Emme Cross's Blog, page 2

What makes a good series

I have just binge read the Outlander novels. It was an incredible commitment of time but well worth it. Kudos to Diana for her research and diligence. I love writers who take the time in the first book to set the stage for what's too come. Too many authors score big on book one and next thing you know there are sequels that just don't work. You need to do the groundwork and decide where you're going early on. Diana has done that beautifully.
I did find the hero Jaime to be a little too perfect and Superman but hey, I got the same complaints about my heroine Sunny. You can't please everyone.
To me, the secret to a good series is seeing how characters and relationships grow and evolve. I loved Jilly Cooper's Riders series. Outlander. Any others? Dungeons and Mercenaries is fun and very sexy. The Mitford series works. Any others? Let me know. I'm always up for a good series and writers from whom I can steal ideas on keeping my 6 books fresh.

What makes us cry

This is a great article about tearjerkers...or weepies. I used to love my mom's favourite old movies with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. They were my first weepies and helped me write novels that will make you cry.


http://online.wsj.com/articles/tearje...

Why we love books.

E-books, hardcover, softcover. Pulp fiction, literature. It doesn't matter. I love to read. Here are some of the reasons why.


http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/co...

Book three in St. Barts series gets top marks!

http://www.bookcountry.com/ReadAndRev...

This is a link to bookcountry which is a website for authors to test their material. I posted the first chapter to book three in the St. Barts series for some feedback. I never figured it would be in their top ranked category of titles. Cool! If you want a sneak peak at what happens to Sunny and Sven---check it out and let me know what you think!

Pictures that inspire me!

If you liked the book, check out my Pinterest page. (Under Emme Cross) I have posted photos of places mentioned in the novel and also started a board with casting suggestions for the main characters. If you have any ideas, feel free to post them or pass them on. I'm always interested in how my characters appear to my readers versus in my own head.

Also, I'm on Facebook and have all kinds of articles about love and sex and relationships.

Bad reviews

Anyone who has ever written more than their name knows all about bad reviews. Still, they are better than no reviews at all. No reviews imply indifference. With a bad review, at least you moved someone to emotion--disgust, anger, whatever.



http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisritter16...

A sexy chapter a week for sale

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/art...

It's kind of fitting since the book that revolutionized digital reading was written during a morning commute and it was "erotic." (I didn't find it so, but I am in the vast minority.) The one thing that ticks me off about this isn't that it's a rip off of Charles Dickens sending chapters to papers back in the day, but the price. This person will be paid how much for a bong novel? A pound a chapter adds up. Just like how authors/publishers are breaking one novel into sections and charging you a regular novel price and it isn't until you get to the end of the first that you realize you've been taken. (I always check the word count before buying.)
The other thing that concerns me is that it takes a different kind of talent to write this kind of cliffhanger and I'm not sure how that works for an erotic novel unless the hero/heroine is left actually hanging.

reading faster

First lines have to get to the point

Technology changes us. Changes stuff. Changes our expectations. Good or bad. I read this and part of me was sad because I love the time it takes to immerse myself in a novel. I want to take my time, to become part of the place and the space and the characters. However, given that some novels (EL James most famously) were written first on a Blackberry, it makes sense that we want a quick payoff.
But is it the same as the difference between fast food and savouring a meal? Both get you fed. Both provide fuel. But which would you remember over time?
Yeah, I feel old.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/bo...

Fifty Shades of Grey movie release date

The new Iron/Superman super hero is coming to big screens near you next August!. This guy's super power is to be the lead character in a series of three novels that sold nine gajillion copies despite having less depth than a puddle of...water. I will safe word out and say no to this trash. But it's funny coz no cast has been announced yet and the book will be a movie by next August, so a year. That's quicker turn-around time than Christian himself. (Sorry, this is too easy.) But seriously, I guess they've already figured out how to CGI the naughty bits and film in 3D to make it even more quease-worthy than the novels. I thinking with Sam directing, her husband has a lock on the lead.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/fifty...

‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Gets August 1, 2014 Release Date
www.deadline.com
NEW YORK, June 27th, 2013 – The global release of Fifty Shades of Grey will start in North America on Friday, August 1st, 2014 with opening dates around