Kianna Alexander's Blog, page 13

Random Summer Thoughts. . .

Is it me or does it seem like summers are getting shorter and shorter? 
Or maybe it's just me because I can't wait to wear my thigh high boots.

Is it me or is it radio that ruins a hot song? Blurred Lines was hot, now you can't turn the radio on without out hearing it on every station. I swear I heard it on a country station yesterday.

Is it me or is the person who came up with the What Rhymes With Hug Me web site a genius?
What rhymes with hug me? Stop trying to drug me. Too Funny.

Am I looking forward to winter because Love After War comes out in November? Yes, I am!
When club owner Adrian Bryant discovers his biological father is hotel magnate Elliot Crawford, his life unravels. Shunned by Crawford while he and his mother struggled, Adrian hatches a high-profile plan to destroy the Crawford name--and the reputations of his two half-brothers. But to shield the woman he loves from the hell he intends to unleash, Adrian has to let her go.
Photographer Dana Singleton is heartbroken and confused by Adrian's behavior. But just when she's given up on their relationship, she begins to discover the truth--and a dark side of Adrian she never knew existed. As the stakes get higher, she will have to ask herself if she can love a man who is capable of such vengeance--or if he can learn to forgive...


Is it me or is everybody ready for some real football?  Can we just end the preseason already?
And finally, 2 Guns was really the best movie of the summer!

Forget Grammar and Just Do Me

Once upon a time, writers HAD to be grammatically correct. An editor would rework every single sentence until it was according to American English standard even though nothing was left of an author’s voice. During the beginning of my career, I noticed I could get away with an occasional “ain’t” but only in dialogue, and even then it was still irritating to read the way my sentences had been restructured to a point that it was killing my characters’ swag and personality. But over the last few years, I noticed how things have changed. All that woulda, coulda, shoulda is now possible. I can now write like “real” people talk. There will always be those who prefer not to read “slang” but now that I am an author who is in control of what she writes, I’m gonna tell it like it is. All of my books center around dialogue because that’s where my scenes begin. With my upcoming release, Do Me Baby, Rance Beaumont is a NBA player and a cocky one at that. Once you get the pleasure to read my newest edition to the Beaumont Series, remember it was dialogue driven. And when Rance speaks, it’s going to be “What’s up wit ya,” not “what is up with you” cause that just how I do. LOL Angie

The Kid Stays in the Picture

Hello my sexy babies!

Before I get into the post, I have to update you all on what's happened since last month when I posted. I FINALLY finished the first shitty draft of my full-length contemporary interracial BDSM novel Licorice Whips, which will be out through Phaze Books in November 2013. I had to separate myself from it for a little bit before I go back in to do my first round of self-editing. Then I'll send it off to my Phaze Books editor, Kathryn Lively. Let's hope she digs it and it won't require a lot of edits...unless she asks for more sex. I can do that.

So as I was thinking about today's post, I thought about my post from last month and how I mentioned what songs inspire me when I write. I don't know about any other author, but as I write, I can see the movie rolling in my head. I cast all of the characters. So who would be my dream cast? Well, you know I picture Bradley Cooper as my Sweet Hawkes, the hero, and Paula Patton as Nikla Dearwood. I haven't asked my fellow author, Yvette Hines, about her hero in her book, Red Hots, who is the brother of my hero. I picture Masaun Hawkes looking like Jon Hamm. He's hot, has that glint in his eye like he could snap at any moment and be Dom sexy (yeah, I said that), but he still looks like a businessman. I know. Too much "Mad Men." For her heroine, Kindle Langston, I see Kerry Washington. Yvette probably has other actors in mind for her folks. That's just what I envision.

So that's my question for authors. Do you picture actors, actresses, models, athletes, etc. when you write your stories? I know a lot of authors who have pegboards with pictures, houses and other inspirations. I guess the modern version of that would be Pinterest.

My question to readers is while you're reading a story, do you automatically cast it in your head? When I read Gwyneth Bolton's Sweet Sensation, I pictured the leads looking like LL Cool J (mmm, those abs) and Jada Pinkett-Smith. It surprised me when I attended a reader event that Gwyneth hosted that she admitted that she pictured Will Smith as the hero. Totally different than who I thought. That's the beauty of the mind. You can create your own vision.

I have to get going on revising my manuscript. Here's something to chew on. If you would like to cast characters for your favorite books, there's a great website for that called StoryCasting.com. If you would like to see my fantasy cast for several of my books and stories, check out my page here. You can also make suggestions for your own characters for the same books. Who knows. You might inspire us authors for a future story.

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

Closer to My Dream...

Hey, Y'all,
So, since I last blogged, a lot of things have happened in my little corner of the world. Some have been on the mundane and annoying side- like the long days I've been spending trying to juggle my books with my freelance writing, keeping the house, and keeping my kids alive. Argh.
But, some of it has been pretty awesome. From July 17-21, I was in Atlanta for the RWA national conference. I've been very active in my local chapter for the past 5 or six years (barring my time in Alaska, during which I was active in their chapter), but this was my first national conference. I gotta say,  I had a great time. I think it was because of several factors:

1. The attitude about self-publishing among RWA members has improved greatly over the last few years. Very little snark, and a whole lot of excitement about it.

2. I got to spend a lot of face time with authors I admire, but don't see very often. Had coffee with Wayne Jordan, ate lunch with Farrah Rochon, Seressia Glass and Vanessa Miller, and also chatted with Valerie Wilson Wesley, who is a mystery author now dabbling in romance. It's the first time I've met her and she's a real sweetheart. :)

3. Saw some friends of mine who I also don't see often, like Kaia Alderson-Tyson, my crazy ass crit partner who lives in the ATL area, and Claritta Stinson, my awesome buddy from Little Rock.

4. Great workshops. I came home with a legal pad full of notes.

5. Great networking. I also came home with about 40 business cards. ( I marked on the back when and where I met the person, so my post- conference brain could get it together later. Some cards had a photo on them, which I find very convenient.)

But probably the best part of RWA for me was getting time with my idol, Beverly Jenkins, and the equally illustrious Brenda Jackson. OMG- I can't even describe how much I admire these ladies. I got to sign books with them and eat dinner with them, and partake of their wisdom in a workshop, all on the same day. My po' heart was just pounding, I'm sure my pressure was up. But to have people you look up to take you under their wing is a very awesome feeling. I suppose you could say I felt special, even validated as a writer.

After I got home from the conference, it took more than a week before I fully recovered from the excitement. And about time I started to feel normal- ish again, around came release day for Freedom's Embrace. Let me tell you, the pressure went up again!

Then, last Sunday, I discovered via a tweet from Kaia that my little novella had a mention in USA Today. Yes, the national newspaper.

Know what I did? Cried like a big 'ol baby. I was just overjoyed that the writer (Joyce Lamb) at USA Today thought enough of my book to mention it. I don't know what it will mean for sales, but I'm certainly honored- I was in impressive company in that article! You can see it here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/07/30/historical-romance-new-releases-august-2013/2597295/

So, now I'm just starting to come down from that- I wonder what's around the next bend? I have been working so hard at this writing thing for so long, and I'm finally starting to see some of my efforts be validated in a big way.

Hopefully this is a continuing trend of bigger and better things for me. And just in case the excitement gets to be too much, I'll have my inhaler nearby. :)

Until Next Time,
Kianna

How Do They (WE) Do It???!!!

      HOW DO THEY DO IT?
          The remarks in this article came to me on a Saturday afternoon during a late showing of Sex and the City 2. Charlotte and Miranda were discussing “Mommy Woes” for lack of better phrasing-This in spite of the fact that both women have nannies. Charlotte; completely bewildered asked the question, “How do women with no help do it?!”          I knew I was one of the loudest to laugh with my wine in hand there in the cool dark theater located in the heart of the small artsy town where I live. Later, however, the question crossed my mind again. How do we do it? I, for one, don’t have a nanny. Even though I only have one child, he still takes a hefty toll on my time-many times my sanity. I suppose not allowing myself to really think about all that makes up a typical day for me, which is one way I do it. Another major way is having my own interests. Writing is my passion and it’s been a blessing to me in so many ways.          Writing saved my sanity when I was a new mom with no idea how to take care of the small man who had just come into my life. It saved me when I was out of work and it definitely saved me when I embarked upon a new career. Now, the small man isn't so small and writing has become more than just my sanity saver. Still my passion, it’s also part of what I do and it’s what allows me to handle my other obligations so well- in my humble opinion.          The way I see it, we all need an outlet. Doing all that's expected of us isn't possible if we have nothing to focus on beyond it. I know that I could definitely be consumed by all that's required of me as a mom-keeping up with my son’s social schedule, healthcare appointments and school  responsibilities (Aggh! Don’t get me started!). It’s enough to keep me busy full-time days, nights and weekends.           Don’t get me wrong, motherhood is a wonderful experience. For those of us who care about doing it right, being a mom; as Miranda so eloquently put it, "Can kick your ass". With that being said, we can’t be afraid to say- "Time Out!" And it is possible to have that time; you've just got to be creative with it. When my son was smaller and at his neediest, bathroom breaks became my best friends. While he was settled down with a snack, mommy ventured off to ‘use the potty’ and those brief getaways were surprisingly rejuvenating. Small feats-but they work people!          The great thing about taking on the job of being a mom is that there is no job description. It is what you make of it, but making time for yourself is essential. Anything from sticking your head inside the freezer for a momentary eye-opener (yes, folks that does have its benefits) to taking a vacation day from work while the kids are in school (go on, you know you've thought about it). These things benefit no one but you-and that’s the point. We spend countless hours nurturing our kids, spouses, pets… and forget about ourselves. 
So my lesson here? Nurture Yourself! That’s not selfish- it’s survival.
AlTonya WashingtonAuthor, Writing Instructor, Librarian and Mom.

HOT BODIES

It's been hot summer. I mean, HOT!Allow me to share a few of my hot summer memories.

You get the idea of my definition of HOT? The best part is I never left the comfort of my home. Nope, these hot bodies were sent to me while I had my feet propped  up, a glass of Moscato in hand and a few popsicles when I had the urge to suck something cold and hard. 
Where did they come from? I'm so happy you asked. Members of my Facebook group, The Book Palace, we call them Gems & Gents, would send them by for a brief visit.  The Book Palace is where we come together to discuss books, current events and support each other in anyway we can. To take a break from the trials of everyday life, we have an event on the 1st Friday of every month called PAD, Palace After Dark. 
Rules are set aside, a topic is selected and the floor is open. We have guest host to join us and they facilitate the discussion. In June we had Ms. Loretta R. Walls who facilitated  Setting The Mood discussion. We picked up on a few ideas surrounding when, where and how to get ready for that special date night. In July we had Ms. Cheri's Hodges, who facilitated the discussion on Toys, Boys, and Toys. Lessons were definitely taught that night. I'm still waiting for my supply of toys to come in.

If you find yourself sitting home one Friday night, stop by The Book Palace. Be sure to bring your favorite cold beverage and a comfortable chair. Some of these conversations are go into the next day. 

Next up, at The Palace, Eboni Alexander. Her topic? ??????

Come  visit The Palace After Dark, where the grown and sexy meet the  uninhibited.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Irisbollingbookpalace/



Until the next time,
August 20, 2013

Iris  www.irisbolling.net
www.sirient.com

Travel...Are The Events Worth It?

Hello lovely ones! Summer is passing by quickly and tons of books have been released. Did you do any travelling this season? Well, that’s our topic of this blog.Travel…how far are loyal readers and new ones willing to go in the quest of meeting an author? Does distance matter? In this economy, we all want or like some sort of bargain, whether it’s a few cents off gas or an ice cream coupon. Some readers carpool to another state to meet the goal. Others fly out to different coasts to make it happen. After attending a nicely organized event, meeting familiar and new authors, can you say it was worth the money? Did you have a good time? The experience is what matters in the end. Most authors take pictures and allow the readers to freely discuss their work. Some of the most recent events that have taken place were in Sacramento, California at the West Coast Reader's Retreat and in Harlem, New York at the Harlem Book Fair. If you're in the Richmond, Virginia area, an event coming up is the Emerald Authors Showcase on Saturday, August 3, 2013. This event is being hosted by Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Gamma Delta Chapter. Featured authors include: Stacy Hawkins Adams, Iris Bolling, Bridget Midway, Latisha Patterson, Kemba Smith, Patricia Mills, and Loretta R. Walls. The event is free admission to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Trinity Life Center 3601 Dill Road, Richmond, VA 23222 We hope to see you there, ready to enjoy the experience! Rule your day! Loretta R. Walls, Author of "The Majestic Dynasty" #HOTMAMA #nucherte  

Summer reading and writing

This summer, I'm determined to catch up on my reading and of course keep up with my writing. A lot of my favorite authors have released books this summer that are page turners to say the least.
Here's what I've read so far:

Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey.


Four years have passed since the events of Pleasure, and Nia’s success as a writer has grown, bringing her from Atlanta to Los Angeles. But she remains on a quest to quiet her inner storm, to draw on her well of emotions and explore them fully before leaving this season of her life and moving on to what could be the next stage: marriage and motherhood.

Drawn to an exclusive pleasure palace, where patrons try on roles as they actively shun their respective realities, Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. What has happened to the compartments she has so carefully created for the different aspects of her life? Will her relationship with the mysterious, often unavailable Prada survive the countless temptations? Will her successful literary career be given over to impulse indulgence? Does decadence know any bounds?

When Nia’s past comes back to mingle with her present, and when her staid public persona clashes with her fantasy life of decadence, readers will be stunned by the outcome. Eric Jerome Dickey’s newest tale of excess—and its sky-high costs—is a thrilling portrait of a glittering world.

Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray


When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey,
dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is
over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she
survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and
Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her. Jamal and Chauncey grew up
together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can
to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the
funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has
a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and
reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned. . . .

Graye by Deborah Fletcher Mello

Disrupting what should have been a joyous family celebration, Graye McAdams celebrates his mother’s birthday by shooting his best friend Tate Butler. Killing his wife Angelette had been next on his list, but fate had other plans for Angelette McAdams, a desperate young woman searching for her own worth and value.

Graye’s mother, Miss Jen Pearl has lived Angelette’s desperation, having walked in the girl’s shoes with Graye’s father, Otis McAdams. Miss Jen Pearl has answers learned from her own mistakes and as she reflects on what she didn’t do, she’s able to guide Angelette in a better direction. But intent on retribution for Angelette’s sins, Graye has plans of his own for his adoring wife, ignoring his own transgressions in the process.

Hot Mamas AlTonya Washington and Loretta R. Walls have me about to miss deadlines as well.
Taboo Tree by AlTonya Washington

Rivalries, secret romances and scandals fed the feud between the Gwaltneys and Augustines for decades. The two families shared an uneasy co-existence, until terrible tragedy touched the Gwaltneys. Years later, the two eldest Augustine children, chose to chart their family history. In doing so, they made a devastating discovery. Their family shared more than hatred with the Gwaltneys. They shared blood. The kids decided to cover the explosive revelation. The decision would have consequences none of them could have foreseen. Many years later, tragedy struck again. History would repeat itself as new romances bloomed amidst the pain of the loss and vows for revenge. The truth would have to be revealed. Whether the secret would ruin the families forever or finally unite them, was a chance they would have to take.
Sagacity by Embue (Loretta R. Walls)

Ferndell Payne is a "PK" also known as a "Preacher's Kid," which carries a weight most couldn't understand. Pastor Calvin and First Lady Londa-Jean Payne are looked upon as pillars in the City of Richmond, Virginia, yet their daughter has a sexual habit that could rock their community. Upon twisted fate, Fern encounters a man that could change everything. Pressure, finger-pointing and a chance at love...can it justify...Sagacity.







Zane by Brenda Jackson

No woman walks away from Zane Westmoreland. But when Channing Hastings does just that, it leaves the rancher reeling—and then she returns to town, engaged! Zane will do whatever it takes to show her that there is no man for her but him.










And I'm still writing a thousand words a day. I'm trying my hand at woman's fiction because I have this character, Mimi Collins, who is not going to find a happily ever after. Last night, she found musty balls. I'm still laughing at that scene.
 Happy summer and happy reading. 

Let Me Share a Secret...

One question I hear often from aspiring authors is Ms. Angie, how long does it take you to write a book? Well, that really depends on what type of book I'm writing. Romance? Mystery? Women’s  fiction?

A romance takes sixty days.
My secret is…, I just simply do it. I handwrite an outline then I sit in front of my computer and I get started nonstop. And I do mean nonstop. No editing. No rereading. Nothing. Nada. Zip. The rule is, I’m not allowed to read what I have written until it’s over. By doing that, I free myself to focus on just one thing. Writing. And go at it HARD. Of course the book is extremely rough. Sometimes there is nothing but dialogue for pages, but at least this way I have a general idea of the scenes, how long the story is going to be, and how many love scenes are going to be required. LOL. If I have a chapter I’m not feeling, I just write a few lines then type NEED TO FINISH ANGELA! (by the way, no one calls me Angela but my mother) in big letters, then I move on to the next scene. By doing that I am able to flesh out an entire book in thirty days. Yes. 30 days. Afterwards, that’s when the rewrites begin.
Writing isn’t supposed to feel like work. It should be fun. So as an author you have to find ways to make the experience enjoyable like I do. And as a result, I have the best job in the world.
Muahhh!
Angie

Music to my ears

Hello my lovelies,

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance novel I'm working on for the "Wrapped Up: A Corseted Event with Bridget Midway and Yvette Hines." The novel will be called Licorice Whips, and it will be through Phaze Books in November 2013. People who come out to the event on November 9th will get the book before anyone else. Doesn't that make you feel special?

As I'm writing the novel, I often will pull inspiration from songs. Oftentimes songs will set a mood for me. Or a lot of times, I can use the singer's voice to imagine what the character's voice will sound like. For Licorice Whips, I imagine the hero named Sweet Hawkes to look like Bradley Cooper.

For the heroine, Nikla Dearwood, I imagine her looking like the actress Paula Patton.

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Hot couple, right? So for a hot couple like this, I need to listen to the appropriate music, especially since it's a romance, and especially because it's a BDSM novel. Because the hero owns and operates a candy store, I wanted a song that would work to express the sensuality. No, not Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" or Foxy Brown's "I Taste Just Like Candy" or even Cameo's "Candy." No, I went for Suzanne Vega's "Caramel" especially since caramel was used in a crucial scene. I'll just leave it at that.

Of course the hero has to learn to trust the heroine. In the process, I figured my hero would come to a point where he and the heroine are on the same page. For that moment, I like Lenny Kravitz's "I Belong to You."

My heroine has to come to grips about this new lifestyle she's been introduced to thanks to the hero. As you can imagine, she starts to feel more sensual. For her, Beyoncé's "Naughty Girl" comes to mind.

So what do I listen to when I'm writing the BDSM scenes? Mainly it's Nine Inch Nails and early 90's Madonna when she was in her shocking sex phase (think "Human Nature" and "Erotica"). What it comes down to is that anything that can help me craft a great story, I'll use it.

So you authors, what kind of music or what songs do you listen to when you look for inspiration?

Stay sexy,
BridgeT