Elise Hepner's Blog, page 26
August 4, 2011
Reviews
Lately everyone in the writing world is talking about the impact of reviews on author's writing processes and whether or not they read them. Let's clear something up real quickly--I read my reviews and I am not ashamed lol. They can fling me up into the sky or into a wall. But sooner or later I forget about them. Mostly because I go through projects so quickly that I just dismiss the last review as something I can work towards correcting in my next book.
Quite an optimistic viewpoint for someone who is supremely pessimistic, but I'll take the weird sunshine-y atmosphere where I can get it. I'll cry and get my kicks out if it's a bad review. If it's great one I'll cry and run upstairs from my lair/basement office to show my husband and then glow all day.
Either way I'll keep writing. Why are people getting so caught up in whether or not to read them? A writer is a writer is a writer--meaning, no matter what, we write and most of us can't stop. The End.
Quite an optimistic viewpoint for someone who is supremely pessimistic, but I'll take the weird sunshine-y atmosphere where I can get it. I'll cry and get my kicks out if it's a bad review. If it's great one I'll cry and run upstairs from my lair/basement office to show my husband and then glow all day.
Either way I'll keep writing. Why are people getting so caught up in whether or not to read them? A writer is a writer is a writer--meaning, no matter what, we write and most of us can't stop. The End.
July 30, 2011
How Much Is Too Much Author Information
I am all for the internet, I will acknowledge my full blown addiction, however--dear lord, sometimes there is way too much information out there for authors. Sometimes I'm so bombarded by it all that it sends me down a spiral of epic self doubt. It's become quite the war to pick out what to take to heart and what to ignore when everyone has a little tidbit that could easily be added to my knowledge quilt.
In order to figure out what works for you as an author you have to know your process first in terms of writing schedule, voice, and editing. Which, lets be honest, can take some practice and be really grueling. Unless you're one of those lucky ones who gets everything from the get-go and if that's the case congrats because I still haven't managed it. Anywho, in order to pick and choose existing rules and advice that will fit in with who we are as writers we need to know how to spin it to fit the lifestyle.
Generally, the most helpful thing I find to do is read the heading of a blog post or the link if it's twitter suggested and then I take from that all the info I need. Will it add to the rolling questions I always have in my mind? Will it make me think all day so I can't get anything done? If this is the case I normally leave it until the end of the work day. But if it seems like something that will work for me I digest it in small bits and pieces. Literally, I read every paragraph with a little pause in between the next one so my freak out demon doesn't have time to show itself. This makes everything easier to digest.
Don't get me wrong, I could read blog posts written by authors, agents, publishers, etc everyone in the business with advice to give me. And that my friends is the problem. There's no way to separate myself from that gaping whole of knowledge that needs to be filled all the time. Part of that has to do with my hard work mentality. Another part of that is me being curious. But the majority of it is my paranoia that I won't "make it" whatever that means at this point with such amazing publishers under my belt.
So I pull myself away from all the information, disconnect, digest, and hope to add to my knowledge quilt rather than gunking it up with old pieces of cloth that are stained that no one will want to see ever again. But it's a mental process. I still fall into the role of passive observer where I have to read every scrap of information that falls in my lap--and when that happens I shut down the internet and pick up a book.
In order to figure out what works for you as an author you have to know your process first in terms of writing schedule, voice, and editing. Which, lets be honest, can take some practice and be really grueling. Unless you're one of those lucky ones who gets everything from the get-go and if that's the case congrats because I still haven't managed it. Anywho, in order to pick and choose existing rules and advice that will fit in with who we are as writers we need to know how to spin it to fit the lifestyle.
Generally, the most helpful thing I find to do is read the heading of a blog post or the link if it's twitter suggested and then I take from that all the info I need. Will it add to the rolling questions I always have in my mind? Will it make me think all day so I can't get anything done? If this is the case I normally leave it until the end of the work day. But if it seems like something that will work for me I digest it in small bits and pieces. Literally, I read every paragraph with a little pause in between the next one so my freak out demon doesn't have time to show itself. This makes everything easier to digest.
Don't get me wrong, I could read blog posts written by authors, agents, publishers, etc everyone in the business with advice to give me. And that my friends is the problem. There's no way to separate myself from that gaping whole of knowledge that needs to be filled all the time. Part of that has to do with my hard work mentality. Another part of that is me being curious. But the majority of it is my paranoia that I won't "make it" whatever that means at this point with such amazing publishers under my belt.
So I pull myself away from all the information, disconnect, digest, and hope to add to my knowledge quilt rather than gunking it up with old pieces of cloth that are stained that no one will want to see ever again. But it's a mental process. I still fall into the role of passive observer where I have to read every scrap of information that falls in my lap--and when that happens I shut down the internet and pick up a book.
July 25, 2011
Books into Graphic Novels
I don't really know what to do with this new trend of turning paranormal books into graphic novels. Over the past few years it's been happening more and more--and yet, I can't decide if I like it. Graphic novel's and comics are so different from the way I see books in my head that sometimes it's makes me cranky. Like when little things are off--maybe the characters or just a plot twist that they've redone to make the new medium's story fresh and light.
Yet, then there's actully seeing all the cool visual techniques coming to life and the color on these projects are so stunning. Plus, the comic can add a lot more humor and little plays on facial expressions that sometimes can't be worked into a book. And here I am on the fence all over again! What's a girl to do? Frankly, I'm kinda shocked comics aren't going out of style with paper books--or are they? And the question God's land on my shoulder again. It would sure make me happy if I could get comics to my Nook because finding them is hard where I live and where I've moved from in the past.
Do you think comics will be forced into a different distribution through electronics? What do we think of this branching out from publishing into comic territory?
Also, I know it's not just paranormal books being turned into comics or graphic novels but that's mostly the trend I've seen of late so that's the pool that I'm drawing from today. So ha. Take that.
Yet, then there's actully seeing all the cool visual techniques coming to life and the color on these projects are so stunning. Plus, the comic can add a lot more humor and little plays on facial expressions that sometimes can't be worked into a book. And here I am on the fence all over again! What's a girl to do? Frankly, I'm kinda shocked comics aren't going out of style with paper books--or are they? And the question God's land on my shoulder again. It would sure make me happy if I could get comics to my Nook because finding them is hard where I live and where I've moved from in the past.
Do you think comics will be forced into a different distribution through electronics? What do we think of this branching out from publishing into comic territory?
Also, I know it's not just paranormal books being turned into comics or graphic novels but that's mostly the trend I've seen of late so that's the pool that I'm drawing from today. So ha. Take that.
July 22, 2011
Birthday Book Blitz
It's my birthday today and to celebrate I'm editing, writing, and drinking a lot of Chai tea latte's. So, basically it's any other day. But here on my bloggity-blog I'm celebrating by showcasing some of the books that are on my Too Be Bought Pile (TBP) because I just might get them for my birthday as a little gift. Here begins the line-up in no particular order:
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly: I've been longing for this YA book since I first found it months ago but I have to be in a particular mood to read this kind of book so I've put off buying it. However, it totally reminds me of a book I read when I was a teenager about a young girl who travels back in time through a coma to Nazi run Germany and that travel through unconscious mind/time thing has hooked me ever since.Possessed by Donald Spoto: I love, love, love, LOVE biographies. Right now in my TBR pile I have a biography of Julie Andrews and Emily Post. Mostly because I'm a sucker for little peaks into people's lives but I don't like magazines anymore because they're too short. Biographies are great compromises--all the meat without the ads.Bloodlines by Richelle Mead: Words can't express how much I love this author. I will read whatever she puts out in all three of her series and any she comes up with in the future. Every book grabs me and hooks me. This is a spring board series off her infamous Vampire Academy YA series and I've been waiting oh, so, eagerly for it to come out.The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson: Because sometimes I like to read super random books. That defines this one pretty clearly--well, that and I've always been enamored with the idea of insanity and how it's defined, etc. So not so random after all I guess. Oh well.The Prince with No Heart by Emma Holly: A very good friend of mine introduced me to the work of Emma Holly and I really adore the concept of this book. I'm very big into fairy tales, always have been, so I'm very happy to see it's return to the market right now. Plus, it means I get to write it, yay!!The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood: Yet another author that's at the top of my always buy list. This has been out for awhile but I've had to get through my To Be Read Pile to make it a priority.There you have it, my weird reading habits in a nutshell. Only half of my wishlist but this blog would explode with anything else. For those of you wondering "Where's the Erotica on that list?" the majority of it I've all ready purchased :)
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly: I've been longing for this YA book since I first found it months ago but I have to be in a particular mood to read this kind of book so I've put off buying it. However, it totally reminds me of a book I read when I was a teenager about a young girl who travels back in time through a coma to Nazi run Germany and that travel through unconscious mind/time thing has hooked me ever since.Possessed by Donald Spoto: I love, love, love, LOVE biographies. Right now in my TBR pile I have a biography of Julie Andrews and Emily Post. Mostly because I'm a sucker for little peaks into people's lives but I don't like magazines anymore because they're too short. Biographies are great compromises--all the meat without the ads.Bloodlines by Richelle Mead: Words can't express how much I love this author. I will read whatever she puts out in all three of her series and any she comes up with in the future. Every book grabs me and hooks me. This is a spring board series off her infamous Vampire Academy YA series and I've been waiting oh, so, eagerly for it to come out.The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson: Because sometimes I like to read super random books. That defines this one pretty clearly--well, that and I've always been enamored with the idea of insanity and how it's defined, etc. So not so random after all I guess. Oh well.The Prince with No Heart by Emma Holly: A very good friend of mine introduced me to the work of Emma Holly and I really adore the concept of this book. I'm very big into fairy tales, always have been, so I'm very happy to see it's return to the market right now. Plus, it means I get to write it, yay!!The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood: Yet another author that's at the top of my always buy list. This has been out for awhile but I've had to get through my To Be Read Pile to make it a priority.There you have it, my weird reading habits in a nutshell. Only half of my wishlist but this blog would explode with anything else. For those of you wondering "Where's the Erotica on that list?" the majority of it I've all ready purchased :)
July 18, 2011
Thank You
I just wanted to write this post to say a belated thank you to everyone who supports me, helps me get through the writing day without pressing the delete button on everything, and to my readers. You really are the best-est readers an erotica writer could ask for in her naughty, smutty little soul.
I've had a lot of help along the way from my fellow writers and strangers who were helpful enough to answer any newb questions I tossed at them. Without this community I wouldn't have done nearly as well. So thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my sexy, erotic heart.
I've had a lot of help along the way from my fellow writers and strangers who were helpful enough to answer any newb questions I tossed at them. Without this community I wouldn't have done nearly as well. So thank you, everyone, from the bottom of my sexy, erotic heart.
July 15, 2011
New Contract with Ellora's Cave
Well, sensational news to pass along today! I've gotten my latest contract for my novella from EC entitled Roped Emotions. This is a story I've been fiddling around with for about six months, tweaking it to get it just right. So it was a really great payoff to get it accepted for the Exotica line.
I've always been super enamored with fairy tales--even before I discovered the erotic ones--and in my story I set off to explore one of my favorite stories, Rapunzel.
Roped Emotions focuses on the inner torment my heroine has been through trapped in the castle turret, not only absent from other people, but absent from her own sense of self unable to find out who she is because of her stepmother's debilitating control.
When the prince stumbles upon her tower sparks ignite because Rapuzel finally sees her way out of her stepmother's trap--and it's as simple as drowning in a gorgeous man. But will slacking her latent lustful tendencies and defying her stepmother's wishes be enough to soothe?
This BDSM quickie was a lot of fun to write and I can't even tell you how much my imagination piqued at getting to play with all that luscious hair! I'll have more details as they become available but be sure to be on the look out for cover art and other goodies.
I've always been super enamored with fairy tales--even before I discovered the erotic ones--and in my story I set off to explore one of my favorite stories, Rapunzel.
Roped Emotions focuses on the inner torment my heroine has been through trapped in the castle turret, not only absent from other people, but absent from her own sense of self unable to find out who she is because of her stepmother's debilitating control.
When the prince stumbles upon her tower sparks ignite because Rapuzel finally sees her way out of her stepmother's trap--and it's as simple as drowning in a gorgeous man. But will slacking her latent lustful tendencies and defying her stepmother's wishes be enough to soothe?
This BDSM quickie was a lot of fun to write and I can't even tell you how much my imagination piqued at getting to play with all that luscious hair! I'll have more details as they become available but be sure to be on the look out for cover art and other goodies.
July 11, 2011
A cycle of waiting
Why not start out a post about waiting in a writing career with the hunkmaster of the movie Waiting? Granted, that movie has nothing to do with my post today because I don't work in a restaurant nor do I like to flash people, but I want some eye candy. So, ta-da!
Anywho, one of my biggest battles that will never cease is my epic fear of waiting. Every author gets paranoid when they wait--I get beyond paranoid. Every second is spent agonizing on yes or no, yes or no, and it's a battle of wills to get anything done. Even with the practical advice of working on something else while your waiting and yet, still, this worry is always in the back of my head.
Over the years I've managed to micro-mange it into a small box inside my head that I only drag out when I'm lost for a specific word in a sentence. But it's still there, my fear of waiting, my will they or won't they paranoia. Frankly, at this point, I think writer's need it to live. To fuel what we do. If I knew someone was going to accept every damn thing I gave then every time I don't know that I would work as hard or have half as much fun. Because the challenge and the constant reassurance that I rock are really good for my muse. Hell, acceptance is good for anyone's muse, it's why we submit in the first place.
So, I've stopped pushing away that little voice that freaks and shakes and quivers because it's been six days since my editor got back to me. Instead, I wallow. I roll around in that slimy, heart-clenching fear until I can't take it anymore. Then I remind myself that without the unknown there wouldn't be that blissful satisfaction I get at the beginning of every new contract. I've got to have some sense of challenge in order for the payoff to be so good I cry every time I get a new book deal. So what if it's all in my head? If it makes it that much more fun later, I'm gonna join the paranoid party and letting my inner nail biter out to play.
Waiting is the best writing aphrodisiac out there. Because will they or won't they makes the big "o" of putting your name on a piece of paper and shipping it out that much sweeter.
July 8, 2011
Best Bondage Erotica 2012
My short story, Tied Down, will be in Best Bondage Erotica 2012 by Rachel Kramer Bussel come this December 13th! Yay! I'm particularly excited about this one since bondage is kinda my forte right now. Plus, the cover is just so sexy! This is one accomplishment I'll be drooling over for awhile. Pre-order this awesome compilation HERE.
June 30, 2011
Kissed From Beyond On Sale for .99 For Limited Time
Hey ladies and gents, my four novella paranormal erotic anthology with Keta Diablo, Amber Scott, and Stacey Kennedy is on sale for a limited time for the price of a short story--only ninety-nine cents! Summer is in full swing, it's hot and it's only getting hotter so lets celebrate with an e-book sale!
Celebrating the Sizzle and Sparks of Summer, grab Kissed From Beyond for 99 cents until July 5th!
This "must read" anthology will take you to the mystical beyond and back with four erotica novellas from bestselling and award-winning authors:
"Cradle of Dreams" by Keta Diablo
With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins' Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.
Kendrick can't believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.
"A Love Soul Deep" by Amber Scott
If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.
Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.
"One Rub More" by Elise Hepner
Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voo-doo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could only be summoned by the rub of a woman's palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again, he's resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.
Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn't satisfied when Helena didn't want to be barefoot and pregnant. But she's resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes that logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she's put to the test when she accidently summons Flynn from his teapot prison.
Little do they know, they'll both get what they wished for, even if it's not exactly what they envisioned.
"'Til We Meet Again" by Stacey Kennedy
Ethan Thomas has spent years alone,forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he's now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He's spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…
Cassandra Cole is an interior designer who has been hired to restore an old Victorian home. But as she begins to furnish the home strange happenings begin to erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie will set out to discover who this ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him will surprise her in ways she couldn't have imagined.
Reviewers had this to say about Kissed From Beyond:
"Everything you want from a paranormal erotica anthology intriguing characters, enticing settings and HOT and STEAMY stories."
"Each author delivers a wonderful tale of romance mixed with exciting sex scenes. The stories touch the heart and make me want more. Reading this book left a wicked smile on my face for days."
Buy From:
Amazon
Nook
Celebrating the Sizzle and Sparks of Summer, grab Kissed From Beyond for 99 cents until July 5th!
This "must read" anthology will take you to the mystical beyond and back with four erotica novellas from bestselling and award-winning authors:
"Cradle of Dreams" by Keta Diablo
With visions of battle still fresh in his mind, Roane Bradfield returns home to find the woman he loves betrothed to another. He corners Kendrick Moreland at Dowager Huggins' Grand Ball and whisks her into the secluded library. One way or the other, he will know the reason the duplicitous beauty cut him from her life when she promised to wait forever.
Kendrick can't believe her eyes when Roane suddenly appears at the ball. Has he truly risen from the dead? Amid wagging tongues and hushed murmurs, the fantasy of her every dream whisks her from the ballroom. And the expression on his face is anything but loving. Revenge, danger and powerful love collide in the Cradle of Dreams.
"A Love Soul Deep" by Amber Scott
If only Sara had known no man would ever make her feel like Crew did, she would have let him love her. A regret that can never be undone. His death haunts her dreams and her wishful thinking only reminds her of everything she has lost.
Years later, a visit to an antique store in sultry Savannah changes everything and makes her deepest wish come true. Her beloved returns to her. Her every fantasy gets the chance to be fulfilled. But she wants more than one night. She wants a lifetime and wonders what magic will let her keep A Love Soul Deep.
"One Rub More" by Elise Hepner
Flynn has been cursed for over a century for a social slight he never committed. A voo-doo priestess hexed him and forced him into a teapot where he could only be summoned by the rub of a woman's palm. Once free, he grants these women three sexual favors—and cuts off his own emotions in the process. Unable to break free from an invisible cage of lust and sex to fall in love again, he's resigned to being a sex object and nothing more.
Helena has been house sitting far, far away from her complicated past in England— including her former childhood sweetheart, who wasn't satisfied when Helena didn't want to be barefoot and pregnant. But she's resigned to leave behind the complications of men and sex. She hopes that logic will win out over her unreliable emotions—but she's put to the test when she accidently summons Flynn from his teapot prison.
Little do they know, they'll both get what they wished for, even if it's not exactly what they envisioned.
"'Til We Meet Again" by Stacey Kennedy
Ethan Thomas has spent years alone,forever trapped between worlds. Once a soldier in the Civil War, he's now a ghost bound to a chaise lounge that once belonged to him. He's spent centuries lingering in Savannah, Georgia, waiting to be saved…
Cassandra Cole is an interior designer who has been hired to restore an old Victorian home. But as she begins to furnish the home strange happenings begin to erupt around her. She suspects the house is haunted. Determined to find out, Cassie will set out to discover who this ghost is, why she feels a connection to him, and what she has to do to free him will surprise her in ways she couldn't have imagined.
Reviewers had this to say about Kissed From Beyond:
"Everything you want from a paranormal erotica anthology intriguing characters, enticing settings and HOT and STEAMY stories."
"Each author delivers a wonderful tale of romance mixed with exciting sex scenes. The stories touch the heart and make me want more. Reading this book left a wicked smile on my face for days."
Buy From:
Amazon
Nook
June 22, 2011
The Backlist
One of the hardest things to do once you have a publisher, is creating a back list. At least, if you're like me and you have tons of manuscripts ready to edit and sub to your editor, you'd think it would be one, two, three, yay!
But, oh, is that so not the case.
Mainly because my attention is pulled in eight different directions a day besides on the WIP I'm currently working on at that moment. I tend to be working on two or three projects in various stages of completion, just because that's how I work. But couple that with edits from my actual editor and all that other good stuff?
Oh boy.
Here's the main reason why a back list to me in the holy grail: because my editing phases are long and tedious. Even before an MS gets sent to my editor I've gone over it and rewritten it at least three times--and that's just the first rough draft. I am not a "write a perfect draft first time, every time" person. I'm not even a "have a perfect draft after three rewrites" person. I'm a polisher. A nutty, eccentric, epic polisher. So for every single book in my back list, it probably spent a lot of time with me before going to my editor for more edits, and then hitting the interwebs. While I'm also editing, promoing, and writing other things.
So yeah, that back list. It'll happen, slowly but surely. But I'm not holding my breath. Might pass out before I finish polishing.
But, oh, is that so not the case.
Mainly because my attention is pulled in eight different directions a day besides on the WIP I'm currently working on at that moment. I tend to be working on two or three projects in various stages of completion, just because that's how I work. But couple that with edits from my actual editor and all that other good stuff?
Oh boy.
Here's the main reason why a back list to me in the holy grail: because my editing phases are long and tedious. Even before an MS gets sent to my editor I've gone over it and rewritten it at least three times--and that's just the first rough draft. I am not a "write a perfect draft first time, every time" person. I'm not even a "have a perfect draft after three rewrites" person. I'm a polisher. A nutty, eccentric, epic polisher. So for every single book in my back list, it probably spent a lot of time with me before going to my editor for more edits, and then hitting the interwebs. While I'm also editing, promoing, and writing other things.
So yeah, that back list. It'll happen, slowly but surely. But I'm not holding my breath. Might pass out before I finish polishing.
