biancadarc.com Blog

The Craft: Prologues & Davin’s Quest

I adding a new category to this blog for posts relating to the craft of writing. Not that I’m any mighty sage of the English language, but as I discover or wrestle with new things, I think others in my position – either aspiring or published authors – might be interested in some of what I’ve been through. I know that’s how I learn – by listening to the comments of other writers. Hopefully some of my observations will help someone else. Plus, I find this stuff interesting and I *hope* readers of this blog will too. So here goes… My first “The Craft” post – a little something about writing my upcoming ebook release (Davin’s Quest – February 19th) and what it taught me.

I struggled with the beginning of Davin’s Quest for several reasons. First, there was a prior book in the series – Hara’s Legacy - in which a lot of information about the futuristic world had been laid out, but what if the reader hadn’t read that book yet? I had to make the beginning of this book make sense to a new reader, while not insulting the old readers too much. Always a challenge – to remind folks of the “rules” of the world without huge chunks of exposition or the dreaded ”telling rather than showing.” *Yawn*

Another challenge was the fact that there are two heroes in this book. One is quite different from the other and until about halfway into the book, they don’t even know each other. So how do I introduce them both and keep the readers interested in BOTH of them throughout the first part of the book?

After much indecision, I decided to go with a prologue to set the stage for the story, since this book takes place over a few years of the characters’ lives. In the first iteration of the prologue, only Davin was featured - a hot section that introduced him and his position within Alvian society during an encounter with one of his underlings. Rick – Stud Number Two - didn’t show up until a few chapters into the manuscript. I knew that was a potential problem. How could the reader come to know and love Rick if he suddenly appeared in Chapter 3? It just wasn’t working.

So I wrote more pre-story for Rick and moved a key piece of interraction between him and his father to the prologue section, expanding the prologue in a way I’ve never done before. I decided to separate it using the main differences between Rick and Davin. Rick is human. Davin’s an alien. So by expanding the Prologe into something a bit longer than I’ve ever done before, I think I’ve managed to introduce both the alien way of life, illustrate the human existence in this post-apocalyptic world and the relationship between Rick and his fellow man and Davin and his alien race. That’s a lot to tackle in just a few short pages, but by doing it this way, I think I’ve made it interesting. At least I hope you’ll all agree.

Tomorrow, I’ll post the “Human” part of the Prologue as a Sneak Peek. You’ll get to meet Rick and then you can let me know if I’ve succeeded in laying out some of the history of the world and introducing Stud Number Two in an interesting way. Stay tuned…

WW: Temple Cat Surprise

Just a break from the Wordless Wednesday meme for a moment to tell you I’ll be posting a discussion of my writing process over at the Samhain blog today ( http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/2008/01/30/bianca-darcs-world-the-writing-process ). The post goes up at 3pm eastern time, so check it out and leave me a comment if you’re interested in the topic! Now, back to the artshow…

Art by Daio

RT Reviews

I’m proud to say that both Prince of Spies and Hara’s Legacy were given 4 Stars in the new issue of Romantic Times magazine. So far, RT has given every paperback of mine they’ve reviewed 4 Stars and I’m so thankful!

The reviewer was especially complimentary about Hara’s Legacy – she said, in part: “This riveting read delivers a solid plot with emotional and physical intensity… The characters’ strong feelings and sacrifices will have you believing in the power of love.”

I think that’s the nicest review I’ve ever gotten from them, so I’m a very happy camper today!

Monday Mania on the FAR Blog

Hey Everybody! I’m the guest at FAR’s Monday Mania today, so go on over to the blog and say hello. They’ll be doing a giveaway or two, I think, though I’m still trying to figure out how this all works! LOL

B.

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/blog

Preditors & Editors News

Not all the results are in yet, but I just saw that Wings of Change finished in the Top Ten in the P&E poll – #6 to be exact – in the Short Story Science Fiction Fantasy category. Congrats to the winner and all the other Top Ten finishers! And many thanks to all of you who voted!!!

Bound Eternally by Dawn Montgomery

My fellow Daughter of Circe, Dawn Montgomery has a new release! Here’s the pertinent info:

Title: Bound Eternally
Author: Dawn Montgomery
ISBN: 978-1-59596-873-9
Page Count: 41
Price: $3.49
Release Date: January 25, 2008
Editor: Maryam Salim
Cover Artist: Reneé George
Genres & Themes: Paranormal; Angels and Demons; Interracial; The Dark Side; BBW

The Master of the Hunt has sprung his trap. They’ve avoided the worst, or so they think, until betrayal rears its head.

Elena must choose to keep her humanity or release it. Each decision is life or death. She must stop the monster before he kills again.

Death is on his heels, and Drake must make the ultimate choice. As the pieces fall into place, his heart and soul are on the line. When they messed with Elena, they made the wrong choice.

You see, when a demon bonds, it’s eternally.

Purchase Link: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=780

And here’s the Changeling Discount code for the week:  08JAN27  5% off your order!

WW: Wyvern Famliar

Art by Daio

Sweat 70 Check In

Okay, so I figured I should check in with my writing challenge. Originally, I wanted to write about 100,000 words by the end of January, but that was probably unrealistic with the holidays and all. I made it to about 70,000, which is great, and of course, I’m still writing. Always writing! lol.

I’ve been working on FireDrake, which is scheduled for May release. I think it’s a great addition to the Dragon Knights world and I REALLY love how it’s coming along. It’s pretty much done… just a few finishing touches to put on before I send it to my editor. I’ve also been awaiting the proofs of Davin’s Quest, which should be here any day.

In the meantime, I’ve been getting some promotional items ready for the various SF cons and romance writers conferences I’m planning to attend this year. It’s going to be a pretty busy schedule, but I’m looking forward to it… really… I am! Hmm… guess you can tell I’m a little burnt out on traveling, but it’s got to be done and I know I’ll have a good time at the cons once I get there.

New Cover for Sons of Amber in Print!

Is that not a beautiful cover? The lovely and talented Stella Price created this fantastic cover for the print version of my first two Sons of Amber stories, due out in March from Phaze. Ain’t it great?

Rites of Romance Award Winner!

Thanks to everyone who voted for me and my books! I’m flattered and humbled by the results. Especially being named the “Best Sci Fi Author of 2007″! Wow!!!

Best Scifi Author 2007:
Bianca D’Arc
Honorable Mention: Lara Santiago
 
Best Paranormal Book 2007:
Forever Valentine-Bianca D’Arc
Honorable Mention: Here Kitty, Kitty-Shelly Laurenston
 
Best Shifter Book 2007:
Hara’s Legacy-Bianca D’Arc
Honorable Mention: Pack Challenge-Shelly Laurenston
 
Best Book Erotic 2007:
Hara’s Legacy- Bianca D’Arc
Honorable Mention: Forbidden: The Claim-Samantha Sommersby

Best Vampire Book 2007:
Sweeter Than Wine-Bianca D’Arc
Honorable Mention: Master Of Obsidian-Jamie Craig