We Are Not Alone--A Family Affair

Friends and I went to lunch today after a meeting. We were discussing family, helping one another, and being alone. One of my friends is divorced, one a widow, and the other and I are happily married. Each of us has children who we think are the greatest children in the world. But we didn't argue over who's child was the most brilliant, the sweetest. (What would be the point, when I know mine are?) We were talking doing things on our own.

Fortunately for me, my Hero husband and my two Darling Daughters are very supportive of my writing passion. Hero keeps the computer working and the house running and does errands so that I can keep writing. Darling 1 helps with research, promotion, with my blog template, and with all kinds of questions. Darling 2 is also good for research. It's as if I have an auxillary staff. LOL Wow, I've always wanted a staff.

Not all writers are so fortunate. I remember one Harlequin writer several years ago who was well on her way up the ladder whose husband resented her spending time writing and killed her. What a shock that was to the writing community! Pardon my prejudice, but I always think that sort of thing happens to people who don't read. Maybe her husband didn't read books, even though she wrote them. Very sad situation, for she was a young woman. Readers and Writers should live to a higher standard in my opinion. Don't ask me why I think that. I know it's not logical but I can't prevent the thought. But I digressed.

The point of this is that success at writing takes more than one person pecking away at the keyboard. I don't mean monetary success because, let's face it, I'm not raking in the dough here, folks. I mean success at productive output. Pages written. Books completed. Books marketed. Family members must cooperate and support the writer if in no other way than not interupting. So, if you're a writer, thank your family. If you're a reader, thank a writer--and a teacher. LOL

Don't forget to leave a comment for the Saturday prize drawing. Put your email in the comment. Follow or tell me you're a follower for an additonal entry. You know the drill.
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Antiques and Other Bad Habits

One of my hobbies is browsing antique malls and going to estate and garage sales. I try just to browse, but I can't resist a bargain. Darling 2 and I love antiques and collectibles. In fact, we used to have booths in several antique malls. The problem was, we kept the best stuff for ourselves. I know, not good business, but we have some great items we enjoy. Another problem was that we never had the cash to buy the expensive but really lucrative items to resell. Assuming we would have resold them, of course.

We also love home tours. You know, the Victorian homes or revitalized area tours. Waxahachie, Texas is a town south of Dallas known for its Gingerbread Trail each spring and a similar one in November. Darling 2 and I were at one of the spring tours when we spotted one of our favorite signs, "Moving Sale." We stopped and I had just paid for a lovely folding Oriental screen I wanted. Darling 2 was still shopping when a policeman showed up and asked the homeowner for her permit. Oops. She didn't have one. He said, "Everyone will have to put everything down. I have to close this sale." The homeowner, who was moving to another state the following week, begged and pleaded. Since I had already paid, I did not feel inclined to leave my purchase. Darling 2 and I picked up the screen and hoofed it to my car a block away. That screen is heavy, let me assure you, but we made very good time and slid that baby into the car with no delay. When we drove back by the home, everyone was leaving--except the policeman. Poor lady. Not only was her sale closed down and her profits quashed, she probably had to pay a fine. For our part, my daughter and I still laugh about what a weird sight we must have made, jogging with a folded screen on our shoulders.

Darling 2 collects pottery and Darling 1 collects Stanley hand planes. I collect nativity sets, angels, and odds and ends. Hero collects electronics, tools, and fishing gear. Each of us reads so we're always happy to find a garage sale with lots of books at a bargain. We are all pack rats, so it's no wonder our basement is filled with "stuff."  We figure as long as we have the room, there's no harm. We don't have other expensive habits, so we'll continue collecting our favorites. 

What do you collect? Do you shop garage and estate sales?

OUT OF THE BLUE Excerpt--Caution R rating

Let me set up this excerpt for you. Deirdre Dougherty has traveled from 1845 Ireland to our time. She is staying with Blossom Hunter, mother of the hero Brendan Hunter. Blossom owns a health food store and Deirdre works there. When two frightening murderers try to kidnap Deirdre--all the while detailing their plans for her before they kill her--she vows that the first man to touch her will be the man she loves, Brendan. He arrives just in time to help the store employees save her, then takes her to his mother's home to recover. Deirdre is determined that she will know Brendan's lovemaking now.

_______________

She pulled his shirt loose from his slacks. “I know you’re an honorable man who doesn’t dally with women like me, but I must insist on this.”

“There are no other women like you.” He took a step back. “Deirdre, stop and think what you’re asking. It’s not a small thing.”

She took his hand and pulled him toward his room. “I’ve thought of nothing else since you saved me.” She offered him a slow smile, throwing her untried powers of seduction into it, feeble as her wiles might be. “In fact, I’ve thought of it since the day I came here.” They were in his room and she locked the door behind them.

He chuckled. “You mean after you learned I’m not really a demon?”

She stopped when they reached his bed. “Mmm, I’m not so sure you aren’t. You must be a wizard at least, else how did you enchant me with your spell?” She unbuttoned his shirt and slid her hands against his skin.

He caught her wrists. “Deirdre, you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s no going back from this once we’ve been together. Some things can’t be undone.”

“I may not know exactly how this works, but sure and I’m a quick learner. Everyone says so.” She shoved him hard and he fell backward on the bed. While the surprise was still on her side, she pounced beside him. “Is this the way?” She leaned down and kissed him.

His lips were sweet as honey cakes. His arms slid around her and he returned her kiss. When she parted her mouth for him, he rolled so he was over her, never taking his lips from hers.

She realized he knew a lot about lovemaking. At first it annoyed her to think of him like this with other women. But she decided it best that one of them knew how to proceed. Understanding how coupling worked was not the same as experience.

His hands caressed her and before she knew it, she was out of her blouse and the confining bra. He kissed along her jaw, then to her neck and then—Blessed Saints!—he kissed her breast. She moaned with pleasure as he pulled the peak into his mouth and suckled. Heat built in her private place and she felt moisture gather there.

Heaven could be no more glorious than this moment. Or so she thought. Then he slid his hand between her legs and slowly up to where her thighs met. When his finger dipped inside her, she gasped.

His finger moved in and out with the same timing as his tongue against her peaked nipple. Heat inside her flamed hotter and hotter until she feared she’d melt. As if by their own free will, her hips moved to meet his delving finger. Great power gathered in her, threatening to burst free. She feared she might expire from the passion. Instead, the ecstasy inside her exploded and showered her with a million stars.

She cried, “Sweet mercy, Brendan, I never knew.” Then she melted against the pillow and sheets.

He raised his head to meet her gaze. His eyes were dark with passion, his face flushed with desire. “Are you ready for more?”

“More. Yes, more.” Deirdre said.

Brendan gathered his willpower and made one more try. “Honey, we haven’t...gone too far to stop now. Any more and I won’t be able to—“

She placed her fingers on his mouth. “Please, Brendan. Even if you don’t care for me as a lover and never want me again, let me have this now.”

How could he resist that plea? Especially when she asked what he desperately needed. “You know I care for you.” He tugged his belt loose and kicked off his jeans and shoes. His cock was rock hard and tented his briefs.

She gasped. “Oh, my.”

He figured she’d be scared off and braced himself for her change of mind. Lord, he didn’t think he could bear it if she did halt their lovemaking.

______________________

Leave a comment to enter my drawing for a book or other prizes. Signing on as a follower counts as a second entry. If you're already a follower, mention that in your comment. Be sure to leave your email address in the comment. Good luck.

On my website, you can find a humorous short story as a free read.as well as excepts of my current novels.  http://www.carolineclemmons.com/

Our Modern Conveniences--Which Do You Like Most?

I was thinking today about our modern conveniences and which I would most hate to do without. No doubt about a choice: a modern bathroom. I could live without the spa tub, but shudder to think of life without a toilet and shower and the air-conditioned rooms they're in.

In OUT OF THE BLUE, heroine Deirdre Dougherty travels from 1845 to our time. Her hostess Blossom Hunter has to teach her to use the toilet, shower, hair dryer, lotion, deodorant--you get the idea. Imagine what it would be like to be transported from an 1845 Irish two-room cottage to a luxurious modern lakeside home. Talk about culture shock!

That reminds me of a trip we took several years ago. Hero, Darling 2, my mother, and I went to Tennessee where my mom was born and lived until she was six. While there, we took a side trip to visit Hero's second and third cousins in Nashville and near Lebanon. They were lovely, gracious people. Please don't think I'm being critical when I tell this story.

We left my mom in Nashville with our hostess and drove out to Lebanon to see where Hero's great grandfather settled. The house was gone, but the smokehouse he had built still stood. The lady who inherited the property lived in a new home (relatively--built in the 1960's) built for her by her children. The cousin who showed us the way there told us there was no bathroom in the house. I thought great, Darling 2 has never used an outhouse, so this is her chance. LOL Wrong. When we asked about the facilities, the resident, Lily, told us "behind the big oak tree back of the house." Darling 2 and I looked but couldn't find an outhouse. We went back inside to ask for more directions. Lily told us there was no outhouse, we were just to squat behing a big tree!

Lily was in her 70's and had just had open-heart surgery. We couldn't imagine her using the great outdoors in all kinds of weather. She told us that when it was cold or rainy, she used the vacant chicken house. Now I don't want to give you the impression that Lily had just fallen off the turnip truck. She was a gracious, intelligent person. It turns out the limestone is so thick in that area, that a septic tank is a major expense and engineering problem. Her children pooled their resources to build her a new home, but didn't have the cash for the septic tank. So, she didn't have indoor plumbing other than a cistern to gather rainwater. She drew her drinking water from the well outside her home. What a hard life! This lady had borne thirteen children and raised eleven of them. Two had died as infants. No toilet, no hot water heater, no dishwasher, no washing machine, no dryer. Lord love a duck, I felt like a wimp compared to her!

Don't you wonder what new things will come along in the next twenty years? Probably in fifty years people will think we were quite primitive.  What's the one thing you would hate most to do without?

Release Day for OUT OF THE BLUE!

It's finally here, my long awaited release day for my paranormal time travel romance, OUT OF THE BLUE, from The Wild Rose Press. The buy link is http://www.thewildrosepress.com/, hint, hint. This is my first full-length romance with The Wild Rose Press, and I have to say that working with them has been a pleasure. They are very professional, yet also author friendly. Nicola Martinez designed the cover which fits so well with the story. You can see the cliffs of Ireland at the top and the Texas landscape at the bottom. Coins play a part in the story, too.  The heroine has long black hair, so the cover also depicts her correctly.  Working with editor Kelly Schaub was also a pleasure. Kelly knows her stuff, but is always gentle with constructive criticism.
I was part of an award winning Civil War anthology last year, NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES, with five friends. What a lovely experience that was. Editor Allison Byers was very nice to work with.

It's refreshing to have a cover that reflects the story. Not all do, you know. I've heard friends complain that the cover in no way is like the story or the  hero or the heroine. And the worst cover ever was the one I had for THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND. That was a great book, in my opinion, but the useless cover shot down sales. What a tragedyl. Ah, but I digressed.

I invite you to join me today as Mary Ricksen, Sharon Donovan, and Hywela Lyn treat me to a release party at their author roast and toast blog. Comment there to enter a drawing for a free download of the book. Come join the fun for a virtual margarita. Then, head on over to Kelly McCrady's site for another release announcement for OUT OF THE BLUE.   It's a fun day and I hope you'll join me in celebrating. Whoo hooo!

Evolving as a Writer, Evolving as a Reader

June and July are the Summer Reading Trail 2010. I hope you like to read--obviously you do or you wouldn't be here reading this blog. I'm also giving prizes throughout the Trail, so stick around. One comment is an entry and a follow is a second entry.

As long as I can remember I've loved books. My dad taught me to read when I was very young. I think he tired of reading the funnies and comic books. I bugged him to keep up with my favoites--Bugs Bunny, Superman, etc. Once I learned, I read whatever was handy. My mom was not a book enthusiast until later in life. She was unable to attend school for the entire year due to helping on her parents' farm, so she didn't do well in school. Besides, until she was middle aged, she thought too much reading was bad for the eyes. Then her sister insisted she read a book, and she was hooked. She rued having missed so many years of pleasure before then..

I used to haunt the library. Even after I was an adult, I made runs to the library on my lunch hour or on the way to the bus stop to load up on novels. I read on the bus all the way to and from work. I never tired of reading. I still don't! But now I buy most of my books. I reread favorites and pass the rest on to friends.

Once I began writing in earnest, I attended workshops and conferences. Not only did this change the way I write, but--here's what surprised me--it made a substantial change in the way I read. Now I noticed when authors broke the rules. How did they manage this and still continue securing contracts? Why couldn't I break the rules, too? Why were they published and I wasn't?

In the first place, well known authors have earned the right to break those rules. They've worked until they've built up a fan base whose readership guarantees their future sales. Secondly, perhaps a few of those same writers who are now successful would never be offered the first contract in today's tough publishing atmosphere. Isn't that thought a kick in the head? You know which authors I mean, I'm sure. Long, flowery descriptions to open the book. Anachronisms and faulty research in historical novels. Slow pacing. Paragraphs that last a page or more. Yawn.

Generally speaking, we are currently consumers with short attention spans. We want to get to the meat of the story fast. Short phrases interspersed to give us the weather and mood when necessary, but no long descriptions of the weather or the room. We want the hero and heroine to meet early in the book (or movie. How do you suppose Sleepless In Seattle sold as a screenplay? Wouldn't it be a shame if it hadn't?). Quick action, lots of dialogue, no long paragraphs without a break. No sentences that take three or four lines on the page.

My critique partner and friend Jeanmarie Hamilton and I often talk about writing trends. She writes historicals and erotica; I write sweet contemporaries, and sensual historicals and paranormals. Both of us write romance. We are constantly noticing new trends and puzzling over them and how to incorporate them into our writing. As the King of Siam said in The King and I, "It's a puzzlement."

This doesn't mean that I don't like older novels. I do! I love Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Marjorie Allingham, and others of the Golden Age. I can't read some of the older writers--those with heroines Too Stupid To Live. You know the ones I mean. The heroine is wearing a white nightgown and hears a noise. She takes her candle/lantern/flashlight to investigate, even though she knows there's a killer on the loose. Writers call her TSTL--Too Stupid To Live. My friend Sandy Crowley once wrote herself into a corner with her heroine facing killers in an alley. She said, "I just left her there for a day. I figured I'd created someone TSTL."

Since writing has evolved, writers' techniques must also evolve or they'll be left behind. I have to write fast so I'll have time to blog and comment on other blogs and go on Facebook and Tweet on Twitter and go to writer's meetings and speak to community groups. Good grief, no wonder I'm tired. That's why Hero brings me an occasional soda or tea, snack, or meal so I can hibernate in my nice, pink cave and keep writing my heart out and trying to please readers. What a guy!

The whole idea of this is that readers' tastes change, too. How has your taste in books changed in the last decade? Do you still read the same authors you read ten years ago?

Guest Interview with Cindy Jacks and May Prize Winner

Before I introduce today's guest, let me announce L_Hogg@comcast.net is the May prize winner. Laura, send me an email at caroline@carolineclemmons.com and tell me your snail mail address. The prize consists of a steampunk pocket watch necklace, a Bath and Body Works gift basket, and a couple of other things. Thanks to each of you who commented on a post. Dawn, if you'll send me your email, I have a runner's up prize for you. Secondly, I want to welcome you to the first day of my participation in the 2010 Summer Reading Trail.

Now that that's out of the way, I'm pleased to welcome Cindy Jacks, who's stopping by on her whirlwind Virtual Book Tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Cindy will share information about her writing and her new book ALL THE GOOD MEN. Prior to becoming a writer of romantic and erotic fiction, Cindy was a 'jacks' of all trades. Besides obtaining a BFA in sculpture, interning as a pastry-chef, and learning the art of furniture restoration, she worked for ten years in the corporate arena, but now happily spends her days as a full time author. Her first published work--"The Point of Distraction Series"--was inspired by a collection of short stories she wrote to entertain her best friend. Since then she's explored her inner bad girl and penchant for love stories by producing books full of humor and packed with real emotion. When not chained to her laptop, she enjoys belly dancing, international cooking, and making jewelry. She and her family call the Washington, DC area home.

Welcome, Cindy.

Thanks so much for having me here today to launch my virtual book tour! I can't wait to dive into these questions.

Before we get to the questions, let me say that is one hunky guy on the cover of your book! Congratulations on such a great cover.

Thanks. As you can imagine, I'm thrilled with the cover!

Give readers an idea of your creative process. Do you plot, do a lot of research, do characterization charts? Or, are you a seat-of-the-pants writer?

My creative process involves a lot of obsessing. When I'm writing a novel, I think about it 24/7. I dream about it. Sometimes the characters wake me up at obscene times of the night to talk to me. So, I'm definitely a plotter. I have to know where I'm going with a book or 'the voices' keep annoying me, lol. That being said, once I'm knee deep in my plot outline, I'm flexible. I'll change the action to match the characters as they evolve or as new ideas come to me.

What fuels your muse? I don't mean just chocolate--LOL--but the ideas. What inspires you?

I take inspiration from the people around me. Friends, family, long-term acquaintances—everyone has a story to share. I love listening to people's life experience and learning from it. Many of my characters have a basis in real people. I think this process adds richness and depth to the story.

Oh, I agree! Do you listen to music as you write? Do you require silence or can you write anywhere?

While I'm more efficient when I write without distractions, I have a very low tolerance for absolute quiet, lol. I'm very much about being in the thick of things so I really can write anywhere, but if I can force myself to shut off the internet, barricade myself in the bedroom, and resist the urge to join whatever frivolity my son is engaged in, I get more words written in a shorter amount of time. I do, however, need to listen to music when I write. Music is another thing that inspires me. My mood is very much affected by it so I keep genre appropriate playlists handy to keep me in the correct frame of mind while I write. For romance, I listen to Michael Buble or Harry Connick Jr. For action sequences, Korn or Limp Bizkit does the job. And for super hot sex scenes, it's a specific song that gets my blood pumping, “Sadeness, Part 1,” by Enigma.

Do you use a laptop or a desktop. Where do you write?

My laptop is an extension of my body these days. I feel like I'm missing a limb without it! And judging from my butt print on the far right end of the couch in the living room, I've taken up residence there. It's the most comfortable spot in the house for me. You know, close proximity to the kitchen and the TV.

What are some of the books you reread or have on your keeper shelf? Who are some of your favorite authors?

Chick lit is one of my favorite genres. Bridget Jones's Diary was life changing for me in my late twenties. I felt suddenly like my fears and insecurities were normal. Watermelon helped me feel understood after I had my son as well. Sex and the City gave me a sense of empowerment. So, Helen Fielding, Marian Keyes, and Candance Bushnell are among my faves.

I also love Agatha Christie. I became a fan in high school because I chose Evil Under the Sun for a book report. After that I was hooked. Christie is one of the authors who inspired me to become a writer as is Margaret Atwood. Again, The Handmaiden's Tale was life changing for me. I read it at sixteen and began to ask all sorts of questions about sexual politics. Yep, Atwood brought out the burgeoning feminist in me.

Is there any advice you'd like to give pre-published authors?

Surround yourself with people who know more about the publishing industry than you do and other writers whose style you envy. And then be open to their advice (that's the hard part!) No act of creation happens in a vacuum. The more you collaborate and pass your work by those who can give you valuable feedback—both positive and negative—the more you'll grow. I think, in our society, we have this 'myth of the lone genius,' like an artist has to create something all by him/herself to be great. That really is crap, lol. And I mean that in a good way. Once you abandon that idea, writing isn't such a lonely process. I assure you, every novel you've ever read has been worked over by beta-readers, pre-editors, editors, and proofreaders. Though the vision may be yours, the polish comes from your support team.

Excellent advice, Cindy. Tell us anything else you'd like to share.

I'd just like to say that I know first-hand how tough times are for many people right now. My life-partner went through a layoff and a career-change because his trade evaporated with housing market. It was a rough road getting back to the point that we had a little extra 'fun money.' Those lean days, I think, shaped my attitude toward my writing. My goal, as an author, is to give my readers the best story I can produce. If I can help someone relieve the stress of a hard day or provide escape into another world, even for just a few hours, I feel like I've done my job well. It's in this spirit that I offer All the Good Men to the public. And I always love feedback from readers so please feel free to drop me a line!

Cindy, tell us a little about ALL THE GOOD MEN. Can you share a blurb with us.

Happy to..

Book Title: ALL THE GOOD MEN from Moongypsy Press.



Tagline: Good things come in forty-something firefighter packages...

Blurb:


Dahlia is sure the hackneyed platitude is true: After a certain age, all the good men are married or gay. She feels her thirty-eight years put her well past that 'certain age.' Her best friend and her sisters dare her to put her fate where her mouth is. The terms of the challenge? During the month of October, she has to end her five-year-long man fast and go on dates with men of their choosing. Oh, and she also has to go out with anyone else who asks.

As the date disasters pile up, the vindication almost makes the torturous evenings bearable for Dahlia. But a handsome new neighbor, Jackson Carmichael, moves in, changing the rules of the game. Retired after twenty-six years as a pro firefighter in Boston, he volunteers with the local fire department, coaches a youth hockey team, and appears for all the world to be the perfect man. He just might throw a wrench into Dahlia's plan to die lonely and single...that is if she doesn't scare him away first.

I can tell this book is filled with humor as well as romance. Can you give us an excerpt?

Here's a PG excerpt of ALL THE GOOD MEN.

Skipper's, McGrady's, the Dew Drop Inn. Dahlia didn’t find her father at any of his regular hangouts. As a last ditch effort, she drove home, hoping to find him there. No such luck.



She called Beck. “Hi, it’s Dahlia. I haven’t found him, but if for some reason he turns up at the VFW, please give me a call.”


“Will do, ma’am. Again, I can’t tell you how sorry I am he got away from me.”


“No, no. It’s not your fault. I felt like I should’ve stayed home with him, but with all the orders at work—” The doorbell interrupted her thoughts. “Beck, there’s someone here. I’ll call you back.”


As she clamped the cell phone shut its hinge snarled in a lock of hair. Dahlia tugged at the accursed thing as she trotted to the front door. When she opened it, Dahlia abandoned her efforts to disentangle the phone. There stood her father, soaking wet, draped against the shoulder of a man she’d never seen before.


“Hi.” The stranger flashed an apologetic smile. “Does he belong to you? I feel like I've seen him pruning the hedges out front.”


She squeezed her eyes shut. Perhaps if she blocked out the image of her piss-drunk father long enough, he might disappear. Opening one eye she found she’d had no such luck.


“Yes, I’m so sorry. Where did he wind up, Mr…?”


“Carmichael. Jackson Carmichael. I found him floating in my koi pond.”


“Oh, good Lord. I’m really sorry. We’ll pay for any damages.” Dahlia reached for her dad, but Jackson scooped up the old man using a fireman’s carry.


“Not to worry. I’m just glad I found him when I did. Is it okay to set him on the couch?”


“Please. I’ll get some towels.” She hurried from the room if only to hide her flaming embarrassment. Upon return, she made a vain attempt to blot up the water that pooled around the passed out lump she usually called Dad.


“Thank you, Mr. Carmichael. I can’t apologize enough. Daddy’s a bit of a handful.”


“No apology necessary, but may I…?” He reached out a hand.


“Of course.” Dahlia thrust a dry towel at him.


“No, no. I meant—” Jackson made a gentle twist and tug that freed the forgotten cell phone from her hair. “There you go.”


“Christ almighty. Lovely first impression I’ve made,” she said and shoved the phone in her pocket.


“Nah, no biggie.” He stripped off his shirt and dried himself. “I meant to come by to introduce myself a couple days ago, but I’ve been swamped trying to get settled.”


Though a half naked man in her living room—and a rather physically fit one at that—was a rare occurrence, Dahlia did her best to avert her eyes. “I’m sure Daddy and I have made you want to run for the hills.”


“Not at all, Ms…?”


“Foster, but please, anyone who finds my father in his fishpond can call me Dahli.”


“A pleasure,” he said and handed her the towel. “Thanks.”


“Would you like something to drink?”


“I’d love something, but I have to get back. Rain check?”


“Sure. Come by anytime.” But I won’t hold my breath...not that I blame you, she added silently. Dahlia walked him to the front door, thanking him again. After closing the door behind Mr. Carmichael, she plodded into the living room to check on her father.


“Daddy,” she said to deaf ears and sank into the loveseat. “What am I going to do with you?”

Cindy, this book sounds like one for the keeper shelf. I can hardly wait to read the whole book. Thanks for stopping by to share it with us.

Caroline, thank you so much for having me. It's been fun.

Cindy will be giving away a signed copy of ALL THE GOOD MEN and a branded "Fiction For The Bad Girl In Every Woman" book bag for one randomly drawn lucky winner. To enter, please visit each day's tour stop listed below and comment.on Cindy's post. A winner will be drawn at the conclusion of her tour and the winner notified. (Please make sure you include your email address with your comment.)

June 2: Diary of a Literary Goddess


June 3: The Amber Scott Project

June 4: Alisha Paige

June 7: Love Romance Passion

June 8: The Book Junkie's Bookshelf

June 9: Book Junkie

June 10: Roxanne's Realm

June 11: You Gotta Read Guest

June 14: Whipped Cream Reviews Guest Blog

June 15: Romancing the Pen

June 16: Marianne Arkins

June 17: Authors by Authors

June 18: The Epic Rat

June 21: Romance Alley

June 22: Jacqueline Paige

June 23: The Cozy Page

June 24: Amber Skyze

June 25: The Life (and lies) of an inanimate flying object

You can learn more about Cindy Jacks and her books from her website

What I Learned in the Blogathon

May has been a month of blogging for the Word Count's May 2010 Blogathon. I was already blogging daily, so that wasn't new for me. Nevertheless, I have learned several.things:

1. I have discovered several new blogs I enoy. Another way to avoid work--not that I ever procrastinate, you understand. Yeah, right!.

2.  Blogging is work. Yes, blogging every day requires digging for subjects. Not that I have trouble rattling on and on, mind you, but finding something others might find interesting is a challenge..

3. The cyberworld is not my friend, but it can work for me. With help from my daughters and husband, that is. We all need help sometimes, right?

4. When I think about writing 365 posts, it's sounds impossible. One a day sounds easier. Yes, I sometimes play mind games with myself. Occasionally, it even works.

5. Organizing an event like the 2010 Blogathon must be a real headache for Michelle Rafter. Thank goodness she did it for us. Sometimes it's better to be a follower than a leader.

Tomorrow, June 1st, I'll announce the winner of my May Blogathon Contest. Today is your last chance to leave a comment to enter. Signing on as a follower counts as a second entry. Hurry, hurry!

Also, tomorrow begins my participation in the Summer Reading Trail 2010.
As you celebrate your extra day off from work, please remember the reason for our holiday. Pray for all those who are in the armed services now and give thanks for those who died so that we can be free.

Where Do You Work Best?

When I first began writing, I worked for a newspaper and did most of my writing at home. My "office" was a corner of the garage. Needless to say, it lacked ambiance. Didn't matter to me--I just.pounded out my articles on an old IBM Selectric.

I remember a quote from Louis L'Amour that he could write sitting on a folding chair on the median at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood CA. I'll bet he could have, too. He was a great writer whose books I reread. In fact, Hero and I have a section of our bedroom bookcase reserved for Louis L'Amour books.

Through the years, my office space has evolved. Now I have taken over Darling 2's former bedroom. I call it my pink cave, because the walls are a little brighter pink than we planned. When I took over the room, Darling 2 redecorated it with lovely prints suited to a romance writer--a Victorian cherub, hearts, pink roses (my favorite), and a Monet Water Lily print. Very soothing!. One wall is mostly family photos, another holds prints of my book covers.  A couple of bookcases hold my :"keeper" books. It's a pleasant writing retreat. Definitely a step up from a corner of the garage, right?  Of course, the room is not entirely mine. Our three cats share it with me. I doubt they care what color the walls are or what's hanging on them, as long as the litter box is clean and the food and water bowls are full. Hero and I are the cat's staff and they don't tolerate slow service.

The point of this article is that a nice office makes writing more comfortable and more pleasant, but it's not necessary to a writer. We write because we just can't help ourselves. LOL

The late science fiction writer Warren Norwood taught writing classes. He said the most important tool for a writer is a comfortable chair. I can agree. Sitting at a computer (or typewriter if you have to) all day leaves your back, shoulders, and neck in kinks. Sure, I could write while sitting on a folding chair, but thank goodness I don't have to!

Talented romance writer Lorraine Heath once said her dream place to write would be an office in the Texas hill country with a huge picture window to look out on a pastoral landscape. Sounds great, doesn't it? I think of the tree at the top of my blog as my window. Darling 1 took the photo. That giant tree soothes and invites me to sit in the shade under its limbs and curl up with a good book. Yeah, in my daydreams I can ignore fire ants' existence.And bugs n general. But can you see what I mean about inviting?

Romance writer and radio celebrity Candace Havens said she does most of her writing in a recliner with her laptop balanced on a pillow on her lap. And she can write while watching TV. Yikes! Talk about using both sides of your brain and multi-tasking.

Do you have to have a special place to write or pursue your hobbies? Do you require quiet or can you shut out noise?

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in my May giveaway. Join as a follower for a second chance to win. If you don't win the May contest, return and enter my weekly June contests.

Why A Time Travel?

A nice long weekend to relax and be with family. What could be better? I hope you have time to read a good book. Like OUT OF THE BLUE, hint, hint.


Someone asked me today why I wrote a time travel. My belief is a writer should writer the kind of book he or she likes to read. One type book I love is time travel romance. The first one I read was by Kathleen Kane. I fell in love with the concept and read every one of her books I could find. Then I met Diana Gabaldon. What a great lady, researcher, and writer! I bought all of her books, too. A bookseller I trust suggested Janet Chapman’s series on Scots warriors who were transported mid-battle to the U.S. What fun!

Writing is more involved than reading. Even a contemporary novel usually requires research to set up the world the writer will describe. My husband and I took our dream trip to Ireland and fell in love with the country. We also love our home state of Texas. What better than to combine the two? The heroine of OUT OF THE BLUE is from 1845 Ireland while the hero is a Texas police detective in the fictional city of Radford Springs. The town’s name sounds logical, right? What sounds fictional is the actual lake, Possum Kingdom Lake. Yep, I’m serious, the name is genuine. Not only that, it’s a beautiful lake. And there really is a cliff formation called Hell’s Gate.

The name comes from the early Anglo trappers in the area who trapped possums for their fur and also bought hides from the Comanches. Two trappers decided to steal from some Comanches they’d traded with, and were killed. Apparently someone survived to report that before they died, one of the trappers said “he’d see Hell’s Gate before he returned” the hides to the Comanches. The cliff formation is named for him, sort of a posthumous tribute to his stupidity.

I hope you enjoy time travel romances, too. I’ll include a copy of mine in the prize drawing on June 1st. You have until 11:59 pm on May 31st to enter. If you don’t win, don’t worry, in June I’ll have weekly drawings. To enter either, you simply comment on my blog and include your email address. If you sign up as a follower, that counts as an extra entry. Couldn’t be easier.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day. Don’t forget the reason for the holiday.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things . . . Blogs, That Is

As I've been learning all about cyber-promotion for my current release, OUT OF THE BLUE, I've come across some clever blogs, beautiful blogs, helpful blogs, and a few pretty weird blogs. No point mentioning the weird ones, right? You've probably alreaady noticed there are several blogs listed on the right of this set up, but I decided to share some of my favorites with you today and hope you'll check them out. There are far too many great blogs for me to list all of them here, (that's my excuse to anyone I miss) but these are a few:

Stephanie Suesan Smith writes Texas gardening, pets, photography and miscellaneous.
Beth Trissell writes an informative and refreshing blog. Lovely photos, great research.
Celia Yeary is a Texas girl--like me--and I love her "Romance . . .And A Little Bit O' Texas" blog.
West of Mars will lead you to Susan Helene Gottfried's site Win A Book What's better than free stuff?
Petticoats And Pistols is for anyone who loves western historicals. See me waving my hand? I love them!

Slip Into Something Victorian is the perfect site for anyone who loves historicals set in the Victorian era. Me! They're the ladies who conjured up the Civil War anthology NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES. Great cover by Nicola Martinez of The Wild Rose Press. You might notice that's my name in the author list.
Author Roast And Toast is a fun Friday blog with fun ladies. I'll be roasted and toasted June 4th. I'm already  squirming. No problem, they'll serve margaritas. That will calm me.
Hywela Lyn is a Welsh lady living in England whose heart is in her special corner of the universe.
Roses of Prose is hosted by five lovely ladies.
Hearts Through History is online chapter that hosts "Seduced By History" and incorporates blogs from numerous members of the online chapter and guests.
The Wild Rose Press will give you the option to click on Blogs on the lower right links. Then you can choose between several blogs of editors and authors of various genres.
Skhye Moncreif is another fun author with a beautiful site.
Savvy Authors hosts authors on their blog--like me on May 30th!
Sky Purington is a generous lady who hosts lots of other authors--as she did for me on May 21. Beautiful blog matches her name..
Coffee Time Romance hosts numerous authors. I'll be there on June 11. Grab a cup of coffee and join me.
Sharon Donovan is a courageous author who not only is a good writer, but is blind from diabetic retinopathy.

I'm only getting started. There are so many great blogs and websites, it would be possible to surf the web all day. I suspect some people do just that for entertainment. Great. Those of us who write need readers!

I hope you'll comment on my blog. I have a grand prize (at least I think it's grand) I'll be giving away June 1st to someone who commented in May. In June, I'll be awarding a weekly prize all month. To enter, leave a comment which includes your email. Sign on as a follower and that counts as a second entry. Easy peasy, right? Free stuff!

Family History as Story Material

Don't forget, dear friends, my May 31 prize giveaway is drawing near!!! Each comment on a May blog enters you in the drawing. Signing up as a follower counts a second entry. Be sure and include your email address and tell me if you also signed up as a follower. I'll draw early on June 1st.

Now to talking about family history as story material. You realize, I'm sure, that I don't want you to write a book in which all your relatives appear in their most annoying form. No, we do have to continue to be a part of our family. My intent is to suggest that events in the life of someone in your family may spark an idea for a character or a plot. For instance, my grandmother once told me a short anecdote about a girl her age in her little village in Tennessee. The girl had a horrid life and the other kids taunted her mercilessly. The girl quit school rather than be subjected to the ridicule. My grandmother's story touched me and I thought how nice it would have been if that little girl had found a better life after her years of misery. That sparked the character of Pearl in THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE.  

Darling 1 has decided to write a nonfiction book about an event that happened to my grandfather, who had to shoot someone to defend himself and his family. Unfortunately, the man he killed was his wife's uncle. Not a pleasant story, but one that began years before at the end of the Civil War with family animosity. Apparently, my grandparents were from feuding families and left Georgia for Texas in an attempt to escape the anymosity.

I am amazed at the number of historical writers who use events in their family. My friend Jeanmarie Hamilton has a fascinating family tree that includes many early Texas settlers. Ashley Kath-Bilsky's ancestor was an early Pinkerton agent.

Family lore can apply to contemporary writers, too. How many of us see tragic things happen to relatives and recognize a chain of events as a cause. Why not rewrite life and create a happy ending? 

What about your family history? I'll bet you have the seeds for innumerable stories.

Selling Your Manuscript

A friend called me tonight to ask about an offer she received for her manuscript. A so-called  "publisher" wants to publish her book. The catch is, she would have to preorder a hundred books at ten dollars each. Yes, that's a thousand dollar investment on her part before her book ever goes to press. She wanted my opinion. Guess what I told her? Don't even consider that an offer!

Writers often fall prey to the few pirhanas in the publishing industry. We want readers to read our work, want to hold a copy of our baby in our hands. It's hard to go the traditional publishing route where either you must have an agent and/or you wait months to hear whether your book is accepted for contract. In fact, I've had manuscripts get lost at publishers. One I submitted four years ago has never received a rejection. Fortunately for me, it will be released September 3rd from The Wild Rose Press--an author-friendly press who value their authors and treat them well.

The Internet makes it easy to set oneself up as a publisher. Many small presses have overestimated the ease of being a publisher and have gone belly up, leaving their authors dangling. The cardinal rule in publishing is this:

                          If they ask you to pay, run away!

And by run, I mean fast! No reputable publisher asks money from its authors. The publisher provides the covers, marketing, editing, everything. Never fall for the "Oh, but we have expenses" line. Are they a reputable business or not? If they are, they have procedures in place to take care of the author's manuscript from reading to release.

I have to share that I love working with The Wild Rose Press. The covers are great, the editors are knowledgeable and gracious, and the marketing is well managed. Plus, the owners are author-friendly and strive to make this house a family. I like that. I have enjoyed all the interaction I've experiences with the owners, editors, staff and other authors. Many friends who write for other small presses are also happy.

Whatever your choice, consider wisely before you sign a contract. The advance offered by major houses is lovely. Small presses can't match that aspect, but there are many reputable small presses. No matter what you choose, never, never, never pay out of pocket to have your manuscript published.

Book Review--The Girl on Legare Street

With THE GIRL ON LEGARE STREET, author Karen White delivers another winning paranormal to delight readers. Her earlier book, THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET began the story of Melanie Middleton and Jack Trenholm with Melanie inheriting an antebellum mansion and the return of her father. THE GIRL ON LEGARE STREET continues that story with the return of Melanie's famous opera singer mother, Ginnette Prioleau Middleton, from whom Melanie has been estranged since Ginnette abandoned Melanie thirty years ago. Ginnette wants a reconciliation, but Melanie is not ready to forgive, in spite of the little girl inside her crying for her mommy.

Melanie sees and talks to dead people. She even receives phone calls from her dead grandmother. Ginnette is an empath, which is why she always wears gloves to protect her from vibrations picked up through her fingertips. Ginnette has returned to Charleston because she senses Melanie is in danger. She's correct! Jack, Melanie, and Ginnette combine forces to protect one another from a perilous foe..

Author Kerrelyn Sparks calls this book "Southern Living Meets Southern Unliving. A Lovely Read That's Elegant, Spooky, Romantic, And Scary." I wholeheartedly agree. Karen White is an amazing author whose work includes the subtle, dry humor I love. She perfectly captures today's Southern living--and I don't mean the magazine. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal with romance and mystery--and dead people.

Joy Of Writing

I'm excited about a new WIP (work in progress) and am fortunate to have friends whose encouragement propels my enthusiasm. I love writing my stories,escaping into someone else's life, and creating the appropriate outcome for each character--depending on whether it's a hero, heroine, or villain. When I'm writing, it's as if these are real people whose life I'm recording, not something plucked from my imagination. Other days, writing requires delving deeper and a fair share of daydreaming.  I love the quote from Meg Chittendon that goes:

"Many people hear voices when no one is there. Some of them are called mad and shut up in rooms where they stare at walls all day. Others are called writers, and they do pretty much the same thing."

Along the same line, I've saved a copy of the Sunday funnies that shows the character Shoe sitting at his desk staring off into space for several frames. When someone speaks to him, he says, "Can't you see I'm writing?"

It's true that along with the joy of creating, writers face times of planning and plotting. We arrange parts of the story in our minds so that the ideas will flow to our fingers. One of my critique partners, Jeanmarie Hamilton, and I tease one another that we have to keep our fingers flying across the keys. Many days that's more easily said than practiced.

I try to write at least five pages each day. Some days I far exceed that--my all-time record being 48 pages in a very, very long day. Other days, life jumps up and grabs me by the throat. Those days are lost for my stories with zero productivity. I try not to dwell on the interruptions life presents--and there are a lot of those. The important thing for me is to keep my tush in my desk chair and my fingers flying across the keys.

To qualify for my May 31st prize give away, leave a comment. If you also sign on as a follower, that counts as an additional entry. Be sure to include your email address in your comment.

My time travel romantic suspense OUT OF THE BLUE is now available from The Wild Rose Press and Amazon. Please let me know if you enjoy it. Okay, also let me know if you do not enjoy reading it.

Reading, Writing, and . . . Magic

I've been reading a lot, spending time not dedicated to writing by pursuing reading my favorite authors. As well, I've been reading books by new authors and trying to analyze why that book sold. Sometimes I haven't a clue, frankly, other than perhaps the editor was in an unusually optimistic or cheerful mood the day the book crossed her desk. Other times I identify an element that propels me forward in the book, immersed and turning pages when I know I should stop and do a load of laundry, start supper, or go to sleep. Those are the books I think about, wondering how to craft mine with that degree of reader involvement.

I've had people tell me they'll give me a story idea if I'll write the book and split the royalties with them. Yeah, right. Coming up with story ideas is easy--I have enough to last me until I'm at least two hundred years old. Implementing the idea into a completed manuscript takes planning and perseverance. Achievein a completed work which entices readers requires magic. My magic wand is still beside my computer monitor. Hmmm, I hope my supply of fairy dust is sufficient.

My latest book, OUT OF THE BLUE, is now available from The Wild Rose Press or from Amazon. Cost is $14.99 for print (I have nothing to do with pricing, folks) and electronic download is $7.00. This is a paranormal time travel romance with suspense elements. Dierdre Dougherty is an Irish clairvoyant herbal healer who leaps from a cliff in 1845 to escape a dangerous man. She lands over 160 years later in a Texas lake beside the bass boat of police detective Brendan Hunter, who is out to solve the murder of his best friend and partner. Can Deirdre help Brendan solve this case?

Graphic by Webweaver

He Said/She Said--Good Or Bad?

Don't forget to comment on this blog this month to be eligible for a time-related prize give away on May 31st! An Etsy steampunk watch necklace(the time) , a basket from Bath & Body Works (time to relax), and a download of my new paranormal time release, OUT OF THE BLUE  (time to read) will be given to one lucky commenter.

My critique partners and I talk about writing and what we like and don't like about particular techniques. Not too long ago we were discussing dialogue in general and tag lines (attribution) specifically. We noticed that more and more writers are omitting "he said/she said" and using either action, body language or the POV (point of view) character's thoughts in place of an attribution tag. My primary critique partners and I prefer this method. I believe the story flows better and is more natural, pulling the reader into the scene.

That's why I was surprised when a couple of writers mentioned they don't like this method. They thought "he said/she said" was invisible and they prefer pared down scenes with as little description as possible. They don't care to read body language at all. Another multi-published author friend mentioned that action such as "she nodded" or "he shrugged" annoys her. She prefers an adverb such as "he said menacingly," but tags like that annoys me.

Writing for publication constantly changes and evolves. Spelling changes, comma use decreases, and so forth. Keeping up requires study and flexibility. It appears that no matter how much a writer studies craft and technique, personal likes and dislikes shape his or her writing. Even though being a writer changes the way a person reads for pleasure, each of us was a reader before he or she became a writer. What an author enjoys reading shapes his or her perception of how he or she should write.

Keep reading good books!

Courting You Muse

Gene Fowler said, "Writing is easy. All you have to do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead."

What activates your muse? Do you have to court it? Darling Daughter 1 gave me a magic wand to help with my writing. Some days it works; some days it's broken. Okay, maybe I don't really believe the want is magic, but it is pretty.  I keep it by my monitor. After all, it couldn't hurt a person, could it? Each of us needs a little magic in our writing, right? Maybe a fairy would shower that extra sparkle into our work?

Many writers use music to set the mood for their particular work in progress. One friend downloads songs that she feels set the mood for her day's writing.  I find that anything with lyrics detracts from my concentration. Classical music, especially Mozart, sets a nice rhythm for my keystrokes. In fact, I am a fan of Don Campbell's book, MOZART EFFECT, and have the accompanying Cd's. I also listen to chakra aligning CD's, again strictly instrumental. By the time I finish a day's writing, my chakras should be a hundred percent on target.

Experts have stated that music imparts a rhythm to our text that communicates to the reader. Who knows? Each individual responds differently. Pachelbel's "Canon" soothes me. My favorite copy is on a two-CD set entitled "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in The Universe." Isn't that a lofty claim? The Cd's are so enjoyable, however, I have a spare set for the time when these Cd's expire from overuse.  After all, I can't risk displeasing my muse.

Getting away from the computer for a couple of hours might revitalize your creativity. Or do you need a few days away to contemplate? Stress can suffocate our muse. A little R and R never hurts, does it?

Reading also stimulates my muse and gets her contemplating new possibilities. Now, I do NOT mean that I am copying anyone! In fact, when working on a project, I read the opposite type of literature so even my subconscious can't plagiarize. Rather reading relaxes me by taking me away so my creativity surfaces. If a book is particularly well-written and captivating, I read it a second time to analyze the craft techniques.

A muse is not just for writers. No matter what the artistic endeavor, a muse is needed for inspiration. Each of us has a method for courting our muse. What works for you?
  

The Green, Green Hills of Ireland

My latest release, OUT OF THE BLUE, is a time travel romance with suspense elements. The heroine, Deirdre Dougherty is an Irish clairvoyant herbalist and healer who travels from 1845 Ireland to drop into our time. I thought I’d set the mood by discussing the first trip Hero and I took to Ireland.

Do you love green rolling hills, thatched cottages, corner pubs, and friendly people? Who doesn’t love those things? Which is why Ireland is a great travel destination. Unless you're a smoker--public smoking is no longer allowed in Ireland. Great for people with allergies, like Hero and me. Not great if you're a pack a day person who has no intention of quitting.

The Irish are friendly to Americans. After so many Irishmen emigrated to America, Irish citizens seem to consider that visitors from the U.S. are only coming “home” for a visit. Hero and I found open, welcoming people wherever we traveled in Ireland. As they should be. After all, our ancestry includes many Scot-Irish, and we were visiting the old country.

Our first visit was through Brendan Tours, and Willie Guilfoyle was our driver and guide. His knowledge of Irish history amazed us. In other trips since then, no guide has been as well informed as Willie. In fact,on all counts Brendan Tours is a lovely group with whom to travel.

Flying in to Shannon airport, the verdant landscape surprised me. I’d heard about the Emerald Isle, but was unprepared for the landscape's vibrant shades of green. In travels across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the UK, and western Europe, I have to say that Ireland is the prettiest spot we’ve seen. In fact, I wanted to move into a lovely cottage in Adare, but my husband dragged me to the rest of our tour. In subsequent trips, we've noticed the country is changing since the adoption of the Euro and entrance into the European Common Market. This has brought Europeans buying up land and building houses as vacation homes.

The food was superb. Irish dairy products are the best I've ever eaten--even tastiet than in Switzerland. Fresh wild salmon is often served. Potatoes are served with everything in the evening, often in two dishes such as boiled new potatoes and mashed potatoes at the same meal. Carrots and parsnips mashed together--the thought of which gagged me until I ate it--turned out to taste delicious. Strict guidelines are in place to protect the Irish environment. Only clean businesses are invited. (Once at home when we booked an American hotel, the registration agent was in Ireland. No toxic waste from a phone call.)

We couldn't miss Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone. Hero climbed to the top and kissed the stone—not an easy feat. To accomplish this, he had to lie on his back partially suspended over a wall and tilt his head to kiss the opposite wall. Fortunately, there was an assistant to keep him from plunging to his death. Me? I waited at the bottom of the 110 steps for Hero's return. After all, no one in my family needs to actually kiss the Blarney Stone. We were born with the gift of (sometimes creative) gab!

We also attended several Ceilidhs. These are musical parties. Dancers and singers are always accompanied by violinists. Usually the music also includes the bhodran (hand drum), harmonica, concertina or accordian, and the Irish bagpipe. Differing from the Scots, an Irish piper pumps the bellows between his ribs and his arm and the sound is sweeter than from the Scottish cousin. Sometimes a guitar or a banjo completes the accompaniment.The Ceilidh is a cheerful and fun way to spend an evening..

Across Ireland, we saw celtic crosses either as tombstones or decoration. Beside the roads in many places are creches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Ruins from when the English destroyed Roman Catholic chapels litter the country. I hate to make general statements, but I consider the Irish to be religious and most to be Catholic. We stopped at the site of miraculous healing at the Chapel in Knoch. Nuns will pray for you and you can fill out a card to let friends and family know you’ve placed them on the special daily prayer list. Blessed water is also for sale.

Dublin is a bustling city formed where once sat a Viking stronghold. The town’s name means black pool. Dublin is a modern city with cheerful businesses and lots of flower boxes and hanging baskets brightening up the streets. Most homes have lovely gardens and hanging baskets. Although we entered through Shannon airport, we departed from Dublin on our first visit. 

One thing to remember, not every place has air conditioning to which we in the United States have become accustomed. For this reason, you might want to avoid the high summer months. We usually travel in May or September. The weather is still fine, but not as hot as in July and August.
Our visits were all too short. Next time, we plan to rent a cottage, purchase a rail pass, and spend a month in Ireland. Hmmm, I wonder if that cottage in Adare is available?

Love My Book?

Yesterday I received print copies of my new book, OUT OF THE BLUE, from The Wild Rose Press. I was elated to have the actual book in my hand. The cover is great; the people at TWRP were lovely to work with. Now all I have to worry about is how readers will receive this book. Picture me wringing my hands and looking worried. Will readers like my baby?

Most writers have fragile egos. We want everyone to love our creations and value us as authors. We know it’s impossible to please everyone, but we still want everyone to love our work. We’ve spent hours conjuring up the plot and characters, spent more hours recording the characters’ problems, exploits, and triumphs. Each book is a part of the author and has been painfully wrenched from our subconscious. We say love me, love my book.

I occasionally have critiquers question my work in progress (WIP). Even constructive criticism sends me into a panic. Oh, no, I think, now I have to completely rewrite this story. No, what will I do? Am I crazy to have written it this way? What’s wrong with me? I’ll never be the new Nora Roberts now. Okay, I know I can never be as successful as Nora. Who can? Still, I have my dreams.

Suggestions from critiquers are usually excellent. If they conflict with my vision for the book, then I usually sleep on it and consider each criticism carefully. When the comments would change the entire focus of my lead character and/or affect my secondary characters, I wince. Rewrite the entire book? Probably I will tweak the book, but not make all the changes suggested. The characters are real to me, so I determine their actions.

Most writers depend on critiques. They are helpful, even when the writer doesn’t agree. Critiques make us think about how others will perceive this story and its characters. For instance, in one book I said a chaparral ran across the road. In rural Texas, we see chaparral often. A friend questioned the word. I told her that was the real name for a road runner. She was astonished--she thought those were only in cartoons. //so maybe that wasn't a good read for a Northern reader.  
 
I never get angry at a critique. For one thing, receiving a critique means I’ve asked someone for his or her opinion. That means I value that person’s opinion and expertise. I realize the end responsibility is mine. This is my vision, a world I’m creating, and I bear the end result. So, I’ll continue to ask these excellent writers’ opinions, but it’s still MY BOOK. I don’t think that makes me a diva. And it doesn’t mean my ego is no longer fragile. It means that I want my book to be the best I can write! I hope readers will love OUT OF THE BLUE. Blatant self promotion--the link to buy OUT OF THE BLUE is found on the right.