Mina Vaughn's Blog, page 3

Tamara Mataya and her BEST LAID PLANS

You guys.  Tamara Mataya AKA Feaky Snucker is one of my favorite people in the world.  She’s amazing and soon the WORLD will get to read what I’ve already delighted in… her debut.  Here’s my interview with her and then some deets on the book!

Tell us about your writing process.

Filet of a fenny snake, in the cauldron… oh. No, nothing fancy. Cheeks in the chair, and type like a mofo, slinging annoyed glares at the husband when he tries to talk to me during a manic sprint of words. 

You write many genres— is there a trick to getting into different modes?  How do you do it?


No real trick, but the right music can make the transition a lot easier. As long as you don’t spend too much time hanging out online trying to find new music. I hear that’s a big time waster… I hear. *shifty eyes*


The Best Laid Plans is super sexy— how do you feel writing erotica? Tips?

Thank you! I feel with my hands. My grabby raccoon hands. Seriously though, I think it’s important to give all of your attention to the sexy scenes, just like any other scene. Some people think it’s “just smut,” but I think every line deserves every bit of your attention. Sex scenes, and writing in general, needs to be immersive to feel real. Engage ALL the senses to fully bring the reader into the book. The silky whisper of skin on skin. Can he taste the chocolate mousse she ate for desert when he kisses her? Do his sheets smell like vanilla fabric softener, or his cologne and something piney? Small sensate details can really flesh out a scene. 


You’re a musician, so how does that influence your writing?

I think it really depends on the manuscript, but for me, I tend to remember what songs were playing at certain times in my life. I’ll insert certain mentions of songs in my novels, hoping readers will listen to them. I know they won’t feel the things I feel from those songs (I have synaesthesia) but the option is there for them to hear what the characters heard in that moment in their lives. I always loved the idea of releasing a CD to go with my book. Maybe in the future. :)


Anything you’d like to tell us in particular about Best Laid Plans?

It’s not just about the sexytimes. The Best Laid Plans deals with some very serious issues too. I wish people would know that even if they feel broken, IT GETS BETTER. I hope you all find your own happy endings. No pun intended. Okay, it was intended. ;)

Jayne Griffin isn’t looking for Mr. Right. She’s looking for Mr. RTFN and a toe-curling good time. She’s got the brains, the powerful job as a futures broker, and thanks to a makeover and a thin book of dating advice, the confidence to turn any man’s head. 

Malcolm Black notices his high school crush, Jayne, from the stage of her company’s work party. His adolescent feelings for her died beneath months of abuse at the hands of bullies. Abuse that was Jayne’s fault. Though this scorching hot studio musician is unrecognizable as the band geek he used to be, the hurt still lives inside him, and he hatches a plan: Seduce Jayne into falling in love with him, and then shatter her heart. 

The white-hot chemistry between them is a pleasant surprise. It all goes so smoothly until Feelings start to develop… and that invitation to their ten year high school reunion lands in their inboxes. 

Jayne wants the perfect lover. Malcolm wants revenge. But you know what they say about The Best Laid Plans…

Tamara Mataya is currently a librarian; she lurked there for so long recommending books to patrons and shushing people, that she suspects they only hired her so it would be less creepy. Now she’s armed with a name tag, and a thin veneer of credibility. She’s also a musician with synaesthesia – which isn’t an issue until someone plays a wrong note, which makes her want to squirm inside out. It makes for a good live show.

Kristen Strassel and BECAUSE THE NIGHT (vampire rockers ahead!)

Kristen Strassel is one of the first romance writers I met through going to conferences and I am SO glad we met!  She and I bonded over our love of vampires and paranormal romance, so when I found out BECAUSE THE NIGHT was being published, I jumped the heck on that bandwagon!  Today Kristen and I are talking about her musical influences and then I’ve provided details on the book.  ENJOY!

Kneel down ye sinners, to
Streetwise religion
Greed’s been crowned the new King
Hollywood dream teens
Yesterday’s trash queens
Save the blessings for the final ring
AMEN

                —“Wild Side” Motley Crue

Back when I was about twelve, MTV ran a documentary about groupies. It showed a girl in yellow spandex and a hip length acid dyed jean jacket walking towards a backstage door. I’m not even sure I saw the show, but that trailer sticks with me until this day.  I wanted that. I didn’t even know what “that” was in real terms at that point in my life. Something about the anticipation, danger, and excitement of that scene still gets me to this day.

I’ll admit it: I was a teenager in the late 80s and early 90s. My rock heroes still have longer hair than mine and wear leather and guyliner. I like my rock stars to play and look the part.  The patron saint of this era is of course Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue. The man died twice and lived to tell about it. Yet, somehow, as messed up as he was, he was still the heart and soul of the band, writing all the lyrics and making many decisions.  I had to base Tristan on Nikki. Tristan still has to die one more time to catch up, but he’s doing his best.

As you can imagine, many of the new breed of rockers make me kind of sad.  I wouldn’t know they were rock stars if they were sitting next to me on the train. They’re too boring. It’s such a miss. It’s sad that you have to hunting to see videos now, because I think we’re missing out on the visual romance of the music. No matter what the genre, there’s a certain spell a song can put over us all.  When I created Immortal Dilemma, they needed a strong image and a flashy stage show.  I again based the opening of Immortal Dilemma’s stage show off of the Motley Crue Carnival of Souls tour, but I also give nod to Alice Cooper and The Black Veil Brides.  A little bit of shock and horror is good theater. I want to see a show.

Hopefully, Because the Night delivers that show for you.  I wanted to capture the sensuality, the unpredictability, and the dark side of rock n roll my books.  Those are the things that keep me coming back for more. 

About BECAUSE THE NIGHT

Sex, Blood, and Rock n’ Roll.

Immortal Dilemma is the hottest band in the Las Vegas vampire rock scene. They draw insatiable fans from around the globe, thanks to a supernatural attraction called Bloodlust. Tristan craved such an opportunity to fill his empty mortal life, and now he has eternity to earn his place along the legends of rock n roll debauchery.

Callie always feared that Tristan’s excesses would get him into trouble, but she never thought they’d lead him to immortality. To reconnect with him, she must weave her way through a world not only she had no idea existed, but does not welcome her.

Blade turned down a spot in Immortal Dilemma after learning what he must sacrifice for that lifestyle. He finds Callie a refreshing change from the girls in the vampire rock scene. When Callie drags Blade back into the world of Immortal Dilemma, his resistance drives her into the waiting arms of Tristan, who shows her the true meaning of Bloodlust.

But the very things that Callie fights so hard to save are the very things that fight to destroy her.

About Kristen

Kristen shares a birthday with Steven Tyler and Diana Ross.  She spends each day striving to be half as fabulous as they are.  She’s worn many hats, none as flattering as her cowboy hat: banker, retail manager, fledgling web designer, world’s worst cocktail waitress, panty slinger, now makeup artist and aspiring author.  She loves sunshine, live music, the middle of nowhere, and finding new things to put in her house.  Kristen is represented by Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary.

Nice Wife - Vodka Commercial - Very Funny

Nice Wife - Vodka Commercial - Very Funny:

Click to watch the video and write a comment

How I do my housework.

Love this!

Love this!

How do you like my outfit?

How do you like my outfit?:

Mina Vaughn, erotica, romance author, How to Discipline your Vampire, Halloween, dress-up, sale

My Spanktastic News

My Spanktacular Announcement

Hey everyone!  I’ve been sitting on this news for a while now, just nerding out by myself, all stoked and wanting to share with you.

Now I’m FINALLY able to give you the deliciously sordid details…

…I have two new books coming out with Simon & Schuster!

…and How to Discipline Your Vampire is now the first book in the Domme-nation series!

Here’s the scoop:

 

HOW TO REPRIMAND YOUR ROCK STAR is an NA erotic romance about a women’s college basketball phenom who ropes in a mischievous rocker.

 

You guys, Keaton Lowe of Trickster City is going to be your new favorite rocker hunk.  He’s sexy, sweet and surprisingly submissive.  And Thea’s a heroine everyone can root for—grounded, athletic, smart and knows just what she wants.

How to Reprimand Your Rock Star is coming out Summer 2014.

 

But that’s not all!

 

HOW TO PUNISH YOUR PLAYBOY is about a pin-up model and the naughty restaurateur she manages to tame. You’ll love watching her teach this spoiled playboy a lesson.

 

Trust me, ladies, when I say you’re going to want Aston Delano to prepare all your tasty delights.  He’s got sensitive taste buds and knows how to fork.  As for Veronika Kane, this pin-up’s got more secrets than
how to dominate: she’s also pretty handy with casting spells.

How to Punish Your Playboy comes out Spring 2015.

 

Anyway, I hope you’re as excited as I am!  While they aren’t direct sequels to How to Discipline Your Vampire, they all go together with the theme of superbly dominant women and the delicious men who love them.

Thanks and spanks!

 

-Mina

*Kink with a Wink*

@minavaughn

www.minavaughn.com

Buy How to Discipline Your Vampire now! 

Announcement happening this week! Stay tuned!

Announcement happening this week!  Stay tuned!

Pitching Tips

First off, think “economy of words”.  Be stingy.  Pretend you’re going into a cash-only store to buy enough supplies to survive on a deserted island… and you have $10.

Make.  Each.  Word.  Count.  

Hell, make your punctuation count.  Get funky with your structure.  Pick words that are VIVID, EVOCATIVE and LOADED so your reader’s imagination is doing the lion’s share of the work.  There are shades of meaning to words— use this in your favor!

Also, don’t get cute.  Lots of pitches have a quick little cutesy “and it was only Tuesday” or “and that was before Mom found out” type tags at the end.  Let me say this now— not on Twitter, baby.  There’s no meat to it!  Cut it out!

Another tip that may sound relatively uninintuitive is to ditch the trope and theme altogether.  Like I had said in my tips for pitch contests, we’ve all heard the general story before.  Redemption.  Quest.  Coming of age.  Tweet ONLY what makes your pitch original.  Lots of people save the world, tons of characters are special and don’t know it.  Take a moment to discern how to tell your story in non-confusing specifics only.

And Now, The Most "WTF?" Music Moment Of The Year

And Now, The Most "WTF?" Music Moment Of The Year:

And you thought Miley Cyrus was going to hold the crown for awhile. Anyway, we don’t have much to say other than stop everything you’re doing and watch this. Like, right now. [Gawker]

How to Discipline Your Vampire trailer! :) Enjoy!

How to Discipline Your Vampire trailer!  :)  Enjoy!