Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Linda Banche

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Before I forget to mention it, I'll be looking for authors to feature right here for interview spots, starting in July. Interested? Email me at allieb@allieboniface.com for more information.

And now, help me say hello to Wild Rose Press author Linda Banche!

Linda, can you tell us a little about your background?

I'm a brand new author with two published Regency novellas so far. Although my stories are by and large historical, some fantasy and paranormal creeps in. And everything I write contains humor. I like a funny story at any time, and with the current economic climate so dismal, everyone can use a laugh.

Sounds like a great combination! So when did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I never had a life-long desire to write. I love romances, and for a long time I was happy to read others' books. But about four years ago, I went on a romance reading binge. I read romance after romance after romance. But after I had wallowed in romance for a while, (and did I have a good time wallowing), I ran out of books. Panic! What to do? Why, write my own. Almost at once I discovered how hard writing is. But did that revelation stop me? No. I tell people I'm persistent. That's French for "too stupid to quit".

LOL...now, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My very first book, Lady of the Stars, is the story of a woman who sees a man she thought forever gone through the back door of a gazebo. Little does she know that back door is a time portal that whisks her back to 1817. Culture shock abounds on both sides, as she and the man she literally runs into adjust to each other. But as they fall in love, the hero's family legend awakens. Will it bring them together, or tear them apart forever?

Pumpkinnapper, my second story, is a Halloween comedy. Long-separated childhood friends rediscover love as they join forces to catch the thieves who try to steal the heroine's pumpkins. Complications arise in the form of hero and heroine's skewed expectations of each other, as well as from the heroine's jealous pet goose. Both novellas are with The Wild Rose Press.

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

My favorite books are historicals, mainly Regencies. I don't find the modern world romantic. For me, romance comes from the past, in a world that is unlike ours, but at the same time has similarities. The Regency, that period in England about two hundred years ago, fits the bill. That time was different from our own, but not too different, as the era was the very beginning of the modern world.

So many authors are favorites; I have a hard time picking and choosing. I'll start with the Regency romance superstars, Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, and Loretta Chase. But my absolute favorite may be Barbara Metzger, who writes wacked-out comedies, which my stories also tend to be.

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

Why, read romances, of course. While I mainly stick to Regencies, I do read the occasional Georgian, Victorian, or earlier era. I've even been know to read a contemporary (gasp!) or two. I like something in addition to the romance, so I prefer stories that add mystery, adventure, or suspense.

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

Keep trying! Lady of the Stars was a loser in The Wild Rose Press's Through the Garden Gate contest. But they saw enough there to ask me to resubmit. I resubmitted twice before TWRP accepted the story. And keep learning and practicing. The more you write, the better you become, and the reward will be a contract.

Want to know more about this author?? Visit her on the web at any of the addresses below:

http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/lindabanche
http://www.facebook.com/people/Linda-Banche/1059787652
http://twitter.com/LindaBanche

This Writing Stuff is Hard Work

"Do not wait; the time will never be "just right'. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." ~Napoleon Hill

Uh oh...it's happening...that awful moment where you get pulled away from your WIP because it utterly frustrates you for the temptation of the new, shiny story idea waiting in the wings.

I haven't written anything for a couple of weeks, mostly because May is a CRAZY busy month with school and I've been doing promo stuff for other books. But Entwined is still 60K words in, waiting for me to figure out the ending. Which I can't manage to do. Oh, I have a general idea of what I want to happen. But the last few times I've tried to tackle it, nothing's really worked, and all I have is this voice inside my head saying, "Well, that's not going to work. Readers will see right through that. And how are you going to get 30K more words with that plotline??" Sigh.

Meanwhile, the other day I tinkered with the outline for my next planned 24-hour novel, One Night in Savannah, and thought, "Oh, yeah. Really like this idea. 4 and 5 am are still a little rough on my outline, but I can work through it. Maybe I should start the first chapter..."

Then I slapped my hand and closed the document. I know other people work on multiple stories. Heck, so do I. But I also know it's a dangerous thing to scurry away from a WIP that isn't, well, working when you have a new story begging to be told. Here's the thing: that new story will soon give you just as many problems as the others, mid-way through. I know that. So I'm doing my best to hang onto writer's discipline and finish Entwined, tough as it may be.

What about you? Are you one of those that bounces from story to story? Does it help your creative juices? Or do you find yourself 3/4 of the way through more than one WIP, unsure how to finish because it's hard?

Yeah, it's really hard sometimes...

Weekend Recap

"Success is where preparation and opportunity meet." ~Bobby Unser


Two more book signings for My Mom is My Hero this past weekend, and while I'm tired now, I gained a couple of valuable insights:


1. Networking is key (like we didn't know this already??) At the signing Friday night, I discovered that the manager of that particular Waldenbooks is a huge romance fan. Not only did she introduce me to a fellow fantasy author who haunts their bookstore, she invited me back for a signing of my own books, later this summer!


2. Meeting fellow authors is a great way to spend an afternoon. Saturday I signed with a guy who had a story published in the Mom book as well. Not only are we both writers, we're both public school English teachers, so needless to say, we had a lot to talk about. It's always fun and refreshing to talk to someone else who's trying to balance grading papers with fleshing out a storyline. (And we're good-looking besides, right??)

Special Writers' Weekend Interview with Barb Meyers

Welcome to a special author interview! Fellow Samhain author Barb Meyers is here to chat about her latest release...enjoy!

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

Originally, I’m from Southwest Missouri, but I moved around a lot growing up. I’ve lived in Southwest Florida for thirty years. I’m married and have two grown children. Since 2003, I’ve worked part-time as a Starbucks barista. It’s a nice way to break up the lonely life of a writer and it’s given me at least one interesting story idea as well.

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

My first attempt at writing novel-length fiction was in the late 1980’s. The event that triggered it? Not terribly original, I’m afraid. After reading a horribly written romance novel, I threw it across the room when I’d finished it and declared, “I can write better than that.”

LOL...sounds like the same way many an author has been inspired! So tell us about your latest writing project or published title...

My romantic comedy, A MONTH FROM MIAMI, came out in print in February. I’m currently working on a sort of whimsical urban fantasy—the story idea inspired by working at Starbucks as well as another romance featuring the twin brother of A MONTH FROM MIAMI’s hero.

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

Read. Read. Read. Then read some more. Study the books you read to see how stories develop. Analyze them for characterization, goal, motivation, conflict, style, etc. It takes a while to develop your own voice. For a long time no one could explain to me exactly what “voice” was. When you develop your own voice, you’ll know it. It’s more than a writing style. It’s the unique way you convey a story that is yours and yours alone. Beware sabateurs which can come in the form of critique partners, family, friends, writer’s groups, sometimes even yourself. Not everyone wants you to succeed. In the end remember it’s your story and no one else’s. Listen to your gut.

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

I love well-written romantic suspense and a lot of women’s fiction. Not sure I have a favorite author, but a few that spring to mind are Susan Elizabeth Phillips (no one does romantic comedy as well); Isla Dewar; Patricia Gaffney; Elizabeth Berg; Lisa Gardner; Tami Hoag. I just read Karen Robards’ GUILTY. She is one of my all-time favorite authors.

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

I’ve always been challenged by the business end of writing. I’m not focused enough and I tend to jump from one project to another when a new idea presents itself. A new idea is exciting to me and I can’t wait to get started and strike while the iron is hot, and often before I’ve completely thought it through. I don’t recommend this to anyone. It’s entirely frustrating.

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

I don’t call it writer’s block, but if I’m struggling with something writing-related, I walk the beach which is 3-4 miles from my house. Or I walk my dog or bike ride. Get up and get away from your computer or notebook and do something entirely unrelated to writing. Personally, I think exercise pumps the blood back to your brain and not having any other distractions allows your mind to wander and/or focus on the block and helps you come up with a solution or a new direction.

I think if the beach was 3 miles from my house I might not have writers' block either!! What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book(s)?

That the characters become real to me. I recall an idea I had for a book I’ve not yet written. The heroine was a songwriter. I composed lyrics for a song and tried to explain to my daughter that I hadn’t actually written them. The character had.

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

It’s hard to pick one movie. As Good As It Gets is a wonderful example of “show don’t tell.” It demonstrates phenomenal character growth. I loved Something’s Gotta Give. So clever and fun. Terms of Endearment, Beaches and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off come to mind. The first two because they can really touch me emotionally. Ferris because it’s just pure fun. I think that’s what good writing does—entertains and touches the emotions. Moonstruck is another one of my favorites.

Barb, thanks for being here today. Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

Only that my goal as a writer is to write the absolute best book I can write and never to offer anything to my readership that I am not personally satisfied with. I stand behind my books and would personally offer a money-back guarantee to anyone who is disappointed in my work.
Thank you!

A Friday Quickie

Just a quick post today:

2 signings for My Mom is my Hero this weekend:

Friday night from 5-8 pm at Waldenbooks in the Oakdale Mall, Binghamton (NY)

and

Saturday afternoon from 12-3 pm at Waldenbooks in Rye Brook (NY)

Also...

I'm giving away a signed print copy of One Night in Memphis this Sunday, over at The Romance Studio. It's easy to enter, so swing by and leave your name if you'd like a copy (before it even officially releases to the rest of the public!!)

Happy Friday!

Do You Twitter?

"It has become exceedingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." ~Albert Einstein

Twitter is the new Facebook.

So I hear, anyway. I don't Twitter, mostly because I can barely keep up with my blog and my Facebook page and - oh, yeah - my day job that pays the bills.

But a friend sent me an invite to Twitter the other day, and at the conference last weekend, one author said she had met Angela James (Executive Editor at Samhain) on Twitter. Hmm. I suppose I'm missing yet another promotional opportunity...but really? Do I have to Twitter now, too?

I'd like to hear from anyone who does: what do you/don't you like about it?

***

And I had to share this link with you: it's an article by best-selling author Lisa Gardner about her anal retentive approach to outlining. It's pretty hilarious. Enjoy!

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Craig E. Chaffin

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with poet C.E. Chaffin, a well-known poet, (especially on the net) who has been publishing for 40 years! His new book, his first since 1997, includes a section of over 20 love poems, based on the miracle of his falling in love at 45. He's been in love ever since—almost ten years!

Welcome, Craig! So tell us, why did you call your book “Unexpected Light?”

In a fallen world where we're often surrounded by darkness, as if in answer to prayer unexpected light often leaks through just at the moment when we fear we can no longer go on. It can be sunlight on a leaf or a late phone call from an old friend, but that's how most light comes in my life.

Furthermore the actual title is mentioned in the last line of the poem, “Prayer to la Virgen,” detailing how Christ was lucky enough to receive a donated grave. But more so, when I fell in love at 45 for the first time (and it has continued ever since), I was shocked out of my mind. It was truly unexpected light! Trained as a medical doctor, I had always been rational about love, thinking (in C. S. Lewis's words) that love should be the result of, not the reason for, marriage. All that changed when I met Kathleen. And right after I met her my second wife e-mailed me that she was leaving—such synchronicity!--leaving me a perfect opportunity to experience romantic love for the first time, a gift I wish for everyone.

How did you come to write “Unexpected Light?”

I've been publishing poetry for 40 years, and this is my second book. My first was published in 1997. This book was 12 years in the making. It deals with many themes, including the usual four in poetry: God, Death, Nature and Love. The last section of the book, in fact, is devoted to love poems. And that was a main impetus for the book. I had compiled a manuscript entirely of love poems but no publisher showed interest, so I limited the love poems to my very best 20 or so and added poems on other themes, and voila! I had a publisher go all the way for me, including royalties—for poetry, imagine!

Terrific! So as an English teacher, I have to ask: Who are your major poetic influences?

T. S. Eliot, Robinson Jeffers, Robert Frost, Theodore Roethke, Mark Strand and Pablo Neruda, to name a few. None of these except Neruda is truly a love poet, and he has been the most influential on my romantic poetry. One of the poems in the volume is entitled, “To Kathleen, after Neruda,” for instance. As for poets in English, I like John Donne's love poems bests, though they are so intellectually dense one must assume the object of his love was some kind of a genius to consistently unravel his metaphysics.

LOL...Does poetry have a chance in this day and age?

Yes, for man does not live by bread alone, but by every word... There may be a smaller audience for poetry today, given the competition, and more poets publishing than ever. The 'Net has caused a proliferation of literary journals that is more democratic and participatory. There are probably more serious poets writing than ever before. And poetry is the miner's canary of the culture, in my opinion. It records the travails of the time and tries to connect them with eternity and history. Love is one of the four enduring themes of poetry and one of the most difficult topics to undertake.

Where can readers get a copy of “Unexpected Light?”

It's available through Amazon.com and all the usual suspects and any bookstore will order it for you. Best to order it directly from the publisher. There's a page on my website where you can do that: http://cechaffin.com/light.html

It comes in hardback for just $20 and paperback for $12. Seven reviews have already been published, and I can say without embarrassment that they have all been glowing.I

If you join the Facebook group, “Unexpected Light,” you will automatically be updated regarding readings and new reviews.

Here's a short excerpt from one of the love poems, “Valentine 2008,” where the speaker imagines his love as a waterfall:

Inside the moss-lipped haven of your granite
I hide behind your thundering skirt of water.

Your clarity dissolves all self-deception.
I would not recognize myself without you.

The shelter of trees is never so generous
As your pouring and thinning of yourself

Into the forest air. I kneel and drink
And like the alder rise up satisfied.


C.E. thanks so much for being here and sharing your story today! Readers, you can find out more about this author at his website.

Weekend Recap, Continued...

So after a busy Saturday, it was nice that Sunday's book signing was pretty low key. It was a small Waldenbooks in a pretty large mall, but there weren't a ton of people in the mall as a whole (sort of weird for a rainy Sunday, but oh well).

I made flyers up and sent them to the store ahead of time, and the manager had them hanging up in a few places, which was nice. She set me up at a table right by the entrance, so everyone literally had to walk right by me. I sold/signed 6 books -- not a lot, but I put my One Night in Memphis bookmarks and excerpt booklets in every single one, and most people seemed interested. One woman said, "Oh, I love romance! I'm going to get your book as soon as it comes out!"

Interestingly enough, though, the majority of shoppers in the store were women, most with kids -- so they weren't really looking for a Mother's Day gift. One actually said to her kids, "Oh, this book looks nice. Tell Daddy about it." But she didn't buy one, of course.

Overall the day was more about networking than anything else, since I don't get royalties from this book (just a check once they accepted my story) but hey -- if it gets my name to a few more people, I'll spend 3 hours sitting in a bookstore. I have 2 more of these signings coming up this weekend, and every little bit counts!

Weekend Recap

"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

(This is one of my top 5 all-time favorite quotes, by the way)

So here goes...


Fiction Fest 2009 on Saturday was a terrific experience! There were about 100 attendees, I'd say, mostly unpublished authors and many who were quite new to writing in general. There was a continental breakfast with 2 speakers (a "life coach" who talked about keeping balance in your life, and a book doctor who talked about the common errors she sees in manuscripts). Then 2 Breakout Sessions with 2 workshop choices each.


I went to "Creating Unforgettable Characters" with Kristan Higgins (I knew her from a book signing back in the winter, so it was nice to see her again). She talked a lot about how to give your characters history/hobbies/scars/jobs/past relationships/etc to make them "pop" off the page.


Then I went to "Avoiding Common Manuscript Errors" with Toni Andrews. She focused on issues with POV/head hopping and poor character development/dialogue as keeping new writers from getting contracts/agents. She has a great, "larger than life" personality and is quite funny to listen to...but she stood in front of the screen during her entire Power Point presentation, which was a little frustrating.


Then lunch, during which we heard "cold reads" from people who had sent in pages and listened to what the agents and editors had to say about them. (click here to see who was there). Over and over again, we heard the same thing: too much backstory and too much irrelevant description when there should have been conflict and forward movement in the opening pages. I tell you, though, those people were really brave to send their pages in! It was anonymous, but still. A couple of the agents/editors got kind of snarky by the end of it, which wasn't really cool in my book.


Then the 2 afternoon Breakout Sessions: I went to "Getting on the Query-Go-Round" which was given by Jackie Kessler. She showed us her query letter which get 11 requests for fulls and 5 offers of representation. She shared a lot of good info, though I'd say she downplayed the difficulty of finding an agent (though for her I guess it wasn't difficult, so...).


Then my Workshop, last session of the day: Cutting Deadwood:Trimming and Tightening Language. It turned out to fit in really well with all the luncheon discussion, and I used a lot of examples that the agents/editors had pointed out. Mostly, though, I shared my own experiences with One Night in Napa, and the revisions I had to make before Samhain would accept it.


It seemed to go really well (I was nervous at first, but I got over it). Afterwards, quite a few people came up and told me they really liked it, including one woman who said it was "the best of the day" for her because I seemed really genuine and shared my own frustrations and difficulties, which gave her hope.


Afterwards there was a cocktail hour and book signing, and I ended up selling 8 copies of One Night in Memphis, all to people who had been in my workshop! So it was a really great day and a terrific opportunity to network and also give back to people who are newly navigating the writing/publishing biz.


Phew...I'm worn out from typing, so I'll share the Sunday book signing tomorrow. Less to say, but I still learned a couple of things, so... see you back here Tuesday!


Oh, and here's a picture of me and my author friend Stella Price, at the signing on Saturday:

Book Signing Today

Still on the road...today I'm doing a book signing at the Waldenbooks in the Danbury Mall (Danbury, CT) today -- specifically for My Mom is My Hero.

Details about the signing and yesterday's conference coming up tomorrow...

Fiction Fest 2009!

Hey all, I'm at the Connecticut RWA's Fiction Fest Conference today, presenting my first-ever workshop...wish me luck!

And just a reminder: the Brenda Novak Auction is up and running full-steam. Stop by and place a bid or two!

I Hate Endings

"Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand." ~George Orwell

Endings. In a really good book, or a really good movie, I hate when the ending rolls around. My favorite books as a child always left me with a sense of loss, because I was saying goodbye to characters and a world I'd come to love. Maybe that's why I read most of them more than once!

On the other side of the coin, though, as a writer, it's a little different. Sometimes I know exactly where I'm going, so the ending is easy to write. Sometimes I don't, and it surprises me. But sometimes I don't, and it frustrates the heck out of me. That's the case with my current WIP, Entwined. I have an idea of the ending -- I have since I started -- but now that I'm close, it's more of a mess than I imagined. Blech. I can't get it straight. I'm having the trouble getting the main plot and subplot worked out the right way. I thought taking a few days off for perspective would help, but it hasn't.

So...any suggestions when it comes to writing endings?

Taking a Day Off

"On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use." ~Epictetus (Greek philosopher)

Hey all, I'm taking the day off from official blogging today, mostly because 2 days ago 2 of my students were involved in a serious car accident (nice weather + good friends + the freedom to drive to school + winding back roads + speeds over 80 mph = nothing good). One girl is OK; one boy is in very critical condition with internal injuries.

Sometimes I wonder how much more the universe will give me to deal with this year...

Anyway, I'll be back tomorrow...and by the way, if you haven't signed up for my e-newsletter (over there on the sidebar), go ahead and do so. The May issue goes out tomorrow!

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Liana Laverentz

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! I'm happy to welcome back my first-ever repeat guest, Liana Laverentz, who has so much going on with her writing she just had to share it with us. Enjoy!

Liana, I know you've been busy in the last year. Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My next release, a murder mystery romance titled Ashton’s Secret, was also my first published book, only now it’s a lot better and different.

I loved revising Ashton’s Secret. When I first submitted it to The Wild Rose Press, it was rejected, because it was out of date regarding the writing, the relationship dynamics between the hero and heroine (me man, you woman), and a few modern conveniences, like video games and cell phones.

One main difference between the first version and this new, much improved version (I am so excited about this…it was a real eye-opener to see how much I had grown and changed as a writer) is the hero’s occupation, which is another secret in the story and is not revealed to the heroine the end of the book. Astute readers, I am sure, will catch on quickly. His former occupation is now his hobby.

But his new occupation makes much more sense and adds a lot of tension to the story. She knows he has secrets, but he’s not saying, and that makes it hard to establish trust between them, which heightens the conflict. I also changed the ending. Not the happily ever after part, but how they got to it, and this time gave a glimpse of their future through their dialogue.

How do you go about developing your characters?

I start with an external conflict, and try to imagine what kind of person would be involved in that conflict, try to figure out what kind of past or emotional baggage would lead them to be in that situation, and build from there. I am fascinated by why people do what they do, so all my stories deal with issues stemming from my characters’ childhoods, and all my characters are built in layers. They don’t come fully formed, and they continue to surprise me with little details about themselves until I send the manuscript in to production.

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

I love to read romantic suspense, or just plain suspense. Some of my favorite authors are Lisa Gardner, Rachel Lee, Erica Spindler, and Eileen Dreyer, who also writes romances as Kathleen Korbel. She has an obvious love for the written word and knows how to use it. When I read her books, it’s like looking forward to checking in with old friends at the end of the day. She makes her characters that real for you. In her book Sinners and Saints, she even made the setting, New Orleans just before a hurricane hits, a character in the book. You can tell she does her research. But she weaves it into the story so skillfully you don’t even realize you’re learning something as you read. And that there’s more going on than just the story, here. It’s a story written on several levels, and you can read it at any level you choose and still be satisfied at the end of the book.

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

That’s a tough one. I’m still working on it. I find that when my life is balanced, I don’t get enough writing time in (and I get irritable), and when I am writing, my life veers completely out of balance. Just recently, an agent asked me to send her two proposals for non-fiction books I’m working on, and I dropped everything to start writing the first one. For nine days I did nothing else. Didn’t go anywhere, see anyone, barely went to the store and the house did not get cleaned. Sent the first proposal off and got to work on putting my house and life back in order. Now that that’s done, it’s time to start the second proposal. I want to, but I also know how I am…so I have to make sure the fridge is stocked and bills are paid and the house is reasonably clean before I start.

I do make sure to get to the Y at least five times a week to exercise and do something besides sit at my computer. And I balance that out with yoga, Tai Chi and cardio work. I’ve recently taken up salsa dancing, because it’s an excellent workout and gets more parts of the body moving than just the cross-trainer. Another important thing I started doing was shutting down the computer each evening around 8:00 p.m. to watch a DVD with my son and get my mind on something besides what I’m working on.Watching something on DVD (I don’t watch television—hate commercials) allows me to both relax and think about something else before I go to sleep. We usually watch comedies, so that helps to put laughter in my day.

This has become such an important goal and topic for me that I now host two day long chats called Balance With Liana—one the first Thursday of the month at Long and Short Reviews, and another every Tuesday at The Bookspa, where writers get together to talk about all things related to writing. At The Bookspa, we break it down into Mind, Body, Heart, and Soul, and each week tackle a different area of balance in our lives. I then take the best of what we’ve discussed at The Bookspa and present it at Long and Short Reviews. It’s great fun, and the exchange of ideas seems to help everyone who participates to create a little more balance in their lives. Anyone is welcome to join us at either http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thebookspa/

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

I don’t suffer from writer’s block. My biggest problem is finding the time to put all the stories I have in my head and heart onto paper. Writers write. It’s what we do. We write because we can’t not write. But every word doesn’t have to be written for publication. So if you find yourself stuck, just start writing, even if it’s stream of consciousness, and it may take a while, but once you get started, you won’t want to stop. Even if the first thing you write has nothing to do with what you’re currently stuck on, just opening yourself up to the flow of creativity in your brain and enjoying the moment will eventually bring you to where you want to be. Something you write will undoubtedly spark an idea that you can tie back in to your WIP.

Either that, or pick up a book in an area that is different from the one you are trying to write. That works a lot, too. It shifts your conscious mind to something else, so that your subconscious can work out the problem. In a sense, you’re getting yourself out of your own way.

Or you can do something mindless, like the dishes, or folding laundry, or even take a walk. Slow down enough for your creativity to catch up to you again.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

My favorite activities are reading, writing, watching movies on DVD, making soup from scratch, martial arts, road trips, and all things spiritual. I’m a huge fan of self-improvement, and am always looking for ways to keep my life balanced between writing, working, and being a Mom.


What is the best and worst advice you have ever received?

Worst advice…that category romance was the only romance worth writing. I was never going to fit into the category romance mold. It was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, and I lost a lot of years trying to write something I wasn’t suited for.

Best advice…never give up. If you don’t write the books in your heart, no one will. No one will even know they exist except you, and they will die when you do, never having been released into the world. Never having even had a chance.

What would be the best way for readers contact you? Do you have a website? MySpace site? Blog? Message Board? Group?

www.lianalaverentz.com
www.polkadotbanner.com
http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/authorlianalaverentz

How can readers find out more about you and your books?

Just stop by my website www.lianalaverentz.com and sign up for my newsletter, or check my blog every now and then. http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/

Readers, look for Ashton's Secret releasing June 26th - and another hearty thanks to Liana for being here today!

Tales of Cover Art

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep." ~Scott Adams

So last week, my editor sent me a first draft of the cover for One Night in Napa, with the caveat in her email, "I'm not particularly happy with it..."

I agreed. Without going into detail, the cover really didn't take any of my suggestions/points about the story into consideration. Plus the color was...well, odd. My editor and I tossed around some suggestions, and the next day I got a new cover. This one I loved -- it seemed a much better fit and really suggested "sensual love story set in a sensual place."

It isn't approved by the publisher yet, so I can't post it here, but I do hope the second version is the one they go with!

One thing about small presses/e-publishers: from what I've heard and experienced, those authors have much more input with cover art than those with New York publishers. Now, don't get me wrong: I certainly wouldn't turn down a NY publisher! But be prepared: you probably will have minimal say on the cover.

And if you haven't heard this funny story about a cover-gone-wrong, here's the classic Three-Armed Heroine that appeared on a major romance novel a few years back.

Hope to share my cover with you soon!

Susan Boyle, Instant Super-Star

"Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances." ~Wayne Dyer

I'm sure you know the story of this overnight sensation, from the Britain's Got Talent TV show. Frumpy, 47-year old Susan Boyle, who lives alone and occasionally goes to the local pub for karaoke night, wowed the judges (including the ever-persnickety Simon Cowell) with her amazing rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream."

It's a great feel-good story, and if you haven't watched the YouTube clip yet, here's the link. The judges' reaction alone is worth the view...

I Need Your Help

"Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary." ~John F. Kennedy

OK, fellow writers, I need some input:

Next Saturday, I'll be presenting a workshop at the Fiction Fest 2009 conference on "Tightening and Trimming Your Prose."

My question is, if you were planning on attending, what kinds of things would you like to see covered/included in that workshop? I have an hour, and I do already have a brief outline/idea of what I'm going to discuss. But I'd love some suggestions as well. What would you expect from a breakout session with that title? If you've gone to conferences in the past, which workshops did you most enjoy, and why? Handouts, or not? Self-promo, or not?

I'm looking forward to the experience, despite the nerves...I figure it'll be good for me :)

Bam! Summer's Here

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air…" ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Crazy...at the beginning of this week, it was 38 degrees and raining. I actually considered taking out a winter coat again, just to stay warm. Then I rebelled.

Today: it's supposed to be in the 80s. No spring, for another year, it looks like. We tromp along through snow, sleet and ice for 5+ months and then bam! Summer temps and humidity before we can turn around and appreciate the daffodils.

Ah, well.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods??

Brenda Novak's Online Diabetes Auction

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?” ~Rabbi Hillel

Hey folks, I know I've mentioned this before, but May 1st begins NY Best-selling author Brenda Novak's 5th annual online auction to benefit diabetes research.



There are SO MANY great items up for auction, for readers/writers/the general public alike, and you really ought to check it out.



Plus, this year I've donated a prize, a hand-painted (by my MIL - she does terrific work) canvas tote bag with all my books inside! Here's a pic: (One Night in Memphis will be included too, but I don't have my author copies yet, so it's not in the photo):



Here's the link, and I'll try to have a banner up on my sidebar by the date it officially begins. Go forth and bid!

Some Laughs for Thursday

Found this on a loop and wanted to share. Yeah, if you're a romance writer you'll probably appreciate it more than if you're not, but it's still pretty funny, I think...

Flowchart for Writing Romances

And here's an article about the new book by Smart Bitches Candy Tan and Sarah Wendell, the biting but honest romance critics that everyone loves to hate...

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with K.M Daughters

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with the authors known as K.M. Daughters (you'll find out why!) - a.k.a. Pat and Kathie. Enjoy!

Hi there, and thanks for joining me today! Can you tell us a little about your background?

We’re sisters born and raised in a New Jersey suburb of New York City. Our Dad, who died when we were teenagers, wrote children’s stories for us (we later self-published them posthumously) and perhaps the writing bug is in our genes. Our penname is dedicated to our parents Katherine and Michael, the K and M in KM Daughters.

Neat! So tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

Our latest published title (our 3rd published book) is Past, Present and Forever, a contemporary romance set primarily in Chicago. This was the first manuscript we wrote together as a team. Published by Sapphire Blue Publishing it’s available in digital formats at the publishers website, All Romance E-books and in the Amazon Kindle store.

How do you go about developing your characters?

We build our characters from birth, discussing their histories, personality traits, physical descriptions while walking – our favorite hobby. By the time we begin plot development our characters are real to us, three-dimensional people we know inside and out.

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

A huge surprise is that characters take on a life of their own. We once heard a Nora Roberts interview where she expressed the same phenomenon. We have to admit at the time it sounded illogical. But Nora’s right. Of course she is.

Now, I know there are 2 of you, but when you write, do you use the computer or compose by hand, oral dictation, or some other method?

Pat writes solely on the computer and Kathie prefers to write by hand first.

Great getting to know you both today! Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

We thank our readers for taking the time to provide us feedback and are filled with gratitude that the feedback has been so affirming and positive. Nothing thrills us more than a reader who told us she couldn’t put a KM Daughters book down or couldn’t wait until the next book in Our Sullivan Boys series is released:

We invite you to visit us at www.kmdaughters.com so you can get to know us better and if you like - contact us so we can get to know you.

Pictures from Paradise

Some pictures from our trip to Hawaii!

View from the balcony outside our room



Me with the main grounds of the hotel in the background

Each night, a cliff diver jumps from the island's signature black rocks (no, not to his death...) to commemorate a warrior that did it ages ago

Dinner at the Maui Brewing Company

Our favorite spot to sit and sun/read/sleep, near one of the secluded pools at the hotel

Helping to light the torch in preparation for the cliff diving ceremony one night (because, clearly, he needed my help)

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!