Nothing is ever perfect

In the beginning of my writing career I created a six book series. Most of you know it, some of you have read it. It was my first love when it came to writing. It also was my first dive into self publishing.

I love Wingless. But in all honesty, I have grown as a writer. I have learned a lot, I know more now than I did back in 2009. Therefore, I wanted to take what I know now and polish up Wingless, because it deserves it.

Since 2009, I have learned how to dive into sex scenes, I have learned to show more and not tell so much. I have learned what words are just useless, not to repeat the same thing over and over in different ways. I really could go on and on about what I have learned.

I am not perfect. I still have flaws just like anybody in this universe. But I believe I have what it takes now to improve on this story.

I remember the first time it went out, I remember the very first comments,the good, the bad, the first raving reader (I still speak to this lovely lady to this day). I have discovered a lot of readers who enjoyed my Wingless series. I have enjoyed them all.

So therefore I am working on bettering something that I believe in. And there is nothing funner than taking something and revamping it. It's like a dilapidated house that you give a lot of tlc and end up with a beautiful castle.

I designed a new cover. And so far the rewrite is going great.

So my question for writers, looking back on your first book, do you think its what it should be? Would you rewrite it? Or do you choose to live and learn.

Enjoy the weekend.

Ink bonus scene: Slade meets Hope.

Hey guys! here's a Ink bonus scene from Slade's POV. We all know what Hope thought the first time she met Slade. Well, here is what he thought when he met Hope.



I walked the grounds of Henry Park. My gig was over and I was trying to pass the time, you never could sleep in a park filled with rock music and a bunch of guys who think their badasses.
I wasn't to surprised to see another Cherry resident trying to make her way into Henry Park. They all wanted to live on the edge. Only difference with most they were to afraid to give it a shot. She was different. I could see it.
It was hard to hold back the smirk as I watched her try to survive among the darkside. And pink, come on. Who wore pink to a metal concert?
I slung the bat over my shoulder and watched. I knew in a few more minutes she would be stuck to the bottom of a steel toed boot. I probably wouldn't have cared any other time, but she was hot. Not like any other girl around Cherry.

Something different and I wanted to save her. I wanted her to look into my eyes and thank me for saving her miserable life.
So I started swinging, it didn't take much to get things moving. They all know who I am, nobody puts up much of a fuss when it comes to the Evil Kings of Ink.
I warned myself girls in pink were trouble for me. I was going to end up kicking my own ass for rescuing her I knew it. But she was lucky, for once I was in a good mood. I was willing to be her savior.

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Another Sample Sunday

Sorry I'm late. Been a busy day, but I haven't forgot about sample Sunday. After some browsing of the newest book I came upon a part I found just great. One of those parts that make you smile. Do any of you know someone like this? Enjoy and have a great week!

“I don’t know why I am here,” Nick said, he unbuttoned his jacket as he sat down next to Elle at Sadie’s funeral service. “I didn’t even know the girl.”

“Because I’d rather have you here with me than Pauly or our mother,” Elle whispered.

She watched more and more people fill the seats all around them.

“You owe me big time. I was supposed to golf today with Dad,” Nick settled back into his seat and threw his arm around the back of his sister’s. He watched all the mourners, shaking his head every few minutes and muttering to himself.

“It’s called supporting someone. And stop acting like you’re at the movies. This is someone’s funeral,” Elle reminded him.

“What happened to her?” Nick stared at the casket. “You think it was something awful seeing its shut?” He nodded at the man in front of them that looked over his shoulder with a frown on his face.

“I didn't ask. It’s not something you just ask about,” Elle snapped. “Be quiet before we are the first people ever to get thrown out of a funeral.

Elle fidgeted in her seat, her cheeks warm as more eyes gravitated in their direction. Her brother could be so insensitive sometimes.

Elle recognized Sadie’s mother as she stood up to speak.

“Sadie was my only daughter. The light of my life. And although she lived the last half of her life on the wrong side of the tracks, she still was my little girl. She just was my little girl with problems. More problems than she could handle. I always asked Sadie if things could be perfect, what would you want, baby? And she always had the same answer. She would laugh and then look me in the eye and tell me, if everything was perfect what would be the point, Mom? I’m going to miss hearing her laugh. I’m going to miss her phone calls. I’m going to miss her imperfections,” Sadie’s mother said. She wiped at her eyes and took her seat.

Elle follwed the line of people to pay her respect to Sadie. She stared at her feet as the line moved closer and closer to Sadie’s casket.

“Do you want to get lunch after this?” Nick whispered.

“Shut up,” Elle hissed. She straightened up when she was in front of Sadie’s mom. “Ms. Harris. I’m sorry about Sadie.”

Saturday Surprise!

Saturday Sneak Peek


My eyes opened as soon as I heard him come through the door. He was home, but I quickly shut them and stayed warm nestled underneath Moms knitted Afghan. Dad set his keys down on the dining room table and settled into his favorite spot.
“Good your home,” Austin said from the recliner. He always woke up when Dad was getting home from a late shift. I swore any other time he slept like a rock.
Dad wasn’t one to discuss his career with me. I was a girl, I was extra sensitive to the ways of the world, as he put it. Austin was a grown man. He could handle hearing about all the gore.
“John Moore’s fixing that old barn finally, I hear he’s buying more horses,” Dad said.
“What happened out there?” Austin asked, if Dad was at the Moore’s it meant one of two things. John was dead or someone nearby was.
Dad was silent for a couple seconds. I opened my eyes just the slightest. Dad stroked the stubble on his chin. His sleek fingers came to a stop right before he began talking.
“It was the weirdest thing. We got out to the address, it was the house across the street from the Moore’s. The only thing I noticed was blood and a broken window.” Dad grabbed for the remote.
I squeezed my eyes shut staying still. No body. That was unheard of. I wondered what Dad thought about it.
“What about the neighbors,” Austin asked. “You guys are by the book. You had to have gone door to door to figure it out right?”
Dad cleared his throat. “Of course, but at any rate, it made my night shorter. Another dead body would have kept me up for days trying to find the suspect behind it.”
I scratched my nose, unable to keep still any longer.
“What are you doing listening?” Dad snapped. I sat up, snagging my pillow off the couch. I rolled my eyes heading for the stairs.
“I wouldn’t have to eavesdrop if you ever told me anything about what goes on around here,” I grumbled.
“Raven, some things are better left unknown. What good would it do for you to know how ugly this world is?” Dad asked. He said the same thing every time I tried to be included in his life.
“Being naïve gets a girl nowhere either. It gets them in trouble. That's what Mom used to say,” I stuck out my chin, giving dad a good stare and headed for the stairs.
I hit the light and crawled under the covers, staring at the moon as it beamed through my curtains, illuminating everything in its path. I loved the soft glow it made. It reminded me when I was little, when my Mom and I would sit on the porch and watch the fireflies at night. Her soft hair always tickled my shoulders when she hugged me. She smelled like flowers and cinnamon. It was the only memory I really had of her.
Mom was always trying to instill wisdom in me even when I was a little girl. Even before some of the rules applied, before I even knew any of it would mean anything to me. Now it all meant something.
I closed my eyes; the soft sounds outside easily lulled me to sleep.

Enjoy the weekend!

Sneak peek Wednesday

Looking for another peek at the newest project I am working on? Well, have no fear! I have brought some more for everyone to enjoy. Leave your thoughts, share with the world, it all makes me smile. Hope everyone enjoys! And most importantly have a beautiful day!!

Peek #2


I dropped the dish rag into the kitchen sink and gave one last look at Dad; I would have to pry the information out of him when he came inside. I plopped down on the couch. My eyes settled on the television. I had no clue where Hunter had put the remote, so I watched the commercial.
My older brother, Austin pulled the lever at the side of the recliner. He scratched his head staring across the room confused.
“It’s Wednesday. Eight thirty,” I said, dropping my head against the sofa.
Austin rummaged for his cell phone on the end table, his hand knocked over the three newspapers and an old bottle of soda from one of the fast food restaurants he ate at on a regular basis.
I watched him fail at finding his phone before I retrieved it from the kitchen counter where I placed it. I handed it over.
“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver.” Austin lit a cigarette, those he could always find. He sifted through his phone searching for anything useful, anything that gave him a reason to get off the recliner and do something—which hardly ever happened. He was depressed and troubled, as Dad put it.
“I think Dad is going to be late tonight.” I stared out the window at the sherriff and Dad as they continued to talk. “I wonder what happened now.”
Austin exhaled. “The same thing that always happens. Someone got really fucking mad and now someone else is dead.”
I wasn’t sure if anger had anything to do with it. I wasn’t certain it always had to be anger. I didn’t know why people killed people, but it happened all the time. Our dad’s endless job was proof of that.
“I guess you’re making dinner,” Austin said, letting out an amused laugh. “What a life for such a young girl to lead.”
I rolled my eyes. I was young but not stupid. “I like my life thank you.”
“You’re telling me you enjoy taking care of a house, and your messed up family?” Austin pulled the lever on the recliner ending our conversation.
“About as much as you enjoy drinking and drugging yourself to death,” I said. “At least I am going somewhere with my life.”
Austin was still. His big feet dangled over the end of the recliner. I wanted to wrench one of his toes backwards and leave him writhing in pain. I hated when he tried to make me feel bad.
“Of course, we all know you’ll be back in school in no time,” Austin laughed.......

CHECK BACK FOR MORE!

Take a peek!

Forever and Never

I stood at the back door, waiting for my dad to finish up.  I gripped the dish rag, my fingers damp, my hair lazily spilled in front of my eyes making everything in front of me  hazy, out of place, like everything else in life.

Hunter kept driving his remote control car across the uneven porch. Its incessant buzz made it almost impossible to overhear what the newest town nightmare was. However, I knew it was something. Dad was only working when someone was dead.

“Hunter, stop it. I’m trying to hear.” I hissed, not taking my eyes off of Dad or the local sheriff from our small town. Hunter, my ten-year-old brother ignored me, like he always did, and ran his car right over my bare toes.

He grinned, pleased with his torture. “You don’t need to hear about dead bodies.”

I rolled my eyes. What did he know?

As his car flew back around I gave it a swift kick sending it flying out of the open door and into the bushes. I smiled, pleased.

Headlights materialized on the kitchen wall, signaling it was time for Hunter to go. We shared the same dad. His mother, Wendy, only allowed Dad to see him on Wednesdays.

I lifted his duffel bag I packed for him and handed it over, running a hand over his messy brown hair. “See you later, punk.”

“See you later,” Hunter said, slugging me in the arm before he ran out the front door.....

Hope everyone enjoyed a peek at the new book. I think I will post a little more next week. I am looking forward to sharing this series with everyone in December! Feel free to let me know your thoughts.

Holly

Ink 2 Book swag

This is a picture of the swag for the Ink 2 giveaway. One lucky winner will receive everything pictured and a copy of my book, Ink 2. The winner will get: OPI black shattered nail polish My favorite book, Jenny Pox by JL Bryan And two skull and heart leather bracelets. And a ebook copy of Ink 2: Twisted Magic

Celebrate Ink 2 release with me!

Want more Slade?

In honor of Ink 2 coming out this month, I will be giving away some Ink-related swag along with a free copy of Ink 2 to one lucky winner! If you haven't read the first and enjoy a good paranormal romance, check it out on Amazon.

Thanks everyone for the support! I wanted to do something fun for the release of Ink 2, so I have some cool swag that reminds me of Ink, along with a paperback copy of my favorite book. I can't wait to find out who gets to enjoy it!



I will be posting pictures of the swag soon! 


Happy reading!!

Holly Hood

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A disgruntled bunch of characters.

Well today is Friday. And I think its been long enough. Things need to be said. Things need to be dealt with. My characters are running a muck in my mind and now one of them wants to take over my blog for the day. So, if you understand what's going on here enjoy the ride. If not, don't worry I'm not crazy. I'm just a writer.

*pulls up a chair and a tablet, dons the white coat, thanks the heavens he doesn't know she's there* This really looks like some kind of Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

"I don't feel we got the justice we deserved. Yeah, sure I know we were her first creation. Her first attempt at storytelling. And I must say, I think I was her best character. But did she really have to pair me up with such a whiny chick? Eve? Really? I had to stoop that low and have a fling with my brother's needy,sometimes mental girlfriend?"

It seems Kenny has a lot of issues with my ways back when I was starting out. He doesn't seem to understand that it was my first run. I think he should appreciate being the first. *Glares at the back of Kenny's head as he keeps talking crap*

"I think I deserve my own book. I want a fair shot at this ridiculous thing called love. She's always writing about love in all these books. I'd love a shot at screwing up Hope's life over in Ink land. I would kick Slade's ass. Oh look at me, I'm dark and brooding and sing rock music. Look at me I'm Kenny Carlo I kill people for a living, I'd win that battle every time."

I'm sensing some jealousy issues. He has a point. But I am not so sure Kenny could survive in a world outside of Wingless. Or rather I am not sure anyone else could survive in their world with Kenny in it.

"I got the shittiest  ending of any of her characters. Forced to love someone she knew I was never meant for. Such a bad rap I probably scare serial killers and than she just up and ends the series. I say we riot and demand another book!"

*shuts the door* I think that about sums it up for today folks.  If we learned anything it would be, don't piss off your characters. They all deserve respect even if some are a little more rough around the edges than others.

Have a happy Friday! And if you never read Wingless (where my writing began) check it out.