Weekly Whine: Morning Coffee's a Must

See below for It's Monday! What are you reading?

I don't really have anything to whine about today. I'm over my latest bout of anemia as of yesterday and actually had the energy to get out of bed at 3:50 A.M. this morning. Still had to head to the Keurig brewer first thing and watched the strongest brew stream into the cup. Ahhh...the aroma of morning coffee.

I got a bunch of yard work done yesterday. I love yard work! Really gives you the time to be productive and ponder, all at the same time. My poor backyard garden was seriously neglected after being ill the last couple years, so getting it back in order really makes me happy and peppy too :-). It was pretty hot yesterday though, and I HATE the heat--there's a tiny whine. Can't wait until we move up to the mountains full time. House in the mountains looking out on Longs Peak, where you see snow for most of the year, is the definition of heaven.

I have a confession. I missed the cutoff date for the contest. I worked my ass off editing The Courier and pulling my hair out with the synopsis, and it was nothing but painful. When the anemia got bad last weekend, I gave up and used my "lack of energy" as an excuse not to finish. The deadline came and went last Tuesday, and I didn't care. In fact, I was relieved I didn't enter. What it all came down to is that I lose my enjoyment for writing when I enter contests. So, NO MORE CONTESTS!

Off to add this week's forum topic to Vamplit Writer's. This week's question is who our vampire alter ego would be from literature, movies or television. The question came to me while watching Ultraviolet for the 20th time this weekend. Another movie I loved that no one else seemed to enjoy. So it's, no contest. I'd be Violet.

Oh, another movie we watched over the weekend that I thought was awesome, even after my son warned me young people really hated it was Gamer with Gerard Butler. Michael C. Hall plays another psycho in the movie. The man sure has talent for such roles.

WOW! I may not of had a lot to whine about, but I sure had enough to natter through.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme, hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Currently Reading: Road Trip of the Living Dead by Mark Henry & God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert

Listening to: Blood Trail by C. J. Box

Just Finished: Moonshine by Alaya Johnson & Small Favor by Jim Butcher (LOVED IT!!)

Next up: Dance on Fire by James Garcia Jr.

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Why Write a Vampire Novel?

I've had a miserably anemic week, so I'm reposting our Ask the Author post on Bloodleggers.

W.J. here.  Every Friday, R.J. Robyn and I will answer your questions in this Ask the Author segment.  If you have a question for us, submit it via our question form.

This week we're answering the question, why write a vampire novel when the market is so saturated with them already?

First off, we're nuts. 

For me, I had no intentions of ever writing a vampire novel until I answered a forum question on Vamplit Writers.  One of our members asked what we all might enjoy in a vampire television series.  My answer...something similar to the Underworld or Blade series.  Then the idea of gangster vampires during a modern day prohibition on blood came to me.  Doesn't it sound cool!  Well, the idea kinda stuck with me like peanut butter on the roof of your mouth.  So I told R.J. about it.

For R.J., "the idea seemed like a good concept. The time of prohibition brought out the worst in a lot of people, and showed the failure of trying to legislate morality. I thought it would be a fascinating study of the culture to look at how the same sort of authoritative pressure put onto a different group for whom freedom is an even more basic instinct, would result in a revealing of an even darker side of an already dark and bloody culture. Prohibiton only made things worse in human culture, but we already consider the culture of vampires as a pretty dark existence (survival through murder) so how bad can "worse" be?"

And so, Bloodleggers was born.  I suppose it doesn't matter if the market is saturated with a certain subject or theme.  Heck, look at the number of detective novels out there.  We hope that our story will provide something different to vampire literature.  You be the judge.

Also want to mention that our official announcement for Bloodleggers is up on Blood Reads today.