Get your inky paws off me, you damn dirty writer!

That's what the logical, rational side of my brain told the creative side last week. See, I have a problem. A major problem. I have more story ideas than I know what to do with, and my creative brain keeps throwing them at the part of my brain which should make the logical decisions about what to write. Why's that a problem? Lots of ideas are great for a writer.

You may have noticed that I haven't actually published a book yet. A couple of short-story collections, yes. A novel or novella? No. That's because I can't make my damn mind up. All those shiny ideas want to be written. I decide on one project and then wake up in a cold sweat worrying other the others. Will that idea be better? Does it stand more of a chance of being published? That one's a stupid idea. It will never work. Write the new one.

You get the idea.

I am writing. A little bit of everything at the moment. I actually don't mind writing that way. As one writer friend pointed out, I'll have lots of books ready at the same time. But that's crazy, isn't it? Shouldn't I be concentrating on just one or two projects at the same time? If I continue to have more ideas, won't I just start more projects? Ever heard of a writer balancing ten WIPs in one go? No. Me neither. At least, not a sane writer.

So, I need your advice. What should I do? Continue to work on all of them? Schedule certain days/weeks for each project or choose one or two and get them done?

Ninja Alex and Beaker say, "Help save the damn dirty writer!".

Donna Hosie's Quest of the Artisan

I'm over at Untethered Realms today talking about space and whether I'm the right stuff. Please float by if you have the time.

Today I'm thrilled to be helping Donna Hosie reveal the cover for the second book in her The Children of Camelot series. It's every bit as beautiful as her previous covers. Congratulations, Donna.

THE CHILDREN OF CAMELOT series continues in QUEST OF THE ARTISAN.

Six months ago, seventeen-year-old Rustin Hall thought he knew what he wanted. Then he travelled back in time with his best friend, Mila, to the world of Camelot, knights and magic, and everything changed.

Now Rustin is the artisan, and he knows his future because it's written in the past.

But Rustin's plan to build the first temple for the Gorian druids is cut down like the trees he talks to when the Round Table reveals the name of the newest knight of Camelot: a name that carves fear and unrest into the other knights. With Mila now in danger, Rustin, along with his friends, James and Jalaya, goes on a quest to find her before a new malevolent evil gets there first. A necromancer is building an army of the dead, and they are coming for Arthur's daughter.

Rustin will join forces with a young would-be knight called Galahad, as his quest takes him into the very heart of the Arthurian legends he grew up reading. A quest that could be the end of the artisan's life, not just in Logres, but for good.

Due for release 2015.

You can find Donna here: Amazon

Book one in The Children of Camelot series:

Amazon

AmazonUK

That's it for this week. I'll be back on Monday. Until then, happy reading and writing.

Crystal Collier's Soulless Cover Reveal

I'm thrilled to be sharing the beautiful cover for Crystal Collier's upcoming release, Soulless. Isn't it gorgeous? Over to Crystal to tell us more:


Have you met the Soulless and Passionate? In the world of 1770 where supernatural beings mix with humanity, Alexia is playing a deadly game.

SOULLESS, Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she's forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

What people are saying about this series:

"With a completely unique plot that keeps you guessing and interested, it brings you close to the characters, sympathizing with them and understanding their trials and tribulations." —SC, Amazon reviewer

"It's clean, classy and supernaturally packed with suspense, longing, intrigue and magic." —Jill Jennings, TX

"SWOON." —Sherlyn, Mermaid with a Book Reviewer

Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and "friend" (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

COMING October 13, 2014

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Cherish the Moment

I experienced a magical moment a couple of weeks ago. A moment that took my breath away. When I left work on July 2nd there was a pink tinge to the air. I knew at once we Exmouthians were in for a stunning sunset. Occasionally dust from Africa is blown our way, and what you'll see below is my humble recording of the result.

As I sat by the estuary, just across the road from where I live, my thoughts turned to the people in my life who've passed away. The people - some family members, some friends - who I wished were still here. The friends and relatives I wished I could share this breathtaking moment with. Perhaps they were there by my side? I'd like to think they were.
What I realised at that moment is that we need to cherish not just the people we love, but all the individual moments in our lives. We go about our existence rushing from one thing to another, often seeing only the next week, month, or even year. Along the way, we stop living in the now. We make our lives more complicated than they need to be. We stop appreciating all the small, wonderful things that happen. A beautiful sunset. A phone call with a close friend. That morning cup of coffee and croissant you love. The list for each of us is endless. 
Over the last week, I've listened to groups of school children pass by my house on their way to the beach for a class field trip. How excited they were by the magical adventure they were embarking on. It reminded me of one of the things we often lose when we journey into adulthood - the ability to switch off from whatever else may be troubling us and experience only the now. I guess as writers and readers we are luckier than most. We do allow ourselves to be caught up by words and carried away on a magical adventure. For that, I'm grateful.
When was the last time you acted like a child? The last time you let go of all your cares and revelled in the moment?