Erin Moore's Blog, page 2

Keepin' It Real

I recently attended the RT Readers Conference, a few crazed days in New Orleans with other authors, readers, and industry professionals.

It was my first experience as a "writer" out in the world (cocktail parties do not count). And at first, it was super intimidating. It's not like I had fans lined up outside the door, ala Sylvia Day.

But I quickly discovered that, as in life, it's not about promoting your books. It's about making a personal connection. The most fun I had was at the Pub Crawl. This could be due to  the giant Hurricane that was consumed (thank-you, Etopia Press!). It gave me a real chance to connect with people on a personal level. Did I sell any books? We'll see.  But I got to talk to other Etopia authors, meet some readers who like to read the types of things I write, and I came away thinking that if nothing else, it was a good time.

Which leads me to my deep thought. There's a common thread to all marketing. People want to feel a connection with you, the author, whether that be over your silly cat pictures (we don't have a cat. And our dog is not amenable to silliness.), or your recipes (you don't want mine...) or even just your mountains of laundry. 

So this is me, getting real. If you're reading this blog, then you're getting the Full Erin, crazy kids, crazy blog life, all of it, no holds barred. There may be some pictures of laundry. There may even be some of those damn kids. But it's all me.

Thanks for stopping by.

How to Put In Feather Hair Extensions

That's me with my feathers! Yay!

Here's a step-by-step tutorial of how to put in the feathers, both as a clip (very easily removed) and with a bead (harder to remove, but stay in longer and easier to hide the attachment).

For a video version, visit: Youtube link


Clips:

Step One: Make sure the feather is securely through the top of the weft clip. (Yes, I know what this looks like...) Step Two: Flip the clip over, so that it seems to be upside down. Then, open the clip, making sure the feather is still in.

Step Three:  Lift up a top layer of your hair and flip over your head, exposing an underlayer. Slide the clip in with the prong part atop your hair, making sure you get a few strands of hair into it (don't worry - you can always take it out and try again). 

Step Four: Push down on the clip until you feel it "click" against your head.  Pull your other hair over top and then arrange until beautiful.

You're done!!
Okay, now we're on to the harder stuff: beaded extensions . You'll need some floss, a piece of tape (any kind will do), a rubber bead, and needle-nose pliers.  If you are looking for a bead or other feather accessories, I highly recommend ArtWildflowers on Etsy. (uh, no, I don't get a commission. She was just super helpful.)

Step One: Make a loop with your floss and wrap the tape around the bottom of the loop.

Step Two: Slide the bead over the top of the loop. It can rest anywhere along the length of the loop; it will fall to the tape as you are putting in the extension.
Step Three:  Take between eight to ten strands of hair, making sure that no other hair gets caught, and thread through the loop. (don't worry about the bead at this point, as long as it is still on the loop.)

(You can barely see the loop of floss, but it's there around the upheld hair)

Step Four: Pull bead taut up to hair. When you feel the slight give of the hair, gently pull the loop in the opposite direction. (if it tugs too hard, you may have too much hair in the bead. If it slides too easily, too little.)

Step Five: Insert the feathers with the sharper end first into the bead, making sure that they lay in the direction of the hair.
Step Six: Take your pliers and gently crimp the bead down. It should now lie flat.

You're done!

For a video version, try this:

Taglines for Romance Writers

Author taglines for Romance Writers, including yours truly…

Dear Friends,

I’ve resisted writing a blog for so very, very long. Mainly because I write for so many other blogs and feel like there is enough of me out there already . But I’ve decided that anyone coming to my website wants to hear from the real me – warts and all—and what I’m working on.  So here goes.

Currently, I’ve been working on my brand.  So, to help my little brain, I’ve been snooping on other authors’ websites – some of my favorites, as well as just some of the better known names. Hey, they must have branding down, right?!

Here’s what I found, in no particular order:

·         Kate Furnivall: Sweeping romance. Sumptuous settings. Unforgettable adventure.

·         Sylvia Day: Don’t let a day pass you by.

·         Nora Roberts: what? Nothing???

·         Maya Banks: also, nothing. But she does have that whole “New York Times Bestselling Author” thing.

·         Lisa Kleypas – hmm, noticing a trend with the big girls.

·         Jude Deveraux – okay, this is not a trend. Must be a rule.

·         Christine Feehan – same as above

·         Lynsay Sands- same

·         Larissa Ione – Seduce your dark side.

So out of that whole list, only two that I found awesome. I will let you decide for yourself which two.

Then, I started brain-storming. I had to really think about the types of stories that I write, and what I bring to the table as a writer. Why would someone want to read my stories? I determined that my stories are always in exotic and strange settings – from Greece to ancient Turkey to outer Mongolia. That’s unique.

I also always want to really explore love through a very sensual prism, and believe that my characters see themselves as sexual beings.  

Based on that, here’s what I came up with:

·         Sexy explorations of new worlds.

·         Sexy explorations of new realms.

·         Sexy explorations of inner and outer change.

·         Sensual explorations. New lands.

·         Explore your sensual side.

·         Sensual explorations of new worlds.

·         Sensual journeys.  Exotic destinations. Strange times.

·         Sensual journeys into strange lands.

·         Sensual journeys. Exotic lands. Unforgettable loves.

·         Kiss me crazy.

·         Kiss me wild.

·         Sexy, wild, unchanging, culture clash.

·         Sensual lovers finding each other in crazy lands.

·         Sensual. Untamed.

·         Untamed sensuality

·         Sensual. Untamed. Epic.

·         Epic, sensual love.

·         Lands you’d love to visit. Men you’d love to fuck. (ha)

·         Sexy journeys. 

·         Erotic journeys. Exotic lands.

·         Sensual journeys. Exotic lands.

·         Fall into a sensual, exotic, world.

·         Fall into a sensual, exotic land.

·         When worlds collide, passion ignites.

·         Passion ignites in new worlds.

·         Sensual journeys. Exotic lands. Untamed lovers.

·         Sensual loves.  Strange cultures.

·         Sensual loves. Exotic lands. Untamed people.

·         Untamed loves. Exotic lands.

·         Love in a crazy place

·         Sensual journey to crazy

·         Sensual journeys. Untamed lands.

·         Untamed. Sensual. Exotic.

·         Sensual. Exotic. Untamed.

·         Sensual journeys. Exotic lands. Untamed loves.

By the time you read this, I may already have picked one of these ideas. But what do you think, dear reader? What would draw you back? What resonates with you? 

P.S. Romance writers – feel free to borrow any, except for whatever I’ve chosen. As payment, buy my book. Just kidding. Mostly.