Heather Webb's Blog, page 4
October 31, 2013
Fear in Writing and in Life
Happy Halloween! As per usual these days, I’m blogging elsewhere on the net. Today I’m at The Debutante Ball talking what scares me most in writing and in life. Here’s a preview:
In honor of Halloween, we’re talking about what we’re afraid of here at The Ball. I suppose we should begin with fear. Fear is a disease. It starts off in one tiny little cell and blooms like black mold feeding on its host, consuming cell after cell until your body is racked with it and you are crippled. Once you let it in, it’s hard to stop it. I’d like to say I’m stronger than that—that fear doesn’t affect me, and certainly doesn’t guide my actions. That’s sometimes true, but often it’s not.
A few of my fears are…
WRITING FEARS
FOR MORE ON THIS POST CLICK HERE
October 30, 2013
Character Motivation Part One: Using Your Inner Critic to Shape Your Protagonist
Today I’m over at RomanceUniversity.org talking character motivations today. Here’s a preview:
I wrote a post at The Debutante Ball last week about wrestling with our inner critics and it got me to thinking. Those inner critics help shape our goals and motivations. And wouldn’t they, in turn, shape the goals and motivations of our characters? HELL YES!
Let’s look at those types of inner critics and use them to our advantage.
Is yours…
The Ruler-Wielding Schoolmarm:
She believes you can be perfect. She has no qualms about making you redo that shizzle ONE MORE FREAKIN’ TIME. And if you don’t? There will be hell to pay in the form of bloody knuckles. Her standards are so high that only once in a school year can you reach her pinnacle of greatness—a smile and a nod and then BACK ON THE HORSE. Her favorite form of criticism: delivering a long list of “what if” situations as consequences that make you sweat, i.e. what if this book sucks, what if I never get an agent, what if it never sells, what if I don’t have a career in publishing because I’m a big fat poser.
For more, go HERE
October 23, 2013
Blade of the Samurai Cover Reveal + Gift Card Prizes!
That conniving ninja Hiro Hattori has sliced up the cover of book two in the Shinobi Mystery Series: BLADE OF THE SAMURAI. All of the missing pieces will be assembled on Friday, October 25th at Susan Spann’s blog HERE. Can you guess what is happening in this piece of the cover? Leave a comment and go into a drawing for some ninja-tastic prizes including gift cards, ninja mug, and ninja cookie cutters!
About the Book
June, 1565: Master ninja Hiro Hattori receives a pre-dawn visit from Kazu, a fellow shinobi working undercover at the shogunate. Hours before, the Shogun’s cousin, Saburo, was stabbed to death in the Shogun’s palace. The murder weapon: Kazu’s personal dagger. Kazu says he’s innocent, and begs for Hiro’s help, but his story gives Hiro reason to doubt the young shinobi’s claims.
When the Shogun summons Hiro and Father Mateo, the Jesuit priest under Hiro’s protection, to find the killer, Hiro finds himself forced to choose between friendship and personal honor.
The investigation reveals a plot to assassinate the Shogun and overthrow the ruling Ashikaga clan. With Lord Oda’s enemy forces approaching Kyoto, and the murderer poised to strike again, Hiro must use his assassin’s skills to reveal the killer’s identity and protect the Shogun at any cost. Kazu, now trapped in the city, still refuses to explain his whereabouts at the time of the murder. But a suspicious shogunate maid, Saburo’s wife, and the Shogun’s stable master also had reasons to want Saburo dead. With the Shogun demanding the murderer’s head before Lord Oda reaches the city, Hiro and Father Mateo must produce the killer in time … or die in his place.
Missing Pieces
The other puzzle pieces to the cover can be found here:
Tuesday: Swimming North (the blog of author Kerry Schafer)
Wednesday: Writing the Renaissance (the blog of author Julianne Douglas)
Leave a Comment
If you leave a comment on any of the five reveal tour posts this week (including this post) you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one of three fun prizes - and yes, multiple comments means multiple entries, though there’s a limit of one comment per person per blog post and a limit of one prize per person.
Prizes
(limit one prize per person, and I’ll do separate drawings for each prize):
1. A $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
2. A ninja mug!
You know you want one.
3. A set of ninjabread men cookie cutters.
Because all cookies secretly want to be ninjas.
And now, the legalese (because, you know, I’m a lawyer): All comments must be left on participating blogs on or before midnight Pacific Time on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Limit one prize per person. Limit one eligible comment per blog post, for a total maximum of five entries per person.
Sales pages (pick any one you want to):
http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Samurai-A-Shinobi-Mystery/dp/1250027055
http://www.walmart.com/ip/29091766
http://www.powells.com/biblio/9781250027054
DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT!
October 21, 2013
Author Jennifer Laam & THE SECRET DAUGHTER OF THE TSAR
I’m excited to welcome author Jennifer Laam to Between the Sheets today. Her debut historical novel, THE SECRET DAUGHTER OF THE TSAR, releases today from St. Martin’s Griffin. I’ve been drooling over this cover since it was released. I can’t wait to tear into this book.
About the Book
Jennifer seamlessly braids together the stories of three women — Veronica, Lena, and Charlotte — and imagines an alternate history for the Romanov family – one in which a secret fifth daughter, smuggled out of Russia before the revolution, continues the royal lineage to dramatic and unexpected consequences.
How did you become interested in Russian history and the Romanovs?
It’s a weird thing. I grew up at the tail end of the Cold War when the Soviets had become a tired military non-threat. Gorbachev came in and carried out all his reforms and the Soviets almost seemed cuddly. But in 1991, there was an attempted coup. It occurred to me we could all go back to the “bad old days” of living under the threat of nuclear annihilation. In the end, the coup failed and the Soviet Union ceased to exist. Those sweeping changes in Russia fascinated me and I wanted to know more about the history behind it all.
The last Romanovs intrigue me because frankly they were beautiful and the world they were born into was beautiful and then it all imploded around them. I think we’re naturally drawn to the combination of beauty and tragedy and chaos. Around the same time I was really getting into Russian history, DNA proved that the most famous Anastasia pretender, Anna Anderson, definitely wasn’t Anastasia. What a bummer! I think the Anastasia fairy tale appeals to our need for survival stories. We needed someone to walk away from the massacre of that family. And then I read another possible (if unlikely) tale of a Romanov survivor. That is where the first hint of an idea for my novel began.
Do you see yourself in your protagonist?
Oh yes! My contemporary heroine, Veronica, started out as a secondary character in another novel. I abandoned the project, but got attached to her and wanted her to be the main character in THE SECRET DAUGHTER OF THE TSAR. I guess it’s not too surprising because I see now that she’s a stand-in for me. I have given her all of my anxieties and insecurities and self-doubt and heartaches. Like me, Veronica was raised in California’s Central Valley…I was born in Stockton and she is from Bakersfield. She moved to Los Angeles (as I did), but deep down she’s proud of her ties to the Valley. And she shares my taste in music.
Share a juicy cultural tidbit about Russian history.
This is going further back in time than my novel, but apparently at one point Ivan the Terrible was one of Elizabeth I’s suitors. Can you imagine them together? Supposedly, she took the offer seriously, or at least as seriously as she took any of her marriage proposals. This makes me picture Elizabeth trapped high in a cupola-shaped tower, and yet somehow still able to manipulate and outwit Ivan as he descends into madness. The possibilities for alternate historical fiction are endless!
Do you have advice you’d like to share with aspiring writers?
Keep at it! I’ve been writing since college. I don’t think anyone believed I would ever work up the courage to submit pages to an agent. I just needed to wait for the right time. And, as with everything, the more you work at it the better you get.
Can you talk a little bit about your next project?
I’m working on a sequel to THE SECRET DAUGHTER OF THE TSAR. I want to continue Veronica’s story. One of the other sections is set during the time of Catherine the Great. I’ve fallen madly in love with Catherine’s best known advisor/lover, Prince Potemkin and I tell that story from his point of view. This is a challenge. I haven’t written in a male voice in a long time. And I’ve often told my friends I have no idea what men think. But I do know I’m having fun with it and look forward to the time I get to spend with Potemkin. I think that’s a good sign!
Speed Round
Favorite Vice: Spicy food. I put hot sauce on everything.
Hidden Talent: Trivia (I was a contestant on Jeopardy…although I wound up in third place.)
Best Place on Earth: The Bay Bridge, driving into San Francisco, just as the fog breaks. The Golden Gate Bridge is more glamorous, but the Bay Bridge is the one I take to get into the city. Runner up: Anywhere in Los Angeles with a good view of the Hollywood sign. I am a California girl!
Favorite Russian dish: Pelmeni (dumplings), dripping in butter and stuffed with potatoes. Carb-fest!
About the AuthorJennifer Laam earned her master’s degree in history from Oakland University in Michigan and her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She has lived in Los Angeles and the suburbs of Detroit, traveled in Russia and Europe, and worked in education and non-profit development. She currently resides in Northern California. THE SECRET DAUGHTER OF THE TSAR is her first novel.
October 10, 2013
The Seasons of Writing
It’s Thursday and I’m talking the writing seasons, among others, over at The Debutante Ball today. Here’s a preview:
Speaking of seasons, cold season is ramping up and I have my first one of the year! Blarrgg. But other than that…
I love the seasons.
Spring with its hopeful sunshine and soggy earth, summer’s ripe vegetables. The windswept colors of fall and even the silvery clouds and naked forests of winter. They each hold a certain beauty, but I have to admit, the seasons affect my productivity.
I’m distracted on sunny days when I could be lying on a beach or cooking on the grill. I’m not sure I could live in a perpetual sunny location. It would feel like Ground Hog Day with the same happy perfection day after day–a sensibility that degrades my creative impetus. But give me a blustery, grey day and I’ll stay in and write until my fingers fall off.
Those are just the literal seasons.
For More on this post, go to THE DEBUTANTE BALL.
October 7, 2013
Debra Brown & Castles, Customs, and Kings
Today we welcome Debra Brown, co-editor and contributor to the nonfiction anthology CASTLES, CUSTOMS, AND KINGS. Debra is the founder of the English Historical Fiction Authors, a site packed with articles from some of historical fiction’s most popular authors including Elizabeth Chadwick, Anne O’Brien, Nancy Bilyeau, and so many more.
So Debra, tell us…
About the Book
A compilation of essays from the English Historical Fiction Authors blog, this book provides a wealth of historical information from Roman Britain to early twentieth century England. Over fifty different authors share hundreds of real life stories and tantalizing tidbits discovered while doing research for their own historical novels. From Queen Boadicea’s revolt to Tudor ladies-in-waiting, from Regency dining and dress to Victorian crime and technology, immerse yourself in the lore of Great Britain. Read the history behind the fiction and discover the true tales surrounding England’s castles, customs, and kings.
How was the inspiration for CASTLES, CUSTOMS, & KINGS born?
I lost my job and small business due to the 2008 recession, so I set about writing a novel, The Companion of Lady Holmeshire. I had to learn how to market a book and found blogging to be a major part of that. I started my own historical blog, but I had to do so much research to keep publishing regular posts that I had no time for writing my second book. I admit it—I was not a historian. Not yet! The idea developed in my mind to put together a historical blog with a daily post written by multiple writers of novels set in Britain. How perfect, I thought, for lovers of British history, including myself! On September 23, 2011, we launched the English Historical Fiction Authors blog. One year later, after celebrating our first anniversary, Deborah Swift suggested we put together a book with posts from the first year. The book was conceived!
Can you talk a little about the process of putting together a nonfiction anthology?
We had a publisher in our midst, so I discussed with her the idea of her company handling the publishing aspect. Madison Street is very professional in their work. I then contacted the authors of many of the posts for permission to include them in the book. Everyone expressed enthusiasm about the project, and we moved ahead. I asked the authors for short biographies, titles, and links. Selecting accurately written articles, editing them, and organizing them into a pleasant flow of information was important. A book designer sent us examples of a cover and her book-interior ideas, and we made our selections. After proofreading, the publisher gave authors the opportunity to look their posts over to accept any changes. Then it was time to finalize and market the book.
What was your favorite part of working with several authors?
The authors I work with are such a delight! Everyone cooperates well; we really are a team. We’ve become friends through our social media groups, and we promote each other. The shared enthusiasm over Castles, Customs, and Kings has been another “tie that binds”. It has helped to drive the book into good ratings on Amazon!
Share a juicy tidbit or anecdote in the book.
One of the funniest parts I remember is an advertisement quoted in Lucinda Brant’s post, The Wig Business was a Big Business. Proclaiming the economic advantages of a wig made of curled iron strands, the manufacturer wrote that it could:
“…withstand rain, wind and hail, all without causing discomfort to the wearer.”
I had to wonder about rust and whether the wearer’s wife was willing to be seen with the man! Lucinda wrote that wigs were also made of copper. Can you imagine the color of the fresh copper wig and then watching it over time develop its green patina? I hope nothing I wear today will ever be seen in such a laughable light.
Do the English Historical Fiction Authors have another project in mind as a follow up?
A second volume is certainly in mind. It remains to be seen whether the first volume will prove to have been worth the publisher’s time and output, but early indications are that Castles, Customs, and Kings is being well received by readers, so our hopes are high.
Speed Round:
Most Fascinating era—I am in awe of all of England’s history, but the class and etiquette rules of Victorian society amuse me. Until I can study more of the past, I am a bit stuck in Victorian snobbery.
Best Place on Earth—I love Hawaii dearly, but am hopeful that England will pay my way to test it out for a few years and compare. I have my doubts.
Favorite Biography—So much of my life was spent in other pursuits while English history nagged at the back of my mind. Once it became loud enough to get my attention, I have had to skim so many centuries and persons that I have yet to focus much on one individual. I plan to write a series of historical English author biographies on the EHFA blog, and I am currently fascina
ted with Geoffrey Chaucer. His life had much variety, and so it is quite a story.
About the Author
Debra is the founder of the popular blog English Historical Fiction Authors and the co-editor of the nonfiction anthology, CASTLES, CUSTOMS, AND KINGS. She is also the Amazon bestselling author of a Victorian era romance THE COMPANION OF LADY HOLMESHIRE. For more about Debra, visit her on Twitter (@kescah) or at her website.
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