Author: Author Missy Jane

The voices in my head make me write their stories.

Obligatory New Year’s Post

Happy New Year! I hope everyone’s New Year’s Eve celebrations were fun and safe. Mine ended just after midnight. Then I came home and stayed up until 4am finishing a book. Reading not writing, but that’s on the agenda for this weekend. I have edits to start my 2014 off right.

Every year, like many authors, I write a resolution post. I’m not doing that this year since I pretty much never keep to them, like most people. Instead, I just want to wish everyone a wonderful 2014. I hope many positive things brighten your year, so this time next year you can wake up with a smile on your face.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Humpday! Whatever you may be celebrating today, I hope it is joyful and fun. I hope you’re with someone you love, or at least like a whole lot, and I wish you peace and goodwill.

My Christmas morning began at 5:01 am (the girls said let me sleep in an extra minute) and ended about 7:30 am for a quick nap. I’m awake again now and will be crawling back into the editing cave for a bit. If I don’t check in again before next week, then I wish everyone a Happy New Year’s too!

Final NaNoWriMo update of 2013

Today is December 1st, which means NaNoWriMo has officially ended. Final word count: 35,016. So, no I didn’t win again this year. But here is why I’m okay with that.

It’s all about choices. I realized about a week ago that I still had a chance at winning NaNo if I really buckled down and got to writing. But what did that mean exactly? It meant doing almost nothing over my Thanksgiving Holiday break from work but writing. I’m a married mother of four. There’s no such thing as doing nothing but writing in my life except in small hard-earned sprints. Sure, I could’ve been a real bitch and made it happen. I could’ve told my husband he had to make Thanksgiving dinner, and told my daughters there would be no shopping done until next weekend. There were plenty of opportunities for me to shove everyone who is important to me away and lock the door to my room so I could make the 50,000 word count by 11:59 pm last night. But no. That’s not who I am.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I wholeheartedly respect every single writer who made it. I could’ve been a lot better earlier in the month and not needed the crunch at the end. But honestly, that’s just not how I write. I write when the mood strikes me at the same time I have a free moment. Yeah, that miracle combination doesn’t always happen. So, I’ll try again next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. Who knows. One year it could happen. For now I’ll take my 35, 016 word manuscript and keep adding to it until I’m satisfied it’s a finished product. I’ll also have fond memories of Thanksgiving week from Black Friday Shopping, Christmas tree hunting, cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and overall spending time with my family. 

NaNo Week Three Update

As of the writing of this post I’m waaaaayy behind on my NaNoWriMo word count. However, I do have today off of work, so I’m hoping to catch up a bit.

NaNo always happens at the worst time of year. With the Thanksgiving holiday comes a lot of responsibilities for me as a mom to four students. There are band events, school plays, book fairs, meetings, fall festivals, and so much more. I’ve had a lot of running around to do. Still, If I were to be completely honest with myself, I’d admit my word count would be higher if Facebook didn’t exist. Of course, then I’d just find a different site to play around on.

Anyway, my current word count as of the end of today should be 36,673. I’m sitting at 14,670. Yeah. Over 22,000 words need to be written in the next twelve hours. My best is usually 2,000 per hour if I really go at it hard. So, the 22k isn’t happening today. But I am hoping to hit 40,007 by the end of Sunday. That’s about 8,445 words per day over the next three days. It could happen.

Want a little taste of what I’m working on? Here ya go:
(unedited excerpt from Crossing Death)

None of the men so much as blinked until another man walked up behind them. He wore black cargo pants and a black t-shirt that looked ready to pop from his bulging muscles. The blond hair on his head was cut military short. He came to an abrupt halt behind the armed men and used two fingers to give Rex a quick salute. ‘T-Rex. I see you got your package here safe and sound.”


“You doubted me, Mad Max?” Rex asked with obvious amusement.


Max didn’t even crack a smile. “Never, brother. Never.”


With that he spun on his heel and the other men lowered their weapons. Rex chuckled and motioned for Jana to follow Max. Doubts assailed her as to whether that was a good idea, but it did beat the alternative. She was safely tucked away underground behind a brick wall, chain-link fence, and amongst heavily armed men. Yeah, she’d go where Rex told her to go.


Max led them into what looked like the control room. Television screens lined one wall and appeared to show the entire perimeter of the prison. One view was from a guard tower. It was high enough to make her dizzy so she quickly looked away. Fluorescent bulbs that had long ago been outlawed in WH lit the room with a yellow tint. Max settled into a chair at a long, rectangular table. Rex sat in one of the other nine chairs and she sat beside him.


“So,” Max began. “What brings you to my neck of the woods, T-Rex? You only stop on your way to the big D if you run into trouble.” He blatantly eyed Jana up and down. “Have you?”


He was a good looking guy but something about him gave her the creeps. She fought the urge to move her chair closer to Rex. He cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, throwing his arm over the back of hers. “In a way. Jana was ejected from WH but we don’t know why. I was hoping you could help us figure it out.”


She fought the urge to look at him, though she wondered about his lie. They knew exactly why she’d been ejected, even if he swore it wasn’t the truth.


Max rubbed his chin and looked her over again. “Payment?”


“The usual.”


He shook his head. “I don’t need ammunition right now, my friend. In fact, I’m craving something…a little more delicate.”


Rex’s hand settled on her shoulder and he pulled her close to his side. She didn’t fight him. He shook his head. “I don’t think so. You know I don’t like to share.”


Max tensed and beneath the table Jana barely made out Rex slipping a pistol from his waistband. He settled it in his lap. She still gripped his knife in her hand and prayed she wouldn’t need to use it. Finally Max smiled and his shoulders dropped the slightest bit.

 “Yeah, you bastard, I remember.”

NaNo Week Two Update

Today marks week two of NaNoWriMo. My word count should be sitting somwhere around 25,004 by the end of the day. I’m too embarrassed to admit exactly what it is, but will say it’s only a fraction of that count. Life, as usual, has gotten in the way of my writing. I’ll admit I could be doing better with my time management skills. Hopefully the second half of the month will run more smoothly. We shall see.

And you? Are you writing like crazy this month too? If so, I wish you the best of luck with your word count.

Readers n’Ritas 2013

I’m not exactly an avid convention or conference attendee. To be honest, leaving home for more than twenty-four hours takes months of planning and logistical skills any engineer would be proud of. So, when something close to home pops up for a weekend and the hubby is okay with letting me loose, I run as fast as I can to get there.

This event is a small, intimate reader’s convention with a cap of about 200 people. That means all weekend readers get to rub elbows with authors and spend some one-on-one time with many of them at different events. 
This year one of my all-time favorite authors attended, Sherrilyn Kenyon. I’ve met her before but she is always awesome. I simply couldn’t resist going to see her.

Sherrilyn wasn’t the only draw. I’ve also gotten to know some wonderful readers the past two times I attended and was very happy to see them again. Of course, the costume contest, pajama party, and bachelor auction were definite incentives as well.

  
Those were just a few things keeping me busy this past weekend. I met a lot of new, friendly faces and generally had a blast. I’m hoping to attend next year as well since by then I’ll have three new releases. 

 

After all, where else can you find Ms. Frizzle doing the cupid shuffle? Or books by three of the most marvelous authors made out of cake?

 


Then there were all the great costumes at the masquerade ball. I didn’t dress up this year. I wouldn’t have been able to compare to the ones who did.
  
 








  

It’s NaNo Time Again!

What time is it? It’s NaNoWriMo time!!

What the hell am I talking about? Well, November is officially National Novel Writing Month. So, every year lots of crazies like me spend the entire month attempting to write a 50,000 word novel. There’s a lot of inspiration, caffeine, frustrated tears, and social media hysterics along the way, but many of us accomplish the feat. Last year I missed it by two days. This is my year. I can feel it!

Will you attempt NaNo this year? Don’t worry, anyone can do it. You don’t have to be published or even think of yourself as a writer. Just commit to a certain word count every single day. Mine is 2,000 but to hit the goal you really only need to do 1,667 (aprox.). Every day you can add your word count to the tracker on the website and it will show how far you are from the goal. You can even add buddies to see how they’re doing on their goals. Nothing like healthy competition to get the creative juices flowing. I’ve already written at least one novel during NaNo that eventually got published. There’s no reason you can’t too.


One thing to remember is November is just for WRITING. The editing happens in December, or whenever you can stand to look at your manuscript again. It’s okay if it sits in a file for a couple of months. Just GET IT WRITTEN in November and you’ve won NaNo! I’ll be posting updates to Twitter at least weekly, but hopefully more often than that. With my new work schedule this year’s going to be a little tricky, but I’m determined. So, will you join me? There’s really no good reason not to. Good luck!!

Here I Am!

My wonderful, faithful readers, I owe you an apolgy for being MIA the past few months. I’ve played a little on FB and Twitter, but not nearly the norm of the past couple of years. 


I’ve changed jobs twice since July and rearranging my schedule has been a bit hectic. My daughters and I just (this morning) finished the JDRF Walk for a Cure, which has taken up a lot of my time as well. To those of you who donated to our team, THANK YOU! We sincerely appreciate it. I’ll probably start planning for next year’s walk in late spring so keep it in mind if you’d like to join us.

Next up: NaNo! November 1st marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month. Me, along with thousands of other masochists, attempt to write a 50,000 word novel within thirty days. It’s funny, exhausting, eye-opening, and frustrating all at the same time. You should join in!

Along with NaNo, November marks my return to Allen, TX for Readers n’Ritas. This year one of my all-time favorite authors will be there, Sherrilyn Kenyon! I’ve had the honor of meeting her twice before but still look forward to seeing her again.

So, as you can see there’s never a dull moment in my house. NaNo will also be my return to a regular writing schedule. After all, who needs sleep, right?

Spotlight on In Too Deep

From the author of Enslaved, Just Ink Press brings you R.C. Murphy’s vampires in her latest book, In Too Deep, the second in her vampire trilogy. Watch out for those Council Elders! They’re a pretty nasty bunch.

NOTE: In Too Deep is paranormal horror with a touch of romance and graphic details when it comes to the horror aspect.



Blurb:
Meghan Sterling—CIA agent.
For six months, she’s been living in Central California under the name Clara Osbourne—and not by choice. The Cold War is over; however, she’s still tasked with infiltrating a potential cell of Russian sympathizers, possibly ex-KGB operatives. The CIA has heard they’ve found a way to render the vast agricultural hub of Fresno, California useless, tainting the produce as well as beef, milk, and poultry produced in the county.


The problem is, the CIA has Meghan following the wrong group. She doesn’t realize their mistake until she’s already in too deep and working with Jarlan and his partner, Rich, in what she thinks is a security company guarding Emerald Produce. She’d never have guessed they were vampires. Until Jarlan forgets she’s off the lunch menu and attacks.


Meghan helps Jarlan control his bloodlust, but she can’t ignore her duty to her country. Someone in California wants to wreak havoc on the economy and food supply. If it isn’t the vampires, then who is it?


EXCERPT:
February 1992

Fog in California’s Central Valley was a creature not to be trifled with. It swallowed up buildings, cars, and people without a second thought. The fog took more lives than automatic weapons. A trickster on par with Loki, it manipulated distances, making people believe they had plenty of time to slow down, when in actuality they were seconds from becoming intimate with the rear bumper of a semi truck. Surviving the fog was the most difficult part of life in the valley. Or so Meghan thought.
Meghan Sterling tugged the scarf around her neck tighter and tucked the ends into the too-big uniform jacket hanging off her shoulders. Cold crept in on the heels of the fog. The warehouse parking lot she patrolled was damp, freezing, and didn’t make her job any easier. Whose brilliant idea was it to become a security guard? She cursed and shoved her gloved hands in her pockets. It was time to make another pass around the back quarter of the property. Whoop-dee-doo. More weeds and fog. And being forced to deal with the two men stuck working the graveyard shift with her.
Walking with her chin tucked into her scarf, Meghan made her way to the rear of the massive warehouse. Why farmers were so protective of a warehouse full of oranges, she had no clue. The money paid her expenses, but it wasn’t worth the frostbite and vampire-like work hours. She’d need a month-long vacation on the beach when the job was finished.
“Let’s grab a bite to eat,” a male voice said from around the corner of the warehouse.
Meghan stopped before she stepped into view, listening to her coworkers, despite the lack of movement, which made her colder. She had no desire to trade not-so-witty banter with them any time soon. They were okay on the eyes, actually possessed brains, but ran out of non-manly things to talk about after five seconds in her company. She couldn’t make herself pretend to be interested in the Superbowl.
“All you think about is your stomach, Jarlan. Give it a rest. We’re not done here. You can eat on the way home.”
“I’m tired of fast food. When’s the last time you sat down to a nice warm meal, Rich?”
“Too long to remember, but we agreed to this job. We can’t leave Clara to watch the place by herself.”
Jarlan laughed. “She’d piss herself watching shadows if she knew the truth.”
Meghan held her breath. Six months of lurking and waiting were about to pay off. She tucked in closer to the warehouse wall. The heel of her boot caught a pebble and ground it into the asphalt. The noise was deafening to her ears. This is why I’m not a ninja.
Cover blown, she plastered a smile on her face and stepped out to meet them near the back door, measuring her pace so it didn’t look like she’d been listening in. “Have the oranges turned into man-eating monsters yet?”
Rich shook his head and grinned. “No, not yet. All’s quiet here. What about the front, Clara?”
Meghan rolled her eyes, afraid for just a second they’d stick from the cold. “Not even a roach. What’s the point of babysitting produce at three in the morning?”
“Money.” Jarlan clapped Rich on the shoulder with one of his massive hands.
Could the guy be any bigger? He should be in the WWF, not in the middle of nowhere California. Then again, if he was who she thought he was, his size had a purpose. She needed to keep an eye on him.
“Money isn’t everything, friend.” Rich tucked a strand of his long brown hair into the knit cap pulled down over his ears. “We’re almost done for the night. Will you be okay by yourself until dawn?”
Nodding, Meghan waved them off. “Nothing ever happens out here. If something does, I’ll eat my boots.”
Jarlan’s hazel eyes fell to her feet. “Not much leather there. You’d have better luck getting a full meal out of a rat. They’re big enough out here, away from the city.”
Rats? Meghan had been trained to face a lot of things, but rats made her skin crawl with their naked tails and sharp teeth. Out in the sticks, they were the size of cats. She stole a look around the employee parking lot. Something skittered over the pavement near the eastern fence line. Her shoulders tensed. Please, don’t let it be a rat. She’d much rather face anyone stupid enough to cut the fence with three security guards standing in eyeshot.
A leaf tumbled into the jaundiced light puddled on the asphalt. Meghan shook her head and rolled her shoulders to shake off the tension.
The big man laughed. “Try not to bludgeon any foliage to death while we’re gone. If something posing an actual threat does come along, use the phone in the guard’s office. Stay out of the warehouse. Without the code, you’ll send an alert to the police and I’ll be stuck doing enough paperwork to level a forest. Take care, Clara.”
About the Author
R.C. Murphy spends her nights writing urban fantasy novels and a slew of short stories for her blog, The Path of a Struggling Writer. By day she is a not so mild-mannered housewife, wrangling vampires, demons, and various other nasty creatures. R.C. has joined forces with fellow writers, artists, and actors to form the Zombie Survival Crew where she reviews movies, TV shows, as well as penning articles on important survival skills.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Zombie Survival Crew | Just Ink Press
Email: RC.Murphy5150 (at) gmail (dot) com

New Anthology Release!

It’s release day! And for the first time I get to share it with three other authors. I’m in a new anthology out today from Just Ink Press called Into the Darkness. This is something kind of different from my other work, a short story that is more paranormal than anything else. There isn’t exactly a romantic thread and definitely no hot sex in this one, but I hope y’all like it anyway. 😉

Here’s the blurb:

Ignorance is Bliss by Missy Jane

Discovering your boyfriend has been unfaithful is never easy, but for Natalie it’s a complete shocker. As if his confession of infidelity isn’t bad enough, suddenly everyone she meets is telling her their deep, dark secrets. She soon realizes the trinket she bought at the flea market is more than a harmless lump of metal. Now she has to decide if always knowing the truth is worth the heartache or if ignorance is truly bliss.
There are also three other stories by three fabulous authors: Shannon Mayer, R.C. Murphy, and N. L. Gervasio.
So, what are you waiting for? Go forth and get your copy here!