I'm going easy with today's post--easy in terms of length, but not in terms of thought...
Your thoughts, anyway.
What do you find romantic? What makes your heart melt and your eyes mist?
For me, it's a quiet dinner somewhere with good conversation. It's about giving a date some thought. It's about the day-to-day moments--an unexpected card, a bouquet of wildflowers, a gentle touch to my face.
How about you?
~Laura
*I hit the road next week for a 5-city tour of the midwest to promote the first book in my new Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series with Berkley Prime Crime. Specifics on the tour can be found at my website: www.elizabethlynncasey.com. If you're in any of these areas, I'd love to meet you!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Did any of you catch the interview with Nora Roberts on NPR, Saturday, July 18th? Those of you at the RWA Conference in DC probably missed it, unless you saw it in person. I was sailing down the Patapsco, approaching Bodkin Point that morning. It was a beautiful day: sunny, breezy, not too hot (so unusual for the Chesapeake this time of year). I listened avidly, thrilled that our convention was getting national attention! Afterward, I wasn’t so excited. In fact, I have to admit the spot bugged me. Not Nora’s interview; she was direct and professional. She’s a good spokesperson for romance writing. But Scott Simon’s barely concealed snicker was quite irritating. He seemed to think the whole thing was a big joke. Most irritating, he thought we would laugh with him. When he read the opening lines of a romance he had attempted to write—and pitch to an editor—I cringed. It was as bad as it could get: sappy, cliché and completely without heart. He tried to save himself by admitting that he realized he had written a parody, but I didn’t buy it. There was too much “of-course-I’m-better-than-this” in his voice. I got the impression that Nora wanted to smack him.
I came away after listening feeling a little like Rodney Dangerfield: when are we going to get some respect, anyway? There is consolation. Remember how well we’re doing as an industry? Sales of print romances are up and digital is exploding with the advent of all the new e-book readers. I heard one author at conference say that every time a new version of Kindle releases, her back-list sales spike. In this time of recession, people are turning to romance as a way to escape from the bad news that seems lurk around every bend. Romance brings hope, faith, passion, happiness into our lives. And love, most important of all. I think that if readers are buying our books, that’s all the respect we need.
Maybe that’s all we’ll get.
But—on the assumption that you meant well—thanks, Scott Simon. You brought our convention and our writers into the national spotlight for a brief moment. You also tried to make it personal by attempting to put yourself in our shoes. Now, please, go out and read a romance. Be entertained and charmed and take the experience seriously. Respect the writing and the genre. There are lots of romance stories out there to choose from: passionate, sweet, suspenseful, inspirational, fantastic, some just downright bizarre. They all offer one sure thing that life so seldom does: a little love. Just what our world needs now.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Outside of a Dog
A writer friend sent me this Groucho Marx quote and it made me smile. I hope it makes you smile, too.
This is Blue, a heart-wrenchingly adorable Bearded Collie who was adopted by the good people at Sheepie Hollow. You can read Blue’s story here.
Read a book. Hug a dog. Have a wonderful summer.
Until next time,
Lee
The Writer Side of Life
“Outside a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.”
This is Blue, a heart-wrenchingly adorable Bearded Collie who was adopted by the good people at Sheepie Hollow. You can read Blue’s story here.Read a book. Hug a dog. Have a wonderful summer.
Until next time,
Lee
The Writer Side of Life
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Writing Advice
Here's a writing tip from Jacqueline Diamond:
Analyze books that you love, particularly those that were published recently (rather than classics). Diagram a couple of plots chapter by chapter. Retype a few passages that you find particularly effective—openings, in particular. This is tedious and time consuming, but you'll be amazed how much you learn.
If you're an author or aspiring writer--have you ever tried to diagram a book or break down a plot? If so, what method did you use and was it helpful?
Jacqueline Diamond
www.jacquelinediamond.com
Next book: Doctor Daddy, HAR, September
Analyze books that you love, particularly those that were published recently (rather than classics). Diagram a couple of plots chapter by chapter. Retype a few passages that you find particularly effective—openings, in particular. This is tedious and time consuming, but you'll be amazed how much you learn.
If you're an author or aspiring writer--have you ever tried to diagram a book or break down a plot? If so, what method did you use and was it helpful?
Jacqueline Diamond
www.jacquelinediamond.com
Next book: Doctor Daddy, HAR, September
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Limping Home from Conference (With Photos)
I've limped back to Dallas from sightseeing and "conferencing" in Washington, DC. Well, actually, I flew back, but there was a lot of walking in the airport!
My husband joined me for the trip this year and we went to Washington, DC
on Monday. On the first day of sightseeing I discovered that I'd forgotten to pack any walking shoes, but that wasn't going to stop me from taking the Metro to Union Station, then walking around town. I wore my favorite Clarks sandals, which seemed fairly sensible to me, and we set out. Here's my husband, Chuck, standing outside the Capitol.
on Monday. On the first day of sightseeing I discovered that I'd forgotten to pack any walking shoes, but that wasn't going to stop me from taking the Metro to Union Station, then walking around town. I wore my favorite Clarks sandals, which seemed fairly sensible to me, and we set out. Here's my husband, Chuck, standing outside the Capitol.I developed a huge blister on my right foot about the time we hit the Air & Space Museum on The Mall. I braved the crowds and saw the one museum that I hadn't gotten to see in 2000, when the RWA Conference was in DC before. (This was especially important to me because of the July 20th 40th anniversary of the moon landing, which I clearly remember since my roommate, her family and I stayed up most of the night.) Then we took a cab back to our hotel.
On Wednesday we rented a car and I went to see my cousin Suzie, whom I hadn't seen in at least 40 years. She was the one person in our family who had an exciting job, working for the State Department all over the world. Now she lives in Reston, VA, a short drive from Washington.
On Wednesday night we took a twilight tour of Washington, which ended up 
being mostly during the daylight because the sun doesn't set until after 8:30 pm. We saw most of the monuments, beginning with the White House. Here's my friend and fellow N
orth Texas Romance Writers of America aspiring author Gina Nelson, standing in front of the White House. We also saw the recently completed World War II Memorial, important to me because my father served in the Pacific during the war. The Washington Monument is in the background. We ended up in Arlington, VA at the Iwo Jima memorial, which is very impressive at night.
being mostly during the daylight because the sun doesn't set until after 8:30 pm. We saw most of the monuments, beginning with the White House. Here's my friend and fellow N
orth Texas Romance Writers of America aspiring author Gina Nelson, standing in front of the White House. We also saw the recently completed World War II Memorial, important to me because my father served in the Pacific during the war. The Washington Monument is in the background. We ended up in Arlington, VA at the Iwo Jima memorial, which is very impressive at night.So then the conference started, and I got to meet some new 
Harlequin American authors and see some old friends. Here's a photo of new author C. C. Coburn, a very interesting Australian who lives part of each year in Colorado, and (right) a friend from previous years, author Cathy McDavid. This photo was taken after the RWA Awards Ceremony at the ballroom in the Marriott Wardman Park hotel, where the conference was held. Previously I had a wonderful conversation with Linda Warren, a fellow Texan, who was nominated for a RITA award.
I also lunched with , Barbara White Daille, Laura Bradford and other authors, along with editors Kathleen and Johanna. Also, I spent time with another fellow Texan and new Harlequin American author, Pamela Stone. My critique partner and friend, Kara Lennox, was there and roomed with fellow Harlequin author Carla Cassidy. I'm sure I saw many others, and I apologize if I have forgotten to mention your names. It was a very exciting but tiring week!
I'm off to finish my new proposal for Kathleen and send it in post haste (as I am already woefully late.) And then I'm going to come up with some new ideas for more Texas stories, because I've been told they are still in demand, especially cowboys and ranchers. And since I do live in Texas, I might as well do the research, right? Even if it requires me to spend lots of time with good-looking, slow talking, tight jean-wearing, cowboys. Please, no pity. I'm a big girl. Have a great month, whether you spend it at home or away, getting your own blisters.
Monday, July 20, 2009
It's a Mistake
The other day I did something I don’t usually do. I reread one of my books. In a fit of writer’s block, I picked up ABOUT LAST NIGHT, a Harlequin American Romance released in February 2004. This book is one of those special ones. It outsold the rest of the line that month. It got 4.5 stars from RT. The funny thing, my editor didn’t like my hero. She kept saying, “I would never stay with a man like that.” But women do, and the book jumped off the shelves because she had the vision to let me keep Shane Jacobsen as he was. In fact, I had to stet the first line that copyeditor changed, and made them change it back.
Normally I don’t reread what I write, at least not right away, because I’ve already read the story about five or six times before I even sent it in to my publisher. Then I’ve read it again and again as the book went through revisions, copy edits and line edits. Yet, with all these things, mistakes can be made. I was reminded of this fact this week when a reader found an error in a Silhouette author’s book. A friend posted on a list serve that the reader wanted to know if she should let the editor know. The question then became, should she?
As an author, we want to hear from the reader first if you are so bothered by something. First, it’s our name on the cover. Second, editors are busy. Once the book is published, the fact that the hero got out of his truck on one page and into his car on the other isn’t something an editor has time to deal with. The book won’t be reprinted. An editor isn’t going to go search and try to figure out who made the mistake either. Yet as the author, I will. Why? Because my name is on the cover and I’m a perfectionist. I’ve put my heart and soul into the story. While I can’t necessarily change it, I want to know.
In my Harlequin NASCAR, HART’S VICTORY, on page 243, the spotter says “Pit car on pit road next pass.” Eke! It’s a pace car, and of course as a NASCAR fan (go #14) I know that.
But you know what? It’s my mistake. I wrote it that way in the original draft, and because I type really fast and a P is a P, pit and pace got jumbled in my mind, as they did my poor spotter. But I didn’t catch the mistake on edits. Neither did the NASCAR editor or the copy editor. Or my editor. Or anyone else for that matter. Still, I’m the one frustrated. It bothers me.
In EMERGENCY ENGAGEMENT, another Harlequin American, my corrections never got inputted. Production’s fault this time as they sent the book through without them—one of those glitches that happen. They thought they had the green light to start production on a Friday; my editor and I thought we had that same Friday to make final changes. My editor and I both winced—we discovered what happened after the book came out. And there it is—on one page the heroine had a glass of milk, and on the next it was Gatorade. Yet it didn’t detract from the story, which won Cataromance.com’s best Harlequin American Romance award for that year.
Unfortunately, mistakes things happen. I just read a Dorchester release and noticed a period was missing in one of the sentences. It didn’t ruin the book for me. I’ve found small typos where bat is pat and so forth in others, or thing is think and vice versa. Usually these happen because your brain fills in the blank or auto corrects. Lik U can rede dis. Yes, there are those books out there that are so riddled with mistakes that you wonder if anyone ever read the thing or at least used spell check before printing. I am not excusing those.
I promise you I comb through with a fine-tooth comb, as does my editor. We work very hard to bring you the best book possible. My latest release, BACHELOR CEO, is on the shelves now and I’m praying it is error free. But I won’t read it for at least another few years to find out. But you can, and if you do find something, feel free to let me know.
Michele Dunaway
Bachelor CEO--out now
Baby in the Boardroom--Feb. 2010
Normally I don’t reread what I write, at least not right away, because I’ve already read the story about five or six times before I even sent it in to my publisher. Then I’ve read it again and again as the book went through revisions, copy edits and line edits. Yet, with all these things, mistakes can be made. I was reminded of this fact this week when a reader found an error in a Silhouette author’s book. A friend posted on a list serve that the reader wanted to know if she should let the editor know. The question then became, should she?
As an author, we want to hear from the reader first if you are so bothered by something. First, it’s our name on the cover. Second, editors are busy. Once the book is published, the fact that the hero got out of his truck on one page and into his car on the other isn’t something an editor has time to deal with. The book won’t be reprinted. An editor isn’t going to go search and try to figure out who made the mistake either. Yet as the author, I will. Why? Because my name is on the cover and I’m a perfectionist. I’ve put my heart and soul into the story. While I can’t necessarily change it, I want to know.
In my Harlequin NASCAR, HART’S VICTORY, on page 243, the spotter says “Pit car on pit road next pass.” Eke! It’s a pace car, and of course as a NASCAR fan (go #14) I know that.
But you know what? It’s my mistake. I wrote it that way in the original draft, and because I type really fast and a P is a P, pit and pace got jumbled in my mind, as they did my poor spotter. But I didn’t catch the mistake on edits. Neither did the NASCAR editor or the copy editor. Or my editor. Or anyone else for that matter. Still, I’m the one frustrated. It bothers me.
In EMERGENCY ENGAGEMENT, another Harlequin American, my corrections never got inputted. Production’s fault this time as they sent the book through without them—one of those glitches that happen. They thought they had the green light to start production on a Friday; my editor and I thought we had that same Friday to make final changes. My editor and I both winced—we discovered what happened after the book came out. And there it is—on one page the heroine had a glass of milk, and on the next it was Gatorade. Yet it didn’t detract from the story, which won Cataromance.com’s best Harlequin American Romance award for that year.
Unfortunately, mistakes things happen. I just read a Dorchester release and noticed a period was missing in one of the sentences. It didn’t ruin the book for me. I’ve found small typos where bat is pat and so forth in others, or thing is think and vice versa. Usually these happen because your brain fills in the blank or auto corrects. Lik U can rede dis. Yes, there are those books out there that are so riddled with mistakes that you wonder if anyone ever read the thing or at least used spell check before printing. I am not excusing those.
I promise you I comb through with a fine-tooth comb, as does my editor. We work very hard to bring you the best book possible. My latest release, BACHELOR CEO, is on the shelves now and I’m praying it is error free. But I won’t read it for at least another few years to find out. But you can, and if you do find something, feel free to let me know.
Michele Dunaway
Bachelor CEO--out now
Baby in the Boardroom--Feb. 2010
Friday, July 17, 2009
I'm here but I'm not....
Hi!
I hope you’ll forgive me for the fly-by posting this month. I’m writing this blog entry ahead of time and (fingers crossed) setting Blogger to post it while I’m gone.
Right now, I’m getting ready to leave for the annual conference of the Romance Writers of America, being held this year in Washington, DC.
Getting ready?!?
Well, that’s a bit optimistic. I still have clothes to buy, suitcases to pack, and pages to write, so I’m nowhere near even contemplating the idea of thinking about possibly starting to get ready. (grin)However, the plane leaves tomorrow morning, and--prepared or not--I’ll be on it.
I’m looking forward to meeting with my editor, as well as the other Harlequin American Romance editors, chatting with some of your favorite Harlequin American Romance authors, and cheering myself hoarse for our two RITA finalists.
And maybe even saying hi to you!
If you’re attending the conference and see my name among the mass of nametags out there, please say hello.
All my best to you,
Barbara
~~~~~~
Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com
I hope you’ll forgive me for the fly-by posting this month. I’m writing this blog entry ahead of time and (fingers crossed) setting Blogger to post it while I’m gone.
Right now, I’m getting ready to leave for the annual conference of the Romance Writers of America, being held this year in Washington, DC.
Getting ready?!?
Well, that’s a bit optimistic. I still have clothes to buy, suitcases to pack, and pages to write, so I’m nowhere near even contemplating the idea of thinking about possibly starting to get ready. (grin)
I’m looking forward to meeting with my editor, as well as the other Harlequin American Romance editors, chatting with some of your favorite Harlequin American Romance authors, and cheering myself hoarse for our two RITA finalists.
And maybe even saying hi to you!
If you’re attending the conference and see my name among the mass of nametags out there, please say hello.
All my best to you,
Barbara
~~~~~~
Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Zen Golf
Zen Golf
My daughter has been struggling with her golf game lately, so I picked up the book, Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent in hopes that it might help the mental aspect of her game. Anyway, while I was waiting for my husband at the train station I began reading Zen Golf and found myself twenty pages into the book by the time my husband knocked on the car window. Okay, so you might be wondering... how does Zen Golf relate to writing?
Examples from Dr. Parent's book:
1) Think outside the box (for example a golfer might intentionally hit into the rough because it gives him a better approach shot to the green) This advice reminded me that allowing a character to act "outside the box" adds another layer of depth to the characterization and makes the character more intriguing.
2) Par for the course (sometimes a golfer needs to set their own par for each hole for that particular day on the golf course. The golfer will become more relaxed when he approaches a difficult hole because he knows he has an extra stroke or two to make his personal par.) There are times I feel pressured into writing or revising a set number of pages a day--if I don’t make that goal, I see it as a failure. But if I set my page goal a little lower I guarantee myself success. If I exceed my goal--even better.
Dr. Parent believes Confidence is necessary to succeed at Golf--the same goes for writing.
1) Conditional Confidence (This kind of confidence depends on recent results on the golf course. A golfer is confident on the condition that he or she continues to play well.) I'm guilty of this. I catch myself feeling more confident after reading a great review of one of my books and less confident when I read a not-so-complimentary review.
2)Unconditional Confidence (Dr. Parent says unconditional confidence arises from connecting with our basic goodness. We believe in ourselves as decent people and in our golfing skills for our level of play.) As a writer I should be able to handle whatever the result of my latest book's success is or isn't. With unconditional confidence my self-worth as a human being doesn’t depend on how well or poorly my next book sells.
How about you--what kind of self-help books have you found useful?
Marin
Samantha's Cowboy (August 09)
A Cowboy Christmas (December 09)
www.marinthomas.com
My daughter has been struggling with her golf game lately, so I picked up the book, Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent in hopes that it might help the mental aspect of her game. Anyway, while I was waiting for my husband at the train station I began reading Zen Golf and found myself twenty pages into the book by the time my husband knocked on the car window. Okay, so you might be wondering... how does Zen Golf relate to writing?
Examples from Dr. Parent's book:
1) Think outside the box (for example a golfer might intentionally hit into the rough because it gives him a better approach shot to the green) This advice reminded me that allowing a character to act "outside the box" adds another layer of depth to the characterization and makes the character more intriguing.
2) Par for the course (sometimes a golfer needs to set their own par for each hole for that particular day on the golf course. The golfer will become more relaxed when he approaches a difficult hole because he knows he has an extra stroke or two to make his personal par.) There are times I feel pressured into writing or revising a set number of pages a day--if I don’t make that goal, I see it as a failure. But if I set my page goal a little lower I guarantee myself success. If I exceed my goal--even better.
Dr. Parent believes Confidence is necessary to succeed at Golf--the same goes for writing.
1) Conditional Confidence (This kind of confidence depends on recent results on the golf course. A golfer is confident on the condition that he or she continues to play well.) I'm guilty of this. I catch myself feeling more confident after reading a great review of one of my books and less confident when I read a not-so-complimentary review.
2)Unconditional Confidence (Dr. Parent says unconditional confidence arises from connecting with our basic goodness. We believe in ourselves as decent people and in our golfing skills for our level of play.) As a writer I should be able to handle whatever the result of my latest book's success is or isn't. With unconditional confidence my self-worth as a human being doesn’t depend on how well or poorly my next book sells.
How about you--what kind of self-help books have you found useful?
Marin
Samantha's Cowboy (August 09)
A Cowboy Christmas (December 09)
www.marinthomas.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I Can Relate
I can relate to so much that has been discussed on the blog the past couple weeks. Michelle, I can certainly relate to having no time. We’ve moved this summer, a move that includes moving my 82 year old mom in with us, buying a new home and getting two ready to put on the market. Plus my very first book, Last Resort Marriage, is out this month and I had a book signing and have been blogging to promote it. See my beautiful cover to the right. Romantic Times gave it a 4 star review. Not too shabby for a first book, huh? WooHoo! I can relate to Lisa’s eco-friendly cleaning tip as I’m trying to get on board with a sophisticated septic system for the first time. City girl in the country. I can double relate to Lisa and Linda’s jitters about National. This is my third conference, but first as a published author. Literacy book signing and meeting face to face with editors and fellow writers. Extremely private person in an extremely public world. Whoa! Megan and Lisa, I am so in awe of you for presenting workshops. And Linda, I’d love some stress relieving tricks myself. As I’m traveling today to National, please excuse my delay in responding to any posts to the blog, but I will answer when I return from National. Looking forward to seeing many of you there.
Pamela Stone
www.pamelastone.net
Pamela Stone
www.pamelastone.net
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Miscellaneous Stuff
It's been a crazy summer in the Dunaway household. Unlike those headed to RWA, I'm staying home. It's not that Washington DC doesn't hold appeal. In fact, I'll be there in November, same hotel, for a high school scholastic journalism convention.
It's hard to believe that for me, summer is almost over. It's been so busy, and I haven't done anything or really been anywhere. But look at this week.
While everyone is at RWA, I'm going to write the book that's due Aug. 12. My younger daughter has an arts day camp that week to learn how to draw art and anime--and I have to drive her the 40 minutes to get there and then find somewhere to pull out the laptop and work as it's only 3 hours, and not worth my going home.
My older daughter is spending three weeks at Truman State University, living in a dorm with other 7th-9th graders. I drove her there yesterday (7 hour round trip for me). Her class is computers in art and design. However, the entire experience is phenomenal and she grew so much as a person last summer. My good friend Jenny (from high school) arrives into town July 16 for a ten day stay with her daughters. My birthday is July 14, so I might celebrate that. Maybe not. :) I can't pass for 29 any longer.
Next Monday is is a yearbook camp I need to be at for a day. There's still that proposal I need to write. Books to read. Exercise to do. Errands to run. That book that I must finish.
School for me starts July 28, so my "full time" writing days are numbered. But I got a lot accomplished this summer, even though it's the miscellaneous stuff. But when you add it up, it seems more significant.
I have had time to relax, something I don't get to do since 9 months out of the year the alarm goes off at 5:20 AM. I've been reading. There's nothing like finishing a good book about one a.m. and not having to worry about the alarm in the morning.
Michele Dunaway
BACHELOR CEO--out now
It's hard to believe that for me, summer is almost over. It's been so busy, and I haven't done anything or really been anywhere. But look at this week.
While everyone is at RWA, I'm going to write the book that's due Aug. 12. My younger daughter has an arts day camp that week to learn how to draw art and anime--and I have to drive her the 40 minutes to get there and then find somewhere to pull out the laptop and work as it's only 3 hours, and not worth my going home.
My older daughter is spending three weeks at Truman State University, living in a dorm with other 7th-9th graders. I drove her there yesterday (7 hour round trip for me). Her class is computers in art and design. However, the entire experience is phenomenal and she grew so much as a person last summer. My good friend Jenny (from high school) arrives into town July 16 for a ten day stay with her daughters. My birthday is July 14, so I might celebrate that. Maybe not. :) I can't pass for 29 any longer.
Next Monday is is a yearbook camp I need to be at for a day. There's still that proposal I need to write. Books to read. Exercise to do. Errands to run. That book that I must finish.
School for me starts July 28, so my "full time" writing days are numbered. But I got a lot accomplished this summer, even though it's the miscellaneous stuff. But when you add it up, it seems more significant.
I have had time to relax, something I don't get to do since 9 months out of the year the alarm goes off at 5:20 AM. I've been reading. There's nothing like finishing a good book about one a.m. and not having to worry about the alarm in the morning.
Michele Dunaway
BACHELOR CEO--out now
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Household Cleaning Tip for Boats
For our readers out there who own a boat, you'll find Lisa Ruff's boat-cleaning tip helpful this summer--Happy Sailing!
An eco-friendly cleaning tip for people with boats:
Use baking soda, boiling water and vinegar to clean your sink drains. First close the sea-cock, then put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the drain. Fill the drain pipe with boiling water to just below the "cross-hairs" of the drain. Let sit for ten minutes, then pour a cup of vinegar into the drain. When the acid contacts the base, there's lots of foaming action--it smells awful, but the fumes are non-toxic. After ten minutes, open the sea-cock and let it all drain away. Flush with clean water and you're done. Sweet-smelling again!
Lisa Ruff
www.lisaruff.net
An eco-friendly cleaning tip for people with boats:
Use baking soda, boiling water and vinegar to clean your sink drains. First close the sea-cock, then put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the drain. Fill the drain pipe with boiling water to just below the "cross-hairs" of the drain. Let sit for ten minutes, then pour a cup of vinegar into the drain. When the acid contacts the base, there's lots of foaming action--it smells awful, but the fumes are non-toxic. After ten minutes, open the sea-cock and let it all drain away. Flush with clean water and you're done. Sweet-smelling again!
Lisa Ruff
www.lisaruff.net
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Conference, workshops and writing mini-series...
I’m busy getting ready for the Romance Writers of America National conference, too. I’m so excited to see my friends again, to attend informative workshops, to listen to fabulous speakers, and to cheer on our Harlequin American Rita finalists. My critique partner, Lindsey Brookes, is a double finalist in the Golden Heart awards. So I’m going to be cheering myself hoarse. I can’t wait. Fortunately the awards ceremony is after the workshop I’m presenting with Harlequin American senior editor Kathleen Scheibling. Our workshop is about writing mini-series within series romance. We’re going to discuss the when, how and why authors might want to write a series. I’m going to share some of my experiences, and Kathleen is going to share her wisdom and expertise. She’s going to be awesome! (Hopefully I don’t make too big a fool of myself with my nervous rambling. )
I’d also love to hear your comments about mini-series. What do you love about them? Do you have to buy every book in the series before you start reading them? Does anyone prefer stand-alone books that have no other related stories?
Thanks for your feedback!
Lisa
PS: We’re also going to be celebrating Harlequin’s 60th Anniversary! I’m so proud to be writing for the publisher of the books I’ve loved reading for so many, many years!
I’d also love to hear your comments about mini-series. What do you love about them? Do you have to buy every book in the series before you start reading them? Does anyone prefer stand-alone books that have no other related stories?
Thanks for your feedback!
Lisa
PS: We’re also going to be celebrating Harlequin’s 60th Anniversary! I’m so proud to be writing for the publisher of the books I’ve loved reading for so many, many years!
Conference Jitters...
Like so many others I’m getting ready for the National Romance Writer’s of America conference in Washington, DC. Being a Rita finalist gives a whole new meaning to the word nervous. I’ve finally decide to just relax and enjoy this incredible moment in my life. I haven’t accomplished that, but I’m working on it.
It’s been easier the past few days because things have been hectic at my house. I’m working on line edits and trying to keep in mind all the things I need to pack for the conference while getting ready for a book signing on Saturday. My brain is on overload and it’s difficult not to get stressed out. When I feel stressed, I gazed out my window to the lake in our backyard. Something about water is very
soothing to me, and I love watching the ducks and the geese. Some Canada geese have made the lake their home and the pictures are of babies born in April. They’re much bigger now, but still fun to watch.
It’s been easier the past few days because things have been hectic at my house. I’m working on line edits and trying to keep in mind all the things I need to pack for the conference while getting ready for a book signing on Saturday. My brain is on overload and it’s difficult not to get stressed out. When I feel stressed, I gazed out my window to the lake in our backyard. Something about water is very
soothing to me, and I love watching the ducks and the geese. Some Canada geese have made the lake their home and the pictures are of babies born in April. They’re much bigger now, but still fun to watch.
This week I’ve looked out my window more than usual, but once I board that plane I’ll relax and enjoy myself in DC. Rita night will be nerve wrecking, but I plan to enjoy that, too, especially getting to meet Cindi and so many others. I love meeting old friends and making new ones. It’s going to be an exciting conference. I hope to meet some of you there.
Do you have any stress-relieving tricks? Please, please share. I haven’t been on a plane since writing Texas Heir. That will be nerve wrecking too, but I’ll just gaze out the window. And search for water.
Linda
www.lindawarren.net
Caitlyn’s Prize – July ‘09
Do you have any stress-relieving tricks? Please, please share. I haven’t been on a plane since writing Texas Heir. That will be nerve wrecking too, but I’ll just gaze out the window. And search for water.
Linda
www.lindawarren.net
Caitlyn’s Prize – July ‘09
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
1st Conference Presentation
I'm very excited to be presenting a workshop at RWA's National conference in Washington DC next week. And shaky-scared.
Like many writers, I'm a shy person, more comfortable with imaginary people than real ones. And it has little to do with being able to control everyone, as some might suspect. LOL Frankly, I'm much smarter, wittier, and more articulate if I get a "do-over."
What has this to do with public speaking, you ask? Well, it's "public speaking," one of the top fears of 90% of the population. Add in that the workshop will be recorded and you can start to understand my apprehension.
Fortunately, I'm presenting with a really good friend, Kimberly Killion (www.kimberlykillion.com), whose historical, HER ONE DESIRE, is nominated for a RITA award. Not standing there alone is good. Our topic is "The Road So Far: The First Year After the Call," so I'm knowledgeable on the topic, which helps, too.
Does any of this erase my fear? No way. But it eases it some. Kim and I presented the talk to our local RWA chapter and were well-received. This will be the third time we've done the talk, and it gets better, more detailed, and more fun every time.
Not that I'm encouraging anyone to attend! LOL
Do you also fear public speaking? Does anyone have some tips to help me through this?
Megan Kelly
megankellybooks.com
Like many writers, I'm a shy person, more comfortable with imaginary people than real ones. And it has little to do with being able to control everyone, as some might suspect. LOL Frankly, I'm much smarter, wittier, and more articulate if I get a "do-over."
What has this to do with public speaking, you ask? Well, it's "public speaking," one of the top fears of 90% of the population. Add in that the workshop will be recorded and you can start to understand my apprehension.
Fortunately, I'm presenting with a really good friend, Kimberly Killion (www.kimberlykillion.com), whose historical, HER ONE DESIRE, is nominated for a RITA award. Not standing there alone is good. Our topic is "The Road So Far: The First Year After the Call," so I'm knowledgeable on the topic, which helps, too.
Does any of this erase my fear? No way. But it eases it some. Kim and I presented the talk to our local RWA chapter and were well-received. This will be the third time we've done the talk, and it gets better, more detailed, and more fun every time.
Not that I'm encouraging anyone to attend! LOL
Do you also fear public speaking? Does anyone have some tips to help me through this?
Megan Kelly
megankellybooks.com
Monday, July 06, 2009
It's Author News Day!
News
The 2009 Rita Awards will be presented in Washington, DC on Saturday, July 18. We're thrilled that two American Romance authors are finalists in the contemporary series category:
THE RIGHT MR. WRONG (Februay 2008) by Cindi MeyersLinda Warren’s TEXAS HEIR(September, 2008) is a finalist in the BookBuyer's Best Contest short contemporary category, and ALWAYS A MOTHER (Superromance—June, 2008) is the sensual contemporary winner in the More Than Magic Contest.
TEXAS HEIR (September 2008) by Linda Warren
Leigh Duncan is delighted to report that she is now represented by literary agent Helen Breitwieser of Cornerstone Literary.
Reviews
Ann Roth’s July release, A FATHER FOR JESSE, is a Romantic Times Top Pick and received a four-and-a-half star review!
A single mom, a troubled boy and a man who doesn't want responsibility may sound like a tired plot for a romance, but Roth's wonderful tale is touching, romantic and timely. Emmy Logan isn't looking to add another man to her life when she moves her son, Jesse, from a gang-infested area to a quiet island. After a lifetime of caretaking, Mac Struthers is looking forward to his freedom. Although they try to fight it, their attraction sparks a steamy romance, but they could end up hurting the boy they both love if they're not careful.
Mark Your Calendar
July 14—Four wonderful new reads from Harlequin American Romance will be in stores. This month’s covers are posted in the sidebar.
July 15—Many of your favorite American Romance authors will take part in the 2009 Readers for Life Literacy Autographing 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Exhibit Hall, Washington DC. Sponsored by Romance Writers of America. Open to the public; no admittance charge.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Taking the day off
Because I posted a recipe yesterday and then enjoyed the day with family and friends, I decided to take today off.
I'll be back next month.
Thanks for your understanding,
Ann Roth
www.annroth.net
A Father for Jesse, a July 2009 RT Top Pick!
(and the fourth and final book of my Halo Island miniseries)
I'll be back next month.
Thanks for your understanding,
Ann Roth
www.annroth.net
A Father for Jesse, a July 2009 RT Top Pick!
(and the fourth and final book of my Halo Island miniseries)
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Recipe of the month
This one of my favorite recipes and it tastes so good. In fact, I just made one for Fourth of July. (To those who celebrate, Happy Fourth!) My Mom passed it to me. Now I'm sharing it with you.
Mom’s Strawberry Pie
One baked, cooled pie crust (recipe follows)
Four-plus cups whole strawberries
1-1/2 – 2 heaping Tbs cornstarch, depending on how juicy the berries are
1 cup sugar
2 Tbs butter
Put everything but the butter in a saucepan. Cook 20-30 minutes until thick, stirring often to prevent burning. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Pour into cooled crust. Let cool or serve warm. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Pie Crust
(makes enough for two bottom crusts of one bottom and one top- this recipe doesn’t need a top crust, so I freeze a baked crust for later)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2 1/2 cups flour
1 3/4 sticks butter, fresh from fridge and cut into chunks
1/4 cup Crisco solid shortening
4 Tbsp ice water
Use the metal blade of the food processor. Pour flour into food processor, add butter and shortening. Pulse (process in short bursts) till crumbly and about the size of peas. Do not over-pulse. Add ice water, 1 Tbsp at a time, pulsing briefly after each addition. Use all Tbsp of water until mixture pulls away from sides and forms a ball. Do not add too much water or it will be tough and not good. Dump onto wax paper and refrigerate 30 minutes. Roll out to fit 9-inch pie tin. Place in the pie tin. Use an aluminum pie tin, pie weights or dried beans to prevent puffing.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. After 8-10 minutes, you can remove the aluminum pan or foil and weights so that the crust browns a little. Set aside to cool.
Enjoy!
Ann Roth
www.annroth.net
A Father For Jesse, a July RT Top Pick!
Mom’s Strawberry Pie
One baked, cooled pie crust (recipe follows)
Four-plus cups whole strawberries
1-1/2 – 2 heaping Tbs cornstarch, depending on how juicy the berries are
1 cup sugar
2 Tbs butter
Put everything but the butter in a saucepan. Cook 20-30 minutes until thick, stirring often to prevent burning. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Pour into cooled crust. Let cool or serve warm. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Pie Crust
(makes enough for two bottom crusts of one bottom and one top- this recipe doesn’t need a top crust, so I freeze a baked crust for later)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2 1/2 cups flour
1 3/4 sticks butter, fresh from fridge and cut into chunks
1/4 cup Crisco solid shortening
4 Tbsp ice water
Use the metal blade of the food processor. Pour flour into food processor, add butter and shortening. Pulse (process in short bursts) till crumbly and about the size of peas. Do not over-pulse. Add ice water, 1 Tbsp at a time, pulsing briefly after each addition. Use all Tbsp of water until mixture pulls away from sides and forms a ball. Do not add too much water or it will be tough and not good. Dump onto wax paper and refrigerate 30 minutes. Roll out to fit 9-inch pie tin. Place in the pie tin. Use an aluminum pie tin, pie weights or dried beans to prevent puffing.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. After 8-10 minutes, you can remove the aluminum pan or foil and weights so that the crust browns a little. Set aside to cool.
Enjoy!
Ann Roth
www.annroth.net
A Father For Jesse, a July RT Top Pick!
Thursday, July 02, 2009
JUNE CONTEST WINNER!!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS housemouse88! You’re the June winner. To receive your free autographed books please contact Rebecca Winters and Cathy McDavid through their Web sites.
To enter the contest simply leave a blog comment and your name will go into the drawing. Simple and painless. And FREE BOOKS.
So check back often and be sure to leave a comment. Good luck!
Happy Fourth of July and Happy Canada Day!!!!
To enter the contest simply leave a blog comment and your name will go into the drawing. Simple and painless. And FREE BOOKS.
So check back often and be sure to leave a comment. Good luck!
Happy Fourth of July and Happy Canada Day!!!!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The truth about...
In doing research for my books, I sometimes conduct in-person, e-mail and telephone interviews. I’ve cornered friends with questions about everything from medical issues to police procedures to Japanese culture to running a public relations agency.
A lot of research these days is, of course, done on the Internet. I thought you might be interested to know a few of the topics I’ve researched for my upcoming Safe Harbor Medical series in the Harlequin American line.
Before I give the details, I should mention that my next book, Doctor Daddy, to be published in September 2009 as part of the Men Made in American promotion, is set in the same local as my previous trilogy, Harmony Circle.
The first Safe Harbor Medical book is scheduled for February 2010. I’m currently writing the second one; that will come out later in 2010.
Here are some topics I’ve been delving into:
1) Childbirth classes and the topics they cover. My husband and I attended one more than twenty years ago, so this brought back some squirmy memories.
1) Adoption issues. Here are a few of the items that adoption agencies look at in conducting home studies: Is the house clean and safe? Is there space for the child? Are both prospective parents (assuming there are two) eager to adopt, and do they have experience with children? How do they plan to take care of the child – day care, or one parent staying home? Or (this wasn't mentioned specifically) Nana the nurturing dog?
2) Premature ovarian failure. Ouch. You don’t really want to hear about this, do you?
3) How to cut a man’s hair (just take my word for it, this figures into Book 2). Start with a location that’s easy to sweep up, such a bathroom or kitchen, or take a chair outside if you don’t need to plug in your clippers. This, too, brings back memories. I used to torture my sons by cutting their hair on the patio, until my husband took pity on them and started driving them to a salon. They now drive themselves to the barber.
4) Duties of a hospital attorney. The hero of my second book is the staff attorney at Safe Harbor Medical.
6) Classes you have to take for a nursing degree in California. Gee, by the time our legislature finishes cutting the budget, who knows what our universities will still be offering?
7) How to get a quickie divorce. This is information I hope I never have to use outside a book.
8) California’s safe haven law, which allows women to safely surrender newborns at a hospital, fire station or other approved facility. Sad though the circumstances may be, this law not only saves lives, it also inspired this series. You see, women keep confusing Safe Haven with Safe Harbor, so there’s a whole spate of babies arriving at the hospital in need of homes…
And no doubt, one of these days, a haircut.
A lot of research these days is, of course, done on the Internet. I thought you might be interested to know a few of the topics I’ve researched for my upcoming Safe Harbor Medical series in the Harlequin American line.
Before I give the details, I should mention that my next book, Doctor Daddy, to be published in September 2009 as part of the Men Made in American promotion, is set in the same local as my previous trilogy, Harmony Circle.
The first Safe Harbor Medical book is scheduled for February 2010. I’m currently writing the second one; that will come out later in 2010.
Here are some topics I’ve been delving into:
1) Childbirth classes and the topics they cover. My husband and I attended one more than twenty years ago, so this brought back some squirmy memories.
1) Adoption issues. Here are a few of the items that adoption agencies look at in conducting home studies: Is the house clean and safe? Is there space for the child? Are both prospective parents (assuming there are two) eager to adopt, and do they have experience with children? How do they plan to take care of the child – day care, or one parent staying home? Or (this wasn't mentioned specifically) Nana the nurturing dog?
2) Premature ovarian failure. Ouch. You don’t really want to hear about this, do you?
3) How to cut a man’s hair (just take my word for it, this figures into Book 2). Start with a location that’s easy to sweep up, such a bathroom or kitchen, or take a chair outside if you don’t need to plug in your clippers. This, too, brings back memories. I used to torture my sons by cutting their hair on the patio, until my husband took pity on them and started driving them to a salon. They now drive themselves to the barber.
4) Duties of a hospital attorney. The hero of my second book is the staff attorney at Safe Harbor Medical.
6) Classes you have to take for a nursing degree in California. Gee, by the time our legislature finishes cutting the budget, who knows what our universities will still be offering?
7) How to get a quickie divorce. This is information I hope I never have to use outside a book.
8) California’s safe haven law, which allows women to safely surrender newborns at a hospital, fire station or other approved facility. Sad though the circumstances may be, this law not only saves lives, it also inspired this series. You see, women keep confusing Safe Haven with Safe Harbor, so there’s a whole spate of babies arriving at the hospital in need of homes…
And no doubt, one of these days, a haircut.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
4th of July Craft for Kids
What kid doesn’t like to wear something goofy on their head when they attend the local parade or firework's show?
Thanks to http://www.familyfun.go.com/ for its Crowning Glory July 4th Craft Idea for kids.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
Flexible measuring tape
Blue and red duct tape
Flexible straws (we used 35)
Pipe cleaners
Star garland, cut into 6-inch lengths
Tacky glue
Pom-poms
1. Measure the circumference of your child's head. Cut a piece of blue duct tape to this length plus 2 inches. Lay the tape sticky side up (A). Adhere the straws to the tape (B), leaving four inches clear on either end. 2. Cut a second piece of blue tape, the same length as the first, and place it sticky side down to sandwich the straws (C). 3. Cut a piece of red duct tape to the same length as the blue ones. Fold it over the bottom edge of the blue tape "sandwich." Fit the headband to your child, then tape the ends together to form a circle. 4. Slide curled pipe cleaners and garland into the straws. Glue pom-poms to the pipe cleaner tops. Bend the straws as desired.
If anyone has a 4th of July craft idea for kids feel free to post it here!
Marin
Samantha's Cowboy (August 2009)
A Cowboy Christmas (December 2009)
www.marinthomas.com
Thanks to http://www.familyfun.go.com/ for its Crowning Glory July 4th Craft Idea for kids.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
Flexible measuring tape
Blue and red duct tape
Flexible straws (we used 35)
Pipe cleaners
Star garland, cut into 6-inch lengths
Tacky glue
Pom-poms
1. Measure the circumference of your child's head. Cut a piece of blue duct tape to this length plus 2 inches. Lay the tape sticky side up (A). Adhere the straws to the tape (B), leaving four inches clear on either end. 2. Cut a second piece of blue tape, the same length as the first, and place it sticky side down to sandwich the straws (C). 3. Cut a piece of red duct tape to the same length as the blue ones. Fold it over the bottom edge of the blue tape "sandwich." Fit the headband to your child, then tape the ends together to form a circle. 4. Slide curled pipe cleaners and garland into the straws. Glue pom-poms to the pipe cleaner tops. Bend the straws as desired.
If anyone has a 4th of July craft idea for kids feel free to post it here!
Marin
Samantha's Cowboy (August 2009)
A Cowboy Christmas (December 2009)
www.marinthomas.com
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