Music Monday

January 31, 2011 | Music Monday

Sunday funnies

January 30, 2011 | Sunday funnies

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Six-pack Saturday

January 29, 2011 | Six-Pack Saturday

Last Saturday I listed what’s great about writing erotic romance. Just in case you missed it you can find the list here

This week’s list is what’s not so great about writing erotic romance:

1) Working for myself (I’m not always reasonable)

2) No job security

3) No co-workers, just me, my imaginary friends, and the diva dog

4) No paid benefit package

5) Long production period–it takes me months to get through a first draft

6) Waiting to hear on a submission–yes once published the wait times decrease, but they’re still not exactly instant communication

Despite romance writing’s allure as a dream job, there are a few drawbacks, especially for someone who needs a regular paycheck. Of course, there are those who make a handsome living from writing. But it’s a pretty select club.

Fan Girl Friday

January 28, 2011 | Fan Girl Friday

Sex sells has been a Madison Avenue maxim for decades. But the adage needs clarification. Sexual tension, the promise of sex, and sexual desirability are what marketing geniuses use so very effectively. Not actual sex. Sort of like the difference between selling sizzle and selling steak.

What’s this got to do with reading? It’s my conclusion after contemplating the commercial success of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga compared with the more moderate success of Laurell Hamilton’s Vampire Hunter series and the relative obscurity of Joey W, Hill’s Vampire Queen series.

So, currently it’s not sex that sells best, it’s titillation. Or is it that young adult readers are that much more enthusiastic than the adult title crowd? In spite both Harry Potter and Bella Swan’s performance I don’t think that’s the key. DaVinci Code? Stieg Larsson’s Trilogy?

People like what they like. The only thing I’m sure of is that readers want good solid writing. Aside from neurotic writers and acerbic critics, book buyers don’t dissect their reading choices.

Share the love. Do you have a favorite genre? Is there a kind of story you won’t read?

Real life

January 27, 2011 | Real life

The off-leash dog park is Katie’s favorite destination. She’s made this very clear by her excitement whenever we head that direction. In fact, on those occasions I foolishly choose to drive to any other place she mopes. And no one mopes like a dog. She has the world’s saddest brown eyes. She heaves great shuddering sighs as if each painful breath might be her last. If the puppy dog eyes and poignant sighs fail to move me in the right direction, then a low whine begins.

Once at the park (was there any doubt?), the diva dog prances through the gate eager for the adventure. The first five minutes are spent in serious sniffing and marking of strategic spots clear only to those with a dog’s sense of smell. Happy exploration, marking, and making friends with every human she meets lasts until she encounters one, or more, aggressive dogs. Once a potential threat has been identified, she streaks for high ground, preferably with a barrier at her back, or better yet, the nearest exit. Eventually–she’s much faster on four legs than I am on two–I catch up with her and walk her past the threat. Then she continues with more subdued sniffing, marking, and cautious observance of approaching dogs.

The dogs she tolerates best are males with shiny coats, ambling gaits, and no need to bark at her. She’ll even play sniff and a cautious game of chase with these rare, calm, quiet, tail-wagging guys.

After one circuit of the grounds, she parks her butt in front of the gate we came in and waits impatiently for her leash to be snapped on before I open the exit. Next trip, we’ll do it all over again.

WIP Wednesday

January 26, 2011 | WIP Wednesday

As gorgeous as the covers for my stories are, none of them match the story people in my head. Is that because my characters’ aren’t the right image for marketing (nah) or perhaps not romantic enough? They seem romantic to me.

Here’s the current cast as I see them , from the left Amber, Hunter, and Tru (in human form):

Teaser Tuesday

January 25, 2011 | Teaser Tuesday

Especially for Nook fans (Barnes and Noble’s e-reader) A Scarlet Past is available for your nook at the same bargain prize of .99 as the Kindle edition.

For new fans of dangerously sexy stories, A Scarlet Past is set in WWII and involves hot werewolf lovin’ strange allies and a romp through an alternate reality.

As a bonus the book includes an original short story by KevaD SonSet, and a excerpt from Amber Green’s The Huntsmen: Lights Out!

Music Monday

January 24, 2011 | Music Monday

Sunday funnies

January 23, 2011 | Sunday funnies

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Six-pack Saturday

January 22, 2011 | Six-Pack Saturday

Here’s the what’s great about writing erotic romance list:

1) Getting paid to think about hot guys

2) Reading romance is a professional obligation

3) No commute

4) Low overhead

5) No dress code

6) Great working conditions

No wonder everyone wants to be a writer. It’s darn near a perfect job. There are a couple of negatives. Back with that list next Saturday….