Wednesday Releases!

Welcome to something new! I'm going to host New Releases on Wednesdays, so if you want to see what's hot, join us each week on hump day. ;)

Please welcome my first guest, Lynda Bailey! And be sure to leave a comment and your email addy for a change to win an e-copy of BATTLE BORN LOVE!

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Writing Porn – With a Plot

Thanks Jennifer for letting me hang-out today and promote my very first indie-published book, Battle Born Love. Leave a comment and be entered to win a PDF copy!

I hope I didn’t offend anyone with the title of this blog. I’ve always written really hot love scenes in my books. (Just ask one of my former CPs who’s in her seventies. She claims I made her “twitchy”.) However, I never took the “plunge” into erotic romance. That is until about four years ago. Now, as an avid writer of erotic romance, I’ve had to grin and bear the comments – good-natured and well-meaning alike – about how I write “smut.” Well, I don’t write “smut” aka erotica. Erotica is weak on character motivation and the stories don’t end with an HEA (happily ever after). I write romance, very explicit and graphic, but still romance.

A good example of erotica would be the porn classic, Debbie Does Dallas. It’s all about the sex and little else. Not that I’m a prude. Porn can be quite entertaining. I mean all hard-working cheerleaders engage in sexual activities to make a little extra cash, right? Porn and/or erotica is hot and explicit and very, very graphic, but without a doubt not romance.

A great example of erotic romance would be the love scene in Coming Home. The movie wasn’t based solely on two or more people having sex. It was about the struggles of a paralyzed Vietnam vet (Jon Voight) and a young hospital aide (Jane Fonda). The love scene between these two characters wasn’t as explicit as a porn movie, but it was unquestionably motivated, extremely hot and definitely erotic. And it was a romance.

In a nutshell, erotic romance has very explicit, very graphic love scenes which are character driven and thus motivated. It’s not just about a young and beautiful wife, left home alone by her corporate-ladder-climbing husband, who drops to her knees when the pizza delivery guy shows up – no matter how drop-dead-gorgeous the delivery guy! The difference is important, especially if you’re defending yourself to family and friends.

Now, having said all that, Battle Born Love isn’t an erotic romance, though it’s still pretty darn hot/explicit and will make you (I hope) “twitchy.” Remember to leave your email addy in your response to be entered to win a free copy. (You can also email me: Lynda@lyndabailey.net)

Thanks again, Jennifer, for letting me be here today.

Blurb:

LOVE BORN FROM BATTLE. . .

Spirited repo owner, Rory Dawson, agrees to be what she isn’t in order to save her father from a prison sentence. Now Pop is safe, but is her heart?

Handsome banker, Kane Williams, has made a deal with a most provocative devil in hopes of securing a coveted promotion. All his life Kane has endeavored to be the best, to erase the failure of his father. Will years of work be forfeited for a woman, albeit the sexiest one he’s ever known?

From opposite sides of the tracks, Rory and Kane forge an unlikely friendship. Soon, that friendship becomes a steamy relationship. Through trial and pain, they battle to have the love of a lifetime.

Excerpt:

She bit her lower lip. “Sorry.”

Kane straightened, his gaze fastened to her mouth as her teeth released the fleshy skin. He suppressed his growl on a cough. “It doesn’t matter,” he choked out. “We should leave anyway. It was wrong to put you in this situation.”

From the corner of his eye, Kane saw two assistant managers from the downtown office pass by, staring. He edged Rory closer to the wall to shield her.

She placed a hand on his arm. “How will it look if we leave? We should stay.”

He massaged the tight muscles in his neck, trying to figure a way out of the evening. She was right, damn it.

Her hand squeezed. “I promise to stay by your side and be the best fake girlfriend ever. No one will suspect anything. In fact. . .” He watched her gaze slide over to the managers who were still ogling them.

“I think it’s show time.”

Before he could react, Rory wrapped both hands around his neck and pulled him to her waiting lips. Her tongue made an immediate foray into his mouth and Kane’s world zeroed down to nothing. No restaurant. No bank people. Nothing.

Just Rory.

He tilted her head up with his middle finger while his thumb stroked her cheek, his tongue sparring with hers. Kane needed his other hand propped on the wall for support.

To a casual observer, the kiss probably didn’t seem all that intense. What a lie.

Small sounds, only he could hear, emanated from deep in her throat. Her body quivered closer to his. Kane thought again about leaving, now for very different reasons.

Rory broke the kiss and her eyes, bright and iridescent skewed him. She cleared her throat. “We should return to your friends.” In reluctant moves, he shifted to give her room to move. Her hand again squeezed.

“But, if you want to continue this later, you’ll know where I’ll be. In the bedroom next to you.”

His thoughts on that temptation, Kane followed behind her to the group.

Free For All Friday - Meet author Kylie Griffin!

Help me welcome one of my Unsinkable sisters, Kylie Griffin. Our Golden Heart "class"of 2010 chose the name Unsinkables and a life preserver as our name and symbol, and I'm always honored to have one of my siblings on my blog:)

As you'll see by her interview, Kylie was finaling is contests all over the map, so it's no wonder she sold her trilogy -- yes, 3 -- book series to Berkley! YAY!
BLOODBORN is the first of the series (though Kylie says the title may be changed before her Feb. 2010 pub. date).

So grab a cup of coffee and get to know this talented lady a little better.

Was your road to publication more like a straight shot down the freeway or bumpy drive down a gravel road?

I started sending out manuscripts to publishers around 15 years ago and made every mistake in the book. Then I discovered three writing organizations that impacted my writing career - Romance Writers of Australia (joined in 2001), Romance Writers of New Zealand (in 2004) and Romance Writers of America (in 2009).

The annual conferences and the incredible workshops on offer gave me knowledge about the industry (which I was badly lacking), skills to hone my craft (that sorely needed developing), and writing competitions (to put my editing and skills to the test). From 2002-2010 I entered a swag of contests, used the feedback to continue improving and by 2007 I started to final, then place and then win. In late 2009/early 2010 I decided to take my manuscripts and enter them in some RWA contests.

The highlights were winning the WHRWA Emily contest & the Emily's "Best of the Best" (from which Leis Pederson requested the manuscript Berkley Publishing are soon to publish), and taking out an RWA Golden Heart (paranormal section).

I've also queried agents on and off over the last 5 years. I ended up signing with a small agency in 2009, but then the recession took its toll and my agency folded. Then just after winning the Golden Heart I started receiving offers of representation from agents. In the middle of talking with them I also received THE CALL, an email from Leis Pederson offer to buy the manuscript she'd requested from the Emily contest. This all happened in a week and a half, and leading up to my sister's wedding, so it was a hectic time.

In the end I accepted Elaine Spencer's offer of representation (from The Knight Agency) and she negotiated a three book deal for the Light Blade series. So, you could say the road has been long and bumpy but the journey has been interesting and certainly worth it.

Why did you choose your genre -- OR did it pick you?

I think I'm genetically predisposed to the paranormal romance genre. I cut my teeth on TV shows like Battlestar Galactica (the 70's version, folks!), Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr.Who (a British TV series) and every fairytales as bedtime reading. The interest grew to obsession the older I became and when I started high school I ended up addicted to authors like Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, Mercedes Lackey, David Eddings and JRR Tolkein.

About then I decided I could also invent my own stories. My fledging writing career began then an thankfully a couple of very patient high school English teachers encouraged me to pursue the craft. To this day I credit them for inspiring me to pursue writing as a career and to persevere at it.

When writing, what gives you most trouble: Characters, emotions, conflict?

Definitely the characters. I'm a panster/scener with my writing process and all the GMC charts or character interviews in the world pre-draft won't help me discover them before I put fingers to keyboard.

I have to write scenes and get into the action before they start revealing their internal thoughts, personal quirks, strengths and flaws to me. Once I'm about 25-30K into the book they begin to take shape and then it's just a matter of going back after the first draft to layer in the detail in those opening 8-10 chapters.

Where is your favorite writing spot?

My favorite writing space is my desk - I waited nearly 15 years to find the "right" one - a recycled timber with imitation leather top. Occasionally I'll it in my lounge recliner with my laptop on a steady table but more often than not I'll be sitting at my desk. More office-work environment like than a comfy recliner.

I've included a picture of my desk. 

You can see my "Series Bible" for my WIP (work in progress) on the right hand side. This one is bright pink but whenever I write a series I have one of these accompany me where ever I take my laptop. That way I have the info on everything about the character, setting, history, maps, names etc. at my fingertips.

 

You can also see the ever present coffee cup, a small rock that has the word CREATE carved into it near my lamp and on the wall are inspirational sayings as well as a tiny picture of my great Grandma Griffin above the left hand corner of my laptop (I use her surname as my author surname to keep it in the family, it just happens to match my genre as well), and a photo of my agent and editor (I like to see them when I'm corresponding via emails or talking to them over the phone).

 

Silence, noise, or music while writing?

I have an early morning routine that involves a few of the senses. Once I've finished breaky (about 5am) I like to

 change my desktop picture - usually I select a natural scene that encapsulates a setting from my WIP or one of my many hunky guys who resembles my hero.

Once I've done that then I light a scented candle, put up my DO NOT DISTURB sign on the front door and go for it. Sometimes I put on easy listening music, down low so I can't get distracted by the lyrics, but mostly I write in silence.

Jennifer, thanks for having me visit, I've really enjoyed it.

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Bio: Kylie Griffin writes paranormal/fantasy/futuristic romance for Berkley Publishing and lives in a small rural village in outback NSW, Australia.

In her “spare” time she’s a volunteer fire fighter, ambulance officer and member of the State Emergency Service, helping in floods, storms, search & rescue and road crash in her local community.

To contact or find out more about her, you can visit her website at www.kyliegriffin.com

My blog - www.kyliegriffinromance.blogspot.com

My Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=843143006

 

THANKS, KYLIE! :)

Free For All Friday - Meet Author Lynda Bailey!

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing my friend - and fellow western historical author (at least some of the time) - Lynda Bailey!
I was lucky enough to get to know Lynda in Orlando this summer at the 2010 RWA conference. It was great fun meeting another "western" girl (as I dubbed Lynda, fellow GHer Jacqui Nelson, and myself), but an even greater pleasure to meet another western, erotic author.
Anyway, as I stated above, Lynda is one of those talented writers who can produce in several genre. She also writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and YA.
So take a few minutes and get to know this lovely, FUN lady. And wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (Sat. 20th) !!!

Thanks so much for being my guest Lynda;)
Now, on with the show...........

 Why We Write What We Write:

What type of romance stories do you write?

Though Wild Flower was a 2010 finalist in the Golden Heart® historical category, I tend to write mostly contemporary, erotic romances.  Check out my website www.LyndaBailey.net to read some excerpts.  My next two stories, however, are a romantic suspense and YA urban fantasy respectfully. 

What inspires you to write in the different sub-genres?

Gosh, that’s a good question.  Unfortunately, I don’t have a good answer.  LOL.  Wild Flower was born from my love of all things western and the fact I grew up on the great plains of this country.  Most of my contemporary stories have their roots in the real-live-people I’ve met through the years.  I got the idea for my romantic suspense after hearing a local TV news reporter speak at a writers’ meeting.  My YA urban fantasy hit me while listening to The Golden Network’s agent/editor panel in Orlando.  Guess you could say my inspiration is as diverse as the varying colors of a rainbow.

Who inspired you to begin writing? And why?

Lorraine Heath. I guess she inspired me b/c I wanted to do for others what she did for me - She gave me wonderful entertainment.  She allowed me into the lives and hearts of people from another place and time.  She made me laugh and she made me cry.  She made me want to give that kind of entertainment to others.  I'm not there yet, but I am working on it. 

 

Do you think writing in all these different sub-genres will make getting published any easier or faster?

In a word, no.  First and foremost, you have to write a good story with compelling characters readers can relate with.  Having a unique voice is also imperative if you’re going to grab the attention of an agent or editor.  If having a variety of stories is any advantage at all it’s that you’re not pigeon-holed into any one sub-genre.  Not that that’s a bad thing.  I admire those writers who can immerse themselves time and again into Regency historicals or dark paranormals.  But for me, variety is the spice of writing.  What about for you?  

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Thanks again for being my guest, Lynda! And have a very Happy Birthday!  Visit Lynda's site for more info:

www.LyndaBailey.net

Free For All Friday - Meet Author Mary Oldham !

Today I want to introduce great friend and great author, Mary Oldham.

Mary - a Golden Heart Finalist - and I met in Orlando at the 2010 RWA Conference and became fast friends. I've had the pleasure of reading an excerpt of her work and am here to tell you, this is one talented lady! But I really don't have to tell you - check out her beautiful website, http://www.maryoldham.com/ , and take a look at this multi-award winning author's work for yourself.
Then come on back and get to know Mary a little better:)

Take it away, Mary!
 

Why did you start writing?

What started as a way to journal my feelings after a bad marriage and resulting divorce turned into a rough draft for The Voice of Reason.  At some point I stopped writing about my personal feelings and started writing about a woman plotting to kill her ex-husband.  It kind of scared me at the time, but it was quite therapeutic!  The story was badly written, but it got my mind thinking in a new way, like an author.  I was very intrigued with the idea of a good girl raised in a loving family, who marries this wonderful man, but then discovers the marriage is a façade for something sinister.  I couldn’t get this one simple idea out of my head:  How far would you go to survive?

When I finished the rough draft, I put The Voice of Reason on the shelf and decided I’d never be a writer.  But in January 2008, I wrote several short stories.  I found that I had really missed escaping into the world of writing.  I expanded five of the short stories into series contemporary manuscripts.  Last spring, I picked up my old friend The Voice of Reason and rewrote the entire thing.  The ten year break gave me a good amount of perspective and I think I’m finally happy with it.

What genre do you write?

I write romantic suspense and series contemporary.  I would love to write single title, but series contemporary is a good way to get a lot of inventory in the pipeline.  At 50,000 words if the story isn’t what agents and editors are looking for, I know I will have another story for them to look at fairly quickly.  I also have a bit of a dark side, a little touch of the Dean Koontz or Stephen King that craves a great love story with something dark thrown in for fun.

Tell us about your 2010 Golden Heart Finalist manuscript, Laura Takes a Lover.

I like to write about women who want it all, but aren’t sure which pathway in life to take.  Because no matter what direction we choose, the grass will always appear greener in someone else’s yard. 

Laura is a heroine who is about to live a modern day fairytale, but doesn’t know it.  She discovers she can’t have children at the same time her husband has an affair, which leads to a divorce.  Then she meets Adam.  Not only is he younger, he’s good looking, very attracted to Laura and quite capable of getting her pregnant! 

Laura has to lose something she perceived to be good before she can value getting something that is great.

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Mary Oldham – Bio

Ten years as a Media Consultant for The Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Oregon.

My career in advertising and outside sales has encompassed nineteen years. At any one time I have five or more stories swimming in my head asking to be written into novels.

Since January 2008, I’ve written six novels, finaled in ten contests, taking first place in three of them, as I continue to work full time. I rework a story until it's right, even if that means rewriting the entire manuscript.

For more information about my stories, please visit:  www.maryoldham.com

Free For All Friday! -- Author Meet and Greet!

I want to introduce my wonderful friend and great writer, Jacqui Nelson. [She's the gorgeous redhead ;)]
Through our common interest of historical westerns we became friends. The picture is of us at the 2010 RWA Awards where Jacqui won the Golden Heart for her historical western, BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL.
Her second novel, BETWEEN LOVE AND LIES, is already garnering awards. If you love western romance you will love Jacqui's work. Excerpts are readable on her website, http://www.jacquinelson.com/

So take a minute and get to know Jacqui! She's an up and coming author you won't want to miss!
Thanks for being my first guest, Jacqui;)

 

Q: How long have you been writing?

A: I started in November 2007 when I changed careers. After seven years working as an animator in the TV and video game industry, I needed work that had fewer hours and would allow me to live in Victoria, Canada (where there are no animation companies). My main goal was to spend more time with my mom, sister and nephew. During the job change I lost my creative outlet and needed another.

Back in 1992 I dabbled in writing. I bought and read a dozen writing books. I jotted down several ideas for stories. Then I put it all in a box, got sidetracked by my job (computer programming and later animation), and never thought about writing again. After moving in 2007 I was looking through my boxes and found the writing books and notebooks full of scribbles and decided I would try writing again.

 

Q: How did you get interested in the the western genre?

A: I grew up in the middle of nowhere in Canada (north of Edmonton, Alberta) on a cattle farm. We had only two TV channels (in the days before cable TV and even before, gasp, VCRs). The old Clint Eastwood movies came on TV and instantly I was hooked on Westerns. And "For a Few Dollars More" and "The Outlaw Josey Wales" are still in my top ten movie list.

 

Q: Tell us about your first manuscript (the Golden Heart book) and your second manuscript (your current WIP).
A: One of the "scribbles" in my notebooks was about a white woman who is raised by Indians. She runs away when white men murder her adoptive mother and sister, and the Indian brave she once called brother holds her responsible and vows to kill her. To escape and build a new life, she hires on as an interpreter and scout for a wagon train bound for Oregon. Two years later I had a completed manuscript, Between Heaven and Hell. I started pitching and entered it in several contests including the 2010 Golden Heart.

The first editor I pitched with suggested I keep writing Westerns. I had no more "scribbles" for Western stories, so I opened my series of Time Life Old West books and started reading.

I found an interesting historical fact about how the small farms between Texas and Dodge City were often decimated by the cattle drives when a longhorn tick caused the local cattle to develop a fever and die. I asked myself what would happen to a woman if she lost her farm during this time period (the 1870s)? Who would help her? Where could she find work? I decided my heroine would end up working in a saloon in Dodge City and that the cowboy (whose herd destroyed her farm) would be consumed by guilt and come back a year later to see what happened to her. One year later (I'm getting quicker!) I have a completed manuscript. I entered it in five contests, was a finalist in all of them, and now I'm ready for the 2011 Golden Heart. Fingers crossed once again :-)

Contact/visit Jacqui at: http://www.JacquiNelson.com