Deborah Court's Blog, page 3
May 22, 2012
Interview with Author Blak Rayne
Today I have a very special guest: Blak Rayne, a good friend and published author who, among other projects, writes romantic and homoerotic fiction influenced by the Japanese Yaoi genre. At the same time, Blak has graciously invited me for a Q&A with a book giveaway on her blog (May 23rd), which you'll find here, so we are doing an interview swap of sorts. ;-)
Blak is not only a talented and successful writer, but also a lovely and kind person whom I'd love to meet in person one day. As she tells readers on her website, she likes men, period, and she likes hers hot and powerful, to have secrets and burn up the pages. She says: "I like to believe there's a love story out there for everyone, it's just waiting to be told." Brava, bravissima Ms Rayne, I wholeheartedly agree!
Q&A with Blak Rayne
Could you please tell us something
about you?
Well, there is something new I’d like to mention. I have just started to
write under another pen name within a totally different genre. For me, this is
wonderful, and something I have been longing to do for many years. I can’t wait
to see the results!
When did you decide on being an
author?
Cliché as it sounds, early childhood, though my dream didn’t come to
fruition until much later in life (isn’t that always the way).
What inspires you to write?
Anything really, my imagination constantly churns. But if I had to pick,
I’d have to say music. I was raised on music (my mother’s influence) along with
a passion for books (my father’s influence). I took years of piano–practical
and theory, self-taught guitar, played a little drums, and also ukulele.
What is the premise of your book?
My current novel, which is nearing
completion is 'The Ideal Side of Love'; a short story about a successful
businessman, Stephen, who has struggled all his life in relationships until he
meets Myron. After years together, Myron dies of cancer. The only way Stephen
can cope is by immersing himself in work until he accidentally bumps into a
stranger. I won't go any further because I don't want to spoil the story. TISOL
is written in first person POV, which is very different for me, but I think it
really works for the story and characters.
~***~
The Ideal Side of Love
‘Average, but extraordinary, and only twice in a lifetime.’
Stephen
Prichard is a resilient and self-made man that has it all, a successful
business, great husband, and a summer condo on the waterfront, until life
throws a curve ball. After twelve years together, his husband Myron dies of
cancer, leaving Stephen to confront a future of uncertainties alone.
Then fate lends a
hand, when not one, but two chance encounters with the same stranger put his
feelings to the test. First and second impressions are lasting. Stephen
longs for companionship, and the stranger is attractive, however, he’s also
enigmatic and cold, and the memories of Myron are still painfully fresh.
Can a man Stephen
barely knows renew his faith in love? But, more importantly, is he willing to
let go of the past?
http://www.blakraynebooks.com
http://www.blakrayneblog.com
~***~
What is your favorite passage in the
book?
For TISOL I can’t say yet, as the
book is incomplete.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Honestly, I’m a bit of both. If I’m writing an in depth story, I will
plot, otherwise I fly by the seat of my pants. But then again…some of my better
stories were written off-the-cuff. Yep, I’m a bit of both.
How do you develop your characters?
I usually start with a name. Then a simple image comes to mind–the way
the character looks, dresses, and so on; as the story evolves, so do they. In
other words, I may mould the character to his or her story, or circumstance. It
depends. Sometimes the story dictates the character.
How did you come to write m/m erotic
romance?
I’ve written hetero erotica before, some sex within my fantasy stories,
and even a little homoerotic, but I never considered writing m/m erotic romance
until a friend dared me to enter an online writing contest. I had to write an
m/m erotic story, and did so in five days, following the contest rules. I
didn’t win, but the feedback was decent, and I sent the story to a publisher
many years later.
Which books/authors influenced you
most and why?
I love to read when time permits. And, since I’ll read just about
anything, there are many authors I enjoy. As far as influence goes, I can’t
pick any particular one for their writing abilities because every author has a
unique written voice–even I do, but I certainly can for imagination; J.R.R.
Tolkien, Agatha Christie, C. S. Lewis, Morgan Llewellyn, Kazuma Kodaka, Robin
Cook, Terry Brooks, R.D. Wingfield, Joseph Wambaugh, Oliver Bowden, Brent
Weeks, Bram Stoker…
Which is your favorite hero and villain
in a movie or TV series?
I almost always root for the villain–well
those with half a conscience. You know the type–driven by a vengeful
spirit, but also emotionally torn by their own sinister actions. Which are
usually brought on due to an unrequited, lost or stolen love. Bram Stoker’s Dracula
is my favourite. He’s a prime example of a tortured soul seeking revenge in the
name of love.
Is there a contemporary author,
musician or actor you particularly admire?
The only people I really admire are
the authors I’ve worked with, those I have gotten to know on a personal level.
Most have struggled, and I admire their determination, their achievements, and
how they treat others in the industry.
What will be your next project?
Well, I have several erotic m/m novels awaiting my undivided attention.
And, adding to this, I have a ten part fantasy series I’ve been working on
faithfully for fifteen years, that needs editing, covers etc to reach
publication (this is under my new pen name). I’ve got so much on my plate at
the moment I can scarcely keep up.
Do you have any advice for aspiring
writers?
First and foremost writing is all about passion–sharing your imagination
with others. Be passionate about your work. The second part is honing your
craft. Read what you like to write, learn from other authors this includes their
triumphs and mistakes. But the most important thing, do what you feel is right.
Stay true to yourself.
May 21, 2012
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Birthday
Conan Doyle - I bow to thee.
"OCTOBER 16TH.--A dull and foggy day with a drizzle of rain. The house is
banked in with rolling clouds, which rise now and then to show the dreary
curves of the moor, with thin, silver veins upon the sides of the hills, and
the distant boulders gleaming where the light strikes upon their wet faces. It
is melancholy outside and in. The baronet is in a black reaction after the
excitements of the night. I am conscious myself of a weight at my heart and a
feeling of impending danger--ever present danger, which is the more terrible
because I am unable to define it."
~ The Hound of the Baskervilles ~
[image error]
May 20, 2012
Guest post on Bitten by Paranormal Romance
You'll find the original post here and a Midalah's new review of "Virgin Dancer" here. Special thanks to Laurie for inviting me again.
Step into my World
By Deborah Court
(originally written for "Bitten by Paranormal Romance")
Before I started to write myself,
I worked as an editor and translator of romance novels. It was the job of my
dreams, since I've always enjoyed reading, and this gave me not only the
opportunity to enjoy many books from different genres, but also enabled me to
get to know how they are structured, what is elemental to a story. More
importantly, I learned what readers expect from a book. A plot and interesting
characters are elementary, but the real challenge for a good story is that it's
supposed to take the reader into another world for the entire length of it,
starting from page one.
It's all about escapism. God
knows we need it nowadays, especially young people who struggle with getting a
decent education and a career, or hard-working mothers who run their families
like a tireless, multi-tasking robot each day. They have a job, loads of
housework, take care of their children and elderly family members while they
often neglect their own wishes and needs. I have learned that those women are
my most faithful readers; they give me incredible, heartwarming feedback. "Thank
you for helping me escape for a while," is something I often read in my
readers' messages, and to me as a writer, it's the biggest compliment
imaginable.
But is escapism a good or bad
thing? (Naturally, escape can also be experienced through watching movies, TV
shows or other forms of entertainment, but being an author, I'd like to talk
about books for now.) There are people who'd argue that such avid readers
prefer to live in their own worlds - or, in the case of a fiction book, in a
world a writer created for them. But this world, whether it's fantastic or very
close to reality, lingers on in their minds long after they finish reading; it
feeds their own inner world, the childlike part of their soul that's still able
to be in utter awe of a breathtaking sight, believing that whatever they are
craving for can actually happen. Sometimes astonishing creativity blooms after
readers lose themselves in a compelling story - there are myriads of talented fan
fiction writers and artists online who got motivated by a book they
particularly liked in the first place.
Now this can't possibly be a bad
thing, can it? Don't have a bad conscience if you like to escape for a while. We
all need to from time to time. You've earned your own private fantasy, and it
will give you renewed strength to face life when you need to get out of bed in
the morning. Because the world you found in a book will linger inside you,
still filling you with joyous wonder and hope long after you turned the last
page.
*****
April 26, 2012
"Virgin Dancer" Freebie Giveaway
I'd like to let you know that my latest book, Virgin Dancer, is free on Amazon - starting today and limited to two days
only (26-27 April). You know that all good things never last, so get your copy while you can. Enjoy your read, and a short review on Amazon or Goodreads is always much appreciated! ;-)
http://www.amazon.com/Virgin-Dancer-ebook/dp/B007W5PFFQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1334997054&sr=1-1
(Please make sure that it's already/still free before you download, I can't influence the exact time Amazon will get it online)
Was she dancing too close to
the fire when she chose him for her first night of passion?
Jade, a small town girl who has recently moved to New York to become a
professsional ballet dancer, is wildly determined to lose her virginity. She
goes to a Lower East Side club and celebrates her birthday with friends - fully
intending to choose the most handsome, charismatic man she'll meet there to
introduce her to the art of love that night. Instantly she falls for the tall blond Swedish sex god who owns the club, pretending to be a pole dancer
who wants to apply for a job. But Alrik has secrets of his own, and soon Jade
gets entangled in a web of danger, mystery and relentless passion ...
April 21, 2012
Virgin Dancer released!
Dear Readers,
I have the pleasure of announcing that my new book is released, now available at Amazon.
Today, I'd like to especially thank my dear friend and editor, Lynette Sofras. Working with her is always a pleasure and a constant source of learning, although she - as a former head of English at a London school - can be a very strict EDITOR (the kind you write in caps *lol*). But honestly, she's one of the most kind, generous persons I've ever met, and a very talented writer, as well. You can check out her blog and her latest book, "Wishful Thinking", here.
I hope you'll enjoy reading as much as I loved writing "Virgin Dancer"; please leave
me a short review on Amazon if you liked the story. <3<3<3
Yours truly,
Deborah
xxx
Was she dancing too close to the fire when she chose him for her first night of passion?
Jade,
a small town girl who has recently moved to New York to become a
professsional ballet dancer, is wildly determined to lose her virginity.
She goes to a Lower East Side club and celebrates her birthday with
friends - fully intending to choose the most handsome, charismatic man
she'll meet there to introduce her to the art of love that night.
Instantly she falls for the blonde, tall Swedish sex god who owns the
club, pretending to be a pole dancer who wants to apply for a job. But
Alrik has secrets of his own, and soon Jade gets entangled in a web of
danger, mystery and relentless passion ...
Excerpt:
"So beautiful," he said, and his deep, rich voice
sent shivers down her spine. "I wonder if I should take advantage of this situation. After all, you're just a girl who wanted to find herself a lover tonight." He laughed to himself as he bowed down to her, moving his body over hers. Resting his weight on his elbows, his skin was just inches away from Jade's, nearly covering her. She only needed to arch her back, and her breasts would graze his skin.
Holding her captive with his pale, clear eyes, he stared down at her. "You can't even imagine how much I'd like to take you now." When she gasped, he continued. "Look at you. You want it, too, don't you, Jade? This is what you came here for."
Desperate with want, she closed her eyes, unable to speak a word. Suddenly, she felt his breath on the sensitive side of her neck, and she involuntarily tilted her head to the side to give him better access. Then, his lips were on her, leaving a searing mark on her skin. She moaned when she felt his tongue, barely touching as if he only wanted to taste her. A soft moan escaped her when he covered her neck with more of his sinful kisses, alternating with gentle bites that made her finally give up, yielding to his seduction.
The knowledge of being bound and helpless excited her more than she would have expected, and she turned her head to look into his eyes, ready to beg him if he wanted it. She found that the expression of his eyes wasn't cold anymore, but seemed to burn with a fire that threatened to destroy her.
"Beware, little virgin," he said. "I might be too much for you."
*****
March 25, 2012
Bound to the Prince nominated for Best Fantasy Romance 2011
Recently I heard some news that really swept me off my feet - "Bound to the Prince" is nominated for The Romance Review's "Best Book of 2011" award! I'm so excited about this, and couldn't believe it, considering that I only started publishing last August! However, it's a great honor to know that so many readers enjoyed my book. ;-)
So if you liked "Bound to the Prince" and want it to be the best Fantasy Romance 2011, please visit this site and click on "Vote" over the cover (you can easily log in with your Facebook account). Thank you so much for your support!
Click the logo to vote:
I also have a little goodie for you, an excerpt from my upcoming erotic romance, "Virgin Dancer". I hope you like it!
Until soon, with much love,
Deborah
xxxx
Excerpt from "Virgin Dancer"
@Deborah Court 2012
Jade, a small town girl who has recently moved to New York to become a professsional ballet dancer, is wildly determined to lose her virginity. She goes to a Lower East Side club and celebrates her birthday with friends - fully intending to choose the most handsome, charismatic man she'll meet there to introduce her to the art of love that night. Instantly she falls for the blonde, tall Swedish sex god who owns the club, pretending to be a pole dancer who wants to apply for a job. But Alrik has secrets of his own, and soon Jade gets entangled in a web of danger, mystery and relentless passion ...
****
Don't lose your courage now, Jade thought.
In this instant she felt it, the undeniable sensation of someone's gaze on her. When she turned her head slightly, the crowed parted for a moment, and she saw the most stunning male she'd ever laid eyes on.
Much taller than any other man in his proximity, the blonde giant leaned nonchalantly against the black marble block that formed the bar, his strong arms crossed in front of his wide chest. He was broad-shouldered and sculptured with muscle, yet his exceptional height prevented him from looking like one of those bodybuilders Jade had always disliked, finding them too heavy and bulging. He looked as if he had gained that body with heavy physical work, or maybe some kind of martial arts.
Actually, he didn't fit at all into this decadent environment. This man looked strangely out of place, maybe even out of time. The only way she could describe him was as one of those medieval warriors she liked to read about in her romances - late at night, when lay alone in her room in the tiny apartment she shared with Amber, dreaming of a man's touch on her naked skin.
Looking like the epitome of understatement in this club, he was only wearing a black tank and black jeans, combined with biker boots. His golden-streaked hair was combed back, accentuating the planes and angles of his striking face - high cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong chin, and lips that were curved into an ironic half-smile. But the most impressive part of him was his piercing grey eyes, their gaze so intense that her cheeks started to burn when she saw him looking directly at her.
Jade gasped when she felt a liquid fire racing through her body - straight down to the juncture between her legs, causing a strange, throbbing feeling. His stare felt as if he was touching her, keeping her imprisoned until she swiftly turned away. She managed to make Beth remove her tongue from her new guy's mouth long enough to talk to her. "Who's that?" she asked, discreetly nodding in the stunning man's direction.
Beth chuckled, elbowing her friend, who stopped making out with her fellow dancer, too. "Hey, Amber," she said. "Look who Jade has picked - from all of the men!"
Amber followed Beth's gaze and grinned, too. "Oh. Him."
"Him?" Jade said, breathlessly. "Do you know him?"
"Sure. Everybody knows him. His name is Alrik Larsson."
"Yup," Beth added. "The sex god from Sweden. He owns this club. All the women here want to get laid by him, that's for sure. He might be a great choice to deflower you - but I'm not sure if you can handle him, sweetie. He's a bit on the dark side, from what I've heard."
"Beth!" Jade cried. "He isn't my choice. I only asked."
"But he's watching you," Amber remarked. "He's undressing you with his eyes. It's clear that you have piqued his interest.
"And … what did you mean with 'he's a bit on the dark side'?" Jade asked as her heart started to pound faster. She had a sudden adrenaline rush. It was a feeling as if something was about to happen that couldn't be stopped once she had crossed a certain point. Amber was right. The blond giant locked his gaze with her whenever she looked at him, devilishly trying to seduce her with those amazing eyes.
Amber came nearer so she couldn't be overheard. "I know a girl who told me she'd had a short affair with him," she said in a low voice. "I still don't know if she was just bragging, but she sounded honest. She said that Alrik was an incredible lover. He did things to her she wouldn't even have dreamed possible. She says that he liked to be the one in control, and that he could make love for hours. Oh, and that she never had so many orgasms in her life."
Jade swallowed. "Maybe I had better look for someone else."
"Don't worry, Jade. He was a perfect gentleman. My friend said that he never harmed her, and didn't do anything she didn't wish for herself. He seems to be very good at pleasuring a woman. This man could teach you a lot about sex, girl. Only problem was that she fell in love with him. When he noticed that, he didn't meet her again. She said that he gets cold as ice if a woman develops any feelings for him. Definitely no boyfriend material."
Jade narrowed her eyes and tried to avoid his gaze. "Well, this sounds great! He might be just what I was looking for, after all," she murmured.
"Go girl!" Beth said. "You have to grab the opportunity."
"But … I've no idea what to say to him!" Jade said.
"You'll think of something," Beth answered. "Will you go now? 'Cause if you don't, I'll shout out to all the men on the dance floor that you're looking for someone to take your virginity."
"Oh Beth, you wouldn't!"
"Don't dare me, girl."
Jade took a deep breath. You wanted this. Now go for it. Don't be such a coward. It's not a big deal. After this night, you'll never see this man again, anyway.
Straightening her back, she raised her chin and crossed the dance floor, walking directly towards him. But when she had passed the dancing crowd, he was gone. Frustrated, she leaned against the cool marble of the bar, closing her eyes for a moment. She felt so ridiculous right now. It just wasn't like her to be so straightforward. Why couldn't she just meet someone and fall hopelessly in love, instead of staying a virgin forever?
"Are you looking for someone?" a deep voice said, right over her shoulder.
Wincing, she turned and saw that the Swedish sex god was standing right behind her. Being so near to her, he was even more striking than from afar. She was taller than many men, but still her eyes were on the same level as his chest. The height difference made her feel petite and feminine for once, a feeling she wasn't used to. Slowly, she raised her head to look him in the face. Towering over her, he looked incredibly powerful, and undeniably male. His golden beauty was almost too seductive to look at. This was too much.
"I …," she breathed, swallowing. Then, unexpectedly, an idea came to her mind.
"I'm … an exotic dancer, and I'm here because of the job," Jade said. "I've heard you were looking for new dancers," she added, nodding towards one of the strippers on the pole.
He stared at her for a moment before he smiled, a lopsided grin that made her heart flutter. "That's very interesting … because right now, I don't need any new dancers."
Well, then I might have heard wrong. Sorry," she said quickly, starting to turn around. This man was too much for her to handle, Beth had been right.
His big hand closed around the bare flesh of her arm. It was a gentle touch, yet she found herself unable to move. "Wait," he said, and his deep voice sent shivers down her spine. "Don't go. Actually, maybe I could use another dancer. Would you like to show me some moves?" He spoke perfect English, but with a melodic quality that only added to his exotic attraction. And heavens, he smelled so good.
A smoldering heat spread inside her belly, going straight down into her core. "Yes," she said. "I think I'd like to do that."
He led her to a back room with a private elevator. "Let's go up to my penthouse," he said. "I have a pole there. My name is Alrik, but you probably know that, if you came to apply for a job. What's your name, beauty?"
She didn't know why, but her endearment made her shiver with need. "Jade," she said, staring at him without even thinking about telling him her last name.
When he pressed the up button, Jade felt like running away for a moment. This is it, she thought. It will really happen. When the door slid open, she hesitated. This might be her last chance to leave. Besides, could she simply follow this man to his private rooms? She didn't know anything about him.
He had noticed the changed expression in her eyes and smiled. "There's nothing to fear, fair Jade. Don't look at me like I'm the big bad wolf who wants to eat you. I only want to see you dance and talk about a possible job - unless it's you who has other intentions?"
Jade didn't have the faintest idea what to answer to that, so she simply followed him into the elevator. With this step, she probably crossed the last boundary that kept her from staying in her innocent state. This man was a born seducer, and she was his willing prey. However, she wasn't naïve. There could be no doubt why he took her to his private rooms. Surely he had some kind of back room or office in the club which they could have used for a demonstration of her dancing skills?
They played a game with open cards, and she wanted him to win, although she shouldn't show it to him too openly. He stood so close to her that she could feel the warmth of his body. He quickly typed in a code, then the elevator moved up to the 34th floor, as she noticed on the display.
Alrik's penthouse was furnished with subtle, tasteful luxury. They stood in a huge, open room that provided a 360-degree, breathtaking view of the city. It was clearly a man's apartment. No curtains. Everything was black and white. There was a large living room area with a giant flat screen and a large, comfortable leather couch, and beside it a built-in dancing pole that reached from the high ceiling down to the floor, which was covered with a thick white carpet. The other side of the room was dominated by the largest bed she had ever seen - of all things, a curtained four-poster made of dark oak. It didn't seem to fit to the rest of these lodgings. Doors led to a kitchen, bathrooms and to a office.
"Nice flat," she said, feeling incredibly stupid. He simply laughed, shrugging. "I'd be as happy in a cabin in the forest. I'm not often at home anyway. Now would you like a drink before we begin?"
"Heck, yes," she murmured, feeling her color rising. She hoped that he meant dancing, for now.
He went to a polished cupboard in one corner, busied himself there for a while and came back with a tulip-shaped glass, which was half filled with a clear liquid.
Jade didn't even ask what it was, and downed the welcome drink in a single gulp. Instantly, the alcohol burnt her throat, and she cringed, coughing. "What … the hell is that?" she croaked.
Alrik laughed, flashing perfect white teeth at her. "You shouldn't have drunk it so quickly. It's Aquavit, a traditional Swedish snaps. It's similar to vodka."
Jade tried to regain her countenance, and raised her chin, looking up into his smoldering eyes. For a moment, she thought he'd kiss her, as his gaze wandered over her face, lingering on her lips.
"Dance for me," he said hoarsely.
She went over to the pole while he lay down on the couch, propped up on one elbow. His stormy grey eyes had taken on a predatory look as they followed her every move.
Jade dropped her handbag to the carpet before she grabbed the pole with both hands, slowly moving around it. Alrik seemed to like what he saw, for his body seemed to tense. "Begin," he commanded. "But first you'll remove that enticing dress you wear. And open your hair for me."
Slowly, she reached up into her hair and removed the pins, one after the other, until the bronze curls fell freely over her shoulders.
"Beautiful," he murmured. Jade was beginning to really like this. She opened the zipper of her dress and shrugged it down to the floor, stepping out of it and kicking it to the side with her stilettos.
"Damn," he said, when she revealed her lean, athletic dancer's body. Dressed to the occasion, she wore tiny red lace panties with a fitting bra that pushed her breasts up and together. She had been blessed with a nice pair, but she'd never given it much thought until now, seeing the awed look on Alrik's face. Slowly, she began to walk around the pole ...
****
All rights reserved.
March 16, 2012
Writer's Block and how to overcome it
Today, I'd like to speak about a phenomenon that every writer knows and fears: The all-famous "Writer's Block". All authors know this frightening state of mind. You sit in front of your computer for hours without writing a single word, just staring at the screen. You just can't. Your head is a complete vacuum. Instantly, you find yourself doing all kinds of stuff that keeps you away from that horrible blank screen:
- You read gossip and entertainment blogs.
- You check your Amazon page every hour, checking the ranking of your book and having a bad conscience because you know that you haven't published anything in a while.
- You remember that you need to re-watch all episodes of Lost, Moonlight and True Blood. Oh, and Star Trek - The Next Generation, too. Still in love with Data.
- You scan recipe books you haven't touched in years for new ideas about what to cook (even if you absolutely hate cooking, in my case).
- You start cleaning (now this isn't the worst thing to do while having writer's block - at least you have a clean house afterwards).
- You start plundering your chocolate drawer (not so good).
- You listen to Benedict Cumberbatch reading Keats one more time (get the mp3 here).
- You paint your toenails blue.
- You make yourself a sandwich with every ingredient you can find in the fridge.
- You spend hours on Tumblr, dreamily scrolling along dozens of gifs showing your secret movie star crush.
- You brush your cat five times a day. (And I really don't mean this in a dirty way. I actually have a cat!)
Having done all that, you still haven't brought a single word to paper. Isn't there any hope for your next book ever to be written? After all, you need to feel what you write.
So is it possible to overcome writer's block? Is there any cure?
Oh yes. For me, music is the key. In the past, I've tried out all kinds of music to see what inspires me most when I'm writing. As a very welcome side effect, this caused triggers. In the meantime, hearing certain songs almost instantly brings me in the right mood to write a scene connected with the feeling that particular music awakes in me.
Surprisingly I don't feel like writing romance when I hear typical "romantic" music. For instance, I've written nearly all the erotic scenes of "Bound to the Prince" while listening to "Mr Brightside" by The Killers. I don't know why myself, it's an uptempo song, not a ballad. Maybe it's simply the line "Now she's touching his chest, now he takes off her dress. I just can't watch, it's killing me," subtle but very effective, and it totally works to get me into "the mood."
For action/fighting scenes, I use Skillet's "Rebirthing", and for dramatic, romantic scenes "Always" by Bon Jovi, or "Dear Jessie" (Skillet). Mythic, mysterious scenes can only be properly written with Loreena McKennit's "Mummer's Dance" (I wrote the whole last chapter of BttP listening to it). Movie soundtracks are an awesome way to create feelings, too - especially when you've seen the film many times and know the music to scenes you felt passionate about.
Whatever triggers your emotions, use it! So kick your own ass, sit down and write. It doesn't have to be Pulitzer Prize material, you know. It's just for you. If you really write from the heart, your readers will be sure to love it because they'll feel that your words are true. You could say it's a telepathic connection, but it's so much more.
It's magic.
Love,
Deborah
xxx
March 2, 2012
Story: One Night with the King's Hair
Today I'd love to share a little fun story with you. I wrote it quite some time ago - it was inspired by two of my favorite movies: "One Night with the King", and "Hellboy 2 - The Golden Army" (both featuring awesome actor Luke Goss). Don't expect any deeper sense, but basically it proves two things:
a) The importance of a good hairstyle, especially when you have frizzy curls like me ...
b) that I have absolutely no idea how to use photo editing software (Thank God I found myself a great cover artist!) ... and
c) that I possibly had more than just one glass of wine before writing this, so please forgive me if it's somewhat silly.
Ok, here it is, enjoy. ;-)
xoxoxo
Deborah
*****
One Night with the King's Hair
Once upon a time, there was a very handsome and powerful Persian king, Xerxes was his name. The king had everything a man could wish for – a kingdom bowing to his will, a palace, the most beautiful female slaves and concubines, well taught in the art of love, treasure chambers filled with silver, gold and the most precious gemstones.
But one thing he had not – a maiden so beautiful, so pure and able to bake raspberry cakes, that she was worthy to be his queen.
And what was even worse, he was in dire need of a good hairdresser. That's why until the present day Persian people say "I have a Xerxes today", when they really mean, "I have a bad hair day." Despite his wealth and power, all the hairdressers he summoned to the royal palace weren't able to tame his unruly curls, and none of his courtiers who had really good hairdressers would give him their phone numbers, even if he threatened them with penalty of death.
So the young king was very sad and lonely. He was standing on his balcony at night, looking up to the stars and asking himself when he would meet the girl of his dreams.
One day the king sent out his messengers through all the land to find the man with the best hairstyle so he should come forth and give the king his hairdresser's phone number. This man would be called a hero of the kingdom, heaped with riches, and from this day on bear the title "The Savior of the King's Hair".
The king's messengers rode out to find this hero, even in the most remote provinces. But their task was not easy to fulfill. There were many men with exquisite coiffures, but not one of them wanted to tell the messengers their hairdresser's phone number.
Feeling somewhat better now, the king still was very lonely, even after spending a night with all of his 365 royal concubines (Despite his legendary stamina, this left him quite exhausted - usually there was one for every day of the year). But fate had a surprise in store for him. The very next evening, the king was sulking all alone on his balcony again, when suddenly …
Yes, yes, coming!" shouted the king, while he descended the 2568 steps leading down from his balcony to the palace gates, wondering what his late visitors wanted to sell this time. But when he opened the gates …
It was Prince Nuada from the elven lands, and he had come to teach the king how to wear his hair. King Xerxes was amazed about the prince's unlimited variety of hairstyles …
So the king was merry and eager to learn how to do the new hairstyles himself. But the king's hair was so curly and unruly that he still didn't manage to tame it, no matter how hard he tried. He desperately needed professional help. But when he asked Nuada for his hairdresser's phone number, the prince wouldn't tell and could not be moved to change his mind.
This time, the king did not order to execute the stubborn prince. Instead he ordered his servants to take all the hair conditioner in the palace and give it to the poor, so not even a single bottle was left in the palace chambers where the prince dwelled. Nuada remained steadfast for a while, but soon his former silken tresses looked dry and frizzy. Finally, when none of the women at court could look at him without frowning anymore, he broke his silence.
Xerxes sent for the prince's hairdresser at once, and to his utter astonishment …
The king was overcome with joy and instantly fell in love with the pretty little hairdresser. The very next day …
***
March 1, 2012
Writer's Block and how to overcome it
Today, I'd like to speak about a phenomenon that every writer knows and fears: The all-famous "Writer's Block". All authors know this frightening state of mind. You sit in front of your computer for hours without writing a single word, just staring at the screen. You just can't. Your head is a complete vacuum. Instantly, you find yourself doing all kinds of stuff that keeps you away from that horrible blank screen:
- You read gossip and entertainment blogs.
- You check your Amazon page every hour, checking the ranking of your book and having a bad conscience because you know that you haven't published anything in a while.
- You remember that you need to re-watch all episodes of Lost, Moonlight and True Blood. Oh, and Star Trek - The Next Generation, too. Still in love with Data.
- You scan recipe books you haven't touched in years for new ideas about what to cook (even if you absolutely hate cooking, in my case).
- You start cleaning (now this isn't the worst thing to do while having writer's block - at least you have a clean house afterwards).
- You start plundering your chocolate drawer (not so good).
- You listen to Benedict Cumberbatch reading Keats one more time (get the mp3 here).
- You paint your toenails blue.
- You make yourself a sandwich with every ingredient you can find in the fridge.
- You spend hours on Tumblr, dreamily scrolling along dozens of gifs showing your secret movie star crush.
- You brush your cat five times a day. (And I really don't mean this in a dirty way. I actually have a cat!)
Having done all that, you still haven't brought a single word to paper. Isn't there any hope for your next book ever to be written? After all, you need to feel what you write.
So is it possible to overcome writer's block? Is there any cure?
Oh yes. For me, music is the key. In the past, I've tried out all kinds of music to see what inspires me most when I'm writing. As a very welcome side effect, this caused triggers. In the meantime, hearing certain songs almost instantly brings me in the right mood to write a scene connected with the feeling that particular music awakes in me.
Surprisingly I don't feel like writing romance when I hear typical "romantic" music. For instance, I've written nearly all the erotic scenes of "Bound to the Prince" while listening to "Mr Brightside" by The Killers. I don't know why myself, it's an uptempo song, not a ballad. Maybe it's simply the line "Now she's touching his chest, now he takes off her dress. I just can't watch, it's killing me," subtle but very effective, and it totally works to get me into "the mood."
For action/fighting scenes, I use Skillet's "Rebirthing", and for dramatic, romantic scenes "Always" by Bon Jovi, or "Dear Jessie" (Skillet). Mythic, mysterious scenes can only be properly written with Loreena McKennit's "Mummer's Dance" (I wrote the whole last chapter of BttP listening to it). Movie soundtracks are an awesome way to create feelings, too - especially when you've seen the film many times and know the music to scenes you felt passionate about.
Whatever triggers your emotions, use it! So kick your own ass, sit down and write. It doesn't have to be Pulitzer Prize material, you know. It's just for you. If you really write from the heart, your readers will be sure to love it because they'll feel that your words are true. You could say it's a telepathic connection, but it's so much more.
It's magic.
Love,
Deborah
xxx
February 20, 2012
Guest Post by Author Mary Corrales
Today my fellow paranormal/erotic romance author, Mary Corrales, has come to visit! She writes about demonic lovers. Well, if that's not interesting, I don't know what! ;-)
Welcome to my blog, Mary.
*****
Thank you for having me here today, Deborah. I'd promise to behave myself, but I don't like to lie. Lol.
So here's my question for all your readers: Does true love really exist? We all know that the path to discovering love is littered with broken hearts. My thought is that those broken hearts are the stepping stones that eventually grow us into strong mates for that perfect someone.
No one enjoys a broken heart, but it doesn't have to destroy our faith in love. My philosophy has always been to feel it, learn from it, and then move on from it. In the case of my heroine, Alexine Coridan, she wants a one night stand to erase the pain in her heart. What she gets is a chance at that elusive true love, if she can face Love's Demon Ways.
Alexine Coridan is lonely and unlucky in love. Vowing to live her life with no more regrets, she decides to have a one-night stand with the Nightfall Art Gallery's reclusive owner, Ren Aloysius, but is he more than she is looking for? What forces will be unleashed when she sheds her inhibitions for a man who promises ecstasy with just one touch?
Excerpt:
He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers in another tender kiss. "You're beautiful when you sleep."
"You're such a romantic at heart," she said, cupping his cheek. Staring into his eyes she noticed a tint of green to the gray. "How's your demon?"
"Calm." He gazed at her a moment. "You understand about what we've done?"
"If you're talking about me saving your life, then yes I know." She shrugged. "This was the test your mother mentioned."
"There are repercussions, Alexine." He brushed a lock of hair back from her face. "You and I are bonded though my blood."
"I figured as much, though I thought it was the incredible sex that did it." Moistening her lips, she nodded. "So long as you're okay, nothing else matters." Pushing any lingering uncertainties to the back of her mind, she smiled. Besides, what more could happen that might weird her out? Not much from her perspective.
He blew out a breath and sat up. "We need to talk about the future. There are things you don't know about yet." He ran a hand through his hair.
Her gaze strayed to his magnificent chest and the dusting of brown hair that trailed down to disappear beneath the sheet. His body looked so delectable she wanted to shove him back on the bed and taste every inch of him. The thought made her smile and lick her lips.
"Alexine, you're not listening to me."
Blinking, she locked her gaze to his. "Yes, I am." What had he been talking about? Their future or some such that she considered not as important as her licentious thoughts. "I'm just thinking about tasting you again is all." She wondered if her horniness was a side effect of demon blood.
You can get Mary's book, "Love's Demon Ways", here: http://www.bookstrand.com/loves-demon-ways
Mary
http://twitter.com/MaryCorrales_A1
