Stacy Gold's Blog, page 15
March 13, 2017
Random Musing: Surprises of Being a Steamy Romance Author
I recently became a published contemporary romance author. As soon as my short story, ‘Just Friends’, came out, I let everyone know: friends, family, acquaintances, social media followers and random strangers.
I expected the mix of funny looks, genuine excitement, and rave reviews I’ve received. What I didn’t expect was how writing a book with explicit—but not particularly kinky—sex scenes would shift my personal universe. Especially since most of my friends and family knew what I was writing beforehand. Some even critiqued early drafts for me.
Still, their reactions after reading my officially published work have been fascinating…
At my launch party, I received congratulations cards, a lovely succulent in a pretty pot, a bouquet, and many bottles of wine. I also received a realistically rendered, double-ended, pink silicone sex toy with ‘Just Friends’ and my launch date inscribed in black marker on the side. Very thoughtful. It makes a nice conversation piece on the mantle.
One of my male friends questioned me about the specifics of powder skiing. In great detail. I think it was a mix of genuine curiosity, and a desire to let me know he read my book without talking about the sex. Or the emotions. Or the transformation of the characters. Or their relatability. Or the myriad of other things making up this story that most men avoid in their reading material.
The other night, the initial discussion over dinner with a few other couples revolved around the best words to use for male sexual anatomy. We were at a local restaurant, and not being all that quiet. I can’t help but wonder what the others diners thought, and whether they prefer the d-word or the c-word.
Not that I minded. I’m fine talking about sex. Always have been, even loudly in public places. It’s just, most other people aren’t. Or they weren’t. Until now.
Here are five wonderful and crazy things I’ve discovered:
1) My very conservative Aunt is not as conservative as I thought.
2) My guy friends are so supportive, even they read my book—and most have no idea what to say about it other than it’s very well written. Or they really enjoyed the skiing.
3) My husband likes me spending my days thinking and writing about attraction, sex, love and happily ever after.
4) I have the most wonderful, supportive friends and family ever. Not that I didn’t already know, but it’s good to be reminded.
5) I’ve given people a free pass to have frank sexual conversations with me anytime, anywhere. Which is a useful and appreciated, since I always need more fodder for my books.
What’s the one question you would ask an author of steamy romance? Does knowing someone writes about sex make you more likely to discuss sex with them? Any other authors have similar experiences?
Please do let me know in the comments below.
March 2, 2017
Random Musings: Fearless Everyday
My Fearless Friday Guest Blog Post
Recently, I had the honor of being a guest blogger for Fearless Friday on Brenda Whiteside’s blog. I couldn’t help but be drawn to the topic, since fearlessness is something I’ve thought a lot about over the years.
From leaving home on my own as a teenager, to kayaking class V rapids, to changing careers and starting (and closing) businesses, to getting married, I’ve done more scary things than I can count on my fingers and toes combined. I’ve even taught classes on how to get past your fears and take action—and it’s not about being fearless. It’s about being scared and doing it anyway.
For those who struggle with fear (and don’t we all?), I included the questions I always ask myself when deciding whether to take the leap, or keep my feet on solid, safe ground.
Enjoy!
Embrace the Fear—Take the Risk
By Stacy Gold
At the age of 19, I drove from Georgia to Colorado with my dog, $500 dollars in my pocket, and the promise of a job as a whitewater raft guide. That winter, I decide to ski-bum in Breckenridge—and I didn’t even know how to ski.
People often called me brave, but I never felt brave. They touted my fearlessness, but damn was I scared. Didn’t matter though.
I did what I believed I needed to do at the time, and the consequences of not taking the leap always seemed much worse than the alternative. Even when everything didn’t work out perfectly, in hindsight, I’ve always been glad I took the risk—fears be damned.
Continued…Keep reading on Brenda Whiteside’s blog
February 24, 2017
Random Musings: Author Interview
Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of being interviewed on author Peggy Jaegers fantastic blog. Her interview questions were fun, funny, interesting and different. I hope my answers were, too.
If you’d like to learn more about me, why I write, what I do for fun, and other stuff you probably hadn’t even thought of yet, check out my interview here.
February 14, 2017
Random Musings: 5 Free, Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas
I Don’t Believe in Valentine’s Day.
Okay, before you get all upset with me, let me say that I love any day that celebrates love and the people you love–I am a romance author after all. What I don’t love is a Hallmark Holiday where I’m supposed to go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money on stuff that’s overpriced for this one day. It’s like the marketing world is guilting me into plumping up their bottom line, and it takes all the fun and romance out of the day for me.
That doesn’t mean I believe you shouldn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day. Hell, I think you should celebrate it any and every day of the year. But I try to celebrate in a way that’s meaningful, memorable, and free. For many, it also helps if the ideas don’t require any special cooking or artistic skills. That said…
Here are my top five ways to celebrate the one you love:
1) Leave love notes in random places. Jot one line notes on small pieces of paper, even just “I Love You” or “You are amazing”, will do fine. Then stash them on or under your lover’s pillow, in their coffee mug, in their bag or briefcase, on the tv remote, in the medicine cabinet. Doesn’t matter where, what matters is that you hide a few in surprising spots for them to find.
2) Fill a jar with reasons why you love them. Extra points on this one for using colored construction paper, but really any kind of paper cut into small strips will do. You can ask them to read them all in one sitting, or save them for anytime they need a pick-me-up.
3) Have a picnic. If you live somewhere with nice weather, an outdoor picnic dinner is perfect. If you’re like me, and it’s too damn cold out where you live, have a picnic on your living room or bedroom floor.
4) Give personal coupons. My hubby was thrilled the year I gave him a set of coupons for things he enjoys, like a massage, a quickie, a round of laundry washing, a bj, etc. Be sure to put an expiration date on them so they actually get used.
5) Create a lovers game. Grab some paper, a pen, and a timer. Now write down various sexy things you might do to each other, and give each one a time limit. So, you might write: “Kiss with tongue for thirty seconds.” Or, “Nuzzle my neck for 20 seconds.” Or, “Massage my shoulders for one minute.” These can be as wild as you like. The key is, for the period of the game, the active player can only take that one action, and must take that action for the entire time noted. The other person must do nothing but enjoy it. Chances are you’ll only make it through about five turns before you give up and get busy, but it’ll be the best five turns in a game in your life.
Bonus Idea: Make time for getting jiggy. If your sex life tends to be intermittent, rushed, or always interrupted by little ones, this is a very thoughtful gift. Ideally make it special and different. Light candles in the bedroom. Create a scavenger hunt of clues leading your lover up to where you’re waiting, naked (or in their favorite sexy outfit). Run a hot bath and take it together. Start with a massage. Read excerpts from your favorite steamy romance novel. However, if you’re lives are super busy and you and your SO are like two ships passing in the night, just setting aside an hour of alone time might be special enough.
Got more fun, free, romantic ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day? Please share them below.
February 9, 2017
Review of Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Hopeless by Colleen HooverMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was the first book I ever read by Colleen Hoover, and I was hooked from page 1. This is one of the books that made me want to write romance, and everything I've read by her is terrific!
View all my reviews
February 2, 2017
Random Musings: Excerpt from “Just Friends”
My eyes followed the curve of his lips. They weren’t thin, and they weren’t full either. But they had a kissable shape that begged me to trace their subtle contours with the tip of my tongue. To nip. To explore and taste.
Not that it would ever happen. Not again. I had proof of that.
We’d kissed once, on a drunken night years ago, right after he’d split with his long-term girlfriend. It started out toe-curling, but ended when he pulled away and made it clear he wasn’t attracted to me. At least, not in the way I was attracted to him. Mortified, I pretended it was the alcohol and vowed never to let him know how much I wanted him.
A good vow to remember. Especially now, when I needed a friend more than anything else. Definitely more than I needed a romantic distraction.
“It’s great to see you.” His words, and his smile, flowed over me like liquid caramel.
“You too.” The connection between us buzzed in me like high-tension power lines. Same as always. So powerful I couldn’t understand how, or why, he didn’t feel it too.
Our noses were inches apart. I tasted his breath, minty and sweet, and licked my lips in anticipation of a kiss I knew would never come. Some habits die hard. I was determined to choke this one until it gave up the ghost.
Just Friends is available for pre-order now! Official release date, in digital-only formats, is March 3rd.
WARNING: This book contains explicit sex and dirty words.
Reserve your copy now at:
The Wild Rose Press
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
January 27, 2017
Random Musings: “Him” Book Review
This book rocked my world! It is everything a steamy contemporary romance should be.
Every so often, I come across a book I can’t put down. One that grabs me viscerally, tugs at my emotions, overwhelms my brain, fills my heart. The kind of story that, every time I have to stop reading and do something else, it’s all I can think about.
“Him”, by Elle Kennedy & Sarina Bowen, is one of those books.
I’ve read a few of Elle Kennedy’s books over the years and always enjoyed them. So, when my awesome critique partner, Laurel Greer, raved about it and insisted I download it to my Kindle ASAP, I did.
Then I let it sit on my reader untouched for almost two weeks. Big mistake (or maybe not, since I had editing to do).
Ever since I became a fiction author, when I read a book, a part of my brain is detached. It’s busy analyzing the structure, the writing, the character arcs, the setup, where the beats fall, etc. etc. I just can’t help it… Unless the book is absolutely, mind-blowingly, enthralling.
With “Him”, I was consumed. Immersed in Wes and Jamie’s world. Desperate for them to make it work, because damn it, they deserve to be together even if the whole world is against them.
Here’s the real surprise though…This is a male/male hockey romance. I’ve never been a hockey fan, and aside from one short story in an anthology, I’ve never read m/m.
If this is what m/m romance is like, sign me up for more!
Right now, “Him” is on sale for just $0.99 on Amazon. If you like hot guys, and hotter sex, mixed in with a good dollop of reality and sweet, true emotions, it’ll be one of the best dollars you’ve ever spent.
January 18, 2017
Random Musings: Becoming a Romance Author
How I Became a Romance AuthorWhen I first told my friends and family that I was leaving my job as Communications Director of a non-profit mountain biking organization to write steamy contemporary romance novels, I got some pretty interesting responses. Everything from snickers to laughs to congratulations, to a helluva lot of questions. And this was from people who already knew of my propensity for making drastic career and life changes.
The responses I’ve received from acquaintances and strangers have been even more interesting. Always, they included questions. Lots, and lots, of questions. So, I thought I’d launch my blog by answering the question I’ve received most over the last few years…How’d you end up writing romance novels?
Like most writers, I’ve always enjoyed writing. In school, I was the odd kid excited at the prospect of writing term papers, essays, and scientific reports. I journaled, wrote personal essays, even a little poetry in my spare time.
Also like most writers, I’ve always enjoyed reading, finishing Gone with the Wind and James A. Michener’s The Source before I was ten, followed not long after by The Hobbit and then The Lord of the Rings. By the middle of elementary school I was easily devouring a book a day.
So, while writing wasn’t a part of my intended career path (my degree is in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Education), it wasn’t a hard transition. My adult work life has ended up being a mix of working and playing outdoors, and clicking away on a keyboard. I’ve been everything from an archeologist to an environmental educator, Forest Service Ranger, software trainer, whitewater raft guide, kayaking instructor, ski technician, marketing consultant, journalist, copywriter, non-fiction author, and a Communications Director. Through it all, writing romance novels, or any kind of fiction, wasn’t even on my radar.
I couldn’t begin to picture myself writing a novel a few years ago. Not even when my husband suggested exactly that after I raved about a contemporary romance I’d read.
At the time, I’d just started reading fiction again. For about a decade, I only read non-fiction while I built and ran my marketing business. I simply didn’t have the time to get sucked in to a great story because I’m a read-a-holic. Once I get into a good book, my entire world goes on hold until I’m done. As an entrepreneur that just doesn’t work.
Then I decided to close my business. So I started picking up random novels from the library, used book stores and Kindle. I stumbled across Tracey Garvis-Graves, Shayla Black, Colleen Hoover and more, and fell in love with romance novels for the first time in my life. They had depth, and emotion, and heart, and real sex. I was hooked.
While I’ve read pretty much every genre under the sun, I’ve always loved character-driven stories best. And romances are exactly that. They open a window into someone’s desires, fears, quirks, insecurities and more. They also show us that every one of us is capable and worthy of loving someone, and of being loved.
It took two years for the seed my husband planted to germinate into the idea for a story. At the time, I’d just blown my shoulder and was waiting to get surgery, so I couldn’t join our friends skiing and mountain biking and kayaking on the weekends.
Instead, I decided to entertain myself by writing the story that was floating around in my head. It was so much fun, within three months I told my hubby I wanted to quit my job and focus on writing romance full-time.
It’s been almost two years now, and I’ve already sold my first short story, “Just Friends”, to The Wild Rose Press. I’ve written a novella, and I’m finishing edits on my full length novel—along with plotting and planning many more. When it comes to writing romance, I’ve definitely fallen in love.
Why do you love to read, or write, romance? How did you get started (with either, or both)?
