I've Been Remiss...

When I started this blog it was my intention to add a new post weekly. Anyone who has followed thus far knows that hasn't happened. I apologize to anyone who feels lacking in my weekly rants, but fear not. I'm on vacation this week and might find something to add later on. For now, feel free to use this link to read my latest free short story about one of my favorite shape shifters, Bjorn Berendsen.Enjoy!

Book Signing this Saturday!

Looking for a unique gift? Why not wrap up a romance for the holidays from one of these local authors:

Missy Jane                    www.msmissyjane.com

Teri Thackston               www.terithackston.com                 

Delphine Dryden            www.delphinedryden.com

Robin Badillo                 www.robinbadillo.com

Elizabeth Pina              www.elizabethpina.com

There’s something for everyone: vampires and shape-shifters, steamy love stories and sweet Christian romance. Join us at Puffabelly’s restaurant in Old Town Spring, 100 Main Street, Spring 77373, on Saturday, December 4^th from 12 to 3 pm. Each author will be signing books and/or giving out free promo items!

Mid-Nano Blues

Tomorrow is the Ides of November and halfway through NaNoWriMo 2010. I confess I've already considered throwing in the towel a couple of times now, but I think I'll keep on going. I'm currently at 5,016 words on my official Nano manuscript, but I've actually written more than that in the past week. My problem is the other WIP that I have on my handy-dandy flash drive just won't leave me alone. I open my Nano MS and the other characters start screaming at me. Most vocal this past week have been Kotori and his woman Sanura. What can I say? I miss my shifters. The urge to get  lost in that world has been nearly overwhelming lately, so I opened up my previously published short stories.
In case you've missed them on my site, there are free short stories set my shifter world, based on minor characters. One is about Scott, the human co-worker of Alexia Williams. The other is about Fleur and Philip, lion shapeshifters not mentioned in They Call Me Death. I feel I've neglected my other blogs lately and rectified that by posting the free stories to them today. The humans got Scott's story and the shifters got the lions. I hope to make this a regular thing, maybe monthly. As I said I miss my shifters.
So here's the run-down on my writing:

• Nano MS: 5,016 words and drifting
• Vampire MS: 27,548 and hopefull
• Kotori's MS: 6,371 and full speed ahead

Of course, there are quite a few others in the works as well, but I refuse to open those for updates until at least one of these three is finished!

Updated Word Count and Book Signing

So, I've been anticipating NaNoWriMo for the past few weeks with both excitement and dread. Excitement because I really like the story idea I'm going with, dread because I also really liked the WIP I've put on the back burner to start fresh for NaNo. However, I have yet to successfully complete Nano and that is the biggest motivator of all. I can do this! At the time of this posting my word count is sitting at 1,761. Hmm, maybe I can count this post too...

Aside from writing my tail off this month, I'm also going to be selling and signing print copies of They Call Me Death at the Vintage Park Harvest Festival. It's this coming Saturday, November 6th, from 10:30 AM until 6 PM, in Northwest Houston. It's a wine and arts festival, where another local romance author, Teri Thackston, will be joining me in the Wrap up Romance for the Holidays booth. We are offering free gift wrapping of any book purchase.

I will be giving away free CDs which include the prequel to They Call Me Death, as well as a few short stories set in my shifter world. No purchase is necessary to receive one. So, if you're in the Houston area this weekend, please stop by and see us!

EC Published Again!

For those of you who may have missed my Twitter announcement, that also posted on Facebook, I will soon have another release through Ellora's Cave Publishing. To say I'm thrilled about this would be a vast understatement. I'm fucking ecstatic! Three years ago when I first started reading erotica, I recognized that EC was one of the bigwigs in that genre. Once I decided to get serious about my writing they became one of the houses I set my sights on and have worked to become a part of. In April that dream came true with the release of Two Week Trial. I was happy, content even, with knowing that my name is now on their website. However, in the past few months I've had a little story in the back of my mind that just wouldn't go away. I think my readers will enjoy meeting Macey Lane, a romance author with very little sexual experience, and Max Thornworth, her neighbor who's escapades more than make up for her naivete.

The contract was just signed this week and the editing process had not yet begun, so it will still be a while before I have a book cover or release date to share. However, be assured that as soon as I have them I will shout it from the rooftops.For now I'm working on a vampire novel with a definite twist (no not a slayer in love with a vamp) that I'm hoping to finish this weekend. As of Monday I will be in NaNoWriMo mode and working on a contemporary (sorta) novel that makes me laugh just thinking about it.
Have a Happy Halloween and see ya' in November!
-Missy

The Good News is, Uh...

All right we'll start with the bad news: the sequel to They Call Me Death (Much More Than Human) has officially been rejected by my publisher. What does this mean? Well, I'm not entirely certain. I know I can't submit it to the same publisher again (for the third time). However, that doesn't mean I can't submit it elsewhere. I think. The truth is I need to comb through my contract to be sure I can take my characters elsewhere right now. It might be a waiting game. For those of you who have read TCMD, this was to be Emily's story. There is quite a bit revealed in her book about a few other characters as well, Lance chief among them. I hate having to sit on this story. I want everyone who has read TCMD to know what happens next. Unfortunately I have to check out a few things before moving on.
So, for now I will be concentrating on the myriad of other stories I have in progress. Arch angels, vampires and gargoyles are in the works, along with a few contemporary romances. There will be everything from short stories to full-length novels, with a novella or two in between. I hope all of my dear readers understand and don't give up on me or my world of shifters. There will be more to come I promise...I just don't know when.

I Remember...

I was at a friend's house with my oldest daughter, the only one I had at the time. We were watching her play and talking of inconsequential things when the news flash came on and a horrible image of a building on fire. Actually it looked like only half a building and there were emergency crews and smoke. It took a while for me to understands what was going on, but later I realized some idiot placed a bomb in a truck in front of the federal building in Oklahoma and killed innocent children.

I was driving down the road on my way home from somewhere I can't remember now, when my phone rang and it was my mom in a panic. "There was a shooting at your cousin's school in Colorado and I can't get a hold of your aunt!" Later I found out my cousin was fine. By some divine intervention she wasn't even at Columbine that day. But those few minutes were some of the worst of my life.

I was asleep. I can't remember why I didn't go to school that day. But, I was home with my grandma and she told me to wake up so we could watch the shuttle take off. I sat groggily in front of the TV, barely paying attention until there was an explosion. All I could think of was a news interview with Christa McAuliffe where her young daughter kept saying she didn't want her mommy to go. I prayed that she was watching but knew the whole family had to be.

On September 11, 2001, I was home with my youngest at the time, daughter number three. My sister called frantic about a plane crashing somewhere up north. It was tragic but I didn't understand why she was so u[set about it until I turned on the news. I sat in absolute shock and watched the images all day. By the time my husband got home from work I was nearly sick from crying but I wouldn't let him turn it off. I tried to explain to my shildren what had happened and couldn't answer all of their questions. The hardest one was "Why?" I really don't know.

I vividly remember all of these and too many other tragic moments in American history. I remember that good, innocent people died right alongside the not so good or innocent. I remember that most of the time, these tragedies are brought on by fellow human beings, maybe not Americans, but humans just the same. And still I can't answer the hardest question... Why?

A Child is a Gift, Not a Right

I'll start off with an apology and a warning: today's subject is serious and something I'm extremely passionate about. Children, especially mine, and how important they are to all of us. You may think, "Duh". I wish every parent felt the same. Unfortunately I hear and see disgusting things all the time that prove how unimportant some idiots think children are. This comes to mind because of a couple of things I've experienced since school started two weeks ago. I won't bore you with details, but let's just say I take my neighbor's daughter to school every morning after we drop the child's baby off at daycare. I realized she needed a ride after discovering she'd missed the first day of school. Why didn't her mother make plans for this? Hasn't she known all summer school would eventually start again? Argh! I don't mind being a taxi, really I don't. However, I'm furious that the girl missed the first day of school (and the third for some reason). What if I hadn't happened by?

The other issue is another neighbor's child. He eats dinner with us every night. Again, I don't mind. We have plenty to give. The issue is, they don't seem to care where he is at dinner time. I can't eat a meal without knowing my children have eaten too. I simply can't wrap my mind around this concept of parents caring more for themselves than they do for their children. It's completely foreign to me. I would sell my ass on the street corner if I had to so my children could eat, seriously. This has always been my attitude since the moment I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter. I was nineteen and unmarried, living in a dorm for my first semester of college. After that semester ended I moved back home, went to the community college and made plans for my baby. My entire world revolves around my children. The only thing I really do for myself is write, but they usually reap the benefits of my royalty checks :-)

So, can anyone explain this to me in a way that will make sense? How can a parent of children (not adult children of course) do more for themselves than their children? How can they justify this? I can't stand seeing children is trashy clothes when the parents are in designer duds. It pisses me off to see a parents walking through the store paying more attention to their cell phones than their wandering toddler. We have to take tests to drive and have our cars inspected. Why not test to become parents and require annual home inspections too? Our children are our most precious resource and we're sadly lacking in their care. It's sickening. It's ridiculous.

Just had to get that off my chest. 

Nearing the End of SBP Contest!

For those of you unaware of the happenings over at the Sapphire Blue Fan Yahoo loop, the August fan appreciation contest ends tomorrow! All of the details are here and it's simple. There are two separate prizes, one winner from the fan database and one from the comments. All you have to do is join the group and start chatting!
Good Luck!

Top 10 Reasons to be a Fan of SBP

Have you ever heard of Sapphire Blue publishing? Neither had I until just over a year ago. From their website:

Sapphire Blue Publishing produces high quality eBooks that will induce conversations and addict you to a special experience.  You'll lose yourself in a universe where the women kick ass, dark fantasy worlds become a reality, suspense sends chills up your spine, and more... In an economy where money counts, Sapphire Blue Publishing's books are priced fantastically!

Sapphire Blue Publishing is a new eBook publishing company managed by a close family group of highly respected, innovative, revolutionary entrepreneurs.  
Sapphire Blue Publishing, LLC is a partnership owned by Maria Clayton and Tina Gerow--two very dynamic people bringing with them diverse strengths and backgrounds who are committed to making Sapphire Blue a publishing company where authors and publishers form a win/win partnership in an industry we love. We hope the end result of this new kind of partnership will be books that "enchant" our readers and bring them back time and time again.

So, why should you be a fan of SBP? Here are a few enticing reasons:

• My erotic novella, Resignation, and erotic short story, Love in Disguise, are both available through SBP.
• Their prices range from $1.50 to $6.50.
• They offer many genres including: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Erotic, Fantasy/Sci-fi, Gay, Hot Shorts, Inspirational, Mainstream, Mystery/Suspense, Shapeshifters, Short Shorts, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal, Young Adult and Romance.
• FREE e-book, Tail from the Goddess, a round robin story by some of the SBP authors. 
• Authors are available to chat on the Yahoo loop. Including me!
• We're on twitter.
• We're on myspace.
• We're on Facebook.
• For the month of August all fans of our Yahoo loop will be entered to win great prizes!
• Also in August, look for character interviews on the fan loop.

Well, what are you waiting for? Click on all of the links and become a fan, friend and follower of SBP!

Seriously? Don't be Stupid

Warning! The upcoming rant is a direct result of working with the public five days a week for over eight hours a day...
Someday I'll have enough disposable income to quit my day job and stay home to write. Until then, I work at a bank as a teller. It's not an overly difficult job. For the most part I enjoy what I do, but there are days when every idiot in creation walks through our double glass doors. Let me tell you, stupid people, we talk about you the second you're ass disappears from the building. We laugh, complain and generally degrade everything about you for a few minutes and then never think about you again. You know who you are. Come on, you have to know who you are. No? Here's a few clues in the form of my greatest customer pet peeves:

• No, I don't know everyone in the world or even everyone who has ever entered my bank. If I don't know your favorite color or you mama's name then I don't know you well enough.
• If you won't trust me enough to hand over your ID, why in the f@#* are you handing me your money?
• Yes, everyone has to abide by the policies set forth by the bank. You're really not as special as you think you are.
• The "Wait Here" sign isn't just witty decoration. It has meaning and the customer I'm currently helping doesn't want you breathing down his/her neck as I count out the thousands of dollars he/she asked for.
• You have a negative balance? Oh, sure. Let me just give you more money to go spend foolishly.
• Checking the ATM every hour on the hour isn't the same as actually balancing your checkbook. If items process in an order differently than you did them, that doesn't mean the bank is responsible for you being an idiot and spending more than you make.
• Math is your friend. If not, use cash.

Really, I think the average person has the potential to be very smart. Unfortunately some days all I get are less than average customers. I always try to be the best customer I can possibly be, because I know the person taking care of me is only human too. My time and schedule aren't more important than anyone else's.

All right, end of rant. You can all now go back to your regularly scheduled programs. 

Living Without the Internet and other Drama

So, I finally got my internet back this morning, whippee! The past few days have been a little dull without it. However, I didn't shrivel up and die or anything even close so now I know life will go on. I caught up on some reading and have discovered a new love of western romances. My local library had on their "sale" shelves three books by Jodi Thomas with Texas in the titles. How could I possibly resist? I started with Texas Princess only to realize it is book two in a series of four. Since I didn't have book one, Texas Rain, I went ahead and read the three I had and later searched for book one. It's a wonderful series and any fan of historical romance would enjoy it.
Other than reading I did a little writing too...very little. New characters and plots keep popping into my head when I know damn well I have more than enough works in progress as it is. What can I say? There's just no arguing with some characters. I've finally begun the vampire story I keep threatening to write. And here is where the drama comes in: is now the best time for more vampires? Okay, not really drama, just doubt and confusion. I don't particularyl want to spend time on vamps right now but they won't leave me alone. I'm going to have to write them out to keep them quiet.
Some real-life personal drama is my hubby's upcoming birthday. My oldest is very excited about it and plans new things every other day to buy him. The problem: I didn't get diddly squat for my birthday. Can you believe a sixteen year old told me to "be the better person"? Well...I don't wanna. After over fourteen years of marriage he should know better. I didn't even get a card, damn it! Well, at least my readers made the entire month awesome for me anyway :-)
Speaking of which, I have finally sent off ALL of the prizes. As of today every single package has been shipped. US winners please allow a couple of weeks, international I have no clue. If you won and don't recieve a package from me within a reasonable time please email me.
All right, the vampires are calling...

Switching Worlds and Losing My Groove

I recently finished a work in progress that spanned an entire year. Why did it take so long? I kept changing my mind on the direction the story should go. I'd submitted version one last year and it was rejected, but I was lucky enough to have an editor willing to give me a second chance. I wrote up version two and wasn't satisfied with my heroine at all. So, before starting version three I gave myself a stern talking to and went with my gut. I'm very happy and hopeful about the finished product. We'll see if my editor feels the same way.

Now the problem is what to work on next. I have way too many unfinished stories calling to me. My characters are begging me to listen to them and get it all out on paper, but who do I listen to? I decided to work on a sequel to my erotica, Resignation. However, I've been struggling to get in the groove. My fantasy characters are mad at me because I've been ignoring them for nearly a year. And to top it all off, my shifters are screaming to keep the attention they've gotten used to over the past few months. They're kind of like my children that way.

Speaking of children, I also promised my daughters I would write something they'd be allowed to read for once. Hmm, when will that get done? I think for now I'll open up a few documents and type here and there as the mood strikes me. Hopefully the dialogue won't get mixed up between projects since I've suddenly acquired a ten-second attention span. I blame twitter for my new found need to hop around and type just a little bit here and there. Maybe that's why I now have so many darn blogs...

I Tweet, Therefore I Am

          At one point in time in the not so distant past, Myspace was a novelty to me. I never considered it a waste of time or child’s play. I thought it was amusing and served a purpose, but not necessarily something I needed. Then an out-of-town friend told me I should create my profile so we could keep in touch on a daily basis. Ok, I was all right with that. He said everyone was on Myspace. Never one to let a little peer pressure pass me by, I caved and logged on. A few months later Facebook was all the rage and I thought I didn’t need it because I had Myspace. Again I was proven wrong by another friend who claimed everyone was on Facebook. Ok, fine.

            I spend a lot of time online, writing, reading, playing around. Social networking is not exactly a chore for me. In reality I talk all day long at my “day job” so having conversation via text is not a problem. It’s actually a bit relaxing to be able to respond at my leisure, however when I heard of Twitter I’ll admit I was perplexed. I had to have whole conversations 140 characters at a time? I talk a lot in person and my emails and posts tend to drone on. 140 characters? Really? That’s not even limited to the alphabet. My spaces and commas had to fit into that restriction as well. I proofread my text messages before hitting send. How on earth could I leave good grammar behind and learn to write messages with numbers?  

            Amazingly no one called, emailed, or otherwise coerced me onto Twitter. I found it all by myself and discovered not everyone tweets. That’s all right because now I do. My first few attempts were nothing to brag about but I think I have it down now. I’ve learned abbreviating doesn’t hurt and how to cut my thoughts short. Like Wheel of Fortune I need my vowels and seeing messages without them is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. My hubby doesn’t get it, co-workers look at me funny and a friend said they’ve lost respect for me now. Because I tweet? Yup. Well, I told them what I thought of that ridiculous statement. And it took less than 140 characters.

            Do you Twitter? Facebook? Myspace? I know there are many more out there, but there are only so many hours in a day I can dedicate to being online and only so many variations on my password I can think up. For now I’m happy with these venues.

-Missy Jane

*make reading a guilty pleasure…*