 Thursday, November 30, 2006 Traveling is good for this writer's soul Hi all! I just got back from a trip to Costa Rica and I have to say, it was absolutely fantastic. Monkey's everywhere  This is (from left to right) Claire, myself (cleverly disguised under the baseball cap) and my husband Brian. We were the traveling buddies. The weather was warm and lovely, though it rained most days at least a little. We spent the first few nights at the base of an erupting volcano and even got to watch the red rocks falling down the side of the volcano at night--which was a spectacular show. We went on night hikes across hanging bridges through rain forest and cloud forest. We saw monkeys and snakes and birds and all manner of animals. We ate good food and met lovely people. And the most exciting and scary thing was flying high above the canopy on zip lines. Considering I had to be talked into doing this, my husband is afraid of heights, and our bravest memeber, Claire, even got scared on the Tarzan swing, I was pretty impressed we did this. It was terrifying. I was actually afraid the next day thinking back on what I'd done! LOL. But it was a rush. And I'm thrilled I went through with it. Hanging bridges seemed like child's play after that.And when we got to the beach, and it rained for two days solid, we sat around reading books all day. It was wonderful! I even did a little writing. And took lots of pictures of squirrel monkeys playing just outside our hotel.  The weather started to change during our last few days, cooling off just enough that it wasn't such a shock to come back to New York. And now I'm back to work Happy Holidays everyone! Isabo www.isabokelly.com 
Sunday, November 26, 2006  I recently finished my latest work in progress and already my mind is drifting to the next story sloshing around in my head. That got me thinking about my writing process.For me, it usually starts with something very small, a place, or a character that’s already stalking through my head, and I start asking questions. The story I’m about to begin started with a little of both. I know this place that is truly magical to me and when I think of this place I see my heroine living there. At this point there’s nothing on the computer, it’s all longhand on lined note paper on a clipboard. I haven’t even given the story its own folder (which I do for every story. A pocket folder to keep everything regarding the story.) The story is still in the “who, what and why” stage. Since it will be a fairly short story (something else I decide before hand, although it doesn’t always stick) the plot will revolve almost entirely around the romance. So the conflict will be in the romance. I know base character traits of my heroine and I create her mate, the hero. He must be everything she wants and everything she doesn’t. In other words, I ask myself what’s the worst possible thing that could turn her from him? And that’s what I put at his core. So now I have a base idea for a plot. Two people who are perfect for each other if not for this one major hurdle between them. A hurdle so pivotal to who they are that they’ll both have to change—grow—to come together. Next I let myself sink into my heroine’s world. (The lay person calls this day dreaming) I see her in my mind from all angles. I look at her through other’s eyes and through her own eyes and I get to know her. Who is she? What makes her happy? What makes her sad? Who are her friends and why? Who likes her, who doesn’t? Why is she the way she is? What does she want? What her convictions? I write all this in one long writing session, longhand. Not really an interview just a rush of information that builds on itself. And then I do the same for the hero. Once I really know the characters (and sometimes secondary characters as well), I begin to flush out the actual story. How do they meet? And how will it end? (The resolution) I learned a while ago, for me, it’s necessary to have an actual ending in mind. Otherwise the story doesn’t build toward anything. So even before I start writing I know how it will end. Next I imagine the “black moment”. The moment in the story when all seems lost—when the phoo hits the fan. This is usually toward the end, the next to the last chapter. (Sometimes if the resolution is quick the black moment is in the last chapter.) Next I find a turning point, a spot in the story (usually in the middle) where everything was going along fine, where the characters have accepted the status quo and that’s where I change everything. If they’re already a couple, I pull them apart. If they’re not yet a couple I bring them together. Something that heads them in a different direction and will lead them unavoidably toward the black moment. So now I have a beginning, a middle, and an end. After that, it’s just a matter of getting from one point to the next. Each chapter is outlined with “events”, something that must be established in that chapter to move the story to the next chapter. Once I know what each chapter will be about I begin the actual writing. It may sound long and tedious, but it’s one of favorite parts about writing a new story. It’s all about the discovery. It’s fast, un-tethered thinking. And that’s a lot of fun. Anyway, that’s it! A little glimpse into the workings of my mind. Does any of it sound familiar? Is your process the same, similar or radically different? How do you tick? Happy writing! ~Paige :) http://www.paigecuccaro.com QUEEN OF HEARTS, A romantic comedy, Cerridwen Press~ 4 stars RT Magazine a.w.a. ~*~ Alison Paige~*~ http://www.alisonpaige.net I, ROBOT VALENTINE, Coming to Ellora's Cave Feb 7 2007
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Last time, I spoke a little about taking care of yourself. I also wrote about this in my Monthly Garden Newsletter I send out to readers each month. (if you'd like to subscribe, please visit my website www.edenrobins.com). This time of year, it's important to take out some time for yourself. The hustle and bustle stress of the holidays can get crazy. It's important to stop, step back and breathe. I take a kickboxing class at my gym, and as we really get pumped up and do our moves, the instructor will often say, "Are you breathing? You need to keep breathing, ladies!" That's important in everday life too. Whether at work, home or out for an evening, remember to slow things down for a moment, take a deep breath and look around you. Doing this on a regular basis, at least in my opinion, makes me a better writer, better mom, and better person. That hesitation, that little blip in time that I give to myself helps me not only get grounded, but also helps me appreciate all that I have around me. So take care of yourself this holiday season. Give yourself a few moments in time each and every day. And until I talk with you again on December 5th, don't forget to breathe! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, Eden Robins www.edenrobins.com After Sundown: Salvation-Coming out December 14th!
Friday, November 17, 2006 Many authors will tell you their husbands are their hero prototypes -- especially for their personalities -- and that’s true in my case as well. But I still think it’s useful to give each of your heroes a different outward appearance. Hence, the movie stars. And as a plot-driven writer, I find it helps me with characterization to have photos of my hero and heroine prototypes next to my computer (hanging from my mini-speakers, to be exact.) That way, I only have to glance to the side to find inspiration. I also have posters from the movies Bull Durham and Ghost hanging in my office. Nothing like an eighteen-inch-high face of Kevin Costner to get one’s creative juices flowing! And my wall calendar offers twelve months of the different James Bonds, although they could have just issued an all-Pierce-Brosnan-all-the-time version and I would have been ecstatic. ;-) The trick is to find a photo of your prototype with the right look to match your book. You might not want a picture of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, for example, unless you’re writing a paranormal romance. And a shot of your hunky prototype bloodied from a cinematic fight scene probably wouldn’t give you the romantic feeling you’d want before writing a love scene. Where do you get your hero inspiration? Lately I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a Beta hero – a funny intellectual with a great smile, a greater laugh and a body to die for under those business suits. Why? Because I’ve been watching The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. There just something about that Stephen Colbert… -- Marcia James ;-)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 And it was spotty. And fragment-y. But as these things go, it caught my attention ... and by the time I knew the chapter was over, I knew there WAS a chapter in there somewhere ... and I knew my heroine's motivation, her goal, and what her conflict would be, both external and internal. Mind you, two hours previous I had no clue about any of that. I hadn't any plan to start anything new this late in the year -- I had planned on finishing everything I had pending, and maybe CLEAN HOUSE for December. But plans change -- and a story is born. Eilis Flynn www.eilisflynn.com, eilisflynn.livejournal.com THE SLEEPER AWAKES, April 2007 FESTIVAL OF STARS, release date pending
Sunday, November 12, 2006  Ohmygoodness!! There are Christmas decorations cluttering the aisles at EVERY store. Even the grocery store! Actually, I started seeing the first encroachments before Halloween. That’s just wrong...wrong I tell ya!I feel pulled at both ends and frayed in the middle. I was already running breathless with writing, writing events, blogs, website updates, family responsibilities (school events, parent teacher conferences, cooking, cleaning, laundry) and ya’know, eating and sleeping. Now I’ve got to deal with Christmas!?!? ACK!!!!!!! I love the reason for the season, it’s the only thing that gives me an inkling of peace, but otherwise, I’ve grown to hate the holidays. I remember as a child counting the days until Christmas ... starting on December 26th. And now? Yeah, I still count the days but for completely different reasons. I’ve never been one of those people who had the foresight to finish their Christmas shopping in June. With kids it just doesn’t seem possible. Their wish lists change daily. Besides, it’s not that June was any less busy for me. I am making dents in my pile of endless responsibilities. I’m finishing up my latest work in progress this coming week. Which will give me time to update my website http://www.paigecuccaro.com/ with the latest authors to join The Writer’s Cave (a neat collection of author offices ... Check it out if you’ve got time!). With any luck I’ll also have time to launch my new website for my new penname, Alison Paige. ( http://www.alisonpaige.net/ ) And best of all, my next release, I, ROBOT VALENTINE, is wrapped up and waiting for release February 7, 2007 as part of the Ellora’s Cave Valentine Vixen Quickies series. I, ROBOT VALENTINE will be my first piece under my new penname and I’m really excited about it. Ally hasn’t risked love since her divorce. Luckily in the year 2106 divorces are finalized within days and sex toys are humanoid robots. But healing the heart takes time. So why after two weeks with her Valentine’s gift, a Companion sex robot, is she wishing he were as real as her growing love for him? Thomas Zentry, owner of Issamov Enterprises and model for the Companion robot, would do anything to win Ally’s heart, including posing as her personal sex robot. But he can’t help wondering—is Ally falling for the robot or the man? There are some bright spots, things to look forward to, a moment here or there to take a breath. But for the most part the center aisle at Kroger draped in glittering synthetic snow is a sign it’s time to begin weaning myself off that pesky need for sleep. Yeah. Christmas is coming whether I like it or not. HO, HO, HO ... and then I’ll rest. ~Happy Holidays! From Paige~ http://www.paigecuccaro.com QUEEN OF HEARTS, A romantic comedy, Cerridwen Press~ 4 stars RT Magazine a.w.a. ~*~ Alison Paige~*~ I, ROBOT VALENTINE, Coming to Ellora's Cave Feb 7 2007
Wednesday, November 08, 2006  Woohoo! I got my cover art for Intimate Deceptions, to be released in e-book by Cerridwen Press November 30th! Here's a blurb ~________________________ Trapped in a world of suspicion and lies, love was the only way out. Brodie Crawford wanted only one woman in his life – Elena. But when he came home eight years ago and found her married to his best friend, her betrayal was more than he could stand. Now the bastard that took Elena from him has killed a man and fled across the border with the child. Compelled by an emotion he refuses to name, Brodie leaves to help Elena rescue her daughter and finds that they have fallen into an even bigger game of deceit, one with lethal consequences. Embroiled in a world of danger and intrigue, Brodie prays they’ll get out alive. _________________________________________________________ Enjoy! ~ Lise
Tuesday, November 07, 2006 I had dinner with a friend the other night. We had Mexican food, one of my favorites. We discussed just this topic over minty cold mohitos, hot tortilla chips and spicy guacamole. As we happily munched away, I talked to my friend about a certain monthly event I dreaded dealing with each month. It was an event I once truly enjoyed, but now had to force myself to participate in. She looked at me as if I didn't have any remaining brain cells, and said, "It sounds like you've outgrown this. Why are you defending all the reasons you should go, when you don't enjoy it any longer?" The simple logic of her words struck me. I didn't have to go to this monthly event, In fact, I didn't have to participate in it at all, if I didn't choose to. So why was I beating myself up over it? My friend helped me realize that sometimes it's better to let go of something rather than hang on to it, just for the sake of hanging on. It's better to realize it's time to move on, rather than keep on doing the same thing over and over again. This is also part of taking care of yourself. So, as November procceeds, I've made a renewed vow to take care of myself, realize that it's okay to let certain things go, and to be open to change. Until I "speak with you" again on November 21st, I hope you also choose to take care of yourself! Best, Eden Robins www.edenrobins.com After Sundown: Salvation December 14th, 2006
Friday, November 03, 2006 I talk up romances whenever I can -- describing them as empowering, intelligent books. The other day when I was half-jokingly trying to trade one of my PR items (a thumbcuff keychain) for an additional 10% off some men's clothing at Macy's, I chatted up the male clerk, who seemed to have the typical male disdain for the genre. I explained only partially tongue-in-cheek that romance novels were actually instruction manuels for men and that all the men who bemoan never understanding what women want should read romances. ;-) Well, I didn't get that 10% off, but I did plant a seed. Another way I try to get our books out there is I make gift baskets -- which include romance novels -- for local charity fundraiser raffles and silent auctions. These baskets can be helpful in self-promotion as well. So, for example, instead of simply writing the March of Dimes a check last year, I made them 10 baskets, which included romance novels in all subgenres (most I got for free at RWA National's conference). My hope is that non-romance-readers might win a basket and give their free romances a try. Because my background is in PR, I volunteered to write press releases for my local RWA chapter (for their contest and conference) -- sending the releases to local newspapers, as well as radio and TV stations. Not only was I interviewed on one of the nightly news shows ( a VERY scary proposition), but I made an impression on the editor of the local weekly newspaper. And now I occasionally write pro-romance articles for that newspaper. And in each article, I use RWA's industry, author, and reader statistics to promote the genre. I realize that not everyone is an extrovert and comfortable with chatting up strangers or public speaking, but there are lots of speaking opportunities out there for people who want them. You can speak generally on fiction writing -- craft and/or business -- and give romance a plug. Or you can talk to a local group (or local message board) on some element in your book and promote romance, too. For example, I have a Chinese Crested hairless dog in my book, so I'm on the Chinese Crested message board, talking about my virtual "pet" and getting advice on things like crestie diet and idiosyncrasies for the crestie characters in my future books. And while I'm on the message board, I talk a little about romances and e-books. ;-) I guess the bottom line is many romance authors focus solely on the current romance community since it's so large. But I think it's better to try to grow that market while attempting to get a piece of that existing pie. Yes, romance readers are voracious consumers of our product, but why not create more voracious romance readers when we have the chance? -- Marcia James ;-)
Thursday, November 02, 2006 This month, the madness and mayhem involves a trip to Costa Rica (yay!), Thanksgiving, a friend from Ireland visiting, a book release (not with Cerridwen/EC though--that comes in December), and an impending visiting from my mother-in-law. And somewhere in there, as Eilis reminded me, I have to buy Christmas presents! Oh, and I have to edit a novel. And write another. But I have December and January to finish the novels. Anyone else sort of looking forward to the down time of January? Joking aside, I do love this time of year. I even like dressing up in my warmer clothes. That said, I'm really really looking forward to some Costa Rican sun! I'll tell you guys all about the trip when I get back. Happy continuation of the holiday season! And good luck with the madness :) Isabo www.isabokelly.com
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
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