Ranting and venting...lol
There are some days I wonder: "Am I good enough?" I think everyone has that thought in the back of their mind when they write. I'm not ashamed to say I started out in Fanfiction, if it weren't for the many awesome people on that site I would never have taken the plunge into publishing my own works.
Sure, fanfiction makes it easier to write. The character already has a personality and background. The trick is to create your own. I've also heard that because I'm not published through a publisher I am less than. I disagree. I've had to fight harder to get my work out there and claw and scratch my way up. I appreciate it more when I get little wins.
I'm a big believer in paying it forward and if I can help someone, I will. I am lucky enough to have a group of people around me that back me up and hiss and snarl at those who try to hurt me. I've always had thick skin, so I can usually laugh at reviews.
Recently, I was at a BBQ with a bunch of Army guys that have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. These are the greatest of men. Talk started to veer towards my job. As always, I asked questions about some of the things that are in my books. Needless to say, I research well. ;) I brought up the fact that a lot of my reviewers are shaking their heads in disbelief at the amount of gay men on my assassin team. (Saying it's unrealistic) One of the guys said "Aren't there werewolves running around in your book?" I smiled at him and said. "Yup." He snorted. "And the gay Army guys are unrealistic?"
God I love the military....
Sure, fanfiction makes it easier to write. The character already has a personality and background. The trick is to create your own. I've also heard that because I'm not published through a publisher I am less than. I disagree. I've had to fight harder to get my work out there and claw and scratch my way up. I appreciate it more when I get little wins.
I'm a big believer in paying it forward and if I can help someone, I will. I am lucky enough to have a group of people around me that back me up and hiss and snarl at those who try to hurt me. I've always had thick skin, so I can usually laugh at reviews.
Recently, I was at a BBQ with a bunch of Army guys that have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. These are the greatest of men. Talk started to veer towards my job. As always, I asked questions about some of the things that are in my books. Needless to say, I research well. ;) I brought up the fact that a lot of my reviewers are shaking their heads in disbelief at the amount of gay men on my assassin team. (Saying it's unrealistic) One of the guys said "Aren't there werewolves running around in your book?" I smiled at him and said. "Yup." He snorted. "And the gay Army guys are unrealistic?"
God I love the military....
I think your Assassin/Shifters series is Awesome and your a Damn good writer. I was so excited to get your four new books can't wait to start reading them
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi!!! :D
ReplyDeleteI too have always loved your writing... (Ok so maybe I am a little biased). I have spent many more hours than I can ever count reading your works with you and without you. And I have read lots of others as well. And I am not saying that the others were not good but I highly enjoy reading your works. They are as good as if not better than some others that are out there. Don't ever question that. And when you do, don't just take your fans words for it... go over to Amazon and look at the Best Seller list. I have said it before and I will say it again.. It has been my extreme pleasure to be along for "the ride of your life". I am so honored that you have let me be a part of it. And I am SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU for all your hard work, the ups, the downs, the setbacks, the wins, the sweat, the tears, the growls and the laughter!!! It has all been so worth it. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAwww...Kim, *Sniffle* I love ya! Thanks for being my cheerleader!!!
ReplyDeleteI have just found your series and am loving it. Was wondering if there is a reason book 4 is currently unavailable? I love to read series in the correct order so am a little upset that I am going to have to go from book 3 to book 5. Hope it is just a glitch and I look forward to reading the entire series.
ReplyDeleteKindle did the same thing with "Pleading the Fifth" and I'm still waiting to hear why that one was in review. I'm so sorry, hopefully they will have the issue resolved soon!
ReplyDeleteThose reviewers that shake their heads in disbelief at the amount of gay men on the team should seriously just consider whether they really should be reading books with gay men. I'm perfectly fine reading about the assassin team. They create a big family. There are so many books out there with werewolves and they call a team of gay assassins unrealistic? Then they really don't know what realistic is. I think you are more than good enough to write these wonderful books. Lastly, I totally want to tell you how happy and thankful I am for your release of four new books! Thank you!
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ReplyDeleteNo, Thank you! I'm so glad you love the books! Makes me do the happy dance ;)
ReplyDeleteI have always been a voracious reader. I have a massive collection of books in my home, but have been so concerned about embracing Kindle because I was afraid that I would be let down by the self published works available. Then my best friend downloaded it onto my laptop and bought me your first Assassin/Shifter novel. I was hooked! Every single one of your books are so well written and they just yank you into the world you created. I am so glad Lori told me to read your work. You have a gift. I am glad you self publish. The possibility of your creation being tamed down to fit into mass publishing or changed into anything less than what you have made would be a shame. Keep writing my dear. You have made a life long fan in me =)
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much, Darlene! I am blessed to have a team that works their asses off! (I know I drive my editor nuts with my love for run on sentences.) I love the world I created, I love my guys and when I decided to publish, I wanted the freedom to charge what I wanted for the books. I also didn't want to give up my electronic rights for God knows how many years. So I took a leap of faith and did it on my own. I am so happy to hear that you love the world I created, I so wish I could live there...lol. And thank you so much for the compliment, it means a lot to me!
ReplyDeleteI agree with above comment, if people shake their heads in disbelief at gay assassins, well... why read the book in the first place? Also, let's just state that some of them technically are not gay, they are bi (just because you start a same sex relationship you are not automatically gay...if you have been attracted to the opposite sex before you are still bi :P... oh the amount of times I have had this discussion my good self).
ReplyDeleteThank you for the books, they made my evenings and days off and actually made take some time off for myself and indulge in reading... now go and write book 14... Nikolai deserves to get his wicked ways with Colin :P
I am an avid reader m/m romances and I can tell you if it is a series as your is, there are all gay men. I love your books because your heroes truly love each other and are open in their love that is awesome. Also l love how we get to see all the previous couples. So please keep it up, I can't wait for Betrayed. An about the reviewers to paraphrase one of my favorite movies, I am shocked, shocked to find gay men in your gay romance. Good job keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteLMAO!! I love it!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI just I wanted to say I love your books. I have read lot m/m romance and most of them have gay men. I love your books and characters, I also love how you keep bringing characters back so we see how they are doing. So keep up the good work I can't wait for betrayed. To paraphrase a line from my favorite movie I am shocked , shocked to see gay men in your gay romance novel. Lol
ReplyDelete:) Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading your series for the second time in 4 weeks. I want a Vicious Vince for Christmas!!! I love this series!!! Keep writing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Kathy W.
Thank you! I want an Andrei...and a Devin..and a Keegan..ah hell, I want them all!
DeleteOK, I bought the whole series (all 13 damn books) and read them in 4 days. I am enjoying it to the max, and can't wait to read Betrayed. As for the people bitching about you have too many gay men in your "squad", darlings, should you be reading m/m fiction? This all speaks to the continuity of the story. Authors like Andrew Grey turned all the cowboys into boy lovers. Cardeno C. has a whole series with boy love. You should be proud of your series. I have read works that's been through publishers that bloody shyte, so having a publisher does not guarantee a good author. I just wish I could get your books in pdf format, since I kind of hate the damn kindle thing:) Keep up the good work and publish Betrayed!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing is readers asking for women, or BI characters. It's M/M romance, not m/f/m or f/f/m. Some of my guys are BI (Devin) I have straight men as well (Archer, Alexander, John). Will I write one of the straight guys finding love? Probably. Will it be the main focus of the book? Probably not. I'm writing men falling in love. *sigh. PDF would be great, I wish Kindle had more options. I have readers who only have Nook, so sometimes, publishing through KDP direct is a pain. "Betrayed" Is out after Christmas! Thanks so much for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteONLY AFTER CHRISTMAS??? Are you trying to kill me??? Well, I suppose I should just suck it up and wait:D Oh, and if i wanted to read het romance, I could go buy some bodice rippers from mills and boon...I love my boylove!!!!
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