Writing Life

June 30, 2007 Uncategorized

I’m reading two books … when I’m supposed to be editing one and writing at least one. Bad writer!

Back when I got paid to go to work in an office I used to always read two books at a time. One audio book, for commute entertainment–an excellent plan, it makes traffic snarls if not fun, at least tolerable,and another book for the chapter, or two or three, before bed. In those days I wrote in the wee hours of the morning and after dinner. The evening book was my treat for achieving the day’s word count.

Yes, very nerdy. But I am, what did you expect?

Writing more of the time cut into reading. But then a bad thing happened, I discovered ebooks so now I’m back reading two books – a little computer book(Angel Eyes by Jaycee Clark), a little print book (Fox River by Emile Richards) and it’s all good.

One strange coincidence, both books deal with eyes. In entirely different ways, but still, this factor adds an extra layer of pleasure to two entirely different but riveting authors.

Writing life

June 28, 2007 Uncategorized

There is a ton of stuff a newbie writer is supposed to be doing — none of which includes the main thing (that would be writing). Feel free to give me advice on what is important and/or effective when it comes to promotion/marketing/advertising. I’m treading water in a big pond.

For your entertainment I’m posting practice chat questions feel free to add questions or your own – tell chat stories or anything at all.

1. Please tell us a little about your book or upcoming release.

The book is Dangerous Surrender a romantic suspense with erotic elements. It’s exactly the kind of book I love to read, a taut mystery combined with a tortured love story and erotic love scenes. The theme of the series is dangerous love. One man, one woman who are each other’s worst possible nightmare and at the same time the one and only person in the world for them.

2. Where do you come up with your ideas?

The swamp creature that lives deep inside sends letters to the surface now and then. If the dominatrix editor who lives in the surface of my head sees merit in the swamp creatures note then it becomes a story.

3. What are you working on now?

The next Dangerous book.

4. What is your favorite story (that you’ve written)?

This question is a bit like asking a mother which of her children she loves best. Naturally I love them all. But best? A tie between my first book, which will always hold a special place in my heart, and the current story.

5. How do you create your characters? Are they based on anyone?

The characters are both the best and worst of writing. They begin as foils for telling the story – almost like stick figures consisting of goals, motivations and conflicts. Little by little they grow layers, or I learn about their layers, until they are real and complex beings with their own contradictions, fears, and dreams. They aren’t based upon anyone real. Though I select pictures of actors or models, who help me keep their physical image firmly planted.

6. How do you come up with your titles?

A phrase from the story or that represents the story resonates in my head – these are always lines from the swamp creature.

7. Do you write to music or prefer silence?

I always have a playlist for every story – usually edited many times.

8. Do you put any of your own quirks/traits into your heroines?

Always at least one, it helps strengthen our connection but it’s up to me to find that trait or recognize it.

9. Do you tend to favor certain types of atmospheres/places during romantic scenes?

Choice of venue for all actions is determined by the characters and the story itself, they do take on a life of their own.

10. Do you find your heroines are a lot like you, not so much?

My heroines have parts of me in then, little parts and idealized parts but then you and I share every emotion and this is really the heart of characterization.

11. Do you think your heroes are someone you’d like to meet in real life?

Absolutely, but it would ruin my dreams of being prolific. Although they all are one women men – once they meet the right woman. Since I insure they meet her there’d be little point in meeting them in real life.

12. Do you torture your characters if you are having a bad day?

I torture my characters on good days. How else are they going to tell you a great story?

13. Do you tend to put private jokes or objects in your writing that only you and another person would get-but to everyone else it seems like nothing?

Only accidentally.

14. Do you ever write your pets into you novels or their traits?

Both.

15. If you had to be trapped with one of your heroes?

I’m so fickle – the answer would always be my most recent hero, today Samson (Sam) Moreno. But as irresistible as he is – I know he would spend all our time together talking about Anika so it wouldn’t be as much fun as it sounds.

16. Did you ever write a character that just ticked you off so much you started taking revenge on him as if he were real?

Strangely enough, no. Actually I’m in sympathy with all of my characters even the evil ones, because I understand why they act as they do. Even if I hate what they’re doing, I still feel empathy for them – I have to in order to write them well.

Writing life

June 27, 2007 Uncategorized

Here’s what I’m up to

Current writing projects:

Dangerous Surrender – Romantic suspense with erotic elements – Full length novel – Sold! Coming soon from New Concepts Publishing!

Dangerous Deception – Romantic suspense with erotic elements – Full length novel – not contracted

Island Interlude – Erotica – Short story – Submitted to Samhain

Pirate Rules – Romantic Erotica with elements of suspense – Novella – Submitted to Ellora’s Cave Exotika line

Coming projects:

Dangerous Protection – Romantic suspense with erotic elements – Full length novel – not contracted

Urban Adventure – Erotica – Short story – not contracted

Private Meeting – Erotica – Short story – not contracted

Pirate Games – Romantic Erotica with elements of suspense – not contracted

Pirate Rescue – Romantic Erotica with elements of suspense – not contracted

The neurotic obsessive writer at work

Writing life

June 26, 2007 Uncategorized

I was going to write about author loops and how impressive everyone else’s productivity and work ethic is — but then silly blogspot wouldn’t let me log in. Tried an end run by logging into gmail first. No go, gmail won’t let me in either. Nor will they allow me to report the problem since I no longer exist in their cyber system. Shaking head sadly. The internet is right up there with electricity and running water on my list of things I need to be happy.

Since I tricked the blog into recognizing me – maybe the email program will work too. Gee, I hope so.

Publication Quest

June 24, 2007 Uncategorized

In a few months I’ll have to rename this blog feature, Publication News ! Signed and sent off the official contract, artwork questionaire, blurbs. Exciting stuff!

Got a lovely rejection, yes that does sound like a contradiciton. But it truly was very kind and included an invitation to submit something else. I’m gnashing my teeth because I can only work on one thing at a time and have nothing to send her at the moment. Later, it is the best I can do.

In the meantime, I’d revised the story I submitted (saving the submitted version of course) and felt it now fit another excellent publisher even better. Re-submitted it the same day I received the rejection.

Back to work on the next Dangerous story. When it’s time for this one to rest, between the first and second drafts – then I’ll have a go at a new story for the second tasteful editor.

Current year’s goals updated

1) Continue to study and learn the craft of writing.

2) Three submissions – done – follow up with a sequels to each *

3) In roads into the TBR shelves

Progress report

1) Read craft stuff – I think I’m addicted to this too!

Five submissions sent! Two novels, one novella x 2, and one short

Status: One sale – two rejections – two waiting to hear from the publishers

Timeline:

Number Two: Sold!

Number three: Two months three weeks – estimated response time from publisher none**

Number four: Rejected and resubmitted – new estimated response time – one to twelve months

*Yes, I do admit this is an insane plan, but I need to stay busy. If I have idle time I become even more neurotic and imagine unpleasant things. Far better to put my twisted mind to work developing more dangerously sexy stories.

**Publisher did acknowledge the submission, but included a warning not to contact them about submissions to this line. IMHO Three months is long enough for them to have an exclusive.

TBR stack is even – bought a book, read a book . . .

Writing life

June 22, 2007 Uncategorized

Darn word meter stalled again. I spent the day reading nice normal size print on the New Concepts Publishing contract, filling out a cover art questionnaire, writing blurbs,and an author bio. Doesn’t sound like much does it? Nevertheless the happy list of chores mushroomed in my mind and crowded out the current story.

Still don’t have any idea on release date, if I get to keep my title, or if revisions are required. For tonight, I’m an optimist. That means the book will keep its present title Dangerous Surrender . It will get a great cover, there will be few revisions, and lots of readers will love the story.

Writing life

June 21, 2007 Uncategorized

Just in case anyone else is neurotically obsessing about the word meter — no? It’s strictly my problem? Yeah — I figured. Anyway I noticed the total story count was short. Obviously, I had to correct it. Therefore, even though I produced my requisite word goal the meter still didn’t progress. Tomorrow’s another day.

Writing craft

June 20, 2007 Uncategorized

Story indebtedness is a fairly new concept to me. But it has become very useful. So I’m going to share the small bit of knowledge I’ve gleaned in the hopes I’ll get smarter as I try to explain the idea.

Indebtedness is the reason a particular character is in this story. The inclusion criteria boils down to a single moment in time that was the deciding factor in making them in the person they are at the beginning of the story. Naturally, the protagonists grow and change during, and because of the events happening in, the tale.

Every writer works differently, but I cheat on indebtedness, working the character’s defining moment in after the story is through the first draft. But knowing that I need this core piece of motivation helps, even though I insert it after the story has considerable meat on its bones.

The knowing part sends a message to the swamp monster, who lies deep inside and deals with character motivation and other emotional issues. The sullen beast requires time to digest things before it sends anything usable to the surface. I write between bulletins from the swamp and completely bitchy demands from an anal shrew of a internal editor.

Life in the jungle is tough.

Reading report

June 19, 2007 Uncategorized

Last week I had a special treat I read Leeanne Kenedy’s, Bad Moon Rising one of Samhain’s hot summer nights releases. Hailey and Zach instantly sprang to life on the virtual page and became a couple I cheered for. The novella moved seamlessly into a hot Malibu romance complete with believable conflict and a satisfying ending. In short, the kind of story that makes me think I need a ebook reader so I can take a selection to the beach.

Writing life

June 18, 2007 Uncategorized

A huge thank you to all my visitors and commenters for the support. The amazing community of women friends s one of the most delightful surprises about romance writing. There’s no group anywhere who are as much fun and who totally understand all the angst and neurotic behavior.

I’m working on the sequel, but real life keeps interfering with my production. It dawned on me as I was drifting off to sleep that while I’ve plotted a good story, I left out the romance. Now I’m thinking about how my couple are going to fall in love especially when they are in such danger and have so little reason to trust each other. The pressure cooker effect of events should work to accelerate the romance if I can get it going to begin with, but there are serious conflicts to overcome. With all the natural barriers between this couple I need some serious motivation for them to get involved in a sexual relationship. Hmmm.

If I hadn’t been down this road a time or two I would think motivating characters was a simple thing – after all I create them. They damn well better behave themselves and think and do as I want them to. However it all has to make sense and first of all it has to make sense to me before I can tell their story.