"Dark Goddess" Now Complete

Both versions of Dark Goddess are now complete. The E/B version was hosted on FanFiction and the E/B/J version was over on TWCS. You can download them from my downloads page.

A while back, i wrote a post about why I did two different versions, but when I split the site between my OF and FF, the post seems to have gotten lost somewhere in the shuffle. Anyway, I'm too lazy to hunt it down and re-telling you is easier.

I originally "wrote" two different versions of it in my head. This is not uncommon. I may re-write a story half a dozen times with new characters, new pairings, new plot twists, etc. I liked both versions, though I preferred the E/B/J version slightly more. I decided that was the one I'd post.

When I was discussing the story with SoapyMayhem, she who made the lovely banner above, she warned me I might face some negative reactions from it. I figured I was cool with it. If people didn't like it, they didn't have to read it, I reasoned. No hard feelings. After all, not every story is right for everyone.

Love triangles are a seriously under-utilized plot line.

However, once I started posting, I encountered a lot of people who were confused by the pairings. They thought it would be another Edward-and-Jacob-fight-over-Bella story, or a threesome story, in the sense of all three of them sharing the same bed. I was composing long emails several times a day to try to explain where the story was going, romance-wise.

At the same time, I was finishing up edits on my second novel The End of All Things, and trying to start my third. It got overwhelming, trying to keep up with the correspondence and with juggling my other stuff. So, I decided it'd just be easier to write two versions of it.

In all, I'd estimate only about 20% to 25% of the text is different. The stories are identical up to about chapter four. Later, a chapter is omitted completely from the Original Version. And the last chapter contains only a few snippets which are the same.

They see me rollin'. They hatin'.

It was a really interesting experience, writing two versions at the same time. I usually did the E/B version first, because I tend to write my FF on FanFiction's word processing screen, a habit I retained from the days of Compulsion when I found that uploading my chapters after writing them on my computer made chunks of text disappear  I have a new computer now and FanFiction has updated its software, but it's just how I roll. I'm a creature of habit. What can I say?

Anyhoo, it was a great learning experience because it made me concentrate on how romance plots are built. Little gestures which might build toward tension or emotion... I had to look at each of them and decide whether to discard it for the alternate version. And then build the alternative romance plot line for Jacob.

I keep trying different things in my writing and so far, I've enjoyed every moment of it.

Tell me, which was your favorite version and why?

Download Page Updated

I updated the downloads page today. The files for Written in the Stars and The Selkie Wife now include the outtakes.

I also added EPUB versions for Nook users.

Enjoy!

Stand up for Katalina!

The Stand up for Katalina charity has been an incredible outpouring of love from the fandom. As always, I stand in awe of the generosity and kindness of this amazing group of people.

 Katalina's bavery and grace in the face of her illness inspired this story for me. I deeply enjoyed writing it and I hope you guys enjoy reading it.

If you'd like to get a copy, along with stories from dozens of awesome fanfiction authors, donate here.

There's a teaser on the site, but I thought I'd give you just a little bit more....

Alice thinks her introverted sister, Bella, needs to get out and enjoy life, so she signs her up for tango lessons. Thanks to a sexy, hands-on instructor, Bella will learn more than the steps.

He pushed play and the music began. “Because, Bella, I’ve never met a person who needed to dance more than you did.”

“You felt sorry for me?” The words were like a sharp needle, stabbing into her heart.

“No. I wanted to be there when it happened. Because I knew it would be glorious.” He extended a hand. “Dance with me.”

It was a request she could never deny.

“We’re going to try something new,” he told her. “Do you trust me?”

She did. God help her, she did. She nodded and he smiled again. “All right. I’m going to dip you back, lowering you down. I want you to curl one leg around mine. We’ll go slow.”

He took her into his arms and, as always, her heart sped up. As if he knew it, he smiled softly, and brushed a tendril of hair back from her cheek. “Here we go.”

He lowered her, slowly, as he’d promised. Bella used her right leg to brace herself and curled the left around his legs. “What do I do with my arms?” she murmured. They were currently locked on his shoulders.

“Let go,” he said softly.

She did, and it was so deliciously freeing to feel her body completely supported by his arms, knowing that she was utterly safe within them. Slowly, Bella lifted her arms until they were behind her head and she let her head fall back. He made a small sound and she sensed, more than felt it, when he lowered his head and brushed his lips across the vulnerable column of her throat. As lightly as the brush of butterfly wings, like the kiss of a summer breeze.

Coming soon ...

By the incredibly talented SoapyMayhem

I'm writing a story for the Stand Up for Katalina compilation. In case you don't know, Katalina is a member of the fandom who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. People wanted to do something for her, of course, so she asked that we donate to the Stand Up to Cancer charity. Her bravery and grace during this difficult time are inspirational.

Katalina gave each writer a prompt. She asked me to write about an Edward who dances the tango, and a story began to bloom in my mind ... a story about a shy, awkward Bella taking dance lessons, and an instructor who teaches her more than just the steps ... He teaches her to take joy in life.

You'll love this compilation. There are over 40 authors signed up already, and more are joining every day.

Stop by the website and leave a little note of support, and please, donate if you can.

"Dark Goddess" Nominated for Fic of the Week

Dark Goddess has been nominated for Fic of the Week over at Teh Lemonade Stand. There are two days left to vote.

Thanks to Dessie Dhiee Masen for nominating it.







Me right now:

Translations

Written in the Stars is currently being translated into Spanish. And someone made this spiffy new banner for it!

There is also a Russian translation, and that site also made a banner for it:

 The French translator also intends to translate The Selkie Wife and The Better Angels of our Nature.

I'm so amazed and flattered that these people are willing to do so much work to bring my story to readers in other countries.There can be no greater compliment.

I use Google Translate to go in and read the reviews, and chapters of the story itself. It's always interesting to see how idioms and expressions will be translated in other languages. The author of the Spanish version is including a glossary and footnotes at the bottom to explain some of the aspects which don't translate well.

This is the German translation of Written in the Stars."

The Better Angels of Our Nature is being translated into Spanish and they made a BEAUTIFUL banner for it!

All of these translations are currently works-in-progress. When they are finished, I'll add them to the "Download Stories" page.

"Dark Goddess" Updates and Where to Find Them

The recent ... unpleasantness at fanfiction.net has made me very nervous.

While I don't believe that any of my stories violate the TOS, I've heard of some stories being removed because their title sounded naughty. That doesn't instill a lot of faith in the system, even though the stories in question were eventually restored.

As a result, I've decided to expand my offerings at TWCS, as are many other authors. Both versions of Dark Goddess can now be found at TWCS and I've added the latest chapter update (chapter 18) to both.

TWCS Original Version
TWCS E & B Version

I will resume posting at FFN at some point, as soon as all of this nonsense has died down.

And, when completed, both versions will be posted here, available for download.

 Fandom 4 No Kid Hungry raised over $3,000!

Thank you so much for helping us not only meet our fundraising goal, but surpass it by a wide margin.

 You guys are AWESOME!!

If you haven't donated, there's still a couple of more days to do so and turn in your receipt to get a HUGE compilation by a lot of talented FF authors.

New Banner for "Savior"

New banner for my "Bella's Insane" Contest entry, made by Ellie Wolf.

I can't believe it ....

Written in the Stars won the "Dreamer's Award" in the iSparkle Awards!

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. You have given me a lovely gift, and I'll treasure it always.