Friday, February 27

Fun with Facebook!

So, I've been having a lot of fun today with Facebook and the different Vampire/Slayer/Zombie/Werewolf applications, which is neat since I'm not a big fan of Facebook. But I should be editing my novel, which I sat at my computer to do in the first place. The editing is going slowly, and I want to slam my head against my desk when I work on it. But at least I'm making progress. I finished a chapter of it last night, and am planning on editing another chapter today.

I just want to hurry and get it over with. At first it was kind of fun, and now it's not. =/

Anyways... enough whining for today. Now I need to just force myself to do it.

Wednesday, February 25

Something I learned yesterday

Recently, I've been thinking of all of these awesome story ideas and how I should work on X novel for Y submission guidelines, or I thought about Z idea, which would be great to break into. And then there is my '08 Nano novel, I.V., that I need to edit, which has been set on the back burner, and the sequel to that novel that has almost 58k words. It's felt like I'm ricocheting around on my projects instead of steadfast and focused.

Today I started reading an e-book called 70 Solutions to Common Writing Mistakes by Bob Mayer (who has worked with Jenny Crusie on a few books as well as writing his own). I got it recently for free after signing up for Writer's Digest's e-newsletter (in the green sidebar on the left). The second mistake he mentions is Not Finishing (the first being, Not Starting, if you were wondering). Now, I have totally finished the first draft of I.V., and I'm making my way--however slowly--through revising it.

But as I mentioned before, I've been bouncing around like a chicken with my head cut off with all of the new ideas and opportunities that have shown themselves. It's interesting because I've been getting in my way more than really having an external distraction like TV or anything like that since I haven't been able to make my mind up on what to work on.

There were a few key pieces of advice that he said. One was that, if you don't finish the project you're not going to get a contract for the work. And two was to not move onto another project unless you finish your current work-in-progress. Yes, I know it sounds so simple, but for me, those words were very timely. I feel like it gave me a shot in the arm to get back to work on I.V. and give it my main focus.

Thursday, February 19

A nice way to start the morning...

I found out this morning that an excerpt to my novel, Melody of Love, has been posted on eCataromance. Hooray! Promo opportunity! Check it out yourself at http://www.ecataromance.com/?p=917

Also, I noticed that Gracen and I received several good comments yesterday on the interview that we did with Keta Diablo. So I'm definitely starting to get myself out there more, which was one of my goals for this year. =)

Wednesday, February 18

An interview...with me! Yay!

Make sure to go check out an interview that Gracen and I did with Keta Diablo. http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com/2009/02/aint-they-sweet-see-them-walking-down.html We're giving away copies of our books, so stop by for your chance to win. =)

Sunday, February 15

The paranormal creature you will be after you die

Here's an interesting quiz I took. The picture that went with the quiz was absolutely gorgeous. I like taking quizzes occasionally, and figured I'd share this with everyone in case y'all wanted to take it as well.

You will be a: Vampire
You are the creature of the night, and people can either be revolted or be absolutely amazed by you, even if you might not really care. You are a very versatile creature, and your lifestyle varies for all of you, depending on your preferences and personalities. It could be that you prefer to live on your own without anybody bothering you, or perhaps you spend your life with one of your companions sharing your kills and preys together. But either way, you need the blood to stay alive and its in your nature to kill people, so you have your own tactics to do this. It's possible that you kill your victims without any hesitation or time wasting, without them even really knowing what came over them, or perhaps you do exactly the opposite and take the time to get to know your victim and for them to get to know you, or perhaps even fall in love with you.. It could be that you live in a crypt on a cemetery, or in a huge mansion in the middle of a forest, it's entirely your choice. Most of the time you will probably get what you want anyway, and you have for all eternity to get whatever it is you always wanted, and to do whatever it is you always wanted to do.. And who or whatever it is that will try to stop you from it, will most likely pay for it..
Your colour: Blood red
Your weather: Anything without any sun
Your element: Death
Your pet will be a: Deadly snake

Saturday, February 14

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, how are you spending this romantic holiday? Are you going to be curling up with your significant other or is a steamy romance novel going to be your buddy this year? Do you have plans to go out to dinner?

For me, I'm not sure. I know that I'm going to be exchanging presents with my husband, and that's about it. We might go out for a nice meal, or we may stay home... Now that I'm thinking about it though... I think a meal out would be better. *grins* Last year we went all out, but this year things are a bit more subdued.

In any case, make sure to stop by The Deadly Vixens today for our special Valentine's Day giveaway. We'll be picking three winners for our three prizes!

Friday, February 13

Happy Friday the 13th!

Okay so some people don't think of it as a happy day since it's known to be filled with superstition, but I've never really had bad things happen to me on the 13th. If anything, good stuff tends to happen to me! =) Yippee! I can't wait to see what happens today.

Not too much has been going on recently. I've been writing more for the Book in 30 days program, and I'm in the process of sending out proposals for an anthology, so I'll have to see what happens with that. I'm excited and utilizing my synopsis writing abilities. Yikes! Although, I admit, they're not as scary as they seem. I'm not sure mine are the best, but... ah well.

There's something exciting happening today! The Deadly Vixens has a Friday the 13th giveaway today! We're giving away three ebooks, so come leave a comment for your chance to win!

Wednesday, February 11

Interview with Ronda Thompson

Here is the last of my interviews for now, which occured with Ronda Thompson one of paranormal romance's great authors.


Ronda Thompson

Thank you for taking the time to interview with us. Ronda's newest release is Midnight Pleasures which came out in November 2003.

1. When/how did you know you wanted to write?

RT: I think writers are born. I wrote my first poem in the second grade. My mother still has it. I was always scribbling down poems and short stories as I grew up. In high school, I wrote for the school newspaper. I guess I always knew I wanted to be a writer.


2. How long did it take you to become published?

RT: Four years to make my first sale once I began writing seriously, but six to actually see books on the shelves with my name on them.


3. Who are some of your favorite authors?

RT: I have so many favorite authors. I'm an avid reader and have been for years. The authors who got me hooked on romance novels were Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Barbara Cartland to name a few. Today I read all genres of romance and my favorite authors are Madeline Baker/Amanda Ashley, Christine Feehan, Claudia Dain, Shannon Drake, Maggie Shayne, Rachel Gibson and the list could go on and on and on.


4. Who do you count as your literary influences?

RT: Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, Diana Gabaldon, and again this list could go on and on, too.


5. How do you feel about fans doing fanfic and/or rpg on the web based on your or other author's works?

RT: To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I know some authors don't like having their work copied in any form and I believe copywrite laws protect them if they want to go after someone, but other authors say they feel as if it's an honor to be singled out and to have influenced people so much with their characters that fans want to see their stories continued. I've never seen one of my stories used in fanfic, so that's probably why I don't know how I feel regarding the matter.


6. What advice do you give to those who are just starting out or trying to become published?

RT: Dedication and persistence is the key. Very few people sell their first novel, or their second or third or fourth. Rejection is hard for anyone to take, and there is a lot of it in this business. Once you make your first sale, there are still very tough issues to deal with. Writers love to write, but few love the business end of writing. My advice is to look at the business end realistically, but at the same, do what most of us have done and just reach for one goal at a time. Write because you love to write.


7. Many authors are doing strictly e-books. Do you think this is just a trend, or does it spell the end of real books?

RT: I don't think we will ever see the end of real books. I hope not anyway. I love to smell a book, touch it, look at the cover, turn the pages. I know environmentally e-books are a better choice and we may be moving toward that due to those concerns, but I hope we don't have to worry about it for a long time.


8. How long does it usually take for you to research a book?

RT: It depends on the book I'm writing. If I set more than one book in the same area and time period, then the research time is basically cut in half. If I'm doing a paranormal where I get to create a world, then that's great. But if I'm doing something that really needs to be historically accurate, I spend probably six months doing research, depending on the project.


9. Do you see yourself writing in the same genre in 10 yrs? If not then what?

RT: Yes, I do. I love romance and know I will always remain true to the genre. I also like Children's literature and could see myself writing for that market.


10. How has being recognized in public affected your daily life or has it?

RT: Well, the great thing and the not so great thing about being a published author is that most people don't know what you look like. It's more of a thrill to say your name and have someone recognize that rather than your face. I'm not famous enough for it to have changed anything really, except maybe the way I feel about myself. I look at all the framed covers on my office wall and it gives me a deep feeling of satisfaction. I know the percentage of authors who submit a book and actually get it published is very small, so I feel very fortunate, and very proud that I had the dedication to see my dream through.

Interviewed by Sarah on 2/3/04.

Thursday, February 5

Interview with Diane Taylor (follow-up)

Diane Taylor (follow-up)

Hi, Diane. It's great interviewing with you again.


1. You just recently were published. How does it make you feel?

DT: Well, actually, they're not published yet. They're in the works. But, Truthfully? I'm on cloud nine! Having all this hit me within a 4 week period is kind of overwhelming. I'm still waiting for it to sink in. I love it.

2. Did you have any rejections before you were finally able to get published or was it fairly easy?

DT: Actually, no, I havent had any rejections. I was talking with a friend of mine from Writerspace.com who goes by the name of LadyA and she hooked me up with Gail. Editor for Triskelion Publishing. Four weeks ago last saturday, I sent her my first book, just to show her what my writing style was like.

2 hours later she gets me on Yahoo Instant Messenger and says, "What would you say if I told you I wanted your book?"

And that's how it all started.

3. How long does it take for you to write your books?

DT: Truthfully? It depends. If I was really ambitious, I could pound out a 50k word book a month. But I am definately NOT that motivated. However, once I get on a roll, I can usually get a story out in a month. Shorter novels take a bit less time. I think the hardest part is going over it and spell checking your work.

4. Is there any character in your books that you can really relate to?

DT: I think I can relate to all my leading lady characters. I put a little bit of myself into each one to make them more.. Real, I guess you'd call it. They're all part of me, yet they're their own personality. The trick is getting the character to work with me.

5. What is your favorite part of writing?

DT: Actually, my favorite part of writing will come when I can see it up for sale. That will be the favorite part. But, right now, it's Finishing the books. That is the most satisfying part of writing anything, I think. That time when you can honestly feel that you've put your all into the book and take your fingers off the keyboard... after you save the document, of course..

It's definately a feeling of accomplishment.


6. Getting back to your books coming out soon. Tell us a little about what to expect from them.

DT: Well, I think I can try and hand you some of the goodies to expect from my books:

Shadow Demon is a paranormal/political/romantic suspense type book. It's got a bit of everything. Assasins, Yakuza crime lords, Old Money that can buy anything *they think*, along with a Goddess that likes to pop in at odd moments in the book and startle the @#%$ out of the main character.

As the blurb for this book goes:

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. For Terri Montegard, it's a Death Warrant.
******

Posedon's Heart is pure fun. As you can guess, it deals with the Greek God, Poseidon. Toss in a mentally and physically scarred underwater Archeologist that hates arrogant, macho, testosterone driven men, and you've got an explosive romantic story that is sometimes funny, sometimes serious. But hey, what's one without the other. eh?

The blurb:
Poseidon has lost his Crown and his Trident. Now, he's about to loose his Heart.

Those are the two that are in the revision stages. The rest, well, I have a few left to write before the end of the year. However, I'm going to keep the info bits to myself. However, Here are the names of the books to look for after the two above:

Lion's Eye
Bardic Flame
Dracul Diamond.


7. When and where can we purchase your books?

DT: Poseidon's Heart will be on the list for August at the following addy:

www.triskelionpublishing.com

Shadow Demon is still in the revision process and will be out asap.

The rest are still in the WIP (Work In Process) stage.

******

Thanks again for letting me be interviewed. Good luck on your own efforts, Sarah. I know you can do it.


Interviewed by Sarah on 7/13/04.

Wednesday, February 4

Interview with Diane Taylor

Diane Taylor

Today and tomorrow I'm posting the interviews I did with Diane Taylor. At the time I did this, Diane was on the brink of getting her first novel published.

1. When/how did you know you wanted to write?

DT: I'm not entirely sure, exactly. I started out writing dark, gothic poetry when I was younger. I still have those poems hanging around my room somewhere. But I've always wanted to write at least one book. Something I can point to and proudly say, "I wrote that!"

At first I wanted to compile poetry into a book and try it that way. But now, I'm writing stories in the hope that at least one of them will be accepted into the great wide world of publishing. *grin*


2. How long did it take you to become published?

DT: I'm not published yet. I'm still working on polishing up the stories I do have out there.

I take that back. If you want to call having adult fan fiction posted on an over 18 story website, then yes, I've been there, done that. Hehehe. Other than that, I'm still working this part out.


3. Who are some of your favorite authors?

DT: Oh boy! you sure you want me to answer this one? hehe Okay, here we go. I have a lot of them, almost too many to list. I'm an ecclectic reader. Mercedes Lackey, Iris Johansen, Dara Joy, Christine Feehan, Laurell K. Hamilton, Sandra Hill, Nina Bangs and Johanna Lindsey are just a few of the ones I love to read. Oh, let's not forget Nancy Collins. Like I said, I'm a pretty ecclectic reader.


4. Who do you count as your literary influences?

DT: I'd have to say my Mom, first of all. She's the one who, even when I was a little kid, had an up-to-date library card. Always told me that if I didn't know about something, to go to the library and look it up. Don't get me wrong, she'd help me anyways, but she's the one that turned me into a book addict. And now, as I'm writing, she's always there on the Yahoo Messenger, supporting me.

After my Mom, I'm not entirely sure. I think all my favorite authors have a hand in guiding me as well with their stories. I get a feel for a storyline through them and I run with an idea that I have in my head.


5. Do you have a specific schedule in which you write?

DT: Schedule? What's that? hehehe Actually it's my Muse who makes his own schedule. Sometimes I'll sit down and stare at the screen before calling up an online game or two. Other days I'll be on a roll and belting out a storyline left and right.

It's my Muse, I tell you.. it's all HIS fault! *grinning*


6. What advice do you give to those who are just starting out or trying to become published?

DT: In a word? Write! No matter if it's just a bunch of words on a screen. Write. Even if it's just one creative sentence on a blank piece of paper. That is the best advice that one author can give to another. Write down your thoughts, feelings, ideas. Maybe find a picture or an item that you have around the house and write a short story about how it got there. But still, write.


7. Many authors are doing strictly e-books. Do you think this is just a trend, or does it spell the end of real books?

DT: Hard cover and paperbacks will always be around. There will never be any such thing as the end of real books because there are too many people who like to have the feel of an actual book in their hands as they sit, curled up in a chair with their coffee or cocoa or whatever. I'm one of them. I like getting lost in a book.

E-Books have their place in the universe as well. Sometimes a real book is too bulky to take somewhere while the e-book reader is flat and easy to carry with you.

It's a toss up. Personally, if I'm given a choice, I'll take real books. Others may choose E-books. It's a preference each person has.


8. How long does it usually take for you to research a book?

DT: Actually, I write and do research at the same time. It's kind of fun that way. If I'm up to a part in the book that I need some fact to go with the fiction, I open another window and go digging. I've been known to find the tiniest factoid in a remote corner of the Internet Universe that melds perfectly with what I'm doing at the moment. Then there are other times when I find a ton of info that would work on a sequel to the book I'm writing at the moment. It's really kind of fun to see what interesting things I can come up with while writing stories. It's great.


9. Do you see yourself writing in the same genre in 10 yrs? If not then what?

DT: Actually, yes. I do see myself writing in the same genre ten years from now. Romance, Adventure, Intrigue, paranormal, with a slight sensual bend. Yep. That's my type of genre.

My husband thinks I'm insane, my brother thinks I'm warped. But hey, it works! *evil grin*


10. Do you have any future projects? If so, tell us about them.

DT: Well, as of the moment, I have three pieces in the works:

The Montegard Files: Shadow Demon
Terri Montegard is a photographer hired by her half-sister to photograph her and her wealthy and politically correct Fiance' Cosar Mentari on their trip to Kamakura Japan. Tragedy strikes when an explosion rocks a celebration, killing Cosar, her half sister, and leaving her severely injured. As she is healing, she is plunged into a world of the Yakuza, of the mechanations of a Wealthy Patriarch, Corruption, and murder. The only one who can keep her sane through all this is the one man that the Japanese call the Kage Oni. The Shadow Demon

Lion's Eye
Jessie Brightman is an Empath and Telepath. Plagued by sensual visions of tawny golden eyes, a rumbling purr and the feel of fur against her skin, she seeks out a friend who mysteriously drags her off to see a shaman for help. Told to follow the urgings of her dreams and given a mysterious stone to wear to help her on her way, she finds herself on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, fighting for her life against a huge lion. Gravely injured, she is rescued by a mysterious man that seems to draw out her primal side. As she heals, her attraction to the mystery man will endanger them both. And the only thing between a bunch of corrupt federal thugs and the abyss of death.. is the Lion's Eye.

This last one doesn't have a name yet. But I'm working on it.
Follow Diane Taylor * Yes, I used my real name in this story* as she gets caught up in a sensual and erotic affair with Stephen Samios, an author and poet of some of the darkest and wickedest topics you could ever sink your teeth and hands into. An independantly wealthy and famous man, they encounter each other in a pool hall. Actually, that happens only after she gets her face sliced open by a drunk and faints in his arms. But hey, how romantic can you get? This story will take you from the streets to LA, to Castille de la Luna just outside of Barcelona, and various other locations. Trust me, It's going to be fun. I haven't decided where it's all going to end up. But I'm sure my Muse will help me out.


Interviewed by Sarah on 2/8/04.

Tuesday, February 3

February goals

So, I went over my goals and have decided that in February I'm going to do the Book in a Month: The Fool-Proof System for Writing a Novel in 30 Days program by Victoria Lynn Schmidt. It's in book format and has great worksheets to fill out as you progress and good things to think about each day as you continue to write.

Today I'm in day 3 and completing my At-A-Glance draft. My goal for this month to is complete I.T., the sequel to my novel, I.V., which I'm still working on revising. Argh! But, perhaps taking a step back from I.V. and working on I.T. will help give me more objectivity and get me back into the creating mindset.
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