Chelle Cordero's Blog: ...from Chelle Cordero, page 50

Exposing Ourselves

this post originally appeared on Single Titles - August 25, 2010
WALKING NAKED – HOW MUCH DO WE EXPOSE OURSELVES IN OUR FICTION? BY CHELLE CORDERO

It's fiction… or is it?

Every time a reader picks up our writing we are allowing them deep, DEEP, insights into things that are personally meaningful to us. Everyone wonders how much of our story is true and how much of our main character is really the author.

How can we not influence our characters as we write? Every experience that we have colors our own view of right and wrong so it's only natural that our heroes and heroines do the kind of things we think are good. Many of us are told to write what we know and by doing that we are literally undressing ourselves each time, no masks, no protective attire – just us. It's those subjects we feel passionate about that give us foundation for the best stories.

In the long run we do insert ourselves into every tale. We wind up writing our biographies in bits and pieces Obviously we can't write every story about "ourselves", even if we do deny it. We research and listen to others, we allow our imaginations to wander, we combine people that we know into one. Our characters are pretend, fiction, not real. But in the long run our ideals, our desires and our fears infiltrate our writing.

Readers often ask authors if the people in our stories are real; they are real to us. Have we visited the sights we speak about in our books? Did we do the things our characters do? Did we overcome the same odds? Do we know people like the other characters? What they are really curious about is how much of our stories is autobiographical.

Which puts us into the uncomfortable position of feeling like we are standing naked in front of people, many of them strangers. We are forced to admit truths and tell people why things are important to us; everyone expects things to mean something. Saying "it sounded good to me" is not an acceptable reason for throwing an obstacle in our character's path. We have to know WHY we saw that event as a conflict.

After we have poured our emotions into our writing – then comes an even harder challenge. People review our work, sometimes professionally, sometimes as an individual reader seeking enjoyment. And since so many of our "truisms" have been included we tend to view criticism quite personallly. After all if I've shared my ideology with my heroine and she's not liked, then am I? Simple things like dressing my character up for a night on the town may be my idea of "lookin' good" and if someone else doesn't agree, it really gets personal

Once we get over the trauma of our first book, we learn to breathe once more and get ready to stand naked in front of our public all over again.

Bio – Chelle Cordero

Chelle was born in the Bronx, NYC to Marcy and Reva Cordero. The younger of two daughters, Chelle's dad really wanted a son; he wanted to do father-son things and refused to be done out, so he taught his two daughters that they could do anything they wanted to do.

Chelle has multiple romantic suspense novels and one murder mystery published with Vanilla Heart Publishing and short stories in anthologies Forever Friend, With Arms Wide Open, Nature's Gifts and Passionate Hearts. She also freelances for several newspapers and magazines. She's currently working on her next novel, a murder mystery called Hyphema.

Chelle lives in the scenic Hudson Valley of NY with her family. In her spare time, Chelle volunteers as an EMT with her local ambulance corps where she is presently serving as President of the all volunteer corps.

Visit Chelle's website at http://ChelleCordero.com

All my books are available through Smashwords

Sample my novels for FREE - Click here to download
Hyphema
56270 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on April 18, 2011
Hyphema: Bleeding in the eye caused by trauma… Matt Garratti, a paramedic from New York, moves his wife and son to North Carolina to work at his dream job as a flight medic. Pakistani born Sudah, his wife, receives frosty stares and insensitive comments from their new neighbors... Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare from which they may never wake.Living, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson A Day
22710 words. Non-Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published by Vanilla Heart Publishing on October 28, 2010
A complete month of lessons about the craft of writing and being a writer, from time management to social networking, organizing queries to publication, and more. In the Bonus Section of this book you'll find more than 50 brain-starting exercises to help you get those words on paper.His Lucky Charm
74520 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on March 20, 2010
What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas... this time it follows Brandon and Caitlyn across the country and into a world of espionage and danger. The one thing that Brandon knows for sure is that he can't afford to lose his lucky charm, Caitlyn.Common Bond, Tangled Hearts
71170 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on December 16, 2009
Layne Gillette's world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son. When Layne's abusive "ex-husband" shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies.A Chaunce of Riches
59430 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on October 31, 2009
Ben Johnson was hired as a bodyguard for a rich widow and her kid, but he never expected to be working for the woman who had abandoned him just when he had needed her the most. Damn it all, he still wanted her. Samantha Chaunce never thought she would have to explain why she married the rich man instead of Ben. Or that her husband had been murdered...and Ben was the prime suspect.Hostage Heart
72450 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on July 20, 2009
Life was hard after the hurricanes swept through, destroying her parents' home and livelihood... An errand for her boss - a chance encounter with a crew of bank robbers - a kind man who tried to help her ... a man who isn't all he seems...no, he is so much moreFinal Sin
84500 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on June 13, 2009
Deputy Sherriff Commander Jake Carson has his hands full... investigation of a brutal multiple homicide, a troubled son and a vindictive ex-wife. He meets young, free-spirited paramedic Julie Jennings. When Julie becomes the subject of an obsession, it puts both of them in danger...Courage of the Heart
79380 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on April 12, 2009
COURAGE OF THE HEART shows us that sometimes love is the only cure for the very deepest of emotional wounds. The story of the two lovers takes a series of unexpected and fast paced turns where lives, sanity and love are put in jeopardy. Their commitment to one another results in a spirit that binds them together and helps them to overcome physical and emotional dangers.Within the Law
73480 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on April 12, 2009
Tom gave up on ever falling in love again the day that he buried his high school sweetheart and fiancé. He started a career in law enforcement just so that he could find her murderer and rapist. Just when he is about to see justice done, he meets Alli Davis-the defense attorney for the murdering rapist who took his love from him.Bartlett's Rule
55810 words. Fiction by Chelle Cordero and published byVanilla Heart Publishing on April 12, 2009
Bartlett's Rule shares the story of Lon and Paige's love affair; a romance filled with hardship, emotion, danger and triumph. Falling in love was never the challenge; being there for each other, knowing just what to say and making it work is the real test. Paige and Lon are real; they are human, they cry and they laugh. Paige has to learn to trust. Lon has to learn to be patient.
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/chellecordero

Living, Breathing, Writing

Do you have a Kindle? If you do, you can subscribe to my Amazon Kindle Blog - Living, Breathing, Writing Monthly Price:$0.99 includes wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
Living, Breathing, Writing by Chelle Cordero is filled with weekly articles about writing, tips, trends, methods. Imagine a weekly writers' workshop and the convenience of your Kindle!
"Having Chelle Cordero's blog on my Kindle is like having an author here in residence with me."
~J. B. Taylor
Created in July 2009, the Living Breathing Writing Amazon Kindle Blog has seen
655 days in the top 100 Amazon blogs!
Some of the topics over the past 2 years include:
A Bit of Legalese, Creating Believable Characters, The News Release, VBT To Go, Your Own Worst Enemy, KISS, Rejecting Rejection, Marketing Yourself Online, Blogs and Websites, ...and more
What?! You don't have a Kindle???
Then buy the book - Living, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson a Day
based on this weekly blog L iving, Breathing, Writing: A Lesson A Day
Ebook Price: $4.99 USD. 22710 words.
A complete month of lessons about the craft of writing and being a writer, from time management to social networking, organizing queries to publication, and more. In the Bonus Section of this book you'll find more than 50 brain-starting exercises to help you get those words on paper.
Writing exercise: Choose any object on your desk or in front of you, make a list of all words you would use to describe the object WITHOUT saying what the object is. See if you can have a friend guess what you are talking about by just telling them descriptive words.
Writing exercise: Write your obituary. What would you want folks to know about your life and the kind of person you were? (after you do this, it might be a little easier to write your brief bio).
Writing Exercise: Social network site Twitter allows you 140 characters and spaces (approximately 20 words) to send a message. Practice short blurbs about your day, about yourself, the content of a book, etc.

Romance Fiction – not just Porn!

( this column was originally posted on RomanceJunkies in Dec 2008 )

"Hi, my name is Chelle and I am a romance writer." I receive a round of applause and several personal shouts of "Hi Chelle!" And over milk and cookies, we discuss the 12-steps towards REAL writing… (the preceding is a dramatization and should not be attempted, etc and so forth)

Why is it that many writers in the romance genre feel that they must announce their forte in clandestine meetings and apologize for their behavior?

Hey all, I write romance. I am not ashamed of the stories I weave. Yes, there is sex and sometimes I may even find myself blushing as I read aloud at an author event. I have oft been the recipient of "tsk, tsk" and "I'm sorry, I won't read romance books." And men, oy, they won't be caught reading a romance novel, no matter how good a story you may tell. My son-in-law teased me that he planned to cover my first novel with a cookbook cover so he could read it on the train while heading in to work!

The romance genre has gotten a bad rep and romance writers are regarded with condescending amusement. And yet, Romance Writers of America has the following statistics on their website: "Romance fiction: $1.375 billion in estimated revenue for 2007, Religion/inspirational: $819 million, Science fiction/fantasy: $700 million, Mystery: $650 million, and Classic literary fiction: $466 million. Of those who read books in 2007, one in five read romance novels." Impressive.Often referred to as escapism or fluff, the romance genre is known for the "formula" – boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy loses girl over some stupidity that can't be helped, boy wins girl back, and they live happily ever after. But if all writers followed the "formula" without a real story plot, do you honestly believe that $1.375 billion would have changed hands in 2007? Romance has many sub-genres as well and contemporary romance (the here and now, situations the average reader can relate to) remains the leader of the pack.

During a recent discussion with my editor/publisher, I asked for her definition of romance, erotica and porn – all too often used to delineate categories of romance. Her response was simple, the focus of the story and whether the plot and love came before or after the sex in the book. This put it all into perspective for me. Just like the ingredient label on our breakfast cereals, which comes first?

To date I have written four contemporary romance novels; three have been published and the fourth, Courage of the Heart (actually a modernized re-release from 2001) is due out in February. The ingredient labels on Bartlett's Rule, Forgotten, Within the Law and the aforementioned Courage of the Heart would read: Love story. Sub-plots and twists, Sex – yep, they are romance novels. A fifth novel, due out in the summer, is called Final Sin. Final Sin's ingredient label would read Crime-Suspense story, sub-plots and twist, love story and sex; while there is certainly sex involved, it is more relevant to the crime than to the love story. (I have been assured by the haters of romance novels that they are looking forward to reading my NON-romance.)

Some of the most popular stories throughout time have involved intricate love stories although some do not have happy-ever-after endings: Romeo and Juliet, Gone With the Wind, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Gift of the Magi, and more. Many modern day movies and box-office hits illustrate the theme of love and sex: 27 Dresses, Pretty Woman, Love Story, Casablanca, Sleepless in Seattle…

It seems that the story of romance is here to stay. And if you decide to pick up a romance novel, you just might find yourself intrigued by the story.

I've written a few more books since I originally wrote this post...
a total of 7 romantic suspense and 2 mysteries. http://ChelleCordero.com

...and what kind of day have you had?

Common Bond, Tangled Hearts
Layne Gillette's world is turned upside down when a man she has never met shows up to lay claim as the father of her 6-year old son.

Justin, the victim of a fraternity prank, and Layne, the subject of a forced insemination, have produced a beautiful child that they are both willing to protect... at all costs.

The two parents realize they can love each other, but when Layne's abusive "ex-husband" shows up, they are torn apart by danger, kidnapping and lies. Justin won't give up until Layne is returned to him. Layne uses her newfound strength, courage and knowledge to defy Charlie's ugliest demands.

"Damn it!" Justin paced the short length of his motel room several times. This little nothing town was one of the last places he wanted to be. Damn Davis for insisting that he had to "get this matter cleared up". Damn the college pranksters that robbed him of a choice. Damn his brother for leaving him the only heir. And damn his grandfather for dying and dumping everything on his shoulders. He stopped short of cursing his frail mother for making him feel guilty enough to accept the duties of running the three stores.

After a very rocky start, Justin had been a model student for years until he earned his master's degree. He drank only moderately and partied occasionally. There had been a few college girls he saw on a serious level, but he never got carried away. He never made promises and he never once thought of a future with any of them. That was why he was so surprised when the family attorney, Larry Davis, told him he was a father.

"That's impossible!" Justin protested. "I was always very careful. If some girl told you it's mine, don't believe it." He had always been a careful and considerate lover and when it came time to end a relationship, he always did it gently. He'd bet his life, he never got any girl pregnant.

"Justin, maybe you'd better sit down…" Larry put his unlit pipe in his mouth and waited until Justin was seated. "It seems that you and some of your friends decided to do a little bit of celebrating just prior to your graduation, when you received your masters."

A little bit of a celebration was an understatement, Justin thought. He remembered having gotten totally drunk, he spent at least two days nursing a hangover. He suddenly laughed. "If you're going to tell me I went out and got laid, there was no way… I was too far gone for that."

"You were… the victim of a fraternity house prank." Larry had known about this for a few years, but Justin's grandfather wanted it kept quiet for the time being. "I don't know how to say this delicately, but… you passed out in the offices of a sperm bank."

buy in multiple ebook formats ~ Smashwords

Hug an EMT or Paramedic...

As EMS Week 2011 winds down, it's a good time to remember the folks who come to our assistance in all kinds of weather and all times of day or night. I am proud to be a NYS EMT volunteer with my local ambulance corps and serving my community. Please check out my post about NYSVARA (New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association) and all that they do - the address to send donations is there too. Just go to the May Awareness Project on the Tales of Allure blog.
Two of my novels, Final Sin and Hyphema are both thrillers with a healthy mix of suspense, action, mystery, passion, murder and EMS. The medical scenes are real and thrilling, the love is intense, and the suspense is edge of your seat.
The hero and heroine of Final Sin are Paramedic Julie Davis and Deputy Sheriff Jake Carlson. Julie's best friend and paramedic partner, Matt Garratti, comes back in Hyphema.
Deputy Sherriff Commander Jake Carson has his hands full... investigation of a brutal multiple homicide, a troubled son and a vindictive ex-wife. He meets young, free-spirited paramedic Julie Jennings. When Julie becomes the subject of an obsession, it puts both of them in danger...
(excerpt)

For the second time in less than two weeks, there were police in Julie's living room. She was sitting on the edge of her bed and listening to the voices. Jake was talking in hushed tones to one of the officers.

He came to the bedroom door and his heart wrenched when he saw her still looking so dazed. Jake walked over to her and knelt down. "Sweetheart, I want you to go away for a few days."

She looked at him suddenly. "Why?"

"I have to get to the bottom of everything that's been happening. I need to find out why you got this package… and why someone made videotapes of you… and even why your car was vandalized the other day." Julie hadn't made a big deal of the damage to her car but had mentioned it briefly to him during a conversation. She hadn't told him what had been scratched into the hood of her car and until his comment she hadn't even thought of it in connection with the other incidents.

Julie shrugged. "Is someone really looking to scare me or something?" It seemed ludicrous and yet there was no other explanation for the strange and vindictive things that had been happening lately.

"I don't know. But I don't want to take any chances. I can't take any chances, not when it comes to you." He wanted so desperately to protect her and he didn't know who or what to protect her from. He was glad that he had at least been there when she got that frightening special delivery that morning, but then he wanted to kick himself that she had gotten it at all.

"I can't… I can't leave. I have work. I've got responsibilities."

"Just a few days, Julie. I want you out of here for just a few days." I want you out of harm's way, he thought. I want to make it safe for you.

She looked at him defiantly and shook her head. Then suddenly she felt like she was ready to crumble. "Where? Where should I go?"

He thought for a moment. Jake tried to smile. "When is the last time you visited your parents? Let them take you to Disney or Sea World or something."

"They'll worry. It's too sudden. They'll think something is wrong." Her protests were weak. "I don't want to worry them."

Jake wanted to shout at her that there was something wrong, but he didn't want to scare her any more than she was. He didn't want to scare himself any more than he already was either. He forced a laugh. "Tell them you just got proposed to and he's old and he's got a kid. Tell them you need a few days to sort out your feelings before you tell him yes."

Julie laughed, but she sounded like she was ready to cry. "I thought you were trying to remove the stress."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hyphema
Hyphema: Bleeding in the eye caused by trauma… Matt Garratti, a paramedic from New York, moves his wife and son to North Carolina to work at his dream job as a flight medic. Pakistani born Sudah, his wife, receives frosty stares and insensitive comments from their new neighbors... Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare from which they may never wake.

EMS Week May 15 - May 21 & the HYPHEMA book tour

Those of you who know me know my passion for EMS & volunteering. I am a proud member of the Stony Point Ambulance Corps (25+ years!) and ride as a NYS EMT as well as serve on the Board of Directors, in our Auxiliary and work with our Youth Squad.
May 15 through May 21, 2011 is EMS Week
Visit the May Awareness Project todayMy input for the May Awareness Project is all about NYSVARA,
the New York State Volunteer Ambulance Rescue Association
My novels Hyphema and Final Sin are both thrillers with a mix of
passion, mystery, action and EMS

join me on the HYPHEMA virtual book tour,
all past posts are still active links
Please leave comments - lots of them!

Apr 21 Lindsay's Romantics
Apr 23 Jeanne St. James
Apr 24 Anne K Albert
Apr 26 Chelle Cordero, author
Apr 29 The Book Connection
May 1 Rochelle Weber
May 2 CCE613 on Xanga
May 3 Charmaine Gordon
May 8 Malcolm's Round Table
May 10 You Gotta Read
May 11 Roseanne Dowell
May 18 Skylar Kade
May 19 May Awareness Project
May 23 Stephanie Burkhart

...and elsewhere:

Teaser Tuesday on the Writer's Notebook
&
First Book Stories on The Professional Writer's Connection

In the News ~ Floods 2011

When I wrote my novel Hostage Heart this country was reeling from the stories of the tremendous losses suffered by the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the levee failure. Although I was not personally down there at this time, my husband was as a rescue worker and he brought home tales about the people down there and their wonderful spirit.
...ever since that time, we have felt a kinship with the people of Louisiana and the surrounding area. We've been following the news and the reports of a swollen Mississippi River with concern and heartache - and we are sending our prayers for recovery once again.
Updated: 05/13/11 Mississippi River Floods 2011: People And Animals Flee To Higher Ground ...For the people of this region, floods from rain-swollen rivers
and hurricanes are a familiar hazard. (read more)
Hostage Heart

"Enroll" in an online weekly writing workshop

Celebrating 2 Years this month! get it on your Kindle
41.626 days in the top 100 Living, Breathing, Writing Chelle Cordero
5.0 out of 5 stars Author in Residence, December 26, 2009By J. B. Naylor "teach4joy"
This review is from: Living, Breathing, Writing (Kindle Edition) Having Chelle Cordero's blog on my Kindle is like having an author here in residence with me. She gives inspiration, motivation, and best of all, practical advice and solutions. I love the "writing exercises" she offers at the end of each blog, as well as the "writing prompts". I've already used them myself and with my 6th grade writing class!

Can't say goodbye...

Some characters refuse to give up, Tom Hughes did that to me after His Lucky Charm ~ and I HAD to write Within the Law
and then Matt Garratti did that to me after Final Sin ~ and I HAD to write Hyphema
Did you happen to catch the first stop on my Hyphema virtual blog tour? Please check out Lindsay's Romantics ~ When a character lingers
about Within the Law :
Fiction by Chelle Cordero, published byVanilla Heart Publishing on 4/12/2009
Tom gave up on ever falling in love again the day that he buried his high school sweetheart and fiancé. He started a career in law enforcement just so that he could find her murderer and rapist. Just when he is about to see justice done, he meets Alli Davis-the defense attorney for the murdering rapist who took his love from him. page 69 Theory - Within the Law

Please join me on the HYPHEMA virtual book tour... currently in progress!

Apr 21 Lindsay's Romantics
Apr 23 Jeanne St. James
Apr 24 Anne K Albert
Apr 26 Chelle Cordero, author
Apr 29 The Book Connection
May 1 Rochelle Weber
May 2 CCE613 on Xanga
May 3 Charmaine Gordon
May 8 Malcolm's Round Table
May 10 You Gotta Read
May 11 Roseanne Dowell
May 18 Skylar Kade
May 23 Stephanie Burkhart

Hyphema by Chelle Cordero

B&N Print-Pre-Order OMNILIT PDF

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