Cleverly disguised as an editor, waiting to throw off the cloak

I've got a hot cup of Hawaiian Hazelnut with a few shots of espresso to give it some perk; I've got a not-busy day at work filling in a spotlight of International Business Tips (which I wrote); and I've got plenty of new inspiration to type a few hundred words, at least, so let's get to it!

Last night I was settling into my memory foam mattress, on my memory foam pillow, while my noisemaker made it sound like I was living under a tin roof in a rainstorm -- and that's when the muse decided to take a walk into Chapter 9 of GLOW. I only let him/her get a few steps in -- I was honestly too tired and too comfortable to scrawl in the minimal light a few ideas. So, I rolled onto my belly and let the ideas fill my dreams.

I've had a lot of wonderful dreams lately -- and I mean real dreams, not the scenarios I concoct in my waking hours about being interviewed about my latest best-seller. These dreams have filled pages in my writing notebook with a homage to William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' that I'm currently calling 'A Midsummer's Nightmare' -- at least until something cooler strikes my fancy. It stars a few ghosts, a few ghosthunters, some jilted dead lovers with an eye for vengeance and, of course, Nym, a mischievous overseers just trying to do the right thing.

I've got a mysterious scene tumbling around where I wake up at a police station in London with no idea how I got there -- but it's not really a police station, but a cover for an underground organization that takes me in to help me find out why I came to be there in the first place. It's kind-of awesome, actually ... I have the whole story and an ending that will leave you out of breath and smiling, but I'm not telling yet :)

But, best of all, I had a dream the other night that I've since translated into the opening chapter of MANAS II, the sequel to my first novel that is out with an agent right now under exclusivity for possible representation. Bodyparts crossed, please. I'm calling the book NERO (as MANAS means 'knowledge,' NERO means 'power'), and I've met a few new characters, including a brother-and-sister-in-crime Faolan and Lynly Vale, who would like to join in for a little fun.

So, creatively, things are really moving forward. I'm in a great place, with a ton of great ideas ... and I'm enjoying myself, which is hard to do once you start viewing your writing as a business venture rather than an awesome hobby that you're good at.

My coffee is getting cold, and my fingers are itching to transcribe the muse from last night's untimely interruption. Have a wonderful day, and buy a Kindle, will you? hehehee

PS -- The new AmberPlante.com website design is *stellar*! The timeline was set back a little, as my web designer was buying a house and the deal fell through (due to the moronic sellers who need a punch in the face), but the design is really lovely, sleek, professional and still manages to have my personality :)

PPS -- Hair appointment today to refresh and brighten up all my pink! So excited, and it's really bringing me more in tune with Zellie, who in the sequel will again have some pretty awesome hair! I'm thinking ... bright bubblegum at the roots, fading through fuchsia (her/my signature color) and into a candy-apple at the tips. Fierce! I'm gunna try it out today on me first! :)

A Look Back at 2009 ...

I'm officially stunned into silence.

This year has brought with it so many amazing things that I don't know if I can express enough excitement over what's occurred ...

First, I completed my first novel, the 77,000-word MANAS, about a prodigy spy and a gorgeous hacker who band together to decrypt the mystery behind a genetic experiment aimed at creating the perfect soldier. In addition to finishing it, I also cut my teeth sending cold emails to agents, and even got a few very interested responses. To my first book! Unreal ... It's out under exclusivity right now, and I'm over the moon about the possibilities!

Second, I planned, started and completed my second novel, the 80,000-word ARCANE, about a girl drawn into an alternate plane of reality ruled by magic. This decaying, post-apocalyptic world is under the rule of chaos twins aimed at rebooting the flow of magical energy for their own evil greed, but Drew and her rebels are the obstacle standing in their way. This story also was send out to agents and has gotten a few nibbles. More to come on this in the new year, I think ...

Third, I planned and began my third novel, GLOW, about a woman living the paint-by-number life her father planned for her -- until she meets a stranger who teaches her how to color outside the lines. Add in that he is a being from another universe send to judge whether Earth is worth saving from the evil Dark Entity, then you've got the mixture for a great paranormal romance! I'm between 1/3 and 1/2 completed the first draft, and I'm in love with the characters ...

In addition to the book situation, I'm also thrilled with my writing progress. This year, I looked outside my comfort zone and joined Writers United, a local writing group that has opened my eyes to a culture I didn't know existed. My dear friends are a talented bunch who inspire and drive me to write better. Thank you, ladies.

And, as always, I've got my happy, healthy family! My husband is just the best man in the world and a real hard-ass critic (which I love and need), and my boys ... well, they are magic in and of themselves every moment of the day.

The best part about this past year is what wonderful things it will lead to in 2010. Keep moving forward!