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 The story is actually taking the characters from an unpublished short story -- a paranormal historical romance -- and tossing them into the present.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?

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.

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?

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

What color do I need?

You Need Some Orange in Your Life

Orange will make you feel open, lively, and artistic. And with a little orange, you will project an aura of friendliness. If you want bolder experiences, you've got to get a little orange in your life! For extra punch: Combine orange with red or yellow The downside of orange: It's too powerful and unusual for some people to deal with The consequences of more orange in your life: You will become more creative in almost every aspect of your life You will find humor in the most serious and dismal situations You will feel like life is exciting, even when you're doing ordinary things

What Color Do You Need?

Need inspiration?

Then check out my post at Shades of Suspense.

You'll find some pictures of men who have inspired my heroes...at least in the physical description. ;)

Expecting eloquence?

Then you're at the wrong blog today.

Children are ... interesting. That's the best way to put it. It's after days like this that I sort of wonder if the "crazy old cat-lady" thing is such a bad idea?

However, I'd miss the not-so-little darlings if they were gone. Who would make me laugh? Hug me for no reason? Tell me the worst knock-knock joke ever? Keep me on track and moving in the right direction?

Yep, kids are great. I love mine completely. But they sure can make the muse head for the hills. Ever try to read a love scene with children clamoring for dinner, demanding justice because big brother said something mean, or slamming the front door every two minutes????

You should try writing one in such situations. ARGH!

A new review...

Winter Wonders
Anthology by Cindy K. Green, Joann Carter, Meg Allison, and Muncy Chapman

The Long and the Short of It


This brief 79 page book is a compilation of four short, sweet, winter romances. All four tales were enjoyable, easy reads. It's definitely a curl-up-with-hot-chocolate-and-relax-by-the-fire sort of book that leaves one with a warm and agreeable aftertaste - you know, the type where you close the cover with a dreamy smile and a satisfied sigh.

#3 GWEN'S RESOLUTION by Meg Allison
Folks, I am a consummate sceptic in the "love at first sight" arena, but Meg Allison's beautifully woven story has softened my stance. She paints a wonderfully believable portrait of being in the right place at the proverbial right time and falling in love. Gwen is determined to stop sitting home alone, feeling sorry for herself. She's going to be bold and brave by celebrating New Year's Eve on her own. Her plans are changed, however, once she meets Tad.

Gwen and Tad are both depicted with depth and gentleness. And Ms. Allison didn't overshoot the brevity of the story by trying to take them beyond the beginning of their relationship - a be-ginning that promises to bloom into "Happily Ever After".
I think this may have been my favorite of the four stories!
Review by Black-eyed Susan

Wednesday Morning checklist

1. Got up and dressed by 8 a.m.

2. Drove dds to fiends for babysitting purposes.

3. Logged on to computer.

4. Went to cook eggs for ds1.

5. Checked on computer and got distracted.

6. Smelled eggs 'cooking'.

7. Ran to kitchen. (exercise portion of my day)

8. Fed burned eggs to dog.

9. Cooked more eggs for ds.

10. Back to the computer.

Is it Thursday, yet?

Theme song

Do you have a theme song? A song that represents your mood; your life?

Each of my books has one...some even have an entire soundtrack. :) I need music to inspire me; to open that flood of images and words that become a novel or short story.

For my paranormal series, The Sentinels, the soundtracks include some of the same songs: My Immortal, Everybody's Fool, and Bring Me To Life, all by Evanescence. The story I'm working on now is titled: Broken. Its 'theme' is the song by the same name...by Seether featuring Amy Lee, to be more precise. I really love her voice. The song is dark, haunting and very much sets the mood for the novel. If I could, I'd give each reader a copy of it along with the book. :)

Check out the video -- it's interesting.

Back to my soundtrack...it helps me keep in the mood and on-target when I'm working on a certain book. And it kind of helps drown out the household noise. (aka: the kids) ;)

Homemade definitions

Does your family have their own definitions for various words or phrases? We do -- it's only natural with a large family and our off-the-wall, sometimes dark, usually sarcastic senses of humor.

One of my favorites entered our set of family jargon about year or two ago. Unaware of what the mysterious "PMS" stood for that my oldest daughters and I often complain about, my oldest son (then 11) came up with his own unique version:

Paranormal Mood Swings

I think it fits rather well.

Those blog quizzes...

Are really interesting. And addictive.

Sometimes I find the results spot-on; other times I wonder if the quiz writer had a clue. LOL!

So far I know my "power color" is Indigo; I have my own leprechaun and rock star names; I know I'm romantic and a dreamer (didn't need a quiz to figure that out); and I'm not as big a pessimist as I thought. Odd. I'm also 60% Irish and 64% Southern. Now that's a fun combo.

But it has me wondering -- why do so many people like these quizzes? Are we bored? Trying to "find ourselves"? In need of some more challenging computer games or a new book to read?

I'm not sure, honestly. But I do know once I start clicking on the answers, I can't do just one! They're worse than potato chips. And even though I'm happily married, I still can't resist finding out what kind of flirt I am and if men find me sexy. I feel the need to try another quiz, and another until I've wasted half an hour or more discovering some rather useful insights into my personality.

Yeah...well, maybe not useful, but entertaining at least.

SOLD!

I am thrilled to announce that I've sold my third novel to Samhain Publishing!

This one is a paranormal romantic suspense set in Savannah, GA.

DREAM WALK
Book One/The Sentinels

Some nightmares are deadly real.

Camille Bryant is a gifted medium being slowly driven insane by terrifying dreams. Then she is forced to accept help from a Sentinel -- a mysterious warrior of her race.

Ian Spain is a dream walker who can enter and manipulate others' dreams. His specialty -- vanquishing demons. But he finds Camille is much more than she seems at first glance; her tormentor no ordinary apparition. Is he strong enough to win this battle?

As the body count rises, their powers and courage will be put to the test in battle as old as time. Winner takes all.

Oh, my, what a mood!

I managed to do some writing this morning. It was almost that Zen-like state that I love so much when words just pour across the page. Good, right? Yes and no.

In the scene I wrote, the hero is at perhaps the lowest point in his long life...a point of no return. To write it, I had to delve into those emotions and really feel them myself. I had to become one with his thoughts; to really understand and accept his decision. Afterward I was left with one downer of a mood. That, combined with other little irksome events in real life, made the whole day a bit of a struggle.

For me, writing is a lot like acting. (I love to act, btw, just don't have the chance to do it anymore.) I have to 'get into character' so I understand what the hero or heroine is feeling and thinking. I need to feel those emotions so I know what they'll do next or what they'll say if a particular event happens; if a certain thing is said.

Sometimes this process is fun ... sometimes it's not. But it always manages to be a bit cathartic in the end. I just have to get past the downers and bring my hero -- and myself -- back up again.

What muse are you?

Your Inner Muse is Thalia

You are most like this playful muse of comedy. Life is all about laughter to you, and you're a natural comic. You make people laugh until their sides split. And you're always up for some play time!

What Muse Are You?

The waiting game

I think I spend a lot of my life waiting. Waiting for things to happen; waiting to hear about submissions; waiting to do this or that when we have more money and/or time.

Sound familiar?

It's sad, really. We should spend more time 'doing' and less time 'waiting'. We need to jump into life with both feet and take charge. Sure, there will always be things we have to wait for, but that doesn't mean the rest of our lives should be at a standstill.

For instance, I have two submissions out and without a verdict, as of today. But while we sit and wonder what will happen next, why not start something new? I should dive into a new project or find something completely different to occupy my mind and time. Believe me, I've been trying! So far I've managed to read ... oh, four novels ... finished a novella after subbing the novel; and am starting another novel. I have the bare-bones outline; character study; the opening line! Yay!

Unfortunately, I'm a little obsessive. I check the inbox at least twice a day, all the while knowing it will likely be weeks before I'll hear anything. I have a hard time concentrating when I'm in this annoying state of mind. (It's annoying to me and to my family, lol!) But I will say I'm trying a lot harder this time around to keep that other project going and to keep my hands and mind active with other things.

I'd rather be doing than waiting... sometimes it just takes a bit of self-control to keep moving.

Begin again

It seems I'm forever starting over. One novel done and submitted ... still awaiting a verdict on that one ... and a novella is also in another editor's Inbox. So what do I do? Begin again, of course.

It can be a little daunting but it's a necessary part of this business. You have to keep busy; have to keep producing. After all, you don't want the world to forget your name!

But honestly, writing keeps me from going insane while I wait and wonder about that latest submission. I also know this next story will be even better. You learn just a little more with each book you write. Everyone learns by experience and writers are no different.

So...now that I have my mythology firmly in place, on to the next soon-to-be-happy couple. The first hurdle: that opening line.

Can you do this?

Speaking of 'stupid' labels, here's a couple that I've noticed lately. Have you ever looked at a certain popular brand of facial tissue... which rhymes with fluffs? They actually give you step-by-step directions on how to blow your nose. Uh-huh.

I don't know about you, but my mama taught me that quite a few years ago. I've passed that knowledge on to my own children. I just assumed that everyone learned such a thing as a child. Was I wrong? Or do they really think we're not that bright?

Meanwhile, on the instructions for heating a frozen pot-pie it reads: "Remove carefully from oven -- CAUTION filling may be hot." Oh-kay. Thanks for the warning but... DUH?!

So, are we a world filled with inept, illogical and/or careless consumers? Or are manufacturers just terrified of getting sued?

Makes you wonder.

Stupid product labels

It's been a rough week -- sick kiddos and so forth -- and I needed a good laugh. Thought I'd share these stupid product labels. My question is: Are consumers really this dumb?

1. On a blanket from Taiwan
NOT TO BE USED AS PROTECTION FROM A TORNADO.

2. On a helmet mounted mirror used by US cyclists
REMEMBER, OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE ACTUALLY BEHIND YOU.

3. On a Taiwanese shampoo
USE REPEATEDLY FOR SEVERE DAMAGE.

4. On the bottle-top of a (UK) flavoured milk drink
AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT.


6. In a US guide to setting up a new computer
TO AVOID CONDENSATION FORMING, ALLOW THE BOXES TO WARM UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.
(Sensible, but the instruction was INSIDE the box.)

8. In some countries, on the bottom of Coke bottles
OPEN OTHER END.

9. On a packet of Sunmaid raisins
WHY NOT TRY TOSSING OVER YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST CEREAL?

10. On a Sears hairdryer
DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.

11. On a bag of Fritos
YOU COULD BE A WINNER! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
DETAILS INSIDE.

12. On a bar of Dial soap
DIRECTIONS - USE LIKE REGULAR SOAP.

13. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert
(printed on bottom of the box)
DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN.

14. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding
PRODUCT WILL BE HOT AFTER HEATING.

15. On a Korean kitchen knife
WARNING KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN.

16. On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights
FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.

17. On a Japanese food processor
NOT TO BE USED FOR THE OTHER USE.

18. On Sainsbury's peanuts
WARNING - CONTAINS NUTS.

19. On an American Airlines packet of nuts
INSTRUCTIONS - OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.

20. On a Swedish chainsaw
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP CHAIN WITH YOUR HANDS OR GENITALS.

21. On a child's superman costume
WEARING OF THIS GARMENT DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO FLY.

22. On some frozen dinners
SERVING SUGGESTION DEFROST.

23. On a hotel provided shower cap in a box
FITS ONE HEAD.

24. On packaging for a Rowenta iron
DO NOT IRON CLOTHES ON BODY.

25. On Boot's "Children's" cough medicine
DO NOT DRIVE CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY.

26. On Nytol sleep aid
WARNING MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS.

Spotlight!

Join me this week as my story, Learning to Live, is put in the spotlight at the NEW Unique Enterprises Authors' Blog!

It's a great blog featuring a lot of contests, fun writing prompts and excerpts on a monthly and daily basis. You won't want to miss out!