Carly Phillips's Blog: Carly's Web Blogs, page 94

Guest Cassandra Carr!

I met Cassandra Carr on Twitter and it's my pleasure to introduce her to you here! Another warning. Her writing is HOT!

The concept behind the title "Head Games"

Siren Bookstrand just released book 1 of the Buffalo Intimidators series, Head Games. It's a contemporary M/F/M menage story featuring two NHL goaltenders. I thought it might be interesting to hear how I came up with the title.

So of my titles are more arbitrary than others, and I don't tend to come up with a list of ten or twenty possible titles and then pick one. I also title my works very shortly after I start them (or even before in the plotting stage), and – so far – I haven't had a title changed. Moving on…

I chose Head Games, strangely enough, because of the Foreigner song. I was listening to it one day before I started writing the book, back when I was still thinking about how I might open the first scene. I wanted to open with a hockey scene, and I pictured a goaltender being scored upon and yelling "I can't take it anymore!", which, if you're familiar with the Foreigner song, is a prominent line. I'm quite sure it was my subliminal brain knocking that day…

I considered never telling anyone how I arrived at Head Games or how the first line relates to the title, but then I thought, "Where's the fun in that?" Plus, book 2, which I just completed, is titled Cold As Ice, after another Foreigner song. See how both of those relate to hockey, too? Sneaky – that's me!

What other Foreigner songs are there? How many can I twist into relating to hockey? I'm planning between six and ten books in this series, I guess you'll all have to wait and see!



BLURB: Leo Laporte and Scott Schaeffer are teammates on the ice and roommates off it who also share women. They've been coming into Kelly Chase's bistro after games for months, and they know they want her. As the attraction grows, the men realize they want more than a one-night stand – they want forever.

Kelly's not so sure. Yes, she wants both men. But a permanent ménage relationship? That's taking giving her heart away to a whole new level, and a chance she's hesitant to take. Then Leo is injured and Scott's on the trading block, and she realizes this may be her only shot at true, everlasting love.

There are so many questions swirling around inside Kelly's head. Can she believe in Leo and Scott's love? And will her business and her reputation survive once people find out she's with two men?

OK so at this point, you realize why this book is sizzling! If you want an excerpt, it's after the JUMP!

EXCERPT:

"Hey guys. Good game, both of you."

"Thanks," they answered in unison, sliding onto stools.

"How about some apple pie?" Leo said, licking his lips already. An image of him nibbling pieces of it off of her flew into his head. Man, was he horny tonight…

Kelly put her hands on her hips. "You know better than that. I never let you have apple pie until after you eat a good meal."

Leo rolled his eyes. "Fine." Perusing the specials written on a chalkboard underneath the TV, he ordered shepherd's pie. Scott asked for a chicken souvlaki wrap, and they settled back to relax as Kelly went into the kitchen to make their food. "I love those T-shirts. I'd give up a mil of my salary just to be that T-shirt for a day."

"Don't I know it…" Since it was late, Kelly was waiting tables herself, in addition to cooking, and both of them tracked her as she bustled around behind the counter. Coming back over, she poured them both ice waters and plopped silverware in front of them before going into the back once again. There were still a few customers, but everyone gave the Intimidators their privacy here—it was one of the reasons Leo and Scott loved to come here so much. The primary reason, of course, was Kelly herself.

"Okay, so let's go over everything again—make sure we're on the same page here," Leo urged.

"All right. Can't hurt. We need to present a united front if we're gonna do this."

"Exactly. So both of us want her." They'd been attracted to Kelly since the moment they'd laid eyes on her, but had come to the realization a few months ago that their feelings ran deeper than simple lust.

Scott nodded, his eyes as determined and focused as Leo had ever seen them. "Yes, we both want her, and the only way that will work is if we share her. But we need to make it clear at some point, maybe not right up front, that we want her more than just sex."

"And we think tonight is the night?"

"She's definitely intrigued." Scott paused and Leo could practically see the wheels turning in his friend's head. "Even when we mentioned a threesome last week, she didn't run."

"Yeah, and did you see the expression on her face? She wants it."

"I think so, too. But don't forget. We can't push her too hard. And everything one of us does affects the other. We can't let her tear us apart, and if this thing starts to do that, we need to reconsider."

"Agreed," Leo answered. He held up his fist. "Even now, even with Kelly, bros over hos, man." The two men did a quick fist bump and Leo relaxed a little.

A few minutes later, Kelly backed out of the kitchen, her arms laden with plates, and both men paused to admire her in her tight chef's pants. She caught them staring and just shook her head, laughing.

Yes, they were done waiting for her to come around. It was time to put Operation Seduction into action.

BIO: Cassandra Carr is a multi-published erotic romance writer who lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out on Twitter. Her debut novel, Talk to Me, was released by Loose Id on March 22, 2011. Head Games, Buffalo Intimidators book 1, released on November 2, 2011 from Siren Bookstrand, Caught will release December 13, 2011 from Loose Id, and Impact is coming in early 2012 from Ellora's Cave. For more information about Cassandra, check out her website , "like" her Facebook fan page, or follow her on Twitter.

Guest Author Joan Swan

The Twisted Storyboard

Typically, storyboards are used in conjunction with plotting, but never fear pansters, that's not what I'll be talking about today. Today, I'd like to share you with a few other ways to use the storyboard for your twisted amusement.

Let's start with Revision, Plotting's nastly cousin. Using the storyboard for revision turns the snotty-nosed problem into a streamlined dream. Okay…maybe not a dream…but still…

The storyboard allows me to see an entire novel at a glance. I can visually identify rough spots, bare spots and hot spots immediately and all at once. And this technique encompasses both big picture items and detail elements.

I put this storyboard together after I finished the manuscript for Blaze, my second novel with Kensington Brava, releasing October 2012. I was so entrenched in the story, I couldn't see it anymore – the old forest for the trees scenario. If I'd simply gone at the revisions the way I usually do, page by page, highlighting, making notes, it would have been like diving into quicksand. But I didn't have the luxury of putting the manuscript under the bed to come back to it fresh in a couple of months, either—I had a deadline!

This storyboard was miraculous as a revision tool. I have no doubt it saved me many weeks, lots of hair and a few much needed Zzzs.

Don't let the photo scare you! You have complete control over how detailed or simple you make your board. I'm a tad OCD…ask anyone. :)

So, here's how it goes…

I split the three or four-part display board (available at Staples, Office Max, etc.) into Acts. Each section is an act. I work on the four-act story structure, so I use four-part display boards. (If you don't know what three and four act story structure is, this is my favorite resource on the subject: Story Structure Demystified by Larry Brooks.)

I then split each act/section into the number of chapters in that act, and then split those chapters into its individual scenes. Each chapter gets a separate column and the scenes within each chapter are aligned vertically.

I printed out the manuscript (not necessary, just the way I like to work) and read each scene, making editing notes as I went.

I wrote a one or two line summary of what happens in that scene on the POV character's sticky color, then add the GMC for that scene (this is the 'scene' of scene and sequel). Then I add the sequel (of scene and sequel). For Blaze, I've used pink for my heroine, blue for my hero, puke green for my villain :) and teal for scenes that hadn't been written, but—after putting the board together—I realized I needed.

On the yellow sticky, I made notes on items I wanted to fix in that scene and then checked them off in red after I'd made the revisions. It's great to be able to look at the board and watch your progress.

To the right, on the orange/coral sticky, I noted craft elements I felt I needed to keep track of in each scene. These will change with each story and with my own writing as it develops.

For example, in Blaze, my h/h's paranormal abilities heightened as they spent more time together, but in reading over the manuscript, I noticed I often "forgot" all about this. So I added "paranormal" to the element chart so I would remember to look for it as I read over each scene. After I'd read the scene, if I felt a particular element pulled its weight, I gave it a star. If not, I left the space blank, a message reminding me to beef up that element in this scene. Once that's done, the star gets placed.

Along the way, I inevitably discover scenes that need to be moved, deleted or added, and all that can be organized by the smack of a stickie! Gotta love it!

In the bigger picture, you'll see heart and star stickies. Yes, I added them because they're fun and pretty. But they serve a purpose, too. The hearts mark love scenes and the stars mark turning points. I love using these visuals so I can get an overall feel for the distance of scenes and how they might affect the pacing from one simple glance at the board. It's a visual weighting system for me, and since I'm a visual person, it really helps.

Using this revision board I can see at a glance:

If my character POV's are proportioned well
If plot points and love scenes are proportioned well
If my acts are proportioned well
If my craft elements are carrying their weight
Level of revisions/edits required
Number of new scenes needed to write.

Some other fabulous uses for this board:

• Checking your own work: Many print-published authors are venturing into self publishing. Those works won't benefit from the sharp eyes of agent and editor, and this type of self check of a manuscript can catch all kinds of errors both you and a critique partner could miss that your agent or editor might catch under traditional publishing circumstances.

• Improving your work: Often, you may be at a different level of writing than other writers you exchange critique with. You may be striving to learn story structure or deepen emotion or complicate your plots, while they could care less. This technique could be your best bet for improving your craft when you don't have a partner who's interested in the same.

The greatness of this technique is that it is completely customizable. You can tailor it to any genre, any writing level, any focus.

So tell us about your plotting board dreams (or nightmares). Do you think this method would work for you? What is your preferred method of revising? Have you used a storyboard to plot?

Add your thoughts to the discussion for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card or one of five custom handmade bookmarks of my February release, FEVER.

Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist, and a double Kiss of Death Daphne Du Maurier finalist. She writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist, and her first novel with Kensington Brava, FEVER, debuts February, 2012. Currently, she works as a sonographer at a one of the top ten medical facilities in the nation, and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters.

You can out more about Joan on her website or chat with her on Twitter, Facebook or blog.

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The winner of Leslie's SEAL OF MY DREAMS giveaway from yesterday is: PHYLLIS! Comment # 36! Phyllis, drop Leslie a note at author @ lesliekelly . com with your mailing address so she can get your book out to you. Congratulations–enjoy the book. And the cover! :-)

Getting Old(er)

So we all have body parts that chronically hurt, right? If you say no, I choose to believe you're lying. All day Wednesday, things hurt: the right toe joint that's had surgery twice was throbbing. It hurt when I walked and just plain ached. I've had what's called upper cervical spine issues – chronic neck and shoulder pain mostly on the right side – chiropractor is scheduled next week. He doesn't adjust my back as much as he works out the knots and kinks. And of course what I call my "Angry Bird" injury – which in reality is a repetitive stress injury that I think is from the iPhone but it can't be proven and I wouldn't give it up anyway. Did you notice something in common about all these things? Yep, RIGHT side of my body. I have no idea why and I doubt it's anything more than coincidence. But still.

So what chronically hurts you? Cuz you know misery loves company …

Destiny ARC Winner and Funny

And now the winner!

The winner of Carly's DESTINY ARC is # XXX XXXX :

Congratulations!

Please email me at: carly phillips @ mac . com (no spaces) and confirm your email and SNAIL mail to receive your prize!

Reminder – if you have time after and want to review, there's lots of places online! Amazon, BN, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter mention. If you're not into that stuff, just ENJOY! Though I'd love to hear from you and know what you thought!

What Are You Reading?

So it's Saturday, a day I'm coming to love here at Plotmonkeys because I've been on a reading binge and I love sharing and talking books! I've been on a Melissa Schroeder kick lately … and I'm in the middle of the new Thea Harrison, Serpent's Kiss. On my Kindle – Holly Lane by Toni Blake, Maya Banks Never Love a Highlander, Victoria Dahl's Real Men Will and Bad Boys Do … there are more but I have to get through these first! Not really a hardship for me! So what are you reading? Are you bouncing around by genre or sticking to anything specific?

Carly Contest – Destiny ARC!

Want a chance to read DESTINY before it's in stores in January? All you need to do is post below … and sorta promise me you'll brag around that you've read it and liked it (assuming you do, LOL!)

From New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips comes her second novel set in Serendipity, the quaint upstate New York town where love, fate, and fortune are intertwined…

Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother's wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can't help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he's forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess…

Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess–her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair–a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn't want to upset Tess's life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she's able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive…

Kismet – a Serendipity eBook Novella

Long Lost Love and Second Chances

Elisabetta Gardelli thought she'd spend her days serving coffee and writing obits for the town paper until an unexpected opportunity results in her dream job as a journalist. Now, divorced and determined to make it on her own, Lissa is hired to do a series of interviews about entrepreneurs who've made their mark at an impressively young age.

First up? Wall Street mogul Trevor Dane — Lissa's first love. Lissa hasn't seen Trevor since he left the small town of Serendipity to earn his spot on the right side of the tracks. Ten years have passed but neither has really moved from their super-passionate teenage affair – or the heartbreak that followed. This reunion can be their second chance or it can provide much needed closure. It all depends on Trevor. Can he forgive Lissa or will the past continue to stand in their way?

Author's Note (or … Carly says:)

I decided to write this story in between Serendipity (out now) and Destiny (Jan. 3, 2012) and put it up in eBook format. I know that you don't all have eReaders but you CAN download programs to read on the computer. I don't do this to frustrate you but because this is the only way I could write this story and get it into your hands before Destiny comes out in January. Lissa and Trevor's story really grabbed my heart and I hope you will all love it too.

There's no way to preorder because these kind of books don't get put up until they are ready to be sold – based on the editing and formatting I'm thinking mid -late November. I'll let you know when it's up for sale!

My … Red Shoes

With arthritis in my big toe joint of the right foot, two surgeries there under my belt, and the burning need for comfort above all else, high heels are not my thing. So when I was invited to a party where the dress code was "jerseys" and "jeans", I didn't give a thought to my shoes but once I did, I thought, I need red high heels. WHO AM I?

And since I'm the queen of drama and long involved stories, I thought, I'll never find shoes with five days to go till party time. Well guess what?

AND ON SALE, TOO! And they had my size! Can we say "meant to be"? The tiny drawback was that the matching bag was full price so I let that go, since I had a red wristlet that matched well enough and did the job.

I found out the morning of the party that my friends were waring whatever "crown jewels" aka BLING they had since this was a Bar Mitzvah, a party that would normally be very dressy. Cool! Jewelry and Red F*ME shoes!

The downside? A haircut that week so though I loved the color, I needed another week for it to "fall in". But for the sake of this blog, here you go!

Whew. I even managed to dance in them for awhile … until I thought I might not walk again, but never fear … a little while barefoot and sitting and all was well. So I danced in my bare feet for the rest of the night and had a BLAST!

What about you? Heels or flats? As someone who lives in Ugg Slippers in winter and flip flops in summer … you know my pick! But for one night, wearing what a guy in a romance novel would call RED F* ME SHOES was pretty cool!

RIP Steve Jobs – iSad

Steve Jobs' biggest announcements were always punctuated by this statement: One More Thing:

I've spent so much time talking about my love for Apple, that it seems only fitting that the man who changed MY life, who was responsible for many of my Blogs over the years, be paid tribute here today. By me. The woman who is a self-proclaimed Apple addict. Like many people, I kept an eye on Steve Jobs, his illness, his weight. I looked for signs. The day he resigned his position at Apple, I knew the end was near. I mourned then. The night I heard the news from my dad (who happened to be watching TV at a moment I wasn't online – I didn't know I was ever not online!), I told dad I should sit Shiva. (Wikipedia definition – In Judaism, shiva (play /ˈʃɪvə/; also shiv'ah; Hebrew: שבעה ; "seven") is the week-long period of grief and mourning for the seven first-degree relatives: father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse. ) I was that shaken by the death of a man who had such a profound impact on the world – his death felt personal to me.

Because of Steve Jobs, I began using a laptop. Because of the laptop, I can work in the same room with my family. Because I can work in the same room with my family, I get more work done, I'm more fulfilled and I'm happier.

Because of Steve Jobs, I have a personal music collection of MY songs. This is something that may not be a big deal to people. But I like what I consider "weird old music", music my kids think makes me nuts – but it's MINE and I can listen to Neil Diamond any time I want and nobody has to hear and then can't make fun of me. I can listen in the dentist chair and ignore the cavitron noise. I can listen on an airplane. And on and on.

Because of Steve Jobs, my cell phone lets me be in contact all the time. A new cover comes in? I don't have to get frustrated with my Blackberry, I can see it immediately. For someone who values instant gratification? This is huge. I always like to know I can be in contact with whoever whenever. Angry Bird injury aside, I love my iphone.



Because of Steve Jobs, my current computer weighs 2.96 pounds and is 12.8 x 8.94 x .11. I take it with me in the car, on the plane, no backache, easy. I LOVE my Mac Air.

Because of Steve Jobs the world is connected and that connectivity is simple. I can go on, I've read mini bios, I've been through his history. I just know he was a unique man, a special man, someone who comes along once in a generation and I was lucky enough to live in his.

My condolences to his wife and his four children, his friends, family, and business associates who knew and loved him – and those who didn't like him but understood they were fortunate enough to have known him.

One More Thing: I'm most overwhelmed by the things undone. At fifty-six years old, imagine what he still could have accomplished had he lived. I'm saddened by the fact that there will never be another "One More Thing".

RIP. For a man I never knew, you changed my world.

Carly's Keeper Saturday

Janelle forgot to post this today and I'm glad. Why? Because I stayed up last night reading a book that for the first time in EONS I can say I didn't just like it, I didn't just love it, I'm calling it a KEEPER!!!!!!!! The second in Maya Banks' Highlander Trilogy – SEDUCTION OF A HIGHLAND LASS - Alaric and Keeley's story. When was the last time I read a romance that I had tears in my eyes for 2/3 of the book? That though it was a Romance, and I knew I'd get the HEA I still didn't believe it would happen so real tears leaked down my eyes for HOURS as I read? This is it, folks. KEEPER. Oh must add, so much a keeper that after reading on Kindle, I ordered it in paperback for my shelf!

PS – Janelle you can take MY Saturday Reads