Did You Know?

Fascinating but completely useless facts about how Forbidden Sea came to be.

- One day two darling little girls came into the library where I work asking for mermaid books. They were very disappointed to discover how few mermaid books we had for them to check out. Later, I got to thinking about this lack of mermaid stories and I started imagining what kind of mermaid I would want to write about. The mermaid in my story came to me as a fully formed character, but it was a while before I could find a story plot to do her justice. Forbidden Sea is the only story I've written where a character came to me before the story did.

- As a child, I used to love drawing mermaids with fantastic outfits I had designed myself. When I began imagining a merworld for my book, I found myself going back to this original idea and incorporated it into my story.

- The earliest plot for the Forbidden Sea didn't have a mermaid in it at all. The story was going nowhere until I remembered my mermaid character who still had no story to star in. After that the manuscript practically wrote itself.

- The first draft of this book took nine months to write. If you have ever tried to write a book while working full time, you will know how fast that is.

-Two publishing houses request to see this manuscript. Orchard Books was a little bit faster in getting back to me.

-It took two years for my publisher to actually make an offer on this manuscript.

-It took two more years to revise and publish.

-Contrary to popular belief, authors have no say in what their book cover will look like. I was very nervous until I saw Mr. Bagshaw's beautiful final work.

Completed Cover

And here it is in all it's glory. If you look to the left you will see what the final artwork for my book's cover looks like. It came out so stunningly beautiful. I should be seeing a copy of the first pass of printed pages within the next few weeks. I can't wait to see how it will look all completed. I am almost done with the rough draft of the sequel. (Only two more chapters to go) Then comes the hard work of editing and polishing. Of course, it is possible that if this first book doesn't sell they won't want the sequel, in which case, I and my writer's group will be the only ones who know what happens next. (Raspberry, I promise to send you a copy, if that happens) The other story is coming along nicely as well. I can never seem to limit myself to one story at a time. They all team up on me, demanding a life of their own.

Sneak Peek of Cover Art

The illustrator of my cover has posted a partial peek at the artwork for my book. If you click on the link below and scroll down the page, the last illustration on the most recent post is of a green girl underwater. You can only see part of her face but at least it will give you a feel of what it looks like.

http://tombagshaw.blogspot.com/2009/06/all-work-work-work.html

He says he will be posting the rest of picture soon.

YIPPPPPEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

I am DONE.

D-O-N-E, done with revisions to my Forbidden Sea manuscript. YESSSSSSSS! *she does a few cartwheels, then does the moonwalk across the room*

Go, Sheila. Go, Sheila. *Pant, pant*

Okay, I'm calm now. No wait, got to do the funky chicken. Whew! Glad I got all of that out of my system.

I got a look at the artwork for my book's cover--it is GORGEOUS. Mr. Bagshaw has outdone himself this time. He has my mermaid from the waist up, with all her hair floating around her. She is beckoning to the viewer with one hand. I couldn't be more pleased. I've been so nervous about how it would turn out. The cover is everything when it comes to the sales of a book. I can't post a copy of the artwork on this blog yet because I don't own the copyright to the image, but as soon as Orchard Books puts out an official copy online I'll post a link here. Wait until you see it. It's just breathtaking. I can't wait to get my first box of advanced reader copies so I can start taking them to the local bookstores around here.

It's all coming together now--I just have to be patient a little longer. *Sigh*

When Inspiration Strikes

I recently got a fantastic idea for a new story. I get a lot of these, but usually I write them down and put them aside for another day, usually after I’ve finished the current manuscript I’m working on. This one, however, would not be put aside. It has taken over at the moment, possessing my imagination day and night. My mom noticed I was preoccupied one day and wanted to know what was on my mind. When I told her it was a story she wanted to know what it was about. I was running late so she followed me around while I was gathering my things to leave. The more I told her, the more she pushed me for more and more of the story. When I got to the end of the story, she actually cried. “That’s a good story,” she said. “You’d better write it.” So I’ve given in and started writing the manuscript. We’ll see where it leads me. It’s a ghost story, and a little on the scary side but it has a great (romantic) ending, even if I do say so myself. Sorry Karlene, I’ll have to figure out a way to get it edited without bringing the scary parts to writer’s group.

The Best Writer's Group in the World

One of the ladies in my fabulous writer's group just got a two book deal with Aladdin Books! I've read her manuscript in writer's group and it's a great story. Kristen Landon already has one book out called Life in the Pit. It's a teen novel with a touch of mystery and romance. (I'm in the acknowledgements, that practically make me famous.) Check out her book at your local library. If your library doesn't have it, request it to be purchased. Congratulations Kristen, may many more novels soon follow!

Cover Art!!!!

My publisher has finally decided on a cover artist! I’m really excited about their choice. It was the one I was hoping for. His name is Tom Bagshaw. Click on the links below if you want to see some examples of his work.

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-1/treat/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-1/falling/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-1/forest-dreaming/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-3/hush/

http://www.mostlywanted.com/portfolio-book-3/celestial-diva/

I think he will do a fantastic job of bringing my mermaid to life. I can’t wait to see the finial art! I turned in the revisions my editor asked for today. It will be a few weeks before I hear back from her--but I hope we are getting close to being finished soon. I’ll keep you all posted.

P.S. I’d love to hear everyone’s opinions of Tom Bagshaw's work in the comments—even if you hate him. : )