Write in Private or Write in Public?

Dreamwalkers, are you a Write in Private type of author or a Write in Public type?  I think of myself as a Write in Private sort of person.

Maybe it’s because I laugh out loud when a character says something unexpected, tear up in poignant moments, or need to jump up and physically act out a scene to get un-stuck. Do I want any of these behaviors on public display? Hardly.  

Or maybe it’s because I’m always trying to capture the illusive magic

 

But yesterday (drumroll please) I did something Bold! I met with fellow author Justina Chen

 

to Write in Public at a local coffee shop.

After a delicious conversation with Justina on life, writing craft—hashing out plots and twists, and writing  careers—her newest brilliant YA novel A BLIND SPOT FOR BOYS is coming out next week J, we opened our laptops and got down to business.

I discovered something there. Having to shut out the hissing, spouting, belching espresso machines, the nauseating overhead music, the conversations at the nearby tables forced me into uber-concentration. I dove into the scene and fell out of time and space right into the book.  It was . . .

 

Magical!

Yesterday I saw for the first time how the distractions forced me to Focus. Is this why many authors love to Write in Public? I have a sneaking suspicion it is. How about you? Which do you like best?

 

Until next time Dreamwalkers, walk well

 

DRAGONSWOOD ARCS arrived!

YA Fantasy, companion book to DRAGON'S KEEP, will be out Jan 2012.

~On Wilde Island, one girl must face her destiny or there will be no peace among dragons, fairies, and humans.~


Jacket photo of girl © 2011 Gabrielle Revere

Here's what the back cover says:
Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.


Discover why School Library Journal has called Carey’s work “Truly original . . . beyond common fantasy fare . . . fantasy at its best.”

**************** ************** ************

Holding the book in my hands for the first time gave me a chill! Warmest thanks to my intrepid editor, Kathy Dawson, who journeyed with me from rough draft to final polished pages,creating Tess's challenging story. The end even surprised me! But I won't give that away. You'll have to read Dragonswood yourself when the books comes out in January.

Stay tuned for the DRAGONSWOOD blog tour.

THE DRAGONS OF NOOR BOOK LAUNCH PARTY

The party photos are up! Thanks to photographer Heidi Pettit for the great party shots. Whether you joined the masquerade party or were far away and could not come, everyone is welcome to swing by and see the colorful event here at LITARTPHOTOGRAPHY

Here are just a few fun party pix from the gallery

Party goers made masks


Musicians played. The dragon danced


The Dragons of Noor Characters joined us

Miles is showing the Meer sign on his palm

Our host Mary of Parkplace Books introduced me


Characters entertained us


Party revelers bought books from our host Rebecca of Parkplace Books.


There was lots of laughter

See the rest of the photos here

Thanks to all the party goers large and small for making this such a special launch. A tree hug to the revelers who helped us raise money for Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees Together we planted 50 new trees in the endangered Brazilian Rain forest. Bravo!