Becky Lower's Blog, page 48
August 18, 2013
Getting Ready For School
The month of August hasn't exactly been unfolding as I anticipated. I have the next book in my series due to the publisher (my self-imposed deadline), and I'm thinking about the next book I'm going to write. But am I doing any of that? NO! Instead, I'm spending the month of August writing guest blog spots.
This is an important part of the business of being an author. It's not enough anymore to merely write a book. Merely? Who am I kidding? I meet people all the time who say 'I've always wanted to write a book." But how many actually do? It's tougher than you can imagine. And then to get it published requires an historic effort, along with perseverance, fortitude and a thick skin.
But, I digress. The business of being an author means you have to find new readers, one at a time, at least in the early years. This means blogging on various sites in hopes of enticing just one more person to be intrigued enough by what you have to say to buy and read your book. And hopefully, to leave a nice review. I have a release in September. September 9 to be exact. The Tempestuous Debutante, fourth book in the Cotillion Ball Series, is going to be released to the general public on that date. It's like sending your child off to school for the first time. You've done everything you can to get your child ready. The editors at the publishing house have helped you get your baby properly clothed and polished up. You put said child on the bus (in this case, the Amazon bus), and cross your fingers that someone will be intrigued enough by the outward appearance to invite your child into their homes for a play date.
An important part of this process involves reaching out to a potential audience in the form of guest blogs. In my experience, I've found people aren't so much interested in me, the author, and what my quirks are. They'd rather read about how I come up with my ideas for stories and characters, how I use my life's experiences to create memorable plot lines, that type of thing. So, in this spirit, I've had to come up with unique content for each guest appearance I'm doing in September and October, to promote the book. It's difficult
to come up with a whole lot of ideas, which is why I am trying to space them out. An off-hand comment, a workshop, a conversation between me and a sibling--all are put into the cauldron of ideas and stirred around. I have two more posts to write before I'm done with my current obligations. I'm sitting here hoping for two more brilliant ideas to pop into my head this weekend, so I can mark "write guest blogs" off my list and get back to the magic of writing an actual story.
This is an important part of the business of being an author. It's not enough anymore to merely write a book. Merely? Who am I kidding? I meet people all the time who say 'I've always wanted to write a book." But how many actually do? It's tougher than you can imagine. And then to get it published requires an historic effort, along with perseverance, fortitude and a thick skin.
But, I digress. The business of being an author means you have to find new readers, one at a time, at least in the early years. This means blogging on various sites in hopes of enticing just one more person to be intrigued enough by what you have to say to buy and read your book. And hopefully, to leave a nice review. I have a release in September. September 9 to be exact. The Tempestuous Debutante, fourth book in the Cotillion Ball Series, is going to be released to the general public on that date. It's like sending your child off to school for the first time. You've done everything you can to get your child ready. The editors at the publishing house have helped you get your baby properly clothed and polished up. You put said child on the bus (in this case, the Amazon bus), and cross your fingers that someone will be intrigued enough by the outward appearance to invite your child into their homes for a play date.An important part of this process involves reaching out to a potential audience in the form of guest blogs. In my experience, I've found people aren't so much interested in me, the author, and what my quirks are. They'd rather read about how I come up with my ideas for stories and characters, how I use my life's experiences to create memorable plot lines, that type of thing. So, in this spirit, I've had to come up with unique content for each guest appearance I'm doing in September and October, to promote the book. It's difficult
to come up with a whole lot of ideas, which is why I am trying to space them out. An off-hand comment, a workshop, a conversation between me and a sibling--all are put into the cauldron of ideas and stirred around. I have two more posts to write before I'm done with my current obligations. I'm sitting here hoping for two more brilliant ideas to pop into my head this weekend, so I can mark "write guest blogs" off my list and get back to the magic of writing an actual story.
August 11, 2013
The Power Of Repetition
I attended a writer’s workshop yesterday. The instructor, whose teaching is not limited to romance authors, told a roomful of romance writers that we have to unlearn things in order to get better. Years of devouring romances have taught us bad habits and we need to break away from the old way of doing things in order to someday reach the NY Times bestseller list. Interesting stuff.
Case in point. In my critique group, we have a person who has an English major background. She takes her red pen and underlines places where I’ve reused a word in a paragraph or (heaven forbid!) the same sentence. So, I’ve been diligently removing repetitive words from my manuscripts for years now. Except in places where I’ve meant to do it. That’s when I put my foot down. (Speaking of putting your foot down, that’s a cliché to avoid, but that’s a topic for another post.)
Turns out, putting my foot down when I intentionally reused a word or phrase was the correct response. Repetition can be a powerful tool in writing. It creates cadence and flow. And, if you were just zooming along through the story, using the same phrase over and over will draw your attention to the sentence and make you aware that something is about to happen. Something that involves those particular words. It’s a common enough device, used by poets, orators, songwriters and, lo and behold, great writers. Here’s an example: "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." (Benjamin Franklin)
My English major red-pen toting friend is still correct in pointing out my overuse of some words. The repetition of words and phrases loses its power if sloppily applied. But when you want to highlight or ratchet up the tension, it’s definitely a tool to pull from your arsenal of writing techniques.
I’d say the cost of the workshop was money well spent.
August 4, 2013
MIA
I jokingly told one of my friends the other night that my TBR stack was getting out of control, and, if I could only have one night of insomnia where all I did was read, I was sure I'd get caught up.
Be careful what you wish for.
Not more then two nights after our ill-fated conversation, I came down with a summer cold. It began innocently enough, with just a runny nose. By the time I crawled into bed, I couldn't breathe through my nose, and I was all clogged up. I tried sleeping while sitting up, but that didn't work, either. It seemed my wish had come true, and I was going to have one night when I couldn't sleep.
As my conversation with my friend flitted through my mind, I thought it was rather ironic that I had all this reading to do, not to mention writing, but my brain was so fuzzy, I couldn't keep my mind on the book queued up on my Nook. It was as if my brain was on holiday--MIA. Giving up, I dozed on and off, but kept waking myself up with my moans of suffering.
Have I mentioned that I'm not a good patient?
I rarely get sick, and when I do, I expect to be down and out for only a short time. I give myself permission to feel bad one day only. I'm now on Day 2, and not liking much of anything. I called in sick to work at my grocery job. Speaking of groceries, nothing tastes good, so I'm not eating. Ice cream is good for my throat, as are popsicles, so I'm managing to go through a lot of that. When I'm sick, nutrition takes a back seat to comfort.
I can't read and make sense of anything, so I certainly can't try writing. Maybe it's time to take a snow day in the middle of summer. In the midst of all my promised reviews and my personal writing deadlines, I'll just prop my feet up, watch some television and cuddle with my dog. I'll have a Scarlett O'Hara moment and worry about everything else tomorrow.
Be careful what you wish for.
Not more then two nights after our ill-fated conversation, I came down with a summer cold. It began innocently enough, with just a runny nose. By the time I crawled into bed, I couldn't breathe through my nose, and I was all clogged up. I tried sleeping while sitting up, but that didn't work, either. It seemed my wish had come true, and I was going to have one night when I couldn't sleep.
As my conversation with my friend flitted through my mind, I thought it was rather ironic that I had all this reading to do, not to mention writing, but my brain was so fuzzy, I couldn't keep my mind on the book queued up on my Nook. It was as if my brain was on holiday--MIA. Giving up, I dozed on and off, but kept waking myself up with my moans of suffering.
Have I mentioned that I'm not a good patient?
I rarely get sick, and when I do, I expect to be down and out for only a short time. I give myself permission to feel bad one day only. I'm now on Day 2, and not liking much of anything. I called in sick to work at my grocery job. Speaking of groceries, nothing tastes good, so I'm not eating. Ice cream is good for my throat, as are popsicles, so I'm managing to go through a lot of that. When I'm sick, nutrition takes a back seat to comfort.
I can't read and make sense of anything, so I certainly can't try writing. Maybe it's time to take a snow day in the middle of summer. In the midst of all my promised reviews and my personal writing deadlines, I'll just prop my feet up, watch some television and cuddle with my dog. I'll have a Scarlett O'Hara moment and worry about everything else tomorrow.
July 28, 2013
Looking Forward--And Looking Back
My latest historical novel, The Tempestuous Debutante, is scheduled for release September 9, and I just got my new cover, which I can now show the world. The book is through the difficult editing processing. Just one more round of edits to go, and it'll hit the streets. This is Jasmine's story, and it was a hard book to write, since Jasmine was such a brat in The Abolitionist's Secret, which featured her twin sister, Heather.The first question I asked myself was why was Jasmine so bad? Because she was losing her best friend, her identical twin, her counterpart. She and Heather would cover for each other to get them through awkward situations. One of Jasmine's awkward situations was a fear of horses. She was thrown from her horse a few years earlier, and just the thought of getting up on a horse now frightens her to death. Every time she was asked to go riding, Heather would pretend to be Jasmine, so no one knew of her fear. Until Heather married and moved away, that is. Now Jasmine is on her own for the first time in her life, and doesn't know how to handle it.
Here's the back cover copy:
It's Jasmine Fitzpatrick's year to shine at this season's Cotillion and men will be throwing themselves at her. But she sets her sights on a man she's never met, the Viscount of Foxborough. He's wealthy and has an English title. Only a few things stand in her way: a wealthy, young, beautiful widow who captures the viscount's attention immediately, her fear of riding horses when he owns a breeding stable and racetrack, and the viscount's stableboy, Parr.
Parr O'Shaughnessy loses his heart to Jasmine the moment he meets her. However, he has no title to interest her. He left behind an impoverished existence in Ireland when the viscount offered to bring him and his famous horse to America to build a dynasty together. He believes Jasmine barely noticed him when she was introduced, but she only had eyes for the viscount. He struggles with his loyalty to the viscount and his love for Jasmine. But winning her love might mean losing all he has worked for.
The book should ready for pre-orders from Amazon around September 1.
Now for the looking backward part--July marks the one-year anniversary of Crimson Romance, and all books that were published during their inaugeral year are on sale until the end of July. All books are $1.99 each for only a few more days. Go here to fill up your e-reader:http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=br_lf_m_1001260611_grlink_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1001260611&plgroup=2
July 21, 2013
What The @#%& Is Steampunk Anyway?
Despite the genre in which writers find their comfort zone, most authors are always open to new ideas and new types of fiction to explore. One of the genres I find intriguing, and confounding, is steampunk. I understand it in principle, but never could quite grasp how to craft a story line that melded the Victorian era with modern day. Who better to turn to for help than someone who is published in the genre. February Grace's debut, Godspeed, is steampunk at its best. I asked her to explain the genre to me, and to all of you. She's generously offered to give away two copies of her e-book to those of you who leave a comment. So, without further ado, here's February!
Glorious Gadgets and Ingenious Devices:The Golden Thread That Ties All Steampunk Together by February Grace
Ask a thousand people to give you a definition of “Steampunk” and you will probably get a thousand different answers.
For some, the term speaks specifically of a sub-genre of science fiction: stories set in a specific era (the 1800s) that include technology that would not have existed in that steam-powered time.
Some would say it’s all about the airships, ray guns and goggles. Others may cite names of the many Steampunk musical acts and clothing designers/costumers/jewelers and say that it is these artisans which help to create an entire lifestyle; one carried out with not only a specific outlook on life, but by attendance at conventions and other events where costume play is one of the major features.
If you ask me the question, I would reply that Steampunk is all of those things and many more; and to me specifically it is something yet again. For me it was a way to put a man in the middle of a serious moral dilemma, when his own genius exceeded the lawful limitations society placed upon the practice of his profession.
In the end, to my mind, though, there is one main thing that ties all of Steampunk together with a golden thread (or perhaps, I should say, a set of copper gears) and that is the gadgetry.
All Steampunk has it, whether it may also have vampires, zombies, other fantastical creatures or, in the case of my book GODSPEED, none of those fantastical creatures.
Inventive spins on devices that we have today and take for granted are written into these stories, and go back to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, authors hailed as the forefathers of Steampunk.
When my Doctor Quinn Godspeed is confronted with a young woman who is dying right before his eyes and is convinced that he has a chance to save her, he cannot help but take that chance, even if it means breaking the law. The consequences for himself and his patient could be devastating, yet he cannot resist using his knowledge to build machines that could help prolong her life.
That’s how I work the amazing gadgetry of Steampunk into GODSPEED: in the form of medical devices and advancements that are ahead of their time. Abigail’s ‘clockwork pacemaker’ (as I referred to it in my notes while writing the book) is but one of Quinn’s creations. The moment when he gives her the final apparatus is one of my favorite in the book:
He returned to the workbench behind the surgical table, where I now sat with my legs hanging over the side.He opened the top drawer, procured a small wooden box, and held it up on display.“A gift.”My eyes widened when I saw what at first appeared to be a brilliant silver-tone locket; antique, and fashioned in the arcing shape of a heart.“This, like most things in life, is more than it first appears.” He removed it with one hand and set aside the box with the other before moving within reach. “This is the means by which we will free you from the torment of harsher treatments.”I watched with absolute amazement as he unlatched the clasp on the charm and revealed its complicated interior. Gear upon gear, lever upon lever, all churning and clicking away in musical, clockwork time. He leaned in so close now that I could feel the warmth of his cheek against mine.“Here.” He dangled the necklace in front of me, where it danced and flickered in the light. “This is your new heart. It’s rare, and young, and made of pure white gold.” For an instant he looked upon me with an expression I could not possibly put emotion to. “Exactly, I am certain, like the one it will repair.”He lowered the chain around my neck, and as he did so, tears I could not deny wound their way down my cheeks and onto his gifted, powerful hands.
I hope you will join me for a little while inside of Doctor Godspeed's clockwork world, and that you will enjoy my own personal take on this expansive, and greatly varying, genre.
Thank you, February, for your revealing explanation of what steampunk it. I can't wait to read your book.
Intrigued? You betcha. Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of Godspeed. Or, you can purchase a copy today at one of the following locations:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Godspeed-February-Grace/dp/1620151499/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374245503&sr=8-1&keywords=february+graceITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/godspeed/id668503924
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/godspeed-february-grace/1112111553?ean=9781620151495 Author Bio:February Grace is a writer, artist, and poet who lives in Southeastern Michigan. She sings on key, plays by ear, and is more than mildly obsessed with colors, clocks, and meteor showers. GODSPEED is her debut novel.You can learn more about Bru by visiting her website: www.februarywriter.blogspot.comTwitter: @FebruaryGraceFacebook: www.facebook.com/FebruaryGrace
Glorious Gadgets and Ingenious Devices:The Golden Thread That Ties All Steampunk Together by February Grace
Ask a thousand people to give you a definition of “Steampunk” and you will probably get a thousand different answers.
For some, the term speaks specifically of a sub-genre of science fiction: stories set in a specific era (the 1800s) that include technology that would not have existed in that steam-powered time.
Some would say it’s all about the airships, ray guns and goggles. Others may cite names of the many Steampunk musical acts and clothing designers/costumers/jewelers and say that it is these artisans which help to create an entire lifestyle; one carried out with not only a specific outlook on life, but by attendance at conventions and other events where costume play is one of the major features.
If you ask me the question, I would reply that Steampunk is all of those things and many more; and to me specifically it is something yet again. For me it was a way to put a man in the middle of a serious moral dilemma, when his own genius exceeded the lawful limitations society placed upon the practice of his profession.
In the end, to my mind, though, there is one main thing that ties all of Steampunk together with a golden thread (or perhaps, I should say, a set of copper gears) and that is the gadgetry.
All Steampunk has it, whether it may also have vampires, zombies, other fantastical creatures or, in the case of my book GODSPEED, none of those fantastical creatures.
Inventive spins on devices that we have today and take for granted are written into these stories, and go back to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, authors hailed as the forefathers of Steampunk.
When my Doctor Quinn Godspeed is confronted with a young woman who is dying right before his eyes and is convinced that he has a chance to save her, he cannot help but take that chance, even if it means breaking the law. The consequences for himself and his patient could be devastating, yet he cannot resist using his knowledge to build machines that could help prolong her life.
That’s how I work the amazing gadgetry of Steampunk into GODSPEED: in the form of medical devices and advancements that are ahead of their time. Abigail’s ‘clockwork pacemaker’ (as I referred to it in my notes while writing the book) is but one of Quinn’s creations. The moment when he gives her the final apparatus is one of my favorite in the book:He returned to the workbench behind the surgical table, where I now sat with my legs hanging over the side.He opened the top drawer, procured a small wooden box, and held it up on display.“A gift.”My eyes widened when I saw what at first appeared to be a brilliant silver-tone locket; antique, and fashioned in the arcing shape of a heart.“This, like most things in life, is more than it first appears.” He removed it with one hand and set aside the box with the other before moving within reach. “This is the means by which we will free you from the torment of harsher treatments.”I watched with absolute amazement as he unlatched the clasp on the charm and revealed its complicated interior. Gear upon gear, lever upon lever, all churning and clicking away in musical, clockwork time. He leaned in so close now that I could feel the warmth of his cheek against mine.“Here.” He dangled the necklace in front of me, where it danced and flickered in the light. “This is your new heart. It’s rare, and young, and made of pure white gold.” For an instant he looked upon me with an expression I could not possibly put emotion to. “Exactly, I am certain, like the one it will repair.”He lowered the chain around my neck, and as he did so, tears I could not deny wound their way down my cheeks and onto his gifted, powerful hands.
I hope you will join me for a little while inside of Doctor Godspeed's clockwork world, and that you will enjoy my own personal take on this expansive, and greatly varying, genre.
Thank you, February, for your revealing explanation of what steampunk it. I can't wait to read your book.
Intrigued? You betcha. Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for a copy of Godspeed. Or, you can purchase a copy today at one of the following locations:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Godspeed-February-Grace/dp/1620151499/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374245503&sr=8-1&keywords=february+graceITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/godspeed/id668503924
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/godspeed-february-grace/1112111553?ean=9781620151495 Author Bio:February Grace is a writer, artist, and poet who lives in Southeastern Michigan. She sings on key, plays by ear, and is more than mildly obsessed with colors, clocks, and meteor showers. GODSPEED is her debut novel.You can learn more about Bru by visiting her website: www.februarywriter.blogspot.comTwitter: @FebruaryGraceFacebook: www.facebook.com/FebruaryGrace
July 14, 2013
Coming Up Short
Where to begin?
It's a short work week for a lot of people in the romance community. Only one or two more days until people begin boarding planes for flights to Atlanta and the RWA Conference. For those who are going, have a great time and remember that the conference sessions are, for the most part, taped, and you can buy them to listen to later. But the people you talk to may be the exact women and men you need to get your career to the next level. You can find a critique partner, a fellow author published by the same house you are, editors, agents, New York Times bestselling authors--they're all there and rubbing elbows with you. If you look up from your conference schedule and talk to them. Most of all, have fun. You'll be surprised at how short the days and nights are.
I just got the word that I'm going to be a participant in the Soul Mate Christmas anthology, writing a short story, between 5,000 and 7,000 words. I haven't written a short in a long time, and it's a great exercise, since everything has to be shortened up. I presented the first two chapters--about 1/3 of the story--to my critique partner yesterday, and she said I was taking too long to get to the cute-meet. She was right, and I need to trim the front part to make room for the back end. It might be harder to write a short than it is a full-length novel.
I'm a bit more than halfway through my next full-length historical and time is getting short to finish it. The next book in the series is scheduled for release in September, and I like to have the next one out to the publisher when the release date happens. Tick-tock.
Speaking of publishers, Crimson Romance is having a sale for the month of July to celebrate one year in business. All the e-books released during the first year are on sale for $1.99 all month. But July is getting short and running out of days.
And it's Sunday evening. I usually post my blogs on Sunday morning, so you're getting a short version this week. Sorry about that. Short attention span.
So, what are you short on this week?
It's a short work week for a lot of people in the romance community. Only one or two more days until people begin boarding planes for flights to Atlanta and the RWA Conference. For those who are going, have a great time and remember that the conference sessions are, for the most part, taped, and you can buy them to listen to later. But the people you talk to may be the exact women and men you need to get your career to the next level. You can find a critique partner, a fellow author published by the same house you are, editors, agents, New York Times bestselling authors--they're all there and rubbing elbows with you. If you look up from your conference schedule and talk to them. Most of all, have fun. You'll be surprised at how short the days and nights are.
I just got the word that I'm going to be a participant in the Soul Mate Christmas anthology, writing a short story, between 5,000 and 7,000 words. I haven't written a short in a long time, and it's a great exercise, since everything has to be shortened up. I presented the first two chapters--about 1/3 of the story--to my critique partner yesterday, and she said I was taking too long to get to the cute-meet. She was right, and I need to trim the front part to make room for the back end. It might be harder to write a short than it is a full-length novel.
I'm a bit more than halfway through my next full-length historical and time is getting short to finish it. The next book in the series is scheduled for release in September, and I like to have the next one out to the publisher when the release date happens. Tick-tock.
Speaking of publishers, Crimson Romance is having a sale for the month of July to celebrate one year in business. All the e-books released during the first year are on sale for $1.99 all month. But July is getting short and running out of days.
And it's Sunday evening. I usually post my blogs on Sunday morning, so you're getting a short version this week. Sorry about that. Short attention span.
So, what are you short on this week?
July 5, 2013
Robyn Neeley's In The House, Talking About Hawaii.
Today, I'm so pleased to have Robyn Neeley as my guest. She doesn't know this, but I spent many years of my adult life in the DC area, so I feel like we are sisters. We even have the same background, since I worked for a trade association, too!
Anyway, Robyn has written the most delightful story about mistaken identity, in a glorious setting. And here she is, to tell you all about it. (Is anyone else humming "Surfin' Safari" yet?)
Here's Robyn!
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I manage a program working with college students around the world (it keeps me young!). My commute to work is 1.5 hours each way (no joke). It was on the train that I started to write. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I used to hate the commute but now I consider it precious time that I devote to either writing, editing or reading – and sometimes it’s great fodder for ideas for my books. One morning, a guy sat next to me literally piecing on his suit. We’re talking buttoning shirt, zipping pants, putting on buckle … someone had a good night! That experience made it in to my holiday romance!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Inspiration can come from anywhere, can't it?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />Destination Wedding is your debut novel. How did you come up with the idea for your book, and when can folks purchase it?</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koeBkJe0ONY..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koeBkJe0ONY..." width="130" /></a><span style="color: red;">I wanted to write a book that involved twins and mistaken identity. I also thought it would be fun to start the book up in the air with a heroine with a major case of in-flight panic that she doesn’t even realize her hero and his twin switch seats mid-flight. What happens up there really set the stage for the tropical antics when they land.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">It was super fun to write and is available now on Amazon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I noticed on your website that you’ve signed three contracts this year. Tell us what we can expect from you soon. (Vanessa and Jack’s story, I hope?)</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">My holiday romance, <i>Christmas Dinner</i></span><span style="color: red;"> will be coming out November 11, 2013 by Crimson Romance. Even though <i>Destination Wedding</i></span><span style="color: red;"> is my debut book, <i>Christmas Dinner</i></span><span style="color: red;"> is the first book I ever wrote. There’s a wonderful twist in it that I’m hoping is the level of a Nicholas Sparks kind-of-twist. Even if it’s half as good as his, I’ll be happy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I’ve been teasing my characters that Vanessa and Jack *could* be the couple getting hitched in the sequel. Although, the working title is <i>Shotgun Wedding</i></span><span style="color: red;">—I don’t think their kids will go for it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The destination for your book’s wedding is Hawaii, and you do a beautiful job describing your setting. Have you visited there, and if so, how much time do you spend there?</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">Thank you! All of it was research by reading books and searching the Internet. I’d love to visit one day. The problem – well, I like my heroine, have an intense fear of flying over water. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">Now if, like my heroine, I was to have a handsome man sit next to me and kiss me silly all the way to Honolulu … well, that might work! If you know anyone Becky . . .</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I love the mistaken identity trope, and think you did an excellent job using the identical twins. I especially enjoyed the way Luke used his 4-minutes older claim to his advantage. My brother used to hold the same thing over his twin sister’s head. Do you know twins or do you just have an active imagination?</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I did talk to friends who are twins. I wanted Luke and Drew to be different enough that the reader wasn’t confused who was who, but I wanted them both to be good men at their core. I really love Drew. He and I were recently guests on the Crimson Romance blog where he pretty much demanded his happy ending. Check it out <a href="http://www.crimsonromance.com/feature..." target="_blank">here</a>! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /> You seem to understand the wedding planning business, too. Tell me how you got the idea of using a wedding planner for your story.</div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I’ve planned over 100 events and conferences during my career. I’ve never planned a wedding, so this was a fun opportunity to write about one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">How do you manage the obligations on your life? Do you have a set time for writing, and no one can enter the room, or do you fit it in between all your other activities?</div><ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I fit it in each and every day. I often will write first thing in the morning and then as I mentioned, will write, edit or read on the train. On weekends, I try to ramp it up. I set monthly goals. Having an entire month to reach the goal is much more doable and less stressful for me than setting daily or weekly goals that might not be possible to achieve.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>Destination Wedding Blurb</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Wedding planner Kate Ashby’s fear of flying is eased by a sexy stranger and one slow lip lock that rockets her into another obit. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">CEO Luke Cannon has just traded seats with his identical twin. Little did he know that an innocent kiss while pretending he was his brother would soon create havoc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">What happens in the air doesn’t stay up there. Once on tropical land, Kate believes that the handsome stranger who gave her the best kiss of her life is now her new client, Drew Cannon, fiancé to the beautiful and wealthy Lauren Kincaid. While Kate struggles with the intense feelings she thinks she has for Drew, Luke discovers Kate’s been hired to plan his brother’s destination wedding. He also realizes the initial sparks they shared 30,000 feet up are now mistakenly aimed at Drew. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Can Luke get Kate to realize that the feelings she has are for him? He’s got forty-eight hours in paradise to try. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">To learn more about Destination Wedding and purchase links, visit www.robynneeley.com/books</span>... class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>About Robyn</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places; watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit; can’t live without Dunkin Donuts coffee and has never met a cookie she didn’t like. If you have a must read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Website – http://robynneeley.com</span>&l... class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Twitter – @robynneeley </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/robyn.neeley.1 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Have we teased you enough? Want an excerpt? Well, guess what we have for you!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">"I do. I do." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Wedding planner Kate Ashby quietly repeated her calming mantra. Paralyzed in her window seat, she stared at the illuminated fasten seatbelt sign while her hands gripped the metal buckle strap.
Please turn off. Please turn off. They had to be close to cruising altitude. Soon, she'd be able to request a strong drink to knock her out for the duration of this bumpy flight.
She sat still, trying to ignore the terror pulsating through her. Why hadn't she bought sleeping pills before boarding a twelve-hour flight from New York City to Hawaii? Now, that would have been the smart thing to do.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Glancing out the tiny passenger window, she clutched her gold "K" necklace. It was completely irrational to be terrified and she realized the odds of her and her fellow passengers landing safely in Honolulu were more than in her favor. Still, this was her first time flying such a long duration. Departing Manhattan this evening in turbulent thunderstorms had shot her nerves. She was grateful that her boss had sprung for a first class ticket for the long flight.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">A loud rattle caused her to grab hold to her armrests. "What was that?" She turned to the stranger sitting next to her. He had short blondish brown hair and was wearing a blue blazer. His face had a nice tan. She had failed to realize that her row mate was incredibly handsome. Usually the person sitting next to her was a grandparent or couldn't speak English. Perhaps he could help her ease her nerves?
"Um ... I think it's the drink cart. Would you like something?" He folded his Wall Street Journal.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sexy and smart.
"I'll take a tequila and tonic," he said to the flight attendant.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">And likes his drinks strong. This could be fun.<br /><br /> </span></div>
Anyway, Robyn has written the most delightful story about mistaken identity, in a glorious setting. And here she is, to tell you all about it. (Is anyone else humming "Surfin' Safari" yet?)
Here's Robyn!
<!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-alt:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:auto; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:0 2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:TimesNewRomanPSMT;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-parent:""; color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 791.95pt; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1168787149; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:2098608348 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} </style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red;">Thanks for having me, Becky!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Tell me about yourself, and your writing journey to this point.</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I currently live in Washington, DC, working for an association that supports higher education. I manage a program working with college students around the world (it keeps me young!). My commute to work is 1.5 hours each way (no joke). It was on the train that I started to write. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I used to hate the commute but now I consider it precious time that I devote to either writing, editing or reading – and sometimes it’s great fodder for ideas for my books. One morning, a guy sat next to me literally piecing on his suit. We’re talking buttoning shirt, zipping pants, putting on buckle … someone had a good night! That experience made it in to my holiday romance!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Inspiration can come from anywhere, can't it?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />Destination Wedding is your debut novel. How did you come up with the idea for your book, and when can folks purchase it?</div><ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koeBkJe0ONY..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-koeBkJe0ONY..." width="130" /></a><span style="color: red;">I wanted to write a book that involved twins and mistaken identity. I also thought it would be fun to start the book up in the air with a heroine with a major case of in-flight panic that she doesn’t even realize her hero and his twin switch seats mid-flight. What happens up there really set the stage for the tropical antics when they land.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">It was super fun to write and is available now on Amazon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I noticed on your website that you’ve signed three contracts this year. Tell us what we can expect from you soon. (Vanessa and Jack’s story, I hope?)</div><ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">My holiday romance, <i>Christmas Dinner</i></span><span style="color: red;"> will be coming out November 11, 2013 by Crimson Romance. Even though <i>Destination Wedding</i></span><span style="color: red;"> is my debut book, <i>Christmas Dinner</i></span><span style="color: red;"> is the first book I ever wrote. There’s a wonderful twist in it that I’m hoping is the level of a Nicholas Sparks kind-of-twist. Even if it’s half as good as his, I’ll be happy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I’ve been teasing my characters that Vanessa and Jack *could* be the couple getting hitched in the sequel. Although, the working title is <i>Shotgun Wedding</i></span><span style="color: red;">—I don’t think their kids will go for it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The destination for your book’s wedding is Hawaii, and you do a beautiful job describing your setting. Have you visited there, and if so, how much time do you spend there?</div><ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">Thank you! All of it was research by reading books and searching the Internet. I’d love to visit one day. The problem – well, I like my heroine, have an intense fear of flying over water. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">Now if, like my heroine, I was to have a handsome man sit next to me and kiss me silly all the way to Honolulu … well, that might work! If you know anyone Becky . . .</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I love the mistaken identity trope, and think you did an excellent job using the identical twins. I especially enjoyed the way Luke used his 4-minutes older claim to his advantage. My brother used to hold the same thing over his twin sister’s head. Do you know twins or do you just have an active imagination?</div><ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I did talk to friends who are twins. I wanted Luke and Drew to be different enough that the reader wasn’t confused who was who, but I wanted them both to be good men at their core. I really love Drew. He and I were recently guests on the Crimson Romance blog where he pretty much demanded his happy ending. Check it out <a href="http://www.crimsonromance.com/feature..." target="_blank">here</a>! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /> You seem to understand the wedding planning business, too. Tell me how you got the idea of using a wedding planner for your story.</div><ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I’ve planned over 100 events and conferences during my career. I’ve never planned a wedding, so this was a fun opportunity to write about one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">How do you manage the obligations on your life? Do you have a set time for writing, and no one can enter the room, or do you fit it in between all your other activities?</div><ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"></ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="color: red;">I fit it in each and every day. I often will write first thing in the morning and then as I mentioned, will write, edit or read on the train. On weekends, I try to ramp it up. I set monthly goals. Having an entire month to reach the goal is much more doable and less stressful for me than setting daily or weekly goals that might not be possible to achieve.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>Destination Wedding Blurb</i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Wedding planner Kate Ashby’s fear of flying is eased by a sexy stranger and one slow lip lock that rockets her into another obit. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">CEO Luke Cannon has just traded seats with his identical twin. Little did he know that an innocent kiss while pretending he was his brother would soon create havoc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">What happens in the air doesn’t stay up there. Once on tropical land, Kate believes that the handsome stranger who gave her the best kiss of her life is now her new client, Drew Cannon, fiancé to the beautiful and wealthy Lauren Kincaid. While Kate struggles with the intense feelings she thinks she has for Drew, Luke discovers Kate’s been hired to plan his brother’s destination wedding. He also realizes the initial sparks they shared 30,000 feet up are now mistakenly aimed at Drew. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Can Luke get Kate to realize that the feelings she has are for him? He’s got forty-eight hours in paradise to try. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">To learn more about Destination Wedding and purchase links, visit www.robynneeley.com/books</span>... class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>About Robyn</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places; watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit; can’t live without Dunkin Donuts coffee and has never met a cookie she didn’t like. If you have a must read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Website – http://robynneeley.com</span>&l... class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Twitter – @robynneeley </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/robyn.neeley.1 </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;"> Have we teased you enough? Want an excerpt? Well, guess what we have for you!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">"I do. I do." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Wedding planner Kate Ashby quietly repeated her calming mantra. Paralyzed in her window seat, she stared at the illuminated fasten seatbelt sign while her hands gripped the metal buckle strap.
Please turn off. Please turn off. They had to be close to cruising altitude. Soon, she'd be able to request a strong drink to knock her out for the duration of this bumpy flight.
She sat still, trying to ignore the terror pulsating through her. Why hadn't she bought sleeping pills before boarding a twelve-hour flight from New York City to Hawaii? Now, that would have been the smart thing to do.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Glancing out the tiny passenger window, she clutched her gold "K" necklace. It was completely irrational to be terrified and she realized the odds of her and her fellow passengers landing safely in Honolulu were more than in her favor. Still, this was her first time flying such a long duration. Departing Manhattan this evening in turbulent thunderstorms had shot her nerves. She was grateful that her boss had sprung for a first class ticket for the long flight.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">A loud rattle caused her to grab hold to her armrests. "What was that?" She turned to the stranger sitting next to her. He had short blondish brown hair and was wearing a blue blazer. His face had a nice tan. She had failed to realize that her row mate was incredibly handsome. Usually the person sitting next to her was a grandparent or couldn't speak English. Perhaps he could help her ease her nerves?
"Um ... I think it's the drink cart. Would you like something?" He folded his Wall Street Journal.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sexy and smart.
"I'll take a tequila and tonic," he said to the flight attendant.
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11.5pt;">And likes his drinks strong. This could be fun.<br /><br /> </span></div>
June 30, 2013
How Does Your Garden Grow?
I bought some paper towels the other day. As paper towels go, they were pretty, with flowers on them. As I was cleaning up a spill, I noticed that, in addition to flowers, there were garden-related sayings printed on them as well. One in particular caught my eye. It read "No two gardens are the same." Gardeners can be handed the same exact amount and variety of seeds, and no two gardens will look the same, due to fluctuations in the soil, the setting, the style of the gardener.
The same is true of writing. I've sat in many a class where the instructor shows a picture, or presents the set-up to a scene and we writers have to take it from there. It always amazes me that, for each person at the table, no two stories will be the same. Some focus in on a tiny portion of the picture and write about that small segment of the overall story, some go big picture. There are those who find fairies, or zombies, hiding under the canopy of leaves, some see ferns and lush landscapes. There is no right way to tell a story, just as there are many ways to create beauty in a garden.
To all my writing buddies who are afraid to show their work for fear that someone will rip off their brilliant idea, I offer up this challenge: "No two gardens are the same." So put yourself and your writing out there for the world to see. Yes, you may hand someone the seeds for their own garden, by offering up your plot line. But I can guarantee you, your gardens will be different.
The same is true of writing. I've sat in many a class where the instructor shows a picture, or presents the set-up to a scene and we writers have to take it from there. It always amazes me that, for each person at the table, no two stories will be the same. Some focus in on a tiny portion of the picture and write about that small segment of the overall story, some go big picture. There are those who find fairies, or zombies, hiding under the canopy of leaves, some see ferns and lush landscapes. There is no right way to tell a story, just as there are many ways to create beauty in a garden.
To all my writing buddies who are afraid to show their work for fear that someone will rip off their brilliant idea, I offer up this challenge: "No two gardens are the same." So put yourself and your writing out there for the world to see. Yes, you may hand someone the seeds for their own garden, by offering up your plot line. But I can guarantee you, your gardens will be different.
June 26, 2013
Running Hot And Cold
I had company at my house a few weeks ago. My brother came in from sunny California and my sister from Oregon. It was typical Ohio weather for late May/early June--blustery, cold, rainy, nasty. I was busy the first night of their arrival tracking down enough blankets for their thin-skinned bodies. The west coast sure can spoil a person. I even had to turn the heat back on one night, since they were both freezing.
And now, three weeks later? I have had the A/C on full blast for two days now. I tried to tough it out, with just fans blowing the hot air around, but my dog looked like she was about to melt, so I relented.
Which brings me to the point of this discussion. Just like the Ohio weather, a writer can run hot and cold with ideas, words, witty repartee. Sometimes, my fingers fly across the keyboard, and I can't keep up with the ideas that are coming at me from every angle. And at times, I sit there, running my hands over the keys, feeling the little bumps on the F and J keys and wonder where in the name of God my story is headed and how it ever went down that track in the first place. When that happens, I turn off the A/C, sit within range of the hot air mover, and wait. And wait. Sooner or later, I remember the sage advice of Nora Roberts--I can fix a typed page, but I can't do anything with a blank one. (or words to that effect). So I start typing. Slowly, a word at a time. I check my word count frequently in the beginning, since the first 500 words of the day are absolute torture for me. Then, I settle in and soon my fingers can't keep up with my ideas. At moments like these, I feel like sipping a pina colada, running along the beach, grabbing my surfboard and worshiping the sun gods. Suddenly, what was cold became hot.
Just like Ohio in June.
And now, three weeks later? I have had the A/C on full blast for two days now. I tried to tough it out, with just fans blowing the hot air around, but my dog looked like she was about to melt, so I relented.
Which brings me to the point of this discussion. Just like the Ohio weather, a writer can run hot and cold with ideas, words, witty repartee. Sometimes, my fingers fly across the keyboard, and I can't keep up with the ideas that are coming at me from every angle. And at times, I sit there, running my hands over the keys, feeling the little bumps on the F and J keys and wonder where in the name of God my story is headed and how it ever went down that track in the first place. When that happens, I turn off the A/C, sit within range of the hot air mover, and wait. And wait. Sooner or later, I remember the sage advice of Nora Roberts--I can fix a typed page, but I can't do anything with a blank one. (or words to that effect). So I start typing. Slowly, a word at a time. I check my word count frequently in the beginning, since the first 500 words of the day are absolute torture for me. Then, I settle in and soon my fingers can't keep up with my ideas. At moments like these, I feel like sipping a pina colada, running along the beach, grabbing my surfboard and worshiping the sun gods. Suddenly, what was cold became hot.Just like Ohio in June.
June 5, 2013
Crimson Romance Blog Hop
Crimson Romance is One Year Old this month, and, in celebration, we are offering you a sneak peek at a scene from one of our books. What scene, you might ask, will represent such a diverse and talented group of authors? The one right before the love scene, of course! Here's mine, from the latest book in the Cotillion Ball series. It's called Banking On Temperance.
Basil Fitzpatrick is the owner of a bank in St. Louis, and he only wants a mistress, not a wife. Temperance Jones is the daughter of a circuit riding preacher, whose only ambition is to fulfill her father's wish and get the family to Oregon, which will get her younger brothers out of harm's way during the impending Civil War. Basil introduces her to Jake Shelton, a wagon master, and she thinks he may be the perfect man to get her family to Oregon. But, by this time, she and Basil have become friends. Here's what happens next: Temperance sputtered and fumed, breathing fire as the door to Basil’s apartment staircase closed behind him. That no-good, self-centered ass! How dare he say their friendship had been destroyed by her ambition! If they’d truly been friends, he would have stood by her and championed her clever attempts to get her family moved westward. But once he introduced her to Jake, it was as if he’d turned his back on her. She could take him turning his back on her as a woman, but not as a friend. She yanked open the door and ran up the stairs.
“How dare you!” She didn’t bother to knock at the top of the steps, she was so angry.
He turned to face her, but didn’t reply.
“Well? How dare you say that I’m the one who turned away from your friendship? You’ve become my best friend here in town, Basil, and I miss our good times. You never come to the restaurant anymore, and you barely talk to me at all here. Do you want me to quit? To leave?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“If you know what’s best for you, leave, right this minute.”
“Why? Because you’ll tell me something I don’t want to hear?”
Basil crossed the room to her in two strides. He placed his hands on either side of her face and growled, “Not because of what I’ll tell you, but because of what I’ll do.” He lowered his mouth to hers, crushing her tender lips beneath his own.
Temperance stood still, in shock at what was happening. The breath whooshed out of her lungs. Her arms hung by her sides, but her mouth and tongue were doing battle with Basil’s. She moved her arms finally, and wound them around his broad shoulders, welcoming him. Her back was up against the wall as Basil continued to kiss her with all the pent-up passion that had been building between them for months. She pulled him closer, reveling in his scent of spice and man. She tasted the tobacco on his breath, along with mint, and thought there had never been so delightful a combination.
This is where I belong. Not Oregon.
A small moan drifted from her mouth as she sunk her fingers into his hair. He ran a row of scorching kisses from the left corner of her mouth up to her temple, then down to the pulsing vein in her neck. As he tugged gently, her whimpers became stronger. She was desperately kissing his hair, his forehead, anything she could touch. His moans matched hers as the torrid, sensual dance continued.
His hand drifted to the buttons running down the front of her dress. He slowly unbuttoned each one, taking the time to kiss each inch of new skin he uncovered. Temperance thought she would surely combust from the sensation of his mouth on flesh that had never before been touched by a man. She squirmed and wrapped her fingers into his hair. “Oh, sweet Lord,” she cried out.
Basil pried his lips from her, and backed off a step. He ran his hand through his hair. Temperance couldn’t talk. She couldn’t breathe. Her senses were still writhing out of control. He backed away one more step, staring at her with lust-filled eyes.
“That is why you should never set foot in this apartment. If you come near me again, I’ll not stop. I will have all of you, and ruin all your plans for marriage to Jake. And that is why we can no longer be friends. You’ve made your choice, Temptress. Now leave me alone.”
Now that you've read my excerpt, please click on the rafflecopter on the right side to enter the drawing. And click on the poster to visit other sites on the hop. Have fun, and good luck.
