Work in Progress

Return of the Light - Book 1 of The 'Ru Lexicon series

When I finished the first draft of Return of the Light, I set it in a drawer to marinate for a couple of weeks while ironing out some kinks in my world-building, tightening up some plot issues, and rethinking my prologue (as in -- should I just dump it and backstory the info in?).

I think the thing that has amazed me most about this particular book is how much it changed from the original concept. When I started researching the background material nearly ten years ago, I was looking for a different approach to the typical vampire romance. I wrote an outline, detailed character sketches, and several chapters ... then I put it aside, allowing LIFE [kids, jobs, relationships, houses, parents ... ] to get in the way of giving it the attention it deserved.

But it sat patiently crouched in the dark recesses of my mind, occasionally belching up new fodder to remind me of its existence. I can't say why I stayed away so long. Writing has always been a part of me, and like many writers, I have boxes full of half-realized ideas, short stories, and practice novels that only a mother could love, but something about this one just wouldn't let me go. Then in December of '07, whether it was the stars moving into the correct alignment or my brain finally shrugging off the control collar, I picked it up again and knew it was time. The story that had been percolating deep inside all these years was ripe and ready to be told.

Ironically, the story that finally did get told is nothing like I originally envisioned. Instead of vampires, I have immortal warriors. Romance gave way to swordplay. Martial arts replaced bedroom gymnastics. And the only sweet nothings being whispered are those hissed into a demon's ear just before the blade slides home.

Besides demonology and magic, I've had to learn more about weapons and fighting than I ever wanted to know (hey, I'm a pacifist!). My characters are a snarky, rambunctious lot who either have bullied or sweet-talked me into letting them do things I never would have imagined, but like any children, the heartache and insanity they foster only makes you love them more.

Now while I finish the polish and submittal process for Book 1, the concept for Book 2 is swirling and gelling in my subconscious. I already know who my central character will be because she has been beating me upside the head for months for a starring role. Here's hoping she has the legs to carry an entire book.

Other Writing

Once upon a time I wrote some short stories. The following are two of the early ones (*cringes*).

The Edge

Somewhere within the barren house a clock counted a muted chime: one, two. I stared past the hot silver weight in my hand at the woman on the floor, her blood shimmering like cherry-colored oil on the slick white tile, framing a ragged hole between vacant eyes.

Green eyes.

I had no memory of who she was or why I was here among these stark walls. My brain was numb. I knew myself only from scent, and a name that flashed like a neon sign from oblivion ... Mike. Mike Salino.

Read this story...

Hand-Painted Pottery

“You’re going to use a knife?”

Rene paused, his eyes shifting from the glimmering dagger to the nude woman stretched before him on the bed. He’d picked her up at The Cave, one of those goth hangouts where the death groupies, as he liked to call them, came to roost. This one was a little young--probably just barely legal--but she’d practically fallen into his lap when he told her what he was.

“You’d prefer something else?” he asked, flipping through his mental Rolodex to recall her name. Something with an A; Andy, Angela, Angeline. Yeah, that was it. Angeline.

“Well,” she pouted, “I just thought you’d, you know ... use your teeth.”

Read this story...