Of course, this brings up the question of what to talk about. I’m not overly political. I won’t beat the drum about something (even though I might feel passionately about it). I’m not controversial. I’m not particularly witty and my humor doesn’t always translate to the page. Soooooo….maybe I’ll just ramble and show pictures of hot guys.

No? Oh. Maybe?

How about I just talk about Zombieland.

Yeah, I think I was one of the last people in the world to see this movie. My husband hauled it up on Netflix Friday night and informed me we needed to watch this. I didn’t find it LOL hilarious (okay, except for Bill Fucking Murray), but I LOVED how it was basically a first person narrative. The rules that Columbus has and repeats through the movie have stayed with me far longer than some of the other elements. As a result, the movie endeared itself to me.

Plus Woody was hot in the hat.

Zombies are fun. They can be scary. More than that, zombie movies tend to make the humans in the scary. We’d be forced to do things that are so outside of who we would be in the normal world, it’s terrifying. Would I kill someone/thing to save my family. Hell yeah.

That’s the only movie I’ve watched recently. I’m still desperate to see Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Sherlock Holmes. Maybe I’ll sneak out this week and check them out.

I’ve been doing a lot of writing recently. I’ve submitted two stories to my editors (one for Carina Press, one for EC) and I’m working on a novella for a Christmas anthology call. I really love this one so far, so let’s hope it stays groovy. I’m also finalizing my Steampunk workshop that I’ll be doing over at Passionate Ink next moth. If you’re interested, make sure you register.

It’s easy to forget how much progress has been made when you’re neck deep in writing new stories, doing up proposals for agents (getting rejected by agents), working on edits on top of everything else that is going on. It’s nice to sit back and take a look at what’s happened over the past year and see where I’m hoping to go in 2012. So that’s what I’m doing. If you haven’t given yourself the opportunity to take a moment and look back at the positives of the past year (even if they may be hard to see), you should.

Releases

This year saw the most releases I’ve ever had at one time. Not only did I have seven publications hit the stands, I got to work with three new publishers! It’s been a crazy, wild ride and one that I hope doesn’t come to an end anytime soon.

No Master – Ellora’s Cave

Girls Who Bite – Cleis Press

Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance – Cleis Press

Double Shot – Carina Press

A Shot in the Dark – Carina Press

Pulled Long – Carina Press

Agony/Ecstasy - Berkley Heat

New Words

On top of the edits and promotions I did for the above books, I’d somehow also managed to get 230,700 new words written. That’s on five manuscripts, one that was published (No Master), two that are contracted and are coming in 2012 (Spectral Bond, Scorched Retribution), and three stories that I’m in the process of finishing/editing (an Exotica for EC, an erotic steampunk I hope to try and get an agent with, book 4 in the Long Shots series, and a partial for Blaze).

It’s a bit crazy…

Reading

I’ve also made a point of doing more reading in 2011. I took the Goodreads challenge and set a goal for myself of reading 50 books. I’m technically 3 books behind on the challenge, but I have actually read well over the 50. I won’t post any reviews of books I don’t like (I try to only say nice things online) and there were a few I read that didn’t float my boat. This was good for me and I found it helped keep me motivated with my writing. I plan to do this again next year.

Looking Forward

I’m already very excited about what is on the horizon for 2012. I have two releases ready to go. Spectral Bond, a new story in the Eternal Bond universe will be out early 2012. Scorched Retribution is a story I have in the new Cleis Press She-Shifters anthology coming out in July. I also hope to have Josh’s story (book 4 in the Long Shots world) out in 2012. I also will be finishing up the Blaze (even if I get a no on that one), work on a few call for submissions that have caught my eye, and I have plans for two new novella series.

In other words, I’ll be busy.

I hope you are all ready for 2012, and I hope it is as productive (and happy) for you as I hope it will be for me.

*does a snoopy dance*

What’s been going on? Well, I’ve managed to complete 50k of a new erotic steampunk novel. It’s nowhere near done, but I’m thrilled with where it’s going. It will be at least another 30k to finish the first draft, and I suspect I will add another 10k before I can start sending it out to agent.

Yes, I’ve decided to take another kick at the agent can in the New Year. We’ll see how I make out with that.

On the release front, December has two for me! On December 6th (OMG next week!!!) the Agony/Ecstasy anthology releases. Considering its been over a year since I first heard my story was chosen by Jane to be a part of this, I’m anxious to see it out there. I can’t wait for my copies to arrive.

December 12th has Pulled Long releasing from Carina Press. This is the third of the Long Shots series, and tells Ian’s story. I’ve received many comments from readers about how anxious they are to see Ian get his happily ever after. I hope you won’t be disappointed.

On a side note, there is a fourth story in that series. It deals with Josh, Beth (the girl who was caught having sex in book 2), and a new character Oliver. The three of them get up to lots of fun. It is off with my editor right now, so with luck she will like it and you’ll have the next story in 2012.

Currently, I’m working through the last bit of additions to a new novella for EC. This will be a bridge story in my Eternal Bonds series, linking to a new series I have planned in that universe. More details to come!

The final bit of news I have is in regard to a workshop I’m running for the RWA Passionate Ink chapter. Want to learn how to write erotic steampunk? Then I’ll be able to help! Check out further details on their site.

*does a snoopy dance*

So with all of my new releases coming out I thought it was time for me to do up a printable book list for you to download (if you are so inclined). I will be posting and updating this on my book page of my website, but I thought I would put a copy here as well for you to grab.

I’ve listed my books by series, put in links to various purchase sites, and flagged what each book is (m/f, m/m, m/m/f, etc). I hope this helps those of you who are looking to follow a particular series, or want to make sure they don’t buy something they’re not comfortable reading.

I’d love to hear feedback on this. If there are any tweaks I can make to ensure it’s more functional, please let me know.

Book List for Christine d’Abo

I also wanted to let you all know that A Shot in the Dark is now up for pre-order over at Amazon, and reviewers that you can access it over at NetGalley.

Worse problems to have, right?

I love this time of year. There is something about late summer and early fall that makes me feel really settled in my skin. I get most of my annual writing done in these months and have lots of fresh story ideas come to mind.

Its also the time to get back to routines. I find back to school time almost better than New Years for motivating me to do all the things I’ve been putting off. New clothing, new supplies, new routine, all great to give the body and mind a kick start.

This fall is also going to be busy for me on the release front. I have a small amount of guilt about the promo spam I’ll have to blast you all with, but I’m hoping you’ll forgive me. I’m really proud of the stories that will be coming out and I love that there is a little bit for every reading taste. All hot and spicy too!

But for the next few weeks I’m going to relax and enjoy the rest of the summer. I’ll keep going with my 1k a day challenge (and it’s going pretty well!), with the hopes that I’ll get the final Long Shots book done. Then it will be on to Romanticon and a chance to meet a lot of you in person. I can’t wait!

Until then, have a glass of sangria for me and enjoy!

My edits for most of my fall releases are done. No Master will be out in seven days (OMG!) and I’ve decided to take it easy on the writing front for a few weeks.

My master plan is to play video games and hang out with my children. World domination will soon follow.

I also want to take the opportunity to get caught up on my reading. I’ve been able to get through a number of novellas and short novels that have been sitting on my e-reader for a while in recent days. I’ve posted some reviews over on Goodreads, but I’d recomment getting the following if you are looking for something new.

Do Over by Mari Carr. If you have been married for any length of time, you will appreciate this beautifully written novel. It’s about a couple who have a special weekend getaway to get reacquainted with each other. I cried more than once.

Sweet As Sin by Inez Kelley. This is another book that had me crying. The struggles of the hero and heroine in this book prove that sometimes love isn’t enough. The resolution was immensley satisfying.

Outcast Mine by Jamie Craig. A well written m/m sci-fi romance that had be flipping the pages at a rapid rate. Great action and hot sex.

I’m traveling for work this week, but when I get back I’ll officially slide into summer mode. How about you? Any special plans for the summer?

This week I’ve been eyeball deep in edits for the Long Shots series. The first round for the first two stories are done, and I’ll be moving on with them later this week.

I’ve also had news of two sales! I’m still waiting on the official bits before I can share the details, but I’m very happy with both. I hope you all are too.

Today’s Friday funny came from a day job co-worker. Please don’t hate me for getting this song stuck in your head. Have a fantastic weekend!

I do have some excellent news about a new contract coming up, but I can’t quite share it with you yet. I hope everything will be finalized next week and I’ll be able to give you the deets. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic.

I’ll be participating at the Toronto Romance Writer’s March critique session again this year. I hope I’ll be able to offer a bit of advice to the new writers in my group. Thankfully J.K. Coi is my critique partner, so they will benefit from her expertise as well.

Seeing as it’s Friday, I thought I’d share another funny video with you. This one isn’t safe for little ears or work (unless you have headphones). I laughed my ass off!

Happy Friday everyone!

I know I’m not alone in my lovefest for Colin Firth. Hell, even my husband thought he was kick ass after I made him watch Pride and Prejudice (side note – my husband rocks!). When I’d heard Mr. Darcy…err Firth had been nominated for the Oscar this year, I knew I had to go out and see The King’s Speech.

I won’t gush over the movie because really, it rocked. But what I found wonderful about the movie was the bravery of the King himself. It really pointed out to me as a writer that we don’t necessarily need to throw our heroes into a blood bath (I’m also watching Spartacus) to give them the opportunity to be heroic.

I’m also reading What I Did For A Duke, by Julie Ann Long. I’m remiss to say I’d never even heard of Ms. Long before I saw a shout-out for this book on Dear Author. I’m so glad I did! Like King George VI,  Duke Alex (because what an awesome name) has his own internal demons he’s struggling with. I’m only about halfway done the book, but I’m hoping his growth (with Genevieve’s help) will be as rewarding as I think it will be.

What am I getting at with this post? I don’t have a clue. Maybe because I’m struggling with my own dark characters right now, I’m finding myself tuned in to how other writers work through that emotional journey. How these men battle their demons without giving up that essence that is who they truly are is something I’m desperately working toward.

If the King can get through his speech (and win the Oscar), then I can get my heroes to behave.

Onward and upward, Bertie.

So sit down and brace yourself, kind readers. Here are Christine’s Goals for 2011!

The Goal List

Blog More. Yeah, yeah, I know, blogging is sooooo 2010ish. I didn’t get a chance to do a lot of blogging last year due to health and laziness issues. I don’t want to necessarily focus on writing as much as I have (thought that will be a big chunk still), but throw in some more interested bits for you to read. Don’t have a CLUE what they are yet, but I’ll figure it out.

Get an Agent. Yeah, yeah, I know, getting an agent is soooooo 1990ish. I also know this is something out of my control to a certain extent. But what I’m more interested in doing from my own perspective is not rushing my submissions to agents. I’m taking a look at the material I’m writing and how I can make it more marketable to a larger readership. Those are the projects I need to start pitching to agents and only to agents who I’ve done enough research on. Starting with the book I’m editing right now. Be Forgiving. I like to think I’m a nice person, but I have a bit of a mean streak in me. Thankfully, most of the time this is directed at myself and not others. In 2011, I’m vowing to give myself a bit of a break. Not from accomplishing the goals I want, but when I don’t quite live up to my own expectations. This will be a hard goal for me to meet.

Write, write, write! Goes without saying, doesn’t it? But my writing goals for the year are as follows.

• Finish the full length novel, No Master (EC)
• Finish the full length novel, No Honor (EC)
• Write two novellas (EC, other)
• Finish the full length novel I’m writing with Delphine Dryden (lord knows where that will end up. )
• Edit and submit urban fantasy novel (Carina, I hope…)

Promote. I suck at this. I need to do a better job at getting out there and getting my name known. This is the one aspect of publishing that I’ve always struggled with (mum raised me not to brag), and I know I need to do better.

Exercise. Yeah, yeah, I know, this is so…well, insert any year you want. One of the things I realized in 2010 was that I think better when I’m consistently exercising. So my vow is to do this not only for my physical health, but for my mental health as well. A less mental Christine means more writing accomplished.  Lord did I just write that…

Well I think that’s good enough for now. I like to keep busy and this will certainly do that for me. I hope you all meet any goals you set for yourself in 2011!

*does a snoopy dance*