Julie Kenner's Blog, page 98

Today, life is an octopus

Yup, today is an octopus kinda day.  Actually, more like eight octopuses* because eight writhing tentacles just isn’t enough to describe the kind of wild, all-over-the-place kind of day I have facing me.

What’s on my plate?  Let’s look, shall we?

writing (duh! but I need to hit a certain minimum page count in order to ensure end-of-the-month sanity);
laundry (because the good folks of my home town look askance when one sends their kid to school naked);
grocery shopping (because despite the fact that I gained 5 pounds over the holidays, I must still eat and feed my children–they’re very demanding that way);
bills (because I didn’t finish yesterday);
Medicaid (because my mother’s renewal came up and the state gives you about 2.5 seconds to pull all the necessary documents together)
email (because I sluffed off while I was jamming toward a deadline and now my empty inbox is full again)
To-Do list (it’s really only helpful if I use it and organize it.  102 overdue tasks just ain’t working for me)
Proofing (I have 3 books in queue for uploading to B&N and Kindle and other retailers, and while I can pawn off much of the work, I have to do the final proof myself)
Holiday lights (yes, they’re still on the house)
Holiday decorations (we have an open area above our front door that can be accessed only by climbing over a ledge and risking death while scooting down a thin catwalk thingie.  Like an idiot, I decided that putting a small tree and fake presents there would be a fun thing for the holidays.  Now I have to go clean it up. Or keep it until next year….)
Filing.  I would say that I have three boxes of things to file, but that would be a lie.  It’s more like ten boxes.
Schooling.  Because yes, the little one needs to work on reading and math and history and science.  Maybe if I have her pay the bills and proof the books  (reading and math).  And for science?  Well, I suppose she could cook dinner!

And I’m sure there’s more that I’m forgetting!

How about you?  Are you sailing smooth today?  Or battling 900 things from 10,000 directions?

*fun fact:  Octopuses is probably more correct than Octopi because “octopus” is not Latin-based, but instead came from the Greek.  Interested?  Read more here!

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right.

(And OMG, my current book -- Release Me -- hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists! Color me psyched! Have you got your copy yet?

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

 

The First Rule of Write Club: Please welcome guest blogger – and mystery shopper – Kelly McClymer!

I’m excited to have Kelly McClymer as a guest blogger today! (And I was even more excited when I learned that Kelly was a mystery shopper — how cool is that?)

If you haven’t checked out Kelly’s books, you’re missing a treat!  In the blog, you get insight into one of Kelly’s upcoming books, but if you want a taste right now of Kelly’s awesomeness, be sure to snag a copy of one of her titles!  Why not check out The Fairy Tale Bride?  It’s free!!

And now … here’s Kelly!

 

First things first: Happy Birthday MLK!

While I was trying to figure out how to begin my guest post (thank you for inviting me Julie!), I woke up with the thought, “The First Rule of Writing Club is…”

Like most dreams, the thought was incomplete and vaguely disturbing. I worried at it while I brushed my teeth. And then I felt the answer settle in. The First Rule of Writing Club is: Be Interesting. And then my editor kicked it and changed writing club to write club.

That first rule meme spawned by “Fight Club” applies to a lot of things. But for writers, trying to come up with a first rule that rings true is just as hard as it is coming up with an idea, fleshing out characters, plotting, and writing scenes. Being interesting is what is hardest for me. My ideas all come from combining incidents from my life (boring) with a (very) large dash of “Hey, what if…?”

 

For example, my upcoming new Secret Shopper series, which begins with Shop or Let Die, introduces Molly Harbison, a harried stay at home mom of two who tries her hand at earning extra money by becoming a secret shopper and ends up being one of those types who seems to stumble over crime wherever she goes. I drew on my own hands-on research into the job.

Yes, that means I was a mystery shopper in real life (and a harried mother of three). Picturing high stakes? High tech? A martini, shaken? Not so much. My highest stakes were the grade my scheduler gave my report (like in school, some graders refuse to give top grades on principle that nothing is ever perfect , and the time factors that could nullify a report (if you don’t beat the ticking clock, you don’t get paid).

Some people think mystery shopping is one of those scam jobs, like stuffing envelopes from your home. But it is a vital underground industry, used to keep service standards set at large chains. Legions of women (and a few men) troll the job listings on dozens of mystery shopping sites. And (not unlike writers), they populate discussion boards sharing tips on everything from how to avoid getting caught making notes for your report to how to qualify for the best shops (spas, resorts, fancy hotels, high end restaurants, etc.).

The bonus for me was that I learned a lot about people while firing up the timer in my pocket, carrying a camera, and hiding a notepad in my purse. Not every employee enjoys having to smile just because there’s a customer in front of him. Some coffee shops actually have a set temperature range for “hot” coffee. Most of all, there’s a lot more that goes into smooth service than one might imagine from in front of the counter.

A lot of what I learned went into the work that Molly does in the novel. But, keeping the first rule of write club in mind, I applied a liberal dose of “Hey, what if…?” Because even I have to admit that it is boring to watch people do their jobs pretty well most of the time. And so much more interesting when things go wrong.

In writing, I changed a lot of the specifics to protect the innocent (and guilty), so I can’t tell you a real tale from my mystery shopping. But I can tell you about my daughter’s experience working for a fried chicken joint while in high school: she got shopped and received a perfect score and a $100 gift check. Twice. Her reward for listening during training and actually following the script? A few of her fellow employees gave her grief. (The $200 mitigated that pretty thoroughly). High school, high drama. Those were the days.

Little did I know that one day I would be on the other side of gifting rewards for perfect service. I’d tell you more, but…the First Rule of Mystery Shopping is: you don’t talk about Mystery Shopping.

[Note: I will break that rule for anyone who is thinking about trying mystery shopping for a flexible income stream. Drop me an email on my website if that applies to you.]

About Kelly: After writing for traditional publishers for a decade (romance, fantasy, and young adult novels), Kelly McClymer has discovered the fun of following her own muse and throwing over old traditions in favor of new creative paths. She plans to enlist her critique group and beta readers in helping her decide when her novels are ready to go to the copy editor, ebook formatter, and be put on sale. The critique group is solid, but interested beta readers are always welcome to sign up for her newsletter to get first news of a novel ready for beta. You can find out more on her website http:kellymcclymer.com, by following her on Twitter http://twitter.com/kellymcclymer, or Liking her on Facebook http://facebook.com/kellymcclymerbooks.

JK here again!  So, who other than me now wants to go be a Mystery Shopper?  Have you ever done that? What’s your funkiest job?  Let us know!

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right.

(And OMG, my current book -- Release Me -- hit the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists! Color me psyched! Have you got your copy yet?

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

 

Educate me, please, cyber-pals and Goodreads reviewers: How do you make those animated gifs?

This GIF, for example, I found in the reviews of Release Me. (cool, huh?)

Not that I pop over to Goodreads and read the reviews of Release Me or anything (ahem), but if I did, I would undoubtedly notice a lot of really cool animated GIFs that look like they’re tiny, looped clips of television shows or movies.

And my curiosity runneth over.

How do you make those things? I would love to figure out how because … well, no particular reason, I just want to know. Can anyone share? Point me toward software? A tutorial? A magic potion I must drink to be inducted into the GIF-making club? (And if it matters, we’re 100% Apple at our house, so Windows-based software does me no good).

Thanks in advance, y’all!

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Release Me lands another week on the USA Today bestseller list!

Thanks so much to everyone who helped Release Me land on the USA Today bestseller week for a second week! To celebrate, I’m going to set up another contest tonight! More soon!

(Right now, I’m off to celebrate with the family! Woot!)

 

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Why I Love My Characters: Guest Post by Phoebe Conn

I’m thrilled to have Phoebe Conn as a guest blogger today! Read on! And be sure to check out her latest release, Swept Away!

It may take half a year or more to write a book, and I’d rather not spend my days writing about people I don’t want to know.

In some books, the plot comes first, other times the characters present themselves and demand a story. I can see them standing upon an empty stage with their hands on their hips waiting, not at all patiently, for their lines.

Keeping track of these clamoring characters presents a challenge. From my first book, I’ve used models from magazine ads or celebrity photos glued to 5×7 index cards. With each photo, I list their characteristics so if someone has blue eyes in chapter 3, they won’t have brown eyes in chapter 6. If they were orphaned, or detest ice cream, whatever detail will come into play is on their card.

Many writers rely on computer programs to track their story and characters, but I like having the cards readily available. It’s a great help when stories grow into a trilogy or series. The only problem is in finding photos of older characters or characters who aren’t as gorgeous as models. Newspaper photos provide a resource for real people.

I’ll also admit to scanning the people passing by when I’m away from home. If someone has a unique feature that would be perfect for a minor character, then I make a note of it. I never use friends, however. A stranger will never know he inspired a character with hair sprouting from his ears.

One night a friend and I were in a restaurant and couldn’t understand the waiter. He had a peculiar mumble that made his speech difficult to follow. It wasn’t annoying, but inspiring, and I used him for a space pirate who couldn’t be understood by his  crew with both hilarious and dangerous results.

SWEPT AWAY is my current Retro Release from Samhain Publishing. Eden Sinclair is a Virginia belle who’s sent to London to avoid the horrors of the Civil War. She meets the charming Earl of Clairbourne, who’s come to London to find a wife for his nephew, Raven Blade.

The minute Raven’s name occurred to me, he became vivid in my mind. He was tall and dark with a dangerous gleam in his deep brown eyes. UPS had a particularly great calendar that year with such handsome drivers I quickly found my Raven. He was one of my most intriguing heroes, and he wrote the book for me.

I do love my characters, especially when they insist upon telling their own story and all I have to do is keep out of their way. Whenever someone tells me about one of their favorite books, it’s the characters they remember, not the intricate plots. Isn’t that why we love romance?

 

Thanks so much for coming by, Phoebe!  You can meet Phoebe at her website!

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Hump Day Books: New or Notable Reads – January 16 edition!

Looking for a good book to read to beat  t he mid-week doldrums? 

Why not check out these eight new or notable books!  There’s something here for everyone!

The Light Walker

Dark, sexy fantasy suspense–mesmerizing, mysterious Dante

Learn more at www.jeanbrashear.com


The Shipwreck

Learn more at www.glynnis.net

The Warrior Maids of Rivenloch origin novella!


Swept Away

Retro Release from Samhain!


Between Two Eternities

Learn more at

Let’s chat about Release Me!

Two things!  I’ll be chatting tomorrow (Wed, January 16) at Romance Reviews Today about Release Me and Claim Me and Damien Stark (and anything else y’all want to chat about!)  Come by at 8CST (6 on the West Coast and 9EST) and join the fun!  I’ll be giving away two $20 gift cards, too!!

And I am remiss in not having already posted the archive of my totally fun Spreecast Video Chat with Cocktails and Books!. 

Here’s a link!  We had a great time!

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.

Get Lost in a Story and maybe get an Amazon, iTunes or B&N card!

I’m over at Get Lost In A Story today! Come read my interview and leave a comment over at Get Lost In A Story to enter to win a $15 gift card from Amazon, B&N or iTunes!

Working as a Team: Meet Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright

I’m thrilled to welcome Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright to the blog today as part of their blog tour!  

They write as a team, and are here to tell us all about it!  

It all started with a phone call.

How many times have you been talking with a friend and thrown out those words:

You know, we should…

99 % of the time they come to nothing.  They’re forgotten by the end of the conversation.  And truly it’s often for the best. I’ve had a lot of ideas that were best left rattling around in my brain.  But every once in a while, a scrap of conversation becomes a full-blown idea.  That’s what happened when Laura and I were chatting one morning.  We said the fateful words “You know, we should…” and suddenly we were plotting and scheming and Bayou Heat was born.

Being a writer usually means working in solitude, well, unless you count all those pesky voices in your head – so collaborating with someone is a whole new ballgame.  There are a few things you should consider before trying a partnership.

First, a writer is in complete control of the world and characters that you’re creating, so it’s important for a writer to know whether they can accept sharing their very private creation.  I’m actually a control freak, so I wasn’t sure if Laura would be able to stand my freak-outs.  So far she hasn’t tried to kill me, but then again, we live a thousand miles apart J.

There’s also need to weave together of two very separate voices.   A writer’s voice is the one distinct thing they find impossible to alter, so a partnership must mesh on a very fundamental level.

It wouldn’t work for everyone.

But for those who can, it’s a remarkable experience.  Being able to share ideas, cheer one another on, and to keep each other on task is so inspiring.  And in the end, there’s nothing more important to any writer.

 Raphael & Parish

Book #1 and #2 in the Bayou Heat Series

Available Now:

ONLY $0.99

Kindle / Nook

The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his

puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred.

Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.

Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.

About Laura:

 

Author of the Bestselling Mark of the Vampire series, Laura Wright spent the early years of her life immersed in the worlds of singing, acting and competitive ballroom dancing. But when she started writing, she knew she’d found her true calling. Laura lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband, two children, three dogs, two frogs and two fish. She’s been thrice nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, and loves hearing from her readers.

 

Connect with Laura:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 

About Alexandra:

Alexandra Ivy is the New York Times bestselling author of the Guardians of Eternity series, the Immortal Rogues series and the Sentinels.

Alexandra graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons.

Connect with Alexandra:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

01/03 – Close Encounters with the Night Kind

01/04 – Paranormal Haven

01/05 – I Smell Sheep

01/06 – Book Monster Reviews & LITERAL ADDICTION

LIVE CHAT w/ Laura & Alexandra on January 6, 2013 from

2:00 – 3:00pm EST (1-2pm CT, 12-1pm MDT & 11am-12pm PDT).

CLICK HERE FOR CHAT LINK

 

01/07 – Twitter Party with Lit Connect

01/08 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

01/09 – Books-n-Kisses

01/10 – United by Books

01/11 – Under the Covers

01/12 – Reading Between The Wines

01/13 – Julie Kenner’s Blog

01/14 – Riverina Romantics

01/15 – Cocktails and Books

01/16 – All Things Books

01/17 – The Reading Café

01/18 – Ramblings From This Chick

01/19 – Over the Edge

01/20 – Mad Hatter Reads

01/21 – Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies. Oh My!

 

 

What’s Gnu With You?

After I posted the Llama Song yesterday, mystery and romance writer Laura K Curtis asked me on Twitter if I’d heard the Gnu song, and helpfully provided a link.

Where, oh where, have I been? This song is so much fun! Perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Enjoy!

And thank you, Laura!

P.S. Did you see that I have a Bargain Books section now? Check the Navigation bar or the side bar on the right. (Pssst! My USA Today bestselling Aphrodite's Kiss is still free at Amazon and iTunes for just a little bit longer!)

P.P.S. And why not scroll down and share the post? After all, sharing is sexy!

XXOO

--J.K.