Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
A Masterpiece? Well...not quite...
All writers believe in their works. If they didn't they wouldn't try to get them pubilshed. All writers believe that their story, their creative genius, their words of wisdom should be shared with the masses.
Should they? Well, that's a very subjective call, isn't it?
I wholeheartedly agree that it is a shame that some authors will never be published - they really are writing "hidden" masterpieces. I also believe that some people who DO get published have no business being published by anyone. Their prose stinks, their plots are weak, their characters are underdeveloped, their writing is mundane...and yet...someone pays them for those books and they are PUBLISHED AUTHORS. (We won't even go into the whole vanity-press thing here.)
Which am I? Well, I hope I'm not a talentless hack. I'd like to think that people will enjoy my works of fiction. I think I can entertain and amuse with my writing - at least I make myself grin from time to time (and my editor seems to like the majority of my story[g]). I DO have issues with repeating words, but I'm working on that.
Thoughts? Have you ever read a book and wondered what the editor was drinking when they agreed to buy that book? Have you ever read a manuscript and wondered what the editors are smoking when they don't buy the book? I really would like to know...
Thank you for playing along.
Should they? Well, that's a very subjective call, isn't it?
I wholeheartedly agree that it is a shame that some authors will never be published - they really are writing "hidden" masterpieces. I also believe that some people who DO get published have no business being published by anyone. Their prose stinks, their plots are weak, their characters are underdeveloped, their writing is mundane...and yet...someone pays them for those books and they are PUBLISHED AUTHORS. (We won't even go into the whole vanity-press thing here.)
Which am I? Well, I hope I'm not a talentless hack. I'd like to think that people will enjoy my works of fiction. I think I can entertain and amuse with my writing - at least I make myself grin from time to time (and my editor seems to like the majority of my story[g]). I DO have issues with repeating words, but I'm working on that.
Thoughts? Have you ever read a book and wondered what the editor was drinking when they agreed to buy that book? Have you ever read a manuscript and wondered what the editors are smoking when they don't buy the book? I really would like to know...
Thank you for playing along.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Writing and Life
Writers, especially romance/erotica writers, are often asked, "Where do you get your ideas? Are they based on personal experience?"
Honey, let's talk...
Do you HONESTLY believe someone could have all the sexual adventures we write about and still be able to walk upright? Look their parent/sibling/(and in some cases) spouse or significant other in the eye? Talk to people they went to high school with without blushing? Of course, there may be some who COULD, but I promise you, I'm not one of them.
My ideas come from the world around me - with a twist. You see, the sky in my world is a lovely shade of purple. I have a very vivid imagination and a very adventurous spirit. That's why I can write comfortably about things I will (more than likely) never experience, yet make you believe those things have happened...to someone else, of course.
I see a picture or a couple, or even two people separately and start to imagine them in various situations. What if...
WHAT IF is a writer's friend. What if she loves him, but he loves someone else? What if he secretly wants her but she thinks of him as a friend? What if they grew up together, experimented as teens, drifted apart and then come back together after a tragedy? What if they never parted, but one of them has started to secretly yearn for someone else?
All of those scenarios are ones I've read about. Some of them, I've even put a twist on and written myself.
My first release with Amber Quill Press contains a ménage à trois - a true one. Each of the three people has sex with the others one-on-one and as a group. Have I ever lived that? No, but I often wondered about it...did I ever suggest it to a significant other? Yes, but it never evolved. (this is called baring one's soul, and could be very dangerous{grin})
I hope you will read it and enjoy the love story, because ultimately, that's what it's about. A LOVE story that just happens to involve three consenting adults.
Thank you for playing along...
Honey, let's talk...
Do you HONESTLY believe someone could have all the sexual adventures we write about and still be able to walk upright? Look their parent/sibling/(and in some cases) spouse or significant other in the eye? Talk to people they went to high school with without blushing? Of course, there may be some who COULD, but I promise you, I'm not one of them.
My ideas come from the world around me - with a twist. You see, the sky in my world is a lovely shade of purple. I have a very vivid imagination and a very adventurous spirit. That's why I can write comfortably about things I will (more than likely) never experience, yet make you believe those things have happened...to someone else, of course.
I see a picture or a couple, or even two people separately and start to imagine them in various situations. What if...
WHAT IF is a writer's friend. What if she loves him, but he loves someone else? What if he secretly wants her but she thinks of him as a friend? What if they grew up together, experimented as teens, drifted apart and then come back together after a tragedy? What if they never parted, but one of them has started to secretly yearn for someone else?
All of those scenarios are ones I've read about. Some of them, I've even put a twist on and written myself.
My first release with Amber Quill Press contains a ménage à trois - a true one. Each of the three people has sex with the others one-on-one and as a group. Have I ever lived that? No, but I often wondered about it...did I ever suggest it to a significant other? Yes, but it never evolved. (this is called baring one's soul, and could be very dangerous{grin})
I hope you will read it and enjoy the love story, because ultimately, that's what it's about. A LOVE story that just happens to involve three consenting adults.
Thank you for playing along...
Monday, March 17, 2008
An bhfuil tú dálta fós?
That's Gaelic for "Are you drunk yet?"
I'm not, and it's not only because of the day job. Yes, I celebrate my Irish Heritage today (along with many others, some of whom are about as Irish as my desk), but I don't go out with the intent to get drunk.
I'll lift a pint of Guinness or have a small glass of Bushmills or Jamison's, and with the American Irish influence, I'll be cooking corned beef, cabbage & potatoes to go with the Soda Bread, but that's not really the focus of this day, is it? The Irish have observed this day for thousands of years - here in America the celebrations started in 1737, and the first parade was in 1762...but it's always been around St. Patrick's birth(and some believe death)date.
One blog I read asked people to mention their favorite Irish Actors/Musicians/Writers. The Musician part was easy for me - Gaelic Storm - they are my all-time favorite Irish group. I heard a new one a few weeks ago at the Dallas Irish Fest - Town Pants - okay, so they're not "new," just "new to me."
So, what's your favorite St. Patrick's Day tradition? Do you dress in Green? Wear your "Kiss me, I'm Irish" button or t-shirt? Do you sport a shamrock? Will you be partaking of any green beer or other festive drinks tonight? Is the corned beef cooked & waiting to be consumed?
It's a fun holiday, so celebrate it!
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
(traditional Irish blessing)
Thank you for playing along...
I'm not, and it's not only because of the day job. Yes, I celebrate my Irish Heritage today (along with many others, some of whom are about as Irish as my desk), but I don't go out with the intent to get drunk.
I'll lift a pint of Guinness or have a small glass of Bushmills or Jamison's, and with the American Irish influence, I'll be cooking corned beef, cabbage & potatoes to go with the Soda Bread, but that's not really the focus of this day, is it? The Irish have observed this day for thousands of years - here in America the celebrations started in 1737, and the first parade was in 1762...but it's always been around St. Patrick's birth(and some believe death)date.
One blog I read asked people to mention their favorite Irish Actors/Musicians/Writers. The Musician part was easy for me - Gaelic Storm - they are my all-time favorite Irish group. I heard a new one a few weeks ago at the Dallas Irish Fest - Town Pants - okay, so they're not "new," just "new to me."
So, what's your favorite St. Patrick's Day tradition? Do you dress in Green? Wear your "Kiss me, I'm Irish" button or t-shirt? Do you sport a shamrock? Will you be partaking of any green beer or other festive drinks tonight? Is the corned beef cooked & waiting to be consumed?
It's a fun holiday, so celebrate it!
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.
(traditional Irish blessing)
Thank you for playing along...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Excitement continues...
I've been invited to participate in a multi-author blog - here's the link:
http://romeroticawriters.blogspot.com/
I'll be blogging over there on the 30th of each month, so check it out!! ;)
Thank you for playing along...
http://romeroticawriters.blogspot.com/
I'll be blogging over there on the 30th of each month, so check it out!! ;)
Thank you for playing along...
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Waiting and waiting...
One of the things I've noticed about writing and trying to sell a story is that writers do a lot of waiting.
We wait for "the perfect" story line to come to us. We wait for that brilliant flash of inspiration to strike so we can get the right words down on paper. We wait for our critique partners to get back to us with ways we can improve our stories. We wait for the "perfect" opportunity to send our story to the "perfect" editor or agent. We wait for that editor/agent to get back to us to tell us how wonderful our story is and how much they want to buy it/represent us. (or not {LOL}).
Still...we wait.
Waiting is not easy for anyone. It's especially not easy when it comes down to waiting for a contract or a review.
With the contract, your anticipation levels are high because you just want to hold proof in your hands that someone loved your story as much as you did and they actually offered you a chance to share that story with readers. You can't wait to read the contract, see in print, proof that you didn't dream that phone call or email, that someone IS actually going to put your book in print.
With reviews...well, I don't know, quite honestly. I've never actually had one, but I'm already anticipating it. Will the reviewer LIKE my story? Will she give it a good review, or will she trash it? That, frankly, scares me to death!
Waiting is never easy, but I'm really wondering if it's the WAIT or the ANTICIPATION that truly makes you crazy?
We wait for "the perfect" story line to come to us. We wait for that brilliant flash of inspiration to strike so we can get the right words down on paper. We wait for our critique partners to get back to us with ways we can improve our stories. We wait for the "perfect" opportunity to send our story to the "perfect" editor or agent. We wait for that editor/agent to get back to us to tell us how wonderful our story is and how much they want to buy it/represent us. (or not {LOL}).
Still...we wait.
Waiting is not easy for anyone. It's especially not easy when it comes down to waiting for a contract or a review.
With the contract, your anticipation levels are high because you just want to hold proof in your hands that someone loved your story as much as you did and they actually offered you a chance to share that story with readers. You can't wait to read the contract, see in print, proof that you didn't dream that phone call or email, that someone IS actually going to put your book in print.
With reviews...well, I don't know, quite honestly. I've never actually had one, but I'm already anticipating it. Will the reviewer LIKE my story? Will she give it a good review, or will she trash it? That, frankly, scares me to death!
Waiting is never easy, but I'm really wondering if it's the WAIT or the ANTICIPATION that truly makes you crazy?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Wow, am I behind...AND EXCITED!
I'd planned to try to keep this blog up a bit better, but, well, life got in the way.
Exciting news to share: I'M ONE OF THE WINNERS OF THE AMBER QUILL HEAT WAVE CONTEST!!
Yes, a novella I wrote will be one of seven out of over 200 that is going to be printed. I'm on my way to being a published erotica author and I couldn't be happier!
The books at Amber Quill Press are great - I've been reading them for a couple of years now - and I think I'm going to be very happy being part of their published group.
The story I wrote is a contemporary Paranormal with magic and snark. It features a menage a trois, so won't be everyone's cuppa, but that's okay - I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and am looking forward to writing more stories in the same vein (no pun intended, though there ARE vampires in the story as well).
That's the news. I'll be blogging more frequently as I get more details.
Thank you for playing along...
Exciting news to share: I'M ONE OF THE WINNERS OF THE AMBER QUILL HEAT WAVE CONTEST!!
Yes, a novella I wrote will be one of seven out of over 200 that is going to be printed. I'm on my way to being a published erotica author and I couldn't be happier!
The books at Amber Quill Press are great - I've been reading them for a couple of years now - and I think I'm going to be very happy being part of their published group.
The story I wrote is a contemporary Paranormal with magic and snark. It features a menage a trois, so won't be everyone's cuppa, but that's okay - I thoroughly enjoyed writing it and am looking forward to writing more stories in the same vein (no pun intended, though there ARE vampires in the story as well).
That's the news. I'll be blogging more frequently as I get more details.
Thank you for playing along...
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