The perils of research

So, I'm still diligently working on Ryder & Sophie's story, Keys to Submission. One of the fun elements revolves around a series of hidden keys that the duo must track down. I had a blast figuring out how to create this scavenger hunt. I had a brilliant idea for the placement of one of the keys, but had to do a bit of research to find out if it was even feasible.
Oh boy ...

I found all sorts of information that fascinated me. It was like a choose your own adventure book. One thing led to another and another and another and before I knew it, I'd spent several hours online reading about everything from John the Baptist's head residing in Amiens, France to how the Knights Templar once claimed possession of it. While reading about the Templars, I was fascinated by the tale of the last Templar Grand Master, Jacques De Molay, and the legend surrounding him. Supposedly, as he was burning at the stake, he cursed King Philip (the one responsible for disbanding and ordering the arrests of the Templars) and Pope Clement (the pope who agreed with Philip), swearing they would join him in death within the year. They did.
This re-fueled my interest in another project I'd started years ago about a tenacious girl who breaks curses and a stubborn Duke who happens to be cursed. I pulled it up, re-read it and decided I still liked it. Now, it's back on my TBW (To Be Written) pile! Well, it's in it. I have no idea when I'll get to that one because while I was digging around to see if my curses in that book were viable, I also found myself intently studying some mystical things for another series of Victorian-era books. I'm eager to write those, too. Argh!
So many books and characters!!!
All in all, I spent about 5 hours "researching" (yes, yes, that I should have used writing) but research is an important part of my creative process. It fuels my imagination and helps my muse really take flight.
So, now I'm off to work on Ryder and Sophie. I'd like to get this book to my wonderfully patient and understanding editor sometime in the next month or so!!
And as for that brilliant bit with the key? You'll have to read the book to find out where it ended up! I'll give you a hint, though, it's the third key!
Happy reading,
Jennifer

Catch up - again!

So, recently I was chastised (rightly so!) for not updating my blog. I mean, for Pete's Sake, the book came out on September 1 and I didn't even mention it here. So, consider this your update. You can roll on over to www.eredsage.com and buy my book today! How cool is that? I'm still so very stoked about it. That's about all the catching up I have for the moment.
On to other random thoughts.



I'm hard at work on the THIRD total overhaul and re-write of Ryder's story, which I have titled Keys to Submission. Thankfully this one seems to be IT. The real deal it. I have agonized over this book trying to find the right storyline, the right heroine, the right everything. Nothing was working and I was ready to tear my hair out. Not to mention hide under a rock since I promised this book to my editor eons ago. And I do mean eons. I hate missing deadlines, even ones I make up myself.
That being said, I was so annoyed with myself that I sat down at lunch one day, drew up a pretty grid, penned in the chapter numbers and wrote some of my favorite words like "Hot sex here" and "First kiss here". A long time ago, some CPs helped me figure out a problem I was having with a book by taking this simple approach: You know what happens in the first chapter (they meet) and you know how it ends (happily ever after). Taking teeny baby steps backwards, how do you get them there?
It worked then and it works now. Traveling from the end to the beginning, I discovered Ryder is one interesting guy. And he's far from shy. In fact... he's rather demanding.
Luckily for him, I found a heroine who is more than capable of going toe-to-toe with him. Believe me, Sophie Turner is one hot pistol with opinions and passions that rival his.
Yeah, I definitely have the "write" story for them this time.