Writing life

January 31, 2008 Uncategorized

This writing business has a real plus that I don’t see mentioned a lot. Writers support each other with incredible generosity. I don’t know any serious writers who aren’t enthusiastic readers.

One of the thing which worries me about writing romance is how unthrilled I am with some of the best sellers in the genre. While I can admire great craft and talent their story choices leave me indifferent. My romance favorites are still striving for mainstream recognition. Another worry is the standard advice, which runs ‘write what you love to read’. That doesn’t work for me for a couple of reasons.

Number one, I have favorites in virtually every genre. And no, I do not think I should write everything.

Number two, I admire most those with talents I don’t possess.

I deliberately do not read romantic suspense or erotica when I’m writing. My TBR shelves are heavily weighted with historical romances, light contemporary romance, non-romance titles, classics, and all time favorites slated for rereading. There are some erotic, and a few romantic suspense, titles but even combined they are the smallest selection.

I write erotic, I write mystery, I write suspense, and I write dark. I’ve been fortunate enough to connect with a publisher willing to take a chance on one of my stories and even luckier to find readers devouring the first Dangerous book.

Writing life

Uncategorized

Earlier today I got an email from a publisher. The note was encouraging and pleasant. Paraphrasing slightly here’s the gist.

Dear Author,

We received your story proposal and it shows real promise. We’re definitely interested and will be in touch. Unfortunately, we are a little behind, but you’ll definitely hear from us within the next year or so.

Best wishes for your writing success,

Your Editor

All of which is no help at all when I think about what to work on next.

As the day went on I surfed over to the New Concept loop. There was a housekeeping letter to all authors explaining policy and procedure issues. Amidst the answers to a host of newbie questions was this little tidbit–the publishing schedule for 2008 is nearly full.

That single phrase made me want to wail, “already?” But wait, maybe nearly full really means except for this book from Evanne, which we haven’t had a chance to read but we know we’re going to love it.

I need to get out more.

Real life

January 29, 2008 Uncategorized

Louie brought in a rat the other night. This doesn’t qualify as news around here. Louie, a handsome marmalade cat, has always been a keen sportsman. I find the bodies of wee hummingbirds and sweet song singers much more distressing than those of mangled rodents. The biggest thing he’s drug home to date was a baby possum–but that’s another story.

Back to the latest rat escapade. Unfortunately, the most recent prize was not dead. Not even seriously injured. It’s chilly outside and Louie might well have decided a spot of indoor sport was just the thing. He doesn’t talk much about his motivations–more a man of action.

I have no idea when he brought in the rat. Ignorance really is bliss in these cases. However, ignorance left, and so did any semblance of bliss, a few nights ago when I wandered out to the kitchen after dark to get a drink of water. I flipped on the light and startled the marauding rat on his way across the cooktop. He scrambled for the back of the fridge. I tore down the hall, setting a new indoor speed record at chez Lorraine, snatched Louie from his happy nap time and tossed him onto the range (it was completely cold) where the fat bottom and creepy hairless tail could still be seen as the rat struggled to wedge himself behind the fridge. Louie refused to even look at the vermin, yawning and protesting about the discomfort of the glass cooktop. The rat disappeared and I let Louie down with stern words about his slipshod methods of dealing with invaders.

Louie stalked off, clearly offended, flinging a snide “whatever” over his right shoulder. This was in the form of a meow, but I knew what he meant. Katie, the over-grown puppy, arrived fresh from her after dinner nap bounced up and down a few times and sniffed meaningfully at the bottom of the fridge, whining softly. Hard to tell, but I think she wanted the rat to come out for a nice game of chase. The rat declined. For all intents, the refrigerator is immovable. Eventually, we all went to bed and forgot about the rat.

The following morning the rat was crouched on top of the microwave having a bit of breakfast he’d salvaged from the garbage disposal. Again, I raced down the hall and yanked Louie from his slumbers and dumped his fat butt rudely on the kitchen counter. This time he spotted the rat, who promptly disappeared behind the microwave. Hastily, I moved the coffee pot to the sink and pulled the microwave away from the wall to give Louie room to work.

The cat loomed toward the cowering rodent, powerful rear haunches bunched, tail twitching, making Kung-fu sounds deep in his throat. The rat, obviously sensing impending doom, leapt to the top of the microwave and then launched himself across the kitchen. Touching down lightly on the dining room table before executing another amazing jump and vanishing behind the stereo cabinet. Louie streaked past me, screeched to halt, and then huddled down in stakeout position.

Of course, the commotion woke the puppy. She trotted out, and then butted Louie playfully with her nose. He made grumbling sounds that translated “go away kid, you’re bothering me.” But since this is what he always says, she doesn’t pay attention, continuing to nudge him. The cat gave up on his sentry duties and meandered over to his dishes for a bite of breakfast.

That was the last rat sighting. This morning two pictures, out of the dozen on the fireplace mantle, lay on the tiles–glass shards everywhere. Evidence the rat moved south and was likely lurking behind a bookcase.

Writing life

January 28, 2008 Uncategorized

Dangerous Surrender continues to climb the best selling erotica list at Fictionwise. This morning it’s number fifteen and number three on the best rated list. Woo hoo! A huge thank you to my readers!

I’m between writing projects at the moment, so now is the perfect time to comment on what stories you’d like to see in the future. I promise to listen.

Writing life

January 27, 2008 Uncategorized

Still on the Fictionwise Erotica best seller list (number 22 this morning) and one of the top rated books (number two) Yea! Yes, it is shallow and silly but I’m thrilled–it’s my first book!

Writing life

January 26, 2008 Uncategorized

It’s official, I’m completely shallow and obsessed with my sales. I check Fictionwise before I check my bank balance. Sad. But I’m number twenty one on the erotica best sellers list! Yes, yes I understand this is small potatoes and that most of the mass market titles don’t do especially well as e-books. But still. It means people are buying and presumably reading Dangerous Surrender and that’s a huge thrill.

Having honest-to-god readers enjoy my stories is the dream. More than getting paid for writing, more than any award, more than the sales numbers. Those other things are just sign posts that people are reading the book.

Once in awhile someone asks me about how to get published (it’s a common dream folks). I’m honored but I feel inadequate to answer their questions. There are agent and industry blogs that have lots of worthwhile advice. However, I suspect no two writers tread the same path to publication. I spent time thinking about what result I wanted from my writing and what I was willing to invest (in terms of time and money) to achieve that result.

The goal I finally articulated is both wildly ambitious and modest. I want to write stories that touch people. I want to entertain and empower and enlighten along the way because I think that is how to achieve that lofty end result.

In a week I’m going cold turkey–giving up the Internet for eleven days. Maybe I’ll get a grip on reality and be well-behaved after the break with the cyber world. More likely I’ll transfer my obsessive behavior to something else.

Writing life

January 25, 2008 Uncategorized

I don’t know why I bother making plans. Because I never stick to them. Just the other day, I promised myself no new writing projects this year. There’s already plenty to do. And it’s not as if I have a great excuse–like an editor saying I love this–can you do another one like it?

What has happened is I’m between projects–I could work on one of the WIP manuscripts. But it takes time to get into a story world, does me anyway. I only have a week. What I can do in a week is plot a story, create the first layer of the characters who tell that story, craft a setting that serves both the plot and the characters. And this is one of my favorite things to do….

So weak-willed, for the minute I’ve talked myself out of playing with a shiny new story. If I get my chores done I can tinker with one of the already started projects. At least I’ll get my writing fix.

Writing life

January 24, 2008 Uncategorized

Dangerous Surrender is available at Fictionwise. Just in case you’re feeling the need for instant gratification. That is the great thing about ebooks and emusic–you want it? Click and it’s yours!

For the more patient readers it is scheduled to be released in print in May! Exciting stuff.

Meanwhile, I’m back to pretending to be patient while I wait to hear back on my five submissions (one from last year, sigh) including the full for Dangerous Rescue, book two in the Dangerous series. Keeping my fingers crossed more or less permanently.

I entered two contests and am considering a third. Yes, I do count those as submissions. Aside from the disturbing trend in editorial requirements which I’m not ranting about today, contests generally announce results much faster than the traditional submission process. Gotta love the fast answer.

So while I’m admiring Dangerous Surrender’s ranking at Fictionwise (twenty five on the erotica best sellers this morning), reading contest requirements, and updating my submission tracker with the fourth entry this year I’m not getting any writing done.

I’m considering the RWA national convention this year–it’s in San Francisco. I’d love to go but the travel budget is already depleted–I have until June, maybe royalty income will kick in before then. Lovely thought.

Dangerous Secrets

January 23, 2008 Uncategorized

When Karina woke, it was almost dark. Her mouth was dry, her cheek creased from sleeping with her face mashed into the corded trim of the pillow sham, and she didn’t know where she was. Slowly, the memories of Lenny’s betrayal, her slamming out of the condo, and then arriving in Jamaica returned. She needed a drink of water, a clock, and a phone.

The soft shuffling of papers caught her attention, freezing her. Maybe Todd had come home, but she didn’t think so. Whoever was rifling through her brother’s things was being much too quiet to have any legitimate reason for being there.

Adrenalin rushed through her body, sharpening her senses. She strained to hear anything more from inside the main cabin as she felt for the release button to one of the hidden compartments, which Todd had showed her the first time he brought her aboard the boat. The mechanism clicked, allowing her to slide the secret panel soundlessly open. Her palm settled comfortably over the handgun’s scored rosewood grip.


Quietly she withdrew the weapon, closed the compartments, and checked the gun’s chambers. It was fully loaded–ready to fire. An unholy thrill raced through her veins.

She climbed the three steps to the salon. A man sat with his back to her as he clicked the mouse engrossed in reading the familiar word processing screen.

Assuming the two handed shooter’s stance her brother had drilled into her, she yelled at him. “Nice and slow now, put your hands on your head.”

He complied with her order. “If you hold on a minute, I can explain.”

Ignoring his offer, she issued another demand. “Get up.”

Again, the man moved slowly, but he obeyed her orders. This was good, because she didn’t want to shoot him. A gunfight could damage the boat’s interior. “Start talking.”

“I’m a friend of Todd’s–may I turn around?”

She thought about it for a moment. She wasn’t really dressed to entertain. But, she wanted a look at him. “Okay, but real slow.”

The stranger met her gaze with dark eyes that seemed to burn right through her skin to her very soul. She shivered with an awareness that raised goosebumps everywhere that his eyes caressed her body.

“I don’t know you,” she said flatly. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

“Sam Moreno, I’m a friend of Todd’s. He asked me to resolve a couple of system problems for him. That’s all I was doing.”

“I’ll bet,” she muttered rudely to mask her inexplicable reaction to him. “Do you always snoop through your friends’ emails while you’re helping them out?”

He ignored her question, lowering his hands without permission. “It’s your turn, who are you and what are you doing here?”

Briefly, she reconsidered shooting him somewhere non-critical–as a warning. It would put a fast end to the seductive challenge in his eyes. She decided against it. Just possibly, he really was one of her brother’s friends. Besides, she would be the one stuck cleaning up the resulting mess and she was in no mood for swabbing the deck.

Her decision for leniency had nothing whatsoever to do with his broad shoulders or brooding glances. Even tired and cranky, she had still noticed his incredible eyes, black curls, sensual mouth, and powerful forearms dusted with black hair.

The loose fitting shirt and slacks only served to make her more aware of the hard body underneath the casual island clothes. This was so out of character for her she knew she must have passed tired and moved into delusional territory.

“Hands back on your head,” she snapped at him, more cross with herself for imagining him naked than truly upset with his failure to follow her directions. She waved the gun, emphasizing her point.

He complied much too reluctantly.

“I’m Todd’s sister, Karina,” she said crossly, finally answering his question. Then she tried to focus, growing crankier by the minute. “Did you find whatever you were looking for?”

“Not yet,” his voice was cool and controlled–a deep male sound that called to feminine instincts she’d believed dormant or missing–his gaze raked over her barely covered body, sizzling with unmistakable lust.

It wasn’t as if he were the first guy to notice she was female. There was nothing unusual about his frank appraisal, except she’d responded in kind. Heat raced up her neck flushing her cheeks with rosy color, a band of excitement constricted her breathing, her heartbeat accelerated like she’d been working out, and her feminine parts surged to life.

Of course, her previously non-existent sex drive had picked the worst possible moment to wake up and smell the testosterone. Worse, she couldn’t control her arousal any more than she could command the tides. The ice princess had melted.

She stared at the stranger, who’d set fire to her body. What had he told her his name was? Sam. This was crazy. She was running on fumes and needed to lay down for another couple of hours. Attraction, or not–and she wasn’t kidding herself about the strength of the heat arcing between them.

But, she wasn’t so far gone that she was ready to buy his story. So much for her plan to be a wild woman.

Writing life

Uncategorized

In a little bit I will finish up my second cup of coffee and the Instant Seduction contest entry. For me a contest entry is a writing exercise. Will it turn into a real book? Possibly someday or it might become a novella. I will probably find another small writing assignment to play with until February. Or perhaps I will simply wallow in books and practice French for the next two weeks.

Surfing about, I noticed a disturbing romance publishing trend, an Alpha male hero requirement. Personally, I have no problem with Alpha heroes. I wouldn’t be a Presents fan if I did. But, and it is an important but, I do not want to read only one kind of story over and over and over again. Heck, I don’t even stick to a genre. I read thrillers, mysteries, literary fiction, poetry, classics, humor, and lots of nonfiction. And what’s more, I don’t think I’m alone in my broad range of printed entertainment. One of the things writers have in common is their love of reading.

Back to the Alpha trend I find disturbing. Making a certain personality type an editorial story requirement seems counterproductive. Publishing is a business. Businesses want to succeed. Success is based on whole host of complicated factors but it starts with giving the customer what they want. Easy-peasy right? Set up a focus group, do polls, pay attention to which items in your product line move the best. All good, sensible, and proven marketing strategies. And if the publisher lives by them alone they guarantee mediocrity and eventual failure. Because it is the exception that makes the breakout best seller. It is the rule breaker that sets the world on fire and brings commercial success to its backers. Was Harry Potter on the list of proven track record stories? No. Some wild-eyed publisher took a chance.

After a steady production of nothing other than say Alpha vampire heroes for a year or so I can predict a decline in book sales with total confidence. Said decline followed by the amazing sensational success of a new renegade romance story featuring a laid back blonde beach bum hero or an equally unlikely protagonist.