Ninette Swann's Blog, page 6
September 12, 2012
Body Combat RELEASED!
My second romance is available now for purchase through Resplendence Publishing!
It's about a down-on-his-luck architect, Charles, who falls for his gym instructor while he's supposed to be refocusing himself. The instructor, Sammy, is going through immense family turmoil and doesn't want to let anyone, let alone a handsome romantic interest, in.
Well, here's the blurb--that's better.
"Charles Whitaker is taking his fall from grace hard. Once the top architect in San Diego, his business
partner stole his clients and ran off with all his earnings. When the money left, so did his wife. To help
Charles' re-focus his energy on the future, he's taken a Body Combat course. Only he can't focus on
anything but the beautiful instructor, Sammy Logan.
Sammy doesn't date clients. Even if she did, she's sure they'd run in the opposite direction as soon as
they found out that she spends all her time protecting her mother from her drunken father. Still, the
well-built man in the third row catches her eye and won't let her go without a fight. When her father
crashes his car, Sammy has nowhere to turn and runs smack dab into Charles Whitaker.
Together they try to mend a 25-year family rift, caused by greed and stubbornness, by proving that love
is more powerful than money.
But is it?"
Interested? Here's the first section of the first chapter:
Pretty little thing.
The unwanted thought surprised Charles Whitaker as he stood at the back of the crowded gym room, going through sequences of punches and kicks to high-intensity music. Choreographed fighting. His therapist had said it would be perfect for him. It combined his love of grace and beauty with the primitive urges of humanity. It would allow him to move beyond himself by tiring his mind and feeding the survival instinct—one he’d had all but lost after his wife had left him last year.
Charles slanted a wry smile at his reflection in the mirrored walls of the facility. He was fairly certain his therapist hadn’t intended him to focus only the next cute face that came his way. He was supposed to be working on himself, preparing himself for the future, saving his job and his life from his newly onset depression.
Still, what was the harm in appreciating the female form? The harder he tried to push Body Combat instructor, Sammy Logan, from his mind, the more she popped up. As stubborn in his fantasies as she must be in real life. He grunted as he tore his gaze from the lithe little ninja-lookalike up on the stage and swung into a roundhouse kick. He checked the clock. Twenty-two minutes to go.
When he’d first agreed to the class, the fighting had strained his entire body, elevating his heart rate to uncomfortable levels. Having been married for eight years, he’d let himself go. Now, three months after joining, he was losing the slight paunch that had taken up residency in his belly, his muscles remembering what they were for.
The mirrors helped. Looking at himself, he saw the sheen of sweat over his skin, highlighting the new contours of his body. Pride surged in him. Maybe he could do this after all. He owed it all to Sammy, though she’d never know. Her perky existence compelled him to continue the class, though at first he’d been dead set against it. He didn’t have time to exercise. He needed to focus all of his energy on rebuilding his once-successful business after his partner left him high and dry, taking many of his clients with him. He had to make back the money somehow. His partner, Marcus, was offering jobs at half Charles’ going rate, but Charles knew the man’s work was shoddy. If he could just wait out his old partner, Charles was sure the bulk of his clients would return to him. He just needed enough to stay afloat until then. He also had to find a place to call home that wasn’t a downtown hotel.
“I think you’ll find those goals easier to attain if you begin to believe in yourself again,” his therapist had said with a smile. He hated to admit she’d been right.
Lost in his thoughts, he almost side-kicked the woman to his right. He teetered on one leg before righting himself and shot a nervous glance at the stage. Sammy had seen it. She always did. She flashed him a brilliant smile before addressing the class as a whole.
“Yes or no? Answer yes!”
A chorus of yeses rang through the room, echoing in the whirring of the fans. Charles never answered her. She tilted her head and stared at him as if trying to ask him something, but reading people had never been his best point. He shrugged and looked down at his ratty sneakers. Time for an upgrade, he decided. Maybe she’d notice him if he didn’t come to class looking like a rumpled hobo. It was worth a shot.
He spent the rest of the class staring at her. It was easy to do since he stood in the back, and everyone stared at the instructor, didn’t they? She stood at just about five foot four, with startling black curls that she wore back in pigtails for the class. Her workout attire consisted of tight gym pants or leggings and a tank top that clung to her perky breasts. Her buttocks were rounded and strong, her shoulders creased and rippled with small muscles when she strained them. She couldn’t be older than twenty-two or twenty-three. He felt his neck flush at the observation. At thirty-five, that definitely made him the dirty old man. His self-deprecation stopped short when he noticed the bruises on her calf. Were those fingerprints?
Charles shook his head to clear it as the class went into their last routine. The marks were probably innocent, some weird shadows or his mind playing tricks on him. She seemed far too upbeat to be hiding anything. And strong. He’d heard that last year, she’d suffered a rattlesnake bite and had been back at class as soon as the hospital had given her permission. Whatever she was, Sammy Logan was certainly dedicated to this little gym.
His eyes glazed over, and he counted down his jabs and crosses to fight his fatigue when his favorite part of the last number came on. Sammy always sang this part. He looked up at her, wanting to see her full, rosy lips move in time to the music. He wasn’t disappointed.
“I’ll be anything you want me to be!”
Was she looking at him? All the blood he had in reserve swamped his groin, and Charles stifled a groan and quickly averted his eyes to the windows on his left. His gym shorts wouldn’t adequately cover this. Stop, he willed himself, though the image of her heart-shaped face and widow’s peak taunted him even as he stared at the palm trees outside. Stop. Stop. In his mind, her deep-blue eyes twinkled, staring up at him, daring him to take her.
The music ended and a slow tune started for the stretch. Charles turned and bolted from the room, his sneakers squeaking across the floor. He needed a cool down that didn’t involve staring at the poised and posed Sammy Logan.
So, if you're looking for a new romance book to try...go ahead and check out Body Combat. I'm pretty proud of it.
It's about a down-on-his-luck architect, Charles, who falls for his gym instructor while he's supposed to be refocusing himself. The instructor, Sammy, is going through immense family turmoil and doesn't want to let anyone, let alone a handsome romantic interest, in.
Well, here's the blurb--that's better.
"Charles Whitaker is taking his fall from grace hard. Once the top architect in San Diego, his business
partner stole his clients and ran off with all his earnings. When the money left, so did his wife. To help
Charles' re-focus his energy on the future, he's taken a Body Combat course. Only he can't focus on
anything but the beautiful instructor, Sammy Logan.
Sammy doesn't date clients. Even if she did, she's sure they'd run in the opposite direction as soon as
they found out that she spends all her time protecting her mother from her drunken father. Still, the
well-built man in the third row catches her eye and won't let her go without a fight. When her father
crashes his car, Sammy has nowhere to turn and runs smack dab into Charles Whitaker.
Together they try to mend a 25-year family rift, caused by greed and stubbornness, by proving that love
is more powerful than money.
But is it?"
Interested? Here's the first section of the first chapter:
Pretty little thing.
The unwanted thought surprised Charles Whitaker as he stood at the back of the crowded gym room, going through sequences of punches and kicks to high-intensity music. Choreographed fighting. His therapist had said it would be perfect for him. It combined his love of grace and beauty with the primitive urges of humanity. It would allow him to move beyond himself by tiring his mind and feeding the survival instinct—one he’d had all but lost after his wife had left him last year.
Charles slanted a wry smile at his reflection in the mirrored walls of the facility. He was fairly certain his therapist hadn’t intended him to focus only the next cute face that came his way. He was supposed to be working on himself, preparing himself for the future, saving his job and his life from his newly onset depression.
Still, what was the harm in appreciating the female form? The harder he tried to push Body Combat instructor, Sammy Logan, from his mind, the more she popped up. As stubborn in his fantasies as she must be in real life. He grunted as he tore his gaze from the lithe little ninja-lookalike up on the stage and swung into a roundhouse kick. He checked the clock. Twenty-two minutes to go.
When he’d first agreed to the class, the fighting had strained his entire body, elevating his heart rate to uncomfortable levels. Having been married for eight years, he’d let himself go. Now, three months after joining, he was losing the slight paunch that had taken up residency in his belly, his muscles remembering what they were for.
The mirrors helped. Looking at himself, he saw the sheen of sweat over his skin, highlighting the new contours of his body. Pride surged in him. Maybe he could do this after all. He owed it all to Sammy, though she’d never know. Her perky existence compelled him to continue the class, though at first he’d been dead set against it. He didn’t have time to exercise. He needed to focus all of his energy on rebuilding his once-successful business after his partner left him high and dry, taking many of his clients with him. He had to make back the money somehow. His partner, Marcus, was offering jobs at half Charles’ going rate, but Charles knew the man’s work was shoddy. If he could just wait out his old partner, Charles was sure the bulk of his clients would return to him. He just needed enough to stay afloat until then. He also had to find a place to call home that wasn’t a downtown hotel.
“I think you’ll find those goals easier to attain if you begin to believe in yourself again,” his therapist had said with a smile. He hated to admit she’d been right.
Lost in his thoughts, he almost side-kicked the woman to his right. He teetered on one leg before righting himself and shot a nervous glance at the stage. Sammy had seen it. She always did. She flashed him a brilliant smile before addressing the class as a whole.
“Yes or no? Answer yes!”
A chorus of yeses rang through the room, echoing in the whirring of the fans. Charles never answered her. She tilted her head and stared at him as if trying to ask him something, but reading people had never been his best point. He shrugged and looked down at his ratty sneakers. Time for an upgrade, he decided. Maybe she’d notice him if he didn’t come to class looking like a rumpled hobo. It was worth a shot.
He spent the rest of the class staring at her. It was easy to do since he stood in the back, and everyone stared at the instructor, didn’t they? She stood at just about five foot four, with startling black curls that she wore back in pigtails for the class. Her workout attire consisted of tight gym pants or leggings and a tank top that clung to her perky breasts. Her buttocks were rounded and strong, her shoulders creased and rippled with small muscles when she strained them. She couldn’t be older than twenty-two or twenty-three. He felt his neck flush at the observation. At thirty-five, that definitely made him the dirty old man. His self-deprecation stopped short when he noticed the bruises on her calf. Were those fingerprints?
Charles shook his head to clear it as the class went into their last routine. The marks were probably innocent, some weird shadows or his mind playing tricks on him. She seemed far too upbeat to be hiding anything. And strong. He’d heard that last year, she’d suffered a rattlesnake bite and had been back at class as soon as the hospital had given her permission. Whatever she was, Sammy Logan was certainly dedicated to this little gym.
His eyes glazed over, and he counted down his jabs and crosses to fight his fatigue when his favorite part of the last number came on. Sammy always sang this part. He looked up at her, wanting to see her full, rosy lips move in time to the music. He wasn’t disappointed.
“I’ll be anything you want me to be!”
Was she looking at him? All the blood he had in reserve swamped his groin, and Charles stifled a groan and quickly averted his eyes to the windows on his left. His gym shorts wouldn’t adequately cover this. Stop, he willed himself, though the image of her heart-shaped face and widow’s peak taunted him even as he stared at the palm trees outside. Stop. Stop. In his mind, her deep-blue eyes twinkled, staring up at him, daring him to take her.
The music ended and a slow tune started for the stretch. Charles turned and bolted from the room, his sneakers squeaking across the floor. He needed a cool down that didn’t involve staring at the poised and posed Sammy Logan.
So, if you're looking for a new romance book to try...go ahead and check out Body Combat. I'm pretty proud of it.
September 7, 2012
Feature Follow Friday (8)
It's Feature Friday again!
This week, the question is simple: What book are you reading right now and how do you like it?
I'm reading a bunch of books!
1) Daring Greatly - This would maybe fall into self-help. I'm reading it for a review program I'm in, and, honestly, I love it. It's scientific research into shame and vulnerability and how to accept and rise above it. I'd never have read it by myself. I'm glad I signed up for it!
2) 1, 2, 3 Magic! - I like this book, too. I'm not able to use it as effectively as I would like, but we're getting there.
3) Love and Summer - This is a slow-moving, time period book, but I do enjoy the imagery and the way the author subtly weaves the different storylines together, creating an undercurrent out of the things the reader would feel is the most important.
4) The Portrait of a Lady - I'm really enjoying this book. James' language is thick, obviously, but once you get into it, the characterizations is phenomenal, as is the commentary on the period.
If you'd like to sign up, do it!
This week, the question is simple: What book are you reading right now and how do you like it?
I'm reading a bunch of books!
1) Daring Greatly - This would maybe fall into self-help. I'm reading it for a review program I'm in, and, honestly, I love it. It's scientific research into shame and vulnerability and how to accept and rise above it. I'd never have read it by myself. I'm glad I signed up for it!
2) 1, 2, 3 Magic! - I like this book, too. I'm not able to use it as effectively as I would like, but we're getting there.
3) Love and Summer - This is a slow-moving, time period book, but I do enjoy the imagery and the way the author subtly weaves the different storylines together, creating an undercurrent out of the things the reader would feel is the most important.
4) The Portrait of a Lady - I'm really enjoying this book. James' language is thick, obviously, but once you get into it, the characterizations is phenomenal, as is the commentary on the period.
If you'd like to sign up, do it!
August 30, 2012
Open Calls for Romance Publishers
There are several more open calls I thought you might want to know about. Some of these have deadlines, some don't. There's a little bit of everything, though, so hopefully you can find something that calls to you.
Ellora's Cave is putting out several themed works in the coming months.
Ball and Chain:
Sexy romance stories for married characters.
- 18K - 70K words
- Deadline: September 15, 2012
On the Hunt:
Romance stories about bounty hunters.
- 18K - 70K words
- Deadline: November 30, 2012
Check out the link above for other open calls without deadline attached, including a call for multicultural romances, and their new line...for men.
No Boundaries Press has some holiday themed calls for anthologies (including a Christmas short story which I tried to do, but failed. Will have to extend it to a novel for it to work...drat):
12 Days of Christmas:
Pick any of the 12 days of Christmas and theme a sweet to spicy romance around it.
- 2K - 5K words
- Deadline: September 15, 2012
St. Patrick's Day
Show them your Irish
- 2K - 5K words
- Deadline: December 10, 2012
Primal Lust
May / December romances where the woman is the older character
- 2K - 5K words
- Deadline: February 1, 2013
Click on the link above for more details.
Resplendence Publishing is looking for several novella-length stories for their signature lines.
Shivers involves paranormal pursuits.
Handcuffs and Lace are law enforcement romances.
Wicked is a modern day twist on old fairy tales and folklore.
There are no deadlines on these, but each have specific requirements. Click on the link for more info.
I think that's enough for now. There are plenty more, though, so I'll post again about this next week.
Ellora's Cave is putting out several themed works in the coming months.
Ball and Chain:
Sexy romance stories for married characters.
- 18K - 70K words
- Deadline: September 15, 2012
On the Hunt:
Romance stories about bounty hunters.
- 18K - 70K words
- Deadline: November 30, 2012
Check out the link above for other open calls without deadline attached, including a call for multicultural romances, and their new line...for men.
No Boundaries Press has some holiday themed calls for anthologies (including a Christmas short story which I tried to do, but failed. Will have to extend it to a novel for it to work...drat):
12 Days of Christmas:
Pick any of the 12 days of Christmas and theme a sweet to spicy romance around it.
- 2K - 5K words
- Deadline: September 15, 2012
St. Patrick's Day
Show them your Irish
- 2K - 5K words
- Deadline: December 10, 2012
Primal Lust
May / December romances where the woman is the older character
- 2K - 5K words
- Deadline: February 1, 2013
Click on the link above for more details.
Resplendence Publishing is looking for several novella-length stories for their signature lines.
Shivers involves paranormal pursuits.
Handcuffs and Lace are law enforcement romances.
Wicked is a modern day twist on old fairy tales and folklore.
There are no deadlines on these, but each have specific requirements. Click on the link for more info.
I think that's enough for now. There are plenty more, though, so I'll post again about this next week.
August 29, 2012
Review - N.P, Banana Yoshimoto
N.P. by Banana YoshimotoMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
I read two short stories by Banana a few years ago, Hard Boiled and Hard Luck, and I was entranced by the simplicity and purity of her writing. That simplicity and purity was all but lost in her novel N.P., a far cry from her earlier writings (including Kitchen). Four characters swept up in a mystery that's not very compelling, she uses their dialogues to push the story forward and describe certain scenes. But that dialogue is unrealistic at best, and muddled and confusing, to be completely honest.
The book is set in Japan, and I couldn't tell you what the city looked like. I couldn't tell you anything other than the names of the main characters, and a brief synopsis of their "inner character" none of which made sense and all of which were shamelessly romanticized.
In my opinion, a 15-year-old could have written this book. But maybe it was the translation.
View all my reviews
August 24, 2012
Feature Follow Friday - 8
Time for Feature Follow Friday at Parajunkee's and Alison can read!
The question this week, is what is the worst book cover for a book you love.
I would have to say that I dislike any book cover that's been redone so that the cover reflects the movie made of the book. I much prefer original covers. As far as specifics go, I really don't have one that I can think of.
RULES:
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}(Required) Follow our Featured BloggersPut your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followersIf you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!Here's your linky list!
The question this week, is what is the worst book cover for a book you love.
I would have to say that I dislike any book cover that's been redone so that the cover reflects the movie made of the book. I much prefer original covers. As far as specifics go, I really don't have one that I can think of.
RULES:
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}(Required) Follow our Featured BloggersPut your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followedFollow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followersIf you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!Here's your linky list!
August 23, 2012
Cover Reveal - Body Combat!
My next book, Body Combat, will be coming out on September 12th, 2012. And I've just gotten the cover!
I kind of love it, to be honest. Sure, the guy looks a bit like he photobombed the heroine's photoshoot, and I'm not sure why someone would wear purple eyeshadow to the gym, but I even love both of those things. I have the best cover artists. Here's the blurb: "Charles Whitaker is taking his fall from grace hard. Once the top architect in San Diego, his business partner stole his clients and ran off with all his earnings. When the money left, so did his wife. To help Charles' re-focus his energy on the future, he's taken a Body Combat course. Only he can't focus on anything but the beautiful instructor, Sammy Logan.
Sammy doesn't date clients. Even if she did, she's sure they'd run in the opposite direction as soon as they found out that she spends all her time protecting her mother from her drunken father. Still, the well-built man in the third row catches her eye and won't let her go without a fight. When her father crashes his car, Sammy has nowhere to turn and runs smack dab into Charles Whitaker.
Together they try to mend a 25-year family rift, caused by greed and stubbornness, by proving that love is more powerful than money.
But is it?" Very exciting!
I kind of love it, to be honest. Sure, the guy looks a bit like he photobombed the heroine's photoshoot, and I'm not sure why someone would wear purple eyeshadow to the gym, but I even love both of those things. I have the best cover artists. Here's the blurb: "Charles Whitaker is taking his fall from grace hard. Once the top architect in San Diego, his business partner stole his clients and ran off with all his earnings. When the money left, so did his wife. To help Charles' re-focus his energy on the future, he's taken a Body Combat course. Only he can't focus on anything but the beautiful instructor, Sammy Logan.Sammy doesn't date clients. Even if she did, she's sure they'd run in the opposite direction as soon as they found out that she spends all her time protecting her mother from her drunken father. Still, the well-built man in the third row catches her eye and won't let her go without a fight. When her father crashes his car, Sammy has nowhere to turn and runs smack dab into Charles Whitaker.
Together they try to mend a 25-year family rift, caused by greed and stubbornness, by proving that love is more powerful than money.
But is it?" Very exciting!
August 15, 2012
How and Where to Submit your Work
If you are submitting your work to publishers, it pays to research the house to see if they have a section that is relevant to you. Here are some examples of themed open calls for authors to check out. There are no deadlines on these. Next week, I'll post the open calls with deadlines.
Harlequin: Harlequin has started up a few new section that will launch this year, and a few older ones with an entirely different staff that you should be pitching.
Harlequin Digital First is looking for manuscripts and series to publish in ebook form. Anything over 10K words
Harlequin KISS: a contemporary, modern romance theme.
"KISS is sharply contemporary, glossy and chic, attracting readers who enjoy a short hit of romantic excitement with a thoroughly modern twist! Smart and stylish, sweet or sexy, these stories offer fun, flirty reads featuring smart, sassy heroines, equally matched by 21st century alpha heroes!"50K words. Will launch Feb. 2013 in the States.
Harlequin Heartwarming: tender, emotional romances in the style of Sleepless in Seattle.
"Wholesome contemporary romances that celebrate traditional values, strong communities, family connections and true love."
70K-75K words. Will launch July 2013 in the States.
Kimani Press: fiction featuring African American heroes and heroines.
80K-85K words.
Harlequin Historical Undone: a short and snappy historical series.
10K-15K words.
Harlequin Nocturne: short paranormals.
10K-25K words.
Passion in Print: PIP is looking for the themed short stories right now.
The works must be:
10K-15K words in length.
Scorching heat factor (ie: EROTIC)
m/f or menage (m/f/m, f/m/f)
They also must follow regular submission guidelines.
The categories are as follows:
- Cupid's Arrow (Valentines Day Themed, must be menage)
- Summer Heat
- Cowboy Style
- European Vacation (Must involve a shifter)
- Fusion Series (Interracial)
- Spells of the Heart (Witches, wizards, etc.)
- Beyond the Horizon (sci-fi)
- Titillating Treat (Halloween)
- Holiday Spice (Christmas)
There are no submission date requirements on the website. Click here for more information.
ABOUT: PIP is the hetero offshoot publisher of MLR (Manlove Romance), owned by Laura Baumbach. It appears they've been in business since 2010 and have about 20 regular authors.
(I will post next week about open calls, which publishers put out when they are looking to fill an anthology or short series of works on a theme.)
Harlequin: Harlequin has started up a few new section that will launch this year, and a few older ones with an entirely different staff that you should be pitching.
Harlequin Digital First is looking for manuscripts and series to publish in ebook form. Anything over 10K words
Harlequin KISS: a contemporary, modern romance theme.
"KISS is sharply contemporary, glossy and chic, attracting readers who enjoy a short hit of romantic excitement with a thoroughly modern twist! Smart and stylish, sweet or sexy, these stories offer fun, flirty reads featuring smart, sassy heroines, equally matched by 21st century alpha heroes!"50K words. Will launch Feb. 2013 in the States.
Harlequin Heartwarming: tender, emotional romances in the style of Sleepless in Seattle.
"Wholesome contemporary romances that celebrate traditional values, strong communities, family connections and true love."
70K-75K words. Will launch July 2013 in the States.
Kimani Press: fiction featuring African American heroes and heroines.
80K-85K words.
Harlequin Historical Undone: a short and snappy historical series.
10K-15K words.
Harlequin Nocturne: short paranormals.
10K-25K words.
Passion in Print: PIP is looking for the themed short stories right now.
The works must be:
10K-15K words in length.
Scorching heat factor (ie: EROTIC)
m/f or menage (m/f/m, f/m/f)
They also must follow regular submission guidelines.
The categories are as follows:
- Cupid's Arrow (Valentines Day Themed, must be menage)
- Summer Heat
- Cowboy Style
- European Vacation (Must involve a shifter)
- Fusion Series (Interracial)
- Spells of the Heart (Witches, wizards, etc.)
- Beyond the Horizon (sci-fi)
- Titillating Treat (Halloween)
- Holiday Spice (Christmas)
There are no submission date requirements on the website. Click here for more information.
ABOUT: PIP is the hetero offshoot publisher of MLR (Manlove Romance), owned by Laura Baumbach. It appears they've been in business since 2010 and have about 20 regular authors.
(I will post next week about open calls, which publishers put out when they are looking to fill an anthology or short series of works on a theme.)
August 10, 2012
Feature Follow Friday - 7
A little late to the book blog hop this week, but hopefully there are still some people hanging around over there!
The question this week is what would you do over if you could start your blog from scratch. Since my blog is still a baby in my eyes, I don't really know. I'd like to put more resources up here for writers, and more book reviews...basically be more active. I write a daily parenting blog and that takes a lot out of me. Aside from actually parenting and actually writing books, I just don't have much left over. I'll have to work on that. Here's the linky list...Sign up!
The question this week is what would you do over if you could start your blog from scratch. Since my blog is still a baby in my eyes, I don't really know. I'd like to put more resources up here for writers, and more book reviews...basically be more active. I write a daily parenting blog and that takes a lot out of me. Aside from actually parenting and actually writing books, I just don't have much left over. I'll have to work on that. Here's the linky list...Sign up!
What's in a (Character) Name?
In real life, you're pretty much stuck with the name you've been given, without choice. But when you write, you have the power to make your character's name fit them. To choose the wrong sounding name could turn readers away, so there is a bit of pressure when it comes to nomenclature.
The most important names belong to the hero and heroine, of course. What do you want to say about those characters?
When I wrote my first book, I named the hero Jake. No reason, really. It just seemed to fit the strong, silent outside, vulnerable inside that I was going for.
I was informed that Jake is the most popular hero name in romance right now. I don't know if that's true, but if it is, it makes sense.
Jacob is a very popular name in real life, reaching its peak probably just a few years ago. Writers are influenced by the world around them, so the name's occurence in their lives probably have a lot to do with it's popularity.
It's also a short, staccato name. Jake. It's strong. It's easy to say and recognize by sight. It doesn't necessarily show depth of character, but lengthen it to Jacob, and you have a brooding side to the name as well.
You'll see classic names for heroes that are perhaps a little bit older, and spunky names for heroes that are on the younger side. This shows both their conservative or liberal nature (but not necessarily) and also mirrors the time period in which they would have been born.
There are names that seem soft that can say a lot about a character as well. Miles, for instance, shows a brainier side of a hero. Lucas, Mark, Peter...these could all be more studious rather than adventurous, and when they do take a turn for the spicy side of life, it's all the more compelling, as it seems to go against their nature.
So far, I've chosen typical last names, those I hope will be memorable enough to last for longer than a page, but not so common that 20 pages of a phone book is dedicated to them. That seems to be a safe way to go.
However, a friend of mine, and successful writer, Tatiana March once named her main character Conrad Ungarreti.
Is that not amazing? Probably my favorite character name in recent history.
Heroines follow the same rules as heroes, for name choices. More historical, regal names show a conservative nature. Popular names from the 80s represent a slightly aging woman, perhaps shy and unsure (think Jen, Melanie, Jessica). Spunkier names or unisex names work well for badass characters.
But, again, if you choose right, a classic name can make the opposite characterization really pop. In a manuscript I just read, the head of an assassination association was named Jane.
Perfect.
Side characters can be a lot of fun because their ages range from toddlers to seniors, and you can name according to time period. You can also give out more comical, less likely names, like Burt (for example). Others I've written are Warren, LJ, Kenny, Henry, Mitch...can you guess which are good guys and which are bad? Which are old or young? Probably. That's part of the fun, though.
Most importantly, when you choose a name, you can make the character fit it. But don't. If the name you chose in the beginning always seems to ring a bit off when you read through, change it. Click Find and Replace All. It's easy and you'll thank yourself.
And so many times, there shouldn't even be a difference. I'm working on a novel right now where the main character is Steve. I renamed him Frank five years ago. I have no idea why. As Frank, the character just doesn't make sense to me. When I go back to work on it (eventually...this is one of those shelfers) he'll go back to Steve. Because that's his name.
What character names are you in love with, and why?
The most important names belong to the hero and heroine, of course. What do you want to say about those characters?
When I wrote my first book, I named the hero Jake. No reason, really. It just seemed to fit the strong, silent outside, vulnerable inside that I was going for.
I was informed that Jake is the most popular hero name in romance right now. I don't know if that's true, but if it is, it makes sense.
Jacob is a very popular name in real life, reaching its peak probably just a few years ago. Writers are influenced by the world around them, so the name's occurence in their lives probably have a lot to do with it's popularity.
It's also a short, staccato name. Jake. It's strong. It's easy to say and recognize by sight. It doesn't necessarily show depth of character, but lengthen it to Jacob, and you have a brooding side to the name as well.
You'll see classic names for heroes that are perhaps a little bit older, and spunky names for heroes that are on the younger side. This shows both their conservative or liberal nature (but not necessarily) and also mirrors the time period in which they would have been born.
There are names that seem soft that can say a lot about a character as well. Miles, for instance, shows a brainier side of a hero. Lucas, Mark, Peter...these could all be more studious rather than adventurous, and when they do take a turn for the spicy side of life, it's all the more compelling, as it seems to go against their nature.
So far, I've chosen typical last names, those I hope will be memorable enough to last for longer than a page, but not so common that 20 pages of a phone book is dedicated to them. That seems to be a safe way to go.
However, a friend of mine, and successful writer, Tatiana March once named her main character Conrad Ungarreti.
Is that not amazing? Probably my favorite character name in recent history.
Heroines follow the same rules as heroes, for name choices. More historical, regal names show a conservative nature. Popular names from the 80s represent a slightly aging woman, perhaps shy and unsure (think Jen, Melanie, Jessica). Spunkier names or unisex names work well for badass characters.
But, again, if you choose right, a classic name can make the opposite characterization really pop. In a manuscript I just read, the head of an assassination association was named Jane.
Perfect.
Side characters can be a lot of fun because their ages range from toddlers to seniors, and you can name according to time period. You can also give out more comical, less likely names, like Burt (for example). Others I've written are Warren, LJ, Kenny, Henry, Mitch...can you guess which are good guys and which are bad? Which are old or young? Probably. That's part of the fun, though.
Most importantly, when you choose a name, you can make the character fit it. But don't. If the name you chose in the beginning always seems to ring a bit off when you read through, change it. Click Find and Replace All. It's easy and you'll thank yourself.
And so many times, there shouldn't even be a difference. I'm working on a novel right now where the main character is Steve. I renamed him Frank five years ago. I have no idea why. As Frank, the character just doesn't make sense to me. When I go back to work on it (eventually...this is one of those shelfers) he'll go back to Steve. Because that's his name.
What character names are you in love with, and why?
August 3, 2012
Author Interview and Giveaway!
Today I am over at Book Lovin' Mamas, answering questions and giving away a copy of Hit and Stay.
Go enter to win!
