Getting Close!
So, we are getting closer on the editing of The Cancan Dancer and the Duke. I expect my first galley soon. I can’t wait to be able to share this story with the you all. Hang in there!
Have You Heard About BookLamp.org?
A Romance Diva posted about BookLamp.org on the site and I went to check it out. So cool! It’s like Pandora but for books. 
Here is how they explain their service:
BookLamp.org is the result of an exploratory project intended to help you find new books by comparing the content of the books themselves, similar to the way that Pandora.com matches music lovers to new music. We’re attempting to help you find books with similar themes and writing style to books you’ve enjoyed in the past – comparing elements like Description, Pacing, Density, Perspective, and Dialog – while at the same time allowing you to specify details like… more Medieval Weapons.
It’s impervious to outside influences like advertising budgets – so it’s an equal friend to the front, mid, and backlist author. At BookLamp, we’re a fan of the idea that it is what’s in the book that matters most.
The best part is ITS FREE! How cool is that? I hope the Wild Rose Press jumps on board with them because I would love to see my book listed here for people to find. In the mean time, I’ll be over there playing with the tool and discovering new authors. 
A Communications Poll…
Image by windsordi via Flickr
I’m trying to figure out how best to communicate with potential readers about things as they happen. I’m already on Twitter and Facebook, and (as you can see) I have a blog, but I know some people are lazy about going to your site or even to FB. (Heh. Me.) So, should I be doing more? Is there an overwhelming preference for how you get info about what’s happening with an author? I just want to be sure that I am doing all that I should be doing to get the word out to potentially interested readers (you I hope!).
Also, feel free to comment on what you might like to hear about. I’d love to know what interests you.
Thanks for taking the poll!
Big Announcement!
A few weeks ago you may have seen a couple tweets…
I am thrilled to announce I have made my first sale! *cue roaring crowds* Okay, okay. In my head the crowd is roaring…or is that the blood rushing from my excitement? Anyway, I have sold
The Cancan Dancer and the Duke
to
I just signed the contract, so all the remaining details will come shortly. Needless to say I have taken a big step on my journey, and I look forward to sharing the next few months with you.
Excerpt Monday Randomness
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
Below is a random bit I dreamed up at work one day…enjoy!
Excerpt Monday – More Superheroes
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
Below is another scene from my Superheroes story that got cut. Karen is on the run and still doesn’t understand how to control her powers yet.
Superheroes Update…
My Inspiration for Karen/Aquas
If you follow me on Twitter then you may know that I have finished the first draft of the Superheroes book, Karen/Aquas and Dalton’s/Inferno’s story. Woo hoo! I am so excited by this. That means that now I can edit and polish before I look to shop it around. I know it needs some work still, it ain’t done by a long shot, but it feels so good to write the words: THE END.
Since then I have been busy prepping for the second book. Largely that’s how I know book one needs some work. I have holes I need to fill and links between the two books I need to make. No real cliff hangers, but sometimes my imagination puts the cart before the horse. Now I have to go realign things. Book two will be Cindy and Ben’s story. Of course that doesn’t mean much to most of you just yet. I hope to change that eventually.
That’s what I’ve been up to, but what have you all been doing since I have been MIA here on the blog? Anything exciting? Good news to share?
Magdalene Release Day is Coming!
I have to share with you a release I am super excited about. It has been a long time coming. But wait, I should catch you up first…Around March of last year I discovered The Proviso. I had been following Moriah Jovan on Twitter for a while and finally was intrigued enough to pick up her book. I have to say I freaking LOVED her characters! Normally I am not a contemporary romance reader, but she sucked me in with her sexy men and badass chicks. Of course, the women are all badass in their own way, not necessarily kick butt and take names kind of badass. After The Proviso I read Stay. Another winner. Not as intense as The Proviso, but it was good.
Then I got the chance to Beta read her next release. Now, this took much whining and complaining on my part about having to wait until Easter of 2011. But after many many months of my whining tweets she finally sent me a copy. Mmmmwwwaaahhh!!!! Oops did I do that out loud? Anywhoo, I read it and again, was like whoa and hot damn! Another freaking fantastic read!
Now, I should warn you all that 1) Moriah Jovan writes CRACK (seriously, you will be addicted) and 2) she will make you lust after a Mormon Bishop in the most deliciously dirty ways. That said, I highly recommend the experience.
So, now take a gander below at the info I completely ripped off her website and you decide. And by decide, I mean go buy all three books (the new one next week) and read them in order. Now. (That last part was totally said in my Jedi mind control voice.)
Those of you just discovering the Dunham series, I envy you. There’s nothing like the first time.
CA Marshall’s Free Edit Contest!
It’s that time again! Time for another FREE EDIT contest!
Just like previous contests, Cassandra is giving away a FREE substantial edit! (That’s plot, pacing, character development, etc, up to 100k words) to one lucky reader!
CA Marshall’s Free Edit Contest!
It’s that time again! Time for another FREE EDIT contest!
Just like previous contests, Cassandra is giving away a FREE substantial edit! (That’s plot, pacing, character development, etc, up to 100k words) to one lucky reader!
The End!
I can’t believe I finally get to type this but I have reached The End of the first Superheroes book! Woo hoo! I have no idea what I am actually going to call the book and I have a crap ton of editing to do, but I am totally doing my happy dance right now. It is amazing how good it can feel to write those two little words. So, let the celebration continue for the next 24 hours and then I get to start the really hard work.
How I Discovered Paranormal Romance
I am a relative newbie when it comes to paranormal romance. I only started reading it about three years ago when I got a free download of Lara Adrian’s Kiss of Midnight. Now, don’t get me wrong…I had tried to read one here or there, but I could never get into the vampire thing. Then I read Kiss of Midnight and holy cow! Well, needless to say, Mr. Dara Young was not so happy with me when I kept whipping my phone out on our annual camp trip so I could read.
From Kiss of Midnight I realized that I did like paranormal romance, I just hadn’t found anything that was able to draw me in before. Immediately I opened up to a whole genre filled with possibilities. Next, I discovered Alyssa Day’s Atlantis Series. What? Paranormal romance doesn’t automatically mean vampires and werewolves? No! I soon discovered all kinds of amazing creatures that can and do exist in paranormal romance. It still amazes me the range of possibilities from witches and warlocks to snake shifters (*shudders* still not on team ophidian).
Personally, I am learning that it really doesn’t matter much to me what makes the characters different as long as they are well written. I love vampires, shifters, magical highlanders (who doesn’t love a man in a kilt?), warlocks, reformed demons, and plain old humans who can love someone who is so different. Some of my favorite books so far include:
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
I really enjoyed this book! I was surprised, because I have tried to read one or two other vampire romances and I just couldn’t buy the story. So it just goes to show you that good writing always wins out! I am interested in picking up the next book in this series, simply because I enjoyed the writing and the characters!
The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
I loved reading Adam’s story after seeing him feature so prominently in all the MacKeltar’s books. He was super hot and it was nice to see the character growth.
All Fired Up by Kristen Painter
I totally had a Cinnabon craving after reading this book! This was a fun read, and I unexpectedly enjoyed it! I won the ARC, so I might not have normally picked it up cause I prefer historical romance. But this was a really good story!
Soulless by Gail Carriger
I love Alexia! She makes me laugh. And well Lord Maccon…just yum. I really enjoyed the mix of steampunk and paranormal, all the while keeping the dry humor running .
Rebel by Zoe Archer
Rebel I am reading right now, and wow is this a great book! I particularly love it because, like Soulless, it mixes paranormal, historical, and steampunk all in one fantastic story.
So, what I really need to know is what books have I missed? New or old what are your favorite paranormal romances? Let’s face it, I’m always looking for a good read.
Latest Update on #Clotpocolypse
I posted an update over at Twitloss today. Go check it out for the latest on my blood clot. Otherwise, I am still plugging away at my keyboard in between all the drama. I am so close to finishing this first superheroes book, just 2 1/2 more scenes/chapters/sections (whatever it is that I am writing) to go!
Popping in to say…Hello!
Well, since January 10th I have been a busy, busy girl. In case you missed my announcement, the Ruby Slipper Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival (RSSWWF) kicked off. As a result I have been writing furiously to ensure I get the most out of this event. Since then, I have written so many words! Woo! Hoo!
19,284!
How awesome is that? If I can keep this up I will be at nearly 72K for the book before I begin editing. And well, I can’t lie…I think my editing process will end up adding words not taking away. LOL! There are a few places where I feel like there are plot holes to be filled. Which is going to up the word count. Anyway, I can’t tell you how excited I am about this book and getting to THE END. It is going to feel really good.
So, how are my fellow RSSWWFers doing? Are you making your goals? Finishing up your edits? Stop by and share your progress. Share even if you aren’t involved with the festival, I want to hear how your doing!
Ruby Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival!
This will be so awesome! The tagline says it all: Finally! A writing festival that doesn’t span a major holiday. (You know women are running it.) Amen! I was so stoked when Jeannie Lin posted this on Romance Divas. I checked it out, and not only is it not over a major holiday…but you get to set your own parameters. I love this. So if you are in editing mode…you get to edit. If you are in writing mode, you write. If you need to do both *aahhheemmmm* you can do both. Thank you! All I can say is click on the pretty picture to come join the winter writing fun, and I hope to see you over there because I have a busy couple months ahead of me. 
Make sure to friend me in the forum and say hi!
Writing Milestones…
I wanted to take a moment to celebrate and say hi. Hi! *Throws Confetti* I am celebrating a small but satisfying milestone. 40K. I am at 40K on my WIP and I figure that is about the halfway mark. Please God let that be the halfway mark! I am super excited because I can see so much of the story as I envisioned it…and a few things I had no idea would happen the way they did. Go figure. I can’t wait to see how the back half goes.
I am also looking forward to 2011. Besides finishing my WIP and polishing it to a high-gloss shine, I am laying plans for the blog. I am hoping to develop a series of posts on grammar, well because I suck at it and maybe I can learn a little more by sharing it with you. I have a few other ideas up my sleeve, so we’ll see what I map out over the holidays. Have a great week!
Excerpt Monday – The #SYTYCW1 Challenge
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
I am answering Bria’s challenge over at Luv YA so here is the whole first chapter of my entry from #SYTYCW1.
Upon 10 Years of Marriage
Ten years ago today I married the hero of my own romance story. Here is a retelling of our story from a blog post I wrote for Fiction Vixen earlier this year.
———-
New York City was my Destiny…
I knew this growing up. By high school it was something I had just accepted. The only question was how and when I would get there. I had to. That was where I was going to meet my husband. I told my mother that once in high school and she laughed at me. That’s ok, I knew the truth. I tried to get there for college, but I was 17 and my mom put her foot down and said absolutely not. So, I went to plan B…after college. I started making plans, found an apartment, rented a truck, and made sure my mom understood I was dead serious about moving there.
I graduated college and a week later I was driving a U-Haul with all my crap in the back, my dog in my lap, and my dad riding shotgun. I arrived and moved in to my shared 3rd floor walk up over a Chinese joint in Brooklyn on a Saturday. On Monday I went into the city and started applying for waitressing jobs. I applied at the Boathouse in Central Park, and then walked out past Strawberry Fields, down W72nd Street past The Dakota (where Lennon was shot) and into the Dallas BBQ restaurant. I figured, BBQ and a southern accent…a perfect match!
I got the job (I think they didn’t believe me at first when I said I wasn’t an actress or musician). I started on Wednesday and met Mr. DY on Thursday. He was a former hair band drummer who was waiting tables while finishing school. Mr. DY was a playboy, had been for years, and lived the rock n’ roll lifestyle. My bad boy radar went off and I was unable to help myself. Serious flirting ensued, ending the next week when he made a comment about me being the type of girl a guy married. I of course pointed out that he was jumping the gun a bit since he hadn’t even asked me on a date yet. Shortly thereafter he asked me out, and that night we got started with drinks after work. Within two months I moved in with him (and his roommate and his roommate’s girlfriend that he moved in after three days, but that’s another story) and then a few months later we were engaged. November 4, 2000 we married.
Nearly ten years later we are still happily married, and I can confirm ladies that a reformed rake makes the best husband! Has anyone else had a similar experience? In the month of love, I wish everyone as much happiness as I have experienced!
Journey to the one…
I was thinking- I know this could be dangerous -about all the different guys I dated before I met my husband. There were more than a few, and as I think back I dated a wide variety of types. Different personalities, different jobs (or future jobs), different personal styles, etc… But they all had a purpose in developing my tastes and preferences in men. Without having dated each one, I often wonder if I would have gotten to Mr. DY, or if I had…would he have been the one?
So bear with me a minute as I reflect briefly….
I think there is a clear pattern here. Why do I care? Should I care? Well other than the fact that it led me to Mr. DY, I write romance so I am always interested in how men and women evolve through their relationships to arrive at “the one”.
In historical romance this can be harder to reveal since “dating” as we know it today was not an option. It was far more formal, but it is still possible to show both character’s previous experiences and how that impacts the current relationship. You just have to work at it a little harder.
If you follow my blog you know I’ve been working on a paranormal romance lately, and there it is a bit easier to show the impacts of past relationships. It is fun to explore in a more direct way how these experiences shape the characters reactions to the current developments.
I want to know, when you look back at the men or women you have dated, is the there a pattern that leads to your current significant other?
SYTYCW1 – I’m Out…
Image via Wikipedia
So sad to say I will not be making any happy dance video’s for you to ogle and laugh at. I did not make it to Week 10 of So You Think You Can Write over at Luv YA. However, there are a number of really fantastic entries still in it, so be sure to switch your vote from me to someone else who still needs it! Personally, I’ll be voting for….
I’M NOT TELLING!
#SYTYCW1 Week 9 – He Steals Her Breath @dyromance
Thanks to you I have made it through to week 9 of Luv YA’s So You Think You Can Write (SYTYCW) contest. Mac is starting to take action and I can’t wait for you all to actually meet him. So, please take a minute to go vote for me again. This week I am entry #2!
Remember…here is what I am promising in return:
1. Cupcakes! (the virtual kind…)
2. If I win the crit in the end I will do a happy dance, video it, and post it for you all!
3. My undying gratitude…seriously thank you for voting over the many weeks and for continuing to vote!
Zoe Archer on “Books That Don’t Fit In”
RWA San Diego had Zoe Archer speak so I had to go hear what she had to say. She spoke about The Blades of the Rose Series and how difficult it was to find a publisher for it. She took her experience and translated it into more generic advice for those writers who are working on books that just don’t fit in. Here are my notes from her speech:
Lessons Learned
1. Minimize Obstacles
- Know your book’s identity – don’t compromise the key component
- Keep unconventional elements in check so they don’t obscure the key component and main purpose of the book
- Be willing to let go of some things that aren’t absolutely needed – like maybe the setting is exotic but the leads are more in the realm of reader expectations (maybe English/American)
2. Use Analogies
- Use timely, relevant, and even classic analogies to help agents, editors, and readers understand what your book is about
- don’t be derivative, be inspirational
- don’t compare it to something it is not or you will fail to meet expectations
(Zoe described her books as Indiana Jones meets Tomb Raider + hot sex )
3. Diversify Your Promotion and Marketing
- If you blur the boundaries you need to reach out all the areas you are touching – no reader left behind
4. Assert Your Book’s Identity
- An unusual setting or time period requires excellent, air-tight research
- Make your world building clean and supportive – this is not a travelogue
- Keep your focus
- The characters must fully develop – no shorthand allowed
5. Take Your Time With The Book
- Don’t pitch it as soon as it is finished
- Revisions, rewriting, and rereading are all needed
- Don’t give them a reason to say no!
Novelty is not a selling point!
6. Believe In Your Book
- Have faith in it
- Your enthusiasm will show in your interactions with agents, editors, and readers
ETA: Another great post just out about Marketing over at Luv YA by Jeannie Lin
Excerpt Monday – Superheroes
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
This week I am sharing the original part of chapter 1 from my Mills & Boon New Voices entry. For me the contest is over, but the story has just begun. I am reworking the beginning and moving on from there, so I figured I’d share the part that is hitting the editing room floor with you all.
