Made by MeghanI updated my desktop image yesterday (so that all I see is the Amplifier Series while doing anything on my laptop)(because I’m currently SUPPOSED to be writing book six and ONLY writing book six 😂). And I thought you might be interested in seeing it, hence this post!
I’m working through the midpoint of Archivist 2 this week (the first draft is sitting at 48k right now), tackling a scene that my notes tell me I started envisioning all the way back in March 2021.
I often collect little touchstones connected to various series/characters, including stickers and decals that I put in my notebooks. And I thought I’d share a glimpse of my inspiration for the midpoint of Archivist 2. I adore this image so much I haven’t actually stuck it in my notebook yet.
But … I can’t explain it at all because, you know – spoilers.
You’re welcome.
😂
I just remembered that a reader asked me (weeks ago) to post the playlist I listen to when brainstorming books/scenes/ideas for the Archivist series (see Awakening Infinity, etc). I finally grabbed a screenshot. My apologies for the delay.
Please note: I make separate playlists for all my series. But not all the songs are meant to be taken literally, sometimes it’s simply the feel of the music, the energy, the mood, that beguiles the muse and allows the ideas to flow.
I’m making this tidbit of sunshine my desktop photo for the day – aka a little yellow daffodil that has braved the still-chilly morning temps to bloom – because I’m about to do a second pass on Kandy’s second short, In Less Than A Moment. And I know I’m going to blubber through it. Again.
I’ll just keep reminding myself that Kandy has found her pack, her family. Not that life is ever without strife but it can be filled with love and laughter at the same time.
***
In other news, I’m (slowly) putting together a Frequently Asked Questions, Spring Edition blog post so if you have any burning questions – LOL – drop them in the comments below and I’ll add them to the list (as long as it’s not too rife with spoilers).
I started my day by digging back into the Archivist series with only a vague idea for a couple of scenes for Archivist 2 and A LOT of Things-To-Be-Revealed™ for many, many books after.
Usually, I firm up the core idea for the next book in the series while writing the previous book. I leave myself notes … like breadcrumbs to follow into the brainstorming and outlining. And, since I usually write with a thriller-type construction (aka the antagonist propels the plot) and I adore seeding those relationships/possibilities, etc, in previous books, that usually means that I know who the ‘bad guys’ are for books ahead.
But even with a long list of Things-To-Be-Revealed™ I still had no idea who the ‘bad guy’ was for Archivist 2. I had a bunch of fantastic characters, two or three great scene ideas, and a throughline for the romance storyline, but that did not equal a plot.
So I pulled out all the sticky note pads I had – index cards would have been better but apparently I no longer own any – and I started with listing and placing all the secrets.
Then, still stymied on book 2, I thought about how the Archivist series is different from my other series, especially the Dowser or Amplifier (which also feature powerful characters). The WHY I was writing it. WHAT drew me to explore the idea. It’s easy to get caught up in the relationships and the background and all the secrets, but the FEELING of the series as a whole needs to be really established by the end of book two (or three if you include the prequels). In my opinion, of course and always.
That FEELING is tied directly to the main character.
So, what makes one main character different from another?
Answer: how she interacts with her world. How she reacts. Her fundamental nature when confronted with change or a threat/challenge/hurdle or an offer or desire, etc.
Does she create, like Jade? Does she protect, like Emma? Does she love, like Wisteria? Does she believe, like Rochelle?
Short answer for Dusk?
Yes. To all of the above.
So knowing how my main character reacts to challenges, knowing her capabilities, how do I force her out of her comfort zone? How do I shake her to her core? How do I make her doubt? Falter?
A rather difficult thing to do when dealing with a practically immortal being with vast resources.
Continually finding/creating a ‘bad guy’ who is stronger than Dusk is rather … farfetched. [This holds true for Emma as well]. Making a bad guy smarter is possible, except that level of intelligence really relies on the writer (aka me) and I rarely manage to outsmart … anyone, so I have no illusions that I could pull off that dynamic in a story.
So then the bad guy has to be sneaky … has to be patient … has to learn how to play Dusk … how to manipulate her. Then they have to offer her something she can’t refuse or give her no other choice but to step onto the wrong path …
Thusly armed with my notebooks and sticky notes, I figured out the ‘bad guy’ for Archivist 2 by lunch.
Then with Ed Sheeran’s Afterglow (YouTube video) on repeat, I had the major plot points – aka the beginning, middle, and end – plugged into my structure (aka paradigm) by 2 p.m.
Oh, I won’t be silent and I won’t let go
I will hold on tighter ’til the afterglow
And we’ll burn so bright ’til the darkness softly clears
Ed Sheeran, Afterglow
And, ahem, I might have paused for a few moments early on and dropped a few notes into my notebook for Amplifier 6 (yes, I’m writing that series a book ahead now). 🙂
Headache or not, apparently the muse only needed a little juice. Though a hot chocolate, the brand new notebooks, and some pretty ink might have helped along the way.
Thank goodness.
As I’ve mentioned before, I commissioned illustrations from Nicole Deal for each of the Archivist series novels. Of which I have three planned for 2021 release. I’m so, so pleased that I was able to convince Nicole to work with me because it has been a total blast so far.
I’ve had the first of the illustrations (as well as Nicole’s earlier sketches) open on my desktop while writing Archivist 1 and it’s been so inspiring to catch glimpses of Dusk and Sisu while shaping and refining the story/series!!
You will find Nicole’s absolutely striking take on Dusk and Sisu tucked between Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0). It will be in full-colour in the eBook version (unless your eReader doesn’t do colour) and grayscale in the paperback.
Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0) is available for preorder on all retailers. The book releases on March 2, 2021. [SOON!!]
***
Are you new to the Adept Universe? Click here for the reading order. Or click here for the Welcome! sequence.
When I start really digging into a new series, I deliberately surround myself with little visual touchstones. These items usually find a semi-permanent home on my desk or windowsill and I trade them out when working on different books/series. I was in the very first moments of brainstorming the Archivist Series last fall when I indulged in acquiring two new touchstones, one of which is the inspiration for Infinity itself (Dusk’s personal archive):
Under Infinity’s watchful gaze, I added 3800 words to Archivist 1 today for a total of 45k+. I’m pretty pleased with how those words are flowing onto the page this week and I hope the muse sticks with me through the first draft!!
***
Leather-covered sketchbook (aka Infinity): created by Mille Cuirs (who I discovered through Hailey Edwards – Thanks, Hailey!!)
Also enjoying: The 6th Scent Candle, Chocolate with a wood wick. And yes, I just realized I could burn a candle in my office without worrying about Leo singeing his whiskers. It only took me five years to realize that particular benefit of an exterior office.
The headache really spiked earlier (it isn’t great now either but I’m trying), and while I was trying to soothe myself (THC cream and peppermint oil on temples, controlled breathing, etc), I took a moment to sneakily spy on Michael cutting the rafters he’s installing today.
He caught me, of course. The addition can only be seen from within the cabin through one corner window, plus I was partly wedged behind the wood stove so I couldn’t step out of view terribly quickly. Then questions ensued.
Michael: What’s wrong? Are you okay?
Me: Head hurts, trying to decide if I’m going to write off the day by taking a triptan.
Michael: *grimancing* I’m sorry. I can come in.
Me: *grinning* That’s okay, I’m enjoying the view.
Michael: View … of …?
Me: You … measuring, cutting … carrying the rafters.
Michael: *laughing huskily* ogling me, are you?
Me, primly: Well, you are my husband.
Anyway – to my point – when you start hitting scenes in the Archivist series (specifically starting in book 1) featuring a sexy carpenter/contractor with strong hands, muscled wrists and forearms, carrying terribly heavy things, you’ll all be exceedingly aware of my inspiration.
Back to writing the actual book!
Living on the west coast of Canada means that I often wake up to find that a few voracious readers (in other timezones) have already consumed a new release while I slept, and Graveyards, Visions, and Other Things that Byte (Dowser 8.5) hasn’t been an exception. I’m so, so glad that so many of you have enjoyed hearing from Mory, Rochelle, and Jasmine. I very much enjoyed writing their novellas, exploring Mory’s and Jasmine’s voices as well as getting a chance to speak through Rochelle again.
I stumbled upon this picture two days ago, a long-time friend found it among his collection, scanned it, and sent it to me last year. And, after exclaiming for some time about being SO young and SO slim, I filed it among my digital photos without another thought.
I don’t often share personal photos (of myself), but I thought you might find it fun to see a tiny little bit of my life experience bleeding into the character of Mory. Allow me to present Narissa, my inspiration for Mory’s turtle, Ed.
I also thought that today was an opportune time to mention that writing Dowser 8.5 has spawned numerous ideas for more side stories and that the Misfits of the Adept Universe series, starting with a Mory book, will be coming your way in 2019.
As always, thank you for reading. Without you it would just be me in my tiny writing shed wondering if the words I spend hours a day typing were ever going to be read by anyone else.
Okay. I’m making fudge marshmallow bars now. Then later there will be homemade pizza!!
Sunshine & Lollipops.
[updated: June 2026]
I often get asked about my favourite books/series/authors, specifically in the urban fantasy and why choose genres. And since I find myself repeating myself a lot – I’m a rather loyal reader – I thought I’d start a list here, then add to it as it becomes necessary.
To make it easier on myself, the links below lead to book one of the series on Amazon.com (simply replace the .com with .ca or .co.uk to find the book in your region). FYI these are affiliate links. I reinvest any $$ I make into paperback (etc) giveaways.
aka Authors who I preorder the instant I know they have a new book coming, and who I reread (often).
Ilona Andrews – Kate Daniels (Magic Bites), Hidden Legacy (Burn For Me), and my favourite (by a terribly slim margin), The Innkeeper Chronicles (Clean Sweep).
New note: I absolutely adored their newest release, the portal fantasy, This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. It is a slightly new genre for the authors and slightly heavier on the world building (completely needed to pull off this book IMO). The audiobook is great as well.
Kelley Armstrong – my current favourite is the Casey Duncan thrillers (City of the Lost), but also any of her Otherworld novels, including the YA offshoots, starting with Bitten. I also enjoyed her most recent standalone release, A Deadly Inheritance. Kelley gets bonus points for being a fellow Canadian. 😀
Jennifer Lynn Barnes. I’m absolutely in love with her The Inheritance Games series but I have now read her entire backlist.
Patricia Briggs – Mercy Thompson (Moon Called) and Alpha & Omega (Cry Wolf).
Tracy Deonn. Her Legendborn Cycle (Legendborn) is actually life-altering. I can’t wait for the next book!
Hailey Edwards – I loved her Foundling series (Bayou Born). Also her Beginners Guide to Necromancy (How to Save an Undead Life) and her newest series, Black Hat Bureau (Black Hat, White Witch).
Faith Hunter – Jane Yellowrock (Skinwalker) and Soulwood (Blood of the Earth).
Kathryn Moon – Omegaverse and Monster Romance. Auto buy author alert! Baby & the Late Night Howlers (Sweet Omegaverse 1), Lola & the Millionaires (Part One), Monster Smash Agency. Sexy, Why Choose, with bites, knots, and a plot! Fun, Fun!
Tijan – yep, contemporary romance! Best known for her Fallen Crest Series, my favs are Anti-Hero, Teardrop Shot, and Anti-Stepbrother.
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Sookie Stackhouse (Dead Until Dark) by Charlaine Harris – one of my first entry points into ‘modern’ urban fantasy. I recently picked up her Gunnie Rose Series (An Easy Death) and absolutely adored it.
The Guild Codex: Demonized (Taming Demons for Beginners) [complete] by Annette Marie. Fellow Canadian!
InCrypid Series (Discount Armageddon)[ongoing] and October Daye (Rosemary and Rue)[ongoing] by Seanan McGuire. Seanan also writes as Mira Grant, and I LOVED her Newsflesh Series (Feed).
The Scholomance (A Deadly Education) by Naomi Novik. Loved! I reread, bought the audiobook, and I instantly preordered book two. Then I read that and instantly preordered book three! Big fan.
Terry Pratchett – any Discworld book with witches in the lead POV with Wintersmith being my favourite. I own but find myself unable to read, The Shepherd’s Crown, which was published after Terry passed away. I got to a certain plot point, lost it, and had to put the book away so I could continue to function in my everyday life.
Kalayna Price – Alex Craft (Grave Witch).
The Legend of All Wolves (The Last Wolf) by Marie Vale. Love this very different take on werewolves/magic/etc. The first and the fourth book are my favs. Sexy, emotional reads.
The Psy/Changeling Series (Slave to Sensation) by Nalini Singh. I was late picking up my first Nalini Singh book (Why? Such a terrible oversight on my part!) but I’m now all caught up! I’ve reread Mine to Possess, Kiss of Snow, Heart of Obsidian, and Shield of Winter multiple times. And loved all of the off-shoot series. I’m also a fan of her Guild Hunter Series (Angel’s Blood).
Space Opera/Sci-fi Romance
All three books in the Galactic Love series by Ann Aguirre. But the first book, Strange Love, had me in tears because I was laughing so hard. Also sexy! Sexy!
The Crownchasers duology (Crownchasers) [complete] by Rebecca Coffindaffer.
The Illuminae Files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (Illuminae). Also their newest collaboration, The Aurora Cycle (Aurora Rising).
The Consortium Rebellion (Polaris Rising) by Jessie Mihalik. Also, I really enjoyed her newer sci-fi romance, Starlight’s Shadow (Hunt the Stars).
Mercenary Librarians (Deal with the Devil) by Kit Rocha.
The Firebird Chronicles (Rules of Redemption) by T.A. White [Ongoing series]. I’m obsessively in love with this space opera/sci-fi romance.
And, if I’m listing fun ‘alien’ romps, I’d be seriously remiss if I didn’t mention the epic Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. Blue aliens, mating bonds, and seriously sexy times.
Romantasy/Fantasy Romance
Kingmaker Chronicles (A Promise of Fire) by Amanda Bouchet.
Gargoyle Queen (Capture the Crown) by Jennifer Estep. Romantasy. This is an offshoot of Jennifer’s Crown of Shards (Kill the Queen) series but I think it can also be read separately.
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses) by Sarah J. Maas. I’m also enjoying her newer Crescent City series (House of Earth and Blood).
Forgotten Empires (The Orchid Throne) by Jeffe Kennedy [completed trilogy]. And Bonds of Magic (Dark Wizard) [now completed, I think?].
Favourite Why Choose/Reverse Harem/Omegaverse
The Bonds That Tie (Broken Bonds) by J Bree. This series totally sucks you in and keeps you guessing, full of sexy times (Why Choose!!), magic, enemies to lovers, and traumatic histories. I also enjoyed J Bree’s Hannaford Prep series (Just Drop Out).
Pack’s Companion (House of Omega) by Roxy Collins. Roxy is pretty much an audio buy author for me. Uber alphas, mixed packs, criminal underground/underpinnings.
The two-volume, Pack Darling (Part One) by Lola Rock is a great omegaverse (knots, bites, Why Choose) as well.
WITSEC (Find Me) by Ashley N. Rostek. New adult, thriller, four brothers. I also enjoyed Ashley’s recent duology, What is Love?
Rich Boys of Burberry Prep (Filthy Rich Boys) and Adamson All -Boys Academy (Secret Girl) by C.M. Stunich. New adult, YA. Academy, bully romance (light bullying b/c/ I’m not a fan otherwise).
Posionverse by Marie Mackey, Olivia Lewin, and Katy Black. My favs (so far) are Havoc Killed Her Alpha and Forget Me Not. I loved the slightly darker (check content warnings), Sweetheart duology and Shattered Omega trilogy. And Marie is a fellow Canadian!!
William Gibson – his sci-fi Sprawl Trilogy (Neuromancer). The character of Molly Millions has definitely influenced how I perceive/write/create my own superhero females. [Also the namesake of my chocolate Shar Pei]. I’m also a big fan of Pattern Recognition (just adding that link makes me want to reread it).
Stephen King – favourites: The Talisman, The Stand, and more.
Jane Austin – Pride & Prejudice and more.
Anne Rice – all of her early books, starting with Interview with a Vampire (of course!! and probably goes without saying). But I also really enjoyed The Mummy.
Starside (Book 1) by Alex Aster. Fast paced (like constantly tumbling into trouble) true enemies to lovers, slow but very hot burn.
Her Vicious Beasts (complete series) by Ep Bali. WhyChoose, Magical Academy, shifters, magic.
The Blackened Blade by Isla Davon. Academy, mysterious past/powers, shifters. Ongoing series.
Clash of Claws (Shifter Guardian Academy 1) by Elizabeth Dear. Loved the first book, and gobbled up book 2 as well!
Villains of Lore (Blood of Hercules) by Jasmine Mas. Totally unique take on Greek Mythology mixed with a dystopian backdrop. Why choose. Loved the second book as well. And the audiobooks!
One Small Echo (Shadow Song 1) by Jane Washington. Fantastic world building, intriguing/unique magic. Kept me riveted (and you know how bad my attention span is).