It's after midnight and by now, I've usually crawled into bed, with my mind settling into a nice daydream before finally drifting off to sleep. However, tonight my mind is too active. I spent 20 minutes starting at my overloaded bookshelves, trying to decide on some thing to briefly read before trying once again to fall asleep. But I couldn't decide on anything.

I've been trying to find the correct wording for this blog posting for more than a week. Like many authors, I tend to be a private person and prefer to keep my family out of my writing life out of respect for their privacy. Unfortunately, my private life has begun to leak into the rest of my life.

As you may have noticed on my blog and twitter, I have been very quiet recently. A family emergency has occurred and will be taking up a great deal of my time and attention during the near term. I wish I could say that everything is going to be fine and work out, but then it wouldn't be an emergency if I could say that.

For the next few weeks to couple of months, I will be focused on my family, with my writing deadlines falling second in the line of priority. If you're expecting an email from me, I will try to catch up on them this weekend.

I am sorry if you feel neglected for a while. I haven't forgotten about my dear readers. I have already begun to miss our interaction, but for now, I need to step away and focus on my family.

I will pop in when I can. Thanks for your patience during these next few weeks. I greatly appreciate it.

Your friend,
Jocelynn Drake

I've managed to catch up on some things that have slipped through the cracks recently. I had a really bad weekend and was forced to take some time off of work. However, I am happy to report that I did edit two chapters of Book 4 today, and I'm hoping to slip in one more before I go to bed tonight. I've replied to a number of comments on my discussion board, so pop by and see what kind of messes I've been making. I also shipped off more than 150 title suggestions for Book 4 to my editor. I'm praying that she doesn't kill me for sending so many. I'm also praying that she finds at least one or two that she may like because I'm tapped out. Thanks to all my discussion board members for your amazing suggestions.

Tonight, I also finished a type of introductory letter to the members of the Science Fiction Book Club. Next month, Nightwalker and Dayhunter will be released in a single book called "Dark Days." On their site, they will have a brief letter from me about my thoughts on the series. Once it is released on SFCB, I think I will also post it on my discussion board. I think it does a good job of encapsulating my thoughts on the series, how it started, and possibly where I'm headed. Of course, I'm hoping that it meets with the approval of my editor first.

In the meantime, keep a close eye on the blog. I think I'm going to be throwing a massive contest once I finish my edits for Book 4 as a way of celebration.

I had big plans for the day. I had all these minor things I was going to catch up on before I started my edits for the day. However, I fell down a detour. I'm not complaining. It was an enjoyable excursion, but one that has changed my day a bit and given me some plans for the weekend (assuming naturally that I hit my writing target).

It occurred to me when I ran across a posting on my discussion board that I've probably picked up a few new readers since the release of Dayhunter and they might not know about all the places that I hang out and take questions. So, today is an update/review kind of day.

Blogging:
As you may have noticed, you can always find me on Blogger and I have matching blog over on LiveJournal. The content is the same, but it give you a chance to pick which forum you like the best.

Social Networking:
I can also be found on MySpace and Facebook. I will admit that I'm updating Facebook a little bit faster than MySpace at the moment, but I check both sites on a daily basis.

Twitter:
Yes, I am one of those poor souls that is currently addicted to Twitter. There are a lot of great authors who are currently tweeting and it's a wonderful way to keep up with so many of my friends. Stop by and catch some of my more random thoughts.

Discussion Board:
My discussion board is called the Dark Room and it is a place where readers can get together and chat about different aspects of the series, other great books they're readings, and other random things like what's playing on your MP3 player. I pop by on a daily basis and have been known to drop a spoiler or two.

At the moment, I am running a title contest on the discussion board. I need help coming up with a title for Book 4. I am taking suggestions through Saturday, June 20, so hurry over and add your two cents. You could win a nice prize.

Finally,
The books:
I am the author of the Dark Days series, which follows Mira and Danaus as they fight the naturi and struggle with the members of the nightwalker Coven.

Nightwalker -- released July 2008
Dayhunter -- released April 2009
Dawnbreaker -- due to be released in September 2009
Unbound -- anthology -- due to be released August 2009

Get your copies now!!

For more information about the series, you can always check out my web site, www.JocelynnDrake.com . I've got unique background information about the series on the site.

Also, if all this doesn't help and you've still got a question, I can be reached at jocelynn DOT drake AT gmail DOT com.

Thanks and if you're new to the series or new to the blog, welcome!

The rain here continues. It seems as if it has rained more days than not during the past couple of months and I'm getting a little sick of it. Sure, I don't go outside much since I spent most of my time locked to my laptop, but when I do stick my head out the door, I would like to see a ray of sunshine and a bit of blue sky. Am I asking too much? Am I whining? Probably so.

I am still working on my edits for Book 4 and I'm happy with how they are progressing. The storyteller and I are starting to see eye to eye on a few matters, which is making the progress a little easier. Each book I've written has had it own batch of troubles and I've managed to hurdle these problems in the end. However, I have to admit that I'm not always sure how I'm going to get it done until I'm actually at the end of the book. I put a lot of trust in my subconscious imagination. It's a lot smarter than I am.

I've reached the point where I'm wondering if I am running behind. I think that if I complete 4,000 words per day, I should be able to hit my deadline of July 6. So far, things are running smoothly, which is what has me concerned. Revisions aren't supposed to run smoothly. They are supposed to have me pulling my hair out and beating my head against the wall as I struggle to make the story do what I need it to do. I'm growing concerned.

In other news, I may have forgotten to mention that if you are a member of the Science Fiction Book Club, they will be releasing an omnibus version of Nightwalker and Dayhunter combined in July. If you would like both books combined in a single, lovely book, hop over their as soon as possible and get your copy.

Saturday was my last full day in Charlotte, NC and I can't think of a better way to have spent it. I got the chance to meet with my good friend, fellow writer, and personal mentor over the past several years. She was there when I made my first pitch to a publisher, stumbled through my first conference, suffered through a seemingly endless barrage of rejection letters, and gained both my agent and editor. She's always been there with her wit and wisdom ready for me when I needed a quick pick-me-up or just some sage advice when self-doubt was overwhelming.

Yesterday, I planted myself at her house for several hours where we were able to catch up, tell tall tales with her wonderful family, and eat lots of good food. I had a great relaxing afternoon, which is just what I needed to recharge my batteries. I'm ready to jump back into writing. Or in my particular case at the moment, revisions of Book 4.

While sitting on the back porch in a pair of comfortable chairs under the shade, I brought up a topic that has been eating away at the back of my brain for a few months now. Ending a series. She's written a few series and is drawing close to ending yet another one. I was wondering if she felt any resistance or regret at ending a series.

I've been making some long-term sketches for the series and I've come to realize that there is a definite ending to Mira and Danaus's stories. Don't worry! This is a long, long, long way off if I have my way about it. However, I have to have a long-term goal that I'm working toward for the entire series; something that I'm edging toward with each book. I have to admit that the idea of not having Mira and Danaus around every day is a very scary thought for me. They have been constant companions for more than five years. It feels as if I would be losing some of my family. Yet, at some point, everyone has to move on with their lives, including book characters.

After talking with my mentor, I think I will be ready for it when the series ends, but it's gonna hurt and I am very grateful that the end is still very far away.

I know I don't say it enough, but thanks to all my readers for joining me on this roller-coaster ride. I love spending time in the Dark Days world and I'm glad you're here to enjoy it with me.

I'm going to try to keep this post short since I am currently battling a dehydration headache and I'm just not ready to be moving around yet.

After an initial rough start of locating my backstage pass, I got into the concert to discover that I had front row seats just after the pit. The opening band was Street Sweeper Social Club and they remind me a lot of Rage Against the Machine, and I'm not just saying that because Tom Morello is their guitarist. They were excellent and I plan on downloading their album. Let's just say that Tom Morello is freaking amazing. It was the first time I had ever seen him in concert and he put on a hell of a show. In case you don't know who he is, Tom Morello was the amazing, astounding, genius guitarist behind Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave.

Second was Nine Inch Nails. I've been to several of their concerts at this point and I always get chills when I see Trent Reznor sweep out onto the stage. He is just so amazing. They actually played two songs that I didn't recognize at all -- which is both strange and exciting. I thought I was very familiar with all his work. Apparently not. However, he also played "I'm Afraid of Americans", which he originally recorded with David Bowie, along with perrenial favorites such as "Gave Up" and "The Fragile." Trent was amazing and I was in heaven.

And then it got better.

At 9:00 p.m., I was taken backstage where I got a little black book I carry for notes signed by the members of Jane's Addiction. Ten of us were selected to go backstage, meet the band, and have them play for us a few songs as they warmed up. Sadly, I can't remember what they played. My brain had shut down. I was sitting in a small room with the original members of Jane's Addiction. I remember that Dave Navarro is amazing on the guitar and I could watch and listen to him play for hours. Perry Farrell was very animated and sipped from a wine bottle throughout the songs. And Stephen Perkins had a big grin on his face the whole time he drummed. Eric Avery stood just at my shoulder so I didn't seen him too clearly, but he seemed very intent on each song.

After the meet and greet session, we were guided backstage where we were allowed to watch the Jane's concert from the sidelines instead of at our seats. It was so awesome. Tom Morello walked up during the last couple songs and watched the show as well. I stood near him, but didn't have the courage to say anything. I figured he had had a long night and didn't need me bugging him. The guitarist for NIN also stopped by for a few minutes as well. The only thing missing is that I didn't get to meet Trent, but I'm not complaining. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it was freaking amazing.

Tonight is my night off. Actually, it turns out that I've pretty much taken the whole day off except for 2 hours of work at my dayjob this morning before my flight. Today, I am in Charlotte, NC for a Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction concert. If you've not learned this about me yet, I am a huge NIN fan. I've plotted and written four books to NIN music. Trent Reznor manages to capture the full range of Mira's moods.

So, I've flown a few hundred miles to see NIN and Jane's in what will probably be the most awesome concert.

I'm taking my camera along in hopes of snagging a couple good pictures. Fingers crossed.

But don't worry, my agent and editor if you are reading this, I have also brought along my edits for Book 4. I will be working at some point this weekend. It's not all fun and games for Miss Drake.

Well, the time is drawing close and I'm so excited I'm positively giddy. Can you imagine it? A vampire writer that's giddy? Frightening, I know.

Catch you later and have a great weekend!!

I just found out that Jeaniene Frost is giving away 3 Advanced Reader Copies of Unbound, the anthology that features Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr, Kim Harrison, Vicki Pettersson, and myself.

If you would like to get in on this contest, please visit her site and follow the directions. The deadline is Friday, June 12! So time is limited. Please hurry!

It's a gray, rainy day outside and all I can think is that I would really, really like to take a nap. Just curl up under the covers, the overhead fan set on medium, and thunder rumbling outside of my window. I would drift away on a blanket of dark storm clouds and stop worrying about Mira and Danaus.

Yeah, but that just ain't gonna happen. I've got a pile of edits waiting for my attention. Things are progressing in the right direction. I've chopped out two chapters, which felt surprisingly good. I typically don't subtract from a book when I'm editing. I'm adding. But since I subtracted two chapters, that means I have even MORE room to add new stuff. Yay! I'm twisted, I know it.

I've already sent my editor the new first chapter and she's happy with it, so that means that I'm headed in the right direction. I've just got to stay on the path and all will be well. Except for Mira. Poor Mira. This is going to be a rough book for her. But then, aren't they all?

Anyway... don't forget that I'm still accepting submissions for Book 4 titles over on my discussion board. Add your two cents. Just think: your brilliant idea could end up on the cover of my next book!!!! Well, that and I'm giving stuff away. Even if my editor doesn't pick an idea from those submitted, I will choose a name at random and give stuff away.