Maggie Nash's Blog, page 14
December 30, 2011
A new year - a new beginning...
I'm sitting here on my balcony of my new apartment, watching the waves beat on the shore in the distance and thinking about how 2012 is already shaping up to being a fantastic year.
For those of you who don't know - 2011 was not the best of years for me. I won't dwell on it, but suffice to say layoffs (dh), surgery (mine and one of my sons), job insecurity(mine with the boss from hell), selling the family home of 17 years, resettling the boys, resettling in a new city, finding new jobs etc all played a part in the "Annus horribilus". But that is all behind me now!
In 2012 I have a new life and I plan to enjoy it! I'm not going to make resolutions or goals that I can't achieve...I plan on keeping it all very simple...
1. Relax (and how can I not in this beautiful place?)
2. Walk every day (of course it helps that at the end of the walks are cafes so I can indulge in my passion for a good cappuccino :-))
3. Write every day - and finish all those half finished projects I have going! Blog more...host more bloggers...anything writing related :-)
So expect to see more of me in 2012 folks. I don't want to jinx myself by listing all of the things I want to get done because quite frankly I reckon that's a sure fire way of setting myself up to fail. So I'm just keeping it simple...
So what are your plans for 2012?
For those of you who don't know - 2011 was not the best of years for me. I won't dwell on it, but suffice to say layoffs (dh), surgery (mine and one of my sons), job insecurity(mine with the boss from hell), selling the family home of 17 years, resettling the boys, resettling in a new city, finding new jobs etc all played a part in the "Annus horribilus". But that is all behind me now!
In 2012 I have a new life and I plan to enjoy it! I'm not going to make resolutions or goals that I can't achieve...I plan on keeping it all very simple...
1. Relax (and how can I not in this beautiful place?)
2. Walk every day (of course it helps that at the end of the walks are cafes so I can indulge in my passion for a good cappuccino :-))
3. Write every day - and finish all those half finished projects I have going! Blog more...host more bloggers...anything writing related :-)
So expect to see more of me in 2012 folks. I don't want to jinx myself by listing all of the things I want to get done because quite frankly I reckon that's a sure fire way of setting myself up to fail. So I'm just keeping it simple...
So what are your plans for 2012?
December 18, 2011
MONDAY MAGIC- Mina Dorian
Good morning everyone! It's time to welcome my last guest for MONDAY MAGIC for 2011 - my fellow TEB author and all round wonderful Mina Dorian! I have to say, I've read the SUBSPACE anthology, and Mina's story ACCIDENTAL SUB and I'm still fanning myself now! What's not to love? BSDM, hot Doms! Love it!
Take it away Mina!
***
A hunk from the past
First of all, many thanks Maggie, for letting me hijack your blog today and happy holidays to you all!
Christmas time always reminds me of my gran. She passed away just before Christmas ten years ago. While it still makes me sad to think that she is no longer with me I also have wonderful memories of her, which make me smile every time I think of her.
My gran was the coolest grandmother in the world (okay, I admit I'm biased, but I swear it's true!) and a wonderful storyteller. I used to hang on her every word when she told me her memories. We used to sit in her workshop – she was an artist – and she would draw or paint and talk at the same time. She always wore men's pants and shirts, sleeves rolled up to her elbows to give her room to work, her beautiful, thick gray hair held back with a colorful bandana. There were usually paint smudges on her clothes and her face, but somehow she still managed to look like a true lady. I guess it was her bearing more than anything else. She was petite, with dark hair and brown eyes and an easy grace that came natural to the women of her generation. She used to say with pride that there was gypsy blood somewhere in her ancestry and I'm inclined to believe her.
Judging from her stories, she must have been quite a hottie in her time – and I suspect I only ever got the edited version of her memories. She used to tell me of her travels all over Europe and the people she met. She spoke French and German fluently and had a smattering of Italian and Polish. One of her best friends was a Polish writer and she had some drawings of him in her workshop. They were mostly pencil sketches of him working at a typewriter, a cigarette in the corner of his mouth. He was handsome, with dark, slightly ruffled hair and a wide, generous mouth. I remember that, as a romantically inclined teenager, I used to wish I would one day meet a man like him – tall, handsome and broodingly intellectual (come to think of it – that still is my type…).
Of course, as a teenager I never got to see the best picture of the lot. Gran must have kept it hidden from my innocent eyes, and I only discovered it by accident, many years later, when I was helping her sort through some older works she wanted to sell. It was an unfinished oil painting – some of the background was missing – but it was still gorgeous. I instantly recognized the Polish writer from the sketches. In this painting, he was naked, leaning back against the railing of what looked like a French window, his head thrown back with the sunlight full on his face. He was also sporting the most impressive erection I have ever seen outside of porn. When I finally managed to look away from him and over at my octogenarian grandmother, the smile playing around her lips said it all.
So, now you see why I think my gran was the coolest grandmother in the world. She always told me that a woman should live her dreams and that is basically what I'm doing at the moment: I am living the dream of seeing my stories published. My only regret is that my gran didn't live long enough to see me achieve my dream. I'm pretty sure she would have enjoyed reading my stories just as much as I enjoyed hearing hers.
To give you an impression of what kind of story I'm talking about, here's an excerpt from my most recent novella The Accidental Sub. It's available from Total-E-Bound in the Subspace Anthology – with a host of other hot stories – and it will come out as a stand-alone novella on 2 January. Here you go:
One minute to go. She checked her makeup in her pocket mirror, then had to readjust her top again. Thirty seconds. She peeked out through the glass doors but couldn't see much of the street. At eight o'clock sharp a black Saab convertible pulled to the kerb, just as she stepped out of the building. The roof was closed so she couldn't see the driver but the passenger door was opened for her from the inside and she didn't hesitate to get into the car.
He looked even more handsome than she remembered, in black jeans and a tight black T-shirt that fitted his broad, muscular upper body to perfection. His short brown hair was combed back, and a pair of black Ray Bans dangled from the neckline of his T-shirt. He was definitely gorgeous enough to eat, and Catherine had a strong compulsion to lick his body from head to toe.
He said, "Good evening, Catherine." His deep voice went straight to her G-spot and her knees went weak.
She risked another brief glance at him and whispered a shy 'Hello', before turning to fasten her seatbelt. Suppressing the insane urge to throw herself at his feet and beg him to take her right here in the car, she meekly folded her hands in her lap and stared at the floor. He started the engine and pulled away from the kerb. Catherine didn't dare ask him where they were going. She felt completely at his mercy, and a delightful shiver of anticipation ran through her body.
"Put your hands behind your back," he ordered as they stopped at a traffic light. A feeling of calm spread slowly through Catherine's whole body. It was such a relief to cede responsibility to him. She wriggled forward in the seat and clasped her wrists behind the small of her back. No longer self-conscious about how she looked, she attuned herself to his wishes, anticipating the pleasure of his touch.
He took one hand off the wheel and reached over to pull her cowl neck down below her waist and expose both breasts. He gave an appreciative 'Hmm' when her nipples hardened in the cool evening air. He slipped his hand between her legs, nudging her thighs apart as far as they would go in the short skirt. "I like the outfit," he commented and slipped one long finger into her, then ran it through her folds to spread the moisture. "Hmm," he rumbled again. His hand slipped lower and his probing fingers found the butt plug. "Very nice."
He tapped the end lightly, sending shivers of dark delight up Catherine's spine. She imagined him taking her from behind, fucking first her pussy and then her arsehole. The vivid mental images made her so wet she was sure she would leave a puddle on the seat.
The light turned green and he took his hand away abruptly to put it back on the steering wheel. Catherine felt strangely bereft without his touch. She clenched her mouth shut around a tiny whimper of frustration.
Want more? Get your copy of Subspace from Total-E-Bound. Did I mention it's totally worth it, because it's an anthology filled with hot stories? Here's the buy link: BUY SUBSPACE HERE
The Accidental Sub is now also available for pre-order: HERE
Mina Dorian's Blog A DARK KIND OF DESIRE can be found here: http://minadorian.blogspot.com/
Or join me for more weird ramblings when I'm Hitting the Hot Spot on the 19th of each month at: http://totalebound.blogspot.com/
Take it away Mina!
***
A hunk from the past
First of all, many thanks Maggie, for letting me hijack your blog today and happy holidays to you all!
Christmas time always reminds me of my gran. She passed away just before Christmas ten years ago. While it still makes me sad to think that she is no longer with me I also have wonderful memories of her, which make me smile every time I think of her.
My gran was the coolest grandmother in the world (okay, I admit I'm biased, but I swear it's true!) and a wonderful storyteller. I used to hang on her every word when she told me her memories. We used to sit in her workshop – she was an artist – and she would draw or paint and talk at the same time. She always wore men's pants and shirts, sleeves rolled up to her elbows to give her room to work, her beautiful, thick gray hair held back with a colorful bandana. There were usually paint smudges on her clothes and her face, but somehow she still managed to look like a true lady. I guess it was her bearing more than anything else. She was petite, with dark hair and brown eyes and an easy grace that came natural to the women of her generation. She used to say with pride that there was gypsy blood somewhere in her ancestry and I'm inclined to believe her.
Judging from her stories, she must have been quite a hottie in her time – and I suspect I only ever got the edited version of her memories. She used to tell me of her travels all over Europe and the people she met. She spoke French and German fluently and had a smattering of Italian and Polish. One of her best friends was a Polish writer and she had some drawings of him in her workshop. They were mostly pencil sketches of him working at a typewriter, a cigarette in the corner of his mouth. He was handsome, with dark, slightly ruffled hair and a wide, generous mouth. I remember that, as a romantically inclined teenager, I used to wish I would one day meet a man like him – tall, handsome and broodingly intellectual (come to think of it – that still is my type…).
Of course, as a teenager I never got to see the best picture of the lot. Gran must have kept it hidden from my innocent eyes, and I only discovered it by accident, many years later, when I was helping her sort through some older works she wanted to sell. It was an unfinished oil painting – some of the background was missing – but it was still gorgeous. I instantly recognized the Polish writer from the sketches. In this painting, he was naked, leaning back against the railing of what looked like a French window, his head thrown back with the sunlight full on his face. He was also sporting the most impressive erection I have ever seen outside of porn. When I finally managed to look away from him and over at my octogenarian grandmother, the smile playing around her lips said it all.
So, now you see why I think my gran was the coolest grandmother in the world. She always told me that a woman should live her dreams and that is basically what I'm doing at the moment: I am living the dream of seeing my stories published. My only regret is that my gran didn't live long enough to see me achieve my dream. I'm pretty sure she would have enjoyed reading my stories just as much as I enjoyed hearing hers.
To give you an impression of what kind of story I'm talking about, here's an excerpt from my most recent novella The Accidental Sub. It's available from Total-E-Bound in the Subspace Anthology – with a host of other hot stories – and it will come out as a stand-alone novella on 2 January. Here you go:
One minute to go. She checked her makeup in her pocket mirror, then had to readjust her top again. Thirty seconds. She peeked out through the glass doors but couldn't see much of the street. At eight o'clock sharp a black Saab convertible pulled to the kerb, just as she stepped out of the building. The roof was closed so she couldn't see the driver but the passenger door was opened for her from the inside and she didn't hesitate to get into the car. He looked even more handsome than she remembered, in black jeans and a tight black T-shirt that fitted his broad, muscular upper body to perfection. His short brown hair was combed back, and a pair of black Ray Bans dangled from the neckline of his T-shirt. He was definitely gorgeous enough to eat, and Catherine had a strong compulsion to lick his body from head to toe.
He said, "Good evening, Catherine." His deep voice went straight to her G-spot and her knees went weak.
She risked another brief glance at him and whispered a shy 'Hello', before turning to fasten her seatbelt. Suppressing the insane urge to throw herself at his feet and beg him to take her right here in the car, she meekly folded her hands in her lap and stared at the floor. He started the engine and pulled away from the kerb. Catherine didn't dare ask him where they were going. She felt completely at his mercy, and a delightful shiver of anticipation ran through her body.
"Put your hands behind your back," he ordered as they stopped at a traffic light. A feeling of calm spread slowly through Catherine's whole body. It was such a relief to cede responsibility to him. She wriggled forward in the seat and clasped her wrists behind the small of her back. No longer self-conscious about how she looked, she attuned herself to his wishes, anticipating the pleasure of his touch.
He took one hand off the wheel and reached over to pull her cowl neck down below her waist and expose both breasts. He gave an appreciative 'Hmm' when her nipples hardened in the cool evening air. He slipped his hand between her legs, nudging her thighs apart as far as they would go in the short skirt. "I like the outfit," he commented and slipped one long finger into her, then ran it through her folds to spread the moisture. "Hmm," he rumbled again. His hand slipped lower and his probing fingers found the butt plug. "Very nice."
He tapped the end lightly, sending shivers of dark delight up Catherine's spine. She imagined him taking her from behind, fucking first her pussy and then her arsehole. The vivid mental images made her so wet she was sure she would leave a puddle on the seat.
The light turned green and he took his hand away abruptly to put it back on the steering wheel. Catherine felt strangely bereft without his touch. She clenched her mouth shut around a tiny whimper of frustration.
Want more? Get your copy of Subspace from Total-E-Bound. Did I mention it's totally worth it, because it's an anthology filled with hot stories? Here's the buy link: BUY SUBSPACE HERE
The Accidental Sub is now also available for pre-order: HERE
Mina Dorian's Blog A DARK KIND OF DESIRE can be found here: http://minadorian.blogspot.com/
Or join me for more weird ramblings when I'm Hitting the Hot Spot on the 19th of each month at: http://totalebound.blogspot.com/
December 11, 2011
MONDAY MAGIC - Ozzy Wolf
Some time ago I met this wonderful person on Facebook. He loves to read and is incredibly supportive of romance fiction. At the time I was looking for special guests for my blog and Ozzy replied. How can I resist such a charming German! He also has a fabulous blog that you must check out! (You can translate the page clicking on the Google translator that pops up at the top of the page :-)
So please welcome my very special guest today for MONDAY MAGIC - Ozzy Wolf!
****
Dear Maggie,
First of all, I would like to thank you for your invitation to write an article for your blog. An article about me and my readings. I also want to thank you for what you said about my own blog. Your words went deep into my heart. I want to tell you the same about your site, which I love too, and which I always like to visit. I'm very happy to be here! ♥
I want to follow your suggestion and I will try to tell you and your lovely readers a little bit more about me, my readings, the reasons and about my blog. Finally, I want to introduce a few German authors of sensual stories. Authors, whose stories I love to read.
Who am I? Who is this Ozzy?
I'm living alone, ... But that's an other topic. :) I'm 38 years young and my star sign is the cancer. I think those are the main reasons that I ever read so much, whenever my time permits. It is also the reason that I read these books and I especially enjoy reading the erotic genre. Currently I read it somehow really gladly, and I don't like to miss it. In addition, I love romantic and fantasy books. I am a day dreamer, a night dreamer, an optimist. I am always curious and open to new ideas. And, I love dragons and wolves.
But, back to the erotic novels,… As a cancer I'm very sensitive, very emotional, I love the romance and the love. Even the love itself is something that I miss very much currently in my real life. The intimate proximity. The confidence we are giving each other then. The togetherness. Knowledge and safeness of one's own partner, and his love. And so on. And so on.
I know some wonderful German authors. I can recommend them all to you by my whole heart. I loved and I love reading their books. I read them, because they give me what my yearning heart desires so much. Whether, short or long stories, or whole novels. Reading their books, I am moved to tears again and again, I find it hard to breathe, I lift off, fly away and start to rave about the destinys, losing me in the stories, and so on. In short, I become then very sentimental. Easily, I love their stories. These are full and wonderful stories of someone, I grow fond of them, without exception. Someone, who I begin to miss at the end of each story.
I think you can see, the genre gives me all the things, which are close to my longing heart. I hope one day to be able to give someone what I get reading my favorite books. Emotion and devotion. Also my blog is an expression of what I have to give, and what I want to give all my lovely readers. In love.
Finally, I am a computer specialist, and I work at the IT department of a research institute as a script- and a web developer and as a content manager. I love to meet new people from all over the world, and to make friendships. My friends mean everything to me and my blog is my loveliest hobby, which comes from my whole heart. It is my form to say 'Thank you' to all writers in the world and to give my love to all of its readers.
Authors and my recommendations
Now I wanted to try to describe to you two passages from a book I've read a few months ago. A book titled
Der Freibeuter und die Piratenlady
written by Inka Loreen Minden. A book that is still affecting me in memory, even today. But, I lack the right words to describe it to you the same way I did in my German review. So, allow me to give you the link to my review, and to hope, Google's Translator will do all at its best.
Every time I read my own review I'm moving to tears. Simply, I love this story.
Click HERE to read my review
By the way, I invite you, Maggie, and all of your readers to visit my blog. I'm looking forward to see all of you also there! ♥
There are too many. There are simply to many authors I love to read. Also authors I daily discover new to me. Authors I love, deep in my hungry and feeling heart. I seriously can you name them all in my post. I would also not like to miss to mention any of them. But there are a few authors from the recent past, whose books have rekindled the desire in me. Authors whose books are just the hammer, and belong in every shelf, in my eyes. Authors to whom I wish with all my heart success and that their books were translated into other languages, so all lovely and hungry readers from all over the world will be able to discover their erotic, emotional and fantastic worlds together with me. I'm very pleased to be a friend of some of these wonderful authors. Womens and girls, who I never will miss again! ♥ Most of their books I read are not only erotic novels. I love the love and the emotions some books arouse in my heart and in my mind. ♥ Five of these wonderful authors are …Inka Loreen Minden (aka Lucy Palmer), Aveleen Avide, Sandra Henke, Lara Sailor and Natalie Frank
I love them all, and also all the others, who are not mentioned here! ♥
They all write wonderful short stories or whole erotic novels. Most of them repeatedly contain fantasy elements, very much heart, love and emotion, a lot of new ideas and surprises. Stories that change the reader himself and never release him again. Unforgettable Stories, which finally I love to read and to think of. Stories, which touch the readers heart. Stories, which give to me all the things my heart needs and desires.
I bow in gratitude and thankful to all of you, writers all over the world and my lovely friends!
Because I also love to read fantasy books, I love all the trilogies of Licia Troisi, too. She is an Italian writer, and she writes wonderful young adult fantasy about young girls in a world of dragons. Love them all.
Thank you very much, Maggie! ♥
Wish you and all of your readers only the best!
Have you all a wonderful and sensual Christmas and a Happy New Year!
In love, your Ozzy
***
Thanks so much for being my special guest today Ozzy! It's wonderful to see a man who is not afraid to express his emotions. I loved reading about your favourite German authors too. They are all new to me, but I will watch out for English versions of their books. My German is not that great LOL.
So please welcome my very special guest today for MONDAY MAGIC - Ozzy Wolf!
****
Dear Maggie,
First of all, I would like to thank you for your invitation to write an article for your blog. An article about me and my readings. I also want to thank you for what you said about my own blog. Your words went deep into my heart. I want to tell you the same about your site, which I love too, and which I always like to visit. I'm very happy to be here! ♥
I want to follow your suggestion and I will try to tell you and your lovely readers a little bit more about me, my readings, the reasons and about my blog. Finally, I want to introduce a few German authors of sensual stories. Authors, whose stories I love to read.
Who am I? Who is this Ozzy?
I'm living alone, ... But that's an other topic. :) I'm 38 years young and my star sign is the cancer. I think those are the main reasons that I ever read so much, whenever my time permits. It is also the reason that I read these books and I especially enjoy reading the erotic genre. Currently I read it somehow really gladly, and I don't like to miss it. In addition, I love romantic and fantasy books. I am a day dreamer, a night dreamer, an optimist. I am always curious and open to new ideas. And, I love dragons and wolves.
But, back to the erotic novels,… As a cancer I'm very sensitive, very emotional, I love the romance and the love. Even the love itself is something that I miss very much currently in my real life. The intimate proximity. The confidence we are giving each other then. The togetherness. Knowledge and safeness of one's own partner, and his love. And so on. And so on.
I know some wonderful German authors. I can recommend them all to you by my whole heart. I loved and I love reading their books. I read them, because they give me what my yearning heart desires so much. Whether, short or long stories, or whole novels. Reading their books, I am moved to tears again and again, I find it hard to breathe, I lift off, fly away and start to rave about the destinys, losing me in the stories, and so on. In short, I become then very sentimental. Easily, I love their stories. These are full and wonderful stories of someone, I grow fond of them, without exception. Someone, who I begin to miss at the end of each story.
I think you can see, the genre gives me all the things, which are close to my longing heart. I hope one day to be able to give someone what I get reading my favorite books. Emotion and devotion. Also my blog is an expression of what I have to give, and what I want to give all my lovely readers. In love.
Finally, I am a computer specialist, and I work at the IT department of a research institute as a script- and a web developer and as a content manager. I love to meet new people from all over the world, and to make friendships. My friends mean everything to me and my blog is my loveliest hobby, which comes from my whole heart. It is my form to say 'Thank you' to all writers in the world and to give my love to all of its readers.
Authors and my recommendations
Now I wanted to try to describe to you two passages from a book I've read a few months ago. A book titled
Der Freibeuter und die Piratenlady
written by Inka Loreen Minden. A book that is still affecting me in memory, even today. But, I lack the right words to describe it to you the same way I did in my German review. So, allow me to give you the link to my review, and to hope, Google's Translator will do all at its best.Every time I read my own review I'm moving to tears. Simply, I love this story.
Click HERE to read my review
By the way, I invite you, Maggie, and all of your readers to visit my blog. I'm looking forward to see all of you also there! ♥
There are too many. There are simply to many authors I love to read. Also authors I daily discover new to me. Authors I love, deep in my hungry and feeling heart. I seriously can you name them all in my post. I would also not like to miss to mention any of them. But there are a few authors from the recent past, whose books have rekindled the desire in me. Authors whose books are just the hammer, and belong in every shelf, in my eyes. Authors to whom I wish with all my heart success and that their books were translated into other languages, so all lovely and hungry readers from all over the world will be able to discover their erotic, emotional and fantastic worlds together with me. I'm very pleased to be a friend of some of these wonderful authors. Womens and girls, who I never will miss again! ♥ Most of their books I read are not only erotic novels. I love the love and the emotions some books arouse in my heart and in my mind. ♥ Five of these wonderful authors are …Inka Loreen Minden (aka Lucy Palmer), Aveleen Avide, Sandra Henke, Lara Sailor and Natalie Frank I love them all, and also all the others, who are not mentioned here! ♥
They all write wonderful short stories or whole erotic novels. Most of them repeatedly contain fantasy elements, very much heart, love and emotion, a lot of new ideas and surprises. Stories that change the reader himself and never release him again. Unforgettable Stories, which finally I love to read and to think of. Stories, which touch the readers heart. Stories, which give to me all the things my heart needs and desires.I bow in gratitude and thankful to all of you, writers all over the world and my lovely friends!
Because I also love to read fantasy books, I love all the trilogies of Licia Troisi, too. She is an Italian writer, and she writes wonderful young adult fantasy about young girls in a world of dragons. Love them all.Thank you very much, Maggie! ♥
Wish you and all of your readers only the best!
Have you all a wonderful and sensual Christmas and a Happy New Year!
In love, your Ozzy
***
Thanks so much for being my special guest today Ozzy! It's wonderful to see a man who is not afraid to express his emotions. I loved reading about your favourite German authors too. They are all new to me, but I will watch out for English versions of their books. My German is not that great LOL.
December 10, 2011
Too good NOT to share: Is reading a romance novel a revolutionary act?
This is going viral across the world...so I thought I would help the infection along a little...
Makes you think huh?
December 7, 2011
Win a Kindle!
Click on the picture to enter the Yuletide Yearnings competition! You could win a Kindle eReader from Total-e-bound!
December 4, 2011
MONDAY MAGIC - Vonnie Hughes
Please welcome to Monday Magic fellow RWAustralia member, and Regency and Suspense author Vonnie Hughes!
***
VOICE
As writers, we constantly hear about 'voice.' Your voice is the way you say things on paper, what you say, the way you present things to the reader. It is you, your persona that shines through the words. Many readers can tell who the author of a book is by the way the book reads e.g. J.D. Robb's Eve responds to adversity in quite a different way from, say, a Gayle Wilson heroine. Whereas Eve punches her way through problems, solving them by putting herself in the perpetrator's shoes, Gayle Wilson's Susan (from Wednesday's Child) or Sarah (from Victim) are more covertly intellectual. They have waited and agonized and wondered and eventually, when a clue is discovered, not necessarily by themselves, take action. Eve is more likely to discover the clues herself and roar into action.
There are as many different ways to say something as there are writers, and as many ways to interpret the words as there are readers. Remember that favorite saying of editors: You can take the same story, give it to ten writers, and get back ten totally different stories? The education and socio-economic background of a writer influences the way they pose a question or solve a problem. The geographical background of an author influences a writer mightily e.g. the voice of a writer from the Bronx who never made it to college, or even one who managed to get to college later on in life, will write very differently from an author with a double degree from Harvard.
And that is why a writer need never be afraid of someone stealing his/her ideas. Every person perceives a scene or a person or an event in different ways, and those different ways are what make for the uniqueness of your voice. We could all write Little Red Riding Hood at least thirty different ways, and if you multiplied that by authors willing to try the exercise, you'd have hundreds of different versions.
The voice is what appeals to particular readers. It is why people say, "Oh, I couldn't stand her. She waffles on and on about scenery until I lose track of the story" or "He gets so deep into forensics I don't understand it." On the other hand these same readers will enthuse "Loved it. Loved the whole series. Easy to understand but with just enough mystery to keep me interested." In other words: each to his own.
Occasionally a writer will try to change their voice to suit a particular publication. Sometimes it works; often it doesn't. You are not being true to yourself as a writer if you're struggling to dance to someone else's tune. A writer I admire who changes her settings greatly yet stays true to her voice is Jayne Ann Krentz. Futuristic, historical, contemporary, paranormal, whatever, you can tell a Jayne Ann Krentz (a.k.a. Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) novel because of her quirky characters and her voice. You can pick up any one of her books and say, "Oh, that's JAK." And that is the root of her success, because her readers can switch genres but still be satisfied. For example, I would never have begun reading paranormals if it wasn't that JAK was writing strongly in that genre. And I admired JAK's voice so much and the way it translated to just about anywhere, that I began reading first her paranormals, and then other people's.
The problem with trying to alter your voice to suit someone else is that every word must be agonized over, every phrase re-thought and it is very difficult not to become stilted. Trying to fit into a particular publisher's pigeon-hole can be draining, and in the end, pointless. There are publishers (paper and e-publishers) out there who WILL like your voice, so why bother with those who don't? Sure, breaking into publishing is harder than finding the philosopher's stone, but e-publishers are a lot more relaxed about people who write outside the square. They are open to cross-genre writers. Once you have found your niche, why not stick with it for a while before you expand? You can build up a fan base in that style and genre. Then you will feel confident enough to carry your voice over to a different genre i.e. you could move from cozies to romantic suspense or from adventure to sci-fi. Whatever you do, your voice will follow. It's part of you. Understand it. Respect it. Nurture it.
You can find Vonnie at the following places:
http://www.vonniehughes.com
http://vonniehughes.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/VonnieJHughes
Vonnie has a Regency short story in the free Christmas read from Musa Publishing. Click HERE to find it
Musa is releasing a Regency novel called THE SECOND SON on December 16. This is rather unusual because it is a prequel to a book which is already out in hardback (With Robert Hale) called COMING HOME.
COMING HOME is also being released on 31 January 2012 as an e-book.
on 13 January The Wild Rose Press are releasing Vonnie's Romantic Suspense LETHAL REFUGE.
It is set in New Zealand and is about the fledgling witness protection scheme there.
***
VOICE
As writers, we constantly hear about 'voice.' Your voice is the way you say things on paper, what you say, the way you present things to the reader. It is you, your persona that shines through the words. Many readers can tell who the author of a book is by the way the book reads e.g. J.D. Robb's Eve responds to adversity in quite a different way from, say, a Gayle Wilson heroine. Whereas Eve punches her way through problems, solving them by putting herself in the perpetrator's shoes, Gayle Wilson's Susan (from Wednesday's Child) or Sarah (from Victim) are more covertly intellectual. They have waited and agonized and wondered and eventually, when a clue is discovered, not necessarily by themselves, take action. Eve is more likely to discover the clues herself and roar into action.
There are as many different ways to say something as there are writers, and as many ways to interpret the words as there are readers. Remember that favorite saying of editors: You can take the same story, give it to ten writers, and get back ten totally different stories? The education and socio-economic background of a writer influences the way they pose a question or solve a problem. The geographical background of an author influences a writer mightily e.g. the voice of a writer from the Bronx who never made it to college, or even one who managed to get to college later on in life, will write very differently from an author with a double degree from Harvard.
And that is why a writer need never be afraid of someone stealing his/her ideas. Every person perceives a scene or a person or an event in different ways, and those different ways are what make for the uniqueness of your voice. We could all write Little Red Riding Hood at least thirty different ways, and if you multiplied that by authors willing to try the exercise, you'd have hundreds of different versions.
The voice is what appeals to particular readers. It is why people say, "Oh, I couldn't stand her. She waffles on and on about scenery until I lose track of the story" or "He gets so deep into forensics I don't understand it." On the other hand these same readers will enthuse "Loved it. Loved the whole series. Easy to understand but with just enough mystery to keep me interested." In other words: each to his own.
Occasionally a writer will try to change their voice to suit a particular publication. Sometimes it works; often it doesn't. You are not being true to yourself as a writer if you're struggling to dance to someone else's tune. A writer I admire who changes her settings greatly yet stays true to her voice is Jayne Ann Krentz. Futuristic, historical, contemporary, paranormal, whatever, you can tell a Jayne Ann Krentz (a.k.a. Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) novel because of her quirky characters and her voice. You can pick up any one of her books and say, "Oh, that's JAK." And that is the root of her success, because her readers can switch genres but still be satisfied. For example, I would never have begun reading paranormals if it wasn't that JAK was writing strongly in that genre. And I admired JAK's voice so much and the way it translated to just about anywhere, that I began reading first her paranormals, and then other people's.
The problem with trying to alter your voice to suit someone else is that every word must be agonized over, every phrase re-thought and it is very difficult not to become stilted. Trying to fit into a particular publisher's pigeon-hole can be draining, and in the end, pointless. There are publishers (paper and e-publishers) out there who WILL like your voice, so why bother with those who don't? Sure, breaking into publishing is harder than finding the philosopher's stone, but e-publishers are a lot more relaxed about people who write outside the square. They are open to cross-genre writers. Once you have found your niche, why not stick with it for a while before you expand? You can build up a fan base in that style and genre. Then you will feel confident enough to carry your voice over to a different genre i.e. you could move from cozies to romantic suspense or from adventure to sci-fi. Whatever you do, your voice will follow. It's part of you. Understand it. Respect it. Nurture it.
You can find Vonnie at the following places:
http://www.vonniehughes.com
http://vonniehughes.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/VonnieJHughes
Vonnie has a Regency short story in the free Christmas read from Musa Publishing. Click HERE to find it
Musa is releasing a Regency novel called THE SECOND SON on December 16. This is rather unusual because it is a prequel to a book which is already out in hardback (With Robert Hale) called COMING HOME.
COMING HOME is also being released on 31 January 2012 as an e-book.
on 13 January The Wild Rose Press are releasing Vonnie's Romantic Suspense LETHAL REFUGE.
It is set in New Zealand and is about the fledgling witness protection scheme there.
November 28, 2011
MONDAY MAGIC: Courtney Breazile
My birthday! Today I celebrate my 29th year and the end to my roaring twenties….okay so they weren't that roaring, I think my thirties will be more adventurous but only time will tell. I did achieve quite a lot in my twenties to be proud of though and can say that for an under twenty year old I am successful in my own mind.I have published stories that I love and others enjoy and I have two wonderful daughters that adore me and I think are on their way to becoming wonderful women in their own right. I can sit back today and be happy with my twenties and even if they are coming to a close, a scary thought, I think that I made great use of them.
In this, my last year as a twenty something I hope to release some wonderful stories and to gain more followers and know that I am providing a wonderful escape for them as they read.
My latest releases are: Temporary Treats from Total-e-Bound and Halloween Charm from Extasy Books. I will tease you with them below. Expect to see a lot from me this year, I will have many reasons to get my ass in gear and produce some great erotica for my readers!
Temporary Treats
"This sweets shop has something to satisfy every desire…"Once inside the hotel room, Tawnie felt lightheaded and excused herself to visit the bathroom. She sat on the edge of the bathtub and came to a decision about it all. She wanted this, was so ready for this, but she wanted to go into it honestly. She wanted them to know she wasn't some kind of professional, and if that changed things for them, then fine—she would leave. God, she hoped it didn't change anything. Already her thighs were wet from her excitement and her nipples were hard and aching for attention. It didn't seem like she was getting any calmer, so she stood and looked in the mirror. She saw a face that was flushed to a pale pink, a stark contrast to the jet black hair and dark red lips, blue eyes that were bright with desire and wide with excitement. And a chest rising and falling in rapid succession. It was the picture of a woman ready for untold pleasure. It was the woman she had always wanted to see herself as, but hadn't until now.
When she stepped out into the main room it was dark, candles lit all around, giving enough light to see by but not enough to be intrusive. It smelt like exotic spices and hot wax. This was a room ready for all kinds of sex—her heart beat rapidly and goosebumps rushed across her skin—and so was she.
"Can I get you something to drink? I was having a beer, but we have some things to mix up if you would rather. Sam is having a tiny bottle of wine." Ethan handed over a tiny bottle of merlot as he spoke.
"Whatever is easy—beer is fine." Tawnie looked around the room. There was nowhere to sit other than the bed.
Halloween Charm "It takes three to break the spell of a sorceress…"
"It feels so incredible to actually be able to touch and be touched," Amelia whispered. She lifted a hand and stroked it along Charm's face. "I haven't been felt by another in almost a year. My only source of pleasure or feeling has been from watching others interact. It's left me so desperate to feel."
Amelia's fingers caressed Charm's waist. Charm's gaze drifted down to Amelia's mouth and she licked her lips, wondering what it would be like to make love to her. Would she like the rough play that Charm did? She was so beautiful, so obviously sensual, and so very dead. Charm's body began to tingle, excited by the thought. Before she could talk herself out of it, she leaned forward, capturing Amelia's soft lips with hers. Amelia moaned immediately and parted her lips.
Charm had always been a bold lover, always taking control and this was no different. She deepened the kiss, pushing her tongue into Amelia's sweet mouth, caressing and coaxing her tongue to play. Amelia's hands clasped at Charm's back, pulling them even closer together. Charm ran her hands down to Amelia's plump bottom, forcing their hips to meet.
Charm felt Amelia tremble in her arms and Charm's panties dampened. She moved her hands to the hem of Amelia's shirt, slipping under it to the bare skin beneath and caressing up until she felt the lace of her bra. She never broke the kiss as she touched Amelia, moving her hands to cup her heavy breasts, feeling her nipples so hard through the thin material covering them. Charm pinched them lightly and Amelia groaned, her hips pushing forward against Charm.
"Oh God, Charm, it feels so good to be touched." Amelia's green eyes were wide and she was panting slightly as Charm continued to tease her nipples through the lace bra. The pure enjoyment Charm saw on her face was intoxicating and she wanted to take it all the way, wanted to see her face as she rode an intense orgasm.
Check out what I have out there to satisfy and watch out for my last roaring twenties year! I plan to make it a hot one….
Courtney Breazile
www.courtneybreazile.com
www.twitter.com/cbreazile
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Courtney-Breazile/160551880339
November 20, 2011
MONDAY MAGIC - Cynthia Vespia
WHAT'S YOUR POINT OF VIEW?
By
Cynthia Vespia
Have you ever re-invented yourself? They say you can change who you are every second of the day. For me it has happened roughly three times prior (and I have the tattoos marking those transitions in my life permanently). Change is good even though most of us are uncomfortable with it.
At the close of 2011 I am re-inventing myself once more. The focus on my writing has doubled with an effort to really harness the reigns of my career and drive it towards the projects that I feel passionately about. It will be a busy year as my graphic design and video editing services become more "author friendly." I am knee deep in edits for my thriller set in the seedy underbelly of my hometown of Las Vegas; and the crown jewel of all of it begins with the re-release of the Demon Hunter Series.
My dark fantasy trilogy came out in 2009 as an e-book and was originally met was some splendid reviews. The start of 2012 will see the re-birth of Demon Hunter in print editions as well as standard e-book format for Kindle, Nook, etc. Along with the first two in the series, The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy, the series will be concluded with the never before released third installment titled Heroes Call.
I'm proud to say that Demon Hunter is some of my finest work. What I enjoyed most about writing it was the POV or the viewpoint I took to tell the stories. Originally I started with a third-person perspective but halfway through I knew something wasn't working. When I switched to first-person everything clicked and the story flowed seamlessly.
When I recently began writing my latest thriller I opted to take that same route. This time I threw out all my standard rules. I gave up the outline, the character breakdown, everything. I'd heard author Dean Koontz describe this as his writing style and I wanted to give it a try. Surprisingly I've not only put out a great deal of work from this process but it also re-ignited my creativity. I have had more fun writing this particular novel than I have had in a long while.
I've always approached my writing, or any new task really, with the thought of learning the rules and then adapting what works for me. Sometimes you might even need to throw out the rules completely.
That's the beauty of fiction. Whether you're writing or reading it you can suspend your disbelief and leave the structure of reality for a little while.
So how do you know what voice to lend to a particular story? I try not to think about it too much. Particularly now that my little experiment has worked out so well for me I am not about plotting any longer. Just the spark of an idea to lead me on my way. I let the story tell itself. It's fascinating and fun to see what happens next, as if I'm reading it for the first time myself.
Some novels might be more complex than others and its at that point that I will go back through during the editing phase and flush out the sticky points. I believe now that with a fully developed world, and realistic characters, the story will find itself and come together. If it needs an extra nudge along the way or during editing so be it. My Muse and I will work overtime. Sleep is overrated anyway.
This process is not so new to me, I used to go off the cuff all the time when I first started writing. Weren't we all something of little rebels when we were younger? Somewhere along the way I got bogged down in the mechanics of it all. It is very freeing to be able to return to my roots and even more freeing to take charge of my talent and my projects in a way that I always envisioned them being.
Telling the story in first-person anchors me to the character a little bit more than if I used third-person. I feel a decided interest in this person as I write out their thoughts and emotions through their own eyes. Obviously if you are writing a multi-character novel first-person probably wouldn't work. Or would it? I don't know of anyone who has tried it but I can see where it would become confusing for the reader. But I'm not above experimenting. Like I said, throw out the rules...make some of your own.
I thank Maggie for having me on her blog today and when I do guest blogs I like to approach it with tidbits for my fellow authors and the readers out there. So I'd like to know which POV do you prefer to read and/or write in? I'm comfortable with all styles (though I've never really used second-person before.) First-person is a little more intimate to me but no matter what the characters I've developed over the years have all remained with me no matter what the genre, plot, or POV.
Please leave a comment or a question. Those of you who do will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of one of my novels so remember to leave an email where we can contact you if you win.
Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful holiday season, and whatever you choose to do have a safe and satisfying new year. And as always Live Your Dreams!!!
Cynthia writes character driven suspense and fantasy novels. She is also the owner and operator of Original Cyn Advertising which caters to all your promotional needs.
You can find out more at any of the following links:
www.CynthiaVespia.com
www.OriginalCynAdvertising.com
www.facebook.com/cynthia.vespia
ByCynthia Vespia
Have you ever re-invented yourself? They say you can change who you are every second of the day. For me it has happened roughly three times prior (and I have the tattoos marking those transitions in my life permanently). Change is good even though most of us are uncomfortable with it.
At the close of 2011 I am re-inventing myself once more. The focus on my writing has doubled with an effort to really harness the reigns of my career and drive it towards the projects that I feel passionately about. It will be a busy year as my graphic design and video editing services become more "author friendly." I am knee deep in edits for my thriller set in the seedy underbelly of my hometown of Las Vegas; and the crown jewel of all of it begins with the re-release of the Demon Hunter Series.
My dark fantasy trilogy came out in 2009 as an e-book and was originally met was some splendid reviews. The start of 2012 will see the re-birth of Demon Hunter in print editions as well as standard e-book format for Kindle, Nook, etc. Along with the first two in the series, The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy, the series will be concluded with the never before released third installment titled Heroes Call.
I'm proud to say that Demon Hunter is some of my finest work. What I enjoyed most about writing it was the POV or the viewpoint I took to tell the stories. Originally I started with a third-person perspective but halfway through I knew something wasn't working. When I switched to first-person everything clicked and the story flowed seamlessly.
When I recently began writing my latest thriller I opted to take that same route. This time I threw out all my standard rules. I gave up the outline, the character breakdown, everything. I'd heard author Dean Koontz describe this as his writing style and I wanted to give it a try. Surprisingly I've not only put out a great deal of work from this process but it also re-ignited my creativity. I have had more fun writing this particular novel than I have had in a long while. I've always approached my writing, or any new task really, with the thought of learning the rules and then adapting what works for me. Sometimes you might even need to throw out the rules completely.
That's the beauty of fiction. Whether you're writing or reading it you can suspend your disbelief and leave the structure of reality for a little while.
So how do you know what voice to lend to a particular story? I try not to think about it too much. Particularly now that my little experiment has worked out so well for me I am not about plotting any longer. Just the spark of an idea to lead me on my way. I let the story tell itself. It's fascinating and fun to see what happens next, as if I'm reading it for the first time myself.
Some novels might be more complex than others and its at that point that I will go back through during the editing phase and flush out the sticky points. I believe now that with a fully developed world, and realistic characters, the story will find itself and come together. If it needs an extra nudge along the way or during editing so be it. My Muse and I will work overtime. Sleep is overrated anyway.
This process is not so new to me, I used to go off the cuff all the time when I first started writing. Weren't we all something of little rebels when we were younger? Somewhere along the way I got bogged down in the mechanics of it all. It is very freeing to be able to return to my roots and even more freeing to take charge of my talent and my projects in a way that I always envisioned them being.
Telling the story in first-person anchors me to the character a little bit more than if I used third-person. I feel a decided interest in this person as I write out their thoughts and emotions through their own eyes. Obviously if you are writing a multi-character novel first-person probably wouldn't work. Or would it? I don't know of anyone who has tried it but I can see where it would become confusing for the reader. But I'm not above experimenting. Like I said, throw out the rules...make some of your own.I thank Maggie for having me on her blog today and when I do guest blogs I like to approach it with tidbits for my fellow authors and the readers out there. So I'd like to know which POV do you prefer to read and/or write in? I'm comfortable with all styles (though I've never really used second-person before.) First-person is a little more intimate to me but no matter what the characters I've developed over the years have all remained with me no matter what the genre, plot, or POV.
Please leave a comment or a question. Those of you who do will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of one of my novels so remember to leave an email where we can contact you if you win.
Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful holiday season, and whatever you choose to do have a safe and satisfying new year. And as always Live Your Dreams!!!
Cynthia writes character driven suspense and fantasy novels. She is also the owner and operator of Original Cyn Advertising which caters to all your promotional needs.
You can find out more at any of the following links:
www.CynthiaVespia.com
www.OriginalCynAdvertising.com
www.facebook.com/cynthia.vespia
MONDAY MAGIC - Cynthia Vesper
WHAT'S YOUR POINT OF VIEW?
By
Cynthia Vespia
Have you ever re-invented yourself? They say you can change who you are every second of the day. For me it has happened roughly three times prior (and I have the tattoos marking those transitions in my life permanently). Change is good even though most of us are uncomfortable with it.
At the close of 2011 I am re-inventing myself once more. The focus on my writing has doubled with an effort to really harness the reigns of my career and drive it towards the projects that I feel passionately about. It will be a busy year as my graphic design and video editing services become more "author friendly." I am knee deep in edits for my thriller set in the seedy underbelly of my hometown of Las Vegas; and the crown jewel of all of it begins with the re-release of the Demon Hunter Series.
My dark fantasy trilogy came out in 2009 as an e-book and was originally met was some splendid reviews. The start of 2012 will see the re-birth of Demon Hunter in print editions as well as standard e-book format for Kindle, Nook, etc. Along with the first two in the series, The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy, the series will be concluded with the never before released third installment titled Heroes Call.
I'm proud to say that Demon Hunter is some of my finest work. What I enjoyed most about writing it was the POV or the viewpoint I took to tell the stories. Originally I started with a third-person perspective but halfway through I knew something wasn't working. When I switched to first-person everything clicked and the story flowed seamlessly.
When I recently began writing my latest thriller I opted to take that same route. This time I threw out all my standard rules. I gave up the outline, the character breakdown, everything. I'd heard author Dean Koontz describe this as his writing style and I wanted to give it a try. Surprisingly I've not only put out a great deal of work from this process but it also re-ignited my creativity. I have had more fun writing this particular novel than I have had in a long while.
I've always approached my writing, or any new task really, with the thought of learning the rules and then adapting what works for me. Sometimes you might even need to throw out the rules completely.
That's the beauty of fiction. Whether you're writing or reading it you can suspend your disbelief and leave the structure of reality for a little while.
So how do you know what voice to lend to a particular story? I try not to think about it too much. Particularly now that my little experiment has worked out so well for me I am not about plotting any longer. Just the spark of an idea to lead me on my way. I let the story tell itself. It's fascinating and fun to see what happens next, as if I'm reading it for the first time myself.
Some novels might be more complex than others and its at that point that I will go back through during the editing phase and flush out the sticky points. I believe now that with a fully developed world, and realistic characters, the story will find itself and come together. If it needs an extra nudge along the way or during editing so be it. My Muse and I will work overtime. Sleep is overrated anyway.
This process is not so new to me, I used to go off the cuff all the time when I first started writing. Weren't we all something of little rebels when we were younger? Somewhere along the way I got bogged down in the mechanics of it all. It is very freeing to be able to return to my roots and even more freeing to take charge of my talent and my projects in a way that I always envisioned them being.
Telling the story in first-person anchors me to the character a little bit more than if I used third-person. I feel a decided interest in this person as I write out their thoughts and emotions through their own eyes. Obviously if you are writing a multi-character novel first-person probably wouldn't work. Or would it? I don't know of anyone who has tried it but I can see where it would become confusing for the reader. But I'm not above experimenting. Like I said, throw out the rules...make some of your own.
I thank Maggie for having me on her blog today and when I do guest blogs I like to approach it with tidbits for my fellow authors and the readers out there. So I'd like to know which POV do you prefer to read and/or write in? I'm comfortable with all styles (though I've never really used second-person before.) First-person is a little more intimate to me but no matter what the characters I've developed over the years have all remained with me no matter what the genre, plot, or POV.
Please leave a comment or a question. Those of you who do will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of one of my novels so remember to leave an email where we can contact you if you win.
Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful holiday season, and whatever you choose to do have a safe and satisfying new year. And as always Live Your Dreams!!!
Cynthia writes character driven suspense and fantasy novels. She is also the owner and operator of Original Cyn Advertising which caters to all your promotional needs.
You can find out more at any of the following links:
www.CynthiaVespia.com
www.OriginalCynAdvertising.com
www.facebook.com/cynthia.vespia
ByCynthia Vespia
Have you ever re-invented yourself? They say you can change who you are every second of the day. For me it has happened roughly three times prior (and I have the tattoos marking those transitions in my life permanently). Change is good even though most of us are uncomfortable with it.
At the close of 2011 I am re-inventing myself once more. The focus on my writing has doubled with an effort to really harness the reigns of my career and drive it towards the projects that I feel passionately about. It will be a busy year as my graphic design and video editing services become more "author friendly." I am knee deep in edits for my thriller set in the seedy underbelly of my hometown of Las Vegas; and the crown jewel of all of it begins with the re-release of the Demon Hunter Series.
My dark fantasy trilogy came out in 2009 as an e-book and was originally met was some splendid reviews. The start of 2012 will see the re-birth of Demon Hunter in print editions as well as standard e-book format for Kindle, Nook, etc. Along with the first two in the series, The Chosen One and Seek and Destroy, the series will be concluded with the never before released third installment titled Heroes Call.
I'm proud to say that Demon Hunter is some of my finest work. What I enjoyed most about writing it was the POV or the viewpoint I took to tell the stories. Originally I started with a third-person perspective but halfway through I knew something wasn't working. When I switched to first-person everything clicked and the story flowed seamlessly.
When I recently began writing my latest thriller I opted to take that same route. This time I threw out all my standard rules. I gave up the outline, the character breakdown, everything. I'd heard author Dean Koontz describe this as his writing style and I wanted to give it a try. Surprisingly I've not only put out a great deal of work from this process but it also re-ignited my creativity. I have had more fun writing this particular novel than I have had in a long while. I've always approached my writing, or any new task really, with the thought of learning the rules and then adapting what works for me. Sometimes you might even need to throw out the rules completely.
That's the beauty of fiction. Whether you're writing or reading it you can suspend your disbelief and leave the structure of reality for a little while.
So how do you know what voice to lend to a particular story? I try not to think about it too much. Particularly now that my little experiment has worked out so well for me I am not about plotting any longer. Just the spark of an idea to lead me on my way. I let the story tell itself. It's fascinating and fun to see what happens next, as if I'm reading it for the first time myself.
Some novels might be more complex than others and its at that point that I will go back through during the editing phase and flush out the sticky points. I believe now that with a fully developed world, and realistic characters, the story will find itself and come together. If it needs an extra nudge along the way or during editing so be it. My Muse and I will work overtime. Sleep is overrated anyway.
This process is not so new to me, I used to go off the cuff all the time when I first started writing. Weren't we all something of little rebels when we were younger? Somewhere along the way I got bogged down in the mechanics of it all. It is very freeing to be able to return to my roots and even more freeing to take charge of my talent and my projects in a way that I always envisioned them being.
Telling the story in first-person anchors me to the character a little bit more than if I used third-person. I feel a decided interest in this person as I write out their thoughts and emotions through their own eyes. Obviously if you are writing a multi-character novel first-person probably wouldn't work. Or would it? I don't know of anyone who has tried it but I can see where it would become confusing for the reader. But I'm not above experimenting. Like I said, throw out the rules...make some of your own.I thank Maggie for having me on her blog today and when I do guest blogs I like to approach it with tidbits for my fellow authors and the readers out there. So I'd like to know which POV do you prefer to read and/or write in? I'm comfortable with all styles (though I've never really used second-person before.) First-person is a little more intimate to me but no matter what the characters I've developed over the years have all remained with me no matter what the genre, plot, or POV.
Please leave a comment or a question. Those of you who do will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of one of my novels so remember to leave an email where we can contact you if you win.
Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful holiday season, and whatever you choose to do have a safe and satisfying new year. And as always Live Your Dreams!!!
Cynthia writes character driven suspense and fantasy novels. She is also the owner and operator of Original Cyn Advertising which caters to all your promotional needs.
You can find out more at any of the following links:
www.CynthiaVespia.com
www.OriginalCynAdvertising.com
www.facebook.com/cynthia.vespia
November 13, 2011
MONDAY MAGIC - Lisabet Sarai
It Never Gets OldBy Lisabet Sarai
You may be wondering why I'm wearing the silly hat, drinking champagne, dancing around in my unmentionables. It's release day, and I'm celebrating! Today Total-E-Bound brings out my first Lust Bite, a paranormal erotic romance entitled Hot Spell. It's not your standard vampire/shapeshifter type paranormal either. To be honest, I'm pretty proud of it, and I'm shouting the news to roof tops: Hot Spell is out today! Get your copy now!
Yes, I'm excited. Those of you who know my history might find my skywriting and my conga line a bit surprising. After all, this isn't my first book. It's not even my tenth. Counting is a little difficult, since a number of my books have come out in different editions from several publishers, but I figure that, not counting short stories in anthologies, I've celebrated a couple dozen release days.
And I do celebrate. It never gets old, because with every book I write, I try to stretch myself. I might attempt a new genre, or a new format. I might take a well-worn formula and turn it on its head. So I'm always thrilled to see my experiments take shape as real books – both thrilled and terrified to discover how my readers will react.
Compared to some of my colleagues, I'm not very prolific. I try to keep a steady stream of new work in the pipeline, but in contrast to my friends who write full time, it's really a trickle. That makes each release more important to me, I guess. Still, I'll bet that people like Carol Lynne, Desiree Holt or Victoria Blisse still get out the noisemakers and the bubbly every time one of their (practically uncountable) books hits the streets.
Anyway, today's my day and I plan to enjoy it. I'd like you to enjoy it, too. Below you'll find the blurb and a spicy excerpt from Hot Spell. I'm doing a mini-blog tour this month, for this book and another release I have coming on the 28th. Anyone who leaves a comment at this or any other of my stops will be entered to win their choice of the two new books. You can find a list of the stops in the left sidebar on my blog. And please include your email as part of your comment. If you win, I want to be able to find you!
A hearty thanks to you, Maggie for helping me celebrate!
Blurb for Hot SpellThe flames of passion are more than metaphor.
The city swelters in the grip of an unseasonable heat wave. Sylvie endures her solitary urban existence for the sake of her career, but the prospect of a hot, lonely three day weekend proves unbearable and she flees east to the pine-shrouded mountains. Far more at home in nature than in the city, Sylvie doesn't mind being alone in the wilderness, but she's not the only being haunting the glades and the trails.
Aidan is fiercely attracted to the voluptuous beauty he finds sun bathing nude in a high meadow, but he must resist his overwhelming desire for the sake of her safety. The sun-bronzed man with the red-gold hair is cursed with power he knows will destroy her if they give full rein to their passion. Can Sylvie refrain from tempting him? Or will she risk being being literally consumed by love?
Excerpt (rated X)
Her muscles ached from the strenuous hike. Her hair was in knots and a sticky film of perspiration coated her skin. None of that mattered. Peace enfolded her, along with a profound sense of well-being. The breeze whispered to her. The creek babbled and laughed.
Water. A bath. Relaxed, lazy, and sated though she was, the notion still held an irresistible appeal.
Sylvie checked the remains of the fire to assure herself that there was no chance it would escape the rocks encircling it. Then she dug a towel out of her pack and headed down the forested slope to the creek.
The gurgle of water tumbling over stone grew louder as she approached. The very sound was refreshing. A few feet from the edge, she stripped off her clothes, draping them and her towel over a convenient boulder. She was about to step out of the woods, when an unexpected movement caught her eye.
There was something splashing in the creek, a bit downstream from where she stood - something, or someone. Sylvie shrank back into the shadow of the trees.
Directly opposite her, the stream rushed over river-polished rocks, flecked with white froth. To her right, though, it widened into a calm pool, black as the sky above. The unexpected noise came from there.
She peered into the night. All she could see at first was a round, furry mass that seemed to float upon the surface. Ripples stirred as a figure rose from water. At the same time, the half moon climbed above the crest of the trees. Its pale rays revealed the form of a naked man.
Sylvie caught her breath. His back was to her, a gleaming, sculpted expanse that swept down to a narrow waist, then flared into taut buttocks. A wet curtain of golden hair clung to his neck and shoulders. He took a step forward, water swirling around his lean thighs. The grace and power revealed by that small motion made Sylvie ache inside. She'd never encountered such beauty in a man.
He turned then, and the ache deepened to an agony of want. Sleek skin stretched over his muscled chest and abdomen, strewn with glittering drops of moonlight. He turned his face to the sky and Sylvie caught a glimpse of features that seemed carved from marble: soaring brow, chiselled jaw, sharp cheekbones, and a broad, resolute mouth. The man's eyes were closed, as if he were praying to the moon.
Then she noticed his hands, clasped below his belly in a firm grip around his erect cock. His luscious penis reared up from a matted tangle at his groin, hard and smooth as the rest of his body. Her nipples snapped into tight peaks as she watched the stranger knead his rampant flesh. Slow and deliberate at first, then with a quickening pace, he stroked from the glistening bulb down to the root. His cock grew longer and fatter as he worked it, hand over hand. His full lips drew back and his brow furrowed as the pressure and the pleasure built. He kept his eyes shut.
Sylvie licked her lips. Dampness painted her inner thighs. Her clit tingled and throbbed, crying out to be touched. Her empty pussy hungered to be filled. In a flash of memory, her dream returned - not the details, just the fevered arousal. Her body was on fire again.
She sank to her knees on the mossy ground and plunged her fingers into her wetness. There was no conscious decision. She simply couldn't help it. Her folds felt slippery and burning hot. She cupped her hand, four fingers deep in her cleft while she rubbed the back of her thumb over her clit. Pleasure shuddered through her. The swollen nub was hard as a pebble, so sensitive that she could scarcely bear to touch it. When she backed off, though, it screamed for more stimulation.
With her other hand, she massaged her breasts, cradling the lovely weight in her palm. She flicked her nipple, striking sparks, then pinched it with all the force she could muster. Her pussy clenched in response. Waves of sensation fanned out from her centre.
A low moan dragged her attention back to the stranger in the stream. With one hand he jerked his cock, fast and rough. The other was hidden behind him, moving in the same jagged rhythm. From his spread thighs and straining muscles, Sylvie guessed he had at least one finger pumping his rear hole. The lewd notion made her own anus twitch and tingle.
He was obviously close to coming. The realization sizzled through her, pushing her to the edge herself. She dug in, mashing her clit against the heel of her hand and rocking back and forth, keeping her eyes on the gorgeous man jacking off barely a dozen feet away.
His biceps corded with tension, his teeth bared in a feral snarl, he clawed his way toward orgasm. Sylvie climbed with him, matching him breath for breath, groan for groan.
BIO: A dozen years ago LISABET SARAI experienced a serendipitous fusion of her love of writing and her fascination with sex. Since then she has published three single author short story collections and six erotic novels, including the BDSM classic Raw Silk. Dozens of her shorter works have been released as ebooks and in print anthologies. She has also edited several acclaimed anthologies and is currently responsible for the altruistic erotica series COMING TOGETHER PRESENTS.
Lisabet holds more degrees than anyone needs from prestigious universities who would no doubt be embarrassed by her chosen genre. She loves to travel and currently lives in Southeast Asia with her highly tolerant husband and two cosmopolitan felines.
For more information on Lisabet and her writing visit Lisabet Sarai's Fantasy Factory (http://www.lisabetsarai.com) or her blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com)
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Thanks so much for dropping by today Lisabet! Wow...what a hot excerpt! *fanning self*
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