M.Q. Barber's Blog, page 4

Behind the scenes: On embracing the power of memories

Note: This is the fifth of six posts going behind the scenes of my writing process — what inspires me, the way I work, and how I recharge. For links to the rest of the posts, scroll down.

Some memories wedge themselves so deep that they become your defining image of a person you love.

My grandpa served in the U.S. military during World War II. That’s him in the upper right. While he was away, he and the gal he was courting — my eventual grandmother — traded letters and postcards. I’m lucky en...

Meet me in New York City (aka There Will Be Corsets!)

I am stunned and honored to say that Becoming His Master (Neighborly Affection #4) is a finalist for a Golden Flogger award.

Henry and Jay are up against four other worthy contenders in the LGBT category. The awards ceremony will be held during the annual BDSM Writers Con East, so — deep breath — I’m going to be doing a few things my shy self has never done before.

Going to New York City. Attending a conference as an author. Wearing some of my favorite corsets in public.

Behind the scenes: On taking a break to recharge

Note: This is the fourth of six posts going behind the scenes of my writing process — what inspires me, the way I work, and how I recharge. For links to the rest of the posts, scroll down.

When I’m not writing, I’m usually recharging with hobbies that aren’t quite so mentally draining.

I swim laps to shift gears from brain to body — and it’s a good thing, too, because my other favorite hobby is baking, and I always eat too many of the results!

Some mention of food inevitably winds up in my bo...

Behind the scenes: On writing ‘likeable’ heroines

Note: This is the third of six posts going behind the scenes of my writing process — what inspires me, the way I work, and how I recharge. For links to the rest of the posts, scroll down.

I have a type. I love writing heroines who are smart and strong enough to rescue themselves.

They might need a friend or lover to hold up a mirror and show them the reality of their situation, but once they see the problem, they don’t rely on someone else to fix it for them. They take action.

Personal growt...

Behind the scenes: On creating the right writing space

Note: This is the second of six posts going behind the scenes of my writing process — what inspires me, the way I work, and how I recharge. For links to the rest of the posts, scroll down.

Wanna know a secret?

Computers are wonderful things, but I can’t write on them.

Nope, not even on a typewriter. I’m an old-school pen-and-paper gal when it comes to bursts of creativity.

Here’s how my writing space looks late in the process, when most of the handwritten notes have been entered into the com...

Behind the scenes: On setting the right writing mood

Note: This is the first of six posts going behind the scenes of my writing process — what inspires me, the way I work, and how I recharge. I hope you’ll have as much fun on the journey as I do!

Confession time: You’ll never see me posting a playlist of the music I listen to while writing. Because there isn’t one.

I am amazed by writers who can work with music playing. The ones who set their writing mood through their playlist? Clearly some sort of wizardry.

For me, music and writing don’t mix...

ARCs of An Accidental Gentleman available now

Reviewers and bloggers, Brian and Kit are waiting for you!

Giveaway: An Accidental Gentleman (standalone HEA)

It’s finally time to start talking about Brian and Kit! *happy dance* Guess what? You can win an early copy of An Accidental Gentleman in a Goodreads giveaway!

Brian and Kit’s book is the second in the Gentleman series, but you can read it without knowing Rob and Nora’s story from Her Shirtless Gentleman. (And if you’ve read about Rob and Nora and miss them, take heart— they do make an appearance to help Brian out.)

Here’s the rundown of what the book’s about. Keep going and you’ll get to a s...

Finding Their Balance on the road

Henry, Alice, and Jay are having a fantastic and fun first week in readers’ hands with Finding Their Balance (Neighborly Affection #5)!

Special thanks go to Jen at Bookaholics for letting them play in her backyard for a bit. Check out their character interview talking about relationships, personal quirks and Jay’s inability to sit still here.

Jen also has a review of Finding Their Balance: “I admit that I tend to be skeptical about these kinds of relationships, so when I read books about them...

Release day! Finding Their Balance is out in the wild

I swear, some days I thought March 1 would never get here. But here we are, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share Finding Their Balance (Neighborly Affection #5) with you.

I hope you’ll have a wonderful time adventuring with Henry, Alice, and Jay once more. They’re dealing with a lot of challenges — at home, at the club, with friends and family, and with each other. Growth can be a painful process. But they’re learning to trust each other more than ever.

Many thanks to all of the lovely fo...