Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday Flirts!

I have to start today with a *squee!* I got my release date for You'll Think of Me. Mark your calendar for November 22, 2010. Those of you who helped me work like a dawg on that story know Cade is one of the characters closest to my heart. Bringing him to life on the written page was hard and emotional, but I'm glad I did. I only hope readers see him as I did--a brave, wounded hero in need of his special girl.

Also, I worked again like a dawg to get my edits in for My Immortal. Yuppers, the edits are in and with the editor, so we'll see how many things I missed. Storm is my favorite vamp so far, and yes, I've written some others.



Where am I with the other stories? Spinning my wheels. Yup. I should have them farther along than I do, but gee.... Life gets in the way.

So a bit more promo and then I'm off.

Sunday marks the first day of the 3rd Anniversary of Long and Short of It Romance Reviews. Those of you who know me know they are near and dear to me. And hey, if you play the scavenger hunt, you could win a NOOK! Heck yeah, a nook is a great gizmo to have. I love my ereader. And did I mention, I'm one of the participants? Awww, you guessed it, Bethany... (and if you can name the movie that line comes --adapted a bit--from...)



BANNER TIME!!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Thursday Thank You!

This week's thank you goes to Lora Leigh. Now if you've had the pleasure of meeting her, you will understand what I'm talking about.

When I met her down in Cincy for the Lori Foster Reader/Author Get Together last year, instead of talking down to me, or acting like I wasn't there, she sat at the table and laughed with us.

Now, you probably know by now that I am a TMI princess and love me a dirty joke or two. She cracked us (and yes, I wasn't the only one at the table) up with jokes, stories, little snippets of works to come, and was genuinely tickled that I brought Wild Card to have autographed.

(Did I mention I am also a fan girl? Duh.)




And when we asked her questions about the business of writing, she ANSWERED THEM, with details. I don't know about you, but there are a lot of authors who get to a certain point and refuse to share information. Lora Leigh's approach was more of the "I've been there and done this, learn from my mistakes." Heck yeah, I listened.

So for that, I say thanks. Just being friendly and wanting to spend time with fans is pretty darn cool in my book.

Okay, signing out before I sound mushy. (And I sound mushy so well....)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

A Review! A Review!

I had to share this because I needed a good word today.

Dark Diva Reviews

Now this was a nice review. Thanks to Deb from Dark Diva Reviews.

Deb's Review :

Must Be Doing Something Right by Wendi Zwaduk is a short spicy treat that will leave you melting as you turn the last page. Courteney and Nate’s story is not lacking in heart or heat. Nothing prepared me for such a delightful story. Courteney, is a fun strong heroine. Any reader can connect with her easily. Being done with men who have done her wrong, should she risk it again? To her surprise, in walks Nate, the one she wants. Being a playboy, could Nate love just her? Anything is possible with her dreams and the man who stars in them.

Nate, sweet, compassionate and rightly handsome just wanted to be liked for himself not his money. His feelings for his best friend Court comes to a head when he spends one unforgettable night in complete undiluted passion with her. . It will be interesting to see where this takes them both. Can these two make it out unscaved after their first round of office sex?

Wendi Zwaduk kept this story flowing nicely. The highlight for me was when Nate and Court truly realized what they were missing. This is a short story that I am proud to say, has made it to my “re-read” list.

If you want a great book to heat up your Summer then pick up Must Be Doing Something Right by Wendi Zwaduk and let the story flow through you.

Rated 5 Delightful Divas by Deb!

What the? Wednesday

Today for What the? Wednesday I wanted to talk about the dozens of trailers in movies.

You guessed it, I took the youngling to see a movie and we got there only ten minutes prior to the LISTED time. I figured we'd see some trailers. We were early. But it took, no joke, another 20 minutes past the listed time for the movie to start. Granted, they want you to see bits of other movies so you'll go back and see another movie, but come on. 20 minutes?

I dunno about you, but it's not what draws me back into the theatre. I'm looking at this from the standpoint of a parent. The kid is there to see the MOVIE not the trailers. Get it moving already.

I think the same thing about books, too. If I buy an ebook, which I do frequently, I don't want fifteen pages of previews at the end of the book. That's (IMHO) what blurbs are for. I hate thinking, gee, this is gonna be a great book. OOh, over 200 pgs, nice. Only to get 160 pgs in and find that, WHAM-O! I'm at the end and it's rushed, but also there are a gazillion pages of crap. I have been known not to read the book again.

Now, if you're an author, most likely, you CAN'T control this. Nope. It's the publishers. I know it happens, but it's still irksome.

Ok, jumping down off my soapbox. Gotta get some work done.

Toodles.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Monday Moans

Just a moment while I flip on a light. The gentle glow of the computer screen just isn't enough for me to see what I need to type and since I'm better at spying than typing anyway.


Ok, I'm back. So I'm sure you're wondering who Wendi let loose on her blog. Drum roll please! I'm Storm Richardson, nice to make your acquaintance. I'm posting this now because I am a vampire.


Shocked? Well, so is Stevie, but I'm gently convincing her its not a bad thing. I could look at her all night, feel her soft skin against mine, smell the sweet rose of her... Oh, but you want more about me...ahem.


What do you want to know? I like rock and roll music... the darker the better. (You saw that coming, didn't you? Meh.) I prefer to work by moonlight rather than lamplight. I've had at least five jobs in my deadtime. What? I've boxed, worked on a train--loading and unloading, and private investigating, among others.


At one time, I was a Puritan and lived through the Salem Witch Trials. I sleep nude and prefer to be cuddled up to someone warm--Stevie.


Want to know more about me? Well, I guess you have to read my story My Immortal. Since I'm the immortal, it looks like you have to figure out who I belong to. But I tell you, in my 340 years, no regrets.


Ah, but it's also almost 4. I need to pull the curtains and settle in for the day.


Good day. See you in the night time.


Friday, July 23, 2010

Flirty Friday

So we are at the end of the week and it's time for Flirty Friday!

I am just about at the end of my Farmer. Yes, I used my summers helping at my grandparents farm as fodder for the story. I have just a tad left and hope to have it to a CP by tonight.

As for the others... well... they're temporarily on the back burner because I have half a zillion other things to get to first. But I have an outline for Gypsy, one for Rhett, and some major edits on Jaden, but hey, if you aren't working, you're bored...I know I am.

Plus edits should be rolling in for My Immortal. YAY!

(Love this ad? So do I! Want one like it? Go to Goddess Fish. You won't be disappointed. I'm not.)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Thank You, Thursdays

This week I wanted to give a shout out to a writer who gave me an extra nudge when I was a tad lost and not sure how to get my buns in gear with my writing career.

Back about five years ago, I had these three manuscripts I thought were boff-o. Yeah, really great. There was one or two issues. One: I had sent them out to publishers and gee... no takers. Wonder why? Cuz they weren't polished enough. Duh. Two: I wasn't sure who to send them to. For some ridiculous reason, I thought I should go right to the top and send to Harlequin because if they saw I was plucky, they'd give me a shot. No.

I didn't lose faith, but I did gain some sense.

I joined some romance groups on yahoo... Read voraciously (I had since I learned to read, but I upped the ante) and made contacts. God bless the day I made contacts.

Who? The person I wanted to thank. Lori Foster.

Now don't think that I expected something from her, or pestered her into helping me. Nope. She's just a genuinely nice person. I posted a question asking for a bit of direction and she said, come to Cincy and meet editors. They might not take anything you've written, but in-person meetings are invaluable.

And wonder of wonders, she was spot on. Yup. I went to Cincy, met editors, got turned down yet again, but I made connections. They put a face to a name and saw my drive. Apparently it worked.

But I have to thank Lori for not only writing awesome stories that I read to improve my craft, but also for being approachable so I could actually learn something.

So thank you Lori Foster. You're one of my role models and friend.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

What The? Wednesdays

This is a complaint pure and simple. Thought I'd better preface it and get that part right out.

This is also something I am terribly guilty of as well.

Characters that have a skill one moment, and then the next POOF! it's gone. You know what I mean? Example: my vampire, Storm. The guy has supercharged senses. Why not? He's my vampire. But my issue? Trying to REMEMBER he had the power he had. There's a lot to remember, I know.

So in all reality, I sympathize with the authors that forget or make the super all the sudden a little more human. It means the author is human.

Now back to my complaint. The books where the super gains a power in one frickin scene. In the beginning of the book, he can leap tall buildings with a single bound, but in the middle when she's stuck on the top of the Empire State Building with the monkey, he has to climb it like any other Joe.

Or, better yet, he DOESN'T have the power untilhe needs it, then all the sudden it materializes. To me, that's like the author said, oh crap, I wrote the hero into a corner and now I have to get him out. What do I do? INVENT A POWER! If he's psychic and that's the moment he accepts and USES his gift, but he's had it all along, that's one thing. Otherwise,--and I hate this word--it sounds contrived. I got myself into a jam and this was the only way I knew to get out.

And really? It short-changes the reader, too. If the only way he can save her is to snap his fingers and plunk them into a parallel universe that didn't exist up until that part in the book, then I want to toss the book across the room never to be opened again. And yes, it doesn't matter if it's a tried and true author or a new to me author. I'll pitch a book across the room.

My point? Take an extra moment, day, week, whatever... and let the character tell you what they want to do. Don't just make them. Trust me, that's fixing yourself up for a pissed off hero. Been there, done that. If you take the extra time and care, it'll pay off big-time.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Monday Moans

Wendi stepped out of the office for a few hours today and asked one of the boys to write a post for Monday Moans. She said we needed to introduce ourselves, let the readers know who we are, why we're moan-worthy...and to have fun with it. I'm all about having fun. So I chose to go first. Oh, and I exerted my overt dominant tendencies and locked Logan in the closet. For some stranger reason he thought he needed the limelight. And he wonders why I don't carry movies at my store...

Oh, but you're here to meet me. Blushing. I occasionally get ahead of myself.

Who am I? Well, glad you asked. My name is Savion Welles and I am a proud owner of The Feathered Edge Bookseller. Yes, I sell books all day and love the scent of a brand new paperback.

Want to know more?

Good, I'm in a chatty mood. A gentleman doesn't share his age, but I will tell you I am happily involved with the bartender-slash-pizzeria owner of my dreams, Arran Mayes. Oh, and we just got a pair of cats. I tend to let my emotions rule my actions, even though I know it'll get me into trouble. It's a gift.

Now about that bookstore...why a bookstore? Besides having an affection for the scent of ink and paper (sounds a bit kinky, doesn't it?), I love the written word. There is something beautiful aboout being able to describe the exact moment a kiss happens, to feel the texture of his lips, to hear the rumble of his strained voice, and scent of desire in the air. Sigh.

I need to hunt down Arran.

But before I go... where can you find me? You need to read Learning How to Bend and Must Be Doing Something Right. You'll find me eventually.

Enjoy your day and make sure you read a book (in addition to this post).

~Sav

Friday, July 16, 2010

Flirty Friday

Today's the day of the week where I decided to share a little of the in-progress stuff I have going on.

I turned in the submission for Arran's story, Tanged Up. This (I think), is the final story in the group. I could be convinced to do one more, but it all depends on response. If I'm asked to write a story for one of the secondary characters, I'll give her her story.

So what's on the horizon?

In My Immortal, my PI has a sister who is screaming for her own story. It just so happens that she decided to finally TELL me her story. When I get five minutes to sit down and write it, I think it'll be a good story.

Do you remember my story You'll Think of Me? It's one of my Air Force stories. It was picked up by Total-E-Bound and should come out this November. There is a wise-cracking secondary character named Rhett. I've had plenty of people ask me for his story because they loved him and wanted to know what he's up to. Well, fear not. Rhett is as talkative as Gypsy, but he's not quite so joyous right now about how things are playing out. I think he'll be happy in the long run, but he can't have everything he wants--right now.

I am going back to my farmer and getting him in shape. Funny how every time I think he's ready to go to a publisher, it's not quite right. It will be. (I hope.)

And one of these moments I am going to get back to my reunion story. Tanner and Macy really want me to give them their say. Ah, but that means bugging the CP, too. :)

I also have an idea for a menage story for this spring. Music and threesomes. We'll see. I can't tell you everything.

So there's the flirts. You know things are in the works and coming together.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Thank You Thursday

Today I thought I'd post a kudos. There are lots of people who helped get me where I am and gave me that little extra nudge to get my fanny in gear.

Drumroll please.

My first thank you goes to my PIC and originaly crit partner Angie. We don't live nearby each other anymore and I wish I could see her more often.

She read parts of Right and Learning before they were anywhere close to publishing worthy. She pushed me to keep writing even when I got the 37 rejection letters, including one from Harlequin. From the beginning, she's been the blunt voice in my ear saying, hey, you're going about this all wrong.

She intends to be a writer herself and I hope one of these days she can get the time to sit down and do more than just re-edit rough drafts. I know she's got more than one great novel in her.

So thanks Ang. You rock.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

What the? Wednesday

So, to continue my little jaunt into a bit of a theme, today and most other Wednesdays, are going to be What the? Wednesdays. Why?

Sometimes you just need to vent. Get that one particular thing off your chest. Or in my case, try not to soapbox. I promise not to get preachy (if at all possible) and to keep away from super hot-button issues.

Topic of today?

That one thing that really drives you bonkers about a book. We all have those little thigns that drive us nuts. It can be a fabulous book, moving along fine, and the WHAM! Something comes out of left field.

I'm talking about the vampire whose sense of smell is fine until the one moment he NEEDS to be able to scent his mate. Or when an author cross pollinates species, ie a vampire who tracks like a wolf. I have no issue with making a hybrid, but SAY SO. If I have to middle through the book to figure out what the heck the hero IS, then I'm more likely to walk away from the book dissatisfied.

Another thing that drives me up the wall would be a pov switch mid sentence. Now, you have to rememeber, when I started writing, I didn't know pov switches were bad. I thought it was kinda cool to know what both sides were thinking at all times. And silly me, I could keep them straight. Why? Cuz I wrote it. I knew what would happen next. But I happened to be reading this book that started out well. I was pulled in by the blurb and couldn't wait to get going. Not even a 1/4 of the way in and the pov switches began. In this case, it was really hard to figure out WHO was feeling turned on and who was having second thoughts. I finished the book, but will think twice before snapping up one by this author.

What are your issues? You know, the ones that make you pause in a book and go "What the?" I'd love to hear them.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Arran's Story Is In!

You may be wondering what I'm talking about. Worry no more. :P I turned in the finished MS for Arran's story, Tangled Up. This is my second foray into menage, but the first into M/M. For those of you grossed out, then stop reading. I wrote the characters the way they told me to.

This is the story that follows Must Be Doing Something Right and Learning How to Bend. Funny, Nate from Must shows up in Tangled Up, but Seth and Abby really don't other than a mention.

I have to admit, the hardest part of writing this story was making sure Arran and his partner, Sav, didn't sound campy unless they were trying to. I've found, when reading M/M stories, that lots of times the authors will make the gay men sound... campy. Yes, I know, some are more effeminate than others... just saying. Arran and Sav are comfortable with who they are and still--their words, not mine--manly men. :::Shrugs:::

But since Tangled Up is done and in the editor's hands, I'm going to tackle the edits and rewrites on my farmer, as well as finish the ghost hunter story and give Megan a hand on her vampire stories.

Yeah, I'm a busy girl. :) But I love it.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I joined twitter!

Yes, thanks to Stacy, I joined twitter. I have no clue what I'm doing, but hey, I'm game for friends, followers or whatever it is they have on there. Check me out!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

I'm on Goodreads!

I broke down and joined goodreads. I know, I know, I should've done it earlier. You're right. But, at least I finally did it. Come check me out and comment, or better yet, write a review!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Hot Guys for a Hot Day!

Any reason is a good reason to see GB sweaty.




Yes, I want to find out the temp of that water.



An oldie but a goodie....

Monday, July 5, 2010

Some Things I've Learned....

In this world of writing and promo and getting yourself out there, I've learned a bunch of things. Don't mistake this post for complaining. I'm not. I'm just sharing some of the joys and frustrations I've picked up along the way.

1. Those voices in my head will not shut up.

Doesn't matter if my eyes are watering, if the phone is ringing, or if I have to get other work done. Nope, those voices just won't hush. And when they really want to be known, the shout at the same time. Yeah, there are times when I swear that I can't even hear myself talk.

2. Sales mean nothing. Reviews mean nothing.

Sounds a bit negative. It's really not. I happened to watch a show about Star Wars. Now lots of people have mixed emotions about the whole set of movies. Most love the first set and deal with the second set. Those who love it, LOVE it. Those who hate certain ones, HATE it. Now what's that got to do with sales? Plenty. The Star Wars movies have made a lot of money. So they must be great, right? Not necesarily. The critics lambasted the first one (the one with Anakin as a little boy). Heck, they said it was poorly acted. Now, I've seen all six movies. I have seen good and bad in all six. Does that make them great movies because they made money? Does that make them bad because the critics didn't like all of them? Nope. And this is something that's been a bitter pill for me to swallow, its one person's opinion. What you think is fabulous may not be what someone else thinks is wonderful. And yanno, that's ok. Really.

3. No one is perfect right out of the starting gate.

Sorry, and this applies to my favorite sport of NASCAR. (That includes you, Jimmie Johnson) No one is ever perfect with the very first book, first race, first at bat, any of that. We all have to learn and grow and even if you are one of those fluke-ish people who do hit it big, there's this little matter of the one-hit-wonder. And if you manage to get past two, then there's the matter of becoming stagnant. Yup, just because that first book was a smash (ask Truman Capote about this), doesn't mean everything else you touch will be gold. It's a tough world out there and no one has it easy.

4. When you fall, dust yourself off and start running again.

Sounds pretty simple, but I've had lots of conversations with authors who have those moments where they think that the rest of the world is out to get them or maybe they want to give up. DON"T DO IT!!!! I mean it. I've learned that if you give in and plop over, then you've let the nay-sayers win. I'm not gonna let that happen. I've come close to saying I'm done out loud, but then I decide it isn't worth it to give up. I had a wise friend say to me, she wanted to throw in the towel but if she gave up writing, then what the heck else would she do. I'm so there.

Now don't get me wrong, I review. I know what it feels like to get a book and find out it's nothing like I expected in a great way...I also know what it feels like to read one that's a real lemon, too. But I have to remember, what is my favorite won't be yours. And that's fine. It's how it should be. If we all liked the same things, then the world would be pretty darn bland.

But I've probably bored you. Oh well. It's writing. It's not always pretty and not always up. There are times when I've wanted to cry and lots of times when I want to tell the characters to just hush, but then I have a reader tell me my story really touched them and that makes it all worth it.

What do you think? What have you learned?

Friday, July 2, 2010