Roxanne Snopek's Blog: From the Mind of Roxanne, page 12

Post-Game Hockey Interviews: Cliché Alert

Post-game interviews crack me up. They are All. The. Same. Phrases fed to players by coaches, with the sole purpose of saying as little as possible while still appearing to answer the questions. Miss one lately? Let me catch you up:

 

Host: So, (Ilya/Sergei/Mikhail, etc) what were you thinking when you felt the puck on your stick in those last few seconds?

Player: Well, (James/Scott/Kevin, ctc) I am thinking I must to keep it away from their players, get it down ice and into net, fast as possible. I’m not sure even what I was thinking!

Host: Tell us what your team did today to achieve this stunning victory.

Player: Why you heff to esk? We give one-hundred-ten percent, we play as team, we push envelope right out of comfort zone, and at end of day that make difference. No need for to reinvent tire.

Host: What do you think is your secret to success?

Player: We go out strong and focus energy on puck, to be getting it in net. We keep simple and manage game. We play good road game. We take one game at time. Like I say, at end of day, game is what game is.

Host: Well there you have it folks, the secret to success! Congratulations again.

Player: Spasiba. Also, keep feet moving. Very important in hockey.

Put the Cat in the Bag. That’s All.

 

Benefits of Yoga

1) Being able to see the back of your own thigh!

The downside: being able to see the back of your own thigh.

My eyes, my eyes!!

The Writing Year Ahead

Happy New Year!

Here’s what’s ahead of me in 2014:

The fourth book in the Three River Ranch series, because, hello: cowboys! I’m also working on a couple of new ideas, including:

a)    a gritty brothers-and-dogs series, set in a small mountain town where search-and-rescue and MMA-style fighting leads each guy to the love of his life. While helping Aunt Mabel train Cupcake-the-Killer-Chihuahua.

b)    A series of novellas set in a San Francisco no-kill animal shelter, where hard hearts open and lives are saved. Plus sourdough and Pier 39.

Sunset on Makena Beach, Maui. I may need to go there for research.

 

c) A reunion/secret-baby/amnesia story that is mostly done but not submitted anywhere yet. I know, I know, it sounds cliché. It totally is. BUT. It’s also plausible, with a gorgeous half-Hawaiian hero, a damaged but determined heroine, the sweetest island-child ever, and a woolly-mammoth-style service dog. And it’s set on the warm, sandy beaches of Maui. Mai-tais, anyone?

As you probably know, I write romance, a genre with established reader expectations, ie: happily-ever-after endings. But mine usually involve a deep, dark undertow for my characters to overcome to earn that HEA.

Why do I write romance? I’m fascinated by relationships, the change and growth that occurs when two people struggle through to their happy ending. Plus, it’s fun. Real life can be tough. Romance makes readers feel good. Sometimes that’s all you want.

How does my writing process work? Mostly by sheer panic. I’m a crush-writer, a deadline-smasher, an under-the-threat-of-death kind of author. I don’t write every day. However, every day I’m thinking about my books, my characters, my storyline, what makes a great grand-gesture, what kind of jeans they wear, snappy come-backs they might make… I try to write these things down, so that when the deadline approaches, it’s there for me.

Thanks for joining me today! If you have questions or suggestions about upcoming books, drop me a comment. I LOVE comments!! Enjoy New Year’s Eve and here’s to a wonderful 2014.

-Roxanne

PS: On January 6th, visit the following authors as they discuss their processes:

Annie Seaton lives on the east coast of Australia where, besides working as a publicist and editor, she’s also a writer of contemporary romance. She’s been delighted to discover that readers love reading her stories as much as she loves writing them. She and her own hero of many years are living their own happily-ever-after with “Bob” the dog and two white cats. Annie relaxes in her garden or on the beach…or most likely at sunset on her deck overlooking the ocean, a chilled glass of wine in hand. She loves to meet readers on Facebook and Twitter, too.

EJ Russell holds a BA and an MFA in theater, so naturally she became a financial manager, database designer and business intelligence consultant. Now, her daily commute stays in-house, where she writes with a cat draped across her wrists and a dog attached to her hip. Her stories include gay and straight characters because her life includes gay and straight characters – as does everyone’s.

Nora Snowdon has lived in New York and Toronto, where she worked in the financial market, gambling dens, environmental protection, food service industry, sold shoes and either appeared in or directed over 25 plays. Then Nora moved to the wet West coast and became a Writer of Elegant Smut. She has five novels available on-line and many others on the way. Check out her quirky romances (and read the first chapters) here! 

A special think you to Sheila Crosby, who invited me to participate in this blog-hop! Sheila is British, but lives on the island of La Palma, just off the North West coast of Africa, where she originally came to work at the astronomical observatory. Sometime during her three-year contract, she met the tall, dark, handsome local man who became her husband, and ended up staying. Lucky, or what? 

Still Charming…

… even if not MOST charming.

Zach Gamble came in 5th in his category, which means there are 120+ people who think he’s pretty darn charming, which is pretty darn thrilling to me! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who voted – you know who you are and I send a gigantic hug to each of you!! 

Is Zach Gamble the Most Charming Cowboy?

I guess I'm not really objective, but I think all my cowboys are pretty charming. Irresistible, even. A little dark and tortured, but willing to let love lead him into the light.

But the most charming? Readers think it's Zach Gamble, the hero of His Reluctant Rancher. I have to tell you, I may be just a bit partial to Zach, myself. After all, he's holding his family together through a really rough time, while dealing with his own personal demons. He's got a couple of border collies that adore him, and you can't argue with the judgement of a dog, can you? Plus, he takes an orphaned kitten in out of the cold. YES, HE DOES!!

(Rumor has it that he looks like Joe Manganiello, which doesn't hurt.) So, if you think Zach's a Most Charming Cowboy, please vote for him. Voting opens on December 15, 2013. Tell your friends!

For more, go to: http://www.roxannesnopek.ca/most-char...

Most Charming Cowboy?

I guess I’m not really objective, but I think all my cowboys are pretty charming. Irresistible, even. A little dark and tortured, but willing to let love lead him into the light.

But the most charming? Readers think it’s Zach Gamble, the hero of His Reluctant Rancher. I have to tell you, I may be just a bit partial to Zach, myself. After all, he’s holding his family together through a really rough time, while dealing with his own personal demons. He’s got a couple of border collies that adore him, and you can’t argue with the judgement of a dog, can you? Plus, he takes an orphaned kitten in out of the cold. YES, HE DOES!!

(Rumor has it that he looks like Joe Manganiello, which doesn’t hurt.) So, if you think Zach’s a Most Charming Cowboy, please vote for him. Voting opens on December 15, 2013. Tell your friends! 

Zach Gamble has been nominated Most Charming Cowboy, in the Readers Choice 2013 awards! If you liked Zach, please vote for him!

 

Zach Gamble. Yes, he’s man enough to love a King Charles Cavalier spaniel.

The Fussy Librarian

I’ve discovered a new book recommendation service. It’s called The Fussy Librarian, and it’s a way for readers to discover high-quality newer authors who might otherwise remain unseen. You choose from 40 genres and indicate preferences about content (ie: sex and violence) and then the computers work their magic.

Books must have a 4.0 minimum rating, with at least 10 reviews (a bit lower if there are 20+ reviews) so you’re getting good recommendations. From what I’ve seen, they’re all priced between 0.99 and 5.99, although I’ve seen the occasional free book offered as well.

They email you with books matching your preferences, and that’s that. It’s free to join, and free to have books listed.

And this week, one of my books will be going out to subscribers who’ve checked off the Romance-Western box.

I think it’s pretty cool — check it out! www.TheFussyLibrarian.com

 

Kissing Booth

Kiss and Tell interview with Sheriff Red LeClair of Stranded With a Hero:

 

Please describe your physical appearance (eye color, hair color, height, etc.)

6’ tall, brown hair, brown eyes (although Frankie calls them “whisky-colored”). I don’t know what she’s talking about. Women, right?

What’s your profession?

Sheriff of Lutherton, Montana. Nice, quiet place, almost no crime, nothing to interrupt my peace-of-mind. Then Frankie came along.

What kind of music do you listen to? (What song is on your iPod right now?)

Kinda off music right now, thanks for asking. But Frankie’s convincing me to crack my mind open to it again.

Do you have a special skill?

I make the best campfire coffee you’ll ever taste!

What’s your favourite dessert/food?

Cupcakes!

Boxers or briefs?

Boxers. But in winter – especially in a power outage! – I rock a pair of long johns like you would not believe.

What is you favourite movie of all time?

Minority Report. (Don’t tell Frankie, but I agree with her that Love, Actually is better!)

Early bird or night owl?

We protector types are up whenever duty calls.

If you had to describe yourself as an ice cream flavour, what flavour would it be?

Oh, I’m rum-and-raisin. (Goes with the whisky-colored eyes, I guess.) Okay, maybe I’m not to everyone’s taste, but Frankie loves me and that’s all I care about.

 

  A kiss from Red: 

 

“Hop on,” said Red, gesturing to the tractor.

Frankie looked at the small seat behind the steering wheel. “Forget it. I’m not driving that thing.”

He laughed. “Damn straight you’re not. But you’re not walking down alone. And since there’s no passenger seat you’re riding with me.” He climbed up, straddled the seat and slapped his thigh. “When we first met, you were an elf driving a load of Christmas reindeer in a stolen truck, on unfamiliar roads, during a blizzard. You’re trying to say this is beyond your comfort zone?”

She colored but her lips twitched. “Ignorance is bliss, Sheriff. I’m wiser now. Happy?”

She clambered up over the frigid steel and slid between his legs, barely perching on the molded metal seat. He put one arm around her and pulled her closer, settling them for what would be a bumpy ride. She clutched his leg to brace herself.

Oh yeah, he was happy.

He laughed again and pulled her tight. He was laughing a lot these days, he realized.

“We don’t exactly fit,” she muttered, squirming against him.

His grin faded. He swallowed. Hard. If he got any happier, he’d have trouble driving. “We fit just fine.”

We fit perfectly.

The thought surprised him but he realized it was true. Not only did they fit, but in the brief time he’d known Frankie, her energy, her optimism and determination had breathed life into the cold, dead ashes inside him, warming a spark he’d forgotten was there.

He tightened his legs around her.

“Ready?”

She turned her head and the movement brought their lips close enough to touch.

“Ready,” she answered.

Before he could think, he took the risk and made it happen, one quick soft touch, lingering just long enough to warm him through and through. Frankie caught her breath, but she didn’t pull away or turn her head, not until he released her.

“Mm.” Her little sigh made him want to do it again, immediately, inside by the fire. “For luck?”

“If you say so,” he answered, feeling as if his chest could burst wide open at any moment, letting music, Christmas carols even, pour out of him. He turned the key. The tractor rumbled to life and he clenched his thighs to keep her small body secure. “Hang on.”

 

Snarky Moms Talk Christmas

Today we’re talking with Snarky Mom Reads about favorite Christmas music and movies. (Visit her site to win PRIZES!) In case you want to hear what I have to say, without bribes (aww) here’s the interview:

In my story, Saving the Sheriff, my heroine Frankie likes to sing. And not just sing, but change the lyrics. (Which, I discovered, is harder than you think, at least if you’re doing it on the fly.)

Unfortunately, my hero, Sheriff Red LeClair, isn’t in the mood for a singing kind of Christmas. Sad, really, because he’s got a great voice. But he’s wounded, you know? And music is one of those things that can really access the emotions. There have been times (usually hormonal) when I couldn’t listen to a People’s Jewelers commercial without breaking down in tears. Oh, I’m a barrel of laughs, all right.

Many of us can’t have Christmas without music. And as Red learns, once you start singing along, you can’t help but get in the spirit of the season.

 Christmas Sons on Roxanne’s iPod: 

 

Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth, sung by David Bowie and Bing Crosby

All I Want for Christmas, the scene from the movie Love, Actually

Zion’s Daughter, by Boney M

Carol of the Bells, by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, complete with light show

 

And in case you have time on your hands (and, unlike Red and Frankie, electricity!) here are:

 

 Movies Roxanne Will Be Watching Soon: 

 

The Holiday, with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law

Love, Actually. I’m a fan. Can you tell? So many great characters in this one. The music is awesome, especially Billy Mack’s naked version of Love is All Around Us. I dare you to watch this scene without tearing up.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase. Don’t judge me.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the original cartoon version. I think I was three when I saw it for the first time. Don’t do the math.

This list is by no means comprehensive, so I appeal to you: what are your favorite Christmas songs and movies? (You know, so we can help Frankie torture Red!)

France Needs Cowboys!

Carson, Mitch and Zach are going to FRANCE! Yes, the ink is drying* on a three-book deal with Bragelonne Publishing for the French rights to Three River Ranch, His Reluctant Rancher and Fake Fiancé, Real Revenge. Am I thrilled? You be the judge. 

I’ll be sure to post photos of the new covers – with titles in French! – when I see them.

*The best part? The news arrived on my 50th birthday!! I know, perfect, right?