A Few Things

As we head into the weekend, I thought I'd share a few updates and random happenings.

First, some Siren announcements. I've posted elsewhere but not here that the sequel has an official title: Undercurrent. This was chosen after much discussion with Egmont, my agent, and her assistant; in the end, we all agreed that a powerful, beneath-the-surface force best suggested Vanessa's struggles upon her return to Boston for her senior year of high school. I love the title and hope readers do, too!

In other Siren news, the German edition, Im Zauber der Sirenen, has been released. So hello, new German readers! I hope you enjoy. Also, the audio version is now available for purchase.

On a completely unrelated topic, thanks to dropping temperatures and the upcoming holiday, I've been in the mood for some spooky TV specials lately. There weren't many choices until this week, when my husband and I came upon a two-part, four-hour documentary about the making of Nightmare on Elm Street. When this movie first came out manymanymany years ago, my mother refused to let me see it, and after watching the documentary, I understand why. Twenty-five years later, I'd probably still be traumatized and unable to sleep through the night! But it was definitely interesting to hear how it was made and became such a pop-culture phenomenon. And next week there's going to be another documentary about the making of Friday the 13th, which I also haven't seen. Despite that, I'm already looking forward to the behind-the-scenes scoop!

Speaking of dropping temperatures, I'm in full-on fall mode now. I've packed up the flip-flops, busted out the socks and slippers, and already gone through two pumpkin-scented candles—the big kind, with, like, 100-hour burn times each. And last night, I made butternut squash soup for the first time ever, and it was DELISH! In case you couldn't tell, I'm all about the orange-colored squash this time of year.

Finally, I was at my mom's house this week and invaded her massive stash of Christmas music. I can now listen to the holiday hits of Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra, and the Smashing Pumpkins any time I want...which is pretty much all the time! In a few more weeks, I'll be ready for documentaries about the making of Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Story and even Prancer. Especially since I've actually seen all of those!

Have a great weekend!

The Mental Progression of a Work-in-Progress

Yesterday afternoon, I sent my latest project to my agent and her assistant for review. This was accompanied by lots of excitement...and a huge sigh of relief. While writing any new book I always wonder a few times if I'll ever reach The End, and this one was no different!

The rest of the thought process usually goes something like this:

-A new idea! It's great. I love it. Can't wait to get started.

-Have started! Words are coming so fast my fingers struggle to keep up!

-First chapter done. Could be the best one I've ever written!

-Chapters 2-5 also done. Love this story, love these characters, love what happens next!

-Um...what happens next?

-Thinking, plotting, thinking, plotting.

-Three more chapters done. Took longer than the first bunch, but that's okay.

-Long pause.

-Outlining will help.

-Another new idea! It's great. I love it. Maybe THIS is the one I should focus on.

-But I've already written 100 pages of the other idea. Shouldn't I see it through?

-Should go with inspiration when it strikes. Brainstorming New Idea #2.

-Can't stop thinking about New Idea #1.

-Back to first new idea. Words flowing once again.

-Oh! But what if, in the OTHER story, I—

-Nope. Must focus.

-Focusing. Writer blinders on.

-Two chapters to go! Almost there!

-Oops. Underestimated. THREE chapters to go!

-First draft done!

-Big smile.

-Huge sigh.

How about you, fellow writers? Is your thought process generally the same for each book? Do you bounce around, or do you keep writer blinders on the whole time?

The Official SIREN Trailer!

My wonderful publisher, Egmont USA, made this trailer for SIREN—and I absolutely LOVE it! I've watched it about a hundred times and still get chills. Hope you enjoy!

What I'm Listening to When I'm Not Listening to Christmas Music

I've blogged before about how I need music to write, and how this music is usually mellow and/or instrumental so I'm not distracted by other people's lyrics. The Enya and Yanni Pandora stations receive lots of listening love from me, and that's why.

But when I'm in a really good groove, the way I am now, I'm not as easily distracted and other music may be added to the mix. In addition to "White Christmas" and "Little Drummer Boy," here are a few songs currently in rotation:

Rabbit Heart - Florence + The Machine
All to All - Broken Social Scene
I and Love and You - The Avett Brothers
Bushwick Blues - Delta Spirit
Elevator Love Letter - Stars
Ready to Start - Arcade Fire
California Stars - Billy Bragg and Wilco
White Table - Delta Spirit
The Only Exception - Paramore
Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons
I Can See the Pines are Dancing - A.A. Bondy
Blinding - Florence + The Machine

Of these, the ones that get repeated the most are All to All, I and Love and You, California Stars, Little Lion Man, and I Can See the Pines are Dancing. They're are also good for driving at night with the windows down. :)

Do you need music to read or write? If so, do you stick with the same artists/songs, or do you switch it up?

Hope you had a great weekend!