Vauxhall Vixens

A Whale is Not a Fish

jkcoi@rogers.com (J.K. Coi) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I write. It's what I do. And sometimes I think that means I should be able to write anything I set my mind to. Granted, I'm not talking treatises on the mating habits of the East African Crested Crane or a do-it-yourself manual for building your own spaceship out of tin cans and homemade rocket fuel. But when it comes to creative writing, it should all be pretty much the same, shouldn't it?

Well of course it isn't. We find this out when we try to write in another genre and can't get the voice right, or when we realize that the structure and rules of drafting documents or essays for the business world don't follow the same guidelines as the ones we have learned to apply in our novels.

I recently had this reality pounded home to me (and not for the first time) when I tried to write some song lyrics. I needed to put together a short little lullabye--and even though it was to be used in my WIP, I couldn't for the life of me come up with anything that I was happy with.

Here are the circumstances: I need a song that would be appropriate coming from a brother to his baby sister; I need for it to be soft and a little melancholy but not dark; and since it is supposed to have been written by a teenage boy it definitely can't be too sappy.

What genres or other writing tasks have you taken on and realized you're just not cut out for? Or are you of the view that we CAN write anything, it's just a matter of putting on a different hat and being determined?

PS: Since I still haven't figured this song out, any suggestions are more than welcome.

Oh, and today is my little guy's 7th birthday! I can't believe he's getting so BIG :) (By the way, in honour of his birthday, the title of this blog comes from one of my son's favourite children's books.)

Feel Me Up, Baby

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

(Picture from LOLCats)

In the U.S. news, there has been this recent development that mammograms aren't needed for women until you're 50. But right now the advisement is to still do what you're doing, because it's always been if you're 40, you go in and get a mammogram.

Huh?

Okay. Thanks for that clarification.

Now, I'm not a doctor. Please, I can't do Math and when I was in high school, my Biology teacher threw an earthworm at me when I screamed at cutting it. So do not take what I say as an endorsement. I'm just sharing my own personal experience.

When I was out of college and trying to figure out what one exactly did with a degree in English and Drama, I got a job at a non-profit agency for the Encore program. Basically, I cleared women, of low income, to get free mammograms. I even was trained and got my certificate to teach other women how to do self-breast exams.

That job ended because the funding ran out and they couldn't pay me. So I moved on, still wondering what to do with my degree. Did temp work, worked in a theatre, then at a health insurance before I went back to grad school and fell into teaching. The whole time I was wondering why do I not know what I want to do, and why were all my career choices seemingly all over the map. Because really, there seemed to be no purpose for me learning how to do self-breast exams, in knowing what felt abnormal, etc.

I was at my parents' house one night for dinner. And I went into the other room to work on schoolwork for the hell job. I was at a point in my career where I was realizing teaching wasn't for me, it was a really bad place to work at, and that I wanted to write (but, everyone knows writing isn't a career, right).

I'm at the computer, totally stressed out, wondering what would be the new catastrophe would be the following day at work. If I would have to face another lockdown, if one of my students would tell me to fuck off again, and if I would be confronted by one of my principals. And I was staring at the screen, and my left hand went to the top of my right breast, resting there. I pressed down for some reason. And I felt it.

A lump. Like a marble.

I pressed down on it again, rubbing a circle around it as I'd been taught, and checked the other breast. There was no lump in my left breast. Perhaps I was wrong? I called my mom in the room and had her feel my right breast. She felt it, too.

I swear, in that moment, everything freezes. You think of all the worst possibilities that can happen. What you've done, what you haven't done. And then I saw my mom's face---her mom/my grandma had died of breast cancer that spread to her bones---and I had to bear up and state that nothing was wrong.

I got into an appointment with my ob/gyn, trying not to stress out. The last time I had an appointment with my ob/gyn, she showed me my vagina because she thought all women should know what their vaginas looked like. I did not need to be acquainted with my vagina, thank you very much. And so I got an appointment with a male doctor, who was very nice and didn't show me my vagina, and he felt the lump, too.

Great, I thought, for once I'm not being dramatic.

The next appointment to be made was to have a mammogram, to see where the lump was, and how big it was. They told me I couldn't wear any deodrant or perfume. My first reaction was oh my god, I'm going to stink. And I made sure that my breasts looked good, because my breasts were going to be out there, getting squished. I had to go see the doctor next, where they would stick a needle in me, and test me---to see if it was cancer or not.

My dad and mom came with me for all appointments. My mom, I'm sure, had flashes of doing this with her mother. I had a book with me---it might have been an Eloisa James or a Lisa Kleypas with me, but I couldn't read it. The waiting room was full of women, of all ages and sizes. Finally my name was called. I had to put on one of those robe things that never do anything for you then lie down on the table.

I'm lying there, and the woman bares my breast. Another woman walks in, and I recognized her from my high school---she graduated a few years ahead of me. And I can't help but think: oh god, she's seeing my breast. I start making jokes. I say hey, usually when people see my breasts, they've at least paid for my dinner. They laugh, and the other woman rubs alcohol over my breast to numb the area where they're going to stick the needle. I say out loud I wished the alcohol was real; more laughter. The girl I went to high school and I start talking, and I make jokes about people. Our room is rolling with laughter, and you wouldn't think that a biopsy was going to be happening in a few minutes.

The doctor walks in, his grey eyebrows raise as he takes in the situation. He looks at our faces, and he checks the room. "Looks like I'm late to the party," he said.

"No worries. Maybe you brought the real alcohol this time," I retort.

More laughter, and he comes over. He looks at the mass on ultrasound. It's the size of a marble about, but it's moveable, which the other woman told me was a good thing. He takes out the needle and puts it in my breast. The mass immediately dissipates and poof, it's gone.

"Well, I don't think it's cancer," he says. "It was probably only a benign tumor because it filled up like that."

I really don't hear a lot of his words because the sense of relief that goes through me is a rush of air. And all I can think is thank god, thank god, thank god.

He then says, "I'm going to insert this tiny pin in you, it's the shape of a Breast Cancer Ribbon, to mark the spot. And then you're going to have another mammogram so that we have a record of everything."

"Sure," I say, nodding my head as best as I can lying on a table. "And then how about that dinner?"

A few weeks later I got the test confirming it was only a benign tumor.

I'm lucky. Because it could have been cancer. I saw women in there that day, in various stages of the disease. I got good news. But so many times, there are women who don't. And so all I'll say is that be your own advocate. If you feel something, have it checked out. If you think you need to have a mammogram before you're 40 or 50, do it. Don't let what the "experts" say determine your own fate---you know your body better than anyone.

A New View

maggierobinson8@yahoo.com (Maggie Robinson w/a Margaret Rowe) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

The Vixens know I've been a grumbling curmudgeon about the Internet lately. There's just so much out there---so many romance review sites, agent blogs, group blogs (ahem), author pages, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, ad infinitem. If you had 24 free hours in a day, you could still never keep up. Distractions R Us.

So what does the romance community need? More stuff to visit! Tiff and I recently had Frauke Spanuth of Croco Designs design our sparkly new websites. There are no cakes or dinosaurs, but we cordially invite you to slip away from the Dark Walk and check out our pretty, shiny places. If you wanted to sign up for our newsletters, we wouldn't stop you. :) I'm having a Grand Unveiling Giveaway the rest of the week (details are posted on my blog on the menu bar) to celebrate the launch. Kris is also working on a redesign of her site, and Ely will be fooling around with hers shortly.

Without any more shameless self-promotion, go forth and visit

Tiffany Clare

Maggie Robinson

Margaret Rowe

And EPIC congratulations to J.K. Coi for her EPIC final for Dark Immortal!!!

Free e-book short from Caroline Linden

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Avon and Caroline Linden are offering up a free giveaway of her novella "Deeper Than Desire" to readers. Caroline Linden is a great writer---I've glommed her books ever since I read her debut with Avon, and I'm very much looking forward to her soon-to-be release. This novella is a great opportunity for anyone who hasn't yet read Caroline Linden and for any fans of hers.

Click on this to get to the free download of "Deeper Than Desire."

This is a companion to Caroline Linden's December release, For Your Arms Only.

Happy reading!

Twitterature

maggierobinson8@yahoo.com (Maggie Robinson w/a Margaret Rowe) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I was reading the Huffington Post on Saturday and came across their Twitterature contest. It was too fun not to share.

Now, I have a Twitter account, but I tweet very infrequently---I'm nearly a mute bird. But I do lurk, where I pick up interesting links and publishing industry news. As you probably know, tweets are limited to 140 characters (including spaces), so brevity becomes the soul of wit. Some genius decided to do the plot of books in 140 characters or less. Think it's easy? Check the link for inspiration: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/huffpost-twitterature-con_n_333974.html

and then come back with a book summary in 140 characters or less.

My favorite? She's prejudiced, he's proud, or maybe it's the other way around. Amusing insults fly! She likes him a lot better once she's seen his nice house.

My try? New job.Ed 'forgot' crazy wife in attic,proposed.I lost mind on moor but found $.Marry cousin?Ick.Luv is blind.So is Ed.Rder I married him

And yes, that's Plain Jane Eyre from the 2006 version above, which I watched thanks to Ely!

Passing the Buck

jkcoi@rogers.com (J.K. Coi) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I really have nothing to post today. I'm pulling out my hair trying to carve out time to work on my WIP with all the other stuff that's cutting into my days and nights.

In fact, it's weird because technically, I have no hard deadline for this book except for my self-imposed one, and yet I'm more anxious to finish this on time than I was for any of my others. Why is that, do you think? Am I just impatient to get it out into the world? (*snort*)

As crazy as that sounds, in a way I am. I really love this book and I can see the ending just around the corner. I have these flashes of surety when I know that it's brilliant and I'm going to find a home for it, followed quickly by painful doubts that tell me I'm deluding myself (let's not go there today).

The other impetus to get this done is that I can already feel the stirrings of the next book--yep, it's about that time. I'm interested to learn about these new characters, but I hate to do that before I'm finished with the ones who are running the show right now.

Wow, that's crap. Okay, let's just leave this disjointed post at that for now. Everyone feel free to chime in with a status update on their NaNo progress, or just let us know what's new.

Dear Richard

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

I don't know when I first heard about you or North and South . . . but I do remember when I first watched the movie on Youtube.

And then you came into view.

You fit the description of most romance heroes.

Tall. Dark. Handsome.

You carry off arrogance and in control so well, but we women know that you're hiding beneath those less attractive adjectives. Of course, you show glimpses of your true self. The secret looks and accidental touches, the botched proposal, and the kiss. The kiss!

How could we not love you?

Just when you captured my heart by playing John Thornton, Robin Hood on BBC starts airing.

You wear leather, you scowl, you're dangerous. Very dangerous. But how you love Marian makes my heart go aflutter. Why she doesn't end up with you and loves that wimpy Robin is beyond me. Courtney Milan has said that she'd love to write a Guy/Marian story one day---um, Courtney, not that you have to write other books, but get on that. Now.

There's no use in denying it. I have a huge crush on you. I don't really like kids, but I would want to have your babies.

Whether you wear a cravat, leather, a speedo, or just jeans . . . you're still sexy. And probably what makes you more attractive to most of us is that we can sense that you're a nice guy in real life.

But if you ever do come to the U.S., you might want to hire a security team. Of women. In fact, I'll be your bodyguard. I'll have to stick real close to you, and I'll have to handcuff myself to you to make sure that nothing bad happens. You'll get used to it and will like it. Promise.

So, do you like Richard Armitage as much as I do? And if not, who is your hero of choice?

Interference

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Can I say how happy I am to see the rear end of October. The whole month was about interference. It was like the world was conspiring against me to accomplish any single worthy task: in writing, at work, in life. Everything felt more or less as though it was in limbo.

Writing goals last month: hit 20K by Oct 31. Well, I did make it to 8K before the month ended. I did rewrite the beginning twice and cut a whole pile. I did lose my hard drive with all my research, but only about 10 pages of un-backed up WIP.

Life goals last month: That required too much thinking and figuring out to actually accomplish anything worthwhile. My kids spent the second half of the month sick. Halloween was a time suck and not overly enjoyable for me this year.

Work goals last month: fix my damn filing that is all wonky. Instead I feel like I'm trudging through sludge because it's been crazy busy. I feel like I'm crawling on the ground with bloodied fingers from loss of nails. I get home at night and feel like a great big slump.

November goals: Hit 30K and write the synopsis by the end of the month. This is easy, only 19K to go and the synopsis is started, sort of, in long hand, so I'm tweaking that daily.

Kids are better. They are not allowed to be sick anymore. I've told them so :)

Work? Well, I say screw the filing system. It's gonna have to wait, lol.

How's everyone else been over the last month? Any interference in your life? Has it affected your writing life?

Contest Winners Announced!!!

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:49:00 +0000

Thanks again to Anna Campbell for blogging with us yesterday!!! We loved having you, and it was such a great discussion.

Anna has so graciously chosen the prize winners. (Note to the person who won Tim Tams---you might have to wait a little bit since Tim Tams hasn't arrived from overseas just yet but they are coming!)

Without further ado:

The assortment of Tim Tams goes to . . . Irisheyes!!!

And the signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN goes to . . . Julia Smith!!!

Please email Anna Campbell at anna@annacampbell.info with your snail mail details, and she'll get your prizes out to you.

Congrats to the winners!!! And thanks to everyone for dropping by and commenting yesterday!!!

Guest Blog: The Sex Is NEVER Just About the Sex by Anna Campbell

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Hiya Vixens!!!! You’re all looking terrifically foxy today. But then, don’t you always?

I always love visiting you girls when I’ve got a book out. I love visiting you when I haven’t got a book out! Perhaps I should start up a rival blog called Visiting Vauxhall Vixens? Or perhaps Va-Va-Voom, Visiting Voluptuous, Voracious, Vampy Vauxhall Vixens vith Vim and Vivid Vigor?

Too much? Yeah, I thought so too.

Anyway, enough with the ‘V’ nonsense.

Ely and I were having a bit of a natter about what I’d talk about today. I’m sure it will shock you all to know she suggested a piece about writing sex scenes! But first, I thought I’d steal a word from our sponsors:

This blog is brought to you by Anna Campbell’s delicious new release, CAPTIVE OF SIN, now with extra Vitamin PHWHOARRRR! Start each day with a big bowl of CAPTIVE OF SIN and your teeth will sparkle, your hair will shine and all your lottery tickets will win the jackpot. Not only that, but Richard Armitage will whisk you away into the Dark Walk and do naughty things to you until the nightly fireworks start! And then buy you a dish of the famous shaved ham at extortionate rates! Wow, what a deal! CAPTIVE OF SIN – it would be a sin not to read it!

Yeah, just in case you didn’t know, I’ve got a book out on 27th October. You can read an excerpt here:

http://www.annacampbell.info/captivesin.html

OK, so let’s talk about steamy bits.

In real life, it’s perfectly fine for the sex to be JUST about the sex! In fiction, NEVAH!

Sex for the participants in a romance might be very nice indeed, but your readers will quickly lose interest, however skillfully the naughty bits are choreographed, if the scene isn’t doing something else with the story. Is it revealing character? Is it deepening conflict? Is it making a plot point? Perhaps it’s doing all three! Ah, and then you really have HOT sex! Well, at least as far as fiction goes!

Personally I love it when the sex makes things WORSE for the hero and heroine. And it almost always does in my books until the happy ever after ending. Any physical satisfaction they feel doesn’t change how the conflict and troubles in the book have notched up a level after the deed! And of course, the act is irreversible! No going back. This book features my first virginal heroine so the no going back statement seems particularly apt!

In CAPTIVE OF SIN, sex is a major part of the conflict. It always is in marriage of convenience stories. These people are married which means they have legal access to each other (hmm, that sounds a bit odd!) and there are expectations of what the wedded state will bring them. But there’s all the emotional conflict built around the fact that basically they’re strangers and that circumstances outside themselves have brought them together.

And Gideon and Charis in CAPTIVE OF SIN have even bigger problems! He’s coping with survivor guilt and PTSD and an overdeveloped sense of honor. She’s got what she thinks is a huge case of unrequited love, plus she’s overcome with guilty gratitude because he’s saved her from a fate worse than death (literally!) and now he’s tied to her forever.

Hmm, do you think perhaps she’s misreading the situation? Snort!

Anyway, let’s talk sex scenes. What do you think creates the emotional intensity in a sex scene? Do you agree with me that a sex scene that doesn’t advance the story isn’t that interesting? No need to blush. And remember - this stuff is purely my opinion. But if I think of love scenes that have stayed in my memory, generally they haven’t solved a problem in the book, they’ve created one. Or if they’ve solved one problem, they’ve created another problem that’s even bigger.

Problems with sex! Yeah, let’s talk about that! Well, at least problems in romance novels, anyway.

And for your full and frank participation in this discussion, I’ll reward one brave soul with a signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN so you can read about all that problematic nookie at first hand! Good luck!

**Ely's note: Avon has graciously offered up a prize to another commenter. One person will win an assortment of Tim Tams!**

The Writing Life

jkcoi@rogers.com (J.K. Coi) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

I was very lucky this weekend to be able to take part in a getaway with a few other authors from my RWA Chapter. We rented a really nice little suite at a ski chalet in Collingwood. (No snow, so no temptation to use skiing as a distraction from writing)

It was a great opportunity to not only get together with people I only see every few months or so, but also have a very productive and inspiring writing weekend.

We arrived on Friday evening and after catching up and getting comfortable (in my red kitty cat pajamas!) with a nice glass of wine (okay, a bottle of wine), it was time for a brainstorming/plotting session! We even had chart paper and big square sticky notes. (Here's to raiding the supply closet at the day job.) I have to admit, this was my most productive part of the weekend. I didn't get any words written that first night because I was having serious plot issues and had to figure out how to work my next major turning point -- I'm heading into the black moment! It worked for me to be able to talk about it out loud with people who understood what I was trying to do. Hubby just doesn't have the same attention span, sad to say.

It was a late night, but I was still up really early the next morning, eager to start a full day of writing. I don't usually get a chance to write THE WHOLE DAMN DAY--Ever!! Saturdays and Sundays are family days at home, so if I get any writing done, it's minimal, usually less than what I would write in an evening during the week. The chance to write ALL DAY without interruption was absolutely wonderful.

As a group, we did a series of timed writings. One for the morning, another two in the afternoon, and again after dinner. Usually around 1 hour long each. After which, we accounted for our total wordage and took a breather. The weather was great Saturday too, so we went for a bit of a walk outside. Sunday morning it was tidying up time with one last writing session and then back in the car to head home.

Like I said, I don't get a chance to do this often, so I really wanted to make the most of it. The great part of being able to participate in something like this is the amazing energy and motivation that comes with being in a room full of such great writers. It's also good to have a change of scenery when you really need to focus on something. I know that if I had been at home there would have been a hundred things to take me away from the computer--laundry, cooking, shopping, kiddo, kiddo, kiddo... (I love him, but he's not focus friendly)

You know, it made me see why I really really want to be able to do this writing thing full time one of these days.

Final weekend wordcount: 5,000 words and one 1500 word plot plan

Writing is about Rewriting

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:25:00 +0000

I love and I hate beginnings. I love figuring out the setting (as I blogged about last month), I love figuring out my characters. Love seeing them grow on the page and reveal their desires and fears in life. Love their romance to develop and grow.

But beginnings can be tough. I'll admit, I'm one of those that usually fly's through the first half of the book in a little over a month sometimes two. And then go back and make my changes. Usually I start at just the right time. The right place. I have a penchant for starting with Dialogue and in the middle of the action.

However, I did not do that with this book. I didn't know until I had written a good 7K that I was starting in the totally wrong spot. It didn't work for the characters, for me, for the story. It slagged. There was too much backstory, too much introspect. So, I put the book down for a couple weeks and thought about it. I didn't realize that I would need to change the beginning (start it from page ten of what I had, not page one. Start it from Elliott's POV--I rarely start in the male's Point of View. But this book feels different. Heck, it is different. I don't have a swarm of women to support each other in this book, something I've relied on for all the other historicals I've written. I feel like I'm wadding into uncharted waters sans life jacket.

A very good and wise friend said to me in the very beginning of my writing journey: Writing is about rewriting. I've taken that to heart. I've reminded myself of this every step of the way. I've repeated this mantra when I'm in revisions. When I know I have to cut scenes, when I know I've done something wrong in the story and I have to fix it.

What is the best piece of advise you've taken in your writing journey. The one thing you constantly remind yourself of? The one thing you repeat often to others (yes I tell everyone writing is about rewriting).

Family Ties

maggierobinson8@yahoo.com (Maggie Robinson w/a Margaret Rowe) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We're expecting an addition to our family soon (no, it's definitely not me), so I've been thinking quite a bit about the joys and struggles of family life. My grandmothers each came from massive families---my Viennese grandmother was one of 17 (!!!) children, my American grandmother one of 8. I've had four kids myself, over the ZPG limit, but I wouldn't send any one
of them back.

I love connected books where the siblings/cousins each step up for their own story, and have begun reading Kasey Michael's latest series about the Daughtrys. The Ravenhursts written by Louise Allen were great recent fun, too.*

In my Kensington Brava May 2010 release, Mistress by Mistake, one sister is mistaken for the other, leading to mischief and,ultimately, marriage. (See the gorgeous cover at left!!!) My three daughters don't look a bit alike, but I mixed their names up all the time, for which they still give me hell. My husband just used to yell "Sarahjessieabby" hoping one of them would come. :)

Whose fictional family would you like to find yourself in? What do you think of Zero Population Growth? (that's 2 kids max per couple as replacements)

* In compliance with the absurd FTC blogging rules, I bought the Michaels and Allen books with my own damn money and they do not have the faintest idea who I am or that I am writing about them.

I submitted the image to the right to the Risky Regencies' LOLRegency contest. It didn't win, but another of my efforts did!

Don't Break the Seal

jkcoi@rogers.com (J.K. Coi) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Arghhhhh!

I broke the seal.

Everything was going so well. The WIP was coming along nicely, with me humming and smiling at my own most awesome brilliance.

But then I stopped. Last week was a bad week--somebody died, kiddo got sick, we left to go away for the long weekend--and now I'm stuck. It isn't that I don't know what to write this time. It's more like I can't bring myself to actually do it. Usually, this means I have to turn off the internet and force myself to sit in front of the screen, but hubby is busy doing work on the other computer, which means the internet stays on for him...and I'm too weak willed to ignore it. *sigh*

So I'm trying something new. I'm going to bed early (WOW!) and waking up early (The sky must be falling!) in order to write in peace and quiet. And okay, so I still need motivation. So this is my kick-in-the-pants post to get back up to speed. No more evening internet chit chat. (I promise to save it for the work day like all good employees) I was writing at least 1500 words per day before I fell off the wagon and I need to be doing that again--like right away--so that this book still gets finished before Christmas (and edited before the end of the year).

Who's with me? Anyone really need to get a project of their plate and want to step up here and now to make a pledge with me to get it done?

Piggybacking

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Every day, Tiff, Maggs, Kris, and I e-mail each other--usually more than once--where we post our word counts for the day and often post a snippet from our current work. Usually I'm threatening people when they write too much. Seriously, I'm cursed to have CPs who can write 3-4 books a year, which I can do only two a year. Sigh.

But one thing we've all noticed is how we tend to use the same type of themes, types of setting, and sometimes will use the same names. I know at one point when I was writing AYW and Maggie was writing Mistress by Marriage we both had a character named Caroline or "Caro." We both don't know who came up with it first, but I'm pretty sure Maggie did. Tiff, Maggs, and I all have books that we are currently working on that are set in castles. Kris will have a name, and I will think . . . I want to steal that. Tiff is writing a Jane Eyre-like book right now, and I've been salivating over every snippet she posts. Trust me, it is sooooooo good. And I know I wouldn't be thinking about doing reunited lovers had it not been for all of my CPs, who have at one point or the other have used this trope.

Have I influenced them? Well, of course. My sailor's mouth has rubbed off on them. Sorry about that y'all.

For all of you who have CPs or even if you're readers and belong to a board---ahem, EJ/JQ BB---do you notice if other people inadvertently influence you? Tell me about your experiences.

Happy Birthday, Maggie!!!!

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We Vixens are very good at throwing parties in the Dark Walk, especially when it comes to birthdays.

Today is the birthday of Maggie Robinson (who also writes under the name of Margaret Rowe)!!!

Happy Birthday, Maggie!!!!

I guess it's okay to share men around here... what am I saying? It IS okay to share men around here, this is the Dark Walk! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!!!

You might be like our Maine Mom, but I really do enjoy corrupting you more and more, Maggs!!!!!!!!

Now pick your jaw back up from the keyboard!

XOXO Tiff!

JK Coi: What would I give our Maggie for her birthday, when she's already got style and grace, talent and good fortune? I have no idea, but it couldn't hurt to give her some wine and get her hammered to enjoy it!! Happy Birthday!!

Ely: Last month, Maggie gave me some chocolate for my birthday on the blog. Specifically chocolate-covered flowers. So how can I top that, I ask myself? For those that don't know Maggie as well as I do, let me say this:

She's kind, she's funny, and damn, she writes fast. Her stories are ones that are just so freaking awesome. I cannot wait until everyone can read the awesomeness for themselves, which is April 27, 2010 when MISTRESS BY MISTAKE releases under Maggie Robinson and in May when TEMPTING EDEN releases under Margaret Rowe. Maggie is a wonderfully, talented writer, who deserves all the best things in life. But beyond that, Maggie has always been there for me. She gives me good advice, such as: Slow down when I'm going to talk to Someone Important, and tells me not to worry as much. I love her. So what do I give to the woman who really is the Rock of our little group?

Why, I give her a hot man, who's also got some chocolate-chocolate on him. I think, Maggie, that you need to lick him off.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Also, you can pre-order Maggie's debut historical romance, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, here. The great Anna Campbell, an award-winning historical romance author, wrote: "MISTRESS BY MISTAKE sizzles off the page. A marvelously sexy romp."

Now, doesn't that make you want to read it? Let's celebrate Maggie's birthday in style today!!!

Book winners

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:34:00 +0000

If you didn't see the comments in yesterday's blog where Courtney Milan was giving away two copies of THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS, she wrote:

Everyone, thanks so much for commenting! The winners are:

SonomaLass and ms bookjunkie! Please send me an e-mail at courtney@courtneymilan.com so that I can send on your copy of the anthology!

Please contact Courtney ASAP. Thanks again to Courtney Milan for blogging with us yesterday!

Guest Blog: Courtney Milan The case of the missing Q

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

When I am writing, sometimes I surprise myself. I don’t mean that my characters “refuse” to do what I tell them, or even that my characters “act up.” My characters are words that I set on a page, and they will darn well do as I command. The problem is that sometimes my subconscious takes over, and my characters end up doing things that it will take me the entire book to understand.

Thus, for instance, my novella “This Wicked Gift,” starts with my heroine’s ruminations on the hero. The first paragraph in my novella that talks about the hero is this: It was him. Mr. William Q. White—and what the “Q” stood for, she’d not had the foresight to demand on the day when he’d purchased his subscription. But the name rolled off the tongue. William Q. White. She could never think of him as simply a monosyllabic last name.

Now, I knew Mr. William White. I had already written a few scenes from his point of view by now. I had even introduced him in my full length novel, Proof by Seduction, where he takes a bit part. I had thought him out to the smallest degree, and I knew precisely what was going to happen to him. I just hadn’t sussed out my heroine.

And she and I shared an ignorance. Because, as well as I thought I knew William White by this point, I had no idea that he had a middle initial. William Q. White? Lavinia was not the only person who had no clue—no blinking idea—what the “Q” stood for. But she was right. “William Q. White” rolls much better off the tongue than just “William White.” So I kept it.

For pages and pages, Lavinia calls him “William Q. White.” I had no idea what the “Q” stood for. I wish I could say that I gnashed my terrible teeth and rent my clothing into sackcloth and ashes trying to figure it out. But I didn’t. The answer just came to me, in much the same way that Lavinia dropped the secret of William Q. White’s full name, and it worked.

And I was as surprised when I wrote it as I hope you will be when you read it.

For me, it’s those surprises—those little unexpected diversions that the subconscious delves into—that make writing so fun. They make me grin and smile and hug myself in joy. Some of them, readers have commented on. Others… well, nobody will ever notice.

For those of you who haven’t read my debut novella, “This Wicked Gift,” in THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS yet, guess what the “Q” stands for. I doubt you’ll get it, but I’ll give two really fun guesses a copy of my debut novella.

Richard Armitage

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:55:00 +0000

Rwor.

Need I say more?

Thanks to my Twitter friend, Gwen Hayes, for giving me this link.

A Wicked Christmas

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Another friend who we Vixens are excited to celebrate the release of her debut novella "This Wicked Gift" in This Heart of Christmas is the fabulous Courtney Milan.

I was lucky enough to read an early version of this novella. It's funny, heartwarming, sexy, and touching; furthermore, it's not a typical Christmas story in the best way possible. Plus, both characters are of the working class. Yes, you read that right. No dukes or earls in sight. Although there is a marquess and a viscount---one of whom factors heavily in Proof by Seduction (Courtney Milan's debut release on 1/1/10). This story was so good and satisfying that you'll be glad you read it.

It's release day, and we're throwing a party!!! Go forth, find the book, and buy it!!!! Courtney Milan is hot, hot, hot . . . you'll want to read all books she writes!

Ladies (ahem) of Persuasion

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

We love having authors as friends. Sometimes that means we have the opportunity to read a book before it comes out. Like this one.

Tiff: The characters are rich and so well done, Isabel is lovely and not easily swayed by the charm of Toby (jilted character from Goddess of the Hunt and Surrender of a Siren). Toby is just a delight on the page that will keep you smiling.

Ely: What can I say? I love Toby. In fact, I loved him so much, I designed shirts for him. He's charming. He's funny. And he's sexy. (Just wait until you get to the cravat scene.) Rwor. But it takes Bel, a strong, sensible woman to make Toby behave. Well, not too much. ;)

It's release day for A Lady of Persuasion! We're throwing a party!!! Go forth, find the book, buy the book, DEVOUR the book, much like we vixens did. Tessa Dare is an author to watch for!

Rock Stars

elyssapapa@gmail.com (Elyssa Papa) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

There tends to be a big stigma around rock stars. I've read more than a few places where people have commented that it's hard to believe in a HEA for a rock star, or that a rock star hero (or heroine) would give them pause.

So my question is. . . . Why?

What is it about rock stars that make people think, no thank you. Is it the lifestyle that seems to include drugs and alcohol with lots of sex? Or is it the leather pants?

As some of you know, I have a rock star hero. Aubry Riley.

He's got a past. He was a drug and alcohol addict. He lost his wife in a drunk driving accident (caused by someone else). He has a six year old daughter, who he's not the best father to. He's got a whole redemptive arc to his character---he's got to learn to forgive and be forgiven.

But despite his rock 'n' roll star persona, Aubry is a loveable guy. (At least I think so.) Sure he can be sarcastic and some times a jerk---but what guy isn't?---however, at the end of the day, there are things that are important to him such as his daughter, etc., etc.

You know, with the whole Mackenzie Phillips story that came out yesterday on Oprah with her having an incestuous relationship with her father and Mick Jagger locking the door and saying, I've been wanting to do this with you since you were ten. Which when I read and heard, I had to stop myself from throwing up. Well, hearing that gives you pause and makes you think . . . oh , no one will believe in my HEA because my hero is a rock star.

So tell me what do you think of the rock star heroes/heroines? Would you be interested in reading a book that featured them? Why or why not?

It all starts with the Setting

noreply@blogger.com (Tiffany Clare) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

I love finishing a book. It means that I can work on the next project that I've already been thinking about for some months.

I'm gearing up to tell Abby and Elliott's story. It's got a very Jane Eyre feel for me with Abby being a governess, Elliott having a very dark past he wants to forget but can't with his seven year old son staring back at him every day--don't worry, there is no crazy wife in the attic.

I've chosen a secluded setting. I'm spreading out into the wilds of Northumberland. While doing research I stumbled upon the very private, kind of scary, and remote Bramburgh Castle.

Abby Halloway's character is larger than life. She's my little firecracker of the sisters. So much a page stealer I had to boot her off to Northern England so her sisters stories could be told.
I knew I had to give her a larger than life setting. Something that would temper her character and give my hero a step up so he's not overshadowed by her brilliance. (Can you tell how much I love her?)

Though Elliott is a force to be reckoned with as well. He hasn't had the easiest life, so when Abby Halloway shows up to fill the governess position, he refuses to play into her princess attitude. In fact, he's outright ignoring her. In the process, he's infuriating my young heroine.

For me, the setting is like another character. It needs to come alive around my characters and help set the overall mood of the story. I take as much time choosing my settings as I do forming my characters.

What are some of your favorite settings in books? Is there anything you haven't read but would love to read for setting? What do you think of my humble abode?

Happy Birthday, Ely!

maggierobinson8@yahoo.com (Maggie Robinson w/a Margaret Rowe) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Maggie: What do you give a girl who's already got heart, heat and wit? Why, flowers. And men. And if they're chocolate-covered, all the better!HB to my NY kid! XXOO

Kris: Yes, what do you give the girl who has talent, beauty and the most generous soul? Apparently, you give her a cheese knife and make her wonder... :) LOL

Happy birthday, sweetie!!

Tiff: You give the girl who is a friend, a confidante and sister really, really hot men. (I'm loaning you Elliott) XO, Ely!

Petal to the Metal

maggierobinson8@yahoo.com (Maggie Robinson w/a Margaret Rowe) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000

No, the title of this post is NOT a typo. I've been giving a lot of thought lately to the style of my current WIP (almost finished!) Any Wicked Thing. This is a Margaret Rowe book, i.e., edgy and kind of scorching in spots. It's an odd mix of seriously sexy hardish-core stuff and soft, sensuous prose. As it will eventually be published in an erotic line (Berkley Heat), I've felt free to banish my grandmother's voice and go all out, or all in, whatever direction feels good . This has been both liberating and scary. If my husband ever reads it (doubtful), he'll be puzzled, and perhaps put out, since we've never done several things that I write about (nor do I plan to---at my age, I might wrench my back). If the police come to seize my computer, they'll get a lot of chuckles out of the searches I've done...right before they slap me in jail. In cuffs. Just like on page p.65.

My own elevated heat level has made me more aware as I read, which I haven't done so much of lately. I'm a firm believer that there should be something for everyone's reading taste, and I get a little twitchy when acquaintances say, "Oh! I can't wait to read your books." I'm not so sure they'll be comfortable realizing their son's former preschool teacher writes hot books. I had a cute teen girl come into the library to congratulate me when I first sold last spring. I told her she wasn't old enough to read any of my books, and she said she wanted to buy them anyway. "If it makes you feel better," she said, "I won't read them." LOL. Wonder what the school committee will think next spring? It might be time to check myself out of the library.

So, do your family and friends read your stuff? Do you prefer sexy to sweet, sweet to sexy, or like your petal mixed with your metal?