Well, way back in the day ... I don't remember when, someone who shall remain nameless but has curly red hair and lives in Perth, kind of dared/cajoled/encouraged me to write a story with a were-kanga. Then I may have gone onto other tangents writing stories that people said couldn't be done. A shifter who was a hamster, a villain who collected Chia Pets, three good friends on a vacation, a hero who knits and freaky GFY secret babies. :-) Along the way I dabbled in some other writing that has never seen the light of day.
So I screwed up my courage and sent something to a publisher a couple of weeks ago and ... ACK! The contract is signed the edits are done (I swear to god I'll learn to add more commas), and the publication date is set. Holy crap! I'm not ready. Someone write me a blurb!
It's just a little Sip at Torquere called Winterlude. Yes, it's set in frigid heart of winter, which seems rather odd to publish in June, but perhaps it will help cool off those who are starting to melt. It's also set in my city, but they don't spent much time out of doors. Who does when it's that cold? I don't have a finalized blurb or anything, but the main characters are Eric Johanson and Omar El-Alum and it's just a little story of two people meeting and seeing if there is the chance for something more. (No freaky were-animals this time.)
What else to say. Ummm. Eric has piercings and tats and blue in his hair, Omar is a tech guy with long hair, a French-Canadian mother and a Libyan father who works for the Department of Defense. So June 18, Winterlude will hit the web.
What this means for my reviews I'm not sure. At this point, one little story of a few thousand words I don't think means much, but I'm playing it by ear. The joy of not being a paid reviewer is I can do whatever I want. :-)
I want to thank everyone out there in cyberland who encouraged my flights of fancy. It's been great fun to create characters using someone else's parameters along with my own imagination. :-) I don't ever see myself doing this as a career, I don't want the pressure of HAVING to write something to pay the bills, but it's a fun pastime that keeps me amused and my brain flexible. Oh and if my kid still plans on going to school in the UK I'm going to need every extra cent I can squeeze out from wherever I can. Now I need to figure out that whole US withholding tax thing. Ugh.
44 comments:
How exciting!!! Kudos to you for having the courage to do it and congratulations on the positive outcome!!!
YAY! Congratulations that is so cool :D I read and loved the Chia Pet story, Shifter Hamster and GFY Secret Babies stories so I think I am going to have to grab this up!
Fabulous news, well done to you :). Both for the writing *and* the courage to follow an ambition. Can't wait to read it, because I like your style whether you're writing fiction or review copy.
(good god, they're always taking OUT my commas. I'll send some excess ones over...)
Congratulations :)
Thanks Patti. I think I'm still a bit in shock of how fast it went and everything I have to do so quickly.
Thanks Miranda. Hope you like it.
LOL Maybe you are stealing my commas Clare. Or else I just write long rambly sentences that need more of them. That could very well be the case. :-) Thanks.
Thanks Eva.
Yay! Congratulations and well done to you :).
Having read the story I can wholly recommend it for its wit and delightful characters!
Thanks Chris.
Aw, you're sweet Jen. I can't believe you remember it. It was a long time ago. :-)
yay!! I can't wait to read!
Thanks Jase. Hope you like it.
What totally awesome news, Tam! I always had a feeling in the back of my mind that you might give publication a try, and I hoped that you would. Certainly, it's been clear from those stories that you more than have the talent for it. I think you're taking a perfect approach to it as an interesting endeavor that you do for fun, and I can't wait to read this! And good for you, giving it an actual, detailed, real-life setting!
Thanks so much Val. You're very kind and I will always think of you when I think of settings. LOL
Just a couple things:
1) So if it's in the winter, is there a candy cane cockring??? :)
2) If the kidlette is going to school in the UK , why do you need US tax laws?
3) Your eye candy is particular slim and sexy today.
4) CONGRATS on being published!!!! I'm jealous, I want to be a published author. Guess I should write something.
5) And CONGRATS again!
HUGS...
1) No, but you made me laugh out loud
2) Because the publishing company is American and if I want all my money (assuming I earn any) I need to get a special number that "swears" I'll claim it on my Cdn. taxes.
3) He is nice.
4) You should write your memoirs. I know some publishers who would love them. ;-)
5) Thanks hon.
Congrats! Look forward to reading it.
Thanks Juni.
Have you been stepping out on me??
You already know how awesome I think your news is. I also think it's about fucking time. XD
What? 'Cause Jen read it? You're still my first love. :-) You're the only person who has ever read the were-kanga.
Thanks for the support and for keeping pushing me even when I basically ignored you.
Huge, great big congrats!
Thanks Stephani. I have something I should send you to read. I wrote it for a specific purpose and I can't use it now, but I seem to remember you pushing me. Remember THIS?
Congrats, hon! I can't wait to read it!
I think it should be a series, and that you should introduce a were-octopus named Kris. ;)
LOL No, I don't like slimy critters. :-) Thanks Eyre, everyone's support means a lot.
Holy crap, Tam! WTG! It's bound to be a winner.
Thanks KZ. It's not a 5 star DIK, but as long as it's not a 1 star piece of crap I'll be happy. LOL
w00t!!
Thanks Wren and thanks for the blurb advice. I will take it, just haven't had time. :-) Okay, I'm procrastinating, but that's almost the same as not having time.
Um. Sure it is. I never have time to do what I should, because I'm so busy doing what I want! :D
Oh.Holy.Shit.That.Is.AWESOME!!!
Congratulations Tam! Good for you. I can hardly wait to read it! Tattoos, blue hair and piercings with a tech guy? My kind of book. YAY
That's exactly it Wren. LOL
Thanks Tracy. Hope you like it.
Congratulations!!! This is great! Wish you much success.
Thanks Mariana.
Wow! This isnfan-freakin-tastic news!!! Congratz :)) BTW, you have me at; "Eric has piercings and tats and blue in his hair" I'vemgot a major hotspot for tats and pierced men ;) I've never read A Sip story so yours is going to be my first :)
Awww. Thanks Leontine. The tats and piercings work for me too. :-)
Wow, Tam! This is such great news! I can't wait to read your story! And I think your attitude (wanting to write for fun and not the money) is very healthy. Who knows where this will lead to. :) Congrats and keeping my finger crossed for lots and lots of success! :D
Thanks Janna. I guess I know myself well enough to know if I'm "forced" to do it, I won't want to and I think that can't be a good thing.
Congrats Tam :)
Thanks Ingrid.
Hey, don't worry about the 5-star DIK. I've never had one either. What matters is that readers enjoy it.
Um...at least that's what I've been told. ;-)
Yeah, I think I've almost convinced myself. LOL Oh well, too late to back out now.
What wonderful news, Tam! Congrats! So glad you'll be part of the Torquere family. :)
My writing started out much the same way. I had a certain dear friend that convinced/dared/encouraged me to submit a story for publication. Sometimes we just need that little extra push. ;) I'll definitely be on the lookout for your Sip come June!
Thanks Lily. Glad I'm not the one to cave to peer pressure. LOL
Congrats, Tam! I love your writing, and look forward to this upcoming release. I'll also volunteer to help with blurbs.
Thanks Eden. The blurb is off so there's no going back now. LOL We'll see if I ever have need to call on someone in the future, I'll know where to find you. :-)
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