There is always a gap between the thrilling adventure that ran in my head and the story actually written. The gap exists in spite of patient and hardworking editors and my own best efforts. My main goal is to narrow the distance between the story vision and the finished manuscript.
With each book I write, the gap closes a tiny fraction. For me this a progress. While I will never achieve perfection, improving keeps me motivated.
If by divine intervention, I did write a novel that fully realized my vision, it might not be successful. But I’d be ecstatic.
Here’s the short blurb for Slave Market coming soon from New Concepts Publishing!
Rescued from sexual slavery by a dragon king, Cassandra owes the royal a debt she can never repay. Dormant dragon gifts earn her a place of trust as companion, but when she loses her headstrong charge, she faces disgrace and death.
I don’t enjoy first person stories as a rule. Urban fantasy is largely first person tales. Naturally I read very little urban fantasy. There are authors whose prose captures me so thoroughly, I’m willing to overlook the first person voice.
Lee Child and Patricia Briggs are both on my very short must read list. Both write in first person–some of the time.
What puts me off person fiction is a lack of connection to the protagonist. But when it works, it’s a powerful voice.
Do you have any weird reading prejudices or am I alone?
Marketing remains more mystery than science to me. So whenever I see an article on how to promote better I read avidly. Last month Josh Lanyon posted about simple and free ways writers can market themselves here. Since he’s obviously an expert on promotion, I soaked up his words of wisdom.
Alas, I found his excellent advice a tad difficult to follow.
Tip number one: become a regular reader and commenter on popular blogs.
Sounds great, but then reading on I learned the efficacy of this method depends upon being witty and clever. Due to severe limitations on my attention span and energy level, I reserve all my best thinking time for creative writing. Sadly,there’s nothing left over for clever blog comments.
Tip number two: write an article for a webzine or popular blog on a topic you know well.
At first glance this advice seemed more promising. After all I do write and there are a couple of subjects where I have some small expertise. Upon further reflection, I fail to see how articles on my specialties: accounting; finance; domestic arts; and how not to train a dog, would further my erotic romance writing ambitions.
Tip number three: use an email address that matches your pen name.
Oh dear, I was supposed to have a pen name? Is there a remedial marketing class?
Tip number four: give away books.
I’m fairly sure my contracts prohibit doing this in anything like useful quantities. Buying my own titles and then giving them away would result in negative income. Plus, the book pirates are doing a fine job of this with absolutely no cost and no effort on my part. But Josh knows marketing. I’m still trying to figure out how to implement his fine idea.
Tip number five: post excerpts.
Thank goodness there’s one surefire method I can adopt without qualms!
Bonus tip number six: (from me) Write lots of wonderful stories.
While he didn”t mention the last strategy specifically, it has been working brilliantly for Mr. Lanyon, check out his backlist!
Just for the Valentine's Day Dom 101 class, fiery Miranda agrees to play the sassy sub -- definite type casting. But since she’s crushed on Tey forever, can she resist giving him all that he demands?
Read more>>>
The mech warrior triad is an irresistible combination of heavy metal bodies, strong minds, and true hearts. Each man has special talents vital to rescuing Minka. Now their mission is to win her love.
Read more>>>
All Holly wants for Christmas is a dom to call her own. All Colin wants for Christmas is a sweet little slave and some red rope. It should have been so easy… Why the hell did she have to be human?
Read more >>>
When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
Read more >>>
Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
Read more >>>
Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
Read more >>>
Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
Read more >>>
A Scarlet Past, the story of Scarlet's parents is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for just 99 cents!
Read more >>>
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
Read more >>>
The Enyo Chronicles includes both Dalia's Choice and Joon's Tempation.
Read more>>>
Three different stories, three dangerous men, and three women who deserve them.
Read more >>>
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
Read more >>>
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Read more >>>
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous Read more >>>
She finds paradise in the arms of twin brothers, but their law demands she chose one warrior to mate and one to die.
Read more >>>
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
Read more >>>
A reluctant reporter and a lone wolf undercover cop work to catch an extortionist, finding love requires the most dangerous risk of all.
Read more >>>
Street-smart cop plays princess to catch deadly terrorists. Now,the only man she trusts is the one she can't resist.
Read more >>>
What Sam doesn’t know may kill him--the love of his life is his worst nightmare--his enemy’s daughter.r.
Read more >>>
When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
A Scarlet Past, the story of Scarlet's parents is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for just 99 cents!
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
The Enyo Chronicles includes both Dalia's Choice and Joon's Tempation.
Three different stories, three dangerous men, and three women who deserve them.
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
A reluctant reporter and a lone wolf undercover cop work to catch an extortionist, finding love requires the most dangerous risk of all.
Street-smart cop plays princess to catch deadly terrorists. Now,the only man she trusts is the one she can't resist.
What Sam doesn’t know may kill him--the love of his life is his worst nightmare--his enemy’s daughter.r.
