OK, So I'm Not Crazy...

Most of you felt the same way I do about yesterday's stories.

Yes, it's a terrible tragedy that the girl died, but suing the school? I think it's another case of people trying to find a way to assuage their loss and pain by finding someone - anyone - to share the blame. And it's one thing if we're talking about a child, finding a "neat" way to climb up somewhere she shouldn't. But they were 16 and 18 years old. I understand the thrill of the the forbidden, but with that comes consequences - and if they're tragic ones, they're still consequences. (Thanks, J.K., for the comment from a legal standpoint, though - it helps to make sense where the lawyer is coming from)

And the West Point grad...at first, I didn't think it was a terrible thing, for him to take an opportunity for a pro sports career. But West Point students receive a free, outstanding education - and, as many of you mentioned, they all know what they owe in return. Mostly, though, I felt that if the Air Force and Naval academies have a strict policy in place regarding athletes and service, then the Army should follow. And there's nothing stopping him from pursuing that career once his military obligations are fulfilled.

***

I'm off to a mini-tour of New Hampshire today: a book discussion tonight and tomorrow night at 2 different libraries. I'm interested to see the response (or lack)...I'll keep you posted!

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Fellow author Anne Whitfield was gracious enough to interview me for her blog "Authors and Books." Stop by and visit, if you'd like.

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And finally, the Bitten by Books Blog Carnival started yesterday and runs all this week! Click on the icon below for more info about fabulous prizes...

I Want to Know What You Think

"I was raised the old-fashioned way, with a stern set of moral principles: Never lie, cheat, steal or knowingly spread a venereal disease. Never speed up to hit a pedestrian or, or course, stop to kick a pedestrian who has already been hit. From which it followed, of course, that one would never ever -- on pain of deletion from dozens of Christmas card lists across the country -- vote Republican." ~Barbara Ehrenreich

OK, I know it's Monday, and I know that means perhaps your brain isn't fully functional yet, but I have to know what you think about these two stories:

(I was going to say this post was non-writing related, but I think there's a kernel of story possibility in almost everything that happens in the world, so...)

#1. Last winter, two teenagers (18 and 16) in a town close by were out after midnight and climbed onto the roof of the local elementary school. Guy and girl, hanging out, flirting (no alcohol involved, according to sources). They were sitting on a skylight over the school's gymnasium and fell through. The girl (16) died from her injuries. Now her parents are suing the school, saying the school should be held responsible because custodians had stacked milk crates near the roof, and that's how the 2 climbed up in the first place.

My question: do you think this lawsuit is justified? Also, the parents have not specified a dollar amount; they want the courts to make a decision. What do you think would be an appropriate amount to award the parents, if they won the suit?

#2. You might have seen this one on the national news recently. A 2008 graduate of West Point was recruited by the Detroit Lions, and in the spring the Army released him from his military obligations to repay the Academy through traditional military service. They felt that he was serving his country in a different way by bringing positive attention to sports at West Point and the NFL if he played football instead. Last week, the Army reversed its decision and said he must serve military duty after all (this came in part by pressure from the Air Force and Naval academies, who do not allow any kind of similar waiver for their athletes).

My question: do you think this grad should be released from his military service obligations and allowed to play pro football as an alternate way of repaying his education?

I'm reserving my opinions 'til tomorrow, and I've tried to be as objective as possible in presenting the stories...but I really want to know what other people think, because I had strong reactions to both of them.

So...tell me what you think!

Sunday Update

"A Friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Number of books I sold at my author appearance yesterday: 5.

Number of books I sold to people I did not already know: 1.

Opportunity to stand in a Barnes and Noble with books I wrote and talk to a local reporter: priceless :)

***

Hey, guess what? Next week during my mini-tour to New Hampshire, I'm going to have lunch with Marianne! The last time the two of us got together was 2 1/2 years ago. Since then, she's launched a (really successfu) book review site and published 7 short stories, a novella, and a novel. And I've managed to publish 3 novels. Not too shabby, right? I think maybe we're good karma for each other, so let's see what the next 2 1/2 years bring!

Blog Carnival - Look What You Can Win!

Here's a quick tip about a very cool blog carnival that's coming up next week over at Bitten by Books: there are all kinds of great prizes available from both authors and non-authors (on their sister site Weird Stuff on my Desk.) You can take a peek at the prizes by clicking on either site. Rules for the carnival will be posted here and on the BBB site Monday, so check back to play and win, OK?

***

I have a book signing at Barnes and Noble this afternoon, with 6 other romance authors. It's been promoted decently in our local paper, and I know I have a few friends coming, but we'll see. Sales in bookstore events like these haven't typically been great for me.

Details here tomorrow...

It's Half Over Already?

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James

This is the fourth week of summer vacation, which officially means it's halfway over. Sigh. I have to say, though, I've gotten a lot of those little projects done which somehow add up, around the house; the rock wall out back is almost finished (hooray!) and best of all, I've gotten a lot of good writing accomplished.

Special shout-out to Diane, who's reading One Night in Memphis right now and emailed me to say she's really enjoying it: "Like reading the POV of 3 characters...lots of action too, which I like."

And an interesting observation about residual sales: my Amazon rank numbers have jumped this week, which I'd like to believe comes from my appearances the last two weekends. Never know who's going to pick up a bookmark and like what they see, or tell a friend about your book and send them to the Internet to order.

Oh, and speaking of which, I ran into an acquaintance in the bank yesterday who said, "I didn't know you published books! I just found out and was checking out your website...I'm in a bookclub, and I think we're going to read one of your books for our monthly selection. So what's the best way for me to get 15 copies?"

Summer Cleaning

"No person who can read is ever successful at cleaning out an attic." ~Ann Landers

Since it rained all day yesterday (and is supposed to continue today), I tackled one of the biggies on my summer vacation to-do list: sorting through and cleaning the basement. It's interesting how things get piled up down there. Am I the only one, or does it happen to you, too? (We don't have much of an attic, so anything that gets stored in our house heads for the basement). A box of things here, a spare chair/table/humidifier there, and the next thing I know, there's an entire jungle of things down there that have created a mini-world all their own.

So after I vacuumed and dusted (never a fun thing...I swear I came across a dust bunny the size of a small child), I sorted - and sorted. Amazing what I found. Among the more interesting things in the three piles I finally established:

To Throw Away
*Notebooks from college classes with copious scribblings about things like "the structural analysis of readership" and "the economic exchange similarities of books and brothels" (true - I even wrote a paper on that subject)
*Random baseball hats from vendors that my husband accumulated (Note: he does not ever wear baseball hats)
*Old candles that used to smell like "birthday cake" and "peppermint" but now just smell


To Sell at a Yard Sale/on Ebay/on Craigslist
*A baby gate (originally used to keep our cats out of our bedroom...yeah, right)
*Slipcovers
*Dollhouse furniture

To Bring Upstairs and Find a Home For
*Gorgeous drapes from our previous home that I completely forgot we had
*My grandmother's china
*Books from my YA reading stage (books! - how could I forget they were down there??)

Hmm...reading over this post, it looks as though I'm a bit of a packrat who collects and forgets. Really, I promise, everything's very well-contained down there...I just have a hard time getting rid of things, apparently. What about you? Packrat? Super-organized? Or can you get rid of things with no problem?

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Dayana Knight

Welcome to another Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with author Dayana Knight, who has an exciting release coming up soon. Enjoy!

Thanks for being here today, Dayana. Can you tell us a little about your background?

Hmmm...I was born and raised a South Jersey girl. I loved the summers and trips to the seashore so it only made sense that I picked up and moved in my early twenties to South Florida. I picked up a pen early on and never really put it down. I enjoyed classes in creative writing and journalism in junior and senior high school. I published a poem in my 6th grade year book and attempted writing my first romance when I was about twelve years old.

My interest in the paranormal began at a very young age when Barnabas and Quentin Collins, Angelique, Maggie, Julia, et al were household names. Yep, I'm talking about Dark Shadows. I became infatuated with everything paranormal. I watched and read everything I could containing vampires, weres, witches, and ghosts. I studied books on the occult and witchcraft in my teens but dark magic, I must admit, frightened me. I even had some relatives that insisted they had ghosts in their homes. I loved scary stories and the thrill and chills they brought deep in the night. To this day I love the thought of and touring haunted houses, ancient cemeteries, legend and lore.

I remember in perhaps my early teens going to the neighbor's house(she was older probably in her twenties) and playing the Ouija board game. It scared the wits out of both of us, and I never fooled around with one again.

Ooh, I have memories of the Ouija board too! So when did you first begin writing? above Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

I really have written in some form most of my life whether it be diaries, poems, journals, or stories but I actually hadn't written seriously until the year 2000. I'd had a very traumatic year. My father had lost a battle with the after effects of colon cancer and my eleven year old Sheltie, Kazzy, succumbed to lymphosarcoma. I was devastated and didn't know how to deal with my grief. I was keeping a journal on my computer at the time and was working through my thoughts and grief. One day I started searching the net for creative writing venues and stumbled upon The Writers' Village University who offered a free writing class. I joined and during one of the classes I actually wrote a scene that would turn into my first published novel, a crime suspense romance, which I wrote under another pseudonym. From there I moved on to my present writing career.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My present genre preference is paranormal, specifically shapeshifters(wolves) and vampires. As a matter of fact, I'm about to release the first novel of a planned series titled The Roma Wolf Tales. Curse of the Marhime is due out in ebook September 5 and print will be released December of this year by The Wild Rose Press.

It's the story of a woman whose routine stop at the grocery store alters life as she has always known it. She is drawn by accident into her seemingly mysterious past only to discover her destiny totally different than anything she'd ever imagined and with it has unwittingly found her soul mate.

How do you go about developing your characters?

My characters grow out of and around my story ideas. They tend to mold themselves once I get a story idea and begin to sketch it out in my mind and then down on paper. Actually, the story premise for Curse of the Marhime came out an actual experience I had when I'd stopped at the grocery store one night on the way home from work. Characters are unique to every story so I believe the grow and evolve much the same way the story does.

As far as character description, I tend to get a picture in my head and then I will look at random magazines and pick out random people who resemble the way I imagine the characters to appear. I am constantly foraging magazines for interesting people, scenes, places, etc. I have a file I keep the pictures and pages in for future reference.


Imagery to me is very important. You want to place your reader into the scene. You want them to see, smell, touch, and hear your scenery and feel what your characters feel. The better picture you draw using the senses, the more a part of the story your reader will feel and the more the reader will identify with your characters.

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

Practice makes almost perfect! Just keep writing. The more you do it the better you get.

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

My favorites are paranormal namely, shifters/wolves and vamps and other assorted dark sensual creatures. This is a tough one. I like several authors though I'd have to say my most favorites are Laurel K Hamilton, J D Ward, and Katie McAllister. I do dip into authors like Diana Gabaldon, Patricia Cornwall, Linda Howard, and Kathy Reichs, as well.

What do you find most difficult about writing?

I can not write on demand. If I am not in a creative frame of mind, I don't even attempt to sit down and write. I tend to write when the spirit moves me so to speak and that means there are times when I really don't sit down and do a good run for several days or even weeks, so I take advantage of those times when the craft flows.

I think that's interesting, especially since many authors say you must "write every day." It's good to hear from someone who doesn't work that way. What do you find most exciting or rewarding about the craft of writing?

When my characters take the reins. There comes a point when the characters come alive and take over. It is exhilarating and frustrating at the same time. I want them to do something they don't want to and the whole forward motion stops as if someone stepped hard on the brakes. Until I give in and move in the direction they choose, I'm going nowhere. I believe every author has experienced this phenomenon. That is when you know you've breathed life into your characters. That is when you know they've come alive.

Another very rewarding aspect is to finally complete a project and get it accepted. A definite Snoopy dance occasion.

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

Writing is a natural part of my life. It is a form of relaxation to me. Some people sit down with a good book and read for relaxation. I write. I loose myself in the creation of characters, scenery, love, hate, conflict and I let the tensions of every day life slip away for a while. I create my own happy place or not so happy place depending on what's going on in the story.

My life is busy like everyone else's. I work a full time job during the day, have a home base business I tend to, and a family. Somehow it all works. I'm lucky I guess and I'm never bored. And I hate being bored!

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

Some writers debate that writer's block even exists, but I truly think it has to do with what I mentioned above. The times that I truly cannot move my story forward is when I am not listening to the characters and what they want to do. When I finally stop beating my head against the desktop, sit back, analyze and listen, that's when things begin to move forward again. Sometimes it takes walking away for a while--days, weeks--whatever it takes.

Describe your writing space for us.

My writing space is pretty much anywhere I want it to be. I started off years ago in a spare bedroom that I set up as an office as well. It was light and airy, decorated like a french provincial bedroom and office. It was feminine and felt like my personal and private space. But eventually, I went out and got a laptop because we needed more than one computer with my growing need to write.

Now, I work anywhere I choose. I will sit beside my husband and tap away while he is entertained with NASCAR or Football. I'll work in my living room and enjoy my beautiful fireplace, or I can sit outside on the patio amid my orchid arbor and gardens enjoying the great outdoors.

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

I take long walks on the beach. I am an avid gardener. I like to do projects around the house, read, listen to music, dance. I keep busy:)

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

Everything! Writing, editing, cover art, galleys. Its all grueling work. But holding that finished book in my hands and knowing that I did it was awesome. But then, I had to market it. Whoa! Wow! That is something I didn't know or care to do. I'm a writer. I'm not comfortable in front of people, talking about myself or my stories. Marketing was something I'd never thought about but... well... its a necessity. Marketing is how you get yourself and you book out there. Marketing is hard work but I am now learning how to make it fun.

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Yes, for more information on my new release, Curse of the Marhime and to view my book trailer, as well, lots of chat and helpful writing information, please visit my blog located at http://www.dayanaknight.blogspot.com/ and my website at http://www.romawolftales.com/. Also, check out the contest/links page while you're there. My "Dog Days of Summer" contest begins August 1st. You will find all details listed. Win great prizes and get to know some great authors as well.

Thanks for being here today, Dayana!

Thank you for having me, Allie. Its been fun.

Updates

"The cat is above all things, a dramatist." ~Margaret Benson

Today, some updates:

Our container vegetable garden is doing quite well, despite the hot and dry weather conditions. We have lettuce and cucumbers every day, and the beans and peppers are starting to do well too. We're still waiting on the peas, tomatoes, and broccoli, but they look promising. And the basil...well, let's just say we're going to have homemade pesto through the winter.

Both cats survived their vet appointments yesterday, though the older one (who ended up in the hospital for 4 days last summer) had a rather rough time on the road trip. However, it seems that he has at least 9 lives, and probably more like 10 or 11, since his heart disease has reversed itself and is approaching "normal" numbers - against all odds.

The agent response to my Summer's Song queries has been lukewarm and reinforces my belief that it is tougher than ever to get an agent these days UNLESS you have one of the following:

~You write erotica.
~You write fantastic inspirational romance.
~You have a national platform like, say, Paris Hilton or Brittany Spears.
~You have a terrific voice AND a brand new, original idea.

I still want to find a home for Summer's Song - so will probably submit to my editor at Samhain. Fingers crossed that she likes it!

So, what's new with you?

Anniversary Party - Check Out What You Can Win!

Hey everyone, the folks over at The Long and the Short of It are holding a one-year anniversary party next month...and every day, you can win a prize from a different author! Not only that, but with each daily entry you’ll also be entered into the drawing for the $50 Amazon Gift Certificate they’ll be giving away on the actual anniversary date of August 27, 2008!

You can also get an entry for the grand prize just by telling other people about it on your website and/or blog... just enter the link on Mr. Linky on the anniversary page. You can see all the authors that are participating on the anniversary page. The question and link to each author's site will be on the LASR anniversary page on the designated day. Be sure and check every day, because once the link is gone.. it’s gone and you’ve lost your chance at that particular prize (and for your entry that day for the Grand Prize).

Of course I'm participating, so head on over to find out when and what you can win...along with all the other great prizes!

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And in completely other, unrelated news, I have not one but two trips to (different) vets with my two cats today...not looking forward to it. They're always so traumatized by the experience. Anyone have any advice, besides heavy drugging? (Just kidding...sort of...)

My First Fan

Here it is: the picture of me with my fifth grade teacher, who wrote in my yearbook "Someday I'm going to read books written by you." I never forgot it...

I'm On the Road, So...

"I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework." ~Lily Tomlin

Hey everyone, I'm on the road today, so no profound blog post until later this afternoon, when I'll be home and can share the details of yesterday's appearance. I did sell 32 books, so I was pleased with that. And I saw lots of familiar faces, including the 5th grade teacher who inspired me to write (and who is named in the dedication of One Night in Boston) - pics later, so check back, OK??

Another Appearance Today!

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm so excited, because today I have an author appearance at this HUGE craft fair in the town where I grew up - the event is almost 30 years old, and usually very well-attended (I'm crossing my fingers that the rain will hold off). Lots of crafts, and jewelry, and stuff to eat...but only one other person selling books besides me :)

I'm not only looking forward to having my books out in the public eye, but seeing some familiar faces from the past. It's a small town, and quite a few people I graduated with (that I never ever see) will probably be there.

I'll do my best to get some pics - now I'm off to set up my tent and do the sun-only dance!

But How Do You...?

"I even shower with my pen, in case any ideas drip out of the waterhead." ~Graycie Harmon

Devon asked yesterday how I found the writers' group I spoke to. Here's a little secret: check the newspaper. This writers' group was featured in my hometown paper, and my mom sent me the clipping. (So thanks mom!) But I also always check the "Local Events" calendar in my local paper as well, to see not only what authors are appearing where ('cause that might be an opening for me too), but also if there's a community group that might be interested in hearing an author speak.

To be honest, I had focused more on contacting book clubs and bookstores before, but it makes sense to target writers' groups as well. After all, they're REALLY interested in writing and getting published, so you would think they'd like to hear from someone who has.

There's an online site called www.meetup.com, and I've heard authors recommend contacting groups listed there, too. They have groups organized by geographical location as well as interest, so I'll probably be checking them out for possible guest speaker opportunities too.

But today I have to spend a little time revising One Night in Napa. One of my writer friends said she recently read a piece of advice that said you must "live in your book" as you're working on it, which makes sense. If I spend too much time away, I forget what's going on, character names, the whole feel of the chapter I'm in.

So I'm off to write...wish me luck...I want to have this revised by the end of the summer!

Put 15 Writers Into One Room, and...

"Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will." ~Goethe

Last night I spoke at a writers' group - in the library of the hometown where I grew up. Quite fun, I have to say, and a better turnout than I expected: 15 people, all writers, and all quite interested in what I had to say.

I spoke about my general background, my books, and then answered questions about the writing and publishing process in general. Since everyone there was a writer (except for one woman, who loved to read but thought writing seemed "much too hard"), it was a really cool, relevant discussion. They asked questions about writing, and finding an agent, and making $$, and self-publishing, and then at the end one woman asked me how old I was, and when I told her, she said, "No way! I thought you were in your 20s." So that was probably the best part of the night :)

If you're an author, I highly recommend connecting with writers' groups. It's a great way to spread the word about your own work, while having meaningful conversations with "other people who love words," as one woman put it.

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Marie Treanor

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm featuring a fellow Samhain author, Marie Treanor. Enjoy!

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

I was born in Scotland where I live now with my husband and three kids. I'm a history graduate and a librarian by profession, although I haven't worked in libraries for about eight years! I stopped work when we moved out of the city and travelling became too difficult (good excuse, eh?), and then my youngest child was born so I've never felt inspired to go back. I love having the opportunity to write.

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

I began about as soon as I could hold a pencil! But I suppose the trigger to actually trying to get published, was my last job, which I hated. In my innocence I thought I could earn an alternative living from writing :)

Ah, I remember those innocent thoughts too! OK, tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

My latest book is Gothic Dragon, a sort of historical fantasy/not-quite-time travel romance, featuring a dark sorcerer hero. Basically my heroine stumbles into his world through a gothic novel, and falls in love with him. Well, so would I - have you seen the book's cover? :)

Wow, you're right - I love it! So how do you go about developing your characters?

Actually, they sort of develop themselves :) Usually they're the beginning of the story, and as I think about them, they become clearer. But I think they're only fully developed when I've actually finished the story!

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

Hmm - I think I find the promotion most difficult, because basically I want to be writing. And yet there's less point to writing if you don't tell people the books are out there :) The most exciting is when the characters change the story for you, and the most rewarding when readers tell me they've enjoyed reading my books.

Great answers - I tend to agree on all three counts! But how do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

With difficulty! I don't work as many other writers manage to do, but I have a four year old daughter and two older kids who keep me busy! I like to spend time with my family and friends when I'm not writing, so basically it's my housework that suffers :)

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

When I began, I wrote by hand and then typed it up - it was quite a useful self-editing process, but now I find it quicker to both write and edit on the computer. For one thing, I don't have to decipher my own hand-writing :)

Marie, thanks so much for giving us a peek into your writer's life today. Readers, Marie's novel Gothic Dragon releases on July 22 - make a note on your calendar...and in the meantime, visit her website to read an excerpt or find out more!

Today, an Interactive Post

"Fiction was invented the day Jonas arrived home and told his wife that he was three days late because he had been swallowed by a whale." ~Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Two things for you to do today!

For all you animal lovers, click here to sign a petition asking Barack Obama to consider adopting a shelter dog (apparently he promised his daughters a dog if he wins the White House in November). Here's the skinny:

If Sen. Barack Obama becomes president, he'll instantly be faced with decisions that will affect millions of Americans. Obama will also soon be making a decision that could affect millions of American dogs. It has been reported that once the election is over, the Obamas will be looking for a new four-legged family member (much to his daughters' delight).

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has suggested five types of purebred dogs that would fit the Obamas' lifestyle. While we don't disagree that it's important to choose a dog that matches well with the family, mixed breeds should certainly be considered along with pure breeds. Also, whether purebred or mutt, we believe the Obamas should make a winning choice and adopt a family dog, not buy one.

Whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, left-wing, right-wing or any other wing, please sign our petition urging the Obama Family to adopt, and encourage all your friends and family to sign it, too.

*****

And on a totally unrelated topic, here's an interesting quiz for you to take, borrowed from Chandler Craig (I have to say interesting here, because I'm not sure how the 6 questions led to "my" book, and, um, it's a little off base. But whatever. Take it anyway and see which book you are!)

You're Love in the Time of Cholera!

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Like Odysseus in a work of Homer, you demonstrate undying loyalty by
sleeping with as many people as you possibly can. But in your heart you never give
consent! This creates a strange quandary of what love really means to you. On the
one hand, you've loved the same person your whole life, but on the other, your actions
barely speak to this fact. Whatever you do, stick to bottled water. The other stuff
could get you killed.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Tips for Book Signings

"At a Boston signing, someone from the audience asked why I was so obsessed with furniture in my books. The question rattled around in my head. I had no idea that I was obsessed with furniture." ~Jonathan Carroll

So I'm always doing research on promotions and marketing, and I came across this really helpful article the other day: 40+ Ways to Make Your Next Book Signing an EVENT!

The author has some great tips, some of which I've already implemented. I wrote a press release for each of the places I'm going in the next few weeks, and I actually found one online for the Nichols Memorial Library in New Hampshire, which I thought was cool. Check it out here.

One of the article tips I really like is to bring a thank-you gift for the person who arranged your signing. Now, in most cases for me, it will be a woman, which is somehow easier to buy for: bouquet of flowers? box of candy? But the Director of the Nichols Library is a guy, and I know he's already advertised my appearance in a few places, including the library's blog. I definitely want to bring him some small token of appreciation...but what?

Anyone have any ideas on an appropriate thank-you gift for a man?

What I Learned...

"I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma." ~Eartha Kitt

OK, so the best thing you can do from any experience, I think, is learn. I've been to a half-dozen author appearances/signings in the last 8 months, and including yesterday's at the Hobart Book Expo, this is what I think:



1. I've figured out how to put together a decent display. Take a look:


This includes a sign with my info (made by a friend in the sign business), blow-ups of my book covers (mounted and laminated at Staples for $18 each), my books (display copy sitting in a $3 picture frame/plate holder from AC Moore), bookmarks and business cards (both made at Vista Print), book prices, and a clipboard with a sign-up sheet for my electronic newsletter.


By the way, yesterday I only sold 4 books... it was quite a low turn out (some of the authors there didn't sell any) and I probably wouldn't do this event again.


2. Stand by your table rather than sit (even though I'm sitting in the picture) - it's easier to talk to potential customers if you're standing.


3. Realize you can gain something by talking to fellow authors as well. I exchanged business cards with everyone there, and had a long conversation about small presses...with a man who turned out to be the owner of a small press in Ohio. You never know who you're talking to!


4. Charge prices in $5.00 increments if possible - OK, I read this somewhere, but it makes sense. You can make change more easily, and people might be more likely to purchase a book in the first place, if it costs $15.00 rather than $19.95 + tax. And by the way, I noticed that about half the writers there yesterday were self-published, and their books were quite expensive!


5. Keep writing books. Again, the self-published authors I spoke to were there with THE ONE BOOK they had written. And I think that's fine - if you have a book that's burning to be published, and that's your one baby, fine. But if you want to be successful, become a name that people will remember and seek out and want to follow, then you have to keep writing. Not one of the self-published authors (and some of the ones published with small presses fell into this category as well) had written a second book. Gotta do it. It's one of the biggest parts of your marketing strategy, in my opinion.


And that's all today, folks, on the subject of What I Learned From This Public Appearance...

Hobart Book Expo!

"Wear the old coat and buy the new book." ~Austin Phelps

I'm off to a book expo today, at the Hobart Book Village. This will be my first solo public author appearance, other than my launch party (which was mostly family and friends, so not scary). Should be a nice day, I hope, with some interesting other authors to check out too...

I'll be back here tomorrow and let you know how it goes! (With pictures, if all goes well ~ I'm remembering to bring my camera this time!)

TGIF!

“What We Think, We Become…” ~ Buddha

OK, I'm out of clever posts and pretty much all brain activity after my release blog tour this week, so here's the Friday Feast...


Appetizer
When was the last time you had your hair cut/trimmed?
About 4 weeks ago - with short hair I can't go too long or I start looking shaggy...

Soup
Name one thing you miss about being a child.
Um...not having to pay any bills?

Salad
Pick one: butter, margarine, olive oil.
Butter.

Main Course
If you could learn another language, which one would you pick, and why?
Italian, so I could visit the country and actually speak their language, and also because an upcoming novel I have planned is going to have journal entries and love letters written in Italian...and that way I could write them myself!

Dessert
Finish this sentence: In 5 years I expect to be…
On the New York Times best-seller list. Hey, a girl can dream, right? Intention is everything...

Last Blog Tour Stop...

"Writing is a struggle against silence." ~Carlos Fuentes

My last stop on the mini-blog tour this week is over at Sizzling Pens today. I'm talking about a little trivia behind the book...you might be interested.

Bonus: I'm running one last contest there today only, and drawing one name randomly from all commenters to win a free download of One Night in Memphis. So if you didn't win yesterday and still want to try, hop on over and leave a comment (so I don't feel too lonely there, either).

***

In other writing, revisions on One Night in Napa are coming along pretty well, which is terrific. I read chapter one for my critique group Tuesday night and got some good feedback.

***

And I received this amazing email yesterday from a woman who works with my father-in-law, who just finished both One Night in Boston and Lost in Paradise, and said in part, "I read your books One Night in Boston first, absolutely loved it. I thought it was so well written, the intensity level was phenomenal and it really made it hard to put it down. Then I read Lost in Paradise which was absolutely amazing that one too was well written and very intense kept your interests peaked. There were mornings that I came in looking like I had been out partying all night because I stayed up too late reading!!! :0) Anyway, I was just telling [father-in-law] after reading your two books back to back that the Mary Higgins Clark book that I just read although enjoyable lacked the excitement that your two had... "

See, that's why writing and readers are so great. For every lousy review you get, there's someone who loves what you've done. Subjectivity is a nice thing, in some cases :)

Today's Contest Winner!

We interrupt today's regularly scheduled Writers' Wednesday post to announce the winner of my release contest...


(((((((((drum roll)))))))))


Diane!


Congrats to Diane, who will receive a free download of One Night in Memphis and her choice of an autographed copy of One Night in Boston, Lost in Paradise, or any other book from my shelf here. Diane, email me at allieb@allieboniface.com and we'll work out all the details!


Writers' Wednesday will return next week - until then, below is the official purchase link for One Night in Memphis...thanks to everyone who's been stopping by to visit and help me celebrate ~ I'll see you back here tomorrow!

It's Release Day!

Here it is, folks, the official release day for One Night in Memphis! (The purchase link won't be up 'til a little bit later today, but here's the main Samhain page, so keep checking, OK?) Since I actually wrote this story before One Night in Boston, I'm so happy for it to finally meet the reading world. Here's a peek at the trailer I just finished yesterday:

Now, I'll be drawing a name from everyone who's left a comment in the last week on my blog (or host blogs, including today's) to win a free download of the book, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out the winner!

Until then, please visit my blog tour stops today (I actually have 2 of them):

The Samhain Blog

Tracey Kitt's Author Blog

I'll see you back here tomorrow!

It's Time for a Blog Book Tour!

" book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy." ~Edward P. Morgan

Welcome to my release week! As it turns out, I'm doing a mini-blog tour this week, so please visit the blogs who've offered to host me each day. Added incentive: every comment you leave on those blogs today and tomorrow counts toward the contest I'm running (the prize: a free download of One Night in Memphis PLUS an autographed copy of one of my other novels, your choice, OR any book from my home bookshelf...I'll provide the list, you choose!). Plus, the blog hosting me on Thursday is running another separate contest, with another chance to win a download of One Night in Memphis, so enjoy the week, and please keep me company out there in cyber-world!

Today's stop is Fumbling with Fiction; a big thanks to hostess Chandler Craig! Hope to see you there :)

Excerpts Just For You!

"He’ll be the one who steps in front of a train for you. The one who climbs buildings to move them out of your way. The one who faces down dragons and brings you breakfast in bed the morning after..." ~from One Night in Memphis

I forgot to mention that my excerpt for One Night in Memphis is up on my Samhain author page, so you can check it out if you want to.

But I thought today, since Release Day is only 2 days away, I'd whet your appetites with a couple of extra excerpts, just for my blog readers :)

Here's the first, the initial telephone conversation between Dakota (our heroine) and her best friend, Sarah:

“Dakota? Got your message. What’s up?”
She took another look at her watch. Five minutes to boarding. Terrific. Where the heck was Gate A14? She stopped at a map of the terminal and tried to make sense of the multi-colored arrows. “Um…are you busy this weekend?”
“Don’t think so. Why?”
Dakota dug her boarding pass out of her pocket. “I’m sort of on my way to Memphis.”
“What?” Sarah whooped, and for a minute Dakota couldn’t hear anything but muffled conversation on the other end of the line.
“Sarah?”
Her friend came back on. “‘Sort of’? Or you really are?”
“I really am. I’m getting on a plane in about thirty seconds. That okay?”
“Are you kidding? Of course.” Sarah paused. “Wait a minute. Nigel just let you off work? In the middle of June?”
“I had vacation time.”
Another pause. “You broke up with Sean, didn’t you?”
Dakota handed her boarding pass to the flight attendant at the counter.
“Is that what happened, D?”
“Um…it’s a long story.”
“Are you okay?”
“I guess. I just—” Dakota’s voice broke. “I just needed to get away for a couple days.”
Sarah’s voice poured over her, warm and comforting. “Then you’re coming to the right place. Really. You’ll love it down here. And forget about that jerk. He’s not worth even ten minutes of tears.” She said something else that Dakota couldn’t make out. “I never liked him, anyway.”
“You never met him.”
“Whatever. I could tell. ‘No, he’s busy tonight.’ ‘No, he doesn’t stay over because he has to get up early and work out.’ ‘No, he’s still sorting out the details of his divorce.’”
“You don’t have to be cruel about it.”
Sarah’s voice softened. “Oh honey, I didn’t mean it. I just—listen, when you get here, we’ll party our brains out. You won’t even remember that guy in a few hours.”
That sounded perfect. “Good. I’ll call you when I land.”
“Where are you?”
“Philadelphia.”
“Already? You’ll be here…when? Couple hours?”
“My flight lands at two-thirty. But I can take a cab. Just give me your address, and I’ll—”
“You will not. I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“I didn’t think you had a car.”
“Gunnar does.”
“Gunnar?”
“My hot downstairs neighbor. The one I told you about, like, two months ago. Do you ever listen to anything I tell you?”

And here's the moment Dakota and Ethan (our hero) first meet:

Someone whistled behind her, long and loud. Dakota turned. Ten feet away, ball propped on one hip, stood a stocky, redheaded guy. Thick freckles covered both arms like a tattoo. He winked and gave her a once-over. “Hey, good-lookin’.”
Dakota fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Hey yourself.”
Sarah tugged at her wrist. “Ignore him. He’s an ass. He’s here every weekend, hits on anything that walks by with boobs and a pulse.”
“Thanks a lot.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Got room for two more in the game,” the guy called after them. “Or we’ll be over at Doc’s later. You should come by.”
Dakota cocked her head as she tried to think of a clever comeback. The guy jerked his chin in her direction and looked as though he was about to say something else when one of his friends jabbed a hand at the ball from behind. It spurted from his grasp and rolled away.
Dakota giggled.
“Hey!” The guy spun around, hands fisting.
She was about to follow Sarah when a basketball bounced near her feet. His? She wasn’t sure. It slowed as it hit the grass, but she kept on walking just in case.
“Can you get that?”
Dakota stopped at the voice. Still masculine, though different. Not the obnoxious rasp of the redhead. Soft-spoken, almost. Polite. Kind.
She squinted into the sun to see who it belonged to, and in that moment, the world tilted under her feet. A guy she hadn’t noticed before stood at the edge of the pavement: medium height, dark reddish-brown hair, flushed cheeks. His chest heaved as he panted with the effort of the game. He smiled, sort of a crooked grin that didn‘t make it to his eyes. Still, it worked its way under her skin, until she felt her cheeks burn. For God’s sake, stop staring at him. He’s just a guy. Ordinary. Not even that tall, or good-looking, or built. She reached down and picked up the ball, rough and rubbery under her fingers.
“Thanks.”
Dakota took a few steps in his direction. Now she could see the color of his eyes, a greenish shade that reminded her of the lake back home in early evening when the sun was right. They would make a girl stop and stare, she thought, a second before she saw the sadness coloring the pupils. Sadness and distance and—what else was that? She tried to read the other emotion there and failed. Maybe he wasn’t completely ordinary after all.
“No problem.” She bounced the ball over to him and he caught it on the second hop. Strong fingers, she thought, even as she told herself not to look.
He smiled again, wider this time, and something inside her lit up. “You visiting?”
“You can tell?”
“It’s your voice.”
“Oh.” She felt herself redden. “No accent?”
“A northern accent.”
“Yeah, well, I flew in today. Just staying with a friend for the weekend.” She put one hand on a hip, liking the sound of his voice. Wanting it to continue. Wanting him to come closer.
“That’s too bad.”
“That I’m staying with a friend?”
“That you’re only in town for the weekend. Memphis deserves a week or two, at least.” He studied her for a moment longer. Then one of his buddies yelled something and he glanced back at the court. “Well, have a good time while you’re here.”
“I’ll try.” Dakota dug her toes into the grass and watched the way his back flexed as he jogged away. She wondered if he would turn around. She waited. She willed him to.
He didn’t.

Now, go on over and read the Samhain excerpt (if you didn't already) and you'll see what's in store for these two a little bit later on.

Want to know more? The ebook is out on Tuesday!!

Falling in Love Again

"Love doesn't just sit there like a stone; it has to be made - like bread, remade all the time, made new." ~Ursula LeGuin

Here's what happens on the good days: I look at a manuscript after putting it away for a while and fall in love with the story and the characters all over again. I finished the first draft of One Night in Napa about 6 weeks ago and haven't looked at it since. Two days ago, I opened the file and started revising from Chapter One.

And I still really like it. I like my main characters. I like the minor ones, too. I like the storyline. About the only thing I don't like right now is the fact that I need to add about 14,000 words to get it to a marketable length (I'm aiming for 70K, for a mainstream publisher, though Samhain will take 60K and I'll send it to my editor there if no one else bites).

But despite that little (or not so little) glitch, I actually find myself looking forward to revising the novel each day. That doesn't always happen, believe me - sometimes it's much more of a struggle!

My goal is to have the story fully revised by the end of August. We'll see...

***
Oh, and the latest trailer I made:

Happy Friday!

"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality." ~George Washington

First off, a big shout-out today to my writing friend (in real life ~ not in cyber-world!) Liz, who just won an honorable mention in the LASR Short Story contest. It will be posted on their site in August, so I'll make sure to have the link so you can read it then. Until then, give her a big congrats here, OK? She's a regular blog reader :)

And second, Happy Fourth of July!

My 10K Challenge

"If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk." ~Raymond Inmon

A non-writing-related post today:

This summer vacation, I decided to challenge myself to walking/running/covering 10,000 steps each day. This is inspired partly by Dru, who posts her steps each day, and partly by the fact that I'd like to conserve my driving and gasoline comsumption over the next couple of months. I live 2 miles from the closest small town, so yesterday I walked into town to mail some things and run a couple of errands. I'll do that a couple of times a week. And I plan on getting myself a helmet and actually riding my bike more than I ever have before.

I'll tell you, though, while 10,000 steps isn't really insurmountable, it definitely takes intention to get them all in! Yesterday I was running around all morning (putting up our pool...a story for another time), then did a bunch of errands, then went to an aerobics class at the gym, and I was still only at 8500 when I came home. So a few rounds around our property watering the flowerbeds and weeding took care of that.

10,000 steps a day...I'd challenge anyone out there to try it, even for a few days. Pedometers cost less than $10 - clip one on your belt and give it a whirl. You might be interested how many steps you do - or don't - take in the course of a day. There are a ton of articles out there about working up toward it - here's one. There are even sites where you can keep track of your daily steps. I don't keep track of my steps once I pass 10,000, though (I take off the pedometer and toss it on my bathroom counter 'til the next day :)

If any of you already keep track of your steps, how many do you average each day? And how do you manage to get them all in?

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Dana Marie Bell

Welcome to another edition of Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm chatting with paranormal romance author Dana Marie Bell. Enjoy - and remember, each comment you leave today counts toward my drawing this week...so let's hear from you!


Hi Dana, and welcome! Can you tell us a little about your background?

When I lived in Philadelphia I went to CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts High School). But my parents moved and decided I'd do better in a Catholic high school. (Can't you just hear the Psycho shower scene music?) I kept telling them that torture was against the law, but they just shook their heads and pointed to the bus stop.

I met my husband during my brief stay in college. I met him in February, and in April I told my dad that I'd found the man I was going to marry. We started dating in August, and we'd moved in together by October. I'd call it a whirlwind romance, except it took us seven years to finally get married. Now I'm a thirty-nine year old mother of two boys who keep me on my toes. I've been with my husband for seventeen years, and everyone who knows us thinks we're still disgustingly cute together. I write paranormal romances, though I've been known to pen contemporary romances or the occasional fantasy story. I love weres, vampires, mages and things that go bump in the night.

What a great story of true love! So when did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

My grandparents had a small beach house in Wildwood, NJ. I remember coming home from the beach with this story running around in my head and asked them for pen and paper to write it down. On a bed in the guest room I wrote my first short story. I've been writing ever since.

Tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

The Wallflower is a novella that's part of Samhain Publishing's Cat Shifter Anthologies. It's also my first published work, and I'm really proud of it. It's about a woman named Emma who's dreamed of Max, her high school crush, for years. When Max comes home, it turns out he's been hiding a secret: he's a werepuma. And he's not just any werepuma, but the Alpha of the pride. He realizes Emma is his mate and marks her as his, but his ex is anything but happy over it. Emma has to prove to the pride that she has the strength to be the Alpha's mate as well as deal with a jealous ex who is hell bent on taking her position not only as Curana but as Max's lover.

To me it's a great story. I got my husband to read it, and I consider it a triumph that I actually got him to laugh out loud in at least two places.



Sounds intriguing! How do you go about developing your characters?

Develop? You're assuming I have control over them! In The Wallflower the main characters decided to have a fight in the middle of a scene where no fight had been plotted. They poked at me and hit me over the head with blunt objects until I agreed to let them hash it out. Turns out it worked, and they've been taunting me in a "we were right and you were wrong" sort of way ever since.

To me it's like I'm watching a movie, and my job is to put down on paper what I'm seeing in my mind. It doesn't always work out the way I planned, and the characters aren't always quite what I had in mind, but I'm usually pleased with the end result.

OK, what kinds of books do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?

Wait. I have to pick one? Only one? What about one for each genre and/or sub-genre? Can I get away with that?

I love sci/fi, fantasy, romance, paranormal, horror, mystery; I even read true crime stories. My husband and I own over two thousand books. We bought a house with enough rooms in it that we could have our own personal library just to house all of them. (My husband put the romances on a wall by themselves so the other books won't "catch their cooties".) My favorites? Sheri L. King, Lora Leigh, Mary Janice Davidson, Patricia Briggs, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Lois McMaster Bujold, Ann Bishop, Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, Steve Miller and Sharon Lee, Terry Pratchett, Lauren Dane… the list goes on and on. A friend of mine has a t-shirt that reads, "First I buy books. When I'm done buying books, I buy food and clothing." We're not quite that bad, but we're close.

Ah, I love that quote! And speaking of which, how do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

Each day is different. Some days, I can't stay on that tightrope. My toddler needs me, or my older boy is home sick from school and needs me, or I'm sick and need me, lol! Other days I can walk that tightrope on my hands while juggling six different things with my feet. A positive attitude helps, along with boatloads of caffeine and a Wiggles marathon.

I'm sure many of my readers will agree with you on that one! Can you describe your writing space for us?


There is a small black cat on top of my computer. His name is Gremlin, and he is evil, in a cute cat way. He likes to bat at my cursor in the middle of love scenes. (I kid you not. I made up an icanhascheezburger-type picture with the caption "Editor kitteh shows u wat u doin wrong" and posted it on my blog.) I have books piled up, music disks, files, and other assorted stuff that's likely to fall on my head if anyone sneezes too hard. Oh, and a desk lamp to light my way under the rubble, maybe alert the rescue team as to where I'm buried.



Dana, thanks so much for being here today. Readers are welcome to stop by her website and see what's up with her latest writing adventures!

Contest - One Week Only!!

Happy July, everyone!



To celebrate the one-week countdown to the release of my novel One Night in Memphis, I'm holding a really easy, really straightforward contest. Every time you leave a comment on my blog between now and next Tuesday - July 8 - your name will be entered into a drawing to win a free download of One Night in Memphis! To sweeten the deal, I'll throw in an autographed copy of either one of my print novels, Lost in Paradise or One Night in Boston, OR your choice of a novel from my read-and-to-be-given-away bookshelf. Oh, and chocolate, of course. No contest is complete without the sweet stuff, in my opinion.

So comment away for the next 7 days, and up your chances of winning!

And here's a video I had to mention, 'cause it's just so funny. (I can't figure out how to embed it here, so just visit this fellow author's blog and take a peek. It's hilarious...)

Summer Plans

"Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing "Embraceable You" in spats." ~Woody Allen

Ah, the first Monday morning I'm not up before dawn and rushing out the door to school...kind of a nice thing :)

Goals for today? First and most important, go through FLEs for One Night in Memphis and return them to my editor. FLE stands for Final Line Edits, and it's one of the last steps before your book gets sent to the printer (or the electronic-file world, in the case of ebooks, I suppose). It's basically the proofreading step - an editor other than your regular one goes through the manuscript with a fine-toothed comb to find any errors the two of you might have missed. My editor said there were only a couple (I haven't opened the file yet...), so I hope it will be a quick read-through. And she's so sweet: she added, "The FLE LOVED your story, by the way!"

After next Tuesday, it's out in the world...wonder how the reviews will be? (Note to self: remember to apply skin-toughening cream over the next few days...)

After that, I suppose I could tackle the list of summer chores and projects that's now hanging in the kitchen. Dru asked the other day if I had summer plans beyond book promotions - well, we're taking a week's vacation to the Outer Banks with a group of friends in August, and we're going to a couple of concerts at Bethel Woods, but other than that, no big plans. Price of gas is keeping us pretty close to home!

What about you?

Why I'm Not Crazy About "Twilight"

"Softly he brushed my cheek, then held my face between his marble hands. 'Be very still,' he whispered, as if I wasn't already frozen. Slowly, never moving his eyes from mine, he leaned toward me. Then abruptly, but very gently, he rested his cold cheek against the hollow at the base of my throat." ~from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

OK, it's a huge best-seller. Teenage girls have read the entire trilogy multiple times. The fourth book, to be released this August, has bookstores across the country holding midnight parties a la Harry Potter.

My students fell in love with Twilight by Stephenie Meyer this year, so I eagerly picked it up a few weeks ago to find out why.

300 pages into it, I'm still wondering.

I know some of my blog readers have read and enjoyed this book, and I know most of you aren't teenage girls, so I'm curious to know what the big draw is.

Storyline: awkward teen Bella moves to a small town and finds herself inexplicably drawn to Edward, a perfect/ godlike/ beautiful/ dangerous "bad boy" sort of hero in school. The problem? Edward's a vampire.

My problem with this book? The first half is incredibly slow, a day-by-day account of what Bella wears to school, who she sits with in lunch, how she finds Edward so amazingly gorgeous she can hardly breathe when he's around...By the middle there is marginally more action, but I'm somewhere around page 350 and there's still not a whole lot going on.

My bigger concern, though, is the way the two main characters are developed. Bella is 15, plain and clumsy according to her own accounts...yet within the first month of school 4 boys ask her out. There's a whole lot of "poor me" whining on her part that drives me up a wall. Not only that, but her insecurity makes my teeth ache. She mentions how beautiful/gorgeous/breath-taking/perfect Edward is on at least every other page. OK, I get the teenage fascination with a good-looking bad boy who's out of one's league. But I get angry when an author reinforces the idea that a plain girl who's shy and not terribly graceful is not possibly worthy of someone with good looks. Bella is absolutely submissive to the mere idea of Edward, and her world revolves around the moments he looks at her.

And Edward, by the way, is not really a nice guy for the first half of the book. Here's the thing: if you're going to give me a hero, you better make sure I like something about him early on, despite his flaws. But Edward is rude, smirks (I'd like to count how many times the author uses that verb to describe his actions), and makes fun of Bella and other kids in the school. So when my students say, with great heaving sighs, "I want a guy like Edward," it pisses me off. Why are we still raising a generation of girls who think that it's OK for a physically gorgeous, unattainable guy to be emotionally manipulative? For a girl to throw away plans with friends and lie to her father for the mere chance of spending time with a good-looking guy who at one moment is kind and the next moment is incredibly distant and rude?

My students say, "Yes, but Edward's only keeping her at a distance to protect her...so he won't eat her. And he saves her life!" Yes, he does, more than once. He rescues her from being crushed by a careening truck and then later from being assaulted by a group of unsavory older men. For those reasons alone, I am finishing the book and reserving judgement, to see if Edward turns out to be a hero worth admiring. But I won't be running out to pick up the next book in the series.

I'd love to hear from anyone who's read Twilight and honestly enjoyed it from start to finish. Please tell me if I'm way off base here...

The Great Agent Search

"Forbidden pleasures alone are loved immoderately; when lawful, they do not excite desire." ~Marcus Fabius Quintilian

Check out my lovely author page at The Long and the Short of It ~ don't they do a nice job?

***

I have begun the agent search for Summer's Song...we'll see how it goes. I read an interview with Gena Showalter the other day & she queried agents every time she finished a novel, for the first 7 she wrote. On the 7th she finally got representation!

So I'm sending out letters to test the waters...I've queried 19 agents and so far received 3 requests for sample chapters and one "no thanks." The nice thing is that I'm happy with Samhain, so if I don't get any bites on this novel, I'll keep writing and submitting to them. I like Summer's Song, don't get me wrong, but my fear is that it isn't "different" enough. Every agent's looking for the next totally original break-out novel, and I don't know in my gut that mine is it.

I do, however, have a story idea that I've been playing around with for the last few weeks. It involves different kinds of forbidden love, a ghost, and a mysterious death - and it was inspired by this piece of real-life news. If I tackle it, it will be different than anything else I've written. I just have to get up the energy!

TGIF: For Extra-Special Reasons, Today!

"I learned just enough in school to figure out that everything is not all there is to know." ~Anonymous

Yesterday one of my colleagues (who came to my launch party and bought Lost in Paradise) said, "I'm so glad that when I'm reading your book, I'm not thinking about you." Pause. "That's supposed to be a compliment." I laughed and said I got it - the heroine is not me and doesn't in any way remind her of me. And yeah, I took it as a compliment :)

***

FRIDAY'S FEAST:

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?

Hot and humid - I feel sorry for all the schools that are holding their HS graduations today.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?

Around a 9, I'd say ~ yesterday's post pretty much explains why.

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?

Blinds in most rooms, that sorely need replacement (it's one of the things we haven't touched yet, after moving into this house 3 years ago).

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.

Either of my cats climbing into my lap and loving me :)

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?

Once - more than that and I'm running late...

***

Last day of school before summer vacation! Woo Hoo!!

Pomp and Circumstance

"I hope your dreams take you... to the corners of your smiles, to the highest of your hopes, to the windows of your opportunities, and to the most special places your heart has ever known." ~Anonymous

Last night our school held its annual graduation ceremony...always an overwhelming event. First of all, we graduate about 700 students each year. Miracle of miracles, it only lasts about 90 minutes (yes, really!) and every student gets to walk across the stage and have his/her name read. No speeches, and only 4 big awards given out.

So it doesn't last long.

But it's always a little emotional for me. Once you get past the arriving-two-hours-early-only-to-stand-outside-in-the-sweltering-heat element, and the packed-into-tiny-rows-of-chairs-like-sardines element, it's quite a nice evening.

Really, it is.

I'm caught between being so thrilled to see them graduate and being sad to see them go. Last night's class also managed to add to the mix by giving me a gorgeous and completely thoughtful gift. It's a good thing I was wearing sunglasses when they gave it to me so they couldn't see me tear up (was not going to cry! had spent a good 10 minutes doing my makeup).

And so the end of June always finds me in a melancholy sort of mood. We teachers spend so much time during the year trying to shape our classes, trying to help students learn the curriculum and manage behavior and keep up with grading and in the midst of it all try to form relationships that will help support them as they find their way into the world after they leave us...

It's exhausting.

And then often they tell us, that of all the things we hope they'll remember, they recall something different altogether. They watch us so closely - they see how we live our lives. They catch us in both our strong and our weak moments, and I think they learn more from watching how we carry ourselves, how we interact with others, how we make decisions and deal with adversity, than many of us realize.

My classroom is empty today, and my heart is sad.

Writers' Wednesday: An Interview with Tricia Jones

Welcome to Writers' Wednesday! Today I'm talking with fellow Samhain author Tricia Jones. Sit back and enjoy!

Tricia, thanks for being here today. When did you first begin writing? Was there an event or moment in your life that triggered your desire to write?

Although I’ve always made up stories in my head, for years the day job in adult education took up most of my energy. Then in 2000 I had one of those milestone birthdays and asked myself “if not now, when?” That’s when I started to write seriously for publication. I finaled in a couple of contests and that spurred me on to start submitting.

That's terrific - tell us about your latest writing project or published title.

Satin Lies, my latest contemporary romance, was released by Samhain Publishing on 3 June. The setting for Satin Lies is romantic Tuscany, one of my favorite places. It's a story about a woman who tries to protect the man she loves and ends up alienating him. Pregnant, she enters into a marriage of convenience with his brother. But when, years later, an accident claims her husband and leaves her with temporary amnesia, she is forced to confront the past and suffer the consequences of her deception as her former lover takes his revenge.

My first Samhain title, His Convenient Affair, was released in print just yesterday, so it’s been a pretty exciting month.

Wonderful news ~ congratulations! So how do you go about developing your characters?

First I get the germ of an idea for a story and the characters come from that. The characters develop as I write the first draft, by the end of which I know them pretty well. The second draft is when I really flesh them out. At a seminar, years ago, the speaker said that the creation of the characters should always come first and the plot should centre around them. That never seemed to work for me. I just couldn’t figure out how to “get” the characters first and then develop a plot for them. It just didn’t flow right. It took me a long while to trust my own process, thinking I was doing something fundamentally wrong. Now I go with what works for me.

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

Believe in yourself – first, last and always. Listen to the more experienced writers and take advice, but learn to trust your own instincts and do what works for you.

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

Not sure I’d call it writer’s block but I do stall from time to time. Those days when things just won’t happen no matter how hard you try. What works for me is taking time to do other things—physical stuff like gardening or even, heaven forbid, that pile of ironing that’s been waiting forever. It’s amazing how many times I’ve gotten unstuck while negotiating a particularly difficult drain that needs unblocking, or a stubborn weed that refuses to be pulled.

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

That sometimes you just have to trust the process. While I always have the theme, the black moment and the ending in mind when I start a book, I’m basically a seat of the pants writer and don’t always know where I’m going when I sit down to write. That can be scary, especially when the ideas don’t flow, but if you just keep writing magical things often happen. A book my editor is considering right now started out from a very specific idea, but somehow in the middle it morphed into something completely different and, I hope, better. I don’t begin to know how this works, but someone once said that life’s “magical” processes should never be questioned, just accepted. As long as the words keep flowing, I’m more than happy to go along with that...

Anything else you’d like to mention?

Just to say thank you for having me here today, Allie.

You're welcome! Readers, help Tricia celebrate her awesome release month by visiting her website and her blog, and make to check out her books, too!

A Contest! And What Happens When You Google Yourself

"The Internet is just a world passing around notes in a classroom." ~Jon Stewart

I almost forgot to mention that The Wild Rose Press is hosting a contest, all summer long...and the grand prize is a SONY E-Reader! The fun part is that it involves reading some of their authors' works - so here's the link, if you'd like to enter. Great prize!

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Have you ever Googled yourself? I read somewhere that 30% of us (or so) have. I was surprised...I thought that number was low. (But maybe I'm just overly curious or narcissistic). Anyway, I Google my pen name every few months to see what turns up. Usually, it's just what I expect, the various places my books are listed or sites where I've blogged or commented. But the other day, I was surprised by two of the search results I found. Apparently, One Night in Boston is for sale on Ebay. I'm not sure that's a good thing, but maybe any exposure is good exposure?

The other link I found was cool: a university library in Iowa offers a continuing ed. course in popular fiction/romance, and my article on the changing genre is one of the links in their course! I thought that was pretty neat...

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Go on, do it. You know you want to Google yourself now...

Sales Numbers

"Computers are useless. They can only give you answers." ~Pablo Picasso

I finally joined the world of 2008 and bought a laptop yesterday, complete with a wireless router so I can actually sit anywhere in my house and connect to the Internet. While I thought this would be a plus (so hubby and I don't have to negotiate time on our desktop), I can see how it can also EASILY become a huge distraction...I can't force myself to just write when with one little click I can be online. Hmm. Must find way to control the urge to surf while I should be turning out pages instead.

Now, to clarify yesterday's blog post, yes, I know that 49 book sales in one afternoon is a lot, and I know I'm a lucky girl to have so many friends and family turn out to support my habit (ahem...writing habit, that is...). I certainly don't anticipate those kind of sales anywhere else I'm going this summer. Hey, I've sat in enough Borders the last few months to know even one sale is good! If you're an author preparing for any kind of appearance, I would just advise to keep an open mind - you really can never tell who will show up or who will want to buy a book. Expect no one to buy anything at all, and you'll be pleasantly surprised if they do.

Finally, help me welcome a new author to blogger land: Dayana Knight, who writes paranormal romance and has a series coming out shortly. Stop by her blog and tell her hello!

A Beautiful Day for a Book Launch

"What is the disease which manifests itself in an inability to leave a party—any party at all—until it is all over and the lights are being put out?... I suppose that part of this mania for staying is due to a fear that, if I go, something good will happen and I’ll miss it. Somebody might do card tricks, or shoot somebody else." - Robert Benchley

OK, I lied. I do not have any pictures to share from yesterday's book launch party.

This is primarily because I forgot make sure I had my camera in my purse before I left - add that to the list of things I would change for next time.

Overall, though, it was a rousing success! Beautiful weather, first of all - 80 degrees and sunny all day long. This was nice because the library/resource center where it was held is oh so tiny, so the little front lawn with the extra picnic table was a nice place for people to hang out and chat.

I had lots of munchies and beverages - too much, probably, 'cause now I have lots of leftovers. However, I did discover a scrumptious punch recipe online that got rave reviews (a few people wrote down the recipe before they left the party!). It's down at the bottom of this post, if you're interested.

Most of my guests were family and friends, with a couple locals from the community who dropped in to visit. All in all, I sold 49 books - not too shabby!

What would I do differently next time?

1. Arrive earlier to set up. I didn't leave myself enough time.

2. Remember to eat. In a very weird way, it felt a little like my wedding reception: I was so busy chatting with people that I didn't have a thing to eat or drink all day. Translation: massive headache when it was all over.

3. Have a sign with the book prices. This wasn't crucial, but it would have prevented me from repeating myself 49 times.

Otherwise, for the time and money I spent on 3 hours of one afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised by how it turned out. And I like that every time I do an event, I learn more about my own marketing strategies and things that work/don't work.

On to the next one!

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"Angel Punch"

One 12-oz container frozen pink lemonade
20-oz bag frozen strawberries
2 cups water
1 quart vanilla ice cream
2 cups lemon-lime soda

Combine half of all ingredients EXCEPT the soda. Blend in blender until smooth. Transfer to serving dish and repeat with the other half of ingredients. Chill until time to serve, then pour soda over the top.

Really, it was DELICIOUS - everyone loved it~

The Lake House

"Even though this is clearly impossible, it's amazing." ~from "The Lake House"

This is a terrifically romantic movie, if you haven't seen it (I watched it last night...for the 3rd time...). Go rent it!



I'm off to my launch party ~ pics here tomorrow!

Who Cares What the Reviewers Say?

"A writer should be joyous, an optimist... Anything that implies rejection of life is wrong for a writer." ~George Gribbin

These are the *real* reviews I like:

"You have amazing characters, gripping plots, a fantastic vocabulary, and fresh comparisons. I just had to drop you a note to let you know. I'm looking forward to your third book." ~ my good friend Jenny, a high school English dept. chair out in Ohio that I worked with years ago in a community college writing center. (Those words coming from a fellow English teacher mean A LOT.)

"I just finished One Night in Boston and found it engrossing and enjoyable." ~ my 81-year old aunt, God bless her.

And guess what? Sneak preview at some exciting news coming this summer...

Marianne and Ceri and I might be doing a Samhain author signing at a library or two in New Hampshire! Actually, I don't care about the signing or selling so much as having the chance to get together with 2 cyber-friends and fellow authors, in the real world. I imagine it will be a gab-fest more than a "meet and greet the fans" event - but that's OK. It's not set in stone yet but will hopefully work out. We'll keep you posted!

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

"Wine is bottled poetry." ~Robert Louis Stevenson

I have no words of importance today, so it'll be a visual blog post. You like that anyway, right?

The hostas around our pool deck (and yes, there is no pool there - we're getting a new one - hopefully soon!):

And the hostas around the side of our garage ( the middle ones look a little smushed 'cause I took this pic right after a terrific rainstorm yesterday. Those ones, incidentally, the deer will strip to nothing, if they discover them. The variegated ones on either side, the deer will leave alone. Stupid picky creatures...

Our container vegetable garden about a month ago, newly planted:

And as of yesterday, blooming pretty well (you can see the two upside-down tomato growers, hanging off the side - no salmonella for us!):

And finally, how I spent one day after work, earlier this week: touring a winery with my teacher friends (the oldest continually operating winery in the country, by the way, thanks to a need for sacrament wine during Prohibition). Hey, what other job gets you out and drinking wine at 4:00 in the afternoon?