Search This Blog

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Announcing the official release of BLOOD GENESIS ~ prequel to the Blood Curse Series

To all my fangtastic friends, fans, and readers: I am happy to announce the November 13, 2014 release of

Blood Genesis 

(Prequel to the Blood Curse Series) 


Amazon.Com             Barnes&Noble.Com

 Before there was a modern-day town called Dark Moon Vale, there was an ancient kingdom nestled in the Transylvanian Alps. Before there was a primordial species called the Vampyr, there was a celestial race begotten of gods and men. Before light battled shadow, the sacrifice became mandatory, or the first Blood Moon adorned the celestial sky...  

There was the Curse.

A punishment.
An abomination.
The ultimate act of vengeance.

And it was placed upon a people so corrupted by their thirst for blood and dominion that they awakened the souls of the slain ~ and became the souls of the damned.

Before the Blood Curse Series, there was a beginning. 

BLOOD GENESIS
(A short-story prequel to the Blood Curse Series)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Short Q & A:

Question: Format & Availability?
Answer: The prequel is a short-story (or novella), consisting of 6 chapters and 60 pages. Consequently, it is in eBook format only, available at Amazon.Com and BarnesandNoble.com.

For those who do not have an eReader device, no worries! Both the Kindle & Nook APPS are available for **free** download on just about any device (cellphone, tablet, computer, etc.).

Question: What is the story about?
Answer: Blood Genesis follows the harrowing, twenty-four-hour time period leading up to the Curse. Yes, it takes place in ancient Romania, 800 BC. It follows the lives of a beautiful woman from the celestial-human race who has been condemned to execution and the strong, Silivasi-ancestor who loves her and is desperate to save her...or die along with her. 

It gives readers a glimpse into the madness that consumed Prince Jaegar, the role Prince Jadon played in the tragic events, and just why the Curse was so severe. It also foreshadows the bigger-than-life role Napolean Mondragon will one-day play in the series.

Make no mistake, Blood Genesis is a dark and tragic tale. The Curse more or less demands this. However, as most of you know, books in the Blood Curse Series consistently end in triumph, overcoming, and the powerful journey of the soul in spite of difficult circumstances. Blood Genesis is the beginning of this theme.  

Question: Who was your target audience?
Answer: Blood Genesis was originally written as an introduction to the series for new readers. However, the novella offers a rare glimpse into the past for both new readers and die-hard fans alike. It was priced to provide an inexpensive, first-look into the mythology created in the Blood Curse Series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please feel free to share comments and questions. The next book in the series will be Ramsey's story ~ Blood Vengeance. The release date is still to be announced. 

For more information about the books or the series, please go to my website at


Thanks!
And Happy Reading! :-)

Saturday, August 23, 2014

BLOOD DESTINY ~ INTERVIEW WITH THE CHARACTERS (Jocelyn, Nathaniel, Marquis, Tristan, and Braden)


Dear Readers,

I was scrolling through some old files and came across an early character interview, conducted by Char Hardin in 2010, right after the release of Blood Destiny! It was so interesting to see how the characters (and story lines) have evolved since then...I just had to share this with you all. :-)

Keep in mind, that the interview takes place immediately following Blood Destiny ~ before any of the other stories are written...or even conceived.

Enjoy!


Jocelyn

Question:
You are a strong and independent woman who falls right into the middle of a Friday Night Creature Feature. Before going to Dark Moon Vale, did you ever think it possible that Vampires could exist in the modern world?

Answer:
No! Absolutely not. I still have trouble believing all of this is real sometimes.

Question:
If Nathaniel did not have the power of persuasion, do you think that you could have resisted him?

Answer:
For a while…yes. Forever? As much as I hate to admit it, not a chance. Have you seen Nathaniel lately!? (She laughs)

Question:
It seemed like your feelings were manipulated, and I was left wondering if your feelings of love for him were genuine or constructed?

Answer:
Nathaniel and I were both manipulated by an ancient curse that chose our fates for us, but I have to tell you: I’ve never felt anything so genuine in all of my life.

Question:
(Beware: Plot spoiler ahead) When you discovered Tristan's deception, your feelings shifted to Nathaniel. Was that because you suddenly realized you did like Nathaniel, or was it self-preservation because of the life threatening position you were in?

Answer:
Hmm, maybe both—and neither.  I was already very conflicted; my attraction to Nathaniel was out of this world. It was like being a paperclip in the presence of a life-sized magnet, and somewhere deep inside, I recognized him. I knew I would love him. In fact, somewhere deep inside, I already did. And that’s what scared me the most. I just couldn't think clearly in his presence; everything was happening so fast! The moment I walked away with Tristan, I felt incredible guilt—like a part of my heart had been carved out of my body—but you have to understand: That’s a lot to absorb in such a short amount of time. And he came along with a Blood Curse! Are you kidding? I was scared $#!@less!

Question:
(Beware: Plot spoiler ahead) Your pregnancy with Nathaniel's and your twins was rapid. You had hours to go through the 9 months worth of emotions that a normal pregnancy brings. At anytime, did you want to smack Nathaniel or make him feel your discomfort?

Answer:
Yes!


Nathaniel

Question:
You sound decadent!

Answer:
(He smiles and chuckles).

Question:
The first time you laid eyes on Jocelyn what were you thinking?

Answer:
Frumoasa femeie! (Beautiful woman!)

Question:
Jocelyn is your destined mate. Was there ever the thought that she would resist you and not develop feelings for you? Or not fear you? Did you use persuasion to get her to fall in love with you?

Answer:
(Laughing) Mmm, let me see: I feared that she might resist me longer than was prudent—that I would  have to intervene in a way I would rather not, but there was no question as to the inevitability of her love: Jocelyn was my true destiny. She was created for me and me for her.  It was never a matter of if…only when.

And I used touch—never mind control. If that is considered persuasion, then so be it. However, the purpose of my touch was never to manipulate her love (although I did rather enjoy her physical reactions to my body…). I knew that in time she would remember the love that had always been between us…even before we were born.

Question:
(Beware: Plot Spoiler ahead). After the death of Shelby and news of Dalia's demise, you take to the prison trolling for prey. I can appreciate the location and the vilest of human predators you fed on. If you could rid the earth of pedophiles and domestic abuse violators how would you do it?

Answer:
Swiftly.

Question:
Would you hold a vampire's court, line them up, and let your warriors feed down the line, or would you make them suffer by other means of punishment?

Answer:
It would depend upon whether or not they had hurt someone I loved. In that case, death would be a gift….slow in coming.


Question:
The scene in the prison and when you your brothers took on the werewolves were the most vicious times that I saw the hidden demons within you. You demanded that Jocelyn stay inside, was that to prevent her from being harmed or damaging how she sees you? Were you afraid she would not want you after seeing your loss of control?

Answer:
I did not want her to see the rage I felt over Shelby; our entire culture was far too new. When we fought the hunters—the lycans—I did not want to be distracted, to have to worry about her safety in the heat of the battle.

Question:
The birth of your twins. You cried after one babe was removed. Was that genuine or to prove to Jocelyn that you cared about the Dark One? Did it hurt you to know that child would be destroyed? Is there not ANY way to break the curse, to stop the murder of the Dark Ones?

Answer:
Ah, this is so hard to explain to a human—one who has grown up without the shadow of the Curse ever present in their life. I cried for an eternity of tragedy and loss; for the continuous suffering of every male in the house of Jadon…for the endless perpetuation of this original sin. I cried for my destiny because her heart was breaking and she did not understand. I cried because I would have moved heaven and earth to spare her such heartache if it had been within my power, yet I could not.

But know this, curious o (inquisitive one), I did not cry for the Dark One. Never that. You speak of human predators, pedophiles, and domestic abusers; yet there are evils beyond your comprehension. There are creatures that once loosed would mean the end of civilization…of life as you know it: What you see as a child, I know to be an abomination. What you cry for as an innocent soul, I know to be malevolent, beyond the hope of redemption. Does not your own devil come in the guise of an angel? Would you pardon the one you call Satan if he wore a white cloak? I think not. The Dark Twin is not an offspring. He is not a child. Nor would he grow to be a brother, father, or son. He is the very essence of evil, itself: the cancer that is the Blood Curse. And he appears as a son—as one’s very own flesh and blood—as a form of torment…in order to further torture the sons of Jadon…to leave us helpless before our destinies. We have lived with this curse for eons, prietenul meu, and we know it to be exactly what it is.

Question:
Prietenul meu?

Answer:
My friend.

Marquis

Question:
You put off that you are self assured, strong, and in command.

Answer:
I put off nothing.

Question:
Do you relish this higher command you have on your family and warriors?

Answer:
No, each is a great responsibility.

Question:
Could you ever see yourself not at the head of command? Would you happily hand off your responsibilities to another, and if so, who would be worthy of the title? (Remember this question was asked after the release of Blood Destiny, long before Blood Father...)

Answer:
There is no point in entertaining hypothetical questions. I do not understand why humans do this. (He sighs) Among the warriors, Ramsey is the closest to my equal.  Among my brothers, they are all hard-headed and capable of being irrational at times…and Nachari is a wizard, so…there you go.

Question:
Your treatment towards Braden changes, why? Was it the near death situation after their werewolves had a go at him?

Answer:
(Again, this was right after Blood Destiny...)
The boy is still an accident waiting to happen, but he was brave when he fought Tristan. His courage saved Nathaniel’s destiny, and that in turn, saved Nathaniel: I will never forget such a thing.

Question:
What can readers look forward to in BLOOD AWAKENING for you?

Answer:
Way too much drama!

Tristan

Question:
So many questions, but you died so you can't answer them, haha.

Answer:
(We can’t print what he just said).

Question:
Okay, I will ask your ghost: Did you at anytime care for Jocelyn or was she strictly a decoy to get to Nathaniel?

Answer:
Jocelyn had the potential to be loyal, and her body would have kept me well entertained. I felt deep affection for her…until she crossed me.

Braden

Question:
There is a new relationship budding with you and Marquis, how do you think that will affect you? Is he a positive role model for you? What are your feelings for Jocelyn?

Answer: Marquis is really cool—sometimes—but I don’t know if anyone would call him positive. Jocelyn? Yeah, she’s amazing.Tough for a woman, and it’s funny to watch her with Nathaniel.  He plays like he’s still running things, but everyone knows he’s not. (He snickers).

Question:
Did you think you would die after being crucified and tortured by the werewolves?

Answer:
Hell yeah.

Question:
What's in store for you, Braden? And what do you want to happen?

Answer:
Well, I still don’t know if Marquis is gonna stay nice to me – or if I’m gonna get all these powers figured out -- but I hope I get to be a bad-ass (warrior) and maybe even meet some females…if Nachari will let me. (Face flushes red).


Author's Final Comments: 

Five books later, it's amazing to see how the characters have evolved since that first story and interview (look how much Braden has grown up since then, how far Nathaniel and Jocelyn have come as a couple...).

I imagine some of their answers would be a little bit different today. :-)


Amazon                                                           Barnes & Noble







Thursday, June 12, 2014

Welcome to the official release of BLOOD FATHER!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post Script: June 13, 2014
The *free* giveaway WINNERS are... 
#1) Danetta Sutton (1st place-autographed copy)
#2) H. Harwood (2nd place-eBook)
#3) Rachel Guerin (3rd place-BCS mug and pen). 
#4) KH (4th place-BCS mouse pad and pen)
#5) William Stevenson (5th place-BCS mouse pad and pen)

The *trivia contest* winner is...  
Randrsup (autographed copy)

Dear Winners, please send an email to author@tessadawn.com with "contest winner" in the subject line. If you won an autographed copy, provide your shipping address. If you won an ebook, specify your preference for Kindle or Nook and provide the email address you would like your ebook sent to. If you won a mouse pad, specify Blood Shadows OR Blood Redemption. Thank you! 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To all my fangtastic friends, fans, and readers:

Happy Release Day! 

And thank you so much for joining me! 

Now let's party! :-) 

ONE:  If you haven't already, please “JOIN THIS SITE” by clicking on the icon in the upper right-hand corner. (You do not have to join to enter the **free giveaway** contests).

(*Note: if you don't see the "Join this Site" icon or can't post, it's likely because you're using Internet Explorer as your browser. Please try another search engine -- Google CHROME is available as a free download! :-) Thanks!

TWO: Please "ENTER TO WIN" a **FREE** Prize by Posting a Comment below. (Oh, and feel free to talk to other readers. ALL comments count!)


How to post a comment
1. Click Comments at the bottom of THIS post. Then scroll down to the very last post you see & fill out the comments box. 
OR 
2. Click on the word "reply" beneath any post (this will open a comments box). Type your comment and click "publish."

Again, Please feel free to reply to other readers! Oh, and please add a **Spoiler Alert** if a comment reveals details about a book. Thanks! 

**FREE** Prizes
First Place: FREE Autographed copy of Blood Father.
Second Place: FREE eBOOK copy of Blood Father. 
Third Place: One BCS Coffee Mug and BCS Pen
Fourth Place: One BCS Mouse Pad and Pen (Blood Shadows or Blood Redemption)
Fifth Place: One BCS Mouse Pad and Pen (Blood Shadows or Blood Redemption)
Trivia Winner: FREE Autographed copy of Blood Father (see contest below).

NoteeBooks must go to a Kindle of Nook account 


The winners will be chosen randomly at midnight tonight, and their names will be posted on the author's Facebook page – AND on this BLOG – tomorrow: June 13, 2014 by 10 AM (MST). Please check back to see if you've won. If you have, send an email to author@tessadawn.com as soon as possible to claim your book and exchange shipping information.

THREE: (Trivia Contest) Be sure to keep an eye out for the TEN hidden Blood Curse Series Trivia Questions posted throughout the day ~ the first reader to answer all ten questions correctly (by posting a time-stamped answer beneath each question) will win another free autographed copy of Blood Father. This year's contest will be managed by my administrator ~ Carrie.

I will be here all day adding comments and answering questions.  Thank you so much for coming! 
"May the rivers run crimson with their blood." 
~ Kagen Silivasi

             Blood Father AMAZON               
Blood Father Barnes & Noble


NOTE: To everyone who is HAVING TROUBLE VIEWING THE BLOG POSTS TODAY!
Please scroll down to the very last comment that is visible and click "load more" or "loading" beneath it. This should refresh your page (and may take a minute...if it hangs there for more than 30 seconds, saying, "loading," click it again!) :-) Each time, more posts will pop up. You can check to see if you have them all by looking at the time-stamp of the last post. (If it's fairly recent, you are seeing everything. If it's not, keep clicking "load more" and/or "loading" until you see them all). Thank you for your patience -- I would like to send Marquis, Napolean, AND Ramsey after Google today! LOL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My final post on June 12th at 10:12 PM

Wow! :-)

Was this one heck of a day or what? We started out on a roll, posting and chatting and playing trivia, and then Google turned into Godzilla and tried to take down our whole city: not allowing folks to post, making us refresh the page 4-5 times just to see the latest comment, and then immediately kicking us off again...to start all over. All day. (I scrolled down and refreshed so many times today, my arm is stuck in a permanent pumping motion). lol

First, I apologize to all those who couldn't post or participate due to such poor design ~ yep, I said it, Google! LOL ~ and next, I want to thank everyone who hung in there and just kept right on trying! :-)

You guys are simply and purely...awesome.

The amount of support and good-will shared to day was truly heart warming. The book came out. Readers found it (eventually) -- what was happening with technology on June 12th??? -- and in the end, it was just a perfectly imperfect day :-).

To all those who have come to love Dark Moon Vale, I hope you enjoy BLOOD FATHER! Thank you again for all of your amazing support ~ I appreciate it more than you know. And just think, now you will FINALLY know what I'm talking about when I say: "May the rivers run crimson with their blood!" :-)

Here's to Kagen Silivasi!

And here's to each of you!

Wishing you all the best,
Tessa
P.S.
Dear Google,
To quote one of my street team members: "Talk about the little engine that could...NOT!" For shame! LOL

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

UPCOMING EVENT NOTICE: All day book release party on my blog, June 12, 2014!

Coming June 12, 2014
BLOOD FATHER BOOK RELEASE PARTY
Come celebrate the release of book #6 in the Blood Curse Series

Blood Father
Where destiny and duty collide



Dear Readers, 
There will be an all-day book release party right here on my blog on June 12th from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM (MST). There will be lots of **free** prizes, giveaways, and a fun, trivia contest, so please check back...

Looking forward to seeing you on June 12th! 



“May the rivers run crimson with their blood.” ~ Kagen Silivasi.

Kagen Silivasi is a powerful, ancient vampire with a unique gift for healing – he is also a son, a brother, and a loner who has survived unspeakable tragedy and loss: Beneath his handsome, well-mannered exterior lies an alter ego consumed by rage and an overwhelming impulse to “kill them all…”

Arielle Nightsong is a brave human, a rebel spirit, and an accomplished healer in her own right. Born into a harsh world of violence, cruelty, and danger, she was enslaved at the age of ten and given as a gift to the most depraved being in Mhier – the infamous king of the lycans. If not for her enduring friendship with a captive vampire, she might not have survived to escape the slave encampment…or to discover her mysterious role in an ancient Blood Curse. 

When Kagen and his brothers voyage into Mhier in search of their long lost father, it will take more than stealth and cunning to get out alive: Secrets will be revealed; loyalties will be tested; and an indomitable spirit will fracture beneath the weight of an impossible choice.

BLOOD FATHER ~ where destiny and duty collide.


Monday, April 28, 2014

SIGN UP for the Blood Curse Series STREET TEAM between May 15th & May 30th! :-)

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for stopping by to learn more about the BCS Street Team! :-)

To jump right in, the BCS Street Team is a hard working group of die-hard fans & friends. We have fun all year round, but come release time, we hit the pavement pretty hard. For that reason, I would ask all potential members to read the info below and see if the team is a good fit (heck, see if you even agree with how we do things ;-)) before signing up. Thanks!

And as always, thank you for being a reader! Your continued support means the world to me!

A DESCRIPTION OF THE BCS STREET TEAM MEMBER

      1.  You have read all the Blood Curse Series books, and you are PASSIONATE about the series: Dark Fantasy is definitely your thing, and the Silivasis are definitely your men…er, uh…vampires. :-) 
 
2.      You are willing to go online and travel from one blog-site, newsfeed, or book club to another in order to post comments, answer questions, and generally MAKE SOME SERIOUS NOISE about Dark Moon Vale & the books. :-)

3.      You are available on RELEASE DAY (JUNE 12, 2014) in order to respond to requests, comment on blogs, post pictures and other promo, and generally “run around like a chicken with your head cut off.” :-) (This includes activities the week prior and following). 
  
4.      Even if it’s short and sweet, you are willing to read the newest release and post an honest review of Blood Father on Amazon.com; Barnes&Noble.com; and possibly Goodreads. *Note: As a matter of ethics, I do not hand out free arcs or galleys, or provide any type of compensation, in exchange for reviews: These must come from a reader’s heart without “strings attached.”

5.      You don’t mind handing out bookmarks or other “swag” to potential readers.

6.      You recognize that this is a closed, private group, and all posts, images, or information may not be shared without expressed permission: In other words, what happens in Dark Moon Vale stays in Dark Moon Vale. ;-)

IF THIS IS YOU, then we would love to have you on the Blood Curse Series STREET TEAM for the release of Blood FATHER…and beyond.

IF THIS IS NOT YOU, no worries! There are several other ways to get involved. Please follow this link to see other options: http://blog.tessadawn.com/2013/10/where-and-how-to-get-involved-with.html

 HOW TO SIGN UP
Between May 15th and May 30th
  • Send a direct email to author@tessadawn.com with “Street Team” in the subject line.
  • Please provide your real name, email address, and facebook user name (for instance, if your real name is Mary Jones, but your facebook profile says Bloody Mary, I need to know both!)
  • Let me know that you’ve seen this blog; you’re still interested in joining; and why you’d like to be part of the group. (This doesn’t have to be deep! LOL. I’d just like a chance to “meet” you.)
  • CHECK BACK on this blog on May 31st. I will post the names of the first 10-12 members (who will be joining us) on that day and forward your info to my admin. And I deeply apologize in advance for the impersonal nature of this system – it’s the only way I know how to keep up… So thanks for your understanding!
  • Oh, and please do not send requests prior to May 15th: I would like as many readers as possible to see the notice before I open enrollment, so I'm posting info in advance.
ONCE YOU ARE ON THE TEAM
You will be added to the private facebook group immediately, and you can jump right in and start meeting other members. They’re an awesome group of people! 

Please note: If we are not already connected as “friends” on facebook, I will NOT be able to add you to the group until you send me a friend request. So please do so right away. 

You can “friend” me at: https://www.facebook.com/tessa.dawn.52

Other Information
  • “Open Enrollment” begins May 15th and CLOSES May 31st (at midnight, MST).
  • I'll be adding 10 - 12 new members total based on THE ORDER IN WHICH I RECEIVE YOUR REQUESTS. And the reason I do this is heartfelt: I want to keep the group small, so I can get to know each member and give them the time & attention they deserve. I am absolutely honored that ANYONE would be interested in joining my Street Team -- sometimes it’s hard to believe you guys are real! :-)

 Thank you again for your interest! 

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Blood Father Release Date! :-)


BLOOD FATHER by Tessa Dawn

“May the rivers run crimson with their blood.” ~ Kagen Silivasi.

Kagen Silivasi is a powerful, ancient vampire with a unique gift for healing – he is also a son, a brother, and a loner who has survived unspeakable tragedy and loss: Beneath his handsome, well-mannered exterior lies an alter ego consumed by rage and an overwhelming impulse to “kill them all…”

Arielle Nightsong is a brave human, a rebel spirit, and an accomplished healer in her own right. Born into a harsh world of violence, cruelty, and danger, she was enslaved at the age of ten and given as a gift to the most depraved being in Mhier – the infamous king of the lycans. If not for her enduring friendship with a captive vampire, she might not have survived to escape the slave encampment…or to discover her mysterious role in an ancient Blood Curse. 

When Kagen and his brothers voyage into Mhier in search of their long lost father, it will take more than stealth and cunning to get out alive: Secrets will be revealed; loyalties will be tested; and an indomitable spirit will fracture beneath the weight of an impossible choice.


BLOOD FATHER ~ where destiny and duty collide.


Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Writing a Best Selling Amazon NOVEL ~ Why does it take so long?

I am often asked...
"Why does it take up to nine-months for your books to come out?"
"I'm starting a novel, but I'm not sure where to begin..."
"Is it possible to just write more quickly?" :-) :-) :-)

As I appreciate your interest (far more than you know), I thought I would share my process ~ what goes into a single book in the series...

BEFORE I EVEN BEGIN WRITING...
I have fleshed out the characters in my mind, created lengthy (written) profiles, and imagined the most climatic scenes. I've drawn maps and timelines and decided HOW I intend to write it (i.e., in third-person limited with multiple POV's). I've outlined histories and the world-building, and then I sit down at the computer...

#1. THE ROUGH DRAFT
This is all about story-telling, pacing, and just getting a "skeleton" down on paper.
I will leave holes all over the manuscript (yep, blanks or notations where words should be), and there are red flags virtually everywhere: "Make this stronger/or softer...add scenery...look this up...this isn't possible ~ fix it!" LOL The point is: I'm just trying to tell a full-length story from front to back, without interrupting the flow. I'm deciding which character will "narrate" each scene and tightening their point of view...and I'm pouring my heart and emotion into the story, alone.

By the time this is done, the pacing, the timeline, and the outline will be set in stone.

#2. RESEARCH & FACT CHECKING
Before I can pave the road, I need to fill in all those potholes. This is where I go front-to-back (pg 1 to 350) and check names, places, dates, and details. I do a TON of research as this stage (anything from a type of armament to the anatomy of a wound; to what time the sun set in 1850 to how many times a human heart beats in a minute; to the minerals found in a cave to the type of trees that grow near rivers, etc.). In a series with such complex world-building, I have to check every single fact in my "world" and reference previous books.

By the time this is done, a comprehensive story is beginning to unfold.

#3. THE REWRITE
I think this is what most people think of when they imagine an author working: This is where I "write" the story from front-to-back for the first REAL time. *This* is the place for particular word choices; using stylistic grammar; and tweaking paragraph shifts, dialogue, & punctuation. And this is where I fill in all those blanks ~ address all those red flags! I read it out loud from start to finish and nitpick my way through...one sentence and paragraph at a time.

By the time this is done, I begin to see a book in my future. :-)

#4. EDIT & POLISH
It's time to switch hats! To go from author and storyteller to editor and reader. At this point, I print the entire manuscript out on paper, sit down with a red pen (or pencil), and begin to go through it word-by-painstaking word. I look closely for POV shifts, the sound of each character's voice, and the continuity of the story as a whole. Consequently, this is the FIRST TIME I've had a chance to read the entire story from front to back, without weeks or months between scenes. I use this opportunity to feel the rhythm of the writing (and improve it), to hear how the words actually flow. I also follow a long checklist of edits, such as, search for every unnecessary instance of the word *that* and remove it; search for any contractions outside of dialogue and make them formal-narrative instead, etc! And then I go back and put all these changes into the computer -- ugh!

By the time this is done, I actually have a novel! :-)

#5. BETA READER(S)
At this point, I've absorbed all I can absorb; I've seen all I can see; and I've fixed all I can fix. It's time to bring in a fresh set of eyes: This is when I sit down with someone who really knows and follows the series and have them read it...like a book. Their job is to share their emotions, to catch inconsistencies or glaring errors, and to ask questions whenever they feel confused (if they didn't get it, the reader might miss it, too). It is not their job to edit grammar and punctuation -- unless, of course, it flies off the page.

By the time these changes are made, I feel confident enough to approach the publisher. 

**BTW: The release date is often set here**

#6. PROFESSIONAL EDITING & LAYOUT
Finally, the publisher takes over: The book is placed in the hands of a professional industry editor, who will go through it word-by-word, line-by-line, chapter-by-chapter and send it back for revisions. While this is going on, layout and cover art begin -- luckily, that's not my job, as I'm already exhausted! :-) However, I will make one point of personal preference: Even if I were to publish myself, I would never skip this step! Professional editors are experts in their craft--they eat, breathe, and dream the English language--and since they do this for a living, they're up on the latest trends, stylistic choices, and they know the most recent changes to rules (as well as how to break them :-))... While virtually NO BOOK IS 100% PERFECT, the difference a pro can make is well worth the cost -- if nothing else, it's improves one's writing! :-) Just my two cents on the subject...

By the time this is done, I have already planned the release party...lol! 

So, there you have it: the step-by-step playback. The reason my novels take a while to complete (no matter how fast I write :-) :-) :-)), and hopefully, a few ideas here and there that may prove helpful to those getting started. (Of course, you will discover your own instinctive process as you go along).

I look SO forward to those magical days when a new release is finally here, the book is hot off the presses, and you and I can just get down to the business we truly love most: getting lost in the wondrous world of fiction!

Cheers and Infinite Blessings!
Tessa

Monday, January 13, 2014

2014 PROJECTS! What I'm working on now...

Welcome to 2014 ~ and the Blood Curse Series Blog! 

While I'm not very active blogging, I am very active writing...

And that's why I thought I would share what I'm working on this year:

Project #1: Book six in the Blood Curse Series
BLOOD FATHER
Release Date: To Be Announced (TBA)

“May the rivers run crimson with their blood…” ~ Kagen Silivasi.

Kagen Silivasi is a powerful ancient vampire with a unique gift for healing – he is also a son, a brother, and a loner who has survived unspeakable tragedy and loss: Beneath his handsome, well-mannered exterior lies an alter ego consumed by rage and an undefinable impulse to “kill them all…”

Arielle Nightsong is a brave human, a rebel spirit, and an accomplished healer in her own right. Born into a harsh world of violence, cruelty, and danger, she was enslaved at the age of ten and given as a gift to the most depraved being in Mhier – the infamous king of the Lycan. If not for her enduring friendship with a captive vampire, she might not have survived to escape the slave encampment…or to discover her ominous role in an ancient Blood Curse. 

When Kagen and his brothers journey into Mhier in search of their long lost father, it will take more than stealth and cunning to get out alive: Secrets will be revealed; loyalties will be tested; and long-standing defenses will fracture beneath the weight of an impossible choice…

BLOOD FATHER ~ where destiny and duty collide.

For those who follow the Blood Curse Series, you can SIGN UP to receive NEW RELEASE NOTICES herehttp://tessadawn.com/signup

Project #2: Dragon Trilogy 
This may end up as a trilogy or a single title -- not yet sure. 
The premise is to create a supernatural creature (much like a vampire) whose origins are shared with mystical dragons -- while these fierce handsome beings look human, they are something far more: They are deadly, supernatural, and driven by an internal fire…the need to feed. As always, they have dark, animistic instincts.
Release Date: To Be Announced (TBA)

Prologue

In a land as ancient as time itself, there were those who were born to protect the Realm, to rule over commoners, shadow walkers, and warlocks alike, and those who were born to serve the rulers with blind obedience. The former carried the primordial blood of the Dragon in their veins; the latter bore the burden of a dragon’s desires—hunger, fire lust, and passion—on their shoulders.
It was a sacred duty.  
An elemental obligation.
They were chosen females, taken from their homes at the tender age of ten, reared by strangers at the Keep, and trained to serve, obey, and feed their masters in order to keep the dragons strong.
A select few, the Sklavos Ahavi, were chosen for an even greater purpose: to bear the future sons of a dragon’s line. To wed the ferocious beings who were so deceptively human in outer form, yet primal, dark, and wild at the core.
The Ahavi were servants who belonged to their dragon lords.
The shadow walkers and warlocks were reluctant subjects who resented their dominant masters.
The commoners were humans who lived in fear of all that inhabited the Realm.
And the dragons…
 Well, they were a species apart--and above--all others.