Just found out -- thanks to my wonderful editor -- that Romancing Jenny has been nominated in the Best Novella category for the 2005 Golden Rose!
This is a first for me and I'm very excited!
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Comedy or drama?
I write different types of romance. Sweet and sensual -- in other words, no sex to something a little spicier.
I also write a bit of historical, quite a lot of mystery/suspense, and paranormal. Then there are my funny stories. Okay, I hope they're funny. I do manage to make some people laugh, anyway. ;)
I have found that while I enjoy writing all types of romance, rom com is in some ways the easiest. I say that because with a comedy your Hero and heroine don't have to be almost perfect but slightly flawed. They can be completely opposite as long as they're likable. But to me, the characters are more *real*. They seem to be people that could live next door or in the next town. My humorous characters get some of their best lines straight from real-life -- my life. They live through the same kinds of problems and insecurities as the rest of us. No where in comic romance do your characters have to be 'larger than life'.
Real. Likable. The boy-next-door; the nerd at the office; the sassy waitress at the local coffee shop; the shy girl behind the perfume counter. They don't have to be spies or millionares or have a perfect voice, body, smile... or anything! So in that way, they are so much easier to create and write. And they can also be a lot more fun.
Yeah, the hard part is keeping it funny for the long haul. That's where I really give credit to other writers who 'keep it funny' in book after book after book. Jennifer Cruise is the first that comes to mind. Even her blog and website make me LOL!
To write romantic comedy you need: a sense of humor; some writing skills; a bunch of real and likable characters; and a lot of time to get it down and get it right. Hey, I've got most of that covered -- plus a few plots spinning in my head.
When the historical is done and out the door, then I'll take up one of those rom coms and finish it up. My editor and publisher will be happy, as will I. It's hard to have a bad day when you're looking for the humor in it all.
Dive into a romantic comedy soon. Sometimes the angst gets to be a bit much, don't you think? We all need a good laugh ... and a little love ... and a Happily Ever After, now and then. :)
I also write a bit of historical, quite a lot of mystery/suspense, and paranormal. Then there are my funny stories. Okay, I hope they're funny. I do manage to make some people laugh, anyway. ;)
I have found that while I enjoy writing all types of romance, rom com is in some ways the easiest. I say that because with a comedy your Hero and heroine don't have to be almost perfect but slightly flawed. They can be completely opposite as long as they're likable. But to me, the characters are more *real*. They seem to be people that could live next door or in the next town. My humorous characters get some of their best lines straight from real-life -- my life. They live through the same kinds of problems and insecurities as the rest of us. No where in comic romance do your characters have to be 'larger than life'.
Real. Likable. The boy-next-door; the nerd at the office; the sassy waitress at the local coffee shop; the shy girl behind the perfume counter. They don't have to be spies or millionares or have a perfect voice, body, smile... or anything! So in that way, they are so much easier to create and write. And they can also be a lot more fun.
Yeah, the hard part is keeping it funny for the long haul. That's where I really give credit to other writers who 'keep it funny' in book after book after book. Jennifer Cruise is the first that comes to mind. Even her blog and website make me LOL!
To write romantic comedy you need: a sense of humor; some writing skills; a bunch of real and likable characters; and a lot of time to get it down and get it right. Hey, I've got most of that covered -- plus a few plots spinning in my head.
When the historical is done and out the door, then I'll take up one of those rom coms and finish it up. My editor and publisher will be happy, as will I. It's hard to have a bad day when you're looking for the humor in it all.
Dive into a romantic comedy soon. Sometimes the angst gets to be a bit much, don't you think? We all need a good laugh ... and a little love ... and a Happily Ever After, now and then. :)
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Revisionist blues
I hate to let go of things. Particularly when the thing in question took a hell of a lot of work, time, and tears. Hence my revival of the manuscript I lovingly call: The Historical that Will Not Die.
If you're a writer, then you understand how much your writing grows and changes from that first story to the current wip. So you wind up finding things in older stories that can make you cringe. If it's bad enough, you even throw in the towel and bury the story for all eternity. That is if you don't just delete the file.
I have a hard time with deleting. It almost feels like I'm killing off an old friend. So my computer files are filled with stories I haven't gotten back to -- and for my own sake, hopefully never will. Why? Because I've found it's a heck of a lot easier to start from scratch than to pick something apart and try to make it work. Have you ever remodeled a house? We have. Building from the ground up is easier. Trust me.
However, we don't always have the luxury to build from the basement up and those months of work banging out a story feel like a loss if it never flies.
So, I'm determined to give my first "baby" one or two more shots at being seen. She hardly resembles the ms she once was. She's lost about 40k of words that really were not necessary--I'm cringing, btw, to know a real editor once read this part. Yet, the structure is sound, the writing mostly passable and fixable, the characters are dear to my heart. Will it sell? Heck if I know. But I promised myself that I'll set it aside if plans F & G fall through. Really. I will. Scouts honor.
Okay, I might have to reuse the hero's name for another character down the road (I love, love, love the name) ... but I will move on to something else. Something newer. Something with a little more pizzazz. ;) And I have just the thing ... right there in my documents list. (GG)
If you're a writer, then you understand how much your writing grows and changes from that first story to the current wip. So you wind up finding things in older stories that can make you cringe. If it's bad enough, you even throw in the towel and bury the story for all eternity. That is if you don't just delete the file.
I have a hard time with deleting. It almost feels like I'm killing off an old friend. So my computer files are filled with stories I haven't gotten back to -- and for my own sake, hopefully never will. Why? Because I've found it's a heck of a lot easier to start from scratch than to pick something apart and try to make it work. Have you ever remodeled a house? We have. Building from the ground up is easier. Trust me.
However, we don't always have the luxury to build from the basement up and those months of work banging out a story feel like a loss if it never flies.
So, I'm determined to give my first "baby" one or two more shots at being seen. She hardly resembles the ms she once was. She's lost about 40k of words that really were not necessary--I'm cringing, btw, to know a real editor once read this part. Yet, the structure is sound, the writing mostly passable and fixable, the characters are dear to my heart. Will it sell? Heck if I know. But I promised myself that I'll set it aside if plans F & G fall through. Really. I will. Scouts honor.
Okay, I might have to reuse the hero's name for another character down the road (I love, love, love the name) ... but I will move on to something else. Something newer. Something with a little more pizzazz. ;) And I have just the thing ... right there in my documents list. (GG)
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Come chat with us!
We'll be chatting at Coffeetime Romance tonight, April 11th, at 9 p.m. EDT. The subject of the evening will be the upcoming romantic comedy series, Blue Plate Special: Pops' Girls, to be released consecutively in April, May and June by Moonlit Romance.
Come join Laura Hamby, Shara Jones and me as we talk about the books we've been working on together over the past year. A whole year!? Wow, where has the time gone?
We'll be giving away prizes and sharing excerpts and blurbs -- and knowing my writing buddies, it should be a fun chat.
See you there!
And I promise not to sneeze on anyone. ;)
Come join Laura Hamby, Shara Jones and me as we talk about the books we've been working on together over the past year. A whole year!? Wow, where has the time gone?
We'll be giving away prizes and sharing excerpts and blurbs -- and knowing my writing buddies, it should be a fun chat.
See you there!
And I promise not to sneeze on anyone. ;)
Monday, April 10, 2006
Controlled substances??
I have a cold. No big deal, really, just something settled in my head and now I'm miserable. But I don't need a doctor -- not yet. I'll just take some over-the-counter stuff and keep up the Vitamin-C until I feel better.
Oh, but if you go to buy cold meds anytime soon -- don't forget a photo I.D.
HUH? Yep, in case you're like me and have been living in a fog for the past months -- you now need a photo I.D. to buy Sudafed and other similar medications. Apparently, some very enterprising people have figured out how to make meth amphetamines out of our once every-day, ordinary cold products.
This shows me three things:
1. I've been suffering from a tunnel vision of sorts lately -- not knowing or really caring what's going on around me;
2. The world is getting out-of-control-weird if people have to find such bizarre ways to get high and/or make money; AND
3. I really need to keep up-to-date for professional purposes.
Professionally, I like to write contemporary and often suspense. One of my next novels is a sequel to my Summer release, Secrets and Shadows. The new story is tentatively titled, Small Town Junk, and involves a gang of drug dealers in the mountain town of Castle's Grove, PA. (A fictional burg which only exists in my imagination.)
Now I'm wondering... well, maybe the dealers don't have to have big city connections to heroin, maybe I can just outfit them with a chem lab and a hot case of Sudafed Cold and Flu? Huh. This is definitely something I'll have to research.
But I admit -- I feel a little uneasy about the strange twists and turns our society is going through. As a mom, it worries me that drugs are such an 'easy' thing to get hold of these days. The new trends in getting high give me moments of real dread as I think about my own children being faced with these choices. And it kind of ticks me off that I have to show I.D. & sign something in order to buy cold medicine!
When did any of us old folks ever dream that our cold meds would be dubbed as controlled substances? It boggles the mind ... and sets the imagination on a new flight. But wherever this might lead any future stories, at least I know my romance H/h will have a happy ending. All I have to do is make sure I have the right villain for the piece.
Oh, but if you go to buy cold meds anytime soon -- don't forget a photo I.D.
HUH? Yep, in case you're like me and have been living in a fog for the past months -- you now need a photo I.D. to buy Sudafed and other similar medications. Apparently, some very enterprising people have figured out how to make meth amphetamines out of our once every-day, ordinary cold products.
This shows me three things:
1. I've been suffering from a tunnel vision of sorts lately -- not knowing or really caring what's going on around me;
2. The world is getting out-of-control-weird if people have to find such bizarre ways to get high and/or make money; AND
3. I really need to keep up-to-date for professional purposes.
Professionally, I like to write contemporary and often suspense. One of my next novels is a sequel to my Summer release, Secrets and Shadows. The new story is tentatively titled, Small Town Junk, and involves a gang of drug dealers in the mountain town of Castle's Grove, PA. (A fictional burg which only exists in my imagination.)
Now I'm wondering... well, maybe the dealers don't have to have big city connections to heroin, maybe I can just outfit them with a chem lab and a hot case of Sudafed Cold and Flu? Huh. This is definitely something I'll have to research.
But I admit -- I feel a little uneasy about the strange twists and turns our society is going through. As a mom, it worries me that drugs are such an 'easy' thing to get hold of these days. The new trends in getting high give me moments of real dread as I think about my own children being faced with these choices. And it kind of ticks me off that I have to show I.D. & sign something in order to buy cold medicine!
When did any of us old folks ever dream that our cold meds would be dubbed as controlled substances? It boggles the mind ... and sets the imagination on a new flight. But wherever this might lead any future stories, at least I know my romance H/h will have a happy ending. All I have to do is make sure I have the right villain for the piece.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Good news
Two of my writing friends have great news to share.
Laura Hamby's latest release, It's all Greek to Me, is a best seller at Fictionwise.com! Drop by her blog and tell her congrats. She'll read it soon enough -- once she comes down off the ceiling. ;)
Sela Carsen is also floating a bit these days. She's sold her fantastic and very funny paranormal romance to Samhain Publishing, Ltd.!
I am so proud of my former critique group buddies! We're all still heading in the right direction. :)
Lesson learned: Don't give up the dream -- but don't be afraid to change your plans along the way.
Laura Hamby's latest release, It's all Greek to Me, is a best seller at Fictionwise.com! Drop by her blog and tell her congrats. She'll read it soon enough -- once she comes down off the ceiling. ;)
Sela Carsen is also floating a bit these days. She's sold her fantastic and very funny paranormal romance to Samhain Publishing, Ltd.!
I am so proud of my former critique group buddies! We're all still heading in the right direction. :)
Lesson learned: Don't give up the dream -- but don't be afraid to change your plans along the way.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
The cost of success
It's kind of amazing that when I first started writing, I really had little thought to getting published. Then when I decided to give it a whirl, I thought -- oh, it won't be too hard, I'm good.
Yes, I hear you snickering out there. Stop that.
Reality landed square on my shoulders in the the form of my first rejection letter. At the time, I thought it was a sign of failure -- now I know it's a badge of honor in my profession. Very few professions consider you 'one of us' when you fail, btw. That just shows what a strange lot we writers are by nature.
Now I have success. Not exactly as I envisioned it five years ago when I started this ride, but success all the same. And I'm finding the work has just begun. So has the price.
Promotional items; advertisement; websites --- all of these cost money and/or time. While I do have a do-it-yourself freebie website at the moment, I know the time will come when it won't be enough. I'll want something 'prettier', more professional looking. Whatever that may mean.
So how do I explain to my oh-so-supportive dh that I need to invest money where I've made very little? Well, he's a smart man. He'll be able to see the wisdom in that eventually. It's just getting up the nerve to approach the subject that's the problem.
Yes, I hear you snickering out there. Stop that.
Reality landed square on my shoulders in the the form of my first rejection letter. At the time, I thought it was a sign of failure -- now I know it's a badge of honor in my profession. Very few professions consider you 'one of us' when you fail, btw. That just shows what a strange lot we writers are by nature.
Now I have success. Not exactly as I envisioned it five years ago when I started this ride, but success all the same. And I'm finding the work has just begun. So has the price.
Promotional items; advertisement; websites --- all of these cost money and/or time. While I do have a do-it-yourself freebie website at the moment, I know the time will come when it won't be enough. I'll want something 'prettier', more professional looking. Whatever that may mean.
So how do I explain to my oh-so-supportive dh that I need to invest money where I've made very little? Well, he's a smart man. He'll be able to see the wisdom in that eventually. It's just getting up the nerve to approach the subject that's the problem.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Author page
I now have an Author Page up at Samhain Publishing, Ltd.! It looks so nice -- I love the font and colors on the site are gorgeous. Cannot wait until my cover art is ready! I'm expecting great things from their artist, Scott Carpenter. :)
Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend!
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Chat tomorrow!
We're holding a chat tomorrow, Monday, March 20th, at Moonlit Romance to celebrate the release of Nell Dixon's book, The Cinderella Substitute.
Join us from 4-5 p.m. EST, and chat with Nell and other Moonlit authors.
See you there!
Join us from 4-5 p.m. EST, and chat with Nell and other Moonlit authors.
See you there!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
In my hands
I ordered a copy of By Grace Publishing's Short and Sweet Anthology (2005). It arrived yesterday. My first published story ... in my hands ... pretty candy cover and all. :)
Needless to say, I was very excited. There's just something about holding your book in your hands. Don't get me wrong, eBooks are wonderful and probably will be the thing of the future. I'm even giving serious thought to investing in an eBook reader. But I'll probably always be a paperback kind of girl. When that baby is brought to three-dimensional life, well, it's just a thrill beyond words.
So... my first baby has arrived. She's lovely and came with friends in tow. ;) Can't wait to read those other stories now.
By the way, due to upcoming deadlines, revisions, etc, I'll just be blogging once a week unless something exciting happens, I have a slow day, or need an excuse to procrastinate. ;)
Have a good week and read a good book ... or two. :)
Needless to say, I was very excited. There's just something about holding your book in your hands. Don't get me wrong, eBooks are wonderful and probably will be the thing of the future. I'm even giving serious thought to investing in an eBook reader. But I'll probably always be a paperback kind of girl. When that baby is brought to three-dimensional life, well, it's just a thrill beyond words.
So... my first baby has arrived. She's lovely and came with friends in tow. ;) Can't wait to read those other stories now.
By the way, due to upcoming deadlines, revisions, etc, I'll just be blogging once a week unless something exciting happens, I have a slow day, or need an excuse to procrastinate. ;)
Have a good week and read a good book ... or two. :)
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Pain and suffering
My head hurts. No, not a little. Yes, I've taken something. Gotten it down to a dull roar, but I can feel the pain lurking.
And it leaves me to wonder -- and ramble, as I tend to do when my head aches -- how do people live with chronic pain? How can you possibly get used to something like this? But I know some people do. They are truly heroic.
The thing about headaches -- and I woke up with this one, so it could be anything from stress to migraine -- is that they make it difficult to think coherently. And to write. Except that as I lay there this morning, wanting to die, a thought did manifest in my throbbing skull. This is how my heroine in my next paranormal can get together with the hero, a healer. Working title: The Healer's Touch
So, one headache = one miserable day BUT with one good plot idea attached. Hey, I'll take it... and a couple more aspirin, please.
And it leaves me to wonder -- and ramble, as I tend to do when my head aches -- how do people live with chronic pain? How can you possibly get used to something like this? But I know some people do. They are truly heroic.
The thing about headaches -- and I woke up with this one, so it could be anything from stress to migraine -- is that they make it difficult to think coherently. And to write. Except that as I lay there this morning, wanting to die, a thought did manifest in my throbbing skull. This is how my heroine in my next paranormal can get together with the hero, a healer. Working title: The Healer's Touch
So, one headache = one miserable day BUT with one good plot idea attached. Hey, I'll take it... and a couple more aspirin, please.
(Thank heavens for spell check!)
Friday, March 10, 2006
Writing quotes
Yes, I'm out of ideas today. But here are some quotes that caught my eye.
Everything that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. And later on you can use it in some story. ~~Tapani Bagge
When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand. ~~Raymond Chandler
When in doubt, blow something up. ~~J. Michael Straczynski
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them; a man may live long yet live very little. ~~Michel de Montaigne
Everything that doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. And later on you can use it in some story. ~~Tapani Bagge
When in doubt, have a man come through the door with a gun in his hand. ~~Raymond Chandler
When in doubt, blow something up. ~~J. Michael Straczynski
The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them; a man may live long yet live very little. ~~Michel de Montaigne
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Wanted: One Muse
One who will not argue or leave
his/her writer at the slightest whim.
Must love dark chocolate, Gerard Butler,
country music and all things Irish.
Ability to converse in both contemporary and
historical terms a plus.
Must be willing to dabble in both paranormal
and suspenseful elements.
Apply within.
Urgent ... I have deadlines to meet.
Anyone have an extra muse sitting about? Maybe one you don't get along with?
Mine has flown the coup. And it's all because I wouldn't agree to start another story -- a historical showing my version of what happened to a man very much like the infamous Phantom of the Opera. Yes, it's a romance. Somedays I wish I had never seen that darn movie.
But I have too many things going at the moment. First round edits for my June Moonlit Romance title, Learning to Live; final rewrite and polish on my Irish historical, Alaina's Promise (so I can inflict... uh, submit it to my wonderful editor); another short romantic comedy for By Grace, Table for Two; a short story to go with the Blue Plate Special anthology, as yet untitled; and ... the grandaddy of them all ... my monster paranormal romantic suspense (the first of a series), Chameleon.
That doesn't even cover the starts and stops waiting patiently in my computer files -- some I will finish eventually (especially my Lakota hero, yum), others will never make it past the few pages I've managed. And Ms. Muse wants me to start another story?!?! Ain't gonna happen.
No no no no no no no!!!!!!!!!
SIGH
Okay. Maybe just one page.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
A very long weekend
Why did this weekend seem longer than others?
Good question. I think the answer lies in the fact that I have been unable to write. Okay, so that's not quite accurate. Let's say: "I've been unable to write anything that isn't crap."
There. Much better.
Why do I go through this stage periodically? Not sure. It could be that the stress of life interferes. It could be that I'm putting too much pressure on myself to get certain projects done. Or it could just be that I'm destined to produce garbage for a time. But, this too shall pass. I know it will -- it always does. Just have to keep writing something, anything and hope the good words come sooner rather than later.
However, a spot of good news made it down the grapevine today: Moonlit Romance's webjournal received a Journal of the Week award! I'm very happy for everyone involved. And while I did take part, I know the real kudos go to our fearless leaders: Sheila Holloway (publisher), Laura Hamby (editor/author) and Shara Jones (publicist/author), for all the hard work they put into making this project an organized, fun and gorgeous endeavor.
Congrats, all!
Stop by and tell everyone "Hi!" while you're blog hopping. ;)
Good question. I think the answer lies in the fact that I have been unable to write. Okay, so that's not quite accurate. Let's say: "I've been unable to write anything that isn't crap."
There. Much better.
Why do I go through this stage periodically? Not sure. It could be that the stress of life interferes. It could be that I'm putting too much pressure on myself to get certain projects done. Or it could just be that I'm destined to produce garbage for a time. But, this too shall pass. I know it will -- it always does. Just have to keep writing something, anything and hope the good words come sooner rather than later.
However, a spot of good news made it down the grapevine today: Moonlit Romance's webjournal received a Journal of the Week award! I'm very happy for everyone involved. And while I did take part, I know the real kudos go to our fearless leaders: Sheila Holloway (publisher), Laura Hamby (editor/author) and Shara Jones (publicist/author), for all the hard work they put into making this project an organized, fun and gorgeous endeavor.
Congrats, all!
Stop by and tell everyone "Hi!" while you're blog hopping. ;)
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Reaffirming the gift
Writing is a gift. Not everyone can do it and do it well. Not everyone thinks like a writer. Believe it or not, most people do not have imaginary people playing out scenes in their minds. Don't call the men in white coats. I'm perfectly normal. Really.
I finished my first round edits for Secrets and Shadows yesterday. Two whole weeks before my scheduled deadline. In any profession, beating the deadline is a really good thing. For me this meant two things: the book was in great shape and needed little done; & my faith in that writing gift has been reaffirmed.
Writers are frequently an insecure lot. So it helps to have someone pat you on the back and point out how good your work really is. My editor is wonderful. Very helpful and professional -- and she likes my writing. Yes, that does help or she wouldn't have bought the story, right? But she also mentioned that she enjoys the way I write love scenes.
WHEW!
What a relief! Because I have to say love scenes are among the most difficult aspects for me as a romance writer. I don't want it to sound like purple prose ... I don't want it to be a step-by-step instruction guide as in Tab A goes into Slot B (snicker) ... and I want to keep it in harmony with the personalities of the hero and heroine.
Some writers are great with love scenes, others not as good. One who I think is almost perfect is Heather Graham. Yes, I want to write like her when I grow up. So I find myself thinking about just what makes her scenes so wonderful -- besides her basic gift with words. Then I try to use that same sort of approach in my stories. I concentrate on sight, sound, scent, touch and emotion. Whatever applies. I don't worry as much about what goes where -- that'll work itself out -- and the scene just flows from there.
Since I write both sweet and sensual stories, I enjoy both ends of the spectrum. The key element is attraction which develops into something deeper. Depending on which story I'm writing (and for which publisher) I know just what type of language I can use to show this couple falling in love.
One of my publishers is strictly for sweet stories. Another is PG to soft R -- the latter meaning no detailed action 'below the waist', to put it in simple terms. ;) My third publisher is looking for just about everything -- as long as it's well-written. It's by these guidelines -- and my personal comfort level -- that I work.
Overall, emotion is the key. That and really knowing your characters. If you rely on those two things, you should have a good start.
I think I've known for a while that I'm getting good at this stuff. And now that my gift has been reaffirmed in the kindest of ways, it gives me the little push I've been needing to jump over this latest writer's block.
Speaking of characters -- there are a couple that need my attention.
I finished my first round edits for Secrets and Shadows yesterday. Two whole weeks before my scheduled deadline. In any profession, beating the deadline is a really good thing. For me this meant two things: the book was in great shape and needed little done; & my faith in that writing gift has been reaffirmed.
Writers are frequently an insecure lot. So it helps to have someone pat you on the back and point out how good your work really is. My editor is wonderful. Very helpful and professional -- and she likes my writing. Yes, that does help or she wouldn't have bought the story, right? But she also mentioned that she enjoys the way I write love scenes.
WHEW!
What a relief! Because I have to say love scenes are among the most difficult aspects for me as a romance writer. I don't want it to sound like purple prose ... I don't want it to be a step-by-step instruction guide as in Tab A goes into Slot B (snicker) ... and I want to keep it in harmony with the personalities of the hero and heroine.
Some writers are great with love scenes, others not as good. One who I think is almost perfect is Heather Graham. Yes, I want to write like her when I grow up. So I find myself thinking about just what makes her scenes so wonderful -- besides her basic gift with words. Then I try to use that same sort of approach in my stories. I concentrate on sight, sound, scent, touch and emotion. Whatever applies. I don't worry as much about what goes where -- that'll work itself out -- and the scene just flows from there.
Since I write both sweet and sensual stories, I enjoy both ends of the spectrum. The key element is attraction which develops into something deeper. Depending on which story I'm writing (and for which publisher) I know just what type of language I can use to show this couple falling in love.
One of my publishers is strictly for sweet stories. Another is PG to soft R -- the latter meaning no detailed action 'below the waist', to put it in simple terms. ;) My third publisher is looking for just about everything -- as long as it's well-written. It's by these guidelines -- and my personal comfort level -- that I work.
Overall, emotion is the key. That and really knowing your characters. If you rely on those two things, you should have a good start.
I think I've known for a while that I'm getting good at this stuff. And now that my gift has been reaffirmed in the kindest of ways, it gives me the little push I've been needing to jump over this latest writer's block.
Speaking of characters -- there are a couple that need my attention.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Come and join us...
By the way, you can join me and some of my writing buddies at a live chat this coming week.
Here's the official announcement:
Moonlit Romance is excited to announce we'll be having our first monthly chat on Monday, March 6 at 9 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time. Come chat with the Moonlit authors, editors and publisher! Come join us for fun, games and contests on the first Monday of every month for our Monthly Monday Moonlit Chats. The entrance to our chatroom is on the main page at the Moonlit Romance website.
And, also stop by on Monday, March 20th, to celebrate the release of The Cinderella Substitute by Nell Dixon. We'll be chatting 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Moonlit Romance website chatroom.
Hope to see you there!
Here's the official announcement:
Moonlit Romance is excited to announce we'll be having our first monthly chat on Monday, March 6 at 9 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time. Come chat with the Moonlit authors, editors and publisher! Come join us for fun, games and contests on the first Monday of every month for our Monthly Monday Moonlit Chats. The entrance to our chatroom is on the main page at the Moonlit Romance website.
And, also stop by on Monday, March 20th, to celebrate the release of The Cinderella Substitute by Nell Dixon. We'll be chatting 4 p.m to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at the Moonlit Romance website chatroom.
Hope to see you there!
Intergalactic Dating?
Read a very interesting article in an old Popular Science (June 2005) I found in the house. All about sending messages to outer space -- anything from trying to give the Earth away, to selling ugly sofas and finding the perfect *mate*.
While at first I LOL at the weirdness of it all, the writer in me soon took over and sped off in a different direction. What is someone jokingly sent a lonely hearts ad out into the middle of the Milky Way --- and got a response? In person? That could be interesting ... and funny.
Another story idea? Heaven forbid! It's not like I don't have enough of those already. My list is about ten titles long, at the moment. But the creative juices are flowing. Of course, I'm sure it's already been done somewhere ... by someone. If not...
Okay, okay. I'll put it on my list of Things to Write. It may get done before someone actually gets a response.
sigh
While at first I LOL at the weirdness of it all, the writer in me soon took over and sped off in a different direction. What is someone jokingly sent a lonely hearts ad out into the middle of the Milky Way --- and got a response? In person? That could be interesting ... and funny.
Another story idea? Heaven forbid! It's not like I don't have enough of those already. My list is about ten titles long, at the moment. But the creative juices are flowing. Of course, I'm sure it's already been done somewhere ... by someone. If not...
Okay, okay. I'll put it on my list of Things to Write. It may get done before someone actually gets a response.
sigh
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Mythical Creatures
Santa Claus does a great job at our house every year. The kids are always happy. He seems to know exactly what they want -- or manages to get them just what they like, even if it wasn't on the list.
The Easter Bunny is good, too. Smart bunny -- always bringing nice little plushies and wonderful candy in bright colored buckets we leave sitting out. Even leaves *extra* behind on occasion.
But I have a bone to pick with one particular mythical creature. The Tooth Fairy. Who the heck thought up this one, anyway?
She is totally incompetent. Inept. Lazy. The Tooth Fairy almost always manages to forget those precious little baby teeth laying unprotected beneath the pillow. She almost always manages to be a day late and quarter short. For instance: The Baby (as he will be known for the rest of eternity, poor thing) lost another tooth earlier this week. And he waited patiently all week for that stupid fairy to visit.
Nothing. Luckily big brother saw the problem and came to the rescue this morning. The Baby is now the proud owner of two more quarters and another gap in his teeth. Very cute when you're six, btw.
The Tooth Fairy, on the other hand, is about to get demoted to plaque scraper.
The Easter Bunny is good, too. Smart bunny -- always bringing nice little plushies and wonderful candy in bright colored buckets we leave sitting out. Even leaves *extra* behind on occasion.
But I have a bone to pick with one particular mythical creature. The Tooth Fairy. Who the heck thought up this one, anyway?
She is totally incompetent. Inept. Lazy. The Tooth Fairy almost always manages to forget those precious little baby teeth laying unprotected beneath the pillow. She almost always manages to be a day late and quarter short. For instance: The Baby (as he will be known for the rest of eternity, poor thing) lost another tooth earlier this week. And he waited patiently all week for that stupid fairy to visit.
Nothing. Luckily big brother saw the problem and came to the rescue this morning. The Baby is now the proud owner of two more quarters and another gap in his teeth. Very cute when you're six, btw.
The Tooth Fairy, on the other hand, is about to get demoted to plaque scraper.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Getting stronger sux
What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger.
I like and dislike that quote (or the paraphrased version of it) all at once. Yes, if I don't die, these experiences will likely strengthen me somehow. Kind of like making lemonade if life gives you lemons.
But sometimes ... just sometimes ... I feel like shouting, "Where the he**'s the sugar?!"
Some of my friends are going through difficult times. One of my closest friends faced the death of her father this past weekend. I didn't know until tonight. And there's not a whole lot I can do from almost the opposite end of the country.
E-cards seem shallow in these cases. E-mail hugs cannot replace the real thing. We live in a world where we are so close, so connected because of this marvelous technology --- and yet at times it seems rather cold ... impersonal ... useless.
Give somebody you care about a real hug today while I collect the lemons and try to make something good to drink. Don't worry. I'll share.
Slainte!
I like and dislike that quote (or the paraphrased version of it) all at once. Yes, if I don't die, these experiences will likely strengthen me somehow. Kind of like making lemonade if life gives you lemons.
But sometimes ... just sometimes ... I feel like shouting, "Where the he**'s the sugar?!"
Some of my friends are going through difficult times. One of my closest friends faced the death of her father this past weekend. I didn't know until tonight. And there's not a whole lot I can do from almost the opposite end of the country.
E-cards seem shallow in these cases. E-mail hugs cannot replace the real thing. We live in a world where we are so close, so connected because of this marvelous technology --- and yet at times it seems rather cold ... impersonal ... useless.
Give somebody you care about a real hug today while I collect the lemons and try to make something good to drink. Don't worry. I'll share.
Slainte!
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