Susan Hanniford Crowley's Blog: From Nights of Passion Blog, page 241

Lost in Words, What Would You Do? by Gerri Brousseau

In the spring I started to write a contemporary romance, something new for me since I generally write historical romance. It was moving along at a good clip and my beta reader loved it. She said the story was good and the writing was tight. I also felt this was my best writing to date.

Then I got invited to participate in writing for a special project. I put my contemporary on the back burner and dove in, head first, to writing for the special project. The words for the new work flowed and that project came into being in no time flat. I was very pleased with the way it turned out, but what happened next was perplexing. I picked up on the contemporary again. I read it from the beginning to get the flow of the story back, but I got nothing. I sat before the computer, with my fingers upon the keyboard staring at a blank page with the cursor blinking and . . . still nothing. Someone once told me to just put words on the page because you can always go back and edit, but you can’t edit a blank page. Still the words that were coming out were, well, crap that even edits couldn’t save.

So now what? Now what happens? How can I get my head back into the story? Take a walk someone said. I did that. It was a lovely, crisp autumn day and I enjoyed the foliage very much, but still had no words. Do something else that you enjoy, said another. So, I made stew, chili, baked bread, apple pie, apple cake, and pumpkin muffins, but still no words flowed. Another suggested doing writing sprint, but that didn’t help either. How can I wrap my brain around that story once again? I’ve apologized to my main characters, but apparently they’re still upset with me for leaving them in the lurch and they refuse to cooperate. 

Has this ever happened to any of you? What did you do to get back on track with your initial story? It’s not really “writer’s block” because I am writing other things. It’s just this particular story. Maybe that’s my answer. Maybe I will just let them be for now and work on another project. What would you do?

Filed under: romance

Our Obsession with Perfection

“I’m a bit of a perfectionist.” I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard these words—in interviews, from my peers, employees or even from my bosses. I’ve probably said it a time or two myself. After a couple children and a few more years under my belt, I have to say that perfection is highly overrated. Quite frankly, I can’t understand our obsession with perfection and despite our majority acceptance of “perfection” in many different aspects of our lives, we also rebel quite a bit, hence movies like Bridget Jones Diary, books like Jemima J (Jane Green), parades that celebrate our differences and straight out protests against unrealistic portrayals of men and women alike.

As you’re reading this, many of you are probably agreeing with what I’m writing. After all, who doesn’t love the “I like you just as you are” line from good ol’ Mark Darcy, eventual love interest of Bridget Jones? And yet, when it comes to our own writing, we strive and expect perfection. I’ll admit that even saying this and even though I know perfection is impossible and not really necessary, this is an area that is really hard to part from. When it comes to writing, I want the best for my readers and even going back to what I have written and published, there is always something I could imagine better, always an area I need to improve and it truly drives me nuts. Then again, I have learned something on this journey, and that is that I will always be able to improve. It may be in the next book or after the next one hundred books, but it’s important to keep working toward a goal of improvement—not so much perfection.

Happy writing this week!

Filed under: romance

Putting Your Books into Print by Mandy Rosko

I was hesitant about putting The Princess’ Dragon Lord into print for the longest time, even though it’s one of my better single title sellers. It didn’t make me tens of thousands of dollars or anything, but it did make sure I got a check in the mail from Amazon every month for a good long while.

It was for that reason that I ultimately chose that book to be translated into German. It was one of my better sellers, and it was short enough that I wouldn’t have to pay a truckload to translate it. The cost was still pretty high by any normal person’s standards, but still more than fair to get a good translation :)

In Germany, the book has almost earned back all the money I spent on it so far, which made me wish I’d taken the time to put it into print as well.

I mean, as if I’d missed that! It felt like such a wasted opportunity, and right now I’m working on getting it up there in print as quickly as possible since ebooks are still just taking off in Germany, and many people love having their books in print, right?

I think the only reason why I never thought about it before was because I’d been trained to think of print books as being on the negative side in the 80/20 rule. 80 percent of work for just 20 percent of earnings, or something like that, anyway.

Now, according to my print royalties, this is very true, I don’t make a lot selling print books, but I have been told by other authors that readers still appreciate having them, and there’s no real telling how many digital copies of certain books that I’ve sold because there was a print price right beside it, making the cheaper ebook price look more alluring.

I guess this is why it feels like such a wasted opportunity, that I didn’t get print out in Germany right away, but I still feel the need to try for it. Even though the book is only a 30,00 word novella, I’ve discovered that a detail like that doesn’t even really matter. Keeping the book pages small enough bumps the page count enough to give it a descent spine, especially when I put in excerpts from other books I have, which I know other authors do to draw attention to their other works.

The spin and back cover for The Princess’ Dragon Lord are ready, and right now I’m just waiting for them to come in PDF so I can upload it. Until then, here’s the JPEG for everyone to see. It’ll look pretty much the same as the german version, I’m just waiting to get the new back blurb translated along with my author bio.

I love it, I think it looks so cool, and I can’t wait for it to be in my hands :3 The next book that up for translation will be Burns Like Fire, which is still in it’s box set, and everyone involved is planning a big marketing push for it since the 99 cent deal will be going away soon for its regular $5.99 price

Kindle: http://amzn.to/WoQs3H

Nook: http://bit.ly/1nLO9PJ

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/book/captured-boxed-set-9-alpha/id916285061?mt=11

Overall I have to say that I’m learning a lot about what can be done by being in this box set. There are so many websites to go to, and so many things to think of that I hadn’t ever really paid attention to before. When I ordered the cover for Burns Like Fire, I hadn’t thought of putting it into print, so I’m going to have to go back to the cover artist eventually and let him know about my change in plans.

Anyway, for more unrelated news, for those of you who bought a copy of Captured, thank you, thank you :) For those who bought and reviewed it, double thanks! I’m really hoping this set can be pushed into the top 100 overall bestseller list on kindle, and everyone who helps out is making that happen.

Cheers ;)

Mandy Rosko

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Captured Box Set is Now Available on Amazon! and Nook!

The Princess’ Dragon Lord is Now Available at Amazon and Nook

Connect with me online:

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Filed under: romance

The Value of Secondary Characters

I don’t know about you, but some of the most fun I get from reading a series is getting to know the secondary characters. Seeing the characters take shape before your eyes as they sneak in and out of the plot of the various books is fun to watch. Sometimes they may play a central part in the book in question and sometimes they may not appear at all. Part of the fun of getting to know these minor characters is trying to figure out when their story will evolve. It’s so satisfying when they get to come out from the edges of the pages and take center stage.

How many times have you been reading a series and been absolutely certain of who the next character will be, only to have the author pull a fast one on you, and write about someone else instead? Your mind was all set to read about the next character and you’re suddenly involved in someone else’s story. The good series authors know how to manipulate their characters—JR Ward, Nora Roberts, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas—and, even though you were salivating for someone else’s story, you find yourself knee-deep in the story of the moment.

My historical Cotillion Ball series is about the nine siblings in the Fitzpatrick family in 1850s America. One at a time, each sibling gets their moment in the sun, and they appear in the other stories, sliding in here and there, giving readers a glimpse of their personalities and what to expect. But because this series spans a number of years when America was young, and takes place in multiple locations, there is a cast of other secondary characters who are not related to the Fitzpatricks. Readers of the first six books have already asked me for stories about some of these characters. Surely, Jake, Raoul, Gaston and Johnny deserve their happy ever after, too, right?

The beauty of a series with many secondary characters is that the story lines can go on and on for years. The world in which the characters roam has been established. Why not make ample use of it? How about you? Which series have you absolutely loved and why? Which characters didn’t get their own story when you thought they deserved it?

Filed under: romance

Blood Moon Paranormal-Scope

The poster is courtesy of Wicca Teachings on Facebook.  A total eclipse is a big deal, so I looked up when it will be visible in my area (Boston-New York). Wear a sweater or bundle up in a blanket, drink hot cocoa and enjoy. On the morning of Oct. 8th at 4:17 it will begin and end around 7:22.  The eclipse will be total at 6:55 a.m. Eastern Time.  However, moonset in the Eastern United States is 7:01 a.m., so we may not see it go back to normal.  It will be red and is called the Blood Moon.

While I am not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked to the paranormal in the world in many ways. So are you.

The paranormal scope is for entertainment purposes only and is not meant to guide your life by.

The week for:

Aries:

Shapeshifters love to wear red. It’s a power color.  Time to put some zing in your presentation.

Taurus:

Pixies know where their boundaries are.  Get a lot done but stay aware of how the people around you are acting.

Gemini:

Dragons fly long distances but when they feel a little lost they always ask others for help and advice.  Take a hint.

Cancer:

Vampires know that their viewpoint is looked at by others as being narrow-minded.  Consider the bigger picture and the comments of your colleagues.

Leo:

Pegasus is often not seen by others and at times laying low and being in the background is a very good thing.

Virgo:

When hobbits have too many things come at them at once, they clean.  First, let the dust settle before continuing.

Libra:

Elves know that their cheerfulness is not always appreciated by others. Worry not. Remain cheerful.

Scorpio:

Aslan the Lion trusts his hunches and carefully regards all “facts”.  Do the same. You are smarter than you think.

Sagittarius:

Hell hounds howl of despair.  Do not let things get you down.  You are creative and will find different solutions.  You are wonderful.  Remember that.

Capricorn:

Dragon roar their proclamations. You should too.  It’s time to step forward and show you are a take charge person.

Aquarius:

Faeries know that sharing good news can be wonderful.  Be wary of who is listening though.

Pisces:

Werewolves value the pack for the sharing of knowledge.  It’s time to share.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

New release: Vampire King of New York now in print at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Also in ebooks.  Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room now in Kindle with a new cover.

Filed under: Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, Vampire King of New York In Print, Vampire Maximillion Vander Meer, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Sexy or Sweet? How Do You Like Your Love Scenes?

I cut my teeth on Kathleen Woodiwiss’s romances, which are rather tame by todays’ standards.  The first Lisa Kleypas historical romance I ever read, Again the Magic, however, was quite an eye-opener with very hot, sensual sex and I loved it!  Kleypas’s love scenes have become the standard that I try to emulate.  But not everyone likes to follow the couple into the bedroom.

Many readers I’ve read comments from say they will skip the sex scenes, especially if the sex seems just thrown in for the sake of having a hot sex scene. They prefer the author focus on the love story, the caring moments that lead the hero and heroine toward intimacy, rather than having that intimacy spelled out in no uncertain terms.

There is also the middle ground, where there’s a good bit of heat and a little bit of spice between the couple. And although we never see anything really racy, it’s implied what’s going on in the back of that Jeep or behind that closed door.  More readers may be comfortable with this heat level because they can imagine exactly what’s happening but it’s not flaunted before their face.

I’ve now written all heat levels, from scorching hot erotic to my current WIP in which there’s only a kiss, but with the implied promise of so much more. I’m finding this manuscript challenging because I know there’s got to be more ways of having the characters display their love and affection without sex.  Sex is quite often strongly linked to intimacy, but the two are not by any means inseparable. And in sweet romances the author is charged with making the  characters grow more intimate without using one of the most intimate expressions of love and  caring.

However, I think such restrictions help strengthen the author’s character development skills, most important for all audiences across genres.  You often hear readers talking about the amazing characters that  they bonded with during the course of the book. Reader’s seldom bond with the plot or the language or the sex.

Don’t get me wrong. Sexy sex scenes are still my favorite, but I can see the value in reading and writing sweet from time to time, just to refresh the palate and taste something new for a change.

What is your preference?  Sexy or Sweet?

Filed under: Craft, Jenna Jaxon

Torn Between Two Guys & When Things Break by Susan Hanniford Crowley

I know I haven’t been seen that much on Facebook or Twitter or Tumblr. I’ve been deep in writing my book that I love. I’m so wound up with the characters that I’m dreaming about them constantly.

Imagine a lovely but lonely vampiress, who has started sleeping with her human male best friend. She feels safe with him. He thinks he’s too old for her. Then walks in a hot vampire with eyes only for here. Both men are keeping a secret. Both men want her and are willing to kill for her.

I’m currently writing the most pivotal scene in the book. I should say rewriting and rewriting each time heightening the intensity. Tossing and turning all night is part of the process when writing such an important scene. When this book is done, I’m going to celebrate big because just birthing this book has been over the top intense. The love scenes are so wonderful in it.

Energy levels emotionally are high. I write and then fall asleep in exhaustion. I wouldn’t mind this so much except things around me have started breaking. This laptop I’m doing the blog on is on its last leg. I keep saving to Dropbox or flashdrives or both. My iPhone 4 won’t turn off and I did take out insurance so I’ve put in to get a replacement. One of my slippers broke. Then I broke a shoe. I will replace them first. I am open to suggestions as to what kind of laptop I should get next.

I need a laptop with an excellent screen for tired eyes and high graphics for gaming which I aspire to do again once this book is finished. Being fast would be an asset and a large amount of storage.

Any suggestions? Please, put them in the comment box so I can make a list to go shopping with. Please, put why you love that laptop.

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Characters, Plot, Social Media, Writer's Life, Writing Topics

Finally – Rest (kind of) for the Weary by Stacy Hoff

Gearing up for the release date of my debut romance novel, DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES, was nothing short of a marathon. As a true novice, I had to learn everything—how to tweet, post on Facebook, set up a website, learn to blog, load my author’s profile on Amazon… The list goes on and on.

In the midst of all this, there were writing classes I wanted to attend, ones I didn’t want to miss out on. So the downtime I thought I’d have after typing “the end” did not come. In fact, for all the reasons mentioned above, “the end” was just the beginning.

I did, however, manage to steal some down time for myself, even if it was just one little, tiny day. A day to celebrate Fall. (Did you see my past blog post, “September Blues and All That Comes With It?” I told you I was going to force myself to enjoy September. You guys gotta start believing me!) My day off was spent enjoying one of the greatest joys of New England – The Big “E,” the Eastern States’ Exposition, held in West Springfield, MA.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Big E, it is one of the largest fairs in America. It has camel rides, petting zoos, 4H ribbons for the loveliest livestock and largest veggies, carnival rides, equestrian shows, parades (with full-size floats), circus shows, and, most importantly lots and lots of fair food to choose from (fried Oreos and frozen-chocolate-covered-bananas, anyone?)

But the “Big E” is also a serious exposition held by each and every one of New England’s six states (RI, VT, ME, CT, MA & NH). Here, each state shows off to prove its prowess and ingenuity, boasting its agricultural and commercial success. The “competition” is good-natured though, because New England knows how to work together. That the effort is worth the payoff—strength and support for the entire region. The Big E beautifully demonstrates, in a family-fantastic environment, that success for one can easily become success for all.

It’s with that true team spirit, and good will, in mind that I can say a hearty thank you to the community of authors who have helped me get through my release day. My writing groups obviously also know there is strength and support with each other, and that success for one can easily be translated to success for all.

What is your favorite thing to do in Fall, and why?

Find Stacy on Social Media:

www.facebook.com/authorStacyHoff Twitter: twitter.com/authorStacyHoff   Web: http://www.stacyhoff.com

Desire in the Everglades available now. http://www.amazon.com/Desire-Everglades-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00NFSMCYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410289138&sr=8-1&keywords=desire+in+the+everglades.

 

Pictures at the top: (left) Pumpkin “greeter” outside the Connecticut Building, and; (right) the Big E carnival rides at night.

Pictures at the bottom: Big E’s (left) first place pumpkin, and; (right) 2014 annual butter sculpture.

(All pictures copyrighted by Stacy Hoff. All rights reserved.)

 

 

Filed under: romance, Stacy Hoff, Writer's Life

Lives Shaped by Literature by Gerri Brousseau

It’s a dark and rainy day here in Connecticut today. It’s the kind of day when you would love to curl up in your favorite chair with a cup of tea and a really great book. What are you presently reading? I’m reading “Dragonfly in Amber” by Diana Gabalon which is the second book in the Outlander series.

These books are not new to the world, but they are new to my world. For whatever reason when the books were first published I didn’t know of them. I remember my best friend walking around with her nose in one, but she never talked about it and I never picked it up. Time moved on and Starz opted to film the series. I’ve been dreaming of visiting Scotland for ages and so a few friends asked me if I was going to watch it. Someone even said they thought I wrote like Diana, so I thought I surely would have to watch. And watch I did. From the very first episode, I was hooked. I love the scenes of the Highlands. The panoramic views are awesome and make me want to visit there more now than ever. I also love the costumes. What I don’t like, that it was on only once a week. It was taking too long and having the patience of a wart hog, I decided it was high time I read these books and so I bought Outlander. I devoured it and then I purchased Dragonfly in Amber which I just started reading. This one is moving a little slow for me, but I’m still hooked and hope that Starz will film the whole series.

I know many readers have stayed up all night reading a book because it was so good they couldn’t put it down, as have I. Many books make you wish you could meet someone like Mister Darcy, Rhett Butler, and now Jamie Fraser. I started to think about how our lives can be shaped by literature. I thought about how certain pieces of literature give us our conception of what a “man’s man” should be, or how a lady should act, or even the idea that someday our prince will come. All these things have come from literature. From someone’s wonderful imagination.

Last week I happened to see for the first time, Saving Mr. Banks, which is the story of how the story of Mary Poppins came to film. What amazed me most about the movie is how they portrayed the profound effect that the author’s father had on her. How his uniqueness shaped her life. As an author, I came to realize the power my imagination could have over the thoughts and emotions of a reader. Then I wondered how readers would be effected by the books they have chosen to read. As writers, do you think about the emotions or reactions you might evoke in your readers when you are creating your manuscript or is it just flowing out of you? As a reader, has a book ever made you laugh or cry? Has there ever been a book or a book series that made you want to visit a particular country? Has a book ever stirred an emotion so strong that it made you take a stand on an issue? And thinking of things like 50 Shades of Gray has a book ever made you eager to have a private rendezvous with your significant other?

Filed under: romance

Do We Take Words For Granted?

I think the answer for many to my above title/question would be “yeah, I guess” but I’d also say that many times we don’t even realize when we are taking words for granted.

I have a presentation this week and one of my boss’ bosses speaks English as a second language. My husband does as well, although in both cases, most people would never guess this because neither of them really have an accent. So back to my boss’ boss. In short, I’ve been thinking a lot about words this week and how I want to present my case as my boss’ boss is very conscious about every word used, something I think that I as a native speaker of English may not be. In other words, I need to be very careful about how I present and what I say as every bit of it will be scrutinized. As such, it got me thinking about how many times we talk just to talk and don’t necessarily pay much attention to what we are saying. All of you know one or more of these people as they are usually the one in a group that you want to be quiet.

This got me thinking about songs as well. How many times have you hummed along to a song that has horrible words only to be captivated by their rhythm? I used to do that a lot as a kid. For some reason as I’ve aged, the words have become more important to me. I love groups like Mana (Spanish rock), The Beatles, U2, Dave Matthews Band, Mumford & Sons, etc. who have great lyrics that are full of meaning. To me, the words in many of these bands’ songs inspire and that is power.

What about you all, do you think about what you say or what you write? Do you take words for granted or is everything measured?

Happy writing this week and a bit of homework… aim to inspire.

 

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