Writing Novels in a Series

Hello, cherished readers! I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last posted, but my brain has been permanently lodged in Haven’s Realm. Ever since I lost my place on the shelf, I’ve been buried in mountains of editing work. I’ve come to a very important conclusion — you have to write well into a series before you can know the culture well enough to write it.

Starting with book one, chapter one, page one, I’ve rewritten the entire Haven’s Realm saga, incorporating an ever-improving writing style and all that I’ve learned during my writing adventure. Joshua MacAaron, my first vampire from the Community, was shy and reserved when confiding his secrets, and I didn’t have a whole lot of information to go on. I didn’t know who Jason was or the events leading to the founding of my noble clan until I had an opportunity to speak with the king himself. I interjected that knowledge into my first novel, giving readers a better understanding of the world they were exploring.

Dragon Lord is another story that has undergone a profound change. I found while reviewing the work that I had almost completely ignored the title character. I left numerous holes — bits of plot that dropped out of sight and opportunities for character advancement that were ignored — and filling them took a lot of patience. Ronan still wasn’t talking, and I had to force it out of him. He feels much better now.

Over the last three years, I’ve scrutinized each and every paragraph at least a dozen times, cleaning out unnecessary fluff and smoothing story flow. I’m sure they’re not perfect, but I expect any editor out there to put their publisher’s spin on things, and I’m good with that. I restructured two of the stories and completed two new titles. Haven’s Realm now stands eight novels strong, and I’ve begun work on the ninth. I have notes and sketches for several more after that, and I can’t wait to show it all to you.

All eight titles are as clean as I can make them and ready to go. I managed to condense each massive novel into 2-page synopses — not an easy task for one who is not known for brevity. I have a timeline issue to resolve so all books are consistent in facts, and I need to polish the series outline and query I intend to send. This shouldn’t take long. I’ve also updated my website with a new look and content. After drowning in a sea of English for years, switching to html — a language I once spoke fluently — was a challenge I didn’t expect.

Slipping back into the media is also going to be a challenge. I’ve gotten used to the company of my ‘friends’, and feel like an ostrich whose head has been stuck in the sand for ages. Or like Lucien, waking after a hundred years to find so much has changed. My solitary existence is coming to an end, and that is as frightening as it is exciting. I hope I can keep up!

I want to offer profound apologies to every one of you who has been waiting for Haven’s return. You’ve been patient with me, and I truly appreciate that. I hope you consider the end result well worth the wait.

…and, I promise to keep you posted!

Respectfully submitted,

~ Tamara Monteau

The end of an era for Haven’s Realm

It is with the greatest sorrow that I must announce the closing of Secret Cravings Publishing. Haven’s Realm has been taken off the market, but I promise you that isn’t the end of the saga!

While I await the release notices for my right to republish, I’m working on preparing the series for submission to a number of publishing houses. Twilight Destiny is currently in the hands of my final beta reader, and I’m preparing the supporting documentation to present the saga. I intend to take my time, get things just right in my heart and head, before I make my next move.

Jason and his Council are waiting patiently at the moment, ready to voice their support should they be called on while I revamp (no pun intended) each book. I know I can promise better detail, stronger sensuality and passion, and a much more satisfying read between every set of covers.

I’ve learned a lot from the Secret Cravings staff, and owe Sandy Sullivan my respect and gratitude. I will carry their lessons forward while I do the same for Haven’s Realm.

~Tamara Monteau