One of the banes of writing is the dread Writer's Block. That point at which everything in your book comes to a screeching halt while you struggle with the terrifying question:

 What Comes Next?

On those occasions when I hit the end of a scene – and find myself wondering where to go from there – I frequently turn to my
villain and ask, “What are you doing?”

Especially in my Portals books – a mix of urban fantasy with police procedural with romance – a lot of the plot is action/reaction. A crime is committed. My main characters, Kat Morales, her elf sidekick Tevis and their allies, step in to investigate. The perpetrator moves on to whatever he/she intends to do next …

For me, knowing what the villain – the antagonist – is doing is as critical as knowing what my protagonists are up to.

You don't have to write scenes from your antagonist's point of view – although I've done that in my more recent Portals books, and it can be a heap o' fun! But … I think … you need to have an idea of what that individual is doing, and whether you can use his/her
actions to bring your protagonists either closer to enlightenment or deeper into a swamp of confusion.

I'm a pantser in my writing style: I get a flash of an image in my head, a bare germ of an idea, and I sit down and start writing chapter 1. But at some point past that first burst of writing energy, I start thinking about the back story. Why has this happened? Who is the perp? I start getting a handle on the villain.

Sometimes that isn't immediately obvious. Sister Hoods, book 4 of my series – soon to be released as an ebook – starts with a bank robbery committed by a band of Nymphs and Satyrs. That leads to the question of why Nymphs and Satyrs would rob a bank …

And that leads to the discovery (yeah, us pantsers have to learn these things the same way as our readers) that the Nymphs and Satyrs aren't, in fact, the villains. They're just trying to save their home …

 That brings up the question of who the real villain is, and what he's after …

For me, the plot of a book is a kind of dance, all of the characters revolving around each other in moves that can be as deceptively simple as a waltz, as intricate as a ballet, or a complicated mix of steps that pull first one way, then another. Sometimes the dancers move seemingly independent of each other, but they are always bound to one another,
their position on stage dictated in part by their relationship to the other dancers.

 That's what helps me when I get stuck in a plot. What's the villain up to? The answer nearly always leads to new discoveries.

Today, it's my pleasure to feature author Jade Kerrion, author of the seven-time award-winning Double Helix series,
which concludes with her latest release, Perfection Challenged.

Please keep reading for an excerpt from
Perfection Challenged – and for a special offer on the six-time award-winning novel, Perfection Unleashed.

1. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I started writing at the age of thirteen when my school essays were returned to me with a bunch of “A”s scrawled over the top. Teenagers are impressionable. Being much more impressionable than most, and believing that my teachers knew what they were doing, I figured I was destined to be a writer. It’s only taken me tens of thousands of hours of work since then to be halfway decent at writing (and I’m still learning each day), but one has to start somewhere.

 2. When did you start taking writing seriously?
In November 2010, my husband challenged me to stop writing for fun and to start writing as a career. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) 2010 was the
trigger. I spent that month writing Perfection Unleashed, my debut novel.

3. How many books have you written?
I released Perfection Unleashed in June 2012. To date, I have published six books; I’ve just released Perfection Challenged, the conclusion of my seven-time award-winning Double Helix series. I have another novel, Eternal Night, a paranormal romance/fantasy set in the future (sounds odd, doesn’t it?), scheduled for release in 2013.

4. Each author seems to have a special journey on the road to becoming.
What was yours like?
Rocky, as most journeys are. For a while, I explored traditional publishing, but then decided I was too much of a control freak to take to traditional publishing. I preferred having creative control over my writing, artistic control over my covers, and process control over my publishing schedules. In the end, self-publishing made the most sense for me. That said, I do have a foot in the door of traditional publishing. McSill Literary Agency represents Portuguese rights for my Double Helix series.

5. Is there anything specifically that helps you write better/inspires
you?
I think I’m past the stage of needing inspiration; writing is more of a compulsion now. In general, I have a compulsive personality; people like me should never get exposed to alcohol, cigarettes, or recreational drugs—we’re easy prey. Years ago, computer gaming and writing used to go hand-in-hand for me. My characters from my computer games inspired my writing. Since then, however, my characters have taken on a life of their own and thus, I have been freed to happily obsess about them without needing the occasional computer gaming boost to sustain them.

6. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
The hardest part is stopping. After multiple rounds of self-editing, several weeks of working with my editor, and several rounds of proofreading, I have to put the manuscript away and say “done.” I think it is entirely possible to edit forever, but at some point, you have to stop and send the book out into the world.

7. Do you have a specific writing style?
Third person past tense? To be honest, I’m not sure I know the response to this question. Some people say my style is much like one author or another (which would be an interesting feat, considering I’ve never read some of those  authors.) Broadly, I’d say that my style tends to resemble serials or movies. I grew up writing fan fiction, and got accustomed to writing sections of chapters that almost inevitably ended on a cliffhanger just because that’s the way fan fiction is usually consumed on online fan forums. In addition, I write the movie I see in my head, and not surprisingly, people have commented that reading my books is like watching a movie.

8. Who is your favorite author?
Neil Gaiman is pure genius in his storytelling ability. I’m a huge fan of his Sandman series.

9. What are your favorite books and what genres do you prefer?
Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres to read and write. I’ve especially enjoyed the Belgariad and Mallorean series by David Eddings. To unwind, I settle down with a sweet and satisfying romance, preferably Nora Roberts. I also enjoy thrillers, especially some of Robert Ludlum’s novels.

 10. What advice/tips would you give to young writers/aspiring unpublished
authors?
Success in any new career takes time. Be patient. Invest in yourself — understand your strengths and weaknesses as a writer and be committed to continual learning and constant growth. It is said that it takes 10,000 hours of work to become an expert in a field. That’s approximately 5 years of full time 8-to-5 work, and you need to be prepared to make the investment of your time and resources for the long haul.

11. Any advice for handling writer’s block?
I think writer’s block is just an excuse. Writing is a discipline, like going to school or work each day, like exercising and eating healthy. It’s just something to have to do because it’s an expectation for achieving your career goals as a writer. Maybe that particular scene isn’t working out the way you want, well, work on another, but work on something. Thomas Edison said it best, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Today, you may not have the 1%, but you sure can muster up the 99% because that is under your control.

12. Do you have a favorite quote you’d like to share?
Neil Gaiman’s character, Death, from the Sandman series, utters my favorite quote, “It always ends. That’s what gives it value.” That quote reminds me that what makes any experience, even life as a whole, valuable, is the fact that it ends. Because it ends, every moment is that much more precious and beautiful. Savor it.

13. What would you be if you didn’t become an author?
Well, I’m already several things. In addition to author, wife, and mother, I work full time in an education company in the area of business and learning strategy. I enjoy my job very much and don’t have any intention of quitting. People often ask how I find time to do everything I do. My response is always the same, “You’ll always manage to find time for the things that matter. Oh, and I don’t sleep much.”

14. Can you share some info about your current work with us?
Danyael Sabre’s hard-won normal life shattered the day Zara Itani freed the genetically engineered perfect human being, Galahad, from his laboratory prison. Three years have since passed. Danyael has survived months of brutal torture and the grind of quiet despite without losing the core of compassion that makes him the most compelling and infuriating man Zara has ever known.

 Danyael’s greatest challenge, nevertheless, lies ahead of him. In Perfection Challenged, Danyael is forced to confront his own mortality and Galahad’s hate. At the end of his road, will he remain true to his convictions or sacrifice all to protect the woman he loves from the man who hates him?

15. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Only that I’m thrilled you’ve enjoyed my novels. To every one of you, thank you for sharing this journey with me. Your enthusiasm, support, and love for my characters are the reasons I keep writing. I hope you keep hanging around. The best is yet to come.


:An Excerpt from Perfection Challenged:

 “I have to get back to work,” Danyael said, adjusting the crutch under his left arm.

Alex Saunders, director-general of the Mutant Affairs Council, frowned. “Did Abd-al not explain to you the dangers of pushing your body too hard, especially given your situation?”

Danyael shrugged. “Live or die, the bills have to get paid, and gene therapy is expensive.”

“That’s what I’ve come to talk to you about.” Alex gestured at the lounge area tucked in a corner of the hospital suite. “Will you sit?”

Since Alex had been kind enough to open with politeness instead of threats, Danyael complied. Alex waited until Danyael claimed the armchair before lowering himself onto the couch. “We’ve been monitoring you, Danyael. I’m sure you know that. You’re one of the world’s most powerful alpha empaths, and you don’t have the luxury of privacy.”

Danyael said nothing.

“I know you want nothing to do with the council, and I’ve done my best to respect your decision.” Alex looked pained. “When you went to Nelson Harris to schedule the amputation, it was all I could do not to interfere. We both know the council healers could have healed you. In fact, they want to help. You have many friends, whether or not you know it, or care. You’re a fighter, Danyael. I don’t doubt your will to survive, but this…this newest crisis is beyond you. You’ll have enough difficulty finding a donor. Paying for gene therapy—”

“I may not be able to afford gene therapy but I can’t afford the council’s favors either.”

“Danyael, we can help. We want to help.”

He looked away, a bitter smile twisting his lips. “You need stronger psychic shields, Alex. I can sense the lie. What is the trap that you want me to walk into?”

Alex shook his head, the gesture sad and slow. “We need you to bring Galahad in.” He slid a tablet across the coffee table.

Danyael picked up the tablet and perused the article as Alex continued speaking. “You know Senator Sullivan’s daughter, don’t you?”

“Yes, Chloe. We dated briefly when we were at Harvard University.” Danyael’s brow furrowed. “What does Galahad have to do with the senator’s death? The article specifically says that he died of smoke inhalation.”

“John Sullivan was one of Galahad’s genetic donors, and the twenty-fifth of thirty donors to die in the past three years since Zara freed Galahad from Pioneer Labs. We don’t have physical evidence to tie Galahad to any of their deaths—”

“Yet you’ve judged him guilty based on circumstantial evidence.”

Alex winced. “You must understand. We have an obligation to investigate and to keep his surviving donors safe. If he’s guilty, if he is indeed hunting down his donors, you’re the only one of the five remaining donors who can stop him. No one else stands a chance against the epitome of perfection.”

“I’m surprised you think I do.”


And … a Limited Time Offer on Perfection Unleashed:

FOR A LIMITED TIME, E-BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR JUST
$0.99 (Discounted from $2.99)

E-books available at Amazon / Amazon UK / Apple / Barnes& Noble / Kobo / Smashwords

Paperbacks available at Amazon / Amazon UK / Barnes& Noble / Book Depository

Connect with Jade Kerrion: Website / Facebook / Twitter

I just today posted the following review of Linell Jeppsen's YA novel on Amazon. I decided to share it here too.

Take the story of a young woman trying to cope with adolescence and the traumatic death of her mother, bring in the magical
world of the fae, and you have The War of Odds, another 5-star winner from versatile author Linell Jeppsen.-

When 16-year-old Sara Giddings moves with her father to Washington state – both of them trying to start over following the loss of Sara's mother – she soon discovers that their new home shares a tenuous boundary with the realm of the fae. More than that, Sara learns that she is, in fact, a witch – a good witch, endowed with an immense, untapped power to heal.

She is also the hope of the fae world, the one chance to heal Timaron, king of the Unseelie court, who has become demon-possessed and, in his madness, has declared war on the human world.

Aided by her human friends Nate and Chloe … a wise and elderly cat, Hissaphat … the wood-sprite Pollo … and Muriel, a wood nymph … Sara sets off on a mission into a dark and deadly world, her only weapons the powers that she has only recently discovered she possesses.

I fell in love with Jeppsen's writing when I read Onio, a romance involving what – before I started the book – seemed to me the unlikeliest of “leading men”: a Sasquatch. Jeppsen pulled off the impossible in that book: she made me fall in love with her “Sasq.”

In War of Odds, Jeppsen demonstrates her versatility, handling adventure, friendship and the discovery  of true love in a setting where magic comes in shades of light and dark. It's a great book for young adults – but with a lot of appeal for us older adults too.

Twelve years ago, on this day, the unthinkable happened.

Does anyone who witnessed the events of Sept. 11, 2001, not remember that day in vivid clarity?

 It sounds cliché, but … It's true. It started out as a normal day just like any other. A weekday … I was getting ready for work – my job as a reporter at The Sheridan (Wyoming) Press. At around 6:46 a.m. mountain time, 8:46 in New York City - about the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, I had just turned the TV off.

I didn't learn about the first strike until I arrived at The Press some 20 minutes later.

The rest of the day felt simply surreal … the building in flames … people trapped on the upper floors, jumping from windows, seeming to choose death from falling over death from fire … a second attack, this one on the South Tower …

Maybe a made-for-TV movie, but it couldn't really be happening. It couldn't actually have happened ...

But it had ...

 The Sheridan Press publisher had a TV in his office, and during the course of the day, people would take breaks from their work to go watch the unfolding of a grim, unprecedented history in our lives.

Of course we at The Press had our assignments: stories on the reactions of the people – everyone from city and county officials to business people to the guy on the street; a story about the one Muslim family in Sheridan, how they were reacting, how others were reacting to them. To the community's credit, people recognized the difference between a single family of a particular faith, and the radical terrorists who had forever changed our society.

Today all across the nation, people are gathering to remember 9/11 – not only the loss of friends and family, but the heroism and dedication of so many … the police and firefighters, the search-and-rescue people, all of those who rallied in the hours and days that followed, rendering aid to survivors, searching for answers amid the wreckage …

Sept. 11, 2001, made us aware as perhaps we had not been before, of our vulnerability. But it also brought out our strengths. In the aftermath of 9/11, we came together as a nation, for at least a little while remembering that all the disparate peoples and cultures who make up the United States, divided though we are on many issues, still can find much to unite us.

 We have lost some freedoms since 9/11. We have lost an innocence. But we have survived. Today is a day to remember.

Authors love reviews. It's cool to look on your
book's page on Amazon or Barnes & Noble and discover that somebody's posted a 5-star review. After you've got a couple of books under your author's belt, you realize that even those not-so-glowing 1- or 2-star reviews have some merit. I've purchased more than a couple of books in my time because of bad reviews.

 I've found that often, in books and movies, what critics praise … I don't enjoy. And what others have shot down in flames … I've
loved!

But most of the books in my libraries, both real and virtual, aren't there because of reviews good or bad. As I look at various
titles, I note that a few are bookstore finds whose covers lured me into reading
the blurbs … others are by authors I'd already fallen in love with … and still others – probably the majority – are ones recommended to me by family or friends.

I think this is how a lot of us decide what our next book purchase will be. Not a review stumbled upon by chance, but …

Somebody asking, “Hey, have you read this new book by …?”

What about you? Do you have books that you bought because a friend or family member – somebody who already knows your reading tastes – said, “I think you'll like this one”? Do you share your book finds with other friends and family?

I have. But lately I don't think I've done enough sharing. I plan on sharing more, especially books by a lot of the independent authors I've met through Kindle and Nook. There are some good ones out there … Sam Kates, T. Jackson King, Lisa Williamson, Linell Jeppsen, L.M. Boelz … to name just a handful of the ones I've come to know and appreciate.

Not all of us are comfortable writing reviews of books we've read. It's easier to tell a friend, or a spouse, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew … “Hey, here's a book I think you'd like.”

Word of mouth has been, and is, one of the best ways for an author to become known. If you've read a good book lately …

 Share it. Please.

An author will thank you.