Cathy Perkins's Blog, page 128

A Winter Romance

I must apologize here. I ran into a time crunch, so I am recycling an older blog post I did for the Carina Press blog a few years ago...


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I never wanted to be married, but I did -- being romantic by nature (no matter what anybody says) always want to have that certain special someone of my own. As it turned out, it took me quite a while to find that someone and by then I was just a little bit set in my ways. Granted, I was set in my ways -- and rather eccentric ways they are -- from th...

Interesting Characters Stay in Unique Places- Boutique Hotels

by Sandy Parks

Characters move around, to other cities, other states, and other countries. Sure rich billionaires can afford the Ritz. But if they are truly interesting guys or gals, they might desire privacy, adventure, or simply the unusual, and still be treated like a kings or queens. If you don’t have it on your research radar, add the term “boutique hotel.”
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Worth a thousand words?

You know what they say? Pictures=1k words. (hmm, that's half way to the daily total.)

I've been a lame blogger lately. Working several jobs at once, and a trip out of the country to my opposite time zone, followed by a wicked case of p-new-moan-ya, (emphasis on the moan, thank you very much) has kept me away from the keyboard.

I think I told you all, I sometimes drive my family crazy taking pictures? Trying to get just the right angle. Not only the colors, the shapes...but the feeling of what I...

Taking on the Series Challenge

Writing a series is a lot different than writing a stand-alone book. When an author sits down to plan out a series, it’s like writing multiple books at once. Each book has to have a singular plot, but all the books have to be working together toward a series finale. 

If this is a series that involves the same main character, then all additional main characters, their personalities, growth, issues and challenges all have to be mapped out in coordination with an overall series arc. A series...

Romantic Meetings: Take 1

I love to read about the first time a pair of lovers meet, don't you? Maybe they spot one another across a crowded room, or she appears beside him in the moonlight. Or, okay, try this: he's got his gun in his hand, back to the wall, scoping out a darkened warehouse, when he hears a click in his ear and feels the press of metal to his temple. You got it—his dream woman.

Then there are the first meetings that are a little less, shall we say, auspicious? In my upcoming book Trust No One, our hero...

Officer Erik’s professional holiday victim check list.

You may be a professional victim if you: Leave your car unlocked. Even if it’s in your driveway.Carry every credit card known to man when you shop.    At night, park in an unlit area of the mall and walk to your car by yourself.Walk to your car with ear buds in and music blaring. Leave packages in your car where they can be seen. Put packages in the trunk and don’t lock the car  Leave your purse and keys in an unlocked car. Even if it’s in your driveway. Leave your home un...

INGREDIENTS FOR WRITING - by Kathy Ivan

Suspense.  Mystery.  Romance. 
There's something about those words that stir the imagination.  Being able to craft a story filled with the right elements, a blending of all three, reminds me of baking.  All the ingredients have to be added in exactly the right amounts in order for your delicious confection to come out perfect (and in my case hopefully edible). 

I love layering in all the nuances to my stories, adding a dash of mystery to keep the reader turning t...

Writing Is A Juggling Act

I was hoping to have a grand cover reveal today, but alas that will not be happening. Many authors self-publish nowadays. There is a fulfilling sense of control when it comes to self-publishing. There are also about a thousand tasks to try and keep track of. Where does the artist stand on your cover? How long until the editor returns your copy edits? How to schedule advertising when you don't even have the cover yet? And--always--how to meet that magical deadline you envisioned when you first...

The wonders of technology

This wasn’t my original date to post here but I had an emergency and the lovely Anne Marie came to my aid and swapped. Thank you, Anne Marie!
My emergency? I’m in the midst of a renovation project and while the builders were knocking my sitting room about, my phone line vanished in a huge heap of rubble. All I was left with was a tiny black cable coming into the house from outside. No landline, and no broadband.
No internet connection other than on my trusty iPhone? I’m old, very old, so I shou...

TURKEYS ARE FOREVER--OR SO THEY SEEM

Y’all are probably too busy slaving over your stoves to comment today.  If so, I understand, believe me, I really do.  Thanksgiving dinner is a big operation.  But that said, having to prepare too much food is a first world problem not a third world problem.  Besides, it’s not the bird that’s creating all the work, it’s those sides.  The creamed onions, the squash, the sweet potato casserole with the little marshmallows on top, the two kinds of cranberry, the three ki...