Victoria Barbour's Blog, page 7
June 24, 2014
Romance Weekly: June 24, 2014
Thanks to Collette Cameron for this weeks questions, and thanks to Jo Richardson for linking to me this week. At the time of writing this post, her post wasn't live yet so I can't give you any insight on her answers (in case you didn't land here from her blog!) but I'm sure they are awesome? Why so sure? Because while here on the blog you get to know us authors, we are also getting to know each other pretty well, and I'm thrilled to say that the Romance Weekly group of writers are turning into some pretty great pals. So yay for that. And now, on to this weeks questions:
1. How do you respond to someone calling your writing smut or demeaning your work in some other way?Luckily, no one has dared call my work smut to my face. If they think it, then in all likelihood they haven't even read my books. There's a difference in demeaning the genre, which happens (see this post) and demeaning my work in particular. The most I've had happen is well-meaning people ask me when I'm going to write "a real book." That hurts a bit. My books are real books. I know they mean when are you going to write the historical fiction that you've been thinking about for years. But what they don't realize is that even those books are romances. I just smile, try and educate them on the romance genre, and move on.
2. When critiquing or beta reading, do you ever find the voice of the other author creeping into your writing?Not really. I wish I had a longer answer here, but I don't.
3. What’s one quirky thing you do or must have around you while writing?I make faces and touch myself. NOT that way! Geesh. Dirty minds! ;) But I find I'm mimicking the actions of my characters to see how it feels, how to describe it, etc. I also wiggle in my chair a lot and wiggle my fingers above the keyboard as I think. I'm a bit of public show when I'm writing in a coffee shop, I bet!
And now, let's head over to Veronica Forand to see how she's answered these questions. She's new to the group so she'll likely have a fresh new take on these questions. AND a big congrats to Veronica, who just signed a three novel contract with Entangled Publishing! Well done you! I'll be pimping her books when they come out, you can be sure of that!
Speaking of pimping, just a tiny reminder about the Passionate Kisses Boxed Set, just .99 cents right now for 10 novels.
And Collette Cameron's The Vicount's Vow is also on sale for .99 cents. You should get both of them. :)
June 22, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Wendy Ely
One day until release day. And I'm thrilled to have the mastermind of the Passionate Kisses Boxed Set here today. Wendy Ely is the fabulous author who came up with the idea for a box set of contemporary romances by indie authors, and she's the one who hand picked each of us to be part of this journey with her. I'm so glad I made the cut! And now, let's see what makes the visual cut for Wendy when she's working.
Book? Confessions
Inspiration? True love never fades.
Jordan? Will do anything for the woman he loves.
Chelsea? Trying to live in the present... instead of the past.
Secrets? Everyone has one... especially in the small town of Wilson, Arizona.
Romance? Irresistibly hot as the desert summer.
Next? Midnight Secrets, Desert Secrets Series book 2 Wendy? Hating the Arizona summer while working on book 3.
Click on Wendy's glasses to learn more.
June 21, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Rebecca J. Clark
Not long now and it'll be Passionate Kisses time! In the meantime, I have the romantic Ms. Rebecca J. Clark with me today. I have to be honest here. I'm loving the images she sent along. Must be the nature lover in me. Regardless, take a moment and have a scroll through to see what has this shameless author inspired.
Book? Shameless
Inspiration? I love paths.
John? Saved from a beautiful woman from his past and a boy with no future.
Samantha? Happily single in Seattle, she has little use for a man. Until now.
Desire? I try to squelch my desire for this every single day.
Romance? Marry your best friend.
Next? Red Stilettos—Book 2
Rebecca? Gemini. Enough said.
Click on the gemini to learn more about Rebecca.
June 20, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Jessi Gage
It's the Friday before release day and I'm over the moon to have Jessi Gage here today. There's a lot of work that goes into the behind the scenes part of releasing a project like this and without Jessi, none of the books would have gotten uploaded to their various sales channels. So thanks Jessi for your hard work. Now let's jump into it and see some of the images that she chose to answer her questions with.
Book? Reckless
Inspiration? Sexy man in a kilt + Scottish castle = perfection
Derek? Scrumptious with a side of quick temper
Cami? Sweet with a side of steel
Romance? Safety. Completion. Love
Next? More Blue Collar Boyfriends & more romance Highland-style! The Wolf and the Highlander is available now!
Jessi? Cupcakes, coffee & kid cuddles. After kids are in bed, steamy romance & beer.
June 19, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Sydney Holmes
Ugh. I hate it when the world conspires to set you back a bit. My apologies to the wonderful Sydney Holmes, who I know has been looking forward to seeing her post live in the world today. Better late than never, right? So without further mumble, let's get busy and check out some of the awesome images Sydney shared with me when talking about her contribution to the Passionate Kisses boxed set. (4 DAYS AWAY!!!)
Book? Awakening
Inspiration? Two people so entwined nothing else matters
Ryan? Dark, handsome, mysterious
Nora? Standing on a precipice
Boundaries? Searching
Romance? Laughing, loving, tender with enough sparks to feed an inferno
Next? Awake
Sydney? There is nothing better than that first jolt of adrenaline one gets when soul mates touch for the first time.
June 18, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Nikki Lynn Barrett
Today I have Ms. Nikki Lynn Barrett here giving some insights into her book in our Passionate Kisses Boxed Set. Thanks for popping by Nikki! Now let's get going.
Book? Baby Stetson
Inspiration? Country music and small towns! Lucas? A jaded man not looking for love, until Avery. Avery? A woman with a love of music and a past full of holes.
Music? A way to channel emotions Romance? Plenty of it! Next? The Melody In My Head (Jameson's story)
Nikki? Avid reader, dreamer, singer and everything in between.
Click Nikki's hand to see her bio!
June 17, 2014
Romance Weekly: June 17, 2014
Did you think I was going to abandon my Romance Weekly ladies (and one guy!) with all my Passionate Kisses promo? NO WAY! This group rocks. And if you read right to the end this week, you'll see a rafflecopter link that will give you a chance to win lots of books by all the Romance Weekly authors.
Now, let's get to it!
When writing your novel, do you know how it’s going to end before you write, or do you write from start to finish?All I ever know is that if it’s romance, it’ll all work out in the end. How I get there is a mystery to me. When I plot things out, I get stuck. I find I’m trying to force the story along rather than let it develop at its own pace. My current WIP is a bit more plotted, just because it’s a fleshed out version of a story already told in one of my novels. But even now, knowing the ending isn’t helping me get there.
How do the people you know impact your writing? Are you influenced by friends and family for your characters?I try not to put people I know in my stories. But that’s not to say that certain traits or phrases might not show up. I think I put much more of myself into the books than I do of others, with the exception of my husband. There are certain bits of dialogue he’ll read and he knows exactly where those words came from. But other than us, I try to keep reality out of it. I have some people in my life who keep reading thinking that they are going to show up, but knowing that, I do my best to make sure they never do. ;)
Describe the hero in your current WIP in three words.I have three WIPs. And three heroes. But the one who’s on my mind tonight is Will Walsh – SCORCHING NAVY ALPHA
If you enjoyed this weeks questions, pop on over to visit their author, Ms. Dani Jace, to see how she answered her own musings. I expect nothing less than profound insights. ;)
And, as I mentioned, here's the rafflecopter link for all of our giveaways, which we are going to draw for in July when we celebrate our six month anniversary.
a Rafflecopter giveaway-->
June 16, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Allie Boniface
When I was approached about joining this awesome group of romance authors for the Passionate Kisses boxed set, I really had no idea just how many wonderful authors I was going to be working with.
Today I'm excited to have Allie Boniface here sharing some of the images that she thinks best sum of her work. And just like I have a bit of a fascination with icebergs, Allie loves lighthouses. That speaks to my Newfoundland heart.
Book? Beacon of Love
Inspiration? Every lighthouse I've ever visited
Lindsey Point? Small coastal town with plenty of secrets...
Lucas? Hunky handyman
Sophie? Precocious news reporter
Romance? Sensual to steamy
Next? Inferno of Love, book 2 in the series!
Allie? Teacher, writer, music-lover, workout devotee and chocoholic
Click on Allie's boots to learn more about her!
June 15, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Liz Kelly
A big welcome today to Liz Kelly, a fellow author in our Passionate Kisses set (out in just 8 days!)
So let's get to it and see what visual inspiration Liz used to bring her contribution to the set to life!
Book? Good Cop.
Inspiration? Brooks and Vance first showed up in my novella The Keeper of the Debutantes in this anthology.
Brooks? The golden boy.
Vance? Too hot not to handle.
Lolly? Back home for a summer fling.
Henderson? The Club where my characters' social life revolves.
Romance? Hot summer lovin’
Next? Bad Cop.
Click on the wine glass to read more about Liz Kelly.
June 14, 2014
Passionate Kisses: Kylie Gimore
Passionate Kisses boxed set goes on sale for just .99 June 23!
In the days leading up to the launch of the Passionate Kisses boxed set, I'm going to introduce you to all the awesome authors who are part of this project with me. Up first, the lovely Kylie Gilmore.
Book? The Opposite of Wild
Inspiration? Finding your inner wild woman.
Ryan? Dreamy alpha.Liz? Control freak.
Clover Park? Quirky small town.
Gran? On a Harley.
Romance? Yes, please. Sizzling and tender. Like a juicy steak.
Next? Trav & Daisy.
Kylie? Loves a story that makes you laugh and cry
Click Kylie's smile to read some more about her.
