Claire Cray's Blog - Posts Tagged "hidden-talents"
This Week's Misfortune
The scene to be polished:
Ken's sudden confrontation with one of Jin's teammates. (Hidden Talents: Take Off [Book 4])
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My current spirit animal:
A big, soft, slimy slug with a migraine.
It's been uphill since Monday! Is there anything worse than a migraine when you've got something to work on? You just have to lie there taut and miserable with pain, but not quite debilitated enough to forget what you ought to be doing, or to ignore the wasted minutes collecting in the bottom of the hourglass. Misery!
But thank you, Thursday -- I have energizing refreshments and no day job tomorrow, so let's wrap this shit.
Ken's sudden confrontation with one of Jin's teammates. (Hidden Talents: Take Off [Book 4])
+
My current spirit animal:
A big, soft, slimy slug with a migraine.
It's been uphill since Monday! Is there anything worse than a migraine when you've got something to work on? You just have to lie there taut and miserable with pain, but not quite debilitated enough to forget what you ought to be doing, or to ignore the wasted minutes collecting in the bottom of the hourglass. Misery!
But thank you, Thursday -- I have energizing refreshments and no day job tomorrow, so let's wrap this shit.
Mad Days of Cray; Hidden Talents Randoms
Oof! A storm of luck came blasting in this month. I've been hired to write for a fashion & entertainment publication! I'm really excited about this change in day jobs and I anticipate it having a super-healthy impact on my own creative life. Until now, I've been working in a socially-intense job (on an early morning schedule! x_x) that often left my brain drained by day's end. I'm so excited to get my cubicle and my computer and to ride the happy rhythm of light news writing all day. Blogging and news writing have always been good for me -- they get me all primed and warmed up for clean, quick storytelling in the evening.
Let's just hope working in the NYC fashion & entertainment sphere won't be too Devil-Wears-Prada...
Hidden Talents is CHURNING in my mind. Sometimes it's so hard not to spoil it for you! Because I know what's coming! And it's so good! Am I allowed to say that? It's so good! I LOVE writing these guys. Absolutely love. I love every last fucked up one of them, especially the ones who drive me crazy -- looking at you, Sky. Looking at you, Jackson. Looking at you, Mark. Looking at -- wait, do they all sort of drive me crazy?
I know sometimes the tangles in the story seem a little thick to some people. It does make me happy to hear readers compare it to a TV show, because it was originally meant to be just that kind of story -- episodic, with characters and back stories complex and mysterious enough to be obsessively analyzed and puzzled over. This endeavor requires strong, well-defined characters and CONSISTENCY above all. It is imperative to demonstrate that I know the universe and characters 100% and honor the reality of each sentence, so that readers accept and trust the story enough to let their minds go wild on details, clues, behavioral tics, etc. I really hope I am accomplishing this if nothing else. There is not a single detail revealed about these characters that is negligent. Everything I write about these guys is as real as stone.
Confession: The hardest scenes to write, so far, have been those with Mark and Sky in Take Off. I even started to doubt the story at one point, thinking maybe I'd gotten something wrong and they weren't meant to be interacting like that. Then I realized that Mark and Sky simply have a really awkward chemistry, an uncertain connection, and a confused version of...um, friendship? And that's just them. It was hard to leave that kind of awkwardness on the page, to wonder if readers would be able to see what I saw or if they'd think things had just gotten clumsy. But I had to let it go in the end and hope I'd built enough trust in the story to support such a departure from the chemistry found in the other relationships. I still don't really enjoy writing Mark & Sky scenes as much as, oh, anyone-else & anyone-else scenes, but I know they're as important for the characters as they are challenging for me.
Last thing: If you don't follow my Tumblr, I want to let you know that I recently responded to a very interesting message regarding my treatment of Sky's background -- something I've heard occasional concerns with since the first volume was published. If you're interested, check out the question and my response.
SOOOOOOOOOOOO STOKED FOR THIS NEXT VOLUME! xo
Let's just hope working in the NYC fashion & entertainment sphere won't be too Devil-Wears-Prada...
Hidden Talents is CHURNING in my mind. Sometimes it's so hard not to spoil it for you! Because I know what's coming! And it's so good! Am I allowed to say that? It's so good! I LOVE writing these guys. Absolutely love. I love every last fucked up one of them, especially the ones who drive me crazy -- looking at you, Sky. Looking at you, Jackson. Looking at you, Mark. Looking at -- wait, do they all sort of drive me crazy?
I know sometimes the tangles in the story seem a little thick to some people. It does make me happy to hear readers compare it to a TV show, because it was originally meant to be just that kind of story -- episodic, with characters and back stories complex and mysterious enough to be obsessively analyzed and puzzled over. This endeavor requires strong, well-defined characters and CONSISTENCY above all. It is imperative to demonstrate that I know the universe and characters 100% and honor the reality of each sentence, so that readers accept and trust the story enough to let their minds go wild on details, clues, behavioral tics, etc. I really hope I am accomplishing this if nothing else. There is not a single detail revealed about these characters that is negligent. Everything I write about these guys is as real as stone.
Confession: The hardest scenes to write, so far, have been those with Mark and Sky in Take Off. I even started to doubt the story at one point, thinking maybe I'd gotten something wrong and they weren't meant to be interacting like that. Then I realized that Mark and Sky simply have a really awkward chemistry, an uncertain connection, and a confused version of...um, friendship? And that's just them. It was hard to leave that kind of awkwardness on the page, to wonder if readers would be able to see what I saw or if they'd think things had just gotten clumsy. But I had to let it go in the end and hope I'd built enough trust in the story to support such a departure from the chemistry found in the other relationships. I still don't really enjoy writing Mark & Sky scenes as much as, oh, anyone-else & anyone-else scenes, but I know they're as important for the characters as they are challenging for me.
Last thing: If you don't follow my Tumblr, I want to let you know that I recently responded to a very interesting message regarding my treatment of Sky's background -- something I've heard occasional concerns with since the first volume was published. If you're interested, check out the question and my response.
SOOOOOOOOOOOO STOKED FOR THIS NEXT VOLUME! xo
Update / Hiatus
For those of you who have taken the time to inquire and those who may be curious and/or irritated (Hidden Talents fans), I thank you very sweetly for your continued interest in my work.
A sudden change in circumstances late in winter forced me to take a hiatus. Though I have not stopped writing, publishing plans have been delayed.
I am in the process of straightening things out and moving my favorite priorities back within reach. My readers are in my thoughts every day and I can only hope they will still have interest in my stories when I begin publishing again in the summer.
My schedule of upcoming publications is as follows:
1. Hidden Talents Book 5 (Summer)
2. Missing Men, a novella (Summer)
3. Hidden Talents Book 6 (Late Summer)
4. William (Working Title) (Fall)
Thank you for your continued interest, your thoughtful reviews, and your astounding patience. None have been overlooked.
Never hesitate to get in touch via Goodreads (best), Tumblr, Twitter, or Email.
xo
A sudden change in circumstances late in winter forced me to take a hiatus. Though I have not stopped writing, publishing plans have been delayed.
I am in the process of straightening things out and moving my favorite priorities back within reach. My readers are in my thoughts every day and I can only hope they will still have interest in my stories when I begin publishing again in the summer.
My schedule of upcoming publications is as follows:
1. Hidden Talents Book 5 (Summer)
2. Missing Men, a novella (Summer)
3. Hidden Talents Book 6 (Late Summer)
4. William (Working Title) (Fall)
Thank you for your continued interest, your thoughtful reviews, and your astounding patience. None have been overlooked.
Never hesitate to get in touch via Goodreads (best), Tumblr, Twitter, or Email.
xo
Hidden Talents: Remastered
Presenting The Hidden Talents Trilogy.
Or as I've been calling it, Hidden Talents (REMASTERED).
Fully re-edited.
New and expanded scenes.
New chapters.
Better sex.
All three novels are coming your way December 8. Pre-order status TBA.
Stay tuned, heroes.
Or as I've been calling it, Hidden Talents (REMASTERED).
Fully re-edited.
New and expanded scenes.
New chapters.
Better sex.
All three novels are coming your way December 8. Pre-order status TBA.
Stay tuned, heroes.
New Book Out! REBEL HELL
Can't believe it: Rebel Hell, the first book in the new Hidden Talents Trilogy, is out now! Get it everywhere.
I still can't believe I wrote a story like this. Psychics, evil conspiracies, action?! So unlike me. But this turned out to be the most character-driven thing I've ever written, with an ensemble cast of smart, complicated dudes whose friendships and rivalries add up to a hot, delicious mess.
Jin and Ken, the two central characters in Hidden Talents, were a blast to write. Jin starts out as a carefree baddie who loves to make trouble. But once he meets Ken, a strange teen with a dark past and a surly attitude, Jin finds himself changing in ways he never imagined.
This story has some dark themes in it. Central to the tale is the concept of Talent. Talent means superhuman power, and those who have it — Talents, as they refer to themselves — develop extraordinary physical, intellectual, and psychic abilities. Nobody knows where Talent comes from, but it often appears after a traumatic experience. Suffice it to say, many of the most powerful Talents in the books have been through some shit. So be prepared for references to past abuse, torture, rape, murder, and psychic mutilation.
Also be prepared for loads of sarcastic humor, sex scenes ranging from mean and nasty to slow and tender, and an international roster of fine-ass men who get in all kinds of trouble.
(Which one would u?)
The second book in the series is already out, so get readin', mates. The third will be available for pre-order by the end of the week, so stay tuned!
I still can't believe I wrote a story like this. Psychics, evil conspiracies, action?! So unlike me. But this turned out to be the most character-driven thing I've ever written, with an ensemble cast of smart, complicated dudes whose friendships and rivalries add up to a hot, delicious mess.
Jin and Ken, the two central characters in Hidden Talents, were a blast to write. Jin starts out as a carefree baddie who loves to make trouble. But once he meets Ken, a strange teen with a dark past and a surly attitude, Jin finds himself changing in ways he never imagined.
This story has some dark themes in it. Central to the tale is the concept of Talent. Talent means superhuman power, and those who have it — Talents, as they refer to themselves — develop extraordinary physical, intellectual, and psychic abilities. Nobody knows where Talent comes from, but it often appears after a traumatic experience. Suffice it to say, many of the most powerful Talents in the books have been through some shit. So be prepared for references to past abuse, torture, rape, murder, and psychic mutilation.
Also be prepared for loads of sarcastic humor, sex scenes ranging from mean and nasty to slow and tender, and an international roster of fine-ass men who get in all kinds of trouble.
Ken, an enigmatic young Talent who's just entered the real world after a lifetime of isolation and torture.
Jin, a devious Russian telepath who loves nothing more than to stir up trouble.
Lip, an affable Australian hunk who uses his razor-sharp intellect to watch out for his friends.
Mark, a bisexual Cuban-American whose dark charisma almost makes up for what a moody jerk he can be.
Sky, a beautiful, drug-addicted empath fresh out of the Osaka underworld.
Kel, a stoic intelligence expert from Senegal with little patience for dramatics.
David and Luke, lovely Irish twins with major issues, and their older brother Dylan, who just wants them to stay alive.
Aki, a self-exiled yakuza heir determined to overcome a devastating tragedy.
Jackson, a coldly charismatic precognitive with a secret plan in which all of the Talents have roles to play — whether they want to or not.
(Which one would u?)
The second book in the series is already out, so get readin', mates. The third will be available for pre-order by the end of the week, so stay tuned!
Free Books - Hidden Talents Trilogy
Y'all, I've sold out and must take a real hiatus from book peddling.
Since I can't really lift a finger to market my most recent releases, I'm giving them away for free on the semi-sly. It makes me feel better.
Dark, snarky, angsty, nasty, lovable psychic dudes. My favorite characters and favorite pairing I've ever written. Subliminal depression allegories. Delicious frenemy sex. A great big ol' love story between two major weirdos.
Get the entire Hidden Talents trilogy via these Instafreebie links.
Book 1: Rebel Hell
Book 2: Wind Change
Book 3: Hard Games
Read, review, tell ya friends, save that $ for coffee.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Claire
(For those familiar with the old HT novella series, this trilogy is an awesomely remastered, re-edited, re-sexxedup version.)
Since I can't really lift a finger to market my most recent releases, I'm giving them away for free on the semi-sly. It makes me feel better.
Dark, snarky, angsty, nasty, lovable psychic dudes. My favorite characters and favorite pairing I've ever written. Subliminal depression allegories. Delicious frenemy sex. A great big ol' love story between two major weirdos.
Get the entire Hidden Talents trilogy via these Instafreebie links.
Book 1: Rebel Hell
Book 2: Wind Change
Book 3: Hard Games
Read, review, tell ya friends, save that $ for coffee.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Claire
(For those familiar with the old HT novella series, this trilogy is an awesomely remastered, re-edited, re-sexxedup version.)
