Today is a writing day. I knew it the second I woke up. I could just feel it, in the back of my mind, in my bones. My characters are ready for me to write the next chapter of their story. So, later today, when my daughter takes her afternoon nap (which tends to be her longer of the two she takes throughout the day), I'll put her down, give the monitor to my husband, lock myself in our bonus room with my laptop and write until she wakes up.
It's much more difficult these days to not only find time to write, but to actually WANT to write when I actually do. In fact, there are many more days that I don't do any writing than days that I do. The truth is, life is never easy, but I'm in a place where it's particularly trying right now. On top of being a mom to Zoey, my adorable almost 8-month old daughter (which takes up quite a bit of time on its own), I'm also very busy with my full-time job. Here lately, I've also experienced some difficulty in my personal life.
I won't lie. I got to a point (in the last week, as a matter of fact) when I almost made the decision to postpone Phoenix indefinitely. It broke my heart to even consider it, and I didn't want to make a decision like that lightly. I'm so in love with the Nightfire story, and I want so badly to be able to tell it...but I want to tell it right. I'd really started to doubt whether I was in the state of mind to be able to do that. I've spent a lot of time thinking and praying about what to do.
When I woke up this morning, I knew the answer. Writing is what I love. In a time when I feel so lost, drained and afraid, I NEED this. Writing fictional stories won't cure diseases or take away the stress I'm carrying around right now, but it will allow me the escape that I need in order to properly deal with those things.
In realizing this, I remembered something that one of my favorite college professors* wrote on my Facebook wall years ago. I've (obviously) never forgotten about it, though I doubt he has any clue how much of an impact his words made on me. I'd written a post about my job at the time. It said "This place is crushing my creativity."
Dramatic, I know, but I was young and still figuring myself out. Some people might not have thought twice about it, some may have rolled their eyes, some may have thought to themselves that there's no room for creativity in adult life (sadly, I do actually know people who believe this to be true). But my professor wrote something that granted me the perspective I needed to move forward, and every time I feel like giving up, I remember his response to that post.
"Crush back."
Two words. Two simple words issuing a charge I hadn't expected but needed so desperately.
Today, I'm issuing that charge to myself again, and if you're going through something similar, I challenge you to do the same. Even on days when it may feel like life is crushing us - for me, my ability to write, to create, to do what I honestly believe I was born to do - we have to keep going. We have to push ouselves.
We have to crush back.
*I must give credit where credit is due. Thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Timmons for the timeless advice that has helped me so much over the years!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
Forsaken is now available on Kindle!
The time has come! Forsaken: A Nightfire Novella is now available for purchase on Kindle! Click here to get it for yourself: http://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Nightfire-Novella-The-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00IP212GG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393591143&sr=8-1&keywords=forsaken%3A+A+nightfire+novella
As promised, the novella will also be released in paperback - it's almost ready, and will be available very shortly! Stay tuned for updates!
As promised, the novella will also be released in paperback - it's almost ready, and will be available very shortly! Stay tuned for updates!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
An Ode to Passion
It's a gray, bleak winter day, much like many of the days I've spent at home during my maternity leave. I'll be completely honest and admit that some days it's a little depressing; in the last two months, I've gone entire days without seeing the sun. Several days in a row, in fact. That's enough to put just about anyone in a funk. Luckily, I have a new baby to cuddle and love and see grow right before my eyes, which really does a pretty good job of combating the winter blues.
Here's the thing about babies, though - they sleep. A LOT. In fact, that's exactly what my 8-week old beautiful bundle of joy is peacefully doing as we speak. And, okay, I know that everyone always says "sleep when the baby sleeps," but I'll be quite honest with you (and don't hate me for it), my daughter has been good about sleeping at night pretty much from day one, so I really haven't needed to nap during the day. There have been some bad nights/days and I have felt some form of sleep deprivation, but for the most part I've had it pretty easy (so far). So, instead of sleeping when she sleeps (at least for now), I'm writing a blog. Because rather than sleep away this gloomy day, I'd much prefer to spend it doing the one thing I love more than almost anything in this world.
I know that I've previously blogged about why I wanted to self-publish, but today I'd really like to get even deeper than that; I'd like to tell you where my passion for writing comes from, why I continue to pursue it, where it began and how it's changed throughout the years. Maybe you don't care, and that's fine (I'm not forcing you to read!). But maybe you do. Maybe you're looking for some motivation to get back to doing something that you love in your own life, and maybe this could be it. I don't know. I just feel compelled to tell you about it, so that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Now, I could go on for hours about the writing "accomplishments" I've had over the years and the memories that go along with them, but I won't bore you with all of that. Though I'm not very good at keeping anything short, I'll do my best to do it now...
In 2nd grade, I entered a contest the newspaper was running where they printed three pictures and asked the contestants to write a story based on one of the pictures - whichever one of the three they chose (it was some sort of play on "a picture says a thousand words" or something). I chose to write about a picture of two boys playing basketball. I'll never forget the excitement I felt when my mom picked me up from school, newspaper in hand, showing me that I was one of the winners. They'd published the story I wrote about those two boys. In the newspaper(!). I couldn't believe it.
Fast forward a few years to 5th grade, when I wrote my first chapter book (Apache Dreams was the title). This may sound weird, but the one thing that I remember the most about it is how much fun I had writing it. I would literally come home from school every day and run to my room so I could sit in bed/against the wall/near the window and write more of the story. I still have the original draft of the book; it's completely handwritten, in sloppy, hurried cursive, on different colored sheets of paper because I just wrote on whatever I could find. That draft might very well be my most prized possession, and that story will always have a special place in my heart. It was when I finished Apache Dreams that I knew: one day, I wanted to be a published author.
In the years since then, I've probably started a thousand stories, sewn the beginning threads of hundreds of stories that still mill around in my head somewhere. The truth is, I probably won't finish the majority of them...to be honest, there are some stories that just aren't meant to be written. I may revisit one or two at some point. We'll see.
As I got older, I'll be the first to admit that there came a time when I lost track of what was important. I'm not talking about a job, or a car...not even a house, not even money. I'm talking about happiness.
They say that, as we get older, we lose the creativity that we had when we were children. I disagree. I don't think we ever "lose" it. We may misplace it, may push it to the back of our minds or cover it up with the piles of "stuff" in our lives, but I think it's always there. Just waiting to be rediscovered. Writing lets me hold on to the creativity in me, to that childhood ability to make believe. And there are times when I let the stresses of the every day get to me, but in the end I'm never as happy as I am when I'm writing a story that I love. That I hope the world will love, too.
I wouldn't be surprised to hear that, if you like to read (or watch movies, or play video games), you probably like to do so because they allow you to, for however brief a time, escape your every day routine, to take a little break from life in general. We all need that from time to time. Life is hard, even when it's easy. Personally, I've loved to read for as long as I can remember. I love getting to know the characters, love just getting lost in their stories. I guess it's no wonder that there came a day when I discovered that I didn't just want to read about characters that other people had drawn up...I wanted to create my own.
So, where reading or movies or music or video games (or any other hobby that you enjoy) may be an escape for some, writing is that for me. It takes me to a place that moves a little slower than the real world, a place where there are no rules or expectations, where I can erase pasts, create futures, stretch out moments that never seem to last long enough.
Nightfire, both the first book and now, as I'm continuing to write it, the entire series, has shaped me so much...not only as a writer, but as a person. For all of the stories I'd started and stopped, all of the characters I'd introduced but abandoned, this story was the one that I held onto, the one that brought me back to the person I was when I wrote Apache Dreams, to the girl that held a gift so powerful it could only have come from God.
There are always potential regrets surrounding the things we'd like to do in life. Don't let them consume you. It is NEVER too late to do what you love. The past year has given me everything I've ever wanted and more, and I will never, ever tire of hearing how much someone enjoyed a story I've penned.
It may have taken over 15 years, but I'm finally doing what I should have been doing all along. It's not always easy, but it's absolutely worth it. Trust me.
Your big dreams will always scare you, but don't give up; they'll also excite you, amaze you, and change your life in ways you never thought possible.
Here's the thing about babies, though - they sleep. A LOT. In fact, that's exactly what my 8-week old beautiful bundle of joy is peacefully doing as we speak. And, okay, I know that everyone always says "sleep when the baby sleeps," but I'll be quite honest with you (and don't hate me for it), my daughter has been good about sleeping at night pretty much from day one, so I really haven't needed to nap during the day. There have been some bad nights/days and I have felt some form of sleep deprivation, but for the most part I've had it pretty easy (so far). So, instead of sleeping when she sleeps (at least for now), I'm writing a blog. Because rather than sleep away this gloomy day, I'd much prefer to spend it doing the one thing I love more than almost anything in this world.
I know that I've previously blogged about why I wanted to self-publish, but today I'd really like to get even deeper than that; I'd like to tell you where my passion for writing comes from, why I continue to pursue it, where it began and how it's changed throughout the years. Maybe you don't care, and that's fine (I'm not forcing you to read!). But maybe you do. Maybe you're looking for some motivation to get back to doing something that you love in your own life, and maybe this could be it. I don't know. I just feel compelled to tell you about it, so that's exactly what I'm going to do.
Now, I could go on for hours about the writing "accomplishments" I've had over the years and the memories that go along with them, but I won't bore you with all of that. Though I'm not very good at keeping anything short, I'll do my best to do it now...
In 2nd grade, I entered a contest the newspaper was running where they printed three pictures and asked the contestants to write a story based on one of the pictures - whichever one of the three they chose (it was some sort of play on "a picture says a thousand words" or something). I chose to write about a picture of two boys playing basketball. I'll never forget the excitement I felt when my mom picked me up from school, newspaper in hand, showing me that I was one of the winners. They'd published the story I wrote about those two boys. In the newspaper(!). I couldn't believe it.
Fast forward a few years to 5th grade, when I wrote my first chapter book (Apache Dreams was the title). This may sound weird, but the one thing that I remember the most about it is how much fun I had writing it. I would literally come home from school every day and run to my room so I could sit in bed/against the wall/near the window and write more of the story. I still have the original draft of the book; it's completely handwritten, in sloppy, hurried cursive, on different colored sheets of paper because I just wrote on whatever I could find. That draft might very well be my most prized possession, and that story will always have a special place in my heart. It was when I finished Apache Dreams that I knew: one day, I wanted to be a published author.
In the years since then, I've probably started a thousand stories, sewn the beginning threads of hundreds of stories that still mill around in my head somewhere. The truth is, I probably won't finish the majority of them...to be honest, there are some stories that just aren't meant to be written. I may revisit one or two at some point. We'll see.
As I got older, I'll be the first to admit that there came a time when I lost track of what was important. I'm not talking about a job, or a car...not even a house, not even money. I'm talking about happiness.
They say that, as we get older, we lose the creativity that we had when we were children. I disagree. I don't think we ever "lose" it. We may misplace it, may push it to the back of our minds or cover it up with the piles of "stuff" in our lives, but I think it's always there. Just waiting to be rediscovered. Writing lets me hold on to the creativity in me, to that childhood ability to make believe. And there are times when I let the stresses of the every day get to me, but in the end I'm never as happy as I am when I'm writing a story that I love. That I hope the world will love, too.
I wouldn't be surprised to hear that, if you like to read (or watch movies, or play video games), you probably like to do so because they allow you to, for however brief a time, escape your every day routine, to take a little break from life in general. We all need that from time to time. Life is hard, even when it's easy. Personally, I've loved to read for as long as I can remember. I love getting to know the characters, love just getting lost in their stories. I guess it's no wonder that there came a day when I discovered that I didn't just want to read about characters that other people had drawn up...I wanted to create my own.
So, where reading or movies or music or video games (or any other hobby that you enjoy) may be an escape for some, writing is that for me. It takes me to a place that moves a little slower than the real world, a place where there are no rules or expectations, where I can erase pasts, create futures, stretch out moments that never seem to last long enough.
Nightfire, both the first book and now, as I'm continuing to write it, the entire series, has shaped me so much...not only as a writer, but as a person. For all of the stories I'd started and stopped, all of the characters I'd introduced but abandoned, this story was the one that I held onto, the one that brought me back to the person I was when I wrote Apache Dreams, to the girl that held a gift so powerful it could only have come from God.
There are always potential regrets surrounding the things we'd like to do in life. Don't let them consume you. It is NEVER too late to do what you love. The past year has given me everything I've ever wanted and more, and I will never, ever tire of hearing how much someone enjoyed a story I've penned.
It may have taken over 15 years, but I'm finally doing what I should have been doing all along. It's not always easy, but it's absolutely worth it. Trust me.
Your big dreams will always scare you, but don't give up; they'll also excite you, amaze you, and change your life in ways you never thought possible.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Nightfire News: Forsaken Cover Reveal!
Hello again, Nightfire fans! As I told you last week, soon I will be releasing a companion novella to the trilogy. Forsaken is written from Sam's perspective and picks up right where Nightfire left off, detailing his transformation and the difficulties he faces in adjusting to his new, very different way of life. Sam is one of my favorite characters in Nightfire, and I had so much fun writing Forsaken - I actually had to force myself to stop! I can't wait to hear what you have to say, and I really hope that the novella adds a dimension to the trilogy that you all can appreciate and enjoy.
Today I want to share a little more of the novella with you, and that's the AMAZING cover design! The novella cover was also done by Carrie Stribling (who did the cover for Nightfire), and I am absolutely in LOVE with what she's done. Carrie is unbelievably talented, and I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to work with her.
I didn't do a cover reveal for Nightfire, and I'm not entirely sure why (it's stunningly beautiful, and I know it's been one of if not THE reason why some of my readers have purchased the book - I really must give credit where credit is due!). It was likely due to the fact that I just wasn't very comfortable with the entire self-publishing process quite yet. It was my first time, after all! Either way, I knew from the start that I wanted to do one with Forsaken, mostly because I was just too darn excited about it to wait. So, without further ado, here it is!
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Today I want to share a little more of the novella with you, and that's the AMAZING cover design! The novella cover was also done by Carrie Stribling (who did the cover for Nightfire), and I am absolutely in LOVE with what she's done. Carrie is unbelievably talented, and I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to work with her.
I didn't do a cover reveal for Nightfire, and I'm not entirely sure why (it's stunningly beautiful, and I know it's been one of if not THE reason why some of my readers have purchased the book - I really must give credit where credit is due!). It was likely due to the fact that I just wasn't very comfortable with the entire self-publishing process quite yet. It was my first time, after all! Either way, I knew from the start that I wanted to do one with Forsaken, mostly because I was just too darn excited about it to wait. So, without further ado, here it is!
Copyright 2013
All rights reserved.
Awesome, right? Let us know what you think!!
Don't forget, if you haven't already, be sure to "LIKE" the Nightfire Facebook page to ensure that you're getting all of the updates about the trilogy! Have a friend who loves fantasy fiction (or just loves to read)? Send 'em on over!
Stay tuned for more Nightfire news!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Nightfire News: Forsaken
Good morning, All. Happy 2014!
2013 was a crazy, amazing, life-changing year for me. I published my first novel, for one, but even bigger than that...my husband and I welcomed our daughter into the world! These last 10 months or so have been an absolute whirlwind...but the best, most exciting whirlwind ever. Getting ready for and then actually becoming a mother (to the most beautiful little girl on the planet - not that I'm biased or anything) obviously took priority in my life during this time, but I want to take a moment to assure you, my readers, that I have no intention of abandoning or even grossly postponing progress on the Nightfire trilogy. I know that many of you are anxiously (yet very patiently) awaiting the next installment of the series, and I want you to know - so am I! I can't wait to share the rest of the Nightfire story with you.
I have an announcement for you AND a little treat to boot (surprise!). While I'm still working on the second novel in the trilogy, I will be releasing a companion novella next month! The novella, titled Forsaken, is written from Sam's point of view, and starts immediately after Nightfire left off.
Forsaken will be available on Kindle and paperback in a few short weeks. Keep your eyes peeled for the official announcement and publication date!
In the meantime, to thank you for your patience and give you a taste of what to expect in Sam's story, I'm including an excerpt of the novella below. Give it a read, and let me know what you think...and check back in on the blog next week for another surprise! And remember...if you haven't read Nightfire yet, go grab your copy now by clicking HERE. It's available on Kindle for just $2.99!
In the distance,
the sun slides across the very tips of the city, the skyscrapers gleaming in
the light of the day. The warmth
spreads, spilling over roads and trees, waking up the world and bringing it
back to life.
The magic in my veins recedes, the curse that flows within me not so insistent
now. The venom inside of me is always there,
but during the day I almost feel like me again. I almost feel human.
Almost.
Each morning is a little harder than the last, but I am always glad to see the sun.
It’s been three months and six days – exactly 96 sunrises - since I walked out of the Nyiathan mansion and into this life. I wasn’t always this person. I was kind, caring…good. Those days are gone. And some way, somehow, I’m doing my best to piece together what’s left of myself and move on.
For me, becoming Siek was heartbreaking at best. I lost someone I truly loved in the process, someone who had come to mean the world to me. And when I say lose, I don’t mean it in the way you might think – she didn’t die. In fact, I think it might be even worse than that. She lives, breathes, walks the same earth as I do. But I cannot have her, not now, not ever.
Sometimes it seems like just yesterday that I held her in my arms, measuring what I thought were her last breaths, speaking of feelings that were unthinkable, even then. The pain is that fresh, that encumbering. I don’t know how it hasn’t swallowed me whole.
There are other times when I feel like an eternity has passed. Even still, the pain doesn’t wane. It just sits in the back of my mind like a virus that relentlessly plagues me, killing me slowly.
I remember the first time I saw Kaida without her human mask, her true form fantastic and terrifying at the same time. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before in my life: a lithe, pixie-like creature with wings easily spanning thirty feet from tip to tip, glowing with fire. Her skin was like stone, unbelievably pale in color, and her eyes shimmered in the darkness. I knew I should have been frightened, but I was stunned by her. She was beautiful.
It was more than just her physical appearance, though; somehow, she turned off all of the negativity in my life, made it fade away as if it was never there in the first place. With her, I was my best.
I couldn’t help falling in love with her. I can’t help but love her still.
Even though I shouldn’t.
It takes all of my strength to keep myself away from my former life, to stay as far away as possible, to spare the people I love from the monster I’ve become.
The truth is, Siek blood always ran through me, even when I thought I was fully human. Even before I knew what a Siek was. It lived in hibernation, growing and strengthening with each moment, biding its time….until everything exploded.
I lived close to nineteen years of a life just like that of any other human being, with parents I thought were mine and friends and, hell, even a girl I thought I loved. Everything was simple, easy. The way it should have been.
And then it all changed, swept up as if in a tornado, swirling completely out of control. I felt like Dorothy, dropped right smack dab in the middle of Oz with no direction or idea of how to get home. Even in the land of color, all she wanted was to find her way back. I get it. Now, more than ever. There’s a part of me that wants nothing more but to go back to the black-and-white life that I once called my own. But where Dorothy had a yellow brick road and ruby red slippers to lead her home, I have nothing. My black-and-white life wasn’t real. Not one day of it. I was always meant to be Siek. And now, I am.
The magic is alive and well within me. I am filled with a power greater than I ever imagined, a darkness I’ll never be able to outrun. I know that it’s only a matter of time before it takes over completely, before the last shreds of my humanity are extinguished. I’m not sure how much time I have left, but I will fight against the darkness for as long as possible. I will hold on as tightly as I can.
Until the old Sam is lost for good.
Copyright © 2014 Laura E. Taylor
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