In Memory

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break." ~William Shakespeare

Today's blog post is in honor and memory of all those killed in, and affected by, the Columbine shootings 10 years ago today.

How can it be 10 years? I still remember where I was when I first heard.

There's a new book out, titled Columbine, that apparently delves quite deeply into the two shooters and the aftermath of the attack. While it obviously won't be uplifting or easy to read, I plan on picking it up. I'll let you know what I think~

A Special Writers' Weekend Post: An Interview with Jane Lovering

Welcome to a special weekend author interview, with fellow Samhain author Jane Lovering (you're gonna love this one...)!

Hi Jane! Can you tell us a little about your background?

My background? Well, received wisdom has it that I was constructed out of pure steel in a shipyard, but recently I found family documents which indicate that I was, in fact, born. In Exeter, the county town of Devon, in the lovely South-West UK if you please! I have one brother, who is made of toffee and is therefore soluble, and a mother who denies all knowledge of both of us. But then, she thinks she’s a teaspoon, so what can you do?

LOL...Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My latest project is currently undergoing an identity crisis. It was conceived under the title ‘Beethoven Complex’, but my agent thought this title desirous of ‘fluffification’. After much wrangling (which I like to think I won, at least my agent started crying and had to retire hurt, arm dangling uselessly), it now sports the rather racy little title ‘Don’t Stop the Music’. It’s about a woman who’s hiding from her past, and a man who’s hiding from his. It’s not the same past, you understand, well, it is from a purely linear-time point of view, but…oh, you get the picture.

Anyway. They are both hiding, separately, and then they meet. And hide from each other. Psychologically, I mean, it would be a pretty odd book if it consisted of people dodging under blankets and behind trees when they saw each other coming – I actually think that’s the plot of Richard Curtis’ latest RomCom. There’s biscuits in it. The book, I mean, not the RomCom.

And in June I have ‘Slightly Foxed’ coming out in paperback with Samhain, there’s even more biscuits in that one, and a bad-tempered cat called Grainger. There’s also a Work In Progress, under the title ‘Unconventional Behaviour’, which at the moment only contains a small number of biscuit-related episodes. So, I’m keeping busy, what with the writing and the raffia-work these nice people keep giving me…

I'd say you're keeping busy, indeed! Now, how do you go about developing your characters?

First draft is about getting the story down, and once I’ve done that I have to tweak people to make sure they are consistent. I have to admit that tweaking attractive men in the interests of consistency has to be one of the perks of the job. But mostly my people come, fully formed, with the storyline, I like to call my brand of fiction ‘psychological romance’, because the story tends to come from within the characters, rather than from outside. So my characters are ridden with flaws and odd twitches and things. And also seem to go to the toilet more than romantic heros and heroines conventionally do. But that’s probably because of all the biscuits.

OK, what advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Read. Read everything you can find, apart from the label in your vest, because that’s embarrassing when you get caught doing it. And then write. All the time. Practice, practice, and then read some more. Oh, and I can recommend reading books you hate – there’s nothing to spur you on to write like reading a really awful book. So. Yes. Read. And write. And biscuits, biscuits always help.

Yep, pratice - I'll agree with that! Important question now: how do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

I’m not sure I do. My children complain about having nothing but pizza for dinner every day for a week and I have to fight the spiders just to get into the bathroom, but I reckon if you ignore the housework and show the kids how to work the oven, things balance out. I’ve got a day job where I am to be found in the mornings, then I get home, walk the dogs (I’ve yet to train them into walking each other, but I’m working on it), spend half an hour failing to do any housework or cooking but manage to get my e-mails done, then spend the rest of the day writing.

I’m sure that I wash and eat because no-one has complained about the smell, but I can’t work out when I do it. When I’m asleep, I suspect. But I must admit that I get a bit…well…tetchy when people tell me that they would write a book, ‘if they had the time’. I wrote my first novel (it was rubbish, but at least I wrote it) when I was doing time as a single mum of five kids under eleven. If that’s ‘having time to write’ then…………. (insert appropriate end. Go on, it’ll be good practice for you).

Jane, thanks a bunch for being here today! Readers, want to know more? (Of course you do...) Visit her website right here!

Return from Paradise

"Love is a portion of the soul itself, and it is of the same nature as the celestial breathing of the atmosphere of paradise." ~Victor Hugo

I'll post some vacation pictures later on today, after I finish unpacking (and recovering from yesterday's red-eye flight. yikes - how do people do that on a regular basis??) But yes, I'd say a week in Hawaii was just what the doctor ordered to chase away stress and sadness and steel myself for the craziness of the next 2 months!


I wish we could go back every year. Maybe if we lived in southern California, so the flight wasn't so long (or darn expensive), or if the prices went down -- c'mon! $15 for a glass of wine? $90 for a pedicure? Or if I signed that six-figure contract...which reminds me, I have some writing to do...

Waiting for the Payoff

"To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark." ~Victor Hugo

I had an interesting conversation with a woman yesterday who asked me if I'd read the Twilight books. (Note: if you don't know my opinion on them, here's a recap). When I admitted I'd read the first but not the other 3, she sighed and said, "I confess, I'm on the fourth one right now. I can't put them down!"

I asked her why, exactly, she loved them so much. (I'm always interested in knowing what keeps a person reading a particular book.) She said, "I'm not really sure. I think it's that I keep waiting for the big payoff."

And I thought that was such a great, honest way of putting it. Somehow, Stephenie Meyer has written a series that gets readers involved enough with the characters that they simply keep reading - through multiple books - to see if Bella and Edward WILL ACTUALLY END UP TOGETHER.

Isn't that what keeps us reading most of the time? No matter the genre or even the subject, when the author does it right, we turn the pages because we're promised some kind of payoff, some kind of resolution to all the conflict, and we simply can't wait to find out what it might be and how it might come about.

It was a good reminder for me, to continually up the ante and create believable conflict and angst when I write. We have to make the reader ache for the payoff!

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Debra St. John

Welcome back to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with Wild Rose Press author Debra St. John...

Debra, welcome! When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I started writing in high school. (Not well, but the enthusiasm was there!) I subscribed to Harlequin American and got four shiny new silver books in the mail each month. After reading half a dozen or so, I thought, “I want to write one of these some day.” And I’ve been writing ever since. Not always seriously, but it was always something I came back to time and time again.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

Right now I’m I the middle of working on a sequel, or spin-off, to “This Time for Always”. This story features Zach as the hero, who is a secondary character in the first book. I also have a new release coming soon called “Wild Wedding Weekend” which is currently in the final editing stage with my editor at The Wild Rose Press.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Keep at it and don’t give up on your dream. I played around for a long time before becoming serious about my writing, but I learned a lot along the way. Enter contests. You can get such great feedback from them. Join a writers’ group. My local RWA chapter, Chicago-North, has been invaluable to me. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve learned from the talented and wonderful ladies in that group. Find a critique partner or group. You’ll learn a lot from reading other people’s work.

Describe your writing space.

The computer in my den is what I like to think of as “home base” for my writing. I have pictures and sticky notes and such pinned up all over the place. I also have award certificates for contests I’ve won hung up to keep me going when I hit a wall. The den itself is decorated with old family pictures, so it’s a cozy and welcoming space.. Then last summer (I know I’m really behind the times!) I bought a laptop. This has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made. Now I can take my writing virtually anywhere. In the summer I like to take the laptop out to the back porch and spend an hour or two writing in my jammies before I start the day. My living room couch and the rocking chair on my front porch are also favorite “portable” writing spots. I go wherever the mood strikes me!

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

When I’m not writing I love cuddling up on the couch and watching movies with my hubby. In the summer I like to play in my garden or sit on the front porch in a rocking chair with a good book. Spending time with friends scrap booking or just hanging out is also one of my favorite things to do.

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

I work mainly on the computer, but if inspiration strikes suddenly and I’m away from a computer I will hand write a scene or two and then transfer it into the manuscript later.

Debra, thanks so much for being here today! Readers, want to know more? Visit her website here.

What I'm Reading Now

One of the things I like doing on vacation is peeking to see what other people are reading. And since people inevitably leave their books lying on their pool chairs, it's fun to walk around and read titles. I've seen a lot of "light" reading - no surprise there - not a whole lot of nonfiction, mostly romance/women's fiction or James Patterson/Dean Koontz types of titles.

I brought 4 books along with me, though I probably won't get through them all (even with a 10 hour flight each way!):

Tribute by Nora Roberts
Too Good to be True by Kristan Higgins
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

I finished Tribute, and I always enjoy reading Nora only because her plots and subplots are so well written and tied together, and because she develops her characters so well. It inspires me to go back and tackle my own writing on a deeper level. I'm part way through Too Good to be True, and what I like most so far is the first-person narrator's voice. Kristan does a great job with that.

It's tough reading when you're a writer, though - I find I'm always analyzing the author's choices and figuring out how that reflects in my own work.

What about you?

Breaking the Rules

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." ~A.A. Milne

"I felt it shelter to speak to you." ~Emily Dickinson

"Soul-mates are people who bring out the best in you. They are not perfect but are always perfect for you." ~Author Unknown

I picked up a Writer's Digest the other day, and one of the articles talked about creating the perfect romantic couple: what your hero and heroine should/should not be made up of. Among the top qualities: make them imperfect, don't make them mean, and above all, don't let them commit adultery.

OK, I can agree with all of that. But here's the problem: my latest WIP, Entwined, breaks one of these rules.

First, let me just say that I don't think Entwined is going to be a typical genre romance novel. It always has felt much more women's fiction/literary fiction/mainstream than something that will fit neatly into "contemporary romance."

Maybe that makes a difference, maybe it doesn't.

Here's the thing: my hero commits adultery. When the book begins, he is living with his girlfriend and their 4-month old baby girl. By the third chapter, he has moved across the country (doing research for his dissertation), met the heroine, and begun a torrid affair with her. Let me qualify this slightly by explaining that from the start, we know his relationship is miserable. His girlfriend won't sleep with him, barely tolerates him, and he has a suspicion she is seeing someone else.

No, I know this isn't an excuse. But much of the book's premise centers on the notion that sometimes we are drawn to another person despite every rational thought and every effort we make to stop it, that there are such things as soulmates and when we meet ours, we know instantly that is the person we are supposed to be with. No matter what. No matter the mess it might create around us.

So...here's my question: do you think I need to change the opening chapters somewhat? I don't want readers to think my hero is a total jerk. And much of what happens to him is explained and justified later in the story. But at the start, he's a semi-committed guy who falls for another woman and acts on his desires.

Will you dislike him for that?

[Note: I'm cyber-waving to Liz, who has already read the first 2 chapters, so I'm hoping she'll drop by and tell me what she thinks...]

Why We Stayed Inside Yesterday...

"For I remember it is Easter morn,
And life and love and peace are all new born."

~Alice Freeman Palmer

Yes, we're vacationing in one of the most beautiful places on earth. And yes, we spent a good deal of yesterday inside. Why? Well, aside from the fact that I decided 15 SPF was strong enough sunblock (um, it wasn't), and after 1:00 or so had to stay out of the rays for good, hubby sat down with Lost in Paradise...

and...

proceeded to read the entire thing.

Seriously.

He brought the book along with the goal of finishing it by the end of the week, but couldn't put it down once he started it. For me, that's a good enough reason to spend an afternoon in Hawaii indoors. :)

To everyone who celebrates it, here's wishing you a wonderful, peaceful, and happy Easter Sunday!

Random Thoughts from the South Pacific

"I try to explain to them about the aloha spirit. And it’s that spirit that I am absolutely convinced is what America is looking for right now." ~Barack Obama

The effort to "go green" has spilled over into our hotel: if you forego maid service for a day, you can get a $30 gift certificate toward dinner in one of the hotel restaurants. It's a valiant effort, one which we've already supported -- and yeah, the $30 is nice. But when that doesn't even cover the cost of one entree (yikes, but visiting this state is expensive!), well, one better hope that knowing you're helping the environment is (mostly) its own reward.

It's impossible to feel stressed or in a hurry when no one around you is. (Note to self: try to remember this a week from now).

Finally, does anyone else ever wonder why, really, Hawaii is a part of the United States? OK, history and politics aside, take a look at a map. Hawaii is really freakin' far away from the rest of the country. And it's 6 hours earlier than the East coast! Really, it's very odd to be sitting in a bar (ahem...restaurant) at 4:30 in the afternoon and watching ESPN with all the scores of evening baseball games that have already been played on the mainland.

Funny.

A Very Quick Tip from Very Far Away

Readers, if my posts are rather erratic the next few days, it's because I'm in a very different time zone from most of you. Hubby and I splurged and are vacationing in Hawaii for the next 7 days. And yes, while it is close to paradise here, I've had such a hellish year (as some of you know) that this escapism is exactly what I need...

Anyway, today, a very quick tip for writers:

You'll notice from my sidebar that I have a cluster of book signings happening in early-mid May. Most of them are focused on My Mom is my Hero -- because, as it turns out, bookstores love when you can connect your book to an event/date/reason for readers. I sent out a bunch of press releases and had a few stores contact me. All were thrilled with the thought of doing a signing to coincide with Mother's Day. Now, obviously that book and that holiday are a ready-made connection. But what I've picked up in talking to the managers of these stores is that they really do like to have authors come in. They just need a reason to feature them.

So...think creatively about the ways you can connect your book to local events, holidays, etc. If you can convince stores (or papers or other media) to give you a signing or a promo opportunity that way, it's one more method of getting your name out there.

And isn't that what's it's all about?

Happy Easter Weekend, by the way!

Spring Break -- Finally!

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in." ~Robert Orben

It's been a long, difficult year, but the nice thing about teaching (well, one of the nice things, anyway) is that vacations always wait around the corner.

Spring Break is finally here, and we're flying someplace warm and lush for a week. Wanna know where? Check back here tomorrow ;) I've brought my laptop and am hoping that the setting and the relaxation (and maybe the fruity drinks too) will be an incredible source of literary inspiration.

At the very least, we're escaping the cold and snow (yes, it snowed yesterday in NY)!

Writers' Wednesday...

...will return next week. Sorry for the inconvenience!

And Still I Wait...

Still no Internet connection (I'm at the library right now)...they're supposed to be sending a technician out sometime today. But if you've sent me an email in the last 3 days, chances are I haven't gotten it. So I'm not ignoring you, I promise.

Interestingly, though, my house is clean, my school paperwork is up to date, and I got a full 8 hours of sleep last night...

Today, a Time Out

Wow, you don't realize how dependent you become on Internet service until you don't have it, right? Ours has been intermittent since last week, and since I don't know when it might boot me off again, I'm taking today off from posting anything substantial. Hope I'll see you here tomorrow!

Entwined

"When a relationship dies do we ever really give up the ghost, or are we forever haunted by the spirits of relationships past?" ~Sarah Jessica Parker

Don't know if I mentioned this or not, but I'm back at work on Entwined, the very messy romance/women's fiction/literary fiction piece I started back in November. I left it alone for a while, but since I'm almost 50K words in, I figured it deserved some more attention. My goal is 90K words when all is said and done. Of course, I have no idea if I can get there, but we'll see.

I do still love the story, and the interesting thing is this: I have done very little plotting on this one, which is unusual for me. Rather, I am simply writing and adding scenes as they seem to unfold...which has shown me some interesting stuff. Yesterday, for example, there was this whole scene with a ghost in it. I had thought about putting in some paranormal stuff (just, yo know, to REALLY make it hard to pigeonhole, genre-wise), but this scene just showed up out of nowhere.

And it was pretty cool.

Fave Line (from the ghost scene): "At the very edge of his attention, he hears Natasha calling his name, but she is far away, and the shadowy young woman is here and sad and in desperate need of comforting."

We Can't Keep it on the Shelf...

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." ~Desmond Tutu

So this is cool: my mom went into her local bookstore (our hometown) the other day to pick up My Mom is my Hero and mentioned that I was a contributing author AND that I had other books published under a pen name as well. The girl working at the desk asked for one of my titles and then went over, picked up One Night in Boston, and said, "You know, we can't keep this on the shelf."

((Grin))

Then my mom told her about the upcoming release of One Night in Memphis and that they should have a book signing there. I promptly told my mom she should become my publicist!

The Joys of Home Ownership

"There ought to be a room in every house to swear in." ~Mark Twain

You probably think I'm going to rant about the never-ending projects that come with owning a home, right? True, it seems like there are a zillion. And just when you finish one, another pops up and waves a hand saying "Me, me! Time to tackle me next!"

But no, this blog post about home ownership speaks directly to the joys of installing a home alarm system. Oh yes, this is what we did this week.

When we bought our home 3 years ago, it had a system already installed. Not having ever lived in a house with an alarm, and not really having a lot to protect (sorry, kitties), we never got it hooked up. Fast forward three years, and we've since accumulated a few more things and also discovered that the economy has driven up the crime rate, around here anyway. In fact, our neighbors were robbed a few months back. Our house sits up off the road, so we figured it was time to bite the bullet and have the system turned on.

Minor snag: it took 2 days, rather than the promised 1, to fully install and hook up everything. After that, though, things seemed relatively simple: read the book on how to understand the keypad, program in a code, press a few buttons and secure the house for the night.

Major snag: at 2 am that first night, the alarm went off. Nothing like a horrifically loud siren to jar you out of a complete sleep! We both ran around the bedroom like lunatics until we realized we could punch in the code to turn it off. (Meanwhile, the poor cats were almost traumatized)We searched the house and discovered that one of the sensors had gone out. I suppose it was a relief to know that the company called within 30 seconds to make sure we were OK...embarrassed, but OK.

The following morning, we set the alarm (bypassing the one zone that had gone out) and left the house for work. I said to hubby, "You know, let's just wait for the 30-second delay and make sure it doesn't go off again." Sure enough, 31 seconds after we walked out the door, the alarm went off. (I'm sure our neighbors love us by now).

Since then, we've had a repair guy come out and check and test everything...and so far, no further problems. But I figure it's only a matter of time. Sigh. Yeah, gotta love home ownership!

One Night in Napa Has Release Date!

"You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what's burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke." ~Arthur Polotnik

I just got the good news from my Samhain editor that One Night in Napa has an e-release date of July 21, 2009! Even better, here's the official blurb, to whet your appetite:

Can anything change in twenty-four hours? Can everything?

Journalist Grant Walker has one chance to salvage his job and his relationship with his domineering father. Terrorists have kidnapped a fading film star’s son, and Grant has scored the first interview with the grieving mother. Even better, a new twist has just arrived on the scene—an illegitimate granddaughter who hasn’t been heard from in seven long years.

It’s the story of a lifetime, and all Grant has to do is deliver.

After discovering a terrible secret about her birth, Kira March left home vowing never to return. With her father kidnapped and her grandmother cracking under media pressure, it’s up to her to find and destroy all evidence of that secret. Trouble is, a reporter has weaseled his way into the house looking for answers—and he isn’t leaving until he gets them.

Yet as the hours pass, Kira finds herself falling for the very man who could destroy her. And when Grant comforts her in the wake of a midnight tragedy, he remembers why it’s a bad idea to get emotionally involved with an interview subject. Especially when the family name is on the line.

Ooh, I love this story. Now I can't wait to see the cover!

Congrats to the Prize Winner!

"April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four." ~Mark Twain

A big congratulations to Mary Ricksen, the winner of the Small Press Month Giveaway!!!

Thanks to everyone who left comments all month long. Stay tuned for the next giveaway (hint: it might just involve one of my two books coming out at the end of April...)

And Mary, email me at allieb@allieboniface so I can get your prize(s) off to you!

Why Parents Drink

Yeah, this has nothing to do with writing, but a friend forwarded it to me last night and it made me laugh...

W hy Parents Drink
A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Dad..' With the worst premonition he opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.

Dear Dad:

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.

I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice.

But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercing, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am. But it' s not only the passion...Dad she's pregnant.

Stacy said that we will be very happy.

She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.

Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy.

In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it...

Don't worry Dad. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.

Love, Your Son John

PS. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than a Report card that's in my center desk drawer.

I love you.

Call me when it's safe to come home.

A Mother's Day Book Signing

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." ~Rajneesh

In case I hadn't mentioned it, My Mom is my Hero is out in print now -- and my short story "Blue Circle Books" is one of the 50 stories included in it (though it's second to last in the whole book...what's THAT about?). And check out this great review on Amazon!!

I'll be signing copies, along with one other author, on Saturday May 9th, from 12:00 - 3:00 at the Waldenbooks in Rye Brook, NY. I sent out a bunch of press releases to bookstores within about 100 miles, and the manager of this one called over the weekend, thrilled to have us. That's neat, right? I don't get any royalties from this book, just a one-time payment for having my story included...but I'm still going to bring my author promo for all my other books, just in case, you know, shoppers might be interested in a love story for Mom too.

If you're anywhere near Rye Brook, mark May 9th on your calendars!

The Final Author Interview...

Here it is...the final author interview of Small Press Month -- and thanks to everyone, readers and writers alike, for making it such a great one! Please welcome Amber Leigh Williams -- and remember to leave those comments! The winner of the prize pack of books will be announced right here on Wednesday, April 1st (no foolin', I promise!)

Amber, tell us a little about your latest writing project or published title.

Blackest Heart, my western novella for the Wayback, TX series, is now available with The Wild Rose Press. I recently learned that it will be going to print in an anthology called The Way Back Home. I never expected Blackest Heart to go this far so I’m absolutely thrilled! It’s the story of Stella Ridge, an actress who comes home to Wayback to recover from a traumatic car accident. Her arrival uncovers a trail of buried secrets and old wounds within her family and the town. She also finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Wayback’s silent cowboy Judd Black. Still haunted by his black past, he’s drawn by the hurt behind her eyes as well as the spark that kindles between them. When Wayback can’t provide the solace Stella craves, she turns into the arms of its so-called Blackest Heart.

How do you go about developing your characters?

My characters never turn out exactly the way I see them when I start out. I know what motivates them within the story, but sometimes even the back story is a mystery to me. With Judd, I knew something terrible had happened to him as a child to make him mute. But I didn’t decide what until I’d gotten to know him better mid-way through the plot. In the beginning, I usually know appearance, motivation in regard to the twists and turns of the plot, and a few fun quirks to give them individuality. The actual writing of the story fills in the blanks and somehow gives them even more depth than I imagined these already complex beings having. That’s one of my favorite parts of the process: seeing them mysteriously come to life all on their own.

What kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

I read everything I can get my greedy hands on. The only condition: if it’s fiction, it has to have a HEA. With books and movies, I’m a HEA fanatic. As for authors, I have favorites in every genre. J.R. Ward is hands-down my favorite paranormal author. Larissa Ione comes in close second. For romantic suspense, I turn to Nora Roberts and her J.D. Robb titles if I need to sink my teeth into something grittier. I’m not all that into mainstream contemporaries, surprisingly. It’s got to have something special to really grab me. As for historical romance, give me classic Kathleen E. Woodiwiss any day, Ashes in the Wind in particular. If I need a quick fix, I read a western. It doesn’t matter who the author is, small press or mass market… There’s just something about westerns that make me melt like cheese on pizza, LOL

What do you find most difficult about writing? What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

If I’m challenged, I stay interested. When it seems too easy, I tend to stray. The main challenge for me with everyday writing is making the scenes and characters and plot come as alive on the page as they are in the movie reel in my head. Everything comes to me in “movie” form and I try my best to channel that onto the page, make it flow, and give it color. The most rewarding part is seeing my story take others by the heart. I got a message from one reader who said she couldn’t get Blackest Heart out of her head. Hearing that, I knew I’d done my job well and I went to bed with a smile on my face…after a big glass of congratulatory wine, of course!

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Though it can be inevitable, I think writer’s block is blown way out of proportion. People have this mental block when it comes to writer’s block. It terrifies them, freezes them, and I’ve learned the best way for me to get through it. For one, I think of it more as what it really is at the core: burn out. I write the first draft of a manuscript within three months. After that, I go through two to three weeks of nothing. I don’t get anything productive done besides promotions for my published works.

My mistake was thinking that I could wrestle the story from my muse’s hands—just sit down and pull it out, even if it only came an inch at a time. It was so mentally exhausting that I had nothing left for my husband or family for the rest of the day, and I was hurting myself. It felt generally unhealthy. So I’ve learned to give myself those two to three weeks in between manuscripts to lay back, relax, catch up on my TBR pile, spend time with my family, and let my muse and my brain recharge. When I dive into another story at the end of the recharge, it feels so good and I have all this ready energy that drives me through those three months of work!

What is your favorite movie? Did it inspire your writing in any way?

One of my favorite movies is The Italian Job, and it did in fact inspire my debut novel Fox & Hound. A Hallmark movie based on a true World War II love story called In Love and War inspired my first romance manuscript. Good movies give me an adrenaline boost just like any good book. All the movies on my favorites list are pretty high-energy with, of course, that mandatory HEA tossed in.

Amber, thanks for being here today. Anything else you’d like to mention?

I’ve just contracted another story with the Wayback, TX series, the sequel to Blackest Heart. It’s called Bluest Heart and it’s the story of Casey Ridge, Stella’s brother. I’m so happy I get to share Casey’s story with everyone. I know readers enjoyed the part he played in Blackest Heart. I wanted to give them a chance to get to know him better and give him his own journey and HEA. He’s got this good-guy image but it’s bottled in an incredibly sexy package. The combination turns me and his bad-girl heroine Josie to mush! Look for Bluest Heart from The Wild Rose Press soon as well as The Way Back Home print anthology featuring Abbey MacInnis’s Delighting Miss Daisy, Marguerite Arotin’s Return of the Prodigal Daughter, and Blackest Heart which recently earned Five Hearts and a recommendation from The Romance Studio as well as a Fantastic Read seal from Writers & Readers of Distinctive Fiction!

Welcome to the Final Writers' Weekend!

Can you believe it's already the last weekend in March?? Today and tomorrow will be the final authors featured here for Small Press Month...then Wednesday, April 1st, I'll announce the winner of the prize package.

So get your comments in!

Today I'm chatting with Wild Rose Press author P.L. Parker. Enjoy!

P.L., welcome to Allie's Musings! Tell us a little about the woman behind the author.

In my real life, I am a legal assistant with a downtown law firm in Boise, Idaho. I am married to my best friend and fan, proud mother of 3 sons and a baby granddaughter who is just amazing.

My life is full of varying interests. I find it hard to take just a few minutes for myself. I write during my breaks at work and, on Fridays, I e-mail the week's work home and enter it into my manuscript. It's a great way for me to write. I keep a screen open and if a good idea hits me, I switch over and write it down. By the end of the week, I usually have at least four pages to add to the total. I have several friends at work who follow along, giving suggestions, and always eager to read the next "chapter." It's great to have my critique group right at work.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

From my fellow authors, I have garnered a great deal of information on the basics of writing. It's amazing what one can learn by just lurking in e-mail conversation and I am a great lurker. I have learned so much these past three years and, to my great excitement, finally figured out what the initials "POV" meant. As a fledgling author, these bits of information are invaluable.

Tell us a little about your most recent works.

Besides my two novels already in print ("Fiona" and "Riley's Journey"), I have two upcoming releases. My third novel, “Aimee’s Locket” is about a young woman who is thrown back through time to 1847 and the start of the Oregon Trail. I also have a shorter story, “Heart of the Sorcerer,” again about time travel and involves a painting on the wall which is the portal to the past. We are in the final edits stage of "Heart of the Sorcerer" and that one should be released soon. I also have a short story, “Prophecy’s Bride,” released in the Free Reads program with TWRP. I recently completed the first draft of my fourth novel, "Absolution," (a vampire story) and am in the edits stage of that one. Due to the many requests I've received, my next project will be a sequel to "Riley's Journey," centering on the female tracker, Geena.

Do you have any tips for developing characters?

I was heavily involved in theater in my school years and I think that background helped me in formulating my characters' personalities. When I am writing, I mentally act out what that person would do or say in a specific situation (from my perspective) and try to put it down on paper as best I can.

Anything else you'd like to mention today?

I’ve gone far above my expectations already. I had given myself five years to try to get published and I’ve beat that, so now it’s pretty much just fighting like every other writer to be noticed on a bigger scale.

I can be contacted at plparker@plparker.com or plparker92@yahoo.com

It's a Birthday!

"A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip." ~Author Unknown

Well, it's not MY birthday. But it is my hubby's, so I have no witty or brilliant blog post written for today...you'll have to wait for tomorrow's author interview!

What's the Deal with the Cheek Kiss?

"Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism." ~Leo Buscaglia

Admittedly, this blog post has little to do with writing. It's just something that's been on my mind lately.

The cheek kiss. Now, I'm not talking European or Latin/South American culture, where it's the norm to give a kiss (at least one, usually two) on the cheek(s) for greeting.

But it wasn't until I moved to the NYC suburbs about 11 years ago that I really discovered the novelty of the cheek kiss in this country. See, where I come from originally, anyone who's saying hello or goodbye to good friends or family gives hugs. Big, warm, two-armed hugs. It's rather nice. This remained true when I moved to Ohio; mid-westerners hug too.

When I moved to downstate NY, I discovered that most people around here don't hug. Instead, they give kisses on the cheek. While this may sound like a relatively minor difference, I gotta tell you, it took some getting used to. I'd lean in for a hug, and instead I'd get a cheek pressed next to mine, with someone's lips making a kissing sound in the air beside my face. It's sort of embarrassing, when your arms are hanging out there, ready for a big ol' embrace, and the person has already moved on to air-kiss someone else. OK, once in a while, lips do make skin contact, but not that often. Mostly we're kissing the air and making smacking sounds with our mouths as a way of saying "Hey, so great to see you," or "Take care now - see you soon."

I've gotten pretty good at negotiating the cheek kiss after all this time. I've mastered the position and the timing like a native down-stater. However, I still refuse to kiss the air if I can help it; I swoop in for an honest-to-goodness peck on the cheek as often as I can.

Still, I miss the hug, I really do. There's something much warmer about that kind of greeting. It's a whole-hearted, whole-bodied commitment to the expression of hello or goodbye.

What about where you live? Cheek kiss, hug, or something else? Or nothing at all?

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Kristin Callender

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Enjoy today's featured interview with new author Kristin Callender, who's chatting all about her debut mystery novel!

Hi Kristin! Can you tell us about your latest writing project or published title?

The Truth Lies in the Dark is my first mystery and my first published novel. In it the main character, Amanda finds out that she is not who she thinks she is. She lost her memory after surving a plane crash that claimed her parents. Raised by her grandparents, she only knew what they told her about her life and family. In her quest to find her true identity she uncovers a dark secret that threatens to destroy everything, even her loving marriage. Could it be that everyone in Amanda's life knew this secret and kept it from her? Were they more involved than they are willing to admit? These are some of the questions Amanda must answer.

Sounds intriguing...how do you go about developing your characters?

I like to start on paper. I write down everything I imagine the characters to be; their age, family, background, etc. Once I can see them as real people it is easier for me to start their story. I keep notes on each chapter after I write them too, so I have a quick reference to look at if I get stuck. But I don't outline the whole story in advance. I have an idea in my head where I want the story to end, but I like to give the characters room to move in the story.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

I have been lucky enough to have not suffered a full block, but have had many small jams. I always know what I want to write. The story is in my head like a movie on pause until I sit down at the computer. But somedays I can't sit still or the words just don't come out like I want them to. When this happen I have to get up and do something else, like start the laundry or pick up the house (you know the really glamorous stuff). If it is really frustrating me I put on my music, usually Matchbox 20, and take a walk. It helps to release some energy and then I can focus again.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

I am still figuring that out. If anyone has that answer please let me know. I love writing and under ideal conditions, meaning no one else home and completely focused, I could write all day. But I am a mom of four, a wife of one:) and I work part time as a substitute teacher. There are very few ideal condition days. Some days I force myself to write and forget about the clutter building up around me and other days I am completely devoted to all things for the family.

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

I start off with a pad. Once I get the characters set and the basic background of the story I go to the computer. I read in Sidney Sheldon's memoir that he never actually wrote a book. He dictated all of his stories and screenplays to someone else and they typed it. The idea of that sounds great; just rattle off the story to someone and be done. But it wouldn't work for me because I like to read and reread before I am happy with my writing. I am always trying to make sure that the words flow, at least to me.

Kristin, thanks for being here today!

I would like to take a moment to thank Allie for interviewing me for her blog. And of course, I want to thank all of her blog fans and readers for taking the time to learn about me and my book. More information can be found on my website: http://sites.google.com/site/kristincallenderbooks

The Truth Lies in the Dark by Kristin Callender is available on www.amazon.com/Truth-Lies-Dark-Kristin-Callender/dp/1604520140 and is the 'Featured Book of the Month' on http://www.bluewaterpress.com/.

Donald Maass and The Gender Genie

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug." ~Mark Twain

Here's a fun website: Gender Genie. Paste in your text (more than 500 words works best), and it will tell you whether the author is male or female. It got me right!

I always find this page of agent Donald Maass's website interesting: it's what the agency is looking for. Sometimes the concepts seem REALLY out there (time travel fantasy about a blind bike messenger, or something), but the most recent one asks for holiday submissions (looking ahead at least a year, of course). So if you have anything, maybe you should polish it off and submit it!

Pictures from a Book Signing

"Life can't ever really defeat a writer who is in love with writing, for life itself is a writer's lover until death - fascinating, cruel, lavish, warm, cold, treacherous, constant." ~Edna Ferber

Here is my favorite picture from my book signing over the weekend

Let me just point out that the store had all of our titles (yes, those are mine right in front) arranged on a table smack-dab in the front of the store. I was actually standing in the doorway to take the picture. I'd also like to point out that our table is IN FRONT OF the display of Twilight books, just behind :)

Though sales were very low, it was nice to mingle with other authors, especially fellow Samhain author Ciar Cullen. I've seen her around on the Yahoo loops for a year now (and she actually wrote a lovely review of One Night in Boston), so it was really nice to put a face with a name. She and I shared the common denominator of the night of not writing erotic romance. I gotta tell ya, it was nice to have someone else in my corner!

Weekend Featured Author Interview: Maria Zannini

Welcome to the second author interview of the weekend...give a big hello to fellow Samhain author Maria Zannini! Rather than the standard Q&A today, though, in honor of Small Press Month, Maria's giving us her take on what makes a small press successful. Enjoy!

Swami Sez…

…I have discovered the secret of successful publishing. And I learned it from the small press publisher.

Who would have thought the small press publisher could influence the big boys in New York in such a big way? Less than a few years ago, the e-publisher was a novelty, the place to go if your work couldn't find a home in traditional publishing. Erotica was the first to gain a foothold while the big publishers looked on hungrily, too scared to dip a toe in unfamiliar markets.

Now all that's changed. Harlequin was the first of the big publishers to embrace e-publishing and use it as part of their standard practice. Today, you won't find a contract with a traditional publisher that won't negotiate for your e-rights as well. E-publishing has become a force to be reckoned with.

With the advent of e-readers, now more sophisticated than ever before, NY is beginning to understand the depth of their shortsightedness and is scurrying to catch up.

That's good news in that e-publishing is being taken seriously. The bad news is that there is more competition for many of the same readers. The small press will have to fight to retain its market hold against deeper pockets.

Swami Maria is not too worried about this though. Stable and respected e-publishers like Samhain and Ellora's Cave have done a remarkable job at maintaining reader loyalty.

Smart swami that I am, most of my mentalist powers are derived more from observation than doing the Drunken Pony stance. --What, there's no Drunken Pony stance? Sheesh! Details!

Anyway, having studied Samhain in particular, I think I have learned the secret of their publishing success.

I will share that secret with you, but you need to be in that pure transcendental state of mind. (Hey, you with the Appletini. Put that down!)

Okay, now. Ready?

Are you transcending?

Just kidding. The only thing transcendental about me is my 401K. I'm pretty sure that one's flown the coop. But I'll tell you the secret anyway.

After spending the better part of a year studying Samhain, I've deduced that the reason they've become so successful is due in large part to their interaction with the public. Samhain has relationships with its readers.

That relationship is the trough that nurtures an idea, an author, a book, or an organization and makes it turn viral. Viral is a good thing in this sense. It means that a total unknown can go around the world with the click of a mouse button.

Samhain is constantly reaching out to its readers via chats, contests, appreciation weeks and blogs. They encourage discussion on their forums, and moderators go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Their website is easy to navigate and a live person actually answers you when you email them.

It's a simple equation, but solving for 'viral' is a lot harder when you have to put it into practice. My swami brain tells me that the way to Nirvana is to start slow. Begin with the relationships you already have. Make them feel welcome on your blog, forum, newsletter or website. And always deliver more than you promised.

Relationships don't happen overnight, but good ones last a lifetime. It's a lesson the big boys are learning fast.

Swami sez…reach out to your readers wherever they hang out.

Swami Maria no longer meditates in public ever since that unfortunate incident in Rampur but she does blog regularly at http://www.mariazannini.blogspot.com/. Be sure to add yourself to her followers list because in April she is going to have one bodacious book launch contest.

Book launch, you say? Why, yes! TOUCH OF FIRE gets physical on April 28, 2009. It's a futuristic fantasy set on an Earth that knows only magic. Here's the tagline: He's a scoundrel and a thief. She's a woman on a mission. They're the perfect team--if they don't kill each other first.

Order the book now and be the first cool kid on your block to read it during lunch break. If you are too sophisticated for print, by all means get the e-book. Write me, write Amazon reviews. I'd really like to know what you thought of it.

I guess that's it. I am all out of swami goodness. Visit me on my blog and let's chat. Swami is listening. You can also follow me on Twitter or my website.

Touch Of Fire is at:
Amazon
Barnes & Nobles
My Bookstore and More

Read an excerpt at Samhain Publishing

Weekend Featured Author Interview: Karen Lee Field

Happy spring! Hope your weekend is off to a great start. Today as part of Small Press Month celebration, I'm featuring another author interview -- this one with Karen Lee Field. Enjoy...and don't forget to leave your comments for a chance to win that prize pack of books!



Welcome, Karen...Can you tell us a little about your background?

I mainly write fantasy for adults and children, but I’ve recently ventured into paranormal stories too.

Over the years I have attempted to help unpublished writers cross over into the published world. In 2003, I organised a competition and asked Australian authors Jennifer Fallon and Fiona McIntosh to read and judge the stories submitted and then give feedback, which they did. It was inspiring for all the writers concerned to receive feedback of this type. I’ve also run year long workshops through my website where writers help writers by giving in-depth critiques over several edits until each and every writer (those who stay the distance, of course) has a polished short story to submit for publication. I’m pleased to say that several of those short stories have now been published.

As a writer I know how difficult it is to get noticed in a world where every second person wants to write the next best-seller. I’ve seen some trash in my time, but I’ve also seen some gems that deserve publication and it was those manuscripts that forced me to try and bring their authors into the lime light.

That's wonderful -- I always love to hear about authors giving back. When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I was about 11 years old when a teacher asked us to write a short story as homework. The only stipulation given was that it had to have a beginning, middle and end. My story was a mystery, which I was extremely proud of. On the day our stories had to be read out in class I sat and listened to a lot of rubbish, still pleased with my own efforts. And then a boy stood up and read a story about a spider and its web. I was transported into an imaginary world of colour and wonder. I was the spider! When the boy sat down, I looked at my story through different eyes and knew my story did not compare to what I had just experienced. I vowed at that moment to improve. That spider and its web have been my inspiration ever since.

Great story! Now, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

In 2007 I decided that I would organise the publication of an anthology. I enlisted the help of Sasha Beattie, editor, and Heather Anderson, artist, and together we sifted through almost 140 submissions. The end result is “Speculative Realms: Where there’s a will, there’s a way”.



The anthology brings together thirteen original stories by authors around the world. They are stories of fantasy, science fiction and horror for adults which will entertain, provoke, startle, amuse and resonate long after the last page has been turned. The stories are themed, but there are unexpected twists which make them unpredictable.

Sounds intriguing...I'm sure some of my blog readers would love to pick that up! How do you go about developing your characters?

I believe characters are as important as the overall plot, if not more important. I like to write a brief storyline for each of the main characters. It’s important to remember that everyone sees the same event or situation differently. They have motives, backgrounds and personalities that differ, so it’s important to know how each person will react to the events unfolding around them and why. Naturally, their reaction will sometimes spark another reaction from other characters and you need to know where all this leads. With luck, you’ll end up with lots of tension…which always keeps the reader interested.

What advice would you give to new writers just starting out?

Write. Don’t talk about it or dream about it. Do it.

I have a lot of people tell me that they can finish a short story without much trouble, but they can’t seem to finish a novel length project. I believe planning a project of this type is essential. How much planning is done is up to the individual. You might want to plan every detail – character profiles, chapter scenes, individual plotlines, etc. Or, you might do just as well with a brief outline which prompts you towards the next plot point. Whatever type of writer you are…knowing the beginning, middle and end will give you a good guarantee that you’ll finish the project. And remember, every word you write takes you one word closer to the end.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

In my opinion, writer’s block doesn’t exist. Distractions, being unprepared and laziness exist and they are the things we have to learn to deal with. Being a writer takes discipline. If you can’t force yourself to stop playing computer games when you are supposed to be writing, get rid of the games. If the internet distracts you, delete access to it from your computer or simply unplug the cable for an hour and force yourself to write. Don’t whine about it. You either want to write or you don’t.

I’m in control, so if my mind is blank, then I’m either too tired to write or I haven’t done enough planning to know where my story is going. Either way, I shouldn’t be blaming something that doesn’t exist.

Ah yes, discipline -- I heartily agree! Karen, thanks so much for being here today. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

If you want to purchase a copy of the anthology “Speculative Realms: Where there’s a will, there’s a way” or if you want to find out more about the stories and authors, visit the Speculative Realms website – http://www.speculativerealms.com/

If you want to find out what I’m doing, feel free to visit me at Scribe’s Writing Desk – http://www.karenleefield.com/

Saturday Signing

"Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come." ~Robert Schuller

Just a couple of quick things today:

First, a big THANK YOU to everyone for their kind congrats yesterday. I'm still on cloud 9...

Second, I'll be at Chicklet Books in Hillsborough, New Jersey, tomorrow evening (5-9) with a group of romance authors for a book signing/panel/reading/giveaway -- so if you're anywhere nearby, please stop by and say hi!

And finally, Happy Spring! (whew...did it take its time getting here, or what??)

Exciting News!!

"Never, never, never, never give up." ~Winston Churchill

I've been sitting on this news for a few days, until it was official...

Samhain offered me a contract for Summer's Song!!!

Yippee...

This poor story has been around, in various stages, since early this century. It's been through a number of beta readers (and you know who you are...thank you), publishing houses and agents. All resulted in the eventual Rejection.

When I submitted it to Samhain last year, my editor sent it back with major revision suggestions. I let it sit for a while. Then a couple of months ago, I tackled it. And finally, finally, it's going to have a home...probably an ebook release in the fall of 2009, which means 2 print books (this one and One Night in Napa) coming out in 2010. Exciting!!

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Editor Deborah Nemeth

Welcome to a very special edition of Writers' Wednesday! Instead of interviewing an author today, I'm interviewing Samhain Publishing editor Deborah Nemeth. Want to hear an inside scoop on the world of editing and publishing? Here's your chance! (And yes, if you're wondering, Deb is my editor at Samhain...she's tough but good!)

Deb, thanks so much for joining me today! Tell us, how did you get into the business of editing?

I starting out writing fiction and found that I enjoyed the revising and polishing steps the most. And like all editors and authors, I’ve always loved reading. Editing allows me to combine the best of both, since I spend a lot of time either reading submissions or guiding authors through revisions.

How long have you been at Samhain Publishing? What do you like most about working there?

I first met Angela James, Samhain Publishing’s Executive Editor, in the fall of 2007, at a time when I was editing for a few other e-publishers. Angie impressed me so much, I asked her on the spot about job openings and began editing for SP soon after.

SP has a dynamic leader in Crissy Brashear, a great staff and a wonderful team of generous, helpful editors. I’ve learned a lot and had the pleasure of working with several dozen talented authors. The other thing I like is the thrill of signing a new author, especially a new, never-before-published talent.

Of course, editing has its downsides, too. It’s never easy to send anyone a rejection letter. The worst part of my job is rejecting a manuscript from one of my authors—especially after having sent them a revision letter.

What makes you fall in love with a submission from a new author?

More than anything, I’m excited by an author’s voice. Voice is hard to describe; it’s rather like that definition of pornography, I know it when I see it . It’s the way a writer expresses herself/himself that can encompass perspective, attitude, rhythm, word choice, personality…

But voice alone won’t do it. I recently rejected a submission from the slush pile from an author with a wonderful voice because, after sending a revision letter and receiving the revised manuscript, it was apparent the author wasn’t able to do edits, and none of the pacing problems had been fixed. I was so disappointed, because I’d had high hopes of signing this author and I loved the setting and premise, too. Lack of well-structured conflict and sluggish pacing are the biggest problems I see with manuscripts from otherwise talented authors.

In addition to the author’s voice, I have to love the hero and heroine and care about their goals. The conflict must grab me from the first page and carry me through until the end. The story has to have a black moment in which I can’t figure out how the heroine and hero can possibly overcome the odds. Stories that make me laugh and cry are more likely to stick with me. And if the submission has all that and a kickass premise, well, there’s a good chance that lightning will strike.

What are you looking to acquire right now?

Male/male romance is selling very well for Samhain right now, as are erotic romances, especially ménage, so those submissions are always welcome. I’m eager to sign more authors who write Renaissance/Georgian/Regency/Victorian-set historicals—especially erotic Regencies, Regency romantic comedy, Regency suspense, or paranormal Regencies.

I love paranormal romance but would like to see something other than vamps—witches, ghosts, djinns, genies, cat shifters, dragons, fallen angels, whatever—only because I already have quite a few authors writing vampire series. (Vampire authors, fear not—there are other SP editors who love the fangy subs.) In general, I prefer fantasy in richly layered worlds over sci fic or futuristic-set romances.

Romantic suspense manuscripts will interest me if they’re well-paced, with high tension, especially when the romantic conflict is deftly interwoven with the suspense plot.

When it comes to straight contemporary romance, I’m looking for deeply emotional stories with fresh premises and real external conflict—not stories that rely on the same old I-was-hurt-before-and-don’t-want-to-trust-my-heart-again for the sole conflict. And, last but not least, I’m a sucker for romantic comedy that makes me laugh out loud.

In the synopsis package, I like to receive complete manuscripts in .rtf format, along with a short (1-3 page) synopsis and query letter. My email address is deborah@samhainpublishing.com.

Any other thoughts or advice for new authors seeking to sign that first contract?

Study the craft—learn how to handle viewpoint, layer in backstory, hook a reader, give your characters bridging goals. There are so many great books out there. I recommend Stein on Writing, How to Grow a Novel, GMC: Goal Motivation & Conflict, Writing the Breakout Novel, and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. Read agent and editor blogs.

Don’t submit a manuscript until you’ve sat on it, revised it umpteen times, sent it to critique groups and/or beta readers. Ditto for your query. One day you may not need to do this, but for a first book, you probably need to get input from others with more experience. But make sure you’re getting advice from authors who are published in your genre, because bad advice is worse than none.

Be aware that your online personality may affect an editor’s decision to take you on. If I google you and find out that you’ve been sniping at someone on Dear Author, I’ll be hesitant to make you an offer. So if you’re one of those people who has to get the last word in and simply can’t restrain herself from replying to any perceived criticism, we’re probably not a good fit.

Be prepared to promote tirelessly. New authors are often surprised and dismayed by this aspect of publication. I suggest not waiting until you have a contract to design your web site, set up your blog, and learn everything there is to know about promoting your ebook.

What are the most common reasons you reject manuscripts?

Lack of conflict and pacing. If these are missing in the opening pages of the manuscript, I’m not interested in reading far, no matter how much I like the voice, setting, or premise. Another thing that will make me set a manuscript aside is a heroine who’s too wimpy/has no goal or passion.

What advice would you give new authors in working with an editor?

Be prepared for your precious words to be criticized and dissected nine ways to Sunday. This can be difficult and it’s natural for your defenses to come to the fore. When your hackles rise, step back, take a deep breath, and remember we’re on the same side—my pay depends on your sales. As your editor, it’s my job to ensure consistency in style and to point out anything that will make readers pause and scratch their heads.

Don’t rely on your editor to do your work for you. We’ll painstakingly point out every dangling modifier in your first manuscript but we do expect you to apply yourself and get the hang of the whole punctuation and grammar thing by the second or third book.

Some authors turn in a beautifully polished manuscript for their first book—a manuscript that’s been through critique groups and contests ad nauseum in the author’s quest for publication. Then, after that first sale, these authors get sloppy and start submitting first-draft stuff. Um, no. Unless your name’s topping the NYT bestsellers list, you shouldn’t expect your editor to polish your subsequent manuscripts. That kind of thinking will only result in rejections and disappointment.

Be honest with your editor. We can’t help resolve any issues—whether with cover art, your marketing blurb, or your publication date—if we don’t know about them.

Where do you see publishing trends moving in the next couple of years?

I’m an editor, not a publisher, so I don’t see myself as an industry expert. I’m more comfortable discussing slushpiles, viewpoint, pacing and where to use a semicolon than industry trends. Since I lack experience in economic forecasting, which would be helpful in projecting the future (either that or a crystal ball), my thoughts on this topic shouldn’t be taken as having any particular significance.

Given the current economic climate, I would expect most companies to continue paring operational expenses. This could very well mean fewer imprints and fewer publishing slots for new authors, at least in the near term. But of course that won’t last forever, and I can’t imagine a time when editors and agents would ever stop looking for new talent.

My personal hope is that prices for ebook readers will come down to a point where the devices become as common as MP3 players. I don’t expect that to happen during the next two years, though, so I’ll have to be patient for few more years yet.

Deb, thanks so much for all these words of wisdom! Readers, if you'd like to read more on Deb's take on pacing, visit her recent Samhain blog here. And remember, all comments left today qualify you to win the prize pack at the end of this month!

A St. Patty's Day Contest!

"May your blessings outnumberThe shamrocks that grow,And may trouble avoid youWherever you go." ~Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Romance Studio is running a terrific contest all day long...and one of the prizes is a copy of my ebook, One Night in Memphis (just in case you haven't read it yet, or you can't wait 'til it comes out in print).

Here's the link...check out the many prizes available!

More Pictures

"Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men." ~Chinese Proverb

Well, even though it's still in the 20s at night, spring is teasing us a bit here in New York. Here are a couple of pics of life outside my home these days...

Green things growing...yay! (I think they're daffodils and tulips - AKA deer candy - but they're close to the house, so they usually survive)

Little snow-drops that I forgot I had planted in a garden in the back lawn

And the 5 furry creatures that show up on our front lawn almost every morning. All last year there were 3 (a mom and her twins that we watched grow up), so I'm not sure where the other 2 came from. But they're pretty brazen and rarely move much when we drive up or down the driveway...so forget what I said about my tulips being safe!

Second Featured Interview of the Weekend: Crymsyn Hart!

Welcome back for another small press author interview...get those comments in for your chance to win free books at this end of this month! A now, a big welcome to Crymsyn Hart (is that a great pen name, or what?) ~ best-selling author of erotic romance...

Happy Sunday, Crymsyn! Can you tell blog readers a little about your background?

I grew up in Massachusetts, moved around a lot in the state, and ended up attending Emerson College in Boston where I got a degree in Creative Writing. My very first job out of high school was working for one of the nation’s oldest psychic salons. I learned how to read tea leaves, tarot, runes, palms, etc. Working there influenced me a lot in what I write. I moved south in my early 20’s and have lived in Charlotte, NC ever since. I met my husband, who is also from Mass, in Charlotte. Everyone thought it was hilarious that I had to move a thousand miles away to meet someone from up North. It is kind of the running joke. But he’s a good guy.

A psychic salon...sounds cool! Now tell us, what do you find most difficult about writing? What do you find most exciting or rewarding?

Lately the most difficult thing about writing is trying to find the time. I don’t mean just to write I mean just to work on one specific thing. I have five different books going at the moment and all of the characters are demanding my attention. It gets kinda scary in my head when there are people shouting at me. It gets really funny when different characters end up arguing with one another when they are from different books and completely different books.

The most rewarding thing about writing is being able to watch a story develop. I love having the characters go through twists and turns until they reach the end of the book. Granted they normally want a second appearance so I write a sequel, but that’s okay. I normally plot out books, but the characters take me above and beyond what I have for a plot and normally twist it up in knots until I have to write them out of a corner. But overall, writing is great for my imagination.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

I find it hard to balance writing with the rest of my life. I work a full time job, have 2 dogs that demand a lot of attention, and make time for my husband. In between that I try to do all the writing I can. My normal routine is I write for a couple of hours after eating dinner and stay up a little after my husband goes to bed. On the weekends I stay up until the wee hours of the morning and write. It’s hard, but I have to get it in anyway I can.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

When I’m not writing, I love to spend time with my friends and family. I love watching horror movies. I love the thrill of being scared. I talk walks with the dogs, read, listen to music. Try not to think about writing or my characters, but that never happens. They are always whispering something into my ear. But I love to hang out at coffee shops and eat cheesecake with my friends. Sometimes I take long walks in cemeteries to quiet my mind.

When you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

When I write I am mostly on the computer. However if I’m in the car or on a plane I always carry a notebook with me. Then I write by hand. It also depends if we are baseball games which my husband is a huge fan of. I bring my notebook with me and write there while we watch the game. I think I wrote two books last summer sitting in the stands. I also have a specific places where I keep certain works. I have most on the computer, but I do keep books I’m writing only in notebooks so it helps to differentiate between what I am working on.

What is your favorite movie? Did it inspire your writing in any way?

My favorite movie of all time is Poltergeist. That movie didn’t inspire me to write, but other movies do. I watch horror movies in general as well as vampire movies to give me inspiration. I’ve gotten some great ideas from watching movies and reading books.

Thanks for being here today! Anything else you'd like to mention?

I can be found on the web at www.ravynhart.com.
My blog is www.crymsynhart.blogspot.com
My Myspace is www.myspace.com/ravynhart
My facebook is www.facebook.com/crymsynhart

Featured Author Interview: Danielle Ackley-McPhail!

Welcome to a special author interview, one of several that are appearing in celebration of Small Press Month! Today I'm visiting with Danielle Ackley-McPhail, who, incidentally, won an EPPIE last weekend for her anthology Bad-Ass Faeries 2. Congrats and welcome! And remember, readers, leaving a comment on today's post enters you into the drawing at the end of March for a great prize package~

So, Danielle, when did you first begin writing?

I have always written and even before I had the skills to write, I occupied myself with making up stories in my head. I think my serious story telling came out of my voracious reading habit. The first time my mother took me to a library she opened the door and said: "As many as you can carry." I've been reading ever since and in the reading I was becoming dissatisfied when the story ended...well, assuming it was a good story. I started continuing the story in my head when I went to bed at night...inserting myself into the plot, of course. It didn't make for a great night's sleep, but man, did it exercise my creativity. I've been going ever since. I think the only reason I don't have more book credits to my name is, then, I was too lazy to finish anything, and now, I haven't the time to dedicate the way I would like to. Still, I do manage quite a few short stories that have been published, and my second novel released in September 2008, so I do keep my hand in despite scheduling constraints.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

This is tough. My latest published title is Tomorrow's Memories, by Mundania Press (http://www.mundania.com/) and it is a sequel to my first novel, Yesterday's Dreams.

In both books I incorporate and expand on Irish mythology. Basically Kara O'Keefe, a young woman descended from the Celtic Elves, the Sidhe, must sacrifice her prized possession, an heirloom violin, to rescue her family from financial ruin. In doing so she ends up at a pawnshop in the Village (NYC) and comes to the attention of both a member of the Sidhe and an ancient evil god. She becomes the prize in an all-out battle. In Yesterday's Dreams they win the battle, but the war is not over, there are several casualties, including Kara's father, and they all travel to Ireland and Tir na nOg to heal those that have not perished. They find the Sidhe of Ireland under seige and Kara must face ultimate evil once more to save those she loves.

Now, the novel in progress is much, much different! This one, Blood Will Tell, is a new kind of vampire novel. I can't give details at this time, but there is only very superficial resemblance to the vampires of legend. Right now it is under consideration by an agent, so we are keeping things quiet to ensure the idea stays original.

I also edit or contribute to a lot of anthologies. Those I am most known for are Bad-Ass Faeries, and Breach the Hull. Both were finalists for the 2007 Dream Realm Award, and Breach the Hull actually won. Bad-Ass Faeries is self-explanatory, and Breach the Hull is a military science fiction anthology. Both are published by Marietta Publishing (http://www.mariettapublishing.com/).

How do you go about developing your characters?

I can't really say I develop them. To be absolutely honest, I discover them. Any time I try and specifically sculpt one, it turns out like Mr. Bill...very stiff and crude. But those I discover and draw out from the creative mix and learn who they are? Those take over the book and make it their own. I have to figure out what their motives are and their personalities, but it really is like they already exist and I'm just getting to know them: what they look like, why they do what they do, who they know and what they do for fun. It all just comes out without any calculated effort on my part. It makes the story very organic, and also, at time, very frustrating but I can't dispute the life force you can feel in the story when this unfolds properly.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

Life? What life? I'm either working...or working...During the day I work for in publishing and all the other times I'm either writing books/stories or promoting them. If it wasn't for conventions I wouldn't get to have any fun. It's funny/scary, but my husband became an author just so he could spend time with me :)

Do you ever suffer from writer's block? If so, what do you do about it?

Hmmm...I have times I'm not inspired, but I don't like to think of them as writer's block because I'm quite capable of writing, I just don't have an idea. What I do then is read back over what I have already written. This way I find mistakes and polish what is there, keep what is going on fresh in my mind, and often end up with an idea of where to take things next, so I end up writing after all.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Reading...or making stuff...I am a costumer, and I sculpt costume horns for others. If there is a good movie out I'll even leave the house, though this is getting rarer and rarer. I hang out with my friends, but they are all genre fans so...it's almost like research ;) Still fun.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

Characters don't always do what you tell them to! In fact, sometimes they die even if you had plans for them later! The nerve. I don't use an outline because I find that, for me, the book goes where it wants too and if I went to the trouble of an outline, it usually just wastes time I could have been writing. That's just for me, though...I know others find outlines useful, it just doesn't work for me.

Thanks so much for being here today (and congrats on your EPPIE win!!). Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

You can find out more about me at http://www.sidhenadaire.com/, and I can also be found on LiveJournal, MySpace, and FaceBook. I'd give the urls, but I always mess up retrieving them...Look for me, you'll find me. When I have the option, I always go by my full name.

Picture Day!

Better late than never, right?

Here are some pics from last weekend's trip to Las Vegas:

The water show outside the Bellagio


Inside the Venetian

At the banquet later that evening (hey, we clean up nice, don't we??)

Chatting with my mom at the champagne reception (hubby took this from the balcony above)