C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 165

Calm for Mind, Body and Soul

Welcome to the speed bump of the week. I hope you all are feeling extra rested and productive after coming off of a long weekend. If you are, you’re strides ahead of where I started this week. Fortunately, I quickly caught up. Funny how those long weekends work. We await them with such anxiety only to have them come and go in the blink of an eye.

This past Monday, my son inspired this week’s blog. Sunday night, I fell asleep just glad to know I didn’t have to go to the day job on Monday. Granted, I’d be writing when he was asleep (which isn’t much these days) and that surely is work but it’s a different type of work that sort of feeds my mind, body and soul even as I do it. What I wasn’t expecting was a 4:30 a.m. wake up call to find my baby boy completely soaked by his now destroyed diaper. It wasn’t a poopie one at least (that came later and will be a story for another day), but with all the stuffing that came out of that diaper, a shower was a must. Quite frankly, I’m not sure how all this happened. It was like he became Niagara Falls in the middle of the night. An hour, one bottle and a nice clean baby later, I headed out for an early morning walk—the only kind you really can do right now as I live in the desert. That’s when the magic began.

The sun hadn’t risen completely yet so shocking shades of pink and orange painted the sky.  Hardly a sound except for a few early riser birds and bees. Clouds littered the sky, which is an unusual sight here as the sky is usually a bright, clear blue. Quite simply, the morning walk was beautiful and mesmerizing. It was an instant relaxant after our crazy morning: calm for our mind, body and soul. It quickly turned a very frustrating and tiring situation into a positive one. I was actually glad to be up and about so early in the day.

A few hours later, I sat in a café, drinking some earl grey and listening to Bob Marley. It was a might productive day. Hope the rest of your week turns out the same. Happy Writing!

Filed under: Emotions, Toni Kelly, What A Writer Needs, Writer's Life

Stubborn Muses and Good Friends by Leia Shaw

You may have read several weeks ago that I broke my muse. I’m not really sure what happened. Here I was, finishing up my marketing plan for Destiny Bewitched, getting ready to write the 5th book in my series, minding my own business, being a good citizen, not littering, rarely jaywalking, when my muse suddenly packed up and left.

I waited, thinking it would only be a matter of time until she came back (we’ll call my muse a she for simplicity sake), holding her suitcase, begging for forgiveness. A few weeks later, she was still gone. So I waited longer. Another few weeks went by, no appearance from the elusive bitch. Then I started getting nervous. What the hell was going on? Was my career over after only 5 books? So I did what every American girl would do in such circumstances. I whined. A lot. Then I posted an over-dramatic, fatalistic writer’s suicide note here on this blog.

When that failed to bring her back, I faced the horrifying truth. My muse had deserted me. Unless I wanted to force my way through a book, grimacing and groaning the whole way, my writing career was over.

But, as fate would have it, my amazing friend stepped in and refused to let me give up. She pulled me out of that dark pit of despair, plopped a pen in my hand, and slapped my ass to get me going again.

My muse is still MIA – probably on vacation, sipping Mai Tais on Hawaii’s north shore – but I’m going on without her. My friend, for the time being, has replaced my muse, encouraging me when I need it, pushing me when I don’t want it, telling me I’m awesome when I’m feeling shitty, hounding me for more pages even though I know they suck, and just being a general pain in the ass.

Everyone should be so lucky.

 

 

 

Filed under: romance

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  In many ways, so are you.  The influence of the blue moon is still affecting some people.  Others may be slow to return from their vacations mentally.  It’s okay.  Be  open and watchful and understanding.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Hobbits love parties.  It’s time to look over your schedule and make some plans.  With a string of holidays approaching, you can’t go wrong.

Taurus

Fairies become more magical when the winds blow cool.  Buy warm clothing and keep your eyes open.

Gemini

Starlight will entrance you this week.  Read up on ancient legends involving the sea monsters.

Cancer

Vampires miss human food.  They especially enjoy making jellies and preserves.  Expand your culinary skills.

Leo

Shapeshifters love boots.  Time to shop for a deal.

Virgo

Mermaids love to chronicle their family history.  Take out those photos of family and friends and put them in an attractive form so you can look at them often.

Libra

Vampires love dressing up as someone else.  Shop for Halloween early and find that perfect costume.

Scorpio

Dragons love curling up by the fire with someone they love and a good book.  Enjoy others and make time for those close to you.

Sagittarius

Werewolves love napping and find it restorative.  Try getting in some extra sleep time.  You’ll be better for it.

Capricorn

Dance under the moon with an elf.  Forget your daily troubles, and indulge in whimsey.

Aquarius

Pack up the beach wear and equipment for one last splash of the season.  Collect a shell for your mantle.

Pieces

The winterberry gnones have put away their suitcases and changed over their closets to winter wear.  Hmmm.  They are expecting an early winter.  Be prepared.  Do you have flashlights or glow sticks at hand?

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Previous Post

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  In many ways, so are you.  The influence of the blue moon is still affecting some people.  Others may be slow to return from their vacations mentally.  It’s okay.  Be  open and watchful and understanding.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Hobbits love parties.  It’s time to look over your schedule and make some plans.  With a string of holidays approaching, you can’t go wrong.

Taurus

Fairies become more magical when the winds blow cool.  Buy warm clothing and keep your eyes open.

Gemini

Starlight will entrance you this week.  Read up on ancient legends involving the sea monsters.

Cancer

Vampires miss human food.  They especially enjoy making jellies and preserves.  Expand your culinary skills.

Leo

Shapeshifters love boots.  Time to shop for a deal.

Virgo

Mermaids love to chronicle their family history.  Take out those photos of family and friends and put them in an attractive form so you can look at them often.

Libra

Vampires love dressing up as someone else.  Shop for Halloween early and find that perfect costume.

Scorpio

Dragons love curling up by the fire with someone they love and a good book.  Enjoy others and make time for those close to you.

Sagittarius

Werewolves love napping and find it restorative.  Try getting in some extra sleep time.  You’ll be better for it.

Capricorn

Dance under the moon with an elf.  Forget your daily troubles, and indulge in whimsey.

Aquarius

Pack up the beach wear and equipment for one last splash of the season.  Collect a shell for your mantle.

Pieces

The winterberry gnones have put away their suitcases and changed over their closets to winter wear.  Hmmm.  They are expecting an early winter.  Be prepared.  Do you have flashlights or glow sticks at hand?

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars ...

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.  In many ways, so are you.  The influence of the blue moon is still affecting some people.  Others may be slow to return from their vacations mentally.  It’s okay.  Be  open and watchful and understanding.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Hobbits love parties.  It’s time to look over your schedule and make some plans.  With a string of holidays approaching, you can’t go wrong.

Taurus

Fairies become more magical when the winds blow cool.  Buy warm clothing and keep your eyes open.

Gemini

Starlight will entrance you this week.  Read up on ancient legends involving the sea monsters.

Cancer

Vampires miss human food.  They especially enjoy making jellies and preserves.  Expand your culinary skills.

Leo

Shapeshifters love boots.  Time to shop for a deal.

Virgo

Mermaids love to chronicle their family history.  Take out those photos of family and friends and put them in an attractive form so you can look at them often.

Libra

Vampires love dressing up as someone else.  Shop for Halloween early and find that perfect costume.

Scorpio

Dragons love curling up by the fire with someone they love and a good book.  Enjoy others and make time for those close to you.

Sagittarius

Werewolves love napping and find it restorative.  Try getting in some extra sleep time.  You’ll be better for it.

Capricorn

Dance under the moon with an elf.  Forget your daily troubles, and indulge in whimsey.

Aquarius

Pack up the beach wear and equipment for one last splash of the season.  Collect a shell for your mantle.

Pieces

The winterberry gnones have put away their suitcases and changed over their closets to winter wear.  Hmmm.  They are expecting an early winter.  Be prepared.  Do you have flashlights or glow sticks at hand?

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Can you trust reviews?

The inspiration for Chas

by C. Margery Kempe

First a bit of news: the return of CHASTITY FLAME! I know, I know. Some of you have been waiting a while for this. Here’s the skinny: the fabulous Tirgearr, home of my books Man City and Swan Prince, will re-release the first novel on September 20th with new art and a big fanfare. The sequel, Lush Situation, will be out in January and then the third book will be out in the spring. No, I don’t have a title chosen yet. Still hemming and hawing.

Now back to the topic: there’s a been a lot of brouhaha on Twitter and to a lesser extent on Facebook and other outlets about the madness that is sock puppets, i.e. fake accounts to . Now obviously, as someone who uses a nom de plume (actually two) I can understand having multiple accounts (I do not use them to puff up my reviews!). I know lots of people who are active in pagan life in dangerously closed minded areas or who are political activists who need to shield their real life details.

We’re really talking about something far more nefarious here; and it’s only part of the problem. Paying for positive reviews is one of the latest new phenomena that just amazes me. As a writer who pines for more reviews (please!) I can understand the desire for them, but you know, I’d like to be able to earn mine.

As the Guardian says,

 Undeniably, they represent the latest stimulating chapter in the rather agonised history of book reviewing (read Orwell on the subject, and Edmund Wilson, and Cyril Connolly, and James Wood …) The ones most to be trusted, however, are perhaps more likely to be found on smaller, more specialised sites than Amazon – Goodreads and Librarything, for example (and hopefully among the Guardian’s reader reviews too). Yes, online anonymity will always raise problems, and no one can ensure, with this kind of reviewing, that what the New York Times calls “the sacred arm’s-length relationship between reviewer and author” is being preserved. But there are book communities and book communities, and it surely pays to choose carefully where you read and write your reviews.

I don’t know; there’s still ten billion reviews for best sellers and few for the rest of us small press folks. It seems more difficult than ever to get the ear of the reading public. And the weight of horrid, ill-informed and just nasty reviews seems deadening. Do you read reviews? Do you write reviews? Why or why not?

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, Emotions, erotic romance, Kit Marlowe, Marketing, New Release, Romance suspense, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Blue Moon and Its Influence

Blue Moon over Kobe, Japan taken by Daisuke Tomiyasu

A Blue Moon occured on Friday, Aug. 31st.  I hope many of you took time to enjoy it.  For some the Moon has distinctively romantic implications.  Moonlight enhances romance, and lovers love the full moon.  Somehow moonlight makes everything more magical.

The blue moon occurs rarely.  A blue moon is the second full moon in a single month.  And usually it is not blue.

Blue Moon celebration in Athens, Greece

A full moon may have effects on humanity.  It’s been said by evening cops, psychiatric staff and emergency room personnel, that when there’s a full moon crazy things happen.  It may influence more than the tides.

And of course, there are the werewolves.  It’s an extra party-time for them. And if all werewolves looked like Joe Manganiello of True Blood, would we care?

This final photo of the many being posted around the world seems just that little bit more paranormal.   Ah, I feel inspired.  I wonder how many poets, song writers, and authors have been entranced into words under the influence of the moon.

Blue Moon seen through tree branches in Skopje, Macedonia

What has the influence been on you?

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Characters, Emotions, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, True Blood, What A Writer Needs, What inspires you?

Meet Jake Carrington by Marian Lanouette

What I’m reading this week. Shattered Star by Kimberly K. Fox.

Today I’m introducing Jake to the world. Please leave a comment and make him feel welcome.

Personality:  A pleasant, likeable man with an easy smile, it isn’t until you look into his eyes that you see the cop. He’s honest. Works ridiculous hours to solve a case, and has put away a few dirty cops in his time on the force. His love of the outdoors shows on his face. In his off-hours you can catch him boating, snowboarding, skiing and hiking. He’s a well-built ruggedly, athletic, handsome man.

Age:        31

Height:     6’1″

Weight:     175 lbs.

Birthplace: Wilkesbury, Connecticut

Eye color:  Bottle Green

Hair color: Reddish Brown

Occupation: Homicide Lieutenant

Wealth:     Very comfortable, from investments and an inheritance.

History:    Chose his career after a tragedy in his teens.

Siblings:   A sister who was raped and murdered at the age of fifteen. His guilt over Eva’s death has never left Jake.

Inspiration: His father who was a Captain in the Wilkesbury Police Department.

Birthdate:   April 23rd

Skills:      Marksman, puzzles, persistent

Fears:       When a case can’t be solved.

Dreams:     He would love to have what his friend and partner Louie Romanelli has, but can’t see how he can manage career and family.

Dislikes:    Can’t stand pushy women or possessive women. They make him run for the hills.

Food: Pizza, burgers, fish and steak. Loves Sophia Romanelli’s cooking

Offspring:   None

Background:  1st generation Irish-American.

At sixteen, a bright future lay before Jake Carrington. As a star athlete for his high school, he was courted by all the top colleges in the country. The toughest decision Jake needed to make before he chose a college was which sport he wanted to play. He excelled at both baseball and football. Baseball held his heart, but the football scholarships offered were located in better climates.

As captain in the Wilkesbury Police Department his dad garnered respect, but he wanted more for his children, and in Jake’s case he hoped to see his son play pro-ball. All these dreams came crashing down around Jake in the summer of his senior year.

Jake’s sister Eva was brutally raped and murder in the summer by one of Jake’s classmates. Eva and he were close. Never in his young life had he felt such pain. Until that day, Jake didn’t know or understand evil. After accompanying his father to the morgue to identify Eva’s body, Jake swore he would do whatever it took to make sure no one else ever felt the agony he and his family were going through.  It was on that day he decided to become a cop. The guilt never left his mind or his heart. Deep down he felt he caused her death. She had asked for a ride that day. He had refused because he was on his way to his girlfriend’s house. Five minutes. He felt she died because he was too selfish to go five minutes out of his way. Though they were difficult years, He got through them with the help of his friend and now partner Louie Romanelli.

Since Eva’s death Jake had one goal: to be the best homicide detective he could be. His romantic life only consists of casual dates. His job always comes first. That was until Mia Andrews came along.

Recently promoted to lieutenant of the homicide division, he along with Louie try to beat back the frustration as a brutal case involving rape and murder grows cold. This one has hit too close to home for Jake. To make matters worse, he dated the victim’s sister, Chloe Wagner a few times, until she became bossy and possessive. Now she’s stalking Jake and Mia. He and Louie continue to investigate the murder when new evidence turns up; and to Jake’s horror, the evidence points to Chloe Wagner. Did he miss this important evidence the first time around because he was initially attracted to Chloe? Or was someone taunting both him and Chloe?

Link to book trailer

http://youtu.be/DnmqRl-J0co

Filed under: romance

Hungry for The Hunger Games by Gerri Brousseau

Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch The Hunger Games, the movie based on thefirst book in the wildly successful young adult book series. I confess, I have not read the books. Kudos to the author, Suzanne Collins, for the success of the novels and the movie. Bravo. Well done, but as I sat watching this film, I couldn’t help but wonder how much was being left out. The premise of the story is that one male and one female are selected from each of 12 Districts. Being chosen to participate in the “Games” is advertised by those in charge as being a privilege, but in actuality, it’s a death sentence for 23 players. These 24 young adults are placed in the wilderness (which is controlled by people sitting in a master control room) for a period of two weeks. They are to survive by outsmarting, stalking and killing each other because only one can be declared the winner. And it is a fight to the death. Kids ranging in age from what appears to be approximately 8-years old to perhaps age 18, are killing each other. Not only that, those putting on the “games” controlled the environment and often times placed the “players” into additional dangers. Now if that isn’t enough, those in control are televising the games to those in the districts. Every move of the players is scrutinized by strangers, friends and families. The sight of children being slain by others is portrayed in the ongoing program. Every evening announcements are made by way of cannon fire announce the numbers of dead per day.

I know the series was fabulously successful and garnered this movie, but as I sat there watching it I was horrified at the entire premise of it. I guess I’m sequestered from the violence of the world, but this movie left me aghast. It reminded me of Lord of the Flies, sort of.

But I find I’m asking myself questions, which perhaps are addressed in the book, such as why are those in charge keeping those in the districts imprisoned in those districts and why are they starving them? I guess I might have to read the book to find out, but honestly, I don’t know if I can bring myself to do that now that I have seen the movie. I’m sure the book would be more graphic in how the heroine sees the senseless deaths of these youngsters. What attracts a reader to the exposure of the violent nature of human kind. Do you think the portrayal of such violence has any influence on young adults?

Have any of you read the book or seen the movie? Was I the only one horrified by the premise? Do you think it would behoove me to read the novel? Please share your thoughts with me on this.

Filed under: romance

The Many Shades of Writing

There are moments in writing where you just sit down and let it flow, freely and without measure. Maybe what you write will make sense and maybe it won’t but it’s important to get the words on the page. There are also moments when you want to think out each and every word you put down, everything must have a meaning. Titles can be very much like this.

The truth is depending on what we writers are trying to do, we need all sorts or writing. The free flow kind is the best for that first draft. You have a story in your mind and you must get it on paper. After you’ve pour the plot and characters into written form, you can go back and work to slowly tweak them. This doesn’t work for everyone of course. There are some of us who rewrite as we write. It can be a slow going process but these writers can’t stand to see “flaws” in their manuscript. I have been this writer and have a tendency to get stuck in the rewrite when I’m in this mode.

One of the best things about writing is that there is no specific recipe on how to do it. Sure, plotting can help and sure there are certain items one can include to make their story a better story, but nothing is a must. Success in writing can be yours whether you’re a panster or a plotter or whether you write romance or suspense, etc. Basically, the world of writing is not black and white. The world of writing is a world of blurred lines and many shades. And to me, that is a good thing.

So… what does this all mean? It means there are no more excuses as to why any of you out there can’t be great writers. You don’t need to write like Nora Roberts or Dan Brown, you need to write like you and just know how to tell a good story. That’s no easy feat but the sooner you accept that this is an endless craft and journey, the sooner you’ll hit your shade for success.

Happy writing to you all this week!

 

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life