NEWS!!!!!!

There are a few posts I’ve written while in tears since I started this blog one weird night in Nashville. Those posts will live only in my computer and never taint your eyeballs. Lots of reasons for that. Mainly, they’re depressing as hell and as son#2 loves to say, “ain’t nobody got time for that”.

***Thankfully, this is NOT one of those bummer posts! Instead, the tears dripping on the keys today are made of JOY!***

I am happy to announce I now have an AGENT!

That’s right, folks. Things just got real up in here and I am over the moon excited!!!!!! So please bear with my overabundance of !!!! in this post.

My new agent is Tish Beaty with L. Perkins Agency and here’s a little introduction for you all courtesy of www.lperkinsagency.com  

 

 

“Tish was part of the team that developed The Writer’s Coffee Shop Publishing House and during her time with the TWCS, she managed both authors and editors – acquiring several authors who have become literary successes, including the NYT #1 Bestseller -FIFTY SHADES OF GREY.”

 

 

I’m looking forward to an amazing working relationship with L. Perkins Agency and Ms. Beaty. So now that I’ve used up my exclamation mark allowance for the day, I wish you all a very happy Friday evening. J And remember to give a book some love.

 

Until then,

K.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to Find Quiet in the Chaos

One of the earliest lessons I learned as a writer was to stop forcing words out of the character’s mouths. I had to find a quiet place externally so I could really listen internally to them telling ME the story. Otherwise, the page would end up full of chaos. After all, it is their story and I’m just the fingers on the keyboard.

There are times when my plan for the day might be to write a certain chapter or scene. Well, unless that’s also the character’s plan, it ain’t gonna happen. Hard lesson for someone as hardheaded as me, just so you know.

This past April, I was in a workshop with my local writers group. Our speaker took us through the imagery of the mind, where creativity lives, and how we writers spend a heck of a lot of time getting in our own way. It was a great workshop and really helped me clean out a lot of things that were preventing my creative flow.

But opening that door to your creative head space can also mean you’ll have new characters rudely butt in when you are feverously trying to finish a project. So do you give the character the old, IN A MINUTE treatment?

Or, do you get up from the chair, find your version of quiet place and listen? Really listen to those first pieces of story, dialogue or world building?

Ideas are such fickle things. They can come from so many places. Some of those places are light and fun to visit. Other times inspiration comes from the darker, more mysterious or painful places in a character’s heart. The sweet and sticky spider's threads it might take you seven gut-wrenching revisions to finally tease apart. But boy when the story finally comes to light, is that ever an amazing feeling.

What’s the inspiration you’re listening to today? Mine was actually pretty dang black but it was also extremely persistent. So guess what I did.

I listened.

Here is a piece of the mysterious trail I walked with a new character today.
Enjoy the brain tickle of a million and one possiblities and don’t forget to give a book some love.

Till then,

KD

She’s Beautiful in Love

I watched my girl fall in love today.

Not with me, oh no, that ship sailed and sank.

She’s falling in love this time without me.
And my God, she’s stunning in love.
I’d forgotten the way she looks in love, or hadn’t bothered to remember.

Is there really a difference?

No longer the girl I fell for, the one I constantly reminded her I wanted back.
She’s a gorgeous woman. Strong independent, happy with herself. I can see that in the glow coming off her and its nearly blinding.
When did I stop seeing at her? Seriously, I can’t remember.
Her head tips back with a laugh, totally given over to the joyful sound.

He lists toward her, drawn to the happy sound the same way I my feet want to run to her.

He touches her arm so tenderly and she seems to melt towards him.
Did I ever touch her that way?
No, no I didn’t. I was too busy with my own stuff to meet that need.
Her hair spills forward as he whispers in her ear.

I hate him.

She smiles wider as he opens her car door.
Did I ever do that?
I frown as my “did not” pile seems to be piling higher than my “did” the longer I watch.
My stomach turns to a hard ball as his fingers brush her cheek and her eyelids flutter closed.
My fingertips tingle remembering how her skin is warm silk in that spot.
He lingers close and I know then she loves him.
How?
Because once, she looked at me that way with her beautiful eyes shiny, lips and cheeks flushed.
Yes, she’s completely, 100%, head over heels gone on him.
And I know exactly how he feels being on the receiving end of that look.
Like he can do anything, be anything, accomplish anything.
Did I ever give that same gift to her?
I mentally flip through the pictures of her face.
Crying, angry, hurt eyes.
Hollow with a loneliness she complained of, cheeks wet with tears and finally cold. Indifferent.
Did I ask? No.
Did I try? Why should I, that’s her job.
Did I chase that chill away with love?

No.

I didn’t.
I rolled over and fell right to sleep while her tears stained the pillow.
I belittled any dream that made me feel threatened.
I did anything I could to remind her that she was the very last thing I ever thought about.

I turn my face into the wind. I can’t watch their kiss.

Because now, he’s reminding her that she’s his everything.
Her heart is his to cherish, her dreams are whispered across his pillow instead of mine. It’s his joy at her accomplishments she craves.
I watch the taillights as long as I can when they drive away.
I was one lucky bastard to have ever held her heart.

She’s so beautiful in love. 

2014 K.D. Wood 

Prohibited from being displayed, copied, discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing Out of the Rabbit Hole

Hello! Long time no blog! It’s great to see you all again. Welcome to new followers and old friends.

Yes, I know it’s been months since I last blogged…

Don’t judge me.

Yes, fellow writers, I know it’s not a good idea to let my blog go dormant that way…

And I can totally see that judgy frown over your eyes from here.

**Before you burn me on the cross of laziness and broken “road to publishing” rules, here’s the reason why**

I’ve been creating NEW things J and that shizz takes some super concentration.

Plus, I don’t want to send blogs out there into the bloggerverse that people ignore because its banal and just blah blah, writing, blah blah, word count flail, blah blah, laundry and kids.  Honestly, do you really want to hear me blather on about making too many Nutella sandwiches or writing THE SAME story over and over again? Trust me; there are eleventy-billion blogs like that already out there.

So what have I been creating you ask? Well, I’m glad you did because it’s amazing! Here’s the story:

My kids spent the first week of January with my parents so I had the entire house to myself. I know right? All you moms hate my stinking guts right now. Its okay, I’d hate me too. Because we all know, going out of town with your friends or family is great but NOTHING beats your own house EMPTY. I have the best mom EVER, just so you know.

On December 30^th, the first kid free day, I had to go have my head MRI-ed.

Yeah, my body is weird like that. Don’t ask.

While I’m in the machine trying my best not to lose my marbles with that stupid catcher’s mask clamped around my head and to not think about the fact I was shoved into a very loud metal tube:

 a story idea started to form.

 

A voice rose up over that horrible clicking and clacking of the MRI. 

More specifically, a really nice guy started talking inside my head. He has a great voice with lots to say too as his first conversation lasted the entire 43 minutes of the MRI and I was thankful for his distraction. Here’s how some of that went:

Voice: Hey, it’s dark in here.

K: Uh, hey? Well, that’s cause my eyes are closed.

Voice: Ohhh, I see. Well, actually I don’t. *snorts*

K: *frowns but keeps eyes clamped tight!*

Voice: Are we bit claustrophobic?

K: No, we are more, “I rather not tear this MRI machine down when I freak out” phobic.

Voice: *laughs* How about I distract you?

K: Take your best shot, Bub. I ain’t picky about my distractions right now.

Voice: So five years ago, my girlfriend died…

He spent the rest of our 43 minutes telling me his whole story. The more he talked the deeper I sank into the sound of his voice inside my head. I was hooked immediately and knew his story had to be told. When the tech extracted me from that iron beast I nearly ran to my car. The story, the characters, the environment, the plot was all fully formed in my head. Remembering my ticket from a few months ago was the only thing that kept me from speeding home. Southaven cops don’t play when it comes to speeding. But I digress.

Racing in the house, I made a snack, grabbed my iPad and started writing as soon as my pj’s and t-shirt were on. Yes, you have to write in pj’s. It’s sort of a rule J

Why iPad? Because we all know that’s not the best thing to write on.

Well, over the last year, I have had trouble creating stories. More accurately, I’ve had trouble finishing stories. Basically, writing anything new start to finish didn’t happen. I’ve worked on a few things; all great ideas I plan to finish but I actually finished nothing. Which is the first time in the last 5 years that has happened and it had started to freak me out. I’ve written 2 books a year up until 2013 which produced zero manuscripts. The hateful word count-er at the bottom of the screen was messing with my head in a big way. The words I did write, I had to rip out of me and only managed about 500 a day of those bloody things on a great writing day.

I chose the iPad with its tiny screen and awkward keyboard so I wouldn’t be tempted to look at word count until the story was complete. The iPad was happy to receive my story. It didn’t judge me. It just merrily jaunted along happy to be used for something other than son#2’s usual activities of Dragon Veil or watching YouTube videos of how to make a Mine Craft birthday cake. I sat on the sofa, feet resting against the warm back of my White Waug, completely relaxed and just pounded the keys for 6 straight days. And pound those keys I did putting in twelve and fourteen hours each day only pausing for snacks , sleep and bathroom breaks.

In the week my children were at my parents, I wrote 26,000 words. By the time I picked them up on Jan 6^th, I had less than 1000 to go to finish the story.

TWO WEEKS LATER…

I finally finished that story. Anyone who ever, ever, ever doubts how difficult it is to write with kids, husbands and dogs in the house. Let those numbers really sink in.

So now you know, I have the best parents in the world and I haven’t forgotten about you at all. I’ve just been down the rabbit hole with a guy I met in an MRI. J

Hope you have a great week and don’t forget to give a book and its creator some love.

Til Then,

K

 

 

 

#PitMad Teaser

Welcome to #PitMad, folks!! Today I'm hocking my wares over on the twitter (@KDWoodauthor) in a final round of pitches.

We need a forever home for Neely and Hayden so if you can, give my pitch a retweet as many times as you can from 8am-8pm today.

Here's a little dab of Neely and Andrew steam to say thank you for your support!

KD

    “You think it’ll be that easy?" I wound my fingers into his hair.

    “No," he said against my skin. "I expect it to be horrible.” Raising his face from my neck, his eyes were heavy lidded. “But right now it’s you and me in an empty house and I only want to think about you.” His fingers teased open the top button of my shirt. “Your skin, the taste of your lips, the silky feel of your hair between my fingers,” he whispered as the second button sprang free, his breath raising goose bumps on my chest. “And nothing else.”

2010 K.D. Wood

prohibited from being displayed, copied, discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author.

A Visit With The Ninja Peas

Hey, guys! *chokes on dust and attacks blog webs with a broom* Someone needs to clean this blog up. *looks sheepish* Opps, that'd be me. Sorry its been a while. Hope you're all enjoying your summer. Its been a busy few months around here. Summer vacation, lots of travel, writers conferences etc. I'm totally looking forward to a big dose of normal once school starts in August. Especially since I'm behind on my WIP :)

Until I can get all my ducks in a row, here's a little blog visit with the Ninja Peas about looking for critique partners. Getting good feedback on your work is one of the best ways to grow your story and you writing.

This weekend is also my 20 year high school reunion. I totally can't believe its been that long! WJ class of 1993 has some amazing folks and I'm really looking forward to seeing my pals. So enjoy your week, give a great book some love and I'll see you all soon.

Till then,
K.D.

"What's on the Nightstand" while I wait....

Hey guys :)

As the title suggests, I am still here. Waiting. Waiting to hear from my submission for UNWILLING. No news is good news at this point but boy do I wish I had some exciting news to pass on.

The update is, I have heard from the NY editor who requested UNWILLING, and as of first week of April, she needed more time with it. I am taking this as a positive sign while I wait.

During all this waiting and inbox paranoia, I have read some great books and worked on rewriting the second book in my series. You know, all the good positive things to keep my spirits up. And frosting straight out of the tub. That helps too.

As always, give a book some love and check back with crossed fingers and toes so hopefully we can squee together when the word comes in.

Till then,
KD

Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison - The next book in Thea's award winning series is just what I have been waiting for more Dragos and Pia! An excellent read.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

A very interesting world Leigh has built and a super nice lady. I had the pleasure of meeting her along with Gennifer Albin, Marie Rutkoski and Caragh M. O'Brien when they signed at Square Books in Oxford, MS. 

*Steam Alert* Last Snippet

   T...G...I...F!

   Thank you and welcome to new friends from the Czech Republic. Hope you see something you like and visit again soon.

    Well here we are guys, at the last sneak peek. Hey now, is that a frowny face I see? None of that, Mister. No sad panda's allowed! :) I promise it was worth the wait because I picked an extra saucy one just for you. *points at you* Yeah, you.  

    This being the last one is actually a really good thing. Why you ask? Because that means the book is finished and ready for it's cyber-vacation in the Big Apple. Oh yeah, you read that correctly and have my permission to squee!  

    On November 15th UNWILLING will be on her way to New York City to be raked over the coals by a very nice lady at a major publishing house. After three years of late nights, five full revisions, many long hours bleeding all over the keyboard and plotting wall I'm pleased as punch with how the story turned out. Without a doubt, none of this journey would've been possible without the time I was blessed to spend with some of the coolest writer friends in the world who have helped bring Neely's story out of it's original steaming pile of excessive adjectives. Pals, for everything past and to come, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. <3 

    No matter how we met or what you practise, be it praying, crossing fingers or sending positive energy, on November 15th please do it for UNWILLING. I'm not picky, I'll take whatever you got! 

    So, there you go. *slumps in chair* I've shared my huge news with you all. Trust me, it's been killing me not to talk about it until now. Be sure and check back often as I wait for an answer and help me not pull my hair out or overdose on chocolate.

    I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and don't forget to give a book and it's creator some love. 

Till Then,

KD   

    His teeth nipped at my jaw.

    “You think it’ll be that easy?" I wound my fingers into his hair.

    “No," he said against my skin. "I expect it to be horrible.” Raising his face from my neck, his eyes were heavy lidded. “But right now it’s you and me in an empty house and I only want to think about you.” His fingers teased open the top button of my shirt. “Your skin, the taste of your lips, the silky feel of your hair between my fingers,” he whispered as the second button sprang free, his breath raising goose bumps on my chest. “And nothing else.”

2010 K.D. Wood

prohibited from being displayed, copied, discussed or electronically distributed without the expressed written permission of the author.