Author Christine d’Abo

This is a very exciting week for us because it’s my week for the Purple Explosion!! Wizard’s Thief is coming out next Wednesday and I can’t wait. Despite my insane schedule, I have some fantastic friends who are helping me promote my book.

R.G Alexander has written me a beautiful poem, sung to The Music of the Night (which is one of my favourite musical songs!!). Thanks so much RG for the fantastc poem.

Also, now hidden somewhere on my site is my special jewel. You need to find all four (R.G.’s, Red’s, and Lillian’s) to qualify for our special grand prize. Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Well it’s that time again! Hard to believe how fast the weeks seem to go these days. I haven’t been writing at my normal pace, but I’m okay with that. I’ve come to realize that my natural writing pace for winter is a bit slower than the rest of the year. As long as I’m doing something, then I’m happy with that.

This week I managed to get about 2000 words done on my urban paranormal. That means since this challenge started I’ve managed just over 25k words on the story. I’m not finished, but I’m thrilled. And with two weeks left to go in the kick in the pants initiative, I’m confident that I’ll get even closer to my goal.

That said, I do have a small confession. Today I started working on another story. Well, went back to it. I needed a break from the paranormal, and hope that shifting gears today will have me ready to go for the rest of the week. I also want to try and get this one done and submitted to EC. I’d love to sneak it in for the jewel series later in the year. So cross your fingers I’ll get it done.

How is everyone else making out??

Oh how I love a long weekend!! I’m really excited to have an extra day off (Monday) and plan to do nothing overly exciting. In fact, Amy loaned me Mork and Mindy season one. I think I’m going to watch it with my girls . That should prove interesting.

I’m also going to get my butt in gear and do some writing. I’m up to 32k on my urban paranormal, but nowhere near where I wanted to be. So it’s time to kick things up a notch.

Oh and I have another episode of Torchwood to watch and apparently something big happens…going to watch tonight when I get home.

So do you have any exciting plans for the weekend??

Isn’t love grand! As a romance writer I love the idea of love and happy relationships. But really, who doesn’t??

Today is also the added bonus of being my little sister’s birthday! She’s turning 31 and I’m still in denial that she’s that old. Because that means I’m older… So a big shout out to my sister Andrea - happy birthday hon!!

I got to watch Torchwood last night and see one of my new favourite sci-fi couples :D. Which of course prompted me to think about some of my favourite sci-fi TV couples.

Spike and Buffy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Wesley and Fred from Angel

Ianto and Jack from Torchwood

Jack and Sam from Stargate

And finally The Doctor and Rose

I hope you have a fantastic day with everyone who you love, both near and far.

I think one of the things I love about romance is the anticipation of a couple getting together. I love watching the spark ignite between two people, see as they slowly circle closer together–looks, touches, small smiles that draw them in. Throw in the excitement of an external plot and you won’t have me moving until I know how the story ends.

This is a hard thing to do well as a writer. I know myself I sometimes struggle writing the sexual tension between my hero and heroine. If on top of that, if I’m trying to add in a layer of emotional turmoil, then this can really slow me down. But I love writing in layers, love trying to get down deep to the spark between the characters and fan it. Some of my favourite authors do this and I’m always in awe when I read (re-read) their stories.

I’m also now convinced this is why I’m drawn to certain shows on TV. While I love a good story, there has to be something about the characters and their relationships with the people around the to keep me coming back. Case in point, I’m enjoying Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles. Good acting, lots of action. But I missed Monday’s show and didn’t even realize it until this morning. There isn’t that connection to the characters that I normally have when I’m passionate about a show. Compare that with Torchwood, Doctor Who, House, NCIS, or any of the other shows I’m hooked on, and instead I’m anticipating when the next one will be on. (Side note: new Torchwood on tonight. WOOHOO ).

This is the same with my favourite authors. Kelley Armstrong, Colleen Gleason, Margaret Moore, Red Garnier, etc, I find myself waiting, drooling over when their next book will come out. They can get down to the heart of their characters and make me care about what is going on.

That is the type of writer I want to be, and what I’m constantly working toward. It’s a challenge to do it well, but I’m not going to stop until I get there. This is also why I’m hyper crititcal of my own writing. I read it and sometimes I can’t help but think there is that spark missing sometimes. But that’s what second drafts are for.

What is it about a book, story, TV show, etc, that really draws you in?

I’m always amazed at how supportive the writing community online is. Impressively supportive. I’ve been such a bad blogger with everything that’s been going on in my life. I barely managed to get posts on my site, let alone come visit everyone. Yet, everyday you are all coming to chat with me, to say hi.

Most sincerely, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who visits this blog.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to pimp a few friends of mine.

To start things off, my friend Eve WON THE BRAVA CONTEST!!! I’ve been bouncing ever since she told us. Congratulations darling!!! 

Tomorrow sees the release of Sherrill Quinn’s Jewel of Apthgar. This is one smoking hot book from the excerpts I’ve read. I’ll be first in line to buy this one.

This week also sees R.G. Alexander’s How To Date A Superhero released! Remember that we have a purple explosion contest on the go. Look for the jewels hidden on Red Gardner, Lillian Feisty, R.G Alexander, and my own site. One will pop up per week. Find them all and you are entered for a chance to win a fantastic prize! Red’s is up last week, R.G.’s this week, mine next week and finally Lillian.

And Wizard’s Thief is coming on February 27th. Only two weeks away!!! Woohoo!

Go and hunt!

On the writing front I didn’t do a lot yesterday, but I managed a bit on my paranormal. I’m going to buckle down tonight so I can get a few more thousand words finished. I really want to hit 35k by the weekend, so I need to focus.

Of course episode 5 of Torchwood is on Wednesday…

Well people, I didn’t make my goal this week. And honestly, for no good reason. I have been sick off and on, but the reason I didn’t write was because of watching Torchwood. I’m all caught up now though and there isn’t a new episode until Wednesday, so I don’t have any excuses.

I did manage to write over 2000 words, so it wasn’t a total bust. So today, I’m giving my head a hard shake and I plan to jump back into my story with both feet! So I’m kicking my own ass and plan to write 5000 words this week.

How did everyone else make out this week??

Well I’m back at it today, but not running at full speed. Between my stomach and my arm, it’s been a bit of a rough week. But enough griping!

I’m been totally engrossed with Torchwood this week, rewatching season one and seeing the first four episodes of season two. I’m chomping at the bit to see the next episode…

I really love how the relationships between the team members has grown and changed. Gwen and Ryse are so cute together, especially in this week’s show, Meat. It’s so nice to see that their relationship is steady again. I’m not sure where they are going with the whole Owen and Tosh thing, but it should be interesting.

Jack and Ianto…are just…wow. The looks that get passed between the two of them are amazing. And the kiss… *drool*. I don’t think I’ve ever routed for a couple to get together this much before. And if the writers do anything to them, well let’s just say Russel Davies will be paid a visit by a very upset Canadian.

Tomorrow I have my TRW meeting and I have to say I’m really looking forward to it. Amy and I will be traveling together which means we get to talk obsessively about Torchwood before we meet up with Wylie and Leah.

On the writing front, I haven’t done a lot this week. I’ve only managed 2000 words, but I do plan to get some done at lunch today. Cross your fingers!

How is everyone doing? What are your plans for the weekend?

Sorry everyone, I’m out of commission today. I’ll check in on you all later. To make up for it, here is a very cool video someone sent me.

Yes everyone the purple explosion has hit the blog world. This month the are many of us who have an Ellora’s Cave Jewel book releasing. Today sees my good friend Red Garnier’s Amathista released! Now, I’ve had the pleasure of reading this book already and let me tell you, I can’t wait to buy it! It’s a hot futuristic with a hero who will melt your computer screens.

Here’s the blurb:

For years the Fohers have sought the same treasure—Amatista. Only by finding the mystical river of amethysts will Kavi and his people be safe.

But Kavi doesn’t realize his human captive, Liana, with her lush body and eager responses, is more than just a distraction—she is the key to finding the very treasure he seeks.

And don’t forget about our contest!!