Anita Clenney| Escape from the Writer's Cave
June 11, 2014
All writers have a cave, that place where they get sucked into another world.
One without dishes and dust and carpools, just characters trying to find love
and escape death. The cave can be a good place. We can block out the outside
world and focus completely on our stories and our characters. Fix those nasty
holes in our plots. Wear our pajamas, and if we’re really on a tight deadline,
we might skip a shower and a meal. Our characters don’t mind. They don’t really
care if we’ve eaten today, if we missed a doctor’s appointment, or we’re late
picking up the kids. They just want their story on the page. But we’re more than just writers, more than our characters and stories. We can’t
get so busy with our characters and plots that we forget family. Remember those
people who keep knocking on the door asking “where’s dinner?” and we yell out,
“Just one more paragraph. My heroine is dangling off a cliff. For heaven’s sake,
I can’t just leave her there.” There needs to be a balance. If we spend all our time in the cave, we’ll burn
out. Our lives and our stories will suffer. It’s important to come out of the
cave and mingle with the real world. Go to a movie, go shopping, check out the
latest fashions—or lack of. Have date night with your husband or watch your
child laugh and play. We shouldn’t get so caught up in our writing that we miss
out on the joys of life. Often that’s what stirs our imagination anyway. How
many great stories have come from watching people or overhearing a conversation? Putting our stories aside for a while can give us a breather we need. Kind of
like putting away the manuscript so we can look at the story later with fresh
eyes. If we neglect the non-writer part of ourselves, we’ll miss out and later
regret it. Life doesn’t stop just because we’re on deadline. Our kids don’t stop
growing up. Our families don’t sit on hold while we’re stuck in our writer’s
cave. Don’t spend all your time there. Lock your characters in a closet, turn
off the computer and go do something fun! Your family and your readers will
appreciate it. Anita's latest release is HEART OF A HIGHLAND
WARRIOR, the long-awaited third book in her highland warrior series. For 150 years he slept, waiting to confront his destiny. Nothing could have
prepared him for what he would find. A bloodthirsty evil stalks the Connor Clan… Brave, beautiful, and haunted by her past, demon hunter Anna MacKinley will do
anything to help the Connor Clan. Under divine orders, the headstrong warrior
travels the world, slaying demons and vampires. When she stumbles upon a hidden
stone fortress while searching for her clan’s lost Book of Battles, dark forces
swiftly imprison her—and she discovers her cell mate is a gorgeous Scottish
warrior who has no memories, but looks strikingly familiar. And only a secret from the past can win the day…and her heart. The warriors of the centuries-old Connor Clan are searching for their missing
time-vault and the powerful relic within. What they find is a grave…and a
kilt-clad body they fear is the long-lost Tavis Connor. But there may be more to
the Highland warrior’s fate than a pile of bones. Desperate to save his brother
and his clan’s Book of Battles from a demon hell bent on destruction, Tavis
begins a 150 year quest that will end in modern-day New York. But when he wakes,
he discovers he’s the one in need of help. His only hope of rescue is a bonny
lass who claims to be a warrior. A warrior waging war on demons…and his heart. HIGHLAND WARRIOR SERIES Since the beginning of time, a clan of warriors has walked the earth, their
quest to seek and subdue the demons disguised among us. Appointed by the
Archangel Michael, these Scottish protectors rely on secrecy, just as the demons
they battle. Only vague references in obscure long-ago writings give mention to
these mysterious beings. These are the stories of the Connor Clan.
Don't miss Anita's HOT
HERO contest on Fresh Fiction. Everyone loves a hot hero, and I have lots to choose from with my “Highland
Warrior Series” and my “Relic Seekers Series.” Each series features rugged alpha
males and strong females. No matter if they’re fighting demons or hunting
powerful relics, they’ll have an adventure to die for. Signed copy of
one of Anita
Clenney’s books. You choose which hot hero you want to read. Faelan, Cody, Tavis, or Jake and Nathan. Comment below to win your own copy of HEART OF A HIGHLAND
WARRIOR
Comments
22 comments posted.
Re: Anita Clenney| Escape from the Writer's Cave
I would love to learn more about Tavis (Colleen MacDonald 10:11am June 11, 2014)
It sounds like you have a good variety to satisfy anyone's taste, and I'm definately looking forward to reading one of your books!! The cover being shown is quite interesting, too!! Congratulations on your latest book!! (Peggy Roberson 11:19am June 11, 2014)
Heart of a Highland Warrior was worth the wait. Now I am patiently waiting for thr next one in the series! I am not a writer, but I do agree you have to come up for air. You are right life does not stand still while waiting for us. It would be nice sometimes if it did. (Angela Covarrubias 11:30am June 11, 2014)
This is a great series. Can't wait to read Heart of a Highland Warrior! (Irene Menge 11:37am June 11, 2014)
Oh this one sounds great... congrats on this latest release! (Colleen Conklin 12:43pm June 11, 2014)
I love my Highlanders! I can't wait to read this one! It's already on my kindle! (Linda Townsend 2:49pm June 11, 2014)
Why not all? Pout..Pout...Pout.. don't like to choose.. but I would take a Highlander over anything else. (Tina Ullrich 7:48pm June 11, 2014)
I'd love to read Tavis's story. (Janie McGaugh 9:25pm June 11, 2014)
Highlanders with immortality... oh my. Tavis' story sounds interesting but any of the Connors clan will do. (Kai Wong 1:07am June 12, 2014)
Wow this is a series. Sounds like some great reading and thanks so much for the chance to win. These stories sound like they would be hard to put down. Rita Spratlen (Rita Spratlen 1:28am June 12, 2014)
Thanks everyone! I'm so lucky that I have two series that I love writing. My highland warriors were first, but I love my relic seekers too. In fact, I think the warriors and the relic seekers would get along! Some suggested a Christmas story where I have them meet! (Anita Clenney 4:53am June 12, 2014)
If you want to be included in the HOT HERO contest, click on that link and leave a comment! (Anita Clenney 4:54am June 12, 2014)
Thank you, Anita. I know what you mean by a writer's cave. And a reader's cave! Good luck with the release of "Heart of a Highland Warrior". (Mary Anne Landers 5:37am June 12, 2014)
I love any book with a highlander!!!! (Bonnie Capuano 8:29am June 12, 2014)
It's good to know that an author has a personal life like any others that needs to be taken care of/ lived every day to its maximum =). (Sally Hayes 8:31am June 12, 2014)
I'm addicted to all Scottish stories with a sexy Highlander! (Nicole Laverdure 10:04am June 12, 2014)
i cant wait to read this (Denise Smith 12:11pm June 12, 2014)
I love retreating into my cave to take care of things...unfortunately, I don't have a magic assistant to take care of the things I ignore while I am in the cave, lol. Thanks for the giveaway! (E Felder 12:24pm June 12, 2014)
Love Scottish stories lived there for two years! (Denise Austin 5:15pm June 12, 2014)
I love highlander books! thanks for the post! (MaryAnne Banks 11:10pm June 12, 2014)
What a Good point about needing balance. (Laura Gullickson 11:59pm June 12, 2014)
Love hot alpha males and strong heroines! I have added the Highlander Warrior series to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing. (Bonnie H 10:43pm June 17, 2014)
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