Henry: A Story of Cousins

I haven't updated in a while. So I have a bit to say. I'll try to intersperse with a few fun pictures to keep you entertained.

(New Author Headshot! Thanks, Val Tanuzzi!)

Life can be weird. I'm an author, a teller of stories, book writer. And now, I'm working on screen plays and starting a production company. I'll be 40 in less than a year and I'm still surprised by the projects I take on. For my readers, don't worry, I have books in the works. There are many, many books I have yet to write. I had to take a sabbatical when Nia became ill four years ago. I've never hid from you guys that family did and always would come first. While she healed and tried to find a new sense of normal, she found a love for acting. And in doing so, introduced me to a new form of story telling. Don't get me wrong, I've always loved movies. In fact, a long time ago I would have killed for an internship at ILM and to be a set designer, prop designer, or possibly even a special effects make-up artist. Life had other plans, even bigger ones. I became an author--something I thought was nothing but a pipe dream. Something people say they want to do but never achieve. Yet, with a husband that believed in me even when I didn't I was able to write the stories my heart wanted to read.

As Nia healed after her brain surgery and I helped her pursue her acting dream, I was exposed to a new form of story telling. Well, exposed in a much more personal, up close manner. But here I am, following my daughter from set to set, surrounded by this different way of story telling. And I have to admit I was intrigued. It's insane, really. One of the things I love about self-publishing is that I am in control. You've got me. I'm a control freak. I want the final say in everything when it comes to my books babies. Yes, I have people that I contract with and consult, but only because I trust them completely. But on sets? It's a million moving pieces, hundreds of people that all have important jobs. Some small, some big, some titles you recognize, and other jobs that never cross your mind. And yet, they're all just as important. All those little cogs, people, that come together and create one story. It's insane. And so am I. Because a piece of me fell in love with it. No, I have no desire to be in front of the camera. Uck. I will leave that for my daughter and root for and support her for as long as she wants to work in this insane industry. Just call me the dreaded 'Momager'/pack mule/ uber driver/ audition partner/ camera worker/ a million other things you wouldn't think of as the parent of an child actor.

But I do love and appreciate all forms of story telling. Wanting to help Nia and her friends learn more about cameras, cinematography, directing, editing, script writing, etc., a good friend (another acting mom, but more so, my friend) and I started something crazy. We opened a production company. JalaBean Productions is officially open and it's first project releases tomorrow. A micro-short film titled Henry: A Story of Cousins. As the girls learn, we learn. It's an amazing give and take. Most of Henry is improv. The girls had a story idea, a couple of lines, and then ran with the improv. It was a blast to watch them take it and see what they came up with. 

 

So tomorrow, Henry: A Cousin of Stories, debuts. And then on October 31st, the first episode of the web-series A Story of Cousins will debut. So. A micro-short film and a web-series. It's happening. And I think these will get better as they learn and we learn. This project isn't all about their acting. It's about them learning to tell a story via camera and script and improv. So I hope you will tune in tomorrow for Henry. Check out the JalaBean Productions YouTube Channel. 

For those of you waiting on books for me:

Yes, there will be another Flukes book. When it's time, it will be released into the great wide ocean--I mean the world. There is a prequel for The Accidental Assassin and a follow up book that will find Ava, Owen, Mavis, and burly scared undercover agent dealing with the Maria case.

I also am working on something secret. Something I've been keeping all to myself. Slowly putting it all together, so that it will be completely finished, the entire series before the first book is even published. This is a project that is close to my heart and a step back to my roots. Some of you only know me for my contemporary romances, but I'm a paranormal, fantasy junkie. And this is a return to that. I never intended to actually become a contemporary romance author. Though I love the stories I've written. However, the next series will be an epic fantasy. For those of you that hate that genre, my apologies. For those of you that haven't read my magical Christmas short story, Young Adult Urban Fantasy Trilogy (first ebook is FREE on Amazon!), or my paranormal romance, now might be the time. (Not to mention, Unholy Night, my last published book, co-written with Lux Karpov-Kinrade.) 

Ooooh. Why so serious?

While I've been away, I haven't stopped creating stories. I just slowed down and focused on my daughter. Books are coming and they're ones that I feel are not rushed and are the stories I wanted to write. I've also been learning about another form of story telling while making sure my daughter has a chance at her dream, the way my husband cheered me on in my seemingly impossible dream. After all, I have some experience in how a lot of hard work, timing, and little luck can all line up to make those dreams come true. So yeah, I'm serious. I'm dedicated to my craft and to my family. I just decided to adjust my focus a little and take more time. So, please keep being patient. This new series is dear to my heart, so I hope even my contemporary readers will give it a chance. And be sure to check out Henry tomorrow. 

Oh! A happy Nichole again.

Thank you all for sticking with me for so long. And I appreciate all your support and love over the years.