I'm going to be signing books at the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America Book Fair on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Bellevue Hilton.
The event runs from 4:00-6:00 pm in the SkyviewBallroom and includes signing opportunities with more than fifty authors.
This is a free event and open to the public.
The Bellevue Hilton is located at 300 112thAvenue SE in Bellevue, Washington. Their phone number is 425-455-1300. Visitwww.gsrwa.org for more information.
If any of you are in the Seattle area, stop by and say hello. I'd love to see you.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
From nothing but an idea to holding the book
As I've mentioned, I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer. I don't make a detailed outline of my next book. I don't fill out file cards of my characters lives from birth to present. I don't draw diagrams and mark off chapter breaks, the climax, blackest moment or turning point.
The truth is, I couldn't if I wanted to. I tell stories the way I hear them in my head and I don't want to know how the book ends. That would spoil it for me. I would feel as if I had no reason to write it since I know what happens. What fun is there in that?
But as you may have guessed that makes it hard for us "pantsers" when asked to write a synopsis or give the art department an idea what to put on the cover -- before we've written the book.
So tonight I'm brainstorming. Not the plot. Or the characters. But fun places that might be in the book I'm about to write, places and scenes that might make a good cover. I need exciting spots in my part of Montana where I can kill people. Where my characters might find themselves trapped -- or where they could make love. Scary places. Dramatic places. Visually pleasing places. Sexy places.
This is not what I'm good at -- imagining what's on the cover. That probably explains why few of my ideas have ever been snatched up for the artists. Also it's a bit difficult since I haven't written the book.
However, I spent the morning thinking about my characters. I can't tell you what they look like right at the moment, but I know enough about them that I have a feel for them. With that comes pieces of the puzzle. I also did some research based on what I know about them and their "problems." That gave me more insight into them and the story.
So now I think I can start seeing the overall setting of this story, some of the places my characters will take us and why we have to go there. I get there by asking...Where is the last place my heroine would like to find herself? Where will my hero go when all seems lost? Where would you go to make love knowing there were killers after you?
There are other considerations. The time of day. The season. The weather. Not to mention what my characters are wearing, all things the art department needs to know.
The book comes out next June so I like the book to be set in June. The weather? This is Montana, it can be anything from snow to warm sunshine and blue skies. My characters attire: they're involved in some sort of danger. Usually that means jeans, boots and a nice western shirt. But this time maybe they have to dress up to go undercover or attend a party to scope out a suspect.
At this point, anything goes. I can let my mind run like a wild horse across the prairie. I can feel the wind in my face. There are no limits. All I have to do is give my imagination free rein and ride it out. Eventually the muse will catch me and rein me back in.
All of this helps me get started on this road from an initial idea to a finished book complete with the best story possible and a cover.
It's all part of the process.
The truth is, I couldn't if I wanted to. I tell stories the way I hear them in my head and I don't want to know how the book ends. That would spoil it for me. I would feel as if I had no reason to write it since I know what happens. What fun is there in that?
But as you may have guessed that makes it hard for us "pantsers" when asked to write a synopsis or give the art department an idea what to put on the cover -- before we've written the book.
So tonight I'm brainstorming. Not the plot. Or the characters. But fun places that might be in the book I'm about to write, places and scenes that might make a good cover. I need exciting spots in my part of Montana where I can kill people. Where my characters might find themselves trapped -- or where they could make love. Scary places. Dramatic places. Visually pleasing places. Sexy places.
This is not what I'm good at -- imagining what's on the cover. That probably explains why few of my ideas have ever been snatched up for the artists. Also it's a bit difficult since I haven't written the book.
However, I spent the morning thinking about my characters. I can't tell you what they look like right at the moment, but I know enough about them that I have a feel for them. With that comes pieces of the puzzle. I also did some research based on what I know about them and their "problems." That gave me more insight into them and the story.
So now I think I can start seeing the overall setting of this story, some of the places my characters will take us and why we have to go there. I get there by asking...Where is the last place my heroine would like to find herself? Where will my hero go when all seems lost? Where would you go to make love knowing there were killers after you?
There are other considerations. The time of day. The season. The weather. Not to mention what my characters are wearing, all things the art department needs to know.
The book comes out next June so I like the book to be set in June. The weather? This is Montana, it can be anything from snow to warm sunshine and blue skies. My characters attire: they're involved in some sort of danger. Usually that means jeans, boots and a nice western shirt. But this time maybe they have to dress up to go undercover or attend a party to scope out a suspect.
At this point, anything goes. I can let my mind run like a wild horse across the prairie. I can feel the wind in my face. There are no limits. All I have to do is give my imagination free rein and ride it out. Eventually the muse will catch me and rein me back in.
All of this helps me get started on this road from an initial idea to a finished book complete with the best story possible and a cover.
It's all part of the process.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sometimes I scare myself
I'm about to start a new book. The problem is that I only had a vague, very vague, idea for the book that will be the third in my Whitehorse: The Winchesters mini series.
This isn't anything new. I start a book with little idea of what it's about.
But I was starting to worry since I knew only who the hero was and the title "Ten-Gauge Guardian." The heroine though was a mystery. I was stuck.
I put off worrying about it -- and that's when I met the heroine. She came to me in a flash and suddenly I knew what my next book was about. But I was a little shaken by her "backstory." It scared me.
So now I'm just waiting for the right words to start this book because it gives me the creeps and I don't think I get the creeps easily -- after all I've killed a lot of people in my books.
But this book is different. The story scares me because in order to tell the heroine's story I have to put myself in her place. This isn't a book I want to write in the dark.
This won't be the first time I've written something that scares me. I often find myself looking over my shoulder, feeling as if the story is in the room with me. Don't even ask how many times I've checked the back seat of my car or highttailed it from car to house in the dark.
But there are some stories that even give me pause.
This isn't anything new. I start a book with little idea of what it's about.
But I was starting to worry since I knew only who the hero was and the title "Ten-Gauge Guardian." The heroine though was a mystery. I was stuck.
I put off worrying about it -- and that's when I met the heroine. She came to me in a flash and suddenly I knew what my next book was about. But I was a little shaken by her "backstory." It scared me.
So now I'm just waiting for the right words to start this book because it gives me the creeps and I don't think I get the creeps easily -- after all I've killed a lot of people in my books.
But this book is different. The story scares me because in order to tell the heroine's story I have to put myself in her place. This isn't a book I want to write in the dark.
This won't be the first time I've written something that scares me. I often find myself looking over my shoulder, feeling as if the story is in the room with me. Don't even ask how many times I've checked the back seat of my car or highttailed it from car to house in the dark.
But there are some stories that even give me pause.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Some times I have to pinch myself
I'm finishing up my 48th book and getting excited about books 49 and 50th. I don't remember writing 47.9 books.
I remember a few hysterical moments along the way. Crying, sitting on the toilet as my husband was taking a shower with me trying to explain to him why I was selling my computer and never writing again. I remember his confusion as he peeked out and asked, "What are you talking about? You just sold your first book. Don't be silly."
And me wondering, "What is wrong with this man? Didn't he read my 17-page revision letter, especially the part where the editor said she liked the pacing and the characters but I could come up with a whole new plot if I wanted to?"
There's been more tears over the years, driven by deadlines and frustrations, panic and insecurities. But overall, I've been way beyond lucky. I've been blessed and I know it. I've had breaks that came out of the blue. Luck in having the same editor since about book 2 who became the senior editor of the Intrigue line.
So, yes, as some of you have asked, I do have to pinch myself. I started out dreaming about writing something someone might someday read and it just seems to get better and better.
Today I found out that book 4 in the Whitehorse: The Corbetts mini series, Smokin' Six-Shooter, made Borders top ten bestseller list for series. I owe it all to you, the readers, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't tell you what joy you bring me every day.
Along with that news I got two wonderful emails about Smokin' Six-Shooter, one from a man, one from a woman, neither reads Harlequin books. The man said he bought the book by mistake but that it turned out to be the best mistake he's made. Both said they couldn't put the book down.
That is what I take home at night after a long day at the computer. Letters like that keep me writing when I'm exhausted and haven't a clue where the story is going or if it's any good.
So thank you for sticking with me. I'll keep pinching myself, knowing it can't last. But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy all of it, especially hearing from you.
And if you live in Canada, check this out: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/harlequin-not-just-ebooks.-innovation-comes-standard/
I'm hoping I get to try the cookies. :)
I remember a few hysterical moments along the way. Crying, sitting on the toilet as my husband was taking a shower with me trying to explain to him why I was selling my computer and never writing again. I remember his confusion as he peeked out and asked, "What are you talking about? You just sold your first book. Don't be silly."
And me wondering, "What is wrong with this man? Didn't he read my 17-page revision letter, especially the part where the editor said she liked the pacing and the characters but I could come up with a whole new plot if I wanted to?"
There's been more tears over the years, driven by deadlines and frustrations, panic and insecurities. But overall, I've been way beyond lucky. I've been blessed and I know it. I've had breaks that came out of the blue. Luck in having the same editor since about book 2 who became the senior editor of the Intrigue line.
So, yes, as some of you have asked, I do have to pinch myself. I started out dreaming about writing something someone might someday read and it just seems to get better and better.
Today I found out that book 4 in the Whitehorse: The Corbetts mini series, Smokin' Six-Shooter, made Borders top ten bestseller list for series. I owe it all to you, the readers, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't tell you what joy you bring me every day.
Along with that news I got two wonderful emails about Smokin' Six-Shooter, one from a man, one from a woman, neither reads Harlequin books. The man said he bought the book by mistake but that it turned out to be the best mistake he's made. Both said they couldn't put the book down.
That is what I take home at night after a long day at the computer. Letters like that keep me writing when I'm exhausted and haven't a clue where the story is going or if it's any good.
So thank you for sticking with me. I'll keep pinching myself, knowing it can't last. But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy all of it, especially hearing from you.
And if you live in Canada, check this out: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/harlequin-not-just-ebooks.-innovation-comes-standard/
I'm hoping I get to try the cookies. :)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
My favorite chocolate cake
It's Labor Day weekend. I just got through baking my favorite chocolate cake and thought I would share the recipe. I got it from a good friend from college and have used it so many times that the recipe card is yellowed and dogeared. The icing is like fudge. The cake is moist and wonderful
But if you want to cheat and go with a boxed cake, see the recipe at the bottom for a really quick and easy picnic treat.
Okay, first Crazy Cake:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teas salt
2 teas soda
1/3 cup cocoa
Mix in a bowl with a spoon.
Add:
3/4 cup oil
2 Tblespn vinegar
1 teas vanilla
2 cups water
Beat until mixed.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Frosting
Put 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup milk in saucepan. Heat to boiling. Remove. Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Frost cake.
Now for the easy fun picnic cupcakes.
Use a chocolate cake mix. Make as directed. Set aside. Blend 8 oz of cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar. Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Fill cupcake paper inserts half full of cake batter. Drop a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the middle of each. Bake following directions on cake box.
There is no need to ice these. They go very fast. You can't just eat one!
But if you want to cheat and go with a boxed cake, see the recipe at the bottom for a really quick and easy picnic treat.
Okay, first Crazy Cake:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teas salt
2 teas soda
1/3 cup cocoa
Mix in a bowl with a spoon.
Add:
3/4 cup oil
2 Tblespn vinegar
1 teas vanilla
2 cups water
Beat until mixed.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Frosting
Put 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup milk in saucepan. Heat to boiling. Remove. Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Frost cake.
Now for the easy fun picnic cupcakes.
Use a chocolate cake mix. Make as directed. Set aside. Blend 8 oz of cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar. Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Fill cupcake paper inserts half full of cake batter. Drop a heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into the middle of each. Bake following directions on cake box.
There is no need to ice these. They go very fast. You can't just eat one!
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