Writing Process

The ever-fabulous Hart Johnson/Alyse Carlson tagged me in a blogging challenge that had to do with sharing our writing process, so what the heck? Here we go!

First off, I’ve always got ideas percolating in my head when it comes to stories. I’ve learned to wait until one story bullies all the others aside and demands to be told (don’t ask where the ideas come from, because I’m thinking aliens).

Then I sit down with my baby name book and find the most suitable names for the main characters. Seems like a weird thing to do, right? I know name choice doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s one of the biggies in my process. In The Earth Angels books, the descendants of the Nephilim all had names related to their angelic progenitors. Every time I used their name, I was anchored to the concept that these characters I was writing about had a huge burden to deal with—the burden of not being as human as they would like to be.

Then I start with a chapter-by-chapter outline. 

I usually do this by putting pen to paper, rather than crawling under my laptop. Again, I don’t know why, but for me there’s something just so personal, even intimate, about writing in longhand. And as I put all the thoughts in order, it’s like a movie unfolds in my head. If I have big, pivotal scenes that don’t have a bridge connecting them, I pick at it until one shows up. This detailed outline might take a day or a week, but by the end of it, I’ve got an entire book ready to go.

Then comes the actual writing.

The first draft, for me, is this:

I don’t sweat the details too much during the first draft. If I’ve got a problem, I highlight it in bright neon yellow and move on. If I need to plug something into the plot, I use Track Changes in MS Word to make a note of it. But beyond that, it’s nothing but writing. Three or four hours a day of word-making usually yields around 2k-3k, and that’s my goal on non-EDJ days. I stick to that schedule religiously, and that’s how I get things done.  And that’s the whole point, right?

I was supposed to contact fellow writers and ask what their process is, but I thought I had until the 28^th to do it (apparently I put the Pro in procrastinate, heh). So I didn’t get around to it (sorry,Hart/Alyse!), but since process was a Twitter convo I had with Jodie Griffin and Kinsey Holley about three weeks ago, I’m throwing that post in from Kinsey as well.

Do you have a writing process?

DANGEROUS ANGEL--The Reviews Are In! Plus Giveaway Continues

Wow, my week-long blog tour is almost over! Time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? ;) Next week I’m in Cape Cod for Adult Nationals, so I’m going to have to switch career hats and give my adult students all the attention they deserve (and I’ve yet to figure out how to put a blog post together from rink side, heh). But once I’m back, watch this space for more DANGEROUS ANGEL excerpts and giveaways. You can also sign up for my brand spankin’ new newsletter over there on the right of the screen. And yeah—I said spankin’. Heh. :D

For now, though, I’m delighted to share a few DANGEROUS ANGEL reviews—they’re looking great so far! *happy dance* I was soooooooooooo worried that no one would really “get” Kyle, thanks to his ADHD tendencies, but all that worrying I did was for nothing. *sigh* When am I going to learn that worry is a terrible waste of an imagination?

But I digress…

I loved this 4-star review from Kimberly at The Caffeinated Book Reviewer:
"Fans of paranormal romances, heat and kick-ass angels, will enjoy Dangerous Angel and the Earth Angel series. I would really like to see Gail write a full-length paranormal romance. I have enjoyed watching her grow and hone her skills throughout this series, and now I want to see her fly."

Here’s what Steph of Book-A-Holic Anon (one of my fave book blogs) wrote in her 4.5 star review of DANGEROUS ANGEL:

"I enjoyed the heart, humor and heat that winds thru this entire series but this installment had the best chemistry in the main pair.  Trust me there will be many times when you can’t help but laugh at Kyle’s antics and the banter between the pair.  They really are a fun read even with the harder moments."

From the always-amazing Jen of That’s What I’m Talking About in her 4-star review:

"One thing I adored most is that Kyle and Nikita share an intense and immediate chemistry. They have known each other for a few years, and their shared history comes helps foster a more powerful relationship. Right from the start, their play is highly sensual and attractive. What makes their dynamic so explosive is that Kyle and Nikita both are full of pent-up passion, yet both keep their emotions under tight control. When they are together, they each tempt that control, and together they are an explosion ready to detonate. So hot!"

I snort-laughed at this from Kelly at Reading the Paranormal’s 5-star review:

"I've enjoyed all the books in this series, but I think Kyle's devil-may-care attitude might be my favorite. I also think I said the last book was my favorite. Which just goes to show that Stacy Gail gives good angel. (Gawd, somebody tweet that and credit it to me so I can preen and buff my nails when it goes viral.)"

And I’m positively giddy over this 5-star review from Beth at Tome Tenders:

"Gail created a nail biting plot that tied in the previous characters we've gotten to know through out this series. What a conclusion! I was on pins and needles wondering how they where going to face this newest foe! The romance is rocky but Kyle is the BEST Hero - Alpha Male - EVER! He takes his love for Nikita to an entirely new level. Kyle is definitely swoon worthy!"

This 5-star review from Brooklynn at Celestial Reviews made me want to hug her:

“I have been a fan of this series from the start. Its just so kickass and paranormal. And, once again, I am sucked into a world so fascinating it was hard to put the book down. From the beginning, Dangerous Angel is action packed and at times funny. Im just so... overwhelmed that I cant even find the right words to write this review. Im just raving! As the fourth, and sadly final, book in the series, you would expect it to lag because everything is coming to an end. I think I can safely say that this book DOES NOT DO THAT!”

And Angela from Goodreads said in her 5-star review:

“I loved this book! I've been a fan since the beginning of this series, but this is definitely my favorite (so far). The fact Kyle and Nikita are bounty hunters that compete against each other to see who's the best puts a fun sexy twist on their relationship. Plus it helps that Kyle's beach bum persona is just a little bit yummy. Nikita being a strong take-no-shit woman just made Kyle work a little harder and made it worth it in the end. Looking forward to Menlo's book and maybe even more Nephilim we haven't met yet. Recommend this series to anyone looking for a different take on angels and demons.”

***

I’m so grateful each one of these reviewers took time out of their busy lives to read my story, and then went a step further by writing a review to post on their websites and elsewhere. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all that they do. Book bloggers everywhere are my rock stars. :)

Sound interesting? Read on if you’d like to learn more about DANGEROUS ANGEL:

Book four of the Earth Angels series

Miami's best bounty hunter, Nikita Tesoro will do anything to collar a fugitive, including stepping into a stripper's stilettos for the night. Outsmarting her rival Kyle Beaudecker is just a bonus. Despite the sexual tension sparking between them, Nikita keeps a professional distance from "Hurricane" Kyle. After all, she can't get hurt if she doesn't care.

A descendant of the archangel Barakiel with the power to harness electricity, Kyle should be focusing his energy on tracking down a demon that may be hiding in the human realm. But he's a lover, not a fighter, and he'd much rather use his special talents for pleasure: specifically Nikita's. And teaming up to find a bail jumper means spending lots of time together…

But when their case takes a turn for the demonic, Kyle can no longer hide his true nature from Nikita. He'll do whatever it takes to win her heart—even stop the apocalypse. But he can't do it alone.

80,000 words

Buy links for pre-ordering DANGEROUS ANGEL:

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes and Noble | Google Play | ARe | Kobo | Carina Press

Wow, you read all the way to this point? You should be rewarded with… a DANGEROUS ANGEL giveaway! ^_^

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