Vallory Vance's Blog, page 4
April 16, 2014
The Virgin Heroine?
When I began college eons ago, I became friends with a group of ladies and gents that I still hang out with. At the time we met, we were all virgins. Every single nerdy one of us.
By the time we graduated, only two virgins remained. Unlike the rest of us waiting for our moment to bloom in the eyes of the opposite sex, they had made a conscious decision to not have sex before marriage.
So here’s where my life experience affects my enjoyment of smexy reading material. The Virgin Heroine who is old enough to legally buy alcohol.
In order for me to buy into this woman’s story, I need the reason she’s a virgin. I don’t even care what is – self-esteem issues, daddy issues, religious view point, whatever! Secondly if she’s now going to have sex with this guy then I need to why as well. And sorry it can’t be lust at first sight.
This is a lifestyle choice we’re talking about. Like being a vegetarian, you don’t look at one burger and say to hell with this. This is years of hearing – “Say, girl, you wanna come back to my place?” And the answer being – “No thanks.”
Of all the heroine romantic archetypes, I think the virgin is trickiest one to write for contemporary writers. I applaud those who have done it well and keep me seeking out their stories. And I’m asking for support as I put the finishing touches on my own virgin heroine’s story. Look for it over the Christmas holidays!
Happy Reading!
April 12, 2014
Typed The End…Part 2
Allergies have slowed the work down this week and I didn’t accomplish as much on my second week, but I did accomplish some things. Here’s the wrap up:
The first thing, that I’ve done is to create a writing schedule that will take me to the end of the year. Along with that came a promise to myself that I was going to complete it. Here’s schedule and where I am:
Anthology Submission to Hot Ink Press for an upcoming project called Naughty Bedtime Stories – Received an email that it was received and is under review.
Holiday Short Story – The second draft is going very slowly. I’m trying a new technique and while I think it will produce a better work, it’s taking a lot longer.
Second Shifter Novella – The first draft stalled on Wednesday and I haven’t gotten back to it. Must work on this this weekend.
I also know that I have to get back out there and start connecting with readers and other writers, so I have a few blog hops coming up and some writers lined up to visit the blog very soon.
Happy Reading!
April 7, 2014
A Few More Miles to Walk
My grandmother always, always began her responses to the requests of her three grandchildren with, “We got a few more miles to walk before we come that bridge.” It didn’t matter if we were talking about a birthday a few weeks away or Christmas months into the future, the answer was always the same. A few more miles…
I have to tell you that it irritated the Hell out of me. Give me an answer yes or no. Am I getting the bike or not?
Oh, but how prophetic her words were.
As an adult in this new age, I have come to a new understanding. The future is the hands of the child with strongest grip on the flip book. Does he/she turn to the pages of endless class and racial wars or does she/he flip to that page of the book in which we all are equal?
In 2013, the students of Wilcox County, Georgia (not the parents, not the school board, not the governing commission of their community) picked their page and held the first interracial prom in the history of the county since desegregation.
Readers, talk to your children. It’ll make the rest of the walk easier.
In 2014, the school board officially sanctioned an segregated prom.
April 5, 2014
Typed ‘The End’ – Now What…Part 1
It’s been a while. But I’m back in the blogoshere and the writing world. However, it’s not easy to jump right back into late nights, no Candy Crush and marketing, marketing, marketing!
So I’m easing into it, instead of running full steam ahead.
The first thing, that I’ve done is to create a writing schedule that will take me to the end of the year. Along with that came a promise to myself that I was going to complete it. Here’s schedule and where I am:
Anthology Submission to Hot Ink Press for an upcoming project called Naughty Bedtime Stories – This has been submitted and now I’m waiting. If not accepted then I’ll rework and find a new home.
Holiday Short Story – I have a first draft completed at 11,000 words and will begin working on the second draft next week. Plan on submitting this one to Secret Cravings before the September deadline. If not accepted then I rework and self-publish this one.
Second Shifter Novella – I have an outline completed for a follow-up to A Scent of a Woman which will be released by Evernight Publishing in a few weeks. First draft should be completed next week. Please, please let them accept this one!
The Rose Gold Collection – A Loving Affair is in first draft form and Dulce Means Sweet is in outline form. Just got to get started. Choose cover art, contract an editor, hire a proofreader…
That’s the schedule. Check back with me next week for an update.
Happy Reading!
April 2, 2014
EVERNIGHT BOOK BOYFRIEND BLOG HOP!!!
Originally posted on Molly Ann Wishlade:
I’ve just signed up to take part in the Evernight Book Boyfriend Blog Hop (April 25 – May 2)! Woo hoo! It’s going to be lots of fun and there are great prizes to be won!
So why not saddle up and get ready for a HARD ride because Gideon Swain is a hot, cowboy Dom and he’s looking for love!
Here’s the link below if you want to join the hop or just check out who’s taking part.
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Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Hugs!
M x
March 17, 2014
March 16, 2014
Just Hit Submit…Let the Jitters Begin
I took a few days off from the day job and worked my latest novella into submission status.
And that wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Not to mention, that I made my first foray into paranormal romance but I had to incorporate what didn’t make sense from the standpoint of two different beta readers and the guidance of a paid editor into one comprehensive work. All in all, that process has taken one full month.
At a point in which I was satisfied with the work, I submitted it to an e-publisher. And as the title says, Let the jitters begin.
Did I answer enough questions? Was the world of Haziel, Texas believable? Was the love story between Ada and Ewan engaging?
Ughh…I’m on the edge of my seat. But as an indie writer with no big contract beckoning me, I can’t stop. I have to plow ahead with marketing what I’ve done.
And there is the next story to be written.
March 8, 2014
Finding A Theme Song
Originally posted on One of those weird things about me as a writer, is that I choose a theme song for my romantic couples. I believe the idea springs from an interesting question I was once asked during a job interview for an event planning position. “If you could choose your own theme song, what would it be and why?”
I chose Seasons of Love from the musical Rent as mine. I went on to explain that my personal philosophy, like the song, was that a year in anyone’s life should be measured in the joy they experienced. Joy in your homelife and your worklife, not that every day is great and not that the work isn’t difficult but that it satisfying. With nifty answer, I got the opportunity to travel across the US as an event planner.
But I digress. We were talking about theme songs for my couples.
Sometimes, it’s so easy to choose one.
March 4, 2014
There’s a Sale Going On!
Each year, Smashwords hosts a site-wide sale on its e-books for Read 
an E-Book Week. And I’m so proud to once again have something to offer for this event. As an indie author, it is a wonderful feeling to say – I wrote this and I think it’s worth your time to read it, so it’s on sale.
The hope behind that thought is that the readers think it’s as great as I do and tell their friends!
So readers, if you are enjoying a free copy of Cheers or In the Moment and you just loved it, feel free to give me a tweet @ValloryVance.
Also feel free to give me a tweet if you read it and hated it, I need that feedback as well. Even though, I’ll cry and whine for a few hours, I need the tough love as much as the praise!
Happy Reading and Fill Up those E-readers!
In the Moment: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/144947 Don’t forget that the follow up, The Beginning of Forever is available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/356812
Cheers: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/258364 And the follow up, Deja Vu is available at a 50% discount at: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/298257
March 1, 2014
A Day Late and a Dollar Short – The February 2014 Update
The February Update of this writer’s journey is being posted on the first day in March. And so my life has been going lately.
I’ve been sucker punched and laid low by circumstances of late, but I’m learning to feint in a good way.
As of the writing of this post I’ve sent the finished novella, The Scent of a Witch, to my editor and await word before submitting to publishing companies.
Isn’t this overkill, if you aren’t self-publishing? Obviously, even the tiniest e-publisher provides both an editor and a proofreader at no cost to the author.
But we can all miss something or multiple somethings and garner a sales-stopping review like this three star comment by Long and Short Reviews of my short story One Stormy Night:
Repeated typos and grammar and spelling errors lead me to give this novella a lower rating than it would have otherwise received. While it was easy to figure out what author intended to say most of the time, the actual meanings of a few sentences remain a mystery to me.
Can I blame the editor or the publisher?
No. Ultimately, it was my name attached to this work and I have resolved to work harder.
I want to make it as a writer and no matter how good the story is and how welled developed the characters are, honestly I have to write at my grammatical best. If that means hiring an editor prior to submitting to a publishing company then so be it. The megalomaniac inside myself can rip her hands from the steering wheel of our career and enjoy an iced coffee.
Lovers of One Stormy Night, you’ll be able to read an error free edition of this short story or maybe you’ll join me as I grow with my next entry inside the world of romance.
***Unedited Excerpt: The Scent of A Witch***
“I couldn’t leave you in the visitor’s room, Adua.”
“Don’t call me that. My name is Ada.”
“Ada.” He lifted her chin up into his hands, stroked his fingers down her throat.
Her skin blazed with the touch and she scooted away from it. This was no time be thinking about how even his gaze warmed her insides and how she would love to trace her fingers over the ridges of his abdomen. Never had the desire for one person been this strong. Concentrate, idiot. “Why did you bring me here?”
“You fainted. Fatima elongated the state of unconsciousness. She is also Ngali.”
Also Ngali. A witch like me. Ada swallowed the impending snicker. If she starting laughing again she might never stop. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“Why did I bring you here? I wanted to make sure you were safe. There is the possibility that you may experience some…some discomfort as your power grows.”
“Like what?”
“Visions.” He turned away from her and stared out of the window. With his face in profile, his hair was as dark as she’d imagined last night and more beautiful in the shimmery light filtering in through the window. “They can be overwhelming at times.”
Visions? Like the one she’d experienced the first time she saw him.
Without a second thought, she moved her hand through his hair, lifting and twirling the silky strands with her fingers. “Was that all?” She leaned close to him, breathing in his intoxicating scent until she was almost panting. “Was that the only reason?”
“No,” he growled deep and low. “I want what you want.” Ewan placed his hands at her sides, his nearness sending a delightful tingle down her spine. He kissed her.
Unlike before, she could respond. Ada parted her lips for the slow entrance of his tongue. Ewan tickled the insides of her cheeks and swept across the roof of her mouth, languidly stoking the fire already melting her core.
Suddenly it was alright. This she could understand – the heated kiss and his moans of pleasure echoing in the moonlit room.
