Jane Porter's Blog, page 26

Kickstarting a Book

It’s February 26th today.  I’d like to have a book done by May 1st.  That’s approximately two months from now, and the next eight weeks includes lots of travel, and speaking, and the kids’ Spring break.  I can do it.  But I have to be focused, and motivated.  I’m not focused yet.  Not really motivated, either.  I’ve so enjoyed seeing all my readers and friends these past three weeks, but I confess, I’m dragging a little.  The hopping on and off airplanes and burning the midnight oil with early flights and different time zones has made me long to crawl into bed and sleep.

Maybe I will tomorrow.  Maybe tomorrow will be a stay-in-bed morning and rest.  Or maybe it’ll be like today.  Jump out of bed at 6 am and tackle the inbox with its endless stream of emails and to-do reminders about blogs I need to write that I haven’t yet written.

But Monday when I return from Seattle, after heading up to Bellevue this weekend for my Sunday Barnes & Noble book discussion and signing at 2 pm (can you make it?!?), I’m clearing off my desk to get serious about new book as it will be time to get started.  But how?

How does one kickstart a manuscript when time’s short, or energy’s low?  How to take that little spark of an idea, and make it sustain an entire book?

First: Make sure your characters have sufficient motivation. 

 Writing a book without motivated characters is asking for trouble.  Characters that lack clear, strong goals—and goals in opposition to each other—will drag your plot, and pacing way, way down.  To write fast, to write tight, compelling scenes, your characters need to want something, and not ‘down the road’, but immediately.  They need goals that are going to be foremost in their thoughts, burning strong within them.  If you’re not sure about the goal and motivation thing, grab Debra Dixon’s book, GMC, and study up!

 Second, Choose characters, a setting or time period that interests you. 

 As writers, we’ve all tried to sludge our way through stories that don’t grip us.  So don’t write a story you’re not crazy about.  And if your characters seem just so-so, what would make you really love them?  What would make you fall in love with your plot?  Think about the fire you like in a heroine, the strength or humor in a hero, think about the tone or sensuality you respond to when reading a book.  Give this life, this vitality, for your new project.  Sometimes we decide we’ll save the ‘great idea’ for the next book, or a book in the future, but pour your heart into this book because it is your future.

Third: Change what’s bogging you down. 

 If you find you can’t write at your desktop lately, get out of the house.  Use a notepad, your Alphasmart (my Alphasmart is my savior!), laptop—whatever you need to put you in a different place, away from your ordinary distractions.  If you feel too sleepy—add an extra cup of coffee, go for a walk, play lively music—whatever it takes to jumpstart you.  If you find you can’t concentrate, or tend to daydream, set a timer,  tell yourself that for the next 15 minutes all you’re going to do is write.  Just write.  No email.  No editing.  No researching.  No fussing with words.  Just fresh new stuff.  And for ten minutes, or fifteen minutes—do it.  I can almost guarantee that by the end of the 10 or 15 minutes, you’ll be in the groove and in the middle of a great scene.  The secret really is to not make excuses and to work through the mental block.  Successful authors all share one thing—effort.  They really apply themselves.  Be nice to yourself, but don’t give up.  Set some goals and work to attain them.

 Fourth:  Get Inspired. 

For inspiration—and we all need it—play some powerful music, read one of the books on your keeper shelf, watch a classic film, head out to Mother Nature and walk, hike, or sit and breathe in the fresh air.  The key thing is finding something that will charge you…fill up the emotional and spiritual well.  Sometimes I just need to be with my kids and play.  A trip to the park, a hike in the woods, gathering leaves of different colors.  Take care of you.

So that’s the plan.

Let’s see if I can follow through!

What’s your plan for the next week?  Anything you’re trying to get started?  Anything you need to get done?  Fill me in and you could win a prize filled with gift cards and books and an incredibly gorgeous box of chocolates from Schmids, a fine chocolate company, here in San Clemente!  Contest will run through Sunday, March 3rd with the winner announced on Monday.  Please, please check back on Monday to see if you won.  I have boxes stacked all over my office of prizes going unclaimed!

Original article: Kickstarting a Book

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Jane Loves Ranchers, Cowboys & Cowgirl U!

The Fallen Greek Bride, my new March Harlequin Presents, is shipping today from Amazon, and should soon be on store shelves, too.

I love this story–it’s passionate, intense, as well as full of longing, and hope.  I was worried about having so many books out in one month, and yet as one reader told me on Saturday in Atlanta, these three very different stories that are out right now, show my range, and the different stories I like to tell.

I have enjoyed writing this past year.  I spent a lot of time writing, too, and writing is such a big part of me.  Writing defines me.  Thinking about the story, and the characters, and who these people are (yes, they become absolutely real to me) fill my head as I fix dinner, or start a load of laundry, or drive son Ty to school.

I am planning a new series, a series that will be set in Montana and I’m collaborating on this Montana series with three of my close friends who are authors, and seriously talented writers.   We’re working on the scheduling now and I’ll have my first book out in December.  Appropriately, it’ll be a Christmas story, and I’m having fun over at Pinterest building my board.  I’m calling the Pinterest board, The Shanahan Brothers, and you’ll see lots of Montana pictures, and rugged cowboys and ranchers, and snow, and Christmas trees.

My head is full of these pictures, too.  This is how I write. Layering picture on top of picture, idea upon idea, emotion upon emotion.  It’s my favorite part of the writing process, and the easiest, but soon the real work begins when I sit down at my keyboard and start putting the sentences down in some order that makes sense.

To help with inspiration for my new Montana series, I’ll be attending the Cowgirl U Luncheon hosted by the Clovis Rodeo Association in Clovis, CA to benefit the Central California Blood Center, on March 16, 2013 with my friend Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews.  We’re driving up early Saturday morning from Orange County, and later that night, Megan and I will also attend the Rodeo for some authentic cowgirl fun!  If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll come join us at the Cowgirl U luncheon since it’s raising money for a very good cause.

To celebrate today’s release of The Fallen Greek Bride–and my The Good Daughter book tour–I have three prize boxes to giveaway.  Winners will receive a copy of The Fallen Greek Bride, a copy of Mrs. Perfect, a JP water bottle, candle and lots of other good reads and fun goodies!  Want to win?  Tell me if you’re a romance reader, a women’s fiction reader, or if you read both.  I’d love to know what kind of stories you like best and the contest ends Friday, Feb 22nd at midnight PST, with the three winners announced Saturday morning just before I race off to a girls night out in Bozeman, MT.  Talk to me and hopefully you will be one of those that win!

Original article: Jane Loves Ranchers, Cowboys & Cowgirl U!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Good Daughter Booktour – Afternoon Tea!

Last weekend was absolutely fantastic with two awesome tea events on Saturday and Sunday.  I had a blast connecting with good friends, old and new and chatting with so many of you who took time to join me in Portland, OR, and Newport Coast, CA.  Thanks for helping to make the launch of  The Good Daughter so successful!  Sales for the book have been absolutely terrific and I know it couldn’t have happened without all of you.

Portland: So good to see Teri Brown again!

Portland: with the lovely Heather Gray

At the Resort at Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill Resort: I loved catching up with good friends, Megan Crane and Kimberly Field!

Now I’m back on the East Coast today for more fun reader events and tonight I’ll be joining Allie Smith’s book club in Cumming, GA for a book group discussion with my friend Wendy Wax.

Then it’s off to Cary, NC and Detroit, MI and by next weekend, I’ll be in Denver, CO for another fabulous Tea event on Sunday, the 24th of February.

In fact, for those of you who live in Denver and would like to join me for tea, Arlene Guillen from the Denver Tea Room, is giving away one spot for the tea on her blog.  To make it even more fun, I’m going to match Arlene’s offer and give away a second spot for the tea here on my blog too!

Contest ends this Saturday evening so be sure to leave a comment here and do check out Arlene’s link too –  http://www.thedenvertearoom.com/give-away-for-jane-porter-book-lovers-tea-salon/3495 - and double your chances to win!  Talk to me, tell me your plans for the weekend and fill me in on what’s happening with you.  xoxoxo

 

Original article: Good Daughter Booktour – Afternoon Tea!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

My Cowboy Valentine “a delectable treat”

I am home for a few days and cuddling my boys (okay, I’m cuddling the littlest boy and ‘hanging out’ with the two teenage ones) and enjoying being with my family before I head out on Friday to Atlanta, Raleigh, and Detroit.  Its going to be a special tea in Atlanta on Saturday, so if you think you can meet me in historic Roswell at 2 pm, let me know.

I’m so sweet on Valentine’s Day–it is my favorite festive day (pink, red, lace, conversation hearts, chocolate, Peeps!), and this year its truly special with a treat for my readers,  My Cowboy Valentine, a Harlequin American Romance duet with “Hill Country Cupid” by Tanya Michaels and my story, “Be Mine, Cowboy.”

In Be Mine, Cowboy:

Years ago, Rachel James gave Cade King an ultimatum, and he walked. Heartbroken, Rachel moved on. Life is tough as a single mom, but Rachel is doing just fine.

Now Cade’s back after burning up the rodeo circuit, and things are different. He’s sober, but with one burning regret. He has some work to do to show Rachel he’s changed-but he’s up to the challenge.

RT Magazine loved Cade and Rachel as well, giving their story 4 1/2 stars, saying, “Porter’s touchingly sweet reunion between her two main characters is wonderful.”

Library Journal reviewed Tanya’s and my book, too, saying: “Poignant, heartfelt, sweetly funny, and guaranteed to leave you smiling, this duet of romantic novellas is a delectable Valentine’s Day treat.”  

And then to top it off, tonight, just an hour ago, I got an email tonight from Fresh Fiction letting me know that “Be Mine, Cowboy” was a Fresh Fiction Pick!  So cool.  I’ve written over 40 novels now, but this was a first for me!

February 12, 2013

I’m thrilled both readers and critics are loving this story and I want you to discover it, too!   Read the whole first chapter of Be Mine, Cowboy or order your copy today, before it sells out, as I’ve been told that this duet had huge pre-orders and isn’t going to last on shelves long!

But wait… I also have a Valentine’s giveaway!  Tell me what your plans are for Valentine’s Day in the comments section below, and you’re entered to win one of my 3 special cowboy Valentine prize boxes filled with books, gift cards and treats galore.  Contest runs through Saturday, February 16th with the three winners announced on Sunday, the 17th!

And speaking of Sunday, the 17th…I’ll be in Raleigh/Cary, North Carolina on Sunday with a reader event open to the public at 2:30 pm, before heading to Greater Detroit on Monday where I’m treating my readers to dinner on Royal Oak, MI.  Details for both events–and all my events–are on the events page here on my site. So check it out to see if I’ll be near you anytime soon.

In the meantime, have a wonderful February 14th and may it be filled with lots of chocolate, conversation hearts, Peeps, hugs and kisses, and Valetines, too!

xoxoxoxo

 

Original article: My Cowboy Valentine “a delectable treat”

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Good Daughter Booktour – Week 1

The last few days have been amazing. I had a wonderful time at Books n Greetings in Northvale Monday night and a fantastic party in Cranford, NJ on Tuesday with my great friend Cindy Huljack.

With the lovely Cindy Huljack in Cranford, NJ. Thanks for helping to pull together a fun event!

So thrilled to see Amy Bromberg

With the awesome Mari Partyka

Then we drove to Albany, NY to party with Marlene Engel and her wonderful friends.  I felt like I was on a party tour with the coolest chicks….book chicks!

Loved meeting Marlene Engel. She’s so sweet!

I loved my beautiful cake!! Hated to cut it… but it was delicious. Thank you, Marlene!

The very lovely Meg Munson with me at Mama Iguana’s!

Thanks to all the gorgeous, wonderful ladies for helping to start my book tour off on such a successful and happy note!

Now, I’m back on the west coast (thankfully I was able to beat the big storm! Hope all my friends stay safe!) and am really looking forward to meeting up with friends and readers this afternoon in Portland, OR for Afternoon Tea at the Heathman Hotel.  Then it’s back to CA for another tea party at the Resort at Pelican Hill on Sunday.  Can’t wait!

Thanks so much for all of the support this past week and the weeks leading up to the release of The Good Daughter. I love to write and I love writing for my readers!

I’m thrilled to share we had a huge response to the Pre-Release contest for The Good Daughter!  Thank you to all of you who ordered a copy. The winners are -

Grand Prize winner (Kindle Fire) – Crystal R. from PA

1st and 2nd Prize winners ($50 gift card) – Suzanne M. from AZ and Angela B. from CA

The winners have been contacted and once your address is confirmed, prizes will be in the mail!

I’ve got lots of other events coming up! Come see me if you can. Have a great weekend!

 

Original article: Good Daughter Booktour – Week 1

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Good Daughter Launch & Readers Guide!

The Good Daughter, Book 2 of the Brennan Sisters officially releases today!  Hooray!!!

So happy to have this book available for all. I love, love, love Kit and her family and the bad boy she meets that she shouldn’t like…

This story means so much to me, has lots of topical stuff in it, which makes it great for book clubs, too. We’ve made it easy for my readers in book clubs and reading groups by uploading the Readers Guide to my website. You can download it in an easily-printed PDF. Here are a few sample questions from the Readers Discussion Guide:

In the first chapter, the Brennan family comes together to celebrate Cass’s birthday. When asked to make a wish, Gabi shouted, “Wish for a baby.” Tommy responded with, “We don’t need a baby.” Tears filled Cass’ eyes. Do you think that Tommy was being insensitive with this comment or realistic regarding their history with trying to conceive?

Kit decides to take matters into her own hands to become a mom even though her family wouldn’t approve. Do you think Kit feeling the pressure of her “biological clock” ticking is causing her to go against her morals?

When Kit meets Michael in the bar – his first impression seemed sincere. But by the end of their first date, she begins to realize he’s different then the person she met at the bar in Alameda. How do you think Kit’s previous long-term relationship and her family values prepared her for Michael?

You can download the entire Readers Guide for your book club or reading group right here. Be sure to check our all of the extras for The Good Daughter, too, including my events page where it lists all my appearances in the next couple of months, including tonight’s launch party in New Jersey, tomorrow night’s party in Albany, NY, and Thursday night’s party in Springfield, MA.

And since I know not everyone can join me in person tonight, I’ve got a very special launch party box to give away. This  launch party bag in a box includes signed copies of both Odd Mom Out and Mrs. Perfect, my two connected stories set in Bellevue, WA, a coral pink fuzzy blanket, a pink cosmetic bag with JP reader goodies, and a $5 Starbucks drink card. Want to win?  Just tell me what you’re reading or doing this week!  Contest ends Feb 7th at midnight PST, and the winner will be announced on Saturday!  Good luck and have a great week. I’m thrilled to be spending this week with so many of my readers on the East Coast, then in Portland, and finally on Sunday, back home in Orange County!

 

Original article: The Good Daughter Launch & Readers Guide!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Jane’s Orange County Reader Tea – Feb 10th

My reader tea in Orange County on Sunday, February 10th just went from Post Tea to seriously posh tea at the Resort at Pelican Hill.  We had so many RSVPs come in that we needed more space because I hated turning away my readers who wanted to come so check out our new tea digs….!

I was here back in July for a tea with my fellow Harlequin Presents authors, and it was so lovely that I’m delighted to take my readers and friends there next Sunday!

Are you able to join me?  Is your name on the RSVP list?  I must turn in a hard head count on Wednesday so please let me know ASAP if you’re going to attend!

And what is a new blog post without a fun contest?  I’m giving away a Valentine treat box filled with wonderful reads and surprises.  It’s a two day contest and the winner will be drawn and announced on Monday, Feb 4th.  Lots of cool fun things and great books, too, so tell me in the comments below a great book you’re reading now, or finished recently.  I just finished Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne and I loved, loved, loved it.  Joanna Bourne is one of the most talented writers I have ever read.  She truly delights me and I can’t wait for her next book!  Who can you rave about?  What’s delighted you?  Tell me and you could win this fantastic Valentine surprise box!

Original article: Jane’s Orange County Reader Tea – Feb 10th

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Writer Inspired: Join Me for One Day Writing Retreat!

I normally don’t plug my own writing workshops but this is a special one because its all day, of me, teaching, and its really affordable, too.

Many of you ask me about opportunities to hear me teach craft and talk about writing, and what it takes to make our books not just good, but brilliant.  You know I’m passionate about story, and making sure every book will surprise, delight, entertain, and reward our reader, and in this one day retreat sponsored by the Yosemite Romance Writers chapter of RWA, I will be giving four different workshops.

That’s right.  Four.

That is some serious workshop action.  Even better, the $65.00 fee includes lunch, too.  What more do you need?  Here are the details to help you decide if this is where you’re meant to be:

Fiction Writers Spring Fling
with Jane Porter

March 9th 2013

10am-4pm

Ramada Inn

324 E. Shaw Ave., Fresno CA

 

If you can join me in March, this is what I’ll be covering:

~Workshops ~
Writing Bestselling Fiction: Using Emotion to Power Up the Story
Voice & Market: Writing Smart, Writing Well, Writing to Sell
Creating the Unforgettable Heroine
Ten Keys to Success & Survival: What Every Author Should Know

Sound interesting?  Want more info?  Contact me, or here’s the link so you can register,  http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com/seminar.html.

And should you be coming from out of town, arrive early enough Friday so you can join me for my Girls Night Out reader party in Fresno.  My pal Jessica Lusk is helping me with a great party in Fresno on Friday, March 8th so come for one, come for both, just join me because you know you’ll have fun and I’d love to see you!

Original article: Writer Inspired: Join Me for One Day Writing Retreat!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Special Guest Author: Brenda Novak

I’ve known NYT bestselling author Brenda Novak a long time.   Not only is she one of the first authors I ever met, she is also one of the most generous.  I love Brenda’s voice, her stories, her talent, and her comittment to the finding a cure for Type I diabetes.  I’ve participated in her auctions for years–donating items–as well as bidding like crazy, winning some amazing items from dinners with a favorite author, to business lunches with publishing executives, to hard to find signed editions.

But Brenda isn’t here  to talk about her auction.  She’s here because she has a brand new book hitting store shelves today!  I LOVE Brenda’s Whiskey Creek series, and am thrilled that the newest novel in the series, When Summer Comes, is available now!  Without further ado, here is Brenda Novak !

Hello to all of Jane’s readers and friends, and welcome to Whiskey Creek—the Heart of Gold Country!

I’m really, really enjoying writing this new series—mostly because the group of friends that form the backbone of it feels so real to me. When I started WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES, I had no idea how long I wanted the series to be, or what any of the subsequent books would be about. But then, as I became more familiar with the characters that form the backbone of these books, so many people and businesses began to populate my head I knew I had the beginning of what could be a long-running series. And it all came from watching my oldest son (high school age) and his group of friends. His clique is a large one that includes both boys and girls, none of whom are romantically involved with each other (and they never have been). It’s just that they’ve known each other since kindergarten—have gone through all their school years together—so they’re very close. They call their group The Family and support each other in everything (for instance, when one of the girls didn’t get invited to prom, one of the boys took her so that she’d get to go). I’d never really seen anything like it before, where there was so much genuine friendship and a complete lack of cattiness and jealousy. This group fascinated me enough that I wanted to write about a similar network of friends, put them in a small town and jump ten years into the future to see where they’d be in their relationships.

Now that my son has graduated, his group may eventually fade away. But my group will always be as close as family. They get together at Black Gold Coffee (a fictional coffeehouse) every Friday morning and their love and support of each other plays a key role in all the novels.

Another element that’s making these novels so enjoyable to write is the setting. Whiskey Creek is fictional, but it’s modeled after other towns in the Sierra Nevada Foothills that were founded during the gold rush. I don’t live very far from these places—places like Angel’s Camp, Coloma, Jackson and Sutter Creek. My husband and I love to go visit them. We shop in the old mercantile, pan for gold, tour a defunct gold mine or stay at one of the Victorian Bed & Breakfasts. I love the historic architecture and how nothing there seems to have changed. I’ve been so taken with building my gold rush town, that I’ve actually created logos for some of the businesses. Fans of the series can purchase (at brendanovak.com) a Black Gold Coffee mug, for instance, or an Amos Auto Body T-shirt. And I’ll be adding new products to the Whiskey Creek store as the series goes along. It’s just one more way to enjoy your stay!

Whenever I create a series, I have several people ask me which story is my favorite. In this case, it’s too hard for me to pick—too much like asking me to name a favorite among my five children—but I do have at least one favorite thing about each. I love the redemption theme of WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES, the deep emotional underpinnings of WHEN SNOW FALLS and the triumph—for both the hero and heroine—in WHEN SUMMER COMES.

~~~

Thanks for joining us today, Brenda!  Readers, do visit Brenda’s website for more great information about her books and events.   I’m also giving away three prize packages that include Brenda’s When Lightning Strikes, a $5 Starbucks drink card, a signed copy of my novel, Odd Mom Out, and  JP reader goodies.  The Brenda Novak contest runs through Friday January 1st, and I’ll announce the three winners on Sat morning, January 2nd.  How to win?  Tell me if you have a favorite small town somewhere that you like to visit, and if so, what makes that town special to you.  Good luck to all and I can’t wait to hear where you love to go!

Original article: Special Guest Author: Brenda Novak

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Fallen Greek Bride

I got my book finished last night and sent it in to the editor.  I loved writing it but it’s a long story and I can’t wait to hear what my editor thinks!

Now I’m going to catch up on other things like sharing with you the March ’13 cover for RT Book Reviews Magazine.  They’ve done a really nice spread inside featuring my February and March releases – The Good Daughter, Be Mine, Cowboy (novella in My Cowboy Valentine) and The Fallen Greek Bride.  I’ll see if later there’s a way to get the article on my website if any of you who don’t subscribe to RT would like to read it.

RT also gave The Good Daughter and Be Mine, Cowboy 4 Star reviews and The Fallen Greek Bride was a RT Top Pick with 4 1/2 Stars, which is really nice.  Here’s a snippet of the review -

“Porter makes her larger-than-life characters appeal by stripping away the opulent façade to reveal the base emotions everyone understands: hurt, anger and, most of all, love.  Add breathtaking vistas and a couple whose explosive intensity is evident on every dramatic page, and you have a winner.” – RT Book Reviews  TOP PICK! 4 ½ Stars

 To celebrate, I’m giving away a copy of  The Fallen Greek Bride and a copy of my novella, Be Mine, Cowboy, along with a Starbucks drink card and more JP goodies.  For a chance to win, talk to me.  Tell me what your plans are for this weekend and then check back next week to see if you’re a winner!

Original article: The Fallen Greek Bride

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.