Molly O'Keefe's Blog, page 3
May 31, 2014
Another Excellent Parenting Moment: Camping Edition
This is really a story about how two adults in charge of five kids and one puppy, should not, at key planning moments, look at each other, shrug and say “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
Memorial Day weekend my kids and I packed up our one two-person tent, our one sleeping bag and one therma rest and headed to Wisconsin to go camping with my brother, his kids and brand new puppy (as of yet, unnamed) to Devil’s Lake near the Wisconsin Dells.
My parents took my brother and I camping a lot. I would say with some confidence that I was a camper. I could start a fire and pitch a tent. But that was also – thirty years ago. I am now a committed city-dweller and my camping usually involves a camper or a cottage. My kids have never spent the night in a tent. My brother, however, is a religious camper. He’s got all the gear. All the great campfire stories. A patented s’mores technique.
Come to find out, most of his gear is spread out to a few different houses. Some friends. And we can gather it all up, but that would take a lot of time, so with two tents, five sleeping bags, (there are seven of us) a big blanket, two thermarests, no flashlights or pillows but a fancy contraption that will boil water for my coffee (key, I’m sure you agree) – we set off for Devil’s Lake.
I should make it clear – we had a blast. The kids scrambled up and over rocks through caves and jumped into a beautiful lake. Either my brother or I ended up carrying the puppy up and over those rocks as it slept in our arms. The days were fun…the nights however…
The first night we put all the kids in one tent, while my brother I slept in my little two man tent. My son made it very clear, early on that he was not comfortable. The cousins made it very clear that he was being too loud. At one o’clock my eight year old son yelled “NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I TRAVELED IN SUCH DISCOMFORT!”
At which point I switched tents, sent my brother’s youngest over to him, tried to even out the blankets, quiet my son down, calm down my daughter who was crying at this point and ended up falling asleep at 2 am, on top of a rock without any covers, my daughter sleeping on me.
At 3 am the dog woke up and had to go to the bathroom.
At 4 am the racoons came. Racoons make an unholy racket.
Thank God for the contraption that boiled water for my coffee.
The next night, I thought I’d learned my lesson and I put my kids with me in my tent – we got an extra blanket from my parents – and everyone was asleep when the sun went down. But come to find out during a sudden downpour in the middle of the night – my little tent, which has been used maybe, three times and still has that new-tent smell, leaks. A lot.
My daughter was getting the worst of it, lying in the middle of the tent. But she wasn’t waking up.I watched her get rained on for a very long time but she was totally undisturbed by the drips landing on her. So, I think I did what any truly exhausted mother would do in that situation and I just pulled the sleeping bag up over her head and prayed she would sleep through it. She didn’t. We switched places and I ended up getting dripped on the rest of the night.
At 4 am the racoons came.
The next day the puppy ate a bumble bee – vomited everywhere – including my car. And for a moment my brother and I looked at each other with stark terror wondering what we would do if this dog got any more sick. But the dog recovered and was back to bouncing up trails for five feet and then sleeping in our arms.
The kids recovered to and if you asked them about Devil’s Lake they wouldn’t even mention the leaky tent or the lack of sleeping bags – those small failures of planning. Until maybe they’re my age and thinking of taking their own kid’s camping and when they look at each other, shrug and say “I’m sure we’ll be fine,” it will all come back to them. And I hope they remember the flashlights.
May 29, 2014
WILD CHILD is 99 cents!
Wild Child is 99 cents!
The first book in my Boys of Bishop series is only 99 cents today at all major retailers. (And the digital copies of the next books are only 4.99) Amazon Barnes and Noble
Perfect for readers of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson, this sizzling romance tells the story of a sexy small-town mayor and a notorious “bad girl,” who discover that home really is where the heart is.
Monica Appleby is a woman with a reputation. Once she was America’s teenage “Wild Child,” with her own reality TV show. Now she’s a successful author coming home to Bishop, Arkansas, to pen the juicy follow-up to her tell-all autobiography. Problem is, the hottest man in town wants her gone. Mayor Jackson Davies is trying to convince a cookie giant to move its headquarters to his crumbling community, and Monica’s presence is just too . . . unwholesome for business. But the desire in his eyes sends a very different message: Stay, at least for a while.
Jackson needs this cookie deal to go through. His town is dying and this may be its last shot. Monica is a distraction proving too sweet, too inviting—and completely beyond his control. With every kiss he can taste her loneliness, her regrets, and her longing. Soon their uncontrollable attraction is causing all kinds of drama. But when two lost hearts take a surprise detour onto the bumpy road of unexpected love, it can only lead someplace wonderful.
“Molly O’Keefe is a unique, not-to-be-missed voice in romantic fiction.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Andersen
Praise for Wild Child
“If there is one contemporary romance novel you must read in 2013, this is it. . . . This book, this book. . . . I could go on and on . . . but I will just end with this: not only was the plot beautiful but the writing was as well.”—Love’s a State of Mind
“One of my favorite things about [Molly O’Keefe’s] books is the way they refuse to shy away from messy, complicated characters and relationships. Wild Child is no different in that regard. . . . It is a testament to O’Keefe’s skill as a writer and a storyteller that she imbues Jackson and Monica’s stories (as a fledgling couple and as individuals) with a tremendous amount of emotional depth and sensitivity. . . . O’Keefe can bring characters . . . into vivid and compelling life as they stumble, sometimes joyously, often painfully, always passionately, toward love and mutual happiness.”—Dear Author
“I fell in love with this book from the very beginning. . . . It has the right amount of romance . . . and the sex scenes were hot too.”—Night Owl Reviews
“As I have come to expect from Molly O’Keefe, Wild Child is a deliciously steamy romance that has plenty of substance. . . . Another fabulous book by a very gifted author who I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances.”—Book Reviews & More by Kathy
“Molly O’Keefe is one of my favorite writers. You can count on her to create characters that will test you and take your emotions for a spin, one moment loving them, the next wanting to give them a good shake. Well, she didn’t let me down with this story! . . . The writing is spectacular and meaningful, the story has depth and the characters extremely interesting and true to their designed nature. I make no bones about O’Keefe being one of my favorite writers and, even though I was prepared for a good book, I was blown away by this one.”—The Book Nympho
May 21, 2014
Paperback Covers!
The Dust Chronicles, Now in Paperback!
I’m thrilled to announce that DEVIANTS and COMPLIANCE will be available on June 10, 2014 in paperback, with brand new cover designs to match the hardcover for GLORY.
Take a look!
Order: Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk
Order: Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk
Be the first to have your own copy of GLORY, coming June 10, 2014
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk
What do you think of the new covers??? Let me know.
May 12, 2014
Romantic Times Conference and Schedule!
Today I’m supposed to be packing for #RT14 in New Orleans. (I’m not, I’m procrastinating because I don’t want to try on my conference clothes only to find out they don’t fit…) For those of you who don’t know or haven’t gone – Romantic Times is a giant romance convention – authors, readers, cover models, publishers. It’s fun and games, lots of information, lots of free books! And it’s in NEW ORLEANS! So, for me it means lots of Etoufee…
Maureen and Stephanie are coming as well!!! Etoufee for all of us!
I’m posting my schedule so if you’re going and you’d like to come say HI, you can find me! I’ve got postcards and books and chocolates!! All the good stuff…
WEDNESDAY 12 -1
History Fan Fictionary (or Call My Bluff)
This is a game created by Susanna Kearsley and for any history/language buff – it’s about as much fun as it gets.
Our language has changed a great deal through the centuries, and many once-common sayings and words have been lost. If you can’t define “varlet” and don’t know what “flying the blue pigeon” means, then come join the fun as a panel of writers well-versed in historical language attempt to enlighten you. Ah, but who’s telling the truth, and who’s making it up? That’s for you to decide, in this game full of pitfalls, prizes and fabulous phrases.
Juliana Gray (aka Beatriz Williams)
Location:
2nd Floor
Room:
Gallery 4
Thursday 11:15 – 12:15
CONTEMPORARY: Small Towns, Big Stories: The Enduring Appeal of Small-Town Contemporary Romance
Do you see this panel?! I will be sitting back to hear what everyone else has to say!
Editors and readers agree—they want more contemporary romances set in small towns, with two people falling in love against the backdrop of quirky, close-knit, cozy communities. Our panel of experts discuss what this thriving subgenre of contemporary romance is, how they came up with their bestselling series, and how new writers can make their small-town romances stand out from the crowd.
Moderator:
Louisa Edwards (aka Lily Everett)
Panelist(s):
Toni Blake (aka Lacey Alexander)
Location:
2nd Floor
Room:
Studio 7 – (Preservation Hall)
Thursday 1:30 – 2:30
It’s All Fun and Games Until Someone Falls in Love
Get up-close and personal with your favorite Bantam, Ballantine and Love Swept authors for a fun-filled hour of romance trivia games with TONS of prizes and giveaways.
Host(s):
Megan Frampton (Heroes and Heartbreakers, Community Manager)
Location:
2nd Floor
Room:
Gallery 4
Friday 2:45-3:45
A Push in the “Write” Direction: Critique Group Highs and Lows
I can’t be at this workshop (I have to leave early for a friend’s wedding), but Maureen and Stephanie will be and it’s sure to be full of information and tips!
From strangers to critique partners to best friends forever, six authors at different stages of their careers discuss how they’ve critiqued their ways to success. Learn how to choose your partners, communicate constructively, avoid tears, and dole out just the right dose of tough love to push each other in the “write” direction.
Panelist(s):
Location:
4th Floor
Room:
Bacchus
Are you going to RT? What workshops are you attending/giving/most looking forward to?
May 8, 2014
Is This Burn Out? Or taking care of what I have…
I finished Indecent Proposal, the last book in my latest contract, at the very beginning of March. I typed The End and then had what felt, tasted and smelled like a minor nervous breakdown. There was a lot of crying. And screaming. And pulling the blankets up over my head. I couldn’t stop shaking. I wish I was exaggerating for laughs, but I’m not. In the context of my life I fell apart.
The world I loved, that I had created in the last ten years, during pregnancy and nap times, stolen weekends away, stolen hours locked in my bedroom while my husband took the kids and the dog away somewhere, and for the last few blissful years during the hours between when my husband took the kids to school and I walked over and picked them up – felt poisoned.
Writing felt poisoned. I talked to Maureen on the subway and when I said I thought I was done writing, I meant it. I really really meant it.
I got my first contract with Superromance while I was pregnant with my son, and I got my second one just after he was born. And I felt so empowered that I had something to do besides nurse and sleep train (ha!). My brain was engaged beyond the making of mashed carrots and which play group to go to. I felt so damn proud of myself when I managed to write those books and get them turned in on time and then get another contract. Writing had always empowered me but having a CAREER… something that was mine, that was so respected in my house, that earned money…God. Those of you who might be reading this who experienced or are experiencing that reality – it’s nuts, isn’t it? What can be accomplished during nap time or morning kindergarten?
Frankly having a writing career no matter what your circumstance is a minor miracle fueled by hours and hours of dedication.
I’ve always been able to make my own schedule, set my own due dates and I gave myself plenty of time and just consistently plugged along. I was rarely late, tried to be a little early. I gave myself a break during July and August and tried not to expect too much during Thanksgiving/Christmas. Totally manageable. Unless, maybe you’re trying to write three 90,000 word contemporary romances in a year.
Social Media threw a wrench in things for me. Slowly, bit by bit I was worn down by the updates of authors writing faster and smarter than I was all while seeming to be on Twitter all day. Self-pubbed authors being catapulted into stardom by strange and slightly devious means. Everyone seemed a thousand times more successful than I was, a thousand times better at this business. More in tune with what readers were loving. So, initially I bought into the idea that I needed MORE facebook followers, MORE twitter followers. I had to be friendly and witty. I had to engage, engage, engage. And it left me feeling diminished and confused. I got a damn RITA nomination and I cried in the bathroom – not happy tears, either. And it’s embarrassing to write that, to write any of this.
I figure I was brought low by a combination of those things, with some not minor real life problems thrown into the mix. (Oh, real life…)
But I also know I wasn’t taking care of the things that I already have. I have amazing writing friends. I have an astounding editor and a publishing house that believes in me. And values my work. I have an agent whose faith has been unwavering. In my effort to get MORE fans, I neglected the fans I had. I can not believe I took any of that for granted.
For years I tried to make my books better by improving on what I thought were my weaknesses, namely plotting. But I remember someone saying what we should really concentrate on what we’re already good at. I think that can be about the business too.
In April I started to get some story ideas. At the beginning of May I sat down for one day of writing and was reminded of the amount of stamina writing takes. Every day, one word at a time. All of you in the middle of that right now – hats off, it is no easy or simple thing. I’m amazed by you right now. Because that one day of mine has not been replicated… June, maybe I’ll get back up on that horse. Or maybe tomorrow.
Right now I’m trying to think of ways to take care of what I have. These friends right here, for starters. I’m sorry I vanished for a while there.
For the readers and writers who have joined my newsletter list – THANK YOU. I’ve started an interview series called THE AUTHOR IS… which features in-depth interviews and giveaways with some really wonderful authors. Check out my website for the schedule and to sign up.
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve been in this particular boat. Or if not and you think I’m an ungrateful whiner – that’s fine too, I guess. But let’s talk…
April 1, 2014
Red, red wine
There was a time in the not so distant past that this blog was known as Drunk Writer Talk. We all enjoyed the occasional libation, mainly in moderation, but truth be told, occasionally not. We thought it was funny. We decided to change the name of the blog for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that we really didn’t talk about drinking that much. We talked about books, movies, craft, pop culture.
Well, I’m going to throw it back today. I’m going to talk about booze. I’ve noticed recently that it seems like almost all of my most favorite shows, the ones I watch right away and don’t let build up on the DVR, the ones who I want to talk about later, feature a lot of red wine.
Castle and Beckett? They seem to either have cups of coffee or glasses of red wine in their hands. I totally get that.
Olivia Pope? Dear lord, that woman can toss back a glass of pinot! Alicia Florrick? Oh, yeah, baby. Although I’m guessing she’s kind of a cabernet woman. Maybe zinfandel. I think even the folks on Modern Family seem to have nice big round glasses of red around a lot.
My point? I actually don’t have one. Except that I’m starting to wonder if I’m picking TV shows based on them having characters I want to drink with.
March 26, 2014
Molly O’Keefe is a RITA nominee
It’s no secret. Each year we nominate what we perceive is the best book in each category for that year. You know… like the Emmys or the Oscars or the Golden Globes.
This is our event. It is almost impossible to subjective-ize art. We all know this. So many people. So many different ideas and opinions.
But when we get this final list for each category… we can say OK. This is what the community thinks is good. I don’t always agree. But I have learned to understand there are many opinions and ART IS SUBJECTIVE.
Like maybe some people don’t like Picasso.
But we need to understand Picasso is great. If we don’t have some universal understanding of what is good, then what are we as an organization?
I sit here as a biased reader. I know Molly. I read Molly. I love Molly’s book.
Those are personal things. But I also think Molly is Picasso. I think she’s is breaking/changing/re-defining our genre. I think her books are MORE. Whatever that means.
So I’m happy today…. and I’m not alone. The romance community thinks that Crazy Thing Called Love is one of the best of our genre too.
March 19, 2014
New Book!
Stephanie's new book, REMEMBERING THAT NIGHT
No, I didn’t get my short story published this week like I planned… but I did discover this little gem, prominently displayed at the Shoppers Drug Mart by my house.
Congratulations Stephanie on the release of REMEMBERING THAT NIGHT! It seems like a couple of weeks ago I was reading the first chunk of this manuscript. How does time move so quickly???
I can’t wait to read the rest of the story to see how it ends!
March 12, 2014
Covers… Which do you like best?
Pick a Cover!
I guess this is as good a time as any to announce that I’m going to publish (re-publish) my short story “Lost and Found” that first appeared in December 2010 in The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance.
It’s a quirky story about a man who walks into central park in 1967, drops some acid, falls asleep on a park bench, then continues to wake up the same place on the same day, over and over and over — except that every time he wakes up, it’s a different year. But all that could change when he meets a cop whose butterfly necklace is the only thing he’s been able to hold onto over time.
So, I decided to do the cover myself… And I’m down to um, 6 or so choices. Which do you like best?
#1- Header, flat, shadow
#2 – Header, glow (no shadow)
#3 – Header, flat (no shadow)
#4 No header, glow, shadow
#5 No header, flat, shadow
#6 Totally flat, no header
And feel free to offer a suggestion for a combination of possible features I haven’t shown…
Clearly I have lost perspective on this. Totally…
March 11, 2014
Guest Post: Rules of My Writing Road
by Holly West
My debut novel, Mistress of Fortune, is a historical mystery set in late 17th century London featuring amateur sleuth Isabel Wilde, a mistress to King Charles II who secretly makes her living as a fortuneteller. Harlequin’s Carina Press published it on February 3, 2014, which means I’ve been a bona fide author for just over a month now. A drop in the bucket, considering it took me nearly six years to write and get it published.
Along the way—especially at the beginning—I read a lot of writing rules. These quick, often humorous, words of wisdom from writers far more experienced than I were helpful in those early months when I was desperate for inspiration and more importantly, motivation.
For example:
“Concentrate your narrative energy on the point of change. This is especially important for historical fiction. When your character is new to a place, or things alter around them, that’s the point to step back and fill in the details of their world. People don’t notice their everyday surroundings and daily routine, so when writers describe them it can sound as if they’re trying too hard to instruct the reader.” – Hilary Mantel
Keeping this “rule” in mind helped me to avoid the “information dump” commonly found in historical fiction. It wasn’t easy—there were so many interesting tidbits about the 17th century I wanted to include, but I knew they had to be sprinkled in carefully. My first person narrative limited me even further, because what reader wants the main character to stop in the middle of the action to explain what a chamber pot is for? Consequently, what might’ve been an entire chapter of one of my reference books might end up as a brief sentence in the actual novel or not at all.
Here’s another one that stuck with me:
“If you’re writing historical fiction, don’t have well-known real characters as your main protagonists. This will only create biographical unease in the readers and send them back to the history books. If you must write about real people, then do something post-modern and playful with them.” – Rose Tremain
For me, there was only one reason to write a novel set in 17th century London, and that reason was King Charles II. As I’ve said many times, he was my first (and possibly only) historical crush. If he wasn’t going to be a character, why bother? That said, he was never meant to be my protagonist—I preferred to live vicariously through my heroine who I always knew would be his mistress.
My philosophy in using real life historical figures is not to regurgitate the same tired characterizations we’ve seen over and over again but to recreate them from my own imagination, based upon what historical accounts have revealed them to be. Their words and most of their actions, therefore, are new to the reader, but not so out of their real life characters that they’re misrepresented on the page.
I imagine that most writers have a few writing rules that they’ve stuck to over the course of their careers. What are some of yours?
Bio:
Holly West is the author of the Mistress of Fortune series (Carina Press). The first in the series, Mistress of Fortune, was published in February 2014 and the second, Mistress of Lies, will be released in Fall 2014. She’s currently writing her third book, a stand-alone crime novel set in 1948 Philadelphia. Holly lives, reads, and writes in Los Angeles with her husband, Mick, and dog, Stella.
Mistress of Fortune Synopsis:
Isabel, Lady Wilde, a mistress to King Charles II, has a secret: she makes her living disguised as Mistress Ruby, a fortune-teller who caters to London’s elite. It’s a dangerous life among the charlatans, rogues and swindlers who lurk in the city’s dark corners, but to Isabel, the risk is worth the reward.
Until magistrate Sir Edmund Godfrey seeks Mistress Ruby’s counsel and reveals 
his unwitting involvement in a plot to kill the king. When Isabel’s diary containing dangerous details of his confession is stolen, she knows she must find it before anyone connects her to Mistress Ruby. Especially after Sir Edmund’s corpse is discovered a few days later…
Isabel is sure that whoever stole her diary is Sir Edmund’s killer—and could be part of a conspiracy that leads all the way to the throne. But as she delves deeper into the mystery, not even the king himself may be able to save her.
