Jamie Wesley's Blog, page 4

TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD Blurb Revealed (and someone said something nice)!

Hey all,

So the release of my first book, TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD, is getting nearer. Which is kind of awesome (and a little nauseating. People are going to read my book!). But anywho, I received the official back cover copy (or whatever it's called since this is an ebook, but whatever)!

So without further ado, here it is!

Two radio show hosts. One show. Who will come out on top?

In a moment of restlessness, Tate Grayson sold his multimillion-dollar company and spun his love of sports into a radio talk show. Life, and love, is too short to take seriously—a fact he enjoys rubbing in uptight radio host Noelle Butler’s face.

After the death of her parents, a tragedy she blamed on herself, Noelle vowed to live a controlled, focused life. Now a psychologist, she channels her need for connection into her radio show. But when the arrogant sportscaster next door tells listeners men shouldn’t get married, she’s all too happy to yank the silver spoon out of his overprivileged mouth.

Their heated on-air arguments are a hit, but when the station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks, Tate and Noelle object. They can’t stand each other, despite the attraction sizzling beneath every interaction. But if they can’t pull the struggling radio station back from the brink, they’ll lose their jobs. Or worse, their hearts.

Woohoo!

But wait, there's more!

New York Times Bestselling author Shannon Stacey was kind enough to read my little book and offer a cover quote! She called it "a smart, sexy romance that will make you laugh and happy sigh."

I'm so thrilled. It's like she dug inside my brain to discover what I would like people to say about my books and said it. It's seriously perfect. I couldn't ask for more.

I really need August to get here ASAP!

P. S. Did you know I have a Facebook page? You should like it, you know if you want to. I rarely post on it, so I won't clutter your timeline. How's that for selling myself?  

 

Blogging with the Firebirds today!

Hey you,

I blogged today about going to Target and being faced with A dilemma! Check it out!

Letting Go of a Dream

By Tkgd2007 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The first (adult) romance novel I read way back when was a Harlequin. It was the early 1990s and I knew others would frown on a kid reading romance, so I didn’t tell anyone. My mom knew because she was the one buying the books and taking me to the library, but other than her, it was just my thing I kept to myself.

Because of this, I didn’t know that some romance readers consider Harlequins to be “less than” than single-title romances. I only found this out once I joined the online romance community a few years ago. Apparently, some believe authors write for Harlequin because they can’t hack it at a “real” publisher. They are entitled to their opinion, of course, but I’ve never felt that way. Still don’t. Yes, I started reading single titles after I cut my teeth on Harlequins, but that was because I wanted a longer story and more time spent with the heroine and hero, not because they were/are “better,” whatever that word means.

How could I feel that way when I followed Nora Roberts from Silhouette (before it was bought by Harlequin – I think) to her single titles? I picked up one of her longer books because I recognized her name. Falling for Rachel and Luring a Lady are still two of my all-time favorite romances, category or single title.

I say all this because in 2009 when I decided to get serious about being published, my first thought was “I want to write for Harlequin.” And I pursued that dream. For two years, I chased one of the many Harlequin lines. That experience was unbelievably frustrating, not because I kept getting rejected, but because I couldn’t get an answer. Any answer.

 In 2012, I was at the end of my rope. I didn’t know if my stories fit in at any other lines, but I was more than willing to find out. One day, I happened to be on the Harlequin community site and saw they were doing a contest for their Romance and Modern Tempted lines in which you submit a chapter and hear back within one month. At that time, Modern Tempted, based out of the UK, was published as Presents Extra in the USA. I’ve been reading those books forever, but I’d never thought about writing one because of that Presents moniker. Presents have a very specific tone that I couldn’t authentically write if my life depended on it. (Okay, maybe if my life depended on it, I could crank one out).

Anyway, reading the description of the Modern Tempted books in the contest announcement, I was like “Duh. That’s exactly the type of story I write.” Fun, flirty, modern. So I submitted a chapter. I got a request for a partial, and I was off. Over the course of two years, I waited a lot and did two rewrites of the story. Modern Tempted/Presents Extra spun off into its own line, KISS. Cool. Except the new line struggled.

Probably because launching a new print line in these publishing times, when shelf space is shrinking and digital is taking a bigger and bigger part of the pie, is hard. Maybe Harlequin had a hard time reaching their intended target audience.  Maybe their current readers were set in their ways and weren’t interested in taking on a new line. Who knows?

What I do know is that a few weeks ago, I got the news that the KISS line was no more. And I was crushed. I know what I write, and I know it doesn’t fit other Harlequin lines.

Please understand my goal wasn’t only to be published by Harlequin. I am a firm believer in diversification. But being a Harlequin author was part of the puzzle of how I envisioned my career shaping up.

More importantly, it’s not the end of this story. I freaking love this story. It’s so good. And no, I’m not just saying that because I wrote it. Trust me, I am currently tearing my hair writing another manuscript and am under no illusions that it’s the best thing ever.

Anyway, I digress. The publishing landscape is a lot different than it was 10 years ago. Hell, 5 years ago. So this story will be published. I have options. One of those options is no longer Harlequin. And that makes me sad.

The ONLY cereals worth eating are...

 

Over the weekend, I was reading Susan Andersen’s Some Like It Hot and the hero had two types of cereal in his cupboard - Froot Loops and Cap’n Crunch. He turned his nose up at the thought of oatmeal. Basically, he was a man after my own heart because everyone knows the only three cereals worth eating are Froot Loops, Cap’n Crunch, and Frosted Flakes.

Am I right or am I right?

The Writing Process Blog Chain

Remember back in the day how you would come out of the store and there would be a chain letter on your car windshield? No? Just me? *clears throat* Anyway, authors have come up with a way better way to do chain letters. It's the chain blog post! Nicole Helm tagged me and now you get to read all about me! Don't you feel so lucky?

What am I working on?

I am working on Caitlin’s story (that’s the name of the file on my computer) aka The Good Girl’s Naughty Christmas Wish. I’m not so sure about that title, so Caitlin’s story it is for now!

It’s the follow up to my debut, TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD. Caitlin is the BFF of TELL ME’s heroine, so of course she deserved her own story. It’s a fake engagement sports romance. Caitlin was very definitely a secondary character in TELL ME, so I’m having fun exploring who she is and where she came from. (Hint: crazy mom)

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

The first response that came to mind is “Hell if I know.” I write contemporary romance. I write the stories I want to read, but I’ve never thought about how I can make my stories soo different from everything else out there.

I don’t know if this makes my work different, but I love sports and pop culture, so at least one of those topics (probably both) will make its way into all of my books. I love funny, sexy, urban modern stories.

Ultimately, it all comes down to voice. That’s what readers respond to. I want my readers to laugh, to fan themselves because of the smoking hot chemistry between my characters, and to want to shake some sense into the characters at some point because they care about them so much.

Why do I write what I do?

Because it makes me happy. I love romance. I don’t need serial killers or shapeshifters to love the story (although it’s cool if they’re there). My enjoyment comes from watching two (or more) people falling in love despite themselves and all the craziness that’s going on in their lives.  

How does my writing process work?

Sigh. I’ve been working on Caitlin’s story for way too long because I was so unsure of the plot. I knew who the characters were before I had a plot, so I had to come up with a plot to fit them. NO BUENO. I eventually discarded my first plot idea because I wasn’t feeling it and thought it was a tad too close to TELL ME. Never will I work this way again.

USUALLY, my process involves getting a plot idea like “What if two radio talk show hosts who can’t stand each other are forced to do a show together?” Once I have a plot idea, it’s much easier for me to come up with characters that fit that plot. I knew they disliked each other, but why? I use Michael Hague’s Inner Conflict Arc to really get to know the characters and then I write.

I’m a pantser, but I have a loose idea of where the story is going. I write a first draft that is very dialogue-heavy and unfit for outside eyes. I do no editing during this phase. I just have to get the story out. If I know what’s going to happen a few scenes from now, I’ll either skip ahead to write it or at least jot down the basic idea so I don’t forget. One of my favorite scenes in TELL ME came to me a few chapters before it was time for that scene. I had to stop and write it right then. I had to. And it’s so good, if I do say so myself. :) 

After the first draft is done, I make a list of all the scenes just to make sure there’s a real, actual story there. Lol. I (sometimes) use some spreadsheets Jami Gold has on her website that combine several authors’ plot structure processes to make sure.

Then it’s time to edit and edit and edit again. And I’ll read it one more time because the story is never done.

____

Now, I’m supposed to tag three authors to participate and post the questions and their answers to their blog next week (2/24), so Dawn Alexander, Sally Kilpatrick, and Piper Huguley you’re it!

Blogging about Olympians and Writers

Hey you,

Today, I'm at the Firebirds blog writing about how Olympians inspire me. I'd love it if you'd check it out!

 

Quick Hits - Week One

I’m going to test out a new blog format. Quick hits on stuff. I often feel like there are things I could blog about, but don’t have enough to say to fill a whole post or I’m too lazy to do it. So I’m going to (try to) post this weekly.

What I’m reading

I decided that since it’s Black History Month, I would only read books by black authors. Why not? I have so many books in my to-be-read pile that any structure I can give to the pile, I’ll take.

I just finished reading Phyllis Bourne’s Sweeter Temptation. Very sweet. Adore a hero who adores the heroine.

I’m now reading Michele Grant’s Pretty Boy Problems. I read a few pages last night before sleep claimed me. I can already tell Beau is going to take me on quite the ride.

What I’m watching (or listening to)

The Olympics. I work in events and we’ve had four events in five days, which has severely limited the time I’ve had to watch. I’m sad, but not devastated, which makes me even sadder because I am an Olympics junkie. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s the Winter Olympics and not the Summer or because of all the issues in Sochi – corruption, anti-gay laws, and unpreparedness – or all of the above.

What I’m thinking about

Last night Michael Sam, future NFL player, announced he was gay. I’m so happy that he feels free to be who he is. But every time I see his name I giggle a little bit because as a wise person (who I don’t remember) once said, “Never trust somebody with two first names.” I don’t know why that makes me laugh, but it does.

I am annoyed that people keep saying him being in the locker room will be such a big distraction because of all the media attention. Seriously? Yeah, the media will be there for the first week or two, but after that, how many stories can they write about it?  

They said the same thing about Manti Te’o and his imaginary girlfriend. Remember that? Yeah, barely. That story faded away because he was drafted, went to training camp and did what he does best – play football.

Michael Sam will do the same.

Speaking of Black History Month, when I was in elementary school, the area elementary schools had Quiz Bowl-type competitions about black history. Because I was the nerdiest of the nerds, I was selected to be on the team. They gave us packets to study  – politics, sports, entertainment, science, you name it. I memorized it all. Who was the first to do this, when it was done, who invented what, etc. I was the black history queen. I wish they had made all the students study that stuff. Sure some of it was covered in history class, but not all or even most of it. I wonder if they still do that contest. And if you’re wondering, yeah, my school won. I was on the team. Nerd girls always prosper.

What I’m writing

After struggling for so long, I finally feel like I have a grasp on Caitlin and Brady’s story. It took dumping a plot that I was never really sure about (hence the struggles). I’m still not one hundred percent sure about the new course I’m taking, but I like that it’s different from anything I’ve ever done. I just have to pull it off and make sure the story stays interesting for 55,000-60,000 words.

Here's what I want to do in 2014

© Nevit Dilmen [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

I looked for a post about my resolutions for 2013, but I couldn’t find one, which meant I had some sense last year, but oh well! I’m going to regress and write a goals post for 2014.

Reader Jamie

Even though I apparently I didn’t write it down anywhere, I know I had a goal of reading 75 books in 2013. That didn’t happen. I read 50. That’s okay because since I’ve been keeping track of the books I read, I’ve made the overarching goal to read more than I read the previous year. In 2011, I read 45 books, 2012 - 49 and 2013  - 50, so I’m up on the upswing.

I’d like to set the 75 book goal again, but that’s probably too high. I’m not a fast reader. I’m amazed when people say they can read a book in 2 hours. HOW?! Anyway, I digress. I’m going to set my goal at 60.

I’m also going to try to continue diversifying my reading. I’m a creature of habit and when that comes to reading that means contemporary romance. But I wasn’t always like this, so I know the interest is there. I just have to explore it more often. I’ve actually had this goal the past few years. For instance, in 2012, I read the first Harry Potter book. I read the second one last year and will read the third one in 2014. Lol. Baby  steps, man.

I also plan to read more romantic suspense and historical, both of which I love. I used to be a lot more paranormal-friendly than I am now, so I’m going to try test those paranormal waters again. I’m not sure how far I’ll get with that, but we’ll see.

If I’m feeling really frisky, I might even throw in a YA or new adult book in there. Watch out now!

Writer Jamie

Last year I set a goal of selling a book. And I DID IT! My book is scheduled to release this summer and I’m beyond ecstatic (and really, really nervous) about it.

HOWEVER – I also need to take this writing gig more seriously. I do take it seriously, don’t get me wrong, but I’m the world’s worst procrastinator. I am the Queen Bee at wasting time and there really are no challengers. Plus, I have an hour-long commute to work, which I hate Hate HATE, so by the time I get home from work, I want to lie on my couch and do nothing. That’s not possible if I want to publish books on a regular basis, so I need to be more committed to not heading for the couch (and social media) and staying there when I get home. (I also need to sell my condo and move closer to work, so I’m not exhausted and frazzled from fighting traffic when I get home).

As crazy as it sounds, my books aren’t going to write themselves. I want to start keeping track of what I do (or not do) on a regular basis. Hopefully, this will motivate me and retrain my brain.

In the immediate future, I have 3 books I want to finish by the end of February. That sounds kinda crazy, but I’ve started all of them. I just need to finish them.

Finally, as much as I want to get on a regular schedule, I also want to not beat myself up if I take a day off here and there. I need to limit the off days, but if I don’t write for a day, I just need to get back up on the horse the next day.

I also want to blog more. Nothing crazy, but I’m hoping for one per week. A lot of them will probably be about where I am with my writing, but I want to get back to the pop culture and sports stuff because I luvs it.

So, those are my goals for 2014.

Wish me luck that I can accomplish them!