Interview with Linda Andrews

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Linda Andrews. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Gillian. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

I think the synopsis tells some key points, although it does leave out the fact that Gillian’s best friend is the Grim Reaper.


Gillian Grey knows all about men and their desire for money. Aidan Baird is just a rougher version of all her other suitors--a man willing to put up with her dubious ancestry for a share of her money.

Aidan's dream of obtaining a ranch requires a down payment in gold--gold he's willing to earn escorting his boss's daughter around the desert on a "botanical expedition." But Gilly isn't looking for flowers. She's hot on the trail of Jack the Ripper. As the body count mounts, Aidan may have to sacrifice more than money to keep her safe.

Gillian is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Not very creatively, I’m afraid. Gillian is the heroine’s name, but when my editor and I were tossing around names nothing seemed to stick.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

The Victorian era is one of my favorite periods. It saw an explosion in exploration, the foundation of many sciences, and the rise of Science Fiction. Society was in a state of flux and the industrial revolution lead to challenges in established notions. Fortunes were made and lost. Rich Americans crossed to Europe to buy titled husbands and brought back folk lore as well as raided arts and antiquities. Against this backdrop was an acceptance of ghosts, séances, and otherworldly inquiry.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I came up with the idea for the book after watching a History Channel investigation into possible identities of Jack the Ripper. One theory in particular ended on an ominous note—the suspect disappeared into the American West and was never heard from again. So, if Jack the Ripper was killing in such a vast, unpopulated area, who would notice? The only person I could come up with was the person collecting the souls. The Grim Reaper doesn’t exactly make the best hero. That’s were my heroine, Gillian comes in. Gillian has very few friends outside her family and having just publicly jilted her fiancé is looking to get out of town. Seeing her best friend’s distress, she naturally agrees to help but her father won’t let her go without an escort. Enter the hero, who agrees to take her around for a price. Gillian is used to men being around her for money, but nothing can quite prepare her for Aidan.


What are your favorite historical research books and why?

My favorite books are women’s diaries and reformists books. The women’s journals give a glimpse of the day to day things that bring a story to life and the reformists paint a picture of the values and living conditions of the day

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I loved to write Gillian who has a lot of spunk and heart but who is afraid to risk exposing her true self for fear of rejection.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?



My characters develop me; I don’t develop them. One day they just show up and say, ‘Let me tell you what really happened.” I do get to paint in the period details, but even that doesn’t always stick. Gillian hates corsets (can’t blame her) and one of the first things she does upon arriving in Yuma is to take it off. As a Victorian lady, she’s also well aware of what is expected of her. Good thing Aidan is man enough to accept her as she is.



What are some common speech terms, dress modes, transportation or housing facts that you found interesting for your time period?

I loved writing about trains and actually visited the Train Museum in Golden Colorado during my research, plus rode on several different trains too. One fact I made use of is that Yuma, Arizona Territory was destroyed by a flood months before the story opens, steamships used to travel up the Colorado River and carry soldiers to forts up North and their where camels roaming free when the US Army decided they no longer needed them. Gillian doesn’t really have an accent but her speech is very proper, but she cultivates an Irish accent to irritate snobs. Aidan uses traditional English swear words, but has a chip on his shoulder about being Irish. Grismsree is the spirit of a 300 year-old Scotsman and has an attitude to match his been-there-done-that longevity.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I’ve been inspired more by wonderful stories than authors, mostly because I have an impossible time remembering names. I keep a notebook full of words, phrases, savvy lines and lyrics as I read to help me capture the images/emotions when I’m writing.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Networking. Most authors are more than willing to share war stories on the promotion circuit.

What do we have to look forward next?

In September, I have a horror science fiction short story called Intelligent Design. Simply put: When corporations run the universe, life is a commodity to be bought and sold. Also that month, I have a SciFi novel titled Hiding Space. A widow, willing to go to the ends of the Earth to keep her children safe, finds her family kidnapped by aliens, one of whom wants her dead. Next year, Gillian’s sister Fiona will travel to London to find out why her late Aunt and Uncle can’t rest in peace. Of course, she be accompanied by the spirit of her deceased fiancé who is trying his spectral hand at matchmaking.

Thanks, Linda!

Thanks for having me, Kim

To celebrate her book release, Linda Andrews is offering a free book of Gillian to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...


Linda Andrews lives with her husband and three children in Phoenix, Arizona. When she announced to her family that her paranormal romance was to be published, her sister pronounce: "What else would she write? She’s never been normal."

All kidding aside, writing has become a surprising passion. So just how did a scientist start to write paranormal romances? What other option is there when you’re married to romantic man and live in a haunted house?

Check out author’s website at http://www.lindaandrews.net/

Buy http://www.amazon.com/Gillian-Linda-Andrews/dp/1934841927/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277689834&sr=8-1

http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b110300/Gillian/Linda-Andrews/?si=0.

New E-Book to Print-Decadent Publishing House

Decadent Publishing opens August 1, 2010. www.decadentpublishing.com

We'll be offering romance fiction in a wide variety of sub-genres and heat levels, and mainstream fiction with romantic elements. We'll even be doing a line of YA shorts and novellas. Our site will open initially with short stories and novellas, then we'll drop novel-length book on Full Length Fridays.

For our opening, we'll be giving away a Kindle! Amazon will be one of our 3rd party vendors, so this will make it even easier for our readers to access Decadent Publishing's books.

We are dedicated to bettering our community. That's why all publisher profits from one book per month at Decadent Publishing will be going to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life through our 'Read For a Cure' spotlight. I am a volunteer event chairperson in my city for Relay, having been turned on to Relay after losing my father and 2 of my mom's brothers to cancer within just 18 mos. Lisa, my business partner, has also lost people near and dear. So, this was a natural venue for us. We're excited to be making a positive contribution!

Charles Paz, RT's Mr. Romance 2009, is not only going to be the cover model for many of our books, but will also be utilizing his skills in photography for Decadent Publishing.

Heather Bennett-Executive Editor Decadent Publishing

Last chance to win a copy of THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER

That's right, my blog tour ends this week! Join me on:



Wednesday, 7/28 for an INTERVIEW at:
For the Love of Words http://shaunaroberts.blogspot.com/

And on Friday, 7/30 for DOMINIC & CASSANDRA’S LOVE STORY
Including a never-before-seen romantic excerpt, and the song that inspired my hero.

Romance Junkies http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/



Stop by, leave a comment, and you're entered to win! Thanks to all of you that followed me on my tour. It was a lot of fun!

And the wnner is......

Congratulations Peggy. You're the winner of Lucy's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail.com (n spaces) to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Writing Field Trips

As writers we need to get out and experience life, not just write about it. If your characters are eating at an Italian restaurant, you can eat at one as well so you can add realistic description. I recently went on a whale watching tour. I was thrilled to see the whales come so close to our boat. We also stopped for lunch at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island and enjoyed the view from the restaurant porch. One cay my characters will also go on this amazing adventure as well. So don't just sit at home and write. Get out and enjoy life!

Interview with Lucy Monroe

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Lucy Monroe. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I’m very happy to be here. Thanks so much for inviting me!

You're welcome! I understand you have a new release out called The Shy Bride. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

The Shy Bride is the first book in the “Traditional Greek Husbands” duo for Harlequin Presents. The second book, The Greek’s Pregnant Lover will be out August 1st. The mini-series is about two friends who grew up on the streets of Athens, but fought for a better life. They left Greece and their memories to join a ship’s crew and eventually make their way to the States, where they began by flipping houses and ended up with a multi-million dollar real estate development company.
Neo gave up his dreams of home and family years before, but Zephyr isn’t content to see his best friend live for the next deal. Enter Cassandra, a world-renowned composer and pianist who has not performed publicly since her father’s death and rarely leaves her house. Neo turns her life upside down and sideways, realizing somewhere along the way that he wants her as much as he wants to help her.

The Shy Bride is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I didn’t. I don’t title my own books – or at least do so VERY rarely. Not sure what it is about my titles that don’t stick with my editors, but there you have it. However, the title is extremely apropos to the book.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve loved reading Harlequin Presents since I was very young. Writing stories about the ultra alpha male and the heroine meant to tame him is fun and truly rewarding. I’m given free rein to deal with social and pertinent modern health issues for both women and men, though I have a tendency to deal more with women’s issues. The Shy Bride is a great example. The heroine suffers from a combination of agoraphobia with tinges of social phobia – a truly distressing problem affecting far more people than most of us realize. It was fantastic delving into the challenges she faced while writing a sexy and romantic story for her.

Are you a plotter or a pantser and how did it affect the writing of this book?

I plotted the first dozen books I wrote and pantsed the next 38 (though when I get stuck, I’ll sit down and do a scene list or plot cards). This book was a combination of both, with small bursts of plotting every five chapters or so.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

I find that I have to do a lot of research for all my books. Something about the things I choose to write about?  Anyway, I read *a lot* of nonfiction for my fiction. And yes, I do an amazing amount of online research as well. For this two-book series, I researched phobias, debilitating shyness, the treatments for them, the classical/new age music industry, pianos, composers, Greece (video travelogs make great research tools for setting), real estate development and interior design. I had my own personal experience to draw on for the agoraphobia and social phobia, but everything else was pretty new to me. I really enjoyed researching for The Shy Bride and The Greek’s Pregnant Lover because I love learning new things.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

For me, ideas come from everywhere and I’m not always aware of it when they take root. As I mentioned, the heroine’s issues with leaving her house and performing were something I had experience with myself because of thyroid malfunction. The music? Just seemed to fit Cass. The two Greek heroes? My readers *love* Greek heroes and I love writing them. The second book’s heroine, Piper, is an interior designer and that pragmatically came from the question, where/how would this heroine end up in Zephyr’s life and work place – since I already knew the emotional arc of their story? It’s a very organic process for me.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

That’s a bit like asking which of my children do I enjoy the most? And frankly, they each have their moments of glory. I loved writing about Cassandra’s challenges because they allowed me to work through my feelings regarding my own over the past few years. I enjoyed writing about Neo because he was such a strong character, refusing to let his past or circumstances of birth dictate his future. I adored Piper because she was willing to take a chance on love even though it had burned her badly before. Zephyr caught my heart with his wrenching past and need to come to terms with a family that had abandoned him in the present. What can I say? I’m a sucker for emotion.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

They pop into my head and I get to know them as I write. I used to do character sheets, psychological profiles, the works – but now I treat them like new people I meet and get to know in the situations we share through the book.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

I have a full list which I call my MVP wall and you can find a blog I wrote about them some time back here: http://lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/lucys-mvp-wall.html

It’s not a definitive list, but these are the authors I read before I published, the ones who had the most impact on my own writing.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

There is no one promotional event or effort that makes or breaks a book. A well-designed marketing campaign uses multi-faceted promotions that dovetail each other so that the book is getting exposure with its target market in multiple outlets. This is crucial to the success of any promotional effort.

My website hosted on Writerspace is a key element to my promotion for all my books, but then the videos and distribution done for me by COS Productions are just as elemental to me at this point in my career.

What do we have to look forward next?

My 50th book, Close Quarters, a Kensington Brava, will be out September 1. I’m so excited about it as not only will readers get to revisit my Goddard Project series, but I’m introducing a new paramilitary organization that will be the focus of a new series for Brava – the Atrati.

Thanks, Lucy!

To celebrate her book release, Lucy Monroe is offering a signed copy of The Shy Bride the 1st book in the “Traditional Greek Husbands” mini-series to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (Please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Award winning author Lucy Monroe published her first book in September of 2003. Since then she has sold more than 50 books to four publishers and hit national bestsellers lists in the US and England. Her highly charged, sensual stories touch on the realities of life while giving the reader a fantasy story not easily forgotten. Whether it's a passionate Harlequin Presents, a sexy single title for Kensington or a steamy historical or paranormal for Berkley or Samhain, Lucy's books transport her readers to a special place where the heart rules and love conquers all.

Check out author’s website at http://lucymonroe.com.

Writing Tip of the Month

From the gals over at Bootcamp for Novelists-Linda Style and Connie Flynn

http://bootcampfornovelists.com/

THE THREE FUTURES

Each scene must have an outcome or consequence. Outcomes fall into two categories. The character encounters or revisits information that triggers a decision. The outcome of a decision is that the character must act on that decision.

Disaster and/or success trigger three possible futures. First, there is Yes (total success) and No (failure). Both these answers stop the forward movement of your story because conflict vanishes and the result is 'no future,' at least not for this story.

The answers that produce conflict are "Yes, but . . ." which means there's a cost. Yes, you can have the loan to save your farm, but you'll need to put up your mother's farm as collateral.

The other plot-moving answer is "No, and furthermore . . ." As in, "You and your little dog, too."

These are story consequences. As you can see, the future then becomes about more than losing just what you set out to gain. It's now about learning that there's more at stake than your character had the good sense to fear. This is tension, conflict, and it's guaranteed to leave readers biting nails and sitting on the edges of their seats.

"His Personality Ladder" On-Line Class

August 2-27, 2010

"His Personality Ladder"

by Laurie Schnebly Campbell

$30 at http://www.writeruniv.com/


This hands-on workshop tracks the hero's arc through the seven core steps he'll need to climb during his journey from a not-yet-heroic character to one who's fully earned his victory by the end. Of course, the other main characters have their OWN ladders to climb, often in parallel stages...until the finale, when the "reader favorites" reach their ultimate triumph. There's even a ladder for the villain, although in most cases he never makes it to the top!
With plenty of discussion and (always optional) homework, you'll discover:
* Why your hero doesn't think he needs to change
* How to force him into starting his journey
* What road blocks he'll run into, depending on his type
* Who the hero will become, halfway up the ladder
* Where to reveal what the readers have been waiting for
* When other characters will make things better...or worse
Laurie Schnebly Campbell (booklaurie.com) created the Ladder workshop after people from her Psychology, Fatal Flaws and Enneagram classes requested more information on techniques to build compelling fiction. Her debut class generated so many demands for a longer version that she's introducing this expanded course for WriterU, and looking forward to meeting some great new heroes...as well as some she's enjoyed before!

Haven't won a copy of THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER yet?

Then join me today and the rest of the week at any of my guest blog spots below. Leave a comment, and you're entered to win!

TODAY! 7/20 INTERVIEW!
Queen of Happy Endings http://alainereading.blogspot.com/

7/21 WHY I DECIDED TO COMBINE HISTORICAL & FANTASY
Including a new excerpt to show how the fantasy, historical & romantic elements combine in THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER.
Linda Banche Romance Author http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/

7/23 ORGANIC WRITING
A Peek into my Writing Process
Magical Musings www.magicalmusings.com

7/26 HOW TO UNDRESS AN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY LADY
Or, how Dominic Raikes undresses Lady Cassandra. This is an actual writer’s guide to eighteenth century costume.
Night Owl Romance http://nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/

And the winner is.......

Congratulations Jeanette 8042. You're the winner of Kathryne's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail.com (no spaces) to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Writing in Nature

Writing in Nature

While attending my local chapter meetings of Romance Writers of America, I noticed many speakers are asked about their process of writing. We often wonder if the more successful or more prolific author has a secret we have not yet discovered. Many of these authors write every day or almost every day. They might have a particular time or place that they write. Starbucks is mentioned quite often. Others wake up early before work or the kids get up so they have a quiet environment. I found it interesting that one writer checks herself into a hotel room when a deadline is quickly approaching.

I am constantly trying out different locations in search of the best time and place for me to write. Remembering I had once heard that being out in nature enhances your creativity, I decided to write on my porch. Unfortunately, the view pictured is not from my own porch, but from my brother’s deck in Washington State. I live in Arizona and during the first part of summer, I could sit outside early in the morning and work on my book. I did find it a wonderful place for me to be productive. Once the temperatures climbed, it didn’t matter what time I woke up, it was always too hot.

Fortunately, my brother Bob and his wife Beth invited me to their home in the Northwest for a couple of weeks. I could understand why some authors check into hotels. Being away from home keeps you from being distracted by chores or projects that need to be done. The wonderful weather in Washington has allowed me to write outside every morning and their awesome view has added to the whole experience.

So, yes, writing in nature does help enhance your creativity. At least it does mine. So…what am I going to do when I get back to the hot temperatures in Phoenix? I may have to head to the coffee shop in Barnes and Noble, close my eyes occasionally and picture the wonderful view pictured above.

Until next week,

Happy Writing!

Tina LaVon

Interview with Kathryne Kennedy

I’d like to welcome our guest today, our very own Kathryne Kennedy. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

It’s a magical new world of romance, adventure and passion within the Georgian era of England. My half-elven hero, Dominic Raikes, finds that his arranged marriage to Lady Cassandra Bridges brings him much more than he bargained for. Trained as an assassin to murder Dominic’s father, the last thing Cass expects is to fall in love with her new husband. But dark magic and secrets threatens not only their newfound love, but also their very lives.

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The meaning of the title becomes clear toward the end of the book, and since I don’t want to give any spoilers, I’ll have to pass on answering this one.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I started writing a straight historical, kept imagining a new world of magic within that context, and began to combine everything that I love: fantasy, history and romance.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I fell in love with Legolas in Lord of the Rings, and have always been fascinated with the Sidhe, and created a new world with the elven lords as central characters, with my half-blood humans as the heroes and heroines.

What are your favorite fantasy research books, and why?

I don’t have fantasy research books per se, although I have quite a few historical research books. Here are some of my favorites for the eighteenth century:

Costume in Context/The Eighteenth Century by Jennifer Ruby ISBN 071345772
Private Places/Life in the Great London Houses by Christopher Simon Sykes ISBN0670809640
A History of Fashion in Costume/The Eighteenth Century by Anne Rooney 0816059489

Books I own:
Daily Life in Eighteenth Century England by Kirstin Olsen 0313299331
The Hanoverians by Jeremy Black 1852854634
The Story of Britain by Rebecca Fraser 9780393329025

My research into fantasy is comprised of reading lots and lots of fantasy novels. And having a vivid imagination and a love for creating new worlds.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

My elven half-blood hero, Dominic Raikes. With the physical beauty of the elven (and let’s not forget the pointed ears) he became so beautiful in my mind. He’s the most tortured (literally) hero that I’ve ever written. Knowing the pain he went through that made him such a cold man, and realizing that he became that way because he had such a sensitive heart, made me fall for him very hard. His bravery even stunned me at times. He had to have a strong enough heroine to break through that shell, and I had a great time writing Lady Cassandra for him…the only woman who might manage it.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and world affect your character development?

Everything is woven together, sometimes only in my mind. I used to do sheets on all of my characters, including their favorite color, foods, where they went to school, etc. But only a small part of that information actually wound up in my books, and with deadlines I needed to utilize my time more efficiently. So I now use index cards for each of my characters, with their basic information. I shared my character cards here on MCTT, in my June 15th blog post.

How do you go about building your world? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

All of the above. I have posted them on various blogs for my Virtual Tour (my schedule is posted on my personal blog http://www.kathrynekennedy.blogspot.com/), and I will have them up on my website once my tour is over at the end of July.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

So very many, including the inspiration that I receive from my chapter mates in Desert Rose and Valley of the Sun writing groups.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Website, first and foremost. Having a place where readers can stay in touch with you is so important. In conjunction with that: a newsletter, an easy link to email the author, a new release page, purchase links, and some information about your books that only those who visit your website can discover.

What do we have to look forward to next?

The re-release of my first novel, BENEATH THE THIRTEEN MOONS, in paperback in December of this year. And then after that, book two in THE ELVEN LORDS series, currently titled: THE LADY OF THE STORM, where we continue the adventures of Cecily, who you’ll meet in THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER.

Thanks, Kathryne!

To celebrate her book release, Kathryne is offering a free book of THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

Due to a family emergency, Kathryne will be checking in periodically today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away and she'll respond when she can. Thanks.

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER BY KATHRYNE KENNEDY—IN STORES JULY 2010

Kathryne Kennedy's historical fantasy romances have garnered awards and a growing readership. This exciting new series, set against the lavish backdrops of Georgian and Victorian England so beloved by romance readers, is deliciously dark and exciting.

Fighting for control of a kingdom that is split into seven domains, Elven warlords use their human slaves to breed an endless supply of soldiers for their armies. Dominic Raikes, the half-blood son of the Elven Lord himself is one such warrior. Betrothed to Lady Cassandra, who has been raised in a convent to keep her pure, he little suspects that she's been secretly trained as an assassin to murder his father. Dominic and Cassandra soon discover that each one is not what they seem, but the price of trust may be their very lives, and the destruction of the magical realm each is desperately trying to save…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryne Kennedy is a multipublished, award-winning author of magical romances. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives in Arizona with her wonderful family—which includes two very tiny Chihuahuas. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at: www.KathryneKennedy.com.

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Borders
BooksAMillion
Chapters/Indigo
Kathryne’s Bookseller Directory

August Bootcamp for Novelists

Bootcamp for Novelists August On-Line Classes

http://bootcampfornovelists.com/

LINDA'S COURSE

August 1 - August 28
3P ESCALATING CONSEQUENCES
Pro writers know how to keep each scene simmering with expectation by highlighting external situations and internal conflict to create high drama. This course covers just that topic and you'll never again wonder what to do with that boring but necessary scene.


FEE: $25

ENROLL NOW!

CONNIE'S COURSES

August 1 - August 28

4B STORY CONFLICT
Without conflict there is no story. But what is conflict and how does it affect character and plot? It stems from the obstacles to the character's goal and from the consequences of character action. This course will focus on increasing obstacles and consequences until conflict sizzles on every page.

FEE: $25

9B REWRITING & REVISING
The most exciting day of your writing life is the day you finish your book. That's soon followed by days of revisions which can be painfully less exciting. Still, the process can be made easier, and it should be rewarding. After all, this is your last chance to polish and shine the baby you worked so hard to bring into the world. This course teaches a series of steps that keep revisions organized and let you avoid reworking the same sections again and again, while coming out with the best book that's in you.


FEE: $25

Bootcamp Fees Go Up Aug 1

The bad news is we have to raise fees to $28/course, not a life-changing amount, but it still adds to the cost. The good news is that we will honor registrations for ALL courses at the old $25 rate until August 1, including the new Spotlights series.

So if you already have your future courses picked out, this is a good time to lock in the old rate. And, if you haven't planned that far ahead, you can get the old rate for next month's course.

My blog tour continues...

Stop by any of the blogs this week, leave a comment, and you'll be entered to win a copy of THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER:

7/13 MY PRIVATE NOTES OF THE ELVEN LORDS SERIES
Are no longer private! A combination of my research, the original creation of the world and a peek at plot elements that haven’t been revealed yet.
Literary Escapism http://www.literaryescapism.com/

7/14 ORGANIC WRITING
A peek into my writing process.
Magical Musings www.magicalmusings.com

7/15 INTERVIEW!
The Life (and lies) of a Flying Inanimate Object http://www.haleymathiot.blogspot.com/

7/16 INTERVIEW! Right here!
http://muchcheaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

7/19 INTERVIEW!Anna’s Book Blog http://annavivian.blogspot.com/

And the winner is.....

Wow. What a turnout. Thanks for stopping by and leaving comments everyone. My prize-drawing cup was quite full this morning. Congratulations Connie T. You're the winner of Cynthia's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail.com (no spaces) to claim your prize.

The True Secret Experiment

The True Secret Experiment

When I first began telling you about The Secret, I
intended to tell you which items I wanted to manifest
and then share with you if they came to me and how.
At the time, I had some mixed feeling about items
I wanted so I didn’t fully put myself out there.
Interestingly enough, I did get the one I was most
conflicted about, which was my Netbook. It came to
me for free through a rewards program. Since then, I
have had many small items come to me within a month
or two of “wishing” for them. So, I decided it was time
for the true experiment.

Many writers are looking for the magic ingredient that
will help them sell. After watching the DVD, The Secret, I
became a happier person and found the magic of the universe.
I know that through The Secret I have learned to believe I
deserve good things in life, which an important key to this, and
I have learned to dream bigger. Erin Quinn shared at
a writer’s meeting that after learning about The Secret,
she bought an ad in Romantic Times magazine
for a book she hadn’t sold yet –
And
she did sell it.

In The Secret, they recommend starting small at first.
My list of what I intend to manifest starts small
and gets bigger. They are all material items so it is easier to
watch how they appear and notice the magic involved.
We’ll see what happens.


My List:

-A Cross Pen (or something better)
-A Large Planter (to transplant Aloe Vera plants to my porch)
-A Food Warmer (for transplanting food to school potlucks)
-A Scanner for my computer
-New Flooring for my condo
-A Reliable Car with Low Gas Mileage



Next Sunday I’ll tell you how I plan to go about
manifesting these items using The Secret.

Interview with Cynthia Eden

I’d like to welcome our guest again today, Cynthia Eden. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release coming out soon called DEADLY FEAR. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Yes, thanks so much for asking! DEADLY FEAR is the first book in my new “Deadly” romantic suspense series for Grand Central Publishing’s Forever line. In DEADLY FEAR, readers will be introduced to agents in the FBI’s elite Serial Services Division (the SSD). These agents track and apprehend serials—killers, kidnappers, arsonists, and rapists.

DEADLY FEAR is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Well, in DEADLY FEAR, the killer turns his victims’ worst fears into reality, so the title DEADLY FEAR seemed to fit well. Though I can’t take credit for this title—my lovely editor Alex Logan came up with it!

Would you describe your book as a cozy, mystery, suspense, or thriller?

I’d describe the book as a mix between a romantic suspense and a thriller. My heroine and hero must race to stop a serial killer, but, as they are tracking him…he is hunting them, too.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Previously, I had written what I considered paranormal romances, but in these books, suspense elements just kept slipping into the stories! So, I thought I’d try my hand at writing a straight romantic suspense (without my beloved vampires or demons), and DEADLY FEAR was born. (Don’t get me wrong—I still love writing my paranormals! DEADLY FEAR just gave me a chance to branch out a bit.)

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I have always been interested in the ways serial killers are profiled, so I knew that I wanted my heroine, Monica Davenport, to be a profiler. It was actually from her career that the entire story developed. I wanted to give her a challenging killer to profile, and I wanted this killer to force Monica to face her own greatest fears—and the demons from her past.

Do you have all the key suspense/mystery elements thought out before you begin writing?

For this book, I actually wrote out a very detailed synopsis in advance. I plotted all the twists and turns because I knew exactly where I wanted to take Monica and her lover (& partner) Luke Dante.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book? What are your favorite research books or sites?

Oh, yes, this book was very research intensive! The Internet, of course, is always a great source of help. But I also have about 5-6 crime scene and criminal psychology books that I also used. My favorite? THE CRIMINAL MIND by Katherine Ramsland.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Tough call! I had a great time writing about my heroine, Monica Davenport. But she was very challenging. Monica is one of the strongest, but most damaged heroines I’ve ever created. However, my favorite character in DEADLY FEAR is Special Agent Luke Dante. Luke is a man who will do anything to protect the woman he loves—strong, dedicated, and not afraid to take a bullet…how could he not be my favorite character?

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research affect your character development?

I actually let my characters develop over the course of the story. Sometimes, they surprise me and I learn things about them that I never anticipated when I first started the tale. I do keep a listing as I write, though, that shows the dominant traits that I associate with my characters.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

So many authors inspire me! I love Shannon McKenna’s romantic suspense novels…and I’ve always been a fan of Anne Stuart’s RS tales. Dark and sexy—these books hooked me!

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Great question…and I have no clue. I have back-to-back releases this summer (I’LL BE SLAYING YOU, my paranormal romance, released on 6/29 and DEADLY FEAR will release on 7/27), so to promote both releases, I’ve been running a “Deadly Days of Summer” blog event. I’ve had a ton of guest authors come by and blog commenters are winning lots of prizes. Is it effective promotion? I can’t say for sure, but it is fun.

Folks are welcome to come visit www.cynthiaeden.com/blog to get in on my Deadly Days.

What do we have to look forward next?

I will be in a Christmas anthology this Fall. THE NAUGHTY LIST will release on 9/28/2010. Also, ETERNAL FLAME, the third book in my paranormal bounty hunter series (my Night Watch series) will release in December of 2010. Then, I will have back-to-back romantic suspense releases in early 2011. DEADLY HEAT will release in 02/2011, and DEADLY LIES will release in 03/2011.

Thanks, Cynthia!

Thank you! I had a great time answering the interview questions.

To celebrate her book release, Cynthia Eden is offering a free copy of DEADLY FEAR to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio.
Cynthia Eden writes paranormal romance novels for Kensington Brava and romantic suspense novels for Grand Central Publishing. She loves horror movies, visiting the beach, and long, southern nights.

Check out author’s website at www.cynthiaeden.com

Buy http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Fear-Cynthia-Eden/dp/0446559245/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276136336&sr=8-1.

Save The Octopus

Kim Watters here. We're on vacation at the beach a few weeks ago, in Rocky Point, Mexico. That in itself is another story, and not for the feint of heart. So, my daughter and I are out early in the morning hunting for seashells, minding our own business when we hear a scream.

Being curious souls and realizing there is no one else on the beach except us and two other ladies, my young daughter and I go to investigate what the ladies are pointing at on the sand. At first we didn’t see the two gelatinous globs of brown speckled things with eight arms until we were almost on top of them. I immediately conjured up images of fried calamari and had a hard time reconciling the two. Not that I for a minute thought about the possibilities of dinner that night.

Anyway, these poor creatures got washed up with the rough tide the night before and were at least twenty yards from sea. Hmmm. We can’t just leave them there, so one the other ladies took her hat off and was trying to douse them with water. Each time she did, their heads would enlarge and the blow hole would go off. Really creepy.

So now there are four of us standing around pointing at these octopuses trying to figure out how to get them back into water. I certainly wasn’t going to touch the squishy, filmy, slimy things. The hat wasn’t really working at holding much water so I *gasp* sacrificed my coffee so we’d have a cup and a much better way to keep them hydrated while we put our heads together. Finally I realized I was holding a bucket full of shells.

Tada. I dumped my shells into my daughter’s bucket and scooped up the poor fellow and ran with him to the sea. I waded into the surf, put the bucket in the water and turned it over.

I’m sure by now you’re shaking your heads. That’s right. Everything but the octopus spilled out of the bucket. Our hapless friend has suctioned himself to the bottom. Great. I already broke a glass the night before, now I’m going to have to e-mail the condo owner that his bright, red bucket has been sacrificed to Poseidon to save the sea life. (Of course we still have the other one to deal with, too.)

Fast forward to the security guard at the resort. I’m sure the last thing he wanted to do before he got off his shift was get his shoes wet prying an octopus loose, but Luis was a real “hero” about it. He finally managed to convince our friend that he was safer in the tide pool than with a big stick poking him in the head.

Number two went without a much of a fight at all.

So what does this have to do with writing? Aside from a story scene? Double hmmm.

How many of you have felt like our poor octopuses, trapped in unfamiliar territory and in limbo? You can see the ocean or the publishing contract, you just can’t figure out how to get there. How many of you have felt paralyzed with fear about submitting or finishing the book, or even decided to start writing, and suctioned yourself to the bottom of a bucket? You’re safe for now, but outside it’s a big people eat octopus world.

Relax, there are always people willing to help you along the way, be it us beach combers or God, or your writing friends, critique partners, family, agents or editors. We’re all in this sea of life together. We’re all God’s children, whether we have two legs or eight. So what are you waiting for? Get out of the bucket and live. What’s the worse that could happen?

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER is in bookstores!

Official Release Announcement

THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, the first book in Kathryne Kennedy’s new fantasy romance series, THE ELVEN LORDS, is now available wherever books are sold. This unique blend of historical, fantasy and romance has reviewers and readers taking notice:

"As darkly imaginative as Tolkien, as richly romantic as Heyer, Kennedy carves a new genre in romantic fiction."~Erin Quinn, author of Haunting Warrior

A Tolkien-esque world combined with an eighteenth-century historical romance produces a satisfying tale with twists you'll never expect. Excellent!"~NYT bestselling author Jennifer Ashley

"This enthralling story combines magic and realism as its excellent plot reaches out with great depth of emotion, heart-stopping action and characters easy to care about wrapped in a passionate love story. "~Romantic Times BOOKReviews

Kathryne Kennedy's historical fantasy romances have garnered awards and a growing readership. This exciting new series, set against the lavish backdrops of Georgian England so beloved by romance readers, is deliciously dark and exciting.

Fighting for control of a kingdom that is split into seven domains, Elven warlords use their human slaves to breed an endless supply of soldiers for their armies. Dominic Raikes, the half-blood son of the Elven Lord himself is one such warrior. Betrothed to Lady Cassandra, who has been raised in a convent to keep her pure, he little suspects that she's been secretly trained as an assassin to murder his father. Dominic and Cassandra soon discover that each one is not what they seem, but the price of trust may be their very lives, and the destruction of the magical realm each is desperately trying to save…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryne Kennedy is a multipublished, award-winning author of magical romances. She’s lived in Guam, Okinawa, and several states in the U.S., and currently lives in Arizona with her wonderful family—which includes two very tiny Chihuahuas. She welcomes readers to visit her website where she has ongoing contests at: www.KathryneKennedy.com.

Price $7.99 US
ISBN-10: 1402236522
ISBN-13: 978-1402236525
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fire-Lords-Lover/Kathryne-Kennedy/e/9781402236525/?itm=8

http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781402236525?id=4680768960066

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Fire-Lords-Lover-Kathryne-Kennedy/9781402236525-item.html

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?sku=1402236522

http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/BooksellerDirectory.html

http://astore.amazon.com/kathkennauth-20

And the winner is......

Congratulations Diana. You're the winner of Meagan's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters21 (at) hotmail.com (no spaces) to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

Independence for the Writer

Independence Day
for the
Writer


In the United States we are
celebrating our independence.
Many of us spent the day with friends, talking,
eating, and perhaps drinking. Many writers
did not take the day completely off though.
As you can see, I am writing this blog post.
We are dedicated to our craft, yet we are
also often our own worst enemy.

I got to thinking about the day. We
may be physically free, but we might not
be emotionally free.

Our own negative thoughts often keep
us from achieving our dreams. Some
of us are afraid of success. Some believe
they don't deserve to make the best
seller's list because they have to put
years of sweat into their writing. Some
believe they don't deserve to have a good
life due to childhood traumas
or religious doctrine.
Others may be afraid their friends or
relatives would be jealous and not like
them any longer.

I used to dream small. I didn't believe
I deserved to be successful because of
my childhood and because I was a newbie once.
Then a friend showed me the DVD of
The Secret and it changed my life. Just
following the practice of saying what you
are grateful daily will create a state of
happiness that can be powerful.
Once I was happy, I began to realize I
deserved the same as I would want
for my own child.

Along with watching The Secret, I listened
to books on CD by Wayne Dyer, Jerry and Esther
Hicks, Mike Dooley, Joe Vitale, etc. I learned
I could decide my future. I wrote out what I wanted
to achieve in my life and I tell myself I already
have that lifestyle. For example, you could
say, "I have a successful writing career. Stories
come to me easily and frequently. I write daily."
By doing this, I was able to overcome my
own self doubts and negative talk. I was afraid I
wouldn't get back my thirst for writing after I had
burnt out two years ago, but I am back to writing
daily and I love my story!

I am currently listening to a book on CD called The
Greatest Secret of All by Marc Allen. He suggests
You start your affirmations with “In an easy,
relaxed manner- In a healthy and
positive way...”

After you become grateful for what you have,
feel happy, write and say what you want
your future to look like, visualize it daily.

So...recognize what may be holding you back
and free yourself.

Independence is Yours!


Until Next Week,
Happy Writing,
Tina LaVon

Interview with Meagan Hatfield

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Meagan Hatfield. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Sure! Declan Black is one of the last dragon lords. The vampire horde, ruled by their evil queen is on the verge of winning their century’s long battle. Then an item is discovered that when wielded against his dragon kind it can enslave or destroy them, Declan risks going into the bowels of the hordes catacomb hell to retrieve it. However, when he finds an angel in the shape of his enemy’s daughter, will he be able to resist the fire of lust she kindles within him? Or will he risk everything to quench the burning desire?

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Actually, I didn’t. Marketing changed the title after HQN acquired the book. I had originally titled it DRAGON FIRE. But I really like the SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE title though and think it fits the book nicely.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I had written a dark paranormal novella back in 2006 and fell in love with the world and characters I’d created. Not to mention, I wanted to write something I’d enjoy reading and I very much enjoy paranormal romance. So, I knew I wanted something dark, sexy, violent and yet something I hadn’t read yet – not to say that something wasn’t out there – just that I hadn’t read it yet. I mean, that’s the best part of being a writer…being able to think up the perfect book you would like to read and then tackle trying to write it. Of course, most writers are neurotic perfectionists (or at least I am) so the book they imagined never seems to get on the page just quite how they pictured it. But that is what critique partners and editors are for. *smiles*

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

The scene with Alexia and Declan in the dungeon – Chapter One I believe it is now – came to me first. So, I just sat down and wrote it. I’d written a novella featuring Declan’s parents back in 2006 and had this world and its beings percolating in my mind for a bit. So when that scene popped up, I wrote it first, asked questions later. It took a few tweaks and crazy turns to end up with the book that will be released today. But my editor is fabulous and really helped iron out many of the holes and details I was too close to see. I <3>

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Sites? There are paranormal research sites!?! Argh! I didn’t know that. Guess I’d have to go with Google as mine then, since that’s what I use if the need arises. ;) As for books, I have a couple of paranormal books on dragons, vampires, Dracula and the occult, but I don’t really use them much at all. I’m the queen of making stuff up! Lol! I knew what I wanted the characters to do, what powers I wanted them to have as well as what weaknesses. So, I sort of just went for it!

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Right now, I’d have to say Tallon, the hero, Declan’s sister. For the longest time, I really struggled with writing heroines. Everyone always told me I had my heroes nailed down tight. But they would say my female characters needed work or weren’t fully fleshed out, what have you. So I spent an agonizing amount of time getting under their skin, going the route of a method actor almost, to really try and understand the female characters from the inside out so I could translate them better to the readers. Well, Alexia as a character truly touched me. However, Tallon has stuck with me.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

Characters always come first to me. It’s like they appear, start talking and I have to try and figure out where they are and what’s going on. I had written a story featuring Declan’s parents back in 2006, so I had a pretty good idea that the species would work well as both adversaries and lovers. Granted, for me it’s all about characters. It wasn’t so much that these two came from different races for me, but more an unfolding of how these two souls came together and stayed together. Love always finds a way. It’s the path that makes it interesting.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

The thing to remember with world building is to keep it simple. This is where it can get sticky. You don’t want to go overboard and make every element of your novel strange and overly detailed. This will only jar the reader, making it harder for them to suspend disbelief and continue reading. Instead, the goal should be to ensure the world you’ve created feels believable and comfortable.

One way to do this in your story is to keep certain thoughts, ideas or character behaviors within it familiar. For example, if you have a centaur warrior as your hero, give him an obsession for watching old movies, or peanut butter cookies. It will humanize him in the readers mind, making him more relatable. Harry Potter may be learning how to fly a broom or fight a fire-breathing dragon, but he’s doing these magical, crazy things in a school.

A normal, familiar setting we can all relate to. Ideally, you want even your most bizarre creatures to have some human characteristics otherwise you risk disinterest from the readers. Perhaps there are demons from the underworld in your story. Try having them addicted to things like chocolate, sex or air conditioning. Personally, I thought the aliens in ROSWELL were interesting because they put Tabasco sauce on everything. *smiles*

Now, the pitfall with this modus operandi is making the world you build too similar to our own. To avoid this, think of it like cooking. You don’t want to have so much seasoning in the dish that you can’t recognize the main ingredient. The same goes for world building. The idea is to pepper the book and/or your characters with common ideas, objects, behaviors, etc. Flavor is the objective and balance is key.

All of that said, I don’t use maps (unless it’s of a real city I’ve never been to) or elaborate drawings or charts. I DO have a series binder that I keep everything I might have to remember in. But that is just for organizational purposes, not creativity. ;)

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Everybody who has the passion and drive to pick up the pen and write - published or not - inspires me on a day to day basis. When it comes to my favorite writers, wow - I have so many auto-buy authors: Angela Knight, Gena Showalter, Lori Devoti, Ann Voss Peterson, Eden Bradley, Kresley Cole, Shari Anton… Now, finding the time to read all of them is another story.

My to-be-read bookshelves are overflowing (yes, I said bookshelves, not stacks or piles.) I also have many great books by great new-to-me authors I can’t wait to discover. I won’t even tell you who some of these new-to-me authors are, it’s embarrassing! I catch flack from friends all the time for being so behind.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Well, I can’t really tell yet, since the book isn’t out (or just will be by the time this interview is up.) But I can say that social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have really been an awesome way to connect me to readers and fans.

What do we have to look forward next?

I have a dark paranormal romance novella, DRAGON WARRIOR coming out July 1st from Harlequin Nocturne Bites. It’s a prequel of sorts and takes place in the days leading up to the events in SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE. It tells the story of Kestrel Grey, dragon warrior and captain of the legionnaires and the dragon’s resident healer, Sparrow “Doc” Rose.

Thanks, Meagan!

Thank you for having me here today! If you’d like more information about me, my books, fun extras, excerpts, contests, links, promo items, signed bookplates or if you would like to join my newsletter or street team, check out my website – www.meaganhatfield.com

Also, please feel free to email me at meagan@meaganhatfield.com and let me know what you think of Declan and Alexia or any of my characters. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

To celebrate her book release, Meagan is offering a free book of SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio: An only child, Meagan read voraciously and always had a passion for the written word. She even wrote a young adult romance novel in high school. However her main passion had always been for dance. She left California for Colorado to pursue a degree in the arts instead. Little did she know she wouldn't like the frigid winters found living at the foot of the Rockies. Or that she'd one day decide the dancing (and the weather) was much better in LA. After a few years at CSU, she moved back to the warm California sun.

Currently, Meagan lives back in the cold (don't ask her why) near Madison, Wisconsin with her two kids and beloved Himalayan cat. She still loves to dance. In fact, Meagan’s a certified Zumba Instructor who can be found shakin' it with the other gym rats all week long.

Check out author’s website at: http://www.meaganhatfield.com

Buy it: HQN borders powells barnes&noble amazon books-a-million bookdepository chapters indiebound target

It's a Grand Old Flag

Have a safe, happy 4th of July Weekend.

In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.

Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.

Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.