Jennifer Bray-Weber's Blog, page 99
June 26, 2012
Link of the Week – StumbleUpon
This week, I stumbled upon StumbleUpon.
StumbleUpon is a search engine that helps you find what interests you most in the vast world wide web – whether that be photos, videos, websites, and more. Like Pandora, the music station you create, StumbleUpon conforms to your preferences. Click a thumbs up or thumbs down for each page StumbleUpon recommends for you and StumbleUpon ‘learns’ what you like. This in turn also draws you to people with similar tastes.
You can add your own websites and blogs to the search engine, too. The more you use the site, the more pinpointed your results. Kind of a great tool for authors, if you think about it. This can drive other users to your specific interests, such as craft related information, book genre, romance heroes, book clubs, etc. You can build an interest in you, the author, and an audience.
Check out the quickie video.
June 20, 2012
Hump Day Kick Start – Boxing Edition
Song of the Day: One Step Closer by Linkin Park
Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.
Whoa!
Who is our sweaty, sexy, smouldering subject today? He is really a boxer? Is he a MMA champion? Maybe he’s a cop blowing off steam. Or maybe he’s SEAL, and just doing some light exercising.
Where is he? A hole-in-the-wall training facility? Concrete bunker? My basement?
Just look at that intense stare. What’s he thinking about? Revenge? Taking down Steven Seagal? A shower?
I’d love to hear from you.
June 19, 2012
Link Of The Week
Litreactor!
“LitReactor is a destination for writers to improve their craft, a haven for readers to geek out about books and a platform to kickstart your writing goals.”
I’m so excited about this cool new site that I found a few weeks ago! It has a little bit of everything- writing competitions, a place to try new stuff and get feedback, lots of essays on craft, and plenty of workshops. Take the tour and find out about all the different aspects of this place.
** Some of the craft essays require you to be a member, but several don’t. I will be siphoning all that I can without paying the $9 a month membership. At that point I’ll decide whether to invest my pennies or not.**
June 14, 2012
Don’t Do It!
A good style should show no signs of effort. What is written should seem a happy accident. ~W. Somerset Maugham, Summing Up, 1938
There are so many topics I wanted to cover today that I decided to do a quick overview of some great information that I’ve come across this week. Muse Tracks was designed to take you all along for the ride as we make our way in this crazy writing world. Hopefully you have found our blog informative, thought provoking, and a bit of fun! So put on your thinking caps and pull up to the computer- I’ve got some interesting tidbits today.
Steven James shares with us his thoughts on mistakes that many fiction writers make.
Don’t overdo symbolism and themes. Once your reader clicks onto the fact that you are using something like water as a symbol, they will be looking how you insert it into your scenes. At that point, it’s no longer clever, it’s annoying and will distract the reader from immersing themselves in the story. When looking at themes, don’t run with tired clichés. Instead of using “forgiveness is best”- try exploring questions that lead the reader on a quest rather than preaching from the pulpit.
Don’t try too hard. It’s the same in real life. You want to avoid the person at a party who tries too hard to be funny, to be witty, to be an expert, to be clever etc. If you are doing this in your writing- stop it! Readers won’t love your characters or your story any more if you are doing this at your keyboard.
Don’t fail to anticipate your readers’ response. In other words, make your scenes believable to keep your reader engrossed in the story, not asking questions about your characters’ actions. Steven uses the example of a psycho killer on the loose hunting down your main character. You’ve set the mood and then your character strolls home and cooks a cozy dinner with a lovely glass of wine……what?!?!? Who needs the psycho killer? I would want to kill the character myself because they’re too stupid- just saying
Don’t use a hook as a gimmick. We all know that we need to grab our readers’ attention right off the bat. Make sure your hook is a promise of what your story is about and the type of book they will be reading. If you have a tremendous explosion rock the city’s foundation, unleashing the hounds of hell, but your story is really only about a romance between two geeky librarians, your hook is definitely a gimmick. You are a conning your readers. Never a good idea.
Don’t leave your readers hanging. (This is a personal pet peeve of mine.) If you finish a scene with a life and death moment and then cut to the next one where folks are having a cup of tea out on the veranda- it’s irritating. I want to know whether the character is going to die so I will simply skip the tea party and hunt for the continuing action. You might think you are creating tension but you’re really just ticking your reader off. This is definitely another “STOP IT” moment.
June 13, 2012
Cover Model Envy – Interview with Model Kate Duncan
Song of the day: SexyBack by Justin Timberlake
Ever wonder about the cover models who grace
Yes, that’s Kate! Lucky girl…
The cover is by Hort Damn Designs.
romance novels? Who they are and how they ended up on the front of your favorite book, posed just right, enticing you to delve into the magic within the pages?
I asked just that of Kate Duncan, the red-headed model on my book BLOOD AND TREASURE. Kate was kind enough to participate in my, ahem, inquisition.
Welcome, Kate!
You’re a model and a photographer. Tell us more about Kate Duncan.
Photo shoot with St. Louis photographer Charles Barnes- www.cbarnesphotography.com
I just finished my freshman year in the Honors College at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. I am majoring in anthropology with a focus on forensics and paleoanthropology. I have been modeling since 7th grade; my first job was a local St. Louis runway show for designer Mark Shale. Since then, I have modeled mainly for St. Louis designers doing both print and runway. I am one of the “original” models for Hot Damn Designs and am currently on 100+ book covers that they have designed, an unknown amount of covers that other publishers and authors have used, and a handful of trading cards and author websites and blogs. In my precious free time, I am a loving girlfriend of almost three years, an award winning jazz singer, a cat lover, and the world’s biggest bookworm.
I first picked up a camera my freshman year of high school on a trip to England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. I literally photographed EVERYTHING. I kid you not: the two and a half weeks we were there I shot almost 5,000 pictures. Luckily, one of those pictures turned out good and won a national photo contest. From then on I was my high school’s sports photographer (partly because it got me out of the sports requirement) and was later appointed the Chief Photo Editor for the yearbook and magazine up until my graduation. In 2010, I applied for a National Geographic Student Expedition to Florence, Italy and was accepted! I spent part of the summer exploring Italy alongside Nat Geo expert photographer Massimo Bassano. It was honestly one of the greatest moments of my life and was responsible for the huge leap in the quality of my photography. In addition to sports, I specialize in headshots/senior pictures and weddings.
A swim meet at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina. Photo by Kate Duncan Photography
How did you meet Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs?
Through my mother, actually! They are both members of the Missouri Romance Writers Association. Around September of 2010 Kim sent out an email asking for props for Hot Damn Design’s very first photo shoot, and my mom sent her some of my headshots, volunteering me as a model. I have shot with Kim for almost every photo shoot for which I have been in town ever since!
Awesome! How is modeling for book covers different that other types of modeling?
Modeling for book covers tends to be very scripted, whereas fashion modeling is not usually. Kim always has a smorgasbord of poses in mind with everything is placed in a certain manner, sometimes even down to the positioning of hands. Despite the staged couples shots, Kim has me do some single shots in which I have more freedom with posing and prop usage. Also, fashion modeling is mainly focused on marketing the clothing or accessories the model is wearing, whereas the book covers are focused on marketing the book, so the emotion and relationship between the models is at the forefront which, for me, requires more acting then modeling.
Has anyone recognized you from a book cover?
No one outside of friends and family! However on a flight from Charlotte to Saint Louis a woman was reading Caribbean Scot, one of Kim Killion’s recent works, on which fellow model Brooks Johnson and I grace the cover. I was caught so off guard at the rarity of the situation I spent the entire flight pretending to sleep and analyzing how I should handle the situation that I ended up not saying anything at all. My friends tell me I should have said, “Wow, that’s an awesome book cover! What a gorgeous girl!” just to see if she would have caught on and realized it was me.
Now that is freaky cool!
What are your favorite poses? Favorite costumes?
Anything involving a corset or medieval wear. I am OBSESSED with the Tudor era and know much more then I should about that time period, so anytime Kim has anything resembling clothing from that period I beg to shoot in it! And I don’t really have any favorite poses; as graceful and alluring as they look, they actually are quite uncomfortable, and it sometimes is painful to hold some of those positions for more than a few seconds.
I’ve heard that those gratuitous butt poses with women looking over their shoulders is uncomfortable and painful. And I bet the “dip” poses really work those ab muscles.
I know it’s purely professional, but how awkward is it to pose in – ahem – compromising positions with male counterparts?
Hahaha, I knew this question was coming! For me, it isn’t that awkward. This is
Cirque Eloize ID rehearsal in Paris, France. Photo by Kate Duncan Photography
a job that I’m getting paid for, so I am always in a professional mindset because, without it, Kim wouldn’t be getting the best pictures and we would just be wasting her time. At least five people are always standing around- fixing hair or make up, adjusting positioning of clothing or props, aiming reflectors, and of course Kim and Angie (the photographer)- so it is honestly the least romantic setting possible, which helps keep the air of professionalism. The few times it has gotten awkward were when a male model finds out I am so young, sometimes even half their age. I try to not talk about my age until after we have completed our set because it may affect the pictures, no matter how good the model is.
Hmm…interesting note about male models. Guess I’m in the clear should I ever decide to model.
What is the most outrageous, embarrassing, or hilarious thing that has happened on a photo shoot?
Surprisingly, nothing too outrageous has happened that I can recall! The one thing I do remember though was I was getting my hair done in the bathroom of the studio and this female model (who shall remain nameless) walks in butt naked and starts talking to me about the weather. It was very uncomfortable for me, especially because I refuse to shoot nude. Despite my affinity for boudoir shoots, I am pretty modest. Keep in mind, I was sitting down getting my hair done, she was standing right in front of me, and I couldn’t really move my head…so yeah, that was awkward…
Ack! Aside the occasional modesty-deficient model, what is the toughest part of the job? It must be grueling to work alongside all those sexy men.
Test shoot with St. Louis photographer Bernard Mallala- www.bernardmallala.com
Oh yeah, it’s sooo tough working with good looking men. But really, the worst part for me is the waiting. After a shoot I tend check Facebook obsessively to see if Kim has magically designed a stunning book cover within 24 hours of the shoot using some of the new shots. And then once she posts one I’ll check it even more frequently to see if she has done a few more. It doesn’t sound bad, but for me, it is honestly torture. I am very impatient when I am excited about something.
I know the feeling!
Okay, something a little different. Did you really work for the St. Louis Medical Examiners office? I’m dying (no pun intended) to know more about that.
Yes I did! Last summer I spent two weeks apprenticed to Gwen Haugen, an investigator and anthropologist at SLMEO, for my high school senior project. I spent time in all the departments, helping prep samples in toxicology, observing autopsies performed by Dr. Mary Case, a famous medical examiner, and going into the field with Gwen. You can read more by scrolling to the bottom of this page – http://www.appalachianbioanth.org/Camp_index.html
Where can we learn more about you? What’s next for Kate?
I actually just recently deleted my Facebook fan page because I hate the idea of people “liking” or “being a fan” of me, but people can check out some of my book covers and other modeling adventures on my account: http://www.facebook.com/KateDuncanS . I am in the process of getting a website up for my photography, so for the time being you can check out some of my work on my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/67236424@N02/collections/
I am looking to get agency representation in New York as a commercial model and hope I will be signed by the end of the year!
I am also in the process of writing up my first research paper on patterns and timing in the fusion of cervical vertebral ring epiphyses in individuals from the ages of 10 to 30 (try saying that five times fast), which, if my abstract is approved, I will be presenting at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting this coming February. That is, of course, if I can tear myself away from Wales, where I will be attending my spring semester of college and conducting further research in rates of epiphyseal union.
Don’t hate her because she beautiful…and smart…and ambitious…and studying abroad… 
Have a question for Kate? Wanna just say hi? Comment away, my friends!
June 12, 2012
MuseTracks Link of the Week – Salaries
Are you a stay-at-home mom? A working mom? Do you try to squeeze out any available “free” time you have to write? Have you ever wondered how much you are worth as a mom – as a mom who is also an author?
This is a fun tool provided by Salary.com that will determine just how much you are worth in 2012 .
After filling in the quick assessment, and aside any laughable income I make as an author, I found out I’m worth over $125,000. Yowza! I’m feeling a tad overworked and under-appreciated.
Just for grins, give a whirl. See how much you’d be compensated if you were actually paid for all the work you do. Oh, and it works for dads, too.
http://www.salary.com/mom-paycheck/
Don’t have kiddos sucking the life out of you? Find out how long it would take you to become a millionaire.
http://swz.salary.com/Millionairemake...
Or just check out the load of other tools based on careers, education, job searches, cost of living, archetype testing, and advice.
June 6, 2012
Hump Day Kick Start – Housekeeping Edition
Song of the day: Give It Away by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Hump Day Kick Start – for your muse, a writing picture prompt, or just a visual treat.
Oh my! What a fun photo for fodder.
Tell me about this picture. Who is he? A rich playboy? A millionaire’s wayward son? A squatter? (lol…sorry, I couldn’t help it.) Dod he order a wake up call from housekeeping?
How about the woman? Is she really the hired help? If so, just what exactly is she hired to do? Could she be working undercover in a faux fur rug smuggling ring? Or maybe she’s auditioning for a role in the 50 Shades of Grey movie.
Love to hear your thoughts!
June 5, 2012
Link Of The Week
What is figment?
Figment is a community where you can share your writing, connect with other readers, and discover new stories and authors. Whatever you’re into, from sonnets to mysteries, from sci-fi stories to cell phone novels, you can find it all here.
This is a very cool, almost bohemian feeling website. You can find groups of writers or readers, submit pages to be reviewed, connect with readers etc. I haven’t spent a whole lot of time here, but plan to poke around some more. Intriguing idea.
June 4, 2012
MuseTracks Guest – Lillie Spencer – Superman Needs Kryptonite
Do you like bad boys in literature? You know the ones—the heroes that so desperately need redemption. Or maybe not. Maybe we like them with just enough edge to make us swoon with their charm and danger. Today’s MuseTracks guest, Lillie Spencer, discusses why we love our heroes flawed.
Take it away, Lillie!
SUPERMAN NEEDS KRYPTONITE
Every hero needs a weakness. Even Achilles had his heel, although like Superman, many could argue that his true weakness was love. Without some soft spot, dark past or tragic flaw, heroes often become two-dimensional, flat and boring. They need something to work through, or work towards, to give them depth and make them interesting.
Let’s look at Romeo, one of the most familiar and tragic heroes in literature. His impulsiveness was his weakness in all things, in the way he flitted from Rosaline to Juliet, in his interactions with Tybalt – leading to Mercutio’s death, and ultimately in his own reaction to seeing Juliet under the effects of the Friar’s potion. If only he had taken a moment to think things through rationally, they would have had a happy ending, and yet one could argue that Romeo’s habit of following his heart instead of his head is the very thing that endears him to us to this very day.
Another great example is Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Just like in the movies inspired by the books, Bond is undoubtedly heroic, but he’s also a drinking, gambling manwhore with a distinct lack of respect for authority. Men want to be him, and women want to be the one to tame him, or at least give it one helluva try. If Bond was just a perfect, well-mannered spy who did everything he was told, would we have cared about him at all?
In a shameless moment of self-plugging, my own hero in Manhunt, Michael, is emotionally stunted as the result of an abusive childhood. He is loyal to a fault and loves unconditionally, but there’s a darkness to him that can’t be denied and a distance my heroine struggles to cross. I’m told it’s this very darkness and aloofness that makes him fascinating.
Did you see The Avengers? I’ll bet, guy or gal, you love Tony Stark. Watch The Vampire Diaries? Chances are you’re Team Damon, in all his ‘bad brother glory’ as they say. And let’s not even get started on Fifty Shades of Grey‘s Christian Grey. Readers want to dance in his dark side every bit as much as they want to hug him and fix his broken soul.
In some respects, that may be why we gals always seem to prefer the bad boys, the more tortured the better. They have no shortage of failings and we as readers can’t wait to riffle past them looking for the ooey-gooey center, certain that hidden behind the rough exterior is a pure heart that, once healed, will love their woman forever. And in fiction, they often do.
Blurb of Manhunt:
Sometimes you have to forget it all to remember what really matters.
Michael Brennan’s life and career come to an abrupt halt when he receives a phone call telling him the love of his life, Nikki Wright, is in the hospital after another attack by her ex-boyfriend Sebastian Cross. Rushing back to Hershey, PA, Michael turns up at Nikki’s hospital bedside covered in Sebastian’s blood and tells her they have to leave immediately. Though her injuries have induced amnesia, Nikki inherently feels she can trust this man with her life. Soon, they find themselves on the run from both their own troubled pasts and authorities hunting for Sebastian’s killer. But with each new day and each touch drawing her further into Michael’s embrace, Nikki remembers more about this fugitive she once loved, and who still loves her enough to risk everything to protect her and keep her safe.
Available at Amazon~ Barnes and Noble ~ All Romance Books ~ Tulipe Noire Press
June 1, 2012
MuseTracks Guest – Malia Mallory – Alpha Males and Double Teaming
Please join MuseTracks in welcoming erotica author Malia Mallory as she discusses Alpha Males (my favorite!). Take it away, Malia!
Does Every Woman Want an Alpha Male?
Throughout romantic literature, the alpha male is the quintessential hero. Why is that? Some recent articles in the media claim that all women have a desire to be dominated. I can’t agree with such a blanket statement, but I would think that many women when asked would agree that they find an alpha male appealing.
But what does that really mean? Is the alpha male the top dog, the go-getter, the romantic hero that sweeps us off our feet? What is the alternative? A beta male? What is a beta male?
It seems to me that the person who it is the right fit is almost by definition an alpha male. It is the person who gets things done the way you like to see them done. It is the person who strengths and values are such that you admire them. It is the person who has inner strength but isn’t domineering.
Being an alpha male does not mean walking all over people. It means having a strong sense of self, knowing who you are and not being afraid to live in accordance with one’s values.
What qualities does your alpha male have?
***
Please enjoy an excerpt from my newest release, Mia’s Cop Craving 2 – Double Teamed.
After Rogan unlocked the door, both men stepped aside to allow Mia to enter first. A feeling of empowerment swept over her. This was something she’d wanted a long time, wanted more than she realized. Now it was happening. On her terms.
Rogan spoke first. “Mia, would you like to shower?”
“Yes.” She unbuttoned her shirt, slowly one button at a time, and let the garment drop to the floor. As she headed down the hallway, she dropped the rest of her clothing, leaving a trail for them to follow.
Both men got into the spirit of the moment and quickly followed Mia’s example. Rogan and Jeff entered the bathroom where Mia had already turned on the taps. Hot steam billowed out of the shower. Mia peered around the edge of the glass, the tips of her hair curling from the moisture. She flashed an inviting smile and disappeared back inside.
Rogan quickly stripped off his remaining clothes, leaving them in a heap on the bathroom floor. He stepped into the tiled shower and disappeared into the steamy mist, leaving Jeff to contemplate his options.
Jeff didn’t consider backing out for a moment, not now that he come this far. He wanted to see Mia. He wanted to touch her, stroke her. He tore off his clothes, anxious to get his hands on her body.
Buy Links
Amazon – http://amzn.to/L8rUAA
Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/JwdvkS
AllRomance – http://bit.ly/JweL7H
Smashwords – http://bit.ly/KUL4dh
Malia Mallory is the author of The ABCs of Erotica series, which includes so 
far A is for Anal, B is for Beach, C is for C*ck Ring D is for Domination, and now, R is for Revenge. The ABCs of Erotica covers the erotic spectrum from BDSM to ménage and everything in between. More releases in the series are on the way. She has also released Mia’s Cop Craving and Santa’s Backdoor Baby. She has hit the bestselling erotica lists at both Amazon and iTunes. Her books are available in electronic format at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and AllRomance Books.
For a free copy of B is for Beach from The ABCs of Erotica, head to her website and sign up for the newsletter at http://www.maliamallory.com/Join_My_Mailing_List.php.
Connect with Malia Mallory
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/@MaliaMallory
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/MaliaMallory
My Blog – http://abcsoferotica.wordpress.com/
Web Page – http://www.maliamallory.com
