Where does it all come from?

I’m asked that question all the time. Some of it comes from memory, some of it comes to me the instant I close my eyes and let my fingers glide across the keyboard. Yes, I do tend to type with my eyes closed. What better way to describe something than to visualize the scene playing out before you? And while we don’t have time to cover every character, today I will touch on the ones I’m asked about most frequently.

Years ago, I interned in breed management on a reining horse ranch back in New Jersey. While the ranch no longer exists, it was state-of-the-art at the time and gave me the idea for the Bridle Dance Ranch in the Ramblewood series. Equine artificial insemination fascinated me and Lexi Lawson, Ramblewood’s equine vet was born.

Who are the Langtry brothers? They are a combination of every sexy, confident, red-blooded American male I have come across. But I do have to admit, the basic idea of them probably originated with the Dukes of Hazzard. Who could resist those Duke boys?

Everyone wants to know who Mable Promise is. Mable is my all-time favorite character of any book I’ve read. She even beats out Scarlett O’Hara and I didn’t think anyone would ever touch that golden spot. Mable is the most honest, kind-hearted, mom-to-everyone, gospel loving woman you will ever meet. She’s also the first person to set you straight and put the fear of God into you if you dare walk across her clean kitchen floor with your mud cake boots. She’s a blend of many people I’ve known and a woman with a story of her own.

People always ask what town I patterned Ramblewood, Texas after. It’s a combination of all the small towns I’ve traveled to and through over the years. It sits in the heart of Hill Country where family and community come together as one. Ramblewood’s not perfect by any means. People have some deeply buried secrets, which you’ll start to see in BLAME IT ON THE RODEO.

When I started writing BETTING ON TEXAS, I knew Ramblewood would never just be one book. I had originally planned a four book series, featuring the Langtry brothers, but as BETTING ON TEXAS ended, a few other characters came to the foreground and begged me to tell their stories. Where will end? It may not – Some towns live in our hearts forever as I hope Ramblewood will for my readers.

So when I’m asked, where does it all come from? I have to reply…from the heart. In writing this series, I hoped to create a place where the readers want to stop and grab a bite to eat at The Magpie or take a canoe ride down Cooter Creek before heading to Slater’s Mill for a beer and a night of dancing. Ramblewood lives in the heart of all of us looking for a warm place to call home.

August brings about the release of HOME TO THE COWBOY, the second book in the Ramblewood series. Tess Dalton is home for a visit, but you know how those Langtry men can put a wrinkle in a woman’s plans, and Cole is no exception! So if you find yourself driving through town, or browsing the bookstore aisles, pay a visit to the folks in Ramblewood and catch up on your favorites. I’ll see you there!

Amanda Renee
BETTING ON TEXAS (March 2013)
HOME TO THE COWBOY (August 2013)
BLAME IT ON THE RODEO (February 2014)

www.amandarenee.com
www.twitter.com/TheAmandaRenee
www.facebook.com/AmandaReneeFanPage



Getting to know: Tess Dalton (HOME TO THE COWBOY)

Today I'm kicking off my Getting to Know You Character Interview Series with Tess Dalton, the heroine from HOME TO THE COWBOY. ~Amanda

Hello, I’m Ava Vienne, entertainment reporter for the Ramblewood Gazette, and today I’m chatting with Tess Dalton.

Ava: Welcome back to Ramblewood, Texas. We haven’t seen you in a while.

Tess: Thank you, Ava; it’s good to be here.

Ava: You’re currently living in New York, right? How’s city life treating you?

Tess: You know the city, everyone’s always on the move.

Ava: I heard through the grapevine—

Tess: (laughs) The grapevine or Magpie gossip? Because I think I know where this is headed.

Ava: Okay, Magpie gossip has it that you’ve had some big changes in your life recently.

Tess: Um, there have been. I was engaged, now I’m not. I’m also looking for a new challenge career-wise.

Ava: So you were fired?

Tess: No, I was not fired, so please let’s not spread that rumor around. The firm I worked for downsized and my position was eliminated.

Ava: That’s where you were a web designer.

Tess: Web design and internet marketing.

Ava: Is that why you’ve come back to Ramblewood?

Tess: I’m here for Jesse and Miranda’s wedding, but the timing was perfect for an extended visit.

Ava: You were a no-show at Joe Langtry’s funeral a few months ago. I’m sure that shocked quite a few people considering your close relationship with the family.

Tess: Wow—I can see I’m getting the wire brush treatment here. I had some, um, scheduling conflicts and couldn’t get away. Can we redirect the questions here?

Ava: I hear you’re helping Cole Langtry develop a website for the horse therapy ranch he’s starting. He’s also your ex isn’t he? How’s it been working with him?

Tess: It’s called Dance of Hope and I’m actually designing the site with his mother, Kay, but yes, Cole and Jesse are following their father’s dream of building a place where the horse’s movement aids in the patients rehabilitation. I can’t even begin to tell you how incredible and enlightening it’s been to see this therapy in person. The other day I met the most amazing little girl named Ever, who has cerebral palsy and has gone from being wheelchair bound to walking with crutches and braces. I mean when you think about how much independence she’s gained from this therapy, it’s just unbelievable.

Ava: You seem very fond of Ever.

Tess: There is nothing this girl can’t accomplish. Her eyes light up with such enthusiasm over everything she does. It completely baffles me that someone hasn’t adopted her yet.

Ava: Ever’s an orphan?

Tess: Sadly, yes. Ever is one of thousands of special needs children who are given up for adoption because their birth parents either can’t handle the situation or can’t afford to care for them.

Ava: You could always adopt Ever, move back to Ramblewood and have her go to therapy at the Langtry’s Dance of Hope.

Tess: If life were only that simple. I’m not exactly equipped for adopting a child.

Ava: There’s still quite a bit of opposition to opening of Dance of Hope, isn’t there? Aren’t Cole’s brothers battling for control of the family fortune and blocking the facility from breaking ground.

Tess: I wouldn’t quite put it that way. Every new business has some wrinkles that need ironing.

Ava: How hard was it seeing Cole again after the past few year years?

Tess: (laughs) You’re really digging deep on this one. Um, it was fine, we’re fine, we’re friends.

Ava: But between us girls, he’ll always have a piece of your heart, won’t he?

Tess: Oh my God! Dramatic! The Langtrys will always be a part of my life which is why I came home for Jesse Langtry’s wedding.

Ava: Have you thought about settling down in Ramblewood and coming home to stay?

Tess: I have. I’ve toyed with opening my own business but I also have some feelers out in Austin and Dallas with some corporate headhunters. I’m not sure if New York is where I really want to be anymore. Never say never, but Ramblewood's not what I’m planning right now.

Ava: You could open up your own business here in town.

Tess: There aren’t any corporations in Ramblewood and what I do doesn’t really pertain to little mom and pop operations like we have here in town.  With today’s internet and with the resources available, anyone can design a professional looking website, have their business cards printed and promotional mailers sent out all within a few hours. I don’t see my services fitting in around here.

Ava: Not even with Cole Langtry?

Tess: Oh my God. What is with you and Cole Langtry? It’s over and done with and in the past.

Ava: Why did you break up? Everyone thought you two were the next couple to get married.

Tess: I don’t know why. We weren’t even together for that long. It’s so amazing that people have this vested interest in our relationship. We dated for a few months. We were best friends all our lives, we tried dating, it failed miserably and it’s over with. We weren’t meant to be a couple. Some people are just better off being friends.

Ava: Now wouldn’t he make a great father for Ever?

Tess: Okay, you know what, I’m done here. Thanks for the interview.

There you have it folks – Tess Dalton is back home in Ramblewood, Texas, but the question remains…is she back for Miranda and Jesse’s wedding or has she really come HOME TO THE COWBOY?

Ya'll come back now!

Love,
Ava

Her Heart Never Left

It seems as if all of Ramblewood, Texas, is far too up-to-date on Tess Dalton's love life, or rather, recent lack thereof. She thought the trip home would help heal her heart-instead it just put her face-to-face with the first man to crush it.
​
Cole Langtry is determined to fulfill his father's dream of building an equine-assisted therapy facility on Bridle Dance Ranch. He doesn't have time for distractions, especially of the heartbreaking brunette variety. What he and Tess once had should stay in the past.
​

But when one remarkable little girl finally brings Tess and Cole together, it's hard to remember why they're apart. They've never backed down from a challenge before, but facing their true feelings for each other might be the ultimate test.

Amanda Renee
BETTING ON TEXAS (March 2013)
HOME TO THE COWBOY (August 2013)
LEGACY OF A LONE STAR (Early 2014)

www.amandarenee.com
www.twitter.com/TheAmandaRenee
www.facebook.com/AmandaReneeFanPage

Picnic Time!

My best friend is flying into town this weekend for a “girls weekend”. I haven’t seen Kelli in a few years and I’m looking forward to cutting loose and taking some road trips.

Our friendship began twelve years ago, when I was the new girl at the company we both worked for.  Kelli’s department was down the hall from mine and one day she sent me an email with a list of “getting to know you questions”, ranging from do you have tattoos?  to what kind of music do you like? It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and I often refer to Kelli as my unbiological sister.

Harlequin® American Romance® is about family, friends and community and in my debut release, BETTING ON TEXAS, there is a 4th of July picnic scene where the entire town gathers to meet Double Trouble’s new owner, Miranda Archer.  She’s the new kid on the block, completely out of her element, not unlike I was during my first year as a newbie author. The annual picnic is a place where people can relax and spend time with their friends and neighbors.

My readers are part of my extended family and I love learning about the people reading what I poured my heart and soul into.  To me, the reader/author relationship is very similar to a community picnic…we’re all gathered together and I’m sitting in the middle telling the stories.

Spring's here and it's pretty warm down here in the south. Join me for a month long, community picnic so we can get to know each other better.   Who’s up for the Question Game?

Choose one…choose them all…ask anything back!

• What’s something most people don’t know about you?
• What is the scariest movie you ever saw?
• If you were marooned on an island with a single person, who would you want it to be?
• Do you have any hidden talents?
• What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
• What is your favorite body part?
• What sound do you love the most?
• If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
• If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
• If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
• If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
• When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
• What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or get weepy?
• What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?
• What do you miss most about being a kid?

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of BETTING ON TEXAS so you can see how Miranda made out at her first community picnic.

Amanda Renee
Betting on Texas (March 2013)
Home to the Cowboy (August 2013)
Legacy of a Lone Star (Early 2014)


www.amandarenee.com
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Trifecta…Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, Book Release

Happy Belated Mardi Gras! – Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

Since my monthly blog date falls in between two holidays, I thought we should have a three day party!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!  Let the good times roll!  Mardi Gras, one of my favorite holidays is definitely celebrated in my family.

Even Duffy gets into the act with his Dragon Costume!

I hosted a Mardi Gras party and had the king cake flown in from Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans.  Look who found the baby!  That makes it official...I'll be hosting again next year :)

My Valentine’s Day is still a mystery but I was informed it will be "complete with pink champagne and a surprise dessert!"

Since I write romance, I am always interested in everyone's Valentine’s Day stories.  And this year I’d love to hear yours.

My favorite wasn't the day as much as it was the gift…a lop-eared bunny I named Arizona Tesla. She was the sweetest creature.  Sadly she is no longer with me, but she will always remain my most special Valentine.

What was your best, worst, funniest, most memorable Valentine's Day?

Continuing on the celebratory path, tonight I will be web chatting about my debut book, BETTING ON TEXAS.  

Join in the fun for a chance to win a signed copy of 

BETTING ON TEXAS!

Mo’s Book Buzz 9:00 PM EST

at

www.romrevtoday.com

Click the RRT Chat button and choose Mo’s Book Buzz.  

No passwords are needed, just your name.

BETTING ON TEXAS officially releases on March 5th, but you can pick up a copy sooner directly from Harlequin® at www.harlequin.com.

And remember...commenting on any of the American Romance blogs automatically enters you in the monthly drawing for one of our books!

Amanda Renee
Betting on Texas (March 2013)
Home to the Cowboy (August 2013)
Legacy of a Lone Star (Early 2014)
www.amandarenee.com
www.twitter.com/TheAmandaRenee
www.facebook.com/AmandaReneeFanPage

A Year of Firsts!

I’ve come full circle. 

A year ago today, I sent off my first submission to Harlequin, as part of their So You Think You Can Write competition.  Nerves were an understatement, but three months later to the day, Kathleen Scheibling, senior editor of the American Romance line called me and changed my life. 

What a wonderful year of firsts…

December 13, 2011 – My first submission to Harlequin.  Actually, it was my first submission to any publisher.

My First Sale - March 13, 2012 – BETTING ON TEXAS made it to Harlequin’s American Romance Line.

First Celebratory Dinner – There was champagne, chocolate, flowers and Chinese food.  It was a night I’ll never forget!

First Blog – Fellow American Romance author Marin Thomas grabbed my hand and led me here.  I love visiting with all of you every month.

First Contract – I never saw a document more beautiful!

First Advance Check – You mean they pay me for doing what I love?

First Revisions – No author is perfect.  Our editors find the flaws and steer us in the right direction.  My editor is a dream come true.

First Art Fact Sheet (AFS) – This should have come with a warning!  This is a database where an author enters the fine details about their book, from a character’s physical traits, clothing, scenery, etc., which in turn allows the art department to create our amazing covers. 

First Title Change – For years, my book was known as Double Trouble.  The name had been previously used by another author (shame on me for not doing my homework) so I had to come up with another one.  BETTING ON TEXAS was born.

First Dear Reader Letter – I’ve read hundreds of these, yet when it came time for me to write mine, I had so much to say I didn’t know where to begin.  

First Dedication – Words can’t describe how I feel.  Thank you mom and dad!

First Line Edits – Editor extraordinaire, Kathleen Scheibling, read through and edited each line of my manuscript.  This was the final time for me to make any major revisions to the book.

First Copy Edits - A Copyeditor goes through the manuscript with a fine tooth comb and ensures every comma, every letter, every everything is in the right place.

First Author Alterations (AA’s) - This is the author’s final read through to double check for errors.  A proofreader at Harlequin simultaneously reads the manuscript and changes are made if necessary, before another proofreader runs through it again.

First Pre-Order – Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing your book become available for pre-order at all major booksellers.

First Book Cover – Squee!

I enlarged this puppy to a 16x20, framed it and hung it in my foyer.  People can’t help but notice my cover when they walk through the door.  Obnoxious?  Nah – just proud J

First Proposal – Fellow American Romance sister, Laura Marie Altom, guided me through the right and wrong way to submit a proposal (I am forever grateful!) – Things are much different when a contest isn’t involved.  There were many rewrites…and lots of rum! 

First Multi-Book Contract – The sequels to BETTING ON TEXAS, HOME TO THE COWBOY (August 2013) and LEGACY OF A LONE STAR (early 2014) are coming to a bookshelf near you!

Soon I’ll have my first review, first sales ranking, first time I hold my printed book in my hands and many more firsts I’m sure I don’t even know about yet.

If you had told me exactly one year ago today that I would have three Harlequin books under my belt with so many exciting opportunities ahead of me, I would have said you were crazy. 

I’m living my dream and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything. 

Thank you for coming on this journey with me, I hope you stay for the next one.  The next time we meet, it will be 2013.  Have a safe and wonderful holiday season and a Rockin’ New Year!

Amanda Renee
Betting on Texas (March 2013)

Home to the Cowboy (August 2013)
Legacy of a Lone Star (Early 2014)

www.amandarenee.com
www.twitter.com/TheAmandaRenee
www.facebook.com/AmandaReneeFanPage

Cover Art Copyright © 2013 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A. Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.

Austin: Second Chance Cowboy

 

Austin: Second Chance Cowboy

October 2012

BUY!

 

When I started work on the Harts of the Rodeo continuity series, I knew I was in for a treat. What a joy it was to work with so many fine authors! And, since writing is very much a solitary activity, it was great fun for me to get a chance to see how Cathy, Roz, CJ, Marin, and Linda plotted, researched, and approached their novels. For a few months, I was part of their club, and avid student of theirs, too.

I soon learned that I was not nearly as organized or as much of a plotter as I had previously thought! When other authors would ask me specifics about Austin’s western wear shop or Dinah’s apartment, I realized that I needed to become more detail oriented. Fast.

As I said, I learned a lot from them.

When I began Second Chance Cowboy, I was sure I’d feel closest to Dinah, but in many ways I connected with Austin the most.  I’ve always enjoyed writing about imperfect people, and Austin certainly had some imperfections. However, he also had some wonderful qualities. I liked how he looked after Dinah and bought coloring books for his nieces. I loved how he was just a little bit flirty, and just a little bit better than most folks realized.  In the end, I thought he was a perfect counterpart to Dinah Hart, Roundup’s sheriff.

One of my favorite characters of my book was Austin’s father, Buddy. He didn’t have a big part in the novel, but he did have a huge role in Austin’s character and motivations.  Thinking about Buddy, making him appealing yet real was a wonderful challenge for me. When I finished the book, I felt like I had done his character justice, and I was thankful for that.

 So, I hope y’all will enjoy Second Chance Cowboy.  It was a privilege to be a part of such a super series. And I have to say, I, for one, am already looking forward to Marin Thomas’s and Linda Warren’s books.

 

First Day of Autumn

Autumn officially kicks off on Saturday September 22^nd!  The first thing that comes to mind when I think of autumn is apples.

The scent of a cinnamon apple pie baking in the oven.  School trips to apple orchards.  Apple jelly, apple butter, apple-cider donuts—Lord, if you haven’t had one of these, you need to get to your nearest apple orchard ASAP and try one.

Edwards Orchard, Poplar, IL

 

Before I moved from the Chicago suburbs to Phoenix, my former high-school friends and I met at the Edwards Orchards in Poplar Grove, Illinois, for an afternoon of apple-shopping fun.

We strolled through the over 100-year-old dairy barn that had been converted into a gift shop.  Everything you can imagine made from an apple or having a picture of an apple on it could be found in this barn.  Cosmetics, dishes, souvenirs, candles, salsas, linens and hundreds of other gifts.  We purchased our cider-apple donuts and watched young girls make the donuts in the barn kitchen then we checked out the hayloft and the display of farm antiques before eating lunch at a local café.

Each September I feel a little nostalgic as I remember that visit to the apple farm.  But it's also a time for me to celebrate friendships.  Whenever I eat an apple-cider donut, I remind myself how blessed I am to have been able to maintain a friendship for over thirty years with the girls I went to high school with. 

What do you do to celebrate the changing of summer to fall where you live?    

 

Happy Ever After...The Cowboy Way!

 

Marin

A Cowboy's Duty *Rodeo Rebels* 8/2012

Beau: Cowboy Protector *Harst fo the Rodeo* 11/2012

No Ordinary Cowboy *Rodeo Rebels* 4/2013

www.marinthomas.com

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DOING IT WRONG!

Not that! Get your minds out of the gutter, folks. Ha!

What I’ve not figured out how to properly do is retire. Two weeks ago, I officially reached a major life goal and left Corporate America. All in all, it feels great. We won’t mention getting an invite to my 40th high school reunion and retiring in the same week. Eeek! Talk about feeling ancient.

One would assume at my advanced old age, I’d slow down and relax a little. Prop my feet up and enjoy the morning coffee. Watch the hummingbirds perform their morning dance. But in fact, I’m running around like a crazy person. My muscles ache.

OMG, am I becoming my mother? We’ve often called her the Eveready Bunny. The woman just goes and goes and goes. Keep in mind, she does live with us now, so I’ll use that as an excuse as to why I’m having such a problem with slowing down. Not buying it? Yeah, me either. This is MY problem, not hers.

I haven’t written a word on my current work in progress. Instead I’ve cleaned out closets and cabinets, washed the windows inside and out, scrubbed down the plantation shutters, and washed half the ceiling fans and light fixtures. The other half will be done today if my body holds out. Ha! We’ve donated bags of old clothes to Goodwill and sold old movies and CDs we haven’t played in years. When the inside is clean, we still need to tackle the garage and flowerbeds.

My hubby comes home from work each evening and just shakes his head. This morning he told me to slow down before I really hurt myself. The problem is that my mind still thinks of this as a vacation with limited time to accomplish everything on a list that has been growing for 26 years while I was employed. It was so easy to put things off before. “When I retire I’ll…” But now it’s time to put up or shut up. No more excuse of having to work 50 hours per week.

A stack of books calls patiently from the nightstand, but my mind won’t slow down enough to get into them. My WIP is rattling around in my mind, but I can’t sit down long enough to get any of it on paper. Have I completely lost my ability to relax?

Any advice on how to quit the day job and actually RETIRE?

Cowboy Heritage

For most of us, putting on a pair of cowboy boots and a Stetson hat is not an everyday occurance. But in Calgary--where I live--this is something we all do for ten days of the year.

The Calgary Stampede is a 100 year old tradition. A Canadian festival, celebrating the cowboy way of life, Stampede fever takes over our city malls, our office boardrooms, our streets and our hearts. Many years ago (be polite and don't ask how many) when I was a university graduate, I moved to Calgary to start my new job as an articling Chartered Accountant. My first day at the accounting firm just happened to fall on the week of Stampede. I showed up in my tailored business suit and heels only to find that everyone at the firm--from secretary to managing partner--was in jeans and a western shirt. Awkward. But once I got over the shock, I soon grew to love the stampede--and what's not to love? Free pancake breakfasts all over the city, square dancing in the streets and of course, the rodeo...

Those of us who write and read American Romances know that the western spirit is more than something to celebrate at a festival once a year. It is also a way of life. A set of values. You'll see that in the new series, Harts of The Rodeo. It begins this July with Cathy McDavid's book: Aidan: Loyal Cowboy and continues next month with my debut American, Colton: Rodeo Cowboy. If you want a taste of what to expect, check out the book trailer. Then leave me a comment on what appealed to you most about the trailer and I'll choose a name at random to receive a copy of Cathy's book as well as a special Harts of the Rodeo bookmark. Happy Reading!

National Day of the American Cowboy

Credit

I know...I know...I blog about this every year, but I love cowboys so I enjoy reminding the fans of American Romance books that the "U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating the fourth Saturday of July National Day of the American Cowboy.”

"Whereas pioneering men and women, recognized as cowboys, helped establish the American West...that cowboy spirit continues to infuse the nation with its solid character, sound family values, and good common sense; Whereas the cowboy embodies honesty, integrity, courage, compassion, respect, a strong work ethic, and patriotism."





If you visit All My Heroes are Cowboys you'll notice the following statement at the top of my blog...

"America needs the Cowboy both to remind us of how far we have come and to bring us back to the simplicity of the values he represents. He is also needed because he is a piece of who we are as a country. He represents a lifestyle and a time period that is a cherished part of our History. Little boys want to grow up to be him and the little girls want to grow up to marry him." ~cowboycrew.com



One of the more famous rodeos in the country is happening this month!  Cheyenne Frontier Days runs from July 20^th-29^th.  Started in 1897 and drawing more than 300,000 people to the area each year, this rodeo is billed as the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo & Western Celebration.  Cheyenne Frontier Days is the “Daddy of ‘Em All”!

Country Western Music fans…check out this year's entertainment schedule:

Zac Brown Band with special guest the Marshall Tucker Band

Brad Paisley with special guest The Band Perry

Merle Haggard with special guest Chancey Williams

Reba with special guests Rodney Atkins and Hunter Hayes

Journey with special guest Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Loverboy

Hank Williams Jr. with special guest Chris Young

Blake Shelton with special guest David Nail

Cheyenne Frontier days is more than just rodeo and music.  There's an Indian Village to explore. There is also a carnival midway, Chuck Wagon Cookoff, and the Wild Horse Gulch western heritage area, and Behind the Chutes tours. Cheyenne Frontier days is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeo with almost 1,500 contestants who will vie for more than $1 million in money and prizes

What are your summer plans?  Do they include a rodeo?

 

A Cowboy's Duty (August 2012)

Beau: Cowboy Protector (Nov 2012)

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Writing tools, backups and whiskey...Oh my!

Happy Friday the 13th!  My first blog back in April was also on Friday the 13th and I discussed my Triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number 13).  I am happy to say, I've conquered that fear.  But there is a fear that still remains...the fear of losing my work in progress.

Many years ago, my laptop crashed and it cost me $800 and a bottle of whiskey to have the data recovered.  I met the man in a dark basement of his non-furnished house, in a remote town, an hour away.  I brought a friend for protection once I heard the words "bring whiskey".  

Times have changed and the way I go about writing has too.  My tools were once a notebook and pen.  I upgraded to a desktop, then to a laptop.  Now I have an entire tool bag to work with.

iPhone - I love smart phones for on the fly note taking, photos and minor digital recording. Last year I wrote my entire NaNoWriMo manuscript on my iPhone using two apps. Dragon Dictation (free) and My Writing Spot ($2.99). A 50,000 word rough draft was completed in 12 days. It's amazing what the proper tools can allow you to accomplish.

Kindle Fire - I recently eliminated stacks and stacks of research materials by utilizing the Adobe app (free) and the built in documents feature. I can grab it and go and even make edits if I need to with the QuickOffice app (free). I save a bundle on printing and paper costs, never mind the lack of clutter. I even receive most of my magazine subscriptions on it. Added bonus, it's very green!

Notebook and pen - I have notebooks of all sizes stashed everywhere. My bag, my truck, my exercise equipment, the nightstand.

Multicolored index cards - Each book gets its own color. I'm currently writing a series so this makes it super easy to keep track of what characters, locations, animals, etc. are in each book. When time permits, I transfer everything into a spreadsheet.

Laptop - My main writing source. This one stays home.

Netbook - My travel writing source. It's small and light, easily fits in my bag and the battery lasts an entire day without charging. I've written 4 manuscripts on mine.

USB drives - You can never have too many of these. BACK UP YOUR WORK! Either that or get the whiskey ready...for you...avoid the shady guy in the basement. I use mine to transfer work from my laptop to my netbook, as well as all those research photos I took with my iPhone.

iPod - I visualize everything as a movie. Similar to a soundtrack, a particular song helps me capture the mood as I write a scene.

Digital recorder - This is my favorite tool. I have the Sony UX512 and I never leave home without it. Since it's fully customizable, I have a folder for each book I'm working on. I can record story ideas into a specific folder at the touch of a button. I find it imperative for dialogue. I literally perform every word before it hits the page. I can record it, play it back and see how it sounds.  If it doesn't sound natural, out it goes. I even record my read-throughs after my edits are completed. Essentially, it's my own audiobook. It enables me to catch things I may have missed. It also makes for comical grocery shopping. I left my iPhone in the car a few weeks ago, but my recorder was in my bag. I had a story idea and I was afraid to lose it. I whipped out my recorder and in the middle of the toilet paper aisle I started talking into it. Oh, the looks I received could stop a clock! Being the ever loving trouble-maker than I am, I raised the recorder to my mouth and said, "we will need to amputate all limbs, stat". The gawkers couldn't get away from me fast enough. They either thought I was a deranged doctor or a serial killer. Probably the latter of the two.

Post it flags - Can't live without them. Perfect bookmarks.

Click Free backup drive - BACK UP YOUR WORK! Can't say it enough. The Click Free plugs in and back up your entire system. No hassle, no worries, no need to buy that bottle of whiskey.

Planner - I have a separate planner just for writing. This one is the size of an index card and goes everywhere with me.

I am constantly on the go.  My ideas usually strike at the most inopportune times so it's nice to have these items at my fingertips. Now, I don't carry everything with me all the time.  The laptop and the Click Free stay home, unless I'm running from a hurricane (I live in the south and these things do happen).  Everything else tucks nicely into my Dooney Florentine bag.  It's not the weak or meager.  Empty, the bag weighs 5 lbs and with all my daily crap, we're looking at 10-12 lbs.  A few months ago I pulled a muscle using the shoulder strap and it took 3 weeks to heal. But everything fits with room to spare. Injury be damned, it's my tool bag, my handbag, my everyday bag.

One last piece of advice when it comes to backing up your work.  I always email a copy to myself at the end of the day.  The email account has to be one that uses a cloud type of mailbox.  Yahoo, Gmail, etc. allow email and attachments to remain on their servers so in the event of a computer crash and the lack of a backup, you can easily retrieve your documents from any computer.  I use a separate email account that only I know about (to eliminate hackers and theft). There are many cloud services to choose from. Most of them are free.

And then there are some days when technology ticks me off and I just need to unplug for a while.  There's something to be said for the simplicity of an old fashioned notebook.

That's my writer's tool bag ... what's in yours?

Amanda Renée

Betting on Texas (March 2013)

www.amandarenee.com

www.twitter.com/TheAmandaRenee

www.facebook.com/AmandaReneeFanPage

Doppelgangers

A little background. Soon after we married, my hubby agreed to take me and two of my girlfriends to a Neil Diamond concert. Personal quirk, I have to be early to those things. So we’re sitting in our lower balcony seats and he’s got the binoculars watching people, girls probably. Suddenly he stops and looks at me, hands me the binoculars and tells me to look on the tenth row back. Wouldn’t tell me what I was looking for, just that I’d know it when I saw it. I scanned and suddenly stopped breathing. There was a girl who looked so much like me, I couldn’t believe it. Auburn hair, same style cut. She was even dressed in emerald green, my favorite color at the time. Obviously, made an impression.

But over the holidays, I’ve been thinking about how certain actors resemble actors from earlier generations. It started when my mom was watching an old episode of Jag. She’s addicted to the star, David James Elliott. I never watched the show, but Mom was also a huge Rock Hudson fan and she pointed to the screen and said something along the lines of, “There hasn’t been an actor that good looking since Rock Hudson.

So I started thinking. Scary, I know.

The obvious - Brad Pitt. Anyone except me see the close resemblance to Redford?

And speaking of Redford, what about Newman? Matt McConoughey?

Fort Worth Stockyards

If you’ve followed my blogs over the past few months, you’ve probably noticed that my hubby and I have been making an effort to get out and do different things. Having moved to a small town, it’s been fun to check out the local culture and activities.

But this month was our anniversary and we decided to just go bumming around for the day. One of our favorite pass times. No agenda, no plan. One thing leads to the next.

Hubby is a Fort Worth historian. He has shelves of books, old bottles, and tokens he’s collected from Forth Worth. And my current work in progress is centered around a Texas cowboy. So we ended up in the Fort Worth Stock Yards. Toured the cowboy museum, watched the cowboys herd the longhorns down Main Street. Checked out the local shops and watched a couple two-step to the tune of a guy strumming a guitar in front of one of the shops. We ended our day at the Flying Saucer Bar in downtown Fort Worth, sipping a beer and watching the sun fade away.

Quite a fun day given that we had no plans. Something a little different than dinner and a movie anyway.

What type of local activities do you have where you live?

Harlequin Annual Christmas Open House

On Wednesday December 14th Harlequin will is once again sponsoring their Annual Christmas Open House where readers can chat with the authors from the various Harlequin lines.  Be sure to stop by www.harlequin.com for more information on the event and how to register for the chat rooms.

American Romance Authors, Ann Roth, Barbara White Daille, Jacqueline Diamond, Tina Leonard and Marin Thomas will be on hand to chat with readers or aspiring writers about everything and anything from holiday cookie recipes  to upcoming books and series for the line.  The authors will also be giving away copies of their books throughout the chat so please stop in and say "Hi".

www.Harlequin.com chat with American Romance Authors Wednesday December 14th from 7-8 pm (Eastern Standard Time)

Happy Holidays!

Oh, What A Mess!

This is a picture of my office a week before I turned in The Daddy Catch. I have to admit, the last few days before I turn in a book are crazy busy. It doesn’t matter whether I’ve charted my progress throughout the process. It doesn’t matter whether I’ve stuck to “the plan.” Or if I actually finished writing ahead of time. Those last few days still lengthen into thirteen, fifteen, and sixteen-hour stretches.

As you can see in the photograph, piles of paper grow on my desk top. The box of revisions below it overflows. The calendar practically shouts the day’s assignment. And I can never find a pencil because they’re always buried under the last print-out—the one with all the yellow stickies and heavy marks. As for housework, forget about it. Dinner comes from the only restaurant that still delivers at ten pm.

Of course, the most important thing that happens the week before delivery is that I fall in love with the book all over again. Yes, I loved these characters from the very beginning. I've loved their story, loved telling it. Most of the time, though, I write and revise piecemeal--one chapter, one scene, one paragraph at a time. Doing that, it's easy to lose sight of the big picture.

But that last week—it’s magical. I cozy up in a chair and read the story from beginning to end. Little gems appear. I polish them. I see patterns and themes I wasn’t aware existed. At the end, there’s that “aaaahhh” moment when I'm sure this hero and heroine have the happily-ever-after they deserve.

And then…I deliver the manuscript, fix the world’s most understanding husband a celebratory dinner and clean my office.

See? All ready to do it over again.

Cars and Shoe Shopping

What is it about cars? Why do they choose the least convenient times to break down?

I know. I know. I’m assigning human emotions to inanimate objects. Cars can’t think, feel, react. But after nearly ten years and a hundred-and-twenty thousand miles, our SUV is almost a member of the family. A member who’s reached the sunset years and now suffers from aches and pains and occasional breakdowns.

That’s what happened this week. A breakdown. The good news—if there can be any good news about a car that won’t start—is that it went belly-up in my own driveway. The bad news—Did I mention a dead car is never a good thing?—is that it’s the week before the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference, and there were a couple of serious shoe shopping excursions on the agenda. I may not be a foot model but, as far as I’m concerned, the real purpose of a conference is to give me an excuse for buying new shoes. So, there I was, debit card in one hand, shoe list in the other…and no way to get to the store.

Now, I’ve heard that some cars will do anything to keep a mechanic from tinkering with their insides. And I guess, mine is one of those. Because the SUV which wouldn’t start for me, dear hubby, the neighbor, or the guys who came with the tow rig, purred like a kitten once it arrived at the repair shop. And for two days, while the mechanic scratched his head, it kept purring.

Which caused dear hubby to deem the car “unreliable.” Which means I can’t drive it the sixty miles to Orlando for the RWA conference. Or, equally important, take it shoe shopping. Which, in my mind, means we need a new car since I believe they should be reliable without requiring monthly trips to the repair shop.

Dear hubby, however, did not see the breakdown as an excuse to go car shopping. Instead, he decided to drive me (in his car, the reliable one) to conference a day ahead of schedule. So, yesterday, we embarked on a marathon errand running, shoe shopping extravaganza which was absolutely necessary in order to compress all the stuff I would have done last week (if the car hadn’t broken down) and the stuff I had planned to do this weekend, into one day.

One. Very. Long. Day.

The end result? Six pairs of shoes and a change of heart on the new car thing.

The ideal vehicle would tow our boat, occasionally seat seven, and not be too thirsty at the gas pump. In other words, fit my life like the perfect pair of shoes. Any suggestions?

Where are the emperor's clothes?

Maybe I’m the only kid watching the emperor strut down the road naked. After all, I haven’t read the reviews or checked to see what my Facebook friends are saying or listened to anyone’s Tweets. So, maybe I’m the only one who didn’t “get it.” But I felt cheated by the series finale of one of my fav shows this week.

For years I, along with countless others, tuned in weekly to get a dose of mystery and romance. I looked forward to seeing which flawed, but loveable, hero the heroine chose. I wished a supporting character would escape from under her father’s controlling thumb. Fingers crossed, I fretted over pregnancies. I smiled at babies, cried as beloved “friends” died off, and hoped for an end to one character’s run of incredibly bad luck.

Turns out, I’d have been better off reading (and would have enjoyed it more). Because, after the last show of the last season, my take-away message was, “Ha! Ha! You’re joking, right?” To me, that ending re-affirmed the importance of the promise every author of romance makes to their readers: We will deliver happily-ever-after. Not only that, we’ll deliver it neatly wrapped with a satisfyingly emotional ending. With no room for sappy sentimentality.

So, are you fan of series television? Ever wish the writers and producers were required to deliver the way romance authors do?

Leigh Duncan
The Officer's Girl- April 2010
Catch of a Lifetime-2011
www.leighduncan.com

A Week Of Firsts

Ever have one of those days? One of those weeks?

Usually, when someone asks that question, there’s a negative connotation. But I’ve had a series of those days that folded themselves into one of those weeks…in the best of all possible ways. Starting with the release of my debut book for Harlequin American Romance last Tuesday. Walking into a book store and seeing The Officer’s Girl on the shelf was so exciting I grabbed the first sales clerk I saw and said, “This, this is my book!”

Poor woman. She obviously didn’t understand. It took another couple of tries before she realized I meant I’d written the book. Once she did, the joy spread until the next thing I knew, a voice came over the speaker announcing “an author” was in the building, and if anyone wanted to, they could come on over to the Romance section. And it was super when the clerk asked me to sign the copies of The Officer's Girl they had in stock.

I also participated in my first official book signing this week. And boy, what a book signing it was! Every new author should have nearly 300 eager fans show up and a staff to hand out tickets so attendees wouldn’t have to stand on line for hours. You probably already guessed not all those people were there to see me. And, much as I’d love to insist they were, you’d be right. The book signing kicked off the annual Washington Romance Writers’ Retreat. Held at Turn The Page Book Store Cafe in Boonsboro, MD, the other signers included the amazing Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris, and Roxanne St. Claire.

For me, it was still a blast. Chatting with the attendees and being part of this event was such a fabulous experience, I’m eager to do it again. And, since I just completed my second Harlequin American Romance, maybe I'll be able to next year when Catch of a Lifetime is released.

Here's a photo of some of the crowd at Turn The Page.

Earthquake in my backyard--practically

I live in the Chicago area so cold weather and lots of snow are the norm during the winter and compared to the East coast we've gotten off easy this season (knock on wood). I think Midwest driver's are some of the best driver's in the country when it comes tooling down the road in snow and ice--doesn’t mean we're immune to accidents, but as a population we seldom panic or change our plans when the weatherman forecasts snow. We bundle up, shovel the drive and head to work and school.

So snow had never been a big deal in my life--I grew up in Wisconsin--plenty of cold and snow there, too. What I'm not used to are earthquakes. On the 9th of this month an earthquake shook the corn fields not far from the development we live in. Around four in the morning the headboard on our bed banged against the wall and our two little yappers sleeping at the bottom of the bed began to whine. I though a plane was going to hit our house. I ran into the hallway just as my two teenagers opened their bedroom doors and asked, "What's going on?" It's difficult to explain how loud the rumble sounded, but you know it was loud if it woke teenagers out of a dead sleep.

I peaked out the windows--all my neighbors we're doing the same thing. I searched the sky for a spiraling plane when my daughter informed me that it was probably an earthquake. She then named the faults that run through Illinois before yawning and returning to bed--smarty pants. Anyway we were fortunate--no cracked walls or broken vases. But I have a new appreciation and sympathy for people who've suffered through much bigger quakes--I can't imagine how frightening those were. My deceased father-in-law survived the famous San Francisco Bay area earthquake back in October 1989.

How about you--have you experienced an earthquake or any wild weather events where you live?

Marin
A Cowboy Christmas Dec 2009
Dexter: Honorable Cowboy July 2010
www.marinthomas.com