CLLeMay is on Wattpad

Wattpad is a great site for readers and writers. I just very recently discovered it and ask that all of my readers check it out. I am posting a paranormal thriller, RIVERCREEK CROSSING, chapter by chapter on it. Lots of fun.
In order to post comments or vote or like it on Facebook, etc.you have to join the site. But it's wicked easy to do and oh so worth it. There are thousands of stories to choose from and they are free! Or if you feel you are ready to put a story out there for the world to discover, it's a great platform for that.
So whether you are a reader or a writer or both, checkout Wattpad and search CLLeMay to find out what else I have cooking!

Too Violent

Too violent? Am I talking about a new horror flick? Nope. I'm talking about Three Crosses.
A friend came up with a brilliant idea and then set her idea into motion. She thought if we could get Three Crosses into a high school onto the summer reading list, it would be great exposure.  She managed to get it into the hands of the English head of dept in a local high school. The teacher was kind enough to read the back of the book cover and declared it too violent.
Oddly enough this doesn't bother me and I guess I agree with her. There's something intriguing about Three Crosses developing a reputation, even if it's that it is too violent.

Three Crosses on the Kindle and at BN

Imagine my surprise this morning as I looked up CLLeMay to get to my blog and behold ... Barnes & Noble has me on their site! Didn't even dawn on me that it would happen. That means I can go back to the store to speak to their small press manager about having them carry it in the store. Very cool!

And the reason I came here this morning? Three Crosses is now on the Kindle for all you e-readers!

Oh ... I am actively working on my website. If I keep doing all these extra things, I'm not going to have time to work on the next book. Time to consider a Cathy clone.

Writing and Research

One of the things I love about writing is the research that goes into the stories. For instance, in "ABR" (title is abbreviated because I am a nut about sharing my unpublished book titles), I researched the Vietnam Conflict because I have a character who was there. In "C", I researched architecture because the family home is a crucial component of the story. In "ER", I researched and continue to research a variety of topics, including Genesis from THE KJ HOLY BIBLE and the meanings of chakras. (The dictionary is telling me I have misspelled chakra, but my memory is telling me its correct.Do I bother to look it up?)
My research is sometimes from the Internet, or a book on the topic, or on occasion, interviews with people familiar with the topic.I love immersing myself in subjects that I am only vaguely familiar with simply because you can't not be familiar with the Vietnam Conflict or different architectural styles if you leave your house everyday. But my curiosity would keep me distracted all day if I let it. So at some point during my research, I have to accept that I will not be an expert on the token topic and fluff the details enough to give the impression that I know what I am talking about.
After reading THE SUMMER I DARED by Barbara Delinsky, I read an author's note (whether it was in the book itself or on her website or in a magazine article, I don't recall) regarding the details of raising angora rabbits for their fur (I think that was the animal - it's been a while.) The point I am trying to make is Ms. Delinsky wasn't born knowing about raising rabbits nor did she live on a rabbit farm growing up. She immersed herself into learning about the topic. The book wasn't about raising rabbits but it was a component of the story which gave it life. I could have easily assumed the author raised the little bunnies herself considering the ease in which she wrote about it.
But ... no amount of research will replace the good old fashion use of imagination, which will become abundantly clear in "ER." It's like me in the kitchen - I read a recipe but almost never follow the directions 100%-in the end, I still add to it or take from it depending on what I think will work or taste better.

Three Crosses and the Next Title

I am happy to announce I have zeroed in on the next title for publication. A tough choice because I have so many books I have written and so many more I want to write. It's hard to dedicate myself to just one and stick with it. But I have learned a lot about the self-publishing world with this latest edition of THREE CROSSES and feel much more confidant with the process. I am not ready to divulge the title just yet - superstitious and all! But will in the near future.

In the meantime, I ask for your help. I need to get THREE CROSSES noticed to pave the way for the next book. My sales are very slow to come through at Amazon - so pass the word if you have read it or buy it if you haven't. The Kindle version will be out in the 1st half of May for those of you who prefer the e-versions. I will let you know once it is available to buy on the Kindle.

Having spent the majority of the day soaking up the sun's rays while working on the forthcoming book, I am now getting hungry. Time to start the grill! Yippee! Another awesome day in the land of my imagination. Doesn't get much better than that:-)

A Reader's Response to THREE CROSSES

I received an email from Daniel - a 17-year old who recently read THREE CROSSES. He was in his art class where Pamela (the THREE CROSSES dedication recipient) is the teacher and he was complaining about how his girlfriend is always reading. Apparently he's not an avid reader. Pamela suggested he try reading THREE CROSSES and loaned him her copy. He needed some persuading, but Pamela convinced him that his girlfriend would be happy if he showed some interest in her favorite hobby. Lo' and behold, a reader was born ...

Once again persuaded by Pamela, Daniel sent me my first "fan letter" since the re-release of THREE CROSSES.

" I hate books but Pamela (his art teacher) kept telling me I would love your book cuz your friends and id like it. I like it a lot. I liked the people in it and thought *** (spoiler alert!!) was the killer. Denise (his girlfriend) is going to read it next."

I asked Daniel if there was anything else he liked about THREE CROSSES and he said "it was easy (to read) and awesome."

Daniel, thank you so much for the incredible compliment. Pamela, thank you for not only pushing THREE CROSSES but for converting a non-reader to a reader.

And there you have it ... me flying high:-)

Re-release of Three Crosses

Please visit Amazon.com and search C. L. LeMay. Ta-dah! The newly revised, edited, and updated Three Crosses is for sale as a paperback. The Kindle version will be available in a few days.

Hopefully there will be no more comments about the title needing a good editor. And now my mind is free to focus on the next novel. I will post updates on my progress of that title in the near future. I also will finally have my web page up and running in a few weeks. I will let you know when it is ready.

News from the desk of C. L. LeMay

Well, hello there stranger! Where have you been? Haha!
Picture me wagging my hand in a friendly "hi, I'm over here" gesture.
I have been busy on a project.

 And the anticipation builds...But alas, the disappointment sets in as author C.L. LeMay announces she will unveil her project in 3-4 weeks.
In the meantime, try reading a Barbara Delinsky novel. They are always a good read.
So check back in soon. I hope to dazzle you!

The Daily Word

I write because I need to. I write because if I don't, I get cranky and my head gets too jammed up with words and characters and events. But as anyone who writes novels can tell you, there comes a point when writing a few minutes here and a few minutes there doesn't cut it. Eventually you need a steady stream of blocks of time.  Rather than not write at all, I am committing myself to 15 days of writing something, anything. Perhaps the posts will be excerpts or character developments or scenes from a yet unwritten novel or even something like below. I do not profess to be poetic despite the poem essence in my below words. They are thoughts strewn together in a rhythm I found soothing to write. I will not be editing or critiquing - just writing.

Into the dusky eve, I steer and write.
No sense of time or the lack of light.
Pull me down deeper, into that gorge,
So it is written - my allegiance is forged.
Trading my soul
For an inspired spark.
Professing my unawares,
Of the complete and utter dark.
The course I have taken,
Playing with the dead,
Enlightened for a moment,
Till' my hands are stained red.
There are no more words
Flowing from my pen.
As I  wait for my judgment,          
My life - it is condemned.
I'd pray for forgiveness,
But forgot how to kneel.
These crimson wounds,
Never will heal.

My Web Presence

I Googled C.L.LeMay to check my Web presence and was rather surprised by what I found. Goodreads.com has ratings for me. Cool, right? Not so much. Why? Because my rating is low - not that I disagree with the comment "Needs a good editor." The e-book versions of THREE CROSSES are not representative of the actual manuscript. There are 2 problems - 1st is THREE CROSSES has been professionally edited since it was published in e-form and 2nd is my MS Word is outdated and when I upload to an e-publishing format or the paperback publishing format, the translation is jumbled, making the published versions of THREE CROSSES a mess.

Suffice it to say, I have unpublished the e-books. I greatly appreciate everyone who purchased a copy and once again apologize for the mistakes. Anyone who has read THREE CROSSES since I have edited it, please join Goodreads.com and make a case for the improved manuscript and provide your honest rating of the book. Please and thank you.

As many of you know, writing novels is a great love of mine. It is very difficult at times to keep up the momentum to pursue publication for THREE CROSSES as the process is very mentally & time-consuming. I want to make a good impression on a prospective agent but find the task of writing a kick-ass query letter more difficult than writing a 400-page novel!

So if my Fairy Godmother is listening, I will do all the writing and editing if you would be so kind as to research agents and submit an incredibly terrific packet! Sounds good, doesn't it? But alas, if I just want to be an author, an author I am. If I want to be a published author, I best get a little more aggressive about the business of submission. I need to decide if being an author is enough for me. Just how badly do I want to be published?

As I write the last sentence, I realize I had great fun publishing A MIRACLE FOR MACKENZIE on my blog, albeit I stopped working on it after 7 or 8 submissions, but I still think about that book and look forward to getting back to it one day. I am toying with the idea of publishing through my blog. Hmmm? Not a money-maker, but heck, I get to keep doing what I love and my readers get to read my work. Of course I will have to decide which of the five novels I am actively working on will be the published novel. I guess the first step is to focus on one book. So hard to do when they each are pulling and tugging and clawing for my attention.
God, I love writing!

Lunchbreak Lowdown

In true WIZARD OF OZ fashion, I acted like Glenda the Good Witch and had myself a whole bunch of munchkins this morning which means I am not hungry for lunch. So...I am blogging instead.

"Why munchkins?" You ask. We have a grandmother-to-be (as in hours away of becoming a grandmother) in the office and she is waiting patiently by the phone to get the news. She's on the east coast - the new baby is coming into the world on the west coast. Being up all night, she was in need of sustenance...thus the reason I have "We represent the Lollipop Guild...the Lollipop Guild...the Lollipop Guild" jingling in my head. By the way, is it lollipop or lollypop? Or is it one of those words that can be spelled either way? I personally prefer the "i" over the "y".

OK, enough with the flipping munchkins. Here's what is going on with my writing life - I have heard from a couple of agents who rejected THREE CROSSES; however, they actually contacted me to reject me vs. not acknowleging the rejection. This is a big deal. AND they rejected me by stating that it was a very difficult decision. They also said I was publish-worthy and had market appeal. So, despite being rejected, I feel pretty darn good. Besides, like I said, they didn't even have to bother responding at all. Oh yeah, they invited me to submit other manuscripts. Not bad, huh?

This summer is about writing short stories for competitions through Writer's Digest. I have submitted two thus far and have plans to complete two more. It's a great change of pace and who knows...maybe I will place in one of the competitions and will then have something wicked cool to put on my resume. Once the summer rolls on by, I will return to COVET (I just heard a small chorus of "Yippees") for editing and submission.

Ciao for now:)

Bay Harvest

Who'll dig for clams with me and who will bring the wine?
Whose toes will play in the sand with mine, now that Jenny's gone?

Writing 101: Character Development

Pardon my lack of humbleness as I pat myself on the back. As Three Crosses continues to make its way through the hands of readers, I am randomly approached with compliments and typically some variation of any of these 3 questions:
1. Where do you get your ideas?
2. Do you base your characters on people you know?
3. How long does it take you to write a book?
I'll start with #3 as its the easiest to answer. 1st draft - about 5 weeks. However, and this is a big HOWEVER, some novels have been brewing in my head for years and even decades before they make their way to 1st draft. Others, like A Miracle for Mackenzie, had absolutely no brewing time and Mackenzie book was never completed so its a bad example.
#1 - I get my ideas from a myriad of places. As most of what I write is character-driven, answer to Q2 will explain some of this a bit. But my ideas come from my own imagination asking the age-old question, What If? I don't do writing exercises per se where I deliberately ask the question; I just go through life asking that question about everything. Makes for a busy brain so I have to do something with all those thoughts. I get curious about certain things - like ghost encounters, so I create characters who deal with my curiousity because lets face it, I don't have the time to do all the research for everything that piques my interest. I also am quite interested in why people do the things they do. It can be something as extreme as "why do psychopaths do the most horrible things to other humans?" to something not as extreme like "why did Michael choose not to marry the woman he had dated for seven years?" If I get curious enough to want to know more, well then Q2 kicks in...
Q2 - Sometimes, like in the above paragraph, a situation will prompt me to develop a character, but other times a character finds his or her way into my head where they start to have experiences that may or may not blossom into a story. But are my characters based on people I know or have known? Simply put, no. And again I say, BUT sometimes characters are borne from traits of people I have seen, or met, or have known.
For instance, I have a potential character brewing in my head this very moment. She was borne from a real live human being I observed last night. I started a narrative in my head this morning about what I observed.
It was hard to be aware of her pretty facial features when I was so distracted by the gauntness of her body. She was a walking, living, breathing ad for osteoporosis. She had no descernible butt but she had muscle tone in her arms. How odd. Her attire of ratty, wrinkled, and holey cargo slacks matched with her canvas sneakers that looked as if they had been pulled from a dumpster gave me a picture of someone with little to no money. Her bleached-out blond and cropped hair looked like it was shellac to her skull in a rubber band and it screamed to me that she couldn't be bothered with primping. But the fact that she was present with girlfriends who were well groomed and quite obviously concerned about their appearance told me there was more to her story.
The questions in my head start. Is she a past drug addict? Was she intentionally making a fashion statement? Did she just get out of rehab? Is she anorexic? If she is, why? Don't her freinds care enough about her to help her? Help her what? Maybe they do care. Maybe they are the ones getting her to the gym. Maybe she would look even less put together if it weren't for her freinds. Maybe she is a rich young woman with lots and lots of money that her friends want so they keep her around despite her drug habits. Maybe they started her on drugs? Maybe she saw something when she was a kid that made her want to disappear.
And on and on it goes, well at least as long as I am interested. Let's say I am interested in developing this real woman into a character. The woman I observed may be the start of a character who ends up looking and acting nothing like the real version of herself.
Both Simon and Amanda in Three Crosses are shadows of people I have known. As a matter of fact, Simon is a shadow of a combination of people I have known. He exhibits traits that I found interesting in real people.
The point is, there are no characters in any of my books who are mirror images or even closely mirror images of people I know. People I know/meet/observe may be the jumping-off point for a character to come to life, but each of my characters are just as unique as every single child that was ever born or will be born. As a matter of fact, there could be a whole other world where all my characters live out their lives...but that thought process will only get me labeled crazy. Delusional, primary diagnosis, God-complex, secondary diagnosis. Oh...I think I just started a new story. Ha! Have a great day! Thanks for reading:)

Update

Wow! It has been a while since I have said hi. Sorry folks, but I have been busy...writing! editing! Hah! You thought I was going to say busy with life! That too, but also writing, creating, editing.

Just wanted to say hi and that I will update you in more detail over the weekend. All fun stuff!

Check out this site

www.shootandpaint.blogspot.com/

For all you artists and art admirers...join the fun and the challenge. Or be like me and just check out the artwork without actually participating. But if you enjoy painting/drawing, give it a try. I would love to see your work.

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Working on THE RED JEEP this morning - not so much because I know how I want it written but because I was practising using DRAGON, the dictating software. I have to use it a bit for it to recognize my "profile" or train it to understand me. It's a pretty cool tool and once I get use to it, I am sure it will make my writing experience all the more interesting.
I have a busy day ahead of me but wanted to check in. I had a wonderful Christmas and hope everyone else did too. The New Year is almost upon us and I look forward to a fresh year of positive developments and increased productivity in my writing life.
I just realized that I should have used Dragon to dictate this blog. DUH!!! Next time.

C.L.LeMay rambles on and on again!!!

It has come to my attention that there is a significant amount of formatting issues with both the e-book and the paperback version of THREE CROSSES. I have also researched it a bit and it seems that there is a software program converting problem. THREE CROSSES as it appears in my MS Word format differs from the e-book and paperback versions. There are sentence breaks, etc. in the e-book and paperback that are not in the Word doc. Also when I review the paperback version on my computer, it appears different than what actually printed in paperback. I am both sorry for the annoyance and the fact that I did not notice previously. But thank you to all of you who read it despite the issues. I don't know yet how I will address this issue and can honestly say, I'm not sure I will do anything about it at this point. I originally made THREE CROSSES publically available because there were quite a few potential readers waiting for it - plus I needed to induldge my Leo personality.
Having said all of that, I have once again been approached by readers/potential readers (as recently as last night) inquiring as to the next publication. Like it or not, I have a group of readers who are waiting patiently for the next book. I think it best to leave the publishing and editing aspects of writing to the professionals and therefore will be looking for professional representation come next year (I say this oh so confidentantly as if they are waiting in line to represent me!). I do not have the time to do the writing, editing, and managing of the publishing aspects of my books. Of course I say that but we will see how far I get with that pursuit! Maybe I will just get a website up and publish books directly to that so readers everywhere can read without editing issues (beyond my own flubs). Of course I will be a poor author because no one would have to pay to read my books.
My brain is certainly overloaded with stories - short stories and novels. I have been dreaming stories. No matter what I am doing, there is a story in my head. Sometimes it is hard to focus on a task at hand because I have characters moving around like there's a movie in my head. Amanda and Simon keep lurking in the sidelines, trying to get my attention. Lurking. I like that word. It's creepy in a way. Creepy. I like that word too. Anyway, I don't know what to do about all these thoughts that keep manifesting into stories or potential stories. I could quit everything I do in life and just write and be busy for the remainder of my life. I have learned how to shut it out so I can focus, but it's getting harder and harder to do because these stories and characters are getting louder. One fo my sisters gave me a magnet once that states "The voices are getting louder. Must be time to write." It speaks to me a lot lately and I feel compelled to succumb to the inevitable (is that spelled correctly? I can't remember how to spell a lot of words today-usually I can sound it out but its like that part of my brain isn't there today) rather than shoving it to the side. And blah, blah, blah. There I go again, rambling on about the same ol' shit, I mean crap, I mean stuff.
So have yourself a Merry Little Christmas if I don't touch base again before the 25th. I am soooo excited for Christmas. It's good to be a kid! Ok, sometimes I just feel like a kid. When the hell did I grow up? I don't remember getting here!

C.L.LeMay shares her favorite authors

I was pondering the fact that I have had a paperback next to my bed for a couple of weeks - unread. I have reread the 1st chapter a couple of times. The chapter is great and I am intrigued but I can't seem to get into it. I think it's because I am thinking so much about my own writings that I can't get very far in my reading. I love to read, many types of books, fiction and non. Mysteries, thrillers, love stories, women's lit, forensics (fiction and non), true crime - you get the jist. I like to read. As I was acknowledging this truth in my head, I realized that I want to share with you, my readers, which authors I have enjoyed the most and most consistently over the years. Aaahhh...so sweet, she wants to share. Now come along children, it's circle time.
C.L.LeMay enjoys...drum roll...Stephen King. Now there's a shock. But what can I say, the guy is talented, prolific, scary, imaginative. He molded my views at a young age as to what powers can be in the hands of an author. And yes...THE STAND is one of my most favorite stories of all time. Sorry, Stephen. I know you find it a little sad that one of your best if not your very best work was written decades ago. Also liked - don't remember the title of the short story, but the one where the guy was bitten by a snake and ends up in the coroner's lab - wow! My heart pounded. Btw, your son is an excellent writer as well. Kudos to the King family writers. Hi Tabitha! One day if I ever meet you guys I will tell you how COVET came to be - it involves me thinking about the two of you as a married writing couple and the potential crisis that could generate. But that's a story for another day.
C.L.LeMay also enjoys Pat Conroy - especially THE PRINCE OF TIDES. You, Mr. Conroy, taught me to write passionately and honestly. I cried, literally balled my eyes out while reading TPOT. I've read many of your other works and am rather in love with your story telling abilities.
C.L.LeMay also enjoys Barabara Delinsky. You are a fine writer with genuine characters and tight plots. THE SUMMER I DARED dared me to bring my writing to another level (especially in ALONG BLACK RIVER). You learn you settings well and educate your readers as well as entertain them. I also cried while reading your book THREE WISHES. It must have been a tough one to write. I also just want to mention that from time to time over the years in my different jobs, I have run into Mrs. Delinsky and she is absolutely a lovely human being. I think she is brave with her personal battle with cancer in the past (and hope it will always be in the past) and I wish you many many healthy wonderful writing years.
C.L.LeMay loved the book THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova.
C.L.LeMay enjoys reading Jefferson Bass novels as well as the non-fiction Dr. Bill Bass & Jon Jefferson books. I love the forensics. I am utterly fascinated by it all and if I could start it all over, I would absolutely pursue a career in forensic anthropology (and I don't mean the TV drama version - I mean the real painstaking science) or be a medical examiner.
C.L.LeMay enjoys Reynolds Price but I have to be in the mood (yes, I know I am mixing 1st and 3rd voice). The guy knows how to bring me down, but he does it in a way that I feel enlightened. KATE VAIDEN was my first and my favorite for years until I read THE PROMISE OF REST. Another tear jerker - raw emotions. Be prepared to have your heart broken.
C.L.LeMay recently read George D. Shuman's LAST BREATH. I believe I have read other books by him but can't recall. Extremely impressed by the plot of this book. He amazed me with his skills.
C.L.LeMay adores THE WITCHING HOUR by...oh my God, I cannot think of her name! She wrote INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE. what the heck? I can't think of her name. I can see her face but am drawing a blank on her name!
And of course, there's DUNE. There are no words to describe what a fabulous book this one is. FRANK HERBERT was sheer genius.
There are many other books and authors I have enjoyed over the years. I will mention them in later posts, but quite frankly, I'm done here.
Thanks for reading. Pick up one of these titles soon and share your thoughts.

Short Story on its Way

I am working on a short story - "The Red Jeep" and I will start to post it in the next few days for your reading entertainment. Thought you would like to know:)

3 Cheers for THREE CROSSES

Just wanted to take a minute to say, WOW! I have been getting a recent upsurgence of calls and comments regarding THREE CROSSES and they are all good. I am out of paperback copies and have had several more sales on the Kindle. Very little action on the NOOK. Are people not using the NOOK anymore?
Does anyone know what the reading/book app is for the iPad? I assume you can download any kind but does it have its own platform?
Back to THREE CROSSES - thank you to everyone who has read it or are reading it. And thank you for your comments. Yesterday I had another request for my next novel. That feels amazing! I may not be on the New York Times Best Sellers List (yet) but I have to say, I feel like I am. People who don't really know me or know me at all are asking for the next book. And again, WOW!
And a sidenote - my daughter has been writing for about a year, on and off. A few days ago, she read me a couple of her short stories (school assignments) and I would like to say very proudly, "You go, girl! You have got mad writing skills." Honestly, I was intrigued by her stories. She uses a mixture of details, dialogue (yes, my 11-year old daughter is using dialogue in her stories), and suspense. Kudos to you dear! And to boot, she's having fun with it!