I have had good news today that I am not allowed to share for another 2 weeks, but I will as soon as I can. In the meantime, I’m over the moon. Whoohoo!

Who’s participating in Nano this year? Bueller? I am, under Diana Pharaoh Francis, if you’re interested in commiserating. I’m also going to do my best to post wordcounts up on the blog pretty regularly. By way of motivation to keep writing. Since I’ve been in a bit of a funk.

A breeze ruffled the trees overhead and Max swiveled her head, sniffing the air. Uncanny magic pooled thick in the canyon. It was an odd combination of bitter and sweet—like a mouthful of salt and cigar butts all drenched in honey. The Divine magic was wafted through in thin curls. It was both caustic and sweetly pungent, like lye and pachouli. Mixed in were human smells—sweat, blood and flesh. A rank wet smell coated the back of Max’s throat. It reminded her of black mold and carrion.

The winner of the title contest is Livejournal’s Roseaponi with Blood Winter. So that is now the title of book four of the Horngate books, unless my editor puts a kaibosh on it. But right now, i think it fits very nicely. Whoohoo! Thank you for all the suggestions! Roseaponi, send me your mailing info and I’ll send you a title flat. I’ve got more to give away, so shortly I will figure out another contest to let you have at them!

Here are my top choices for titles, including some that I came up with. I’m curious about what you think of them. I’m leaning toward one. Also, there was one I can’t use because it’s too much like Shadow City.

Iron Rain
Shattered Wings
Iron Ice
Blood Winter
Winter’s Bite
Winter’s Blade

I have a huge and excellent list of titles to choose from, so I am narrowing it down. I’ll give you updates soon!

I’m still title-less for Horngate 4. But here’s a kind of overview of it if you have a suggestion. Here’s the thing, I want it somewhat in keeping with the first three books: Bitter Night, Crimson Wind, Shadow City. And if I use your title, I will send you a cover flat of Shadow City and I’ll put your name in the Acknowledgments of unnamed book 4.

here’s the blurb:

Shadowblade warrior Max’s niece is missing and it looks like she’s been kidnapped by a witch-hating cult. What should be an easy rescue turns into a deadly battle when Max finds out that the cult’s leader is far more dangerous than he first seems. He claims to be the Hand of God and his power is very convincing. A fanatic, he vows to burn all witches at the stake, starting with Horngate.

Even as the cult stirs up hatred against the covenstead, winter descends, bringing hunger and desperation. Townspeople are twisted up in a knot of ancient fear of witches, the fight for survival and a promise of God’s help. Can one crippled covenstead survive a human army led by an insane Preacher with superpowers?

Without aid from former allies, Horngate teeters on the edge of annhilation. Max’s only chance to save Horngate is to die. But she’s never been good at dying . . .

Lessee. The contest for this ends when I get a title I like? Or by Friday October 14th at noon. How’s that? And there may be runners up (more cover flats!)

Reply here to enter and enter as many times as you like!

I’ve a post today up on Magical Words on Finding your Character Voices. Have a read!

In writing The Turning Tide, I had a terrible time becoming acquainted with the main characters. In an effort to know them, I did an interview with them. It’s terribly fun and so I thought I’d share. I particularly love Shaye’s interview. He was not easy.

Click here for the full interview

It’s Friday night and I’m back in the hotel. Why? Cause I was up late last night and I’m really really tired. There’s been a ton going on and I’ve been seeing a lot of people I know and I’ve met a bunch I don’t know. It’s been great.

So let’s see. On Tuesday, we got into town after some geocaching and driving. We got checked in and met Sharon Lee and Steve Miller for dinner. My first time meeting them in person. We ate at this buffet that was ginormous. I mean, the desert section alone was about forty feet long. There was a salad section, a mexican section, a chinese section, a southern section, and an all around American food section. Can we say overeat?

Now mind you, we ate there after having to pick our way through the maze of the casino. It’s a cave and confusing and smokey. Blecho. But we found our way and I need to go take a picture of the cigarette machines. I haven’t seen one of those since I can’t remember when.

Weds. we went to the Egyptian exhibit at the Museum, and also ran some errands. Then we swam a bunch and the kids made a bubble bath in our giant jacuzzi bathtub. Bubbles went everywhere. We also had Taco Bell for dinner, where there was a billboard still up from the May 14th Rapture plan. And it said the Bible Guaranteed it would happen. I need a picture of that.

Thursday I did the writers workshop. It was really a lot of fun and I hope I was helpful. Then it was off to find my way around the con, which is a total maze. I ran around through the dealers room and art room and talked to a bunch of people, found something I really want to have–a corsair corset coat with bell sleeves that fold back and long tails. Love it. Met my agent for dinner and talked about a bunch of stuff and then it was party time. Went to the Westercon party and saw some Miscon/Spocon folks, then we went to the Tor party. We helped set up and then the room flooded with people. It was wall to wall hot bodies. I lasted about an hour and a half and then I was done.

Carol Berg, Kalandra, Sue Bolich and I then found a quiet spot to people watch and yak for awhile. Got to bed around 1. Man I’m not as young as I used to be. Plus all the smoke is giving me a headache. Can’t seem to get over it.

Today I went to a panel with Patty Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, and Gail Carriger, and then went to sit at the SFWA table. I met Joan Sloanzewski and Rachel Swirsky, and also David Brin, John Scalzi and Brenda Clough. It was so fun to be able to have people just walk by the booth and I got to meet them. It was so fun.

Then from there it was off to a meeting with my agent, Carol Berg and Susan Krinard, wherein which I had a Harry Mudd, a drink designed especially for the con, which was AMAZING. I wanted two, but as it was, it was a strong drink and nearly put me under the table.

From there it was dinner, then people watching at the masquerade, and then back here to talk to you.

What’s so nice is that I get a chance to connect to writers and talk about the craft and the books. It’s my tribe.