Recent Trends in Romance

You know, one trend I’ve seen in the last couple years or so is where the heroine sees what needs to be done and charges forward with all her doubts and insecurities screaming at her. Even if she fails, succeeds or makes a mess of things, she takes ownership and becomes a better person for it, with or without the hero’s help. This new heroine can be bitchy but we sympathize or a wimp who we cheer on. I like this woman. She’s real with her many layers. And I love the men who love her despite hers and his flaws.

Just Like In The Movies

When I was growing up I watched a lot of movies set/made in the 40's and 50's. One of the mainstay characters was the nosey busybody who tried to solve everyone's problems but her own. Lately, I've realized that's me. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten myself in a jam by trying to help someone who hasn't asked for help.

So I've been working real hard not to be that way. To let others handle their own problems and make their own mistakes. It's hard. Real hard. But it's best for my own sanity.

What To Say When You Final

After being the contest coordinator for the Linda Howard Award of Excellence for four years out of five, I've heard all types of responses to the news of being a finalist or winner.

Some responses are frustrating. Like when I've called to tell someone they finaled and I hear "What contest did you say this was? What was the name of my entry?" Gee, that tells me they've entered and finaled in too many contests. I can promise you when it comes to ones I enter, I know when they're to call and I know which manuscript I've sent in. Yes. I do maintain a spreadsheet. I'm a little OCD about that.

Other times you call and get their voicemail. I guess I could leave a message for them to call me back, but they would already know that's the reason I'm calling (if they're not like the one above) and some probably wouldn't even return my call. So I leave a voicemail and hope they're the type to listen to it over and over again, so excited they finaled. Well anyway, that's what I do when I receive a voicemail like that.

Then you have the ones who have obviously finaled over and over again and they say "That's nice. Thank you," all in a calm businesslike voice. By then I imagine my hands around her neck and shaking.

On occasion I get one who's excited but says the wrong thing like "I'm shocked!" Okay. I understand this might be your first one. Or you just slammed together the entry at the last minute and had received the day before a horrible judge's comments from another contest, but come on people. I'm now rechecking the score as you say for the third time, "I'm shocked!" Have I made a mistake? If you're excited about finaling or winning, don't say you're shocked. Think positive and say, "That's wonderful!" Miracles do happen. Miracles are wonderful. So be sure to say so. That's wonderful!

That leads into good things to say. The one I usually say when I get a call about finaling. I squeal and say, "That's the best news I've heard in a long time!" Even if I received a call the day before from another contest. I know how hard that coordinator worked and I can tell you she gets as happy and excited as you do when you act thrilled. I've been told by one coordinator I'm her contest's favorite finalist because of my reaction. They feel appreciated and they'll remember you in a good way. I promise.

Fan Girl Strikes Again

I know you have seen me infatuated with several authors over the last year and Susan Elizabeth Phillips's books are no different. Check out this clip. I really like her sense of humor.

Thankful Friday

Though I believe my writing will drive me insane, I'm thankful I'm strong enough not to resort to drugs or alcohol. Check this out.

What Guys Think

I found this interesting article through a link on YAHOO's group page. Click Here. I swear I wasn't looking in YAHOO's personal pages. I swear!

Analyze This

I’ve discovered a new author (to me) recently. Her books are packed with strong emotions, delightful humor, and layered characters. Those layers astound me with the brilliance she used in crafting a novel I could only aspire to. Her most recent novel had a heroine who was SO NOT the typical woman I would root for or expect to admire. But with each layer she deftly made me wish to be in the heroine’s shoes as she stood strong and faced her enemies and got her man. All without being a bitch.

I love to read a book that surprises me and since that first book, I’ve read two more from her backlist and haven’t been disappointed. I plan to take each book and tear them apart and analyze how she made me tear up and then laugh out loud. How she made me sympathize with her characters and ache for their pains. How she made me blush during the love scenes and sigh when it was over.

Few authors have that type of talent. So it’s time for me go back to the book and start breaking it down and maybe, just maybe, I can improve my own.

Oh, you want to know who I’m talking about? I mentioned her recently. Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Wow! What an author!

Published Authors' Friends

I was reading a buddy's blog today and remembered something Lyn Stone said during a speech she gave my writers' group. That when you become published, you find out who are your real friends. She had "friends" say things like "When are you going to write a real book," "Since you're home all day, why don't you volunteer for this and that," and ask "How much money did you get paid?" Others said she'd become stuck on herself while others snubbed her. It's amazing how stupid people can be. If you ever have the opportunity to meet Lyn, be sure to say hi. She's a darling sweet lady and talented too.

People like that are not true friends. Friends celebrate milestones good or bad. Sure, there are probably authors who let their first or hundredth book go to their head, but they're rare. Thank goodness.

I know I'm not always a good friend to my published buddies. Sometimes that ugly mean green-eyed monster (envy) gets the better of me. Then I try my best to do something extra nice for them or I stay away. The only problem with staying away is letting too much time to pass without keeping in contact with that friend. Even published authors need their friends from the days before. I just make sure I don't use them. You know. Like asking them for critiques or introductions to agents/editors. If they offer without me asking, of course, I would most likely accept but never ask. That's putting a strain on your relationship with them, placing them in an uncomfortable spot.

Having a friend is more important. Considering how much I want to be published that says a lot.

It doesn't mean you can't name drop in a query. And I don't mean like telling an editor or agent the author told you to send a manuscript to them when she didn't. That's a no-no. Plus the editor/agent is most likely to ask the author if they did. You can imagine what the editor/agent would think of you to find out you LIED! Not counting you'll lose a friend.

What I'm talking about is like "I've heard of the good things you've done for AUTHOR..." Or "It was fun sitting at the table with you and AUTHOR at the conference." You get the idea.

Well, I better email my buddy. I've neglected her lately.

Writing Tips

I'm trying to add to a manuscript I started a few years ago. I've deleted the ending and plan to double the word count. The danger of writing on an old book is that our voice changes as we improve and editors can tell if we piece together a book over time. You know the beginning may have a lot of editing but plain, while about halfway your voice flows and have texture.

The funny thing about this one book is it's the one to help my voice to change for the better. It's my only first person story so far. I found writing in first person freeing me from worrying about deep point of view. As in first person you automatically add that to the story. Hey, it is your heroine/hero's thoughts, feelings, opinions and visuals you're putting to paper.

With it being a book I've written, I had to work hard on remembering what had already happened. So I reread the book and changed a lot of scenes. Making them fuller and more emotional - I hope. Along the way, I wrote a short synopsis of each chaper. Then I wrote a sentence or question for each "string" of plot. They aren't the main plot between the heroine and hero. Those are easy to keep up with. They're the subplots I can't forget as they will most likely affect the main plot. For example, "Phillip: He found out Larisa is a Precious One. What part did he play in her kidnapping? How did he know where the demons and Fallen had taken her?" As you can tell, it's a paranormal.

This way, as I finish the book, I won't forget to answer these strings.

That's just one of the things I've learned to do.

Ha! It's Only Fair!

I use to gripe about the Viagra commercials. With their warning of "If you have an erection lasting more the three hours, consult your doctor." Of course, most guys I know would say why ruin a good thing.

Now women have a product (commercial) to smirk about. Check it out.