This month was completely void of writing. Not good when I had hoped to finish another book by November!! Hopefully my muse will get on track now that the colder weather has set in. Focusing on Desert Wind and Out of Darkness for the moment. The response to the release of Wings 2 has been overwhelming and I cannot thank my readers enough for their support. This book had originally been refused by a publisher, and I had given up on it, but thanks to a wonderful editor who took the time to give me pointers to change the few things that held it back, the book could be released. It is due to her that this story saw the light of day and I thank you immensely, Georgia! Because an author is so close to their own work, they often lose perspective, and I myself often lose confidence in the story, no longer able to see its potential, and feeling it is not worthy. I worry a lot about my readers and want to give quality to them, not just a rushed, make money sort of project. I am my own worst critic to the point that I will stop writing entirely for periods of time because I feel my work is not good enough. I have to fight past that barrier time and again, and my readers have often been the tipping point between a story stalling and being completed. A single e-mail has often given me the impetus to finish a book. Many, many thanks to those who have taken the time to support me. Believe me when I say it is completely appreciated. : )
That was a lot of rambling…as to news, I will be back working on Aelida again soon, so I will let everyone know what is happening there. Will try very hard to complete a story, any story, by the end of the year.
Take Care
J.C.

Does anyone know where summer went??? I think I missed it. : ) It went by so damned fast I can hardly believe it. Now it is the end of September and I am so not ready for winter… Mind you, my writing always benefits from cold weather, so I will buckle down and get back to the grindstone! Nothing much to post. Wings 2 is still coming out October 7th from Etopia Press. Aelida is still on hold with no news of dates from Etopia. Working on “Desert Wind” which is giving me fits. For some reason, I can write up to thirty thousand words with absolute ease, but the moment I hit that thirty thousand, I lose faith in the book and quit. I always have to force myself to finish. I am not sure what mental twist this indicates, but I wish I could cure it!!! Still, I have fans who keep me writing with their wonderful encouragement, so I will get back at it!
Take Care
J.C.

This summer has been unique, to say the least. Either rain or mosquitoes has made it less than enjoyable, but as it comes to fall, it has become more beautiful and I cannot bear to be inside for this last little bit of freedom! So, as you can guess, I have gotten very little writing done. “Desert Wind” is not flowing at all, so I am working on several other titles in the meantime. Still no news on when the rest of “Aelida” will come out. A little frustrating. : ) “Wings 2” is still on for Oct. 7th at Etopia, so that is good at least. Hope all of you enjoyed your summer and let’s hope for a long, mellow fall!
Take Care
J.C.

Wow! Just got word today that Wings 2: Dominion of the Eth has a tentative release date of Oct. 7 at Etopia Press. Way earlier than I had expected! Yay!
Take Care
J.C.

This has certainly been a strange and unsettling month. Changes at Etopia Press have left me temporarily without an editor and so “Aelida” is currently on hold. I am so sorry for the delay, because I had informed everyone the second book was going to be available in August. It is not looking hopeful at this point, but I am really unable to tell you more until I myself know. As to my other writing, things ground to a complete halt earlier this month and I was unable to write at all, which is pretty unusual for me. : ) “Desert Wind” just completely stopped and so I now have gone back to working on several books until the writer’s block for it finally ends. As soon as I go back to several books at a time, I am fine. Go figure! Thanks so much for all the fanmail I have been getting this month! It has really helped me get back on track. Makes me focus on getting the stories out there for you. I hate disappointing people! As to when Wings 2 will be coming out, that also is in limbo at the moment, but I will let you know the second I find out a release date!
Take Care
J.C.

A busy month… for everything but writing!!! Everything under the sun has conspired against me achieving my goal of finishing another book by the end of June. Even relatives arriving unexpectedly from England! It was great fun, but not geared towards getting my work done. : ) So, here I am, still working on Desert Wind, about half done. If only it was not so beautiful outside… Anyway, in the news department, “Wings 2: Dominion of the Eth” has now been contracted by Etopia Press! No word yet on a release date, so will keep you posted. My second book in the “My Name is Aelida” series of books (under J.C. McGuire) at Etopia, is set to be released in August. I am also going to try to find the time to add some new things under my “tidbits” page, especially some information on the worlds of each book. Any questions that you have about the settings for any of the stories can be sent to me and I will try to answer them there for general information. Hope you all get to enjoy the gorgeous weather!
Take Care
J.C.

Busy, busy month! Two books released: Draconian Measures at Loose Id, and then the first part of my only m/f story, The Ascension: My Name is Aelida, under my original pen name, J.C. McGuire, at Etopia Press. Wings 2 is still at Etopia, no news yet. My focus has changed from the story “Tarsus”, to “Desert Wind” at least for now. “Out of the Darkness”, “The Falling”, and a new one, “The Winter Born”, are also pulling at me, though I am trying to focus enough on “Desert Wind” to at least get another book finished! Too many muses, not enough time. : ) Thank you so much for all the support you have been giving me over “Draconian Measures”. I know it is very different from my usual style and it can throw people off if they were expecting angst and get humor instead. However, Sadan and Graitaan would not let me write it any other way. I love those two!!!
Take Care
J.C.

Wow! Two books released in one month! Has to be a record. : ) The Ascension: My Name is Aelida Book 1 was released yesterday at Etopia Press. Aelida is the only m/f book I have ever written, and I have chosen to use my original pen-name, J.C. McGuire, to release it under. Any m/f I write after this will also be under that name, while my m/m titles will remain under J.C. Owens. Just to clear any confusion up! Aelida will be released as four books, the next coming out in August sometime.
Take Care
J.C.

Just letting everyone know that “Draconian Measures” was released today at Loose ID. It is the prequel to the Gaven series, the story of Vlar’s father, Sadan, and his own love for a Draconian warrior. I think I would have to call this one my favorite story so far. : ) Their relationship is just too wonderful for words!
Take Care
J.C.

Don’t really have anything of real importance to report. “My Name is Aelida”, the first installment of my only m/f story has been pushed back to May 26. It will be under J.C.McGuire, my original pen name, and will be available at Etopia. “Draconian Measures” still looks good for May 10 at Loose ID. I had a crisis in faith in my writing this month and it completely put me behind on where I had hoped to be by the end of this month. I am sure that all writers go through this from time to time, but this was a bad one. But I have a great editor at Etopia, a real gem, and she helped me through, so that I am back on track. I am flitting between books right now, as usual, working mostly on Tarsus, Duty Bound, Desert Wind and Out of the Darkness. The problem is, I have far too many ideas and I am prone to start new books instead of focusing on the current ones. “The Falling” leapt out at me and now it is taking over, so I don’t know what May will bring! : )
Take Care
J.C.