On Writing & Publishing by Robin D. Owens

Personal notes on writing techniques, writing a novel, my writing career and threading your way through publishing a book.

My Photo
Name:
Location: Denver, United States

RITA Award Winning Author -- that's like the Oscar, folks! Futuristic/Fantasy Romance and Fantasy with Romantic Subplots.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Has Anyone Seen Hearts & Swords Yet?

I am debating which novella to enter in a contest due TODAY. If you've seen (and or read) Hearts & Swords, please email me your opinion. Thanks, Robin

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Whose Story Is It, Anyway?

Whose Story Is It, Anyway? I've been reading an e-series with an ensemble cast -- and though I'm okay in general with this, I am missing the idea of who exactly the main character and protagonist is. Now, I know that George R.R. Martin has huge fantasy books, but the one I'm reading is a light contemporary paranormal series.

I would strongly recommend knowing who your main character/protagonist is and sticking with him/her -- showing most of the action in his/her point of view and having most of the book be linear with regard to his/her growth.

Because, at the end of this particular book in this particular ongoing series, I wasn't as satisfied as I would have been if I'd been solid in one (or two or even three or four) points of view.

In the Heart books, which are romances, I stick with the hero's and the heroine's point of view -- 2, the couple -- that's it.

The Lladrana series usually had no more than four, and usually 2-3.

Enchanted No More was a departure for me in that it had only one point of view.

I believe when you limit your point of view, you make your character and your story deeper.

My thoughts and ideas,
Robin

Monday, November 28, 2011

Magic -- White

Magic -- My Color is White

Rather astonished me.

White
You value law, order, community and light. You love to protect the social order and the rule of law. At your best, you are just and protective. At your worst, you are authoritarian and dogmatic. Your symbol is a sunburst. Your enemies are black and red.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Ebook Stories -- Why NY didn't buy

I've been reading a lot of ebooks, both put out by small press and the author. Many of these were originally submitted to NY publishers. And I can pretty much tell you why they didn't fit those publishers. I'm not saying anything about the quality of the books or the writing, at least one has been an award-winner, and I have them on my virtual shelf. But I CAN figure out why an editor might not have wanted to take a chance on these particular books.

1) Romance -- hero is a mortician.

2) Contemporary paranormal -- the story starts with one character, switches to her best friend and that romance, and finally ends with the first character, but no romance for her.

3) Western romance -- children's pet dog is killed in chapter 1.

4) Fantasy romance -- this book (one I'm reading now), is a story every girl who read fantasy would have thought of and the first twenty or so would have been published.

This is a time of great flux in the storytelling/publishing world, and great opportunity.

May you enjoy all the worlds you visit today.
Robin

Friday, November 18, 2011

Hearts and Swords Shipping


Hearts and Swords is shipping! I got my author copies yesterday! The title is in SILVER so it can either flash or fade...it should be on the shelves soon! Of course the guy is gorgeous.

May you enjoy your work today.
Robin

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Hearts and Swords - Dear Reader Ltr


Welcome! If you haven't read my work, I think Hearts and Swords would be a wonderful place to start. These novellas will let you experience Celta – a planet of people with magic and telepathic animal companions – in shorter bites than my full-length novels.

When writing a series, sometimes a few characters branch off in a different direction than the main stories and though they have their own lives and loves, they don't need a full book.

The first novella, Heart And Sword, is a prequel to the Heart series, taking place on the starship Nuada's Sword, on its way from Earth to Celta. A story I've wanted to write for a while...and if you're a long-time reader, you'll find references to it as a stage play in the books. Kelse Bountry was full of hope for the future when he stepped into the starship, Nuada's Sword, but he is awakened prematurely to discover he must face a conspiracy...and that the colonists are lost.

Next up, Heart Story, includes a mature couple, which I really enjoyed writing about. Both must overcome their past to claim each other.

Heart and Soul is the tale of Genista Furze Holly, the ex-wife of Tinne Holly, a man who found his true love in Heart Fate. I tried very hard to keep Genista a sympathetic character and as time passed, I finally discovered the right man for her. This is their story and takes place at Halloween and the new year, Samhain.

Finally, members of the rambunctious commoner Clover Family have run throughout the books and I had fans wanting a story about how they might be elevated to the nobility. I think you'll be surprised how this came about, and Walker is definitely a reluctant hero. Noble Heart takes place during the winter holidays, so I hope you enjoy it as you curl up for yours!

Naturally there is magic – Flair – and gifts and Fams: a cat or two, a couple of dogs, a housefluff (bunny) and a fox...all ready to "help" their people find love.

Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Sunset at Retreat


Last day, and last walk on the beach. Most of the time I was quite sick...but what a place to feel miserable at! So, no regrets.

May you enjoy all the worlds you visit today.
Robin

Friday, November 11, 2011

Retreat - Sick - Nano

Life got busy for me before I headed off to retreat in SC (where I am now) and where I REALLY came down with a cold or cough. I started NaNoWriMo, but am now a little behind due to the sickness.

News: I got a good review from Publisher's Weekly for Hearts and Swords -- review copies are going out.

I got the cover for Heart Secret.

Currently: Rereading Heart Quest to renew ideas on the Black Magic Cult.

Will post pics of retreat maybe (haven't take 500 of the ocean this year, more like 10).

Robin

Out of the Blogosphere
[ Join Now | Ring Hub | Random | << Prev | Next >>]