Music Monday

August 31, 2009 | Music Monday

Sexy Heroes in Transit performing Pirates!

Sunday funnies

August 30, 2009 | Sunday funnies

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Six-pack Saturday

August 29, 2009 | Six-Pack Saturday

Six songs from the new pirate play list ;)

1) Pirates by Les Escrocs

2) In da Club by 50 Cent

3) Infinity by Guru Josh Project

4) Pirate Bones by Natasha Bedingfield

5) Just Dance by Lady Gaga

6) Trouble by P!nk

Fan Girl Friday

August 28, 2009 | Fan Girl Friday

Susan Wiggs writes women’s fiction that I read and enjoy. In fact, I don’t read her at all unless I’m taking a break from writing because her stories capture me so completely that they interfere with my writing.

She also writes historical fiction, that is equally skillfully rendered and yet it doesn’t hook me. I like historicals, but not hers.

Many authors write in more that one genre, but there are very few that appeal to me in more than one. Even in those cases where I read the same writer happily across genres, I generally have a favorite.

How do you feel about authors who write more than one type of story? Love them–hate them–somewhere in between?

Real life

August 27, 2009 | Real life

I’m excited about Pirate Rules releasing next month. :D

My excitement is only exceeded by my curiosity about sales. Alas, in the world of publishing there’s a long lead time between submissions and sales results.

I won’t see third quarter sales results until 2010. Depending what day of the month the the title releases, the third quarter sales might not amount to much. So, it could be well into next year before I know how the story went over with discriminating readers.

I hear that things move even slower in the world of mass-market publishing.

Definitely not a good career choice for the impatient. :(

WIP Wednesday

August 26, 2009 | WIP Wednesday

At the moment, I’m on the frazzled edge of wrapping up the first draft of a new story.

The problems with finishing a story are legion. First, there’s no end, because these characters are how real and they’re still breathing (yes, I know they’re creations of my imagination–but, they feel like people I’ve just happened to mind meld with). I know they’re going to have further adventures and encounter further problems. So, it’s hard to stop.

The way I get past this reluctance to quit, is promise myself a sequel.

How do you feel about fiction series?

Teaser Tuesday

August 25, 2009 | Teaser Tuesday

An unedited excerpt from Pirate Rules coming next month!

Boldly, she climbed onto a padded bar stool close to where she’d last seen the rugged pirate. She scanned the crowd with eager interest, hoping to catch another glimpse of the smoldering hottie. Aware her odds of success decreased in direct ratio to the rogue’s hunk factor, she optimistically searched for her dream man anyway.

Why not try for the best?

But, her screening of the bodies crowding the bar confirmed the bad news, no loose hunky pirate. Everyone seemed paired off already. No one’s fault but hers for letting Smiley’s intimidation keep her from playing Treasure Hunt game earlier. Her rumbling stomach reminded her she missed out on the crab feed too.

A rapidly moving waitress disappeared into the crowd with a full tray of gaily-colored cocktails with lime wedges, cherries, and miniature umbrellas. The pretty drinks made Zara thirsty as well as hungry.

“What’s your pleasure, Miss?” the bartender asked with a friendly smile.

“What kind of drinks were in those hurricane glasses over there?” She waved toward the decorated cocktails.

“Those are Caribbean Cruises, Miss. They’re very popular with the ladies.”

Zara hesitated for a bare second. “I’ll have one of those, please.”

“Do you want to run a tab? Or–.”

While she was considering her options, the smoldering hottie she noticed earlier wedged in next to her, claiming a previously nonexistent space. Then he gave her a thorough going over from her well-groomed hair to her cute sandals.

Apparently, she’d passed inspection because he tipped his head toward her in a brief nod of approval.

“Add it to my bill and bring us a plate of coconut shrimp too, and another Long John Silver, thanks, pal.” The intriguing pirate placed his order with an engagingly crooked grin.

“Thank you,” she said, swiveling toward her benefactor.

A seductive pair of dark eyes met hers, making the lively bar scene fade into oblivion.

This close, the man intoxicated her senses. He was so near a faint trace of bleach from his shirt mingled with scents of sandalwood and clean man. The heat emanating from all those hard muscles warmed her skin.

She tried to swallow, but found her mouth suddenly too dry.

The bartender placed her pastel drink neatly in front of her and she leaned in for a fortifying sip.

Casually, she checked out the hunk through lowered lashes. Like Smiley, the man with the sinful voice was dressed as a pirate. But on him, the costume worked. Her smile spread a little wider with relief as she realized the costume meant he had to work for the cruise line. Maybe, he was one of the cooks, since she was positive she hadn’t seen him on deck. She would have remembered.

A good head taller than her lanky five eight frame, and much broader, he made her feel positively dainty–a novel but pleasing experience. His open-necked white shirt framed a nicely rippled chest with a good sprinkling of curling black hair. Well-worn pants disappeared into supple leather boots. His waist was bound by a faded red silk wrap, complete with a wickedly authentic looking knife, tucked into the fabric. Dark curls swirled to his shoulders, providing the perfect frame for heartbreaker-eyes and the devil’s own mouth. At least one day’s growth of beard darkened his jaw. A rap-star sized diamond winked from his left ear.

“Razor Brinks,” he said, holding out a hand.

She accepted the offer to shake, darn near forgetting who she was as his warm grip engulfed her.

“Zara Sterling,” she managed to say her name. Then, because her tongue was faster than her brain, she asked. “What kind of name is Razor Brinks?”

“Mine, Sweetheart,” he drawled, taking her hand and brushing a thrilling kiss across her knuckles, and then rubbing the spot that continued tingling long after his mouth had departed.

Music Monday

August 24, 2009 | Music Monday

Sunday funnies

August 23, 2009 | Sunday funnies

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Six-pack Saturday

August 22, 2009 | Six-Pack Saturday

Six things I love about new stories–yes, yes I am obsessed–but surely you knew that by now ;)

1) New notebook–free of post-it, notes scribbled in the margins, and extra notes stuffed in the pockets

2) New playlist with new music

3) New imaginary friends

4) New story world to explore

5) The frantic excitement of trying to capture the images, scenes, and scraps of conversation I’m getting

6) Plotting, which amounts to trying to organize and make sense out of all the information flooding into my head.