Sherry Thomas's Blog, page 7

Kristan Higgins in Da House

When I'm not reading Kristan's books, I obsessively pore over her blog. I have New England envy, especially in summer, which lasts from March to November in Austin, Texas and grows hotter every year. So I lose myself in Kristan's chronicle of her life in Connecticut, in her tales of late snow, cool summers, and fall foliage. Her family makes their own maple syrup. How cool is that?

And when I can treat myself to a new Kristan Higgins book, what strikes me the most is always the community...

So…About HIS AT NIGHT

I have a major drawback as a professional writer: I can't think and write at the same time.  Or rather, I can't think and write and judge my own work at the same time.

I have a non-drawback as a professional writer: I don't get blocked.  I can get words on paper, lots of words, if they are what's required.

Combine the first two, you have a delivered first draft of somewhat questionable quality

I have a possibly unusual aversion: I ban anything that is remotely true–or even reminiscent–of my...

A Sinkful of Blood

Years ago, I read–listened to, rather–It's Not About the Bike, Lance Armstrong's memoir.  The book chronicled his struggle with cancer, his subsequent recovery, and the winning of his first Tour de France victory.  I have by now forgotten most details from the book, except for one particularly gory and memorable scene.

Armstrong had been hurting for a while, his body issuing miscellaneous warning signs.  But like most young men, and I would imagine, especially like most young athletes in...

German PA & Thai NQAH

And a brief coming-up-for-air update.

It was an overhaul again–HIS AT NIGHT, that is. One of those days I'd love to have only revisions but so far it's been overhaul after overhaul. It's still not finished yet, but it's getting there and of course it was worth it.

Heard briefly from my fellow blogger Meredith at the end of October. She is superbusy in India but will hopefully be able to breathe easier soon. We miss you, Meredith.

And now onto the covers.

First up, German PRIVATE...

Chemistry 101–Mini Lesson 3

Physical description is a gold mine for a romance writer to heighten chemistry.

Especially when the hero/heroine is viewed through the eyes of the other.

This is a very legitimate way to build physical awareness.  Because as one character is taking in the other physically and processing that information, they are, by the very nature of that act, becoming increasingly physically aware of that person.We are full of minor, interesting imperfections that if we observe...

UPDATED: His At Night–Preliminary Cover

The art department works fast. I have the revised cover with the higher contrast.  The heroine now has a fabulously smooth and un-stout foot. And the hero more stubbles, which I'd also asked for.  Don't see that much difference in the length of his fingers, but I can live with that.

I approve. 

Though of course now that her foot is lovely, my Anna Wintour gaze of unrelenting criticism has landed on the heroine's back.  My editor concurs that it needs further smoothing.  So now we await the ...

His At Night–Preliminary Cover

Here it is!

The art department will be working to make the dress pop more from background.  I asked for my usual corrections (longer fingers and less boob on the hero).  And then, making my agent laugh her head off, I asked for a daintier foot on the heroine.

But other than those minor quibbles, I love this  cover.  Love the color and the flounces on her dress.  Love that there is more ladyback and less mantitty.   Besides, this cover continues the tradition of putting my heroine in a dress...

Chemistry 101–Mini Lesson 2

A critical element to great chemistry is respect.  Your hero and heroine should see each other as equals, and not out of some politically correct we-all-have-the-spark-of-divinity worldview, but because they forcibly strike each other as so.

A perfect example below, from the Loretta Chase classic Lord of Scoundrels:

"Perhaps I had better demonstrate how the thing operates," said Dain, yanking her attention to him.

In his low voice, Jessica recognized the too innocent tones that inevitably...

Chemistry 101–Mini-Lesson 1

Reader Beth had suggested that I make a blog post of the workshop on romantic chemistry that I gave at RWA National.  My immediate response was a demurral.  I had 11 pages of speaking notes–it couldn't be done.  But then I gave the workshop again recently to my local RWA group, and afterwards I thought, you know, the best part of any such workshop is always the examples.  And I definitely can put up the examples and why I used them as a series of blog posts.  So thank you Beth, and here we...

French Cover

There is nothing I love more than the unveiling of covers, especially foreign covers.

And I totally dig this one for PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS.

You can't tell me that's not Monica Bellucci in mirror. 

French PA drops October 7.