Kat Duncan's Blog, page 15
August 14, 2011
Tell Me What To Write
My friend, Elwood Wendie, is between manuscripts and had some time to share his thoughts with us. Welcome back, Elwood! Oh, and EW insisted that I post his photo because he noticed that I usually put up the author's photo when I do interviews. So, here's the photo he sent me:
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Very handsome likeness, EW. ;) The floor is yours...
Do Women Really Want To Be Told What To Do? -OR- How I Learned Not To Write
As a ghost writer, I don't actually write anything that's my own. But I wish I could. So I went to some writer's conventions and workshops. Much to my surprise, I never learned anything about writing. But I learned a tremendous amount about not writing.
And about women.
The fact that the conferences and workshops were full of women, should have made sense, because if we guys aspire to be writers we don't bother going to conferences or taking classes. We just write. Me, I was still on the fence about the whole thing. After all, I'm making a good living writing other people's books. Why mess with that?
Anyway, in one conference there was this lady talking, Nora something-or-other (no not Roberts, she doesn't give workshops. She's too busy making buckets full of money.) So this Nora was all Queen Elizabeth like (the second one silly, not the first) and she said, all regal like, "Write about emotion." And she made this twisty wave of her hand. And nobody wrote anything.
Nobody.
"What do you mean by emotion?" one lady asked.
"Yeah, can you define emotion?" prompted another.
A big argument broke out as The Queen offered some wisdom about digging deep into your emotional psyche and so forth. I didn't really understand it, but was hoping to catch on by listening in on the arguments. It got pretty rough in there. I couldn't believe they were actually questioning The Queen. Being a guy, I'm used to this sort of treatment from women, but I didn't realize women did this to other women. I really need to get out of the office more.
The Queen finally restored order and did her best to give a long-winded, but essentially empty explanation. When that failed it was followed by many more, pressing and at times rather ugly questions. At last she resorted to quoting her own work as examples. Not having read her vast lexicon of romance novels, I departed for greener and hopefully less sanguine pastures.
Down the hall I stepped into a large room filled with women sitting at round tables facing a single man of small stature at a podium. He exuded an encouraging level of indifference. Good. At least he wouldn't be asking me to dig deeply into my emotions. I think his initials were DM, but let's call him Ralph.
Ralph cleared his throat. The room was pin drop silent. The women held their collective breath. The only sounds in the room were the swishes of hair being tossed over delicate shoulders and the light rasp of imaginary crumbs being brushed off bosoms.
I could have sat in pleasant reverie all afternoon, even if no one spoke another word. To me it was a little slice of Heaven. Alas, Ralph cleared his throat again in a manner that indicated he was about to speak. After several minutes passed, he did.
"Write about emotion," he said.
Instantly, electric fire spewed from a thousand pens. The cacophony of scratching went on for long minutes while Ralph preened his impeccable tie and stared at the pattern of punched tin squares of ceiling tiles. I sat in motionless awe. Great preening, Ralph. I must have missed that day in guy school.
I had no idea what to write, so I didn't. After about five minutes my mind wandered and I began to contemplate the platinum shades of hair on a busty little blonde across the room.
"You!" his voice echoed in the palatial room "You're not writing."
Thousands of eyes glared in my direction as I melted into the floor. Gulp.
"No, I'm not."
"Why not?"
"'Cause I don't know what to write."
"I said write about emotion."
"What emotion?"
"If I have to tell you, then you are not a writer."
"I...I really don't understand what I'm supposed to do," I protested.
"You must write about emotion."
"I really don't know how, but if you'd shut up for a second, maybe I could learn something from watching these women," I suggested.
"Leave!" His Moses finger pointed toward the door.
I rose on shaky legs and evaporated out the door. I passed the hall of the hotel and spotted the bar. I stopped in and ordered a double Scotch, no ice. After a few sips I recalled Guy School rule number 27. 'Never let on that you have no idea what you're doing. If you appear to be in charge, then you are in charge.' Obviously Ralph had learned that lesson well. It reminded me of FDR. Why, you ask? Because FDR wrote Guy School Rules Volumes, 6, 7 and 9 and it was he who said, "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't." Actually, it was rumored that Eleanor wrote Volume 7, but let's not go there. I'll save that for another blog.
I tossed back one more of Scotland's best and then rejoined the throng of people moving from function room to function room. Standing room only in so many of the smaller rooms. However, I did manage to slip into one medium sized room where a man was pacing while waiting for the audience to settle into their seats. He reminded me of one of my son's Marine Corp drill instructors at Paris Island. But this guy was a Green Beret, and that would be Camp Something-or-other. Anyway, let's call him Ralph. He barked the room to order and presented his first slide, a tiger, proud and graceful.
"This is the publishing industry," he said.
His next slide was of a tiger pouncing on a gazelle.
"This is the publishing industry when it gets a hold of a decent manuscript."
Half the room laughed, the other half groaned.
"This could happen to you!" he barked. "Unless you do exactly as I say."
The room fell silent. One man gasped and snuck out the rear door. I wanted to follow him, but those two double Scotches finally kicked in. Instead I suppressed a giggle. Ralph glared and I bowed my head and contritely placed my chin on my chest.
"Drop and give me twenty," he ordered.
I collapsed at three.
With a huff he continued, ignoring the puddle of uselessness I presented on the floor.
"Write about emotion," he commanded the audience of mostly women.
Again, a thousand pens spewed electric fire.
Emotion, I mumbled to myself, you write sci-fi. How do you find emotion in sci-fi? I stared motionless at the nib of my pen contemplating Guy School rule #87, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Oh, wrong quote. That was Roosevelt, and Teddy at that. I always knew there must have been some way Eleanor learned what to do.
At least this Ralph didn't order me out. He just let me sit there and do nothing while all the women around me scribbled at least 60,000 words.
Slowly realization dawned. These men couldn't write. But every woman in this room could. And yet they liked being told by a guy how to do it. Ralph #1 was a big New York agent. He was following Guy School rule #42, "Don't do the work yourself, sell what somebody else does." Ralph #2 was following Guy School rule #8, "Orders won't be followed unless you shout them out with proper threats." Whoa. These guys were truly brilliant.
I've decided that writing on my own is too tough, so I'm sticking with ghost writing. Luckily most of my clients aren't women, otherwise, they'd be learning to write their own stories and I'd be out of work fast.
So my question to you ladies (and gents) is: Am I right? Do you really like being told how to write?
August 3, 2011
Interview with Harper Bennett
Please welcome today, author Harper Bennett!
Harper Bennett has her own happily ever after going on in the wilds of Alaska with her husband and three darling minions (also known as "children"). Earning her MFA in creative writing in 2002 taught her nothing more than student loans were inherently evil and that her passion would never lie in the tomes of literary fiction. Her stories will always require a "happily ever after" with plenty of sweaty lust thrown in for good measure.
KD: Congratulations on the recent release of your book, The Centurion's Prize, available July 17, 2011 from Beachwalk Press. Tell us a little bit about The Centurion's Prize.
HB: Thank you so much for having me today, Kat! Here's a blurb:
To save their way of life, enemies must become allies.
In the final days of the Roman Empire, the Celtic princess Nara, daughter of a tribal king, has discovered a secret that will shatter the lives of the people and tribes she holds most dear. Once a sworn enemy of the Centurion Corvinus Aelius Martialis, she must now look to him for help. The Roman's very presence ignites a powerful and consuming passion within her, one that Nara knows is dangerous and could cost them both their lives…but is she strong enough to resist the Centurion's all-consuming kiss?
Never one to trust a Celt, let alone a woman, Corvin is taken aback by the bold princess's bargain. He knows her father is the puppeteer of a very dangerous game involving a rogue band of Rome's sworn enemies, and he can't be certain—did the apple fall far from the ambitious, traitorous tree? Or will he claim the fiery princess, body and soul, for his very own?
Set against ancient druidic forests amidst political intrigue and violent betrayal, The Centurion's Prize is a tale of a love that could save two worlds—or destroy everything in its path.
KD: What did you enjoy most about writing Nara and Corvin's story?
HB: I think my favorite part about writing The Centurion's Prize had to be Nara. To me, she was well-formed and complete in my mind long before anyone else in the story was. I often cringe when people claim the book wrote itself, but with Nara, she really drove the story for me.
The first draft was done within two or three weeks!
And while editing did take a while longer, this story proved to me that when you take the time to flesh out your characters/plot/details (whatever you need to have in place…I think it's different for every writer) before you start the writing process, the experience is much less painful! (Spoken by someone who has countless works-in-progress that were dropped after the excitement wore off). So I think the moral of the story was to figure out what I needed to get that manuscript done…what did I need to be really excited about writing it? Well, for me, I needed a character like Nara!
KD: Are you working on any new stories at the moment?
HB: Yes! Tons! (That was sort of a joke, but not really…) But highest on my to-do list is finishing up the initial edits and creative loose ends on Book 2 in the Taming the Centurions series, "The Centurion's Redemption". New characters and a new premise, but we're still going to have a hunky centurion named Soren and a beautiful "barbarian" named Genessa. In this next story, our hero has been put through the ringer before we even meet him and he's given up on life. What better than a talented, strong woman to give him a reason to live (and love)? Hopefully "The Centurion's Redemption" will be out later this year or early 2012.
KD: Your book's publisher is Beachwalk Press, which just opened its doors in July this year. What's was it like working with a brand new publisher?
HB: All I can say is "Wow!"
Pamela Tyner, founder of Beachwalk Press, has been an absolute dream to work with. She's incredibly upbeat and positive and is working hard to create a sense of community among the staff and authors at Beachwalk. The core group of authors she selected to start with has also turned out to be the friendliest and most sharing group of gals I could ever hope to meet. Some of us are newbies in the marketing/promo arena and the authors who have been through this before are quick to offer advice and tips that have helped them.
This was my first experience publishing and I have to say, I couldn't have asked for a better start. I'd heard horror stories about working with editors who want to change everything about your story and that was just not the case with my editor, Tir (Antonia Tiranth). I love her!
KD: You also give workshops for writers. Can you tell us about some of the things you teach in your workshops?
HB: In my particular graduate program, I had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant. In this college, that meant you taught undergraduate creative writing students and from some of these classes I ran, I began putting together online workshops for the various RWA chapters. To date, I've taught a characterization workshop using Jane Austen as a mentor and a course based on the "hero's journey" monomyth that focused on fleshing out your heroine as a complete character. I'm putting together a proposal for a class that would teach the basics of engaging creative nonfiction and apply it to author blogs. I love blogging and am interested in seeing how we can apply the rules of narrative nonfiction that I learned in graduate school and while working as a reporter at two newspapers to create interesting posts and series.
This year was my first jump into these online workshops and it wasn't exactly as easy as I thought. When you are teaching real, live, and in person, you can often use the body language of your students to gauge whether or not you are on the right track and have their attention. In the age of lurkers and online forums as a medium for your class, well, sometimes you hear crickets and are left wondering if your fly is down or if there is a boogie in your nose!
KD: In college you were in an MFA program, which most authors salivate over. What kinds of courses did you enjoy most? And would you recommend such a program to aspiring authors?
HB: When I was completing my MFA, I was in the poetry program. (Don't laugh!) By the time I was graduating, I was serious about wanting to write what I read, which happened to be genre fiction (romance and mystery, mostly). Well, in my particular program, I was a bit of the odd girl out. My peers loved the stories I was bringing to workshops, but my professors would constantly lecture me about not producing work that was "literary" enough. Bah! I wasn't interested in writing what they wanted, so my last semester of the program was interesting to say the least! I graduated and am proud of it, but who I was in that program is a far cry from the writer I am in 2011.
I think there are wonderful low-residency programs that will give authors the freedom to express themselves, but to be honest, the most beneficial part of an MFA program is not the teacher feedback, it's the workshop experience. I honestly believe my local writers' groups (RWA and more general location-based groups) that offer weekly critique groups offer more than a very expensive degree that will hang on your wall. Learning from others and being accountable to produce material for upcoming meetings made a huge difference in shaping what kind of writer I am and what kind of writer I'm aspiring to be.
I've been a part of online critique groups as well, and if you're lucky enough to find folks who "get you" and who you understand, the help you can offer each other is pure gold. Not to disparage MFA programs, but if you're actively pursuing genre fiction (especially romance), this genre is so full of generous, veteran writers and editors who want to offer a helping hand that you'll probably gain more from them than from a $30k per year writing program.
Bottom line, if you have access to one and want the degree, go for it. You won't regret it. But if you can't, you have incredible resources within your reach for much less (and often free) that will give you more specific guidance on your goal of publication in the romance genre.
KD: Tell us a little about your early background. Where did you grow up? Did you come from a large family or a small one? Were you a good student in grammar school?
HB: Was I good grammar student? Well, I was a very smart kid and got good grades when I wanted to…which was until about 10th grade! After that, I was your typical teenage girl who wanted to hang out with her friends, go on dates, and obsess about mean ex-boyfriends. I've never been overly driven in the grades department, unfortunately! But I have been an athlete my whole life and always pretty fearless in trying new adventures, including a stint in professional boxing and MMA in my 20s, and a whole host of tattoos that I can hardly explain to my straight-laced husband nowadays. (*grin*) I've been a sorority sister, an overnight DJ, a newspaper reporter, a professional prize fighter, a mama, a wife, a teacher, an editor, a waitress, a food blogger, …all in under 33 years. I may not know a lot, but I know how to have fun and try new things. If the romance business doesn't pan out, at least I can say I gave it a whirl, right?
KD: Tell us a little bit about your writing process. Do you write every day?
HB: I am productive in bursts. I'll have months where I am so motivated to work on a project that I'll haul my carcass out of bed each morning at 4 a.m. and write for two hours before work. Other times? I can go weeks without opening my laptop. Terrible, isn't it? But it all goes back to making sure I have something I'm passionate about. Sometimes, with my three kids (two boys and a 5-week old baby girl), my attention is diverted. But it always returns to romance writing eventually.
KD: Where can readers purchase your book?
HB: Here are some links!
Beachwalk Press: http://beachwalkpress.com/shop/the-centurions-prize/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-centurion-x2019-s-prize-harper-bennett/1104320165
KD: Where can readers find you and your workshops on the web?
HB: I do my best to keep this page on my Web site updated with my whereabouts. It's the best place to see what I'm up to!
http://www.harperbennett.com/p/workshop-appearances.html
You can find Harper at http://www.harperbennett.com/ and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/HarperWrites). She also checks her e-mail obsessively and would love to hear from you: harper.bennett@gmail.com
KD: Thanks, Harper! Now, readers, you are in for a treat. Here's an excerpt from The Centurion's Prize:
"You are not in danger as long as you are under my protection," he said when they were clear of the gate. "Do not fear my soldiers."
"I'll keep that in mind the next time I am rendered unconscious," she whispered.
Her hand was soft and warm in his. Try as he might to concentrate on the short journey to the magistrate's home, Corvin's thoughts centered on the skin-to-skin contact between them. Nara's hand was not limp. It was not passive. Corvin could not help but notice she grasped his hand with a strong grip and held tight.
The walk was short—too short. Soon, the dark sky that melded with the darkness of the trees and the cover of branches gave way to paths lined with braziers leading Cadeyrn's palace. In the distance, he could see the Celtic soldiers patrolling the front entrance.
"How did you manage to get past four guards?"
"There are nine, actually," Nara corrected him. "Three additional circle the grounds and two more travel in the opposite direction that you did not notice."
Corvin gave Nara an incredulous look.
Who was this girl?
She was no mere princess, that much was certain. A coddled, sheltered normal female would not have made it three paces out of her own bed chamber without being spooked back inside…and Nara managed to get herself all the way to the garrison's gate before being detected.
The moon had moved in the sky, out from the barrier of the foliage canopy to shine on Nara's face as she looked up at him from beneath her hood. She smiled.
"The guards are fools and think only of wine and women," she said. "And the forest guides me."
Corvin frowned, confused by the cryptic statement but let it pass, as his mind was also focused solely on women—one woman in particular. Slowly, he reached for her cheek, hoping Nara would not flinch at his touch. When she closed her eyes in response, he quickly moved forward and kissed her.
Foolish, yes, but when her mouth opened against his, his primal, male instincts took over and he swept his tongue past her teeth, exploring the sweet taste of her. Nara moaned softly.
His other hand grasped her waist, and he continued the gentle, probing kiss. He was in no hurry, and he did not want to frighten her. God above, but she tasted good, and as she pushed back into him, urging him on, it took every last ounce of discipline and willpower in his body to break the kiss.
"I will see you again soon, Celt," he said with a half-smile.
"If you are lucky, Roman," Nara said. She trotted off into the night and Corvin watched as she disappeared into the shadows. She moved toward the back of the structure until she was out of view.
Corvin stood motionless for a few moments, the taste of this enigmatic Celtic princess still on his tongue. His Celtic princess.
KD: Wow. I think Corvin's got a handful in Nara. I can just imagine the fantastic chemistry between them. Readers, hold onto your hats, Harper is offering the following prizes for comments:
A copy of The Centurion's Prize
Copy of "Gladiator" (the movie…I know they aren't centurions…but it's Rome! And I love Russell Crow!) or of the 2010 movie "The Centurion," another great flick. Winner's choice.
A handmade bracelet and earrings set inspired by Nara's run through the forest in chapter one.
Harper will choose a winner at random on August 12 from the comments here at Write About AND she's offering extra entries to anyone who friends her on FB or becomes a twitter follower and retweets the interview link. Fantastic! So, questions, comments for Harper?
August 1, 2011
Synapse is Now Available
Synapse, my latest romantic suspense thriller has been released on Smashwords. Click on the book cover to get your copy while it's free!
Stalked by a killer bent on stealing her laboratory notebook, scientist Molly Augur is desperate to figure out who she can and cannot trust. With the help of co-researcher Bill Banely, she uses DNA technology she invented to prove she can release hidden ancestral memories. In the brain synapses of her mind she finds one person who may know the truth - her long dead ancestor, Mailsi, whose life memories have been recorded in the depths of Molly's genes.
Ancient passions and betrayals come alive and collide with the present when Molly discovers philanthropist Dr. Philman, with a secret billion dollar need for the technology only she possesses could be the one after her notebook. And Bill, whose wandering heart she has finally won, is working for Philman. In the face of limitless money, what is the value of Bill's love? Or the value of her life? The answers lie deep within the synapses of her mind.
Here's an excerpt:
Molly threw her briefcase and purse onto the passenger seat and slipped in. With a quick wave goodbye, she started the engine and drove away. Bill stood motionless in the gloom, hands in his pockets, his image growing smaller in the rear view mirror.
Suddenly, his image was blocked by a shadow behind her. A leather glove gripped her mouth and jerked her head back against the headrest.
"Do as I say and you won't be hurt," growled the deep male voice. "Just keep driving."
Her futile screams didn't make it past the muffling glove.
"Turn right," the voice ordered.
With her head pinned to the headrest, Molly struggled to turn the car. Then she pulled the wheel hard, hoping to dislodge the attacker. He slid, but his grip didn't lessen, pulling her head painfully with him.
"Don't play games!" he barked.
Cold metal against her neck made her shudder. He was going to kill her. Her heart pounded. She lifted her head back to free her nose. Drawing in a deep breath she let it out in another muffled scream.
The glove pulled tighter, blocking all breath.
Molly's car wobbled right then left on the narrow side street. She turned her head and managed to get a scream past the glove. Mouth open she bit down hard when the glove tightened against her face. She caught a piece of the man's palm through the leather.
He yowled a curse and knocked her on the head with his fist. The side of her head thumped against the door's window. The steering wheel followed her motion. The car swerved, crossing the street. She slammed her foot to hit the brake, but hit the gas instead. The car lurched forward, going airborne over something. A loud crunch of groaning metal, and the air bags exploded throughout the car, knocking the man down in the back seat.
Water from a fire hydrant geysered around the car. Molly pushed open the door and jumped out, instantly getting blasted with a frigid, blinding spray. She slipped on the slick grass and went to her knees. As she rose to her feet to run, the man's arm ratcheted around her neck. In one hand he held her briefcase, his other hand held a gun against her neck.
"Stupid move, Dr. Augur."
July 26, 2011
LASR / WC 4th Anniversary
Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by Write About! This weekend Long and Short Reviews and Whipped Cream Reviews are celebrating their 4th Anniversary! Woohoo!
And guess what? I'm helping them celebrate by participating in the blog on Sunday, July 31st
AND
I'm also participating in the Scavenger Hunt. Somewhere on this blog site I will be hiding a little graphic. All you have to do is, starting August 1st, find it! :)
You can comment on the blog and/or enter the scavenger hunt to win some fab prizes (click the image below for details):
July 24, 2011
Guest Blogger Vonnie Davis
Welcome, Vonnie! The floor is yours!
Kat, thanks so much for having me here today. I've been looking forward to our visit.
I read once where the learning curve of a writer is continual. How true.
As I flip through the pages of my debut book, I wince in a few spots. I've learned so much since I wrote those lines. Thank goodness for online classes and workshops.
Silly me, I thought that all I had to do was tell a story. I could do that. Right? I mean I knew how to write. I'd majored in English, with a concentration in technical writing as a non-traditional student, at Penn State. I was in my mid-forties when I first enrolled. I also tutored foreign students on how to research and write their papers, using APA or MLA standards, depending on their majors. Later I worked as a technical writer. Grammar, sentence structure, literary tropes—I knew them all.
What I didn't know was the craft of writing.
Point of view, character arc, conflict resolution, just to name a few.
Still, learning is so much fun that my journey—my continual journey, I might add—is a delightful one.
I'm retired now and married to an author. We've both had books released within the past month. Talk about promotion madness! Calvin's book, The Phantom Lady of Paris, is set in the City of Light in 1968. Calvin lived there for a year, during that era, while on sabbatical so his prose is peppered with the flavor or Paris.
Storm's Interlude is set somewhere I've never been—the hill country of Texas. Heck, I've never even been on a horse. Thankfully, those old research skills served me well, for my book deals with modern cowboys, nurses and how a serious illness can affect a family. This is a story that flowed out so quickly, I seriously thought it couldn't be any good. Previous books I wrote took at least a year as I wrote and rewrote chapters. This book was birthed in three months and sold in two weeks. Gee, maybe I was editing the life out of my stories. No, I think I was still climbing that learning curve, panting and struggling with every improvement.
Here's the blurb of my book:
Nurse Rachel Dennison comes to Texas determined to prepare her new patient for a second round of chemo. What she isn't counting on is her patient's twin brother, Storm Masterson. Despite her initial attraction, Storm has two things Rachel can't abide: a domineering personality and a fiancée.
Half Native American, with the ability to have "vision dreams," Storm dreams about Rachel for three nights before her arrival. Both are unprepared for the firestorm of emotions their first encounter ignites. Ultimately, it is Rachel's past—an abusive, maniacal ex-boyfriend—that threatens to keep them apart…and Storm's dreams that bring them together again.
I'd like to share an excerpt. Storm and Rachel meet in unusual circumstances along a dark country road. Storm, who's on his way home from a guys' drinking bash held at their old swimming hole, is on foot and Rachel is driving a Beetle convertible.
He nodded and then his attention shifted to the back of her car. "You a gardener? See you got plants on your backseat."
"They're herbs. Healing herbs for a new friend who's sick."
She thought she saw a flash of pain in his eyes. His hand slowly moved across her shoulder to her braid, sending shivers down her spine.
"You've got mighty long hair. Guess braiding it keeps it outta your eyes while you're driving with the top down." There was a quick smile, white teeth flashed and dimples winked.
Rachel swallowed. Dimples. He just had to have dimples. If she didn't soon get away from this man with his muscles, his deep voice and those prominent dimples, she'd be nothing but a puddle of femininity on the front seat of her new car.
He raised the braid, looping it around his fingers before letting it fall. "Bet all that tawny hair is glorious when it's loose."
She blinked twice. Just how was she supposed to react to that remark?
"Anyone ever tell you you've got full, sensuous lips that make a man wonder? I've seen those same blue eyes before, too. Been driving me crazy, in fact." What the heck was he talking about? He curved his large hand around her neck. The rough calluses on his hand and fingers sent shivers up and down her spine. Her eyes connected with his and her mind took a momentary joyride on one of those adjustable mattresses—she'd have to set it to firm. Her eyes dropped to his lips. Oh, yeah, most definitely firm. She imagined sex with him would be wild and passionate.
His voice deepened as he groaned, "I have a feeling I'm going to regret this, but I'll be damned if I'm going to live the rest of my life wondering..." Ever so slowly, he leaned toward her. Dear God, was he going to kiss her? Her heart rate jumped into triple-time and a flock of crazed butterflies started dive-bombing in her stomach. Oh yeah, he was definitely going to kiss her—and crazy, or not, she was definitely going to let him.
Dark powerful eyes slid from her mouth to her eyes. "If you say no, I'll stop." Her tongue slipped out and wet her lower lip. He evidently took it for the welcome it was and captured her lips.
Firestorm—his kiss, gentle nips at first, quickly turned potent and fierce. He tasted of spice, whiskey and beer. There was a faint smell of lime-based cologne mingled with the dank smells of creek water. Her toes curled in her pink sandals. Oh God, she was in big trouble. Thank goodness she'd taken her hand off her gun or she'd have shot her car dead.
Heat flooded into every cell of her being as his lips and tongue gave and took. Begged and commanded. Whispered and roared of more male potency than she'd ever experienced. He groaned and pulled back just a tad, his eyes heavily hooded with desire. "Like I said, that was a mistake. Madness of the full moon." With his Stetson still firmly held in place, he kissed her gently on the forehead and stepped away from the car into the darkness.
Visit my at my blog sometime. www.vintagevonnie.blogspot.com
My website is www.vonniedavis.com
Buy links for Storm's Interlude:
http://amzn.to/pkkcLq -- Amazon
http://bit.ly/rcCIMa -- The Wild Rose Press
http://bit.ly/pb9DQd -- Barnes and Noble, Nook only
Thanks for joining us, Vonnie and for sharing that fantastic excerpt from Storm's Interlude.
July 20, 2011
An Interview with Janet Mullany
Let's welcome Author Janet Mullany to Write About! Janet is an award-winning, multi-published author who writes books set mainly in Regency England. Janet is originally from England but now lives near Washington, DC. Her day jobs have included working as an archaeologist, performing arts administrator, classical music radio announcer, and editor/proofreader for a small press.
KD: Welcome Janet and congratulations on the upcoming release of your book, Tell Me More from Harlequin Spice. Tell us a little bit about Tell Me More.
JM: Thanks, and thanks for having me here! TELL ME MORE is a book about the erotic power of storytelling and about the relationship between fantasy and reality and what happens when they overlap. And it's funny. It's the sort of erotic romance I wanted to read, where people were having sexual adventures for excitement and pleasure, not to heal wounds in their pasts or become better human beings. I don't do that sort of book.
KD: What a great premise for a story! Do you enjoy writing for Spice as much has you have for your funny, romantic historical?
JM: It's different, a different side of the same coin. I'm convinced I write the same book over and over anyway. I go into it with a different mindset. When you're writing an erotic romance you always have in the back of your mind how your characters will make love. With a historical it's how they'll fight, or dance, or ride. And then you build from there.
KD: There is something valuable in having a familiar pattern to stories and then playing with that pattern in different ways. Your historicals are described as hot or racy. What do you like best about writing hot historicals?
JM: Some people have claimed they have no sex which I find really interesting. My Little Black Dress books, which I categorize as Regency chicklits, are first person narratives so I had to stay true to the voice and tone of the time when you wouldn't get blow by blow bedroom accounts. Besides I really don't believe good erotic writing has to be explicit—explicit language is one of the many tools in the toolbox. You can do amazing things with gloves, stockings, fans, neckcloths. Yum.
KD: Oooh...sounds fascinating! Your most recent books are Jane Austen mashups, correct? Tell us a little bit about how this came about.
JM: Not quite. They're books about Jane Austen as a vampire in an alternative history where vamps are out in society and very popular among the ton. If you invite the Damned to dine chances are you'll be dinner and dessert. JANE AND THE DAMNED is set in Bath in 1797 and I throw in a French invasion for extra biting opportunities. JANE AUSTEN: BLOOD PERSUASION is set in Chawton in 1810, where she spent the last eight years of her life revising early works and writing new novels, and hanging out with vamps.
KD: Ah, for those who love paranormals and historicals, it's the best of both worlds. Have you always liked reading history? Do you enjoy doing research for your historicals?
JM: I'm lucky because I grew up in England and so I have a vast knowledge of what places and flora and fauna look like, and how people speak. I do research only on specific topics—for Jane and the Damned I researched Bath and the fear of French invasions in the 1790s. I did more specific research, including a wonderful trip to Chawton last year, for Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion. I'm sure I'll be called to task for making hideous mistakes.
KD: Tell us a little about your background. What was it like growing up in England? Were you a good student in school?
JM: Where to start … I went to an all girls school that had a very butch female gym teacher who used to like to watch us have showers. I was a terrible student, a loudmouthed troublemaker but somehow I (and the school) survived.
KD: Creepy teachers, ugh! Lucky for you that you had a strong personality, perhaps somewhat like your characters? :) What prompted you to move to Washington, D.C.?
JM: I marry Americans. The current one has family here.
KD: Tell us a little bit about your writing process. Do you write every day?
JM: Of course! (in case my agent and editor drop by). It's a bit patchy but I do go into periods where I write and write, which is what happened at the end of TELL ME MORE, one of the longer books I've written.
KD: Great! Tell Me More sounds very much like a story readers won't want to end! Where can readers purchase your books?
JM: The usual places, Amazon, B&N, Borders. My Little Black Dress historicals are available through bookdepository.com, an online bookstore I love, with free shipping worldwide, although my latest, MR. BISHOP AND THE ACTRESS, is available on Kindle
KD: Where can readers find you on the web?
Twitter @Janet_Mullany
My FB author page, www.facebook.com/pages/Janet-Mullany-Author/144530775580812
I blog at riskyregencies.blogspot.com on Thursdays.
Thanks for having me!
KD: Thanks for visiting! Jane is offering a free signed copy of Tell Me More to one lucky commenter. Just leave a comment or ask a question to be entered. Contest closes on Saturday, July 23 when I will announce the randomly-chosen winner!
July 15, 2011
Exciting New Release Coming
I just got the cover art for my next release, Synapse, a romantic suspense thriller. The book is scheduled for release at the end of July!
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Stalked by a killer bent on stealing her laboratory notebook, scientist Molly Augur is desperate to figure out who she can and cannot trust. With the help of co-researcher Bill Banely, she uses DNA technology she invented to prove she can release hidden ancestral memories. In the brain synapses of her mind she finds one person who may know the truth - her long dead ancestor, Mailsi, whose life memories have been recorded in the depths of Molly's genes.
Ancient passions and betrayals come alive and collide with the present when Molly discovers philanthropist Dr. Philman, with a secret billion dollar need for the technology only she possesses could be the one after her notebook. And Bill, whose wandering heart she has finally won, is working for Philman. In the face of limitless money, what is the value of Bill's love? Or the value of her life? The answers lie deep within the synapses of her mind.
June 29, 2011
Sunda Cloud Audio
Today's the launch day for my very first audio book! Read by my friend, Elwood Wendie. Check it out for free at Podiobooks:
http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2011/06/29/new-and-complete-sunda-cloud-by-kat-duncan/
Let me know what you think....!
June 19, 2011
A Chique Interview with Barbara Conelli
I'm so pleased to have author Barbara Conelli as a guest on my blog today! Barbara has written a very lovely book titled Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita. [image error]
KD: Congratulations on the publication of your book, Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita. What inspired you to write about chiqueness?
BC: Thank you very much! To me, Italy and Italian women are Chique. That's the word that describes the whole country, its culture, its everyday life. I knew the book would have the word "Chique" in the title, I knew it would express the spirit of Chique Dolce Vita and bring it closer to readers all around the world.
KD: I agree with your unique view of what it means to be chique and how it relates to the spirit of Dolce Vita. What is special about the area around Milan that you would like to share with readers?
BC: In the book, I describe my personal, intimate encounters with Milan and its surroundings. It's the city where my grandma was born and where I spent many years of my life. I have many friends and relatives in Milan, and many wonderful memories of the city. To me, it's a magical place. It's not just about the outer beauty, it's about the inner zest and vibe that only Milan has.
KD: Magical is a good word to describe the area around Milan. There is such a variety in its many personalities. As a world-traveler do you believe that the Dolce Vita is unique to Italy?
BC: Thank you for this question! The purpose of this book is to show women that they can live their Dolce Vita no matter where they are in the world. Of course, being able to experience the real Italian Dolce Vita in Italy is wonderful, but not every woman can travel to Italy every year. My book is also a little life guide that makes women think about how they live and what aspects of Italian lifestyle they can use in their own life. Just look around yourself and find joy in the little everyday things, find magic in them. This is your Dolce Vita.
KD: What an empowering phrase "find magic in them". In your book you highlight those little everyday things that we so often take for granted. Where in your life have the experiences of the secrets of Dolce Vita helped you live the life you want?
BC: You know, the Italian spirit has been very strong in my family. My family has endured lots of heartbreak and loss, and they've gone through all the difficulties with their heads held high and with a smile on their face. I admire their strength, and I'm proud to say there's lots of inner strength in my heart and soul too. What helps us survive is what I call "the Dolce Vita instinct": The past is gone, we don't know what happens tomorrow, and the only thing we have is the present moment. So let's make it a good day.
Personally, as a real Italian, I'm a big flirt - which is fun - and I'm well aware of my self-worth and self-love. Although there have been guys who have broken my heart, I never allowed it to last for more than a few hours. Every Italian woman knows that there are plenty more fish in the sea :)
And last but not least, the biggest Italian lesson I've ever learned was the one of joy. I used to obsess about money, about career, about being and having enough. Today I go with the flow, trusting that all is well, always. Every day I wake up and remind myself to look for joy in everything I do. My life is now, and I'm not wasting a second of it.
KD: Strength of spirit, self-love and joy: three essentials to living the lives we want. Are you listening, ladies? Barbara, what one chique secret would be your wish for all women of the world to have?
BC: Love yourself. Really. You are perfect just the way you are. You are a goddess, so act like one. Don't undervalue yourself. Don't let anyone convince you you're not worthy. Italian women are incredibly self-confident, they know what they want and they refuse to settle for less.
Also, enjoy your femininity. Act like a woman, dress like a woman, flirt, have fun, enjoy your feminine power. Every Italian woman is a Bond girl at heart - and I love the sexy zest they radiate.
Laugh, love and live. And travel. And cook. And eat. A lot! :)
KD: I like your advice to "act" like it. So often we think about how we would like things to be in our lives, but we seldom take the steps and the actions to make them happen. Thank you for encouraging women to value themselves as they are and to value their femininity. Do you have plans for additional chique books?
BC: Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is the first book of the Chique Series. I have another book about Milan coming up in the fall, and then books about Rome, Florence, and Venice. And then? It's my Chique secret! :)
KD: Excellent! More about Milan would be wonderful, but you have me salivating: Rome, Florence, Venice...yummy! Tell us about your writing process. Do you write every day?
BC: I wish I could! I'm a very impulsive writer. Sometimes I don't write for two months and then I sit at home for three months just writing. But when I don't physically write, I write in my head. I carry a notepad everywhere to make sure I put down all my ideas because my head is constantly full of them.
KD: Writers are always thinking up new ideas. Thank goodness for notepads! What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
BC: I love being in the inspired flow. You know the feeling. You shut out the world, and it's just you, your words and your pages. It's the closest thing to deep meditation I know. It's very exhausting but at the same time incredibly exciting and rewarding. Seeing my readers' reactions and reading encouraging reviews is a terrific bonus. But the writing process is what I adore. Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita has recently become an Amazon.com bestseller, which is lovely, but I would continue writing even if my only reader was my mum.
KD: Hm...I never thought of writing as a form of meditation, but I think you have a point there! Where can readers purchase copies of your book?
BC: Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is available on Amazon (both paperback and Kindle), B&N, other online retailers, bookstores. If you love Italy, I encourage you to get a copy and Chique Yourself Up!
KD: Where can readers find you on the web?
BC: My website is http://www.barbaraconelli.com I have a new, completely free virtual book tour on my website. "The 10-Day Chique Dolce Vita Virtual Tour: The Secret Gems of Italy". If you dream of Italy, you will really love it.
I'd also love to connect with you on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/barbaraconelli, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/barbaraconelli, and Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbaraConelli.
I have a radio show on Blog Talk Radio, where I talk about Italy and interview amazing women authors http://www.blogtalkradio.com/barbaraconelli.
And I'm also on YouTube, LinkedIn, and many other places all around the web. I look forward to "seeing" you there!
KD: Thanks so much for joining us today, Barbara, and for sharing your unique view of Milan and your zest for the good life! One lucky commenter today will win a free copy of Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita. Just comment today to win. We'll announce the winner tomorrow.
June 13, 2011
Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita Book Review
Book Review
In Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita Barbara Conelli shares with us her lighthearted yet insightful view of the world of Milan, Italy. Through her eyes, we learn that Milan is a not simply a city, but a life experience, with many moods, tastes and desires. Most of all we learn that if we open our senses to Milan and its surrounding countryside, we can learn to simply enjoy life and live it to its fullest.
In her part fascinating history lesson, part intriguing travelogue Ms. Conelli guides us on a journey woven through the little towns around Milan as well as its various quarters. On the journey she shows us the very best of life from outstanding fashion and style to the subtleties of exquisite meals and drinks. With humor and poetic language she shows us unique places to meet friends old or new and simply enjoy a sunny day or a cool evening.
Chique Secrets of Dolce Vita is about life and how to live it well. Ms. Conelli shares with us the past and present of Milan, and gives us a taste of the lives of the people whose zest for life is to be admired and, if possible, copied. Whether you are able to visit Milan one day, or not, you will be infused with a zest for life similar to the people and places that inhabit the pages of this delightfully educational and pleasant book.
I'm very pleased to announce that Barbara Conelli will be my guest here on Monday, June 20th. Please stop by on Monday to say hi!
