Navigate / search

Lycans, Weres and Wolves, Oh My!

I amused my publisher a little while ago when, during a conversation about Blood Torn, I happened to mention I’m terrified of werewolves.

I’m not sure whether it was something someone in my sub-genre should have admitted to – but I have a habit of blurting out minor confessions when I get over-enthused talking about Blackthorn.

And my fears aren’t limited to werewolves. Vampires also scare me, as does the dark, busy cities, being enclosed, the cruelty humans are capable of against their own and others…basically, Blackthorn scares me. And it’s not just the place itself, but most of what happens in the books. Nonetheless, it’s my unease that ultimately helps me create tension in the stories. I wasn’t joking when I previously admitted to gasping, wincing or even looking away whilst writing some scenes. And when my heroes or heroines decide to take a step off my pre-planned path, it becomes even more stressful.

As an author, you can either play safe or go places you’re not sure you want to go – not unlike as a reader. Personally, I find the latter much more rewarding to survive which is why I ultimately write, read and watch what I do.

As you may know from previous posts, vampires are a particular passion of mine (despite the fear) and I’ve had a lifelong fascination with their mythology. Originally, Blackthorn was going to be vampire-focused. Then along came Jask, my hero of Blood Torn. He was supposed to stay in the background. Needless to say he wasn’t having any of that!

My first ‘encounter’ with a werewolf was watching An American Werewolf in London (1981). A “black comedy”, it said. Did I laugh? No. And I have a fairly dark sense of humour. There were two scenes that were particularly terrifying – on the moors where it all began and then in the tube station. (No more backpacking moor walks for me in the fog! And no tube journeys either! They can go in the ‘activities reject pile’ along with riding an inflatable on the ocean after seeing Jaws…) I was never the same again.

So when you’re left with residual psychological damage after your first encounter with a werewolf, it’s not exactly easy turning one such mythological creature into a hero – or an attractive one at that! Thankfully Jask made the task a lot easier.

Although vampires dominate the district of Blackthorn, lycans (I’ll let you know why I refer to them as that instead of werewolves next time) not only play a core role in the district’s stability, but also what’s to come in the series. Hence why Jask needed a story all of his own.

I’ve already given you some clues in a previous post about what you can expect with Blood Torn (no spoilers, I promise, if you haven’t looked yet), but I haven’t yet shared some of the research I used to help shape my Blackthorn lycans. So, I’ll be back next time to let you know what I discovered along the way, as well as a post soon after about some of the traits you can come to expect with Blackthorn’s most pivotal pack.

And the Blood Torn winner is…

A month ago, I posted a quiz for one reader to win a pre-release copy of Blood Torn – Blackthorn book 3.

I’m very excited to announce that the winner is…Tracey Rogers!

7

Tracey, I’ll be in touch very soon!

But can you believe there was only two points between 1st and 2nd place? I couldn’t just let that go. So for the two joint runners-up (exactly the same score), I have some exclusive signed postcards for you. And those postcards are going to…

 Fiona Chapman

and

Susie Kim

Congratulations, both! If you send me your postal address via ‘contact’ above, I’ll get your postcards out to you in time for Blood Torn. They make great bookmarks. 😉

photo-17

 Huge thanks to everyone who joined in! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 🙂

Happy Anniversary Blackthorn! It’s not been easy, but we got there…

A year ago yesterday, I signed a three-book deal with Bookouture for my Blackthorn series. That contract is almost at an end, with the first two books published and Blood Torn in the process for publication over the forthcoming weeks. I’m not sure where this year has gone.

I have to be honest, my call never worked out as I’d imagined it would. Bearing in mind I’d resolved at the age of thirteen that I was going to become a professional author one day, I’d certainly had plenty of daydreams about how it might eventually transpire.

There was the ultimate fantasy, of course: One pristine submission targeted at the right editor/publisher at exactly the right time. They’d be in touch the next day, in awe of my talent. I’d be signing a multiple-book deal. We’d be talking of a life-long relationship between publisher and author. Never would I have to face the slush pile again…

Then there was the more realistic dream: Preparing the best submission I could with my limited synopsis and pitch writing talents, trying to convince an editor in some distant publishing house that my book really is worth a read. Several submissions later, no doubt into double (if not triple) figures, I’d finally snag someone’s interest and they’d give me a chance. Better still, I’d sell enough copies that they’d request the second book, maybe even a third.

I most certainly hadn’t expected the stuff of fairy tales – for a publisher to find me instead of the other way around! I’d not long had a rejection for Blood Roses after waiting eighteen months for a definitive answer from a competition I had entered it into. Despite a round-up of support from readers and fellow writers who had read my entry, a part of me had resolved that I’d been right to keep Blackthorn tucked away for so many years. After all, if I couldn’t convince an editor from the publishing house where Blackthorn had finalled in their competition twice, what hope did I have?

Only I’m not very good at giving up, especially when it comes to my writing. Because after three decades of ploughing away, I know that, talent and luck aside, one thing every author needs is grit determination.

I mention this now because a handful of my writer friends entered ‘So You Think You Can Write’ last month – the sister competition to the one I was a finalist in back in 2010 and 2011. Last week, those friends found out they hadn’t got through. And I know that gut-wrenching feeling of disappointment only too well. It was certainly rife eighteen months ago – something I managed to suppress only by focusing my attention on preparing submissions.

I had only just started the process when out of the blue came a request from Bookouture. Ironically, they had discovered me through the competition I had failed to snag publication with. In less than a month, I was offered a three-book deal. A month of contract negotiations followed that – a scary thing when you don’t have an agent! After lots of research and help from the Society of Authors, I ecstatically signed on the dotted line, entrusting my launch as an author as well as the beginnings of Blackthorn with Bookouture. And the series couldn’t have found a better home.

Needless to say I have loved every moment. Fifteen months ago, I’d never have believed that within a year I’d be working with a top-notch editor, or have Henry Steadman designing my first two book covers. I certainly wouldn’t have believed that a Hollywood film executive would compliment me on my world building, or that I’d hit number one in Gothic Romance on Amazon.com, let alone have such fantastic reviews. Even more than that, I wouldn’t have believed it possible I’d receive emails from readers thanking me for writing Blackthorn. Because that’s what matters more than anything else – that readers want to read about Blackthorn and it’s inhabitants.

So, for all my amazing supporters, my contract might be coming to an end, but I can assure you Blackthorn is far from over. Whilst you’re awaiting Blood Torn’s release, my head is already focused on the rest of the series.

This time last year, I had notebooks upon notebooks of world-building, plot lines and character information with year-on-year developments and amendments scribbled all over them. Over the past twelve months, in-between edits and writing Blood Torn, I set myself the task of gradually condensing and updating my notes – primarily to ensure that each book being published contained all the right elements at the right time. It’s been quite a task as some of the original aspects have undergone a natural evolution while the characters have taken hold.

And I’m so glad I started to plan ahead because Bookouture has already asked to see outlines for further Blackthorn books!

AdobePhotoshopExpress_2013_10_25_18:18:59

The rest of Blackthorn – just a few more notebooks to condense! 

So now I’m tasked with condensing the rest of the series into a meaningful few paragraphs. It’s like being in an interview, when the introduction begins with: “Tell us something about yourself.” You know exactly what’s happened the last twenty-plus years of your life, but summarising it isn’t quite as easy as you first think. Only I’ve got eight lives, so to speak, to somehow make comprehensive to those who live outside of my head. It’s most definitely the biggest challenge I’ve faced this year, so please keep your fingers crossed that I do it justice. I don’t know about you, but I’d love another year of Blackthorn ahead.

And as for my friends – as well as other writers – still on the road to publication, please know you’re in good company. Make the most of every opportunity, because one risky submission back in 2010 changed things for me in a way I never saw coming. Just as I never saw, back in the Autumn of 1996, that getting lost would lead to Blackthorn being created. Sometimes life truly is stranger than fiction – not that you ever get away with that in a synopsis. 😉

Waiting for Blood Torn?

Are you itching to meet Jask and Phia? Do you want to step inside the clandestine lycan compound to see what really goes on in there? Are you painfully poised waiting to find out what could possibly happen next in the world of Blackthorn? Is all of this build-up just taking WAY too long?

The next stage has begun on Blood Torn with my first set of edits underway. After that it’ll be line-edits, then copy-edits and then Blood Torn will be with the typesetter. And that means copies become available for review.

Would YOU like to be one of those reviewers?

I am super-exited to be able to tell you that one lucky Blackthorn fan is in with the chance of winning an e-copy of Blood Torn before it becomes available to buy. Along with a small line-up of professional bloggers/reviewers, you’ll be amongst the first to step into new Blackthorn territory. We’ve never done this for the series before, hence my excitement.

Interested? Do you class yourself as a true Blackthorn fan? At the end of September, I’ll be posting a Blackthorn quiz with a range of questions about the series so far. The person who answers the most questions correctly (or we’ll draw top scorers from a hat) will win an advanced copy of Blood Torn.

I’ll explain more when the quiz is posted. I hope you’re up for a challenge! 🙂

Blackthorn Meets Land’s End

In my last post, I shared my visit to the Minack theatre in Cornwall (South West England) where I indulged in my love for Wuthering Heights.

We only visited our neighbouring county for a couple of days unfortunately, but Cornwall is full of myths, legends and prehistoric sites. Particularly famous are the 4,000 year-old Standing Stones which can be found throughout the county – sometimes alone and sometimes in groups or circles. Not unlike the famous Stonehenge, the true reasons for their construction has been lost over time but have been attributed to both Christian and pagan influences.

Cornwall is most notably renowned for its association with the legendary King Arthur. A while ago, I wrote a post about Tintagel  being his acclaimed birthplace – but the legend stretches far beyond that small town.

The night after visiting The Minack, we travelled a few more miles to reach the most westerly point of England. There, surrounded on three sides by sea, is Land’s End.

Landscapes
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The famous Land’s End sign post…er, slightly photoshopped for Blackthorn purposes. 😉 

One of the most famous features of Land’s End can no longer be seen. In fact, it disappeared some nine centuries ago. Midway between Land’s End and the Isles of Scilly beyond is the rumoured English Atlantis – the mythical lost land of Lyonesse. Mentioned in Arthurian literature as the home of Tristan, it was inexplicably engulfed by the sea.

Legends

The only claimed survivor was a man called Trevilian, who rode a white horse before the waves. Even now, sailors claim they can sometimes hear ghostly bells from the church beneath the water.

Coffee

 A mocha – and the lost land of Lyonesse hidden beneath the waves beyond?

It was at Land’s End, over a decade ago, that I bought two silver rings (which you can see hints of in the photos) hand crafted by a real pirate! Well, he flies the flag (as you can see below) and certainly looks like he could be. It was from these, all those years ago, that I first developed the idea of Leila’s protest rings as featured in Blood Roses.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

And talking of Blackthorn, if you follow me on Facebook you would have seen that I promised a very exciting opportunity coming soon for one lucky Blackthorn fan. More news of that in my next post! 🙂

Flying the Flag

 Batty flying the flag for British Gothic paranormal romance.

Gothic Romantic

I’ve always been inclined towards the Gothic. I have no idea why and I’m not going to attempt to work it out. The fact is, each of us like what we like – and I most definitely veer to the darker and more tumultuous side of both literature and film when it comes to romance.

Gothic fiction combines the elements of both supernatural horror and romance, with suspense and mystery added to the mix. One premise is of a damsel in distress in an unfamiliar and frightening environment, pursued by a sinister being (usually male or otherworldly). The settings are invariably dark and atmospheric, the buildings often representing the decay of human creations and also sometimes reflect social issues of the time (especially in present-day Suburban Gothic). The stories are primarily based on fear and desire, and contain both physical and psychological terror, often delving into the dark and twisted psyche of the main characters. Of course, the focus and intensity of the above varies but, in essence, these are the fundamental elements associated with the genre.

Amongst my favourite books are, in terms of classic Gothic literature, Wuthering Heights, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dracula (no surprise there!), and Anne’s Rice’s Vampire Chronicles within Modern Gothic.

Goth

Wuthering Heights is probably (tough competition here!) my favourite of all time. So when my husband managed to get tickets to the Minack open-air Theatre across the border in Cornwall (South West England) to see the play of the book, I was beside myself with excitement. It might have been our anniversary but, of course, Batty (as you haven’t seen him for a while), Blackthorn’s mascot, had to come along too.

The Minack Theatre
Full View
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I first read Wuthering Heights when I was seventeen and was instantly enthralled not just by the book, but the author who so bravely wrote such a dark and tortured hero into a romantic role. I wrote a post for The Minxes of Romance a little while ago, where I admitted my encounter with Heathcliff no doubt had an impact on my view of romantic heroes.

For anyone who has read Wuthering Heights, you’ll know Heathcliff’s not exactly the most pleasant of characters, at times even tyrannical and cruel. In fact, he’d probably get quite the slating on contemporary romance reviews for what can be deemed as abhorrent actions throughout most of the book. Although his behaviour can’t be excused, what Emily Bronte achieved was to help the reader to understand him and, more importantly, empathise with his plight.

Add into the mix Catherine Earnshaw, the heroine, who has many non-redeeming features of her own, and what developed was a passionate and subsequently  damaging relationship.

For me, the beauty of the book, pushing aside all those judgements of what is appropriate, right and fitting as to how heroes and heroines should behave and interact on the page, is the rawness and power of the romance.

Their love – albeit dark and tumultuous and destructive – was meant to be. What the reader is left knowing, beyond a doubt, is Heathcliff loved Catherine and Catherine loved Heathcliff. A love that survived in the end.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The most captivating moment for me is when Catherine, caught between the safe and fitting option of marrying Edgar Linton or following her heart and marrying Heathcliff, pours out her soul to Nelly:

“…he shall never know how I love him; and that, not because he’s handsome, Nelly, but because he’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same, and Linton’s is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire… My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees – my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath – a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff – he’s always, always in my mind – not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself – but as my own being…”

Wuthering Heights

Sigh. Now that’s romance – inexplicable, hard to define and intense enough to consume.

Night View

Despite a beautiful night switching to blustery, the actors ploughed on and did a fantastic job, the weather only adding to the backdrop of this amazingly powerful story. It was, quite simply, a perfect way to spend my wedding anniversary.

And little did I know then that less than two weeks later, I’d hit number 1 in the Gothic Romance chart on Amazon.com with Blood Shadows. After so many years of admiring this genre and its authors, I guess I don’t even need to explain what a privilege that was.

I’ll be back in a couple of days to show you the other special place we visited before we headed home – and yes, Batty came too. 🙂

Blackthorn At Number One!

I was beside myself with excitement this morning when my wonderful publisher Bookouture, emailed to let me know Blood Shadows has hit the top spot.

For the first time ever, Blood Shadows reached number 1 in the Amazon.com Gothic Romance chart.

Screen Capture9

Not just that, but number 3 in the Amazon.com Paranormal Romance chart.

Screen Capture10

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Blood Shadows hit number 103 on the entire Amazon.com kindle charts!!

It’s even at number 6 in the UK Amazon Gothic Romance chart!

Rankings forever fluctuate so, yes, I’m making the most of the moment. 🙂

Thank you so, so much to everyone who has helped spread the word about my Blackthorn books – let alone Bookouture for working so hard to get my books into the hands of readers. And for everyone who heard this news earlier today, thank you for your amazing comments of support on Twitter, my Facebook page and your messages by email. This is SO much more fun having Team Blackthorn to share it with. Xx

Blackthorn Survival Guide

A little while ago, Blackthorn devotee, Amity Grays mentioned the prospect of a survival guide to Blackthorn in one of her blog posts. The idea quickly caught on. The problem is, Blackthorn is a complex place with a culture all of its own. More to the point, I’m still keeping some of it hidden from you at the moment – so knowing where to begin wasn’t easy.

Untitled-1

But some readers want to delve a little deeper into Blackthorn regardless of a guide. The last intrepid bloggers to venture into the district were DaVinciKittie and Molly over on GraveTells, who dared to enter the Dehain brothers’ club. And let’s not forget brave Aimee Duffy who was the first to ever try to interview Kane Malloy (apparently she’s still in recovery). And now, Tracey Rogers, another Blackthorn devotee, decided it was time she ventured into Blackthorn – only she took me with her for an on-the-spot interview! (I’m obviously back, I’m only hoping she is!)

For everyone else, I’ve broken you in gently so far – keeping you more or less in the confines of Kane’s place (Blood Shadows) or Caleb’s (Blood Roses). But I can’t hold back any longer. With Blood Torn, you’re not just heading into the lycan compound, but into some of the murkier depths of Blackthorn. And it doesn’t get much better from there, at least for a while. So I resolved it was time I pulled together a few pointers for the next stage of our journey.

First, let’s have a quick recap on a couple of demographic basics (remember you can refer to my Beneath Blackthorn posts here on my blog if you want to understand more about the make-up of the world):

  • Each locale is made up of four bordered districts. Blackthorn district is the core of one locale. It’s where the third species reside, consisting mainly of vampires and lycans. But there are humans (and a few others!) too.
  • Within Blackthorn itself, East is Kane’s territory, West is Caleb’s and North is Jask’s. The hub of the district is set in the west, which is the centre of nightlife activity.

The hub is exactly where you’re most likely heading if you’ve planned a night out in Blackthorn. Let’s assume you’re maybe from Midtown or Summerton and that you’ve never been to Blackthorn before. What advice would I give?

Here’s an essential 15-point guide to make your night out in Blackthorn as enjoyable and safe as possible:

Be prepared

  • Dress appropriately. If you’re heading to the hub of Blackthorn, you’re entering the party capital. Dress to blend in. Look like a newbie and you may as well stamp victim on your forehead. Trust me, residents will know!
  • Don’t go in alone. Groups are better.
  • Don’t go kitted up like some member of a 80s or 90s vampire-killing film. The third species aren’t inherently evil, they aren’t the undead – they’re just a different species. You’ll either die from humiliation or an unappreciative resident.

Mind your language!

  • Don’t mention ‘fangs’ to vampires, unless you plan on it being an insult. Blackthorn vampires have an extra set of lateral incisors, not fangs. Lycans use cuspids (canines). Referring to fangs is a prime way to show that not only are you a newbie, but that you actually believe the old stereotypes – never a good icebreaker in Blackthorn.
  • Don’t mention you’re from Midtown or Summerton. Remember, your privileged lifestyle will be a sore point. You’re from across the border in Lowtown, if anyone asks.

Watch your behaviour

  • Keep your eyes up and ahead. Don’t avoid eye contact, but keep it fleeting and never take a second glance.
  • Basically, don’t stare. Prolonged eye contact with another means either you’re interested in them or you’re looking for trouble. Staring at ‘events’ means you’re willing and able to join in whatever is going on.
  • Don’t ask for directions. Ever.

What to avoid

  • Watch out for vampires who roam alone, and watch out for humans who roam in groups away from the crowds.
  • Avoid anyone with numbers tattooed on their inner arms. That’s all I’ll say for now!
  • Stick to the main streets, no matter how busy. Quieter most certainly does not mean safer.
  • Don’t ever go to The Circus – it really isn’t what you think.
  • Avoid the old cinema. It’s been transferred to live performances you don’t want to witness.
  • Public feedings are illegal.
  • If you’re asked if you’re interested in being a feeder, say no. And avoid being bitten at all costs. You’re going to have to get through a lot of red tape to return to Midtown or Summerton if you don’t!

I hope that helps! Now to find Tracey…

Blackthorn’s A Little Gem :)

I was checking my blog stats this morning when I stumbled across a referral source I’d never seen before. Someone had clicked an outgoing link from a blog called Paranormal Unbound. My curiosity was doubly evoked, not just because I hadn’t previously heard of the blog but I also wanted to know why I had been mentioned.

In my usual style, I was having major palpitations as I followed the link. Nervous of what might have been said, the same questions that always cross my mind appeared: What if it’s not good? Do I really want to look? But my curiosity is as much an affliction as my self-doubt.

Instead, I was thrilled to discover a terrific interview with GraveTells’ DaVinciKittie hosted by author, A.J. Larrieu. Not only was DaVinciKittie praising my Blackthorn series, but even A.J. Larrieu said I’m a favourite new paranormal romance author of hers. Look…!

Paranormal Unbound

It absolutely made my day – hence the impromptu blog post.

Not only am I super pleased to have discovered a paranormal blog that I didn’t know about before, but particularly one that prides itself on breaking rules and redefining the genre. As anyone who has followed me for a while knows, one of the things that held me back with this series for so many years was not feeling it fitted in. So, when I read what DaVinciKittie had to say, you’ll understand why it meant so much to me:

“PNR has tropes and over-utilized plot devices just like every other genre, romance or not, but for every 4 or 5 run-of-the-mill copycat stories we get in the GraveTells review submission box, there is at least one gem with fresh ideas and a new take on the paranormal universe just waiting to be promoted and discovered…. You mentioned Lindsay Pryor earlier; her Blackthorn universe is one of those little gems because it is edgy, unpredictable, and walks the line of what is considered “appropriate” for romance. It’s an engaging combination of urban fantasy and paranormal romance…”

If you’d like to read the full interview, you can follow the link here.

So here’s huge thanks to DaVinciKittie for the mention as well as A.J. Larrieu for introducing me to Paranormal Unbound. It’s well worth a look for all PNR fans!

Meet Blackthorn’s Cast

I’ve been busy on Pinterest lately. I find it insanely addictive – especially as I await my Blood Torn edits and in-between writing book four. I keep finding so many terrific images that I’ve even started to expand my boards. But that’s the easy part.

It’s never been so straight forward finding images to match my characters. It’s fine if you see an actor or actress, decide they’ll be your character and away you go. I’m working backwards. Because I’ve lived with the Blackthorn bunch a long time, I have a really clear vision for each of them.

So, when I was published with Bookouture, the biggest challenge I faced was finding pictures to share with the cover designer. Each of the models were to be hand picked and photographed, so it was really important to get it right. The last thing you want as an author is to look at the front cover of your book and not recognise the face staring back at you. Fortunately that hasn’t happened yet.

Over the past few months, I’ve had boards for Kane & Caitlin and Caleb & Leila. In preparation for Blood Torn’s pending release, I now have one for Jask and Phia. But, as you’ve yet to meet the rest of the characters, I thought it was about time you did!

I’m not going to make it that easy though. Click here to see my vision for the cast of Blackthorn…but there’s a catch! I’ve named my three heroes and heroines (that’s too easy!), but I’ve yet to label the rest. Instead, I thought I’d let you have a look first to see if you can work out who’s who. All the characters are mentioned in either of the first two books or from chapter one of Blood Torn. If you think you know who they are, feel free to comment on each pin via Pinterest. I’ll reveal who they are in a couple of days so you can see if you’re right. Happy spotting!