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The summer of 2011 has brought extreme heat in several parts of the United States. In my own part of the country we’ve been hit not only by record high temperatures but also oppressing humidity. It’s definitely been the kind of summer when you want to stay indoors with your fans or A/C turned up. In fact, it has been so miserable here I’ve got out very little.
This is ok in a way, as being inside more has compelled me to write more. I’m working on two novels right now in fact, and very happy with the progression.
But still, something seems missing..as if something’s telling me there’s something fun and exciting just waiting for me..something I’ve waited for a long, long, long time. Something I shouldn’t resist or I’ll end up kicking myself the rest of my life. While I can’t really point my finger on what this something is, it has been calling me for days; beckoning urgently for me to take a break from the keyboard. And I’ve wracked my brain trying to think of what this thing could be.
Whatever it is it certainly won’t affect my writing. I have readers waiting anxiously for some serious adult fiction.
I can’t let them down, so not rain, nor snow, nor the heat of Hades can interfere with my creative juices.
Nope, not the car show that came to town, not even the carnival. I am dedicated.
Nothing interrupts my writing when the ole Muse is at work. I don’t let any mediocre, unimportant interest have a sway.
I am the pure professional when it comes to finishing a project. I don’t let another single need weave itself into my subconscious. I don’t let my imagination be corrupted by anything.
Yep, I’m this dedicated. Heat or no heat. My stories will never, ever be tainted by personal side issues or mundane interests.
My husband has suggested we have a date night. And it would be heaven to have a night with my man, to take him up on on the offer of romantic dinner and a movie. Sigh. The problem is I can’t think of a single film I really want to see.
I’ve recently finished up a series called Forbidden Passions that I co-wrote with a friend, Loribelle Hunt. I wrote the first and third stories in the series, she wrote the second and fourth. You have no idea how many people seemed totally confused by this, and kept emailing me to ask where the second and fourth books were, when I only had the first and third on my website. My web designer managed to get those other books on my site for me, so hopefully it’s less confusing now, but it got to the point that I had a form email for whenever that question came into my inbox.
Aside from that, the co-writing was a fun experience. We both write erotic, paranormal, shape-shifters, and suspense (her more than me), and we decided to combine those similarities and see what we might come up with in terms of a world and characters we were both willing to write. This series is what we came up with. Add to that some kickin’ cover created by the very talented Kanaxa and we were in business.
I’ve heard horror stories of series that get co-written where one person or persons override everyone else’s suggestion and make unilateral decisions abut The Way Things Will Be. If you go into a situation where you know you won’t get to make the world-building decisions, that’s one thing. It’s something else entirely when your input is completely ignored when you thought you’d get to contribute.
I think why it worked for Loribelle and me is that we have a pretty good friendship to start with, which means we’re good at communicating with each other and have a healthy respect for the others talents. Also–and I think this is key–the major worldbuilding decisions were made together, but there were also certain parts of the world that we each claimed “ownership” of, so it wasn’t all compromise and hashing things out. That give and take made the experience a lot more pleasant than it could have been.
I think I’m rambling at this point, but what I think worked for us in this co-writing experience is: communication, respect, compromise, and little bit of owning our own part of the series and world.
We have had a few emails asking if we’re going to write more in the series, and to be honest, I have no idea. We’d have to sit down and figure out more stories, how to grow the world even more, and whether or not we have time to carve out of our very busy writing/deadlines schedule to make it happen. Could go either way, but I’m glad our readers are enjoying the series enough to ask!
First of all, let me say, I really wanted to showcase the cover of my upcoming release entitled….I WANT IT NOW! (yes, all caps and exclamation marks) however, it’s not ready yet. So instead, I thought I’d tell you guys a little more about me.
1. I am a reformed writing vampire. When my child was in high school, I really couldn’t get into writing until after he’d quieted down for the night, usually ten o’clock or after. Then I’d write until one or two in the morning. Now that he’s entered college, my schedule has also changed. I write earlier, get to bed earlier…but here is the funny part. Though I have more time to write, I seem to write less.
2. When I’m not in author mode, I am a veterinarian by profession. I was the Navy wife who humped from city to city with my hubby, curing –and I’m sure at least one disgruntled soul will say killing–man’s best friend and associated species. Amazingly though, I’ve gone from 5 animals crawling all over to the house to one spastic Heinz 57 who refuses to budge across my threshold.
3. I cannot claim the “I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a kid” title. I am a late comer to the writing world. Now I was an avid reader, devouring at least 5 titles a week, but trying writing….nope. It’s funny how I actually got into writing. Stress made me do it. Unfortunately, my marriage was going south and writing–not journaling–but writing about this sometimes ridiculous ride we call life became my outlet. I showed my work to some people, they showed it to others and before you know it, encouraged, I mailed it to an agent and….Wallah! Here I am.
4. Even though I’ve made more money writing erotica/romantica, my favorite genre is mystery and suspense. I cut my teeth on those Reader’s Digest Condensed books. It was where I first heard of John le Carre (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) and Robert Ludlum (Bourne Identity/Supremacy series), some of my suspense favorites.
5. In my spare time, I am the pianist/organist for my church. I trained classically for 9 years in my youth, competing at the state level, but now I only play for church. While trotting around with my hubby, I didn’t even play at all for 13 years…but when I moved back, they needed a pianist, and I’m not one to back down when a need is obvious…so, I cracked the knuckles, pulled out my exercise notebook (Schubert, I think) and off I rode.
6. And last year at Mardi Gras, I found out there was no “Kink” in my kinky side…anywho, wish I could provide more details but you know what they say, “What happens in Nawlins, stays in Nawlins.”
And by “classics” I’m not talking about Dickens or Hemingway. Not that there’s anything wrong with Dickens or Hemingway, but I’m going for classics in my genre. Romance classics. Even more specifically, I’m not even talking about classic bodice rippers or Old Skool Romance. I’m talking about the romance novels that made me love romance like a fat kid loves cake (note: as a fat kid, I can vouch for the fact that this is a whole lot of love.)
I mentioned last month that I took a much-needed break from writing. In that time I dug out all my old favorites and tried to rejuvenate my writing-love by reminding myself of the books that made me want to write in the first place. I do this occasionally, but not usually for a month solid. I haven’t jumped around the map much this time, I ended up veggies out on all my Linda Howards.
Man, can she write an alpha male. Sometimes a little too alpha for my taste, but always deliciously alpha.
She also writes a pretty wicked suspense, which is good because my next book is both suspense and has an alpha hero, so hey, bonus. Research/inspiration and rejuvenation.
My current work in progress for Aphrodisia is a lovely little piece with alien shape-shifters who come to Earth and are very, very naughty. As well as a bit haughty, but love makes even the most high an mighty tip off their little pedestal, so never fear!
To get in the mood, I’ve been watching a ton of sci-fi movies and I thought I’d share some of the ones I’ve gone through recently. Note that these are not necessarily my favorites of all time, just the ones from this week or two.
Oh, yeah, I went and watch the new Star Trek. I’m a Next Generation girl myself, but I’ve seen all the movies, regardless of which cast they were using. I liked it! Chris Pine’s redo of Kirk was very interesting; plus, eye candy! Hello!
Another remake. Not sure if I liked it better or worse than the original. I do love Charlton Heston, but the updated special effects and costumes were pretty awesome.
Fave. Oh, yeah. This one is on the list because I watch it for more than just sci-fi inspiration. I love Firefly and the spin off movie Serenity. More the show than the movie, to be honest, but I own them both on DVD and love, love, loooove them.
Battlestar Galatica. I loved it, I hated it. Or parts of it. They went places I thought they wouldn’t or shouldn’t go, and yet I still liked it. Who knew?
@Karenknowsbest twittered this morning about a sign she saw on the freeway. It said: “Kelly I love u, pls come back!”
The collective Awwwwwwww was heard ’round Twitter. I know I awwwwwwwww’ed and I’m about as close as you can get to a cynic. I mean really, other than the gooey mushy closet romantic center that is my heart. But please, don’t tell anyone. I’ll just deny it.
But it got me back to thinking about something I’ve been thinking about for a while and that’s themes writers address in their books. And I’m talking as a reader AND a writer. For the most part I try not to think too hard when I wear my reader hat or get too scholarly about what I read–I read purely for enjoyment (unless it’s self-help LOL)….
In Hater by David Moody (not a romance), the main protag was an ass for like 1/2 the book, the stuff going on around them was horrifying (people appear to be infected with “something” that makes them attack the people around them) and the Protag is very judgmental/hateful of the attackers….until the end when the big reveal comes. Granted Hater is very much a horror novel in the tradition of classic twisty horror and not for the faint of heart but what did I realized when I was done? I think the author deliberately didn’t want me to like the Protag. and in the process took me on an exploration of the different facets of Hate.
And in Ann Aguirre’s Blue Diablo…well, where do I begin? First off, if you haven’t read it, why not? Yes, I’m a total fan girl and while BD isn’t “technically” a romance, I think it’s worth looking at because Blue Diablo tackles a theme I see a lot in my own work (believe it nor LOL)…and that’s Redemption and not just with Corine who I think seeks/wants/needs some form of redemption regarding her mother’s death, but with Chance, who redeems himself in Corine’s eyes by showing her (and the reader) a more vulnerable side, and even the alleged baddy who joins them at the end (whose name I can’t remember); I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers regarding him but I thought it was a really cool twist.
I picked both of these books because they left a strong impression on me. Like I said, I see a lot of redemption though mostly in my non-erotic/less hot work. And of course, as a closet romantic, I think “Love” is the ultimate redeemer.
So what are some of your favorite themes? Is it also redemption? And do you have any favorite redemption books/redeemed heroes or heroines?
One of the fun things about a writer’s job is the foreign sales. For one thing, they’re free money! You already wrote and sold the book, and now you’re getting paid for it again. But, more than that, it’s wonderful to know that readers in different countries who don’t speak English are reading your work.
And then there’s the fun of receiving your author copies and seeing how the foreign publisher dealt with your book. And man, does it vary!
In the past couple weeks, I received the French and Spanish editions of Hot in Here. The Brazilian one (in Portuguese) was already on my shelf. So I stacked the books up next to each other, and pretty much shook my head in amazement.
My Aphrodisia story, published in trade paper format, was 332 pages long. The Brazilian publisher changed the title to Brincando com Fogo, which translates as Playing With Fire, which I think is great. They published the book in trade paper too, with a gorgeous chocolate cover, inside cover flaps, lovely white paper, and slightly larger type – and it came out to be 207 pages. What did they cut??? I’m so curious, but I don’t read Portuguese.
Next to come was the French edition, titled Convenances et Inconvenances. I’m not absolutely sure of the translation (if someone can help, please post!), but I think it’s something like Proprieties and Improprieties. This book looks rather like a Harlequin/Silhouette category/series book. I love that they put a Chinese heroine on the cover (in the book, Jenny Yuen is torn between respecting her traditional Chinese parents, who don’t want her dating a white guy, and following her heart with her firefighter lover). This book came out to 281 pages.
Last and largest is the Spanish version, Las Reglas de la Fantasia. I’m so excited about that title, which translates as Fantasy Rules, because it’s my original one. The book is the second in my Awesome Foursome series, and I’d envisioned the series as “rules to have sex by” with the first being Champagne Rules, the second Fantasy Rules, and so on. Well, only my first title survived, so it was really a thrill to see Fantasy Rules on the French edition. This book is huge! It’s paperback, but even bigger than our standard trade papers, and it’s 411 pages. I think they actually translated my book literally, rather than editing it, which is very flattering. It’s interesting that the cover has not only a kiss but a calendar. I guess they chose that because the hero is the winner of a firefighter calendar competition.
So, that’s my “show and tell” for today. Thanks for letting me share!
It’s the first week of March I’m seeing blooms in my garden. What a thrill!
When I was a teenager, I worked as a cashier in a grocery store. In the break room upstairs were small windows set high in the wall. Because I’m tall I was able to stand and stretch to feel the breeze waft in. The head cashier found me there one day and I mentioned that in the Spring I always stood at the window but that I didn’t bother any other time of year.
“Spring fever,” she said. She was right. I’ve had a case every Spring since.
I feel revved, juiced, happier than any other time of year. Lighter at heart.
Even the writing comes easier, the love scenes are hotter, the couples more in tune. Okay, so, maybe the conflict is more difficult to find, but did I mention the sex being hotter?
They say Spring is a season of renewal and new life. I certainly feel it. Like sap running, the energy flow increases, the productivity soars and my creative muscles flex.
How about you, do you see a difference in your internal clock? Do you feel better? Stronger? Or maybe sexier? Do you stand straighter, walk with a sway? Toss out more come hither looks than you did just a few weeks ago?
Does your man?
I’m working on updating my website with news for 2009. First release of the year will be in November when my first foreign edition comes out. Midnight Confessions will be released in Germany in November! I can’t wait to see what the publisher there comes up with for ghost story cover art.
I’m a bit of a music fanatic–even though I don’t have a musical bone in my body and can’t play a note–I love to listen to it, love buy it, love to watch the videos, I even love cheesy fan videos (and my best friend likes to send me links to especially awful ones).
So, I play list my works in progress. Sometimes it’s a single album or artist. Sometimes it’s a variety. The novella I’m working on is for a Big Cats shifter anthology (that I think comes out in the middle of next year), and the heroine is really dominating the story for me right now. She’s fiery and mercurial and totally fascinates the very dutiful hero. I just started the novella last week, so we’re in the early stages yet. The hero will add songs to the list as I go, but here’s the play list (mostly for the heroine) so far.
Something in Your Mouth by Nickelback Smooth by Santana & Rob Thomas Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry Gotta be Somebody by Nickelback I’m a Bitch by Meredith Brooks 6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps (Oakenfold Remix) Reach Out by Hilary Duff SEX by Nickelback
And here’s a few videos that I think really work, too.
Circus by Britney Spears. This one is just wicked and, with the flying whips, has a little flavoring of BDSM to it that I totally love.
6 Underground by Sneaker Pimps. This is the non-remixed version. I’m into both versions at the moment. This video is a little dark, a little paranormal, and a little sexy. Nice.
Piece of Me by Britney Spears. It has this “don’t tell me how to live” vibe to it that totally suits my current heroine. She got turned into a shape-shifter against her will and refuses to live how shifters live just because someone took her choice away. For whatever reason, Britney’s attitude in this video flows with that.
I think every author puts some of herself into her characters. For me, more often than not, I find more of myself in my heroines than in my heroes. Maybe it’s the girl thing, I don’t know, but there is a teensy bit of my personality in all of them. So, even though most of my characters live on a futuristic world or have paranormal powers, there’s still something totally human and totally relate-able about them for me because they are, in small part, me.
Jain from “In Ice” in Sexy Beast V is both a teacher and a scholar. This is definitely me. She’s uncomfortable with the total instinct that Kesuk, the hero, guides himself with. The crazy-wild lust she has for him makes her uncomfortable because it’s not logical and not something she can control. She is a total control freak. Let’s just say that part of her personality was pretty natural for me to write.
Sera in Carnal Desires is totally impatient with things she doesn’t agree with. Like the merman society that is focused on outward perfection. She thinks perfection is unattainable, so why beat yourself up about it? Oh, yeah. That’s me. Accept that the world sucks and make the best of it. No need to fake it and pretend something is what it isn’t.
Solana in On The Prowl (which comes out in April of this year) is this amazing combination of strength and vulnerability. I wish that part was me, but it’s not. Solana has more of her stuff together than I do, but she also has a sarcastic streak a mile wide that is so, so me. I think I gave her a few of my favorite cuss words, too.
Chloe in Every Witch Way (working title subject to change at a moment’s notice from my editor) is the character that is, I think, almost entirely me. Me with magical powers. She’s a librarian, a smart ass, allergic to commitment after being burned one too many times, totally independent, and a stubborn wench. Um. Yeah. That would be all me. She’s also a real witch. Like, from a long line of witches. She also has clairaudience, which means she hears voices but she’s not crazy (mostly). I set her up with Merek, an uber-alpha, uber-powerful warlock cop who decides the best way to protect his very independent heroine from some very bad baddies is to just move in with her. And not ask her first. That’s going to go over well, don’t you think?
I sold this book to Aphrodisia last year on proposal, and it will probably come out in late 2010 or early 2011, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun to write. Can’t wait!
I’ve recently finished up a series called 
Aside from that, the co-writing was a fun experience. We both write erotic, paranormal, shape-shifters, and suspense (her more than me), and we decided to combine those similarities and see what we might come up with in terms of a world and characters we were both willing to write. This series is what we came up with. Add to that some kickin’ cover created by the very talented Kanaxa and we were in business.
I’ve heard horror stories of series that get co-written where one person or persons override everyone else’s suggestion and make unilateral decisions abut The Way Things Will Be. If you go into a situation where you know you won’t get to make the world-building decisions, that’s one thing. It’s something else entirely when your input is completely ignored when you thought you’d get to contribute. 
I think why it worked for Loribelle and me is that we have a pretty good friendship to start with, which means we’re good at communicating with each other and have a healthy respect for the others talents. Also–and I think this is key–the major worldbuilding decisions were made together, but there were also certain parts of the world that we each claimed “ownership” of, so it wasn’t all compromise and hashing things out. That give and take made the experience a lot more pleasant than it could have been.
Unfortunately, my marriage was going south and writing–not journaling–but writing about this sometimes ridiculous ride we call life became my outlet. I showed my work to some people, they showed it to others and before you know it, encouraged, I mailed it to an agent and….Wallah! Here I am.
