I hope 2015 has been good to all of you so far! I can certainly say that I’ve been enjoying it.
Back in August, I blogged about my struggles with my WIP, BRANEWORLD — how I almost gave up on it but instead decided to push forward. My husband had brought me a Daruma doll from Japan. The eyes of the Daruma are blank white, with no pupil. The receiver of the doll is supposed to fill in one pupil on setting a goal – and the other pupil on meeting it. The Daruma, looking a little off-balance with just one pupil, is supposed to bring luck and remind its owner of the goal every day.
My goal was to have a manuscript un-related to the Eighth Day series to send to my agent. I didn’t specify that it would be BRANEWORLD, but in fact, that is the one I sent to Sara a week ago! Then I filled in Daruma’s other eye.
In addition to completing this goal, I received several packages from HarperCollins this month. The first were my author copies of the paperback version of The Eighth Day, complete with a sneak preview of Book 2 in the back. That was exciting!
Shortly afterward, I received my author copies for The Inquisitor’s Mark, which is due out on January 27.
It’s my fourth book, but my first sequel, so it was a special moment to see the two books side by side on a book shelf.
And finally, I received my editorial letter for Book 3 — and I suppose I can tell you the title of that one now — The Morrigan’s Curse, which is due out in early 2016. I am happily at work on revisions!!
What is new with you in the new year?
Wow! You’ve been really productive. Glad you finished that new manuscript. And I hope my comment publishes. Two last week didn’t.
That’s all awesome! It is really cool to see the books in a series set side by side. Congratulations.
Congrats on finishing the book! I have some new things in the works that I can’t share just yet. I’m hoping by the end of the month. Keeping busy, though. 🙂
YAY! Sounds like all good things 🙂 That Daruma doll is pretty cool – I’ve never seen one before. Nothing new for me yet, but I’m plotting a new MG book and plan on starting that one next, so fingers crossed I can work out all the details!
I love your books lined up that way. Beautiful and I’m sure very rewarding for you.
Dianne, I would like a Daruma doll myself:) Look at you, already completing one of your goals. I LOVE the title for book 3 and am so happy with Books 1 and 2. Mr writing goals are to revise 2 books and draft a third. Here’s to goals and their reminders for helping do better and keep us accountable.
What fantastic news! Yeah on everything. Congrats. I like the title for the new book too.
Woo hoo, Dianne! So many wonderful happenings. And I love seeing the books side by side.
That sounds fantastic Dianne .. I’m so pleased for you – and must be so satisfying. So pleased Daruma now has two eyes! Clever lady .. and such a great start to 2015 .. cheers Hilary
Wow, Dianne. So proud of you. 🙂
Congrats! on the milestone. few things can make your heart dance like receiving that box of books in the mail. I’m actually waiting for UPS to drop off a box of books today. It’s a great feeling.
What an amazing amount of good news! Yes, your books look awesome together, and congrats on getting the ms off and filling in the other pupil – that lack of symmetry would FREAK ME OUT! lol
(And I notice all my recent comments have popped up on your posts. I bet I was in SPAM, huh? That’s been happening on a number of blogs. Something about my info says “Scary spammer here” and I get stuck in the spam folder…)
What a cool idea! I’m so glad you got to fill in the other eye.
You’re so lucky to be holding a copy of your book in your hand 🙂
So much excitement for you last month! So I think that Daruma doll is brilliant. The constant visual reminder of unfinished things. And so excited to read Inquisitor’s Mark! 😀
I need to take a page from your book and do the same.
I so love the covers.
Awesome stuff here! There is nothing as exciting as seeing your sequel and lining them up! Congrats on that, and on sending off another book to Sara!
What a neat idea the Daruma doll is. Congratulations on being able to fill in his second eye and sending out the manuscript. That is awesome!! What an amazing year it has already been for you. Congratulations on the other books, too! 🙂 🙂