Me and Lady Jane

Three years ago I had just written my first book, Knight of Runes, and met NY Times Best Selling author Leanna Renee Hieber at the New York City RWA chapter meeting. Feeling a bit like a fish out of water, over the next few months Leanna encouraged me and kept my spirits up midst rejections and rewrites.  She also told me about Lady Jane’s. It sounded like one of the great European salons where people sat and talked about the arts with artists and writers. I thought the idea of a salon dedicated to romance readings was brilliant. I went to my first reading and found myself in a world of fiction and romance. People spoke about characters as if they really existed and places that were real enough to visit. I met authors, editors, agents, and readers.

Me getting ready to read

Fast forward to this month. I've just finished the edits on my new story, The Guardian’s Witch, and got it off to my editor. I can’t wait to see my cover. But more exciting than that was Hope Tarr’s invitation to read at Lady Jane’s Salon in New York City this month. There I was. Reading at Lady Jane’s Salon.

I read excerpts from various sections of Knight of Runes and took the audience from Rebeka meeting Lord Arik to their first kiss. I have to tell you, each time I read the story I love it more.

Knight of Runes - in print!

I found myself in great company from the audience that included friends from NYCRWA and Eloisa James…

Me and Eloisa

…to the NYTimes best selling authors that were also reading Jennifer Probst, Hope Tarr, and Sarah Maclean.

Sarah, Ron, Jennifer, Me, Hope, and Leanna

Jennifer Probst read from her book, The Marriage Bargain. The story is about a marriage in name only between a woman in dire financial straits and a billionaire who needs a wife in order to get his inheritance.  It was a wonderful funny excerpt.

Hope Tarr read from her new story, Project Cinderella the third in her Suddenly Cinderella Series of unlikely Cinderella’s that are helped along by their fairy-godmothers in a contemporary re-telling of Cinderella.

The fourth reader in our quartet, Sarah Maclean, read from her new story One Good Earl Deserve a Lover. This excerpt was about a prime and proper young lady who propositions the most notorious rogue in London in order to learn all about the art of love making before she marries.

It was Lady Jane's Fourth Anniversary. We toasted with champagne, ate delicious cupcakes provided by Entangled Publishing and had tastes of chocolate vodka from Three Olives Vodka.

New York City isn't the only venue for Lady Jane. There are Lady Jane Salons in Denver, CO, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Naperville (Chicago area), IL, and San Diego, CA. A new salon will be opening soon in Greenville, SC!

Lady Jane's Salon meets the first Monday of every month (that in two weeks!) at Madam X in SoHo.

Here's to another four wonderful years of romance reading!

(photographs courtesy of Lady Jane's Salon)

Also posted on Blame It On The Muse.

Guest Author ~ Shawna Thomas

Today's post is an interview with Carina Press author Shawna Thomas. Her new book, Journey of Awakening, was released this past Monday. It's an epic fantasy, my kind of story. 

Shawna Thomas - Website

Winner of a 2011 RT Reader’s Choice award for her debut book, Altered Destiny, Shawna Thomas has been making up stories ever since finishing Gone With The Wind. Once she put her own ending in writing, there was no looking back. A wife and a mother of seven, (yes seven!) Shawna lives in California where she gardens, writes, and drinks lots of coffee.

Here is a short description of Shawna's Journey to Awakening. 

Trained from birth for one purpose, Sara must reunite three ancient stones to restore balance to the land but one of the stone keepers has other plans.

To get to know Shawna better, she has answered a few questions. 

Available at Amazon and Carina Press

1.     How long did it take you to write Journey of Awakening? Well, it depends which time. I started writing this story over ten years ago. It’s changed much since then. The last version was done like a speed round. I had a newborn who did not sleep and a two month deadline to rewrite the manuscript. It’s a blur.  

2.     How much research did you conduct for Journey of Awakening and what was the most interesting thing you did while conducting your research? Unfortunately, a lot of researched material ended up on the cutting room floor. But Sara is a healer, so I spent hours researching herbal cures for different ailments. I found it fascinating and I tried several of them. They do work!

3.     Why did you decide to write fantasy? I’m not sure I ever decided to write fantasy. Rather it’s the way my brain is wired. However, I did publish erotic contemporary romance and gave it up for a chance to write and publish fantasy.

4.     Do you write multiple drafts or barely need revisions when typing, The End? Hah! I write fairly clean. (Looking over my shoulder to see what my editor might say) but I love revision. The first draft is usually bare bones. The next draft I’m adding flesh and bone, the next I’m dressing it up. I guess I write in layers.

5.     When you are writing, who is in control? You or your characters? It depends. I give my characters a lot of say. I think it’s one of the marks of a writer that they can argue with a character. These people have personality and depth. We just bring it out. But ultimately, I’m in charge. LOL I can almost hear my characters arguing with me.

6.     Have you had any "ah ha" moments as a writer? Oh yes, some of them embarrassing. Ah ha, this isn’t poetry, it’s narrative. Ah ha, no one will read my book just to glance around my world, something has to happen...

7.     What advice do you have for other writers? Don’t compare yourself to others. I have to tell myself this often, especially in regards to productivity. I don’t have much time to write so I’m not typically going to publish a book every six months. (This year is an exception)

8.     What was the most exciting thing that happened to you after you signed your contract – besides receiving your first check as a published author? My sister works for a hotel chain. She was across the country and mentioned to one of the managers that her sister was a writer. The man had read my book! It was amazing and humbling and wow!

9.     How does your family feel about your career as a romance writer? Hmm... My kids think I’m playing on the computer. From time to time one of my daughters will ask me how much money I’m making. (As in can we get a pool yet) My husband loves it. I don’t think most of them really understand what it means.

10.  What do you want your readers to take away with them after reading the story? I want them to fall in love with the characters. I want it to plant a seed in their imagination. I want them to want more. I want them to say, Ahhhh.

11.  What was the defining moment that you considered yourself an author? Defining moment... I’m not sure there has been one. I think it’s been a gradual thing. I do consider myself an author, but it wasn’t the first or even second book published that did it. Maybe when I won the RT reader award. That was pretty epic!

12.  With so many changes in publishing over the past year, where do you see the future of publishing going? I think we’re heading more toward electronic books. Two years ago it shocked me that my family didn’t know what an e-reader was. Now most of them have one or at least know what it is.

13.  What makes a man attractive to you? A good sense of humor. Oh, and he must have nice eyes and a good voice.

14.  What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done? LOL. Do you really want to know that? I’m not sure it’s the most interesting but I’ve trapped and skinned a beaver. I used to live in Washington State and there was Indian trapper that wanted to teach me how to live like my ancestors. He took me trapping, taught me to make moccasins. FYI: You only eat the tail. The rest of it is inedible.

15.  What’s your biggest dream? Ten or twenty things came to mind, but you know, I am living my biggest dream. I would like my books to be successful. So I guess my biggest dream is to captivate people with my words.

16.  If you were a millionaire would you still write? Oh yes. I write because I love it. Because it’s part of who I am. But I’d have a maid come in once a week to take care of the house. Okay maybe twice. And someone to come in a few hours a day to watch the kiddos.

17.  Seven children! How do you find the time? Coffee! Their ages range from 24 to 8 months. The older ones help out with the younger ones. With a new baby I plot and plan during diaper changes and laundry and write during nap time. But definitely coffee keeps me going.

      To tempt you even more, here is the back cover copy of Journey of Awakening.

      After her grandfather's death, Sara inherits an ancient pendant and a near-impossible quest—master the mysterious pendant's source of magic. Driven to do so, she must find the other two stones of power, long considered lost, while preventing an unknown enemy from finding her first.

      Unprepared and alone, she travels to where the keepers of the stones, the Siobani, were last seen. Along the way she meets Tobar, leader of the nomadic Heleini tribe. As Sara wrestles with feelings for this intriguing man, she is also invigorated with her grandfather's passion to find the ancient Siobani race.

      After a rival tribe kidnaps Tobar's son and heir, Sara must harness the stone's healing magic to unite the tribes and save the boy. But as the dark power stalking her gains ground, will she continue on her quest to reach the Siobani or risk everything to save the warring tribes from eliminating each other?

You can find Shawna on Twitter: authorSThomas and Facebook: Shawna Guzman (Shawna Thomas)

She also loves to hear from readers so drop her a line at Shawna@shawnathomas.com 

Thank you Shawna!  

Presenting Guest Author, Liz Flaherty

Today Liz Flaherty joins us. She is a good friend and, as you will see, a fellow Carina Press author. Liz, tell us what you've been doing.

Life is new and wonderful for me these days. I retired from the post office in 2011, promptly gained 15 pounds--overnight, I swear!--and promised my grandkids, The Magnificent Seven, that I would make each of them a bed-size quilt. I also planned to write all day, every day.

What was I thinking?

I've learned to write when I feel like it, sew when I feel like it, and maybe even to eat a little less--or maybe not. For the first time, we're wintering in Florida and I'm enjoying the newness of it. I'm having a Very, Very Good time.

I recently finished the sixth quilt and my sixth book--I'm not an overnight success, but I never give up. JAR OF DREAMS, is a new release by Carina Press. I am thrilled to the point everyone I know rolls their eyes as soon as I open my mouth. 

Six quilts! I'm impressed. Liz, tell us a little about JAR OF DREAMS. 

For as long as she can remember, Lucy Dolan has been jotting down her hopes on slips of paper and saving them in a pickle jar—her jar of dreams. It was the first thing she saved when the beloved family diner went up in flames, and it's safely buckled in her beat-up minivan when she lands in Taft, Indiana, to start over. She rents a room and goes into business with her landlady, but then Gert's nephew comes charging in to "rescue" his aunt.

 Boone Brennan will be damned if he'll let Lucy take advantage of Aunt Gert, who raised him and his sister. Believing that she's just passing through, he's deeply suspicious of her—despite the sparks that fly between them.

Just as Boone and Lucy are starting to open up to each other, a series of fires throws Lucy under suspicion. Boone wants to trust her and his feelings, but with the whole town against her, will he stay by her side? Or will Lucy move on and find another place to make her dreams come true?

This sounds like a great story. I have a few questions for you.

Happy Holidays!

I love this time of year with all the excitement and anticipation as we get closer to our family celebration. Our children are on their own and our celebrations have grown to include in-laws and grandchildren. It’s a wonderful time with family. While our daughters and grandchildren live close by, our son comes home from Boston, everyone sleeps over and well, it’s wonderful. Here is some music for you to enjoy. From our house to your's, have a happy and healthy holiday and new year!

Merry Christmas

Happy Hannukah

Happy Kwanzaa

Happy Winter Soltice

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

Author Joanna Chambers was kind enough to tag me in the Next Big Thing blog hop. The blog hope requires me to answer ten questions about whatever my next "big thing" is and then I tag five hapless victims other authors to carry on to infinity and beyond.

Basically it's a fun way of finding out a little something about what your favorite authors are up to while being introduced to authors who might be new to you. You don't have to do anything and no one is giving anything away, so no pressure. Just hop around and enjoy what everyone has to say.

1. What is the working title of your book?
   Mine Forever is the working title. My editor has already told me it needs to be changed. FLASH! The new title is The Guardian's Witch.
2. Where did the idea come for this book come from?
   I met someone who mentioned they were a caulbearer (born with a veil over their face) and researched the folk lore. Caulbearers as said to be excellent healers, have visions, and bear kings. Putting my caulbearer heroine in the 13th century was a natural.
3. What is the genre of the book?
   This story is a historical fantasy set on the border of England and Scotland in 1290.
4. Which actors would you choose to play your character in a movie rendition?
   I think Jennifer Love Hewitt would be good as Lisbeth, my heroine.
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
   
   Newly minted Lord Alex Stelton, finds his life in jeopardy after the king awards him Lady Lisbeth's cursed castle. Someone, or something, wants him dead.  The knight’s trusted friend, Lord Bryce Mitchell, secretly wants it all, the castle and the woman, and he’ll stop at nothing to get them. In order to save the man she loves and prevent being married off to Bryce, Lisbeth must make a crucial decision; dare she rely on her knight to find a way to save them both or does she trust her magic and risk exposure and persecution as a witch? (Sorry, I couldn't do it one sentence)
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency/publisher?
   Carina Press has scheduled this book for publication July 1, 2013
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
   It took me five months to write the first draft.
8. What other books would you compare your story to within your genre?
   I would compare by story to those by Julie Garwood.
9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
   A friend of mine told me she was born with caul, a veil over her face. I did some research and the story leaped out of my research.
10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
    This is the first of a series of stories about seven brothers each plagued with the curse of a deadly sin. They must overcome their sin for an opportunity to vanquish man who cursed them.

I hope you're looking forward to my new series. My tagged victims are Liz Flaherty and Jessica Lauryn

10 Ways to Stay Motivated While You Write

Writing is difficult. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. My stories start in my head. I hear dialogue, I see scenery, I even hear the exposition. Getting it down on paper and keeping my tushy in the chair is another thing entirely. It can be downright challenging. Here are some ways that may help you to stay motivated.

Take a short time to organize. I’m a ‘plotzer’ – cross between a planner and pantzer I use a basic story outline to know my story’s direction. For me, detailed planning prevents my characters telling me where things are going. I know that sounds strange, but detailed planning for me (and I stress for me), interferes with some of my creativity. So, I use a basic outline and character study (index cards or notes). It’s the character study I find most valuable and where I spend my time. I get close with my characters.  Once I know them well writing flows easier and easier writing keeps me motivated. If I get stumped, I go back to my outline, character study, or do some ‘what if’ scenarios. It recharges me and keeps me writing.

Set Deadlines. Deadlines work for some people. For me, they definitely are part of my day job and I had aggressive ones with my editor. I know the punishment for missing these deadlines but what would really happen if I missed a self-imposed writing deadline? Move the date? Besides, I’m a real softy. Ask my kids. So to quote Nathan Bransford “The trick is setting a deadline with teeth. If you secretly know that the deadline you’re setting for yourself is a soft one, it’s not going to have its hair-raising, stress-inducing maximum effect. So either you have to learn to be scared of yourself and your own punishments or you may need a partner in crime who can help you keep to them.”

Daydream a Little. Picture what it will be like when you book is completed and you ship it off for query to an agent/editor. Dream about the possibilities of a successful novel, keynote at RWA, Pulitzer (when they have a romance category), and movie option. It all depends on completing what you write. Tuck the daydream in a nice cozy place and come back to the present and make it happen.

Journalize. Writers usually keep a journal or pad handy for jotting down story and character ideas. Use your journal to clarify your obstacles, then think of ways around writing problems, like plot difficulties or difficult decisions about how to organization your story. Perhaps solving these difficulties will motivate you to keep on going.

Just start typing. Momentum can be invaluable in making progress. Even 10 minutes of uninterrupted writing can be helpful. Find time during the day to write, at lunch, commuting, waiting in line at the grocer, at soccer game practice, you see what I mean.

Skip ahead. I tell you this technique but admit I do not follow it myself. I am a linear writer. I find it very difficult to write ‘out of order.’ However, just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, if you’re stuck about writing the next thing, skip it for now and try jumping ahead to the next piece you’re excited about. You can come back to the part you skipped later.

Talk with your critique partner or someone who supports your writing. For me, talking about my work in progress gets me excited. Sometimes that is all I need to stay motivated. I was stuck on a fight scene and spoke to my son (he’s grown) and Rayna Vause (a writer who is also a martial arts expert). Both gave me the support I needed and valuable insight. And while it’s not true of everyone, a lot of people—both writers and readers—are flattered to be asked to talk with a writer about a work in progress.

Move Around. Sometimes you need to move out of your space, physically, to reset your mind. I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water or cup of tea. (Sometimes even chocolate.) I come back to my desk renewed.

Write what You Love. Don’t try to catch a fad. It may be tempting, but most times it doesn’t work. You need to love your novel unconditionally if you’re going to finish it.

Your turn. What about you? What motivates you?    

Cori and Chris

Our daughter's wedding was three weeks ago. All Cori's planning showed even the tiniest detail on her special day. She was a beautiful bride down to her purple crinoline and spectacular purple shoes. The unique monogram she created for the event was terrific. The food was delicious, the music was charged and lively, and most of our guests arrived. There were two empty tables.
The wedding was the day before Hurricane Sandy struck the northeast. Some of our uests from out-of-state could not fly in and others were concerned about getting home that evening. We are in North Jersey and while we lost our power that Monday and the newlyweds delayed leaving on their honeymoon for a few days until the airport opened we were not devastated as many were in New York City  and the Jersey Shore. We definitely counted our blessings.
Here are some before and after pictures of the Jersey shore.
I hope you and yours are safe.

The 10 Most Mentioned Songs in Books

I love music. It can define my mood, my outlook, and help me change it. Music can relax me and pump me up. I’m not surprised that music and musicians are mentioned in books. Sometime the song title or artist name is the easiest way to convey things to the reader.

I’ve been very pressed for time these last few weeks with chairing a major conference (next week) and our daughter’s wedding (the end of the month). When I browsed Publisher’s Weekly though, I had to stop to enjoy the music. Here is the article by Gabe Habash, a New York University professor, on the the ten most mentioned songs in books.  Gabe mentions a website, Small Demons that acts as a book content web, connecting people, places, music, movies, TV/radio, books, food/drink, magazines, events, vehicles, and weapons mentioned in books.

What songs would you (or have you) referenced in your writing? Why did you choose them?

I’ll start. I referenced light jazz in Knight of Runes. When my heroine in the 21^st century drives 3 hours from London to her new home, Fayne Manor she listens to light jazz, probably Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five.”  

Here are the top ten from Small Demons.

10. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

9. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

8. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

 7. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by The Beatles

 6. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin

 5. “Blue Suede Shoes” by Elvis Presley

4. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA

3. “We Are the World”

2. “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley

1. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

My heroine's “Take Five” by Dave Brubeck

10 Ways to Stay Motivated While You Write

Writing is difficult. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not. My stories start in my head. I hear dialogue, I see scenery, I even hear the exposition. Getting it down on paper and keeping my tushy in the chair is another thing entirely. It can be downright challenging. Here are some ways that may help you to stay motivated.

1. Take a short time to organize. I’m a ‘plotzer’ – cross between a planner and pantzer I use a basic story outline to know my story’s direction. For me, detailed planning prevents my characters telling me where things are going. I know that sounds strange, but detailed planning for me (and I stress for me), interferes with some of my creativity. So, I use a basic outline and character study (index cards or notes). It’s the character study I find most valuable and where I spend my time. I get close with my characters.  Once I know them well writing flows easier and easier writing keeps me motivated. If I get stumped, I go back to my outline, character study, or do some ‘what if’ scenarios. It recharges me and keeps me writing.

2. Set Deadlines. Deadlines work for some people. For me, they definitely are part of my day job and I had aggressive ones with my editor. I know the punishment for missing these deadlines but what would really happen if I missed a self-imposed writing deadline? Move the date? Besides, I’m a real softy. Ask my kids. So to quote Nathan Bransford “The trick is setting a deadline with teeth. If you secretly know that the deadline you’re setting for yourself is a soft one, it’s not going to have its hair-raising, stress-inducing maximum effect. So either you have to learn to be scared of yourself and your own punishments or you may need a partner in crime who can help you keep to them.”

3. Daydream a Little. Picture what it will be like when you book is completed and you ship it off for query to an agent/editor. Dream about the possibilities of a successful novel, keynote at RWA, Pulitzer (when they have a romance category), and movie option. It all depends on completing what you write. Tuck the daydream in a nice cozy place and come back to the present and make it happen.

4. Journalize. Writers usually keep a journal or pad handy for jotting down story and character ideas. Use your journal to clarify your obstacles, then think of ways around writing problems, like plot difficulties or difficult decisions about how to organization your story. Perhaps solving these difficulties will motivate you to keep on going.

5. Just start typing. Momentum can be invaluable in making progress. Even 10 minutes of uninterrupted writing can be helpful. Find time during the day to write, at lunch, commuting, waiting in line at the grocer, at soccer game practice, you see what I mean.

6. Skip ahead. I tell you this technique but admit I do not follow it myself. I am a linear writer. I find it very difficult to write ‘out of order.’ However, just because it doesn’t work for me doesn’t mean it won’t work for you. So, if you’re stuck about writing the next thing, skip it for now and try jumping ahead to the next piece you’re excited about. You can come back to the part you skipped later.

7. Talk with your critique partner or someone who supports your writing. For me, talking about my work in progress gets me excited. Sometimes that is all I need to stay motivated. I was stuck on a fight scene and spoke to my son (he’s grown) and Rayna Vause (a writer who is also a martial arts expert). Both gave me the support I needed and valuable insight. And while it’s not true of everyone, a lot of people—both writers and readers—are flattered to be asked to talk with a writer about a work in progress.

8. Move Around. Sometimes you need to move out of your space, physically, to reset your mind. I get up and go downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water or cup of tea. (Sometimes even chocolate.) I come back to my desk renewed.

9. Write what You Love. Don’t try to catch a fad. It may be tempting, but most times it doesn’t work. You need to love your novel unconditionally if you’re going to finish it.

10. Chocolate. Need I say more?

Your turn. What about you? What motivates you?    

5 Quick Fixes to Make Reader Love Your Villains

I read a great blog by RITA nominee Shannon Donnelly – 5 Quick Fixes to Make Readers Love Your Villains. Shannon made it sound so simple. When I took a close look at her post I realized all her suggestions demonstrate the hero’s humanity.

1. What does the character’s mother love about him?
2. What does this character love?
3. Why does this character do bad things?
4. What would make this character a hero?
5. Give the villain a trait you’d love to have.

I get it! 

I'm working through my edits on my new story, working title Mine Forever, with Denise, my editor. Throughout the story I've portrayed my villain as a totally bad guy- Snidely Whiplash. However, the more I thought about some of Denise's comments and Shannon's post I clearly see if I give him some humanity even a streak of goodness it will create more conflict and a more powerful character.

Bravo to Shannon Donnelly for putting into words what I was struggling to achieve and for giving me one more outstanding tool for my author tool kit. Her workable questions produced answers that moved my villain from cliche to credible.

Who is your favorite villain? What tools do you use to write your villain?