Kimberly Dean's Blog, page 40
July 7, 2012
It’s a hot one out there
It’s been sweltering outside for several days now, with no end in sight. I like these days for writing, because there’s no temptation to go outside. I’m deep into a project right now and need to buckle down. As I mentioned, I’m writing erotica again, so the heat is appropriate. Need to steam up that computer screen!
If you’re also online to avoid the heat, check out the Sizzling Summer Reads Party over at The Romance Reviews. They’re featuring Everlasting right now, a tasty little summertime read. Find yourself an e-reader, a nice cold drink, a shady spot, and enjoy!
June 30, 2012
Summer Fun Web Hunt continues
Don’t forget about Night Owl Reviews Summer Fun Web Hunt. Prizes are still available!
RomCon 2012 was on fire!
Okay, not literally, but this was how I started my first day of the convention. The fire alarm went off in my hotel and everyone had to evacuate. It was an unpleasant interruption to my morning routine. The firemen (ahh, firemen!) determined there was no danger, just an overheated elevator. It makes me wonder, though, what it is about me and hotel fire alarms? This happened a few years back at an RWA conference, and it happened once before that, too. I’m starting to get paranoid about the whole deal.
The conference itself was a lot of fun. It was hot, too, with cover models roaming the hallways and participating in sessions. My favorite event was the speed dating session with readers. I got the chance to talk to people to find out what attracts them to a book, what they’re currently reading, and what kinds of genres they love. One thing I’ve learned about romance readers, they’ll give just about every type of story a chance as long as it has a good plot and a happily-ever-after.
Did I mention it was over 100 degrees in Denver? And there were wildfires breaking out everywhere? Send good thoughts out to Colorado, folks. Being hot is one thing, but they’re flaming out of control!
June 16, 2012
Writing erotica
One of the things I’m working on right now is a new erotica novel. You might not think that there’s much difference writing erotica versus erotic romance, but there is. Just like I’m sure there’s a huge difference between writing comedies, thrillers and mysteries. With erotica, the tension starts at a high level and the writer needs to keep it there and work upwards. With romance, you’re allowed more highs and lows and certainly more build-up time. With erotica, you need to get to the good stuff and get there fast.
Unlike some critics think, though, you can’t skip the character development or the plotting, because without those key components even sex gets boring. So it’s a delicate balance, keeping that sexual tension high and adding the meat of the story. On the other hand, there aren’t as many “rules” with erotica. Romance publishers will argue there aren’t rules, but everyone knows there are. With erotica, you’re allowed to push the limits and be more creative not only in the sex scenes, but also in the story lines and even the characters. It’s fun to go to those places, to be daring and challenge your writing capabilities.
It’s a definite change of gears, but one I’ve driven in quite a bit. It’s just been a while. I haven’t written a full-length erotic novel in years, but it’s time to go back to my old stomping grounds. The opportunity has presented itself, and I’m remembering how much fun it can be to write in this genre. Hopefully, you’ll be able to read the results soon. Then you can tell me if I dared and challenged you enough.
June 9, 2012
RomCon 2012
I just finalized my travel arrangements to visit Denver at the end of the month. I’ll be attended RomCon 2012! I’ve never been before, but it looks like a fun event. Lots of opportunities for reader and author interaction. Is anyone else going?
May 25, 2012
Summer Fun Web Hunt
I’ll be participating in Night Owl Reviews’ Summer Fun Web Hunt starting June 1. It’s sort of a scavenger hunt for readers. Click on the image below to learn more. You could win some great prizes and learn about some great authors!
May 22, 2012
Lexie – available for pre-order
I just discovered that LEXIE is available for pre-order on both Amazon and Kindle, so I’ve posted an excerpt so you can go see what it’s all about.
LEXIE
Triple X, Book 1
Desire is a double-edged dance.
Lexie Underhill works her tail off in hopes of winning her adoptive father’s approval. It’s never enough. The stinging proof? He’s brought in a reorganization expert. As if the prospect of losing her job in the family business isn’t enough, Cameron Rowe’s sexy, intimidating presence makes her palms sweat.
When Lexie’s face appears on a scandalous freeway billboard, her protestations of innocence go unheard. With orders to save the family name—or else—she marches into the bar the billboard was advertising and comes face-to-face with an identical twin sister. Roxie is wild and free, everything Lexie isn’t. Before the night is out, she welcomes the chance to explore her own sensuality.
As she dances wantonly on the bar, suddenly Cam is there, kissing her as if he has the right. The sizzle between them breaks out in four-alarm desire, but Lexie has recalibrated her life plan. And the equation doesn’t factor in Cam—until she’s sure where his loyalties lie. With her…or her father’s company.
Go read it here: LEXIE excerpt
Download ebook Kindle │ Barnes&Noble
May 21, 2012
Flying about the web (in my superhero cape)
BLADE OF MOONLIGHT is popping up in a lot of places these days.
RT Book Reviews is blogging about all kinds of superhero romances, including the Midnight Justice Trilogy. If you like the genre, they’ve got lots of recommendations.
Also, a new review has been posted over at Erotica Romance Writers. They give BLADE OF MOONLIGHT a 9/10 rating!
“The fight between good and evil has never been so sexy! Kimberly Dean manages to pull us into a world of corruption, superheroes and steaming hot villains in a very few pages in this novella. Every page counts and nothing is wasted.”
May 17, 2012
Movies vs. Books
So I saw The Avengers the other day and liked it a lot. It got me started thinking, though, about the differences between movies and books. They’re both ways of telling stories, but their delivery is very different. Movies have sight and sounds. Books have sight, but in word form rather than pictures. Senses are touched in different ways. Do I prefer one over the other? I love going to the movies, sitting in a theater and being immersed in a movie. I like just as much to curl up on a couch and read a book. I really came down to which impacts me more.
When I think back on movies I’ve seen, I remember mainly my impression of it. Good, bad, or okay. That’s pretty much it. I remember who starred in it and the overall story line, but beyond that, it’s pretty much a blur. I can’t remember how everything played out, and I certainly can’t quote lines. I could watch a movie a second time and have the same reaction — unless it’s one of my all-time favorites. Those, I remember with much more passion.
Books, for some reason, capture my imagination to a greater degree. Maybe it’s because I normally spend more than 2 hours with a book. Maybe it’s because I’m given the chance to delve deeper into a character’s thoughts. Maybe it’s because with a book, the brain has to work a bit harder to visualize everything? I don’t know, but books remain very vivid in my head. If I look at the cover of a book I’ve read, I’ll remember at least one scene that impacted me. (If it’s a good book, that is…) Sometimes, I might even remember dialogue. If it’s a romance I read a decade ago, just thinking about it can make my heard squeeze.
For me, books go into long-term memory and stick. Movies, not so much. That doesn’t mean I love them any less. It’s just a totally different entertainment experience. So which do you remember better? Movies you’ve seen or books you’ve devoured? Do you prefer one over the other? Or is this just a writer thing?
May 11, 2012
Madness Hop
Greetings to everyone stopping by for The Romance Reviews Erotic Romance Madness Hop! If you don’t know, the website is sponsoring an online type of scavenger hunt. To those of you looking for the answer to my question posted on the website, here’s a hint: You’ll find it in the BLADE OF MOONLIGHT excerpt! The event sounds like so much fun, I wish I could have participated. I hope you all find some interesting new authors during your search and books you want to read.
