C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 184

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 week ahead for:

Aries

One orc too many has bummed you out.  Remember stay out of the dark.  Sunshine will lighten your heart.

Taurus

An elf thinks you're great and will enchant you in a way you never imagined.

Gemini

Hobbits are wonderful cooks.  Enjoy the feast and their fine company.

Cancer

Leprechauns are responsible for the good luck coming your way.

Leo

A dragon will challenge you to new heights.  Don't fear the roar.  He's cheering you on.

Virgo

Eagles are gathering to defend you.  Sit back and learn.

Libra

Ents are calling you back to nature.  Plan a trip to a park or a beach to absorb the sunshine.

Scorpio

A vampire gave you some ill advice.  Be careful during this time.

Sagittarius

Shapeshifters love your demeanor and invite you to join their pack.

Capricorn

If one werewolf has fleas, they all do.  Spring cleaning has come early this year.

Aquarius

Fairy folk are following you.  The interest is in your gifts that are shining through.

Pieces

The sea dragon is a benevolent creature.  He offers you a ride and the chance to see new places.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

A Romantic Spot

by C. Margery Kempe

From Ireland

First a little news: some good coverage of my publisher for Man City, Tirgearr, in the Irish Publishing News and also at the London Book Fair. The perks of being the first all digital Irish fiction house. Hope that will give a boost to sales!

Here's a lovely spot to spark some story ideas: Kylemore Abbey was originally a castle for a family, then became an abbey and school. There's a love story behind it, too. As the website tells us,

The Castle was built by Mitchell and Margaret Henry from 1867 – to 1871. Before the arrival of the Henry's, Connemara was a popular destination for hunting and fishing and Mitchell Henry became one of the growing number of Irish and English gentlemen who visited Connemara during the fishing season. Tradition has it that the couple visited Connemara while on their honeymoon and were enchanted by the beauty of the landscape. It was the couple's wish someday to own a home there and it is said that during those visits, the Henry's rented Kylemore Lodge, the original building on the site where they later built Kylemore Castle.

The beautiful castle was a terrific gift for a beloved wife; unfortunately, she only got to enjoy it for a few years before succumbing to an illness while traveling in Egypt. To honour her memory, Mitchell built a church and masoleum for Margaret:

From Ireland

This very beautiful Gothic Church was built by Mitchell Henry in the memory of his beloved wife Margaret Henry who died only fours years after the castle was constucted. The Church was designed by Architect James Franklin Fuller who also designed the famous Ashford Castle in Cong, Co.Mayo. Work began on the church in 1877 but it was not completed until 1881.

It's very lovely on the inside, too. The mausoleum is a much plainer affair, which I found surprising. Of course my favourite part was the gardens: even with spring barely sprung (and lambs in the hills everywhere, so cute!) the grounds are lovely. I expect I'll have a chance to see them later in the year with other visitors and will be wowed.

From Ireland







From Ireland







From Ireland

Click on any of the tags to see more of my photos from Ireland.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Gothic, historical romance, inspiration, Kit Marlowe, medieval, romance, Romantic Places, Settings, What inspires you?, Writing Topics

Playing the Waiting Game by Gerri Brousseau

As many of you may recall from my blog post, "An Unexpected Visitor" (http://wp.me/prBca-1T2) in January regarding the doubt monster, I had recently submitted queries to several publishers.  Since that time, I have received an email asking for my full manuscript for consideration to one of these publishers.  Their email said they enjoyed reading the first three chapters which they required as an attachment with the query, and asked for a full submission.  Needless to say, I was excited and sent them the requested materials that day.  I then received an email from them telling me they received my materials, and that I would be hearing from them in approximately four weeks.  If you are a writer, you know just because someone expressed some interest and asked for your complete manuscript, it does not mean they will offer a contract.  I'm thrilled to have my work being considered for publication, but now my stomach is in knots as the waiting game begins.

Have you ever been in this position?  If not, let me tell you that the butterflies in my stomach feel as if they are moving as fast as humming birds.  I have read that the best thing to do is to begin a new work while waiting to hear back from editors, agents or publishers.  This is easier said than done.  The nervous energy makes it nearly impossible for me to keep my butt in the chair.  When I do manage to force myself to sit before the computer, my fingers seem to tremble over the keys, and I find I'm tapping my foot or giggling my leg.

In an attempt to get my mind off the submission, I decided to take the pugs for a walk.  Did that work … are you kidding me?  I decided to read and have read two novels in the span of one week! That was a temporary fix.

Ok, one week has passed and I'm starting to calm down – sort of.  My fingernails are bitten to the nubs, the butterflies have taken up residence in my stomach, are now the size of Monarchs, and seem to be dancing and Irish Jig.  I can just about sit long enough to get this blog written, but begin a new work … not likely as yet, and I'm still giggling my leg.

Have you ever played the waiting game and if you have, how did you handle it? What did you do to get the butterflies in your stomach to fly in formation so you could actually move forward with your next work?

Filed under: romance

What A Writer Needs, Part 3 – The Importance of Beverages

LOL  After reading about the world's oldest profession, I really need a stiff whipped cream hot cocoa.

You probably think I'm joking, but it is vital that in creating your writing space that you consider what beverages you will be bringing into it with you.  What calms you?  What riles you up?  What inspires you?

If you're a morning writer, it could be the perfect cup of coffee.

Or you may enjoy tea.  I know I do and I frequently bring a cup of white leaf tea with me.

Cocoa is with me on cold blustery nights.

Now the beverages serve a purpose more than a boost.  It could establish the setting of your story.

A mint julep for a tale of the deep South.  A red wine for a vampire tale.   Honey mead for a Viking saga.  I think you're getting the idea.  What drink would your main character drink?  Share a drink with them and get into their head, heart, and in the mood.

On the way home from my day job, I passed Hosmer Mountain which makes delicious sodas.  Their sign advertised Chocolate Cream Soda.  Oooooooh.  Yum.  Now which of my characters would drink that.  See the fun you can have with beverages.  It doesn't stop.  This is going to make you laugh.  Just for kicks, list all the characters in your story or book and beside each name put their beverage of choice.  Fun!  Revealing!  Were you surprised?

Bing!  No, not the search engine.  That's my microwave oven going off.  That means my hot water for my cocoa is done.  Grab a cup and have some.  Whipped cream?  Of course, you want some.  Cyber whipped cream is zero calories.  Take a sip.  Cyber cocoa is always just right.  The nectar of the gods.  I'll have to research again the history of chocolate.

So what beverage are you taking into your sacred writing area?

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

 

Filed under: Helping Other Writers, Susan Hanniford Crowley, What A Writer Needs

The World's Oldest Profession by Gerri Brousseau

I recently saw a story on Nightline about paid male escorts – yes ladies and gentlemen "gigolos."  Apparently, in the states of California, Nevada, Texas, New York and Florida it is not against the law as long as there is no mention of sex or payment for sex.  The reporter interviewed the owner of the business profiled and asked him if sex was involved.  He replied, "not to my knowledge," but, he added, "if there is sex and money changes hands behind closed doors …."

The men they showed looked like Gods.  The service advertises them as "the perfect boyfriend" because these guys are handsome, attentive, polite, cultured, and man were they built!  The cost? $500 per hour, of which the escort gets 80%.  That's $400 per hour, and he hasn't even gone to law school!

One of the women interviewed was an attractive business woman who paid $2000 for a 4-hour date.  When the reporter asked her why she used this service she said she works a lot and is too busy for a relationship.  A second woman was featured in the interview.  She was the CEO of a company, 34-years old and overweight.  This CEO said she has been struggling with her weight for years but since she started using the escort service, she has lost weight at a steady rate.  She said this is because every time she loses 5-pounds, she rewards herself with a $1000 date with one of these escorts.

They showed a clip from "American Gigolo" and I have to say, even Richard Gere at his prime didn't hold a candle to the men featured in this program.  Even Dermot Mulroney "The Wedding Date" paled.

I know this profession has been going on a very long time, thus the name "The World's Oldest Profession" but were male escorts as popular as female escorts?  With women becoming CEOs of large corporations, doctors and attorneys, do you think the male/female roles have completely reversed?  And more than that … do you think the IRS would allow me to deduct the fee under the guise of research?????

Filed under: romance

How to Write a Novel (or Novella)

Okay, so I've decided to tackle a big subject in the most basic of ways. This blog is by no means an instruction manual, but I do remember very clearly what it was like to have this idea in my head and to sit down and decide that I was going to write a book. Quite frankly, I'm going through this process again as I start a new novella. I've got the idea but what next? Here is my take on the process.

1)      Idea Formation. Think of an artist chiseling out a statue or an ice sculpture. By now you've either heard of the plotters or the pansters. One group plots and another group doesn't. Neither is bad, just different. Some writers need to organize every detail beforehand, while others need to get to know their characters and story as they go along. Some start by writing a blurb or synopsis in order to chart out how their story will go.

2)      Write. For many authors, this will be the easiest part of the process. Nothing needs to be perfect now, you just let the words (in however combination they come) flow out of you. You're telling your story in the simplest way possible, the bare bones.

3)      Rewrite. This portion of the process is the longest and most involved. I usually divide it up into the following sections:

Revise and Embellish. This is pretty much you reading your work over and adding in the details (description, grammar, flow, rhythm, etc.)
Review and Critique. A scary step. Take that manuscript and have someone else read it (always a good practice but even more so for beginners). Let them tear it to shreds and accept the fact that this step might require you to make some big changes.  Also, make sure you evaluate the suggestions based on the story you want to tell. Not all changes are necessary or warranted.
Repeat steps (a) and (b) until you are happy with your manuscript.

So I made this pretty simple but if you've ever tried writing before, you'll realize the task is far from simple. Still, the deeper you get into writing, the more you learn and the more complicated it can all seem. Sometimes it is best to take a step back and look at it in a more simplistic way; otherwise, you'll overwhelm yourself and find yourself stuck. Good luck to you and happy writing this week!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, What inspires you?, Writing Topics

Do Romance Authors Have Sex by Leia Shaw

I had a conversation recently with a friend I hadn't seen in a while who had just read my first two books and wanted to know if I had more. The first thing she said, after assuring me she loved them, was, "As I'm reading I can't help but wonder if the sex scenes are from real life." As in my life.

Whoooaaaa.

Now I'm a happily married thirty year old woman. It shouldn't be a surprise that I enjoy sex with my husband. That, however, has nothing to do with my books. Do you have sex that includes blood drinking, rolling around on a cave floor, hours of foreplay, multiple orgasms, and a geyer-like explosion of pleasure at the end with a man who looks like Antonio Banderas, says all the right things, touches all the right places, and cares only about your pleasure? Don't answer that. I might get jealous.

But I don't know if I want my friends picturing my husband and I doing the dirty (sometimes literally as I have a thing for outdoor sex in my books). First of all, I'm no supermodel gymnast with porn star moves and skin that tastes like honey. My husband is handsome, but his sweat doesn't glisten over sun-tanned skin bulging with muscle. And if we had sex like my supernatural characters, someone would likely pull a muscle (if not end up in the ER).

Trust me. My books are fiction.

What I will tell you is, I can describe orgasms because I've had them. I can write true love because I've experienced it. I have yet to be bitten by a vampire but I did have an erotic dream about it once. Close enough. I can depict a deep connection between two individuals because I've felt it. And I can write an HEA because I have one.

So do romance authors have sex? I can't answer for everybody but I do! Like everything else, it isn't always perfect. But that's not the point. They call it "making love" for a reason.

Filed under: romance

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

We're entering a cycle of love. 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 week ahead for:

Aries

A new friend who is a lot like a dragon, loud and sometimes clumsy, will come to your aid.

Taurus

A pixie has brushed your home with pixie dust.  Enjoy the lovely feeling of peace.

Gemini

Vampires know where hidden knowledge is locked away.  Wear garlic.

Cancer

A centaur walks with you through the dark forest.  The moonlight is enchantment.

Leo

Werewolves howl in key.  Good thing.  Good food and good music are coming your way.

Virgo

Fire salamanders will keep your home and heart warm.  Invite friends over.

Libra

Shapeshifters share the secret of reshaping your heart.  Let more love in.  People are waiting to meet you.

Scorpio

A temple cat purrs and runs to pursue the vermin close to you.  You are protected.

Sagittarius

Mermaids are champion swimmers.  They take to a place where your heart can be free.

Capricorn

Three blind mice are not really blind.  Listen to the thoughts of others.

Aquarius

Elves share a song with you, and your heart will sing all week.  Your cheer will be shared by others.

Pieces

One you thought of as a sea monster is not a monster at all.  Enjoy the depths of sharing.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Speaking Erotically

A colleague invited me to speak on campus at NUIG for Shag Week. Or rather she suggested to the English Society, a student organisation, that they invite me — and they did! I thought this was rather nice. Of course they had to use the Fabio cover for the poster — rather lurid, but apparently effective as we had a pretty good crowd on a Friday night, in fact a crowd that included men as well as women.

I've put a copy of my talk in PDF format online. It gives a flavour of the conversation, but not surprisingly I improvised a lot from these bare bones. Themes included how "romance" has gone from meaning "adventures" in the Middle Ages to a very strict — and much maligned — marketing term in the late 20th/early 21st centuries. So I spoke a bit about how the genre developed from the success of Woodiwiss' The Flame and The Flower and the era of Fabio covers to what it looks like today. I used Harlequin's own submissions page to show how "formula" (the assumption everyone makes about romance) will not work and the only absolute restriction is the HEA or HFN ending requirement.

I took great pleasure in talking about the Bad Sex Literary Awards. With a little help from Donne and Shakespeare, I tried to explain how the literary impulse toward metaphor seldom worked in describing sex. Why romance writers succeed rests on their ability to use sex as a way to reveal character. I briefly went through the five senses talking about the power in the ones often overlooked.

There were oodles of questions afterward. Some folks wanted recommendations of things to read, others wanted to know more about the writing process — and yes, I was asked about where I get my inspiration! I was interviewed for the paper; it always makes me nervous as I've yet to be quoted accurately ever by any newspaper. Fingers crossed.

I got a nice box of chocolates and gave away a lot of promo postcards (fortunately the ones for Four Play arrived that day). Time to order some more! Afterward we went to the pub, had some pizza and beer, then played some wacky board game. A good night out! Thanks English Society, thanks Frances!

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, Discussion, erotic romance, inspiration, Interview, Kit Marlowe, Recommended Books, romance, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Nights of Passion's 3rd Birthday Celebration and Contest

Important Note:  Today is the debut of Nights of Passion YA Blog!  Please, drop by them as well as they have a debuting author with a contest too.  See the Nights of Passion YA blog. Celebrating Nights of Passion's 3rdBirthday with a Contest by Fire Glass Artist Jaclyn Sinkewicz

Pink Polka Dotted Heart that will be put on a black silk cord necklace for our winner!

Welcome, everyone, to our celebration. On St. Valentine's Day 2009, Nights of Passion blog was born. To celebrate, we've invited back Fire Glass Artist Jaclyn Sinkewicz, who has made a gorgeous heart necklace for our very special contest.

Welcome, Jaclyn. Please, tell us why you chose to be a Lampwork Glass Artist.

Its more of an addiction than a choice truthfully! When you start melting glass in a torch you get mesmerized, and sucked in. It just get's you! One day you realize you're having withdrawals when you haven't played with fire in a few days. I have been lampworking for more than 10 years now. I could not imagine my life without it.

What kind of items have you made out of glass?

I make smaller items out of glass, including wine stoppers, jewelry, appetizer forks, cheese knives, rings, small sculpture, miniature blown vessels and more! I love making lots of beads. I make beads of any size shape and color. Beads for jewelry makers, beads that are cored with silver, or other colored metals, and beads that fit onto those fancy Italian bead bracelets. (You know the ones that start with a "P" or a "C" or a "T" and others I can't mention.)

Can you show us the process?

Here is a video that shows a lot of different types of my work, and the process I normally use. I use long rods of glass and melt them around a metal rod in a torch flame. I LOVE playing with fire!

What do you enjoy most about glass art?

I love the flow, and the control you can achieve with hot glass by working it in the flame. But I think more so, I love the effects you can get out of may types of glass by simply changing the amount of oxygen you put in the flame. I love the mystery of playing with glass that changes as you work it. Sometimes its so beautiful when you finally take it out of the kiln hours after you initially started it, and just say "wow. I made that?" Its pretty cool.

Where can someone find your pieces for sale?

In Connecticut I have glass art, jewelery and beads at Artsake Gallery in Tolland CT, This is also my studio. http://www.artsakeframing.com/

I also have beads, jewelry and more at Beads shop, and Paper and Reed Fine art and gifts, both in Vernon. I will soon have work in New Haven, and Gales Ferry in March. I also do a number of art and craft shows throughout the year. Check my website for updates details, and directions.

Occasionally I list items for sale online as well, on Etsy, Artfire or Zibbit. I always post links on my website, when I list anything. I am always open to custom orders of beads, and other items. It it one of my main sources of sales. E-mail me for more info and questions on anything.

You also teach courses. Please, tell us where.

I teach locally at Artsake Gallery in Tolland CT. Once you catch the bug its hard to stop! That is the only warning I am going to give you!

I think it is very important to give back to the lampworking community, and the art community in general. For any of you who already know your way around the torch or know someone who does I have a few tutorials on my website as well. Here is a video tutorial of one of my newest and favorite techniques!

More information on learning to lampwork is on my website.

www.FireGlassBeads.com

Now for the contest. It ends on Sunday, Feb. 19th at midnight EST. To enter, visit Jaclyn's site http://www.FireGlassBeads.com , click on a Gallery, and name one of the pieces she has made in the Nights of Passion comment box. Only one person can win. The prize is a (heart) on a black cord necklace made especially for this contest on Nights of Passion. Only US and Canadian Residents are eligible to enter this contest. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck, everyone.

Thank you, Jaclyn, for visiting Nights of Passion!

–Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: contest, Fire Glass Beads Artists, Jaclyn Sinkewicz, romance