 | 28 Dec 09 |
For the next two weeks, Murder She Writes will be bringing you our favorite blogs from the past. Then on Monday, January 4th, 2010, we’ll begin a new year with new blogs!
Today’s favorite blog from the past was written by Jordan Summers. There’s also a giveaway of an ARC of the second book in her Dead World trilogy, SCARLET. Enjoy!
SHOOTING YOURSELF IN THE FOOT…AND OTHER INJURIES I SUFFER FROM
Jordan Summers
Believe me, I’ve tried.
I start out with a nice simple vampire idea, and then poof, a gargoyle ends up in my story. Actually, not only does the gargoyle invade my story, it takes over like it owns the place. I truly envy writers who’ve found their niche and focus all their attention on it. What does that feel like? Bliss, I bet.
Me, I’m like a shotgun blast going off in a crowd, intent on hitting everything and everybody within firing range.
No, I’m not ADD, so I can’t even use that as an excuse. (No offense to those who suffer from ADD.) I’ve come to the conclusion that my mind prefers the scenic rural route over the bustling highway. The ride’s sure been pretty, but the behavior has hindered my career.
Although I continue to build name recognition through my releases and my blog, readers don’t know where to ‘put’ me nor does my name tend to jump into their minds when they think about authors who write ‘X’. When pressed, they say I write funny action-adventure stories. I suppose that’s not a bad description, even though it’s not entirely accurate. Unfortunately, funny/action-adventure won’t exactly forward my career if the stories are also time-travel, urban fantasy, contemporary, and historical. And we won’t even talk about the dark humorless tales that I’ve just published. Where do they fit?
Win the ARC!
Now I realize that as time passes the lines/genres begin to blur. Thank goodness. This makes me extremely happy. Or should I say it will, once they get to my category. *g*
Any other magpies out there?
CONTEST: Post a comment for your chance to win a copy of SCARLET!
© 2009 Sylvia Day. All rights reserved.
Sylvia Day is the national bestselling, award-winning author of seventeen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. In addition to her novels, she’s written numerous novellas and short stories for both print and electronic-original release. Sylvia’s work has been called “wonderful and passionate” by WNBC.com and “wickedly entertaining” by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, and Thai. She’s been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers' Choice Award, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award of Excellence.
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Nice to meet you Summer.
Add me to the *magpie* club and I’m so glad to know it’s not just me!
by Terri Molina December 28th, 2009 at 7:27 amIn my case, though, I can’t seem to write one genre. My published novella is a contemporary (erotic) romance, but my other two completed novels are romantic suspense and a paranormal romance….but both mainstream so I guess they have that in common. hah The novel I’m currently working on is a mystery/suspense and the wips on file are a paranormal romance and romantic suspense.
For now I’ve decided not to worry about it, but once I get an editor I’ll have to make myself focus on one genre.
Haha, hi Jordan!!
It sounds like your books are awesome! Can’t wait to read them, great post!
by Wendy December 28th, 2009 at 8:20 amHi Jordan, being a magpie member totally works for me. I love reading different genres, what ever suits my mood. Sometimes the darker the better, sometimes a little more light and fluffy. Haven’t had a chance to start this series yet, and would love a chance to read Scarlet.
by Cathy M December 28th, 2009 at 9:13 amOh, yeah. Preaching to the choir, sister! I finally decided to brand myself as a magpie. (Love that description, btw!) When someone asks, I explain that I’m a cross-genre writer–I write romance with magic and mystery.
In other words, my paranormals have suspense, my suspense has paranormal activity, and all are liberally dosed wtih romance.
I have you on my radar now! Good luck with the new book.
by Silver James December 28th, 2009 at 10:12 amsounds good! i always love finding new (to me) authors that really rock. I’ll have to put you on my TBB list..
by Kayla December 28th, 2009 at 10:24 amSince I never was good at coloring inside the lines, “magpie” sounds like a good descriptor for me as well.
by Terry Odell December 28th, 2009 at 10:26 amHi
by RKCharron December 28th, 2009 at 10:41 amThank you for posting this old but new to me post by Jordan Summers. I’m a magpie when it comes to writing because I read everything and it reflects in my writing. I am foremost a Fantasy lover though so my writing is primarily Fantasy.
Happy Holidays,
RKCharron
I love scenic rural routes…I look forward to seeing you on the way!
by GSM December 28th, 2009 at 11:36 amTotally agree. I write cozy paranormal mysteries and urban fantasy-dark. My Tali Cates series has vampires and were wolves running around in small town Texas along with pageant contests and county fairs. Fun and games. Red and Scarlet both sound good. Carol
by Carol Shenold December 28th, 2009 at 11:57 amJordan,
I am definitely a magpie. The genre lines tend to get really mixed up when I write. I just finished RED today and LOVED it! SCARLET is already on my wish list.
by Lisa B. December 28th, 2009 at 1:39 pmI too enjoy the scenic route! Keeps me interested!
by chey December 28th, 2009 at 1:42 pmTerri, I didn’t start out as a magpie. When I first began writing I wanted to write historical romances. My first few books ended up being those and time-travel historicals. It was only when I switched to contemporary and paranormal that things went sideways. *g*
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:23 pmThanks Wendy!
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:23 pmCathy, You’ll be able to follow the story with Scarlet, but you’d probably be better off reading RED first since it sets up all the characters and the world.
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:25 pmSilver, Thanks! I used to joke that I couldn’t write a book without a dead body turning up. *ggg* That’s not quite the case anymore, but it’s close. LOL!
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:27 pmThanks Kayla.
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:27 pmTerry, I knew I wasn’t alone in my magpie ways. *g*
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:28 pmRK, You’re welcome. I think it’s natural to incorporate what you read into your writing. Heck, that’s how most writers become writers. We take on characteristics of the writers we love until we find our own voice. Stephen King talks about that in his ‘On Writing’ book.
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:30 pmGSM, See you there.
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:30 pmCarol, That’s a good combo. Certainly worked for Charlaine Harris.
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pmThanks Lisa!
When writing, the story should be more important than the genre focus. It’s always good to have an answer when people/editors/agents ask what type of book you’ve written, but it’s more important to write a good book. I guess that’s my long-winded way of saying don’t worry about it just write the book. *g*
by Jordan Summers December 28th, 2009 at 2:35 pmOh, I think that’s great that you add anything that strikes your fancy into your stories. I read lots of different genres, as long as there’s a great story, I’ll enjoy it.
by Barbara Elness December 28th, 2009 at 5:04 pmOh, do i ever see myself in this. I call it “shiny object syndrome” – whatever catches my attention, I just have to write it. ABout the only thing my projects have in common is that they’re all polygonal objects that just refuse to fit into round holes.
Only, that’s what makes it interesting…right? And at the end of the day, aren’t our stories a thousand times more interesting to readers when they interest us as well?
uh, well, that’s today’s story anyway and i’m stickin’ to it…
(PS I am convinced that “horror romance” – possibly under some other slick label – is going to hit *huge* soon.)
by sophie littlefield December 28th, 2009 at 6:31 pmSophie, I do love the shiny. *g* As for horror romance, I’d be the first in line to buy it.
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pmHey Jordan. Great post. Sounds like a great series. Cant wait to pick it up.
by Donna S December 28th, 2009 at 9:06 pmDonna S., Thank you! Hope you like it.
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:35 pmI’m always loking for new series to read, these sound great!
by Teresa W. December 29th, 2009 at 7:00 amThanks Teresa!
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:36 pmGreat Post! Loved Red – haven’t picked up Scarlet yet – can’t wait
by Laurie Kap December 30th, 2009 at 10:43 amLaurie K., Thanks! I’m glad you liked it.
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:37 pmI read Red and enjoyed it very much. Need to get the next one.
by Robin Priddy December 31st, 2009 at 11:41 amRobin, Thank you!
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:37 pmLove Jordan summers!
by Amanda December 31st, 2009 at 1:32 pmAmanda, Thank you!!!
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:38 pmMagpie here!
Haven’t read any of your books but they capture my eyes every time I see the covers. I’m intrigued!
by INCiDeNT December 31st, 2009 at 1:35 pmINCiDeNT, We like to flock together. *wg* I hope you check them out.
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:41 pmBarbara, It isn’t quite that random, but it’s close. *g*
by Jordan Summers December 31st, 2009 at 3:32 pm