Loading ...Virtual Launch Party, Chat & Sony e-Reader Contest with Author Rachel Caine
SECRETS AND LIES
Part of the fun of doing Book 6 of the Morganville Vampires series, Carpe Corpus
Five books of increasingly intricate mythology about the town, its human and vampire inhabitants, the political struggles between and even among the two sides … and it all comes down to having about 75,000 words in which to make it all make sense.
Kind of a challenge, but I love that sort of thing!
At the core of Carpe Corpus
But there’s plenty of misery to go around in Morganville, and even when there’s some mercy in evidence — like her boyfriend Shane getting bounced from prison — it’s counterbalanced by the horrible circumstances under which it occurred. As the secrets of the vampires are broken, and the lies revealed, it’s going to be up to Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael to save the lives of everyone in town … including their mortal enemies.
Now, a word about process. I tend to write from an outline, but toward a goal, and in the words of the immortal (literally) pirates of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, “They’re not so much rules as … guidelines.” I keep the outline as a kind of safety line, so that if I stray too far from the path of sane storytelling I can always pull myself back on track … but I do allow myself the freedom to explore, diverge, and sometimes forge new strange trails altogether. There’s some of that in Carpe Corpus
Next up in the Morganville series is Fade Out
If you’ve already read Carpe Corpus
Thanks for participating in this exciting event with BITTEN BY BOOKS! I’m delighted and honored to be part of it!
– Rachel
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Learn more about Rachel Caine here:
Read reviews of the author’s work here.
To visit the author’s website go here.
To visit the author’s blog go here.
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CONTEST: PLEASE NOTE THE NEW CONTEST EMAIL ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO BELOW. There are also revisions to the rules for this contest, please read them all carefully. Also, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do just ONE or ALL of these things, and each thing you do will give you additional entries at a chance to WIN. REMEMBER you have TWO weeks to do the different things that YOU choose to do. Rachel Caine will be giving away a 
Sony Digital Book Reader
Below are all of the different things you can CHOOSE from to enter.
1. The easiest way to enter is by purchasing copies of Rachel’s NEW book Carpe Corpus
To purchase a PRINT copy of Carpe Corpus from Amazon click here.
To purchase a PRINT copy of Carpe Corpus from Barnes & Noble click here.
Good for 300 entries per PRINT copy of you purchase using the links above.
Purchase copies of her other books in the series by visiting Rachel Caine’s Amazon Store
Books in the Morganville Vampires series in the order they should be read:
Glass Houses
The Dead Girls’ Dance
Midnight Alley
Feast of Fools
Lord of Misrule
Carpe Corpus
Fade Out
OR you can use the Barnes & Noble search banner on the right hand side of the site or this link HERE to make your purchase of ANY kind of merchandise during the contest. You can also use the Amazon search box or this link HERE to shop as well. Good for 100 entries to the contest for EACH item you purchase. Not valid on past purchases.
It is NOT mandatory to purchase anything to enter the contests, there are plenty of other ways to enter and win. Just email us a copy of your purchase receipt to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies.
2. Make a purchase in our Bloody Cafe store here: http://www.cafepress.com/bittenbybooks. We are all volunteers so your continuing support is deeply appreciated. Email us a copy of your purchase receipt to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Sorry no faxes or snail mail copies. Good for 100 entries.
3. In order to be entered into this contest the ONE thing you ALL have to do is ask Rachel a question. It can be ANY question you like. No questions = no entries! You can come by through 7/13/09 and ask your questions. Good for 10 entries. (max 2 questions that count towards entries per day)
4. Make a short creative, meaningful or silly Youtube video (max 5 minutes) about why you love Rachel’s work. Tell us which is your favorite book or character and why you feel you deserve to win a Sony Digital Book Reader from her. Keep it family friendly. Come back here and post the link to your video. Good for 150 entries. Max 1 video per day good towards entries.
5. Read the reviews of Rachel’s work here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=58&book_author_id=Rachel%20Caine
And leave your thoughts and comments about the book/review etc. Good for 25 entries per review.
6. Use the SHARE This button at the bottom of this post to digg, stumble and share this on your social networks and new ones you have never tried before! Good for 50 entries.
7. Be friends with Bitten by Books here:
SUBSCRIBE to the Bitten by Books newsletter by clicking here or use the box on the top right hand side of the site. Be sure you VERIFY your subscription, an email is sent with the verification link. Unverified subscribers will not be entered and will be deleted from the mailing list. If you are already a subscriber, just let us know and you will get entries too.
Join The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! Here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your user name and leave the link to your page.
Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59929467915
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks be SURE to tweet us after you follow so we can count your entry! @BittenbyBooks
Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry!
Email us a copies of ALL of your verification emails to bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 150 entries each place you add us.
8. Use this link and banner and spread the word about this amazing contest! The more places you post the event, the more entries you get. Use this direct link to the event:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=8605 at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Groups, Facebook, Yahoo Groups, Forums, Goodreads, Shelfari (any group where it is appropriate). You MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread so we can verify your entries. Good for 200 entries per place you post the event link.
NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day.
9. Be friends with Rachel by joining her here:
Newsletter: http://www.rachelcaine.com/Mailing_Lists.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520082446
Facebook Fan Club: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=39948306768
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rachelcaine
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelcaine
Add Rachel’s blog and website to your blog roll or links page: http://rachelcaine.livejournal.com/ and http://www.rachelcaine.com/
Then send us all the confirmations you receive verifying subscription and friendship to: bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces). Good for 20 entries per place you friend/add her.
10. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event be SURE to include us in your tweet @BittenbyBooks http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=8605. Good for 10 entries each day you tweet it. Come back here and post your tweet’s URL so we can verify it. Max 1 tweet per day counts for entries.
11. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by this week! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get FOUR entries and you get EIGHT entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries! COPY us on the email at: bittenbybooks.contests @ gmail.com (no spaces) so we can count your entries. We do not use or sell email addresses in ANY way.
IMPORTANT CONTEST RULES AND LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION:
The contest ends on 7/13/09 at 11:59 pm PDT and the winners will be contacted via email. You will receive your prize directly from the author. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FIRST AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME as well as a valid email where we can contact you. REMEMBER the more things you do, the more entries, the greater the chances of winning.
1. Please note, the prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be absolutely no substitutions or changes the prize is non-transferable. If you don’t want the prize being offered, please don’t enter the contest. If you ever win an electronic copy of a book, please note that it is ILLEGAL to forward, give away or copy it in anyway once you receive it. Doing so violates copyright. If we find out that it has been done, you will no longer be eligible to win any of our contests.
2. You have FIVE days from the day the we contact you to claim your prize by sending your name/mailing address to me. Failure to contact me will forfeit your prize. BBB can at that time, choose either to re-award the prize to another entrant or not.
3. The prize stated IS the prize you will receive, there will be no substitutions, trades or changes. No exceptions. Please do not ask. If for some reason you do not wish to claim your prize, please let me know as soon as possible. Bitten by Books has the option to re-award it or not.
4. Contest is open to readers worldwide. The prizes are shipped directly from the author.
5. Bitten by Books is in NO way responsible for the prizes being offered in any of the contests. If for some reason a contributor does not honor their prize, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We are not worried that this will happen, but we want to be very clear that WE are not offering these prizes, the contributor is and it is their responsibility to fulfill their prize obligations.
6. These rules are subject to change or be modified without prior written notice.
7. Contest is void where prohibited.
8. By entering this contest you are agreeing to our terms of entry
(6 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Rachel, I love your books. I allegedly bought the morganville books for my teen daughter, but I now buy them for myself. I really am enjoying your newest series, the Undone Season. When is the next book coming out in that series?
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Hi Rachel - Though I haven’t read any of your books yet, I heard so many good things about the series i went out and bought the first six books last week. Can’t wait to get started! Anyways, my question - what authors do you enjoy reading?
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Hi Rachel! And welcome to Bitten by Books!
My question for you is, if you weren’t an author, what would you be doing?
Though thankfully for us readers that’s not the case!
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Rachel, I love your books too. I first bought Glass House as an ebook (I’ve since purchased it as a paperback) I liked it so much I bought the entire Weather Warden series and have followed the Morganville & Undone series. I’ve shared with friends and they are now hooked too. Thanks for hours of enjoyment.
D.Antonio
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Hey Rachel, I’m a big fan of yours.I haven’t read the Weather Warden series yet, but plan to soon. I think the idea of having characters who can control the weather is really interesting. What is your favorite type of weather?
Thank you,
Toni Smathers
I RSVPed
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Hi Rachel, I just became aware of your books and I ordered Glass Houses. I am so excited to start this series.
I have sent freind suggestions to mysapce adn FB, joined your Fb fan group, joined your newsletter, follwing you on twitter (lasergirl70)
and posted a link to this interview on my FB profile: facebook.com/lasergirl70
after I start the Morganville, series, I will have to begin WEather Warden as well! Best of luck with the book launch!!
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Hi Rachel,
I haven’t read any of your work yet, but a couple of your books are in line in my tbr pile :).
What is your favorite paranormal novel series?
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I shared this blog post on facebook and twitter!
http://www.facebook.com/pams00?ref=name
http://twitter.com/pams00
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I’ve heard great things about the Weather Warden series. However I ADORE YA so I’m all over this.
Living in Texas, I have to ask if Morganville is west Texas or the hill country?
Or worse… east Texas. Grin
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Hi Rachel!!! Thanks so much for dropping by. At first, I kind of skipped the YA are thinking I wouldn’t be interested, but I’ve heard so many good things that I’m looking forward to checking out your series. Do you work any differently when you write adult vs. YA? What’s your favorite thing to do when you are not writing/working?
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I have read all the Morganville Series books out except Carpe Corpus. Love them all. I would like to know how many more books are on plan to finish this series?
I RSVP’d.
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Do you know how many book will be in the series? What got you into writing?
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I am already signed up for BBB newsletter.
Already a member of the facebook group and added as a friend -
http://www.facebook.com/pams00?ref=name
now following on twitter!
http://twitter.com/pams00
can’t get your goodreads.com link to work?
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Hi Rachel,
I’ve been a fan for years..I’ve read all the Morganville books, but tho I know this isn’t going to make me popular here, I just can’t get into them. LOVE vampire stories (P.N. Elrod is my fav I think) but these just don’t hold my interest…sorry
Anyway…I do ADORE the Weather Warden series, and though I guess I understand that Morganville is much more popular and profitable, it saddened me to read that you’ll tie up the series. I’m sure I’m not the only fan that feels that way. I have purchased, but not gotten around to reading Undone, and wondered…will you continue to write about the Djinn/wardens, or have you given up on them altogether?
~Patti
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Have you ever had a plot idea or were typing along and then realized that idea or plot seemed familiar and realized you read it elsewhere? If so, do you still use the plot device or do you change it in some way to make it your own?
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Hi Rachel. I have just started looking at the Morganville series, and my question to you is Why Texas?
I have posted this at facebook, livejournal and blogger, I am a subscriber to BBB, a member of the Blood Bank, and I rsvp’d for this event.
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Hello Rachel, I’m currently finishing up book 3. My 1st question is, Are Shane, Claire, Eve, and Michael going to make it out Morganville alive?
Beet
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Hi Rachel, I’m new to reading your books, I picked up Glass Houses about 3 weeks ago and just finished Lord of Misrule last week and loved them all. Now I’m waiting for Carpe Corpus to show up on my doorstep. The series has quickly become a favourite of mine. I’ve read the first Weather Wardens book too, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of that series when I have a chance.
My question is, why did you decide to write about humans trapped in a vampire run town, rather than having your main characters as vampires themselves when you decided to write a vampire centric series?
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Oh, and I RSVP’d
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Howdy Rachel
First I want to say thank you for the invite. I truly appreciate it.
Secondly, I would like to ask you how you got started writing? What inspired you then? Is it different now? By that I mean does what inspired you then still inspire you or has it changed to something else? Do you set a schedule to write or just write when your muse dictates?
Thanks again for the invite
Bo Perkins - independent editor and VP of Operations/Promotions Manager for Phoenix Rising Promotions.
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Oh and by the way, I already follow you on Tweeter, and am friends with you on FaceBook and MySpace and I just joined your FaceBook Fan Club today under bocperkins.
Have a great day.
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Hi Rachel sounds like a great story. Must you read the series in order or can they be read out of order or as stand-alones?
hugs,
WendyK
highlandlovesong at yahoo dot com
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I was at a Jim Butcher book signing for Bloodrites in 2004. A fan asked Mr. Butcher what was he reading at the moment. He told everyone to buy Rachel Caine’s Ill Wind. I purchased it that night and can say its been one of my top 2 favorite series over the past 5 years. I am sad to hear the series is ending as well. Her Morganville series was the first YA series I ever purchased. Its crazy that my B&N had to special order the first book for me. With the release of Carpe Corpus they had a whole promotion and cardboard display with all the books in the series on it.
My question is
Would you consider Monica to be Claires arch nemesis? Her Dr. Doom to Claire’s Mr Fantastic?
I’ve got her on facebook, myspace, and twitter.
Rachel S, I’ve already got a Sony E-Reader, but if the copies of Carpe Corpus are signed may I be entered?
Finally thanks Mrs. Caine for spending your day here with us, and best wishes to all your future endeavors!
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Hi Rachel,
My question is; do you ever have any serious writers block moments? Your writing comes as if you don’t, but I know there’s got to be a moment (or 2) in your writing career that its bound to have happened.
What do you do to get back into the writing and most importantly back where you left off?
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I just heard of you through BBB and can’t wait to get some of your books.
Do you have a Muse? If so who or what is it?
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I will be starting Glass Houses. How many books total in the Morganville series?
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I love the Morganville Series. I just recently picked up the first five books and couldn’t put them down. I was into Lord of Misrule I didn’t even realize I was at the end until I ran out of words. So naturally I looked up Carpe Corpus online and was happy it had come out two days prior so I ran out to B&N to get it.
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Hi Rachel, I’m a huge fan, I have read all your books, Morgainville Vampires, Weather Wardens, Undone. All of your books are on my keeper shelf.
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I LOVE your books. I’ve been following you on Twitter, and friended you on Myspace and Facebook. Didn’t you say at one point that the Morganville books were going to be from someone else’s perspective? Maybe it was a dream or something, but I remember you saying something like that…
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Hey Rachel!!
Love your books!!..How many more Morganville books are you planning on writing? I hope the series goes on and on of course!!
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I RSVP’d
I follow both on Twitter (aliens72)
I follow both on facebook. Still waiting for Rachel’s answer
your serie sound great. Will have to get that for sure.
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I also just want to say that I LOVE Myrnin as a character. I think he is by far my favorite vampire in a series EVER!!
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Tamara S
What made you decide to write about vampires?
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I follow bittenbybooks on facebook, twitter, and myspace and I am a subscriber
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Wow, I am so excited you are here. I love your Morganville series. I am always a little hesitant about YA titles, but these I really enjoyed. I haven’t read Carpe Corpus yet, although I am going to order it now.
I had a few questions…
Who was Shane’s patron before he turned 18? Was Sam Michael’s patron?
What is it about Claire that is so special? Is it just her brains? It seems like some of the vamps have trouble entrancing her.
*RSVP’d
*purchased Carpe Corpus from Amazon
*bought TShirt from CafePress
*asked two questions
*left comment on glass house (1st one)
*already friends with BBB through newsletter, Blood Bank and myspace
*subscribed to Rachel’s newsletter
*requested friends with Rachel at myspace
*Posted announcement on my myspace blog at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=425187716
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RSVP’d #16
Hi Rachel,
3. Question: Do you have other new series you are brainstroming that we might see sometime in the future?
5. Read reviews. Comment: Rachel, loved the reviews. I have read some of your Weather Warden series and enjoyed them. After reading these reviews, I will have to give the Morgaville Vampire series a try. I’m adding it to my to read list.
6. Share button: Twitter: http://twitter.com/Kainanz
7. Friends with BBB:
BBB Blood Bank community - user name: kainani
BBB good reads friend: Kainani
BBB FB group fan: Kainani Enos Peter
BBB Facebook Friend: Kainani Enos Peter
BBB Myspace friend: Kainani
Following BBB on Twitter: Kainanz
BBB permanently on my blog: http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
8. Spread the word with link & banner:
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kainani89
Blogger: http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/kainanz?ref=profile
9. Friends with Faith (pending approval):
FB
FB Fan Club
Myspace
Twitter
add Rachel’s blog & website: http://www.myspace.com/kainani89
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I RSVPed to be here
I love the Morganville books,I’ve read them several times each.Shane is my favorite.
3.my question is: Rachel who is your favorite Michael or Shane?
7.I subscribe to the BBB newsletter
9.I already get Rachel’s newsletter
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sounds like a good series.I love vampires are you a fan of the show Buffy the vampire slayer? dorothy l con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
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I am a subscriber dorothy l
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RSVP’d #16
Hi Rachel,
3. Question: Do you have other new series you are brainstroming that we might see sometime in the future?
5. Read reviews. Comment: Rachel, loved the reviews. I have read some of your Weather Warden series and enjoyed them. After reading these reviews, I will have to give the Morgaville Vampire series a try. I’m adding it to my to read list.
6. Share button: Twitter: http://twitter.com/Kainanz
7. Friends with BBB:
BBB Blood Bank community - user name: kainani
BBB good reads friend: Kainani
BBB FB group fan: Kainani Enos Peter
BBB Facebook Friend: Kainani Enos Peter
BBB Myspace friend: Kainani
Following BBB on Twitter: Kainanz
BBB permanently on my blog: http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
8. Spread the word with link & banner:
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kainani89
Blogger: http://kainanisreadz.blogspot.com/
FB: http://www.facebook.com/kainanz?ref=profile
9. Friends with Faith (pending approval):
FB
FB Fan Club
Myspace
Twitter
added Rachel’s blog & website: http://www.myspace.com/kainani89
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Hi Rachel. Thanks for including us on your virtual launch. The book sounds intriguing. Can’t wait to read it.
I RSVP’d and came back. Added Rachel’s website to my blog page (http://cc-chronicles.blogspot.com), sent a friends request to Rachal on Facebook (http://facebook.com/chrismcarter) and joined her group.
Chris C. (wilmstagemgr@gmail.com)
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I have bitten by books on my blog roll http://www.luckyrosiescreations.blogspot.com/
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Hi Rachel!!
I would love to know if you have an writing rituals? Things you either do before, during or anything you must have with you when writing your novels.
Thanks!
I RSVPed
Added as a friend on LiveJournal
Following on Twitter (@imakeart)
I’ve sent an email with all confirmations.
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5. Commented on all 6 reviews
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This is so exciting. I love your stories, but I have to say (with much love) that your cliffhangers kill me!!!
I was wondering how you keep your world of Morganville organized? It seems you would need your own mysterious secret book to keep it all straight!
I commented on more book reviews…
CC (2nd comment)
lom (2nd)
fof (2nd)
ma (2nd)
dgd (3rd)
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I subscribe to the BBB newletter and also get Rachel’s newsletter.
I RSVPed.
My question to Rachel, in the Morganville series, what made you decide to make Eve a goth girl? I like the personality that you have given her, everytime I read one of these books or one of the short stories, she makes me think of Abbey on NCIS.
Thank you,
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Just read Carpe Corpus on Thursday. Loved it. I am running late but will be back later to ask questions………
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Posted a link to this launch on facebook (http://facebook.com/chrismcarter) and on my blog (http://cc-chronicles.blogspot.com)
Chris C (wilmstagemgr@gmail.com)
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Welcome to BBB Rachel. I must confess that I haven’t read your books,even though each one goes on my amazon wish list, as soon as its published. After reading your interview, your books are going to my shopping list.
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Rachel,
I love the Morganville Vampire Series and I truly appreciate all the freely offered short stories on your website. They are amazing and so are you for offering them freely to your fans.
When I get the chance to ask an author a question it is usually about the writing process. Your ability to bring such life-like dialogue to the pages of your novels is something I can only hope to mimic in my own works. How do you make the dialogue ring so true in the mind of the readers? Do you say it out loud as you are typing it or what?
Thanks,
Jerry W Stewart
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Rachel,
I know you hear this all the time but I LOVE your books SOO much!!
I read them all the time and I’ve gotten a lot of my friends to read them.
My question is: When are you going yo come to Florida for a signing?!?
Sincerely,
Autumn L.
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I RSVP’d,BBB Facebook Friend, BBB newsletter
Hi Rachel,
My question is do you think it is harder to write YA series? I love the Morganville Series.
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Hi Rachel, Thanks for giving us your time today. I have added your books to my “need to read asap” list. I have not yet been disappointed by anything I have read that was from an author who has joined us on Bitten by Books. My question for you is - with all the great books out there, how do you narrow it down and decide what to read?
I RSVPed and am following you on Twitter. : )
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Hello Rachel - First I want to say that I really enjoy your books! They are some of my favorite books to read.
Questions - What was your favorite book when you were growing up? Besides your own books, what book(s) are you most looking forward to coming out in the next couple of months? How did you come up with the idea of having a huge group of vampires living together in one town?
1 - I have purchased a copy of Rachel’s Glass House, The Dead Girl’s Dance, Midnight Alley, Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule, and Carpe Corpus.
3 - I asked a question – See above
6 - I shared the link on my blogs on Blogger and Live Journal, on Myspace, Facebook and also on Twitter
7 - Friends with BBB - I a member of Blood Bank, I also subscribed to BBB Newsletter, Facebook Group, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Goodreads, and I posted links to BBB websites on my blogs on Blogger and Live Journal.
8 - I Linked the Banner to my blogs on Blogger and Live Journal.
9 - Friends with Rachel - I subscribed to her Newsletter, Follower her on Twitter, Live Journal, and Facebook Fan Page. I put in a request to be friends on Myspace and Facebook. I also posted her links on my blogs on Blogger and Live Journal.
I also RSVP’d
My blogs -
Blogger - http://oceanjamiesrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
Live Journal - http://oceanjamie.livejournal.com/
Twitter - http://twitter.com/OceanJamie
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/101823879
Facebook - In the Groups section is proof that I am a member of BBB Group and Rachel’s Fan Page. I also have requests in to become friends with Rachel on Facebook and I am already friends with BBB - http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/oceanjamie?v=info
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Hey Rachel! I keep debating about reading your YA line, I read your other books, Weather Wardens and the new Djinn ones, I keep coming close to reading this series, but can’t quite find the time. Anyway, what’s the series about? I read an excerpt of the first one on your website but still don’t feel like I know where the story’s going. Are vampires hiding in secret in this series or are they out in the open?? Any little details that you can give without hashing out spoilers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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Hey there, both Rachels!
Rachel, I’d like to know what you do to document & maintain your mythology for the series. Do you keep a notebook, a virtual world map, etc.
(Oh, I did RSVP.)
For entries:
http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/JustineGreene
http://twitter.com/fairyfindings
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and because I was too hasty with “Submit comment”
adding to my prior entry
Justine G.
>^..^<
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Hey Rachel!
I have been a big fan of your books for a few years now, and they just continue getting better and better!
I own a copy of each Morganville book, though I have yet to read Carpe Corpus, but that is next on my list.
How are you able to continue such exciting stories with the same characters for such a long series?
Also, do you prefer writing about Morganville or the Weather Wardens?
I am your friend on myspace, following you on twitter(kaylabella), joined the BBB facebook group and requested to be their friend.
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What is the most rewarding aspect of writing? I love the Warden series, but have only read 1 of the morganville. Would you say that my 14 year old could read it?
BBB on perm roll on wp, blogger, google profile
http://nicholandria.wordpress.com
http://nicholandria.blogspot.com/
http://www.google.com/profiles/nicholandria
read the reviews and commented
i rsvpd and r here!
am friends w/ bbb on all already
am a subscriber of newsletter already
signed up for Rachels newsletter, myspace, FB and now following on twitter!
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Hi Rachel! This contest sounds amazing. I would love to win the Sony Digital Book Reader. Well anyway my question for you is: Are you going to start a different series in the future?
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Hey Rachel,
what’s your take on the infamous Twilight series? Did it influence you or your stories in any way at all (either positively of negatively)?
BBB subscriber, following on BBB Twitter, tweeted about the contest, joined Rachel’s mailing list, already following her on Twitter
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RSVP’d to event, and already friended on social communities.
HIYA Rachel!
I LOVE Morganville. It was a surprise, I brought Glass house as a last resort once, thinking it would be way to youthful for my enjoyment. However, it was the most pleasing and rewarding fluke buy I’ve ever made.
Your writing certainly appeals to the older audience even though your writing voice is youthful. KUDOS
My questions,
Does writing in a youthful voice affect you (away from the writing world) in anyway?
How much (and how) do you throw yourself into the research?
Bounces, enjoying this event! Thanks for bringing one of my fav authors in BBB Rachel xx
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Rachel,
I’ve been reading the Morganville Vampire series since Glass Houses debuted. I love them!
1) Naturally, I bought Carpe Corpus the first day it came out, so I’d rather not purchase it again on amazon.
3) My question is: Do you have any book signings coming up in NYC?
9) I already follow Rachel on Twitter and receive her newsletter!
10) I twittered about this contest at: https://twitter.com/Whitney_Ross
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If your books were picked up for a movie/tv show, who would you want to play the leads?
What advice would you give an aspiring author, that you wish you’d had when you were just starting out?
I also RSVP’d
My group blog: http://romanticinks.com (added both BBB and Rachel Caine)
Twitter - http://twitter.com/Haven.Rich (stalking both, and retweeted)
Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/haven_rich (friended both)
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/haven.rich (shows joining BBB, Rachel Cain groups, as well as friendship with BBB, Rachel Caine friendship still pending)
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Hi rachel,
Sounds like some good books, just up my alley.
My question for you is: is there any other genre you would like to conquer? or is it easier to try to stick to one kind?
RSVPed and came
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Hey Rachel! Love the Morganville Vamp series. My question is, can you tell us a little about what Fade Out will be about?
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Oh yeah, i rsvp’d, am a suscriber, and am a friend on facebook =)
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I RSVP’d. Rachel do you get your inspiration for your character from people you know?
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I RSVP’d. Rachel, do you get your inspiration for settings in your books from real places you have visited?
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I’m a subscriber.
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Rachel, best wishes on the release of Carpe Corpus. I just discovered you and I love your writing so I plan to buy all your books and am already telling my friends about you!
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Hello Rachel, 2nd question please tell us that you wont be ending the series with Claire waking up from Monica’s push down the stair, only to find out that Michael is a doctor, Eve a Goth nurse and Shane a candy striper. That would truly be evil.
I RSVPed 5. All complete 6. 7. 8. Add Rachel’s 2 sites to http://beetsbooks.blogspot.com/
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http://iyamvixenbooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/bittenbybooks-and-rachel-caine.html
~I totally RSVP’d!!
~I have had Rachel’s blog on my blogroll for a long while
~Have had BBB on the blogroll forever
~Belong to the Blood Bank
~Facebook forever!
~Just realized I haven’t been on Goodreads with BBB! Just asked for friendship
~I subscribe to the newsletter
I am technologically inept, so no witty youtube vids from me….
Rachel: Do you have a playlist for each of your series? Do you like working in quiet or a little background noise?
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Hi Rachel, I love the Morganville series and have the WeatherWarden books on one of my TBR lists. I do love Shane… he is my fave and Michael is pretty good too.
I will have to come back later but I really wanted to say hi for now. Maybe do a vid or come up with some rocking questions….
For now I want to ask:
If they ever produced the Morganville series for TV or the big screen who do you imagine for the characters.?
I already follow on FB, facebook fan page and Twitter…
BBB follow on everything….
Thanks Shell
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I just have one question/request … Is there anyway to make the stories longer? (Love the fact that there are 3 Morganvilles for 2009, but how about BIGGER? Not necessarily hardcover.)
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Hiya Rachel! You’re books sound like a lot of fun.
My question is what keeps you writing? When the deadlines come and procrastination is at its height, what makes you sit in the chair and keep going?
As for the contest,
I RSVP’d, as well as Twittered and Facebooked.
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On average how long does it take you to write a book?
How long do you spend each day writing?
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good golly miss molly!
i love your books, and im subscribed.
and my question is….
how do you get us sooo addicted to your stories?, addicting like cupcakes may i add!
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Oh, I’m also a member of the community, facebook and twitter groups
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Rachael, I have bought every single one of ur books already! I’ve been a fan for quite some time! I’m from Odessa and and I’ve gotten most of my friends into ur book! we literaly get together just to sit around and read ur books!!! I wrote to u on my myspace a while back about how my own writing wasn’t going so well! Your advices has been helping me alot!!! I finnished the ending and I’m now working in the middle!!! I admire u so much and this contest is so exciting! I can’t wait to get fade out! Xoxo
Crystal Garcia
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Hi, Rachel, I am reading Morganville Vampires, Outcast, and Weather Warden series’. I love them all! I am very impatient and wish I could get all the books in each series immediately, however undoable that is! But, my question is….. how do you come up with an entire world of characters and ideas for each of these series? It must be very difficult, but all of yours are unique, and I love them, but now I need to figure it out, if I am ever to write my own books about the supernatural! Thanks.
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Oh, and I’m subscribed also, cause I do want the reader!!
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Hey Rachel,
I was wondering if it’s hard for your to keep the books on a young adults level with Claire growing up and her relationship with Shane?
I’m subscribed to the newsletter
I’m friends with bbb via, myspace, facebook, facebook group, twitter and good reads
My bloodbank page is http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Carmen_R
I’m already signed up for Rachel’s newsletter
I’m already friends with her via facebook,myspace,Twitter and I’m a fan at the facebook group,
I sent out a tweet about the the interview
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What’s next in the Weather Warden series? Love the series.
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My question is: What happened to the people who lived near Myrrin? The grandmother and granddaughter. I think they are still there, but I’d love to know for sure!
I’ve already bought and read CARPE CORPUS — another fab book, Rachel. And worth the leap I made over other shoppers to get to it.
In fact, I finished the book and gave it to one of my librarian friends here … in my evil plot to further hook her on your books!
BBB is a permanent link on my web site!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
nancy@nancyhaddock.com
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Hi Rachel,
The Morganville series sounds fantastic.
What is your favourite sport?
I PSVPd
I’m already subscribed to BBB
I belong to the Blood Bank
I’m friends with bbb on myspace and facebook
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Hi Rachel,
I’m one of your Twitter followers and I gotta say, it’s lovely not to be constrained by 140 characters, LOL.
I love your Weather Wardens…bought the first 3 as eBooks then had to buy them all in print as well! Oh for an eBook reader rather than my clunky old laptop, LOL.
And as for The Morganville Vampire series? Well, I have to fight my daughter off to each new one in the series first! What was I thinking when I let her read them? (Kidding!) And although I’ve recommended them countless times to various parents who’re wanting great books for their teens, I refuse to lend them out…can’t risk having them not come back to me. They’re keepers!
My question is, which series comes easier when you’re writing, Weather Wardens or Morganville Vamps? Do you ever have to reread the last book in the series to get “in the zone” before you begin to write?
(BTW I RSVPd and our BBB hostess already knows I stalk her online
*waves to the other Rachel*)
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Hey Rachel!
I love your Morganville vampire books. I even got my 17 year-old niece hooked on them too. She tends to steal them from my bookshelf when I’m not looking. I’ve read the first 5 and have Carpe Corpus in my tbr stack and I’m adding Fade Out to my TBB list now. How many books to you think will be in the series?
I RSVPd and already subscribe to BBB.
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Thank you for being here.
Do you have any secret ways to get past difficult writing times?
I did all the things requested.
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Hey Rachel =)
Thank for comming!
I read only the first book of the serie, but onw all 5 of them, Haven’t had time to read the 4 others hehe. But I would Love to 6th book ^^
I don’t know if anyone already asked that question (right in the middle of moving to new apart atm =P ) but I was wondering if Fade Out will be the last book of the series?
Are you curently working on another series?
Thank for your time =)
Cindy
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hi i rsvped the ohter day. My question is what or who inspired you to becuase a righter in the sci-fi fantesy and did you read alot of fantesy books when you wer growing up? or if your like me and never grew up what did you read when your age was smaller/
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Hi Rachel,
I love the Morganville Vamp series and also read your new book Undone. I’m sure I will like the Weather Wardens too when I can get to it. (I have the first three books on my TBR). You’ve got some killer cliffhanger endings! Will there be any more Morganville books after Fade Out? If so, do you already have the ending planned or will you figure it out when you get there?
Michelle K.
mishcara (at) gmail (dot) com
——————————–
I RSVP’d
5. Read the reviews and I definitely agree that these books appeal to adults as well as teens.
7. -I subscribe to the BBB newsletter
-Friend and follower of BBB on goodreads: mcara (mck (at) myfairpoint (dot) net)
-Already member of the Blood Bank: michellek (http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Michelle462)
9. Joined Rachel’s newsletter
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Hi Rachel,
I was wondering if the characters in your books are inspired by people you know or if they are entirely fictional.
Bridget
Shared:
http://www.facebook.com/bridget.hopper?ref=profile
http://www.myspace.com/bridgetlaprairie (blog section)
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/06/virtual-launch-party-chat.html
http://freebies4meandu.blogspot.com/2009/06/virtual-launch-party-chat.html
http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/2412186047
Already a BBB subscriber
Already a Blood Bank member - bridget3420
Already friends with BBB on Myspace - bridgetlaprairie
Already friends with BBB on Facebook - Bridget Hopper
Already following BBB on Twitter - bridget3420
Already a Good Reads friend of BBB
BBB is on my blogroll - http://freebies4meandu.blogspot.com
BBB is on my blogroll - http://bridget3420.blogspot.com
Posted banner:
http://freebies4meandu.blogspot.com/2009/06/virtual-launch-party-chat.html
http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/06/virtual-launch-party-chat.html
http://www.myspace.com/bridgetlaprairie (blog section)
http://www.facebook.com/bridget.hopper?ref=profile
Signed up for Rachel’s newsletter
Sent Rachel a Facebook friend request
Joined Facebook Group
Following Rachel on twitter - bridget3420
Rachel’s site link is on the Awesome Authors section of my blog http://bridget3420.blogspot.com
RSVP’d
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Awesome! Another author who shares my name and the spelling of it. Hehe. As you’ll notice on my facebook. Raonaid is scots gaelic for Rachel. * big grins*
I use to have a Sony e-reader but sadly my kids ran a magnet over the screen and thus killing it. * sniffles* I soo loved it.
As for my question: If you could colloborate on a story with any writer/author, alive or dead, who would it be? And I’m curious if that writer is your idol.
* I RSVPed
* Bittenbybooks is a permanent link on my blogger links (visionarydruid.blogspot.com)
* I joined her newsletter
* I friended her on facebook (rachel flesher / raonaidluckwell)
* I mentioned it on my facebook
* I joined her facebook fan club
* Friended her on myspace (visionarydruid)
* I pasted the picture and the contest on my myspace blog
* Mentioned the contest on myspace’s bullentin
* I am following her on twitter (raonaidluckwell)
* I twittered about it
* Saved both of her links on my blogger links
* posted the picture and about the contest on my blogger
* I posted the pic and the contest on my livejournal (http://morriga.livejournal.com/)
* I mentioned it on these yahoo groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JohannaLindsey/message/37746
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/book_worms_r_us/message/18332
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JohannaLindseyDiscussionGroup/message/42480
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JuliaQuinnReadingGroup/message/3242
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/League_of_Kinley_MacGregor_Fans/message/181
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/We_Love_Lisa_Kleypas/message/1206
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christina_Dodd_Fans/message/375
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/conniebrockwayfans/message/156
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Hi Rachel!
-My question to you is would your series ever come to a movie theater near us?!
-Also, what is your fav book that you’ve written thus far?
-I totally RSVP’d!!!
I’ll be back later to do more…not feeling well right now.
Doreen H.
purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com
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I RSVP’d
I also left a comment earlier but I forgot to add that I’m a subscriber through GoogleReader. I follow through Twitter (celestinacarmen) and GoodReads (Tina).
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3.) I would like to know what movie can you watch over and over again and never get tired of?
5.) Commented on all reviews.
6.) Stumbled and Digged (http://digg.com/arts_culture/Virtual_Launch_Party_Chat_Sony_e_Reader).
4.) I subscribe through email.
I am a member of The Blood Bank (ValorieTucker).
Friend on Good Reads (morbidromantic).
Friend on Facebook.
Friend on Twitter (morbidromantic).
Bitten by Books is on my blogroll on my right sidebar under Book Blogs (http://www.morbid-romantic.net).
8.) Posted the graphic
Blog: http://www.morbid-romantic.net (right sidebar)
Ning: http://bookblogs.ning.com/profiles/blogs/win-a-sony-ereader-with-rachel
9.) Friended Rachel on Twitter.
10.) Tweet: http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/status/2412591419
Valorie T.
USA
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I RSVP’D last week.
You have probably heard this before plenty of times. What made you decide to write about vampires?
coopermoon(at)hotmail(dot)com
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Will my RSVP still count since I came late?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Moonlight, or True Blood, which of these shows do you like the most?
I’m a little biased because I’ve only watched one, Buffy. You probably like things other than vampires, so I’ll think of a better question next time.
coopermoon(at)hotmail(dot)com
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I haven’t read any of the books yet, but they are on my list to read. I visited your website and read the free chapters and really enjoyed them. My question is how do you balance your work life with your personal life? Do you set aside specific hours to write and then time for yourself?
For the contest- I RSVP’d, posted to MySpace, Facebook and Twittered. I get the BBB newsletter, follow on Twitter, and on Facebook. I’ll be back later…
Janice D.
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I also just joined BBB group on facebook (mishcara (at) gmail (dot) com)
Michelle K
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I RSVP’d for the event on the 27th at 3:31 p.m. and 1st name with initial is Sandy M. You can always reach me at aset13 at yahoo dot com.
1 & 2. Being unemployed sucks but I’ve read all your Weather Warden series and Morganville series up to Carpe Corpus which I just picked up from my local library (1 of 4 copies).
3. I have a couple of questions because of following you on Twitter….How did you find a couch at a concert?
4. I don’t know about that. We will see. lol
7. I’ve been on BBB here for awhile. I think I joined earlier this month but here’s a link to my BBB Ning page: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/Wynterose
I joined BBB - Paranormal Fiction Review Site on Facebook Group and BBB on GoodReads today. I’m already a BBB friend on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.
9. I signed up for Mailing list earlier today but haven’t gotten the email yet and it’s been several hours and not in junk email so I don’t know what’s up with that. I joined Rachel Caine Rocks with Weather Wardens and Morganville Group on Facebook today. I’m friends already on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.
10. Here is my link for Twitter when I tweeted this Contest: http://shar.es/5t4D
And I’ll see about doing some of the other numbers. Rachel, you and your books rock! {*hugs*}
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I RSVP’d and belong to BBB.
I didn’t realize until reading the reviews that this was a YA series. As a children’s librarian interested in this series, I need to know where in the YA spectrum this series falls. Is it suitable for 10th graders or for juniors and seniors only?
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Okay, I admit, someone else may have already asked this question (but I’ve had a very frustrating day & evening - still waiting for my gmail to load so I can check on my purchase of a certain kitten messenger bag); but why Texas? Is it a case of ‘writing what you know’ or did you have some story reason for choosing Texas?
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contest stuff
3 = RSVP & Yes
6 = facebook - http://www.facebook.com/hcreely?ref=nf
7 = all but myspace
9 = newsletter, facebook, facebook fan, and twitter
10 = tweeted - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/2413880596
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Hi Rachel,
It’s great to be here. Unfortunately, I haven’t read any of the Morganville books YET. I am definitely going to order them all.
So my questions are going to be general:
1. How old were you when you started to write?
2. Could you tell us something about yourself that you haven’t shared before? Something that you wouldn’t mind sharing of course.
I RSVRed….on June 29, 2009 @ 6:37 am.
Shelley D.
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I RSVP #53 and belong to BBB
I have recently noticed that some authors are offering a free pdf version of an earlier book that they had published when promoting a new book or series. When I first saw this, I was amazed. I asked myself why they would do this. No more, as I have discovered that this is a great way to hook potential new readers. I myself have purchased the promoted book and a copy of the one that I had just read free. What do you think of this practice and would you be inclined to offer one of yours free?
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Hi what do you like to read? Do you have an all time favorite author or does it oscillate depending on who your reading at the time?
I RSVP’d
I’ll send the rest via email to save space on the page.
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Number 5:
I commented on all 6 books!! Comment in #7 in each one.
Shelley D
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Hi guys! I’ll do my best to answer questions … wow, there are a lot!
1. Thank you! And the next Outcast Season book (UNKNOWN) will be out early next year, probably around February … I just turned it in, so I don’t have a final date yet. Glad you’re enjoying the new series!
2. Kersty, I have so many authors I love it’s ridiculous … if we’re just talking vampire books, I’m a huge fan of P.N. Elrod’s Jack Fleming novels, and Barbara Hambly’s THOSE WHO HUNT THE NIGHT, and George R.R. Martin’s FEVRE DREAM … and of course the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine, and Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy books, and … the list just goes on, I’m afraid. I read a lot of mystery and suspense, too, so I read all over the bookstore.
3. Hey, Lyda! If I wasn’t a writer, I’d probably be doing what I *also* do in my day job … communications. I am Director of Corporate Communications (in charge of the USA) for a big international company. And I love it, crazy as that is. Or I’d be a musician, which is my second artist love.
4. Donna, bless you! Thanks!
5. Toni — I live in Tornado Alley, and so that’s kind of my favorite weather, in a strange sort of way. I love storms, always have. And lightning. I’m nutty that way!
6. Wow, Lisa! Thank you for such an enthusiastic welcome — it’s much appreciated!
7. Hi, Pam! Yeah, my TBR pile is threatening to take over a room.
I think my favorite paranormal series of all time is Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden series, but I also love Charlaine Harris’s Sookie novels, and Richelle Mead’s series (both of them), and … yeah, I could go on for a paragraph here. In short: I love the genre. I really do.
8. Thanks, Pam!
9. Howdy neighbor! As far as where Morganville might be located, it’s somewhere in the badlands between Monahans and Midland, by my estimation.
Good luck finding it! Or, better luck avoiding it, I guess!
10. Heather, thanks for the great questions! I really don’t write any differently doing YA than I do adult fiction — it’s only the age of the characters that changes. And that drives the way the characters think and act, of course, but it’s not so much that I make that change, as the change comes from the characters. As to what I do in my off time … ha, I still work full time. But in my (very little) spare time, I love movies and TV and reading and all manner of art collecting.
11. Hi, Zulma! Currently I have contracts for 9 books in the Morganville series — that doesn’t mean we can’t make a deal for more, and I’m certainly hoping to do that. But right now I can definitely tell you nine.
12. Jill, thanks! 9 books (for now) in the Morganville series .. I got into writing more or less accidentally. I wanted to be a professional musician, but I really liked telling stories too. Never thought I’d make my living at it though!
13. Pam, I’ll check on the goodreads.com link. Not sure what’s going on with that!
14. Patti, thank you for both your comment, and your honesty! It’s perfectly okay if you don’t get into one (or more) things that I do. I never require that of anybody, believe me! In answer to your Weather Warden/Outcast Season question … it’s an intense experience writing such high stakes stories, and after writing eight in the Weather Warden series (starting #9 next month) and tackling the Outcast Season series, I think it’s time to let Jo and David have a happily ever after. And catch my breath from the constant end of the world! But I really appreciate your kind words about the series.
15. Elaine, great question … I think that it’s a common problem to stumble on the same ideas as other writers, but it’s pretty rare that we duplicate each others’ ideas exactly. I try to be as original and different as possible without making the idea too out there … and generally, that’s all that’s necessary to avoid inadvertently copying off somebody else’s paper!
16. Hi Nancy — well, I live in Texas, but it’s mainly because the less well settled parts of the state have always fascinated me. Small, isolated towns, usually half-deserted and fully creepy to passing strangers at least. That’s why, really.
17. Hi, Ruth — well, technically, one of those characters wasn’t actually alive at the start of the first book …
But in short, they’ll all survive and thrive, whether in Morganville or out of it. That all depends on how far the series gets!
18. Claire, the reason I didn’t write about the vampires in town as the main characters was that I felt like everybody else was already doing it … and I wanted to do something a little different. A kind of role reversal, where being the human in town meant you were the outsider. Hope that makes sense!
19.
20. I think I’m still writing mainly for the love of writing. It’s always been such a great release for me — even better than music, and I really loved my music. Okay, and I get paid, yes, that’s really nice too. And motivational! As far as schedules … I write every day, or try to. Usually two to three hours in the morning before I go to work, and then six hours or so on Saturdays and Sundays. My muse gets up on schedule too.
21. Thanks, Bo!
22. Wendy, I will warn you immediately that I am the Queen of Awful Cliffhangers. Books 7, 8 and 9 will be standalones, though.
23. Rocky, bless you. Funny story about me and Jim Butcher: we were on a panel together in about 1992, before any of his books were out, and when mine were basically going nowhere. I really thought he was amazing then, and I was so delighted when he gave me a quote on the cover of ILL WIND. But the thing is, I’d changed my name during the interim … so he was giving a cover quote to someone he didn’t know, and was honestly surprised when he found out it was me. That still delights me. As to your Claire and Monica question — I think that Monica sees herself as being a supervillain, but I think she’s just never going to make it into the Evil League of Evil. She’ll also never be *good,* but I think she and Claire will end up tolerating each other. Sort of.
24. Hi, Barbara! I have occasionally had days — or even a week — when I just didn’t feel like writing, but I’ve never seriously been UNABLE to write, which is what I think of as writer’s block. It’s more occasional bouts of laziness.
And so, my cure is simple — I put myself back on schedule, and back into routine. It’s sometimes easier than others; the book I just finished (Sunday!) was a bear. But it wasn’t really a block, just … different.
25. Nice to meet you, darkreader! I think my muse is music, because I have a very hard time writing without my headphones and a really great playlist specially compiled for the project I’m working on.
26. Tina, thanks for the interest in the series! So far, there are 9 books under contract for Morganville. I’m hoping maybe I’ll do more, but it all depends on how the publisher feels when we get to that point! #6 just came out, and #7 (FADE OUT) is out in November.
27. Thanks, Kristen! It’s always so nice to hear that.
28. Vivi Anna, thank you so much!
It’s much appreciated!
29. Hi, Travis! Ha, I was thinking out loud when I said that … I was thinking of maybe doing a book from Eve’s point of view, one from Shane’s, etc. But in practical terms it didn’t really work that well. I figured I would stick to Claire’s POV and do the others as short stories! Good catch!
30. Hi, Connie, thanks so much! Currently, there are nine books planned, but I’m crossing fingers for more …
31. Hey, Elayne! Sorry about the lag on Facebook. For some reason that’s always the one I don’t get to before I fall asleep … I promise, I’ll get you friended shortly!
32. Kristen, BLESS YOU. I have such fun writing Myrnin. He’s just … whacked.
33. Hi, Tamara! I was actually asked to write about vampires … and I didn’t really want to at first, because two of my first books (THE UNDEAD and COLD KISS) were vampire books, so I thought I probably didn’t have much else to say about the subject. But when I came up with the idea for Morganville, I just fell in love with it. Couldn’t walk away!
34.
35. Hello, Elie! Wow, you’re asking me questions I hadn’t considered the answers to, really! I never asked myself who Shane’s family patron was … I suspect it might have been Sam, but I don’t know. Sam certainly was the Glass family patron, for sure. As for what’s special about Claire … I think it’s mostly her brains, but it’s also a little bit of something else. What that is, I can’t tell you at this point …
Also, WOW. You really racked up the points!
36. Hello, Kainani! As it happens, I have a new series that’s in the works right now … no deals made as yet, though. But I always have one or two in the works, it seems like. The new series starts with a book called DEAD SEXY.
I’m delighted you’re taking a chance on Morganville. I hope you enjoy it!
37. Hey Elaine! Ahhh, I was WAITING for the Michael or Shane question! Such a tough choice, but … yeah, it’s Shane. Barely. But definitely.
38. Nice to meet you, Dorothy! And yes, I was (and remain!) a HUGE Buffy fan. And Angel fan. And Forever Knight fan. And Blood Ties fan … you might say I kind of like vampires.
39.
40. Kainani, thank you — I think I answered your questions above, on #36.
41. Hi, Chris, it’s nice to meet you! Thank you very much for your interest in the series!
42.
43. Amanda, I do indeed having writing rituals. The biggest one is that I MUST have music, preferably headphones. And I need a playlist that I painstakingly assemble for the thing I’m writing. Also, coffee doesn’t hurt, usually cafe mocha.
44. Thanks, Elaine!
45. Elie, yeah, sorry about the cliffhangers. They kind of kill me too. And yet … I can’t quite stop doing them! As to the complexity of Morganville … true. I love discovering the town. I keep it straight mainly with notes and indexes, but I’m probably not quite as organized about it as I should be!
46. Hi, Dean! I have so much fun writing Eve. I actually originally made her Goth because I knew someone very much like her in college, who was Goth before it was a lifestyle.
But yes, she does remind me of Abby on NCIS, too!
47. Thanks, Karen!
48.
49. Thank you so much, Lorraine! I certainly hope you enjoy the books. You can always try them out (call it a test drive!) at my website … I have extensive sample chapters posted of everything.
50. Jerry, thank you, what a great compliment! I love writing dialogue, but it’s one of those deceptively difficult things, no doubt about it. I do sometimes read things aloud, but I’ve been doing it long enough that I hear the character voices very clearly in my head, so it’s gotten a lot easier over the years. I do think that reading aloud helps get a rhythm to your dialogue and prose as well, though. I highly recommend it.
… okay, I’m worn out, guys! I’ll be back tomorrow to tackle the next 50 questions. Thank you SO MUCH for the great enthusiasm and excitement!
– Rachel
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my friend just turned me on to your books and just ordered my first one. My question is where do you get your inspiration
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Hi Rachel!
Welcome to Bitten By Books! What a great post! Wow. I thought I had it rough somedays, she definitely has me beat!
My question would be this. If you had to pick one of your characters or one fictional character from any genre, to have dinner with, who would it be and why?
Thanks for stopping by!
(Oh goddess, I twittered, FB, friends with BBB everywhere, friend Rachel on twitter and joined her fan page, posted to Mark Henry and Dakota Cassidy’s groups, and BBB is on my blog roll.
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Number 6:
I shared here on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbittenbybooks.com%2F%3Fp%3D8605&t=Virtual+Launch+Party%2C+Chat+%26%23038%3B+Sony+e-Reader+Contest+with+Author+Rachel+Caine#/spgirls?ref=profile
I shared here on my space:
http://bulletins.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bulletin.ShowMyBulletins
I shared here on twitter:
https://twitter.com/spgirls
I shared here on Google Bookmarks:
http://www.google.com/bookmarks/lookup?sig=hT_V611iJM8rbkBrpMSDkA&hl=en&btnA&sig=hT_V611iJM8rbkBrpMSDkA&btnA=Add+bookmark&bkmk=1&ctz=150
I shared it here on live:
https://skydrive.live.com/sharefavorite.aspx%2f.SharedFavorites??marklet=1&mkt=en-us&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbittenbybooks.com%2F%3Fp%3D8605&title=Virtual%20Launch%20Party%2C%20Chat%20%26%23038%3B%20Sony%20e-Reader%20Contest%20with%20Author%20Rachel%20Caine&top=1
Shelley D.
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Oh my! I want one of these digital reader in the worst way. I read about 150 books a year. I am always looking for more great authors .
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Rachel–Will you be writing another YA paranormal series after the Morganville series is done? If so, do you know which paranormal creatures will be in the novel?
What about branching into another genre? Will you do that in future novels?
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P.S. I’m HUGE fan of the Morganville series!
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Hi Rachel. This is Carol, your moderator.
Since the Weather Warden series will be ending, are you able to tell us of any other upcoming plans in the works?
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*My question might be a spoiler, so if you haven’t read CC, don’t read it*
I want to know if you think Claire lost her virginity in an appropriate circumstance and manner?
(I linked to this contest in my review post http://www.iheartmonster.com/2009/06/book-inspection-carpe-corpus-by-rachel.html and I tweeted, and I bought the book… emailing you receipt)
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I forgot to say that I RSVPed
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Number 7:
I’m already a subscribed to the Bitten by Books newsletter!
I’m a member of The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community. My user name is spgirls!
Here’s the link to my page: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/spgirls
I joined Goodreads:
Under the name of Shelley Downton
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2476522
I’m a member of Bitten by Books facebook group already, under the name of Shelley Downton.
I’m (Shelley Downton) friends with Bitten by Books in Myspace.
I’m a friend on facebook (Shelley Downton)
Already following Bitten by Books on Twitter.
Shelley D.
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Hi Rachel Im new to your work I havent read anything yet but I do plan on it
what is your favorite color personally i like them all but those neon colors
second question is what are the top ten things you can and cant live with out not pretained to writing
BBB
I rsvped
i have you on
myspace -myspace.com/forever14n9
good reads
blood bank- Beverly Gordon
face book- Beverly Gordon
twitter -@bainesgoddess
face book group
my blog roll - http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/
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http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/profile/CheriHolt Hey I really need to win the sony e reader ! I turn 44 in a August and need a real birthday gift this year. Not a OOOOPS I forgot! Thanks I want to get your books they sound really good.
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Number 8:
I spread the word here:
http://community.eharlequin.com/most-recent-blogpost
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=497883766
Shelley D.
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Hi Rachel! You certainly write fantastic books. I’d never read teen lit, much less teen vamp lit, but I stumbled upon your Morganville series in a book compilation (Eve’s backstory) and was instantly hooked.
I’m glad for this contest if only to be able to ask this question: Will Claire ever take Monica down?!
Okay, I know you might not be able to actually answer this spoiler-type question, but Monica is the ultimate ‘mean’ girl, haha.
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Not sure I appreciate this genre much but I love that there is such a variety to chose from.
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I also posted the link here on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/home.php?ref=home
Shelley D.
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i joined your news letter
added you to face book
fanned you on face book
added you to myspace- myspace.com/forever14n9
and am following you on twitter - @bainesgoddess
added you to my blog roll -http://zenes-escape.blogspot.com/
stumbled when i rsvped stumbling again
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shared on face book
myspace
my blog
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Hi, Rachel! I must tell you I love the Weather Wardens series and quite enjoy the Morganville Vampires as well. I would like to know, however, whether you find it difficult writing so many tough things for your heroines’ lives? Claire, in particular, seems to go from one no-win situation to another.
Okay, contest stuff…
…I am subscribed to the BBB newsletter and friends with BBB on Goodreads and there is a link to BBB on my blog (http://ecogryff.livejournal.com/).
…I posted the banner and a link at my blog (http://ecogryff.livejournal.com/).
…I am friends with Rachel at my / her blog (Hi! It’s ecogryff!).
Tania L
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Oh! Rachel, I forgot to mention that I too really loves storms. I spent a few of my formative years in Texas (Amarillo and Midland) and the rest of my childhood in Northern Arizona with those really great thunderstorms. I have seriously considered becoming a storm chaser…and still occasionally consider it! It’s always nice to “meet” another storm lover…or get to fangirl one! : )
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Ah! My first comment got deleted when I posted my second! I hope I can remember stuff.
Rachel, I love the Weather Warden series and really enjoy the Morganville Vampires as well. Do you ever find it difficult, however, to write so much tough stuff for your heroines’ lives? Claire, in particular, seems to go from one no-win situation to another.
Contest stuff. I have…
…subscribed to the BBB newsletter, friended BBB on Goodreads, and put a link to BBB on my blog (http://ecogryff.livejournal.com/).
…posted the banner and a link to this evet on my blog.
…friended Rachel on her / my blog (Hi, it’s “ecogryff”!)
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It may have been asked, and you may not answer but give me a hint, are you planning on turning claire into a Vampire? Or is it a definite no no?
Thanks
Vampire Thief
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Congrats on your new release! I love all your books and series.
Here’s my question for you: Do the character’s in your story ever seem to whisper in your ear and have you writing in a completely new and surprising direction then you thought you would originially go?
On another note:
I RSVPed for this contest.
I am a subscriber to Bitten By Books already.
I am following Rachel Caine
I am following Bitten By Books on Twitter.
I have Twittered about this contest.
Bitten By Books is on my Blogroll: http://ladyvampire2u.blogspot.com/
I have posted about this contest on my blog here: http://ladyvampire2u.blogspot.com/2009/07/july-contest-kick-offs.html
Thanks! April H LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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For someone who hasn’t read your series yet, can you give a reason why they should? Given the many choices out there in stories of this type, that is. And what order does the series go in?
Margay
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Okay I am brand new, I am glad to see the list of where to start to look for your works. I will advertise and am a friend of bitten would love to be your friend too cause now I am intrigued. what “rules” do your vampires have that i should know?
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So far I have only read The Weather Warden series & some of the stories you make available on your website but am looking forward to reading Morganville and Outcast. I think the Weather Warden series is great I can imagine it as a movie series. Thank you so much for your kindness and generousity in offering so many stories for free on your website.
How do you go about creating the physical setting of the ‘world’ within your novels? How much of the details like street names, cafes etc. do you make up/base on reality?
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Hi Rachel, I am going through withdrawl waiting for my copy of CC to come. I just can’t seem to get into anything else!
My questions could be spoilers if you haven’t read the books yet.
I had one more question, about Claire’s attachment to Amelie. It said something in it think LOM about blood for blood, done the old way…is that because hers can’t be removed like others? Also, does it really tighten if she tries to remove it? OK, I more…does it act as a kind of homing or distress beacon?
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Hi Rachel, I am going through withdrawl waiting for my copy of CC to come. I just can’t seem to get into anything else!
My questions could be spoilers if you haven’t read the books yet.
I had one more question, about Claire’s attachment to Amelie. It said something in it think LOM about blood for blood, done the old way…is that because hers can’t be removed like others? Also, does it really tighten if she tries to remove it? OK, I more…does it act as a kind of homing or distress beacon?
I really enjoyed your books, keep up the good work!
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I am following Rachel on twitter annedoggett
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3. Rachel, it was lovely to meet you last month in Camden - when are you next coming back to the UK?
7. BBB on my blogroll @ http://glowstars.net/?page_id=380
9. I signed up to the newsletter and have sent you the verification.
I already follow Rachel on Twitter (@glowstars)
Both of Rachel’s blog links are up at http://glowstars.net/?page_id=380
10. http://twitter.com/glowstars/status/2419838186
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Great to have you on BBB, Rachel C! I’m a fan of your Weather Wardens and am sad to hear it’s ending. Haven’t read the Morganville series yet but they’re climbing my TBR pile.
Will you be starting another paranormal series when Wardens winds up?
If you had the opportunity to be in a hurricane chase car, would you go?
(PS - Rachel S, I RSVP’d. Thanks, sweetie…Shirley H)
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Rachel S - forgot to say I’m already BBB subscribed…Shirley H
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What type of promoting do you enjoy the most?
I’m a follower/subscribed. I joined Rachel’s mailing list. I also read your review of the book. Have a great day.
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I follow Bitten By Books and Rachel Caine on Twitter.
I tweeted about the contest http://twitter.com/blcarol007/status/2421647306
I am Rachel’s “friend” on Facebook, Myspace, and I joined her group. Oh, and I subscribe to her newsletter.
I am Bitten by Books’ “friend” on Facebook and I joined the FB group. Oh and I’ve had Bitten by Books on my google reader (i.e. subscribe) for a while now.
Name of Facebook is: Carolina Rueda
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Hi Rachel, I have just stumbled upon this site and am very intrigued. What was your inspiration to start writing and did you find it extremely hard?
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OK I just found your website by browsing and you have this great contest going on; #9 I have subscribed to your newsletter. have asked to be your friend on Facebook, my name on Facebook: Diane Sadler. #6 I also shared on my facebook. #7 I have subscribed to Bitten by Books. #5 I read the review and the blurb and can see by the description this a book somewhat similar to Vampire Academy series for teen. Many authors are doing this style of books at this time; your book does sound very interesting but do you think this genre will become inundated after the Twilight books?
#3 My question: I have never read your books before but I do read many paranormals, who would you compare yourself to?
Good luck with your books I hope a get the chance to read one of them soon.
Diane
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what was your first book mverno@roadrunner.com
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3. My question for today is: Do you do all your writing at a coffee shop or do you do some of it at a home office?
10. I re-tweeted and included BBB in the tweet this morning.
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Subscribed to Rachel’s newsletter.
Added Rachel as a friend on Facebook.
Joined Rachel Caine Rocks with Weather Wardens and Morganville as a fan on Facebook.
Added as a friend on Myspace… http://www.myspace.com/koshkalady
I am following Rachel on Twitter… http://twitter.com@koshkalady
I posted the Launch Party on Myspace profile comments section &
On Myspace blog both of these can be reached at http://www.myspace.com/koshkalady
I also posted this on Facebook on my wall for http://www.facebook.com/Koshkalady
I also posted the Launch Party info over at Shelfari on my discussion group http://www.shelfari.com/koshkalady http://www.shelfari.com/groups/39488/discussions (Koshka Lady’s Meow Spot…)
I posted info on the Launch Party over on my Ning.com page http://www.ning.com/michelleb25
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I’d like to ask her when she knew she wanted to be a writer. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Sue W.
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tweeted - 7/1 - http://twitter.com/Heatwave316/status/2430577698
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So, picking up from where I left off after I collapsed, uh, I mean, stopped answering last night!
51. Hi, Autumn! Thank you very much … and in answer to your signing question, I’m trying to create a travel schedule that doesn’t kill my bank account, and doesn’t mess me up too badly at the day job … so it’s a struggle. BUT … I’m trying to go where I know there’s interest. Nothing worse than a signing where nobody shows up! I’ve created a performer demand page at Eventful, here: http://www.eventful.com/rachelcaine — click the yellow DEMAND IT button, and it will ask you to enter some basic information about your age and stuff like that, which helps me keep track of my demographics. I’ve already decided to go to the Philadelphia area, because they’re just voting the heck out of it!
52. Deana, hi! To be honest, it seems *easier* to me to write the Morganville series. Which puzzles me, but there ya go!
53. Hi, Patricia — thank you, and I hope you enjoy the books when you get a chance to read one. Like you, I find it’s hard to identify what to read, and find the time to do it … normally, I get recommended books by people who love them, which is great. I also tend to take chances on new authors quite a lot.
54. Hey, Jamie, thanks for the questions (and the very kind words). Growing up I think my favorite book was probably a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories … I have always loved fiction that was, at the time “not meant for girls.”
As to upcoming releases, I’m just horrible at knowing things are coming out, so I have no idea what I’m looking forward to … I only know that every time I walk into a bookstore, I walk out staggering under a load of books I was delighted to find. Sorry that I can’t give you a better answer than that! On the last point — the vampires in Morganville — I knew I wanted it to be sort of the last gathering spot for vampires, because I thought it was interesting to think of them as a kind of endangered species.
55. Thanks for the note, Jessica — and thanks for the good words about the other series! Regarding Morganville, the answer’s not quite clear cut … Claire (the main character) slowly discovers how pervasive and important the vampires are in Morganville. They’re out in the open in some ways — the residents of the town know all about their presence — but they’re not “out” like the vampires in, say, the Sookie Stackhouse books. If that makes sense! They’re around, you know they’re there, but strangers might not recognize them.
56. Hi, Justine — I only wish I was organized enough to have something as sophisticated as a virtual world map.
I mainly keep track by annotating the electronic manuscripts so I can search for things, and also writing myself notes.
57.
58. Hey, Kayla, nice to see you here! Thanks for the kind comments — that’s very nice of you. Regarding keeping the excitement going on long series — you know, I think that every story has a kind of life cycle, and you (as the writer) can feel when it’s drawing to a close. So far, the Morganville series feels very vital to me, very exciting to play with even after 7 (coming up on
books. The Weather Warden series is a little more difficult because of the sheer emotional investment (and world destruction!) involved in each individual installment, but I really love the characters, and I have a great time with all of it. I enjoy writing both of them, but maybe Morganville is a wee bit easier for me.
59. Hello, Nicole! The most rewarding thing about writing, for me, is the wonderful correspondence I get, and the fun of meeting people at signings and events. It really feels as if I’m contributing something that brightens someone’s day, and there’s not much better than that. About your daughter — it really depends on her reading level. If she’s reading the Twilight books, the Vampire Academy books, and/or the House of Night series, then I think mine would be appropriate for her. But there is adult content in terms of some language and (realistic) scary situations.
60. Great to meet you, Lauren! I am indeed working on a proposal for a new series, which will start after the last book of the Weather Warden is completed, so it’ll probably come out toward the end of 2010 would be my guess. The title of the first book is DEAD SEXY.
61. Great question, Adrienne … I was already well into the Morganville story when TWILIGHT began really getting attention, but I was then (and remain) very happy that it made vampires popular with the young adult market. Personally, I enjoyed the books — I read TWILIGHT early on, right after it first was released, and really liked the style of it.
62. Jo, THANK YOU. What a great story — ha, I love it that it was a fluke for you. And you asked an interesting question — I honestly don’t know how writing YA affects me “off duty,” as it were … except that I tend to pay more attention to how teens act, what they’re wearing, what they’re saying to each other … and I end up listening to everything from the Jonas Brothers to Fall Out Boy, so maybe it’s changed my musical taste, too. Regarding the research … I love research, probably way too much. I have entire bookshelves of stuff that I’ve collected just for the Morganville series!
63. Whitney, thank you so much for your support of the series!
As to coming to NYC, you can register a vote and tell me where to go at my Eventful site: http://www.eventful.com/rachelcaine — I’m trying to get a good read on where people really want to see me (and where they don’t!). That’s the best tool I’ve been able to find so far.
64. Haven, thanks for the questions! Regarding casting the (hypothetical!) film/tv show, I’m really not sure … because the four main characters are all young adults, whoever I pick today probably wouldn’t be right for it by the time something really got into production. But as long as someone gets Alan Rickman to show up JUST ONCE, I will be in heaven. … regarding the advice — I wish someone had told me how important it is to become good at promotion, public speaking, and all those other things that you don’t think of as part of writing! And also, that discipline is the key to success. Practice truly is the way you succeed.
65. Hi, Linda — thanks for being here and participating! I’ve written in a number of genres, including horror, mystery/suspense, romantic syspense, media tie-in (I did a Stargate SG-1 novel, most recently), romance, and romantic action/adventure, as well as fantasy and young adult. I guess if I go after anything more, it’d have to be Westerns …
66. Hi, Rachel! FADE OUT finds our four heroes at the Glass House looking forward to “normal life” — as normal as it gets in Morganville, anyway. Eve gets a part in a play, just like she always wanted; Michael’s starting to perform more concerts around town. Shane and Claire happy. And then there’s Kim … a new friend of Eve’s, someone who’s got a past with just about everyone except Claire. And she and Claire don’t get along — but is Kim really the villain, or is Claire overreacting? Stay tuned …
67.
68. Annette, thanks for the question — generally, I don’t base my characters on people I know. They’re more like composites of people I’ve known, or met, or seen. But I rarely put someone in wholesale — usually certain traits, mannerisms, things like that.
69. Hello again, Annette — yes, I do tend to get inspiration from places I’ve visited. Not exclusively — sometimes just reading and looking at photos or videos can help, too.
70.
71. Hi, Gail! Thank you so much, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the books!
72. Dammit, Ruth, now I have to rewrite the ending.
73. Hi, Vickie! Ha, music is my not-so-secret vice. I make new playlists for each thing I work on, and it’s become kind of an obsession with me. I need to have headphones when I write, or I get panicky. It’s just sad.
74. Hi, Shell — alas, I am SO bad at answering the question, great though it may be. I just can’t seem to cast anyone for the characters in Morganville! I can do all of the Weather Warden series, but I keep changing my mind about who I like for Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael. Help me out!
75. Thank you, Tiffany!
And I’d love to make them bigger, but the publisher has a certain word count for that particular line of books, so I can’t really get it too much bigger without getting in trouble — however, they *are* putting out a 2-in-1 edition of GLASS HOUSES and THE DEAD GIRLS’ DANCE in trade paperback in November!
76. Seri, great question … these days, I guess that deadlines have their own momentum to keep me moving, but I think the real answer must be that I treat it like actual work. It’s something I schedule in daily, and I’m pretty disciplined about it.
77. Hello, Rebecca — thanks for the question! I write about 3 hours a day on weekdays (I have a full time day job), and about 6 hours a day on weekends. It takes me about 2 months, generally, to write a book at that pace.
78. Wendy, I am deeply honored to be classified in the same category as cupcakes. CUPCAKES ROCK! Alas, I have no explanation, I just write what pleases me. I’m surprised and very happy that other people like it too!
79.
80. Crystal, I’m so glad to see you here! I’m glad what I said helped you out with your writing — it’s never easy, but it’s so exciting when you really get into the story, isn’t it?! Best wishes!
81. Amanda, bless you for all that!
I feel shiny. As to how I create the different mythologies and characters … you know, I find that it works one of two ways — either the characters come first and create the worlds (which is what happened with the Weather Warden series), or the world comes first and creates the characters within it (as happened with Morganville). It’s tough to be coherent about how it really works though … I wish I had a better way to explain how it happens, but it’s mainly a matter of doing a whole lot of “what if” and rejecting the first few ideas because they’re too easy. 
Good luck with your writing!
82.
83. Thanks for the question, Carmen — I think it becomes more challenging, as the relationship grows between Claire and Shane, to keep the books as young adult, but it’s not because of the relationship per se … it’s more a matter of the life experience they’re both getting throughout the books. They’re growing up, and that’s what needs to happen for the stories to remain credible, I think. Just not too fast!
84. Hi, Patty, thanks! Next up in the Weather Warden series is CAPE STORM, which is book 8 of the series — the next to last one! In it, Joanne and David have to set out on a quest — along with the majority of the Wardens — to try to stop Bad Bob before he brings an end to the world, once and for all. On a cruise ship. In a hurricane. Y’know, the usual.
Lewis has a particularly strong role in this one, I think. CAPE STORM comes out in early August!
85. Hey, Nancy! Thank you so much for the enthusiasm and support! As to the Day family … yeah, they’re still around. Lisa’s had a bit of trouble, but we’ll see her again soon, and her cousin is now the sheriff, so Gramma Day will be around quite a bit.
86. Nice to meet you, Cheryl! I think my favorite sport is probably tennis. Although I also love fencing!
87. Nice to see you here, Maree!! Yay for Tweeter People! (And thank your daughter for me, too.) I’d have to say that the Morganville books actually come a wee bit easier for me, which is surprising and a little mystifying. About the zone … yeah, I usually go back and read at least half of the previous book to get the flow going again, and as I’m writing it, I always read at least 20 pages back before where I’m taking up new stuff, just to keep it all going.
88. Hello, Liza! And thanks to your daughter, too — I’m currently contracted for 9 books in the Morganville series, but I’m hoping that it’ll end up more. Crossed fingers!
89. Hi, Dianne — great question, and I’d have to say that my best advice for getting past writer’s block is change where you write (physically), change when you write, even change up all the little rituals you fall into to break your routine. And if that doesn’t work, try skipping to a different point in your story. Some people actually work better in a non-linear way!
90. Hi, Cindy — thanks for the questions! There will definitely be two more Morganville books AFTER the release of FADE OUT (both out in 2010). And yes, I’m working up a proposal for another series, the first book of which is called DEAD SEXY — wish me luck!
91. Hello, Renee — I did grow up reading fantasy and science fiction (my Dad was a huge fan), but I honestly never thought I’d be good enough to be a professional writer. I didn’t so much plan it as luck into it, I guess! I wrote for myself, and when a friend encouraged me to talk to some visiting editors who were in town, I ended up getting a chance to submit something, and they liked it, and I ended up getting published. From there, I suppose I just was too crazy to stop!
92. Hey, Michelle! Yeah, sorry about those cliffhangers … sigh. There will definitely be two more books in the Morganville series (at least). I do kind of have the ending planned, but I usually leave myself plenty of room to find new ideas as I go, though … so it’s more of a guideline!
93. Hello, Bridget, it’s great to meet you! Wow, you really have gone the extra mile! In answer to your question, I usually don’t base characters on people I know … mainly, I use individual traits, or the way they speak, or maybe part of their appearance, but I don’t like to use real people in my stories, generally.
94. Raonald, what a fantastic name! And I mourn for your departed ebook reader.
Sad, really. In answer to your question — eeeeeek, so many choices! But I would dearly love to have written something with Roger Zelazny, who was one of my all-time writer heroes. Sadly gone now, but I still read his Amber series every year.
95. Hello, Doreen — there’s a *chance* that we could see a Morganville film or TV show! It’s been optioned by British producer Charles Armitage, who was associated with the legendary show RED DWARF. And we continue to work to get it made! As far as favorite book … I’d probably say it’s a tie between FEAST OF FOOLS and Book 4 of my Weather Warden series, WINDFALL. (Although to be honest I always am nervous about reading my own books. I’m just judging by the experience of writing them.)
96.
97. Valorie, hi! Ooooh, I could watch PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL every day. And ALIENS. And SILVERADO. Those are probably my top three, ever, followed closely by SERENITY.
98. Kate, it’s great to meet you! Well, I’ve actually liked vampire fans a long time — my first original novel (THE UNDEAD, in 1991) was a vampire book. I’ve always loved writing about them — as to why I wrote them in Morganville, it was mainly because the publisher suggested it. I wasn’t all that eager to do it at first — I had to come up with something that was original and interesting to me before I could do it. Once I did, though, I’m really glad I said yes!
99. Hey, Kay! Of the three shows you mentioned, it’s BUFFY, hands down, although I love TRUE BLOOD as well (for different reasons) and MOONLIGHT had its good points. I’d also suggest FOREVER KNIGHT, and BLOOD TIES.
100. Hi, Janice — you’ve asked about something dear to my heart. It’s really difficult to have a work/life balance, but it’s almost impossible to have a work/work/life balance, which is what I seem to do. I cope by writing early mornings, from 5:30 to 8:30, then I go to work until about 7 pm, then I come home and have family time and do chores and return email (or these posts!) until about 11 pm. Then I do it all over again. Saturday and Sunday (and holidays) I write for about 6 hours from 5:30 to 11:30 or 12, and then spend the rest of the day relaxing or doing stuff with friends and family. That’s pretty much my story!
… and on that note, I will attempt to restore my balance, and take up the cause again tomorrow night. Thank you ALL for such wonderful participation!
Rachel
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Hi Rachel. I’ve got a question…obviously. Ok here it goes, What was your inspiration for all of your books?
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Hello, Rachel! I’m a h