Selena Blake's Blog, page 22
June 16, 2014
The Writing Process (Blog Hop)
Carol Strickland recruited me to talk about one of my favorite subjects. The writers’ process. So I’ll answer a few quick questions and let you know where to head next week to read about others’ process.
1. What am I currently working on?
I’m finishing my second full length contemporary romance, Go For It. This is the second book in my Girls’ Night Trilogy which follows a group of sassy, Southern girlfriends as they find the men of their dreams. Go For It is Gretchen’s book and I’m loving her. She’s been such a surprise, a delightful character to get to know.
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
First, I love series and staying connected to past characters. I like fantasy situations: IE the wealthy hunk sweeps in, saves the heroine and puts everyone else in their place at the same time. I tend to incorporate lots of games. (Naughty scrabble anyone?)
3. Why do I write what I do?
I write what I like to read. When I have nothing else on my kindle I want to be able to enjoy my own stories.
4. How does your writing process work?
I tend to be a batch worker. And the older I get the clearer this is to me. What I mean is that I like to group like work with like work. I used to believe in multi tasking. Now I try to get books written, the move on to the next step in the process, revisions. And so on. This summer I’m working on having my backlist put into print and I’ve given myself permission to not write new words until that’s done. It helps me focus and I move a lot faster. The process stays fresh in my head.
Next week, go visit Cat Johnson, Susan Meier and Barbara Wallace.
.
Cat Johnson is a NY Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. A self-proclaimed promo ‘ho, she is known for her creative marketing and research practices. As a hybrid author, she writes both full length and shorter works.
FACEBOOK Page: www.Facebook.com/CatJohnsonAuthor
Award-winning writer Barbara Wallace, who writes for Harlequin Romance and Entangled Publishing, is pretty sure her process changes with each book. Her latest release, SWEPT AWAY BY THE TYCOON, was released in May.
Susan Meier is the author of 50 books for Harlequin and Silhouette and one of Guideposts’ Grace Chapel Inn series books, The Kindness of Strangers. Her books have been finalists in RWA Chapter contests and National Reader’s Choice Awards and have been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice awards. Her 2012 release THE TYCOON’S SECRET DAUGHTER is a 2013 Rita Nominee. She is a recipient of several Cataromance.com Reviewer’s Choice Awards.
www.facebook.com/pages/Susan-Meiers-Books/120647777954747
June 1, 2014
Come meet me at AAD–Aug 6-10, 2014
Hello Wolfpack!
Guess what? I’m going to the Authors After Dark conference this summer. I hope you’ll join me as I know it’s going to be loads and loads (heaps really!) of fun. The organizers have so many cool things lined up for us to do and I’d love to put a face with your name.
So if you need a weekend away, let’s get together.
Conference city: Charlotte, NC
Dates: August 6 – 10th
Conference Website: authorsafterdark.org/pages/authors.html
April 19, 2014
Advice for Women: Size Doesn’t Matter
Pasqualina shared one of the ways that size truly doesn’t matter:
“Who you are is not what size you wear; I say be proud of who you are!”
April 17, 2014
Sharing Google Plus Posts
For those of you making the move to Google Plus or interested in dropping by Google Plus, here’s a quick screenshot to show you how to share a post on G+.
I do this a lot for pictures and jokes that strike my fancy.
On any post you should see a little arrow that points to the right (it’s sandwiched between the +1 button and the comment box). Click it and you’ll see a new screen pop up where you can post a comment, decide who should see your post, and then hit the share button. (FYI, you don’t have to make a comment of your own.)
There you go. Easy as pie! So find things that are worth sharing and do it!
Don’t forget to look me up on G+.
April 15, 2014
Advice For Women: Staying True to You
Shirley, Lisa, Sonia and Terri must have coordinated with each other because their offerings of advice were very similar:
“Be true to yourself and NEVER pretend to be something you’re not. And be honest. When you really think about it, how many people do you know that are truly, deep down, gut wrenching honest?? Honesty is never wrong. And you don’t have to remember what you said if you’re honest with everyone.”
“Be True To Yourself.”
“To be true to yourself. Because your uniqueness is so very special.”
“Stay true to yourself and you can make it on your own.”
April 12, 2014
Advice for Women: Let’s hear it for the Nevers.
Linda, Maggie and Patti all wanted you to know a few things that you should never, ever do:
“NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES! WE ARE A UNIQUE BLEND OF WOMANHOOD AND MEN CAN’T UNDERSTAND HOW PRECIOUS WE ARE.”
“Never be what someone else wants you to be…always be you”
“Never hold yourself back from experiencing all life has to hold! Face everything with your head high and the courage and faith that your never given anything too great for you to handle! Smile and strive to be all you can be!!! :)”
April 8, 2014
Advice for Women: There’s never enough love in the room.
Judy, Kathleen and Debbie were focused on love, love and more love when it came to their advice:
“So my advise to all women would be to just love yourself, and when you reach for something or someone, do it with a loving heart. :)”
“Learn to be happy with who and what you are. Love will follow.”
“It all starts with you. Love yourself. You can not be loved by others if you do not love yourself! Loving starts at home with you.”
Advice for Women: Start with the Good Stuff
Debra has some brilliant advice that I fully support:
“Life is short. Drink the good wine first.”
April 1, 2014
Advice for Women: Remember to Laugh.
Karen and Jan have great advice that fits in perfectly with April Fool’s Day.:
“LIVE, like there’s no tomorrow, LOVE, with your heart and soul,LAUGH, each and every day”
“Laugh a lot, love a lot.”
March 29, 2014
Advice for Women: Save the Drama for Others
Both Wanda and Konia think that drama should just be left to other people:
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. If it’s not life threatening, illegal, or if it doesn’t go your morals it’s probably small stuff. Life is too short to linger over trivial things and ask yourself this “will this make a difference 20 years from now”
“There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, and pray for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. And always remember, Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.”
