You’re All Going to Think I’m Crazy…

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authors, Being an Author, books, eBooks, indie authors, Indie books, Kindle, novels, On Writing, sequel, vampire books, vampire fiction, vampire novels, vampire trilogy, vampires, writing

Seriously, you are.

And I’m pretty sure you know what I am talking about.

It had been on my mind for a little while, and took a good butt kicking to get the drive going again. But I am glad that engine is roaring once more, and I doubt I am going to look back.

I am once again working on the sequel to The Dark Proposal.

Yeah. I’m certain some of you are rolling your eyes now.

After stopping, restarting and stopping again, I am giving it another go. And this time I am going to go all the way with it.

The last time I stopped was, as I explained, mainly for financial reasons. As much as I wanted to keep working on the sequel, I was concerned about how expensive it is to self-publish. But after doing a little research, I found it is not that unusual for writers to do crowd-source funding for their work. And that is what I plan to do. By the time I am done with the first draft of this book, I will start a campaign to raise money to get my book edited, get the cover made, and a few other promotional things to get the word out about it. But that won’t be until the fall, perhaps.

Some of you might be thinking that I am struggling with the main character, Claire McCormick, because I portrayed her as insecure, naive and kind of foolish, which is not easy to follow-up to in the sequel. While my intention was never to make her a strong, kick-ass female, I am finding ways to develop her strengths as well as have her face her weaknesses. Claire’s story is about personal responsibility, which ties in with the vampires’ story.

Some of you may also be wondering about my other WIP, “The Cats”. That I am setting aside until I complete my vampire trilogy. I may work on it from time to time, but my priority is my vampire stories, so once I complete them, then I’ll continue on with “The Cats”.

Yeah, being an author can be a mindboggling thing. You have to weigh-in writing what you want versus what makes since business-wise. After all, writing books is a business, whether you self-publish or go the traditional route. Money talks, and you have consider how you’re going to spend your money, or obtain the funds, to get your work out to the world. But sometimes passion talks to, and if it’s in your gut to write something, or finish something, than there are times when you have to give in. Besides, going with your gut works all the time.

So, without any further ado – onward with the sequel to The Dark Proposal.

BTW, I’ve already given it a working title: “A Light in the Darkness”.

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Print Survives While eBooks Wane

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books, digital books, eBooks, Kindle, Kobo, printed books, self publishing, self-published books, technology

A recent New York Times story talked about how print books are on the rebound, while digital books are on a sudden decline. eBook sales sharply decreased this year, while print books remain steady. Even more so, bookstores are seeing profits and sales of digital readers, like Kindle, are declining.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

It appears the terror over the end of print books – with their aroma, words on paper you can touch, and the stacked bookshelves that display them – maybe waning. Some people are relaxing or are relieved to know that eBooks did not take over old fashioned media, much like MP3s replaced CDs and cassettes, or Netflix is replacing TV and cable.

But based on the comments section for that NY Times article, and other comments on writers forums and blogs, many would say the article is misleading. Some argue that eBooks will not disappear anytime soon. After all, they are good for traveling and there are certain genres that are good for eBooks, such as erotica and romance. After all, one reason why eBooks were doing so well was because of the popularity of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

Another reason why eBooks may be declining is because of how some books are priced at the same amount as print books. Another would be because some eBooks are not archived long enough on the reading devices.

I also cannot help but wonder if the decline of the eBooks has a lot to do with the backlash over self-published books. Many of them are filled with editorial mistakes such as misspelled words, grammatical errors and formatting issues. My book has this problem when I first released it, so I am just as guilty here for hurting the self-publishing/digital book movement that is now struggling. I am still seeing many blog posts and articles complaining about the editorial troubles, with some people swearing off self-published books for good.

I believe eBooks will stick around, but will not erase printed books forever. I think eBooks will be one of the many ways to enjoy a book. For now on, there will be four formats: hardcover, softcover, audio and digital. Audiobooks certainly didn’t ruin printed books, and they are still being used for various reasons. The same will go for digital books.

But in the meantime, eBooks need to look good. The eBook craze coincided with the self-publishing craze and now both are receiving a kind of backlash. In order to keep eBooks around as one of the many preferences to read a book, those who choose to release their books via the digital route need to be more professional and have a business mindset, rather than simply a creative one.

 

 

 

Print vs. eReaders – The Ongoing Debate

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eBooks, Kindle, New York City, Nook, NYC, NYC Subway system, print books, readers, reading, straphangers

Whether a book is better than an eReader, or vice versa, will be discussed until one of them dies out for good. Recently, an article was featured on the Huffington Post about this topic, but with an angle that tickled my fancy.

Click here for original source

This article, written by a mobile and web design company, Fueled, talks about how New York subways riders do their reading while traveling on one of the world’s largest transit systems. It notes while many use Kindles or other tablets, traditional books are still the norm:

A typical subway experience can be an adventure: riders sitting in more than one seat, straphangers bobbing to their music, the crazies, the snoozers, the gamers and the readers. Some readers prefer their handheld devices, holding on to a pole with one hand and their tablet with the other. But many still crack open their books to escape into another world.

I am one of these commuters. I take the train to and from work five times a week, and on most weekends, I am using the train to get around the city. I’m part of both groups. I have the Kindle app on my iPhone, which I used to read Francis J. Franklin’s Suzie and the Monsters. I am now using it to read a book on personal finance and investment.

But I still bring a traditional book with me to and from work. I do this mostly because I have plenty of books to read, and they are all print books. I am not sure what I will do once I complete all the books on my shelf, but right now, I am not taking sides on the print versus eReader debate.

However, there has been talk that eReaders such as Kindles or Nooks are declining in sales. While eBooks are still popular, there is a sense that they will not put traditional books into extinction.

The aforementioned article makes these points:

There are a number of things to consider in the battle between paper and pixel: cost, physical limitations, reading comprehension and interactive capabilities to name a few. Paper prevails in every measure.

There is something about a bookmark sticking out of your novel that entreats one to pick it back up and give it more quality time. Yes it’s helpful to roll over a word for a definition; but life is about tradeoffs and for many the tactile pleasures of paper are priceless.

People approach computers and tablets with a state of mind that is less conducive to learning than the one they bring to paper. Some studies even suggest that people read slower, less accurately and less comprehensively on screens than on paper because our brain processes printed digital and printed text in different ways.

I agree traditional books are better than eBooks, which sounds totally hypocritical of me since I self-published my book through Amazon Kindle and Smashwords – making my book exclusively for the eBook crowd. But despite this, I do think eBooks have a place in this world. I believe eventually, eReaders and tablets will find ways to make eBooks as personal as print books. I don’t know how exactly, because I am not a tech person, but I don’t think eBooks are a flash in the pan. They wouldn’t have lasted this long or have been this successful if they did not have an appeal.

As long as I am a self-published author, I will release my books as eBooks because it is much easier for me. However, I will use CreateSpace for special editions of my work. I am planning to release print copies of my vampire trilogy, The End of Eternity, once I published the third book, which won’t be for some time. Unless, however, technology changes or the self-publishing craze takes a dramatic turn. And it could, as I had discuss in a previous post where I compared the self-publishing excitement to the California Gold Rush.

These are exciting yet uncertain times for readers, publishers and the book industry. I think the HuffPo article mentioned here is showing New Yorkers, well known for reading during their commutes all over the metropolitan area, are an illustration of the uncertain future of books. The final paragraph sums it all up:

NYC subway riders embrace e-readers for a number of reasons, most notably: portability, accessibility and convenience. Is print dead? Not necessarily. Print doesn’t have to become obsolete for digital to flourish; they’re different and complementing experiences. Our world is increasingly immersed in technology. Let’s hold on to this special treasure for a little while longer. At least until the next stop.

Self-Publishing May Be Like The California Gold Rush

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authors, book industry, book publishing, books, California Gold Rush, eBooks, Kindle, self publishing, self-published authors, self-published books, Smashwords

Ever since I self-published my book back in September, I’ve had people ask me about both my experience and my take on self-publishing. Many are fascinated, while some are skeptical. I get the occasional few that look down at me, but so what? 🙂

Image via Wikimedia Commons

I know many writers out there wonder if self-publishing is here to stay or will it hit a wall like many trends do. Most point out that self-publishing is not as easy as it may sound. It is true that publishing your book(s) on your own is a huge gamble, especially in the financial sense. You are putting your own money toward something that you may not profit from. It may take a few years, and a few books, to make a name for yourself and see your hard work pay off. Basically, self-publishing is like any other business venture. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

What comes to my mind about the future of self-publishing, and book publishing altogether, is the California Gold Rush. When gold was discovered near San Francisco in 1848, tens of thousands from all over the world flooded the Golden State in hopes of becoming filthy rich from gold. These people were known as the 49ers, and I would say many self-published authors could be called the same. After all, we are part of a huge rush during a major turning point in publishing history.

I’m sure there self-published authors who felt that they would strike it rich based on the success stories of Amanda Hocking and John Locke. Others, like me, were intrigued by the idea of being in control of their product. When gold was found in California, a whole new world opened up. California developed a reputation as the place where dreams can come true – and not just from gold. Even today, California is the place to go for dreams to become reality, particularly among dot-com entrepreneurs.

But the reason why I compare self-publishing to the California Gold Rush is because while so many followed their dreams of success, few have actually gotten rich. I’ve heard of authors who struggle to sell even 100 copies of their books. Their investments do not pay off and they probably regret their decision to release their work on their own (NOTE: I can’t say this is definite for all, but I’m sure somewhere out there, there is an author kicking his or herself for not doing well with self-publishing). Writers like Amanda Hocking and John Locke are rare, just like those who actually found gold in California. Many naysayers of this form of book publishing may smirk over the disillusioned writers who dared to risk it all.

But what could happen, much like the results of the California Gold Rush, is that the book industry can change into something far different than what was expected. As a result of the gold rush, California became a state in 1850 and it’s population boomed. San Francisco went from a tiny town to a bustling city, and several spots in the state saw similar changes, albeit smaller. New technologies came about to transport gold seekers across the U.S. and around the globe. The rush made America seem much larger and everything became possible.

I can’t say what exactly will be left behind once the self-publishing craze quiets down. It won’t go away altogether, that’s certain, but I do think self-publishing will lead to something else for authors who want to share their works with the world. I highly doubt things will go back to the way they were – just like the U.S. did not go back to life before the gold rush.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Self-publishing has brought income for graphic designers creating book covers, editors fixing up manuscripts, tech-savvy book lovers to start blog tours and other promotional methods, and even video editors have found work to make book trailers. These are all freelance workers, and they may be tied with the increasing number of freelancers due to the struggling job market. But would these people be seeing extra money if self-publishing didn’t become a popular choice for many authors?

Heck, one good outcome from self-publishing is the increasing popularity of the New Adult genre. Originally begun by St. Martin’s Press a few years ago, self-published books have truly brought this genre to the masses. While some are skeptical of New Adult (NA) too, it is gaining in popularity thanks to self-publishing. One more point for this venture!

But it is still early to say what will be the final result of self-publishing. Many are still interested in this route, and that is good if they have reasonable priorities and goals. As long as writers are aware of the risks of self-publishing – especially financially – I say they should give it a shot. It’s cool to be part of something historic!

As for me, I would say I have done well. I am not a huge success, and if I ever get there, I’m a long way off. My first and only book has either sold or been downloaded for free over 700 times. During a free day on Halloween over on Amazon, it was in the Top 50 for free books in paranormal books. That’s pretty awesome and yes, I am proud of that. But I am not hugely famous and my book is not selling like hotcakes nine months after its release. Granted, I need to get it’s sequel out to keep the momentum going, but working full time does not making novel writing easy.

Will I keep self-publishing all of my future books? I cannot say. In my wildest dreams, I will be successful enough to do so. But that is not very realistic. My plan is to publish my vampire trilogy on my own, and then have my next books published by a small publishing house. That works for me. Self-publishing is hard work and it is such a gamble. I don’t regret doing any of it at all, and I’m glad I can tell my grandchildren what I took part in during an historic time in literature and technology. I just wish it was a lot more easier for many reasons.

The Dark Proposal – Re-Edited and Re-Released

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books, editing, Kindle, NA, New Adult, paranormal books, Smashwords, vampires

Today my book, The Dark Proposal, was re-released on Smashwords and Kindle. As I mentioned in a previous post, I was one of those self-published authors guilty of having a book in need of another edit. I did have someone edit my book, but I guess when I re-wrote a few scenes, I sent my novel into the Badly Edited Books category.

OK, it wasn’t that bad, but it was embarrassing knowing that my book had such problems. I saw it on reviews, and even friends and family were telling me about the grammar issues and typos. I wanted to avoid being lumped together with other self-published authors whose work brings out everyone’s inner Grammar Nazi. But, that was not the case.

I was looking to find an editor with reasonable rates to re-edit my book, when a fellow writer kindly did it himself. I won’t say his name, lest he gets bombarded with authors asking him to edit their work, which he doesn’t seem to want right now. But I am very grateful that he did this.

Also, I added a couple of short paragraphs in Chapter 13 that were in the first draft. Initially, it was a few long paragraphs where Claire reflects on her previous boyfriends, none of whom can be considered good guys. She notices a pattern in what attracts her to certain guys, which led her to go out with Daniel in the first place. It was a good passage, that takes place while she is out shopping in SoHo the day after she moved in with Daniel. But I eventually took it out when I felt those paragraphs slowed down the story. After I published The Dark Proposal, I decided I should’ve kept it in because it does explain Claire and the kind of guys she dates. So, I shortened those paragraphs to a couple with only a few lines each. Other than that, everything is the same. Oh, I also changed a few words to make Daniel’s interaction with Michel a bit more bromantic than before. I realized I has been too squeamish because guy-on-guy action, even briefly, isn’t as mainstream as female bisexuality. But so what? 🙂

So, behold my improved novel on Kindle and Smashwords. I’ll keep it on sale for 99 cents until June 21st, so you could add this to your summer reading. I hope this works out better this time. And if there still is grammar issues, I think I am going to cry hysterically for various reasons, LOL!

The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing

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books, eBooks, Indie books, indie writers, Kindle, NA, New Adult, self-published authors, self-published books, Smashwords, the writing process, vampires, writers

This week marks six months since I released my first book, The Dark Proposal. To celebrate, from March 12th to the 16th, my book will be 99 cents on both Amazon Kindle and Smashwords. So spread the word!

As I look back on those six months since I became a published author, I want to address self-publishing. I’ve been meaning to do so for a long while, and I think now would be a good time.

I don’t regret self-publishing my book. While I did go for the traditional route initially, I was too intrigued by self-publishing that I chose to do that. I liked the idea of being in control of my product and not compromising with someone else or having someone decide how to market my book. It was my work, my product, my baby. I wasn’t going to turn custody of my work to someone else.

I admit it did cost money to release my book on my own. The money I spent was almost entirely toward my editor. The cover design, getting the copyright, and paying for a blog tour was nickels and dimes compared to getting my story edited. It is overwhelming and it can make you wonder if you’re crazy to venture into self-publishing, but it was better than the alternative, at least for me.

Keep in mind, most indie authors do not have overnight success. Most have to publish several books in order to see major profit. So, it is a huge gamble and the investment is enormous, almost not worth the headache.

But is it better than querying agents or going to a small publishing house? Sure, if you don’t mind waiting for agents’ responses, waiting for at least to have interest in your novel, waiting for that agent to get back to you and then possibly shop your book around to the Big 6. If you get anywhere, you would then wait for your book to be published – after it is edited and you might have to accept major changes to your baby, such as character ages or names, certain scenes you feel are important are cut out, etc. You also get no say on what kind of cover you want (that was one of the big things that attracted me to self-publishing because I didn’t want anyone to decide how on the cover but me).

Then your book is published. It is on shelves at brick and mortar stores with the public more aware of it than an eBook. There is some buzz and your book sells – but how well? From what I understand, a traditional author has to wait a few months to learn how many copies they sold, instead of daily. Yes, they may see more money – but is it guaranteed?

One thing I keep hearing about the benefits of traditional publishing is that an author knows for sure their book is good and worthy enough when a major publisher accepts and releases it. They have the major stamp of approval and their hard work has paid off. While that is true, I don’t entirely agree. I do agree that can be elating to know that Penguin or Random House would want your book above so many others. I would’ve loved it if my book was picked up by one of the Big 6. But patience and I aren’t friends, and I did like the idea of being in control of my product.

I’m not judging anyone who chooses to go the traditional route, I just don’t agree that what works for one author will work for all others. I really believe all authors need to decide what works best for them. This is a great time for authors because we get a chance to choose how to get our work out to the world. We get to choose what works for us personally, and that’s imperative when you are serious about being a published writer.

So if you want to do traditional, go for it. If you want to go indie, go for it. Just do what you feel is right for your product. To hell with the opinion of others because no one knows what is best for you. Both options have their pros and cons, and both are risky and time consuming. But if you are serious about getting your story ready by others, you would do what it takes to get them into the hands of readers everywhere – and there’s a chance you’ll be glad you did what you did. I know I am!

Latest News on “The Dark Proposal”

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eBooks, Indie books, Kindle, NA, New Adult, paranormal, self-published books, Smashwords, urban fantasy, vampire books, vampire novels, vampire trilogies, vampires

Here is the latest updates on my novel, The Dark Proposal.

First off, it is finally available on Smashwords! I was free to upload it on that site on December 12th, after my time with KDP Select was over, but life got in the way. But it is finally there to be downloaded to Nook, Kobo, Apple and all the other eReaders. It’s only $2.99 and offers a 15% sample!

Also, you may have noticed a slight change to the information regarding The Dark Proposal on Goodreads and Amazon. Originally, I referred to this book as the first in The Claire McCormick Trilogy – but all the while, I wasn’t comfortable with that name. I always thought The End of Eternity would be better, but also thought it might give away how the trilogy turns out. I even considered that title for the third and final book, but I don’t think that can be done.

That’s the thing about doing trilogies or a series – the name has to represent all the books involved, of course. And having the collection share the same name as the final book doesn’t make much sense. The Twilight Saga got it’s name from the first book of the series – that is why it’s not called The Breaking Dawn Saga.

I don’t know, I just planned that the final book will be called The End of Eternity, and in my mind it still works. But I also have ideas for what that book can be called. Yeah, I know what you are thinking – I should’ve figured this all out before I ever published The Dark Proposal. Believe me, I’m banging my head against the top of a table right now.

It was just that I knew calling my trilogy The Claire McCormick Trilogy did not work, because that implies the books are all about Claire and her life. While she is the main character of the trilogy, it is not all about her; the vampires are just as important. So The End of Eternity works, it sounds better, and I don’t cringe when I see the other name on Goodreads or Amazon.

I’m sure I’ll come up with a good title for Book #3. Right now, I am certain Book #2 will be called Blood Ties. It definitely works, and I’m thinking about posting the opening scene someday to get all of you excited for the follow-up to The Dark Proposal!

But until then, let me work on it and I’ll keep you posted on how the writing is going 🙂

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tags

A Look Back, books, Christmas, Kindle, publishing

Well, it is that time of year again where many of us gather with our loved ones to exchange presents, feast for hours, listen to Christmas music and watch traditional Christmas movies. I’ll be getting ready for the annual Christmas snacking with my parents later tonight, and then have the big dinner tomorrow with my parents and my older sister.

I know during Christmas some people take the time to look back on the year that was, but I honestly don’t like doing that. Yes, the year is over in so many ways, but there’s still a week to go and anything can happen. I know the days after Christmas are sort of like lame-duck days, but it doesn’t mean 2012 is over.

That being said, I do want to take the time to thank all of you who come to this blog to read about my thoughts on writing, critiquing, censorship, and of course vampires 😉 It’s great to share my thoughts with others and to read about other people’s opinions.

But I most especially would like to thank all of you who have supported me this year – the year I published my first book, the NA Urban Fantasy, The Dark Proposal. Ever since its September 14th publication on Amazon Kindle, the book has been sold/downloaded for free 700 times. I am so amazed and excited that many were interested in my book, and I hope they will be looking forward to its sequel which I hope to publish next year.

Yep, I have a lot to be grateful for.

Again, Merry Christmas to everyone and enjoy!

Big News for “The Dark Proposal”!

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eBooks, Free Books, Halloween, Kindle, vampires

I have some exciting news for anyone looking for a good vampire book to read. My novel The Dark Proposal will be free on Kindle tomorrow and Wednesday – October 30th and October 31st – in honor of Halloween. I know it sounds a bit cliched to sell my book for free during these days, but hey, my book is a vampire thriller and this time of year is perfect for it.

Click here to check it out!

In other news, as someone who lives in New York City, I am riding out Hurricane Sandy as I type away. It is 1:30pm now, and so far, it is like a bad rainstorm where I am with a lot of wind and rain. But in other areas where I live, streets have turned into rivers – and it’s not over yet. The winds keep picking up. I am grateful, though, that my neighbors had enough sense to cut down their massive trees before Hurricane Irene hit last year. Yet, anything could happen.

But I have my cell phone charged, books to read, my flashlight ready along with extra batteries. I’m hoping for the best and praying to survive whatever disaster happen.

If you’re in the East Coast getting hit, about to get hit, or was already hit, stay strong and stay safe!

What’s In A Name? Tidbits on “The Dark Proposal”

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book characters, eBooks, Kindle, name meanings, names, novels, paranormal, tidbits, urban fantasy, vampires

I’ve always wanted to do a post about the tidbits and little things about my  book, “The Dark Proposal”. It’s just an opportunity to share with others with what went into creating this story and its characters.

I was reading an article on the Huffington Post about some old fashioned names making a comeback, and that made me want to talk about how I came up with the names of my characters. Names are fun to discuss for some people, so here we go:

Claire McCormick: main character
Meaning:  “Bright”
Reason Behind Name: When I picked the name for my main character, I wanted it to be related to vampirism and her journey through the vampire world. Since Claire is related to the word, “clarity”, there is a sense that the main character will not be a dimwit during “The Dark Proposal”, nor the two follow-ups I am working on now. Also, Claire means “bright” which brings up thoughts of light, and vampires are rarely out in the sunlight, so there’s the vampire connection. Furthermore, her Irish last name, McCormick, means “son of Cormac” an Irish name that means “raven”. Ravens have dark connotations, perfect for this urban fantasy book. Also, McCormick has the family motto, “without fear”, which also works in this tale.

Trivia bit: Claire’s original last name was not McCormick but Maguire, which means “white” – hence vampirism! I had to change the surname when I discovered there is a Claire Maguire in Great Britain who is a rising indie singer. Not wanting anything to go wrong, I changed the last name.

Daniel Bertrand, neè Poncher: second main character, Claire’s boyfriend turned vampire-tormentor
Meaning: God is my judge
Reason Behind Name: I wanted to make sure I was choosing a name that only reflected the character, but also was common even back in medieval France where Daniel originates. I did a little research and found that Daniel was a regular name among French men in the 1300s. That was perfect because I also didn’t want to have an entirely different name for this character when his true nature was revealed. A different last name was fine, but not a first name as well. By the way, Bertrand is a very common French surname, while Poncher was the surname of a Parisian bishop in the Middle Ages. I wanted a name from that era, and Poncher seemed to work.

Samantha DiCarlo: One of Claire’s two roommates
Reason Behind Name: Samantha is a vivacious person, and I think when we hear this name, we think of someone who is full of life and doesn’t mince words. Claire’s roommate/best friend doesn’t. For her last name, I gave Samantha a simple one, DiCarlo, so no one unfamiliar with the pronunciation of certain Italian names, would not be confused.

Monica Alejandrez: Claire’s other roommate
Reason Behind Name: I didn’t want a name too popular among Hispanics, like Sofia or Isabella, or too stereotypical, like Maria. I saw Monica was common among this group, so that was a good choice. For her last name, however, I was insistent on not giving her a too common Hispanic surname, such as Diaz, Hernandez or Rodriguez. To give her one of those names would take away her individuality and kind of allow her to be stereotyped as just another Latina. When I came across the surname Alejandrez among the list of Mexican Olympians during the 2008 Beijing Games, I knew it was perfect. Monica became her own person that way.

Ava McCormick: Claire’s infant niece and goddaughter
Reason Behind Name: Besides Ava being a popular name in the United States these days, it also means “life”. I think that is perfect given the circumstances the baby’s Aunt Claire faces in “The Dark Proposal” and will face in the two follow-ups. There is a sense of irony to have someone with the name meaning “life” in a book about vampires, but it will work out in the end.

As for the other characters, there wasn’t much thought given to their names. The two vampires who created Daniel – Hilde and Michel – were created on a whim, though I wanted the female to be German because I felt there were too many French overtones in this book (I am a bit of a Francophile, that’s why). As for the names of the other vampires, Antonius, Carys and Yvette, also on a whim.

When it came to Claire’s family, I wanted names that reflected the times they were born in. Her parents, Frank and Judith, are in their mid-fifties, so those names were common in their day. Claire’s older brother, Zachary, has name popular with boys born in the late 1980s. Same with Kristina, Claire’s sister-in-law, though I wanted to put a twist to it and use “K” instead of “Ch”.

Oh, if you are wondering about where on earth I got the names of the Five Brothers, the original vampires, well sometimes a little creativity can come in handy! 🙂

So, that is a behind-the-scenes look at my novel, and a chance for me to talk about names because I am so fascinated with name meanings and how they relate to the people who have them. I may do this again with all my future books! 🙂