DeAnna Cameron's Blog, page 21

And the November Contest winner is...

Are you in the holiday spirit yet? The weather here has been cold and windy, just perfect for cozying up with the laptop. It's been great for writing, which is a good thing since my book deadline is coming up fast.

It's always fun, though, to take some time out of the writing day to pick a contest winner. This time we're giving away the awesome THE ART OF BELLYDANCE CD from Bellydance Superstars. We had about 65 entries this time around, and thank you to everyone who took time to play along. This winner was chosen, as usual, by my ever-helpful assistant. She was so excited to pick the winner, she nearly jumped out of the frame altogether. See:




And the winner is:



Taliba Lafleur




(Hooray!!!)


Taliba, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.


To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.


Happy Tuesday!

Aw, gee, thanks...

Thank you to the lovely folks at Masters Degree Online for naming this a Top Reviewing blog. You can check out the group's list of Top Reviewing blogs here:

http://www.mastersdegreeonline.net/top-blogs/top-reviewing/



[image error] Online Masters Degree

November Giveaway

The holidays are coming, isn't that a great reason for a contest? I thought so, too! To get in the spirit of the season, I'm giving away the "The Art of Bellydance" CD. It features some amazing musicians, including master drummer Issam Houshan, Oojami, Beats Antique, Galactic Caravan, and many more.

To enter the contest, click over to http://www.deannacameron.com/. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PT) on Tuesday, November 30.

Good luck!

BACKSTORY: The story behind IMPULSIVE, by HelenKay Dimon

Before HelenKay Dimon became an award-winning romance author, the former East Coast resident's career path seemed headed in a much different direction. She worked as an aide to a member of the House of Representatives, attended law school, became a lawyer specializing in family law, and eventually earned the position of partner in a legal firm.

Then her husband was offered a job on the West Coast, and the family moved to Southern California. That was the catalyst that led Dimon to transform herself from what she calls "a divorce lawyer specializing in unhappy endings" to an author of happily ever afters.

In 2006, she made what Romance Reviews Today called a "sparkling" debut with her story HARDHATS AND SILK STOCKINGS, in the anthology WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. Her first single-title novel, YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY, followed in July 2007. It was named a Red-Hot Read by Cosmopolitan magazine, featured on E! Online, and won the 2008 Booksellers Best Contest's single-title category.

This month, Dimon, who calls herself a "recovering lawyer," will release her seventeenth title— IMPULSIVE—which Booklist praises as "a sizzling, sex-filled romp."

What was the inspiration for IMPULSIVE?

First, thank you so much for inviting me here. It's a thrill to be able to talk about IMPULSIVE and ramble on about my love of books and writing.

This book is part of a series of connected books set in Hawaii. Each book stands alone but some of the characters carry over from one to the other. And, really, is there a better inspiration than Hawaii? My husband grew up there and my in-laws still live there. During one trip, I was sitting by the pool and had just finished a previous book, HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO, when I started thinking about a minor character, Eric Kimura. I didn't have any intention of writing Eric's book. He was the ex-boyfriend of the heroine in HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO and when he wouldn't leave my head I knew I had to give him a happy ending.

Did you outline?

I am a seat-of-the-pants writer. My convoluted process goes like this: I come up with the first scene, write it as fast as I can and then go back and think about who the characters are and what the book is about in light of what I wrote. I don't use outlines or charts or any of those great devices I see other authors use. I've tried and found that doing all of that means, in my head, the book is written and I get stuck. I just need to sit and start writing.

What is your writing process?

Speaking of convoluted... I revise every single day. I sit down and start at the beginning of the book and read and edit until I get to the point where I'm ready to write something new. I do this full revision until I reach the halfway point in the book, then I force myself to stop reading from the beginning forward each day and start new with the second half of the book. It sounds daunting, but it's the best way to put the book in my head.

What was your biggest writing challenge this time around?

My heroes tend to be broken with rough pasts. They're usually alpha and can be a wee bit difficult. Eric is a very different type. He is a good guy even though he's too self-controlled and emotionally closed off. Developing his character arc took some work. At first I worried he was too solid and wouldn't have much need to grow, but turns out he had a lot to learn from the heroine.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

Some weeks it feels like every minute. Other weeks...well, let's just say the Internet is a dangerous place for people with procrastination issues. In general, I try to write from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday and part of the day on Sunday. When I'm closer to a deadline, those hours extend significantly. In those precious days right after I finish a book and hand it in, I barely write.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

If I waited to be in the frame of mind, I would never write. I have to kick-start the process by shutting off the Internet, opening a document and revising. By the time I stop revising and get to the point of writing new material, I'm usually ready to go.

What was the best advice you've received about writing?

The best writing advice I ever received was really career advice from my editor, the late Kate Duffy. She told me repeatedly: "Your career is a marathon not a sprint." I didn't get it when I first started writing, and I struggle to remember it now. It's easy to get sucked into the craziness of the business. It's the "someone is writing faster/getting more attention/hitting lists and I'm not" issue. I sold in 2005 and it's taken me until this year to step back and plan the career I want without worrying about what everyone else is doing.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Every career is different, so focus on what you need. It's all about finding that balance of what works for you. There are a lot of opportunities out there, but you can miss them if you're worried about stockpiling contracts or keeping up with those around you. Write, revise, relax and write again.

How do you overcome writer's block, or any rough patch as you're working on a story?

Easy, I pretend writer's block doesn't exist. I refuse to let that excuse in my mind. There are days when the idea of sitting in my chair and opening a word document makes my head explode, but I have to do it. Starting at the beginning of a manuscript and revising through to where I stopped writing the day before is my way of gently working back into the groove. The other thing I've found is if I take too much time off between books, it's so much harder to get started again. So, a few days after turning something in, I start again. I'll write a short story or write down notes on a possible future book idea, anything to keep in the habit.

Do you work with a critique group?

I don't work with a critique group in the usual sense. I tried it, but exchanging chapters every week or so didn't work for me. Judging things like continuity and character arcs seemed really hard. Instead, I work informally with a fellow author I really respect, Jill Shalvis. We usually finish a book, or at least a huge chunk of it, and then send it to each other for a read. That way we can better judge if it works as a whole.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

I've never been at a loss for book ideas – which is a huge relief. My issue is in getting started each day. I can find 1,000 things to do instead of writing. Having a contractual deadline looming helps. Wanting to stay published works as well. When all else fails and the motivation just isn't coming, I sit down and write something totally different. I'll sketch out the first scene of a book I might never write. The idea is to be at the computer and typing. Once that starts, the ideas begin to flow.

What are five of your favorite novels?

I was one of those people. I didn't even read romance until I was thirty-something. The first three got me hooked on the genre and led me down this path where I stopped practicing law and started writing. Those books: PERFECT PARTNERS, by Jayne Ann Krentz; DANIEL'S BRIDE, by Linda Lael Miller; and THE BRIDE, by Julie Garwood. I'll always have a special love for those books and those authors. Even though I rarely read historical romance, I've read RAVISHED, by Amanda Quick about 100 times, so it's clearly a romance favorite. My favorite non-romance author is Kazuo Ishiguro (REMAINS OF THE DAY), so No. 5 is anything by him. I also love mysteries and thrillers, but you said five, so I'll spare you.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

I'm not a huge craft book person, which is a little strange since I teach romance writing at two local colleges. My fear is if I know all of these techniques, I'll be too focused on everything I "should" do to just write. I do love Stephen King's ON WRITING and think anyone who writes or wants to should read it.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

The list is soooo long. I love to read. The books I'm most excited about digging into right now are THE IRON DUKE, by Meljean Brook; STILL MISSING, by Chevy Stevens; and PRECIOUS AND FRAGILE THINGS, by Megan Hart (releases in January).

For more about HelenKay Dimon and her books, visit http://www.helenkaydimon.com/.

BACKSTORY: The story behind ETERNAL HUNGER, by Laura Wright

Like many novelists, multi-published author Laura Wright's love for writing grew out of her love of reading. Unlike many authors, however, she can trace her inspiration to a single book: Jude Deveraux's KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR.
"I couldn't put it down until the very last word," the OCC/RWA member writes on her website.
That novel led Wright to more Deveraux novels and then on to more romance authors.
"I instantly loved those emotional, sexy reads," she adds, "so much so that I began to carve out ideas for my own stories, themes that were unique to me and moved me." In 2002, Wright—who in addition to writing has worked as an actor, singer and dancer—published her debut novel, CINDERELLA AND THE PLAYBOY, in the Silhouette Desire line. Another fifteen Silhouette Desire novels followed, as well as an anthology, TAKEN BY STORM.
And today, Wright enters the paranormal romance realm with ETERNAL HUNGER, the first in her Mark of the Vampire series. Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, praises its "rich mythology, page-turning tension, and blistering sensuality."
The series continues in April with ETERNAL KISS.
Wright, a native of Minnesota, lives in Los Angeles with her family.
What was the inspiration for your novel?

To be honest and blunt, it came from my very vibrant fantasy life. With ETERNAL HUNGER, I wrote the vampire, the hero, that I would love to heal, banter with, and be taken by.

What was your writing process?

Oh man, I so wish I could be a "panster." That sounds like so much fun! Writing for Silhouette Desire, synopsis was the only way to go, only way to sell. It's the same way with NAL, and frankly, I need it now. I need to know the beginning, middle and resolution of the book to get going. Once I do, I write the entire book in dialogue.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

BC (Before kids), I wrote at least 10 hours a day. Now with two little ones, I try for fourt to five. It depends if I'm closing in on a deadline. Then I have to work full weekends and nights, too.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

Well, that is the question isn't it? Lol. I do coffee and set myself in my office with music and headphones. But honestly, there is no other way to get it done – for me anyway – but doing it. Some days it flows like honey, but most days it takes a good half hour for me to get into it.

What was the best advice you've received about writing?

Wow. Good question.
A. (from my mentor/teacher, Barbara Ankrum) "If the external conflict is the wheels, the Internal Conflict is the engine that will drive your story." and "Never start with the plot, start with the internal conflict."
B. (from Jayne Ann Krentz) "There will never be a perfect time to write" and "writing has to be a compulsion; a drive – an addiction."

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

A. Writing is a job, not a hobby.
B. The author/agent relationship is tricky if you don't go into it with a clear understanding of what both of you expects from the other.
C. Support is huge and key! Family, husband/wife, friends, RWA chapter. Writing is a lonely job, you'll need people along the way.

How do you overcome writer's block, or any rough patch as you're working on a story?

I honestly don't believe in writer's block. I believe in fatigue and/or not knowing your conflict enough. Taking a break, a walk, making a new pot of coffee can help clear your head. But the only way to get past a difficult scene is to run head first into it. Hell, you can always delete it later or the next day, but just pushing through will (most times) spark creativity. Also, write a scene that isn't working from another characters prospective – that can be very helpful.

Do you work with a critique group?

I have two or three people that read my work, sometimes in scenes, sometimes large chunks. I think feedback is so valuable – with someone you trust. It's hard to see everything, especially when you're focusing on internal conflict or dialogue. Another set of eyes can find all those places you've neglected.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

Just recently, I had a deadline moved up and I had to finish my book in weeks instead of months. Most of the time I turned to coffee, music, sheer force of will, but at the end I went to this special motel by the beach that really recharged my batteries. Sometimes just changing locations can light a fire!

What are five of your favorite novels?
Only five? Yikes. Let's see…

KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, THE DEMON LOVER, Harry Potter (any and every), Gemma Doyle Trilogy, PASSION

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?
BIRD BY BIRD, by Anne Lamott – all the way. That book saved me from many a meltdown!

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?
Ooooo, love this! Jennifer Lyon's newest Wing Slayer Hunter, NIGHT MAGIC; LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRARIE (with my daughter); WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES; THE HUNGER GAMES

For more about Laura Wright and her books, visit http://www.laurawright.com/.

Inspiration: Joyce Carol Oats on Writing Characters

In this snippet of a video taken during Joyce Carol Oats' visit to Book Passages, a lovely bookstore in Northern California, where she talked about THE GRAVEDIGGER'S DAUGHTER, she also talked about how important it is for a writer to listen to the characters and allow them to speak for themselves.

Why?

"If you're a writer and you allow your people to talk," she says, "they will express themselves in a way that the author herself might not have thought of."

But there's more good stuff here, too. Check it out...

BACKSTORY: The story behind WARRIOR, by Zoe Archer

With her debut novel, the historical romance LADY X'S COWBOY, Zoë Archer quickly earned raves for her powerful storytelling and compelling characters. Publishers Weekly called the 2006 release a "fast-paced, lighthearted romp" that "both tickles and thrills," and it won the OCC/RWA's Book Buyers Best Award.
Archer, who graduated from the Iowa Writers' Workshop, followed that book's success with the historical romance LOVE IN A BOTTLE; a historical novel, EARLY BRIGHT, which she wrote as Ami Si...

Contract Day

When I published The Belly Dancer, my big goal was for the novel to do well enough that I would be able to publish a second novel.

Well, I have to come up with a new goal because here's the contract for book No. 2.

There's no title yet, but here's the tidy blurb the lovely people (probably my awesome editor) at Berkley wrote:

A novel set in turn of the century New York City, about a young chorus girl whose love of dancing leads her on a quest to save a venerable vaudeville house from closing...

BACKSTORY: The story behind AWAKENED BY A KISS, by Lila DiPasqua

Historical romance author Lila DiPasqua makes her publishing debut tomorrow with AWAKENED BY A KISS, a collection of stories based on three classic fairy tales, scandalously retold, and marks the first in the author's Fiery Tales series.

DiPasqua's "lushly erotic writing is sophisticated, sensuous, and deeply romantic," says bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt.
During the submission process, DiPasqua received two offers of representation, and the contract with a New York publishing house followed...

And the July Contest winner is...

This has been such a fun contest. First, I'd like to say I really appreciate all the kind notes people sent along with their entries, both from those who have read "The Belly Dancer" and others who plan to. And it's no surprise there were a lot of entries -- 102, in fact. Those lovely dancers from Bellydance Superstars draw a crowd wherever they go, don't they? I admire these ladies so much for elevating the dance form and helping it break into the mainstream. I'm thrilled to be giving away t...