Visiting Valor

Last post, I told you about Outlaw. I've reread it, and I love it as much now as I did writing it. I will be submitting it to Harper Voyager, as they have opened to submissions for a two-week timeframe. Perhaps something will come of it. Prayers would be appreciated.

Yesterday, I pulled out my manuscript that started the whole series - Valor. This is the story of Cam Gray and Selah Clairet, both of whom are minor characters in Asylum. It also gives background information on the Ghosts, Redic Clairet, and Seraph. Oh, my goodness, how I adore these stories! I see them all as movies in my head. I've just translated them to the page...and I hope that I've done them justice.

When I first started writing Valor, I truly knew nothing about writing other than what I'd learned in grade school English classes. Within one scene, I would use different points-of-view. Writers call that head bouncing. You see what all the characters are thinking and feeling at once. That's a no-no, unless you're J.R.R. Tolkien. Which I am not.

I also used flashbacks. While that's a popular element in movies and television shows, in books - it's another no-no.

Needless to say, Valor needs to be rewritten. I've started into it, and it's already much stronger than it was. I'm really excited about this story! I'm now integrating the flashback into the timeline of the story, so I'm going back through in outline form to knock that out. It will come together.

An update on Asylum: I have a local book signing coming up soon. I'm really looking forward to that! I've heard back from the Barnes & Noble where I used to work. We'll get to set up a signing there. I'm hoping to get a Christian bookstore (another former place of employment!) And I put together a list of places to send a press release. WestBow Press just redesigned their website (looks fabulous!) and posted Asylum on their homepage. And as you can see on my homepage, the video interview I did with WestBow has gone live.

If you've read Asylum, would you consider going to the WestBow Press site and leave a comment? Or you could write a brief review on Amazon! I would very much appreciate it. There is no marketing better than word-of-mouth!

Blessings to you all!