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Why Blood Roses is Special

Blood Roses is the second book in the Blackthorn series and it’s due out this Spring!

I had an email come through this week, from a fan turned very special friend:

“I love Blood Shadows, don’t get me wrong, it’s fantastic. But Blood Roses is probably my favorite book EVER (the portion I’ve seen). I am so bloody (yes pun intended) excited about it, I can’t even tell you.”

I got a bit emotional when I read that. A big part of the emotion is because I’ve reached that stage now when I know I’ll soon be parting with Blood Roses. I’ve been working on revisions in the background since the launch of Blood Shadows, and those who follow this blog and Facebook will know those revisions went back to Bookouture on New Year’s day. My editor will be back in touch with me in the next few days to give her verdict – that basically means I’ll know how much more work it still needs before the final polish. After that, it’s line edits and copy edits before I finally hand it over.

Blood Roses has been with me a long time. It was conceptualized years ago (I can’t even pinpoint when), the majority of it written back in 2007. Although it’s not my first published book, I will always look on Blood Roses as the book that launched my career as a published author.

It was entered in Harlequin Mills and Boon’s New Voices competition back in 2010, where it got into the final – the only PNR to do so. It’s scary to think I nearly didn’t enter. I submitted right before the deadline. It was the first time I’d put myself out there for scrutiny and was a test of whether I had what it took to write romance. I was terrified because it wasn’t just a competition – it was going to help me make the decision whether I tried to launch my Blackthorn series or turned my back on romance a while longer to continue focusing on supernatural thrillers.

If you don’t know about the competition, writers uploaded a chapter on an open forum for readers to comment (readers also got to vote). Blood Roses came under scrutiny straight away, but not for the right reasons. I entered the longest opening chapter in the competition – almost 9,000 words long. I remember reading speculation over why I had done it, not least the assumption that I had misread the rules. The simple truth was that I was so convinced I would get nowhere, I entered the biggest chunk of work I could in the hope that, even if I bombed in the competition, I might at least catch an editor’s eye. I didn’t have the confidence to believe I could do that in 3,000 words.

Of course it meant that when I got into the Top 10, I was left with only 700 words for chapter 2 and then only 200 for the pivotal moment when I progressed into the Top 4. It worked in my favour though, with readers again speculating whether I’d manage it or not. The response when I did was fantastic. And those supportive comments, along with the belief of my amazing mentors – Lesley Stonehouse and Rhyannon Byrd – gave me the courage to re-enter in NV 2011 where I finished a finalist again.

Blood Roses helped me believe in myself as an author. It shaped my writing. It gave me the best opportunity to launch my writing career. It taught me that I don’t have to write like anyone else – that I’ll find my readership as me and not by trying to follow in anyone else’s footsteps. It taught me that romance readers are more open minded than I gave credit for before I became a part of this amazing community. It taught me there is a place for books like mine that are a little bit dark, a little bit dangerous and a little bit different. It taught me that I had to stop hiding my writing in a drawer.

I understood exactly what my friend was saying when she sent me that email, and responses like that will be the ones that help me let go of Blood Roses when the time comes. Looking back, I also realise how much I’ve moved on in the last two years from writing purely for myself to having the courage to share my books with an audience.

And that’s why Blood Roses is, and always will be, so special to me.

Come back tomorrow if you’d like to get a few hints of what to expect. No spoilers thought, I promise!

xxx

Comments

CC MacKenzie

Can’t wait to read it! It was through Blood Roses I found you! It’ll be a great day and a sad day when you send it off forever! But we’ll be thrilled, lol!

Lindsay J. Pryor

It was through Blood Roses we found each other, Christine. Awww. And you stuck with me! Your comment “rabbit out of a hat” about my pivotal moment will always stay with me. I’m so chuffed you came on to comment – I was secretly hoping you would. 😉 It will be a strange day when I finally hand it over but it has to be done. What is it you tell me? When it’s out of my hands it belongs to the reader. I’m slowly getting my head around that thanks to your mantra. 🙂

Fiona Chapman

Me, me, I want hints! Can’t wait to read Blood Roses. There is a void in my life right now! Lol Xx

Lindsay J. Pryor

LOL! And you shall have your wish, Ms Chapman. I’m super-excited that you’re super-excited! Hopefully Blood Roses will sort that void. I’m just going to have to get on with book 3 to overcome mine… 😉 xx

Fiona Wilson

I can’t wait! I found you through a mutual friend of course, and I’m so glad I did!!

Lindsay J. Pryor

Ah, the wonderful thing about twitter. I’m totally chuffed we ‘met’ too! 🙂

Amity Grays

Well, you know my thoughts on Blood Roses–I want it now, and I’m not particularly patient.

My fascination with Blood Roses also started with New Voices. (If you’ve already heard my story, please forgive the repeat.) I, too, entered New Voices that year and proudly announced my bold move to one of my closest friends and my sister, informing both they were to go out and immediately read my entry and report back with proper declarations of amazement.

They apparently didn’t read the directions thoroughly.

They reported back that they were utterly amazed, impressed and hooked on a young writer by the name of Lindsay J Pryor who wrote with such poetic detail and passion they hoped her story would someday sell.

Well, it seems their wish is to come true. I shall buy them both a copy and deliver it with a short reminder about the importance of loyalty.

Lindsay J. Pryor

Hi Amity! From what I remember, that’s how we first started emailing each other, wasn’t it? I remember you telling me that story and me thinking how lovely and generous you were in sharing it with me. You’ve made me smile again in the way you’ve told it – “they didn’t read the directions thoroughly” – lol! I can’t wait for you to read Blood Roses and tell me what you think. I also don’t mind admitting I’m also a little nervous at your high expectations. I’ve got my fingers crossed I meet them!

Aimee Duffy

I missed that year of New Voices 🙁 Luckily the first chapter is at the end of Blood Shadows to tide me over! Can’t wait for the teasers xxx

Lindsay J. Pryor

Then thank goodness you were a part of NV 2011, Aimee, or our paths might not have crossed! I’m chuffed you enjoyed the first chapter of BR. The teasers will be coming gradually but don’t forget you can ask questions. I might not answer them, but you can try…hee hee. 😉 xxx

Tracey Rogers

I am so excited about Blood Roses I really can’t wait. I know it’s very special to you but please, please let it go. When you do I promise I’ll look after it really, really well!
Thank goodness you’ve always been a rule breaker – it’s working very well for you x

Lindsay J. Pryor

Aww thanks, Tracey. Your excitement is so infectious. I can’t wait for you to meet Caleb. I know you’ll look after him for me. 😉 xx