Passions Muses

Tag, You're It!

2008-08-30T11:04:00.001-04:00

Ladies, check Stephanie Julian's blog at http://onamoonlitnight.blogspot.com/ for your mission, should you choose to accept it.

Stephanie Julian

Story Ideas

2008-08-24T14:01:00.003-04:00

I have a bad habit. I collect ideas.

And then I put them in a nice organized pile.

Where they languish.

Because I usually dream my stories. The ones I dream have to be written down fast before they fade like mist. The ideas from an article, or a news story... they'll be around, and I don't jump on them right away.

If I were more organized, I would actually file my ideas somehow, because I know there will come a day when I don't have a group of characters in my head telling me their stories, and I'll need some solid inspiration.

But for now, when I need to be inspired, a nap usually does the trick.

What would I do if I became a really really really famous author??

2008-08-20T09:27:00.003-04:00

On youtube Kaleb Nation and Jackson Pearce have answered the question listed above. The top five things.... hmmm. Well, there are definitely a few more, but these are the first that come to mind:

1) Pay off all our debts, buy the house of my dreams, the cars we want, and put money away for the future. Ok, whew, got the reasonable one out of the way first.

2) For this house of my dreams - hire staff: landscaper, maid, and a cook. I'm just not good at it and I want to eat well and look good for all my public appearances. Better hire a massueur and a personal trainer as well.

3) Have a TOTALLY awesome writing space with lots of desk top room, a great computer and printer, all my favorite pens and regular shopping at Staples for more supplies (yes, I completely adore Staples - could shop in there forever). There would be lots of light, a small library of books (reference and favorite fiction). I would be excited to be there every day. Except when I'm traveling

4) Travel and shop to my hearts content - first class all the way. To NYC, to London, Paris, a month in Italy. I'm a self trained retail therapist and I adore the whole process of shopping... and buying! Vacations to Disney, California. Cruises. Yeah, let's face it -- I want it all.

5) Create places for writers to write! First, I'd buy a bed and breakfast on the Jersey Shore and turn it into a low cost writers' retreat where writers could come to relax and commune with their muse and be inspired by one another. I'd get to be there whenever I could, meeting and encouraging folks.

I'd also buy a brownstone like place, have a bookstore cafe on the first floor, a daycare place in the basement, and rooms upstairs that can be reserved for writing. Hey - if your gym can provide child care while you work out, I should be able to find a way to do this for writers. We all deserve a place to become the writers we want to be.

I have to add one more
6) Invest in projects I believe in. I have friends who are working hard to achieve their artistic dreams and I would love to be able to give them funding, no strings attached so they could go full force towards what they want.

So... what would you do? Oh, and if your curious Jackson's video response, which I really like, is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB1G7xtk-B8

Have a great week,
Rowan

ROMANCING THE STONES- Aug 19

2008-08-17T12:59:00.002-04:00

ROMANCING THE STONES, my romantic suspense novel, becomes available as an ebook August 19th from Samhain. It's getting great reviews so far, which has me smiling!

I'm very excited about this book. It combines my love of archaeology with that CSI vibe and a touch of paranormal to keep you guessing.

The heroine, Charlotte "Charlie" Blair arrives home from a dig in Peru only to find a serial killer has stashed a body in her house. Since she's got her own problems- namely the fact that she lost a legendary artifact- a solid gold phallus- she wants nothing to do with Rob Vaiden, the detective assigned to the case.

Trouble is, somehow their paths keep crossing, and somehow her troubles and his case are connected. But can they figure it out before it's too late?

Revisions, revisions, revisions................

2008-08-15T11:53:00.003-04:00

Hi All, I'm coming out of the revisions cave to say hello.

While I was at RWA, my editor sent me revisions. They included a 7-page revisions letter and just about one content note on every page. Eek! Deadline: 3 weeks. So I've gone directly from an incredibly intense, busy conference into heavy revisions and I have hardly come up for air.

So I have a revisions question for those of you who are writers:
How do you know when you're revising that you're not making the book worse rather than better? I think that's my biggest fear!

New Release Date and Cover

2008-08-14T08:43:00.004-04:00

Isn't it beautiful? This is the fourth book in my Magical Seduction series from Ellora's Cave and once again I have to thank the amazing artist Les Byerly for an amazing cover.

SEDUCED AND ENCHANTED is a take on the sleeping beauty story, where Rosie, a sweet librarian, meets the man of her dreams, youngest de Feo brother, Rio, and discovers she isn't exactly the person she thought she was.

Add hot sex and an evil undead witch and action ensues. All sorts of action.

ENCHANTED will be released Nov. 12.

Besieged

2008-08-03T14:42:00.002-04:00

Okay, I'm jealous, I'll admit it. I didn't get to go to RWA either, and today all my mail lists will be besieged with posts from tired, delirious, motivated writers, fresh from their fun, fabulous conference.

Man, I feel more jealous than when I started this blog entry!

I've tried to fill my time:

I've had a three-day headache, trying its best to become a four-day headache (so really, if I had gone to RWA, wouldn't that have been horrible?).

I dragged my kids to a historic cemetery, a historic plantation, and a baseball game.

I worked on edits (because I can edit with a headache, most of the time. I just can't create with a headache.

And I planned out this coming week of places to drag my kids to (gotta get some learning in).

So I am tired, even though I didn't travel across country. But still jealous!

And I can't wait to read all the posts!

Left Behind: With Revision

2008-07-31T10:33:00.006-04:00

Yes, I'm moping. Big time. While it seems like everyone else is in San Francisco at the RWA national conference, I'm stuck at home and hating it.

Well, I'm hating the fact that I'm not with everyone else in San Fran. But I have to admit, I'm getting a hell of a lot of work done. I'm in the middle of revisions on the second book in a series that my agent is shopping and I have to say I think it's going well.

I actually love to work on revisions. When you move onto revisions, the seemingly hard part of writing the entire book is behind you. Now comes the fun part. Now is the time when you fine tune, when you add that extra something that takes your work from good to ready-to-go.

So what should you be looking for when you do revisions?

Since I write romance, one of the first things I study is the romantic relationship. Does it have enough conflict? Does every scene with the hero and heroine propel their relationship forward? Do their scenes heighten the sexual tension? Do they connect with each other and the reader? Do the love scenes do more than titilate? They should not only be a powerful moment for the couple, but these scenes should also show some growth in the romantic relationship.

Next, I take a look at the overall plot of the book. Does every scene give us useful information about the plot? You might have written the best scene with the hero and heroine trading extraordinary banter but if it tells you nothing about them or what they're doing, it's got to go.

How about secondary characters? Do they move the plot forward? Are they interesting? Are they too interesting and taking over the book?

Now, what about voice? Do I hear my characters when they talk? Is there a distinctive rhythm to my writing?

And finally, does it all come together in the end? Did I wrap up every loose end? If not, did I leave it hanging for a reason? Since I'm writing a series, I have to make sure I set up the next book properly.

Hope these questions help in your own revisions.

Excuse me while I go mope some more now.

Post-pregnancy cravings

2008-07-30T16:44:00.003-04:00

When you are pregnant you have all sorts of cravings. The cravings most women know about are the strange food requests. You also crave sleep, non-binding clothes and, at the end, being able to see your feet and walk without getting winded.

Now my children are born. I have two wonderful sons and, to my knowledge, my pregnancy days are over.

And yet – I am still having cravings.
Strong cravings.
Gnawing needs.
Indulgent fantasies.

Want to know my biggest craving?

I want to eat a meal at the proper time.
At the proper temperature.
At the proper speed.
Seated.
Without interruption.
Without having to share any of it with anyone.

Doesn’t that sound like heaven?

Post-pregnancy cravings, which no one warns you about, are in many ways worse than pregnancy cravings. During your pregnancy, cravings can be managed in two ways. First, you can indulge them. You can feel blameless about sending your husband out to the local convenience store for ice cream and chips at 10:00 at night. And while he’s gone, you can order a pizza to be delivered.

Second, you can wait them out. If you want something you can’t have - I craved sushi during my first pregnancy, margaritas during my second, neither of which I could treat myself to – you know that in a few months your precious bundle will arrive and someone can sneak you these goodies into the hospital if you can’t wait another moment.

But what about afterwards? What about the things we want after the hormones settle down? How do we manage those? And what do we do about the fact that there is not an obvious end to them?

Personally, I didn’t even notice these cravings sneaking up on me. I was so in love with my son after his arrival and so busy trying to balance my many new responsibilities that I didn’t realized that I was starting to have those gnawing sensations again.

Of course the first thing we all crave is sleep. That’s not surprising, but what I really craved was the ability to sleep without hearing every little noise in the house. I found I didn’t need a baby monitor at night because I was so easily alert to all the sounds around me. These included my husband, our cat, and, when we were living in an apartment, our neighbors. We moved my son into his own room six weeks after he was born because the little sounds he would make at night a half hour or so before he would actually wake up would have me practically bolt upright in bed.

But eventually ( and hopefully) the baby begins to sleep through the night and you been to as well. You think you’re out of the woods. Until the next craving arrives. For me that was

1. Less clutter – everyone tells you that the baby will need more stuff than you ever thought possible. I accepted that but I didn’t understand what that would mean for my living room. And the dining room. And the kitchen.

2. Safety for my things. I could measure how tall my son was getting by how far back I had to put things on my desk so that he couldn’t reach it.

And the scariest part about these cravings? There is no “due date.” They go on. And on. And when one gets satisfied, there is another to take its place.

My sons are older now. Some of the first cravings are gone. Some linger. I still would like to eat a meal without someone needing me to get them something. And uninterrupted quiet. I crave that, too.

How long before September?

May you find satisfaction for your cravings,
Rowan

I'm off!

2008-07-25T22:53:00.002-04:00

Well, I'm headed off to San Francisco for a 5-day family vacation, followed by 4 days of The Romance Writer's of America annual conference. I get to meet my agent for the first time! And I love San Francisco...but....

Okay. I'm an introvert, and the idea of spending four days with over a thousand other romance writers and industry professionals is more than a little daunting. I'm worried I'll smell, or I'll get a big pimple, or I'll have foot-in-mouth disease (in front of my agent? or one of my publishers! aaaack!)... I'm not the kind of person to come up with off-the-cuff witty conversation, I'm more at home in sweats than pretty dresses and heels...and make-up? Don't get me started.

Sigh. I know it's going to be fun. I had a great time last year, and this year will only be better, because I know more people and get to do more fun things. So wish me luck & clear skin, and I'll see you all on August 4. Be good, everyone! ;-)

Dawn

Fantasy Decorating

2008-07-19T20:09:00.002-04:00

If I could wipe my home clean of everything and redecorate with no worry over cost or opinions of anyone else in the house (which would never, ever happen), I think... no, I KNOW, I would have such a weird house. But it would be cool.

I'd have dark colors on the walls and floors (so what if I ever wanted to sell the house I'd have to repaint in light colors to make the rooms look bigger? It's not like I'm going anywhere. If the house was perfect for ME, why would I leave?).

I'd have thick, sinfully thick, carpet upstairs.

I'd have artwork everywhere on the walls, not just over the couch.

Tons of pillows. Everywhere. All sizes, shapes, and colors.

I'm not sure how, but I know there would be faeries and dragons... I'd have Celtic designs mixed with Asian influences... Noise and sparkles and things hanging from the walls. Lots of cloth (yeah, I know, lots of dust. So what?)

I might even paint one whole wall in chalkboard paint, just because.

Hm. I'm in an odd mood. My husband better hide my Lowe's credit card just in case.

Money Money Money

2008-07-17T09:40:00.013-04:00

Must be sunny....

Know how to silence an entire roomful of authors? Ask how much they made last year.

Money is one of those subjects sure to stop a conversation in its tracks and piss off the most easy-going person. I think that's because how much money you make is tied so closely to self-worth. It's a matter of pride. We all want to do well and money is the easiest way to gauge that.

We all want to be the best at what we do. And that's a good thing. It makes us strive to be better.

As a first-time author, you're so damn happy that someone is going to pay you for your book that you take what they're willing to give you. Been there, done that. And I'm as proud of those books as anything I have or will ever sell.

There's nothing like the thrill of that call or email to tell you someone loved your book enough to want to put their money behind you to publish it.

But what is a book, and its author, truly worth?

Touchy question, especially in these tough economic times. Jessica Faust's blog the other day was interesting for a whole lot of reasons, mostly because there are no easy answers.

Yes, I want to see my book in print. I want readers to fall in love with my characters as much as I have. Sure, I want to be paid bundles for my story...I'm not foolish enough to believe I will be.

But where is the middle ground? I don't have a clue.

I've been around the block long enough to know that being a writer is synonymous with being a glutton for punishment. Where else can you gather enough rejections to paper your bathroom and still prepare another 10 queries to send out the next day--while still dreaming about the publisher who wants to give you six-figures for your book?

WHAT'S IN A NAME? - Part 1

2008-07-17T09:12:00.001-04:00

I know I’m not the only writer who spends a great deal of time thinking about the names of my characters. Names tell you a lot about the person you are about. There are two aspects to names. First are the names we choose and second is the characters we choose to name. I want to talk about this second set this week.

Last week while working on my current manuscript, I had two characters. Originally, one was referred to simply as “the stable boy” When I was doing some rewriting I decided to name the stable boy Finn. And suddenly… he wanted to TALK! He wanted to participate in the story. Doing the only thing I felt I could do at the time I said, “Sure,” and there he was babbling away as only a seven year old can do. He was rushing into rooms, interrupting the hero and heroine and now he is well on his way to being part of the climax.

The other character was “an older female servant” who became Ida, and once she was Ida, she, too, needed to be a more active part of the story. She’s turned into a surrogate mom for my heroine (who’s based on Cinderella) and is helping her to grow into her new role and to accept her love for the prince.

I adore both characters and there is no doubt that the book is better for them being in it. It was a wonderful surprise seeing them both come to life on the page and a memorable experience for me as a writer. Now I know – be careful who you name, because the story they change, may be your own!

May you have wonderful surprises in your world this week,
Rowan

Summer Solutions

2008-07-13T13:46:00.002-04:00

I've had a hard time reconciling keeping the kids busy and entertained with me getting in Writing Time.

My computer is next to their computer. No matter what time I come up to work, one of the kids pops up here and wants to go on their computer.

If I go downstairs with a notebook and a pen, the other one wants to watch TV, or read a book and ask 42 questions.

If I take them somewhere, it's hard to write. I mean, I can write while they bowl or play games at Chuck E Cheese's, but there are some scenes I just CAN'T WRITE while kids are running around. And there's no writing at the movies or the museum or the zoo.

My husband carries TWO laptops to work. No idea why. Finally this past week he left one of them home a few days. I logged in on the laptop and accessed my files from my computer and I got WORK DONE. Yes!

(hey! Surprise.... the little one just came up to find songs on iTunes... guess I better go.)

Seduced in Shadow Releases Friday

2008-07-10T08:01:00.006-04:00

The second book in my Magical Seduction series from Ellora's Cave, SEDUCED IN SHADOW, released tomorrow, and I'm so thrilled to be able to introduce Ellie and Antonin. Ellie is the sister of Justin from my first book, SEDUCED BY MAGIC.

Ellie is about to have her world turned upside down. And Antonin is the only man who can set it right when evil comes to take her away.

Here's their first meeting

EXCERPT:

Oh holy shit. This was it. This was what they warned women about in those running magazine articles.

How could she have been so stupid? Alone in the woods at six o’clock in the morning with no one around to hear her scream for help.

The man looked long and lean, a little over six foot tall she guessed. With those legs, he’d catch her easily if she ran. His arms bulged with muscle under the short-sleeved green t-shirt that clearly defined his broad shoulders and flat stomach, while his thighs filled out his worn jeans.
Despite her fear, she could appreciate the sheer masculine appeal of the man. He was gorgeous.
Straight, shaggy-cut black hair hung to his shoulders, long bangs off a side part nearly obscuring light-colored eyes…maybe gray. He wasn’t close enough for her to tell the exact color and, if she had her way, he wasn’t getting any closer.

His face was all angles—chiseled cheeks and chin and straight, pointed nose. Hell, she thought she even glimpsed pointy ears beneath that silky-looking hair. A slight smile turned up the corners of his wickedly sexy mouth, but it was the scattering of freckles on that nose that capped his appeal for her. Hell if she knew why.

The real question was why he was lurking in the woods, stalking innocent women. With his looks, he’d be able to seduce any woman he wanted.

Which made the situation all the more surreal.

Okay, play it cool. You can get out of this. “Wow. You scared the hell out of me. I wasn’t…expecting to see anyone out here this early.”

“You’re right.” His smile kicked in again and this time her breath caught in her throat at his pure masculinity. “There shouldn’t be anyone out here this early.”

Right. Maybe she was reading this situation completely wrong. What if this guy was a park ranger? She’d gladly take a ticket for trespassing instead of rape and murder any day.
Playing on her blonde, violet-eyed looks for all she was worth, Ellie fluttered her eyelashes at him and turned on the bright smile that had gotten her out of many high school scrapes.

“I am so sorry. I didn’t realize… I mean, the sun is up and I just wasn’t thinking. Am I in trouble?”

His smile widened and she felt heat that had nothing to do with the air temperature begin to pool low in her stomach.

How inappropriate was that? From terrified to horny in two minutes. She really must be losing her mind.

“No trouble from me,” he said. “I don’t work for the park service.”

Okay, there went that idea. She took another step back. He stayed where he was.

“So then what are you doing out here?” she asked.

Cocking his head to the side, he seemed to consider his answer.

In the horror films she’d loved to watch as a kid, the villain almost always said, “Why, I’m after you.” Which of course gave the ditzy heroine time to run into the forest, get hopelessly lost and manage to find the killer’s lair, making it easy for him to hang her on a meat hook.

Finally, when she thought for sure he was going to pull a machete from behind his back and slash her to bits, he shrugged. “Taking a walk. I’m an early riser.”

It sounded so plausible. Almost too plausible.

She tried her smile again. “Okay. Well, I’ve had my break. I’m just going to get moving then. Nice to meet you.”

He smiled again and nodded. “Nice to meet you too.” Then he turned and walked back into the forest, barely making a sound, as he appeared to melt into the trees.

Ellie took off down the hill, running all out. By the time she reached her car, she was gasping and cursing herself front, back and sideways for her stupidity.

She’d let her imagination get away from her…again. Just as she had in Philadelphia when she’d left her job. Fear had been part of the reason she’d run all the way home to Berks County four months ago. Fear that she was losing herself in her job, that she wasn’t cut out for a high-paced career in public relations.

Today she’d just run to the car. It seemed she was always running away from something.

She was such a freaking coward.

I refuse!

2008-07-06T20:49:00.002-04:00

I refuse to get older! I knew it was bad when I suddenly got sleepy during Leno. After all, I spent most of my youth angry that I wasn't allowed to stay up and watch Carson.

Now if I don't get sleep, I am exhausted the next day and I need a nap. I'm sure I used to protest naps. Now I protest when I can't have one.

Yesterday I got back from 4th of July at the beach and decided to go running to counteract my food indulgence while I was gone.

Did a little sprint halfway through my 3 miles and strained a hip flexor. Hobbled back home. Hobbled around the house. Hissed with every twinge.

Finally today I pulled out an old yoga dvd and did the hip and thigh section. I feel better (two days worth of Advil later), but I can't help but hope this isn't a precursor of more to come.

Running is the only thing that seems to work for me, as far as exercise goes. Lately I bounce from one injury to another. Not good. Maybe if I could suspend myself in mid-air and run with no footfalls, I'd stay healthy?

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T14:54:00.004-04:00

To all my fellow Americans, happy fourth. It seems like the 2000s so far have been full of challenges for all, so I'm taking a moment today to think about some of the beautiful freedoms we Americans have (and supplying a tiny bit of eye candy while I'm at it).

Have a great, great day, everyone. Hugs,
Dawn
www.dawnhalliday.com

SEDUCED with an Excerpt

2008-07-03T10:29:00.006-04:00

SEDUCED IN SHADOW, the second book in my Magical Seduction series from Ellora's Cave, will be released July 11.

Blurb: Etruscan linchetto Antonin de Feo has been tasked with the job of keeping Fiorella Johannson's luscious body safe from harm. But when someone tries to kidnap the beauty with a secret, Antonin has the perfect place to keep her safe: in his bed.

Here's a little taste to whet your appetite and be sure to stop back next Thursday for another bite.

Excerpt:

Antonin de Feo watched the scene unfold from behind a large oak.

He’d been tailing Ellie since she’d left her home this morning. A bit over a week ago, her brother Justin had contracted the security firm owned by Antonin and his two brothers to provide protective surveillance for his sister.

Because Ellie Johannson was no regular mortal. She was the half-human daughter of Selvans, the Etruscan God of the Woods.

For years, her father had kept her under guard—secretly of course—rotating a new man into guard duty every few months to keep them sharp.

For the past week, Antonin and his oldest brother Camillus had shared her protection, following her every move, and she’d been none the wiser, never showing any sign that she felt their presence.

But now, today, she’d acted as though she’d sensed someone following her.

Interesting but not unremarkable. His brother Cam was damn near impossible to detect but some humans could pick up on Antonin’s proximity, even if they never saw him. Since Ellie was Selvans’ child, she probably had better senses than an etera, a regular human.

But this… Justin hadn’t told him about this.

His mouth curved in a smile. He’d been told she didn’t know what she was, what her father really was.

If that was true, then how to explain what had just happened? How did she explain the fact that she could talk to animals?

Well, he supposed “understand” would be a better way to describe the communication he’d just overheard. Ellie had spoken English and the doe had spoken deer but the females had understood each other just fine.

Cool.

997...998...999.. 1,000!

2008-07-02T17:06:00.005-04:00

My writing goal each day is to add 1,000 words to the total word count of my current manuscript. But I have to say, there are days when I feel like I'm back in school counting every single word and adding an adjective or two just to get closer.

In the original Broadway production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", there's a song called "Book Report" where the characters have to write a book report on Peter Rabbit. Throughout the song, Lucy (always my favorite character) can be heard counting as she painfully works her way through the report. She ends with "And they were very very very very very very happy to be home." Can you sympathize?

Somedays are like that. Everytime I hit word count, I've moved... 50 words. When I'm sure I've written 200, it's half that. Yes, it's one of those days when the muse does doesn't let the words flow. I wonder at these days. I get no warning one way or the other until my hands are frozen above the keyboard and my mind is wandering to laundry. Other days I sit and... whoosh! The story flies onto the page and I wonder why I was struggling the day before.

Yesterday was a good one. I added 1,300 words - the last half of which seemed to almost magically appear (I say almost, because I know how much work it really took). Today... well, let's say that the reason I'm posting late is because those were some of the longest 1,000 words I've added.

But they're there. And tomorrow, I'll be back in front of the page - and hoping for a flying day.

May you words soar,
Rowan

Too Much Sex??

2008-06-30T12:11:00.002-04:00

Is there such a thing as too much sex in a book? I never thought about it before, but then I read a book this weekend that made me ask myself that question. The book I read was about two couples who are at a swingers club. I knew going in there was going to be group sex, but for some reason it all threw me for a loop.

First of all there were a lot of sex partners who never even had names because they were there for one scene and gone... (For example, Blonde Woman, Fit Man, etc) Sometimes there were so many people, some unnamed and bodyparts it was difficult to keep track of who was doing what...lol.

The other thing that bothered me was all the unprotected sex. I realize it was just a book and fiction, but it still gave me the creeps. In the beginning of the book it is mentioned everyone had to be tested before they were allowed into the "resort"... but people switch partners after oral, anal, and regular sex... I never thought I was a prude or anything , but I had a few ewww moments.

So does has anyone ever read a book that had a bit too much in it? I hate to think it's me and that I'm getting old...lol

Annmarie

Getting the Hint

2008-06-28T17:36:00.002-04:00

I watch too much TV. At least I think I was going to watch too much.

I get bored on Saturdays and the lure of the TV draws me close. I start channel surfing. But almost every time I turn on the TV, one of my kids wanders in (is there some secret sound it emits that signals all children to run near when they hear it?). Somehow the TV Gods have timed it so that at the exact moment someone under age 12 enters the room, whatever show I was watching becomes Unacceptable.

Either the comedian I'm watching suddenly decides to drop f-bombs (even though the show is on at 11AM), or the FitTV show where they were discussing science of digestion goes off on a tangent where 7 male volunteers are going to eat raw garlic every day and then we all get to hear how their erections improved. (This led to a long digression where I tried to convince my 8-year old that they were actually talking about erector sets... I think he bought it.)

Not sure about you, but this isn't family TV in our house. I am not one to ask for censoring of TV or books. Ever. I have the magic power to turn the set off or not buy the book if I don't want it around. We have the responsibility of using that power on ourselves, not on others. Unless they are our own personal kids.

I don't DVR the shows, either, because I'm never going to have a kidless moment to get back to it.

I think what I should actually realize here is that Someone Somewhere is trying to tell me to turn off the TV and go get some writing done.

So I will.

Inspiration? Where can I get me some of that?

2008-06-26T08:11:00.014-04:00

Inspiration is a funny thing.

It can strike at the oddest times. Standing in the shower, thinking about nothing. Watching the birds outside your window or the squirrels tear through your neighbors garden.

And it can be the most finicky, most persnickety, most stubborn bitch that ever put her hand in your face and told you where to get off.

When it does strike, you think you've got it made. But what happens when you keep waiting for it to show... and it decides to do a disappearing act worthy of David Copperfield?

If you're on deadline, you can't wait for the muse to ring your bell. So how do you find inspiration in the minutia of everyday?

Hell if I know. But what I do know is, if you don't write, you won't be inspired.

Writing, in itself, is an inspiring act. Even if you only write two paragraphs a day, you've created something from nothing. Maybe it's only two lines of dialogue, but if you've read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (I just finished FEARLESS FOURTEEN) you know how much Ranger can convey with just one "Babe."

Some people can spark their muse with writing exercises. I personally think if you're going to write, make it count. Collages? Can you hear me gakking from where you are? I'd rather pull out my eyelashes with tweezers. Long walks? No, but I do some of my best thinking when I run, usually because I'm trying to take my mind off the fact that I still have two miles out of a four-mile run to go.

So, what recharges my battery? There's absolutely no substitute for reading a good book. Even one you've already read. Sometimes, an old favorite is better. It's a known quantity, like those comfy sweats you break out when it's dull and gray outside and you've just gotten your 10th rejection out of 10 submissions and you polished off a pint of Cherry Garcia.

Revisit old friends who made you happy.

And try to recapture the magic.

I'm here - and I'm inspired

2008-06-25T18:40:00.005-04:00

Hello readers!

I know I've been missing in action for a little while, but I am back now and feeling pretty terrific. You know that run down feeling you get when it's been too long since you've had a break/vacation/breathing space? Well that was me for about a month, but I am back from five days of heaven on earth and my batteries are recharged.

Where was I?

The "Remember The Magic" conference of the International Women's Writer's Guild (www.iwwg.com). I spent five days at Skidmore College connecting with other writers and my own muse and I am ready for the months ahead.

The Guild is open to all women writers, published or not, and is the best use of $45 that I can think of. The monthly newsletter comes backed with info and paying markets, membership includes a list of Guild supporting agents, and then there's the discount to their conferences and events. I have a book that I am pitching to agents in New York in October at their "Big Apple Workshop" and I am totally excited.

I learned new ways to create my characters, develop plot, and beat writer's block... or mom's exhaustion, which kicks in a lot more often. I have rarely been around a group of more supportive and talented (and non-competitve) women. You can email me at rowan@rowanwesterotica.com if you have any questions or want to hear more about the conference. Or go to the Guild's site. You will NOT be sorry.

Off to my work in progress!

May you be filled with inspiration,
Rowan

Attention Writers from the Northwest Florida and Southwest Georgia

2008-06-24T14:12:00.002-04:00

I love my local chapter of the RWA in Jacksonville, Florida. The gals there rock. But with the rising cost of gas, it isn't economical to drive 3 hours to Jacksonville for a meeting. So, I am looking in to starting a RWA chapter here in the Tallahassee, Florida area. Published and unpublished writers are welcome.

A local RWA chapter would meet once a month, usually one Saturday a month. We may start out at every other month. Right now I am looking at the Leon County Library system to be the place where we would meet. Each meeting we would present a workshop in the morning and have a chapter meeting where members vote on issues pertaining to the chapter like holding contests, fund raising, etc. We can also do critiques for each other, or whatever the members need to advance their writing skills. Basically, the chapter is a support group for writers serious about the craft and paving the way towards publication.

Be aware that members of a RWA chapter must also be members of the RWA national organization. Visit their website at http://www.rwanational.org/

If you are interested in helping start a local romance writer chapter, please contact me at mariannelacroix (at) gmail.com

Michael McDermott inspires me

2008-06-23T22:35:00.001-04:00

When I write I tend to listen to music by Michael McDermott. (Note* Michael MCDERMOTT, not to be confused with Michael McDonald...lol). Michael is from the Chgo area and I met him back in the early 1990s. He has got to be the most talented man I have ever met. He is an amazing musician, song writer and lyricist. With just a few lines of lyrics he can make my heart race or tears form in my eyes. His music is influenced by so many factors... religion (he grew up Irish Catholic), love, lust, drinking, dreams, lost love... I wish everyone knew him or at least got to hear his music. His website is http://www.michael-mcdermott.com/. Or if you want a real treat, go search him on Youtube and check out some of his videos and live performances. I highly recommend the songs Dance With Me, Arm Yourself, and A Wall I Must Climb. If they have a copy of Just West of Eden don't blink or you'll miss me cuz I'm in that video, dancing in the crowd.

If you check him out let me know what you think...

and btw... he is also bursting with fruit flavor... (my bad Mari...lol)

happy listening

Annmarie

Writing the Naughty Bits

2008-06-21T20:51:00.002-04:00

The first sex scene I ever wrote into one of my stories, I wrote in high school. I was hopelessly naive and inexperienced. I showed the scene to my best male friend and asked him if what I'd written was physically possible. To his credit, he was all seriousness as he read it for me and signed off on the logistics.

The detailed scenes I write now make me blush when I reread them. I've even claimed to have typed a few with my eyes shut. And I still edit the scenes out before I let my mom read any of the books. Not because she'd run screaming from the room. Quite the opposite: she'd want to TALK about them. And I just can't do that with my mom.

I love writing books where the characters get to the point in their relationship that the passion overcomes them and they take that next step. Over and over again. I also love reading books like that. A strong plot, but with sex an integral part of the plot.

But I don't want to discuss it with my mom.

My grandma maybe, but not my mom ; )

Sex, Fantasy and the Erotic Romance

2008-06-19T14:38:00.022-04:00

For the past week, I've been writing sex scenes.

I love to write sex scenes--when I'm in the mood for them. This week, I was on a roll. Four scenes, one with light bondage, all of them explicit and hot. I mean, why go to all the trouble of getting naked and having sex if it's not going to be sweaty, full-out, break-the-bed sex? Right? The same goes for sex scenes.

Sure, a nice, sweet I-love-you tumble is okay. Now and then. But most of the time, don't you want the fantasy? The kind that gives you multiple orgasms (together, no less) and leaves you sweaty and drained. Ready to go again. And so is he.

My characters have been doing it on a pool table, on the couch, on the bed, in the shower and up against a wall. That last one is all about the fantasy of strong men with bulging biceps who can hold us up against walls, no matter what we weigh. And make it good. And really, who doesn't want that? Big brooding gorgeous guys with muscles (not too many) and long, dark hair (yeah, I have a thing for long, dark hair) and big cocks. Yes, big cocks. I mean, come on, if we're going to have the fantasy, let's go whole hog.

Isn't that why we read erotic romance? For the fantasy? To get hot and bothered and fall in lust and love? I know I do. Some people skip through sex scenes to get to the rest of book. If I don't like a book, I skip the plot to read the sex. And if the first scene doesn't do it for me, the book goes on the pile for giveaway.

Which is where most of my books been going lately, especially the erotic romances. I think some writers, when they jumped on the erotic bandwagon, forgot an erotic romance needs a love story, character development and a plot in addition to hot, sweaty sex. There has to be a reason those two guys are in love with each other and that woman. A reason why she wants to be tied down to the bed so her partner can take her. A damn good reason why, if the guy's a vampire, she's going to give up her life to live with him in the shadows.

That said, I'm reading Louisa Burton's Bound in Moonlight. I probably wouldn't have picked up the book in a store. I received it at the Long Island Luncheon last week. I'm only a few pages into it and I'm already hooked. Hell, I was hooked from the back cover and the first few pages have only bolstered my favorable opinion. I can't wait to get back to it tonight. Then again, I may have to go get the first book at the book store tonight so I don't read the series out of order.

I also have a Samantha Kane book waiting for me, one of her Brothers In Arms books. I'm dying to get to that but I've been saving it for a night I know I'll be able to read the whole thing.

Both of these authors blend romantic fantasy and hot sex in equally pleasing ways and completely different ways. Burton's prose is almost lyrical, Kane's writing is raw and emotional. Both have managed to draw me in completely.

And that's what I strive for in my own writing, that moment when you have to take a deep breath because you haven't been able to for several minutes. That clench in your gut and, yes, the tug lower, between your legs. That connection the reader makes and the one that stays with them after they've finished the book.

Raining Men 2

2008-06-17T08:29:00.003-04:00

More Raining Men...

I love Hugh Laurie, but I think my fave in the show is Omar Epps. I remember him from ER and really disliked how they made it sound like he killed himself. Nice to see Omar back.

I watched this movie this weekend. For a good laugh, I highly recommend it!

I could use some rain myself...

2008-06-14T10:10:00.003-04:00

Wow. Just watched the video in the last post. {fans self} We don't get rain like THAT in Virginia.

In fact, it's been frightfully HOT here these past few days.

Ever notice how some men (and women maybe? I don't know... not running around smelling EVERYBODY! giggle) smell YUMMY on a hot day, and some just...stink?

I read an article in Psychology Today a few months ago that discussed the fact that women who like the way their men smell have a much lower divorce rate. Made sense to me. Smelly guy... push away. Intoxicating scented guy, bring him closer. No study necessary.

But the study went on to mention that they'd also taken shirts worn by various men and allowed a group of women to smell them, and typically the women were attracted in person to the same guys whose shirts they picked out as smelling good.

Must be something to it. I LURV the way my husband smells. Any day of the week.

Ahhh...It's raining men...

2008-06-13T00:45:00.000-04:00

Ahh...the romance. Regency men...there's nothing like 'em... Images like this are why I write in this era. ;-)

NY, Here I Come (Hopefully)

2008-06-12T11:26:00.008-04:00

I just sent the revisions on my big fat paranormal romance off to my new agent.

Cue the whining to my husband that I should have done one more read-through, the whimpering to my writer friends about the flooded market and the downturn in the economy, and the 10-ton elephant that settled on my shoulders as I begin (again) the wait for someone to buy my baby.

I've been agented before. I know you receive rejections a lot quicker with an agent. I also know that this book is in the best shape it can be. At the moment. Of course, there's always work that can be done but at this point, in my mind, it's ready to go. I really hope my agent agrees.

I too look longingly at NY, wanting to be one of the chosen. Dreading the emails that say, thanks but we're passing, and praying for the phone call that every writer would give their eyeteeth for.

While I wait, I know it's time to work on what's next. For me, that's finishing the fifth story in my SEDUCED series for Ellora's Cave, finishing a new story to submit for EC's Caveman anthology and allowing myself to dream about the day THE CALL comes.

And maybe about what the cover for my big fat paranormal romance will look like with my name on it.

Taking the next step

2008-06-10T08:00:00.007-04:00

Seems everyone and their mother are getting NY contracts these days. Me...I have one for the Pocket novella that was done via Ellora's Cave. In my mind, I don't even count that as being NY published. I know, I know, I should, but I don't. Granted, I am excited to walk into the store and see my book on the shelf. (I actually went to B&N this weekend and saw both Royal Bondage AND Pirate's Misteress on the shelf. It was quite a thrill. However, I still don't feel like I've done much of anything. I hear authors who entered the scene a year ago getting multi deals and I want to scream.

It is only my fault I am not in NY at this point. No one elses but mine. I actually have to submit. No one is going to come knocking unless I make the first move and write up a proposal and send it in.

Right now I am working on a novel I have a lot of positive feeling about. It is actually good. Hopefully I will have it done and ready to send out and then announce my own book deals in the near future. After the NCP fiasco and my disappointments in epublishing, I am ready to take the next step. FINALLY!

Making readers out of us...

2008-06-07T23:22:00.003-04:00

I wonder sometimes, if some of us are just born to love to read. But that would mean some of us aren't.

I like to think we are all readers, but some of us just never found The Right Book.

My daughter got her summer reading list and came home mad about it. She likes to read what she likes to read and doesn't like anyone telling her what to read. Tough cookies, right? Especially for a rising 6th grader.

It was funny, after she looked up the books on her list, and read what each was about, she had a hard time deciding which ones she DIDN'T want to read!

My children both love reading, but like I pondered above, sometimes readers take a different path. I knew a man- well, actually he and my mom dated- who had never read a single book. Even for school. Faked or flunked his way through.

And one day he picked up GRAPES OF WRATH. Loved it. Couldn't put it down. Carried a copy of it with him EVERYWHERE. For YEARS. Probably still.

Hey, even if you only fall in love with ONE book in your life, that's pretty wonderful. Just like finding the Right Man, finding the Right Book has got to be a special thing.

When You're Also a Fan...

2008-06-05T12:47:00.008-04:00

For as long as I can remember, I've been a reader. I love being swept up in a story, of being taken to another place, whether it's Terry Brooks' fictional Shannara or Stephen King's very real Maine.

As a teen, I devoured King, Brooks, David Eddings, Dean Koontz, Bertrice Small, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Judith Krantz. And so many more I can't remember. I loved horror for the thrill, fantasy for the world building and story scope but romance was where I found my heart.

I searched for romance in every horror and fantasy book I read as a teen, but I remember only being fully satisfied when I read King's THE STAND and met Stu and Fran. Finally, a couple to live, laugh and cry with as I followed along on King's post-apocalyptic journey.

And though it's been many (many) years since I've read Brooks' Shannara series, I can still remember waiting for Shea to find a girl and live happily ever after.

Then, of course, there was Small and Woodiwiss. The day a new book with either of their names on it appeared in the bookstore was a day for rejoicing. Back then, I didn't know there were things such as laydown dates. There was no internet to check websites to find out when my favorite author would have a new book out.

Today, with a few clicks of the mouse, I can find out the exact date I need to be in the store to get a favorite author's book. Tuesday was one of those days.

LOVER ENSHRINED, the new Black Dagger Brotherhood book by JR Ward, sat on the shelf awaiting my arrival. Since I have my own writing to do, I couldn't get to the bookstore until after lunch. And then I had to wait until later in the day to actually read it. Of course, I finished it Wednesday night with a wistful sigh and the thought that I should go check when Lover Avenged comes out so I know exactly how long I have to wait.

I picked up Ward on the recommendation of a friend and immediately fell under the brothers' spell. Ward skillfully interweaves the lives of a dozen or more characters, good and evil, and creates a world I want to return to on a regular basis. She combines romance, horror and fantasy in a way that satisfies the teenager in me who yearned for those elements in one book.

It's this blind faith that I hope, one day, to inspire in my own readers. And can't wait for the day a reader writes to tell me how much she's enjoyed my world.

One Less Kiss

2008-06-04T11:19:00.005-04:00

Being a writer is only one of many identities that color my life. Being a mother to two very active boys (8 and 5) is the one that takes most of my time.

Recently, my younger son showed me that he now knows how to buckle himself into his car seat. He was so proud to be able to do this. I was proud and glad - one less thing for me to do when we are trying to get on the road. Then I realized something. When I buckle him in, I have to reach across his lap and in the process, before I go to my seat, I always give him a kiss. Now that opportunity is gone. I have one less kiss with him during the day.

Each step forward that we celebrate with our children is also a step away from us and comes, for mothers, with a drop of sadness.

I remember when my sons started to sit up and hold their own bottles. I thought - whew, a little more flexibility for me in my days. And then I thought - no more holding them for that moment. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to be out of the helpless bottles-burping-bib stage where you have to be on alert for all their waking moments, but their independence means less dependence on what I have for them. I am thrilled for his accomplishments, but miss some of the things I used to do for and with him.

So I cheer for my son every time I hear the seatbelt click.

And I'm on the lookout for ways to sneak in an extra kiss or two.

May you notice the many moments of joy children bring to your life,
Rowan

Clock Watching

2008-05-31T13:53:00.003-04:00

Or I guess "Calendar Watching" would make more sense.

I'm with you, ladies. The Wait is awful. I tend to forget what submissions I have out... except for that bulletin board to my left that I try not to check. It lists when I sent what to whom, if there have been any updates, and gives the dates.

I have one submission that I sent out in December of '07. It was acknowledged later that month, but I haven't heard a peep since. I don't have a charm for that book, which is probably good. Keeps me guessing. In the past, whatever object I associate with a book (a purple plastic horse for RETURN TO ME, a bag of rocks for ROMANCING THE STONES, etc) gets bumped or moved or it falls right before I hear something about its status.

Hearing something is often better than hearing NOTHING for months on end...

Rough week

2008-05-30T14:00:00.003-04:00

Wow, we all have had a rough week. I haven't had any refusals this week, but I haven't sent anything out in quite some time. I am working on a book to sub to Blaze in July. I will say I have pondered the actual plotline beyond the sexy US Marshall hero. I mean, I have to be careful it doesn't stray from Blaze hot to nail biting suspense of an Intrigue. Of course I can consider Intrigue if Blaze turns it down, huh? Maybe, but the sex is, of course, front and center, just like a Blaze.

I am also looking at the Desire editor pitch contest Harlequin has advertised on their forums. I don't know if I want to rush and try to write a Desire. I don't want to take the focus off my Blaze. In case someone out there is interested, the Desire contest is here.

And Rowan, I get refusals all the time. The last I got was from an agent. She then asked for something more contemporary, hence the Blaze I am writing. So far I have gotten 4 rejections from 4 agents. And the search continues. I am going to hit it hard once I am done with this book. You just got to keep plugging away. Just because one editor doesn't like a book doesn't mean you write crap. Someone else will see the genius in the writing and offer a contract.

The week from hell

2008-05-30T02:15:00.003-04:00

Is it over yet? Is May almost finished? From this week's posts, it sounds like the Passion's Muses have faced some challenges. I have definitely been struggling as well. I, too, am trying to look at the positive side of a rejection. My muse isn't cooperating as she should on a book that's due in a month. And I'm just overwhelmed in general, and the idea that the kids will be out of school in just a few days doesn't exactly inspire feelings of calmness and serenity.

My motto for the past few weeks has become the lyric from the Kanye West song: "Now that that don't kill me...Will only make me stronger..."

Things are starting to look a little brighter. My current release, the anthology Sins of Summer, has been on the Amazon erotica bestseller list for a solid month (isn't that cool!?). I've been rewriting the rejected ms like a madwoman. I'm heading off to a girls' relaxation weekend at a retreat in Colorado. And, last but not least, I have another winner for deck of the Ellora's Cave Golden Age of Hollywood Playing Cards and a download copy of Sins of the Knight. It's Yvonne! Congratulations!

Next time I post, it'll be June...and hopefully smoother sailing for all the Muses.

hugs,
Dawn

PMS writing

2008-05-29T12:53:00.003-04:00

So, time suckage sucks as does rejection and refusal.

Some days everything sucks about writing.

Then again, some days everything sucks BUT writing.

I've been in a bad mood all week. Don't even try to talk to me. It won't be pretty.

Why so bitchy? Besides PMS?

An overabundance of projects. Which is not a bad thing. Really, it's not. And I should be much happier about it.

I've just finished revisions on my third SEDUCED story. I've almost finished my fifth SEDUCED story. I just started revisions for my agent on another project. I have two freelance articles to write. And (hope I don't jinx myself) so far they're all going along pretty well.

But there's this sword hanging over my head and it's got School's Out written on the blade. It signals the death of my creativity as I try to write through the yelling, the fighting, the guitar playing, the TV noise and the front door banging as kids tramp through my house.

I think the PMS will last for the next three months.

Rejection vs. Refusal

2008-05-28T10:11:00.005-04:00

Annemarie started our blogs this week candidly discussing one of the big challenges that authors face - doing the right thing for our work. I want to continue that theme by discussing another challenge we cannot avoid - when our work is turned down.

I recently submitted my fantasy novel DESTINY'S JEWEL to Ellora's Cave for their birthstone series and on Monday I received a "no, thank you" from my editor, my first from EC. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Worse... in the heart.

I shared my disappointment with my writers group and received great support and understanding. I also received two definitions that have changed the way I look at this part of writing.

According to the dictionary:
REJECTION: 1) the act or process of discarding as useless or
unsatisfactory. 2) to refuse to grant

Now, I know that my manuscript isnt useless. Nor do many of the other descriptions of the word "reject" fit my work. However.. the word refuse is used in the definition.

Look at that definition:
REFUSE: 1) to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award.
2) to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.).

That fits what happened much better. My editor declined to accept the manuscript, denied it publication in it's current form with EC. The story was refused. By one editor. Of one story. That is much easier on my heart and muse.

Most writers have heard the story of how many times DUNE was refused (13, I believe), DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, by Anne Frank (15 times), JONATHON LIVINGSTON SEAGULL (140!!). Knowing those numbers help a little, but for me, reframing the process in my mind was an instant balm.

I offered my editor a manuscript. She refused. That was her choice. How I feel and go forward from here - that's my choice.

And I feel just fine, thank you.

May your choices support your dreams,
Rowan

Time Suckage

2008-05-27T00:24:00.003-04:00

Ok, so this is one of the few times I'm going to complain about being e published... But I'm sure there are authors out there who will be able to feel my pain... This weekend I pulled a piece of work from a publisher. It all went well, which was great, but my gosh, what a pita... I spent the afternoon taking the information off my website, blog, MySpace, FAR page, TRS page... And I know there are places I still missed. And now of course I am trying to decide what to do with my now available piece of work... I wanted to spend the afternoon writing, but instead I spent it pulling the cover from everywhere I could think of. And so tomorrow I am going to reread my manuscript and try to decide where to send it... Because I do want it to have a good home...

Ok, enough of my rant...

On the plus side, I got the model for my short story Eros Arrow as a friend on MySpace today... Now don't ask how I pulled off finding the name of a guy from a stock photo site... but I did : ) (And if you knew me, this wouldn't really be all that surprising I think... haha)

So really I guess today wasn't ALL bad... LOL

Is it a problem?

2008-05-24T15:01:00.002-04:00

Is it a problem for a writer to write in more than one genre under the same name?

I'm probably the wrong person to address this, given that some of my work, like RETURN TO ME, crosses several genres within the same book. But what I mean is, can the same author write erotica, paranormal, suspense, fantasy, and sweet books? It's physically possible, yes, but is it wise?

In my Cerridwen Press book, RETURN TO ME, my characters have been lovers over and over in the past- so why make them wait now?

In my August release from Samhain, ROMANCING THE STONES, the attraction is so intense the characters can't keep their hands off each other.

But in my "sweet" 2004 book, OUTSIDE THE FIRE, and WINNER TAKES ALL, my newest release, my characters took longer to get to that point. They fell in love, the were very attracted to each other, but they waited. Which is okay. Right?

For me, "sweet" means no sex until the end of the book or until the characters are married. That doesn't mean there's no sexual tension, it's just not released in the old-fashioned sense until we all know there's a happy ending (no pun intended) on the way.

So with the release this week of WINNER TAKES ALL from Moonlit Press, I added a page to my website for the book, and gave it the subtitle: "a sweet novel", because while it still has my writing style, it's not going to sear you out of your comfy chair. It's going to make you feel more cozy and warm.

And sometimes we need a little cozy... sometimes we need a little heat. I like giving my readers the choice.

Another Winner!

2008-05-23T21:51:00.005-04:00

Congrats to Amy S, who won a deck of the Ellora's Cave Golden Age of Hollywood Playing Cards and a download copy of Sins of the Knight.

I'll be giving away one more of these--next Friday. If you would like to enter, please email me or respond to this post.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! Here comes summer!

Dawn Halliday

The Finish Line is in Sight

2008-05-22T08:02:00.013-04:00

This week, I've had the enviable task of doing edits on my third EC story, SEDUCED AND ENSNARED, while trying to finish the fifth story in the series, SEDUCED BY CHAOS (working title).

Before I got my edits, CHAOS felt like it was languishing. I had lost sight of my hero and heroine, my secondary characters were much more interesting and there was no forward momentum to the story. And then I got my edits and suddenly, CHAOS seemed to be writing itself.

Why? Hell if I know. I can only thank the writing goddess for her kindness and go with the flow.

I do have a theory, though. S&EnS stars my favorite de Feo brother, Cam. I can't help being partial to him. For some reason, his was the easiest story to write. Cam is bossy, dominating, intractable and a know-it-all. He's also strong, committed and when you have his heart, he's yours forever. Perfect hero material. Don't get me wrong, all my heroes are perfect but Cam holds a special place in my heart.

Maybe, as I fell in love with Cam all over again doing edits, it helped me reconnect with Teodoro, the fourth de Feo brother. Teo shares a lot of the same qualities with Cam, though he's got a few hang ups. Okay, more than a few. But he's met his perfect match in Lacey and finally Teo's story is clicking along.

Teo has been a struggle and after I've written the end on CHAOS, I'll have to go back and rewrite the entire story because writing the last twenty pages has changed it that much.

But I can see the finish line ahead of me. And my fingers are flying that much faster because of it.

Starting over - changing course

2008-05-21T19:34:00.005-04:00

A writer friend of mine said something to me yesterday that was very helpful - until you submit your work, everything is a draft and therefore changeable.

I am working on a new story while waiting to hear back on another that I submitted a few weeks ago to my edotir. . Two scary places for a writer, and I am doing them simultaneously. I am not good at waiting. And being at the beginning of a project can be a challenge.

I didnt have the right opening line, wasnt sure where I was going. Each day I stared at the screen making changes that weren't helping. As of last night I was ready to junk the whole think. Bye-bye retelling of the Cinderella story. It was getting too hard.

And then my friend made that comment and reminded me that I could, if I stil liked my idea, just start over. It was a daunting thought, but I was going to get rid of what I had anyway, so truly, I had nothing to loose. I made a commitment that I would be online at the same time he was (6:30 am this morning! goodness!) and I would start from the top with a goal of writing 2,000 words.

So I was.

And I did.

And now, instead of having over 3,500 words I hated... I have about 2,000 that I like and a place to go next with my hero and heroine.

I realized, the truth is, with a lot of what we do, we can change course and correct if we have the courage to do it. I read once that an airplane is off course more than 50% of the time it is flying, but as long as it lands where it is supposed to, who cares. As long as the story is good when it's finally submitted, it doesnt matter how many times I've had to write and/or change it. I just need to courage to keep going forward and trust my idea, my goal.

I hope that this week you will trust in your goals and find the people you need to support you if you need to make a course correction. It's worth it.

Warmly,
Rowan

Sorry about today

2008-05-20T23:03:00.002-04:00

I was supposed to blog today but got busy writing. Hope you all forgive me. I did blog over on the TEB Hot Spot, so go check it out. Clue: David Boreanaz from BONES. http://totalebound.blogspot.com/

Catch me tomorrow over at Anya Howard's blog at http://anyahoward.blogspot.com/

Just one more thing...

2008-05-17T21:23:00.002-04:00

As if I need one more thing interfering with my writing time, my computer has decided to act possessed. It randomly decides that even though there are little black bars on the connectivity icon, it is not connected to the internet.

But it is lying.

I've been fighting this for over a month now. Every fifth or sixth click will go through. The other clicks tell me I am not connected.

Much like a car when taken to the mechanic, my computer behaved like an angel when I took it to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store last week. So I know the problem is not with the airport card, or the computer itself. It's with the location, or the electrical system in my house, or... maybe my husband's computer (where the router is) just doesn't like mine.

I am wasting more writing time trying to GET on the internet than I would be normally SPENDING on the internet.

Maybe someone is trying to tell me something- like when the TV I used to have in my writing area (just for background noise) died.

Or maybe I need to have an IT heroine since I am doing so much research into the computer problem. There are tons of stories with computer geek heroes. They are very popular (I know, I married one). Why not a computer geek heroine?

If I could only get on-line...

Dawn's Ongoing Contest

2008-05-16T11:42:00.005-04:00

Congrats to Beth S. who won a deck of the Ellora's Cave Golden Age of Hollywood Playing Cards and a download copy of Sins of the Knight.

I'll be giving away two more of these--one for each Friday remaining in the month of May. If you've already entered, sit tight. Your name is still in the running for the next two weeks. If you would like to enter, please email me or respond to this post.

Happy May!

www.dawnhalliday.com

Looking Down the Barrel

2008-05-15T07:10:00.010-04:00

I love to be busy. Having nothing to do makes me twitchy and prone to random bouts of shopping, which is bad for the credit card.

For the past 10 years, summer has been my busiest time and this year promises to be no less so. Not only will my guys be out of school in three weeks (oh, the horror), but my freelance work becomes an almost full-time proposition from June through August. Which makes me feel like there's a sword hanging over my head as I try to finish the fifth story in my Magical Seduction series for EC and do revisions--one for my editor, one for my agent.

I know, this is not a hardship. As Raz Steel, an author friend, said to me the other day, it's better to have two revisions at the same time than none at all. He's absolutely right.

As a newspaper reporter, I like deadlines, whether it's by press time for a review or in a week for an article. I enjoy the rush of knowing I need to be fast and right and I love the satisfaction of getting it done.

As a writer, it helps to have a set date to finish a project. Even if you don't have an editor or agent waiting, giving yourself a deadline helps you visualize the end. It's a nudge that keeps you moving forward, even when your hero's being a wimp and your heroine is a wet dishcloth. It's the carrot at the end of the stick, the chocolate at the finish line.

In my world, there are always Junior Mints at the finish line. And maybe a couple of Chocolate Raspberry Milanos too.

Do calendars lie?

2008-05-14T18:02:00.002-04:00

Because according to mine, my children will be out of school in just under 5 weeks. How is it possible that an entire school year is nearly over?

There's not enough hours in my day to do all I want (including procrastinate, I admit) already and now the kids will be around more as well. I cannot even begin to imagine what I am going to do to keep us all from going insane before the end of August.

There will be a few weeks of day camp, and some trips to the beach, play grounds, and libraries. But I have to be honest and say that I have a small feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach about the loss of what little independent time I have. I love my time in my writing salon, with the door closed, my coffee hot and no voices other than the ones in my head. I suppose it will seem all the more precious to me come this summer when I will have to take what I can when I can.

What do you do when the children are around more? How do you find the balance you need to keep you sanity (assuming any of us have that to start)?

As I write this a fight over a water gun has broken out. Time to get the referee whistle.

BOOK TOUR: ROYAL BONDAGE is out TODAY!

2008-05-13T16:40:00.003-04:00

ON SALE NOW

Royal Bondage

Ellora's Cave (Ellora's Cave)

By Samantha Winston and Delilah Devlin and Marianne LaCroix

Format: Trade Paperback

Price: $14.00

Description

A lady's every rapturous wish is the king's commandin three regal stories where sex rules the land.

SAMANTHA WINSTON - Llewellyn's Song

After Llewellyn, an elf on a mission from the king, rescues a member of an all-female tribe from a dangerous beast, she opens her heart -- and her voluptuous body -- to his forbidden passion...and a tantalizing surprise.

DELILAH DEVLIN - Arctic Dragon

Fleeing the mannerly courtship of the tiresome Prince of the Frost Faeries, Queen Larikke of Northland finds ecstasy in the embrace of a sexy barbarian with a seductive secret who shelters her from a winter storm.

MARIANNE LACROIX - Scorpion King

When the underwater city of Pacifica is in danger of crumbling, beautiful Queen Naiya Pisces meets a virile naval scientist whose special tattoo fulfills an ancient legend of her people and arouses her most erotic desires.

Virtual Book Tour - Mari

2008-05-12T13:28:00.001-04:00

May 12 - Today's stop: Six Degrees of Sexy at http://sixdegreesofsexy.blogspot.com/

Write and rewrite

2008-05-10T11:20:00.004-04:00

I'm tinkering with a new story that stalled. I think I finally figured out why the characters are standing somewhere in my head glaring at me and tapping their feet.

The heroine is a jerk.

Funny. I don't usually write jerks. And I think, really, she isn't one. At least not in my head. But on paper, she's coming across as Queen Jerkalina of Jerksonia.

So, it's back to the writing cave. Because these two characters really do love each other. Or they will in a page or two...

Yes, it's May! Time for a giveaway (or two...or three...)

2008-05-09T23:35:00.003-04:00

April brought two releases for me--a print anthology, Sins of Summer, and an e-book, 10 Days in Paradise, so I thought I'd celebrate it by giving things away in May! So...here's what to do:

(1) To be entered in a drawing to win a $10.00 gift certificate to Samhain and a print copy of Sins of Summer, just go to my contest page and let me know your favorite place to vacation. This contest closes on May 10.

and/or

(2) To win an Ellora's Cave Card deck and a free e-book copy of Sins of the Knight, my sexy medieval, just email me or post a comment on this blog! In the body of the email/comment, say you're entering the "EC Card Deck Contest". Once you receive the deck of cards, email me to let me know which card sports the Dawn Halliday cover, and I'll send you Sins of the Knight. :) I'll pick one random entry every Friday from now 'til the end of May!

Winners for both contests will be posted here at Passion's Muses.

Happy reading and happy contesting! And happy, happy spring :). Summer, my favorite season, is almost here (and I have planned more contests for June and July, so stay tuned)!

www.dawnhalliday.com

The lusty month of May

2008-05-07T15:03:00.003-04:00

That lovely month when everyone throws self control away.

The kids are blowing dandelion seeds. The snowblower has been exchanged for the lawnmower. And the last opened ski slope closed last week in Maine. Spring has come to New England. The boys come home from school and rush back outside. Dinner is lighter fare. Heck, everything is lighter and I am feeling more productive as I come out of that end of winter hibernation feeling.

I'm not a hot weather person (I can always put *on* more clothes - can't always take enough off), but there's something about the rejeneration of spring that I can't help but enjoy. I can walk by the river at night. Play baseball in the back with my sons. Get rid of the bulky coats. Buy more varieties of fruit. Soon it will be time for the first barbeque.

And there is something about feeling the sun on my skin that always does give me that lusty feeling. I've had two new big ideas for stories this past week, which is making it hard to keep my head focused on my current work in progress - a sexy Cinderella retelling. Aah... those sexy thoughts. For a writer, it's like chocolate - oh so so sweet.

I hope you're enjoying spring whereever you are. And were you humming along at the beginning of the blog? Do you know where those words/lyrics come from? Post your answer and the first one to get it right wins a deck of Ellora's Cave silver series playing cards where ROLL PLAY is the Queen of Hearts.

Happy May,
Rowan

Free Read on my site | Virtual Book Tour!

2008-05-07T12:57:00.000-04:00

I am serializing a short novella on my blog, DARK LONGINGS, starting today. Check back each Wednesday for a new installment.

First installment can be found here: http://www.mariannelacroix.com/
or specifically at http://www.mariannelacroix.com/?p=88

AND starting May 12th, I will be on a virtual Book Tour promoting ROYAL BONDAGE (Pocket Books - Ellora's Cave series) and PIRATE'S MISTRESS (Ellora's Cave). First stop: Six Degrees of Sexy at http://sixdegreesofsexy.blogspot.com/ More details to come on my blog.

Mari
www.mariannelacroix.com
Royal Bondage, Pocket Books - In bookstores!
Crossed Swords, EC 4 1/2 Stars, RT Top Pick!
Pirate's Mistress, Ellora's Cave - New in Trade Paperback!!

RT 2008

2008-05-06T09:23:00.004-04:00

Annmarie Ortega and Marianne LaCroix, Partners in Crime who are "On the Same Page"

Here we are with model Christopher Thomas Howell....a man "bursting with fruit flavor".

Join us with Chris at his BRAND NEW FAN GROUP at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OfficialChristopherHowellGroup/join

I also posted on the Romance Kittens this morning and thought I would send you there today to see some more pics of RT. http://romancekittens.blogspot.com/2008/05/i-was-at-rt-too.html

If You Can't Say Something Nice...

2008-05-03T11:48:00.003-04:00

Piggybacking on the other Muses' topic this week...

I've always believed you shouldn't say anything behind someone's back that you wouldn't want to say to their face.

I learned early on with a certain relative, that no matter what she was told, she'd embellish and then tell the person her new and improved version of what I (or anyone else) said.

I also seem to be the Repository of The Secrets in my family, because I can keep them. Gets amusing sometimes to have the same secret told to you by more than one person- and you realize it isn't a secret, because no one realizes they all already know.

I can stay quiet about anyone ELSE'S stuff.

I just wish I could learn when to shut up about my OWN business!

IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE...CRITIQUES AND REVIEWS

2008-05-01T08:15:00.015-04:00

If you've ever judged a writing contest or have critique partners, the rule of thumb to critiquing is to start with the positive. Before you take out the nail gun and press the trigger.

I've been blessed with good critique partners who know how to articulate their concerns. And though I can be downright pigheaded, I try to see past the fact that my partner found something wrong with my perfect ;) writing to see what made her stumble. That process has helped me hone my writing to the point that I've sold six books and have signed with an agent to help me sell more.

That doesn't mean I still don't get that little sting in my heart when another writer tells me something doesn't work. My first response...Poor deluded fool doesn't know what she's talking about. Second response...Jeez, I must suck. Third...Screw it, I'm not changing it. Fourth...Damn, I really must suck. And so on for about the next 24 hours until I realize that what made her stumble was one word or one phrase. Okay, maybe I don't suck.

Yes, I know I have a problem but there's no Writer's Anonymous. And I wouldn't go anyway. I don't want to be cured of the compulsion to write because there are so many bonuses, like creating a world where magic is commonplace and Gods and Goddesses walk among us.

And then there are the good reviews.

I got two great reviews in the past two weeks for SEDUCED BY MAGIC . One from Alternative-Read.com and another from Night Owl Romance.

I have to admit, other than the review from RT magazine, which I knew was coming, I hadn't given much thought to reviews...until I saw those 4 1/2 stars and realized I wasn't writing in a vacuum anymore. People I'd never met were going to read my book. And have an opinion on it. One I might not like.

So far, the reviewers have willingly taken the plunge into my world of Etruscan magic. And it's gratifying to realize they're enjoying the ride. And if they are, hopefully other readers are too.

Yes, good reviews are an ego-stroke. And what writer doesn't love a good stroke?

What about you? What are your thoughts on critique partners and reviews?

If you can't say anything nice...

2008-04-30T09:36:00.004-04:00

"Come sit by me," says Clairee Blecher (played by Olympia Dukakis) in STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

Of course it can be fun to sit and gossip. Yes, I've been known to do it myself, but I doubt the southern lady Clairee would approve of making those comments outloud so that others could hear them. And in this electronic age, our ability to be outloud includes writing, posting and commenting on blogs.

I didn't attend this years Romantic Times (RT) convention, but I havent been able to avoid some of the controversy that happened during and after. Blogs abound, but more... the comments to the blog go on for pages. Some nasty stones are being thrown and some good people are getting hurt.

It seems to me that some blogs can be like the tabloids. Uncensored, they comment on the the big racy/juicy/newsy stuff as if these were big, bold headlines, and if they have to "print" a retraction, that part is done smaller and more hidden. Not that it matters - the damage is done. Tempers have be raised, things have been written in the heat of the moment, feelings have been bruised.

And perhaps worse than feelings, which heal, sometimes reputations are hurt, which takes longer. Things posted on the internet can last a long time. Blogs are searchable by friends, family, fans, as well as future editors and agents. A lot of folks use screen names to hide their identity - or the names of others (there is a poster who uses Nora Robert's name and I have come to doubt that this is the famous author). I dont blame them, but I have noticed that those are the folks who make some of the most scathing comments. While the posters authority is questionable (due to the anonimity), it doesnt seem to make their comments sting less.

If there is a reason to make a public opinion of something known, I agree it should be written. There are many writers (and reporters, politicians, and humorists) whose thoughts I appreciate. It's those who talk/write to hurt or condemn for the sake of doing it that concern me. If my future fans want to know my take on something, I'll put it in a newsletter to them directly. Not somewhere more public where it can start the rumor mill running or be misrepresented.

Just like positive events aren't what leads on the evening news, positive blogs aren't the ones that get 100+ comments on a single post, hundreds of hits, and related posts on other blogs. But I'm going to hold out for the ones that do and post my comments there.

Then again - I also hope that one day we'll see the cable channel ONN - Optomist News Network, which will report on how many planes landed safely, how many kids are snug in their beds well rested and fed, how many people fell in love, and how great it is that tomorrow is a new day waiting to be filled by our positive choices.

No wonder I write books with happily ever after endings.

Optomistically yours,
Rowan

Research and Musing

2008-04-26T12:29:00.003-04:00

I ordered a new book to use for research today, and I thought I’d ask the other Muses- What do you find most helpful when researching?

I’m one of those “write what you know” people, but “what I know” isn’t necessarily what I have lived. Many times a bit of knowledge from a class I took, or a book I read will be lodged in my brain and will present itself while I am writing.

I don’t usually say, Okay I want to write about X and then go purchase ten books on X, because what if I don’t like X after all? If I need a word or need technical knowledge of something, then I dig for information on it.

I had three majors and a minor in college, so I, needless to say, am a reader in many subjects (and languages!). I always thought I’d do well on Jeopardy, since I am filled with tons of useless knowledge that way!

My current research is still in the form of books that I read for joy or curiosity. If the information proves useful later, great- if not, I gained insight into a topic I was curious about.

I love history books, police research books, forensics texts, and the Worst Case Scenario series. My shelf is also filled with dictionaries: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Polish, cowboy (yes, cowboy), and slang dictionaries from various periods.

Sometimes just the right word is the trick.

And I do love words.

Howdy!

2008-04-25T21:06:00.005-04:00

Hello everyone! Between being sick and on vacation, and struggling with a deadline, I haven't been able to post much. I'm so sorry I missed RT, but it sounds like such a blast! I wish I'd been there...sigh.

Anyway, my news: I had a e-book release this week! WOO HOO! It's my scorching hot contemporary Hawaii story, 10 Days in Paradise. It's gotten some great reviews, including 4 stars and an "O" rating from Just Erotic Romance Reviews. Mahaira said,
"Their love scenes have the passionate quality of an erupting volcano that can singe fingertips and set the computer screen ablaze." and "The issues between the lead pair and their resolution turn 10 Days in Paradise into a wonderful but deep read with the backdrop of the beautiful and romantic island. You go, Ms. Halliday!" Isn't that cool?

Now I need to go off and try to get over this cold...and try to think of some other stories. Oh...and I am SO going to get to RT in Orlando next year!

One last thing--I'm holding a contest over on my website. Come enter and you could win a $10 gift certificate for Samhain and a copy of my first print book, the Sins of Summer anthology.

http://www.dawnhalliday.com

On the Same Page

2008-04-24T07:53:00.007-04:00

Since I'd never been to RT before, I didn't have a lot of preconceived ideas. Oh, I'd been told about the cover models and the parties, the costumes and the rabid readers. The reality was much more fun than I'd imagined it would be, but I did learn quite a bit.

What To Do At RT:

Stand Up and Be Noticed. Don't sit in your chair at the signings and expect people to come to you. Get up and talk to whovever walks by. Stick your hand out and say hi.

Talk To Your Fellow Writers. My flanking partners at the ebook signing, Samantha Kane and Cat Johnson, are two of the nicest people I met all week. They answered any questions I had and generally made me less of a nervous wreck.

Dress The Part. I'm usually a jeans and t-shirt person, but when you're presenting yourself to the public, spiff it up. People notice you more readily. And hopefully remember you more favorably.

Strike Up A Conversation. The woman standing next to you in line to meet your favorite author might just be a reviewer who hasn't read your book yet. And you want her to like it.

What Not To Do At RT:

Be rude. Because the person without the nametag may be your biggest fan or the organizer's significant other.

Be late to dinner. You may not find a seat.

Complain about being shunted to the overflow hotel. A blessing in disguise as the Omni was gorgeous and the Hilton was somewhat of a mess from renovations.

Decide not to approach your favorite author at the book signing because you're shy. Go to my personal blog, On A Moonlit Night, to find out why JR Ward is my hero.

Orlando, here we come!

On the same page

2008-04-22T08:58:00.002-04:00

Yes, RT was a blast, and with Annmarie's arrival, it took on a life of its own. The laughing was non stop. You had to laugh because the actual hotel was a "pit of despair". We made cover model sandwiches, joked during the Mr Romance competition, mingled with authors, readers and booksellers, and had a fabulous time. I am blogging all about my time at RT on my site, so check it out at www.mariannelacroix.com Yes, my site IS my blog now. So far I have blogged about Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. And it ain't over yet.

I am at work on my new book I call Hot Steel, a Blaze hopeful. I did spend Monday resting (read: passed out in bed) from RT. Today, I plan on getting a good start on the book. I want to get most of the book written before the kids get out of school the end of next month.

I am off to do some writing....

We're on the Same Page

2008-04-22T00:54:00.002-04:00

I had the best time at RT this year... From the minute I walked into the room I shared with Marianne (while ripping a tile off the wall in the process) I knew this year was going to be awesome. Mari and I had so much fun and we laughed until we had tears at times... Especially during the Mr Romance competition... (oh the humanity!!) I'm not even sure where to start about RT so let me tell you about our room...

It smelled like paint.
The tiles were not quite cemented to the walls...
The fridge cabinet was fridgeless...
The bathroom door was see thru with frosted glass panels...
There was no exhaust fan in the bathroom...

I'm sure Mari will be able to think of more to tell... and I still need to get the pics off my camera...
Right now I am exhausted so I am off to bed...

Annmarie
www.myspace.com/annmarieortega
ps... Mari... I missed waking up to "Yo ho, Yo ho, A pirates life for me..." lol

Dreaming of the future

2008-04-17T15:28:00.004-04:00

A year ago, my first book ROLL PLAY was newly accepted and I was just finishing signing the contracts. It was released in August 2007. And now as the Romantic Times conference goes on in Pittsburgh without me... I can't help thinking about the future.

Next year at this time I want
- to be at the RT in Orlando
- to have at least one (and preferably more) print book to sign
- to have at least three new e-books on my back list
- to have a new laptop computer
- to have my writing income support my travels!

Those are definitely my writing goals.

Nothing else new here, fans. I've submitted a new book to Ellora's Cave and I am waiting to hear back from my editor and I'm working on a very sexy retelling of the Cinderella story.

Hope your spring finds you and your dreams blossoming!

Howdy all!

2008-04-13T17:15:00.005-04:00

Hey all. I thought I would pop in and give an update. I haven't posted in a few weeks, and I do appologise for that. I have just been doing some thinking, writing, planning, etc. I went to a conference and some great feeback on my works. Right now I am going to concentrate on getting an agent. One agent looked over my stuff and said she liked my contemporary voice better than my historical voice. (!?!) So, what could I write? I settled on writing a Blaze. I am also planning a Desire as well. I read both those lines, in addition to Presents, so why not, right? I am writing my Blaze sub along with Tierney Linn who is starting one as well. And the Desire, author friend Samara King and I will be writing along together with our subs. Should be a great next 2 months. I am determined to sell to NY, particularly Harlequin, this year. (No, I am not too interested in Spice right now. Writing above 60K is intimidating to me...for the moment.)

I am also revving up to get going to RT this week. I won't be posting on my normal day. (ha! As if I posted for the past few weeks!) I do hope everyone who is in the Pittsburgh area comes and says hello either during the convention or the Saturday Book Fair. I should also be at the Ebook Expo on Wednesday as well.

Also, look for the "Feel the Passion" buttons at RT! Annmarie Ortega, Stephaine Julian and I will be handing them out and a basket will be full of them on promo alley!

SEDUCED IN SHADOW Release Date

2008-04-10T15:05:00.008-04:00

SEDUCED IN SHADOW, the second book in my Magical Seduction series has a release date!

Look for Antonin and Ellie's story July 11 from Ellora's Cave.

Etruscan linchetto Antonin de Feo has been tasked with the job of keeping Fiorella Johannson's luscious body safe from harm. But when someone tries to kidnap the beauty with a secret, Antonin has the perfect place to keep her safe: in his bed.

Ellie is the sister of Justin from SEDUCED BY MAGIC, and she's about to have her entire world view turned upside down.

The best lesson I've learned since getting published...

2008-04-10T10:00:00.003-04:00

I would have to agree with Catherine a lot on this one - surrounding myself with other writers who are putting their butts in their chairs day after day has been an important part of finishing and submitting more manuscripts. The process of writing is solitary, but I have found that more than ever, it is great to have people I can talk to about my work and from whom I can receive encouragement and support.

Personally, I've also learned that I cannot take too much time off between projects. A few days, for me, can easily become a week and then longer since starting a new project can be daunting. Now, not only do I not take more than a weekend, but I am sure to make notes on my next project while finishing my current one. In addition, during the editing process, I try to take a full week off from the current manuscript so that I can edit with relatively fresh eyes. During that week, I start work on my next book so that when one is done, I'm excited about and ready for the next.

And I suppose, finally, I've learned that you can never do too much marketing. Myspace, posting excerpts, getting reviews... anything positive that can create a buzz for your work and your name is good.

On that note... I think it's time for me to get back to finishing the edits of my newest work. I built a whole world for this one, and I am looking forward to sharing it with this world!

Warmly,
Rowan

The best lesson I've learned since getting published...

2008-04-05T15:39:00.005-04:00

... is the value of having friends who write.

Not everyone in my life would understand if I tried to tell them that people live in my head. Or that I watch them interact in my head and that I write down what happens.

But say that to a fellow writer and you'll most likely get a nod.

Nods mean so much.

As a writer you can feel really alone sometimes. You are on your computer, or scrunched in a comfy spot with a laptop or a notebook and pen, and you're listening to people no one else can hear or see. And you are by yourself.

If I tell my family I'm going to be upstairs writing for a while, they'll look through me and ask what's for dinner. As long as my writing doesn't interfere with their lives, they are fine with it.

If I told another writer that I'm working on a deadline, the writer not only wouldn't bother me, but might let others know not to bug me if they got wind of an impending interruption. Writers understand what it's like for other writers.

The Muses and the Bats are two of the best groups. The Muses are there for a pat on the back or encouragement. Commiseration. Information. The Bats (in the Bat Cave at eHarl) let you howl and scream and then cover you gently with slime and let you wallow in the pit until you're better.

Yes, even though writing is a lonely profession, I have more friends I've never met than friends I see on a regular basis. Strangest thing is, that it isn't strange at all!

The Best Lesson I've Learned Since Getting Published...

2008-04-03T07:46:00.012-04:00

Persistance pays off ... if you have the guts to stick it out and enough brains to know when to forge ahead. But most importantly, you need talent.

I've been a member of Romance Writers of America for more than ten years. I love the networking opportunities it affords and I love my local chapter. But I believe RWA has done a disservice to a large number of its members. It lets them believe that if they really, really, really wish hard enough, attend enough workshops and want it bad enough, they too will be published.

For more than 70 percent of the members, that's not going to happen. Why? Because there is such a thing as natural ability.

I love to sing. The radio goes on in the car and my mouth never closes. I know every word of MCR's The Black Parade. But I can't carry a tune to save my soul. My kids will be more than happy to tell you how bad I am. Do I think if I sing long enough and loud enough, someday I'll be onstage at Radio City Music Hall? Hell no. I'm not deluded.

I do have a natural ability to write. Some of it comes from being a lifelong reader. Some of it is imagination. More, though, is having some talent. I can craft a story and make you love my hero just as much as I do. I can make my heroine's plight believable even if she has pink wings and can do magic.

It took me six long years to see my first two books published with Avalon. It took another three to get into Ellora's Cave. I'm still working toward a contract with a major NY house. As I just signed with literary agent Elaine English, I'm hoping that dream becomes reality soon.

Many people have more natural talent than I do. I read their books and wait breathlessly for the next. And I work at perfecting my own stories every day. Even if I don't write every day, writing is never far from my mind.

There are those who believe if they wish on a star and learn the secret handshake, they'll see their book on a shelf someday. But without natural ability and persistence, they'll still be dreaming of writing instead of actually being a writer.

The light IS at the end of the tunnel

2008-04-01T19:48:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone,

Today is my day to post and I do have some stuff going on in the career to mention.

I went to the Southern Lights Conference this weekend in Jacksonville, FL. OMG it was great. I had so much fun and made some great networking connections. I was asked to send partials by 2 editors and an agent. I am busy at work on one and will send off before RT. I will get the second done right after RT. Successful weekend all around! I feel the big break is on the horizon.

Yes, as I mentioned, I am going to RT. I am already gathering all my promo items to pack and lug on up to cold Pittsburgh. I do hope the snow is done up north by the time the conference comes. I don't know if I am being shuffled to the Omni yet. At this point, no news is good news, I guess. I am going to invest in one of those rolling carts though. JC Wilder suggested it to ease the carrying-everthing-around-the-conference mode.

The best lesson I've learned since getting published...

2008-03-31T23:14:00.002-04:00

First of all let me apologize for being MIA the past few weeks. I had two kids home from school 2 different weeks and I have been working on finishing my half of a book I am co authoring...... So today is my day here and the topic of the day fits perfectly... I've actually been thinking a lot about different lessons I've learned since getting published. It seems like every blog I read there is some kind of drama going on with either publishers going out of business or authors getting the short end of the (contract) stick. And believe me, from surviving a few publishers (Venus, MG, TF) there have been some incredible lessons learned.

Before you sign on with a publisher look and see the names of authors who are already there. Email them and ask if they are happy with the publisher. Chances are if they aren't they will tell you.

I'd say the best lesson I've learned is to go with your gut instinct. If things don't seem right to you, don't just accept the contract. Wait it out and find a publisher that you think will make you happy. Don't settle. Your work is too important.

take care,

Annmarie

It's Been A Good Week

2008-03-27T09:16:00.006-04:00

I got my first ever review this week for SEDUCED BY MAGIC.

4 1/2 stars from Romantic Times.

And I quote: "...sparkles with fantasy. Fairies, satyrs, werewolves and deities populate Julian's world, but they're so well crafted that they're completely believable, and smoldering erotic scenes develop the protagonists' relationship...this story is unpredictable and fascinating, setting the stage for what are sure to be highly anticipated sequels."

Can I tell you excited I am? You should be able to see my grin through the screen. Whenever I think about it, I get a happy little smile. Why? It's all about validation.

Writing is a solitary profession for the most part. Sure, after we sell, we have an editor to help us along and sometimes before we sell we have critique partners. But mostly we sit in front of a computer, typing away on a keyboard while the story runs in our head and we hope like hell it comes out right on the screen. When we're finished and we send our baby out into the world, we're justifiably nervous. Okay, terrified, but if we let that consume us we would never write.

And having someone I don't know tell me they enjoyed my story, that makes all of rest of it--the rejections, the frustration, the setbacks and the occasional writer's block--worthwhile.

Because someone else likes my baby. And that's even better than chocolate. Most days.

SOLD!

2008-03-22T20:07:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited! My romantic suspense novel, ROMANCING THE STONES, just sold to Samhain Publishing!

This book was inspired by a legendary black dog that roams the streets of Richmond, Virginia. No one can catch him, and no one knows where he came from or where he goes. He just...is.

The black dog in my novel appears when the heroine, Charlie Blair, most needs him, or when paranormal events are at hand.
You see, she has found a golden...er... rod on an archeological dig in Peru, but the find has disappeared. Instead she's left with a handful of Ica Stones that it seems someone is willing to kill to possess, and a police detective on the trail of a serial killer.

Oh, and did I mention that she's naked, in the shower, and holding a Glock on him when they first meet?

The novel should be out this fall, and I can't wait for you to read it!

Where have all the Muses gone?

2008-03-20T08:17:00.003-04:00

Have you been checking up on us? Looking for a post my your favorite muse each day? Well, we took a little break from our topics to... write! Yes, good reader, the Muses have been working on creating some wonderful new stories for you.

Dawn is cooking up a new historical romance that is sure to please.

Steph is playing in her incredible fairie realm and expanding that world.

Cathy is romping in the the world fairy tales and updating one for you.

Rowan is traveling off world with the heroine of her newest fantasy.

And Mari and AnneMarie... well, you will just have to wait and see what these talented ladies are inspired to create for you.

So we'll be back soon. The good news?
Now you have time to catch up on reading some of our books!

May you find inspiration for all you love today,
Rowan

New paperback released: Pirate's Mistress

2008-03-18T10:37:00.001-04:00

Includes Crossed Swords and Sea Hawk's Mistress.
Buy it here: http://www.jasminej ade.com/p- 3944-pirates- mistress. aspx?skinid= 11
Erotic Adventure Romance
Available from Ellora's Cave

Reviews for CROSSED SWORDS:
4 1/2 Stars, RT Top Pick! - "LaCroix has outdone herself. This swashbuckling tale will have you offering to swab the decks, if it will put you in good graces with the wickedly handsome pirate captain! There's plenty of action in and out of the captain's quarters to keep you flying through the pages of this sizzling story." ~ Romantic Times BOOKClub

"5 Stars...wonderfully written story about the powerful sea Captain and his prisoner falling in love...If you are looking for steamy sex, that will leave you seeking your own release, look no further...It’ s perfect!" ~JERR

Reviews for SEA HAWK'S MISTRESS:
“4 Stars...a fun blast-from-the- past...This was a terrific, sexy little romance...The romance is sweet and tender; the sex scenes are vanilla with a touch of dominance and bondage. Sea Hawk’s Mistress was good to the last drop...” ~JERR
-------------------

Chck out my Sunday post at Unusual Historicals. It is a release party!

http://unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/2008/03/release-party-pirates-mistress.html

Leave a comment to be drawn next Sunday to win a copy of Pirate's Mistress!

If I Could Go Back in Time, I'd Love to Go Back To...

2008-03-08T20:18:00.003-05:00

In my December release from www.CerridwenPress.com, RETURN TO ME, my heroine has been reincarnated over and over for centuries. In every life she was subject to the will of men. She couldn't save herself because she didn't have a chance, didn't have power, couldn't break the rules...

One thing she learned in her current life is that finally, in today's modern period, she has a chance to survive. She becomes a self-defense expert and she goes after the man who has hunted her and her lover down each lifetime. No more waiting for her date with destiny- she goes after it with fists flying!

So I guess what I am saying is, I love the pageantry of many, many ages in the past, but I don't think I'd like to live in any of them forever. There's no guarantee I'd have money or status or power of any sort. In fact, I'd be much more likely to be a peasant, have poor health, and die of malnutrition or disease long before I was old enough to die in childbirth.

That's why I love romance books so very, very much. I can live through the heroine, experiencing life the way she does, and I can know for certain that my happy ending is coming before the back cover closes.

If I could go back in time, I'd love to go back to...

2008-03-07T12:10:00.003-05:00

As a lover of history, this is a difficult one! Everywhere! Anytime!
Uh...but I have to choose only one, right?

Okay.

Regency England. England in the early 19th Century. But only if I could be rich--a duchess or a princess, perhaps. At the very least, a countess! (This is my fantasy, right!?) Then I'd get to dance and hold intellectual conversations with men like Mr. Darcy and ladies like Jane Austen, or perhaps Mary Wollstonecraft. I could explore England in its heyday, ride in a carriage down cobbled streets, or maybe sidesaddle on a spirited chestnut along Rotten Row. I could visit the theatre--an opera, or maybe a comedy...and if it was bad, I could throw cabbage at the actors (would I ever do that? Noooo, not me! ). Maybe I'd find that Mr. Darcy and, much to our parents' chagrin, we could elope to Gretna Green.

Ahhh...

IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME, I'D LOVE TO GO BACK TO...

2008-03-06T09:02:00.003-05:00

Hmmm... this one is a thinker for me. I'm too practical to go back to most time periods for long, knowing that the, er, hygeine of the time could be rather offputting. But I'll just jump through time for a bit and see what I like.

I'd like to spend some time in the 1920's. I love the fashion and attitudes of that time. Free (except for the booze of course) and fun. The beginning of talking movies. No income taxes - yet.

I would also like to spend a weekend at Versaille at the Court. What an opulant world. After seeing the movie 'Marie Antoinette' I am fascinated by the riches and luxury of that time. Before the revolution of course. And only a weekend, or a long weekend perhaps, because as lovely as it looks - it also seems to be a little boring after a while.

And finally - I'd like to go back to about... the late 1500's early 1600's, because back then, my body type of curves and large bossom would make me a supermodel! Or perhaps, a painter's muse. I think Rubens and I would have gotten along very well.

Oh, and no matter what time I visit - I want to go back with lots of money in my purse, because there is pretty much no period in history where it was good to be poor.

I think I'm a product of my time. Must be why even though I read lots of historicals, I write contemporary (or contemporary fantasy).

Have a historic week!

-Rowan

IF I COULD GO BACK IN TIME, I'D LOVE TO GO BACK TO...

2008-03-06T08:18:00.007-05:00

Ancient Rome.

To actually see the greatest city in the world when the Coliseum was filled with people (okay, they were blood-thirsty, but still) and the Forum temples held daily rituals, that would be amazing. Gladiators, Vestal Virgins, Emperors, oh my.

I was never much of a history buff. Sure, I read historical romances when that was all there was but it was never the history that captured my attention. It was the romance.
Then I started researching this idea I had about ancient Etruscans. And I got hooked on the time period BCE. If you're not a devoted watcher of the History Channel, then BCE is Before Common Era. It used to be BC which I always thought meant Before Christ but I'm sure there was another meaning-

Sorry, off track. Anyway, I started looking for books to read about the ancient Etruscans, from whom the Romans stole most of their culture. Except for children's books like the ones from DK (which is full of useful knowledge for beginners), there wasn't a lot. But then I discovered the wonderful world of college presses.

Yes, these books read like textbooks because they are. But for a devoted reader like me, they are something I can sink my teeth into, gnaw on for a while then pick out bits and pieces to create my own stories.

They're filled with information about human sacrifice and blood rituals and Goddesses and Gods and they're better than any fairytale I'd ever read. And they've made me into something of an Amazon stalker, always looking for new research material.

Now, if I could just find a book on time travel...

If I could go back in time I'd love to go back to...

2008-03-06T00:16:00.003-05:00

I apologize for not posting on "my day". I have so many little things I am involved with these days. On Tuesday I posted over at the Unusual Historicals blog about Florence Nightingale. If you would care to read about the woman who set the standard for nursing, check it out here.

If I could go back in time I'd love to go back to... Elizabethan England. I dig the fashions, the whole courtly life thing. I could see myself as the Queen's assistants to entertain her with my stories. (My dream here, okay?) I think I spent the entire time watching The Golden Age in awe of the fabulous gowns. Elizabeth was truly a well dressed monarch. If only we had someone like her to look to to run things. (Instead we get to pick from political candidates, trying to choose the lesser of all evils to become our leader...)

What Do I Find Sexy/Romantic in a Man…

2008-03-02T11:06:00.003-05:00

Sexy is…

…my husband’s arms, especially his forearms. He’s a drummer and that must have something to do with it. Watching him play, those sinews twisting and flexing. Don’t even get me started on the look on his face when he’s drumming. Heavens, it’s enough to make my feet tingle.

…a man’s arm settling protectively on your arm or lower back, even if you don’t need protecting.

…catching him looking at you with a warm glint in his eye.

Romantic is…

…walking in to find he has put away the dishes(even if I have to look around to find what I need), folded the laundry (even if he doesn’t do it the way I would), or swept the floor. And he doesn't expect a parade for it.

…when he gets up first and gets the newspaper or puts out the dog.

…arriving with the DVD of a TV show you loved as a kid, that he’s never heard of, but he buys it anyway. And watches it with you. Even if he has no idea why it appeals to you.

…bringing you a Twix when he stops by the store on his way home.

…just sitting quietly together. Anywhere.

Mmmm… I need to go write now…

WHAT I FIND SEXY/ROMANTIC IN A MAN...

2008-02-28T08:56:00.007-05:00

What I find sexy: Kissable mouth, broad chest, nice ass, six-pack abs. Dark hair, blue eyes and a five o'clock scruff that he rubs all over your naked body. Someone who towers over you, makes you feel safe, protected.

What I find romantic: A guy who doesn't talk all over you but who can actually string a few intelligent words together. A man who won't balk when you want to watch "Pride and Prejudice" for the 10,000th time but who enjoys taking you to a game (any sport, pick your poison). One who commiserates with you when you've had a rotten day and saves his griping for the next.

Alpha males are sexy. The broodier, the better. Give them a tragedy and it will make them stronger but it will break something in them that only the love of a good woman can fix. Give them hardship and they will overcome it to be hugely rich and successful. And still be able to give a woman the emotional connection she craves.

A romantic is a guy who isn't afraid to laugh at himself, hug his best friend, kiss his kids and tell his significant other he loves them.

When you find all these qualities in the same guy..he's a keeper.

Steph

What I Find Sexy/Romantic in a Man Is...

2008-02-26T08:19:00.003-05:00

Okay, I will admit, I have a weakness for men who are big, blond and dangerous. Love it. I think that came about long ago. Love blonds. Then I saw Lucius Malfoy played by Jason Isaacs. OMG... I was inspired. Of course, Lucius in Descendants of Darkness [book] was inspired by Jason Isaacs in that blond wig. Hubba hubba. Readers like him...loved him. Yeah, I had a few readers thinking I was a direct link to Lucius. The book went on to be a RT Top Pick and a Reviewer Choice nominee (2004).

I've written a lot of books since, but it wasn't until Crossed Swords [book] that I revisited my image of the ultimate male--big, blonde and dangerous--with Captain Fredrick Thorne. He is a mixture of Lucius the vampire but with a slight change. He looked more like Ryan (pictured), one of EC's models. The book was one of thos stories that flowed from me onto the computer. I took a chance and wrote my passion--historical romance. It isn't vampires or wolfies, but the hero was much more real to me as a pirate bent on forcing his captive into his bed. I didn't expect much in return for the book, but I hoped readers would be swept away into the pirate fantasy. I am happy to say Romantic Times BOOKClub magazine gave it the "nod". Crossed Swords is an April 2008 Top Pick!

I wanted to write a sequel featuring Fredrick's brother, Malcolm, but I hesitated because historical erotic romance isn't as popular as dark paranormal. But now I changed my mind! More blond, big and dangerous heroes are in store as they set sail for adventure on the high seas.

Okay, so sexy man to me is blond and goreous.

Romantic is something beyond looks. The most romantic man is a man in love and is willing to stand by his woman. That is my husband. He believes in me and my writing. His endless support is the most romantic thing. I love him.

Yes, every hero I write--no matter his hair color--has a little of my husband mixed in there.

Yo ho! Yo ho! A Pirate's life for me!!! Drink me harties, yo ho!

What I Find Sexy/Romantic in a Man Is...

2008-02-26T00:08:00.004-05:00

The first thing I think of when I think "Sexy Man" is really good abs. I am a total sucker for washboard abs. I also have a thing for dark eyes and hair. ( The dark eyes and hair can be traced back to my senior year in high school. I went to my prom with a guy who had blond hair and blue eyes and everyone thought we were related... ewww... LOL ).

Now for a man to be "Romantic" more effort is involved. Being romantic isn't about how he looks, but the actual effort he puts forth to show you he really does care about you. Being romantic doesn't mean he spends large amount of money on you... it can be as simple as a call or email telling you he misses you when you can't be together. Gifts are nice too, as long as they aren't a new vacuum or toaster...LOL He should also like puppies and children, and believe in giving foot massages too...

And btw, I'm including a pic of a good friend of mine, Julian Fantechi. I decided this topic needed to be accompanied by a sexy man! : )

Annmarie

MY Guilty Pleasure Is...

2008-02-24T09:42:00.003-05:00

My guilty pleasure is SLEEP.

I have to wake up first in my house, because I need to get MYSELF ready for work before I wake the kids to get ready for school.

And even though I am not the last to go to bed, I am the last to fall asleep. My mind takes a while to slow down and rest.

However right around 3PM, if I am anywhere near a chair or a couch or my bedroom, I fall asleep. Especially if I have had any sort of sugary snack. In fact, if I eat something sweet, no matter WHAT time of day it is, I get sleepy.

And when I fall asleep, I am out like a light. It only last a half an hour or so, due to the kids and the dog, but it's wonderful.

Part of my guilty pleasure is that I almost always come up with story ideas while sleeping. Sometimes if I am stuck in a plot spot, the dreams I have will work it out and I wake with ideas of how to fix a story.

My Guilty Pleasure Is...

2008-02-21T08:36:00.002-05:00

I refuse to feel guilty about anything I get pleasure out of.

Wait, does eating an entire box of Junior Mints while I write count as a guilty pleasure? I certainly feel guilty when I tip the box for more minty-chocolately goodness and nothing comes out.

Otherwise, I won't feel guilty about loving ballroom dancing. The costumes, the makeup, the dance, the movement. I'm proud to say I know the difference between American Smooth and International Standard and American Rhythm and International Latin and I'm not afraid to talk about it.

I guess you could call "Moonlight" a guilty pleasure, but really, how can you feel guilty watching a hunky conflicted vampire pine for love?

And maybe a forty-something woman shouldn't admit to loving metal music but I have two teen boys and, rather than turn my nose up at something they love, I found a way to enjoy it with them. And the hunks who sling guitars certainly aren't hard on the eyes. Check out the lead singer for Bullett for My Valentine. I also have a thing for emo-screamo. Yes, I like skinny, pale guys like Gerard Way who lament everything from losing their girlfriend to losing their life.

Okay, so maybe I should feel a little guilty for loving anything with Bruce Campbell. I mean "Evil Dead" and "Army of Darkness" are definitely guilty pleasures. But "Burn Notice" is pretty damn good.

This last one I lay on my mom. I love old films with Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee and Connie Stevens. "A Summer Place" "Parrish" "Susan Slade." Just thinking about how cheesey they seem today makes me smile because I still love them.

Steph

My guilty pleasure is...

2008-02-20T19:55:00.003-05:00

Hmm... I think I have too many of these. But I suppose the things I do to procrastinate (like solitaire games on the computer) dont count.

The first one that comes to mind is that I love E!'s "reality" series "The Girls Next Door" about the three women who are Hugh Hefner's girlfriends and live at the Playboy Mansion. I envy their lifestyle - money, freedom, parties. But I also like their personalities and individuality. I can't explain it, but I guess that is one the things that makes it a guilty pleasure.

I also enjoy playing on Webkinz, just like my kids. There's something fun (and addictive) about the whole world. I guess it is a throw back to wanting my stuff animals to come to life. There's my kitten, walking, sleeping, eating and playing. It is great fun.

I think guilty pleasures keep us grounded, real. And I love when I share one with someone and find out.. it's their's too!

Have a great week!

My Guilty Pleasure Is

2008-02-18T23:09:00.005-05:00

My guilty pleasure is my love for Nascar. People always give me a weird look when I tell them I love Nascar. Maybe it's because I am a total city girl living in the heart of Chicago... I don't know.

The new race season just started and I now have something to look forward to on weekends. I love watching all of it... the pre race show, the drivers analysis, and even the Nascar themed commercials. I love the sounds of the cars racing around the track past the cameras. (Even though it's fast and dangerous, there's almost something soothing about it too.) And yes, I'll admit that seeing Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray in their racing suits gets my own engine running... lol (Sorry, that was REALLY bad, but I couldnt help myself!).

I was lucky enough to ride in a Nascar a few years ago. I got to go 170 miles per hour around the track at the Joliet Speedway here in Illinois twice. Once I climbed out the window of the car to turn in my helmet I couldn't walk a straight line to save my life I was so dizzy. It was awesome and I'd love to do it again someday. I also made a quick sidetrip to the Daytona Speedway in 2006 when I was leaving RT. I had to get my pic taken in front of the sign and go take a look at the track in person.

So if you are flipping thru the tv channels on a weekend and see Nascar on, chances are I am in my recliner watching the race. And chances are I'll have a big happy grin on my face too...lol

Annmarie

Things in My World That I Love

2008-02-17T00:15:00.002-05:00

Wow. What a topic, hm?

I think I'd have an easier time if I listed things I detest. But perhaps another day for that...

I love...

my husband and my kids, above all else.

That really says it all. There's so much about this world to like. But to love, I have to keep it small.
I love far too strongly to spread it around much.

Things in my world I love

2008-02-15T00:18:00.004-05:00

I had a fabulous Valentine's evening--watching my sons play baseball then taking them out to pizza. My husband, my three kids and I just sitting around a table, eating pizza, talking and laughing. That's what I love.

And I also love my job. I love to write. There's nothing like diving into the world of people who live so vividly in my mind. I love the readers who have supported me, and the editors who have believed in my work enough to take big risks on me.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Things in my world I love...

2008-02-14T10:30:00.003-05:00

I am so fortunate to love my world. I really feel that at this time in my life I have let go of the things that dont work, that dont make me happy and what is left is... WONDERFUL!!

- I have a loving supportive husband who is a phenominal father to our two sons.
- I not only love my sons... I really like them too.
- I love that I am close with both my parents, my brother and his family, my sister in law and her family.
- I love having several close girlfriends with whom to share the ups and downs of being a woman.
- I love creating new characters and seeing them come to life om the page
- I love, as Stephanie said, seeing my name on the cover of my books.
- I love the writers that I am blessed to share this creative journey with.
- I love coming home when I've been away
- I love the writing space that my husband created for me (my muse salon).
- I love time to scrapbooking
- I love chocolate, sushi, champagne, chinese food, and good pizza
- I love shopping (yes, I believe in retail therapy.
- I love that I could make this list even longer

(I hate that I have a cold and didnt get to blogging yesterday - sorry)

I love that each day I get to choose to do the things I love most!

THINGS IN MY WORLD I LOVE...

2008-02-14T08:42:00.005-05:00

On this Valentine's Day, I love my husband. My day would be dark without his hard-won smile or his blue eyes or his patience and willingness to put up with me. He doesn't balk at making his own dinner because I got caught up in writing and didn't get to it. He (mostly) doesn't mind when I sit beside him at night with an open laptop. Or a book. And even when he gets mad, even if it's my fault, he doesn't hold a grudge. Without him, I wouldn't be able to write, because he is the strong backbone of every quiet hero in my stories.

I love my sons. Without them, I wouldn't know the joy of Taylor's smile or the wonder of Joshua's laughter. And I wouldn't know the meaning of true conflict, when my brain tells me it's okay to let them travel outside the safety of our home but my heart is terrified of all the dangers.

I love hugs from Taylor who towers over me and I love watching TV with Josh's head on my shoulder and his soft hair under my cheek. I love watching hockey with my husband and the smile he gets when I know the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada.

I love my parents for showing me the true meaning of love and marriage. And I love my brother for making me think and argue and laugh.

I love a good book with a happy ending, one that makes me sigh when I read the last page, itching to get my hands on the author's next book.

I love my writer friends, who commiserate with me over rejection letters and who celebrate every hardwon victory in this business. I love my girlfriends from high school, who know every one of my secrets and love me anyway.

I love seeing my name on the cover of a book and the email from my editor who said she loved my revisions.

And I love the sense of accomplishment I get when I type THE END.

Happy Valentine's Day

Things in my world I love...

2008-02-12T11:40:00.000-05:00

I don't think I can top Annmarie's post. That picture of her with her boys is just so sweet.

Pictured is my family...from the back. I love my husband and two girls. This was taken on a trip to Sea World in 2007. You can see the flamingos in the background. My girls turn 6 next month.

I love my dogs, Angel and Lucky. (Pictured is Angel with one of my daughters.) My dogs are my buddies, keeping me company during the day when everyone is off at school or work. Angel is my big baby. Lucky is my Lubie-dubie doggie. (Yes, I do baby talk to my dogs...so sue me.)

I love my writer friends and I have a lot of fun hanging out with them. I am looking forward to RT and spending some time with Annmarie. All we need is Julian Fantechi in our room. I'll bring the paddle... *g* Also I am looking forward to this weekend. I am going to a writer get together for ACRA. I get to hang out with writer friends Shannon Greenland and Tara Greenbaum.

I love my laptop. It is my main writing tool along with keeping me connected to my friends.

I love my EC editor Kelli K. She is so awesome and has molded me into a great writer. And understanding too. She is open for me to sub to both EC and Cerridwen, the best of both worlds.

I love my mom and brother. I love my husband's parents and brothers. I love the fact my father in law is still with us today because of a donor heart. Just before Thanksgiving 2007 he had a heart transplant. He is doing very well and is home now, building up his strength to live on for a long time. We are traveling to see him soon.

Things in my world I love...

2008-02-11T23:42:00.000-05:00

Here is the short list...

I love listening to Michael McDermott... he's a musician from Chgo and a good friend of mine. His lyrics are brilliant. I have him on my top friends on my MySpace page if you want to hear some of his work... www.myspace.com/annmarieortega

I love my new puppy Max. He's a Jack Russell who has so much enegry he literally runs circles around me.

I love my best friend Kate who I've known since high school. She's been known to make me laugh so hard beverages have shot out my nose...lol

I love all my readers and publishers (New Concepts, Resplendence, Whiskey Creek Torrid, Red Rose and The Dark Castle Lords) because they believe in me and my writing and that means the world to me.

I love attending writing conferences. I recently attended Love Is Murder here in Chgo with my cousin Kim who also writes. I'll be going to RT in April and rooming with Mari, which should be very entertaining. (And btw... I love laughing with Mari... we always find something funny to laugh at!!)

I love the website called http://www.mamasource.com/ It's a great resource for moms with kids. They send out daily emails with businesses owned by moms... and you can get discounts on services which is always a good thing. As soon as I see their email I check it out right away.

But the most important thing I love is my two boys. They are my heart and everything I do is for them. They are so sweet and caring and the older they get the more amazed I am at how awesome they are. They are the center of my world.

Happy Valentines Day a few days early.

Annmarie

Managing "Real" Life with "Writing" Life

2008-02-09T10:52:00.000-05:00

Wow. How do I manage? I don’t think I do it very well. Most times I am just holding so many things at once that if I were Shiva I would still need more hands.

At this very moment, I have:

two works-in-progress that should have been finished by now
nearly 100 partially sketched ideas
196 little squares of wood that I need to burn pictures of cows, horses, and roosters onto so little kids can sponge paint them
lesson plans to create; papers to grade
a dog who desperately needs to be walked
kids that need attention
a husband to bother
a bathroom estimate to obtain
a kitchen wall and ceiling to repaint
bits of a pool cover my dog ripped to shreds and distributed all over the yard to pick up
a bigger dog crate to buy because the critter won’t stop growing!
the dog’s rabies tag needs to be found- it’s somewhere in the backyard I HOPE…

I have a hard time saying NO to more outside demands by work or school, but I am getting better at it. Caller ID and voicemail help a lot.

But I think we all have a million things that need to get done. It’s just that as writers, we have these people in our heads. And they really won’t shut up until one of two things happens:
1. We write down their entire story.
2. We shove them to the end of the To Do List so many times that they go away and that precious story POOF is just gone. That happened once, and from that point on, even if I don’t have time to write the manuscript, I write down as much as I can in note form so that I at least have SOMETHING to go on when I get back to those characters.

So, how to do make it work? I don’t have a choice. I have yet to let anyone down, despite the enormity of the things on my plate. I get asked because people know I will come through.

I take on so many things, probably because I enjoy them, and if I am to be honest, maybe I enjoy the struggle, the panic, the fact that I am needed. I guess we all do to an extent.

Or am I just crazy here? ; )

Managing "Real" Life with a "Writing" Life

2008-02-07T09:22:00.000-05:00

Rowan's right. It is about balance.

But it takes a lot of training to be able to balance husband, kids, work, writing, cooking and cleaning (well, not so much cleaning).

I'm a writer in "real" life, whether I'm freelancing for the newspaper where I've worked for almost twenty years (eek!) or writing stories about fictional people. There's not much difference between my real life and my writing life. I've managed to integrate it all into one big mess.

And I mean that in a good way.

Since my first son was born almost fifteen years ago, I've worked out of my home.
My kids don't remember a time when I didn't sit in front of a computer, tapping away on the keys. They know Mom is available for home-from-school hugs and the requisite what-happened-today discussion. But they also know that Mom is working. They know eventually we'll eat something for dinner and they'll get wherever they need to go for music lessons or sports practice.

But they've been trained from a very early age to know it's okay for Mom to sit on the sidelines at every baseball, soccer, karate practice with an open laptop. I can stop a wayward soccer ball with my feet and never take me hands off the keys.

And I've trained myself to be able to tune out distractions, from the jumble of voices at the community pool to an overthrown baseball at the field to the sound of four different instruments playing different tunes.

You have to train yourself to write. Whenever you can, wherever you can. You have to train those around you to value what you do.

You can manage it all. It just takes a little training.

Managing "real" life with a "writing" life

2008-02-06T16:42:00.000-05:00

Balance - it's a goal, if not always a reality.

As my sons (now 8 and 5) are getting older, I am getting better about finding a balance between writing time and all other time. It's great that I can tell them "Give mommy until x:00 and I'll be all yours," and they can help themselves more. It also helps that since ROLL PLAY came out last August they know that what I do is "real".

I do my best to set times to write each day, mostly when my youngest is in preschool (a whole 2 hours to myself!). And I can do some at other times. Still, it is a push and pull with other obligations.

While writing ROLL PLAY, my youngest son was still home all the time and had a 2-3 popsicle habit. I actually once found myself writing "he put his popsicle near her...". Ah, the fun when real life intrudes.

As wives, mothers, friends, daughters and writers we have a lot of roles to play and keeping them all in line is a balancing act worthy of the finest acrobats. Still we manage. Dinner is on the table, homework gets done, groceries are bought, and deadlines are met. Sometimes it seems like a cross between magic and a miracle. Aren't we amazing??

I am looking forward to the day when my books are doing so well and my husand's therapy clinic is thriving so that I can hire one of those services that put the meals together for you and you just cook it up at dinner time.

Managing "real" life with a "writing" life

2008-02-06T09:47:00.000-05:00

Yeah. right. I suck at managing my own schedule. I can manage other people like my kids, a small online staff, hubby, but as for myself...I can tend to be of the thought "Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow." This is why deadlines set by someone else works for me. If I set my own, I always break them. But if EC gave me a deadline (like the deadline for my Opal story is April 1), I can usually complete that fine.

I write when I feel like it. Sounds bad, but it is true. I have a family, house, pets, kids, etc. I write when I am motivated to do so. I get free time during the week when everyone is off at school or work, and I write...or read...or work on a website...go shopping...or sleep...etc. There is life other than writing. (Pictured are my kids. You tell me, do they look like they'd be a handfull? Actually the one holding the puppy is the most challenging...I am serious.)

Speaking of which, I am starting my own online business. It is a site created to promote authors of paranormal erotica/erotic romance. That is what it is called, http://www.paranormalerotica.com/. The idea is to spotlight this subgenre through the authors and their books. It will be a one stop shop for readers who love their hot reads with a touch of magic. The grand opening is March 1. This is my "job" outside my actual writing.

As for my writing, I am working on a synopsis for my Presents entry in the Instant Seduction contest on http://www.iheartpresents.com/ I just love my story. I named it Seduced by the Italian Millionaire. Yeah, totally a Presents title. I have worked on the chapter for a few weeks to make sure it is as good as it can be. I do have more beyond chapter one, but I wanted the entry to be nice and polished. I just want to have my story before their editors and be intriguing for them to contact me to give more.