Donna Grant

If you ask any author, they will tell you that some books are easier to write than others. Then there are some that I can only equate as giving birth. Its a slow, painful process.

That’s how writing SINFUL HIGHLANDER (Galen’s story), the fifth book in the Dark Sword series was. Even when I turned in the proposal to my editor I didn’t expect to keep the first three chapters. Which would have been a first for me. Yet, once she accepted the proposal, I read over the chapters again and found I liked them.

So, on I went.

Now, my hubby, saint that he is, just smiles at me when with every book I utter the words, “This book is awful. The plot is awful. The characters are awful. Everything is worthless.” He tells me to keep writing, like I always do. Usually by the time I finish the book and revise I’m happy with it.

Galen’s book is the most difficult book I’ve written in a long time. Every day when I would sit at my desk to write my pages it was a painful process. To make matters worse, the book just wouldn’t end. ::long, drawn out sigh::

Now, as I’m finishing up my first round of revisions, I’m trying to find the places that gave me such difficulty.

I can’t find them.

Ugh! I cannot for the life of me name what made this book so difficult to write. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. Well, up until the middle when I pull the “everything’s awful” thing. But that’s normal for me.

The key is to just keep writing. Get words on paper. They can always be revised.

hugs,
D

I’m over at Sia McKey’s blog today. Come over and read about Druids and comment for a chance to win!

http://siamckye.blogspot.com/2010/03/dark-swords-and-druids.html

hugs,
D

I’ve finally - yes, finally - got the excerpt up for FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER.

In other news…I’ve finished SINFUL HIGHLANDER! :doing the snoopy dance: Gah! It’s the longest first draft I’ve ever written, and once I start my revisions (this week), it will end up being the longest book I’ve ever turned into my editor. But I really enjoyed Galen and his heroine, Reaghan. I can’t wait until the book comes out.

On Friday, after I was lying in the middle of my office floor completely drained mentally, my hubby brought me a package delivered from UPS. It was UNTAMED HIGHLANDER (Hayden’s story). Attached was a truly wonderful note from my uber awesome editor along with her edits.

So now I have revisions on SINFUL and edits on UNTAMED all due by the end of this month. So much for a me taking next week off for Spring Break with the kids. But, I’m not complaining. I’m getting to do something I love. Even if it does leave me a mental mess for a day or so.

Oh, before I forget, I designed a new countdown widget for FORBIDDEN. You can find it under my pic on the right hand side. To add it to your website, facebook, myspace, blog, or wherever, just click on the “Share” button and it’ll give you instructions.

Now, I’m off to work on my newsletter! So if you haven’t signed up, go to my website and get thee subscribed!!

hugs,
D

I know, I know. I haven’t been posting. Its not because I’m off galavanting (gosh, my mother used to say that to me *all* the time!) on some tropical island with bright blue skies, turquoise waters, and white sandy beaches with a cool breeze blowing my hair (usually into my hubby’s face). No, I’ve been daydreaming of summer while finishing the current book.

I’m sick of the cold. I live on the Texas Gulf Coast for a reason. Because I’m not a cold weather person by any means. I put on five layers of clothes (which is highly uncomfortable, BTW) when it dips below 50. Apparently, someone really ticked Mother Nature off because she’s been spouting out the cold weather like I’ve never seen. Let’s hope her PMSing stops soon and we can get down to the 100% humidity and 90+ degree heat. Now that, I can handle.

I did manage to read a couple of books. Haven’t made much of a dent in my TBR pile. And I went and bought more books. lol. But I had to.

I have the pleasure of knowing Lorraine, who is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. She’s a fellow Texan, so that just makes me adore her more. But I loved this book! I love Lorraine’s writing. She has a magical way in bringing to life characters and making me fall in love with all of them. She did it again with Midnight Pleasures with a Scoundrel. You won’t want to miss this book!

I’m a huge fan of series books, so when I first read Jessica Andersen and her Final Prophecy series, I was hooked! I’m running a bit behind on the reading, but I wanted to get caught up on the series before the next book releases. Love the characters and the world. Can’t wait for the next!!

Meanwhile, I’m finishing up the 5th Dark Sword book. AND…I’ve got titles! Yes, my editor found some awesome titles for the next three books. Are you ready? They are:

UNTAMED HIGHLANDER - Hayden
SINFUL HIGHLANDER - Galen
DARKEST HIGHLANDER - you have to wait to find out. (muhahahah!!!)

I’m loving the titles, and they fit the Warriors perfectly. This is just one of many reasons why I adore my editor.

Now, if only the book-that-will-never-end does manage to end this week!

hugs,
D

Last week was one of those weeks where I had so much going on added to my writing, plus the migraine that I got that, unfortunately, I didn’t get to finish the book I was reading. I also was judging a contest, and even though I read three of those books, I’m not able to talk about them.

Instead, I’m hoping y’all will tell me about the books y’all read! I am reading a fabulous story, but I’ll talk more about that next week.

So, come on. Spill.

hugs,
D

Some of us on Twitter that are huge Supernatural fans decided that today we’d declare Dean Day.

I’ve watched Supernatural from the day it aired, and I don’t miss a single episode. It’s even one of the few TV series that I buy the seasons on DVD. After all, I have to have my Dean (Jensen Ackles) fix. And he is a Texas boy (as is Sam or Jared Padalecki).

So what is it about this hunky demon hunter that has so many of us hooked? You mean besides his swagger or his quick quips? His soulful eyes, those full lips, or the way he’ll sacrifice everything for his brother?

As an author, Dean is a wonderful character to watch, and each week we watch him struggle and grow as a character. He battles his own wants and needs so that he will be there for his brother. Over the last four seasons we’ve watched Dean follow his father’s every word, trade his soul to the devil for Sam’s life, battle countless demons and ghosts, meet up with a couple of old girlfriends, live in Hell for several months, and learn that there are angels.

I’m not sure how many of us would react to know that we were the sword of the angel Michael. With Sam helping to bring on the apocalypse, Dean could allow Michael to have control over his body and end the Devil. Yet, Dean won’t. Why, you may ask? Dean may be the angel’s weapon, but Sam is the devil’s. If one gives in, the other will as well, so they refuse. Instead, they are out to stop the devil and the apocalypse themselves with a former angel at their side.

How will the season end? I have no idea. Each season ender has left me breathless and eager for the next season. Season 5 was supposed to be the last season and end of the hit show, but I’ve recently heard that Eric Kripke, the creater, is considering doing another season. I hope for our sake that they continue Superanatural. I don’t know what I’d do without seeing that black Impala or Dean every week.

Its not just the legends and lore the characters face that make the show so appealing. Its the characters themselves. And Dean will always be my favorite!

I love books. I love hearing when my friends have a new book releasing. I love discovering new authors. I love browsing the bookstore and seeing the covers. I love walking up to the counter with an arm load of books that I’m just dying to read. I love opening a book and diving into new characters and new worlds! And most of you reading this blog feel the same way.

So, let’s talk about books we’ve read this past week. I love to share and hear what others are reading!

I just read Erin Quinn’s HAUNTING BEAUTY. (Yes, yes, I’m late reading this one, I know!) OMG! This book had so many twists and turns that you didn’t know what was real, what was imagined, or how the hell the characters would ever have their HEA. I couldn’t put the book down.

It was a fabulous read, and I’m dying for the next book - HAUNTING WARRIOR (and that cover! Wow!)! If you like for authors who take you on so many twists and turns that you don’t know which way is up, then this book is for you!

I also somehow found the time to read another book by one of my favorites - Stephanie Laurens. I just love Stephanie’s books and the first in her new Black Cobra Quartet - THE UNTAMED BRIDE - did not disappoint.

But really, when has a Stephanie Lauren’s book ever disappointed? This woman has amazing talent, and she’s an auto buy for me. I loved UNTAMED BRIDE and how the heroine was as strong willed as the hero. I also thoroughly enjoyed the emotional intensity and the intense attraction which was wonderful to read. Another I highly recommend.

I’ve got the second book, THE ELUSIVE BRIDE, in my TBR pile that I hope to get to very soon! (among many others that I’m dying to read!)

Unfortunately, all I was able to read were these two books. Since I’m in the middle of writing the 5th Dark Sword book, my reading time drops considerably.

So, tell me about the books you read last week. However, if you didn’t like a book, please don’t be mean about it. Author’s put their heart and soul into books, and we do realize not everyone is going to like our work. But feel free to gush about the ones you loved!!

hugs,
D

I’ve put together a quiz on Facebook and Quizilla so readers can find out which of the Warriors is theres.

Take the quiz then come back here and tell me which Warrior you got for a chance to win a signed cover flat of FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER!

I’m over at Book Lovers, Inc today talking cyber stalkers…um…I mean fans.

Come by and comment for a chance to win either a signed copy of MUTUAL DESIRE *or* a promo pack that includes signed cover flats of both DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER *and* FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER!

hugs,
D

I’m so pleased to have Stephanie Tyler guest blogging again. If you haven’t read the books in her uber awesome Hard to Hold books, then you are certainly missing out on the hunkiest of military men - SEALs! I can’t say enough about these books or Stephanie.

So, today I was thinking about online friendships…you know, the non-online world always looks at me kind of funny when I tell them that Larissa Ione and I met through an online writer’s group. Like, they think, what if she’s crazy or something and you don’t know?

Well, she is, but the good kind of crazy.

A lot of my writer friendships started and continue online (case in point – Donna!) I love going into bookstores or see someone reading a book from an author I know from online – it makes me want to yell out, I know her!

Okay, sometimes I do say it. I try not to yell, but hey, I’m a total fangirl, even with those authors I know. It’s just so cool to spot books by friends, to have them on my shelves (and say, I know her, I know her, I know her too) when non-writing friends go through my shelves looking for something to read.

I’ve noticed that readers who’ve met online form the same kind of friendships. You know, sometimes the anonymity of the internet can make people mean – say things they’d never, ever say to a person face to face – but I’ve seen it bring out the best in people as well, especially the online romance community. We may not always agree, but when it’s time to band together for something, man, we can’t be beat.

What about you – have you formed friendships online with readers / writers that you think are as true as real life friendships? Let me know with a comment for a chance to win any book from my backlist (including the first two Navy SEAL trilogy books and the blazes) in honor of today’s release of Book 3 in the trilogy, Hold On Tight.