Monday, June 30, 2008
Ogling a hero...
I took my oldest daughters to see the new Speed Racer movie. It was entertaining -- cheesy, yes, but rather fun to watch. Just beware of the multitude of flashing lights and ultra-vivid-technicolor. I almost walked away with a migraine from all the chaotic sights.
However, I also walked away with a sincere appreciation for another actor, Matthew Fox of Lost fame. He is the perfect model for the hero in an upcoming novel, tentatively titled: Night Shift. The story is actually taking the characters from an unpublished short story -- a paranormal historical romance -- and tossing them into the present.
The book is still a work in progress, but I have it slated as book four in my paranormal series: The Sentinels.
Unlike many writers, I don't always have a photo visual of my characters, but I find it does help to have some kind of reference point. That way my heroes don't all come out sounding like the same cookie-cutter version of the last one. I can give them slightly different features; different flaws; varied attributes. If I have that photo available, it makes it all the easier to find the right words to convey what I'm seeing in my mind's eye.
And who doesn't like to ogle a hero now and then?
Labels:
Lost,
Matthew Fox,
Speed Racer movie,
The Sentinels
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Chick-lit and Guest Blogger...
This past May marks the date for the release of Cindy K. Green’s sixth book title, Meeting Mr. Right Online. It is a sweet, chick-lit novella. What is Chicklit you might ask? Here is a little introduction from the author.
Chick-lit is primarily about young women in their 20’s or 30’s dealing with life (some newer titles include older women as well). It contains a light, humorous and most importantly a confiding tone (like you’re speaking to your girlfriends)—almost always in the first person. The themes focus around love, relationships, friendships, professional dilemmas, and a penchant for fashion—usually facing hilarious and embarrassing situations. But what it all comes down to is the heroine figuring out herself and what she really wants out of life. There is usually some kind of epiphany that blows her mind away and finally she can see clearly about what she really wants—or more importantly—needs.
Chicklit is a completely different genre from romance because the focus is on the woman and how she navigates her way through the twists and turns life throws at her. But the romantic angle is usually at the forefront of the story. Another things about chicklit is that it does not always end in a happily ever after for the heroine and her love interest. Now I am an HEA girl all the way, so never fear, mine is very romantic and sweet and ends with an HEA.
A few questions to Cindy about writing this book.
How did you go about writing this story?
This story resulted from a few factors. I was reading a couple of chick-lit novels last spring, I’d just watched several episodes of a certain tv show with my sisters which resulted in the names of all the side characters, and I really did have an online friend like this who I had come to rely on and then all of a sudden didn’t hear from. My friend though was only a friend and we started writing again in a very short time. But the situation made me think…What if??? It all went from there.
Did you plot out this story or write it pantser style?
There was no plotting to this story until toward the end and then it was only ideas of what I wanted to happen to bring about the conclusion. I began writing this story on my PDA late at night in the dark (this is also how I wrote NovelTea #1). Sounds weird, right? :D Well, we authors are an odd lot. LOL! I was in the middle of editing a full-length novel and to those of you who have ever done that we know how consuming it is. I needed to write something new. So, there in the dark as my husband slept, I began this story.
Is the finished version much different from your first draft?
Yes, actually, it is. It is about 5,000 words longer to begin with. I changed the heroine’s profession, adding a secondary plot line about her work worries. And I made her love interest British instead of American. My husband calls me an Anglophile as I love all things British especially Period Dramas and British television. I thought, ‘I can write an English bloke.’ I had a couple English author friends read through his passages to make sure he seemed real. It seems he passed muster.
Meeting Mr. Right Online
By Cindy K. Green
Sweet/Chicklit Novella
By Grace Publishing
$1.49
Watch the book trailer
Blurb:
What’s a girl to do when she’s thirty-three and all her friends have started their lives and left her behind?
Lucinda Kelley works for a local cable television show, assists her sister in her tumultuous relationships, and yearns for the day she can meet Mr. Right. All that seems to change when she meets Londoner Julian Crawford in an on-line tv chat room. Eight months later, via email he has become her best friend and closest confidant. Then one day the messages cease, and Lucinda feels lost until she makes a vow to end this infatuation with someone she has never met and move on to something real. When an alarming revelation is exposed, it could be Lucinda’s undoing or it might be exactly what she was looking for.
Excerpt #1: The Opening
Good evening, this is Amber Heffernan reporting live for Channel 11 entertainment news outside the beautiful Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. In just a few minutes, the glamorous Lucinda Kelley will emerge with her new husband, that handsome British financier. This couple has been in the media limelight since they first started seeing each other almost six months ago, outshining all of the other popular Hollywood pairs. The bride was married today in a Vera Wang strapless scoop-neck wedding gown, and I’m told she looked absolutely stunning. When the couple exits the hotel, they will travel to JFK International Airport to board the family jet to Jamaica where the twosome plan to depart for a two week honeymoon. After that they will settle into their Malibu home in California where Lucinda produces her award winning television sitcom…
The computer beeped letting me know it had finally booted up, and there I was, daydreaming again. I really had to stop doing that. I clicked the button once more, hoping this time it would be there. I held my breath for the few seconds it took to check my email messages, feeling that depressed, empty sensation yet again when I didn’t see it. Rubbing my forehead, I closed my eyes. This was absolutely ridiculous. Why did I torture myself so?
Read a couple more excerpts and watch the book trailer on my website.
**********
Cindy K. Green is a multi-published author with degrees in History and Education. Previously a middle school English & History teacher, she now homeschools her own children and writes in several genres: Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense and Historical romance. Find out more about Cindy and her books at www.cindykgreen.com.
Friday, June 06, 2008
What happened to Spring?
It's hot. Blazing, melting, nobody wants to move HOT! We never really had Spring here in the lovely Eastern USA. Winter and fall-like temps followed us through the end of May with little good days in-between...and now we're up in the 90s with humidity that makes the air thick enough to swim through.
Ugh.
Yeah, yeah, when it was in the 20s I swore I wouldn't complain, but I guess I lied. What happened to Spring? Anyone? Anyone? Beuhler?
Ugh.
Yeah, yeah, when it was in the 20s I swore I wouldn't complain, but I guess I lied. What happened to Spring? Anyone? Anyone? Beuhler?
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Joyfully Interviewed!
I've been interviewed and was very impressed with the interviewer's questions. I could tell she did her research. :)
Read it here: Meg Allison interview
Read it here: Meg Allison interview
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