read a bit about us at <http://www.quantumcanines.com/>.
Rogue: As far as writing goes, what are your future plans?
Amber: After three releases in less than twelve months, this year has slowed down as I focus on setting up a dog rescue and sanctuary. My next release will be a novella in an anthology from Rogue Phoenix Press in February 2010 with two authors I have known and respected for many years. After that novella is finished, I'll be working on a series of nine drama/action romance books that are impatiently waiting to be written.
Rogue: Anything else you might want to add?
Amber: I love to sponsor contests and give away prizes. We're running contests on the Rogue's Angels blog <http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/> and I'll also soon be announcing a new contest on my writing Web site at <genene@genenevalleau.com>. I hope you take the time to enter--and maybe win!
Thank you so much: Genene/Amber
Amber: I read a book I didn't particularly care for and thought, "I can write better than that!" Of course, once I actually sat down to write, I learned it's not quite as easy as saying, "I'm going to write a book."
Rogue: How did you come up with the idea for your trilogy, Songs of the Heart, Feathers on the Floor, and Stars in Your Eyes?
Amber: Like most females, I had a crush or two on rock stars when I was a teenager. However, the stereotypical rock star is not known for being faithful to one woman. But I played one of my favorite writing exercises--What If. What If a rock star loves one woman enough to be faithful? What If that woman has a secret that won't let her trust his love? What If their love is strong enough to overcome their fears and the interference of well-meaning friends and family? Though I rewrote SONGS OF THE HEART many times over the fourteen years it took for the idea to develop into a publishable story, Geoff and Shannon were two characters who stayed in my mind until I gave them their happily-ever-after.
The idea for FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR developed as I was writing SONGS. A former bodyguard who handled physical confrontation every day and a studious psychiatrist who resolved conflict with calming words are pretty opposite personalities. However, as Julia faced a husband who turned abusive and Mitch's emotional trauma from the past surfaced, they were perfect to help each other heal.
STARS IN YOUR EYES was also born as I wrote SONGS OF THE HEART. Zach and Lauren had been in love for years but were too busy convincing themselves that their separate lives were perfect to admit they really wanted each other. When Zach suffers a heart attack, he and Lauren realize they've wasted a lot of time they could have been sharing.
Rogue: What expertise did you bring to your writing and these three books?
All three books deal with deeply emotional issues--including losing a child, domestic violence, facing death--and finding the courage to heal and open your heart to loving again. In the years I worked for a social service agency and in my personal life, I've seen people do this. It still amazes me!
Rogue: What would you like your readers to know about you that may not be in your bio?
Amber: I love dogs--all sizes and breeds and personalities. They are incredible teachers if only we pay attention to the lessons they offer.
Rogue: A little on the personal side, what can you tell us about your plans for your dog sanctuary?
Amber: I was just under a year old when a Collie came into my life. He was my pillow, my protector and my confidante. He started my life-long love affair with dogs. When I started working at the local animal shelter about three years ago, I realized many dogs who didn't do well in a shelter absolutely blossomed when they went home with a family. So my dream of a very special dog rescue and sanctuary took root. Animal communicators to greet new arrivals and explain what was happening. Healing hands to soothe and comfort. Soft beds to sleep on and people to cuddle with. Other dogs to play with and an ever-changing range of smells to explore. My goal is to sell my house in town and buy property where my current crew of dogs and I can settle in, then start welcoming new arrivals. You can read a bit about us at <http://www.quantumcanines.com/>.
Rogue: As far as writing goes, what are your future plans?
Amber: After three releases in less than twelve months, this year has slowed down as I focus on setting up a dog rescue and sanctuary. My next release will be a novella in an anthology from Rogue Phoenix Press in February 2010 with two authors I have known and respected for many years. After that novella is finished, I'll be working on a series of nine drama/action romance books that are impatiently waiting to be written.
Rogue: Anything else you might want to add?
Amber: I love to sponsor contests and give away prizes. We're running contests on the Rogue's Angels blog <http://www.roguesangels.blogspot.com/> and I'll also soon be announcing a new contest on my writing Web site at <genene@genenevalleau.com>. I hope you take the time to enter--and maybe win!
Thank you so much: Genene/Amber
Thursday, April 16, 2009
NEED A HUG AND A KISS? (Of the chocolate variety, that is!)
Posted by: Amber AngelProgress on novella: deep edits
The sun is shining. It's a beautiful day in my corner of the world. And I'm chipping away at edits on my novella, CHASING RAINBOWS. It's going slower than I had hoped, but I'm used to writing stories of 50,000-75,000 words rather the novella size of 30,000. Angel Allana is probably chuckling since her stories are usually around 100,000 words.
This is a good editing review for me. I'm looking at every scene. First of all, does it need to be in the story? Then, does it move the story forward? Can it do double duty with another scene?
I'm also looking at every character. I tend to write a lot of secondary characters in my stories. No room for that in a novella. Subplots begone! And woe to the secondary character who tries to take over the main action!
Eventually I'll get down to making every word count. It's gotta be important or it doesn't go in. :)
So, readers and writers, please weigh in. Do you have any novellas on your "keeper" shelf? Have you read (or written) a shorter story that really stuck with you? Or did those stories get pushed aside by longer novels?
Anyone who comments will be entered in the next drawing (which I have been totally lax about doing--my apologies!) The next drawing will be May 14--nine months before the release of the Rogue's Angels' anthology, of which CHASING RAINBOWS will be a part. Production of this anthology will be picking up in a couple months. But I gotta finish the story first!
P.S. Goodies in this drawing will include hugs and kisses (of the chocolate variety!), a cute and cuddly stuffed Valentine's dog, a heart candy dish, heart candles...yep, we're celebrating Valentine's Day all year long until the release of the Rogue's Angels' anthology in February 2010!
The sun is shining. It's a beautiful day in my corner of the world. And I'm chipping away at edits on my novella, CHASING RAINBOWS. It's going slower than I had hoped, but I'm used to writing stories of 50,000-75,000 words rather the novella size of 30,000. Angel Allana is probably chuckling since her stories are usually around 100,000 words.
This is a good editing review for me. I'm looking at every scene. First of all, does it need to be in the story? Then, does it move the story forward? Can it do double duty with another scene?
I'm also looking at every character. I tend to write a lot of secondary characters in my stories. No room for that in a novella. Subplots begone! And woe to the secondary character who tries to take over the main action!
Eventually I'll get down to making every word count. It's gotta be important or it doesn't go in. :)
So, readers and writers, please weigh in. Do you have any novellas on your "keeper" shelf? Have you read (or written) a shorter story that really stuck with you? Or did those stories get pushed aside by longer novels?
Anyone who comments will be entered in the next drawing (which I have been totally lax about doing--my apologies!) The next drawing will be May 14--nine months before the release of the Rogue's Angels' anthology, of which CHASING RAINBOWS will be a part. Production of this anthology will be picking up in a couple months. But I gotta finish the story first!
P.S. Goodies in this drawing will include hugs and kisses (of the chocolate variety!), a cute and cuddly stuffed Valentine's dog, a heart candy dish, heart candles...yep, we're celebrating Valentine's Day all year long until the release of the Rogue's Angels' anthology in February 2010!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)