Nicole Helm's Blog, page 13
July 9, 2012
Inspiration
Though I’m currently working on a revision and a WIP that feature pilots as heroes, I have a few farmer heroes in the works. The first hero I ever wrote in a completed novel was a farmer (Doug’s father, Gabe, if you’ve read All’s Fair). So, here are some things currently inspiring my mad love of farmers.
Farmgirl Fare’s Farm Fix Posts
Filed under: romance, writing
July 8, 2012
Something New: Six Sentences
I have been meaning to participate in 6 Sentence Sunday for a while now, but today is the first time I’ve gotten off my lazy butt and done it
So, here’s six sentences from my newly contracted book, tentatively titled Seven Night Stand. It’s one of my favorite pieces of inner monologue.
—
“Naked?”
Ah, it worked.
“Completely. It wasn’t a pretty sight.” Now, naked yoga with Nate? There was an idea she could get behind.
Filed under: excerpts, Seven Night Stand, six sentence sunday
July 6, 2012
Friday Happy Dance
I’ve read some great books the past two weeks, but I’m not going to talk about them like I usually do on Fridays. Instead, I’m going to talk about why I am happy dancing all over.
Yesterday I signed a contract with Entangled Indulgence! I’m really excited about this opportunity. I’ve been working on revisions most of the month of June and enjoying making this story better and better with the help of my awesome editor.
Right now it’s tentatively titled Seven Night Stand and should be released in late winter of 2013. This book was a stretch for me because it’s a bit racier than anything else I’ve written. There were a lot of times when writing the first draft I wasn’t sure I had it in me, but thanks to my CP and a story idea, characters, and setting I really loved, I kept on writing, then revising, then submitting.
I’ll be sharing more about Seven Night Stand in the months to come. If you want a sneak peek into some of my inspiration for it (and the second book I’m currently working on in hopes Entangled will want it as well) check out my Seven Night Pinterest Board.
Enjoy the weekend!
Filed under: Entangled, publishing, Seven Night Stand
July 4, 2012
What I’m Up To: Hiding
Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
I’ll admit I spend most of the day a little anxious. Mainly I walk around with my shoulders at my ears hoping my neighbors don’t accidentally set my house on fire and that my kids will be able to nap/sleep through the fireworks.
I didn’t used to be such a wimp, but home ownership and parenthood can do that to you.
Filed under: life
July 2, 2012
88
Today is my grandpa’s 88th birthday. I’m blessed to have two amazing men as grandfather’s who are both still awesome and with it as they flirt with 90.
My Grandpa Bob is one of the many people who influenced my life. Grandpa had a passion for planes and he spent his life after his military service making his passion his career. He still goes to work everyday. A few years ago he was talking to my youngest sister as she got ready to head off to college. He was asking her what she wanted to do and she said she didn’t know. He gave advice I’ve heard people say before, but my grandpa not only gave this advice, he lived it.
If you find a career you love, most days won’t feel like work.
I was teaching at the time and I did not love it. It sucked my soul dry almost every day. I was also pregnant with my oldest and began to think about what kind of example I wanted to set for him. I wanted to be able to have that career that was a passion too.
That’s not to say I quit teaching right then and there, but I did begin to look at my writing more seriously. I’d always wanted to be a writer, but thought it was a pipe dream. The next month I wrote a novel and I entered a fast track with Harlequin. I got an R&R and it was the push I needed to think I could do this.
Now I have a book out, another with a contract offer, another being considered by a few places. And while it didn’t all start with my Grandpa’s words, the rededication to try and not give up did.
Happy Birthday, Grandpa Bob! You’re one in a billion.
Filed under: life, writing
June 27, 2012
Wednesday What I’m Up To: Social Media Break
As of tomorrow, I promised Hubby (who’s off work this week) I would take a break from my incessant Twitter checks. Also forgoing Facebook and blogs. Only thing I’m allowed to do is check my email until Monday. (OK, maybe Sunday night).
I’ll survive, right?
RIGHT?
Hold me.
Filed under: life
June 25, 2012
Writing A Series: Poll
If you’re a romance reader, and a Facebook user, I have a poll over on my Facebook page I’d love to see people weigh in on:
Also, if you’re so inclined, I’d love a few more likes. I’ll be posting an announcement there soon!
Filed under: romance
June 22, 2012
Friday Reads: Mayberry, Shalvis
This week my reading slowed down a bit. I only read one book, and then kind of skimmed a few books I’ve read before.
When I’m stuck in my writing, I like to skim through books I love because it helps jumpstart the creative part of my brain. Since I was a little stuck this week, I paged through the first two books in Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor series. The next one comes out next Tuesday and I can’t wait to read it.
Then I decided to buy an old Sarah Mayberry Blaze I hadn’t read, She’s Got it Bad. This book was really interesting. I didn’t really love the hero, and parts of the storyline didn’t hit the mark for me, but the heroine is so complicated and has this dark past I was enthralled. I’ve made it pretty clear I love a tough heroine, and Zoe totally fit the bill. Even when I don’t love a Mayberry story, I’m sucked in. She writes some of the best, most complicated heroines in contemporary romance.
Filed under: Friday Reads
June 20, 2012
What I’m Up To: Scratching My Head
Prior to this weekend, I had a boon of writing productivity. I got about ten chapters written (on two different WIPs) in a short period of time. I was on fire!
And then this weekend happened. Unexpectedly, Hubby and I got to go to two Cardinals games. Sunday we had Father’s Day and a birthday to celebrate. I didn’t have a minute to write more than a handful of words.
So, Monday rolled around and I opened one WIP. Uh, where was I going with this? Opened the second one. Hm. This is good and all, but I don’t know how to bridge the gap between A and B.
And then Tuesday came, and I reread one WIP, and I got some ideas, but the words were hard pressed. I was tired, my kids were cranky. Each word was a fight of both time and mental output.
And THEN, today I ran out of pop. I’ve tried to become a coffee drinker just to cut out some of the sugar, I’ve tried to give up caffeine altogether, but everyone is just happier when there is caffeine in my system. I’m better.
I’m trying to find that mojo from last week, but it’s slow moving. Sometimes you need to take a break from writing, but sometimes it’s the worst thing for you.
Filed under: life, writing
June 18, 2012
Heroes: The Grumpy, the reluctant, the awesome
Last Monday I talked a bit about one of the traits I don’t like in a romance hero, so I thought this Monday I’d talk about a trait I do like. That’s the grumpy, reluctant hero.
I don’t just mean romantic hero in this sense, either. I mean a man who helps or saves people because he feels it’s his duty, but he’s not always super happy about it.
A great example of this is one of my favorite TV shows when I was in high school, Early Edition. A lot of people make fun of me for liking this show (although after Friday Night Lights my sister finally agreed with me that Kyle Chandler, YUM), and there were some silly elements to it, but I loved Gary. He didn’t want to get the newspaper a day in advance, he didn’t want to go around busting his ass to save people, but he did because it was the right thing to do.
I don’t know why I find that so attractive, I just do.
In one of my current WIPs, I have a hero who is a lot like this. He’s had a traumatic event in his past that keeps him pretty closed off from everybody, but there is this woman (of course) who has a similar trauma, and he can’t help but help her, eve if he views himself as not worthy. Here’s a little snippet
“I think you’re my knight in shining armor.”
“That is the absolute last thing I am, Grace.” Just the thought of it had his stomach pitching. He’d barely saved himself, how could he be counted on to save anyone else?
Her smile softened into something sad. “I wish you’d give yourself more credit.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but she touched his shoulder. It shut up everything but the beating of his heart.
“I think I get the true north thing, now,” she said quietly, tracing the spot where his tattoo was under his shirt. “You always try to do the right thing, even when you don’t want to.” She brushed her lips against his, just as casual as you please, and then grinned. “That’s pretty damn attractive.
Filed under: excerpts, romance, writing
