I’ve been in a funk these past few days: a favourite character of mine died on what used to be one of my must watch TV shows, my promise to quit coffee cold turkey is not going as I’d planned. I’m having a hard time getting into studying for an upcoming exam, slightly freaking out over my work schedule this summer being more than I can handle, and my ebooks are popping up all over the internet.

Yeah …

Which gets me into wanting to talk a bit about piracy. I really hate that word, to be honest. I just feel like as authors, especially indie authors, we work so hard on trying to get our books noticed, spend so much time and $$ to get them the best they can be, and we get rewarded with sites that offer ebooks for free without our permission. I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. And no, it’s not just the well known authors that have to deal with this because it’s happening to me, as well as another indie friend of mine.

Whether you DRM protect your work or not, it really means nothing. Dahlia wasn’t and Fallen Tears was and I found them both online. The first time it happened to me was actually last Christmas, days after Dahlia was released.

If anyone has any insight, I’m all ears. Do I cover my ears and shut my eyes and pretend it doesn’t exist? Or should I continue to go vigilante on their asses? It’s just another distraction pulling me away from my writing …

But enough of all the depressing crap; excuse my minor rant.

Let’s talk upcoming books.

I’m currently working on two novellas, one which I’ve already posted a chapter on, Those Four Letter Words, and the other which I’m keeping a secret for now. They’re both going to be a part of a collection of shorts and novellas that I want to combine as a print book.

With Those Four Letter Words, I’m happy to say that I finally finished the draft and handed it over to a lovely author (thanks, Kaylee!) who took time out of her busy schedule to read it. This is before I make any necessary changes and hand it over to my editor to see what he thinks.

So I feel the need to post the next chapter. It’s a novella so it’s short, these chapters of mine. As a matter of fact, sometimes I wonder if they’re too short …

Read Jade’s story. I have to say I believe her life is complicated than most, poor thing.

That was what he was … a wolf. A wolf in sheep’s clothing just ready to pounce. Little did he know I was a tiger heading straight for the kill.

Chapter 2

As soon as I woke up, I knew something was wrong. Something felt … off.

Lying on my back, I rubbed my chest at the uncomfortable feeling I was experiencing, almost like indigestion. I touched my face and scowled, feeling the puffiness of my skin, then aggressively rubbed my eyes, as if that gesture alone would make yesterday disappear. Sighing in defeat, I rolled my eyes at nothing in particular as I realized my life had resorted to chest pains and crying myself to sleep.

Ugh.

Groaning, I rolled out of bed and made my way to my dresser. I ignored the green-looking rock settled on the center of the dresser and opened up the top drawer. I blindly picked out a pair of underwear and bra then dragged myself to my closet, grabbing the first clothes I could find. Opening the door, I made my way sluggishly down the hallway toward the bathroom, not looking up. That was my mistake because I banged into a hard, naked chest and stumbled back, my eyes widening from the shock.

Before my ass landed on the ground, hands roughly grabbed my elbows and prevented my misfortune and I balanced on the balls of my feet. Once I got my equilibrium back in check, I planted my feet back on the ground and blinked up tiredly, only to see mocking green eyes greeting me.

“What are you doing here?” I couldn’t hide the irritation in my voice as I frowned into his face. I noticed he still held me by my elbows so I wrenched my body away from him. My fatigue, the fight with Connor the day before followed by his indiscretions, the weird feeling in my chest, and now bumping into the devil incarnate, was not the greatest start to my day.

My eyes quickly ran over his body and face and I gave a hard swallow. He had gotten … bigger over the years; his muscles clearly bulged underneath his smooth skin. There was no hint of the baby face he used to have. It was now replaced by raw masculinity. Not to mention the dangerous vibe he was emitted with his forearms newly decorated with tattoos, dark brown hair, almost black, cut low and the silver dog tags around his neck.

“Good morning to you too, Sweet Cheeks,” he said with a wink, his already low voice roughened with sleep as his eyes raked my body intently. I instantly shivered by the sound of his voice as he looked over at me, then glanced down at myself. I was only wearing a low tank top and booty shorts.

Shit.

I ignored the fluttering in my stomach, rejected my reaction toward him, and scowled. I hugged my clothes with one hand to my chest and with the other, stuck a middle finger in the air at him.

“Fuck off.” Then I walked around him and marched right into the bathroom, slamming the door shut in his face, ignoring his low chuckle from the other side of the door.

There was no way in hell I would have anything to do with him ever again. That ship sailed years ago and I refused to get back on. I had enough to deal with Connor as it was.

Please tell me again why my brother had to be best friends with that asshole? With him and my current jerk of a boyfriend, life was really sucking right now.

I quickly took a shower and changed into my usual black attire—jeans and a t-shirt. Pulling my long dark brown hair into a low ponytail, I jogged down the stairs as I made my way to the kitchen and grabbed an apple on the table.

I bit into the apple with an unnecessary fierceness and said nothing, chewing, as I looked at the four occupants surrounding the kitchen table, looking as if everything was fine in the world, me scowling at all of them in return.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” I stared at my mother in shock. She actually had the audacity to look at me with her innocent baby blue … contact lenses. Yes, my forty-five year old mother wore colored contacts. “What’s wrong is sitting right across from you,” I exclaimed, pointing an index finger at a smirking green-eyed devil. “Why in the hell is he here?”

“Jade, language,” my father said firmly, giving me a stern look. I gave the same look right back at him as I stared intently into his hazel eyes, something I had learned from him over the years.

“Apologize,” he said with a shake of his pitch-black hair, a curl hanging loosely into his eye.

I sulked then rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms over my chest, not backing down.

“Jade.”

I knew my dad was serious so I looked back at the green-eyed devil and muttered, “Sorry.”

I saw him give another smirk as my brother blatantly laughed, looking like a younger, happier replica of my dad, except for his brown eyes that gleamed with laughter.

“Is anyone going to answer why he’s here?”

“‘He’ has a name,” my mother said with a raised brow.

“I know that,” I said, exasperated with my family. “But as you all know, I fail to acknowledge him. Why is he here?” I asked again.

My brother, Bryn, finally decided to answer. “He’s gonna be staying with us.”

My anger started to rise within my chest. “Over my dead—”

“He is going to be staying with us indefinitely,” my brother said looking hard at me. I shut up instantly at the look he gave me. I always pushed B’s buttons, but I knew when to stop.

Now was the time to stop.

I shook my head, finding the room small. I needed to get out of there; it was suddenly difficult to breath with this unwanted presence. Without another word, I tossed my half-eaten apple in the compost, grabbed my jacket and bag, then ran out the front door. I stopped right at the edge of the driveway. Inhaling shakily, I didn’t hear the door open and close but I suddenly felt a warm presence behind me. I stood looking forward, not daring to turn around.

We both stayed silent, our breaths the only sounds heard as our chests moved in sync, back and forth, up and down.

“Jade….” his low voice rumbled against my neck and I couldn’t help the tingle that ran down my spine. I closed my eyes, swallowing hard; I always loved his voice.

It had definitely gotten deeper.

“No,” I whispered to myself, refusing to conjure up those feelings of my fifteen-year-old self. They were dead and buried now, too much pain and heartache associated with that time. So I did the only thing I could think of doing.

I ran.

Excerpt from Those Four Letter Words, Copyright © 2013 Christina Channelle.

Among other things …

Unfortunately, I will not be posting as much because life is really handing it to me right now. I do want to thank ambitiouspoet for nominating me for the Sunshine Award, though. At this moment in time, I wouldn’t be able to complete it.

I joined Pinterest and am having a grand old time collecting photos of my celebrity crushes. It’s great having them all in one place. Although there’s only four at the moment, if I remember correctly. :)

That’s all for now,

CC

Hey all!

I feel like I’ve been hibernating, but I’m back.

I’ve been editing the next book in the Blood Crave Series and I’m really excited. I get to read over the adventures that my characters experience and all the crazy relationships they have with each other, whether good or bad. It’s been quite fun, might I add. I think a few of you might be … surprised. I’m putting it away for a bit and I’ll look over it once more before handing it over to my editor. If you’ve read Dahlia and Fallen Tears, I hope you’ll be excited for this book!

I do want to say congrats to all the winners of the Goodreads and Making Connections Giveaways of both print and ebook versions of my books. I hope you all enjoy! I think I might do regular ebook giveaways, monthly or bi-monthly, haven’t decided as of yet. So check my Facebook page regularly for any updates. And LIKE if you haven’t.

Now, what I want to talk about today is critiquing your own work—or rather, my own work. As a first time self-publisher, I had the mindset of being able to do everything. “I can edit my own work.”

“I can market my own work.”

I will be accountant, formatter and book designer all wrapped into one. I think I can, I know I can … hear me roar.

Do I still think this way?

No. Way.

Yes, I can take on the majority of tasks. I’ve (hopefully) perfected the art of Mobi files, it’s not too difficult to create a book cover. But there are certain things an author needs in order to self-publish successfully. And yes, I made the rookie mistake.

What is that, you ask?

Well, let me tell you: thinking that your family members and your friends are enough to edit your book. Now, they help a great deal but it’s not sufficient. The funny thing is that I’d have told you otherwise just last month. How things change. I have to admit, I’m one of those gently, softly, hoarsely, finally, leisurely, especially, suddenly, swiftly, impulsively, methodically type of writer.

I even named one of my characters Lee (totally coincidental btw).

Moral of the story: it’s definitely a good idea to get help in the quest of becoming an author. I am in awe of my editor and am excited that I found him because he will make me a better writer. And that’s what it’s about, improving your writing. Writing is a passion for me so I do my best to continually improve and grow as a writer. So, number one lesson that I learned over the past few weeks:

No matter how many times you read over a manuscript, and think it’s PERFECT, a professional editor it KEY when self-publishing.

That being said, Dahlia has been updated, so go to your “Manage Your Kindle” on http://www.amazon.com and get the updated version.

Awesome news: I’m currently on a blog tour for both Dahlia and Fallen Tears. Check out my website to see the tour schedule for both books

Among other things …

So Big Brother Canada is finally airing. Yay! Now I’m currently unavailable three days out of the week to feed my obsession, lol. I do wish I had the guts to apply … but I’m too shy. Sigh. If only.

Until next time!

CC

Fallen while crying for years,

I wonder where they have gone!

*

The tears of loud childhood wailing,

Where only worry is just feeding,

I wonder where they have gone!

*

The sigh filled adolescent crying,

For nothing but simple fighting,

I wonder where they have gone!

*

Then came the silent tears,

Of some heartbroken fears,

I wonder they have gone!

*

Now comes no more tears,

They seem more powerful than shears,

I wonder when they will come…

*

All but fallen tears…

*****

( Rains, the fallen tears of skies.. Photo taken at London. )

The seventh part of my free monthly novel Fallen Tears is available and can be downloaded here.

Thanks

Thanks for reading

Depsite my friend’s unnapproving sighs and the fact I get sleepy on my lunch break, I’ve a big reason to be needing to work so much at the moment. Not only is my fabulous girlfriend Wendy training her bawatty off for her competitions (well done on winning the last one a few days ago hun!) but I’m doing my best to market Sprit’s Destiny, help other people with their work, and keep on top of all other commitments.

I recently joined a website called ‘Authonomy’ owned by Harper Collins. Basically it’s a bit like Facebook for novelists where people can comment on each other’s work, offer advice and criticism, and rate their novels in the hope that their book will be pushed up high in order to get noticed by Harper Collins themselves.

Now since I’m unable to put Spirit’s Destiny on there (why would I put a book I’m selling on there for all to read to free?) I have stuck my monthly blog novel Fallen Tears on there. Despite simply being an experiment and an excersise, and acknologing some of the legendary work on Authonomy, I was quite surprised to find a number of folk giving it a thumbs up. So now I’m pushing a bit more energy behind this little tale. Who thought vampire novels were still in demand eh? Next chapter this weekend!

Also if you do decide to take a look on Authonomy I recommend reading a book called Chaeli: Scion of Blood by Kara Thrace. It’s a great epic fantasy that will surely take the talented writer on her way to stardom.

At last the main protagonists meet the antagonists for the first time, including the ravenous child Voracity.

The chapter can be downloaded here.

Thanks for reading

The first chapter can be downloaded from the page at the top, or here.

Thanks to all have read the tale so far.

P.S. Please bear in mind this is a very hastily written story (a chapter a month after all) and as of which the grammar may not be completely perfect. Thanks

Either from the link at the top at the top of the page or here.

Thank you for reading.

Either from the link at the top at the top of the page or here.

Thank you for reading

There were good things mind! I had a blast whilst I was there, it helped push me towards the wrtiting side of productions, helped with my art, and I got to throw my mortar board in the air at graduation. Uni was also responsible for giving me a character that I have been determined to put in every piece of writing I create even if I had to change her to a pink-haired human if necessary.

One of our assignments was to create an original character based upon two completely different subjects or genres. For instance one of my friends created a Transvestite Gladiator. I decided to combine Robots and Angels, and named my character Cyphangel. Her back story was that she was an assasination droid, built in pinks and purples to deceive her targets. We had to construct these characters using a crude armature and plasticine.

To this day that model remains at my dad’s house, and Cyphangel has morphed into simply ‘Angel’. She has also give rise to my sister’s and friend Symon’s fave character – the childlike, four sword, two gun wielding Seraphim. So far both character’s have appeared in both Tapestry of Fates and Phoenix, serving as a link to the two tales.

Recently I was quite disheartened to see a character in Tekken 6 paying more than a slight resemblence to Angel, in both looks (pink hair) and storyline.Thankfully I could never be accused of stealing as it’s nearly a decade since I left uni.

Now I’m due to put Angel into Fallen Tears.

Has anyone heard of a robotic, vampire angel?

Starting the next chapter as soon as possible.

Thankyou to anyone who takes the time to read this piece of work. x

Here’s one of the evil characters that is a little bit inspired by Kirsten Dunst in Interview with a Vampire.

I’ve named this 8 year old vamp Voracity after the amount of blood and humans (and even fellow vamps and demons) she gorges on.

I could’ve spent a bit more time on this photomanip but I’ve got to get back to work

The adolescent evil vampire Voracity

This is pretty much all I have to go off the tale so it’ll be interesting for me as well to see how it develops.

When the parents of the young Dancescu twins are brutally murdered by their demonic uncle, they are quickly hurried away to safety, leaving their beautiful country of Tranvaal to be plunged into the deepest recesses of Hell; a land so twisted and blackened that no sunlight or colour can penetrate.

As vicious demons and monstrous vampires roam the countryside, the people of Tranvaal are left in utter despair, fearful of their new ruler and the powerful grip of terror he has over them.

But years later, when any glimmer of hope has been violently torn from the world, two lone figures suddenly appear from the shadows.

The Dancescu twins have returned; fueled with hearts of pure vengeance, and possessing infernal powers. Striding through the lands and slaughtering everything the fires of hell can unleash upon them, they fix their sights on the abode of their nefarious uncle.

Yet as they close in on the source of the vampiric reign, they must resist their own inherited blood-lust if they are to have any chance of destroying this plague of evil and defeating the traitor that destroyed their lives.

I’ve toyed for a while now to do a story for this blog, uploading a new chapter free every month without illustrations, which will serve as a welcome temporary distraction from my other unavoidable workload.

After debating which tale I’d like to do, I’ve decided on the vampiric story I’ve had on the back burner for well over thriteen years (I still have a really old sketch somewhere when it was called Dark Destinies). I think the demand for vampire based literature is still pretty high, although this tale will not be a teenage love story (love elements will be in there though). Another deciding factor for this is the fact my sister recently gave birth to twin boy and girl – the main characters are twin brother and sister, so they will be renamed fittingly.

I know this will please my good friend Laura who keeps requesting I pen this novel.

Also I’m heading to Transylvania this November so I may get some inspiration. hehe!

I will write the blurb on my lunch and upload.

I wanted to do a simple post to highlight the fantastic jewelry that comes to us from Ms. Jori Watler of MOOD jewelry. The above set is called “Fallen Tears” and if you click what I have linked you will the details.

I like this set because I am low maintenance when it comes to accessories. Adding a piece like this to your Second Life wardrobe is making an investment of good taste because even if you are low maintenance when it comes to accessories this always looks timeless and perfectly in style. You can wear it with many different outfits and always look good.

The piece shown above is the Chrysalis Ensemble and I love this piece because it is bold and it has a hud that comes with it and you can change it up a bit for different outfits. This piece makes a statement and catches my eye. When I first saw this set I fell in love.

If you’d like to look at the entire collection of MOOD Jewelry everything is here for you on the marketplace. If you wish to visit MOOD in world the showroom is here.

To complete my look I paired up my MOOD jewelry with a brand new release from Leezu called Nadja. Everything is sold seperately and it is a beautiful outfit. I am also wearing hair from Elikatira, Pink Fuel Skin and the photo in the background is from the Loft.

I try to be strong, lift my head, and wipe away my tears

I believed in God and prayed everyday, but now my faith is going away

The courage, strength, and life is nowhere to be found

The beating of my heart no longer makes a sound

~Ai Akina

A glimpse of heaven or something so wild, a thought of love or a thought of hate, a thought of something that seemed so great?

What’s a dream to a broken soul?

Is it a crazy life that takes a toll, a depressing scar upon ones face, or a beautiful dove flying with grace?

What’s a dream to one who cries?

A person with strength or in disguise, a fallen tear from heaven’s eyes, or burning fears from Hades eyes?

What’s a dream to a soul like me?

A mirror’s reflection longing to be free,  a written scar that tells a story, or a broken life reaching for glory?

What’s a Dream?

~Ai Akina

Is it hearing the birds as the wind passes by or watching the trees move with the sun in the sky?

Is it holding your grandfather in your arms as he tells you you’re his good luck charm?

What is a memory?

Is it the smell of freedom when God calls you home or sitting in the dark crying all alone?

Is it the taste of fear when they tell you he’s gone, he’s not coming back and to move on?

What is a memory?

They continue to ask.

A memory I say is just one BIG task.

A task of faith and a task of love.

A task of flying away like a beautiful dove.

~Ai Akina

Thoughts of hate filled her head nobody had a clue

Her  faith in God has gone away, no more prayers shall i say

She closed her eyes and wished for love, to fly away like a dove

Then she opened her eyes and in disgust, she wished again and gave her trust

She wished for death and no more fears

Take thy soul, and leave thy tears

Close thy eyes, to see no hurt, because her reflection resembled dirt

Keep them closed to hide the scars, lift thy soul beyond the stars

~Ai Akina