Leta Blake's Blog, page 105
October 15, 2012
Are You Up for a November Writing Challenge?
Are You Up for a November Writing Challenge?.
If you can fulfill all your duties as an American mother and still manage to participate and complete NaNoWriMo, I declare…
The above is a reblog of SweetMother’s NaNoWriMo challenge post. Definitely have a look-see. As for me, I find NaNoWriMo falls at the absolute worst time of the year for a mother who lives in America. It falls at the tail end of October, which is always a wickedly busy month with school Fall Festival, Fall Break, Halloween, and, in my particular life, a very important cousin’s birthday weekend. Then in November we have the ramp up to Thanksgiving and Christmas, which, for a mother in America, is a pretty darn hectic time. So, ever since my daughter was born, I haven’t even bothered thinking about NaNoWriMo.
My life every October through December.
But ten years ago I took the NaNoWriMo challenge and I got about 50,000 words towards my first novel. The very same novel that I’m still working on the fourth draft of and intend to have finished and on its way out into the world by this time next year. In the meantime, I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words of other stories and other books. But this one has a piece of my heart and it won’t let me go until I set let it fly–however lopsided its trajectory might end up being.
With that in mind, perhaps I will continue with my regular writerly self-flagellation by deeming November to be my own personal NaNoWIPMo–National Novemember Work In Progress Month. I’m waffling between nailing down a sturdy outline of another WIP and trying to write something like 1,000 words of it a day throughout November. (Ahahaha!) Or saying that I am going to finish up the rewrites of the third fairy tale book. Or saying that this is it, time to commit myself to that first novel again, and get that sucker ready to go. Or maybe I should just recognize my limitations, be realistic, and admit what I said in the opening paragraphs–November is a terrible month to attempt anything like this as an American mother (who works outside of the home, has a second job writing books, and attempts to be a good wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, and human being).
Oh, and did I mention that I started a short story today that would fit a submission call that ends October 26th just perfectly? I’m putting that one into the hands of fate. If I get it done in time, so be it. If I don’t, so be it. If I do and it gets rejected, so be it. May the story gods be with me in whatever outcome is best.
Are you planning on doing NaNoWriMo? If so, what’s your plan? And if not, why not? Feel free to join me for NaNoWIPMo, too. It’s got no rules, as you can see, aside from “run hard at those WIPs and try to get ‘em done”.
October 13, 2012
October 10, 2012
Women Hold Up — Room to Read
I was so inspired by the documentary Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide that I’ve decided to highlight the organizations and other information from Half the Sky as a regular thing on this blog from now on. I hope you’re inspired, too, and seek out more information about these heroes and this movement.
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There’s never that single moment when CNN’s camera is going to find that girl who is dying right before your eyes due to a lack of education. But make no mistake about it, girls die every day because of lack of education. — Gene Spurling
From Room to Read’s website:
Due to an overwhelming response to the Half the Sky Movement, a generous donor has extended our 2-to-1 match for one more week (up to $300,000 in matching funds). All gifts to Room to Read will be tripled now through October 11 in honor of the Half the Sky Movement and in celebration of the first International Day of the Girl on October 11.
https://www.facebook.com/roomtoread
*
Please note that the last day for donations to be match 2-to-1 (you give $10, they get a match from a generous donor of $20 more dollars!) is today, October 11, 2012. Please consider giving today if possible, but if not, remember Room to Read for the future. Christmas is coming soon. How many people do you know who would rather that money was given in their honor to help a girl learn to read? I’m sure you know a few. I plan to donate today in honor of my daughter’s teacher and give that to her for Christmas. I’m sure she’d like that better than the generic gift we gave the teacher last year.
You can learn more about Half the Sky:
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/halftheskymo...
Twitter — https://twitter.com/Half
Writer Wednesday: Virginia Cavanaugh
Virginia Cavanaugh is a multi-published author of erotic romance. Her work covers many sub-genres as new characters present themselves to her every day. After working for years as a nurse in pediatrics, her love of the alpha hero sparked her desire to bring her own stories to life. When not playing housewife, mother, maid, laundress, taxi driver or just general all-around slave, she enjoys finding a quiet corner to read or work on her next story.
1. The tagline of your website it Pulse Pounding Romance. What is it about romance novels that gets your pulse pounding?
I would have to say a mixture of the heart pounding romance mixed with just the right amount of action packed plot.
2. Tell us a little about Just For Tonight. What makes it a different and compelling read?
Often romance reads tend to go through the fantasy of romance. Something to get lost in and take a reader away from their daily lives. In this story I took two middle class people and gave them a more true to life chance at romance. In my humble opinion this is another way to give a more realist view of romance to fuel the fantasy of finding love in day to day life.
3. You’ve written so many books. What keeps you inspired?
I’ve found inspiration in everything from a picture to something someone says in day to day life. Often a piece of dialogue will pop into my head, leading me to search out the character that spoke up.
4. How do you juggle writing and family life? Is there a secret? Or is it always madness?
Madness. I have a large family and two very needy dogs. I try to do most of my writing while the kids are school, but that doesn’t always work out as well as I’d like. But if someone finds the secret let me in on it. LOL
5. Out of your back catalogue, do you have a secret favorite? If so which one and why?
I have to say that Winter’s Shadow is a little special. I have never had a story move and flow so easily. It was the fastest I’ve ever written and has received great reviews. 3 five star reviews from review sites. Every other story, no matter how much I love it, has made me pull teeth on different days to move ahead. Each story has a special place in my heart, but I just wish they were all as easy to get out as Winter’s Shadow was.
***
Kelly Devers has a crush on her co-worker Thomas Brigs. For a year he’s been the object of her fantasies, but she hasn’t dared to make a move on him. But when Kelly finds out Thomas is leaving town, she throws caution to the wind and gives into the yearning she’s suppressed for far too long. Passion ignites as their bodies come together and Kelly is determined to enjoy the steamy loving. Even if it can’t last forever.
Buy Just for Tonight on Amazon!
Virginia on Facebook
Virginia on Goodreads
Virginia’s website
October 9, 2012
Tempting Freebie
So, over at the relaunched blog Darker Temptations, we’re having two weeks of freebies. Everything from amazon gift cards, free e-books, free book-books, and other swag. Today Keira and I are giving away a free copy of our book, just comment to participate! 
And do be sure to page back and see what else is on offer. Winners are announced next week!
October 8, 2012
A Link Around to Thoughtful Things
That picture has nothing to do with anything in this post. It doesn’t need to, okay?
I’m not feeling so hot today. Upset stomach and all that nonsense. I was just going to skip posting today, but then I read a selection of interesting blogs and thought I’d share them here. So, in no particular order, blog posts I read today that might interest you, too.
1. Revisiting the pleasure of the serialized novel. – “On Twitter, Jane asked whether readers would buy a serialized novel and there didn’t seem to be much support for the idea. I thought about this for a while and wondered why people aren’t interested in serials anymore. Some of the great 19th-century authors published novels in installments, and one of the great pleasures of reading the San Francisco Chronicle in the 1970s was waiting for the next installment of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City. While we eagerly watch mini-series and season-long drama arcs on TV, romance readers seem less willing to make the transition to serialized novels. And I realized I was just as reluctant….”
Thoughts on serialized novels? I have a book I’ve been considering serializing, but it seems like a lot of folks react to that negatively and see it as a money grab. Thoughts on that perspective? What makes it okay to serialize things like comics, still, but not books? Just hit me with your comments on this one. I’m curious.
2.
A gorgeous short story by Lightning Droplets. Read that with some morning coffee. A bit of word porn (in the non-sex way).
3. Wonderful thoughts about the journey of reading, the relationship between the writer and reader, and more. — “With authors that are new to me, or ones with whom our past journey has been rocky, I’m apprehensive. I walk gingerly and I’ve been known to drop their hand and walk back to the entrance, not wanting to return.
Some authors have led me down paths that I bitterly regret. I regret the time spent with them. I regret that subsequent journeys ruined past joy I experienced with them. These are authors that I stay away from.
Some authors have taken me down a journey that I love so much that I run from the exit to the entrance to start it all over again. If I see readers standing around at the front, I’ll run over to them and direct them to this awesome journey. Sometimes I’ll even pay their entrance fee.”
This gif has nothing to do with anything except that’s a smokin’ hot kiss, so…you know.
4. Recipes even a klutz can cook? Okay, count me in.
5. 
And, really, this is a pretty great piece on m/m fiction and the various issues around writing and reading it. Though, really, the most interesting aspect are the comments. I think in this case the comments > the post. — “The long explanation is that there are a lot of reasons I prefer m/m to m/f. One big one is the issue of gender politics — there’s a huge, rotten load of baggage that is dragged along behind any m/f relationship. You can’t escape it, it’s always there no matter what you do or how you try to structure your story, no matter whether you “believe” in it or want to deal with it or not. (This right here will lose a huge chunk of the population; they don’t want to hear about gender issues.)”
October 4, 2012
We Came to Dance Naked With Tattoos
I’ve been loving the new Gaslight Anthem album, and listening to their back catalogue, too. I was googling something about the latest album’s lyrics and found myself looking at Gaslight Anthem inspired tattoos. Here, have a selection below.
And I don’t know if this is Gaslight Anthem related or not, but while looking at Gaslight Anthem tattoos I found this photo. All I could think was, “But…but…it’s ‘could’ve’, sweetheart. Oh, my.”
(It’s a small picture, so for those who can’t read it, it says: If Love Could Of Saved You, You Would Of Lived Forever)
Also, don’t forget that over at Darker Temptations we are giving away a prize every day for the rest of this week and all of next. Be sure to look at the back posts, too, because we’re giving the prizes out at the end of the two weeks, so you can still comment for consideration for all the past days, too. I know there was an Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card on offer the other day, some free e-books, and other swag have also been offered. Do check it out!
October 2, 2012
Blogging for Darker Temptations
Come be tempted by the two weeks of free items at Darker Temptations!
Do you like free things? Of course you do! I know it seems like I keep posting about free things lately (like the free cookbook I mentioned the other day) but there is just so much free stuff to be had right now!
I’m excited to announce that Darker Temptations is relaunching with new bloggers, including me and Keira Andrews. And here’s where the free stuff comes in: every day for the next two weeks, sci-fi, paranormal and fantasy romance authors will be giving away books and swag, so be sure to drop in often! You can also click Follow at the top of the blog and be notified daily of updates so that you can keep track of what’s being offered.
Keira and I will be blogging there every two weeks. There are 13 authors participating and we will be writing blog posts to specific themes. It should be a bit different from what I offer up here. It should be fun!
October 1, 2012
If There Is One Thing You Do Today – Do This: Half the Sky
Have you ever had a friend who did work so amazing that you were overcome with pride in knowing her? I have a friend like that. She traveled to Kenya and Vietnam and around the world to work on this documentary for PBS about women and the opportunities women have despite or in the face of oppression. The trailer for this documentary is below and I challenge you to watch it and not be deeply moved.
Half the Sky, will air Monday and Tuesday night at 9 pm (8 CT) on PBS as a two-part series (check your local listings).
I know I don’t usually make more than one post a day, but this is a really important post to make. This is a fantastic documentary on a hugely emotional topic for me and for a lot of the world’s population. Please take the time to watch the trailer and I strongly encourage you to watch the documentary. Please spread the word! Tell your friends and family. Tweet about it! Post about it on Facebook!
Half the Sky on Facebook
Half the Sky on Twitter
I Love Passionate Cooks!
My best recipe will be gracing the pages of this free cookbook along with the yummiest, most delicious recipes of 150 other romance writers. As everyone knows, food and love have long gone hand in hand, and romance novelists make for passionate cooks.
Passionate Cooks: Free Recipes From Today’s Hottest Romance Authors, over 150 authors of the genre have put their pens and computers aside to don aprons, get down and dirty in the kitchen, and share their love of food. Much like romance novels themselves, the dishes range from spicy to sweet. There is something for every taste and every level of culinary expertise.
Best of all, they are FREE!
And, yep, like I said, I do have a recipe in the book! It’s one of my all-time favorites and I think you’ll enjoy it, too.
