Author Archives: Moira Callahan

Productive Monday

I know, that seems to be a little contradictory for me to put in as a subject. In this case though, it’s true. The fact I had today off was likely the only reason it was as productive as it was.

AngelI received the first round of edit’s last evening from my publisher so I was working on those today. Happily I can announce that I even got through them all, and returned them to prep from round two. I have to shout out to my editor, Laurie Temple, again. The woman is awesome! Hell, the woman should be up for Sainthood for dealing with some of the weirdness I’ve cooked up. The fact that I have the same editor through the entire series is a huge plus. She’s read the previous books (obviously), dissected them, and helped me to bring the best I could to the readers. She knows these books pretty much as well as I do, which in the editing process is a big thing. She knows when to point out a good spot to mention some important point of a previous book, especially when I’ve mentioned a character from one of them.

That and she beats back my comma addiction to a reasonable number – though I did notice that the second half had fewer corrections than the first. A first for me, but I was writing book 3 when we were editing book one, so obviously some of what she’d told me at that time of editing book 1 sank in a bit, and carried into book 3. Not a lot – obviously, but some. So that’s a plus, maybe I’m actually starting to learn this stuff! LOL!

It’s actually a good thing, seeing some progress where she’s not having to smack my knuckles so much now. Hopefully I can keep up with that. I know the other thing I’m dedicatedly trying to work on is over using dialogue tags. ie: he said. she said. he told her. she whispered. That stuff. It’s a little harder to do during the writing process, so I don’t really worry about it. But before I submit I’m in there inspecting each and every single dialogue tag and making the hard call on whether it’s actually needed or not. Something else I noticed she didn’t need to do so much hacking on during the second half of book 3. Though I can honestly say I wasn’t actively watching for that so much until book 4. I might have naturally let up though, but I honestly don’t remember one way or the other.

I suppose it doesn’t matter. It appears on some level that I’m starting to “get” where she’s coming from on some of her points of note in the edits I get from her. Either way, it seems to be working. The fact she’s a perfect angel to work with is also a plus. I was truly nervous during the first book I did, my standalone, since I’d heard both good stories, and some horror stories about editors. Having several friends that are authors prior to this likely wasn’t a good thing for my poor nerves.

And now that I’ve rambled myself around…to where, I’m not entirely sure. LOL! Which would be my cue to go, and do up some dinner. Chicken’s been marinating all day, so that should be spectacular. Hope you all have a lovely evening, and a fantastic week ~ Moira

Sunny Saturday

Well, it’s nice to know that the weatherman can even be wrong about bad weather occasionally too, lol! We’ve been getting plenty of sunshine today. A lovely bright blue sky, with a few very non-threatening fluffy white clouds floating along, all around a perfect day to be out and about. In my case though, it was the perfect backdrop for writing my face off.

Last-Days-of-Summer

C&M Security book 5 has been trundling along nicely. The characters, and I have been getting this puppy going. I’m only a few thousand words in, but it’s been pretty smooth overall. Had to rein them in a couple of times here and there. They were trying to get a little too far ahead of things for my piece of mind. After all, you need to set the scene, build the tension and the mystery into the story before you show all the cards in your hand. Okay, yes I’m mixing metaphors. Shush! LOL!

Basically I’m trying to say that today was a damn good day for writing. Over 4k words added, with more bubbling in my head. I may get down some more tonight, not sure yet, depends on how it all coalesces in the old brain. May need to step back for a few, and see what comes of everything that’s rumbling around. To that end, I’m off to make dinner, and maybe make a bevvie as well. To that end, I’m out of here.

EvernightSale

Before I go though, a heads up that Evernight Publishing is having a huge Labor Day Weekend sale on the website this weekend. It goes until Monday, and all titles are 25% off. As well, All Romance is also having a huge sale on specially selected titles – including all three of my titles that are currently out, and many of the other Evernight authors. So go and take a look, maybe you’ll find something to read this weekend.

Hope you all have a wonderful night. ~ Moira

It’s Friday!

SmileySo happy the weekend is here. Ahhhh! It’s been a long, strange, hectic, annoying sort of week at the evil day job. But now I have a whole three days where I can solely focus on writing. Yup, three days. All the household chores have been completed, and except for the occasional venture out into the real world for resupplying whatever I might need to keep me going, I have no other plans.

I am not, nor have I ever been a camper. Even if I were I would not go over a long weekend, they are predestined to end badly – Mother Nature has your number campers. My version of camping is a two star hotel, in the boonies, without a coffee maker in the room to get me going in the mornings. I despise bugs, disdain dirt, and dread sleeping on the ground. Which, with my bad back, is just a recipe for ending up at my chiropractors for weeks on end undoing two nights out “roughing it”. Thank you, but no thank you. Those who enjoy camping, may you have open roads before you, no screaming children next to you, and may your beer remain cold.

I shall stay at home, with my running hot water, my very pricey and plush bed, and all the other wondrous comforts of home. It’s also where the Wifi, and electricity is, which is a hell of a lot more conducive to ensuring I get writing done. Ha! Look at that, a nice little circle back around.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, no matter how long or short it might be. I have characters to manipulate into some sort of a cohesive state. ~ Moira

OH! PS – Before I completely forget, two more things….

1) I am putting out a newsletter whenever I have news to share, or have a book being released – sorry no set scheduling yet. To join up just click on the link at the top of the menu to your left.

2) Evernight Publishing is having a huge Labor Day weekend sale Saturday through Monday. A link with more details will be forthcoming on my Facebook page should you be interested. Just click here tomorrow mid-day for all the deets.

A very happy Hump Day!

Such a great day in a number of ways. Firstly it’s Wednesday, Hump Day and halfway to the weekend on the downhill slide. So that’s a huge plus! But to top it all off, I can officially say that C&M Security book 4 – Dangerous Circumstances – has been accepted by Evernight Publishing for a November release. The contract has been signed, the cover art form filled out, and sent in – so it’s as official as it gets. Yay!

Accepted2

 

In other news book 5 of the series is happily chattering away in my head, so I’m working on that. It’s going to be a bit more of a challenge for me since I’m telling most of the ending, right at the beginning. I just hope my characters know what the hell they are talking about because this could go horribly wrong real fast. Thank gawd I have my little sheet of important details readily at hand otherwise this could really be a mess, and a half.

The only thing the little buggers (aka: the characters) have yet to reveal, is how this one ends. They are keeping even me in suspense, though I get the sense they might not be too sure how this is all going to end. Hopefully we all figure it out by the time I get there, LOL!

And because I was a little distracted earlier, I figure I’ll share my distractions with you. Have a fantastic night! ~ Moira

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Another one off to the Publisher

Yup, you read that right, I’ve sent off another book to Evernight for consideration for publication. This would be book 4 of the C&M Security series. Amidst some not so minor heart palpitations, and mild hyperventilating I managed to hit the “send” button on the email. And away it went. Good gawd it doesn’t get any easier.

 

Success!

But, it’s off and in their hands now. Which means it’s all a waiting game of thumb twiddling, and inbox stalking. Not that I do that, the thumb twiddling I mean. Too much to try and get out of my head, and into a document after all. As soon as one is done, it’s onto the next in line. In this case it’s book 5 which will start out practically at the end of the story before I very drastically rewind to give the readers all of the details as to how the characters ended up there. It’s a different structure from the other books, but I like that about this series. Mixing up how I go about revealing the bad guy, how I tell the story the characters have to share, and how I end up getting everyone out of whatever mess they have found themselves in.

Though I will admit it occasionally makes my head ache. I’ve found myself in the proverbial corner a couple of times in the four books so far, and had to backtrack to figure out how to get out of said corner, or had to do a bit of rewriting to ensure it all worked out as planned. Not that I really “plan”. I mean, I have an idea of what I’m going to write, have a clue where the story is going, and even know who the bad guy is. But the characters are the ones that really drive the story. They tell me if I need to go left, or right, and what’s coming next. They are also the ones that usually get me stuck in that damned proverbial corner then abandon me to go off and do whatever it is that characters do while their author is pulling out her hair.

I think that’s it, I’m off now to get working on book 5. I can already hear the incessant chatter of that set of characters. Until next time ~ Moira

Need more coffee…

Ugh!

Yup, that pretty much covers my feelings on this day so far. If it’s not one thing it’s another. I swear, my brain is like a narcoleptic hamster on an acid trip that’s stuck clinging to his wheel as it spins madly out of control. Think on that one a while, it’s not a pretty vision. What this all boils down to is a lack of any form of concentration on my WIP. Not a good thing. Need to get this puppy put to bed so I can get rolling on the next one that is already harping on the brain. Thankfully with that deranged hamster in control it’s a pretty low drone of harping, way-way in the distance of my head. For the moment.

It’s when it finally manages to get past the off-his-rocker hamster that I need to truly concern myself with. Don’t need that kind of pressure riding me, from myself no less, to finish my book. Nope, totally not required, needed, nor wanted. With that in mind I intend to caffeinate myself a little more and get to work.

As long as I’m not vibrating too hard of course. It is incredibly difficult to type when your body is vibrating out of control. Though I do find it leads to some funny out takes of what a scene could be with one misplaced word. One word – all it takes to change a scene if it’s the “right” word in a key moment of the scene.

But that’s an entirely different story for maybe another day. Maybe. Right now I’m off to refill the mug, focus with laser guided accuracy on my WIP and get to work! At least that’s the plan. Though I know better than to plan too much, too far along the way. I always end up derailing myself with something… OH! SHINY! As I was saying, best not to get too far ahead. Coffee, writing, all other things of distraction are on the back burner.

Okay… I’m going in. Have a great Sunday folks! ~ Moira

Release Day!

dangerous-secretsHappy day, oh happy day! Book 2 from the C&M Security series is finally here. It’s up on several sites (links below) with the rest coming as soon as the other sites get things all sorted out. You know, the I’s dotted, and the T’s crossed. This was a fun book to write, though I did give my wonderful editor -Ms. Laurie Temple- a serious editing workout. She got through it, so too did I and I think we managed to create a damn fine book. Me thinking up all the crazy, and her reining me back in with hits of reality.

I really need to write a Paranormal book soon I think. Maybe once I get the rest of the C&M series out of the way. Still working on book 4 and then I have at least 2 more planned after that. Book 5 could be the end of the series, and then I’m doing a prequel story with Robyn and her man to show how they met, give even more background on the C&M group as well as how the business all got started. But that’s down the road.

For now it’s celebration day as book 2 releases with big smiles from me. The sun is out (sorta), the weather is humid and mostly dry (except for a two minute “rain shower”) and my book looks so pretty! Another wonderful cover by Sour Cherry Designs, she’s keeping the theme real well. Hot men, lovely ladies, and sexual energy pouring off the cover. Seriously though, she seems to know just what my books needed to give them that extra je ne sais quoi. C’est spectaculaire!

Anyway, I’m off to plug my book a little bit on some of the social media sites. Be good my dearies. Oh, and before I totally forget, I am doing up a newsletter so if you’d like to be kept up to date on all the latest and greatest coming from me, please sign up. The link is also below or you can find it on my side bar, aptly titled – *NEWSLETTER SIGNUP*. Note: The link will take you off my site to the sign up form. ~ Moira

Where you can buy Dangerous Secrets, C&M Security book 2 as of today:

Evernight:  http://www.evernightpublishing.com/dangerous-secrets-by-moira-callahan/

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MO29VY8

Amazon CA:  http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MO29VY8

BookStrand:  http://www.bookstrand.com/dangerous-secrets-mf

All Romance:  https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangeroussecrets-1594475-149.html

Want to get a newsletter with news, exclusive excerpts and even looks into my works in progress? You can sign up by going here:  Newsletter Signup

Here comes book two…

dangerous-secretsHappy Sunday everyone! I hope everyone is have a fabulous day. I know I am despite the very early hour I got up today, despite how late I hit my pillow last night – really it was earlier this morning. But up I did get, I was even very productive given how foggy minded I was. Did up a loaf of bread while I did a bit of cleaning, am now on a second pot of coffee and still need to get some shopping done as well as helping out a friend with a wee bit of a task. Bonus of staying up late last night, I got the bits and pieces for a little video promo.

Which, speaking of, is for book two of the C&M Security series. Dangerous Secrets will be out on August 13 – this coming Wednesday. For a look at what the book is about you can head over to the Dangerous Secrets page for a peek. There is also a video over there too from a fellow author, April Zyon who is also a part of the Evernight Family. I will post up the links as soon as I have them, Evernight will be first – of course – and likely Tuesday evening since they can get it posted quickly. Then with the others to follow as soon as I get them.

Now for a little something you might not know. I have a group set up on Facebook that are strictly for the readers of my works, or friends of readers, or just fans. If you, or anyone you know, is interested you should come on over. The group is called Moira’s Maidens since that’s what was the most liked option. There are exclusive sneak peeks, teasers and excerpts not found anywhere else, even on my personal or fan page. Right now there’s the entire first chapter of Dangerous Secrets up for anyone who’d like to join up. We even occasionally have cookies.

That’s it everyone. I have to get my butt in gear and get moving. Have a lovely day ~ Moira

Twists and turns

tumblr_mvjt2oIiZB1r87au9o1_500Hey, it’s Thursday! Which means tomorrow is Friday – thank you, oh thank you! Holy crap has this been a week. It may have been short, but I seriously don’t think it could have been any more mucked up. I am of course referring to my evil “day job”. Really need to win a lotto or find out one of those spam emails about my wealthy relative leaving me everything is real. Sadly, no wealthy relatives that I know of. Some reasonably well off ones, but none like I’d need to ensure I could write full time. *Sighs*

Oh well, onto much happier news. Been working on book four if C&M Security, and I have to say, it’s coming along nicely. I’ve gotten my characters to finally, FINALLY, admit to one another how they actually feel for one another. Little shits have kept dancing around it. While I’m sure it will read great, it’s been a bit of a guessing game for me as the author. I had to wait until the absolute perfect moment so there was a little more build up, and a bit heavier on the tension between them.

Got over that hurdle though so now it’s relatively smooth sailing to the ending. Which I mostly have figured out, though I may need to tweak it a bit here and there as I go. This of course all completely depends on my characters behaving and toeing the line. Yeah, I don’t really see that happening either. They damn well have their own minds about how this book is being written. I’ve had to work myself around a couple of their “additions” already. Good gods who knows what the hell is coming next.

So with that said, I’m off to face my characters and see what they’ve come up with to drive me batty tonight. Have a great one everybody, and remember – tomorrow’s FRIDAY! ~ Moira

Fabulous Friday

There are so many reasons why it’s so much more fabulous than any other Friday of late. First and foremost, it’s obviously Friday which brings the logical and foregone conclusion that a weekend follows promptly, which is true. The added bonuses were:

  • The boss let us go early – big YAY!
  • This led to me getting all my chores done before dinner time
  • It was take-out night, which meant no dishes and very little clean-up (I only do it twice a month so it’s a treat – the rest of the time I cook my meals for the coming week)

Now that I’ve got all that out of the way I get to fully enjoy my three day weekend. Yup, you read that right, we have a long weekend. Thank gawd! I needed one so badly. Plus the creative juices are chugging along so I fully intend to put them to use and get some more of C&M 4 done, if not fully complete the story. Still have a ways to go on it, but with three days I can dedicate most of my waking hours -not including coffee intake, meals, bathroom breaks and the occasional run out of the house to do other things- to getting it a hell of a lot closer to being completed.

Have a great weekend, long or not ~ Moira