How I Get Creative When My Mind Decides Not to
Behave
I’m going to be
brutally honest about myself throughout this post. I’m an emotionally based person, so I write
best when I’m in the mood to do so. The
problem is, my moods don’t always follow the schedule of my deadlines. Prior to my new novel, Feel, this wasn’t much of an issue because most marketing, and all
tours, were scheduled after I had already written my novels. For the most part, I had the freedom to write
at my own pace; this was not the case with Feel.
I wish I could
say that I work marvelously under pressure, but that would be a big, ugly,
fib…I so don’t! Never have. Probably never will. I’ll admit that I viewed this as a weakness,
but, after completing Feel, I’ve
changed my viewpoint. If you were one of
those kids in school who always made good grades but struggled with exams -
this is for you. ***Raises hand*** I was totally that kid.
My work ethic
has always been strong, and I studied hard, but I would succumb to the stress
of being put under pressure. Yep, I was
(and still am) a worry-wart. I’ve come
to terms with that; it’s just a part of who I am. But, Feel
held a little surprise for me in how it helped break my self-imposed chains
with how I deal with the stress of pressure, including dreaded deadlines. Although Feel
is my fifth novel, Jensen and Saige’s story is a first to me in many ways. While writing this novel, I’ve learned so
much. I hope people who sweat under
pressure like I do will find encouragement with this post.
All my childhood
nightmares slammed into me when I decided to schedule tours before I finished writing Feel.
What happened, you ask? I totally
panicked. Embarrassing? Absolutely!
Debilitating? Ummm….more than a
little at first (I told you that I was going to be honest), but, after the
initial desire to curl up and give in to the beckoning denial that the
deadlines didn’t exist, I jerked myself out of it. Did that cure me? Hell, no!
I charged forward with Feel at
a madman’s pace. Such a bad idea! Everything suffered, including my confidence
and connection with the characters.
I was in a mess
of tears at this point and was face to face with the adage ‘sink or swim’. I may panic under pressure, but I’m also a
fighter who doesn’t give up. It was in
this weakened moment that I decided to not let the pressure rule my life or my
story! Jensen and Saige deserved better
than that. The readers deserved better
than that. And, I did, too. So, I put my laptop down and walked
away. I know that sounds
counterproductive, but it was just the opposite. I needed to allow myself to breathe, to
sleep, to reconnect with myself so I could reconnect with my writing.
I began writing
because it was my dream to create powerful love stories, and I found that again
by going back to my first desire to write…passion. Instead of focusing on everything I had to do
in the limited amount of time left, I pushed that into the back of my mind and
absorbed myself in Jensen and Saige’s world.
With the music blasting in my eardrums (another passion of mine - other
people’s musical talent, not mine, because I can’t sing worth a flip) and let
the story flow. After I chose to allow
myself some air, I became very proud of how Feel
turned out, and I hope the readers fall in love with Jensen and Saige as much
as I did.
Feel
Karen-Anne Stewart
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
Suspense /Contemporary
Date of Publication: December 15th, 2014.
ISBN: 978-1502757746
Number of pages: 276
Word Count: 94,000
Book Description:
The one whose emotions I can’t feel is the one who makes me feel the most.
I was a sensitive, at least that’s what I was told by the boy who saved me from the overwhelming emotions that consumed my soul, the boy who saved me from myself when my gift became stronger. Through the years, he was my redemption, my reason to take my next breath…then, he was gone.
Jensen always told me I was strong, but I didn’t believe him until I was forced to be strong on my own, and I kept breathing without him. I’ve taken 42 million breaths since the moment he sent me away. Now, four years later, he’s standing in front of me, and I can barely breathe.
This isn’t just a story about the abilities I possess; it’s a story about something much stronger…the love of the man who possesses every part of me.
Disclaimer – Feel is intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.
Excerpt:
I place my hand over his,
leaning my cheek against the warmth of his touch before backing away so I can
see him. I’m insane for falling for him
again, but it seems my heart isn’t giving me a choice at the moment, ignoring
how the rest of me is scared as hell it will never survive if he breaks it this
time.
“I don’t want you to hurt,” I whisper. I don’t.
“Then, please stop fighting what we are together and get your
stubborn ass over here so I can kiss you like I haven’t seen your pretty face
in four long fucking years.”
I
take one step towards him and that’s all he needs to wrap me in his arms,
pulling me against his chest to close the rest of the distance between us as
his hungry mouth collides against mine.
His teeth nip the fullness of my bottom lip then his tongue caresses and
strokes the sensitive, tingling skin.
All strength in my body is stolen by the liberating dominance in his
kiss, bruising and healing wrapped in one breathtaking seduction. My knees no longer work, but the rest of my
body becomes alive, responding to his touch, awakening me from the emptiness
I’ve lived in for so long. This is what
I’ve craved. What I’ve missed. His taste, scent, and touch have haunted me,
and I breathe them all in deeply now, terrified they will be gone again.
His fingers slide against my neck before softly tangling my hair in his
fist. My head spins at his gentle touch
mixed with his rough, passionate kiss.
My lips part, granting his tongue all the access it wants, and he takes
it greedily, sliding his tongue against mine, taming and setting me free. His kiss is scorching, searing me as liquid
heat pulses low in my stomach. I feel
the damp cotton pressing against where I need him to be so badly right now.
Soft whimpers rumble up my throat, the needy pants muffled against his hot
mouth. Jensen’s hand pulls me flush to his body and I feel him, hardened and
throbbing, against my stomach. My gasp
fills the air. I twist my waist,
straddling myself against the muscles on his thigh.
About the Author:
Karen-Anne Stewart is an author of New Adult Romance who doesn't shy away from writing about sensitive issues and hot heroes.
She has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and the newly released standalone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards.
When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, three dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.
Website: www.karen-annestewart.com
Goodreads Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewart
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SKarenAnne
2 comments:
Thank you for allowing me to stop by and chat with you today about Feel. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and amazing New Year :)
thanks for the excerpt ! this book sounds interesting :)
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