L. J. SMITH - Blogs from 2010

FAQ and Happy Holidays

2010-12-20T17:21:15-08:00

First of all, Happy Holidays to all who celebrate them at this time of year! I’m looking forward to a week’s vacation myself!. :)

Now . . .

With so many people asking the same questions, I think I’ll answer them here, so that perhaps some who are wondering won’t have to write in and query me. Here are the most current answers that I have.

When is Strange Fate coming out? I am writing Strange Fate right now and it will be out as quickly as I can finish it and Simon & Schuster can publish it. I can’t give an exact date—I’m very sorry. The part of it that you see in Brionwy’s Lullaby (stories section) mushroomed until it became a new book in its own right, leaving Sarah without her, But this may be all to the good, because where these sections once were, now there will be short bits about how the characters in the previous Night World books, like Rashel and Quinn, Poppy, Ash and Mary-Lynnette, Hannah, and others will be fighting the Apocalypse.

When is Midnight. the last book in The Vampire Diaries: The Return, coming out? March 2011. (Right around the corner!)

Where is the first part of the novella Cassie & Nick: Deep Waters? It’s not on the Internet. It, too, became so long and complex that I am hoping it will be published as a sequel to The Secret Circle. Also: the plot is not really about Cassie and Nick falling in love. It’s about Cassie going into the underworld to pull Nick out of a coma. However, Nick misunderstands her intentions and believes that she has parted with Adam to be with him. Cassie ought to be able to simply explain to him—but Nick is now blind and says she is the only thing he cares about in life. Meanwhile, Black John has been revived in a new crystal skull and wants revenge on the entire Crowhaven Street gang.

Will there be a sequel to ________? The sequels I have started right now are to The Secret Circle and The Forbidden Game. You will see a teaser for The Forbidden Game sequel as I plan on having a Forbidden Game contest quite soon.

When will you finish the story Ash & Mary-Lynnette: Those Who Favor Fire? If you’ve read this far, you know that I have a good many irons in that fire. But I do want to finish the story before long. The paradox is that the more I write about Ash and ML on the Internet, the less I have to put in Strange Fate about them.

Should I call you Lisa, Lisa Jane, Ljane, L. J., L.J. Smith, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Smith, or Miss Smith? Lisa, L.J., or Ms. Smith are all fine.

What’s going on with the Secret Circle option by the CW? I have no idea. Maybe they’re writing the pilot; maybe they’ve given up. To misquote from Stephen Sounheim’s play Into The Woods, “Never can tell what lies ahead/ For all that I know it’s probably dead.” You’ll get more info Googling it than from asking me.

Are you feeling anguish over that? No, I’m too busy trying to write a blog, interviews, emails, and all the books or stories mentioned above.

I’m sure there are more I could think of if I really tried, but I hope these will be helpful. Once again I wish you a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year.

Congratulations, Alex M! You won Bonnie's Opal Ring!

2010-12-09T19:44:16-08:00

Re: Bonnie’s Opal Ring Contest: I’m afraid that the deadline for Arrien to get back to me is long past, and her phone number is invalid. That means that the book winners were numbered, their numbers put into a black silk top hat (okay, a medium-sized bag, but that doesn’t sound as nice) and an attorney was asked to pick one of the numbered slips of paper blindfolded.

And the one chosen was . . . Alex M. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Alex, your ring should come as a holiday present. I hope you enjoy it!

As for the other book winners, this means that they finally also will have their books shipped. I wanted to wait so I could ship the two items together if that was what needed to happen.

Meanwhile, if you were a winner in the “name the next Vampire Diaries arc” contest, could you please resend your address. My brand new computer seems to have lost your file, and after three days of searching, I don’t know what to do but apologize. Please send your name, address, and the book of your choice to info@ljanesmith.net and I will try to also send them for the holidays. Please use the subject heading ARC ARC ARC so that I can pick these emails out of the load I get every day, and I’ll try not to lose your information.

Whew! It’s not easy trying to work with a new computer, a new Word program, and an Outlook program that does everything but the thing I want it to do.

I hope that everyone else is not having as turbulent a holiday season as I am! I haven’t even bought one present yet! For the moment, I wish everyone peace, serenity, and compassion—both given and received.

Happy Thanksgiving, or just Happy Day

2010-11-25T00:42:48-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I just want to say a word to all my readers, young and old, of all countries, creeds and affiliations . . . thank you! I couldn’t do it without you, and you are, whether happy or sad, the most polite, literate, and intelligent group of readers an author could ask for.

Since I don’t want anyone to be unhappy in what in my country is a holiday, and in others simply another bright day to be thankful to be alive . . . please don’t despair, Delena, Bamon, and Stelena fans. Midnight is coming and, although Damon might be accused of not knowing his own mind, he is beginning to emerge from his shell enough to care deeply for two girls. And Stefan is coming back into his own as a character as he recovers from prison. I think that there is reason to be thankful, no matter which side you ship.

And I . . . am simply glad to have fans with the spark of passion that you have. You remind me of myself with that passion. Please, on this day of thanks, forgive anything that you feel has wronged you, and wait for my website and Midnight to soothe your hurts. I am hoping that you will come out—on all sides—feeling better about the “who gets Damon and what about Stefan?” question.

To misquote one more time: “Give me your hand if we be friends/ and Damon shall restore amends.”

About these Just For Fun Polls

2010-11-21T00:45:08-08:00

Whoa, whoa, whoa, my dear readers. I think I have to say a word or two about the “Just For Fun” polls that some people are taking way too seriously.

First thing, I have an announcement to make. To the best of my knowledge (I mean, barring an act of God), there definitely will be at least three more books in the Vampire Diaries book series. There is also a very good chance—especially if you want them—that there will be three more books after this.

Please try to think of it this way: you are not going to get any final answers for a long, long time. I know that may distress some of you, but that is what the publishers want. (To keep the series going, I mean—they don’t want to distress you.) The book packagers who package this book (Alloy Entertainment) and the publishers who buy it from them and sell it to you (HarperCollins) want to keep publishing these books for as long as you want to keep reading them. Therefore we’re so far from endgame right now that all bets are off and anything can happen.

Don’t waste your time being distressed by the “who gets Damon in the end?” question. I mean, knowing him, he might take off all by himself, flashing a 250-kilowatt smile at us all . . . well, no, I supposed he’s changed since those days. But, believe me, the polls will have absolutely no bearing on what happens in the future. They really are “just for fun polls”—and, I’ll admit, I was a little curious about whether Ian Somerhalder’s witty wickedness and my own modest contributions had caused Damon to go off the charts in terms of male desirability. Poor, poor Stefan, is what I say.

In any case, I think that many of my readers are being hurt by the clash in the fandom. I’m having the latest poll taken down as soon as my genius webmaster (but also busy father and husband—so don’t expect anything on Sunday) can do it.

And as for the Bamon and Delena shippers who write so passionately to me, I have a suggestion. Since the series isn’t going to provide you with an endgame for at least four more books—Midnight and then the new trilogy: The Hunters—why don’t you try your hand at fanfic? Write your own perfect ending and you’ll feel much better—I promise. It might even turn into a hobby, or a profession. :)

In fact, I’ll post fanfics along with my stories, if they are good enough in terms of grammar and spelling, and not too bawdy. I’d love to see some fans putting all their passion to good use by trying out their maiden writing skills, and I’d welcome the product of any experienced fic writers out there.

And finally, just so that I’m sure I’ve said it enough: I have no idea of what’s going to happen at endgame. You can quote e on that. No idea at all, not even the faintest clue. Writing is my life, but I can assure you that I have never even started to imagine how the series should turn out. And no by-then-long-forgotten polls will have the slightest influence on the ending; I give you my word.

So let’s all hold hands and sing the Barney song, cos we all love each other and the war is officially over. If there’s one thing I try to get into my books, it’s the idea that we all can get along.

Bonnie's Opal Ring and Cassie's Unicorn Egg

2010-11-19T18:12:01-08:00

For those who have been wondering who won Bonnie’s opal ring in the contest—well, the winner has been twice contacted but has not replied. So I am desperately seeking:

Arrien of Ormond Beach, FL – You are the Winner of Bonnie's Opal Ring!

Arrien, please contact me at info@ljanesmith.net. Put in the subject field Winner! so that I can be sure of finding it among the other emails I get.

Also,I hope a lot of people will enter the Cassie’s Unicorn Egg contest. The prizes are really so beautiful that I can’t imagine anyone not wanting them, and the contest is already open. You don’t have to use the directions on the contest page to send me an email, just send it to (here it is again) info@ljanesmith.net with Cassie’s Unicorn Egg in the subject field. You don’t have to write anything inside the email, or you can write “Hi” or something if you haven’t read The Secret Circle.

As for strange manifestations on my site recently—I’m sorry that right now I can’t explain about them. Just believe me that a true life-or-death emergency was in progress. For the time being, try to forget it, please.

Thanks to everyone who entered the Bonnie’s Opal Ring contest. Here are a couple of memorable quotes:

OH MY GOSH! Sorry, but I am overly excited about this. The creepy thing is that I was thinking about this when my Internet was loading.....maybe I'm psychic...that would be fun.· -- Katie D. of Middletown, NJ

Hoooooooly taco. REALLY?!?!?!?!?!?!· --· Alex M. of Sioux Falls, SD

I'm such a HUGE fan! Where I read that I had won an autographed copy of Shadow Souls I thought I would scream! :D"· --· Gabriella M. of Tustin, CA

I’ll let everyone know what the Grand Prizewinner says when she does reply. (Arrien, reply, please!)

For Kristyne D., who said an answer would make her life . . .

2010-11-07T23:20:04-08:00

. . . but whose server won't accept my email.

Hi Krissy--

I definitely want to make your life, but I'd have answered your email anyway, because you seem to understand that Damon is dealing with all sorts of pressures. Not simply because he is suddenly human (and in danger of dying because he can't eat even steak tartar), but because the great stone ball where he kept his feelings away from him is shattered. So he's dealing with suddenly degraded senses and reflexes, suddenly released sexual feelings (which my publishers won't let me say outright in the book), and a lot of unhappiness that he, being Damon and no saint, wants to spread around.

I'm really pleased that you read the books before watching the TV show. Several readers have the two mixed up, or think that I write both (I'd have to have multiple personalities).

I think it's wonderful that you write! Are you going to try to get your stories published?

I'm glad, too, that Damon has doubters, or I wouldn't be doing my job. But, as you know, it's always more fun writing about a bad boy who suddenly regrets his actions and has to come to terms with them. I think that you'll find that in Midnight, Damon is both more angry and nasty, and more repentant, than he has ever been before. And although he's a bad boy, if he were cruel to either Bonnie or Elena, and then didn't repent and try to make amends, he would just be a horrible person and not worthy of anyone's attention.

Thank you for a lovely letter. And thanks for taking a balanced view on a book that isn't even out yet! I don't even know if you have an affiliation!

Lisa

And for all the Delena shippers. . .

2010-11-06T19:52:57-07:00

I didn’t mean to hurt anyone when I gave assistance and comfort to Bamon fans in my last blog. I just wanted to assure them that there would be many interesting moments—a nice relationship, really, is what it adds up to—between Bonnie and Damon in Midnight. I mean, face it: Bonnie definitely got the short end of the stick in Shadow Souls, and I was glad to see more of her in all of her different moods in the next book. But that doesn’t mean that Damon has suddenly lost his interest in Elena in Midnight, either.

Remember, this series started out as a love triangle between Stefan (poor Stefan! But he develops quite a bit in Phantom, the book after Midnight), Damon, and Elena. Now it’s some polygonal shape in eleven dimensions, and includes most of the characters as they become “more than friends.” A very witty and literate Nova Scotian even cited some passages that might indicate that Sage was developing a little tendressefor Bonnie. (She was a Delena fan, of course, but I’d give her message a perfect 10 for inventiveness, politeness, and felicity of expression. Not that I ever criticize for grammar or spelling mistakes—as long as I can understand an email, it’s fine. And some of the readers from other countries write such excellent English that I wish I could reply in their native language.)

All I want to do now is to set the record straight for Midnight. I can’t give away the plot, but Damon has quite a tumultuous relationship with both Elena and Bonnie. With each of them, separately, I should say. He is initially angry and defensive towards each, but he eventually shows his true feelings, which run deep in both cases. I can’t guarantee that the Bamon and Delena camps will be satisfied, but then I don’t really control Damon; he does what he likes, is reasonable or unreasonable, and all I can do is follow him and write about his adventures. He wouldn’t be Damon if I could control him.

The only other news is that someone kindly explained to me what Delena (or Bamon) “shipper” meant. I appreciated that.

Naturally, nothing new on the A and E and A (the agony and ecstasy and the agony) with Secret Circle. I’ve decided not to fret about it. Que sera, sera, sirrah.

Writing a Book, Secret Circle, news for Bamon fans

2010-11-05T13:47:39-07:00

I was going to write yesterday, but I simply got too busy. One thing I was doing was answering several people’s questions about how to write a book, or how to publish a book once it’s written. The answers are already in Ask L. J. or in the FAQs. Please, please, try to look through these before writing to me. Also, please remember that the Internet is your best friend if you have questions about how to get an agent or format a manuscript. Just Google “literary agent for (say, horror fiction). You’ll get all sorts of helpful hits. And manuscript format depends on the publisher, which is something your agent can tell you about. In any case, the first thing for first-time writers is to write a book.

The other thing is that legions of Bamon fans have contacted me—and I do get the point. You want delicious Bonnie and Damon moments. I think I can promise you that in Midnight. The best of all Bonnie and Damon moments so far is in this book, I think. Meanwhile, yes, I am going to publish a slightly revised (all to the good) version of After Hours, the Bamon library story. I hope it will be new to some new visitors to this site.

As for the optioning of Secret Circle—well, I’m afraid I don’t have any information that can’t be reached by Google or Yahoo. And I have to say it: I just don’t have a good feeling about this option. With Vampire Diaries, I knew that it had been picked up by Kevin Williamson, and that he was “serious” and “loved the books.” With Secret Circle, I’m so far out of the loop that I might as well live on Neptune. But here is what I know:

First of all, none of this is official. This info was first released by Vulture and then that article was cited by MTV etc. But for what it’s worth:

Two of the writers, Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fan, consult and write for The Vampire Diaries. They are also cited as being affiliated with Josh Whedon (the creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer) although they wrote for Angel (a Buffy spin-off) and Dollhouse (a recent Josh Whedon creation). They’re said to know about science fiction and fantasy.

Andrew Miller, writer for the series Imaginary Bitches, is writing the pilot script and is also executive producer. Imaginary Bitches was a web series that was popular and also got a fair amount of acclaim. Andrew Miller created it, directed it and appeared to be the only writer for it. It was about a girl whose imaginary friends turn out to be, well, bitches. :)

So there’s the first agony. Not knowing anything official and having a vague bad feeling. Sigh. For all I know everything reported could be wrong, so it’s hard to take comfort in the past success of hypothetical writers and producers. I guess what it comes down to is that I’ll believe it when the CW shows the pilot and confirms that it wants the show. Then I’ll at least have something to root for.

Meanwhile I’ll be posting the first half of a Secret Circle novella at the next site update, and I have a contest for a SC something so gorgeous you won’t believe your eyes!

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T12:08:35-07:00

Well, to do my webmaster justice, I shouldn’t have used the preliminary figures I gave out for our debut. I’m happy to report that we actually had over 5,000 unique visitors, from 102 countries, with 33,000+ page visits. I can’t say how delighted I am to welcome each of you. And yet, there’s still so much I want to do with the website—if it wasn’t for that little thing called “writing for a living” I’d happily spend all my time pottering around here, because all the books I’ve already written are still alive to me.

There is so much more about the Night World (so many of Hannah’s incarnations, the odd and, to me, rather poignant story of Ash’s repentance, the tale of Quinn’s love for Dove Redfern told in real time) and so many things about The Vampire Diaries (Bonnie and Damon’s real first meeting, stories of the Dark Dimension, Sage and Damon’s bandit career, and more tales that I’d have to put huge spoilers in here to even name). In my mind, the sequel to Dark Visions is clear (titled Blindsight), and clearer yet (since I’ve started to write it) is the sequel to The Forbidden Game. I even know exactly what I’d like to do with the never-written book to complete the Trilogy of Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor. But then new books nag at me, too. Brionwy’s Lullabies, which took over Strange Fate so thoroughly that I had to make it a separate book. Wanderer, which is my newest name for the story of Princess Aprit, who lives in a world of rather dark magic of its own. And so many more.

But don’t worry—I have to finish the present Vampire Diaries books first. And then Strange Fate. I know this seems backwards, and I apologize to all who have been faithfully awaiting the tenth Night World book. Again, it’s too complicated to explain how it all happened.

As for the agony and the ecstasy and the agony of the Secret Circle option, all I know so far is what’s out on Google. And that means I don’t know anything at all. (Except that some sweet fans are rooting for it.) I’ll do my best to get more info, so that those who are rooting for it can let the CW know that they are. That might do a spot of good.

And finally, to get round to what was supposed to be the point of this article, Happy Halloween! I have been in such a crunch that I haven’t even carved a pumpkin yet or bought candy, but I do have a costume—a vampire cape, of course. Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays and usually I do the whole shebang: scary music, flickering strobe light, several jack o’lanterns, spiced apple cider, and a friend or two to watch horror flicks from my video collection while we wait for the doorbell to ring. One sad trend I saw last year was more and more kids coming costumeless. Come on, kids! Why should I just hand you a lethal amount of sugar if you don’t even bother to put on a silly hat?

Anyway, I hope that others who read this are prepared to enjoy Halloween, and that it’s ghoulishly delightful. (It’s one of Damon’s favorite nights of the year, too, but of course when he rings the doorbell, it’s not a mini Hershey bar that he’s after. He does the trick and you’re the treat.) So be safe, Good Samhain, and Happy All Hallow’s Eve.

Welcome and The Secret Circle

2010-10-29T01:29:38-07:00

Welcome! First, I’d like to thank the nearly 4,000 people from 93 countries who have come to visit. And grateful thanks to the two and a half thousand who participated in the poll on the Home Page to determine Bonnie’s fate. I myself was a bit stunned at the many who thought she should cast her fate with Matt, and I have to say that it was slightly unfair because of course nobody knows what new character will be introduced. But, believe me, I will certainly listen to my reader’s opinions . . . and don’t worry, at just 18, she’s not yet ready to get married.

The other thing I wanted visitors to know is that if you didn’t see your favorite character featured in a story this month, you very well may next month. I am committed to keeping this website fresh and interesting for everyone—and the next contest, which starts November 20, sports a prize that has to be seen to be believed!

I guess the other news that one or two readers/viewers might possibly not have heard about is the fact that The Secret Circle has been optioned by the CW. When The Vampire Diaries was optioned I kept pretty tight-lipped about it, but this time I think I will blog about the agony and the ecstasy, and the probably very short life of a burgeoning TV show. I wonder which characters will be cut and what number they’ll get it down to—I’d guess seven witches at most, and even that might be too many to handle. But I am working assiduously at a Secret Circle story that I hope will be ready for the next update.

Thanks again for stopping by. Please keep on reading—and writing!

LATEST: Twin Fox Ring Contest & Forbidden Game Update!!

2010-05-18T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from MySpace Blog <

Due to the overwhelming response to the twin fox ring contest, the winners will not be declared until July 1-15. I simply have far too many emails that I have to match up with a random number generator in order to randomly pick the winners. And, I am still hard at work on Midnight. The last of the Vampire Diaries Returns: All about Damon. Don't worry! There will be other books about the Vampire Diaries crowd out soon after Midnight.

Also, I would like to remind everyone that about half my reader's (from when it was first published) favorite trilogy is coming out on June 8.

The Forbidden Game is about a boy from the Shadow World, breathtakingly handsome, with silvery white hair and electric blue eyes who falls in love with a human girl, Jenny. Julian immediately traps Jenny and her friends inside a game that looks like her own house, and lets loose anything that he thinks will scare her---when he's not trying to lure her into his arms.

Jenny discovers a potent weapon: Julian can only touch her if she has touched him first--and only on the same place. Strong, but gentle heroine, and the bad boy my fans have always kept at the top of the list . . . It may not be about vampires but it is about a human girl being slowly, bit by bit seduced into another world. Please pass on the word if you can! Thank you!

Forbidden Game available June 8th is not a Children's Book!

2010-05-29T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from MySpace Blog <

Just wanted to mention this to anyone who has seen it misclassified by Amazon—which for some reason is intractable about changing classifications.., even if the publisher is telling them it’s wrong.

Forbidden Game, as those of you who’ve read it will know, is probably the, um, most adult of my YA books, and gorgeous, white-haired, blue-eyed Julian, (the guy from the Shadow World), is second to Damon as my most popular bad boy. The story is about how Julian falls in love with Jenny as a child, and then one day reveals himself (it happens to be her human boyfriend’s birthday) and challenges her and the guests at the party to play his Game. Actually, they don’t really have much of a choice.

Julian’s objective is to make Jenny his own, body and soul. But the Rules say that he can only touch her as she touches him. So once she touches his hand—her own hand is fair game for his caresses. . . If she touches his hair, he can stroke hers. And so on and so on, as Julian is as relentless as a stalking tiger. He may not be a vampire, but he certainly has all the powers of one, and Jenny finds herself drawn to him helplessly even as she tries to stay loyal to the good in her nature.

Forbidden Game is sort of a companion to Dark Visions, in that they were the first two trilogies I wrote for Simon & Schuster. If you liked Dark Visions, you’ll love Forbidden Game!

For the veterans out there who have requested it, yes, I am considering writing a sequel of some kind . . . after Strange Fate, definitely!

Also, my two real children’s books (middle grade) The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor, are already out, with pretty covers, for once! That makes me happy.

Forbidden Game Contest!

2010-06-07T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from MySpace Blog <

Another contest? Yes! For The Forbidden Game, which comes out June 8th (tomorrow) and can be ordered on Amazon right now.

Julian wants above all things to put his ring on Jenny’s finger and seal forever the forbidden bond between them. This contest is for one solid 14-carat gold ring (bought from Crystal Realm for $500—they’ve now gone up to almost $700!), and two silver rings.

All three are poesy rings exactly like the one described in the book, which means that inside in beautiful calligraphy is inscribed the heart-rending message “All I refuse and thee I chuse.” When Jenny places the ring on her finger, she must turn her back on her boyfriend and choose only the evil master of magick, Julian.

How to win: Please read carefully. Before August 1, 2010, send an e-mail to info@ljanesmith.net, with Forbidden Game Ring as the subject. In the contents, please give your age or grade. For fans who already know and love Julian, you may also indicate whether or not you would wear Julian’s ring—who knows, it may bring you luck.

A note: do not send more than one entry per e-mail address! You should know better! Also, we will not send two prizes to one home address so don’t bother renting a five hundred e-mail accounts, either.

Here is a picture of the gold ring. Winners will be announced after August 1, 2010—as quickly as possible.

Good Luck!

New Vampire Diaries Contest!!!

2010-09-13T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from MySpace Blog <

If you've read Vampire Diaries: Volume 6: Shadow Souls, then you know that Bonnie is sent home with an opal ring set with diamonds, as well as many other pieces of opal jewelry, and I can tell you in advance that this opal ring gains great significance in Vampire Diaries: Volume 7: Midnight.

So I can't think of a better prize right now than "Bonnie's Opal Ring"--which has been slightly sized down from its book description (which would hardly be suitable, except as a cocktail ring!)

Now you can win this version of Bonnie’s opal ring! It’s made of 14 karat gold and 14 karat white gold, with one central opal and diamonds sprinkled around it. This is a gorgeous ring that sells for over $700—so pretty that I got one for myself! And if you didn’t win an autographed Shadow Souls book during the last contest, here’s your chance, because I’m offering ten this time round as second prizes.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’m going to have to confine this contest to readers in the United States, just because I had so much difficulty mailing prizes to other countries. Sorry about that—maybe I’ll be able to find a solution in the next contest.

To enter, simply send an email to info@ljanesmith.net with the words BONNIE’S OPAL RING in the Subject Field. Inside, if you like, you can let me know who you think Bonnie should end up with in the Vampire Diaries. Will it be Matt? Damon? Some boy yet to be introduced? I’d love to hear your opinion.

This contest will begin September 15, 2010, and end on Halloween, after which the winners will be announced.

Also—I shouldn’t have to say this, but—only one entry from any email address, and only one prize to a home address.

Good luck!

Update on Bonnie's Opal Ring Contest (International Entries)

2010-09-14T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from MySpace Blog <

NEW NEW NEW INFORMATION ABOUT BONNIE'S OPAL RING CONTEST! I've got some pleading letters and I just can't stand to keep Bonnie's Opal Ring Contest open to only those in the USA. So please pass it on--the contest is now open to all countries as regards the Grand Prize, Bonnie's gorgeous opal ring. If you win it and you are from anywhere on the planet, I'll find a way to get it to you. Remember, to enter you must put these exact words in the Subject field: BONNIE'S OPAL RING, and send the email to info@ljanesmith.net. If you enter different words in the Subject, your email won't be put alphabetically in the right place to be randomly drawn. Inside the email, you can tell me who you think Bonnie should end up with in the Vampire Diaries series, if you like.

WIN THE TWIN FOX RING! SHADOW SOULS RELEASE CONTEST!!!!! W/UPDATED ADDY!!

2010-03-15T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from MySpace Blog <

Vampire Diaries Shadow Souls comes out March 15!

Win the one-of-a-kind genuine Twin Fox Ring

This contest runs from March 15-June 1 2010. To enter, send an email to info@ljanesmith.net with TWIN FOX RING in the subject line (and, optionally, the name of your favorite Vampire Diaries character in the body). You can win the solid gold Twin Fox Ring, the object of Damon and Elena's quest in Shadow Souls, or one of 20 autographed Shadow Souls books. Winners will be determined randomly.

P.S. This ring is so pretty and cute. The foxes have little Alexandrite eyes and little golden ears. It really inspired the whole plot of the Twin Fox ring in the new Vampire Diaries book Shadow Souls, which goes on sale on March 15, too.

Note: Hello everyone, Kerri here (Lisa's friend and myspace helper until she is not totally buried in writing new books) I wanted to drop in a quick apology for my error, I hope you can all forgive me. I have inserted the correct email address. I hope you will all resubmit your entries. Again my deepest apologies for the inconvenience.

Thank you,
Kerri Thompson

If You Were One of the Prizewinners in the Name the Trilogy Constest . . .

2010-10-23T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

If you write in to the info@ljanesmith.net account, and get an answer from my private Yahoo account, don't be surprised. It really is me answering. Here's what happened.

I got home from a vacation (my first time off in over two years) only to find that The Worst had happened. In my absence my computer had pined away for me and died. Completely, irrevocably, quite thoroughly died. It had joined the choir invisible. It was pushing up the daisies. It was a non-booter, black-screened, unresponsive hunk of metal that did not respond to anything. It had gone to the Great Spare Parts Land in the sky. It was an ex-computer.

So I did what any sensible, resourceful woman would have done: I burst into tears. And when I was done crying, I picked it up tenderly and took its corpese to Fry's, Electronics, which in my area is the only computer store left, having driven all the other stores out of business.

There I met George, a brilliant young man with wise, but somehow sad eyes, a soft voice, and a sister who liked The Vampire Diaries. He also turned out to be a brilliant repairman because in only a few days he had transferred all my data from my old computer (which had croaked because of a video card that had bitten the dust) onto a sleek new fuel injected PC with two googleplexes of disk space, an automatic redundancy mode, a monitor bigger than most movie theater screens and all sorts of doodads that I don't know how to work. Okay, maybe I'm exagerating a little. But this monitor really is bigger than my TV.

The one thing George couldn't do was to rescue my old Outlook Express files. There was just no way to get them off the old drives.

All was not lost though (I was thinking OH MY GOD! All those contest entries!). I still had my own personal computer guru--the One who has made the cool new website which will be unveiled before Halloween. And he, Usok Choe, of Usok Choe Designs (who is also, believe it or not, a Taekwondo World Champion--dude! You don't want to get on this guy's bad side!) performed a holy miracle and managed to recover alllllllll my info@ljanesmith.net messages. So everyone's contest entries are safe.

However, this was done by downloading the messages once again from the server, and I was left with one or two small problems. One: I no longer have the file with the names, addresses, and books to be autographed by those who suggested versions of The Hunters for the new Vampire Diaries trilogy.

Two: right now I can read email from that account but can't send email from it. So if you get an answer from me from my private Yahoo account, don't freak out. It's me. Really me. It's just that I have to answer you from that account or not answer you at all.

So, once again: if you previously wrote to me to tell me that you suggested a title similar to The Hunters and gave me your address and told me which book to autograph . . . I no longer have that information. If you want your prize you will have to send it to me again. You will know I've gotten your message when I answer from my private Yahoo account.

Also, please join me on Halloween and take a look at the new site. It will have new Sneak Peeks, deleted scenes from recent books, new art, a whole gorgeous new format, and soon a new contest. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

The New Name for the next Vampire Diaries Trilogy is . . .

2010-09-23T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

. . . The Hunters. I suppose this is because the core group will be going to college together, where they will meet new characters and find mysteries to solve, both occult and otherwise.

I don’t actually remember anyone suggesting this, but I get a lot of email, and my assistant is on vacation. So if you wrote in and recommended “Hunter, ” “Hunters,” “The Hunters” or something like that, let me know and I’ll check for your email and then send you an autographed book—of your choice.

I have to say thank you to everyone who participated in this—some of the titles were fabulous and I may—if it’s allowed—use them for individual books in the future. I really appreciate all the suggestions, which ran the gamut from gritty and down-to-earth to high fantasy. I’m so proud that my readers have such great imaginations.

What will the three individual books be called? Unless something changes, they will be Phantom, which will should be out in the summer of 2011, Moonsong, and Eternity. I'll post dates for the last two books when I hear them from my publisher.

In the meantime, paperbacks called Stefan's Diaries will be coming out. These will be about the TV show, back in the time of the Civil War. None of the Stefan's Diaries books will be written by me, but they may help . . . er, sate your thirst for new Vampire Diaries material.

I’m really, really excited about my new website, created by Usok Choe of Usok Choe Designs. Usok is such a nice guy, especially since he’s an absolute genius. He really thinks and researches before he begins work and what he’s done for the site is nothing less than miraculous. It’s what I always envisioned, but that a huge company like Lightmaker couldn’t produce. Since I am about twenty years behind on the technology front (I still remember cute ftp and making sites with Adobe Pagemill) then this is just another blessing I don’t deserve.

Speaking of technology, I got a Droid 2 phone and I am doing my best to figure out how to use it. First I had to get my nails cut so that the darn thing would recognize my touch, and then I tried to figure out the apps already on it before getting more. I swear that the phone has taken a dislike to me and refuses to show me my email, while it rolls over like a puppy and will do anything for my more tech-savvy friends.

One thing in particular I wanted to do was pick up the CW’s offer of free passages from The Vampire Diaries books, and read them on my phone. I saw in an ad that you can even buy the entire books to read on a phone. Why anyone would want to do this is beyond me, but I guess the young and keen of sight are a different breed.

Oh, and sincere thanks to Victoria M. of New Jersey who discovered a lovely new item for a wonderful new contest. Thank you, Vicki! I always appreciate new contest ideas, or new prizes that have meaning to my readers.

New! Bonnie's Opal Ring Contest -- Open To All

2010-09-14T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

NEW NEW NEW INFORMATION! Please read!

I can't help it--I just can't exclude readers from other countries from this contest. So what I will do is make the Grand Prize, Bonnie's opal ring itself, open to anybody, from any country, on any continent. But the book winners will have to be confined to the USA. Maybe by the next contest I can find some way around that. The following is just the old blog about the contest and the rules. :)

If you've read Vampire Diaries: Volume 6: Shadow Souls, then you know that Bonnie is sent home with an opal ring set with diamonds, as well as many other pieces of opal jewelry, and I can tell you in advance that this opal ring gains great significance in Vampire Diaries: Volume 7: Midnight.

So I can't think of a better prize right now than "Bonnie's Opal Ring"--which has been slightly sized down from its book description (which would hardly be suitable, except as a cocktail ring!).

Now you can win this version of Bonnie’s opal ring (see above). It’s made of 14 karat gold and 14 karat white gold, with one central opal and diamonds sprinkled around it. This is a gorgeous ring that sells for over $700—so pretty that I got one for myself! And if you didn’t win an autographed Shadow Souls book during the last contes--well, here’s your chance, because I’m offering ten (10) this time around as second prizes.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid I’m going to have to confine the books in this contest to readers in the United States, just because I had so much difficulty mailing prizes to other countries. However, the ring is now available to everyone.

To enter, simply send an email to info@ljanesmith.net with the words BONNIE’S OPAL RING in the Subject Field. Please use these exact words, or your entry will not be in the right alphabetical place to be randomly picked for the ring. So if you have sent an email to Opal Ring Contest or Contest: Bonnie's Ring, do yourself a favor and send another with the subject BONNIE'S OPAL RING.

Inside, if you like, you can let me know in your email who you think Bonnie should end up with in the Vampire Diaries. Will it be Matt? Damon? Some boy yet to be introduced (and I'm introducing at least two more)? If a stranger what should he be like? I’d love to hear your opinions.

This contest will begin September 15, 2010, and end on Halloween, after which the winners will be announced. I'm hoping that I can put up the quotes from winners of this and previoius contests on my new completely refurbished website.

Also—I shouldn’t have to say this, but—only one entry from any email address, and only one prize to a home address.

Good luck!

New! Bonnie's Opal Ring Contest

2010-09-13T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

So I can't think of a better prize right now than "Bonnie's Opal Ring"--which has been slightly sized down from its book description (which would hardly be suitable, except as a cocktail ring!).

To enter, simply send an email to info@ljanesmith.net with the words BONNIE’S OPAL RING in the Subject Field. Inside, if you like, you can let me know in your email who you think Bonnie should end up with in the Vampire Diaries. Will it be Matt? Damon? Some boy yet to be introduced? I’d love to hear your opinions.

Also—I shouldn’t have to say this, but—only one entry from any email address, and only one prize to a home address.

Good luck!

Sorry for Not Blogging Lately

2010-09-13T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

I realize that I haven't been blogging much lately. That's partly becasue I've been editing Midnight and working out a new contract with Harper/Alloy (my Vampire Diaries publishers) for another trilogy, or arc, of Vampire Diaries stories. Thanks to the many, many people who sent in ideas for names of this new arc--and I'll ferret out the winners as soon as my publishers and I come to an agreement about the name.

The other thing that has been going on is a makeover of my website--each and every page changed, I hope for the better. I have a great new webmaster, Usok Choe, of Usok Choe Design, who had wonderful new ideas to revolutionize the site, give it a facelift and make it easier to work with. Now we're both going over it with a finetoothed comb, making sure that everything is consistent and convenient. We're looking to unveil it before Halloween.

I hope that visitors will stop by and catch up with the latest Vampire Diaries news, as well as that of my other series.

And I hope to be able to blog more in the future. Honestly.

MORE News & The Silver Cord & Don't Despair, Delena

2010-08-18T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

A half hour after midnight:

Well, on the 18th (yesterday by a half hour, I mailed out the last of the prizes for the Twin Fox Ring Contest and the Forbidden Game Contest. The last of them are sent, now, except for one person who lives in England. Abbie R., I have written to you about clarifying your address.

It's so sad . . . but what with customs forms and possible custom charges to the winners, I may have to confine my contests to the USA and Canada. I'd hate to do that, but I'm running into brick walls with other foreign countries.

I'm already thinking of a contest, to see who wants who to pair off. I mean, should it be Delena? Stelena (okay, I made that up, but it's what my publishers want), or Bonnie and Damon? Don't send in your entries yet, because I want to make a real contest of this.

I had a serious fashion attack and went out and bought all sorts of clothes. I don't know why I'm writing about this, but it seemed important when I started.

Again, anybody who comes up with a name for the new arc of Vampire Diaries books (the three after The Return) will get not only a book, but a lovely ring with one black and one white flower, from Eve's Addiction. It's no toy ring, either! But better yet I got a real black and white diamond ring for those who are stuck between Circle Daybreak and their ties to the Night World. Gotta do a contest for those!

Okay, one more thing: Delena fans, you are depressing me. Read my lips. You have NO REASON to think that Stefan will win the girl. But this is a series, and with three new books coming you can understand that I can't have Elena choose one of the boys just yet. There wouldn't be much of a love triangle left if I did. So be patient, continue to be polite (thank you for the fact that nobody's being snarky), and smile. I can't make promises, but you have no cause to be sad. Hooah? :) Smile! :)
__________________________________

I woke up today feeling efficient and romantic. I have no idea what that means, but I thought I'd put it together by putting up the answer to a question I got not long ago about how I had used the "silver cord" image in many of my trilogies. I searched what's left of my memory and tried to trace the usage.

By the way, for those of you who are still entering The Forbidden Game Ring contest (or, dear me, The Twin Fox Ring Contest) the winners have been randomly selected, informed, and have written back. I hope to mail the Forbidden Game rings (with Tiffany chains and a personal note from me) out today. Then I'll post the winners' comments.

And if you're wondering why I've been too busy to mail them yet, I've just emerged from a very intense session of negotiation with the result that, barring my publishers rejecting Midnight, there will be a new arc of three books in The Vampire Diaries series. My choices for titles are Phantom, Evensong and Eternity, but first thing this morning my agent informed me that they are looking to me for suggestions for a name for the entire arc (the last one they called The Return). If anyone has a nice title and no use for it, email me. The books are about Elena and Stefan et. al. starting at Dalcrest College, and finding themselves playing the role of Spirit Hunters (already suggested by me) or just plain hunting serial murderers who may or may not be mystical. If you do think of something, and we use it, I'll send you an autographed book!

Here's the email I sent:

Hi R.--

You pose a very interesting question about the origins of the silver cord and the soulmate principle. Back in the 1990s when the first four Night World books were written, I took two legends and put them together. One was the myth (prevalent in the Far East) that all people in love have a red string that connects their little fingers together. At the same time, in the western countries, a New Age idea had come up that people who have out of body experiences are connected to their bodies by a silver cord. I thought that the silver cord sounded more romantic than a red string, and that it should connect the lovers from heart to heart instead of pinky to pinky. So the soulmate principle was born--but I didn't know it yet. I actually don't remember if I used it way back in 1990-91 for the first four Vampire Diaries books--I don't think so. But I did use it in Shadow Souls, the second of my new trilogy of Vampire Diaries books, the arc called The Return.

As for the Secret Circle, that was supposed to be a one-off usage of a metaphor for Adam and Cassie's love for each other. That may be when I actually created the silver cord for the first time, and it was connected to the chalcedony rose that Adam gave to Cassie. The two were connected, so that the person who had the rose was the true person Adam loved.

Still back in the 1990s, I wrote the Night World series, and there everything came together. I wanted to have the silver cords bind only soulmates together--not just lovers, but those who were born to be like half of a puzzle piece that could only connect with another half. So the soulmate principle was born. You can love your soulmate, as Poppy loved James, or fear your soulmate, as Hannah did Thierry, or even hate your soulmate, as Mary-Lynnette originally did with Ash. But the soulmate principle will bring you together, regardless of your everyday feelings. Imagine how Sarah Strange of Strange Fate, the last, LONG overdue Night World series when she sees two silver cords connecting her to the two guys she loves best in the world. Can I say confused? Maybe flummoxed is better.

And the silver cords have an additional function that won't be explained until Strange Fate finally comes out--I hope and pray in 2011. Something that may make it all make sense at last.

Thanks, R, for a question that led to a whole new blog. I'd never really thought it through before . . . and watch me get two hundred emails the day after I post this saying that I did too use it in the first Vampire Diaries books. So much for my memory.

How does a writer keep a large number of characters distinct and accurate?

2010-08-12T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

I got a question from a very eloquent adult writer who wanted to know how to keep her many characters straight as she wrote her book. My answer: this is a monstrous problem, especially if you're writing a series. I often copy ads off the Internet that look somewhat like the character they represent. For Shadow Souls, I even carefully picked out real clothes from expensive prom offerings so that I could visualize the dresses on the girls more clearly. I may post them on my website. Of course the girls aren’t perfect in representing my characters, but some of the dresses were!

The traditonal method used to have you make up an index card for each character and write a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual etc. description for them on the index card. I tend to do my work on the computer--it doesn't get lost or fade over the years. I write for each book or series a list of characters and a table that shows what color eyes and hair they have (so that I don't end up with two unrelated mink-brown-haired violet eyed girls). I do a mini character bible for new characters (like the index card bios). I already have bios for my main characters that tell me where they live and what their bedroom--or wherever they tend to hang out--looks like, and the like. Sometimes I do maps. I tend to be longwinded so my entry for Elena Gilbert is about five single spaced pages long.

And nothing keeps me from making huge bloopers. Just as I'm writing you now, at 5 a.m. my time, I tend to do a LOT of writing each day. I get confused and sometimes use my memory rather than my Guide, which is like using a sieve instead or a pot to cook with. The copy-editor is supposed to catch such mistakes if the editor misses them, but I know of at least two that they didn’t in the last couple of books. One was out and out my fault, but never caught—that was referring to Tyron in Nightfall as Dr. Alpert’s grandson, and then in Shadow Souls as her son. Solution: I gave Tyrone a divorced mom who died young, so that his grandma adopted him. Not a very good fix but the best I could pull off by the time I was writing Midnight.

There is also software out, like New Novelist (which I haven't tried) that is built so you can write in character descriptions and traits and leaf through them whenever you like. It also claims to help you write. I'd take that with a grain of salt.

If you can draw, the index card method may work best for you. You could just flip through images until you got the right one. Otherwise, I'd recommend a computer . . . and a lot of rather tedious typing. But you can also gain new insights into your characters if you do a Guide entry on them--they open up to you and often show you that they have hobbies or habits that you never knew about before. Matt rattles his change in his pocket when disturbed. Stefan pinches the bridge of his nose. Damon just smiles like an archangel.

I've been answering some emails lately, and . . .

2010-08-11T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

I've been answering some emails lately, not exactly because I have free time, but because I've been overwhelmed by guilt, and because some of them I'm going to post as blogs (my answers, not the whole emails or my guilt). I wanted my faithful subscribers to know that if they have a question, now is probably a good time to ask it.

Only please no more "I'll die if so-and-so and so-and-so don't get together in Midnight, or "Promise that you won't kill so-and-so"--which I completely don't understand. Neither I nor my assistant ever threatened to kill anyone, not even to get leverage with my publishers (although I have to assume they read this and it might be a tactic worth trying). Elena and both boys commit lover's suicide the real Japanese way--and I don't have to worry about writing any more books! (Although I do have to worry about whether readers are close to a trash bin or toilet and how fast they can run. And I suppose about hate mail, which I don't get from Twilight fans anymore. I wonder if, like John Doe, they did finally look at the copyright dates?)

Ground rules: I won't give away the plot of Midnight--I never do with the ends of trilogies--and even I don't know if there will be any books after Midnight. I'm still trying to negotiate a contract for more books, although it's been a harrowing experience that I think has scarred me for life. Hate mail or snarky criticism will be weeded out by my assistant before I am allowed to see the Inbox. Anything else is fair game, and I know anyone nice enough to have subscribed to my blog won't deliberately try to upset me.

By the way, my website is in the middle of a complete redesign by a real whiz of a wizard who, unlike Lightmaker or Nikimedia, actually understands what I want. And this blog page will be the first page after the new (short) movie. So from the time it's unveiled I will be able to do my own updates, and blog my little loving heart out.

Plus, there will be new Vampire Diaries stories, the end of Ash and ML's story, new art, an updated book list, and new contests for ever bigger and more expensive prizes. If I can get it approved there will be a section for things that my publishers had me cut out of my books (for length or other reasons). And I also hope all my old blogs will stay . . . no, I promise they will, one way or another. So stick around, please. And please keep reading--and writing.

Oh, and finally, if you haven't been able to find me on Facebook, I'm authorljsmith. Another gift from my publishers. Hoorah? Hoorah.

What Do You Care What Others Think About Your Story?

2010-08-07T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

Here’s my answer to a reader who sounded a bit sad.

I'm so happy that you decided to write to me, and that my books actually inspired you to write a story. As for your question about whether you should be concerned about "nobody seeming to be interested in the stuff you write about" and should you care--the answer is . . . NO! I'd make that bigger, but I think you get the idea.

I once made a picture book for my niece who was worried about turning her short story into a contest. The book was called Who Cares? and in it, my niece Lauren called her Aunt Lisa (a published writer but a rather headstrong person) and said she was worried about what others would think of her story. Aunt Lisa replied shortly "Who cares?" Who cares what others think of your story or if it wins a contest, as long as you enjoy it? And the end of the picture book says "And did Lauren's story win the contest?" And on the last page . . . WHO CARES? That's really the end. You never find out. (As a one-time teacher--and of special ed to boot, I know what gets a discussion rolling. A cliffhanger that's never resolved. The book was meant for teachers to get kids talking about the subject.)

I've often thought of offering the words to the picture book (my art's atrocious) to be published, but never gotten around to it. Maybe I should try.

Tell your brain to stop worrying about what other people think, anyway! That’s what the genius scientist Richard Feynman thought, too. He actually wrote a book called What Do You Care What Other People Think?

Hope this helps someone.

The Forbidden Game Ring Winners

2010-08-02T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

The Forbidden Game Ring winners were randomly picked today after the cut-off date of August 1. I will post their names and comments after they have answered the emails informing them of their prizes. Thanks to all who entered the contest!

The Twin Fox Ring and Book Winners

2010-08-02T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

The Twin Fox Ring and Book winners have been sent their prizes. If you received an email from me that said you were a winner and requested your address, you should get your prize soon. If two weeks pass (three for those in Canada, and four for those out of the USA) and you do not get your prize, please email me at info@ljanesmith.net with "LOST BOOK?" in the Subject field of your email. Then I'll check the list of winners and send you a new book. The ring was won by Victoria M. of Virginia, USA, who says "My brother thought that I was going to faint" when she received the Grand Prize Winner's email. Thanks to all who entered this contest!

How to Get Your Book Published

2010-08-02T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

I get so many emails asking me how to get a book published that I’ve decided to blog it, once and for all.

First of all, is your book really finished? Or is it a rough draft or missing any chapters or reading through and editing? The first thing is to have a finished book. For new writers, that's imperative.

Second, you should be able to find books at any bookstore or on Amazon, such as the Writer's Market or Writer's Guide, that list agents who send books to publishers. Or do it the easy way and google "agents for authors."

Never EVER take an agent that asks you to pay them for sending your book to a publisher. These people are running scams. A real agent will ask to see some part of your book, such as the first ten pages or the first chapter. They will probably also want you to give them a short synopsis or query that describes the entire book in one page or five pages. Find out what the specific agent you pick requires. Then do your best to describe your book in exciting terms, to interest the agent in representing you.

Different agents have different specialties. Make absolutely sure you're not wasting your time sending your book to an agent that only works with adult books, if your book is YA, or an agent who specializes in romance books, if your book is urban fantasy.

Reputable agents will have websites that tell their specialities, and what they're looking for. Make sure that you send exactly what they ask for, and nothing more or less.

Third, cross your fingers. If an agent takes you on, you don't have to do any more work (unless the agent asks you to). The agent will send your book to different publishers and try to get them to buy it.

If an agent refuses you, but gives you criticism, that's good! Think about their remarks, change your manuscript if you feel that their criticism has merit. (It probably does. I know it hurts to be told your book needs to be changed, but agents know what publishers want--and you want your book published.

Fourth, if you have tried 10 agents who specialize in your book's type, and they have refused you, you can try the slush pile. This doesn't sound very good, but it just means the place where publishers put books that have been sent to them from the authors who don't have agents. Some books get do published from the slush pile! After I had written The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening for Harper, and before it was published, I got a very excited phone call from a young assistant at Harper. Somehow she had gotten hold of the manuscript for The Awakening and she thought that it had come from the slush pile. She wanted to publish it. I had to explain that it was already coming out. We both ended up laughing.

Fifth, there is also the self-publishing or "vanity publishing" method. Google these terms, since I don't know anything about the process. I believe that you can sell self-published books on Amazon, but it's best to check that information with Amazon.

Hope this helps any new writers!

Did I Just Learn How to Paste?

2010-07-20T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

You know, one of the things that has always bothered me about blogger is that I couldn't (apparently) just paste things in. Today after being assured by a computer guru that there must be a way, I tried pasting on the "edit html" side and what do you know--it pasted. So the below is simply a Q and A from an Italian group. I wonder if it will work?

I also wonder where my grand prize winner from the Shadow Souls contest is. I've been contacted by most of the book winners by not by the winner of the Twin Fox ring.

Anyway, here's what I pasted.

You are a very productive author, you write a lot, but the success of your books is always the same. In your opinion, which is the secret to capture the audience of horror-fantasy readers?

You are very kind to put it this way. To answer your question as best I can, I know stories of forbidden love, or of love triangles, are popular. I start off by thinking of a heroine—either a strong-minded girl like Elena, or maybe a shy girl who will become strong throughout the book, like Cassie from Secret Circle or Sarah in Strange Fate. Once I have a heroine in mind, I think of a hero, or a hero and anti hero (as in Vampire Diaries) or two heroes (as in Strange Fate.) I try to think of why the heroine and hero’s love should be forbidden. Are they from different clans? Is it as simple as that she is a human girl and he a vampire? I brainstorm until I have the characters in mind. Then I figure out a beginning, and an ending . . . and I sort of let the characters run free in my brain to see what they will do.

The Shadow Souls Twin Fox Ring Contest and Lots More

2010-07-19T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

The Shadow Souls' Twin Fox ring contest is over. The winners have been notified, although a few of the book winners and the Grand Prize Winner (the one who gets the actual ring and lovely jewelry box to put it in have not yet returned my emails.

It was an exciting contest, although it almost overwhelmed my Outlook Express program. I got thousands upon thousands of entries from all over the world. That's going to mean some expensive shipping for me to get the books to some of the winners, but I don't care. I'm just happy to have so many people participate. And--as a few people sent in hundreds of emails from a single account, I have learned to put in the rules that I must forbid more than one entry from any one account.

Oh, welll. It's over . . . unless in three weeks the ringbearer--I mean winner--doesn't email me within three weeks of her first notification. In that case, one of the book winners will be upgraded to the Grand Prize Winner, and someone from the pool of entries will get a book.

Also, I have been finished with Midnight, the final book in the last Vampire Diaires trilogy about a month ago and am waiting (you can imagine how eagerly or maybe--if you're not an author--you can't) for the edits. I've also signed on for a new trilogy and finished the first book in it, Phantom. So there is more Vampire Diaries in store for readers of those books. And yes, Strange Fate will also come out as soon as I can finish it. The problem was that the Strange Fate contract got delayed and . . . well, just trust me, it's coming, even if I type my fingers off.

I had a lovely live chat with French fans, and I'm trying to think whether it would work with American fans. I'll put one together if I can and notify everyone as to the day and time. There's nothing better that I like than talking to readers.

Last but not least, the Forbidden Game Contest is still running until August 1. So if you didn't win a gold ring last time here you have another chance. And I've already bought a fantastic brand new Tiffany and Co. (the real Tiffaney's) gold locket and chain. Now I just have to make up a scene in which Stefan gives Elena the locket (crucial for the new trilogy coming up after Midnight) and we'll see if we really can cause my computer to implode.

Thank you again, to all readers, all who've emailed me, and all who entered the contests. Love ya all.

Lisa

Contest for Forbidden Game, out June 8

2010-06-06T07:00:00-07:00

> Originally from Blogspot's Ye Olde Blog by L.J. <

The Forbidden Game comes out on Tuesday, June 8, and I might as well set down the rules here. (By the way you can order the gorgeous new book on Amazon, where the rules are set out in a more legible format.

The contest is for one solid 14-carat gold ring, bought for $500, but now listed at almost $700--the price of gold may have gone up. There are also two silver rings to be won.

All three are poesy rings like the one in the book, which means that inside in beautiful calligraphy is inscribed "All I refuse and thee I chuse."

To win send an email before August 1, 2010 to info@ljanesmith.net with Forbidden Game Ring as the subject. In the contents please give an approximate age. For you sweethearts who already know the subject matter, you may also indicate whether or not you would wear Julian's ring for Julian's sake. Who knows--it might bring you luck!

A note: Don't send more than one entry per email address! Also we won't send two prizes to the same home address so don't bother getting five hundred email accounts, either. (I know you won't do this, but I have to say it anyway.)

I will try to put a picture of the ring below. Winners will be announced after August 1, 2010--as quickly as possible.

Good luck!