The best laid plans

So yes, okay, I was going to write yesterday afternoon and then read Keri's book last night. But I took a break from writing at one stage, thought "I'll just read a few pages" (aka FAMOUS LAST WORDS), picked up the book and then got up from the couch four hours later. Can I just say, yes she's my bud and all, but damn good book, Ms Arthur. Plus, there's something that's just extra cool about reading a hardcover written by a friend. I mean, I've read almost all of her books in paperback or wip format and I like them all but my brain kept taking frequent pauses to go "Keri's book. Hardcover. How cool is that?"

So Keri is now moved from the 'currently reading' to the 'read in 2006' list. I'm tempted to stage a guerilla raid on her house and get the files for the next one in the series but her dog would definitely bark (well the leaping lab would, fluffy puppy would just lick me to death) and I'd get caught and well, you know, I'll just have to be patient. SIGH.

Enough gushing. Net effect, less writing than one would hope. So now today is definitely finish the damn chapter day.

To top off my Saturday (after watching NCIS and Medium taped during the week) I started reading Sebastian by Anne Bishop and I'm liking it so far. But on a purely selfish note I would like to say, please Anne, more books in the Black Jewels world. I love that world. Which got me thinking about worlds and what it is that draws you in to one versus the other when they're done by the same author and how frustrating it must be for an author who wants to play in different worlds but people keep saying "more of the same, please". Note to self, keep 'em guessing and diversify early.

But back to the worlds thing. I'm trying to work out what it is that sucks me into them. Obviously for the Black Jewels there's the Damon factor (he ranks highly on the list of fictional characters who I have dibs on if they ever step out of the book - of course in his case, that would be step out of the book and be in love with me not Jaenelle, I have no desire to die ; )) ), I'm wondering if that's it. Some characters you fall for more than others. And some authors have the same wavelength as you do when it comes to characters so they'll create ones you consistently enjoy. And others have wavelengths that sometimes cross and sometimes don't. I have a couple of authors where I like all their worlds equally and will read anything they write and some where I have FREAKIN' ADORED one world but have been okay with, 'meh' or disappointed with the others. So how do you keep creating worlds that keep clicking with your readers (who want to keep reading about the characters they love) but that are fresh (so you as a writer don't get bored or repetitive)? Keep changing worlds? Juggle worlds? Something else to worry about at 2am in the morning. And it's not just fantasy/SF/paranormal that has this problem. Wah.

And to close - today at least - here is the list of fictional characters who are mine, mine, all mine ; ). Shan yos'Galan, Daav yos'Phelium (Liaden world - Sharon Lee and Steve Miller), Damon Sadi, Lucivar Yaslana (Black Jewels trilogy, Anne Bishop), Phin Tucker (Welcome to Temptation - Jennifer Crusie), Aragorn (as played by Viggo, duh), Malcolm Reynolds (Firefly/Serenity), John Crichton (Farscape), Lupe dy Cazaril (Lois McMaster Bujold - Curse of Chalion), oh and the guy Billy Crudup plays in Almost Famous (Russell Hammond, that's it, I've always had a thing for musicians). And now I sound like a complete hussy. And that's not even the full list. Obviously in the world where these guys come to life, I'll need a harem....and a big house and lots of money and hey, I like this world, where is it? lol