Monday Moans!

Monday Moans! I'm so excited. Since Gypsy herded the boys out of blogger, I thought, hey, I'd like a turn, too.

I'm Melanie Roberts and you saw my fabulouso cover on Saturday. Don't Cade and I look cute? That and the Total-E-Bound artists are awesome.

Since MM is about getting to know us characters, as I said above, I'm Melanie. I'm a photographer for a local race team. It's a lot of fun to get to wear the ugly little vest and stand in the infield to take pictures of the cars and trucks at speed.

But the moan part....hmmm.... I like to photograph nudes, but they must be those I want to look at. Cade's a favorite subject. He knows how to smile and look at me in such a way that simply soaks my....oh... can I say that here? (panties... I don't want to cause trouble...) Cade's the love of my life, even when he's being...particular. He's good at strong, silent, and brooding, even though that embarrasses him. He thinks he's a total hard-ass.

In our story, I have to figure out how to get through Cade's shell and show him someone cares about him. And yeah, I love him, even the PITA him, with all my heart.

Check out our cover and our story, available in November.

TTYL!

~Mel

Cover Faery Visited!!!!

Yes, yes it's true. The cover fairy visited and I am so happy!




You'll Think of Me comes out in November and I couldn't be more pleased with the cover. What do you think?

Friday Flirts

It's that time of the week again... a little glimpse into the world inside my head.

It's a scary place--inside my head. Lots of arguing, lots of screwing, and bucket-loads of emotions. I'm going to post this random question as I work out this post--have you ever been so emotionally involved in a story or character that you a)dreamed about it, b)swore what you'd been through was your memory, not the character, c)cried because you were drained?

Now that you think I've dropped all my beans, yes, I am/was so involved with a character and the issues of said character that when I finished the scene, I sat and cried. I've had some characters that were hard to translate into the written word (Cade? That's you.). I've had some that have had me in stitches. But I thought I'd ask.

Megan and I have been pitching this ghost story idea between us. I have to admit, it's really a collaborative effort. She suggests plot ideas, I add sex, she gets into the hero's head, I get into the heroine's. It's great. Really. Which means, Ryan and Samara (told you, Linda, I'd use it) will have their story (or since it's written, they have it, but I'm scared a publisher won't want it... we'll see).

I've got a country singer story stuck in my head and outlined. Think Gary Allan but a little more approachable (not that he's not... I've never met him--would love to, but that's a whole 'nother story). Torin's been burnt-bad. He's not an appeal-to-the-masses singer. He likes his perfect, secluded world. Touring and his manager seem to have another idea until Torin meets Clover. Then his world goes all to hell in a sexy, delicious, can't-keep-his-hands-off her kind of way.

And since I have threesomes involving two men and one lady in my head...
Juniper, Jacoby, and Parker. Parker's a mega-popular metal/rock/emo type singer for the band Razrs Edge. Juni and Jacoby are his former bandmates/lovers. They have a radio show--Juni and Jacoby in the Morning. Things are nice, safe, and staid until Parker calls with a request for help. Will Juni and Jacoby sacrifice everything for the one man that tore their lives apart or leave him once they've sated their needs?
(That's the one that made me cry.)

Then there is Siouxsie. She's the bookstore employee over at Feathered Edge. Her boss is Sav Welles from Tangled Up. She's a self-avowed fag hag. Wears the name like a badge of honor. One problem. The men she's the closest to aren't interested in her. Nope. Mark and Kile want each other and none others.
Or so she thinks. Things are quite so simple. Ever since they laid eyes on Siouxsie, she's sprinted circles in their minds. Mark and Kile want a threesome. Committed threesome. Now they have to convince her she's the only woman to make them complete.

Thank You Thursday

Hello, my name is Wendi, and I am a visual author.

How does that have any possible thing to do with thanking?

Plenty.

If it weren't for the myriad of desirable males out there (and a handful of women who are gorgeous because they're individual) who offer their persons for visual appraisal, then my characters would lack some serious details.

I think it hearkens back to my training in art ed. You draw enough nudes and you learn to appreciate a nice body. Plus, it makes me just simply look at a person. You can create an entire story for a person based on one image--something called a first impression? Yeah, that might be right. And honey, it's fun to simply enjoy the scenery.

So now you're thinking that I plagiarize the person in the picture. Maybe the look of the person, but not the mannerisms or the soul. That's something being screamed in my head. Right now in fact, I have a character that wouldn't show me what he looked like until I happened to be tripping the Internet-fantastic. I paused on a picture of a very handsome gent and the character shouts, "That's me!"

(To borrow a line from John Lennon)... And it was.

Makes my life so much easier. I have no idea anything about the guy in the picture other than he's a guy in a picture. Fresh face, nice smile, gorgeous eyes... and muscles. Not so buff all his veins are sticking out, but nicely toned. ::shiver:::

So when I come to the part in the story where the hero and heroine are romantically interlinked, I have my inspiration.

In turn, I say thank you to the model who so tirelessly draped over the couch with nothing on by the radio. Thank you to the guy who smiled over his shoulder because a pretty girl walked by and a cameraman with the perfect lighting happened to be right there setting up the shot. And thank you to the creator who made them so danged pretty. (Care to throw some of the attractive my way? I'm waiting.)

Oh, wait. You wanted to see the inspy pic? Nah. He's in my private little stash along with a bunch of others. Maybe one day I'll share.. til then?

Toodles.

What the? Wednesday

Ok, this week I am going to step up onto my soapbox a moment.

POD

You might be wondering what I mean. If you write and have a book that is full length (print length) then you know I mean a print book. In my case, it's print on demand. It's really not a bad thing. In all actuality, it means the publisher only prints what the public demands. No run of 1000 if the sales are...say...19. It makes a lot of sense because there isn't a bunch of waste. And it shows how popular the book is.

Here's my issue: lots of places can't order POD books. Why? Because, in many cases, the stores don't want cases and cases of books leftover because they couldn't be sold. It's every author's nightmare. Ordering a ton of books only to look foolish when they won't sell.

And then there is the issue of people who want the books, but maybe don't want to shop online or can't reach the author. So, they go to the store. If it's a smaller press, which are great because they offer opportunities that mega presses don't have time to offer, then the book may or may not be available at the store. Translation: if it's not a big pub, then you won't see it at Walmart.

I've even seen some places shun authors who are POD authors. Why? Unless the product you are selling is really rough, there shouldn't be a restriction. It inhibits sales and makes it hard to branch out to your audience.

Am I causing trouble and rocking the boat? Probably. Will I feel the fall-out for my opinions? More than likely. But I felt the need to speak my mind. Seems like sometimes people think, and yes, I've heard this: Oh you're an author. You must make so much money and be so proud to see your book in ________.

I love being an author, but no, I didn't do it to make millions. You want honesty? If I add expenses, like promo and such, I'm just breaking even. I feel for those who dump their lives into a book and promotion only to never see a return, but I write because there are characters in my head demanding my attention. I write because I've had fans tell me they like my work and want to read more. I write because if I didn't, I'd probably still write for my own enjoyment.

Ok, I'm getting down now. Thank you for reading.

Monday Moans

It's Monday again and Wendi wanted one of us to chatter a bit. Go figure, the boys wanted to be themselves and got--how shall I say this...mum? Tight-lipped?

Oh hell, for once they just plain shut up.

Odd, I know.

So.

You get me. I'm waving wildly. Can you see me? No?

Well, look harder. I'm the blonde on the end with the long legs and great...ratings. Oh yes, I love to channel my second favorite vampiress. (Number one is my sister, btw.) Yanno, I think I need to go shopping for that dress she wore. Might help me rein in the certain vampire I have my eye one.

Yanno, for being one of the "walking dead", those who are supposed to be such sexual creatures? I ain't getting any. I can see you shaking your head. Damn straight it's not fair. I embody all that's sexy and sexual and here I am alone, sleeping every day in a big empty bed while the vampire of my dreams (naughty at that) stays just outta reach. Think the black dress would work?

Now you're wondering who the heck I am. Guess it would be nice if I said who I was. Gypsy Persing. Nice to meet you.

My mother and father had a thing for Stevie Nicks. Could be worse. I could've been named after the chick in Xanadu. :::Shudder:::

I'm a dancer at the Chatty Catty Club. Cage is my preference. There's a great big bouncer there named Todd who has my back and--le sigh--Allan. He tends the bar, gives me a ride home, keeps me safe... and refuses to let me have my way with him.

I'll do it you know. I'll snag him. Or die trying.

Wait. I can't. I'm dead. Damn.

I'll think of something.

Anyway, have fun reading. I peeked at tomorrow. Yum. All I can say. Yum.

Friday Flirts

So... it's Friday again. I have lots in the works and little of it completed. Not enough time in the day.

My Immortal comes out at the end of the month and Gypsy is dying (pardon the pun) for her own story. She claims she needs love like anyone else. So... I plot with her help.

You'llm Think of Me comes out November 22, and already, Rhett wants a story. Now I'm pretty sure I said he did before, but he's begun screaming in my head.

And lastly, Please Remember Me the working title for the follow-up to Logan and Cass's story--Jade gets a starring role, is written, but in desperate need of attention. But if you can find me the time, I'll gladly take it.

So much for now.

Toodles!

Thank You Thursday

This is a very special Thank You day.

Why?

There has been one person in my career, even when I wasn't a writer, who has been in my corner through thick and thin. Through contracts and rejections, I can say I've had the best support system for me.

And it's even nicer that today is special to me.

Ten years ago today I married my college sweetheart, the man who stuck by me when things got tough and helped me smile through every yucky moment. He's been my loudest cheerleader and my bear hug when I need it. He's read everything I've published and only once laughed (Because it was funny).

To JPZ, when I'm with you, I'm Right Where I Need to Be.

What the? Wednesday -- SPELLCHECK!!!!

SPELLCHECK!!!!!

This is a quick rant, but I can't help myself. Where I work, we must use spellcheck. It's not a maybe or a might, it's a must. Now, I am one of those rare few that managed to blow through high school without taking the famed Typing Class. I **er, ahem...** didn't see the need. Ok, so I was blissfully ignorant of that thing called the World Wide Web. Oh well.

But I am also the first to admit, my typing skills aren't the best. They've gotten way better than college. Hey, back then, I was the hunt and peck queen. I've since given up my crown for better things. But seriously, I had issues with margins, with fonts, and the dreaded typing errors.

Like I said, I'm better than I was, but not perfect. I tend to have a few stray teh's, the occasional fo, and the famous fro in my typing. And don't get me started on the invaluable delete and backspace button. Mine don't say delete or backspace on them any longer. Nope, they are shiny and nude from use.

So what is my rant? USE THE DAMN SPELLCHECK!!!

Do you realize how irksome it is (and I am guilty of this as well) to get an email with misspellings in it? Your professionalism goes right out the window. And if you're turning in something important to someone... like a synopsis... yeah, editors will toss a typo-ed synopsis and not even open the document.

So save me and everyone else a bit of time and use the command that will make all your little goofs go away. OH, and then READ what you wrote to catch the pesky their vs there, be vs bea, all right vs alright. You get the idea.

(((Ok, so it wasn't a quick rant. Sorry. But I'm feeling much better now. --And if you know where that line comes from, you've watched way too much tv.)))

Monday Moans!!!

Hel-lo ladies and gentlemen. Wendi gave me carte blanche to post on her blog today.

Give it up for.... Logan Malone!

Okay, so yes, I'm a bit of a showman. I made six motion pictures before I took a temporary respite to be with my bride. Oh, and there were the seven television shows I starred in (or guest starred or happened to show up without getting mentioned). I like the spotlight, but I'd rather put my celeb status to good use.

What am I doing now?

Funny you should ask (or be prompted). I am working with my good friend Ray to promote his race team. Ever see a late model race on dirt? If you haven't, you should. if you have, go again. I love me some dirt racing.

Where else can you see me? My good buddy Vinnie Joel wanted Cass and me in his music video. I've never been in a music video, so it's a whole new experience. Plus, I can't wait to be on camera with Cass. *sigh* She's my heart and soul.

Oh, but you don't want to see me mushy.

Well, before I go, I'm featured in a photo spread for Delish magazine. She may be the bane of my existence, but Jade asked nicely.

Have fun and go see a dirt race. You won't be disappointed.

~~Logan