Eilis's Reality Beyond

This blog is too high-tech for my computer!

2007-08-22T10:00:17Z

It's official: I can't blog on this site. So until I get a new computer, please look for me at either:

eilisflynn.livejournal.com
eilisflynn.blogspot.com

See you there!

Eilis Flynn
www.eilisflynn.com

Why We Write Where We Write

2007-06-16T16:55:00Z

It occurred to me (as it did to you all, of course) that this title could be misleading. "Where" as in where to write, or "where" as in the locale of our stories? Both good questions. Glad I (we) asked it. Where we write...I had a laptop years ago, back in the earlier days of laptops. It was relatively heavy as far as laptops went, relatively large as far as they went too, but I was thrilled with it. I could work with it at the kitchen table, at the dining room table, at a table not in the house, in bed, even. I was Freed! Freed, I tell you! (Not that my NAME is "Freed," but...you know.) The disadvantage of it was its relative clumsiness in editing. And in those days I was doing a LOT of freelance editing. So much so, in fact, that during the longest, most painful assignment, I broke down and upgraded to an iMac. It was one of the early models, lime green (because it clashed with everything, a fact I found charming), and it sat square in my office, and it didn't travel (except to the repair shop, but that's another story, and should not be taken as a negative reflection of the iMac in general, because it's just mine, which is usually the case). And you know what? I LIKED the fact that it didn't travel. And that's how I realized I was a stay-in-one-place kind of editor and writer. I can do both while traveling, but not with a laptop. Where we write...locales. I like making 'em up, myself. That way I don't have to worry about getting everything right. In FESTIVAL OF STARS (on sale now from Cerridwen Press! Go check it out at www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909054)(what, me shameless? I've learned that to have shame in this business is to starve, so check it out now!), I used West Seattle and Mercer Island as locales. One I had some familiarity with, and when real life kept changing it on me, I decided to keep it the same, because it's a fairy tale, and I didn't see any reason to make the locale any more real than the story. In SLEEPER (www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419908552), it was easier...because the only thing the locale in the story had in common with reality was the name "Seattle." Nothing else, and then the locale moved to a fantasy, so I didn't have to worry about it. And in 30-DAY GUARANTEE, well, it's a graphic novella. I wrote the script, didn't do the art. If the artist wants to go for details, images of Seattle are all over the place. (Subscription at myromancestory.com!) I also remember the fretting before I let the details go. I don't see how people writing nonfiction keep up with reality. It keeps changing!

So what do they do next?

2007-06-14T12:37:00Z

I'm (still) working on the SF continuity shared-universe story for Cerridwen, and it's been a challenge. I got the idea in January, fleshed out some details in February, and finally started to write in March ... but every plot hurdle I could imagine got in the way. Here it is mid-June and I'm only at page 60. I'm not used to this much resistance to a story, that's the problem. Of course, I've never done a story like this, space opera and with others' plot devices; every time I make a decision, I have to make sure it jibes with the work of others.

It's good practice, though. First time I've ever written on demand!

It never gets old, does it? Another good review!

2007-05-26T07:43:00Z

Who doesn't love fairytales? Eilis Flynn pens a compelling story of two lovers destined to be together, yet driven apart. The ravens flock to urge the lovers together in the Japanese tradition of Tanabata--the Festival of Stars. Dare Borodin learned early in life to hide his half-Japanese heritage. Kristin Olafsson takes great pride in her mixed heritage, using cultural skills learned from her Japanese mother and her Swedish grandmother. When first the ravens flocked, Dare had broken his wrist in a car accident and went to the ER for treatment. Dr. Kristin Olafsson confused him with her Japanese looks and Swedish height. He managed to say everything wrong; needless to say, the lovers weren't meant to be together that night. Two years later, he hurt his knee, and once again Dr. Olafsson treated him. The stars seemed more aligned this time, but a terrible faux pas separated the couple once more. What an incredible interweaving of Japanese tradition and modern romance! Kristin and Dare are wonderful characters in this story of love, loss, and loving again. Ms. Flynn ties ravens, a second chance, racial prejudice, and true love altogether in a riveting story--a romantic tale to warm your heart. I highly recommend this book! http://www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909054 reviewed by Jacquie Rogers author of Faery Special Romances (Available now!) Highland Press

Why we write what we write

2007-05-23T08:02:00Z

I must be thinking about my major in college these days, because I keep thinking about the Sapir/Whorf hypothesis: Does our environment shape our language, or does our language shape how we see our environment? (And no, I can't figure out why I'm thinking about it. When I get a chance.) My website partner Heather Hiestand asked me to update our Amazon store, choose some new items to highlight there. I did -- and the theme I saw there amused me. I chose: -Inu-Yasha, both books and DVDs: It's manga, a book (and anime) I was introduced to when I did a workshop for a conference on the different types of comics. A little bit of romance and a whole lot of action adventure, what's not to love? -Superfolks by Robert Mayer (book): I read this when I was a kid, when it was self-published and found its way into my local library. It's J. Alfred Prufrock in comic form, basically, about an over-the-hill super-hero, now married working stiff commuting on the train, who must save the world one more time as he's suffering from middle-age pangs and losing hair. This charming book as much as anything else influenced me when years later I wrote INTRODUCING SONIKA, coming soon from Cerridwen Press. Details as we get closer to release date. -Legion of Super-Heroes Archives: The Hub and I met over this comic book. Some couples have their song, their movie. We have Our Comic Book. (All together now: Awwww!) -Futurama (DVD): Ending where we started, with a little bit of romance and a whole lot of action adventure ... and because what's life without a little humor? Great series. What do these choices say about me? I was meant to write genre fiction, romance and action adventure. It's where my heart lies. What's on YOUR list (making me sound like an Amex commercial)? And speaking of coming soon ... 30-DAY GUARANTEE, coming in June from myromancestory.com!

Celebrating 30-Day

2007-05-18T11:48:00Z

It's more than appropriate that my graphic novella, "30-Day Guarantee," is going live in just a few weeks, because the first scene takes place at the annual University District Street Fair near the University of Washington in Seattle, which takes place the weekend before Memorial Day every year. When I wrote the original novel, twenty years ago, I remember being nostalgic about the street fair -- I was living in New York at the time -- and thought it was a great place to start the story. I think I'll go to the University District Street Fair this weekend. I'll be able to look around and say to myself, "And this is where Gray and Astra meet." I don't often have the pleasure of being able to see such places, after all. In THE SLEEPER AWAKES and in INTRODUCING SONIKA, both are set in imaginary places. But then there's FESTIVAL OF STARS, a great deal of which takes place in a part of Seattle called West Seattle. Is it a real place? Or is it yet another figment of my imagination? It's hard to say!

Four roses for Festival!

2007-05-15T10:43:00Z

I have my first review for FESTIVAL OF STARS, and I'm glad that at least one other person (other than me and my editor) liked it, giving it four roses! From Kay James, of the Romance Reader at Heart reviews website: "FESTIVAL OF STARS by Eilis Flynn is an engaging story. It drew me in right at the very first page, beginning with the telling of an ancient legend involving star lovers and the Milky Way. Who could resist a tale that begins this way? Not I. "By the time I was fully engrossed in the story, I hardly batted an eye at the sometimes out-of-this-world details that come into play, seemingly from all angles. Multilingual doctors, head-sitting dogs causing car accidents, conversations in Japanese and Swedish and packed full of surprises—this book is highly entertaining. Eilis Flynn has a vivid imagination and it makes her stories, and especially her characters shine. "This author knows how to write a love scene, too. Let's just say there was one shower scene that truly left me breathless—and I loved it! "Well written, with witty dialogue and a story that had me wondering until the very end whether or not the legend would be satisfied, I enjoyed reading FESTIVAL OF STARS by Eilis Flynn."--Kay James, Romance Reader at Heart Reviews

It's a "30-Day Guarantee"

2007-05-14T10:13:00Z

It occurred to me somewhat belatedly that the graphic novella from myromancestory.com is titled "30-Day Guarantee." And I forgot to tell you. Simple thing for me to remember, right? So keep that title in mind (think about when you're buying an appliance!), and come June, go check out "30-Day Guarantee"!

Another upcoming launch

2007-05-14T06:12:00Z

My second novel, FESTIVAL OF STARS, came out last Thursday. And now, my graphic novella -- my first comic story in almost 30 (that's THIRTY) years -- is listed among the upcoming stories at myromancestory.com: http://www.myromancestory.com/upcoming_releases.php Wealthy software developer Gray Reiss uses a simple marketing strategy for promoting his products — a 30-day, money-back guarantee. He offers the same deal to pretty college professor Astra Maris, but this time the product is … himself! He wants Maris to try dating him for a month, and if she’s not happy… Maris is shocked by the offer. For one, it’s outrageous. For another, she’s not ready to date again after her painful divorce. And dare she risk her heart around a man whose slightest touch makes her blood turn to liquid fire? Title #: 4722 © Writer: Eilis Flynn © Artist: Kike Olmedo Okay, I should be over my excitement about this, but I'm not! EEE! Coming soon! And I'll certainly be telling everyone about it!

Another "in-between"

2007-05-04T14:31:00Z

I caught the end of THE GOLDEN CHILD the other day -- if you're not familiar with it, it's the movie with Eddie Murphy as a detective who tracks down missing children given the task of finding the child of the movie title, who has amazing powers. Not one of the movies he's known best for, but it's a tossup between this one and THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN, the satiric movie he did about a con man getting elected to Congress, for my favorite Murphy movie. He's made some terrible movies and some excellent ones, but the movies he chooses tells me that he has eclectic taste on the vehicles he goes for. Neither CHILD nor GENTLEMAN will be on a list of faves for Murphy fans of BEVERLY HILLS COP (amusing enough), but both movies have a spark of creativity that I enjoy. Another movie in that ilk would have to be The Arnold's LAST ACTION HERO, which spoofed the action-hero genre. The Hub and I loved it, because it tweaked the genre -- but of course Arnold fans didn't like it because they expected it to BE an action movie. Neither here nor there -- we all have faves like that. What's yours?

Between the launches

2007-05-02T17:02:00Z

As I'm preparing for the launch of my second book, FESTIVAL OF STARS, I figured I'd stop and look at the past month. My first book, THE SLEEPER AWAKES, came out on April 12, and I've spent what seems to be an inordinate amount of time figuring out how to promote it without spending money. I went to the Readers' Luncheon sponsored by the Portland RWA chapter, and not only had a great time, but saw family and friends (best reason to go, when you can hit all the stops!) as well. I got the most wonderful review from Kay James at Romance Reader At Heart for THE SLEEPER AWAKES, which was a real boon. And yesterday I found out that The Hub had contacted the current head of an organization he founded when he was 13, and in the most recent newsletter, lo and behold there was a blurb about SLEEPER. Now I have to figure out what to do with FESTIVAL. A little trickier, but let's see what we can come up with!

When reviews take you by surprise

2007-04-06T08:31:00Z

My first review for THE SLEEPER AWAKES was by Jacquie Rogers, who writes about faeries for Highland Press. She liked it, but then I figured she was being nice and I also know where she lives. (But she tells me she's NOT a nice person, so I'm confused.) But the review was favorable, and I was at least comforted by the idea that at least someone out there who wasn't me liked the book (not counting the editor who bought it, of course). But I found out yesterday a reviewer at Romance Reader at Heart gave THE SLEEPER AWAKES a Top Pick rating! So at least TWO other people, plus my editor, have liked the book. It's a great trend! Let's see if the trend continues starting next Thursday ...

Practically hours now

2007-04-04T11:24:00Z

A little over a week before THE SLEEPER AWAKES launches. I got my author copies the other day, and promptly opened up a copy -- and then closed it, because I can't stand to read my writing after I've finished it. And I would have been surprised to realize I've got other things to consider than launch day: I have to order bookmarks, put stuff on the website about Sonika and "30-Day Guarantee," I have to respond to the Readers' Luncheon in Portland -- too much to do! And I wanted to drop a line about the Emerald City ComiCon, which I dropped in on the other day. Later, I guess -- this time last year it never would have occurred to me that I would have this much going on, and in such unexpected ways!

Good and bad

2007-03-27T11:27:00Z

Today's news. The good: My seemingly never-ending revisions of my comic script for MyRomanceStory.com have been accepted. Hurray! The bad: Got email from Ken Gale, the comic maven and host of 'Nuff Said, the radio show about comics, which mentioned that Marshall Rogers, who did some of the most beautiful comic art in my younger days, passed away recently. Only in his mid-50s. Like Dave Cockrum's work, Rogers' art has to be seen to be appreciated.

The days are ticking down (sounds ominous, doesn't it?)

2007-03-18T17:35:00Z

If you go to www.cerridwenpress.com and click on upcoming e-books, look down at the bottom row, you'll see the cover for THE SLEEPER AWAKES. Each week, the cover's position shifts, spot by spot, until April 12 ... at which point the book will be on the front page, available for sale. Nothing else makes it quite so clear that the countdown is on!

Finding inspiration

2007-03-14T07:47:00Z

I have a Day Job that reaches its zenith in madness from around December until late February. During this period, we don't have time to do much except work. Christmas, unfortunately, gets pushed aside (so if you're one of the many who haven't received a holiday card or newsletter from us in years, this is why), and the mounds of books I receive for the holiday rarely get touched until later in the year. My wrists ache, my eyes are bloodshot, and I have yet another deadline to reach for, but in the back of my mind, I am still plotting. Sometimes I am plotting a murder (resentments rise, you see), and sometimes I am plotting a high fantasy (anything to fly beyond the mundane), and sometimes I am plotting a sweet romance (because there's nothing sweet or romantic in my ordinary work circumstances). Sometimes I'm plotting all three at once and for the same story. I may not be able to write that story right then and there, but I know I can start thinking about it. The roadblocks that occur, those things that stump your plot and you, can be fixed by letting the problem simmer in the back of your mind. That's true for all of us. Remember: No matter where you are, no matter what your circumstances, the next story is within you.

Running pell-mell

2007-02-28T18:24:00Z

Between the flu (both me and The Hub), final line edits (for the book out in May but not yet for the one out in April; soon, I 'spect!), another round of rewrites for the graphic novella (almost there!), and The Day Job (well, it's The Day Job. What else need be said?), February was a gruelingly busy month. And on the last day of the month, Cerridwen Press gave me an offer for INTRODUCING SONICA, title tentative. That'll be no. 3 for me, and the way CP works, that may see e-publication before the end of the year. INTRODUCING SONICA, some of you may remember, was the book I wrote when there were no super-hero romances around. I had the background, both in comic books and in romance; I wanted an action-filled, fun read that also had a romance. I went through two editors at two different houses with degrees of interest, an agent who was interested in the work only as a script (and in fact, it now exists) but couldn't find a house to buy the book, and at least one professional who told me that I had too MUCH background. And they couldn't see a girl having the power and the guy didn't. Sheesh! Anyway, cross our fingers Sonica will finally have a home. She's been wandering a long time.

I have covers!

2007-02-12T21:21:00Z

I have covers! I hope you like 'em too! You'll find covers for both THE SLEEPER AWAKES and FESTIVAL OF STARS under "Books," as soon as I can persuade David our webmaster to place them there.

Cover for THE SLEEPER AWAKES?

2007-02-07T07:03:00Z

I finally got the preliminary cover for THE SLEEPER AWAKES, which comes out in a rapidly approaching smattering of days (I'd tell you exactly, but the countdown window doesn't work on my computer): April 12. This was a source of great excitement for me, as I'd gotten my cover for FESTIVAL OF STARS (available May 10) a month before. The cover for FESTIVAL got the elements I was looking for. Now, the cover for THE SLEEPER AWAKES, done by another artist, is another distinctive cover...but misleading. It, too, has the elements I specified, and more. But it is very different in tone. The book is a fantasy. Will it sell to fantasy readers? I will reveal the final versions of both once the revisions for the latter are done, soon. Until then ...

Keeping busy

2007-02-03T16:27:00Z

The beginning of the year is a busy time at the Day Job, but that hasn't stopped me from writing (sometimes my eyes are drifting closed, but the fingers are still tapping away. Imagine the editing job afterward!). The editing for OT is done, I've submitted the super-hero fantasy to my editor at Cerridwen, and I'm working on the chapter breakdown for the the futuristic continuity romance, also for Cerridwen. The countdown is on ... not much longer until THE SLEEPER AWAKES launches (just got the preliminary version of the cover for that, and my suggested revisions just went back), and then, a month after that, FESTIVAL OF STARS. And the panic for figuring out promotion starts! I can't wait until I can show off both covers!