Lynn Raye Harris's Blog, page 14

Another blog contest

This is an impromptu contest for you, my loyal readers! This weekend, Mr. Harris helped me start the process of clearing out my office for my new furniture. (Cherry bookcases and new desk! So happy!) To say I have a *lot* of books and promo sitting around is like saying there were a few boats on the River Thames for the Queen’s Jubilee this weekend. So here’s what I’m going to do:

I’m going to give away FIVE prize packs! Books (mine), various promo goodies I’ve collected from RWA, RT, and reader luncheons, and whatever else I can think of. All you have to do is leave me a comment and tell me what book you’re reading right now (because I love hearing about books!). I will choose winners on Friday. But here is the catch. You MUST come back and check to see if you’ve won. I won’t go looking for you. I just have too many things to do and no time to look for you. You must check back and you must send me an email with your details within 7 days. If you don’t, I will re-award the prize to someone else.

Also, for the record, I do NOT collect your email addresses for my newsletter when you enter a blog contest. To sign up for my newsletter (which is quite infrequent, but which sometimes contains goodies not seen here on the site), you can do so here.

Edited to add: Friends, someone asked me if this is open internationally. The answer is YES. I will send goodies worldwide, though I retain the right to limit the amount of goodies due to postage when the location is international. Keep commenting! Love hearing about what you’re reading!

Beach Reading

I finished a book last week and sent it to my editor. I always feel a little bit like a dog that’s been straining against a chain and suddenly finds the chain has broken and she’s free to run. I don’t know where to run or what to do, so I zigzag a bit. I clean my office, make notes for other stories, open up old manuscripts and wonder if they can be saved. I go to the grocery store, do some laundry, and meet friends for lunch. I lollygag a bit, but I always have it in the back of my head that I have more work to do. The work is never, ever done when you write for a living.

One of the things I love to do, however, is read. I always buy way too many books with the hope that I’ll read them all on my short break. I never do, but the nice thing about books is they don’t expire. Happy sigh. Lately, I’ve been thinking back to the wonderful days I spent at the beach reading books. When I lived in Hawaii, every day was a beach day if you wanted it to be. Mr. Harris and I would load up the Jeep with chairs, towels, cooler, umbrella, sunscreen, and books. For me, lots of books.

I once spent about a week reading T. H. Lawrence’s The Seven Pillars of Wisdom at the beach. There’s still sand in the book when I open it now. I love that. Of course I didn’t always read giant tomes like Lawrence. I also read plenty of romances and other literature. One of my best memories of Hawaii is all that beach reading. I sat in the shade whenever possible and read book after book. It was glorious, with the sparkling ocean, the green Ko’olau Mountains in the background, the sound of the surf, the white clouds scudding overhead, and the company of friends who also sat and read.

In fact, little aside, but the beach in Hawaii is where I reconnected with the Presents line after not having read it for a few years. I’d just met Jane Porter and thought she was so smart and articulate that I had to read her books. I bought her latest Harlequin and dived in. And then I went and bought more. Presents are great beach reads!

This summer, I have my own beach read for you. Captive But Forbidden is a July release from Harlequin Presents. It’s full of all the passion and emotion you’ve come to expect from the line, but there’s also a bit of a twist. The heroine is the newly-elected president of her tiny nation. When there are threats against Veronica St. Germaine’s life, she needs a better bodyguard than the official ones she has already. That’s where Raj Vala comes in. He’s tall, dark, handsome, rich, and just as arrogant and powerful as you want a Presents hero to be. And he’s not about to take any crap from Veronica.

The sparks are sparky. The sex is hot. Stuff happens.

I loved writing this book, with my half-Indian ex-Special Forces hero and a heroine who used to be a very, very bad girl. I keep hearing from readers that it’s different, that it’s not what they were expecting. I like that! I call this book my special snowflake book, and it is. I hope you’ll give it a try! Read it on the beach. Or by the pool. Or even in the comfort of your home. If you’ve already read and enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (or both!).

And now, to help at least one of you have a nice beachy time, I’ll give away one copy of Captive But Forbidden today, along with a beach towel, a tote, a pair of flip flops, some goodies from me, and a $5 Starbucks card (so you can get an icy latte on the way to the beach/pool!). Leave a comment to be entered to win. I’ll announce a winner on Friday.

Cue the whining aka middle syndrome

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed a bit of whining of late. I do it quite well, I have to say. And it always, always happens when I’m in the middle of the book, right before I begin that race to the end. I always think the book sucks. I’m convinced I’m a hack, an amateur, someone who’s been playing in the big publishing pond when they shouldn’t be. If you searched my archives, you could probably find any number of posts about how my career is over and I’m a fraud. Guarantee they were written when I was in the middle of the book.

Yesterday, when I was whining, someone expressed surprise that a veteran author could feel this way and wondered if there was any hope for those still aspiring to be published. The short answer: YES. The truth is that when you sell a book, you will be thrilled, ecstatic, insanely happy that you have done so. That all this hard work has not been for nothing, and that an editor and a publishing house agree with you that you might have some talent. It’s an awesome feeling!

But, it is my sad duty to inform you, that insecure artist that lives inside you will never truly go away. With every book, you’ll wonder if you’re doing it right. You’ll feel like a fraud, a hack, and you’ll think your career is over. It may happen for you at the beginning of the book. Or the end. Or the middle. Or not until you’ve sent the whole perfect thing off to your editor and realize that maybe it’s not perfect after all.

The point is, it will happen. If it doesn’t, consider yourself lucky. But I’ve talked to authors I’ve admired for years, those with over 100 published books and awards enough to build a house out of, and they feel exactly the same. (That was a bit disheartening, let me tell you. I kept hoping this feeling would go away!) Ladies and gentlemen, there are a lot of frauds out there in the publishing world. Or so it would seem if our insecurities were to be believed. :/

All right, I’ve told you the bad stuff, which is that the insecurity and fear never go away. So how about some good stuff? Though I am still mired in the middle (actually sliding down the hill to the end now), and still feel very fraudulent, I’m going to give you some tips on how to get through the middle of the book syndrome. Consider these Lynn’s little guidelines for dealing with the crazy.

1. Remember that, no matter where you are in this dream to write books, there is no correct way to feel when you are writing.

2. If you’re a plotter, go have a look at that synopsis again (and if you are a plotter, I have no idea why you’d even feel the crazy at this point; you know what’s going to happen in your book! I don’t.).

3. If you’re a pantser, maybe it’s time to try and write a short synopsis of everything that’s happened so far and what you feel should or can happen next.

4. If you’re really stuck and fighting for every word, maybe it’s time to go back and reread the book from the beginning so you can see where you’ve made a wrong turn or dropped a thread. I often notice that when I can’t seem to make progress, it’s because my subconscious knows I’ve left something untended earlier in the book. Maybe I planted the seeds for something to happen and then never had it happen.

5. Take a look at your characters’ conflicts. Are they strong enough? Are you using them to their fullest advantage? Are you letting the conflicts drive your characters or are you meandering through the middle because you need words to fill the pages? Conflicts should be multi-layered. You peel back those layers as you go, letting the characters make progress or have setbacks, letting them get to know each other and learn new things about each other. This is the phase where their feelings are growing and changing based on what they learn about each other. This isn’t the time for pointless fighting just to keep them at odds!

6. Go read someone else’s book. Sometimes, seeing how another author deals with the middle can give you a light bulb moment about your own. I often go look at my own published books to see what I did (and to remind myself that I’ve done this before and can do it again!). Some people claim they can’t read books while writing, and that’s fine if that’s you. But I find it illuminating. I’m a writer, but I was a reader first and I love to read. I also read heavily in my own line. Because I can’t imagine a group of more talented, amazing writers than the Presents writers! I’m always inspired (and sometimes jealous) by the brilliance I read between the pages of a fellow author’s book.

7. Whine to a friend. If you have a good friend who doesn’t mind listening to you say the same things at the same point in every book, then call him or her up and whine. Or meet for coffee or lunch and have a good whine. I imagine you could whine to any friend, but sometimes a writer might be best. Though I have to admit, the person I most often whine to about my books would be Mr. Harris. And he is most definitely not a writer. But sometimes he has pretty insightful things to say about what I’m working on. Other times he tells me to buck up.

8. Take a break. Deadlines can be harsh, but sometimes you just have to unchain yourself from the computer. Not for days (I sure don’t have that leisure!), but maybe for a few hours. Go for a walk. Go for a drive. Meet a friend (see above). Go shopping. Go out for a meal. Just get yourself away from the electronics for a while and let your mind breathe. Often, the solution to a problem can present itself when you aren’t focusing solely on the problem. Your mind needs a break. Take one.

9. Remember, above all else, this too shall pass. You’re writing a book, not performing brain surgery. There are do overs. If you get it wrong, if you get to the end and it’s a mess, it can be fixed. If you have an editor, she’s going to tell you what you need to do. If you don’t, then give the book to a trusted critique partner or beta reader and see what they think.

10. Just write the darn thing to the end. Write whatever comes to mind. Even if you end up with pages of character meandering, plot threads dropped, new threads picked up, you can fix it. There are times when a book is a lump that needs molding. And sometimes you can’t mold it until you have the entire shape of it there (even if it is a lump). I have the most trouble with this one because I have an inner perfectionist streak. I expect the story to be, if not perfect, as close to the final version as I can get it before I send it off to my editor. I expect revisions, but I still feel like I’m failing her if I turn in something that I know will need a lot of revisions. But that is her job! She’s not sitting there putting black marks next to my name because I send her something that needs work. So write without fear. Turn off the perfectionist (if you have one) and let the words flow. There ARE do overs! And isn’t that a grand thing?

Those are my tips for getting through the middle of the book, such as they are. I’m sure they can be added to, so let me know if you have a tip you’d like to pass on. I can always use another one! And now I’m back to work, slogging through the forest of my imagination and hoping I make it out in one piece. All this to bring you a tortured Russian billionaire baby daddy. I hope you appreciate what I go through for you!

RT, Pics, and OMG it’s a deadline!

Last week, I was in Chicago for the RT Booklovers Convention. It was, as always, a blast! On Tuesday the 10th, however, I went up to Milwaukee for Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation Luncheon. That’s where the pic of these adorable book cover cupcakes is from! Isn’t this a great idea? I loved it, and the luncheon (Barbara’s First Annual) was awesome and quite well attended.

People actually paid to sit at my table! I was stunned. One of the lovely ladies who paid never made it, however, and I do hope everything is okay. We kept a lookout for you and never gave your seat away! So sorry you weren’t able to make it. :/

The rest of the week passed in a blur of parties, events, and chatting with my writer friends late into the night in the Red Bar. Here’s me with the fabulous and funny Megan Crane, aka Caitlin Crews.

As always, there’s at least one picture of me with Kimberly Lang. Here we are at our goodie table for the fan day event.

No photo gallery would be complete without a picture of debut Desire author Andrea Laurence. Here she’s holding up a copy of the excerpt book we put together. Doesn’t she look excited?!

Now, it’s time for me to write like the wind and finish this book I’ve got going. It’s due very, very soon. I’m off to the Alabama Book Festival this weekend, and then in two weeks it’s the Heart of Dixie Readers Luncheon and my first annual brainstorming/plotting retreat with the Dixie Plotters. The best part of that, besides the company, will be a certain friend’s cooking. Southern yummy, y’all!

And now it’s back to my delicious Russian billionaire baby daddy and the woman who done him wrong!

RT Convention in Chicago!

I'm off to the RT Convention today! It's one week of non-stop fun and partying with readers, authors, and aspiring authors. This is my third RT, and I wouldn't miss it for anything. It's just such a fun time! There will be themed parties (but I'm a party-pooper and have no costumes) and dancing and lots of opportunities for fans to meet their favorite authors. I can't wait!

If you're coming to RT, be sure and look me up. I'll be rolling around a wheelie bag stuffed with books and goodies, and I'll be giving those books away. That's right, free books! I'll be giving them away until I run out, so come and see me and say hi if you want one. (I have to limit it to one per person so I'll have enough to last a couple of days!) I'll also have excerpt books to give away as well.

Don't be shy! Come and introduce yourself. And if you've never been to RT before, be sure to attend the RT Virgin workshop where you'll learn how to get the most out of the experience. I went my first year, and it was helpful! I still have the button they gave me.

Hope to see some of you there!

A new excerpt book coming soon!

It's that time, y'all! The RT convention is coming up, and my friends Kimberly Lang and Kira Sinclair are doing another excerpt book with me. But it gets even better, because we've now added a fourth author – friend and debut Desire author, Andrea Laurence!

We'll be giving away these gorgeous books for free! All you have to do is come talk to one of us. We'll even sign them for you! They are filled with yummy excerpts of our upcoming books. Not to mention that sexy cover — done by the glorious, fabulous, wondrous Frauke at CrocoDesigns.

You know you want one. Come talk to us at one of our **events. (I'm not sending these out by request until further notice. I just don't have enough copies to take to events and mail out too, but when I do, I'll announce it here.)

**The very first place you'll be able to get one of these lovely books is at Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon in Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 10th. The second place is at the RT Convention in Chicago from April 11-15th.

New York, New York

I feel like I've been traveling for weeks, but in reality it was only for two weeks. First up, I went to the Caribbean and took a cruise with the family. Then I came home for three days before boarding a plane again and heading to New York City for the PASIC conference. I met fellow Presents author Jennie Lucas in the airport (we've timed our flights that way twice now, and fortunately it's worked both times) and we shared a car into the city. By the time we got to the hotel, I had only minutes to change for the industry reception taking place at Sardi's later that evening. Not because we were late, but because I was meeting my agent first and going over to the reception with her.

So I mad-dashed upstairs, did a quick freshen up, ditched the travel clothes, and slid into a black sheath and sparkly Steve Madden heels. Back down to the lounge where I met my agent and had drinks and conversation for an hour, then off to the reception a block and a half away. Later, after the reception, Jennie and I changed and headed out into Times Square for a quick tourist moment. Here I am enjoying the sights.

I love New York, and I regretted that I hadn't arranged to stay longer. I'm a bit of a Broadway junkie now. I'd love to just spend a week going to shows, but alas there was no time. The conference was two full days of information so good that my head is still spinning from it all. But I did manage to have a fun time with my fellow authors. For instance, here's a group of us running to the Shake Shack for a quick lunch. The restaurant was so crowded we took the food back to the conference room and had a picnic there.

From L to R is Jessa Slade, Angie Stanton, Jenna Black, Moi, Jennie Lucas, and Erin Kellison. Laurie London took the photograph.

Finally, on Saturday evening, several of us got together for dinner and then went to see Alan Rickman starring in Seminar, a play about writers. Here I am along with Jennie and Laurie London at Cafe Un Deux Trois.

Alan was lovely, as usual, with that gorgeous voice of his, and the play was very interesting. Afterward, we took one last look at Times Square, and then it was off to bed for early flights the next morning. I was at the airport by 7 a.m. and home by about 1:30 that afternoon. I'm already plotting another trip to New York so I can see more shows (Ricky Martin in Evita!) and eat more fabulous meals that aren't from chain restaurants.

Finally, if I have a takeaway thought from the conference (for writers), it's this: the times, they are a-changin'. Educate yourself. You can no longer rely on things being done the way they've always been done. Educate yourself.

Good News and Girls' Weekends

Hey, y'all! It's been a crazy few weeks around here. First, there was a book due. Then there were revisions due. And then I spent a week on-board the Celebrity Solstice with my hubby, parents, and in-laws. Tomorrow, I'm off for New York City and a lovely girls' weekend with the fabulous Jennie Lucas. Well, it's not strictly a girls' weekend as we are also attending a conference, but Jennie and I always have such a fabulous time together that it'll be like we took off for a girls' weekend.

One of the best things about selling to Harlequin Presents is gaining some of the coolest friends ever. I truly love getting together with my fellow authors. We always have such fun! Though it'll just be me and Jennie in NYC, we'll still have a good time — and in July, when we all converge on Anaheim for the RWA conference, the fun will be even bigger and better as the other authors join us!

So while I reel with the fact I have to pack again (I just unpacked on Sunday!), I wanted to share some good news I got about Strangers in the Desert while I was in the Caribbean last week. First, Morgan and Whitney dish about the book at the RT Book Reviews website — and I am honored they liked it!

Secondly, I learned that this story was nominated for RT's March Seal of Excellence! It didn't win, but it was the only Harlequin category romance to be nominated. I am so thrilled with this honor! This book is special to me, and I'm very humbled by the reception it's been getting from readers. Thank you so much for loving this book and telling your friends about it!

And now I'm off to sort through my clothes and pack weather-appropriate gear for NY. I'm thinking the tank tops and Capri pants from last week won't cut it.

I leave you with a picture of me on the ship in St. Thomas. That superyacht in the background is something one of my heroes would own.

Good News and Girls’ Weekends

Hey, y’all! It’s been a crazy few weeks around here. First, there was a book due. Then there were revisions due. And then I spent a week on-board the Celebrity Solstice with my hubby, parents, and in-laws. Tomorrow, I’m off for New York City and a lovely girls’ weekend with the fabulous Jennie Lucas. Well, it’s not strictly a girls’ weekend as we are also attending a conference, but Jennie and I always have such a fabulous time together that it’ll be like we took off for a girls’ weekend.

One of the best things about selling to Harlequin Presents is gaining some of the coolest friends ever. I truly love getting together with my fellow authors. We always have such fun! Though it’ll just be me and Jennie in NYC, we’ll still have a good time — and in July, when we all converge on Anaheim for the RWA conference, the fun will be even bigger and better as the other authors join us!

So while I reel with the fact I have to pack again (I just unpacked on Sunday!), I wanted to share some good news I got about Strangers in the Desert while I was in the Caribbean last week. First, Morgan and Whitney dish about the book at the RT Book Reviews website — and I am honored they liked it!

Secondly, I learned that this story was nominated for RT’s March Seal of Excellence! It didn’t win, but it was the only Harlequin category romance to be nominated. I am so thrilled with this honor! This book is special to me, and I’m very humbled by the reception it’s been getting from readers. Thank you so much for loving this book and telling your friends about it!

And now I’m off to sort through my clothes and pack weather-appropriate gear for NY. I’m thinking the tank tops and Capri pants from last week won’t cut it.

I leave you with a picture of me on the ship in St. Thomas. That superyacht in the background is something one of my heroes would own.

The Life

If you follow me on Twitter, you may think I tweet a lot of cat photos. And it's true, I do. My furry children are adorable. And they do adorable things. And I must share them.

This is Nimitz at his best. At his best means when he's sleeping. When he's awake, all bets are off. He is the most destructive cat I've ever had in my life. He once knocked an oil painting off the wall. A big one. He stood on the piano and pulled it until the (admittedly old) wire broke. Crazy cat.

I've discovered the most fabulous product, thanks to him. Quake Putty. If you live in an earthquake zone, you know what I'm talking about. This is not something we need here in the South. Unless you have a Nimitz, that is. Quake Putty looks like silly putty. Except that it holds things (like vases of flowers, for example) down on the furniture so your fuzzy wrecking ball can't destroy them. It doesn't harm wood, either, which is great. I have two packs of the stuff. Came in really handy at Christmas with the extra decorations I set out, I can tell you.

Am I the only person with a destructive pet?







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