It comees out in June!

The way I usually approach the revisions (once I’ve howled and stomped my feet that it isn’t perfect–not that I expected it to be, but I can dream, can’t I?) Anyhow, the way I usually approach things is to scribble notes all over the editorial letter so that I can remember what my thoughts are as I go through, and then I start at the beginning and just start rewriting from page one. I do this because I’m a linear writer and so I need to start at the beginning and push forward.

This time, I’m trying to be more organized about it. First, I printed the manuscript out in comment mode, which means that the page numbers match my editor’s page numbers, but the print is about 9 point and I have two inch margins on the sides and three inch margins at the bottom–lots of room for making notes.

The next step is to go through and put post it notes on the pages where my editor indicated problems. After that, I’ll go back through and mark the specific problems so that I’ll be able to notice them when I get there.

After that, I will go back and read the whole book and try not to take a lot of notes, unless something obvious jumps off the page. Then I’ll start at the beginning and reread the chapter, and then go through and make changes to it, then rinse and repeat.

Hopefully this means I’ll be able to approach the changes more carefully. We’ll see. Reports to follow . . .

Holy KRAP Batman! It doesn’t suck! I like it so far. Even the the necessary info-dumping background bits aren’t as heavy handed as I feared. Whoohoooo!!!!!

And some of you have asked, so explanation: This was going to be called The Traitor King. I thought it would focus more on one of two characters. But it took a left hand turn and that title just doesn’t fit. I think Cursed By Sylveth, which was the original title of The Turning Tide might work better, but not sure if that makes me happy. I will be trying to figure it out as I revise and then later when my betas read and tell me things.

I can go into more detail, but that might be spoilicious for The Turning Tide, so if you have questions, ask them, then I’ll answer them in a spoiler warning post. KK?

So this is where I stand on The Traitor King:

43132 / 120000 words. 36% done!

I’m not actually sure it’s going to be 120K. I actually have taken to shooting for 100K, since I inevitably go longer. And since I usually add a lot in revision.  If ‘m already at 120K and add a bunch, then I have to also cut a bunch. But since the revision process means that I probably already cut all the fat AND added in new stuff, it leaves me with a lean manuscript and little to cut. This is crazy-making. So the long and the short of it is that I’m actually further along than that looks. But most importantly, I’m on track to have a draft by my birthday, which will give me time to revise before the deadline.

On the subject of movie kisses: Six Days, Seven Nights: Blech. Doesn’t work. Charlotte Gray–nope, and all the more disappointing for an earlier, more emotional scene. The kiss was flat as paper.  REviewing movie kisses will be an ongoing fetish for me. So feel free to join in (TV kisses too). Who does good kisses?

And on the subject of the Criminal Minds season finale: WTF? Anybody want to comment on that?

My inlaws come and visit in a few days for just a few days. This means I’ll miss Miscon, which saddens me. I ordered a furminator. This apparently is an super special dog comb. I’m hoping it works as advertised. Also, what sort of an idiot delivers the new telephone book by dropping it over the fence onto the ground into a yard of two puppies? They weren’t hiding. So today I had a confetti party. It looks like the government is going to pass some controls on the credit card companies. I have to admit, I’m fairly happy with most of these controls. I do have to say–how the hell did the carry concealed weapons in state parks bit get added to a credit card bill? This folks, is one thing that’s wrong with lawmaking. You shouldn’t be able to tack on odd things to a bill. It should be considered separately.

Now for a bit of braggery and happy dancing.

First, Faith Hunter, (also Gwen Hunter), who writes the Rogue Mage novels, likes Bitter Night! She says:

“In Bitter Night, Diana Pharaoh Francis has created a dark, unique, and electrifying world in the Urban Fantasy Genre… Max is a Shadowblade warrior to die for!”

And Rob Thurman, who writes the Cal Leandros books, says:

“Maximum supernatural ass kicking, maximum attitude, maximum action. Who can deliver all that and more? Max to the max, that’s who!”

AND a couple of great reviews of The Black Ship:

First one from Errant Dreams Reviews and the second from a reader on Chapters.

Also, a review on The Turning Tide, which includes spoilers. And you should know Jess is a friend of mine, but I think if you want to talk about spoilery things, it could be a great place to have a discussion.

But about that the subject line . . . I have coverflats of The Turning Tide to give away. Dunno how many. They aren’t within reach. But at least six or seven. Here’s all you have to do to win.

Between now and say . . . . next Thursday, the 21st . . .  comment in this post. All you have to do is say something about something that happens in the book. Ask a question even. This may mean spoilers! So careful if you read the comments. Or  . . . You can tell me something about what you expect or hope to see in the next book, based on what you read in The Turning Tide.

I’ll draw for the winners (if there are enough answers) on the 21st. You can comment on the ljay or on the website (not both please).

Also, if you’ve read the book and want to post reviews on BN or Amazon or your blog or what have you, I’d be grateful.

And don’t forget. If you’re in the US and you want a printed map of Crosspointe, send me an email at dpf AT dianapfrancis DOT com  and put Map in the subject line and your snail mail in the body, and I will send you one. If you are not in the US, I can email you a pdf.

It opens with a blurb about what the book is about, but I’ll give you just a little bit more. First, this book introduces some new characters–Ryland, Shaye and Fairlie. We also get to see Keros (from The Cipher) a little–he gets a lot more face time in The Traitor King. You get to see a whole lot more majick and you get to learn a lot more about spawn. As usual, there’s mayhem and intrigue and bit of death and destruction for good measure.

I hope you enjoy the first two chapters, and feel free to spread the word that they are posted!

Now, show me your snippets . . .

YOu’ll note that what I know about this story is the character names. You’ll note I don’t know much else. Which isn’t true, really. I know a lot. I just don’t really know what will happen, nor the order it will happen in. I’m terrified.

But here is a snippet for those of you who want to know how this begins . . .

Margaret had no intention of dying today, though her pursuers had other ideas on the subject and just at the moment, the odds were in their favor.

She ran down a flight of steps, taking three at a time. Her skirts tangled her legs and she snarled silently as she lost her footing and twisted her ankle. She fell against the wall and pain spun around her leg in rings of fire. She bit down on her cry, drawing blood, and plunged onward, clutching her satchel tightly to her stomach. She could hear the voices of the Crown Shields too close behind her. Their armor clanked and their booted feet echoed.

At the bottom of the stairway she paused, trying to quiet her gasping pants. She peered around the corner. The long gallery was empty, but for a scattering of pedestals holding bronze and marble statuary, a line of cushioned benches along the left wall, and a series of doors hidden inside recessed archways marching along opposite. Margeret rubbed her knuckles over her tense lips as she glanced over her shoulder. Her mind raced.

She couldn’t afford to hide and wait for the Crown Shields to give up the chase. Not that they would. The mother-cracking lord chancellor would tear the castle down stone by stone before he quit looking for her. But she’d stupidly let them herd her into the sovereign wing and that left her precious few escape routes.

But she was out of time, but she wasn’t helpless. In an instant she settled on her plan. She fled purposefully, threading her way through the gallery as fast as she could manage on her throbbing ankle. Her back itched as she waited for the guards to thunder down the stairs and find her.

She reached the other side before they spilled into the gallery. The noise of their arrival echoed. There was a crashing sound as a marble statue shattered on the parquet floor. Margaret ducked into a narrow cleft artfully concealed behind a display of laquered Chaturakian armor. She went quickly to the door at the end and slid through, pulling it firmly closed behind her.

She paused in the shadowed corridor, listening. While the gallery outside had been deserted, the servant hallways were much more likely to be busy, no matter what time it was. She breathed a sight of relief. Chayos was smiling on her and no one was lurking. Licking her dry lips, Margaret turned right. Her plan was insanely risky, but worth it if it worked. Her jaw clenched. It had to work. Too many people would die—and worse—if she didn’t.

3036 / 120000 words. 3% done!

Not a lot on the word meter, but at least I’m underway.