New Year’s Decision 2014!

The good news is that we’re not even 24 hours away from a new one!

My first New Year’s Decision is to move.

2 days in a row. 8:30 A.M. Same area. Outside my bedroom window. I have been awakened by power-tools. How many times does a person have to complain before they stop it already! I’m sorry but grass never grows that fast. NEVER. I sit here at 9:21 AM, I’m still listening to power-tools!

And so, I’m consumed by moving out of this place. That’s the only New Year’s Decision that I’m obsessed with at the moment, HOWEVER, I shall push myself past my misery and think about my writing goals.

Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! 🙂

I don’t know. I’m just “blah” about 2014. I’m thankful of course. I’m happy. For me New Years is just another day and next year another 12 months. In the past I had all of these hopes and goals for the next year. “Next year, is the year that I’m going to change this or that.” But nope.  I like the path that I’m on. I’m content. I’ve changed.

As far as my writing, “Say You Love Her, An L.A. Love Story” will be released on March 1, 2014 (CHANGED from February 24, 2014). However, it will be pre-released on iTunes earlier. Stay tuned, I’ll keep you posted.  After I finish this book, I’ll write the next book in the Parched Series. The working title is “Don’t Forget Me Love.” The editor will probably put a comma between Me and Love. If that occurs then I’ll probably change the title. I hope to have this book to the editor by mid-April 2014. It’s going to be a doozy to write. I’m going to need to stretch my imagination beyond its limits. I’m going to have to create some difficult circumstances. I think I said this before but some old familiar faces will turn-up in this other universe.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the Universe of the Sirens. What if women ruled a world? The thing is, men are natural visionaries and we take their discoveries and mold it into something more practical. It’s kind of like Hunter and Gatherer–a codependent existence. The concept makes so much sense to me now. I can’t ignore that. So, yeah, I’m still churning thoughts in the back of my mind while I finishing up Say You Love Her. Hmmm… Maybe that’s the true strength of a man. His vision. In a perfect world, they wouldn’t rely on their physical power and violence to bring them a means to an end. They will use their brain, their pioneering spirit and their ability to use their blood and sweat to bring about inventions like the airplane, the computer, steel, the locomotive, the steam engine and etc. Basically, they make plastic, we make diapers. Anyway… I’m still in the planning phase. There’s still a plot that I have to outline. I can say that the vampire bonds are not allowed in this universe–but if you’ve gotten far in the series than you know that there’s one vampire who’s unaffected by the power of the Siren. So he’ll be there and of course the one they’ve captured. The others must find a way to enter.

Basically. It’s going to be SO good. I canNOT wait to write it.

After this book , I’ll be torn. Do I write the 4th book of the LOVE in the USA series or the first Misty Black book in the Misty Black Trilogy???? Misty Black, The Beginning is scheduled to go to the editor in April for the first time EVER. LOL! I’ll re-rerelease it for free after that. Remember it’s the beginning so it’s 10-15 years in the past. I haven’t really showed you what I have planned for this series yet. It will be three and done though. I’ve already started outlining book one. I’m changing up some details. If I write Misty Black, then that means I’ll release the 4th book in the LOVE in the USA series by October 2014 and hopefully the 5th book by December 2014.  See, I write 8 hours or more a day and 3k words a day for the most part. In the beginning of a story, I’m lucky to write 1k words a day. The first chapter is the toughest because it sets the tone.

Book 4 of the LOVE in the USA series will be A Chicago LOVE Story. Oh, yeah, it’s more than likely my next destination. I plan on staying in a furnished apartment downtown for 4 months MAX. Four months and then probably I’ll be on to Manhattan. Four months and then the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Then, I’ll try to decide which I like best. So, yeah, next year I’ll be living like a nomad. It’s tough for Californian’s to relocate. We’ve been spoiled by the weather. Did I say that I hate the cold??? Well, I do. And Chicago is going to be cold! 🙂 The point is. I want to be living there while writing the story–which will make starting in April perfect. So Maybe, I’ll write Misty Black after book 4. (Oh wait. I’m hoping to do my 4 months late spring early summer–soooo… No cold for me!)

10:21 AM and they finally stopped power-tooling. That’s after waking everyone up way too early. I hate this place.

Anyway. I’m hungry. I’m sleepy. I’m anxious to get the heck away from here. At least I can do something about the first two right now.

Oh! I almost forgot. Yes, I’ve had the seven books in the Parched series edited.  And oh boy did I pay to have them edited. However, the editing in my opinion was not up to my new standard. So beginning early next year, I’m budgeting for a massive editing project for all the books in the Parched series. I’ve already had book 2, The Seventh Sister, re-edited by Red Adept Editing this month. I didn’t announce it because I’ve been too caught up in writing this story. So if  you have The Seventh Sister, try to get the newest version. I know some of you like to re-read the books. Parched and Quenched goes in for editing in February and The Fifth Sister and Ignite in March. Hopefully, I’ll be able to book dates for Light Speed and Vanquish in April or before.  I’ll see! The thing is the project is a GO.  🙂

I probably will have to hire an assistant this year. Someone who can do the stuff I’m too busy writing to do. I need all seven books in the series in paperback. So what I’m going to do is contact my Createspace representative and pay to have it done. I’m hiring a social network coordinator. She’ll start in February. I’m starting to keep a list of all the task, I might need an assistant to do–proofing my blog posts is one of them. Jeez….

So yeah. I guess 2014 is going to be a big one. Stay tuned!

Happy New Year! May 2014 bring you continued contentment and happiness 🙂

Much Love,

Z

10 Comments

  • Charla Ayers

    No, thank you! Although, I’m sure I am much too far to offer you any real assistance, the thought was very nice of you. But I would still love to offer any assistance needed! Some call my organization methods extreme- I think slight OCD is great. Lol I think I shall make a great editor one day! Ha 🙂

    Thanks again and much love.

    Charla

    • Z.L Arkadie

      You’re very welcome 🙂 I have learned that editors are VERY IMPORTANT citizens! LOL 🙂 Sending good luck your way in your future endeavor to becoming an editor :-). Thanks again for stopping by! Much love! Z

  • Charla

    Remember that whole assistant thing …. 😉 On to realistic things- I am so happy that you continue writing. As one of my FAVORITE authors I nearly die each time you release another story. Can’t wait to see what 2014 unfolds for you the work you shall create.

    Charla

    • Z.L Arkadie

      LOL!!! Hi Charla! Yes, I do remember 🙂 I’m going to see how serious I am about an assistant in the next three months. I’m going to work on securing existing service providers to get most of my work done and then see where I land from there. But I see your email address so I’l definitely send you an email once I become more organized and streamlined. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! I really like that you sent me this reminder 🙂 Talk soon! And have a FANTASTIC 2014! All best, Z

  • victoriawarren

    Wow! You are going to be a busy girl! Selfishly, I am excited for you to be in Chicago. You’ll be close to me. 🙂 It’s good that your waiting til spring though. Winter time SUCKS! My fingers are frozen as I write this. Seriously. Brrr! You should do some book signing while you travel. Let some of us meet you in the flesh. BTW, have I told you that I love your nomadic soul?
    This year could be a big one for me too. The plan is to take the GRE, apply to grad school (which will set the tone for the next three years), and become a free spirit myself. We will see how that goes. The GRE, that will be the hard one, evidenltly I need to drum up some stellar math skills. :-/ Yeah, we’ll see. (Fingers crossed)
    I know I’ve been a little MIA for a while. Sorry, been out of sorts, but I’m determined to make 2014 a fresh new start. 🙂
    Happy writing Z, hopefully without power tools! 😉
    Vic

    • Z.L Arkadie

      Hi Vic!!!! Happy New Year!!! It’s so good to hear from you.

      Wow, the GRE? You’ll love Graduate School. It’s a different type of learning experience. It’s more like indulging in what you love! 🙂 I’m sharing in your excitement for 2014! There’s nothing better than the beginning of a fresh new start 🙂

      Thanks so much for supporting my nomadic soul 🙂 Every time I tell my family I’m moving I hear the same thing. My grandma cops an attitude. My aunts tell how dangerous the city is. Then one run down a list of people who might live there that she has’t seen or spoken to in 40 years! Family are the hardest relationships we have.

      But yes! I’ll see you in Chicago. First I’m moving downtown LA for 3 months! Can’t wait!

      Once again, SO great to hear from you!! I was just thinking of you yesterday and I said to myself, “I have to drop Vic an email and wish her a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” You beat me to the punch!

      Talk soon and once again, Happy New Year to you and yours! xoxo Z!

    • victoriawarren

      Happy New Year back at ya! Forgot to say that before. :-/ I definitely agree that family relationships can be difficult. That’s for sure. I think that they are probably just worried and confused by your decisions to not put down roots just yet. I can understand and appreciate that. But they are probably also very proud of your indepndence. It sounds like you are all pretty close. That’s awesome.
      Good luck with your move(s) and talk to you later friend.
      Vic

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