Lori L. Robinett's Blog, page 9

Post Vacation Blues

We took a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains last week. We dropped our Miniature Schnauzer and Beagle off at the kennel and headed out. We stopped for the night in Cookeville, Tennessee, then went on the next day to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. That was our home base for trips in our Renegade through Cades Cove, up to Elkmont, over Rich Mountain Road and took a drive to Cataloochee. Though I was disappointed that we didn’t see any wildlife, other than some wild turkeys and deer, it was nice to be out in nature like that. But now that we’re back home, back to work and back to our routine, I’m feeling the post-vacation blues. Sighs escaped my lips too many times today, and my shoulders slump, matching my mood.

One of my most relaxing afternoons of vacation was spent lounging beside the pool, reading Head Games. It was decadent, there under the canopy of trees with the stream gurgling just the other side of the wrought iron fence. While I read, I was transported to the biting cold of St. Louis, hunting a serial killer. I LOVE that feeling – that experience of losing myself in a story, no matter the plot or the setting, whether it be a romantic comedy or a procedural mystery. I’m not sure what it is about reading, but it makes absolutely no difference where I am, I love disappearing into a story. So, that’s what I did at lunch today – I escaped back into Head Games and it was like a mini-vacation.

And that, dear reader, is what I want for you. I want you to join me in that decadent feeling. Curl up in your favorite chair and open a book, take a mini-vacation, and enjoy.

If you want to read a mystery, try Fatal Impulse. If you’d rather read a contemporary Western with a romantic twist, try Diamond in the Rough.

Save

BLANK to 50K: Getting Started

The hardest part of writing is facing the blank page.

When I was a kid, I wrote all the time. My mom brought me notebooks filled with my longhand scribbles several years ago and I was amazed. As a teenager, I didn’t have trouble getting the stories started. I just put pen to paper and let the words flow. So why was it so hard for me to start writing as an adult?

Adulting is hard. Creativity is fun.

Simple. I’m an adult. I’ve lost that joyful creative streak that lets kids PLAY.

Think about it – when was the last time you let yourself play purely for the sake of playing? When did you truly let your imagination run wild?

You need to find that inner child. Bribe him or her with something fun. Let her play.

And that brings me to NOW. You want to write a book. You have the kernel of an idea. You’ve thought about your characters and your setting. You may even know some of your plot points. But you don’t know how to start. I get it. I remember getting book after book about how to write, but I didn’t “get” it. I couldn’t figure out how to actually start with a blank page and get to at least 50,000 words so I’d have the complete skeleton of a book.

That’s why I’m here. To help you get there.

So . . . how do you start?

First things first – start your routine. Once you get in a routine, you’ll actually be training your brain to write when you are ready to write. Real writers don’t wait for inspiration to write. They treat writing as a job.

Do whatever works for you. It could be where you write, what you write with, lighting a candle, drinking a particular drink, having a particular snack. I used to have a little rock that I drew a face on – I’d take him with me when I went out somewhere to write. Now I have a fairy necklace that I wear, to represent my muse.

Your Notebook

You should have a notebook dedicated to this book you are writing. Get it out now. Grab a pen that feels good to you – one that writes smoothly. (are you as obsessed with office supplies as I am?)

Open the first page. Now, pretend you’re writing to me.

Tell me what your book is about. This should be at least a page long.
Tell me about your main character. Who is she/he? What does he/she want? What is his/her greatest fear?
Draw a mindmap. Put your character in the middle. Then think about the individuals and events that would have had an impact on him/her, and how those things are related. Do this for your other characters, too.
Flip to a fresh page. What is the first thing that will happen in your book? Pretend your talking to me over a cup of coffee.
Flip to a fresh page. How do you want your book to end?

Okay, so, you’ve done all that?

Open up your laptop and start.

There’s no magic formula. Just start writing. Don’t worry about grammar, don’t worry about structure, just tell your character’s story. Let yourself feel what your character feels, see what your character sees.

Have a goal.

Write 3 pages a day. If you can’t get that much done, write something every day. There are days I have to force myself to sit down and write one sentence. I tell myself that – “You can write one sentence, at least.” I don’t think I’ve ever stopped at one sentence. You’ll likely do the same.

Touch base with your muse periodically.

At least once a week, pull out your notebook and simply noodle ideas. Just like at the beginning, pretend you’re talking to me. Just tell me what’s going on in your story, what is going to happen next, what problems your characters are having, what else you can do to give them a hard time.

If you’re really pressed for time, record your thoughts while you’re driving. I plotted my first book entirely by talking to myself while commuting to and from work. Every day, I would ask myself, what can go wrong on the ranch tonight? What if this happens? What if that happens?

See, you started out with a blank page and now, you’re a writer!

You can do this. I have faith in you.

Save

Epilogue or Not?

When I began writing the Diamond J series, I envisioned several books, with the characters’ stories winding through the books, intermingling and joining as time went on. Although Diamond in the Rough doesn’t focus on Beth and Beau, we do find out that they are living together in the big house. For that reason, I didn’t do a “wrap-up” chapter in either book. I wanted folks to look forward to the next book, to read more, to get to know the characters better over time.

I’ve gotten a couple of average reviews on my last book that talk about the book just ending without an epilogue. That made me wonder – what do you think? Would you prefer to have a final chapter that wraps everything up nicely, or have the story continue in the next book?

Diamond in the Rough: Easter Eggs

Do you know what Easter Eggs are? They’re fun little hidden things left by designers for people to find. They can be found in video games, movies, books, etc.

I just bought a new vehicle recently – a Jeep Renegade. I absolutely LOVE this Jeep! When I went in, I had a list of wants: power MySky sunroof, automatic, 4WD, bright color, tow package. But as I started researching the vehicle, the thing that intrigued me the most was the Easter eggs. There are little goodies hidden all over the little SUV. One of my favorites is a little Jeep crawling up the windshield on the passenger side, which looks really cool as a shadow on the interior pillar. There’s also a bigfoot and a spider hidden on the vehicle.

Diamond in the Rough was born during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo to those of us who participate in the madness), so I hid a couple of Easter eggs in the story. One of them was cut in the final edit (the Traveling Shovel of Death), but one did make it into the story. If you’re a NaNo’er, let me know if you find it! I’ll give you a hint – it appears during the BBQ scene at the Diamond J.

If you like cozy, crafty mysteries, why not give a cozy, crafty romance a shot? Pick up a copy of Diamond in the Rough for yourself, or buy it for your favorite crafter. It makes a great beach read for vacation season!

Comment below and let me know if you’ve found a fun Easter egg anywhere.

 

Special Guest Tierney James: Rooftop Angels

I met Tierney James at a writers’ conference several years ago. We bonded immediately over scrapbooking and guns, and I feel fortunate to count her as a friend. In honor of her recent release, I asked her to stop by and answer a few questions.

First, some background. Tierney has been in education for over thirty years. She recently stopped teaching World Geography for a nearby college to pursue her writing career. Creating a workshop for beginning writers, speaking at schools and serving as an officer in the writing group Sleuths’ Ink, are some of the work she does when not writing. With the creation of Winds of Deception, Tierney is now working with one of the crew members of USS Liberty in hopes of obtaining the Medal of Honor for him.

Besides serving as a Solar System Ambassador for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and attending Space Camp for Educators, Tierney has traveled across the world. From the Great Wall of China to floating the Okavango Delta of Botswana, Africa, she ties her unique experiences into other writing projects such as the action thriller novel, An Unlikely Hero, the first in the Enigma Series. Winds of Deception is the second in that series. Living on a Native American reservation and in a mining town for many years fuels the kind of characters she never tires of creating.

And now, for the questions!

What prepared you to write action thrillers with a Homeland Security theme?

Curiosity. The Twin Towers coming down. I’m also really into geo-political conflict.

This is the third in your series. Can you give us a little taste of the book?

When Tessa Scott wakes with blood on her hands in a rat infested shack in Afghanistan, she discovers six orphan girls and the Undersecretary of State counting on her for protection. Confused at how she got there or why a smoldering Black Hawk helicopter has crashed outside the village, forces her into yet another adventure of cat and mouse with the Taliban who intend to kidnap them. With the help of a Kyrgyz tribesman and his men, they elude the danger only to discover their protection comes at a price which involves marriage to the leader. An unexpected chance at new love outweighs the secret Tessa must now carry forever. Meanwhile Captain Hunter, an Enigma agent, desperately searches for her before she disappears on the rooftop of the world. A race against time and ruthless drug lords, who work with the U.S. government, create obstacles which change Tessa’s life in a way she never expected.

Afghanistan is a pretty exotic locale. Your first two books took place in the United States. Is this the new Enigma?

Well I love geography and sometimes my story just takes me to faraway places. There will be one in China and Turkey but the others will probably remain in the good ole USA.

How many books will there be in the series?

Right now I think there will be about eight.

Will you try to write in other genres?

I’ve tried my hand at paranormal thriller and now science fiction/fantasy. Those are really fun.

List your favorites:

1. Author – James Rollins, Brad Thor, Steve Berry, Daniel Silva, Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown

2. Music – Movie soundtracks, jazz

3. Actors – Dwayne Johnson, Jason Scott Lee, Jeremy Renner, Daniel Craig

4. Hobby-Gardening

5. Animal—Dog & the Okapi

6. Exotic locale—Tibet & Israel

7. Movie—Wind & the Lion

What else would you like others to know about you?

Besides teaching and writing, I enjoy family, gardening and traveling. I like trying new things such as learning Hebrew in hopes of incorporating the knowledge in a future Engima Series. Doing research sometimes involves learning new skills, such as being certified with various weapons. I had a blast taking a Samurai class at Killer Nashville. I’m also addicted to writer conferences.

Social Media:

http://www.facebook.com/TierneyJamesAction

Twitter: @TierneyJames1

https://www.pinterest.com/ptierneyjames/

Website: http://www.tierneyjames.com

Diamond in the Rough: Scrapbookers’ Edition

Boxes of books have begun to arrive at my office and it’s always special to open that box and hold that real book in my hand (okay, I admit it, I rub the covers and squeal a little every. single. time.). I have to say, I’m especially pleased with the way the special edition of Diamond in the Rough turned out.

Gina owns a scrapbook store and is living my dream. I created the store of my dreams and even let a friend of mine scrap there (my scrapbook convention co-hort has a character named after her in the book!). They have Friday night crops at Memories & More and the characters talk about projects they’re working on, so it was natural for me to include project instructions in the book as bonus content for my fellow scrapbookers and papercrafters. My favorite project included in the book is a gate album, made using the Zutter Bind-It-All. I’ve made a couple of them for special events in my life, so I wanted to share that with my readers.

If you enjoy crafting at all, make sure you get the special edition and check out the bonus content. By the way, there’s still time to enter the diamond stud earring giveaway. Email a confirmation of your book order to me at lori(at)lorilrobinett(dot)com and put “DIAMONDS” in the subject line. Every book order this week gets five entries into the drawing!

So, grab your copy of Diamond in the Rough today, and join Gina and the Friday night scrappers for a night of mystery and romance!

Diamond in the Rough: Gift card giveaway

Diamond in the Rough is being featured on FIFTY blogs today to celebrate the release (paperbacks are available now, Kindle versions will be released tomorrow & Sunday)! Pick a few and pop over to them to enter the giveaway. And I’d be giddy as a Beagle pup with a squeaker if you’d leave a comment on at least one of the blogs thanking them for hosting me.

http://www.claireboston.com/2016/05/promo-lori-l-robinett-diamond-rough/

http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com/2016/05/spotlight-25-gift-card-giveaway-diamond.html

https://lizgavin.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/diamond-in-the-rough-blog-tour/

https://jaceyholbrand.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/sexy-cowboy-strides-into-her-store-contemporary-romance-lorirobinett-goddessfish/

http://bookschatter.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/tour-diamond-rough.html

http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blast-tour-for-diamond-in-rough-by.html

http://elainepcantrell.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough.html

http://www.musingsandramblings.net/2016/05/promo-diamond-in-rough-lori-l-robinett.html

http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blast-tour-for-diamond-in-rough-by.html

http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l-robinett.html

http://stormyvixen.booklikes.com/post/1398848/diamondintheroughblast

http://straightfromlibrary.blogspot.com/2016/05/straight-browsing-from-library-diamond.html

http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/2016/05/13-book-blast-giveaway-diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett-GF.html

http://galestanley.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blast-diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l.html

http://jhthomas.blogspot.com/2016/05/win-25-gc-diamond-in-rough-by-lori.html

http://crmoss.blogspot.com/2016/05/lori-l-robinett-diamond-in-rough.html

http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-the-rough-lori-l-robinett.html

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/guest-blogs/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-robinett-spotlight-and-giveaway/

https://christineyoungauthor.com/2016/05/13/christine-presents-diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett/

http://fuonlyknew.com/2016/05/13/book-blast-and-giveaway-diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett/

http://fictionconvictionbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blitzand-giveaway-diamond-in-rough.html

http://eskiemamareads.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blast-wgiveaway-diamond-in-rough.html

http://its-raining-books.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-by-lori-robinett.html

http://jensreadingobsession.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l-robinett.html

http://lampshadereader.com/2016/05/13/book-blast-giveaway-excerpt-diamond-rough-lori-l-robinett/

http://www.lovelustandlipstickstains.com/2016/05/blog-tour-and-giveaway-diamond-in-rough.html

https://lizjosette.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blitz-giveaway-diamond-in-rough-by.html

http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blast-for-diamond-in-rough-by-lori.html

http://www.wendizwaduk.net/2016/05/book-blast-diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l.html

http://underneaththecoversblog.com/2016/05/13/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett/

http://twoendsofthepen.blogspot.com/2016/05/excerpt-diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l.html

http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-contemporary-western.html

http://www.thesnarkology.com/2016/05/13/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett-romance-goddessfish/

http://recipe-fairy.weebly.com/more-book-tours/diamond-in-the-rough-book-blast-and-giveaway

http://tamariasoana.com/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett/

http://stormynightbloginandreviwing.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-giveaway.html

http://www.starangelsreviews.com/2016/05/book-blitz-diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l.html

https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lorirobinett-romance-western-giveaway/

http://readeropolis.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-by-lorirobinett.html

http://queenofallshereads.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blast-giveaway-for-diamond-in.html

http://omgreads.com/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett/

https://novelisterynlaplant.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/spotlight-diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-robinett/

http://nickiesviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough.html

https://www.facebook.com/naturalbripage/posts/1076609319044865

http://musingsofareader1.blogspot.com/2016/05/diamond-in-rough-by-lori-l-robinett.html

http://libriamicimiei.blogspot.it/2016/05/book-blast-giveaway-diamond-in-rough-by.html

https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/2016/05/13/diamond-in-the-rough-by-lorirobinett-romance-western-giveaway

http://fictionconvictionbookblog.blogspot.com/2016/05/book-blitzand-giveaway-diamond-in-rough.html

http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/2016/05/13-book-blast-giveaway-diamond-in-the-rough-by-lori-l-robinett-GF.html

I’m pretty sure I’m out of my mind . . . but I am So. Freaking. Excited. about this book!!

Diamond in the Rough: Get it for yourself!

One of my favorite ways to relax is to escape into a good book. There’s nothing like cracking open the pages of a book (or opening a new file on your Kindle) and meeting new characters. Curl up in your favorite chair, drink a cup of coffee, fall in love, solve a mystery, save a cat.

Diamond in the Rough is available in paperback now – right now! The Kindle version will be released Saturday . . . just 2 days away.

BTW – look for me on your favorite book blogs tomorrow, and join me at the launch party on Facebook Saturday!

Get your copy now. Aidan (yeah, that’s him in the cover) is waiting for you. (pssst . . . don’t forget to send a copy of your order to me at lori(at)lorilrobinett.com to get your entries into the drawing for the earrings!).

Diamond in the Rough: Escape to Another World

When I was younger, I dreamed of owning my own horse ranch.

I had it all planned out. Literally. I drew plans.

The house would be huge, with lots of bedrooms, with bathrooms for every two rooms, so all my friends could come and visit. There would be a theater room and maybe even a bowling alley, and definitely a pool. But the house was secondary in my dream. First and foremost, it would be a horse ranch. There would be a barn for the broodmares, and a couple of smaller barns for the stallions. The paddocks would have alleyways between them to keep the horses from fighting. Oh, and there would be a huge riding arena. There’d be a race track. Or a show ring. You know, depending on what kind of horse farm I was dreaming about at the time.

As I’ve gotten older, I don’t draw plans for my dream places anymore . . .

I write stories about my dream places, and I totally escape into that world.

And that’s what I want to share with you. Life is full of work, laundry, dishes, broken washing machines and all that not-fun stuff. You work hard. Your day is full of all the things that need to get done. Take some time for you. Order your copy of Diamond in the Rough now, and curl up with it this weekend -escape to the Diamond J. Let Aidan entertain you (and, oh, wow, can he entertain . . . ).

Pssst . . . remember – send the confirmation of your preorder to get 5 entries into the drawing for a pair of certified diamond earrings, engraved with the words “I love you.” Email a copy of your order to me at lori(at)lorilrobinett.com to make sure your entries get registered.

Diamond in the Rough: Party and Giveaways and Prizes!!

Are you ready to escape to the Diamond J Ranch with me?

We’re only a week away from the launch of Diamond in the Rough. This is doubly exciting for me because I am launching the regular book (both as a paperback and an ebook) and a special bonus edition for scrapbookers (both as a paperback and an ebook). The ebooks are available for preorder now . . . and you have a great opportunity to get a fun book (total escapism) AND have a chance to win all sorts of fun things.

Every preorder is good for FIVE (count ’em – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!!) chances to win a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings (all you have to do is send me a copy of your preorder – to lori(at)lorilrobinett.com), plus I’m giving away several goodies during the Facebook Party next weekend.

So, here’s what I need you to do:

Order Diamond in the Rough (if you’d rather have the scrapbooking edition, you can get it HERE).
Sign up for the Facebook Party HERE.

I’d also greatly appreciate it if you would help me spread the word. Diamond in the Rough is getting good reviews so far – if you like romance with a bit of suspense, you’ll love Rough.