Rejected yet again

I'm so sick and tired of rejection letters. They do nothing but drag down my self esteem as a writer. Previously I submitted my new work Captive Temptation. And believe me, this is not a note to rat them out. Actually they told me what was wrong with the story and I'm working to fix it and hopefully re-submit it.

The problem is that I have had several over the past year on the same story. I noticed early on what the problem. There was absolutely no emotion in the story, strictly action. So taking, what they said in stride, I took the year off and work and polished the story making it shine as best as I could without paying money to have it professionally done. I resubmitted the story, and after waiting and waiting I get rejected.

It's frustrating. Writers sit night after night, up late, fighting off sleep, to write beautiful works that readers could relate to, or even sigh to. But for some of us, we never get to that point. Or in my case, we've gotten to that point before and it was great, but we were jipped out of the glory of the whole ordeal, given false sense of securities and told that our story's were great, but in truth it stunk like hell. Sure the concept was great, but the wording, the graphic depiction of the story, even the characters never added up.

To be perfectly honest, I am a shamed I published Premonitions because it was such a horrible book. Sure it was my baby, and as all mothers are, we want the best for our children and they can do no wrong. But I was sugarcoated and lied too that it was a great book. After writing for so long and reading others and knowing what they have written, it makes it difficult to sit here and look at Premonitions the same way.

After saying that, publishing a fresh work while working on Premonitions' remake, is the only way I can personally redeem myself in the writing world.

No, I'm not crying on anyone's shoulder. I'm meerly stating a point. Some of us don't have another option. Writing is all we have. At the moment, writing about something totally off world is helping me keep my sanity while I'm between jobs. (I haven't told you about that...long story. I might post about it later). Other of us have horribly boring lives, hermits, live in a life void of friends or love, or just plain secluded (I raise my hand on all of the above).

Okay, now that sounded kinda like I'm crying on your shoulder, but look at it from a writer's point a view who hates rejection just about if not more than she hates rectal thermometers. We are normal, bored mothers, daughters, wives, husbands, fathers, brothers, who love to create worlds to escape from our own and put some sort of excitement in their lives. This scenario might not be for everyone. Some of us write for the enjoyment of a story and believes a good story makes a great book and should be given the chance to be published, and a story where you wanna chunk it at a brick wall deserves to hold up the base board rail on a bed during sex. Others just want to share what they create and give them a glimpse into their own world.

A bit harsh, yes. Angry, no. I know that rejection letters come with business of taking your treasured manuscript on the street, but whether it's the first or the 50th, the feeling never changes. Author's still feel hurt let down, and it sheds light on the real window that the sometimes what we write isn't the best from the industry no matter how much we rewrite it and doll it up in red plaid pants.

Think about it...we all write great stories, but one little person with their own perspective doesn't think that way...or better yet, the way that we think it. Either way, really great stories are drilled and then put on the back burner for some piece of crap that should have never made it past the virus scanner in webmail.

Okay, I'll stop bickering now, but I refuse to stop submitting. I have worked entirely too hard on writing, and have made this into a career, just to let this go. No, I'm going to re-submit it and hopefully (cross my fingers) I get accepted by a really good publisher who enjoys my stories.


LV

My Christmas Thanks

I am extremely grateful this year. Though this year hasn’t been the greatest of all, I have a lot to be thankful for. I didn’t know what I was going to do about Christmas this year. In October, I lost my job after having worked for a company for 2 and half years. Though It wasn’t because if the cut back for the economy. This started months before that. I was fired for taking off too much for my Autistic son. It’s really funny how the system works to support single parents who are in turn supporting children with mental disabilities. Not to mention I have two. But that’s neither here nor there.

I joined this program about a year ago that would help with my son’s treatment. I had no idea, especially with the economy so bad that they had a Christmas program. I’ve been on this ‘I don’t have Christmas having kind of money’, so my babies were going to see how I spent the majority of my Christmases when I was little.

I know what you’re thinking. “She’s published. She should be rolling in doe.” Well, yes I am contracted but no I’m nowhere near rich. But I’m seriously grateful for what I do get from my books. Makes me proud that I can say that I write novels.

Anywho, just to secure the small thoughts about Santa that my children had in their minds, I had my Dad-in-law bring the gifts over this morning (in which there were more than I could possibly think of—including bikes). So as of right now, they are still sleeping, but when they wake up, they are going to get a big surprise because their bikes are sitting in their bedrooms…the first thing they’ll see when they wake in the morning. So with tears of joy in my eyes I sit and wait until they wake up and see the gifts. I’m going back into my bedroom to play this off really good. Lol

I know that none of the people who gave me and my family gifts are going to read this, but I wanted to say publically that I am so thankful especially in this hard time that you took a second out of your personal Christmas shopping and though of us. We are no one to you, but you’ve all thought so much for us and my babies that you wanted us to have a Christmas and for that I Thank You. From the bottom of my heart.

Merry Christmas Everyone and may all your Christmases, whether big or small, be the greatest of moments for you all.

With love,

Leah V.

Okay I've gotten on this stent since I'm trying to change things up a bit and get Warrior's Heart off on a good foot. That being said, I have decided to stop beating myself over the head and go in a totally new direction. Take a look at this first chapter and tell me what you think. I know this is kinda a long post but what the hell for a free read huh?


Exerpt From Warrior's heart

“Kianan, move you butt. We have to hurry up before someone wakes.” Nah’Dara whispered as she tried to push Kianan out the window.
Kianan strained as she lowered herself off the balcony. “Do you think they’ll come looking for us?”
“Probably, if you don’t hurry up.”
Nah’Dara watched Kianan slowly climb down the shoot of the balcony to the ground. Thank goodness her black flight suit blended darkness. IF not, Dayton would have already spotted them ending there night escapade. Nah’Dara slowly made her decent trying not to scrap her knee on the side of the wall . . . again.
“Father is going to be so mad at me,” Kianan said tugging her bottom lip between her teeth. “I think he would actually kill you this time.”
“Doubt it seriously. If he’s going to be mad at anyone, it’s going to be me. Don’t worry about that now.” Nah’Dara took her hand. “Come on. Let go.”
The dart wasn’t far from the palace, cloaked and hidden from view. Nah’Dara pressed the button on her wrist, deactivating the cloak on the door. The slightest moment of detection and their little mission was over.
The dimly lit cockpit came to life they entered. The dashboard monitor’s black screen melted away to display the United Alliance insignia.
She ran inside with Kianan in tow sliding into the Captain’s chair. “Computer, initiate power up.”
The computer chirped in compliance. A moment later, the engine came to life with a soft hum in the background.
“Activating stealth,” sounded Kianan, her fingers flying over the controls. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Nah’Dara stared at Kianan giving her a slow blink. Hope I knew what I was doing? Was she serious? “I got us this far without being caught, didn’t I?”
Kianan shrugged. “I know. It’s just that I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Nah’Dara smiled. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I didn’t think you’d have fun. Besides, Life’s too short to be good.”
They laughed. “You’re right, but I’m just worried what father would do if he finds out.”
Nah’Dara powered the thrusters, lifting the cloaked ship from the ground. “Well, you know what he’ll probably do. He’ll turn red in the face with that vein popping out of his forehead like he usually does, and in that calm seriously over cultured voice say, ‘Nah’Dara, you are a horrible influence on cousin, and seriously blackened the name of Lehr on this house.’”
She lowered her brows and protruded her lips as her uncle would then crossed her eyes. Kianan laughed out loud. “That does sound like him.”
Once they broke thorough the atmosphere, Nah’Dara set the thrusters to maximum peeling away from the planet.
“See, I know my uncle well. Besides, I’m doing this because I really need to have one last wahoo before I marry this Great Prince.”
Kianan frowned. “Your still gonna go through with it and marry him?”
“I don’t think I have much of a choice. You father feels that it would tame me. I beg to differ on that.”
“Really? Is that what he said?”
“Didn’t have to, but I kinda get the hint.” She chuckled. “Not. It’s just really difficult to calm down and be all regal and civilized when I’m used to doing so much more. I have been bored out of my mind for the past few months, let along years.”
Kianan looked at her puzzled. “Doing more like what?”
Nah’Dara set the dart to auto pilot then turned her chair around to face Kianan. “Okay, do you remember my father’s army and I was always around them and keeping the house for my father in order?” Kianan nodded. “Well, all that cut out when Uncle Trent came. He said that since I wasn’t old enough to run a house, that he was taking that charge away from me. As for being around the military? He thought that a lady of status should associate herself with the lower classes.”
“Lower classes?”
“Yeah, that what I said. Besides, can’t keep me away when my brother’s the general.”
Kianan frown. “Yeah, but Erion’s not gonna go against father.”
“Oh, I know that. But there’s very little to stop me once I have my mind set to something.”
“Tell me about it,” Kianan murmured.
Nah’Dara gave her arm a playful slap. “I heard that. I’m not that bad, am I?”
“You want the ugly truth, or a pretty lie?”
Nah’Dara shrugged giggling. “Either way, you’re going to tell me what I want to hear anyway. So I pretty lie would always do.”
Kianan tried to swat her back but Nah’Dara ducked out of reach sticking out her tongue. Giggling, Nah’Dara rose from the seat.
“I’m thirsty. Want something from the replicator?”
“Yeah, water. I have to keep my girlish figure, you know.”
Nah’Dara laughed as she walked to the back of the ship. She knew that going against her uncle’s wishes wasn’t the brightest idea, but this was her last chance to let loose and be herself. In a few weeks she would be the Great Princess of an entire region of space and the wife of a man she barely even knows. Only then would she decide to slow down and fit the role. Right wasn’t one of those times.
She called her order to the replicator watching as two glasses of sweet Ximenian juice materialized in two glasses. Carrying them back to the cockpit she handed one to Kianan. After a healthy gulp, she sat the empty glass down on the console.
“So where are we headed? The fights on Ximenia or the Prixa Pleasure planets.”
The pleasure planets didn’t sound too bad but they had to take caution. Any spotting by U.A. officials would get a first class message back to Uncle Trenton. “Well, the only thing about both of those places is law enforcement. But I think we can manage not being seen.”
Kianan frowned. “Where and do I have to carry an energy pistol?”
“No, no pistols. We are just going to have fun. See one of the tournaments and have a drink and then go home. A couple hours tops.”
Kianan sighed rubbing the bridge of her nose in frustration. “You’re going to get me in so much trouble.”
“Think of it this way. With the credits I’d win, we wouldn’t have to use the credit chips from our account and alert Uncle sooner than we’d like to.”
Nah’Dara touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Kia. We will be fine. If it’s any consolation, I won’t even go to the real dangerous part this time. We’ll just stay around the arena and just have fun.”
Kianan frowned tugging her bottom lip undecided. “I don’t know. I think we should go back. Maybe father won’t be so angry if we told him we were just going for a quick out and about.”
Nah’Dara shook her head. Taking her cousin’s hands within hers, she held her gaze. “Do you know how it’s gonna look if I was to turn this dart around and go back to the Clementis? Uncle Trent is going to blow his lid and possible send me to a dungeon or something just as harsh and you, he’ll probably just take away your flying privileges for a while.” Nah’Dara heard her grown in dismay, but she continued. “But, if we go back AFTER we have some fun, then it will all be worth it, and we didn’t go for nothing.”
After a long silent debate, Kianan lowered her head. “Okay. But you still haven’t told me where we’re going.”
“Praxa. It’s safe and they have good entertainment there.”
“What kind of entertainment?”
Nah’Dara creased her brows. “What’s with all the questions?”
“Well I have to know what I’m getting into don’t I,” Kianan said with a shrug. “For all I know you could take us to a submissive bar.”
Nah’Dara blinked innocently. “Why Kianan. If I didn’t know you any better, I’d say you didn’t trust me.”
Kianan returned her innocent look, her lips spreading into a knowing smile. “I do and that’s why I’m concerned.”
Too well, Nah’Dara rolled her eyes. “You’re about half as bad as law enforcement.”
Kianan laughed. “I know right. Father tells me that.”
“Anyway, there is a bar there where we can unwind and have some fun. Just cut loose for a moment. ”
“You’re going to see if the subs there are cute, aren’t you?” When Nah’Dara gave a sheepish grin, Kianan chuckled shaking her head. “You and these trips are going to be the death of us all.”
“You know me. I have to see if they are worth looking. At least it will be worth I’ll while. Just one last show, then I’ll be done. I’ll be Lady Nah’Dara, third princess of Clementis and Great Princess of Altaria. An old stuffy, stick-up-the-ass princess.”
Kianan laughed her blue eyes twinkled like stars. “Just promise me we’ll be careful and we’ll be fine.”
Nah’Dara squeezed her hand. “I promise.” Careful is one thing. Be good was something on a totally different spectrum.


Nah’Dara did her best to hide the ship signatures from knowing eyes. The last thing she needed was to be seen and noticed by every royal official in the entire sector.
“Are you sure no one will recognize us?” Kianan asked for the hundredth time over the last hour. Nah’Dara had half a mind to take her back.
“Yes, Kianan. I picked this spot on purpose. I know the owner and she already told me that we would be safe.”
She shrugged wrapping her cloak around her shoulders in an attempt to hide the tantalizing thigh length party dress she slipped on minutes before. “It better be. I would like to get home in one piece.”
Nah’Dara rolled her eyes. “You know, I’m starting to regret bringing you.”
“You know you like me questioning you. It boosts your brownie points.”
Nah’Dara laughed at the comment thinking about what she just wanted to do with those brownie points. “Well, darling cousin. I ate those brownie points long ago with a large cup of milk to wash it down. And tonight I’m not looking to earn any either.”
Wrapping her own cloak around her body, Nah’Dara strapped her compacted fight stick to the inside of her leg.
“You ready?”
“No, but do I have a choice?”
“You know your right. We’re here to have fun. End of discussion. Now let’s go.” She strapped the small communicator pendent on the inside of her collar keeping it hidden.
“Tia,” she commanded to the computer, wrapping her cloak around her shoulders.
The computer chirped twice as a figure shimmered onto the screen. The Thinking Interactive Android’s lifeless grey eyes shimmered on to the screen. Though through the seemingly lifeless eyes, she could see that the android was truly pissed.
“Yes Lady Nah’Dara. How can I assist you.” she asked with utter calm and a meager smirk.
“Would, beam us to the surface.” At the obvious glint of anger, Nah’Dara added, “Please?” Tia folded her arms across her shoulders narrowing her glassy gaze on her.
“OH! So, now you want my help. I’m shocked you disabled me. I’m supposed to be you friend.”
“I know. I know. But I also know that my uncle programmed you to alert him that I was missing.”
She waved hand dismissing Nah’Dara. “Oh I disabled that days ago. You know me better than that.”
Nah’Dara coughed. “Wait a minute. You mean that you can do that.”
“Sure. You designed me, didn’t you? You know I don’t like the changes they did to me. They tried to remove my emotion chip the last time and I locked them out of every system. Idiots.”
“Are you going to transport us or not?”
Tia placed her hands on her hips giving her neck a slight rock. “No.”
Nah’Dara felt her anger shift into high gear. She didn’t need this kind of distraction.
“Why the hell not?”
Tia crooked a perfectly arched brow. “I have my reasons.” Just as quick as the image materialized, she disappeared seconds before the side panels to one of the bulkheads slid away. Out stepped a slender golden skinned android clad in skin tight black leather pants and a deep blue tunic that seductively sagged off of one shoulder. Her brown locks were twisted into a playful do with tendrils of brown strands fanning the nap of her neck. Her smile was nothing short of cocky lighting all the way to her pretty iridescent eyes.
Nah’Dara and Kianan gaped at Tia unable to believe their eyes. This was not apart of her programming.
“I didn’t design that.”
Tia ran her hands a cross her body. “Of course you didn’t. I did. It’s a far better way to keep up with you than just monitoring your position through system computers, don’t you think?”
“I think it’s great,” Kianan said. “Do you have another outfit like that?”
Tia shrugged. “Sorry. You have to get your own. Besides this is traditional dress for a sexbot.”
Nah’Dara chuckled shaking her head. “I should’ve known you wanted to be a sexbot with all romances novels I seen stored in your memories.”
Tia gave a modest shrug. “It’s a gift I guess.”
“So are you going to beam us down or do I have to land is in the space dock and waste a trip.”
“Don’t get your pants in a wad. Hold on.” Tia’s eyes flashed suddenly as she accessed the computer. “Request complete. Stand by for transporter sequence.”
The butterflies took flight in her stomach with a vengeance as the transporter beam surrounded her. If all goes well they would have some fun and be back before anyone knew what happened.



Leah VaughnRomance Author

www.freewebs.com/ladyofgrace25
www.myspace.com/leahvaughn
www.ladyofgrace26.blogspot.com

Come Visit My Store Today!!
www.cafepress.com/ladyofgrace25