C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 208

At Readercon

I did manage to stop myself today on the panel on "beast men" from blurting out my characterisation of the differences between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Our moderator focused on the open-endedness of the urban fantasy narrative and the centrality of the romantic relationship(s) to the paranormal. My definition was a little different. For me, urban fantasy is what SF people feel they can make fun of, while paranormal romance is what urban fantasy people can make fun of.

Okay, a little harsh, I suppose, but there are such hierarchies of genre. People who really ought to stick together to support all their marginalised genres, instead devolve into in-fighting. The powerless turn on each other and that's how the powerful stay in control.

But enough of politics.

Okay, just one more bit of gender politics. A lot of people on Twitter were forwarding along a quote from Stephen King this week. Apparently he said,

Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend.

Now, I'm no fan of Meyer's stories or the films which my brother has forced me to watch, but the very gendered slam wrapped up in King's quote really grates on me. Setting aside the fact that that's not what it's all about (or that there are troubling things in what it is about), there's a lot to object to in this comment. The denigration of romance as "girly stuff" ignores the fact that most people obsess a great deal of the time over relationships, but somehow only women talk about it or, more germane for us, write and read about it.

Before publishing became controlled by the question of "where will this be shelved?" romance elements were not quite so denigrated in this way. The fact that everyone feels safe sneering at romance shows how that has changed. In the same way that mainstream lit people don't like to think of SF classics as really SF (or people like Margaret Atwood insist they don't write SF), other genre folk feel safe in scoffing at what they think romance is. I did make a point of saying that folks should check out the submission guidelines to see where romance is now – it's not all Barbara Cartland. There's a much wider range of genres within romance (as we all know) that explore a wide variety of adventures and relationships.

It's nothing to be scared of—or shouldn't be.

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, fantasy romance, Fantasy with Romantic Elements, Kit Marlowe, paranormal, paranormal romance, Readers Conference, Readers Conferences, Twilight, vampire books, vampires, Writers Conferences, Writing Topics

Contest & Interview: Meet Hank Phillippi Ryan by Gerri Brousseau

Welcome, Hank, to Nights of Passion.  I would like to take a moment to congratulate you on your recent EMMY win and thank you for agreeing to allow me to interview you.  I have to say I read your website and was quite impressed.  I came up with a few questions which I hope the readers will find helpful and informative.

You have had quite a successful career in television. What inspired you to start writing?

Well, thanks! The way I look at it, I've been writing every day for thirty years.  Telling stories, illustrating conflict, helping the good guys win.  Why did I start writing mysteries? I've always wanted –but I never had a good idea.  Then one day, I got an email, a spam, which intrigued me.   And I thought—maybe it's a secret message.   And ding ding ding—I thought—that's the plot of my mystery!   And from then on, I was obsessed.   That became PRIME TIME, which won the Agatha for  Best First Mystery.   So what inspired me to start writing?   One good idea.   That's all it takes, right?

What are  some of your favorite novels?

Oh, gosh.  The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton.  Winter's Tale, by Mark Helprin.  Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe.  Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe.  Dracula by Bram Stoker.   The Stand by Stephen King.  Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. Way too many to list!

When you first began writing, how did you balance writing with your working career? 

Not well. And I continue to do it "not well."  I work all the time—whether it's at Channel 7 on my reporting or at home on my novels or out on the road doing promotion.  I have a full time job as a reporter, a full time job as a writer, and a full time time job as a book promoter.  And a full time job as a wife!  How I juggle—is never multi-task.  I pick what I'm going to do, and do that.  I attempt not to get distracted.  I have a wonderful cleaning person.  I always take the stairs and walk a lot because my exercise routine is dead in the water.  And we eat a lot of carry-out salmon from Whole Foods.  The last vacation my husband and I took was last March—and before that, I hadn't had a vacation in five years. I used all my vac days to write.  I wouldn't trade a moment!

Do you ever get writer's block? And if so, how do you handle it?

Knocking on wood—no.  After30 years as a Tb reporter, there's no time to "feel the muse."  Can you imagine if I said to my boss—can I be on at ten after six instead of six?  So I just sit in my chair and do the best I can.  If I'm having a bad writing day—and oh, I do—I just resign myself to having a bad day.  I do my words, no matter what.  If they're terrible, I can fix them later.

 Of all the characters you have created, who is your favorite?

No way I can answer that!

What advice do you have for new authors trying to break into the business?

Write the best book you possibly can.  There's not one thing that's more important than that!  If you don't have a good book, there's no amount of savvy promotion or knowledge or connections or blogs or bookmarks or conventions that can help you.  There are no shortcuts, no easy ways, no secrets.  There's just you and your book.  Do that.

You have had many accomplishments in your career.   Which one are you the most proud of?

Oh, you ask the most impossible questions!  I love every one of my Emmys as if it were the first—I look at each one as a secret someone were trying to keep the public from knowing—a secret I got to make public.  My two wonderful Agatha awards—for best first mystery and best short story—are you kidding me?  I almost burst into tears when I see them.  The Anthony and the Macavity—how amazing is that?  And I just finished another book—please keep our fingers crossed—that I wasn't quite sure I could do.  And right now?  I'm thinking that's a pretty huge accomplishment.  When I finished Prime Time, too, I literally burst into tears.  It's amazing when your dreams come true.

You have interviewed Prince Charles, President Carter, Warren Beatty and Muhammad Ali; have you ever been "star struck"?

Yes, of course!  But I know they are just regular people like anyone else, and just want to be understood and admired and respected.  I REALLY do my homework.  I study, study, study.  SO going in knowing my stuff makes a huge difference.

You have 27 Emmys and are a best selling author … so tell us, what's next for Hank Phillippi Ryan?

I have NO idea.  I really don't!  I love my reporting job—it's exciting, and challenging, and incredibly rewarding.  I love my writing job—it's, well, exciting, and challenging and incredibly rewarding.  I'm the poster child for following your dreams, right?  I didn't start writing mysteries until I was 55, six years ago.  So for anyone who is wondering—should I give it a go?  Or is it too late?  I'd say…absolutely go for it.  I'm the perfect example.  My husband and I don't celebrate the anniversary of the day we met.  We celebrate the anniversary of the day BEFORE we met—and we call it "You Never Know Day."  Because you never know what wonderful thing is around threw next corner.  SO when you ask what's next—I smile, and say—you never know.

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet wi th me and for sharing your insight. 

Now dear readers, Hank has offered a signed copy of her latest novel, Prime Time.  In order to get into the running to win, please tell us in your comment why you would love to add this personalized novel to our library.  Good luck. This contest is open to residents of US and Canada.  Void where prohibited by law. Deadline is midnight EST July 16, 2011.

Website: http://www.hankphillippiryan.com/

Filed under: contest, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Interview, romance

Meet Hank Phillippi Ryan

Welcome, Hank, to Nights of Passion.  I would like to take a moment to congratulate you on your recent EMMY win and thank you for agreeing to allow me to interview you.  I have to say I read your website and was quite impressed.  I came up with a few

questions which I hope the readers will find helpful and informative.

You have had quite a successful career in television. What inspired you to start writing?

Well, thanks! The way I look at it, I've been writing every day for thirty years.  Telling stories, illustrating conflict, helping the good guys win.  Why did I start writing mysteries? I've always wanted –but I never had a good idea.  Then one day, I got an email, a spam, which intrigued me.   And I thought—maybe it's a secret message.   And ding ding ding—I thought—that's the plot of my mystery!   And from then on, I was obsessed.   That became PRIME TIME, which won the Agatha for  Best First Mystery.   So what inspired me to start writing?   One good idea.   That's all it takes, right?

              What are some of your favorite novels?

Oh, gosh.  The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton.  Winter's Tale, by Mark Helprin.  Look Homeward Angel by Thomas Wolfe.  Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe.  Dracula by Bram Stoker.   The Stand by Stephen King.  Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. Way too many to list!

When you first began writing, how did you balance writing with your working career? 

Not well. And I continue to do it "not well."  I work all the time—whether it's at Channel 7 on my reporting or at home on my novels or out on the road doing promotion.  I have a fulltime job as a reporter, a full time job as a writer, and a fulltime time job as a book promoter.  And a full time job as a wife!  How I juggle—is never multi-task.  I pick what I'm going to do, and do that.  I attempt not to get distracted.  I have a wonderful cleaning person.  I always take the stairs and walk a lot because my exercise routine is dead in the water.  And we eat a lot of carry-out salmon from Whole Foods.  The last vacation my husband and I took was last March—and before that, I hadn't had a vacation in five years. I used all my vac days to write.  I wouldn't trade a moment!

Do you ever get writer's block? And if so, how do you handle it?

Knocking on wood—no.  After30 years as a Tb reporter, there's no time to "feel the muse."  Can you imagine if I said to my boss—can I be on at ten after six instead of six?  So I just sit in my chair and do the best I can.  If I'm having a bad writing day—and oh, I do—I just resign myself to having a bad day.  I do my words, no matter what.  If they're terrible, I can fix them later.

            Of all the characters you have created, who is your favorite?

No way I can answer that!

What advice do you have for new authors trying to break into the business?

Write the best book you possibly can.  There's not one thing that's more important than that!  If you don't have a good book, there's no amount of savvy promotion or knowledge or connections or blogs or bookmarks or conventions that can help you.  There are no shortcuts, no easy ways, no secrets.  There's just you and your book.  Do that.

            You have had many accomplishments in your career.   Which one are you the most proud of?

Oh, you ask the most impossible questions!  I love every one of my Emmys as if it were the first—I look at each one as a secret someone were trying to keep the public from knowing—a secret I got to make public.  My two wonderful Agatha awards—for best first mystery and best short story—are you kidding me?  I almost burst into tears when I see them.  The Anthony and the Macavity—how amazing is that?  And I just finished another book—please keep our fingers crossed—that I wasn't quite sure I could do.  And right now?  I'm thinking that's a pretty huge accomplishment.  When I finished Prime Time, too, I literally burst into tears.  It's amazing when your dreams come true.

            You have interviewed Prince Charles, President Carter, Warren Beatty and Muhammad Ali; have you ever been "star struck"?

Yes, of course!  But I know they are just regular people like anyone else, and just want to be understood and admired and respected.  I REALLY do my homework.  I study, study, study.  SO going in knowing my stuff makes a huge difference.

You have 27 Emmys and are a best selling author … so tell us, what's next for Hank Phillippi Ryan?

I have NO idea.  I really don't!  I love my reporting job—it's exciting, and challenging, and incredibly rewarding.  I love my writing job—it's, well, exciting, and challenging and incredibly rewarding.  I'm the poster child for following your dreams, right?  I didn't start writing mysteries until I was 55, six years ago.  So for anyone who is wondering—should I give it a go?  Or is it too late?  I'd say…absolutely go for it.  I'm the perfect example.  My husband and I don't celebrate the anniversary of the day we met.  We celebrate the anniversary of the day BEFORE we met—and we call it "You Never Know Day."  Because you never know what wonderful thing is around threw next corner.  SO when you ask what's next—I smile, and say—you

never know.

           Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me and for sharing your insight. 

Now dear readers, Hank has offered a signed copy of her latest novel, Prime Time.  In order to get into the running to win, please tell us in your comment why you would love to add this personalized novel to our library.  Good luck.

Filed under: romance

Harry and Me–The Midnight Show

I'm a maniac when it comes to midnight shows.  I've been to the Star Wars ones and the Star Trek ones and the Lord of the Rings ones and the Harry Potter ones.  If you're reading this, I am in line or watching the final movie or unconscious.  LOL It depends when you read this.   I have Friday off from my day job so I'll be sleeping in or attending a Fae party online or kickboxing.  Again it depends when you stop by Nights of Passion.  LOL and falls down giggling uncontrollably.

As my Sorting Hat would say, "Grummble mumbbbble hie."  Okay, so it needs new batteries.  It just put me in Slytherin House again.  We know that has to be wrong.  It's getting new batteries.

Why do I participate in this madness?  Um, um.  Don't you know we're all mad here.  Mad I say,"  as she rides off on Neil Patrick Harris's unicorn from "Harold and Kumar".  (I mean really doesn't everyone have a unicorn.)

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: romance

Helping Other Writers: Book Trailers and More

Today I engaged on a personal experiment.    Let's see if I get it right.  If not, there's always next time.

The recommendations in this video are purely opinion and recognizes that one person's experience with a product may be different that another person.  The maker of this video and Susan Hanniford Crowley are thereby not responsible for the decisions of others.  Be an informed consumer.

Suzannah Safi's Book Trailer Design company http://www.design.suzannahsafi.com/

Microsoft Live Movie Maker 2011

http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker?os=other

Dropbox

http://www.dropbox.com/

Jennifer Fusco's Market or Die

http://jennifer-fusco.com/market.html

I've put these links here for your investigation, so you can use them in your research and make an informed choice.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

P.S. For a splash of fun, I've guest blogged over at FF&P on writing deep characters.  Come visit and comment.

http://ffnp.blogspot.com/2011/07/look-deep-into-soul-of-your-character.html

Filed under: Characters, Helping Other Writers, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Writing Topics

Pain in the Neck

Bet you thought I was going to complain about editing or writing. But nope! I woke up this morning and literally have the worst crick in the neck that I've ever had. Talk about feeling useless and it just seems like such a stupid thing to have happen. But here I am, lying down for the day with my trusty laptop on my stomach. All I can think is that it's a good thing I have the keys of this keyboard memorized and there's no need to look at them.

But that's not what I want to focus on despite the title of this blog. Of course it got me thinking and I realized that I took my neck for granted and obviously didn't pay any attention to it when it was a bit sore the other day. Then it got me thinking about everything else I take for granted.

In the writing profession there is so much rejection and doubt that many times we spend countless hours concentrating on everything we need. We need to improve our

craft, we need to send out queries to entice agents or publishers, we need to

get published because that will hopefully open doors to more success and then

we can dedicate more time to writing. But then some of that happens and we need

to spend time marketing and we need to build a better website and… I think you

get the point.

But maybe some of the time we should concentrate more on the stuff we already have or what we've already achieved.  For instance, you've finished a manuscript. Or

you can't believe the difference between your first written work and your

current written work. Perhaps you receive quite a bit of support from your

family or friend network.  Maybe you've received a contract or already published a book. Or maybe you retained an agent. Either way, these are all goals to be proud of. All things that should never be taken for granted.

So the next time you catch yourself telling yourself everything you need, add in a bit of what you have and what you've achieved. You're a writer, you're strong and you're persistent. Don't let the have nots get in your way.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

I have inherited the Paranormal-Scope from Mason. I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets. But I am linked into the paranormal in the world.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Lost in the woods and the wolves are howling?  Sit tight, help is on its way.

Taurus

You've earned a vacation, and the vampires call you to play.  Party on!

Gemini

You know what's right for you, so don't listen to the whispering of ghosts.

Cancer

Working with a werewolf isn't all bad.  Learn the rules of the pack, and you'll do okay.

Leo

The elves are willing to share secrets with you.  You'll need to listen to get the whole picture.

Virgo

Digging up a treasure takes time and patience.

Libra

Time travel may be your key.  Leave the past behind and look to the future.

Scorpio

Speak softly to the gnomes.  They are in power this week.

Sagittarius

Goblins are the best when it comes to saving money.  Learn by their example.

Capricorn

Enjoy the ride on the ghost ship. Emotions will change like the wind.  Don't get involved.

Aquarius

Take the high road and be positive.  The low road is infested with tribbles anyway.

Pisces

Running very fast, won't get you very far.  Like Alice, slow down and join the party.

Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

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

I am a Bad Habit

We do always hope that our prose is intoxicating and our stories addictive, but we are really talking about metaphorically! But apparently romance is just too dangerous a drug to be trusted. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the news story I read this week in the Guardian with the provocative headline, "Mills & Boon blamed for sexual health problems."

Uh huh. Yeah, that's right: the biggest seller of romance titles in the world, Harlequin/Mills & Boon is just a big pusher trying to ruin your life.

Blaming romance novels for unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancies, unrealistic sexual expectations and relationship breakdowns, author and psychologist Susan Quilliam says that "what we see in our consulting rooms is more likely to be informed by Mills & Boon than by the Family Planning Association", advising readers of the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care that "sometimes the kindest and wisest thing we can do for our clients is to encourage them to put down the books – and pick up reality".

Okay, it's really just another attempt to slam women who read and write romance. Like the LDS "Life Coach" who claimed that women were "unbalanced" by romance, it's another sensational pile of hogwash disguised as "concern" about women. In our childlike simplicity, we're just not capable of distinguishing between fantasy and reality. Poor lost souls! I feel a fainting spell coming on.

Right.

Of course, the scholar in question refers to 70s era classic Mills & Boon bodice-rippers as her "evidence" for this. Yes, books from decades ago: obviously nothing has changed in the forty or so years since then. Or has it?

While Quilliam admits that more recent Mills & Boon novels are truer to life, with female characters holding jobs and addressing challenges such as disability and domestic violence, as well as enjoying "many and varied" sexual activities, "still a deep strand of escapism, perfectionism and idealisation runs through the genre".

Shock! Shock! Because I'm sure that's not a problem in any other genre! Why, there are no elements of "escapism, perfectionism and idealisation" in — oh let's say — superhero narratives or spy novels or military thrillers (you know, the genres generally perceived as appealing to male readers). There's no crazy, unrealistic and condom-free sex in books made to appeal to the boys!

No, it's only women who must have a finger shaken (not stirred!) at them and told to be good and realistic and above all, not to image wild and improbable sex. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Nah, me either.

[by the way, if you're at Readercon next weekend see you there!]

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, historical romance, Kit Marlowe, paranormal romance, romance, What inspires you?, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

The Bucket List

This past week I celebrated my birthday and I couldn't help but giving some thought to my mortality.  I started to imagine how my life would change and what I would do if I knew I only had a matter of months to live … ergo the infamous "bucket" list came to mind.  Yes, I could jot down the things I would like to see and do before I dep art this life, and I know the list would be extensive, but then I started to think, why is it always about me?  This gave me pause.  What would I do if I knew I only had six months to live?  Would I change the way I behaved toward others?  What could I do to make a difference, to be a better friend, wife, mother or employee?  Who would remember me for giving a word of kindness, a helping hand, encouragement to a friend.  I thought about forgiveness, both giving it and getting it, and I thought about being a blessing in other's lives.   So now I have a new list.  Oh, I still have the old one listing fabulous places I would like to see and wonders I would like to witness, but now I also have a second list that begins with thanking those who have made a difference to me and have been a blessing in my life and then listing ways I could pay that forward.  Now, I am mindful of what I say recalling my dear departed mother's words, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."   I will admit, sometimes I have a bit of a problem keeping quiet, but I am working on it.

Although the creative exercise of writing the first list is fun, somehow the second list has taken preference.  The good news is if you are generous with your smiles, slow to speak but quick to listen, you won't have to wait until you have passed away to discover how much you mean to those whose lives you touch.  Remember, when you are departed from this life, you will not be measured by how much you loved, but rather by how much you were loved.

So, take out a piece of paper (or two) and a pen and start your lists today.  Here are a few of things from my  list:  get my novels published; thank those who have helped me along the way; visit the lands of my ancestors; be thankful for the wisdom of those who have gone before me and try to impart this to the next generation; stand beneath the northern lights; and be a light in someone's life.  These are some of the things on my lists.  What's on your list?

Gerri Brousseau

Filed under: Bucket List, Gerri Brousseau

A Great Week, True Blood & Vampire Awareness Month

Okay, I keep finding out great things.  Yesterday was National Chocolate Day and National Mac and Cheese Day.  They both deserve a month.  Don't you think so?

It's also Vampire Awareness Month.   Now what does that mean?  I'm willing to investigate.

Okay, as far as I understand it several bloggers decided to blog for the entire month about vampires mostly about the movies, tv  shows, and about classic books.  If you were to include all vampire books, well then there would be a Vampire Awareness Year.  LOL

Hmmm.  This tickles me.  Vampire Awareness Month–perhaps the idea was really planted by a vampire.  They say they want to maintain their privacy, but they enjoy the limelight where they can show off.   So I'm going to take this further.

Those dedicated to Vampire Awareness will do the following to respect their privacy:

1. Eat pizza — a lot — with garlic.

2. Avoid nightclubs, for that matter all music venues where they like to hang out.

3. Wear silver –Oh, excuse me.  I've just been informed by a reliable source that silver does absolutely nothing.

4. Cover cuts with bandages.  I've been informed by that same reliable source again that you're too tempting otherwise.

5.  Watch True Blood.  That's what I'll be doing on Sunday night.

Apparently Vampire David Hilliard is back from his vacation, and the Vampires in Manhattan are planning a party.  I asked him if it really was Vampire Awareness Month.  He laughed and said, "Hell of a great reason to celebrate!"

Party on, everyone!  See I told you it was a great week.

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley, author of the Vampires in Manhattan series

P.S.  If you missed the wonderful crocheted dolls of the characters from True Blood, just scroll down.

Filed under: Characters, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, True Blood, vampire books, vampire movies, vampire television, vampires, What are you watching?