Life Outside of Writing

Just when you think you have everything planned out, things will go awry. I would have to say that I have been pretty much obsessed with writing at the expense of a social life and other obligations. This holiday season in particular I had big plans. Then, I adopted Cougar, a feisty, orange tabby. I will admit that my original motive was to have him as a companion cat for Zoe my calico, but again things never work out the way I plan. Zoe is highly jealous and somewhat moody about him and he prefers to stick underneath me.

Demanding little fellow that he is, and adorable, when he got ill and had to get surgery, I nearly had a nervous breakdown. I blamed myself for not watching him closer, for paying so much attention to the computer and for then some. I realize that kittens get into things but really it was a wake up call for me.

I don't have kids and so sometimes I tend to be obsessive and self concerned, but lil Cougar (about to be Big Cougar with as much as he eats) is my reminder that there are other things that I need to concern myself with, things that cannot be planned for and things that are important outside of contracts. While he is doing fine and healing nicely, I try to make sure that he and Zoe gets plenty of love, play and attention.

Sure novels need to be re-edited and submitted, a novel needs to be finished and promo items need to be sent out, but my kids need attention too and Cougar is good for letting me know when I need to take a break!

Slave Boy b. Evangeline Anderson

Its not just the smooth cover, unique size, beautiful artwork and easy to read font that has encouraged me to collect these types of long paperbacks...It's the content. Once a month, sometimes two, I purchase print material from not just my publisher, Loose-Id but from Samhain and Ellora's Cave. Erotica...that's what my collection is about, plain and simple and 'Slave Boy' is just my latest swift, greedy consumable. It took about two days to read, although with the speed I went through it, I could have read it in one.

To say that I wanted more out this tale of an apprentice and his master may be like asking for another brownie on my banana split, but I'm fat so it's okay. While I enjoyed the sci fi setting, and was intrigued by the dilemma that would cause a jedi-like warrior to place himself and his novice into a very kinky/risky situation, I wanted more. With all of the mention of arousals and near-contacts, I ended the book still hungry (see earlier food reference).

Things get resolved though and it is a very entertaining book, but it really needed one more sex scene...Or I'm just that damn greedy...

The Conqueror Worms b. Brian Keene

The Conqueror Worms by Brian Keene

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
What I expected from this book was science gone awry. From the look of the cover, I think that I even may have suspected some Tremors-like humor. What I did not expect was the gripping tale of an elderly man in the mist of well...a "Mist"-type horror novel. Brian Keene is like the love child of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft and while there are worms is the book, there are also a lot worse things!!


View all my reviews.

A Taste of Darkness b. Nina Bangs

A Taste of Darkness by Nina Bangs

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Reading this book was like eating a bite-sized candy bar, sweet and good but not really filling. There were several intriguing characters, and several very powerful characters, who I knew would not allow the chosen pair to fall into any real peril. The chosen pair being a vampire and a werecat...no a weresabertooth in fact. It had steamy love scenes and the prerequisite about of abstinence in it and lots of humor, but I think I will call this more romance than paranormal as a great deal of the plot and characters concern surrounded talk of marriages and relationships. I never once felt as if the characters were in any real peril and when the villains showed up, I actually laughed at their appearance. Oddly enough, humor is peppered all throughout the book and for some light reading, this book is actually recommended :D


View all my reviews.

The Sohon Debutante Contest

So after much plotting and planning, I have come up with a way to reward my readers and to reward newbies. Need details? Here they are:

On January 3rd, 2009 I will select two lucky winners to receive the Sohon Gift Package which includes a signed print copy of A Guardian's Desire, pearl necklace, Sohon brochure, Bookmark, nail file, 2009 Magnet Calendar and other fru fru stuff :D This is my way of giving back to my readers.

For those who are more familiar with my work, if you have already purchased an e-copy of "A Guardian's Desire" and would like the opportunity to win the extended print version all you have to do is leave a review or comment (an honest one, I can take crit) on either my guestbook or Amazon page. On January 3rd, I will select two winners to be the recipients of a Sohon Gift Package.

If you have never read anything from me, not to worry, I will have a general drawing to give away the last Sohon Gift Package to a NEW reader.

As an added bonus all winners will receive a Bookworm Bag as well!

For both sides of the contest simply email me at blackkoda@yahoo.com with the word Sohon in the subject. If you submit a review or comment, simply let me know where it is in the body of the email and you will be entered.

Outsourcing and Multitasking

Its been a busy week...Was there really a holiday? I don't know, but I do know that I made the right decision when I decided to hand over my website design and maintance to a professional. Rather than spending hours looking through and fixing codes, I have more time for the other aspects of my writing business, like promo.

I recently joined Bookworm Bags a promo based group and have been not only mailing out promo materials like mad, but I am also gearing up for a new contest, which requires locating prizes, crafting up a few prizes and ordering materials. If I could just outsource promotional responsibilites I would be in heaven.

I realize that if I want my little business (and if you're a writer, your pen name is your business) to grow then I am going to have to put in the work. Things that can be outsourced like websites, taxes, Vistaprint (because yes you can make your own postcards at home, but why) and Cafe Press, should be. I mean, one still has to make deadlines, submit new work, edit and revise, right? Then of course there's the sales figure and reciept for expendature tracking, conference planning and public assistant help that comes into play...Well, suffice it to say that I know NO writers who just write. So with that said, I don't feel so bad about the outsourcing.

Anyw...any suggestions and comments for are highly appreciated.