Genevive Chamblee's Blog, page 47

Spooky Scary Writing Tag

Today, I venture to participate in YouTuber/blogger, Emma T. Fink’s, Spooky Scary Writing Tag, which consists of 10 writing-related questions that are based on Halloween creatures. To answer the questions that deal with current WIPs or novels, I will be referencing my soon-to-be sports romance, Defending the Net.

DTN follows rookie Brighton Rabalais, as he sets to compete for the starting goalie position on the Saint Anne Civets professional hockey team in Louisiana. Brighton is young, hot, lit, and talented. He’s a top draft pick; so, doing the job shouldn’t be a problem. But it is. His situation becomes complicated (and in Brighton’s words “jacked the hell up”) when the veteran goalie, Gatien Glesseau, takes more than a professional interest in him. Links to order DTN is listed at the end of this post. Preorder and get it at a discounted price.

Ghosts – Have you ever originally put a character/scene/theme in the book and then later taken it out? What is the say? It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have. I am known to overwrite in early drafts. I think on paper and flush out characters, plots, and settings with words. Frequently, I do not write scenes in order, or, at least, not their final order. I tend to move stuff around. In the process of rearranging, some scenes get the ax—although, sometimes, not forever. Some of the discarded scenes, I discover, are meant for other, related stores such as sequels or spinoff characters.
Bat – Most misunderstood character in your WIP. Maybe Dylan. Everyone in DTN is pretty much up front. There’s not much misunderstanding them. However, Dylan, Brighton’s roommate, can be shady at times. Any misunderstandings with him are intentional.
Jack-O-Lantern – What’s your most common source of inspiration to write? I grab inspiration from anywhere, and no one place stands out. It can be music, art, or what someone says. I like doing writing challenges and often take inspiration from the designated theme. Anything new that allows or requires me to advance the craft of writing is a source of inspiration. Also, I live in an area that is filled with culture. There is so much to intrigue me just by spending a weekend wandering about town. I’m kind of a history buff. I love museums and learning about the past and trivia. Many of those things find their way into my writing.
Zombie – Preferred form of writerly fuel. Coffee, tea, etc. Chocolate. This is really two-fold. I sometimes get migraines when I stare at a computer screen for a long time. Caffeine is good migraines, and chocolate is packed with caffeine. (Yeah, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.) The second reason is chocolate is savoring. I can have one piece, and the delicious taste lingers for a while. A little goes a long way. I pop one in, and I’m good to go for several hours.
Vampire – Cheesiest trope that made it into your novel. This may be the socioeconomic status of characters—that one character is more successful (usually financially) than the other. But make no mistake; my characters aren’t unevenly yoked. One may have a heftier bank account, but the other has something going on for him/her that evens the playing field.
Spider – What’s a character in your WIP that’s fine from afar but you would NOT want to interact with if they ever got close? Here’s the tea on that. I rarely write characters that I absolutely can’t stand. Why? Because I don’t like them. And if I don’t like them, I sure don’t want to read about them. And if I don’t want to read about them, why would I have my readers to read about them. I like my readers. I do have characters that do unsavory things and are distasteful, though. Those characters I would want to interact with just to tell them off and put them in check.
Frankenstein’s Monster – Ever combined two characters into one/split one character into two? I can’t recall ever having split one character into two; although, I may have. And it’s very rare that I have combined two characters into one. But in editing a WIP that I have dubbed “The Beast” (and no, it has nothing to do with monsters), I did combine a character. Or more specifically, I gave the lines of one character to the other and discarded the other character. The situation involved two minor characters. I realized that the more prominent of the two characters needed to be flushed out more and that the MC needed certain information sooner. When I consider which character could deliver the information (because not all characters had the same knowledge), I realized it was the first of these minor characters. Later, I had a plot hole and a considerably large one at that. (Yes, I’m a panster so it happens in my drafts.) After weeks of struggling and frustration, I finally figured if I expanded the first character to be in more scene, it would simplify understanding the plot while simultaneously plugging all the holes. Once I did this, I no longer needed the second minor character. In DTN, the cast is relatively small and each has their distinctive role. There was no need for me to divide or split any characters there.
Skeleton – Best tips for adding in character baggage without info dumping? Most of my characters usually gain the majority of their baggage during the story. They have very little coming in. This means I rarely have to address info dumps. That being said, “The Beast” has proven to challenge me in this area. What it took me months to figure out, though, is the problem was the order of my scenes. So, my best advice to writers would be to read through the scene and ask where the background information is really necessary for the reader to know. Once that place is identified, ask how would all the characters involved know that information and what has triggered that the information to be revealed. Usually, those two questions guide me to how best to relay the information.
Cat – What’s a polarizing writing/bookish opinion that you have? Writing is difficult, and it is a craft. It takes time to develop and publish quality content. There is no set way to go about doing this nor are there hardcore rules. There may be useful guidelines that are optional. It is difficult for good new authors to become noticed when there are others who do not take measure to ensure their work is of the highest quality it could be. For me, it’s like going into Dirt Cheap and sorting through their bargain bins. There is a lot of quality stuff there, but by golly one has to search for it. By the time you find what you’re looking for (if you find it), you’re slam wore out. A lot of readers don’t have the patience to sort/scroll through the hundreds of books that are uploaded on sites daily. Instead, they remain with familiar authors or the ones that are profiled on the beginning screens. In brick and mortar stores, many readers rely on the displays to guide them. All writers should take pride in what they produce.
Demon – Most frequent writing distraction. This is simple. Life. I have a child and the “Mama” means “game on”. I have a lot of interruptions, and by the time I deal with all of them, fatigue sets in. I’m a night owl and develop most of my ideas late at night. However, life demands that I get up early—real early. This sometimes means turning in before I’m ready or becoming too sleepy to write because I have been working for 18 hours. That sucks, but that is also why I have tons of sticky notes and use the voice recorder on my phone. I old-school it, too, and carry several notebooks to write when I find free moments between other obligations.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released on November 10. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. It will be sold at Kindle, Apple Store, Nook, Kobo, !ndigo, Angus & Robertson, and Mondadori Store. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder a copy now at www.books2read.com/defending and get a discounted price. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to http://bit.ly/2CtE7Ez or to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click https://genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com/newsletter/  and signup today.

If you enjoyed this writing tag, consider visiting Emma T. Fink at http://emmatfinkblog.blogspot.com. Thank you so much, Emma, for creating this writing tag for everyone to enjoy. It was so much fun. And anyone who completes this tag, be sure to tag me so I can see the answers.

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Romantic Cocktails

Several stereotypes exist about writers. One is that they all regularly (and heavily) hit the sauce. As with anything, it’s true in some cases and not in others. Writing and drinking is no exception. But today, I humor the stereotype. Since I’m an author of romance, it’s only appropriate that I should have cocktails that fit my genre. Here are three. Enjoy.

Chocolate Martini

2 oz chocolate liqueur
½ oz vanilla vodka
½ oz crème de cacao liqueur
1¼ oz milk
1¼ oz half and half
½ oz Irish cream
1 cup ice

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour all ingredients in the shaker and mix well. Pour into chilled glasses and serve.

Love Martini

½ oz peach Schnapps
¼ oz Citron vodka
1 oz coconut rum
2 ½ oz cranberry juice

Mix and serve.

Blushing Geisha

1 oz pomegranate juice
2 oz rose nectar
2 oz raspberry vodka
1 oz Tyku liqueur

Mix and serve chilled.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on Newsletter and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

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Romantic Scents

One of the easiest ways to create a romantic moment or set a scene to get the romantic juices flowing is through the senses. Many times on television, this is done through visual or auditory, as those are the easiest ways for the media to portray a feeling of romance to viewers. However, one of the easiest senses to tap into and tease is that of smell. There are numerous ways to add scent to an environment. Some of the most common are flowers, potpourri, and candles. But there are also essential oils, sachets, powders, air fresheners, and nature. The method of how one taps into this sense often isn’t important. Here are a few scents, in no particular order, that are said to be very romantic and helpful in setting the mood. Some may seem obvious while others may not.

Amber

Iris
Peppermint

Apricot blossom

Jasmine

Rain

Chocolate

Lavender

Rose

Cinnamon

Leather

Saffron

Citrus

Lilac

Sage

Coffee

Lychee

Sandalwood

Freesia

Magnolia

Spiced Apple

Gardenia

Mint

Tuberose

Gingerbread

Passionate Fruit

Vanilla

Honeysuckle
Peony

Violet

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on Newsletter and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

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Eatery Picks

I’ve put off doing this post for a long time because:

there are so many places I could mention that it’s difficult narrowing them down.
I don’t want to leave anyone out.
I really don’t know why else.

Disclaimer #1: These are personal preferences. Not everyone may agree with my choices.

Disclaimer #2: None of the businesses listed are sponsoring, paying, or compensating me in any way. Nor am I related to any of the owners. In most cases, I do not have any personal connection with any of the employees.

Disclaimer #3: This list is regional. One of the things I feel strongly about is supporting local and small businesses. They are the backbone of this nation, and in these tough economic times, it is critical that the essence of communities is preserved. Small and local businesses need to be shown plenty of love. Every chance I get, I shop at small businesses.

Disclaimer #4: In connection with #3 and the list being regional, the cuisine served in these establishments is primarily Creole or Cajun. (Surprise, surprise!) The cost of dining varies ranging from inexpensive to costly.

Disclaimer #5: The establishments listed are in no particular order, and the numbers are serials and not rankings.

Whew! Now, with all of that after way, here are my picks.

August (New Orleans, LA) Costly but worth every penny. Let me put it this way. John Besh is the chef. Enough said. http://gumbopotms.com/home/4446486
Creole Bagelry (Slidell, LA) Hands down they prepare one of the best breakfasts around. Yes, they are a bagel shop, but they are so much more. http://www.creolebagelry.com/
Leatha’s Bar-B-Que (Hattiesburg, MS) This is the exception on my list, as it mostly is southern-style food. But once you put a piece of the succulent barbecue in your mouth, you cannot forget the experience. The staff is friendly, the food yummy and abundant, and the prices reasonable. http://www.leathasbbq.com/
Acme Oyster House (New Orleans, LA) The turnaround is really quick for this quality food. But be warned, it is slightly pricey. http://www.acmeoyster.com/
Antoine’s (New Orleans, LA) This is a great date restaurant. However, it does require getting gussied up for dinner. So, don’t dare think about going in sweats and running shoes. This place is amazing with fourteen different rooms to dine. http://www.antoines.com/
Café du Monde (New Orleans, LA) It should be no surprise that this made my list. I only mention them once or twice a week. The Café du Monde is known, of course, for its beignets. Conveniently, it is located in the heart of the French Quarters, and what’s extra great is that they are opened around the clock. http://www.cafedumonde.com/
Paul’s Pastry Shop (Picayune, MS) It’s never Carnival season for me without a king cake from Paul’s. They have so many flavors and will ship directly to your door. http://paulspastry.com/
The Gumbo Pot (Vicksburg, MS) This place snuck in my favs. Seriously, I discovered this spot by accident when I made a wrong turn. Curiosity got the best of me, and I’m so glad it did. http://gumbopotms.com/home/4446486
Café Maspero (New Orleans, LA) I’m conflicted about placing this one on my list. Don’t get me wrong. The food is awesome, but the last time I was there, the experience was anything but. Seating took longer than usual. Plus, my party was split into three groups scattered across the restaurant because there wasn’t one table big enough for all of us. Those I can get over. It was what happened next that grates me. Two of our tables were served after an extended wait but not the third. Two of our tables finished eating while the third table remained waiting. After our two tables paid our bill (with a tip), and the waitress got rude with us. She rushed us out because we were only drinking water at that point. Had I known she would do have a split personality emerge, I would have skipped the tip. And before anyone assumes alcohol played a role in this, none of my party was drinking. The strongest drink on the table was sweet tea. When the third table finally was served, they were rushed by their waitress as well due to having been at the table for over two hours. But all of our extended time in the restaurant was due to waiting for the food to be brought to the table. We had enough time before entering to each decide what we wanted. Maspero is a busy establishment daily. They should be used to the crowds and could have handled the situation better. There’s no reason their waitresses should have been as rude as they were. Yes, they want the tips, but we weren’t loitering. I still love the cuisine and atmosphere. Yet, I haven’t returned since. I’m hoping that staff has moved on to other employment. https://cafemaspero.com/
Bubba Gump (New Orleans, LA) Yep, just like the movie. Shrimp, shrimp, and more shrimp. But it’s not exclusively shrimp on the menu. This place is fun. http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/bubba_gump_shrimp/
BONUS: Because I’m conflicted about one of my entries, I’m going to add one more. Juban’s (Baton Rouge, LA) I don’t know anything on their menu that I don’t like. It tastes like home cooking. http://www.jubans.com/

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

How to Market Writing When Clueless

I’m no expert on this so I will tread extremely gently. Over the years, I’ve learned how important marketing is whether it’s for a novel being self-published or traditionally published. Traditional publishers tend to spend the most time, effort, and money promoting and marketing their big named authors. Ironically, these authors are so well branded and established that their name alone is all that is need to sell, and lots of marketing may not be needed. New and unknown authors who need promotion the most often won’t get as much from publishers—at least, not as much as the author would like. But even the big-name authors did a lot of self-marketing in the beginning. Therefore, self-marketing is critical. Don’t underestimate the importance of it.

When I realized the projected publishing date of my upcoming romance, Defending the Net (DTN), I knew I had to start getting the word out. Experts recommend that marketing a novel begin three to six months prior to publication. That’s not a lot of time, considering everything that must be done during that period. For me, that included editing, cover design (or awaiting it), and developing a marketing plan—all of which are time-consuming. I knew multi-tasking was my only option.

The first step was my pre-edit. A pre-edit is when a publisher requests an author go through the manuscript for a final self-edit before the manuscript is turned over to the publishing house editors. Fortunately for me, my publisher provided a pre-edit checklist. This allowed me to become aware of and look for specific errors in order to speed up the editing process. By taking this step, publishing editors can focus on more critical issues. For example, if the checklist caused me to realize I’ve consistently used a comma incorrectly, I can make the correction instead of the publishing house editors having to spend the time checking for the mistake.

So, what does this have to do with marketing? While pre-editing, I found a way to begin my marketing plan. As I went through each chapter, I made notes of things that I could do to market my book. I allowed the text to be my inspiration. Sometimes, the notes were brief and other times extensive. My goal became to have at least one marketing strategy or idea per chapter.

In addition, I considered what valuable content information I could extract from each chapter to use in my blog. Being busy with a new novel doesn’t mean blogging can be pushed aside. In fact, continuing a social media presence, which includes blogging for me, is essential in marketing. It keeps readers already following you in the know and excited about what is to come. The obvious content to write about is DTN. However, there was far more content than story synopsis and character histories that I thought readers might find interesting. And believe it or not, sometimes while noting future blogs, it cued me into an edit that needed to be made (e.g., I didn’t answer this question for readers).

While I did research common marketing strategies, I also tried to find unique ideas. For new writers, being different isn’t bad. The entire idea is to be noticed. If everyone is doing the same thing in same space, it’s difficult to be noticed.

Above all else, I learned that one must be bold and not afraid to take the leap. Marketing a novel can be scary because it puts an author out there in a major way. It also can be costly if not properly constructed and developed. There’s nothing worse than a failed book signing or online party. These things do happen, and it’s part of the learning process. Remember, sometimes, it’s the failures that generate the biggest successes. If something doesn’t work, try something else. Be flexible and always have multiple backup plans.

Do spend time planning. I’m a panster; so, this is really difficult for me. However, with marketing, definite goals and deadlines need to be established. Organization is a must. Lists can be a writer’s best friend. Establishing a budget can make each dollar stretch to capacity. View and use everything around you as a resource. Now is a time to be creative and view the world through the eyes of an artist. Look beyond the surface for marketing opportunities that exist. However, in doing this, it is important not to become obnoxious or a zealot. Be careful not to wear out your welcome with your audience or burn bridges with contacts.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

 

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

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15 Apps Every Romantic Relationship Should Have

In this day and age, there’s an app for just about everything. However, there are some areas that lacking electronic sophistication. These are fifteen apps that I believe should be created because every romantic relationship needs to have them. They would make relationships so much easier.

Know when to shut up because you’re making everything worse app
Instant gift and reservation because you forgot a really important date (e.g., anniversary, birthday, etc.) app
Don’t get upset but my parents are coming to visit app
Rewind recorder because you weren’t paying attention to what your partner said app
Instant crazy ex detector app
Increase the sound of white noise so you can sneak out the next morning app (Okay, so maybe this is not for a romantic relationship. But it’s important.)
Walk of shame theme music app
I really like you so remove my foot from my mouth and stop the word vomit app
Meet the family for the first time sedative app
Hide the dirty dishes before my date comes over unexpectedly app
Awkward moment fixer/repairer app
The right thing to say when you’re clueless app
The mind reader app (This can be used in a variety of situations.)
The see-through dating profile embellishment and potential catfish app (This would be more of a pre-relationship app and very hand for not wasting time on relationships doomed to fail)
The instant blanket extender to end the sleeping tug-of-war app

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

How to Make Beignets

Hands down, Café Du Monde has the best beignets (pronounced ben-YAYS). Anyone who has walked the French Quarters can attest to the long lines to obtain this sugary dessert. Lots of other restaurants serve beignets that are good and even better than good. But I’m partial to the one made at Café Du Monde and believe if a person hasn’t tried them there if most certainly need to be on a bucket list. And no, I’m not receiving any type of payment or benefits from saying that. It’s a personal opinion. That being said, not everyone is able to go to the café on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. Plus, some people just like cooking/baking. Whatever the reason, below is a homemade beignet recipe that has been used in my family for years. But first, a quick history.

The origin of the word beignet derives from the Celtic word “bigne” that means to raise.” Its roots can be traced to ancient Rome. In French, beignet means “fritter.” Beignets are dough made of yeast that generally is approximately two inches in diameter and sprinkled with confectioner sugar. This airy light pastry can be described as a type of French donut. In New Orleans, it is a common dessert that is widely associated with the city. As legend has it, although never proven, the beignet recipe used by the Cafe du Monde was brought by Ursuline Nuns from France to Louisiana.

Ingredients

1 ¼ cup lukewarm water (110˚-120˚F)
½ granulated sugar
1 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
2 eggs(beaten)
1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup shortening
Nonstick cooking spray
Peanut oil
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp baking soda
½ cup buttermilk

The dough should be tacky but not sticky

Instructions:

Preheat deep fry oil to 350˚F
Mix water, sugar, and yeast in large bowl. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
In separate bowl mix eggs, salt, and evaporated milk, melted butter, vanilla extract
Mix egg mixture into yeast mixture
Add 3 cups flour and shortening
Stir well
Add rest of flour
Remove from bowl and knead until smooth
Spray a bowl with cooking spray, put in dough, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and allow to stand for 2 hours
Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut into squares
Deep fry in preheated oil until gold color
Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar
Enjoy

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice.  Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

 

10 Things That Sound Romantic but Aren’t as an Afterthought

It’s been a while since I’ve done a list. Well, not really, but that’s not going to stop me from writing this one. So, with no further introduction, I’ll begin.

Taking a candlelight bath together with bath oils and rose petals. The mutual bathing is romantic. Everything else is tricky. First, not all bath oils smell so hot. Be sure to select a scent your partner will enjoy. Second, be certain there is a safe place to set the candles. Sure, there will be plenty of water (not necessarily a good thing, but I’ll get to that later), but the last thing a person wants is to bump a candle over while getting busy and setting the shower curtain or a bath rug ablaze—unless arson and pyromania are the things that turn you on. (BTW, I have a half dozen Def Leppard songs in my head now.) On the flip side, one doesn’t want to prematurely douse out the flame and have to fumble out of a slippery tube in the dark. Either situation possibly could lead to a 9-1-1 call. Third, rose petals smell great but not so much when they are clogging your drain. But don’t worry. Your plumber will love you even if your wallet won’t.
Going on an outdoor picnic. This can be super romantic but not if you fail to check the weather conditions first, place the blanket on a mound of fire ants, do it during lovebug mating season, forget the mosquito spray, bring an open container to a place where alcohol is prohibited, select a site that is overly crowded, or attract a bear.
Calling in sick at work to spend the day with your significant other. This only works if you plan on staying in the entire day or you’re the boss. There’s always that one coworker itching to rat you out if they see you gallivanting about town went you’re supposedly in bed with a fever. I know what you’re thinking. You’ll spend the day out of town. Ha! Keep these precious Disney words in mind: “It’s a small world after all”. Multiple times, I’ve been in locations over a hundred miles from work (taken off with permission) and bumped into coworkers. Once, I bumped into my supervisor, who, incidentally, had given me a hard time about approving my time off.
Going skinny dipping in a public pool, sauna, hot tub, or beach. Be warned, if caught there’s a possibility of going to jail, being given a fine, or both. Worse is if your body isn’t swimsuit ready, your unintended spectators may laugh, point, heckle and post photos/videos on social media.
Cooking a romantic dinner for your partner. It’s only romantic if you do the dishes, too.
Placing an inedible object in your partner’s drink or meal. All I can say is, I hope you’re up-to-date on performing CPR or your partner has a very good dental plan.
Allowing your partner to sleep in. Check the calendar first to ensure you aren’t allowing your partner to miss his/her sister’s or best friend’s wedding or not being present for that important business meeting that could lead to a promotion/raise.
Writing a love poem. Let me rephrase that. Taking credit for a love poem you didn’t write, especially if you plagiarize from a famous poet and your partner is a literature major.
Treating your partner out for a night on the town but forgetting your wallet/purse. This also doesn’t work if you’re over the limit on all of your credit cards. Hint: Look, if you can’t afford an expensive date, plan an inexpensive one. There’s plenty of romantic activities that won’t macerate the piggy. Your partner will understand.
Lip syncing a romantic song. Even if you’re tone deaf and can’t hold a single note for three seconds, your partner would prefer to hear your voice massacre a song rather than watch you lip sync. So, go ahead and belt it out.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

The Cabildo

When I was requested to do a post on racial passing, I never once thought it would turn into a series. It is such a complicated and complex matter that it takes a series to tackle the subject. However, it was not my intention to have today’s post be on that subject. Instead, my aim was to focus on the history of Louisiana and Creole life. (And this is where my ADHD comes in. Oh, look, there’s a squirrel.) I was contemplating on doing a post about my favorite restaurants but decided to do a post on Baton Rouge, the state capitol, and home of my beloved Tigers. (LPLG). But somehow, I ended up thinking about museums and places to go (i.e., my weekend plans). My thoughts landed on the Cabildo.

The Cabildo is in Jackson Square (New Orleans) next to the Saint Louis Cathedral.  Constructed between 1795 and 1799 under Spanish rule and designed by Gilberto Guillemard, it was the site of transfer for the Louisiana Purchase from Spain to the U.S. in 1803. It also housed the Louisiana Supreme Court and was the location of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1892.

Homer Plessy (03/17/1862 – 03/01/1925) was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was of mixed racial heritage and considered to be a “free person of color”. With his complexion, he could pass for being Caucasian. (See how it connects to racial passing?) As a member of the Citizen’s Committee and a protest to the Separate Car Act, Plessy purchased a first-class train ticket on the East Louisiana Railroad. After situating himself in the “white-only” section of the train, he informed the conductor of his racial heritage of being 1/8 African. The conductor asked him to move to the colored/Negro section. When Plessy refused, he was ejected from the train and arrested. He spent the night jailed and was released on a $500.00 bond. (Today, that would be approximately $13,000.) Plessy claimed his ejection from the train violated his thirteenth and fourteenth amendment rights. He took his case to court. Judge John Howard Ferguson presided over the case.

The Plessy v. Ferguson decision legitimized racial segregation and embraced “separate but equal” Jim Crow laws in a vote of seven to one. Justice John Marshall Harlan was the lone dissent vote. Simply stated, the court ruled as long as public facilities were equal in quality, legally facilities could remain segregated. Technically, this decision has never been overruled explicitly. Instead, it is considered to have been de facto overruled by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 which ruled separate but equal to be unconstitutional in school systems. For anyone doing the math, that is fifty-eight years between decisions and twenty-nine years post Plessy’s death.

The Cabildo is now a public museum where one can learn more about Plessy v. Ferguson plus much more about the history and culture of the state.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order, follow the link to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

How to Write a Query

Here’s the thing about writing tips and why I often shy away from them. First, a lot of the blogs/sites/pages/posts go on and on with a lengthy opening/ introduction about what’s being covered and why with no useful information, wasting five, ten, fifteen minutes. Then, when the meat is hit it’s generic or very sparse. While I appreciate giving specifics is sometimes difficult because each case is unique, it’s nice to find novel information. And if the information can’t be novel, then it could at least be abundant to present an objective, comprehensive overview. That is what I’ll attempt to do here.

Now if you’re wondering if I’m writing about queries for a specific reason, you’d be correct. There’s something very special on the horizon. Here’s a hint. If you liked Out of the Penalty Box, you may want to suit up to take the ice. More to come on that later.

Research how to write a query. There are videos, podcasts, books, lectures, etc. Plenty of resources exists that can be utilized without breaking the bank.
Read sample queries. This goes along with the first. Many sites have examples of queries posted. A beginning writer might practice by copying the query exactly. (This isn’t an endorsement to plagiarize, as this method is being offered merely as training and not for submission.) Replace titles, characters, and keywords with titles, character, and keywords from your WIP. Then, change the plot to yours. Add description. This will allow the writer to get an idea of flow/pace, elements that need to be included, and lengthy. Finally, add voice. If done correctly, the new letter should bear little existence to the original other than layout. Once this has been accomplished this becomes a working first draft to build a unique query.
Perform a spell and grammar check before submitting. This may seem basic, but often it’s a step overlooked. Remember, in many instances, the query will be the first impression a publisher or agent has about a writer. Make it a good one.
Research who to send the query. Randomly sending agents and publishers may produce positive results but not likely. Sending a historical romance to a publisher who specializes in futuristic sci-fi probably isn’t going to stir a lot of interest. Don’t waste their time or yours.
Along the same note, personalize each letter, Show the agent or publisher that you’ve done your research by addressing them by name instead of sir madam. Indicate why your story fits with what they currently do and their readership.
Play up your strengths. One doesn’t need a long list of writing credits to impress an agent or publish (although it may help). If a writer has a particular expertise or skill that is relevant (e.g., an attorney who wrote a crime novel) list it. It can’t hurt. But avoid a bio that doesn’t strengthen the work being pitched-if for no other reason than to prevent inflating word count.
And speaking of word count, queries should be fairly short, no more than a page.
A query is intended to spike interest so that an agent or publisher request to see either sample chapters or the full manuscript. This means the writing must be tight and contain only the most vital story content (e.g. characters, plot, genre, word count, etc.) Writers should become bogged down in details at his stage.
Follow agents and publishers’ guidelines. Most agents and publishers post on their websites if they are open for submissions, what they are looking for, the method of query, what to include, formatting, and so forth. Knowing this before submitting can prevent much frustration and reduce rejections.
Send queries in batches. Select maybe 3-10 agents/ publishers to query and wait for their feedback. Sometimes, the feedback is helpful in tweaking the query so that it has improved odds when it’s submitted to other agents.
Be confident in your submissions and do not become disheartened by rejection. Use each submission as a learning opportunity.
Reach out to other writers and ask for help. If possible, swap skills. One writer may be strong in writing queries but weak with synopsis, while another writer may be the exact opposite. The two may help each other.
Attend workshops if possible. There’s no rule that says a query can’t begin an oral pitch. In fact, those are some of the best kinds.
If a query is rejected, don’t send a rude response. Move on. As the saying goes: there are plenty more fish. Some writers send thank you’s. There’s mixed opinion on this practice. Some feel that it increases the likelihood of an agent or publisher remembering the writer. Others feel the agent/publisher probably won’t even remember a writer’s whose query was rejected in the first eight seconds.
Don’t be disillusioned by formed responses that appear personalized. Look, I get that rejection is a big enough sting without receiving an auto-rejection that beings with Dear Author. But I’ve heard writers gush about what a lovely rejection they’ve received that praised their work and encouraged future submissions. And that same nice “personalized” letter has been computer generated and sent to dozens of other rejected writers. I’m sure some of them are real, but in many instances, the agent/publisher has just created a nicer generic rejection that inputs authors names and book titles in the appropriate places. If you don’t believe this is the case, try comparing rejection letters with other authors who have queried the same agent/publisher.

Don’t forget to visit Creole Bayou again. New posts are made on Wednesdays. If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors.

 

Enjoy sports romance? Check out my new adult romance, Defending the Net, being released in November. It is the second in my hockey series and guaranteed to melt the ice. Preorder at: https://books2read.com/defending.  Crossing the line could cost the game.

Missed the first in my hockey romance series? Don’t worry. Out of the Penalty Box, an adult romance where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.

Life’s Roux: Wrong Doors, my steamy romantic comedy, is available at Red Sage Publishing. To order go to Amazon at http://amzn.to/2lCQXpt.

Copies of all my books and stories are available in paper, eBook, and audio on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. The links are listed in my Writing Projects page (http://bit.ly/2iDYRxU) along with descriptions of each of my novels or stories.

NEWSLETTER! Want to get the latest information and updates about my writing projects, giveaways, contests, and reveals first? Click on http://bit.ly/2zJjUdb and signup today.

If you enjoy reading this blog, please share it with your friends and family. There’s never too many people in the bayou. Spread the word.

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