life unedited

Writing 101: How do I get started writing a romance novel?

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:49:00 +0000

Good morning. Today starts the first of a writing series titled Writing 101. These articles will be cross-posted from my Examiner.com column.

***

Kensington, 2000

How do you get started writing a romance novel?

Like any kind of fiction writing, in order to write a romance novel, you need to know the basics of creating a work of fiction. The author should have command of the English language and understand the elements of story.

We'll explore various elements of writing the romance novel over the next couple of months as the 101 series continues.

So, let's get going! Here are six basic steps to get you started.

Read romance novels. If you want to write a romance novel, you must read romance novels. By reading them, you will get a feel for how a romance novel plot generally unfolds and how the characters interact with each other.
Join a professional organization. There are a number of professional writers organizations that support aspiring romance novelists. One such organization is Romance Writers of America (see previous article, as well). RWA hosts an annual conference each year and publishes a monthly magazine on romance writing for its members. The organization has chapters in almost all states, which provides writers an opportunity to network locally. They sponsor several on-line chapters, as well.
Find a critique partner or group. Once you begin to network within an organization, it is likely you will meet other people who are interested in writing the romance novel. Consider if there are people you have met who would be willing to share information and critique with you. This is usually a mutually beneficial situation, where aspiring authors learn from each other. Some networks or chapters provide times for published authors to mentor or critique aspiring authors.
Buy a couple of good books on story structure and one on motivation. Many books on story structure exist. Ask other authors/writers about their preferences. Some favorite books about story structure that live on my bookshelf include: Story by Robert McKee; Scene & Structure by Jack Bickham, and Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain. Along with your books on structure, find a book that motivates you in your writing. For me, that go to motivational book is, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.
Study the markets. Although you are just beginning to write, it doesn't hurt to start learning about the various markets for publishing your work. When you read a romance novel, notice the publisher and the name of the imprint (if applicable). Take note of books you read that are similar in style to what you want to write. Who publishes that kind of book? Also, you may want to subscribe to various on-line or print venues for learning about markets, such as Writer's Digest. Professional organizations also provide market news. Even though you are just beginning, it is wise to begin with the end in mind.
Write your first book. No author can sell a book until it is written. Writing your first novel can be a huge learning experience, in so many ways. Write, write and write some more. Don't stop until it is finished.

For more info: Maddie would love to hear what your questions are about writing the romance novel so she can answer them here. Feel free to email her at maddie.james@insightbb.com. Please put Romance Novel 101 in the subject line.

Next: Writing 101: What are the different romance genres?

Writing and teaching

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:52:00 +0000

I'm a writer. It's a strength I possess and what I am passionate about. I love stringing words together to both inform and entertain. It's who I am.

I'm also a teacher. Again, I like to think that it is a strength. I suppose that writing and teaching go hand in hand, for to be a good teacher, in my opinion, you have to strike that balance between informing and entertaining. To take it one step further, you also have to incite in the learner (and reader) that passion for more.

That, also, is who I am.

For many, many years I taught children. That's not who I am today. All of those years of working with children, however, have prepared me for being the "teacher" that I am today. I no longer have the passion for the classroom. I teach, instead, in other ways. And I like to think that my teaching is more like mentoring, actually, than teaching.

I choose to give back. It might not be in a huge way. It could be on an individual basis. In fact, that is the way I prefer it. Small and quiet, and in ways that mean something to the person on the receiving end. In turn, it makes me smile and feel good about myself.

I also think my "teaching" happens via my writing. All these years I tried so hard to keep my writing separate from my "teaching." And all this time, I realize now, they go hand-in-hand.

But perhaps I was not supposed to realize that until now. Life has an interesting way of revealing these kinds of things when we are ready to receive. Right?

My writing journey is still unfolding. It's a path that has wound in and out of my life over the years. I look forward to where it will take me.

Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Okay, so I ditched the writing early this afternoon. Instead, I went downtown and took the Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour. And as always, have camera will travel. I hope you enjoy some of the shots I selected for you this afternoon.

It's Sunday. Missions Accomplished?

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:18:00 +0000

New day, new week. What did I do this past week? Did I accomplish anything of any significance?

I've been in such a reflective vein the past few weeks, I suppose it behooves me to reflect a bit here in this virtual diary, of sorts.

Let's see, Missions Accomplished:

In an attempt to organize myself somewhat, I started using my recently purchased Franklin Covey organizer. I learned that Franklin Covey products are designed after a book that Benjamin Franklin used to carry around with his goals, values, tasks, etc., written inside. Huh. I never knew that. I am going to spend more time with this system next week. When it comes to organization, lately it seems, anything will be good.
I attended a training seminar to complete a credential that I had previously achieved and let lapse. Hm. Methinks that also speaks to the lack of organization in my life of late...
I came home and reorganized all the training materials for the previous seminar with the one I took this week. This organization thing is getting into my head big time! I wonder when it will hit with housekeeping...?
I read my horoscope and also did a Tarot card reading on Facebook and both of those things tell me that I'm in transition and that better stuff is coming. I have to wonder if it is now because I will be more organized? I hold Facebook Tarot care readings in the highest regard, you know.
I took a down day yesterday and kicked back, although I did write about 3000 words last night. Need to do at least that and more today.
I posted several interviews and a bestseller list on my Examiner column this week. Finally! Celebrate! (I've had a difficult time getting there to post of late. Hm.) You might be interested in some of those author interviews. Slide by if you get the chance. Here is the link.

So, it seems, the theme of the week was organization. I am hoping that will continue to carry over to next week, because I'm taking yet another week of vacation to do just that. I have a friend who keeps saying, "Get away! Go to the beach or something! Use all of your hotel and American Express points and have a little vacation!" Nice thought but no. I am looking very forward to being home and getting several things accomplished on my 'to do' list. Top priority is finishing the current work-in-progress. I'm setting a goal of Monday evening. Hold me to that, okay?

Let's see. Organization. Yes. Let's keep that in mind.

I'm off to write. Talk soon! And check back to see my progress. I need for you (or Ben Franklin) to hold me accountable.

Hey Baby!

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Check this out!

The Legend of Blackbeard's Chalice Series

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:25:00 +0000

The Curse, the first book in my Legend of Blackbeard's Chalice series, continues to be a great seller for me in print. This book is truly a book of my heart, conceived many years ago during a family vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Who cannot visit those barrier islands and not wonder about pirates and their stories? The Blackbeard books, a time-travel series, will not disappoint, I hope anyway! I love Jack and Claire's story so much that in a future book, I will return to them as characters.

With the release of the third book in the series, The Quest, currently available in ebook only, I wanted to remind everyone of how the series got started.

Jack Porter is in hot pursuit of his kidnapped wife. Not an easy feat considering it is 1718 and the kidnapper is Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard. Determined to rescue her, Jack sneaks aboard the pirate's ship but is too late. His beloved Hannah dies in his arms.

Nearly 300 years in the future, Claire Winslow vacations on a secluded east coast island, where the image of a man walking the misty shores haunts her. He comes to her, kisses her, and disappears. The next night, they make love. But did they really? Or was it a dream. And why did he call her Hannah?

The Curse sends Jack and Claire on a wild search through time to possess a powerful historical artifact--the silver-plated chalice made from Blackbeard's skull. This chalice holds the key to their destiny and their love. Only with the chalice, can they reverse Blackbeard's Curse.

Or can they?

Read an excerpt.

The Curse

by Maddie James by Resplendence Publishing, LLC

Paperback ~ Release Date: 2007-11-10

List Price: $17.50

Our Price: $17.50

Buy Now

Watch the updated trailer for the series below.

The Legend of Blackbeard's Chalice Trilogy

The Quest, will be available in paperback this fall.

Baby Tomatoes!

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:36:00 +0000

Tomatoes!

Really and truly, however, they are not as huge as they appear in the picture. Actually, these are tiny little grape tomatoes and yes! they came from my tiny little backyard suburban garden (if you want to go so far as to call it a garden). Last year my tomatoes were in pots; this year they went into the ground and whoa! Boy, did those tomato plants grow! I have one grape tomato plant that is huge, with lots of small tomatoes on it already and a whole lot of blooms. There are two other regular tomato plants as well, and some tomatoes and blooms sitting on them, as well. I think the grape tomatoes will be the bumper crop this year, however.

So, I had to do something with these little babies, right? I knew I had an avocado that I needed to eat this evening so...guacamole!

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado
4 tiny grape tomatoes from your backyard! (diced)
about a Tablespoon of minced red onion
juice of a lemon wedge (lime is great, too, but I had lemon)
salt and pepper to taste

Mash it all together and you have homemade guacamole! Just add tortilla chips and munch away.

The 4th, Family & Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:58:00 +0000

A reflection on my 4th of July weekend.

Smiles, stars & stripes, and ponytails...

catfish sizzling in hot oil...

pie, cake, mac & cheese...

and more...

mommy, bubbles and big "little boy" eyes...

snacking before the meal...

trying to make bubbles, too!

catching up...

and watching.

Thanks, oh great spirit hunters!

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:27:00 +0000

Thanks to all who came by to play yesterday, hunting for ghostly orbs in my pictures. Jennifer, Magdalena, Kris, Wendy, Fran and Bronwyn -- you all had great responses!

I see the orbs in the picture of the house across from Central Park--the large brick just before the picture of the road sign for St. James Court. See left. Do you see them?

No, my lens didn't need to be cleaned because I used the same lens on all of the pictures. The sun, well, perhaps it was shining right at me so maybe the orbs could be attributed to sun spots. But...I don't know about that. I took several pictures from that same spot.

I think it was great fun, though, that many of you spotted things I didn't! Like, Wendy noticed that only one tree is blowing in the 4th Street Live pic. And several of you saw images in windows or doors that I didn't see. Eeek!

I do have to say, though, that Jennifer gave me a little scare when she said she thought the spirits might be hanging around the picture with the handprints of Pat Day. I had to think about that one a little. I kept thinking...Pat Day is still around, isn't he? Why would spirits be hanging around him unless is was, um, gone?

It bugged me all day.

All day long I’m thinking that he must have died sometime when I was out of town. And then I’d think, no, surely he isn’t dead, that she didn’t mean that… But it kept nagging at me a little and I just wondered. Then later in the day I went to the local post office to get a PO box. I’m standing in line and there is this teeny little man standing in front of me. I’m thinking jockey right away (remember, I live in horse country). Being the Amazon women that I am, I felt like I was just TOWERING over him. He had the tiniest little butt and I swear, his head could have fit under my breasts. I mean, with him standing straight up. Not that I would WANT him under my breasts, that’s just about to where he would come. Anyway, he had a letter in his hand. He moved it around. I glanced at it. I was sure the return address name started with a P. So now I’m thinking… this is PAT DAY!!! He's still here! And then I think, well, no, probably not. Then, he steps up to the guy at the counter, and they talk, and I hear the clerk say, “Have a good afternoon, MR. DAY!”

So, now, I’m for sure now that he’s not in spirit. This was all too weird!

Anyway...since all of you did such a fabulous job of spotting spirits, everyone gets an ebook of your choice! Take a look at my available titles in the left side bar and send me an email at maddie.james@insightbb.com, and I'll return a copy to you.

Oh! that reminds me. My two latest releases are not on that slide show yet, do remember that Dates du Jour and The Quest, are also available.

Thanks, ladies!

Louisville, KY photoshoot

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:13:00 +0000

I spent the morning today trolling around downtown and Old Louisville taking some pictures for a magazine article I am working on. It was a beautiful morning and a wonderful day for photography! I thought I would share some of my shots with you tonight. Enjoy!

Lunch, anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:52:00 +0000

I love Tuesdays. Why? Because on Tuesdays, new releases come up on the Resplendence Publishing Web site. And guess what? This Tuesday, I have another release!

Dates du Jour is the third novella in my Matchmaking Chef series. Here is the blurb.

Speed dating? Speed eating is more like it. When Suzie sets up lunch date after lunch date for Lyssa Larkin, Legend’s homegrown homecoming queen of 1992, she knows she’s about bit off more than she can chew. Lyssa inspects and rejects her dates in two bites and then sends them on their way. Suzie wonders if she really wants to date or just eat two lunches, and worries that soon Lyssa’s hips won’t fit on her dainty chairs.

That is, until Suzie takes a risk with a man the exact opposite of what Lyssa describes as “perfect for her.” A man that Lyssa knows, but doesn't know, and is falling for her hard and fast. Suzie just can't help but work some of her matchmaking magic behind the scenes....

Like it so far? How about a short excerpt?

He had to say that the view that met him upon re-entering the dining room at Legend’s Landing Bed & Breakfast was spectacular. Of course, he wasn’t referring to the lovely fall scene out the large picture window that framed Legend Mountain in all her glory, while providing him with a glimpse of Lake Legend.

No. That wasn’t the view, at all, that he was very much enjoying.

She was perched on all fours, her round derriere, clad in those hip-hugging black slacks he’d admired earlier, swayed back and forth before him. Taunting. She placed one forearm flat on the floor and stretched forward to retrieve something, it appeared, from underneath an old, antique china cabinet. The clearance could only be a few inches off the floor. He angled his head to the right as she maneuvered herself even closer to the piece of furniture while laying her cheek flush against the plank flooring and peering into the depths beyond.

“Oh, come on you…” the woman muttered.

A long, brunette ponytail swished to the floor over her shoulder.

Mack brought a hand to his chin, ran his fingers over the stubble there, and smirked. He could stand here, well, forever, and watch this, but perhaps he should do something to help.

“Almost, got you…” She wiggled her ass again, and for another moment, he cocked his head to the side just to watch.

No. No need to rush this. Correct?

A little bit of mischievous boy raced through him. Retrieving his cell phone, he punched in a few words and pressed send. A muffled, “BadadadaDA!” sounded from beneath the cabinet.

“Dammit!” Lyssa sputtered. She flipped her body to lie on the floor, her right hip against the wood, and her right arm squeezing between wood and floor.

Mack watched. He should really stop this.

“Come on you bastard…” she whispered.

She had a bit of spunk. He liked that. Looked like she’d gotten rid of her headache.

Of course, he should have told her earlier who he was, but it was just too much fun keeping her in the dark.

He’d fess up. Soon.

Finally, she hooked her finger into the thing she was retrieving and he watched as she pulled a small purse, complete with dust bunnies, out from beneath the cabinet. She jerked up and sat on her knees—her back still to him—and dug into the pouch.

Out came the cell. She punched buttons and searched.

“Mack,” she exhaled his name on a breath.

He ticked off the messages in his head. Phone call. Voice mail. Three text messages. One email. All of them basically saying the same thing.

I’m home early. Lunch?

Except for the last one which said…

Nice ass.

Lyssa stared at the last text message from Mack and shook her head. Nice ass? What?

Then the thing BadadadaDA-ed! again, and another message flashed.

Turn around.

Her body did just that—slowly—while her heart thudded in her chest. As she rotated backward, she observed the entire scenario in slow motion—the picture window, the small table with remnants of her second lunch with what’s his name, a mahogany sideboard, some picture on the wall, and…a man.

The slow motion skidded to a stop.

Her gaze met him first at denim-clad knees, traveled downward slightly to a pair of worn brown loafers, then moved upward over thighs that filled out those denim jeans rather nicely…as was his pelvis area, filled out nicely, she noticed…then upward to a stocky chest adorned with a snug-fitting black t-shirt, covered by a dark brown leather blazer, and then…

Her gaze met his face. Correction. Smiling, scruffy face. He had nice crinkles around the corners of his mouth, a hint of a five o’clock shadow, and green eyes that met hers and held with a twinkling of excitement.

Dates du Jour is available now in ebook format only at Resplendence Publishing!

What? You somehow missed books 1 and 2? Well, we can remedy that. Click the following links for more information on Perfectly Matched (book one) and Hot Crossed Buns (book two). Both books are also available at Fictionwise.

Whew! Busy weekend...

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:38:00 +0000

Every once in a while a weekend doesn't turn out exactly as planned, but never mind that...sometimes spontaneous is better than planning anyhoo!

Just thought I'd share picture of why my weekend was so busy. Why do you think?

Think they are rotten, or what? LOL Yes, and they keep me hopping!

Have you been waiting for The Quest?

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:39:00 +0000

Wait no more...

The Quest, book three in my Legend of Blackbeard's Chalice series, is now available for ebook purchase at the Resplendence Publishing website!

For those of you who have read The Curse and The Cult, it's been a long wait for The Quest. I'm so pleased to be able to offer it to you now.

Here is the blurb:

Jackson Porter seeks to fulfill his mother dying request...and answers about the imaginary lover who haunts his nights. His future, he learns, is in a place called Ohio, miles and centuries away from his barrier island home in 1745. The land is his legacy and belongs to him. His mother urges him to claim it.

In the year 2032, Kari Upton is driven to fight federal sanctions and save her land and her crops. Her upcoming marriage is one of convenience. Marrying Tye Gentry will save her Ohio farmland. There is no other way to gain power than to marry him and ride on his father political coattails to the state legislature.

And all would be perfect if it weren't for those erotic dreams...

Like it? Get your ebook fix here now.

Coming to Fictionwise and Amazon Kindle soon. The print version will be available this fall. Stay tuned!

Need more? Read at excerpt here.

Saying good-bye to America's angel: Farrah Fawcett

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:14:00 +0000

What can you say about a 62-year-old woman who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant. And that once upon a time, America was in love with her. Scratch that. America is still in love with her.

Actress Farrah Fawcett died today from her nearly three year battle with cancer. Recently, she went public with a documentary of her battle, feeling a strong desire to let others know how cancer grips and takes hold, and how a body deals with the disease, emotionally and physically.

Farrah became a household name in the 70's--I remember it so well, being a child of the 70's myself--with her layered blonde hair style, flashing smile, and that famed poster of her in the red swimsuit. If all of that wasn't enough to thrust her into stardom, the hit television show Charlie's Angels, sealed the deal.

We all wanted to be her. I wanted to be her.

I also remember very well a movie she stared in titled The Burning Bed. The movie was about domestic violence and was possibly a risk for her to do at the time. Nothing glamourous about it at all--a movie about a battered woman who could take no more of her husband's abuse and burned him alive in their bed--and one for which she was nominated for an Emmy.

Farrah had her shares of joys and struggles, even before her diagnosis of cancer, not unlike many American icons who have come and gone before her, or who will come after. And even though her life and legacy can be summed up with so much more depth that the classic pinup poster to the right, this image is likely the one of her that will forever remain with us.

Through many of those struggles, the man by Farrah's side was actor Ryan O'Neal, the love of her life and the father of her son. They never married, though Ryan said he had asked her many times. It was reported earlier this week that he said they would marry as soon as Farrah was stronger. In recent years, Ryan had been her rock. I can only imagine his pain today.

But why write about Farrah today in this column, one dedicated to the romance novel? Because a long, long time ago, I read a book called Love Story by Erich Segal. It was, indeed, a love story. I was a barely a teenager then, moody, emotional, and constantly looking for love, or fearful that I would never find love. I read the book and then, I watched the movie. The emotion and power of the story was overwhelming. I cried. Uncontrollably. My heart breaking for the young actor in the starring role.

You see, Love Story was a story about a young man in love with a woman--a woman who had cancer. It was the story in which the young woman, actress Ali McGraw spoke the words, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." It was also the story which began with these words, "What can you say about a twenty-five year old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. The Beatles. And me."

The "me" in that movie was actor Ryan O'Neal.

All those years ago, I cried for that young man in the movie. I felt his pain. I felt the loss of the love the couple shared. And I prayed that should I ever find a love so powerful, it would not die on me. Yet, of course, I know that happens every single day to someone.

Today, it happened to Ryan O'Neal in real life. He lost the love of his life. Another love story came to an end. And again, I cried.

Cross-posted from Maddie's column on Examiner.com

More coverage on the death of Farrah Fawcett

Day is (nearly) done

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:27:00 +0000

A few pictures taken at sundown this evening from my front yard. Enjoy.

Romance authors seek change in their national organization

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Whether reader or author, we invest time in books, either by reading or writing them. Or both.

As readers, we have our preferences of how we like to acquire and read our books. There are those of us who will clutch our print books to our chests until we die. Others who dabble in the occassional download of an ebook and read on our laptops. And those who have totally taken the digital reading world by storm and live and breath by their Sony Readers or Kindles.

Thank goodness we have choices, right? A book is a book is a book.

When an author writes her book, she doesn't think much about how the reader may read her book, whether she'll read it online, on her Kindle, or in paperback from, or hardback even. That never really enters into the equation. Because when an author pens her story, whether the book is print or digitally published, she'll do all of the same things:

concieve the idea
brainstorm with herself and maybe others
write a synopsis, perhaps
write the first draft of the novel. And the second. The third.
maybe have others read and comment
then revise, and maybe some more
edit, polish, finetune
send it off to her agent and/or editor.
wait
get rejected or accepted
if rejected, send it out again
if accepted, likely more edits and revisions
wait some more
and then after a while, the book comes out

All that hard work, all that waiting, revising, polishing...happens the same way, whether an author publishes with a large established publisher or a small independent press or digital publisher.

An author, as well, has choices in how she chooses to publish that book, and the reasons are hers and hers alone. Everyday, an author chooses whether to submit her work to a large print house, a small independent publisher, an electronic publisher, or yes, even to self-publish. All are viable options and she may have dozens of reasons why she chose that publishing option, or the other.

It's up to her, right? Thank goodness the author has choice. Because a book is a book is a book.

If you are an author in the romance publishing world, it's just not that simple.

How do you know whether this or that option is best for you and your book? Is there a place to go to gain information and education about all publishing options? To understand how all these different publishing venues work? To sift through the contract legalese and know what is a good contract and what is not so good? There used to be such a place. Now that the publishing industry is changing, however, not anymore.

Romance Writers of America is an organization that had (note past tense) a focus of educating it's fledgling and established membership of authors about how to publish the romance novel. I remember years ago hearing chapter members say things like, "RWA is the only organization that actually teaches its competetion (the membership)". Unfortunately, the organization has not kept up with the times and literally refuses to recognize the new digital world as a viable publishing option.

The RWA membership is now speaking out. Most of the issues revolve around the inequality of membership, recognition of all authors as published, no matter what publishing venue chosen, the ability to enter writing contests as a published author if the author is digitally published, and the lack of education provided to the membership about digital publishing.

What bothers many digitally published authors is a statement earlier this year by the RWA president which implies that digitally published authors are not career-minded or -focused authors. A large number of serious career-minded and digitally published authors loudly object.

Literary agent Deirdre Knight says it quite well in an article she posted to ESPAN, an RWA special interest chapter for electronic and small press authors, titled The Digital Age and RWA: A Call for Change. She sums up her article by saying:

...to say that traditional publishing is the only legitimate model ignores the fact that even these companies are struggling —from having to drop authors and editors due to economic downturn, to contemplating new distribution models, to grappling with understanding the fast-changing world of digital publishing. If RWA’s very model of “legitimacy” wrestles to understand and adapt to these new times, then certainly RWA should follow that lead.

ESPAN offered RWA's president Diane Pershing equal time on their site. You can read her response to the issue and Deirdre's article here.

RWA's membership of nearly 10,000 is a force to be reckoned with. Since Ms Knight's article appeared on ESPAN, both print and digital authors have banded together in an effort to influence change in the organization. RWA Change is in its beginning stages. Within 24 hours, nearly 300 RWA members joined a yahoo group to discuss the issue. Before the day's end, a logo was designed (see above, and still a work in progress), and networking accounts were set up on Facebook, Twitter (#RWAChange) and MySpace. A website domain has been aquired. And there is more to come.

But let's get back to that author above. It's important not to lose sight of the hard work of authors, and the need to be informed and educated about all forms of publishing, as well as respecting an author's choice to publish in one venue or another. RWA Change is all about just that.

After all, a book is a book is a book. Right?

For more info: Stay tuned. As the movement toward change in RWA grows and develops, I will share new information as it becomes available.

Note: This article is cross-posted from Maddie's Romance Novel column on Examiner.com

Ah, Love...

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:22:00 +0000

That's what it's all about, isn't it? The reason why we write romance? The thrill, the tingle, the anticipation, the sighs...

Yeah, we're suckers for a good, romantic love story. But of course, we are romance authors, aren't we? What would you expect?

This past weekend my friend, Donna's, daughter got married. I've been hearing bits and pieces about the engagement, the wedding, and so on, for a while. Yesterday, I watched the YouTube video of some great wedding shots. I thought it apropos to share this day of love, with all of you.

Okay, together now. Sigh...

Congratulations Sam and Alissa!

June Releases!

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:21:00 +0000

Dates du Jour

Book Three in The Matchmaking Chef Series

That is, until Suzie takes a risk with a man the exact opposite of what Lyssa describes as “perfect for her.” When he won’t leave when Lyssa dismisses him, or let her get near his plate with her fork, Suzie knows she’s scored again.

Dates du Jour is coming end of June. Stay tuned!

The Quest
Book Three in The Legend of Blackbeard's Chalice series

Jackson Porter is a man driven by a need to fulfill his mother, Claire Winslow Porter’s, dying request. He seeks answers about the origins of his life as well as the imaginary lover who has haunted his nights for years. At his mother’s deathbed he is challenged to meet his fate. His future, she says, lies in a place called Ohio, even though it is miles and centuries away from his barrier island home in 1745. The land is his legacy and should he desire to seek it, belongs to him. She urges him to see the circle complete, to claim his destiny.

In the year 2032, Kari Upton is driven to fight federal sanctions and stay-the-course on her political aspirations to save her land and her crops. She admits, even if only to herself, that her upcoming marriage is one of convenience. Marrying Tye Gentry will save her Ohio farmland. She sees no other way to gain power than to marry him and ride on his father, Richard Gentry’s, coattails all the way to the state legislature.

But Jackson upsets the plan when he time-travels forward and bursts into Kari’s world in the middle of her wedding. Both frightened and mesmerized by the Jackson, she emotionally turns tale and runs – but not before she hides him away in a secret chamber of her home, before Tye and Richard can kill him.

Also coming end of June! Watch for excerpts coming soon.

A brief haitus

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:16:00 +0000

It's Thursday. One day past hump day and one day prior to TGIF. The day that when I have tons to accomplish during the week, I say to myself, "thank God I have one more work day to get all of this finished." And a day that when I'm on vacation, I say, "oh shit, only one more day?"

Thursday. I'm on the fence about Thursday, as it may appear. But actually I think it's a pretty good day.

I've been on a bit of a blog hiatus for a couple of weeks, with the vacation the week prior and being very preoccupied with the day job of late. These things do happen, of course, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I do want to share, however, that it may be another couple of weeks or so before Life, Unedited, is back in full swing.

I'm taking a breather for a little while. It's been a hectic winter and spring for moi. I'm taking a step back and refocusing, retooling, and re-energizing everything that has to do with my writing world. I have two upcoming deadlines, which take priority, and need to spend some quality time updating my networking sites. This blog, included. I have some ideas for the retooling of those that I hope will be liked--by me, and others!

I'm sure I'll log in the occasional post, but perhaps not as often as previous. I plan to be fully back in the swing of things the week of July 4.

Until then, take care, read lots, and get your summer started! If you need any ideas for beach reads, give me a shout! maddie.james@insightbb.com

XOXO
Maddie

I'm free! Well, sorta... I'm on vacation!

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:58:00 +0000

No, I'm not at the beach, but I've thought about the beach a lot.

Nor am I in the mountains, although they do beckon.

A roller coaster ride might once have quelled my adventurous spirit...

...as would have a trail ride up into the Rockies.

But that's not me this week. No. My vacation this week has been here. At home.

And I am enjoying ever single minute of it--even if it has included laundry, housecleaning, and a little gardening. But the best part of all, it has included writing, writing and more writing.

I get enough of air travel and road trips and hotel rooms in my everyday work world. I'm a very happy camper sleeping in my own bed at night.

Sigh.

And the best part is this! Because I worked solid this fiscal year without taking many vacation days, I get to do it again at the end of June and beginning of July--for TWO weeks this time!

I could get used to this.

Are you going anywhere on vacation this year?

Dreams, goals, obstacles, success...

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:57:00 +0000

President Obama just announced his selection for Supreme Court Justice – Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Elated that a woman will sit with the ‘old men,’ I have equally been moved and impressed by her story. Near tears throughout, I came to a full-blown sob when President Obama told of her being diagnosed with Diabetes at age eight. Her dreams thwarted—to be a detective or police officer and solve crimes, like her book heroine Nancy Drew—she took a different tack and worked hard to become a judge, instead.

I could talk about the power of books and how they often help us reach our dreams. Instead, I just want to reiterate the power of the message. Diabetes didn’t stop her. People saying she couldn’t, didn’t stop her.

I have a nephew who was diagnosed with Diabetes at age three. He graduated from high school this past weekend. He’s met with a number of obstacles along the way. I was proud to hear him say this weekend that he has a goal—to be an engineer for the government, likely something to do with the military. If all goes as planned, he'll be in school in Arkansas this fall. My heart warmed when he told me that. You see, my nephew comes from a military family—his father and both of his brothers have, and are, serving our country. With his Diabetes, he cannot. As an engineer, however, he can.

I bought my nephew a book I often buy for graduates, Oh, The Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss. I inscribed it with my own message. I’m not sure if it will have any impact at all, or if it will guide him anywhere along the path that is set out before him—probably not at all like how Nancy Drew was a catalyst for Sonia Sotomayor. But the words and the message are there, and perhaps, the power of books and words, and the desire to do what is in your heart, will prevail.

Good luck, Rhett. I believe in you and love you. And congratulations, Judge Sotomayor, on each and every one of your accomplishments.

My Muses are sleeping

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:17:00 +0000

And so am I.

Or, was. Obviously, I'm not sleeping as I type this.

I think.

Have you met my Muses yet? Yes, you have met one of them but not the other. Let me officially introduce them both to you now.

But, sh, because, as you know, they are sleeping.

Meet Calliope and Clio - my Muses.

Clio is on the left. She's been with me since last Thursday. As you can see, she and Calliope are now best buds. It didn't take long at all. Calliope came a few weeks ago and she thinks Clio is her toy.

Here is the story of their names:

Calliope was the Muse of Epic and Lyric Poetry. She was the eldest and wisest of the 9 Muses. She was the most excellent Muse of all, accompanying respectable royalties on their way. Calliope was the favorite Muse of the Greek poet Homer; many even consider Calliope being the actual mother of Homer. Another child of Calliope was said to have been Orpheus, a famous musician and poet in ancient Greece. In depictions Calliope can be seen crowned with gold, holding a writing tablet or a volume of Homer's Odyssey in her hand.

Clio was the goddess of epic poetry and history and is also considered to be the inventor of the guitar.Clio once fell madly in love with the King of Macedonia, Pierus and with Pierus she created the beautiful Hyacinth, the lover of Greek god Apollo. Clio is often depicted dressed in purple with laurels on her hair, in the one hand holding a cornet and in the other a book, the book Cleio used to write history.

I didn't plan for my muses to come live with me. They each sort of fell into my life. Calliope first, and her name rolled off my tongue one day and Calliope it was. Clio came next, and I wasn't looking, but now she's here and I can't imagine it any other way. When I polled a couple of friends about names for her, my friend Nancy immediately emailed me the list of names of Muses. And Clio it was.

And as I said at the beginning of this post, right now they are sleeping. In fact, they have slept most of this rainy and lazy Monday afternoon and evening away. I admit, I napped along with them. Perhaps the writing will come tomorrow.

Savor a moment of peace this mother's day

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:13:00 +0000

They started early this morning, the Mother's Day greetings. Not from my children--they had visited last weekend and left cards and gifts, knowing that they wouldn't be here this weekend--but from many of my women friends. What is new and different, at least for me, is the format for the greetings, email and text messages!

I suppose as technology grows, so goes how we greet and connect with each other. I found every small "good wish" for the day refreshing and exciting, and very soon, I was on the bandwagon, myself.

I sent Mother's Day greetings to co-workers, my sister, a friend who lives out west, and my daughter. Of course they are not my mother (I called her!) but they are mothers, all the same, and it's nice to acknowledge this special day, from one mother to another, on this day.

I loved how most of the messages reflected wishes for having a quiet and peaceful day. I suppose that is what most of us want at times. Peace and quiet, relaxation, and time to leisurely do what we want. My mother said that to me, as well. She chose not to go to lunch with my father and my aunt, taking their mother to lunch, because she simply wanted to do what she wanted, today. I think that's pretty darned cool.

Today, I chose to sleep late, linger over the Sunday morning paper with coffee, try out a new recipe for Tortilla soup, and well, yeah, do a few chores, like laundry. Later I'll mow the lawn. Still, it's my choice and I'm doing it at my own pace, and it is truly peaceful and relaxing. (oh yeah, and I'm still in my jammies! I love that.)

So here you go, all you mothers out there, have a moment or two of peace on me today. Enjoy.

After Derby Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Mon, 04 May 2009 00:01:00 +0000

It's 8 pm on Sunday evening after the Derby. Do you know where your leftovers are?

I do.

In my soup pot!

Actually, this weekend I hosted two events. One, the annual informal Derby get-together with my kids and grandkids where I just make a lot of snacks and things for munching. The other, my daughter hosted a Silpada Jewelry openhouse this afternoon at my house--which meant she hosted and I did the food prep. That's okay, it was great having them all here.

After everyone left late this afternoon, I took stock of the leftoevers. Knowing that I'm leaving out of here at 4 a.m. tomorrow to catch a flight to New Mexico, and will be gone a week, I contemplated what to do with all the fare staring at me from table and fridge.

Of course, I always have the answer to leftovers--make soup! So that is what I did. I only used one ingredient from the pantry (besides salt and pepper) everything else was a leftover or something that needed to be either used up today or frozen (if possible, some things are just not freezable!)

So here is what went into the soup pot:

First, some olive oil for sauteing leftover vegetables on the veggie tray. Those vegetables consisted of: celery, peppers (red, yellow and green), cucumber, carrots, and a few grape tomatoes. I sauteed those for a little while with salt and pepper, then added about a cup of water to simmer.

Next, a glance into the fridge--some leftover taco meat and onions, left from a layered taco salad the day before. The meet and onions was tossed into the pot.

Next, a 32 oz can of petite diced tomatoes followed by about two cans of water. Bring all to a boil, simmer. Add salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.

Next, there were about 4 cups of leftover Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad left. Dare I toss that into the mix? Of course. I waited a bit until the vegetables were tender and blended with the tomatoes, the added to the soup.

Finally, I noticed a half bag of baby spinach. Knowing that would not last until next Saturday, I tossed that in last and simmered.

All I can say is, Yum. It worked. And now, instead of tossing all of those leftover ingredients, I have a pot of wonderful soup that I'll freeze in several smaller containers for future lunches.

I love when I make something out of nothing. (smile!)

Derby Party Recipes, Installment #3

noreply@blogger.com (Maddie James) — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Katherine Doll's Cheese Torte (from Doll's Market in Louisville)

This one is a tradition on Derby Day at my house.

Katherine Doll’s Cheese Torte

Serves 8 to 10

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

¼ cup minced baby spinach

1 ½ t. chutney (I use Major Grey’s)

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

2/3 c. mayonnaise

½ cup pecan pieces

¼ cup finely chopped white onion

Dash of Tabasco sauce

Combine 4 ounces of cream cheese with the minced spinach in a bowl and mix well. Stir the chutney into the remaining cream cheese in a separate bowl. Combine the Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pecans, onion and Tabasco sauce in a third bowl and mix well.

Layer half of the Cheddar cheese mixture, the spinach mixture, the chutney mixture and the remaining Cheddar cheese mixture in the order listed in a 2 cup mold or container. Chill, covered for 8-10 hours.

Invert the mold onto a platter lined with additional baby spinach. Garnish with grapes and strawberries. Serve with assorted party crackers.

For a spicier torte, add 1 minced garlic glove to the Cheddar Cheese mixture. You may substitute ½ cup drained thawed spinach for the spinach cream cheese layer, omitting the 4 ounces of cream cheese (but I never do that because, what is spinach without the cream cheese????)

So, today, I doubled the recipe and made two. One for today and another for tomorrow!

p.s. Son and daughter-in-law are here, still waiting for daughter and grandkids...