I have an awesome record at resisting commonsense, but sometimes even I have to bow to it. My blog needs to be part of my website, and not simply feeding into it.
From today onwards, you can follow my blog at http://authorjennyschwartz.com/blog/ .
Also, depending on how active tech gremlins are, my new blog will feed into my Facebook page (please work, Networked Blogs app) and my Goodreads page.
If you have any problems adding my new blog to your feed reader, please let me know.
30 June 2011
28 June 2011
Elyse Mady, Guest Author
I love having Elyse Mady visit. Not only does she write great books (no, I'm not biased. Check out this review from Drea at Judging a Book by Its Pages), she's a wonderful interviewee -- did you know about Jane Austen's "borrowing" tendencies? Also, there's a ***giveaway***. Elyse has generously put a digital copy of her latest book, Learning Curves up for grabs. So share your favourite title in the comments and go in the draw to win!
***
Well, first off, thanks for having me to visit, Jenny! I'm glad to be back. I'm really excited to be talking about my new novel, Learning Curves. It's a departure for me, because my first published book was a historical novella and this story is a sexy contemporary. With a hero who takes his clothes off for a living! Yum.
“Learning Curves” is a fantastic title. Do you have any title favourites? (I like “Pride and Prejudice”.)
I think titles are so important - after all, before a reader can even flip over to read the back cover copy, they've read the title and if doesn't draw them in, they're not going to be interested in what's between the covers. Some of my books title themselves really easily. Others are more challenging. Happily though Leanne and Brandon's story seemed to know what it wanted to be called right from the rough note stage. Much more appealing than calling it "Untitled" all the time!
Some of my favourite titles are Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel "Love in a Time of Cholera" and the wonderful poetic autobiography "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept" by Canadian writer Elizabeth Smart. Both authors explore love but their viewpoints are so different, it's really fascinating. One so visceral and uncontrolled, the other this carefully paced and elegant dissection of what love and marriage are throughout the characters' lives.
P&P is a great title, too, although I think I'm a smidge more partial to "Persuasion". Did you know that Jane Austen actually borrowed the title of "Pride and Prejudice" from Frances Burney? Burney used it first in her novel, "Cecilia: Memoirs of an Heiress"?
How about favourite places of learning, given the setting of Learning Curves? (Oxford? kindergarten class? archaeological dig?)
I've always loved school. Setting the story at a university seemed a really natural fit for me. After all, university campuses are these odd little microcosms, with thousands and thousands of (usually) young people, contained and in close proximity. Romance is going to happen, which comes as quite a surprise for Leanne, the heroine, who's been focused on nothing but her books for a long time. Meeting Brandon throws her off balance and it was so much fun watching both of them struggle to regain their equilibrium in the face of falling in love when they are both convinced it's the last thing they want right now. I used many of my own experiences as a graduate student when I was writing this book but since I went back and did my Masters after I was married (and had two very young children), my student life was obviously different than Leanne's. No male strippers for me. ;) But that's why I'm a writer - what doesn't happen in real life, I can just majick it up with my imagination for somebody else.
But my favourite place of learning has to be a library. Public, school, university stacks: I love wandering the aisles, hunting for a book. And I'm on a first name basis with my Interlibrary loan coordinator at my local library (*waves* Hi Stacey!). What's not to love when you can track down any title and have it delivered right to you, for free?? Just last week I finished a biography on Beau Brummell and another on the courtesan, Harriet Wilson. I think librarians are one of the most important people in all of the educational system - they bring the written word - electronic, printed, ephemeral - to everyone who wants to learn. That role can't be underestimated.
Name your favourite word in any language, and why.
"caoutchouc"
It means "rubber" in French. It just rolls off the tongue. It's like a nonsense sound, that actually means something.
I sincerely hope this doesn't provide some horrible Freudian insight into my subconscious minds, btw. :) I just like words that sound good, too. I'm actually reading my words out loud as I type - I find writing silently difficult, because for me the sound and the rhythms that the words make are integral to my writing process. I read everything out - it helps me distinguish characters' voices and tells me if my pacing is appropriate, too.
Caoutchouc :)
Favourite food to eat while writing?
Well, I don't know if *I* have a favourite writing food, but I know where my food's favourite place to go is...straight to my hips! :)
If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be? and what would you ask them? (well, that’s almost a favourite question).
A fictional character I'd like to meet. Hmm...I think I'd chose Newland Archer, from Edith Wharton's gilded age novel, "The Age of Innocence". He's someone who's always fascinated me, in large part because of his control and his deep-seated need to behave appropriately. I'd ask him why, at the end of the novel, he decides against going up to Ellen's apartment in Paris. He's loved her his entire life and yet he prefers the Ellen of his memories than to the possibility of the Ellen in his here and now. That's a really interesting choice for me, and obviously for the character, a deeply personal one. Newland and Ellen love each other. They've loved each other their whole lives and yet when they are both finally free, he retreats. Why?
Finally, share one of your favourite moments from Learning Curves.
From her miniscule office window, Leanne saw students, well wrapped against the fall chill, hurrying across the quad below. Located in an old, cramped building near the center of campus, the English department was understaffed and overcrowded.
Thanks again for having me, Jenny. I'd love to give away a copy of my book to one of your readers. I've been blabbering on about my favourite things so I thought turnabout is fair play. I'd love to know what their favourite title is and why, too? You can choose one lucky winner and I'll send them a copy of my new book, Learning Curves in their choice of e-format!
Learning Curves by Elyse Mady
Learning Curves by Elyse Mady available from Carina Press and other fine e-book retailers June 20th, 2011
***
Well, first off, thanks for having me to visit, Jenny! I'm glad to be back. I'm really excited to be talking about my new novel, Learning Curves. It's a departure for me, because my first published book was a historical novella and this story is a sexy contemporary. With a hero who takes his clothes off for a living! Yum.
“Learning Curves” is a fantastic title. Do you have any title favourites? (I like “Pride and Prejudice”.)
I think titles are so important - after all, before a reader can even flip over to read the back cover copy, they've read the title and if doesn't draw them in, they're not going to be interested in what's between the covers. Some of my books title themselves really easily. Others are more challenging. Happily though Leanne and Brandon's story seemed to know what it wanted to be called right from the rough note stage. Much more appealing than calling it "Untitled" all the time!
Some of my favourite titles are Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel "Love in a Time of Cholera" and the wonderful poetic autobiography "By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept" by Canadian writer Elizabeth Smart. Both authors explore love but their viewpoints are so different, it's really fascinating. One so visceral and uncontrolled, the other this carefully paced and elegant dissection of what love and marriage are throughout the characters' lives.
P&P is a great title, too, although I think I'm a smidge more partial to "Persuasion". Did you know that Jane Austen actually borrowed the title of "Pride and Prejudice" from Frances Burney? Burney used it first in her novel, "Cecilia: Memoirs of an Heiress"?
How about favourite places of learning, given the setting of Learning Curves? (Oxford? kindergarten class? archaeological dig?)
I've always loved school. Setting the story at a university seemed a really natural fit for me. After all, university campuses are these odd little microcosms, with thousands and thousands of (usually) young people, contained and in close proximity. Romance is going to happen, which comes as quite a surprise for Leanne, the heroine, who's been focused on nothing but her books for a long time. Meeting Brandon throws her off balance and it was so much fun watching both of them struggle to regain their equilibrium in the face of falling in love when they are both convinced it's the last thing they want right now. I used many of my own experiences as a graduate student when I was writing this book but since I went back and did my Masters after I was married (and had two very young children), my student life was obviously different than Leanne's. No male strippers for me. ;) But that's why I'm a writer - what doesn't happen in real life, I can just majick it up with my imagination for somebody else.
But my favourite place of learning has to be a library. Public, school, university stacks: I love wandering the aisles, hunting for a book. And I'm on a first name basis with my Interlibrary loan coordinator at my local library (*waves* Hi Stacey!). What's not to love when you can track down any title and have it delivered right to you, for free?? Just last week I finished a biography on Beau Brummell and another on the courtesan, Harriet Wilson. I think librarians are one of the most important people in all of the educational system - they bring the written word - electronic, printed, ephemeral - to everyone who wants to learn. That role can't be underestimated.
Name your favourite word in any language, and why.
"caoutchouc"
It means "rubber" in French. It just rolls off the tongue. It's like a nonsense sound, that actually means something.
I sincerely hope this doesn't provide some horrible Freudian insight into my subconscious minds, btw. :) I just like words that sound good, too. I'm actually reading my words out loud as I type - I find writing silently difficult, because for me the sound and the rhythms that the words make are integral to my writing process. I read everything out - it helps me distinguish characters' voices and tells me if my pacing is appropriate, too.
Caoutchouc :)
Favourite food to eat while writing?
Well, I don't know if *I* have a favourite writing food, but I know where my food's favourite place to go is...straight to my hips! :)
If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be? and what would you ask them? (well, that’s almost a favourite question).
A fictional character I'd like to meet. Hmm...I think I'd chose Newland Archer, from Edith Wharton's gilded age novel, "The Age of Innocence". He's someone who's always fascinated me, in large part because of his control and his deep-seated need to behave appropriately. I'd ask him why, at the end of the novel, he decides against going up to Ellen's apartment in Paris. He's loved her his entire life and yet he prefers the Ellen of his memories than to the possibility of the Ellen in his here and now. That's a really interesting choice for me, and obviously for the character, a deeply personal one. Newland and Ellen love each other. They've loved each other their whole lives and yet when they are both finally free, he retreats. Why?
Finally, share one of your favourite moments from Learning Curves.
From her miniscule office window, Leanne saw students, well wrapped against the fall chill, hurrying across the quad below. Located in an old, cramped building near the center of campus, the English department was understaffed and overcrowded.
And while she’d tried to make the space a little more cheerful, bringing in a small plant and hanging some funny—well, okay, relatively funny—quotes from great writers, the window remained the only perk in an otherwise awkward space that was sweltering in summer and damp in winter. But Leanne knew that as a graduate student, she was lucky to have secured any office, even this one.
Sighing, she abandoned the view and sized up the thick stack of term papers she’d collected during the last lecture. Determined, she opened one, but before she’d corrected the first run-on sentence, memories of the weekend hijacked her thoughts.
Brandon.
Ever since their wild encounter and subsequent humiliating discovery, she’d undertaken some serious soul searching, asking herself again and again what kind of person would abandon her so-called principles at the drop of a hat—or a bathrobe—for a pathetic thrill with some guy she picked up in a strip club. Even if he did have washboard abs and a killer smile.
And was hung like a Greek god…
Her devil-may-care side had chipped in a lot over the past forty-eight hours.
Until Saturday, she hadn’t even known it existed. She’d always played it safe. Done the expected and never strayed outside the lines. Now, she was discovering that she also had a Leanne-cares-a-lot side too.
The aftermath of their encounter had been awkward and tacky. Although the other dancers apologized profusely for their ill-timed interruption, there was no ignoring the subtle signs of approval they telegraphed their coworker. Or Brandon’s stony embarrassment, clearly conveyed despite his near-catatonic silence.
Dressing hurriedly, trying not to meet his eye, knowing the scorn and condemnation she would see in his face, she’d barely been able to look up from the floor. Only as she left the room had he spoken.
“Are you okay to get home?”
She’d turned, perplexed, all her thoughts focused on escape. “I don’t understand.”
“Do you have a way to get home? Will your friends make sure you get there safely?”
She shook her head and tried to overcome the after-effects of their incredible sex. There was no way she could face Gillian and the bombed bridesmaids. She’d rather be drawn and quartered. “No. But I can grab the bus or find a taxi…”
His lips thinned. “You’re not walking alone at this time of night,” he’d said angrily and picked up the radio from the dressing table. “Jay…Jay…come in…”
“Hey, Brandon. What’s up?”
“I need you to do me a favor.”
In the end, the bouncer waited with her out front until the taxi arrived. And when she reached her apartment, she discovered Brandon had also arranged for the fare to be taken care of, the driver making a show of the brightly colored chit he’d collected at the club.
Yet as she lay awake in bed that night, her body still thrumming with the incredible sensations he’d awoken, it hadn’t been his sexual prowess she remembered as much as his thoughtfulness, his protectiveness. He’d made sure she’d been looked after.
Maybe, she thought, if I went back to the club, we could meet again…
The notion of returning to the strip club brought her back to earth like a cold dash of water. What the hell was she thinking? Brandon was an exotic dancer; she was an academic in training. The sex might have been great but what would they ever talk about outside of bed? They had nothing in common. Nothing at all.
Now, as she shifted restlessly in her rickety office chair, she knew she had to put Saturday night behind her. She’d been over this and over this all weekend and the conclusion was always the same. So what if she’d had the greatest sex of her life? For him, it was probably just another anonymous sexual encounter. She should treat it the same way.
Trying to muster her willpower, she turned her attention to the next paper.
Bryon’s poem “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage” is an important poem because it’s a really romantic poem about Harold and not the crazy sister that Bryon liked to sleep with.
Oh boy. Not an auspicious start, when even the poet’s name was spelled incorrectly.
The office door opened, and Cassandra Murphy, a fellow doctoral candidate and Leanne’s best friend, rescued her from reading another torturous line.
“Tell me again why earning this degree was a good idea,” she moaned as she laid a stack of books on the adjoining desk. “I’m in debt up to my eyeballs—I should be clear of it shortly before retirement—and Julia and I decorate with milk crates while eating no-name macaroni. My comps are in two months and I already feel like flinging myself from the observatory tower.” She threw herself dramatically into a chair. “I have been reading, I am reading, I will be reading.”
Leanne smiled sympathetically. She remembered how harried and emotionally drained she’d felt when she faced her own monumental two-day comprehensive exams last year.
“You’ll more than survive. You’ll blow them all away and get the green light to begin writing your thesis, which will wow the entire academy and make them say ‘Judith Butler who?’”
At the mention of the oft-controversial lesbian theorist, Cassandra grinned.
“I’d be willing to share the stage with her. As long as I get top billing in the conference programs.” Reaching for the shelf where they kept their not so emergency cookie stash, she continued between mouthfuls, “Julia had good news, though. She’s had her abstract accepted for the next MLA conference. It’s in St. Paul.”
For a moment, Leanne was distracted by the great news. Only the best humanities scholars were accepted to present at the Modern Language Association’s annual conference and being chosen was a huge feather in Julia’s cap. “That’s fantastic. I hope you took her out to celebrate.”
“I never need a reason to celebrate with the woman I love.” Cassandra laughed. “But yes, I let her supersize the fries and the drink. If that ain’t love, I don’t know what is.” Her eyes sharpened. “Wasn’t this the weekend for the ghastly Gillian’s hen party? Did you end up going? How was it? Really, really awful or just sorta-kinda awful?”
I had the best sex of my life and three orgasms, all within half an hour of meeting a perfect stranger.
“Not bad.”
“Right.” Cassandra snorted. “I’ve met Gillian. Fun and Gillian don’t usually travel together. So, tell me, did the bride-to-be get falling-down drunk and do something tacky and embarrassing? And if she did, puh-lease tell me you got pictures.”
“Well, Gillian didn’t…”
“Ooh, that sounds promising.” Cassandra rolled her chair over, straddling it with her long legs. Leaning over its back, her chin resting on her arms, she smirked. “Let me guess. You went to the strip club, got wildly drunk and had noisy, kinky, public sex with a total stranger before being discovered in a compromising position.”
“Um…yeah. That’s about the size of it,” she admitted before hastily qualifying her statement by adding, “but I wasn’t drunk.”
Dead silence.
Thanks again for having me, Jenny. I'd love to give away a copy of my book to one of your readers. I've been blabbering on about my favourite things so I thought turnabout is fair play. I'd love to know what their favourite title is and why, too? You can choose one lucky winner and I'll send them a copy of my new book, Learning Curves in their choice of e-format!
Learning Curves by Elyse Mady
Leanne Galloway has no time for dating; her focus is on launching her academic career. Dragged along to her childhood frenemy Gillian’s bachelorette party at a male strip club, she just wants to get through the evening—but she can’t help interfering when Gillian sends a note to a sexy dancer proposing a hot hookup.
Brandon Myles is working backstage at the Foxe’s Den to fund his post-graduate studies in dance, but he’s forced onstage when the headliner fails to show up. He feels a surprisingly strong connection with a quiet woman watching from a table full of tipsy bridesmaids, and he’s delighted when she appears backstage after his set.
After a scorching spontaneous encounter, Leanne and Brandon agree to go their separate ways. But they’re both grad students on a small campus, and avoiding each other and denying their attraction won’t work for long, especially when a jealous rival appears, determined to ruin both their academic careers.
25 June 2011
Museum Alert
You might have guessed from this blog that I like virtually visiting museums -- all that free travel, great visuals and info, and no tired feet! I think I have a new favourite museum. Have you seen the J Paul Getty? Yeah, I know it's famous, but I hadn't looked. Fantastic -- if you have a few spare hours :)
Its shop is pretty amazing, too. Shopping!
Its shop is pretty amazing, too. Shopping!
24 June 2011
A Steampunk Elephant
No image here (copyright and all that) but it's totally worth clicking through to the Les Machines de l'Ile site. I originally saw a photo of the amazing steampunk elephant in The Steampunk Bible. Great book -- reading it I also fell in love with James Ng's steampunk art.
23 June 2011
Romance Round the Net -- Not Quite
I've got nuthin'.
Yes, authors, editors, readers and reviewers have been their usual insightful, witty selves -- the mea culpa is mine.
I've been busy and although I've read stuff, none of it's sunk in, nor have I remembered to bookmark it.
Rather than throw random stuff at you from my Google Reader, I'm just going to send you off to follow Nathan Bransford, author and ex-lit agent. If you're not following him and reading posts like, "There's no such thing as too early" (he's talking social media), then you're missing out on insider insight into publishing. Get your stalk on and follow him!
Yes, authors, editors, readers and reviewers have been their usual insightful, witty selves -- the mea culpa is mine.
I've been busy and although I've read stuff, none of it's sunk in, nor have I remembered to bookmark it.
Rather than throw random stuff at you from my Google Reader, I'm just going to send you off to follow Nathan Bransford, author and ex-lit agent. If you're not following him and reading posts like, "There's no such thing as too early" (he's talking social media), then you're missing out on insider insight into publishing. Get your stalk on and follow him!
22 June 2011
Hmmm...Improbability Wednesdays?
Wave 'em good-bye. I've had enough of improbabilities for the moment.
I'm not quite sure what to replace them with. I'm self-indulgently thinking of Whinging Wednesdays, but do you really want to hear me complain and snark and generally carry on? Thought not.
Soooo that leaves me with space on this blog to try something different.
Ha! Inspiration. Twitter has #WW which stands for Writer Wednesday. I'm going to borrow it. Every Wednesday the post will be a cryptic one line -- an awesome author's website.
Simple, classy and building community. I knew I'd have a good idea, one day :)
Author sites will appear in no particular order -- except for Terry Pratchett. I have to kick off with my author hero.
I'm not quite sure what to replace them with. I'm self-indulgently thinking of Whinging Wednesdays, but do you really want to hear me complain and snark and generally carry on? Thought not.
Soooo that leaves me with space on this blog to try something different.
Ha! Inspiration. Twitter has #WW which stands for Writer Wednesday. I'm going to borrow it. Every Wednesday the post will be a cryptic one line -- an awesome author's website.
Simple, classy and building community. I knew I'd have a good idea, one day :)
Author sites will appear in no particular order -- except for Terry Pratchett. I have to kick off with my author hero.
21 June 2011
Writing Update
Celebrations! Carina Press has accepted my Steampunk novella, Support Your Local Suffragette, and will publish it December 2011. I am so happy it's a wonder I didn't interfere with local air traffic, floating up to Cloud 9.
But now I'm down from Cloud 9 and writing busily. I want a first draft of Dark Oasis finished and tucked away to prove (to use a baking analogy) before I hit hard the revisions on Support Your Local Suffragette.
But now I'm down from Cloud 9 and writing busily. I want a first draft of Dark Oasis finished and tucked away to prove (to use a baking analogy) before I hit hard the revisions on Support Your Local Suffragette.
Attn: Free Books!
I knew that would get your attention :)
Carina Press is giving away one free digital book a day this week. You still have time to sneak in and snaffle Monday's (since lazy old New York operates 12 hours behind this blog).
***
It's FREE BOOK WEEK at Carina Press!!!
Every weekday, all week, Carina is offering a spectacular title for free download. And when they say free, they mean ACTUALLY free. Not "sorta free", or "free with a $50 purchase" free, but actually, totally, no strings attached FREE! So, get thee to Carina press to download a free book every day! Here are the books being offered, and the links and promo codes for your free download:
Monday's FREE BOOK is:
The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady
Just type in the promo code DEBUTANTEFREE at checkout
Tuesday's FREE BOOK is:
Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee
Just type in the promo code DEMONFREE at checkout
Wednesday's FREE BOOK is:
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Just type in the promo code TWISTEDFREE at checkout
Thursday's FREE BOOK is:
Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
Just type in the promo code GALAXYFREE at checkout
Friday's FREE BOOK is:
Friendly Fire by Megan Hart
Just type in the promo code FRIENDLYFREE at checkout
Carina Press is giving away one free digital book a day this week. You still have time to sneak in and snaffle Monday's (since lazy old New York operates 12 hours behind this blog).
***
It's FREE BOOK WEEK at Carina Press!!!
Every weekday, all week, Carina is offering a spectacular title for free download. And when they say free, they mean ACTUALLY free. Not "sorta free", or "free with a $50 purchase" free, but actually, totally, no strings attached FREE! So, get thee to Carina press to download a free book every day! Here are the books being offered, and the links and promo codes for your free download:
Monday's FREE BOOK is:
The Debutante's Dilemma by Elyse Mady
Just type in the promo code DEBUTANTEFREE at checkout
Tuesday's FREE BOOK is:
Demon's Fall by Karalynn Lee
Just type in the promo code DEMONFREE at checkout
Wednesday's FREE BOOK is:
The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell
Just type in the promo code TWISTEDFREE at checkout
Thursday's FREE BOOK is:
Blue Galaxy by Diane Dooley
Just type in the promo code GALAXYFREE at checkout
Friday's FREE BOOK is:
Friendly Fire by Megan Hart
Just type in the promo code FRIENDLYFREE at checkout
20 June 2011
TBR, Indies and Maria Zaninni's "The Devil to Pay"
I used to be smug about my TBR pile. It was always manageable. Sometimes it was even non-existent.
Then came the Kindle.
Ooh boy. My TBR pile has exploded. It's that damn one click, impulse buy and the seriously good authors I'm discovering.
But now I'm venturing into new territory -- independently published books. Will I or won't I love them?
First indie book is Maria Zaninni's The Devil to Pay. Are there any Indies you love? would recommend?
Then came the Kindle.
Ooh boy. My TBR pile has exploded. It's that damn one click, impulse buy and the seriously good authors I'm discovering.
But now I'm venturing into new territory -- independently published books. Will I or won't I love them?
First indie book is Maria Zaninni's The Devil to Pay. Are there any Indies you love? would recommend?
18 June 2011
Venice Biennale
The Guardian takes a look at the Venice Biennale. You know, I think this is what quality journalism provides -- insight and a guide into unknown worlds. Someone else makes sense of it so we only have to consume. I really liked the short piece on Gothic as Modern.
17 June 2011
Space Opera?
I couldn't resist sharing this lithograph that was picture of the day over at Wikimedia. Gorgeous!
16 June 2011
Romance Round the Net
This is a good time to be an author -- so says Alan Rinzler.
Of course, the people who read your book will forget it. Mind Hacks on biblioamnesia.
Philip Isles posted about Rejection and Recovery on Nathan Bransford's blog. If your heart is strong enough to hope for the stars, then it's strong enough to survive, regroup and try again. Don't underestimate your own strength. Or to put it another way, live with courage, not doubt.
Of course, the people who read your book will forget it. Mind Hacks on biblioamnesia.
Philip Isles posted about Rejection and Recovery on Nathan Bransford's blog. If your heart is strong enough to hope for the stars, then it's strong enough to survive, regroup and try again. Don't underestimate your own strength. Or to put it another way, live with courage, not doubt.
15 June 2011
No More Laundry
I'm sure a few years ago I read about scientists developing clothes that would never need washing. I admit, my response was "Ewwww!", but ... wouldn't it be nice if some chores could just vanish?
Even better, I want a fabric which dealt with clinging dog fur by vaporising it! I'd walk around in a haze of dog fur smoke :)
Even better, I want a fabric which dealt with clinging dog fur by vaporising it! I'd walk around in a haze of dog fur smoke :)
 |
| The Fur Factory |
14 June 2011
Writing Update
I have a number of cool books waiting for me to read them -- in the name of research, of course!
Research is definitely the Step 2 in my writing process. Step 1 is inspiration and a rough outline of an idea.
Research tells you if your original idea is possible. It also opens up new possibilities.
So I have a ton of reading to do (and that doesn't count the fiction I want to read!) and a ton of writing. "Dark Oasis" is turning very interesting -- thanks to characters with strong beliefs and a readiness to live them. At the back of my mind, a steampunk story is stewing -- that's the one that needs the research.
Research is definitely the Step 2 in my writing process. Step 1 is inspiration and a rough outline of an idea.
Research tells you if your original idea is possible. It also opens up new possibilities.
So I have a ton of reading to do (and that doesn't count the fiction I want to read!) and a ton of writing. "Dark Oasis" is turning very interesting -- thanks to characters with strong beliefs and a readiness to live them. At the back of my mind, a steampunk story is stewing -- that's the one that needs the research.
13 June 2011
Scandal by Amanda Quick
I just read "Scandal" by Amanda Quick over the weekend. It's a regency romance, sexier than Heyer, but a lot of fun.
Amanda Quick is one of several names Jayne Ann Krentz publishes under (Jayne Castle is her futuristic romances. She's also written as Stephanie James and Jayne Taylor).
A lot of people think of romances as having a formula. Plug a few variables into that formula and you have your story.
Ha! Do those same people tell you it's easy to retile your bathroom? -- just cement a few tiles down, doesn't matter if its waterproof or grows mould.
The joy of reading Jayne Ann Krentz's books is her engaging style, clear characters and the fresh energy she brings to a formula that works for her, book after book. Strong, lonesome hero. Feisty woman with a problem (the problem could well be the hero).
For the reader, that means you have a guarantee that you'll enjoy the story. It's familiar yet ever new.
I have immense respect for Jayne Ann Krentz.
And if you haven't read "Scandal", consider it. Good book!
Amanda Quick is one of several names Jayne Ann Krentz publishes under (Jayne Castle is her futuristic romances. She's also written as Stephanie James and Jayne Taylor).
A lot of people think of romances as having a formula. Plug a few variables into that formula and you have your story.
Ha! Do those same people tell you it's easy to retile your bathroom? -- just cement a few tiles down, doesn't matter if its waterproof or grows mould.
The joy of reading Jayne Ann Krentz's books is her engaging style, clear characters and the fresh energy she brings to a formula that works for her, book after book. Strong, lonesome hero. Feisty woman with a problem (the problem could well be the hero).
For the reader, that means you have a guarantee that you'll enjoy the story. It's familiar yet ever new.
I have immense respect for Jayne Ann Krentz.
And if you haven't read "Scandal", consider it. Good book!
11 June 2011
Australia at the British Museum
I'm living in Australia, so I don't really need to fly to Britain to experience it at the British Museum. Still, the collection of exhibitions fascinates me, as does the Museum's use of social media. I love how they've shared photos of the garden build on Flickr.
Anyhoo, to celebrate, here's an Aussie's photo of Australia. Happy weekend!
Anyhoo, to celebrate, here's an Aussie's photo of Australia. Happy weekend!
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| Coastal dune |
10 June 2011
Frogs
I understand that when you're starving you'll eat anything ... but frog legs on a fine dining menu? *shudder*
What is it about frogs that humans pick on them so? The first electrical experiments involved reanimating frogs (or at least, making their legs twitch).
Fortunately, some frogs fight back.
May I introduce the blue poison dart frog...
What is it about frogs that humans pick on them so? The first electrical experiments involved reanimating frogs (or at least, making their legs twitch).
Fortunately, some frogs fight back.
May I introduce the blue poison dart frog...
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| Photo by Adrian Pingstone via Wikimedia http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue.poison.dart.frog.arp.jpg |
09 June 2011
No Romance Round the Net
Yes, it's Thursday, but after yesterday's Tweet avalanche of Carina-related blog posts, I don't want to test your patience with yet more links -- they'll wait till next week *grin*
So just because it's funny ... Family Hour!
So just because it's funny ... Family Hour!
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| http://www.lolcats.com/view/12041/ |
08 June 2011
Alien Questions
So I was thinking ... say a spaceship landed in the street and an alien wandered into the yard intent on conversation (and possessing a xenotranslating gadget or some such nonsense), what questions would it ask and what questions would I ask it?
'Course, if the conversation began with the alien asking if I was good to eat, I wouldn't hang around to pose a question. But if it was friendly...I guess I'd have to ask if it had met God.
I'm curious whether aliens would believe in a god, and if so, in what form and how that belief impacted their space travel and contact with other species.
'Course, if the conversation began with the alien asking if I was good to eat, I wouldn't hang around to pose a question. But if it was friendly...I guess I'd have to ask if it had met God.
I'm curious whether aliens would believe in a god, and if so, in what form and how that belief impacted their space travel and contact with other species.
07 June 2011
Writing Update
Do you remember I mentioned the possibility of a demon and djinni story? Well, I just can't make the myth-altering work. My demon will have to sink back into my subconscious until I can find a twist to the myth to enable her to love (and for readers to want her to have a happy ending).
But I can't be too disappointed, because an angel and djinni story is demanding to be told -- and it has everything. No, I'm not going to share yet. I find the blurb for a story has to wait till it's stewed a bit or I'm ramblingly incoherent. But I have a rough outline and I've started the first draft. Working title: "Dark Oasis".
But I can't be too disappointed, because an angel and djinni story is demanding to be told -- and it has everything. No, I'm not going to share yet. I find the blurb for a story has to wait till it's stewed a bit or I'm ramblingly incoherent. But I have a rough outline and I've started the first draft. Working title: "Dark Oasis".
06 June 2011
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
Last week I read Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews (twice. What can I say? It's good).
What interests me is that it's book 5 in a series, yet fresh. Strong voice and fast pacing are part of the reason. But I think the stand out factor is the character development. The conflict grows naturally out of characters maturing (and revelations of their backstory).
Character development is a challenge. Readers need to know enough about a character up front to engage with them, to care what happens to them, but if you reveal all of a character's secrets right away--where's the fun? You've squished tons of potential conflict by just dumping the info. Far better to remember that at the heart of most stories is a quest. Characters learn about themselves (and readers with them) on the perilous journey.
Still, there's no getting away from it. A lively, engaging book 5 is a fab achievement.
04 June 2011
Not Hobbit Homes...
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| By Roland zh (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons |
Amazing underground houses. Weirdomatic has a photo collection of underground and weird houses that are totally awesome. People who can imagine the fantastic and then build it have my sincerest admiration.
03 June 2011
Kestrel, a car made of hemp
Totally bizarre. A car made of hemp. Meet the Kestrel.
The article mentions Henry Ford's interest in hemp in cars, which reminds me of a Phoebe Atwood Taylor novel from WWII in which one of her characters says they'll know the world is back to normal when they can stop eating soya beans, and instead, Henry Ford can put the beans in his cars.
Bioplastics are fascinating.
The article mentions Henry Ford's interest in hemp in cars, which reminds me of a Phoebe Atwood Taylor novel from WWII in which one of her characters says they'll know the world is back to normal when they can stop eating soya beans, and instead, Henry Ford can put the beans in his cars.
Bioplastics are fascinating.
02 June 2011
Romance Round the Net
Courtney Milan on Self Publishing over at Dear Author. Post and comments both fascinating. Lesson: Editors are vital.
This study from BPS is fascinating. Apparently all those times we're urged to visualise success...we're defeating ourselves! Positive fantasies make it less likely you'll achieve your dream. So I'm thinking our doubts spur us on. Good thing that, since authors are riddled with worries.
And something more for writers to worry about -- money! Patricia Wrede breaks down the difficulties and unreliability of an author's income.
On the upside, Kensington Brava has a novella comp open, Writing with the Stars.
Also check out the helpful links Kimberly Killion has assembled -- and shared! True generosity.
Why people feel the need to attack romance novels, their readers and their authors, I don't know. But in defence of readers Sarah from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books makes a really important point. It's about happiness. Everyone has a right to their happiness--and romance novels make people happy.
This study from BPS is fascinating. Apparently all those times we're urged to visualise success...we're defeating ourselves! Positive fantasies make it less likely you'll achieve your dream. So I'm thinking our doubts spur us on. Good thing that, since authors are riddled with worries.
And something more for writers to worry about -- money! Patricia Wrede breaks down the difficulties and unreliability of an author's income.
On the upside, Kensington Brava has a novella comp open, Writing with the Stars.
Also check out the helpful links Kimberly Killion has assembled -- and shared! True generosity.
Why people feel the need to attack romance novels, their readers and their authors, I don't know. But in defence of readers Sarah from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books makes a really important point. It's about happiness. Everyone has a right to their happiness--and romance novels make people happy.
01 June 2011
Win!!! Sizzling Summer Reads at The Romance Reviews
Prepare to Sizzle!
Over $5,000 prizes up for grabs!
Total of 8 pairs of tickets to RomCon 2011 to be won!!!
(each pair worth $490)
Sizzling Summer Reads (Romance)
From June 1 to 28, 2011
(Look for the Sizzling Summer Reads event button)
Play the games. Explore new books.
Chat with authors. Rack up your points!
CAN YOU UNLOCK THE PUZZLE?
Visit everyday to increase your chances to win awesome prizes!
PRIZES
Weekly Prizes
2 tickets to RomCon 2011 worth $490
$10 Gift Cards – 4 winners
Over 100 Book Giveaways in total
(paperback, ebook)
Main Sponsors
RomCon 2011
eTreasures Publishing
Astraea Press
Participating authors
(in no particular order)
Barbara White Daille Elisabeth Naughton JL Oilder Autumn Jordon
Marie Treanor Teresa Bohannon Anne Patrick Edie Ramer
Caroline Clemmons Missy Jane Sibel Hodge Jenny Schwartz
Mary Eason Sarah Grimm Louise Crawford Jess Mountifield
Toni C. LoTempio Ann Tracy Marr Suzanne Barrett Brynna Curry
Jennifer Wells Stacy Juba Gini Rifkin CJ Archer
Staci Brush Lisa Beth Darling Christianne Charles Sheri Lewis Wohl
Natasha Deen Nadia Lee Roni Adams Raquel Byrnes
Samantha Hunter Joely Sue Burkhart Rebecca L. Frencl Dianne Duvall
Rae Renzi Greta van der Rol Sharon Buchbinder Dora Hiers
Dana Stevenson Anna Small Terry Campbell Tiphanie Thomas
Lisa Kumar Myne Whitman Phillip Thomas Duck Laura Kaye
Cherie Le Clare Elizabeth Lang Robin DeJarnett Tarah Scott
Ednah Walters
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