Trish Jackson's Blog, page 11
July 15, 2012
Guest Post on Danica Winters' Blog
Today I was lucky enough to be offered a chance to be a guest on Danica Winters' blog.
She writes paranormal romance and lives in Montana.
Here's the link: http://www.danicawinters.net/529/my-r...
She writes paranormal romance and lives in Montana.
Here's the link: http://www.danicawinters.net/529/my-r...
July 12, 2012
10 Romance Sub-Genre Categories
Romance writers don't always know what sub-genre their work
fits into. A search on the Internet can help, but I found it lacking in
clarity, so I've tried to put it down as succinctly as I could here.
1. CONTEMPORARY
ROMANCE
According to Romance Writers of America, this includes
anything set in the time period after 1945. I'm not sure if that is
fits into. A search on the Internet can help, but I found it lacking in
clarity, so I've tried to put it down as succinctly as I could here.
1. CONTEMPORARY
ROMANCE
According to Romance Writers of America, this includes
anything set in the time period after 1945. I'm not sure if that is
July 7, 2012
♥Romance—Why do I Write it?
Romance makes the world go round. Just think about it—what would the world be like without romance? Imagine never feeling that spark, never looking into someone's eyes and having your heart miss a beat, never experiencing that breathless anticipation…
No wonder more readers choose romance than any other genre.
People often ask me why I chose to write romance. The truth is, romance chose me. I honestly didn't sit down and mull over which genre to write in.When I first decided to write a novel, the story and characters were all there in my head. It was as if they came alive and dictated the story to me. I was just the scribe.
When the story was complete—there it was. A love story. When people asked what kind of book I was writing, that's what I told them—a love story.
That first full length book manuscript was never published—I was satisfied with the fact that I had been able to write it. And I found that another story was bubbling over in my head, just begging to be written. When I wrote it, it turned out to be another love story.
That was when I first had the idea that I might be a romance writer, and I read up about the genre.
In those days, the publishers were like gods. Self-publishing and small presses were not an option. The publishers set their own "rules" that had to be followed if you had any chance of ever being published. It seemed to me that the lovers never actually had sex and never cursed; and they had to live happily ever after. There were other rules. I remember thinking they were very strict. If your book didn’t fit into one of the pre-set parameters, it was not a romance and could not be called a romance. My stories always had an edge to them—scary, suspenseful, exciting things happened in them—and some of the characters used bad language, which was frowned upon in the romance genre. So for a while I really didn't know what to say when people asked me what genre I wrote in.
Was it romance—or something else?
When I completed my novel, REDNECK P.I., I sent it to several publishers, complete with a query letter and whatever else they requested in their "Submission Guidelines." I received a few rejection letters, but when Uncial Press contacted me to say they would like to publish my story, I was ecstatic. Now I had a wonderful professional editor and mentor, Jude. She told me I write romantic suspense. I finally knew what I genre I was writing.
I actually kind of think REDNECK P.I. is a cross between romantic suspense—excitement, tension and suspense are most certainly thrown into the mix—and romantic comedy. It could be classified as romance/romantic suspense/romantic comedy—but as far as I know, sub/sub genres have not yet become a reality. My character Twila is redneck—and proud of it. She has to choose between two hunky twins while helping to solve a murder and bring a pedophile to justice, ably assisted by her Harley-riding, weed-smoking great aunt Essie and her master hacker neighbor Gasser Cunha.
The up-coming sequel, KICKASSITUDE is also funny as well as suspenseful—and of course, sizzling hot. Twila works to find her mother's murderer, and a dog named Scratch adopts her, and rides with her on the back of her Harley. Sexy young cowboy, Tanner Ferrano is determined to get her into bed with him...
My recently released WAY OUT OF LINE is more serious—purely a romantic suspense, about a couple of kids who get it on. Hal doesn't know Trent is underage, and goes to prison for statutory rape. Trent beats herself up for ruining his life. Their love survives through some very difficult events and they are eventually reunited in Mozambique, Africa, when Hal rescues her from a militant group, and has to get her back to civilization.
IMPASSIONED—the novel I'm working on at the moment is also more serious. Riley Slater is happy with her life. She has her own veterinary practice in a small town in Colorado—and no one asks her about her past. Until gorgeous Powell Stewart shows up and her assistant, Jamie is murdered. Horse wrangler Randy, with his six-pack abs and a butt to die for is courting her at the time...
I love reading romance and suspense, and I guess that's why I write the way I do. I'm hoping to get other romance authors who write in different sub-genres to guest blog for me so my readers and I can learn more about their stories and what drove them to write.
No wonder more readers choose romance than any other genre.
People often ask me why I chose to write romance. The truth is, romance chose me. I honestly didn't sit down and mull over which genre to write in.When I first decided to write a novel, the story and characters were all there in my head. It was as if they came alive and dictated the story to me. I was just the scribe.
When the story was complete—there it was. A love story. When people asked what kind of book I was writing, that's what I told them—a love story.
That first full length book manuscript was never published—I was satisfied with the fact that I had been able to write it. And I found that another story was bubbling over in my head, just begging to be written. When I wrote it, it turned out to be another love story.
That was when I first had the idea that I might be a romance writer, and I read up about the genre.
In those days, the publishers were like gods. Self-publishing and small presses were not an option. The publishers set their own "rules" that had to be followed if you had any chance of ever being published. It seemed to me that the lovers never actually had sex and never cursed; and they had to live happily ever after. There were other rules. I remember thinking they were very strict. If your book didn’t fit into one of the pre-set parameters, it was not a romance and could not be called a romance. My stories always had an edge to them—scary, suspenseful, exciting things happened in them—and some of the characters used bad language, which was frowned upon in the romance genre. So for a while I really didn't know what to say when people asked me what genre I wrote in.
Was it romance—or something else?
When I completed my novel, REDNECK P.I., I sent it to several publishers, complete with a query letter and whatever else they requested in their "Submission Guidelines." I received a few rejection letters, but when Uncial Press contacted me to say they would like to publish my story, I was ecstatic. Now I had a wonderful professional editor and mentor, Jude. She told me I write romantic suspense. I finally knew what I genre I was writing.
I actually kind of think REDNECK P.I. is a cross between romantic suspense—excitement, tension and suspense are most certainly thrown into the mix—and romantic comedy. It could be classified as romance/romantic suspense/romantic comedy—but as far as I know, sub/sub genres have not yet become a reality. My character Twila is redneck—and proud of it. She has to choose between two hunky twins while helping to solve a murder and bring a pedophile to justice, ably assisted by her Harley-riding, weed-smoking great aunt Essie and her master hacker neighbor Gasser Cunha.
The up-coming sequel, KICKASSITUDE is also funny as well as suspenseful—and of course, sizzling hot. Twila works to find her mother's murderer, and a dog named Scratch adopts her, and rides with her on the back of her Harley. Sexy young cowboy, Tanner Ferrano is determined to get her into bed with him...
My recently released WAY OUT OF LINE is more serious—purely a romantic suspense, about a couple of kids who get it on. Hal doesn't know Trent is underage, and goes to prison for statutory rape. Trent beats herself up for ruining his life. Their love survives through some very difficult events and they are eventually reunited in Mozambique, Africa, when Hal rescues her from a militant group, and has to get her back to civilization.
IMPASSIONED—the novel I'm working on at the moment is also more serious. Riley Slater is happy with her life. She has her own veterinary practice in a small town in Colorado—and no one asks her about her past. Until gorgeous Powell Stewart shows up and her assistant, Jamie is murdered. Horse wrangler Randy, with his six-pack abs and a butt to die for is courting her at the time...
I love reading romance and suspense, and I guess that's why I write the way I do. I'm hoping to get other romance authors who write in different sub-genres to guest blog for me so my readers and I can learn more about their stories and what drove them to write.
June 24, 2012
DIRTY DANCING--ZIMBABWE STYLE
In my latest novel, WAY OUT OF LINE, Hal moves to Zimbabwe, in Africa, to hide from the authorities with his friend Demetrio, after they escape from prison in Texas.
He is not really a felon, but was given a very long sentence for statutory rape because Trent's parents were influential in the community. Just for making love to Trent--the love of his life.
She lied about her age. She was really only fifteen, under the legal age of consent in Texas. She beats herself up about it every day--if only she could have known how severe the consequences would be.
In Zimbabwe, Hal learns about rhino poaching and witchcraft.
This video of a street puppeteer in Zimbabwe is awesome--these puppets can dance!! Watch them get down and dirty!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=...
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Out-Of-Line...
Enjoy!
He is not really a felon, but was given a very long sentence for statutory rape because Trent's parents were influential in the community. Just for making love to Trent--the love of his life.
She lied about her age. She was really only fifteen, under the legal age of consent in Texas. She beats herself up about it every day--if only she could have known how severe the consequences would be.
In Zimbabwe, Hal learns about rhino poaching and witchcraft.
This video of a street puppeteer in Zimbabwe is awesome--these puppets can dance!! Watch them get down and dirty!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=...
http://www.amazon.com/Way-Out-Of-Line...
Enjoy!
June 9, 2012
WAY OUT OF LINE--Ebook Giveaway
Congrats to Monica, who won an eBook copy of WAY OUT OF LINE. I really hope you enjoy it. Sorry to those who did not win--but here's another chance.
I'm holding another competition to give away another two eBook copies of WAY OUT OF LINE.
Here's the info about the book:
Two kids from Texas--a sizzling romance--one stupid mistake. Intrigue, terror and undying love culminate in the vast African Wilderness.
Find out more about the book at http://www.trishjackson.com
or if you don't want to enter to win, buy a copy at http://www.uncialpress.com/Way-Out-of... .
To win, subscribe to my blog at http://romanticreviewramble.blogspot....
and make a comment to say you want it.
The competition will close on June 21st at 10:00pm Eastern US time, and I'll announce the winner the following day.
GOOD LUCK!!
I'm holding another competition to give away another two eBook copies of WAY OUT OF LINE.
Here's the info about the book:
Two kids from Texas--a sizzling romance--one stupid mistake. Intrigue, terror and undying love culminate in the vast African Wilderness.
Find out more about the book at http://www.trishjackson.com
or if you don't want to enter to win, buy a copy at http://www.uncialpress.com/Way-Out-of... .
To win, subscribe to my blog at http://romanticreviewramble.blogspot....
and make a comment to say you want it.
The competition will close on June 21st at 10:00pm Eastern US time, and I'll announce the winner the following day.
GOOD LUCK!!
May 23, 2012
Bound to Tradition
Bound to Tradition by Akinyi Princess of K'Orinda-YimboMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A heart-rending and poignant love story filled with physical and mental conflict brought about when a young, naive African girl brought up to observe strict tribal traditions falls in love with her wealthy European employer, who is also her mentor and protector.
Throughout the book, Khira struggles to balance the demands of western society with her grandfather's fierce expectations that she adhere to Luo customs.
Despite the fact that she grows into an extremely mature and tolerant wife, caring mother, and astute business woman, in the shocking ending, her loyalty to an ageless African ritual causes her undoing.
The book is skillfully-written, with sexual tension, tender and passionate love scenes, suspense and surprises, and the author demonstrates a substantial knowledge of Kenyan history, Luo tribal customs and the international business world.
The only downside for me was the fact that it sometimes it is a little too wordy and doesn't move forward fast enough
View all my reviews
March 4, 2012
Smashwords
Every time I see a news item about teen drivers killing themselves on the road I feel that I should do something to help prevent them from writing themselves off so young.
Writing is what I do best, and I finally came up with the idea of writing a little inspirational book. I published it in print and it is currently available on Amazon.com . I couldn't find an illustrator, so I drew all the pictures myself. It took a lot of time and effort, but if it saves just one young life, I'll have done my part.
The next challenge is to get it formatted for all the different e-book options offered by Smashwords. I'm busy working on that and will write about the experience once I'm satisfied.
February 26, 2012
Way Out of Line Trailer
This is the trailer I made for Redneck P.I. I think it's great, and the music was perfect.
I have a Facebook page for Redneck P.I. and would love to hear comments and of course I love getting likes. http://www.facebook.com/redneckpi
I welcome suggestions from writers who have created their own trailers, but I think I have made a pretty good start.
I am planning to use African music for Way Out of Line since a lot of the action takes place in Mozambique, with gorgeous sunsets, tropical thunderstorms, flooded rivers and of course, African wildlife.
My website tells more: www.trishjackson.com
Way Out of Line
I received the ARC--Author's Review Copy--a couple of weeks ago from my publisher Jude at Uncial Press. I have read it through twice and completed all corrections. It looks wonderful. Jude's a great editor and I am eternally thankful for the day she accepted the submission of "Redneck P.I." in 2010.
I like everything about the novel now in its final state. I wrote it a long time ago and published it through Publish America in 2004. The publishing process was quite different as they did not provide any editing at all. I just had to bumble through the process myself, which I absolutely do not recommend for any author. It is essential to have fresh eyes on the manuscript to pick up errors, and now that I have had a professional editor, I would say that is another essential. The other thing I really didn't like about the publishing process at that time was the exorbitant retail price Publish America put on the book.
It always was a great love story with sizzling love scenes mixed with gobs of suspense and nail biting tension, but what I love the most about it is that every time I read the ending, I cry--and I know what's coming!
Jude also cried, and she reads several books every day.
Jude is working on the corrections, and once I get the final ARC I'll start submitting it to reviewers. I need as many reviews (hopefully positive reviews) as I can get, and I also need quotes to use on the back cover.
February 19, 2012
Romantic Suspense
I love writing and have been actively creating written pieces for more than twenty years. My first novel was published in 2004 by Publish America. People who read "Way Out of Line" gave me plenty of encouraging feedback, but although I continued to write, things that were happening in my life at the time prevented me from publishing any more novels until 2011.
Redneck P.I., published by Uncial Press in March 2011, tells the story of a Twila, a self-professed redneck woman, who becomes involved with Harland O'Connor, a private investigator in Boston, Massachusetts. She pinch hits for him when he is laid up after being shot and wounded, and solves his cases redneck style, with the help of her neighbor, Gasser Cunha and Harley riding, pot smoking Great Aunt Essie.
I'm currently working on the sequel, "Kick-Assitude".
I'm very excited to announce that the second printing of Way Out of Line is due to be released by Uncial Press in may 2012. Trent and Hal meet and fall helplessly in love. Before they know what's hit them, Hal finds himself in prison, convicted of statutory rape. Trent blames herself and after almost failing high school, she stumbles through college and eventually drops out to join a cult. Hal escapes from prison and makes a new life in Zimbabwe, Africa. Trent is kidnapped and taken to a remote part of Mozambique, Africa by a militant group. Hal and his friend Demetrio mount a rescue operation...
I will feature interviews with other romance writers on this blog, and also authors who have published books about Africa.
