Debbie Vaughan's Blog, page 6
October 29, 2012
Great Stories/ Wonderful Cause
I wanted to let you all know about a project the Diamond State Romance Authors have been working on. A
This group of romance authors pulled together two collections of short stories compiled into books to benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It's a large cat refuge that is doing amazing things for the rescued cats. Some of the authors include Elle James, Brinda Berry, Cynthia, D'Alba, Margaret Ethridge, Candace Sams, Gina Wilkins, Delilah Devlin, Karis Walsh and many others from across the nation.
All the profits will go to saving the lives of rescued big cats (tigers, lions, puma). The print volumes are now on sale at Amazon and would make great gifts. I'd appreciate any likes and tags and spreading the word. It takes a lot to feed and shelter the big cats.
Wild at Heart Volume I - http://amzn.to/Yaop3U
Wild at Heart Volume II (young adult) - http://bitly.com/TMx7XB
ELLE JAMES
This group of romance authors pulled together two collections of short stories compiled into books to benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It's a large cat refuge that is doing amazing things for the rescued cats. Some of the authors include Elle James, Brinda Berry, Cynthia, D'Alba, Margaret Ethridge, Candace Sams, Gina Wilkins, Delilah Devlin, Karis Walsh and many others from across the nation.
All the profits will go to saving the lives of rescued big cats (tigers, lions, puma). The print volumes are now on sale at Amazon and would make great gifts. I'd appreciate any likes and tags and spreading the word. It takes a lot to feed and shelter the big cats.
Wild at Heart Volume I - http://amzn.to/Yaop3U
Wild at Heart Volume II (young adult) - http://bitly.com/TMx7XB
ELLE JAMES
October 28, 2012
In the Name of Research
I'm plotting a new romantic suspense and need some suggestions from folks who have "been there, done that."
The heroine, tired of being alone, has sought companionship via the many online dating sites. It ended badly...repeatedly! ( I've been combing the review sites to these places and that seems more the norm than the exception!)
So how does a mature, single gal meet eligible men theses days short of shining belt buckles on the dance floor of some honky-tonk or being slobbered on by drunks at a bar?
Suggestions? Opinions? Thoughts? Ideas?
The heroine, tired of being alone, has sought companionship via the many online dating sites. It ended badly...repeatedly! ( I've been combing the review sites to these places and that seems more the norm than the exception!)
So how does a mature, single gal meet eligible men theses days short of shining belt buckles on the dance floor of some honky-tonk or being slobbered on by drunks at a bar?
Suggestions? Opinions? Thoughts? Ideas?
October 18, 2012
WHAT DO YOU READ?
As a writer trends in the market are of great interest to me. I do try to keep current. I've noted a shift in publishing toward true category romance and away from the sub-genres.
As a reader this concerns me.
I can only stand so much angst in a book. Sorry all you angsty writers out there! Yes, I want a happy ending! I am a romantic as well as a romance author after all. I just like a lot of verity. Maybe I bore easily. I adore the sub-genres, be they erotic, paranormal, suspense, or what have you. I want some twists and turns to the "hero meets heroine + angst and more angst+hero saves the day= HEA. Maybe I watched too much Scooby Do as a kid, but toss in some mystery, some social commentary a monster or two and I'm a happy camper.
What floats your boat?
As a reader this concerns me.
I can only stand so much angst in a book. Sorry all you angsty writers out there! Yes, I want a happy ending! I am a romantic as well as a romance author after all. I just like a lot of verity. Maybe I bore easily. I adore the sub-genres, be they erotic, paranormal, suspense, or what have you. I want some twists and turns to the "hero meets heroine + angst and more angst+hero saves the day= HEA. Maybe I watched too much Scooby Do as a kid, but toss in some mystery, some social commentary a monster or two and I'm a happy camper.
What floats your boat?
October 1, 2012
GOLDEN BOYS BY AMBER GREEN--FOR FREE!!!
From October 3-7, you will be able to download Golden Boys free.
Tell your friends. Golden Boys
Tell your friends. Golden Boys
September 24, 2012
Changing Times
I'm not referring to the end of daylight savings time but rather the publishing industry.
Since the advent of the e-reader the publishing industry has been set on it's ear. What was once thought to be a fad is here to stay. One Kindle, Nook or other device in hand and the reader has thousands of books at their command. Gone are the days when half your suitcase was devoted to the novels you planned to read on vacation! Even dyed-in-the-wool book lovers like me readily admit affection for digital readers. Do I think brick and mortar publishing houses will become obsolete? A year ago, I would have said no, now...I'm not so sure.
Don't get me wrong. I think there will always be people like me who love the feel and scent of a book in their hands, however the "old" houses need to take a lesson from the "new." In my opinion one of the major draws of the digital industry is the amount of new talent presented to the reader. Certainly, some of these writers will fall to the wayside as has always been the case, but others will become rising stars. Traditional publishers seems stuck in a rut as they wait to see if the tide will turn in their favor once again. They seem to repeatedly publish inferior work by their "known" authors, hanging sales on name recognition, while fearing to take a chance on new talent. In my opinion, they are shooting themselves in the foot.
I have been an avid reader most of my life. I have my favorite authors, to whom I am fiercely loyal. Was fiercely loyal. Over the past year I have sadly marked three of them off my reading list. Why? Their editors are allowing them to make errors in judgment, ramble on about nothing to add another book to already lengthy series. Sometimes a story line needs to be wrapped up. An author usually knows when and should adhere to their gut, not the paycheck dangling in front of their noses. Their creation deserves a better fate than fading into obscurity and their readership certainly does more. J. K. Rowling knew it was best to leave at the top of your game. Perhaps publishers need to reconsider the draw of a name over the quality of material.
Do you agree or disagree. Would you rather read something new and fresh from an unknown or follow blindly a well known name? Let me here from you!
Since the advent of the e-reader the publishing industry has been set on it's ear. What was once thought to be a fad is here to stay. One Kindle, Nook or other device in hand and the reader has thousands of books at their command. Gone are the days when half your suitcase was devoted to the novels you planned to read on vacation! Even dyed-in-the-wool book lovers like me readily admit affection for digital readers. Do I think brick and mortar publishing houses will become obsolete? A year ago, I would have said no, now...I'm not so sure.
Don't get me wrong. I think there will always be people like me who love the feel and scent of a book in their hands, however the "old" houses need to take a lesson from the "new." In my opinion one of the major draws of the digital industry is the amount of new talent presented to the reader. Certainly, some of these writers will fall to the wayside as has always been the case, but others will become rising stars. Traditional publishers seems stuck in a rut as they wait to see if the tide will turn in their favor once again. They seem to repeatedly publish inferior work by their "known" authors, hanging sales on name recognition, while fearing to take a chance on new talent. In my opinion, they are shooting themselves in the foot.
I have been an avid reader most of my life. I have my favorite authors, to whom I am fiercely loyal. Was fiercely loyal. Over the past year I have sadly marked three of them off my reading list. Why? Their editors are allowing them to make errors in judgment, ramble on about nothing to add another book to already lengthy series. Sometimes a story line needs to be wrapped up. An author usually knows when and should adhere to their gut, not the paycheck dangling in front of their noses. Their creation deserves a better fate than fading into obscurity and their readership certainly does more. J. K. Rowling knew it was best to leave at the top of your game. Perhaps publishers need to reconsider the draw of a name over the quality of material.
Do you agree or disagree. Would you rather read something new and fresh from an unknown or follow blindly a well known name? Let me here from you!
September 10, 2012
Dating
Have the rules of dating changed? Seriously, I want to know your opinion.
I work with a mixed age group from teens to seniors and what I hear from the some of them has me perplexed. I know fashion sense has gone the way of the Dodo with today's youth but has chivalry followed suit? Are ladies expected to pay for their meal and movie ticket? Do men no longer come to your home to pick you up but rather, expect you meet them at your chosen venue? Now the big question...has the older generation adopted these rules as well? I need to know!
At risk of showing my advancing years, back in the day, a gentleman asked you out, picked you up at your door, paid for the date, returned you to said door in the hopes of a goodnight kiss. Are those days of chivalry dead and gone? How is a mature woman supposed to respond when a man acts interested? I'm at a loss. Help!
I work with a mixed age group from teens to seniors and what I hear from the some of them has me perplexed. I know fashion sense has gone the way of the Dodo with today's youth but has chivalry followed suit? Are ladies expected to pay for their meal and movie ticket? Do men no longer come to your home to pick you up but rather, expect you meet them at your chosen venue? Now the big question...has the older generation adopted these rules as well? I need to know!
At risk of showing my advancing years, back in the day, a gentleman asked you out, picked you up at your door, paid for the date, returned you to said door in the hopes of a goodnight kiss. Are those days of chivalry dead and gone? How is a mature woman supposed to respond when a man acts interested? I'm at a loss. Help!
September 6, 2012
Remember me?
I suppose, "I've been busy," doesn't cut it, huh, even if it's true? Things in my little piece of the universe just seem to be spinning out of orbit the past year leaving me little time...or energy, for much else. I do apologize.
Writing is a demanding profession. In my opinion I make most of those demands on myself. Everything must be "just so" before I allow myself to sit down and write. Unfortunately, that usually leaves me too exhausted to think. Hopefully that will change soon.
I've applied for a new "day job" which will definitely be less taxing physically although probably more so mentally. Perhaps that will help clear the cobwebs from my brain. One can hope!
I do have stories in the works, folks. Honest! Red Suns Rising, is at the top of my list to finish. I plan to boldly go into not only deep space, but a post apocalyptic future...new worlds, new challenges and new love--and then there be dragons! LOL
Meanwhile the first book of my Legacy Series, Midnight Sun, is being considered by a couple of publishers. Hopefully, the love of my life will be available for you to read soon.
Writing is a demanding profession. In my opinion I make most of those demands on myself. Everything must be "just so" before I allow myself to sit down and write. Unfortunately, that usually leaves me too exhausted to think. Hopefully that will change soon.
I've applied for a new "day job" which will definitely be less taxing physically although probably more so mentally. Perhaps that will help clear the cobwebs from my brain. One can hope!
I do have stories in the works, folks. Honest! Red Suns Rising, is at the top of my list to finish. I plan to boldly go into not only deep space, but a post apocalyptic future...new worlds, new challenges and new love--and then there be dragons! LOL
Meanwhile the first book of my Legacy Series, Midnight Sun, is being considered by a couple of publishers. Hopefully, the love of my life will be available for you to read soon.
July 24, 2012
Comments Are Active!
The wonderful folks at Weebly have done it again! There is now an active "submit" button on comments to my blog. Yes, that is correct, you can now comment to your hearts content AND I will actually get to read those comments.
Who would have think it?
Now all I need is something interesting to say...but right now, I must prepare for the DAY JOB.
Oh the horror!
Who would have think it?
Now all I need is something interesting to say...but right now, I must prepare for the DAY JOB.
Oh the horror!
July 17, 2012
So Sorry!
I have recently been advised my "comment" button has no save feature! Oh, the horror!!! Here I thought no one was reading or were so disinterested they declined to respond.
I have notified the kind folks at Weebly of the tragedy and I am sure they are busily working to sort out the issue, stomp the bug or whatever it takes to fix the problem. In the interim my "contact me" page DOES work. So if you have something to say...shoot me a line or two. I do want to hear from you.
Thanks for taking the time to try...often repeatedly...and for letting me know about the glitch.
Hugs
I have notified the kind folks at Weebly of the tragedy and I am sure they are busily working to sort out the issue, stomp the bug or whatever it takes to fix the problem. In the interim my "contact me" page DOES work. So if you have something to say...shoot me a line or two. I do want to hear from you.
Thanks for taking the time to try...often repeatedly...and for letting me know about the glitch.
Hugs
July 2, 2012
Magic Mike
I don't get to the movies very often but I HAD to go see Magic Mike. magicmikemovie.warnerbros.com They were sold out for the feature we went to see but I must say the hour wait was well worth it. LOL
Now, if you want a movie with a dense plot. that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat... save your money. If, however, your quest is for yummy eye candy and laughter...the go, go , GO!
The men of Magic Mike are gorgeous, with edible bodies and great moves. I wish they had shown more moves from Joe Manganiello, be still my heart, but they showed a lot. (wink ,wink). The men did not use stunt doubles which begs the question... wink, wink, BIG grin!
So, as you can see I enjoyed the show. I loved the woman down front and center who seemed to think it was a live performance and kept yelling her suggestions to the screen. I admit, she had some good ideas and yes, I would have paid to see the boys... pull them off.
Fun for all, but NOT a kiddy flick.
Now, if you want a movie with a dense plot. that keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat... save your money. If, however, your quest is for yummy eye candy and laughter...the go, go , GO!
The men of Magic Mike are gorgeous, with edible bodies and great moves. I wish they had shown more moves from Joe Manganiello, be still my heart, but they showed a lot. (wink ,wink). The men did not use stunt doubles which begs the question... wink, wink, BIG grin!
So, as you can see I enjoyed the show. I loved the woman down front and center who seemed to think it was a live performance and kept yelling her suggestions to the screen. I admit, she had some good ideas and yes, I would have paid to see the boys... pull them off.
Fun for all, but NOT a kiddy flick.
