Lucy V. Morgan's Blog, page 10

Cover Art Reveal: CHAIRMAN OF THE WHORED

Some of you are probably sick of hearing about this, but I am too excited not to post this everywhere. This is my cover for CHAIRMAN OF THE WHORED, which is the first in the WHORED series of novels (see tab above) and an erotic novel with a sensual BDSM flavour. It's not due out until next Feb, but we're working on the edits as I type.

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The tagline is rather edgy, but since there's a scene with a knife (more sensual than of the blood-letting variety, but still), I wanted people to be aware upfront rather than get a shock if it's not their kind of thing. It also sums up Mr. Chairman--or Joseph--rather nicely. 
I now have an ISBN, which means I will spend the rest of the day arsing around on GoodReads, putting myself on. 
Because I have a book, and it has a cover and everything! Woohoo!
I promise to stop being smug now. Ahem.

The Phantom Menace: How To Keep Your Villain Visible

I read, write and get intern-y on the asses of many paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi novels. One of the most important aspects of these genres? The baddies.  These grey guys and gals, for the good of your novel, need to be "present" from the very beginning. 

There are books where we get the villain's point of view--usually in the third person--and while much of this will still apply, I'm about to talk more about books written from the protagonist's POV. 


In a good piece of fiction, the villain is present in every scene. They might not be kicking the protagonist's ass; they might not even be peering around around the window ledge when the protag isn't looking (though done right, that's ooh-mama creepy). Done with skill, the villain's shadow hangs over the life of the main character, and the world has been twisted in the wake of their wrongdoings. Do this right and the reader will wait until the last pages to meet that villain (see JK Rowling and he who shall not be named for a masterclass in this method, including 1.0: if your baddie isn't showing up until the last chapter, he'd best have some entertaining minions to keep us going until his big entrance).

The pacing of your villain's appearances is important. If they're not turning up for the first half of the novel, as readers, we really need to feel the affect they've had on their victims. We need a build-up of tension, and a villain who fulfills our expectations when they finally appear (with a bang, preferably--whether it's sinister enough to make us shiver, or scary enough to make our fingers tremble as we turn the pages).

In dystopian fiction, for example, the villain is often embodied in authoritarian practises. Society is influenced and organised as a direct result. This is a great way to think of your fantasy and sci-fi worlds--how has your society responded to your villain? Do they have special rules and rituals to protect them? How do the anxieties and traumas caused affect people on a personal level? If the villain is yet to emerge, this effect will swell during your story; if they're more established, it will be present from the start.

When your villain shows up, make sure it's for a reason. Your villain is not passive; they can't just appear to expose a bit of their evil plan and then mosey off before someone catches/shoots/vapourizes them. Think of how the people of your new world feel about this person. When Dastardly Davina shows up, you must use that scene to make the readers feel the same way.

You might be writing only from the protagonist's point of view, but you're congruently telling the villain's story. They're just as complex, and in their head, their motives are just as valid. Don't stoop to two-dimensional baddies--your book will suffer. And I will think that you suck.

Amusing Google Hits. What Are Yours?

Hello Campaigners (and all other readers. I like you just as much--promise). I have been stuck in the editing cave all week and my brain aches, hence no contest entry and general slowness. Bah.

But one of the best things about having a blog is the sniggering that ensues when you view your Google hits, and realise people find you by Googling the weirdest things. So in the spirit of blogger-ly bonding, here are some of my most amusing examples. Please share yours in the comments! (And if I haven't made my way to your blog yet, I'm on it this week).

People find me by Googling...

Books + supportive husbands
Gnomes of self pity
How to keep your rich alpha male happy (baha).
Blowjob Nicole
Given a quiet moment to get his bearings, Alex realised  (Alex is my husband. Not this Alex, I think--he sounds too organised).
Lucy v oh my Lucy V (sadly, this is not about me. There's a porn star called Lucy V. She's evidently ripping me off).
Lucy V sex torrent (see above).

(On a similar note, Open Office now suggests "girl parts" every time I try to write "girl." Ahem).

I have been interviewed...

...by author Lux Zakari, over on here blog here. I chat a bit about my books, writing habits, happy endings and ritual sacrifice.

Well, maybe not that last bit. But yes. Go see it :)

Sold Another Book. Husband's Excitement Knows No Bounds.

I sold THE WHORED'S PRAYER, which is the sequel to CHAIRMAN OF THE WHORED, to Lyrical Press this week. I asked my ever-supportive husband to do a little celebration dance for me. He refused.

So here are some pictures of him dancing in a stupid mask, as revenge. Baha.


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Don't be silly, Lucy. I do not dance.

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But wait! When you're not looking, I get down with my bad self.

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Check yo'self, don't wreck yo'self!
                                                              
So yeah. After two books of dark, quirky erotica with a smidge of magical realism, I've moved on to an urban fantasy project about vampires, blood-magic-weilding warlocks and British royalty in magic rehab. I'm hoping to finish up by Christmas. If I sell this one, I'm totally making the husband dance to something embarrassing. Conga, maybe? Macarena? Bend and Snap...?

Platform Building Campaign: Hell, Yes

[image error] Around the time I started this blog and my publishing journey, a fellow writer and blogger called Rachael Harrie hosted her second Platform Building Campaign--a big bloggy free-for-all where writers connect to like-minded genre-mates and bask in the glory of each other's awesomeness. The third Campaign is about to get underway, and I have dutifully hopped on the bandwagon once more because....well. It's an ace bandwagon. There's leather upholstery, a mini bar, and is that Snoop Dog...?

...Fur-coated pimps aside, the Campaign is a wonderful thing. I wrote an article during the last about why writers should talk to each other, and I stand by it all. Writing can be a very lonely existence: just you, the laptop, a hero that keeps running off with a frigid but kick-ass wondergirl/his elderly butler/a cat with questionable sexual history. Fortunately for me, I've met some great writers since (and I don't own a cat, fictional or otherwise). I value their opinions; they don't think mine is too shabby; and when the stars are bright and the moon is full, one of us sacrifices a goat and then--er, I mean, we critique each other, and it's rather good.

Aaaaaanyway. I'm looking forward to meeting more fellow goat skinners authors, readers and publishing people. Am also looking forward to the challenges (I was a bit pants with these last time. I blame the Pepsi habit. I was in hardcore).

I think you should join in too. You can do it here.

Author Interview: Aubrie Dionne

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Hot space pirates! Nom nom nom...
When I first began as an intern at Entangled Publishing, I had the pleasure of reading the original submission of PARADISE 21, Aubrie Dionne's new science fiction romance. I'm delighted to have Aubrie here on my blog to chat about the book, her writing habits and a liiiiittle bit about herself.

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind's last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won't be reached in Aries' lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage. But Aries has other plans. When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet's native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price. The life of the man she loves.

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Your new release, Paradise 21, is a sci fi romance--a genre which is receiving a lot of attention lately. What inspired you to write science fiction in particular? Is it hard to balance the different genre elements?
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This one time, at band camp...I wrote a kick-ass book.
I grew up watching the old Star Wars movies so many times, I think it imprinted in my DNA. I also loved Star Trek The Next Generation. I loved how the setting was sci fi, but it didn't get too technical. I really enjoyed the more romantic episodes of Star Trek, where they explored Jean Luc Picard's relationship with Beverly Crusher, and Commander Riker and Troy. They even gave Data (my favorite character) a few romantic episodes!I wanted to write a romance/adventure story in a science fiction setting. I worked hard on balancing adventure, science, and romance. When I initially submitted my manuscript, my editor encouraged me to beef up the romance aspect, and after I did, the story flowed with more emotion. So yes, it is hard to balance the different genre elements, but when you get them right, it's like a flavorful soup recipe, and the elements simmer together nicely. Mmm...soup. Ahem. You're planning a sequel to Paradise 21. Have you had to do any specific research? How much of your time, as a writer, does research eat into? And do you enjoy it?I love doing research. For the sequel, Tundra 37, the setting is an ice planet. Since I live in NH, which is much like the frozen planet Hoth in Star Wars in the winter, I didn't need to research too much about the cold! I know what it's like to feel my hair freeze in the morning if I don't blow it dry! I spent a lot of time researching wooly mammoths, because I have created creatures much like them in Tundra 37. I wanted a prehistoric feel to the planet, and wooly mammoths were the way to go!   Can you tell us a bit about your publishing journey? What are your aims, and have they changed at all since you entered the industry?I'd love to have my books in Barnes and Noble on the shelf. I didn't realize how hard it was to get widespread distribution. Since the revolution of ebooks, this step in the process isn't as crucial, so I've learned to be content with my books on the Barnes and Noble website. For now. My publishing journey involves a lot of typing. Paradise 21 is my fourth book and the one that has garnered the most attention so far. Before Paradise 21, I wrote three other books, twenty short stories, and a novella. I had no idea how many books you need to write to hone your craft, and the more books you have, the more of a chance you have at getting noticed. I thought I'd write one book and that would be it. Naive=me. But, what I have found is that I like writing books. I don't mind typing out 1k-2k a day. It's actually soothing for me, and I love to see how the stories and characters turn out. My first book took two and a half years to finish. Now I can write a novel in 6-7 months.   You're a musician as well as a writer. What does it mean to you to be a creative person? Do you need certain things, have a certain disposition? Music and writing are a lot alike for me. Playing a phrase is much like composing a sentence, and a full symphony is like a novel. They both involve discipline and are lifetime pursuits. My mom was an artist, so I'm pretty sure I got my creative side from her! I didn't choose to be a creative person. Music and English were my strongest subjects, so flute and writing kind of chose me. I'd be an awful mathematician, and anything having to do with chemistry= forget it! My sister is a nurse, and my brother works for the government designing lasers and new defenses for helicopters. So I guess they got all the science and math talents, and I got the creative stuff!  [Makes mental note not to mess with Aubrie's brother] Do you have any advice for fellow writers?I have a load of it. But I'll stick to a few things, and anyone that wants more advice can email me! #1. Keep writing. If I stopped after my first book, or even my third, I wouldn't be here today. #2.Find critique partners and beta readers (besides your mom/sister/best friend). I have 6 critique partners and two beta readers. Each person has different advice to offer me. Critiquing others' work makes me a better writer myself! (Just like teaching flute makes me a better flute player). Thank you so much for having me here today! Aubrie has left the building...probably in something that flies, and has lasers. Lasers that fire out of flutes. In the meantime, you can check out her website here, buy PARADISE 21 here, and you can find her on Twitter as @AuthorAubrie. I am now jonesing to watch Star Trek. This could be a good thing, or a very bad one...

Winner: THE WHAT IF GUY by Brooke Moss

[image error] I hope you all enjoyed Brooke's post on ideal male leads. The winner of THE WHAT IF GUY ebook is Amy--congratulations! Thanks for entering, and happy reading. If you'd still like to read the book, you can buy a copy here.

Guest Post by Author Brooke Moss & E-Book Giveaway

Helloah, my pretties. I'd like to welcome women's fiction author Brooke Moss to my blog today. Not only is she sharing her thoughts on awesome male leads, but she also has a spanking new e-copy of her novel, THE WHAT IF GUY , to give away. Entry details are at the bottom of this post; in the meantime, Brooke is going to put down her cheese (she likes cheese quite a lot) and amuse you for at least six minutes...




Brooke spied mature cheddar...
Greatest Contemporary HeroesBy Brooke Moss
            Thanks for having me on your blog, Lucy! I am so excited to be here.              There is absolutely nothing better than opening a book and discovering that you are reading about a grade A, class act, built for manual labor in and out of the bedroom, hot male character. You know the type. Long hair, or short, whatever floats your boat. Dark eyes, or light ones that sparkle when he gazes down at the heroine, take your pick. A rugged demeanor, or the hot, geeky type. Any hero that makes your toes curl as you're flipping the pages.               I've read my share of amazing heroes in many different genres. There is a vampire named Dante in an Ivy Alexander book that still makes me blush when I think about him. There is a hot gargoyle character named Jax in Jess MacCallan's upcoming trilogy that makes me weak in the knees. It would be a shame not to mention Alaric, who was created by the amazing Alyssa Day. And lest we not forget the lovely YA werewolf goodness that Stephenie Meyer and Maggie Stievfater provided.              But my favorite hero characters are the ones from contemporary romance.              I know, I know…some readers consider contemporary romance heroes "boring". But I am here to crush that myth. Contemporary heroes are as hot and earth shaking because they could actually be…dare I say it…real. A cop? Totally real. A carpenter? Got one living next door to me. Trucker? Mailman? Reporter? They're everywhere. In fact, we are completely surrounded by potential contemporary romance heroes.              I enjoy a hero who doesn't necessarily start out as the most attractive character. At first glance, he doesn't seem that interesting. And frankly, he needs a good shave and a long shower. But boy, with the addition of a few descriptive words, and a twist of focus, and possibly a heart-wrenching emotional scene—and that hero becomes the hot guy who lived across the street, but the heroine never gave a second glance to. Before now.              Now they are slamming into walls as they stumble their way to the bedroom, and they are crying out each other's names as they fall into a whirlwind of passion. And believe it or not, there is nary a magical dagger, a set of wings, a set of fangs, or any sort of mystical journey in sight. Just two people, that could be you or me, falling in love.              Amazing, right?              Some of the most, ahem, memorable heroes from contemporary romance that I love have come from the brilliant and hilarious minds of Kristan Higgins and Jennifer Crusie. Both authors have the ability create heroes that I feel completely capable of running into at the grocery store. That's the key with contemporary romance: turning an otherwise unmemorable person into a hero that a reader will look back on and sigh contentedly.              In Catch of the Day, Kristan Higgins shifts her hero, Malone—or Maloner the Loner—from a grouchy, lobsterman…into a dark, mysterio                        Fondly,                         Brooke Moss
[image error] THE WHAT IF GUY What would you do if your "what if" guy showed up at the lowest point of your life? (Autumn Cole clocked hers with an encyclopedia.)
     After losing her job at a swanky Seattle art gallery and finding out her father has been hospitalized, single mother Autumn Cole reluctantly returns to her tiny hometown of Fairfield, Washington to put the pieces of her life back together.     Her disgruntled twelve-year-old son isn't thrilled about going from hip to hick, but Autumn's got it worse. She resumes her role as the daughter of the town drunk, promptly facing a crisis with her father that's been decades in the making.     Running into Henry Tobler, and nearly breaking his nose, is almost more than she can handle, but can rediscovering love–and herself–with her "what if" guy teach Autumn to forgive before it's too late?
To win a copy, simply leave a comment below (please make sure I have a way of contacting you!). I will announce the winner on August 23rd. Good luck, and happy reading. 

Lux Zakari Giveaway--Winner!

[image error] The winner of Luz Zakari's latest release, FINALE, is Stormfairy. Thanks for participating, everyone--if you'd like to buy a copy of FINALE then you can do so here, and don't forget to check out Lux at her website here to stay up-to-date with her forthcoming releases.

I have another awesome ebook to give away, this time from snarky new chick lit writer Brooke Moss. It will be up shortly!