Maria Lima's Blog, page 13

A lot of things have been going on in my world over the past week or so.

* My current project:

** As of this moment (Thursday, Nov 10, 2011) I am nearly done with the audiobook recording for Matters of the Blood.

** 22 of 23 chapters are recorded

** I need to re-record chapter 8

** 7 chapters + opening & closing credits are recorded, QA'd and converted to MP3

** 5 minute sample converted to MP3 for uploading

** I need to QA (e.g., listen to) and then convert the remaining recorded chapters (9-23)

Goal: to finish the last bits and get all the files uploaded to ACX (Audible) by the end of the weekend.

* It's been a GORGEOUS weather week here in Alexandria. Temps in the low 60s, sunny and just lovely. My lunch buddy Janna and I went to Cheesetique yesterday for lunch. They've debuted a new menu that not only added some yummy selections, but also include my old favorites. I ordered their Madrid Melt sandwich, one of their grilled cheese variations: Manchego, Jamón Serrano and membrillo on pain levain accompanied by mixed green salad. UTTER perfection!

Afterward, I splurged on a bottle of wine as a gift for my buddy Sherrie, who's throwing a little soiree on Saturday. I chose a Spanish Red, Vivir Vivir. Sounded interesting. I also had to pick up some artisanal chocolates. The Fleurir "The Great Plains Bar" was simply out of this world. Salted breadcrumb in a dark chocolate blend. The other bar I picked up but have yet to try is the Poco Dolce Five Spice Bar. I love discovering nifty new tastes and Cheesetique is a great local store/restaurant.

* On the writing front, it's been rather slow. My main concentration right now is the audiobooks. It's rather time intensive. For each recorded hour of audio, I put in about 2-3 hours total. So for 1 novel (approx. 11 – 13 hours)… well, do the math. My M.O. is to record for 4-5 hours in the morning (Fri/Sat), then rest my voice. Since I'm in charge of the whole production: including quality control and final electronic files, it's not like I can just sit & read into the mic and record then turn it all over to someone else. As I said, I've only done the one so far, but it seems to work out for me best to do it this way. One thing I have learned: I'm a HUGE control freak concerning the sound of the narrative. I know EXACTLY how it's supposed to sound in my head. Heck, of course I do, I wrote it. I think it would've been VERY difficult to have decided to go with someone else as a narrator. Again, this is totally my own quirk and YMMV.

I do have about 8 short stories in various stages of completion plus one that is teasing itself into substantiality in the back of my brain–aka, I have the idea, the character, but not a specific plot. I figure that as soon as I finish all 5 audiobook recordings, I'll get back to the stories.

* Kickstarter

If you've never heard of it, you should go check it out. It's a fabulous crowdsourcing site for creatives. From film to novels to pretty much anything that can be considered a creative/artsy endeavour, you can find it here. I've personally funded six campaigns, and am ecstatic that I could be a contributor to two campaigns run by fellow UF authors, C.E. Murphy and Laura Anne Gilman.

In fact, they've been so successful, I'm considering running a small campaign myself. What do you guys think? I've got a couple of thoughts:

* a follow up novella to the Blood Lines series continuing the story after Blood Sacrifice

* a middle grade novel, probably UF/adventure/mystery starring a young protagonist who happens to have 2 moms (this grew from a comment a co-worker made to me that her 8 year old son, who loves to read, can't find books that mirror his family (2 moms). The focus will NOT be on the fact that there are 2 moms, that will just be a part of the kid's family. I'm planning it to be a good, fun read for that 9-12 age range or so. This is still a bit amorphous, as I'm way behind on current middle grade fiction. But I really do want to do this.

* EPublishing/What's Next in Lima Land

A lot of Intarwebz kerfluffles about direct/self e-publishing vs. whatever else. I'm of the opinion that a person must find the right path for herself, and maximize potential. That said, I do have plans to e-pub a few things, none of which are suitable for commercial/legacy/NYC publishing houses.

Ideas so far:

* a collection of blog posts/essays by moi – probably at a fairly low price point

* some short stories (perhaps some of those 8 mentioned above)

* other ideas that are still too vague to describe

* Your feedback is important

I could do none of this without you all–my fans and friends and family.

Would you guys be interested in any of the above? Kickstarter? Epubbed books? Do you think that they would be successful enough (translated to mean: I get enough payment to offset my time/effort costs plus make some income)?

If I did do a Kickstarter campaign, what would you be most interested in funding? A novella in the Blood Lines universe? Short stories about the various characters? Something else entirely?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Sometimes, even shouting from the rooftops (or the 2011 equivalent: Facebook) doesn't seem enough. Mainly, because I'm still pinching myself to make sure it's real!

I found out Monday evening that I'd been nominated for a very prestigious award. Namely, Blood Sacrifice (and specifically Keira Kelly) is on the short list for the 2011 Best Urban Fantasy Protagonist award from RT Book Reviews.

For those of you unfamiliar with RT, they are a fabulous magazine who also throw a massive annual convention for book lovers. Their Reviewer's Choice Awards are given each year in spring to leaders in several genres.

I am in fabulous company for my nomination category and am happy for us all. For the full list of nominees, check out the RT site November 14,2011.

So, I'm back. It was 8 days of fun, frolic, food and fabulosity…with a side of OMG, exhaustion plus a dollop of whee!

If you've never been to New York City, the first word that comes to mind is "overwhelming". People, buildings, lights, traffic, noise. It's both awesome and inspiring. I'd been several times, but never for any extended period.

My goal for this trip was (as usual) multi-faceted:

Annual family vacation with sis & BIL
Visit with friends in NJ
Stop in at New York Comic Con for some networking & geeking out
Meet up with the most awesome Ms. C. E. Murphy while at NYCC
Discover new & exiting restaurants
Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art
See a Broadway show

Accomplished: all of the above.

Things I discovered about the city:

It is not friendly to folks with mobility issues. Many of the shops, restaurants & other buildings had steps or full on stairs.
There are cabs EVERYwhere–which is a good thing, because evidently, you can't phone for a cab! Who knew?
New Yorkers are as friendly as pretty much anybody anywhere. Most of the service & retail workers were downright awesome!
OTOH, cab rides are just as wild & crazy as you think they might be. Traffic is INSANE!
Great food is to be found everywhere.

Things I discovered about myself:

I enjoy the heck out of NYC.
I could so not live there.
I LOVE Broadway shows (something I knew once upon a time, but my energy got renewed).
I seem to prefer 3D art/artifacts than 2d (paintings). I spent more time in the Egyptian exhibit halls at the Met than anywhere else. Awesome antiquities, statuary, everyday life objects, etc.
I need 1 day of rest during a full on 8 day vacation.
I still really, really, really HATE crowds.

One of the most wonderful events was a surprise visit from Susan Griffith (co-author of the most excellent Vampire Empire series). Susan has been an online buddy for several years, but hasn't ever been able to make our group gatherings. She & the rest of the gang kept the secret, so when Susan walked in on Saturday, I was gobsmacked & so very excited. She's an awesome, lovely person and we had such fun author-bonding.

All in all, a wonderful, awesome, successful trip and as always, I am glad I went and am glad I'm home and back into my routine.

The Photo Gallery

New York 2011

Normally, the day before a vacation trip, I cheerfully hum the old "All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go" line from Leaving on a Jet Plane. I'm a Virgo. I tend to pre-pack and prepare DAYS ahead of time.

Only today, not so much.

I do have a packing list.

I do have stuff pulled out to pack.

But for some reason or another, I've not packed a single item. The red and black suitcase is sitting by its lonely self in the middle of the living area of my studio apartment, empty as cicada's husk. There's a pile of clothes on the seat of my exercise bike, a pair of shoes on the floor next to it, nestled amongst several balled up pairs of socks.

Last night, I had every intention of packing as soon as I finished eating my yummy Thai noodle salad from Trader Joe's. Except, it totally didn't happen. I sat in my comfy recliner, ate my noodles and before I knew it, I was snoozing. ::facepalm::

So, instead of dropping Kit off to board this evening after work, I scrambled this morning and hauled him over to the vet and hauled myself into the workplace, trying to avoid getting drenched in the downpour.

Tonight, when I get home, I will avoid sitting down for dinner until packing round #1 is done. Then, after dinner, I'll double check the list and make sure I've got all the various electronic cables/power cords/etc. that I will need for an 8 day vacation in the Big Apple.

Tomorrow, the taxi comes at eleven and I'm boarding the 1:00 train to Metropark/Iselin, where my buddy Dina will pick me up for leg one of the trip.

On Sunday, Dina & I will drive into "The City" to meet up in the early a.m. with my sis & BIL for a day at New York Comic Con. That afternoon, the sister, BIL and I check into our rental apartment (one block from Times Square!) for the balance of the week.

There will be food, fun and on Wednesday, 3rd row seats to the matinee of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!

At some point, we're visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art – mostly because both my sister and I were enamoured of the wonderful E.L. Konigsburg book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler.

Then 2 more days of food & fun and on Saturday, we return to our respective homes.

I'm looking forward to the adventure.

I posted a couple of weeks ago about my scheduled bronchoscopy. Today, I got the diagnosis: I definitely have sarcoidosis.

It's an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation within the body. I credit my fabulous eye doctor, Dr. Nicole Teser over at the Eye Center for suspecting something more systemic than just an eye inflammation and for not giving up after my former primary care doc never followed up with me post some blood tests that indicated that this might be the case.

A lot of you know that over the past several years, I've been experiencing a definite lack of energy, fatigue, a lot of sinus issues, problems breathing. Well, guess what, common symptoms include:

fatigue unchanged by sleep
lack of energy
aches and pains
arthritis
dry eyes
shortness of breath
a dry hacking cough

All of which I've had, in one form or another, for quite some time.

The great news is that sarcoidosis is utterly treatable. Doc's started me on low dose inhaled steroid and I go back in 4 weeks to check in to see how that's working.

Thanks again for all of your good wishes online and off. I feel so relieved to know what's wrong. I can't wait to start feeling better!

I confess. I hate, hate, hate summer. All that sun, surf, heat–it's enough to drive me indoors for good. Not for me the swimming, boating, outdoorsy activities that have hordes of the rest of you pining for Memorial Day weekend.

Kind of weird considering I was born on an island. Would I have been more of a beach bunny had we remained there? Maybe. Maybe not.

All I know is that my own particular chemical makeup yearns for cool weather, the crunch of fallen leaves, the evocative scent of wood smoke from a fireplace. I pine for the sharp autumn air, the gorgeous promise of sweater weather, honeycrisp apples and hot tea (though I will admit to a fondness for summer fruits).

How did an island-born, Florida & Texas raised gal get to be a lover of autumn?

I will lay a huge portion of the credit down to reading Trixie Belden as an impressionable 10-year-old. Trixie was so awesome! Thirteen and going on adventures in the wilds of White Plains, NY. They rode horses and had this thing called "Indian Summer" (a term which I promptly looked up, but confused the heck out of me). I fell in love with this world (even more so than Nancy Drew, who, at her advanced age of 18 seemed so out of reach).

I wanted to be a Bob-White and have adventures, too. I wanted to go to White Plains (so exotic!), learn to ride English style, and eventually, I wanted to live at Crabapple Farm, have brothers and a best friend like Honey Wheeler.

Eventually, I learned to ride a horse (Western, not English). I visited my late father's ranch (in Mexico) and never have made it to White Plains…though I've been several places in New York state.

Instead of living Trixie's adventures, I write my own–and set them in the Texas Hill Country, which, in retrospect, became my version of Trixie's world–a small town, semi-isolated from the hustle & bustle of the "real" world, populated by a close-knit group of friends and family. Yup. I got the pattern, and I owe it to Trixie and her friends.

Readers, what book(s) or stories influenced you someway in real life?

So tomorrow (Friday) morning at 11, I'm scheduled for a bronchoscopy. Thanks to weirdness in my lungs and the fact that they basically work like crap (results of pulmonary function test), I get to experience a camera being shoved down my throat and into my lungs plus bonus!biopsy.

No, the I most likely do not have lung cancer. The educated guesses from both my rheumatologist & lung specialist is sarcoidosis–which answers a lot of the annoying things I've had wrong for several years, including iritis, sinusitis, trouble breathing and a host of fun effects. /sarcasm. (Trust me to get some weird ass disease!)

I've never had a chronic illness and this freaks me out a bit. I've already had to curtail some activity because of decreased lung function. Turns out, I wasn't breathless and wheezing from overdoing or just being fat–my lungs really, really don't work properly because there's a blockage. Lung doc put me on an albuterol inhaler for a couple of weeks as during the pulmonary function test, I was given albuterol (I felt like someone in a medical TV show, sitting there with the little breathing apparatus!) and after the meds, my lungs opened up. Go figure.

So tomorrow, in order to rule out cancer and other stuff and to confirm the initial suspicion, I go to the Virginia Hospital Center, get dosed with Rohypnol (or whatever drug they are currently using for the so-called "twilight anesthesia"…I just hope there are no sparkly vampires!) and a doctor will shove a camera into my lungs, look around, and take a snippet of tissue.

Whee?

I am just glad I have really good health insurance.

Life continues chez Lima. Busy at the workplace.

I'm excited about the fall season. Glee was most fun last night. I'm looking forward to a bunch of season premieres, including Grey's Anatomy, The Good Wife and Amazing Race 19.

Blood Sacrifice got a lovely review from Amberkatze. Amber's been great, promoting the books and also helping me with the Welsh in my books. She's totally awesome.

One thing I love about the Intarwebz is the ability to connect with, correspond with and befriend folks from all over the world. Over the years, I've made friends from as far away as Australia & New Zealand, from all over the US, Canada and the UK, and even from exotic places like Nepal. I've reconnected with family, with friends from high school and college and former coworkers.

Physically (in meat space), I tend to be a hermit (on purpose). In cyberspace, I can enjoy all these lovely friendships. And yes, it's great to meet folks in RL, too. I've had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of my far-away friends/fans at cons. But cons cost money & time, and the internet is free (okay, well, I pay a connection fee which is worth every penny).

Readers, where are you from/where do you live? If you could choose a place to live, where would that be (money no object).

My dream place would be Vancouver, BC. I fell in love with the city three years ago during my birthday trip. Sadly, I don't have Canadian residency (though that could be gotten) nor the funds (Vancouver is expensive!). But, I dream on. You never know, it could happen!

Got my activation email from Pottermore last week and have been playing on the site on-and-off. I've been sorted: Hufflepuff (okay, okay, I admit it, I really wanted to be a Slytherin). I've got a wand: 12.5″, Pine with a dragon core, rigid. I've cast my first spell: Alohomora (and boy, is that tough…mostly because the directions weren't quite so helpful).

I'm enjoying seeing the extras written by Jo Rowling: background on the Dursleys, on Minerva McGonagall and various author's notes, including a ton of wand lore. This is kind of every author's dreamhouse. You get to share the stuff that didn't get published. The nifty world-building that takes up megabytes of data and otherwise, would never see the light of day.

It's kind of like the DVD extras/easter eggs but throughout a whole site.

I can't foresee spending a lot of time casting spells, dueling or brewing potions, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying the trip through Book 1 (via the interactive areas) and discovering the notes.

Sure, this totally Josses a whole ton of fan-fiction, but that's okay, because other people's stories are set in alternate universes. Doesn't bother me in the least.

It's fun to see how the originator came up with wand lore or what she thinks Minerva was like as a girl.

—

In other news:

If you are a Facebook friend or "Like" my fan page, please check out my note of yesterday evening. For various reasons, I'm going to (a) be removing the fan page and (b) whittling down my friends list to folks I know personally (either in meat space or via online interactions). Not to worry, though, as I've enabled the "Subscribe" function, which means that you will still be able to follow my all my public posts and comment on them. As 99% of my posts are public, that means not much will change.

The fan page will be gone by 9/30, so please be sure to change to a subscriber of my profile page!

Work proceeds apace with the audio recordings. I'll be doing more today & tomorrow. Hoping to finish up book 1 shortly. Then it's QA time and then turning it over to Wildside to post on Audible!

* * *

Thanks ever so much to all of you who have commented on the Blood Lines series and asking for more books. At this point, Keira and the gang are going to be taking a break as I work on audio and consider what's next. I've got a couple of ideas floating about for some short stories and, if they work out, I'll publish those to e-book. As far as another Blood Lines book in the future? Well, never say never, but I'm not going to string you along. I really don't see that happening. I thought for a bit that perhaps I could do a Kickstarter campaign and write book 6, but then after some very deep thinking, I decided that would be a mistake. The main story is told and wrapped up. It's time to move on. But, as I said, that doesn't preclude short stories.

There is a new project in whisper mode right now – that being the very early stages of "oh, that would be a good idea to pursue". It's amorphous and wispy, but may gel soon. The only thing I can tell you it's that it's a middle grade novel and would include a diverse set of characters. This came into mind when conversing with a co-worker. She commented that it was too bad that her 8 year old son didn't have any books he could read that showed families like his (he has 2 moms). Not as the theme of the book, but as a matter-of-fact situation as part of a good read. So I'm mulling this over. Not so much the diversity aspect, but the plot aspect. I mean, what do middle grade kids read? (Other than Harry Potter or Percy Jackson?) I don't have kids and my 1 niece is only three, so I'm kind of out of that loop.

In any case, it's definitely percolating and I'm hoping that I can get a handle on it because I'd really love to do this.

* * *

Fall is here, the weather is GORGEOUS and COOL, so I'm enjoying the morning with great pleasure! I'm looking forward to not sweltering!

TTFN, all!

Book Birthday!!!

Today, Blood Sacrifice is officially available for purchase from all your favorite booksellers.

Did I ever think I'd get to this point? Five series books? Not really. Sure, I'd fantasized and dreamt of being a published author, but honestly, even after five novels, two short stories, 4 essays and co-editing a short story anthology, I have to pinch myself sometimes.

When the copies of the book arrived, I was just as excited to see them as I was the first time I saw something of mine in print. It never, ever gets old.

Celebrate with me by stopping by any of the blog tour posts:

Post over at Suzanne McLeod's blog
Dame for a Day over at the Deadline Dames
Interview at Amberkatze's blog

On launch day:

Keira's take on Tam Lin over at Fantastic Fables
Interview at The Qwillery
Interview at Urban Fantasy Investigations

Book giveaways everywhere!