WRITER'S WRITE...WRITING PARTNERS FEUD

WE WERE JUST THINKING ABOUT....

To bring you a little into our world we decided to share our thoughts about writing the strange and zany way ~

Where ideas originate....

Z: The cultivation of ideas has great import. To do this we participate in what we call lamestorming sessions. About twice a year Angelica and I pitch stories and plots. It is a set aside day in which we each bring twenty ideas and participate in a game of war similar to that of the card game. I'll play one flaming arrow princess love story which would then be triumphed by one biological plant that trans-morphs into a man who becomes horny. If it's lame it goes. This single elimination tournament then leaves us with the four semi-finalists which we then consider as possible projects.

Bombastic... Imbecilic... Improbable are coupled with social relevance, entertainment value, and fortunetelling when we each privately create our pitch points. Then the fracas begins. At the conception point of ideas, we allow ourselves the freedom of being without boundaries because once the idea is set into our queue natural boundaries will restrict it.

A bit of background....

Z: Educated as an engineer. (Long pause should be placed here... one pensive sigh) I find myself uncomfortable talking about me, but I shall do my best. Obviously, like most writers I love the play of stories and how well-crafted words can steer reaction. From age twelve I knew there were stories housed between my rather dapper ears. At age fifteen, I rewrote the ending of Lord of the Flies. Let my friends read it, and was applauded. At age sixteen I wrote a school play. At age twenty-seven I wrote a community theater play. By then I was writing, and haven't stopped since.

A: I'm a control freak.

Z: That would be quite the understatement.

A: (I turn, stare, providing my best effort to... control any further outbursts by him.) As I was saying... So even as a child when I wrote my first book using construction paper and crayons, I wanted the princess to have the sword and ride the horse. So I wrote it.

Z: So you self-published?

A: Signed limited editions.

What book to take to a deserted island?

A: I’d bring an e-book reader like the Kimble, that way I could bring about 1500 books. Seriously, how do you pick just one? Impossible. There are the classics like Jane Eyre, more Victoria Holt books than I can count, let’s not forget Piers Anthony and Asmiov, King, Koontz, Cook, and all those authors coming out of Champagne Books…(Starts to hyperventilate and calms down.) Sorry, books are a passion of mine.

Z: I'd take the dictionary. It in itself could inspire my imagination. The word mohair could inspire a story about big foot. Stubble makes me think of a planet that all of the corn stalks were cut close to the ground, and I'd wonder why and imagine huge cannons that shot popcorn. So, captured in that treasury of words could be endless possibilities.

A: Never mind...I'm just taking a cell phone and calling Zi.

Z: Did you notice neither one of us answered our own query?

First book that enthralled....

Z: Lad A Dog was special because in the privacy of my own read when the copperhead set fang to Lad and brought the dog to the brink of death, I as a lad myself found apt tear, cursed at the book but have held a great respect for the power of the word.

A: (Remembering the story, sniffles and blows nose, loudly.) The Velveteen Rabbit… Actually, it was read to me. I cried and laughed and felt sad when the story was finished. I missed the characters. I’d carry the book around after that and hold it out in a demanding fashion to any and every reading-able adult. I couldn’t wait to learn how to read so I could read every book in the world. I’d hoard books and comic books like a rabbit and its carrots. They were my friends.

Z: Chipmunks horde. Rabbits they wiggle their noses. Re-examine your simile.

A: No....

Overcoming writer's block....

Z: We define writer's block as time set aside to write. A definition quite different than most. We think our optimistic approach works. Except for once in my entire life, I can't remember being without appropriate words or an idea. How do I prepare? How do I put myself in the mood? What are my rituals? Habits? Provide me a pencil and a pad, I write. Provide me a computer, don't even need a chair, I write. Provide me a tape recorder, I write. Provide Angelica on the other end of a cell phone, one of us having something to scribe with, and I write. It seems as natural as a boy chasing a girl...and she catching him.

A: (Takes a breath, thinks, blurts.) Tea… tea… and more tea.

Z: That's Tea-rffic. (Wasn't that punny?)

To be continued next week....

Getting to Know Jinger Jackson

Why don't you start with telling us a little about yourself? What genre do you write in and why? My name’s Jinger Jackson and I write erotic paranormal and erotic horror novels for Resplendence Publishing. I love anything paranormal and the challenge of writing erotic horror is just such a HUGE kick!

What comes first for you when you sit down to write a book? Plot or Characters? Characters. I’m what most people call a pantster. I sit down and write the story that unfolds in my mind. It’s awesome to do it this way as even I’m surprised at the direction the book ends up in!

Do you "cast" your characters using pictures or actors to help inspire you when you're writing? Most of the time. I know what they look like but using photos does help me firm up details.

How long does it take you to finish a book from start to finish? Hmmm. Are you referring to the first draft or from inception to publication? First draft has been done in as little as 25 days. It just depends on the story. But if you mean from the minute I have the idea until it releases to the public…that can take much longer. I’ve had one that has been over a year in the making!

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story. That would be Demon’s Fall (coming October 2010). I’ve got a thing for Angels and Demons. Not the religious aspect of them but the whole good versus evil thing. Then I was listening to a song—Angels by the group Within Temptation and I visualized the story. The rest, as they say, is history!

How much does reader reaction mean to you as an author? Do you read your own reviews? I LOVE reader reactions. It means the WORLD to me to hear from readers. I want to hear how much they enjoyed my book. And even if it is hard to take, I also like to hear when they DON’T like me. As to my reviews, I read each and every one of them!

What are you working on now? Anything you want to tell us about? My latest project is a book titled Morgan Creek. It was inspired by some strange experiments I heard about while watching a History Channel documentary on Josef Stalin. Yes it is another horror novel…

What books are currently on your nightstand/bedside? Anything coming you are dying to read? Currently I am reading a new erotic series by Rebecca Goings. The series is called Desert Princes of Jikkar and I’m engrossed with book one The Viper Prince. Becka is FABU and these books are AWESOME!

If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why? Beyond Death. It’s my favorite book! I love Vlad Dracula and there are some interesting, historically accurate things in this book.

If you could have been the servant to any famous person in history, who would that be and why? Hmmm…good question! I don’t know…I can’t see myself as a servant (LOL)…My initial reaction to the question was Vlad Dracula…because I’m insane…LOL but I don’t know. It’s sort of a tossup. I’d have liked to be around with one of the pharaohs, George Washington, This one is going to require more thought.   

What do you see for the future of publishing and e-books?  I see more and more people moving to eBooks—which is VERY cool! But honestly, I am afraid that we’re going to lose the brick and mortar book stores which would be a REAL crime! While ebooks are the WAVE of the Future…while they’re convient, green, and all the other positive notes we all agree on, there is something magical about print books. There is something almost intoxicating about walking into a bookstore. I LOVE the local Barnes and Noble. I can walk in and lose about 4 hours of my life wandering the aisles and browsing the books. I LOVE IT!

Which of your characters do you love/hate/fear/pity the most and why?  Love? That would be Andras—the hero of my upcoming release Demon’s Fall. The one I HATE the most is Secson—villian of Demon’s Fall. The one I pity the most has GOT to be Vlad from my book Beyond Death.

Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to placate her/it/him when she/he/it refuses to inspire you? For the most part I’d say he and I get along. Of course there are times when he’s so damn stubborn that I just want to scream…LOL

If there was a soundtrack to your latest novel, what genre/songs would be included? Demon’s Fall would have a soundtrack made up of songs by Within Temptation. This is an alternative rock band. They fall under the symphonic metal class. But this Dutch band has the definite feel for my book!


Which of your characters would you most likely fall for if they were real? I’m a married woman…HEHEHE but I could easily fall for Andras. He’s so…I mean there is just something about a reformed demon…LOL


Besides the bedroom, what's the sexiest part of your home in your opinion and why? The kitchen. It’s warm, it’s homey, *shrugs* it’s just the heart of the home, you know?

Where can readers find you on the 'net for more information on you, your books and other fun stuff? I have a blog http://jingerjackson.blogspot.com I twitter: http://twitter.com/JingerJackson I send out a monthly newsletter and I post them to a newsletter website: http://www.freewebs.com/jingersnews I LOVE hearing from readers. They can email me at jingerjackson@gmail.com

Thanks for having me today Dawn! I LOVE dropping by your place and hanging out. Have a great week and we’ll talk again soon!
Hugz
JJ

Sneak Peek into  Demon's Fall-Coming to Resplendence Publishing in October 2010.

BLURB:

What happens when a demon falls for an angel?

Tangela Teshua just recently buried her parents and has given up her city apartment to moved back to the country house they left her. However their deaths and her move are not the biggest changes coming to Tange’s life. Tange learns she is a guardian angel—or at least she will be when she over comes the challenges Satan will put in front of her.

Andras Belial’s father assigned him the task of destroying the newest being on the lighted path. But another battle looms on the horizon for Andras. His inner demon struggles against the strange formation of feelings, of a conscious growing to life. He falters even more when he meets Tange.

Lucifer, infuriated that not only has Andras turned his back on his heritage but he has joined forces with an angel, sends an assassin demon after both Andras and Tange. Can they keep the demons at bay long enough to find happiness?

Excerpt:

A charge flashed through the air. The angel! He shoved the corpse away and followed the almost imperceptible light that shined like a beacon and led straight to the disgusting being’s hiding place.

He shimmered invisibly through the walls of the house and froze.

The angel stood only a few feet from him. He inhaled the rich scent of her and was once more shocked. She smelled like the floral odor that filled his temporary home—and he wasn’t disgusted by it.

Cooper streaks laced through the auburn hair that framed her lightly freckled heart shaped face. Her peaches and cream complexion was the perfect background for dusky pink bow shaped lips.

He moved closer, reached out and gently stroked her cheek. The skin was satiny warmth beneath his caress.

Her pale, green eyes widened in shock and fear. She backed away and fell against the wall, her head connecting with a sickening thud.

He could taste her fear, her pain. Something inside began to gnaw at him. Suddenly like a bolt of light cutting through the darkness, he realized he didn’t want to hurt her or cause her any fear. 

Dammit! Andras hurried through the walls and shimmered back to his home.

The sound of Chainsaw Autopsy, the latest death metal group, pounded through the crumbling walls. Andras threw his out his hands and the front doors flew wide open.

The noise grew louder. “I stalk the night, searching for my prey, the smell of you guides my way. Your fear I feel, your pain I sense, I'll have you yet. You’re running now, I laugh to see, but you'll never get away from me. I'm the Omega baby, come to take you down.” The noise could mean only one thing. His brother Secson. Shit.

Andras’s already frayed nerves unraveled.

“Enough,” Andras screamed in rage. The music immediately disappeared and the house was once more silent.

“You know how to ruin a good time, Andras.”

He turned to face his brother. Secson hadn’t changed and Andras’ shriveled heart sure hadn’t grown fonder out of the absence. “What do you want?”

“Have you found it yet?”

The angel. “Yes.”

“I want to watch you work.”

“Absolutely not. I work alone. Seduction is a one on one experience.”

“Not always.” Secson flashed a nasty smile.

“In my case it is.”

Secson shrugged. “Whatever. I’m still waiting for my first assignment. I can’t stand it.”

That was something Andras could relate to. “There’s nothing like your first conversion. Of course there’s nothing like your first real kill.”

Secson sniffed in derision. “I’ve killed before.”

“Maybe, but nothing compares to your first angel kill.” 

WRITER'S WRITE...WRITING PARTNERS FEUD

IT CAN'T BE DEFINED
By Angelica Hart & Zi

To write as partners, the collusion and collision of ideals and ideas must be for the most part non-violent. What does that mean? If the work is expected to be harmonious, the two authors at some level must philosophically agree, bickering for ego's sake can't succeed. To know us is to understand that we are not quite disagreeable with each other since we have agreed to agree, holding the work more important than our own point of views, which can often differ greatly, but... but... but... on the following topic we empathically concur.

One of the most paramount issues in the genre in which we write is that of defining love.

We have both agreed it is one of those exceedingly interesting things where it's a case of, you can't define it, though when you see it, you know it. It is as intangible as air but you need it to breathe life into your heart and soul. Even the most angry, most apathetic, most egregious need love in their world, no matter how much they might deny it. People respond to love, grow and blossom, yes, just like flowers as corny as that may sound. Angelica empathically insists that love is different for every person. Zi has taken a position that he is not certain that to be the truth but floating within the metaphysical properties of love are common denominators that can be defined.

Just today we have worked on the following paragraph which is a part of a short we have been developing. We'd like to share it with you.

"The last of her tea slipped past her lips, cooling the parch that settled in her throat, a parch that lingered in her heart as she searched the faces that passed, searched for him, and when the day drew on, she also watched the roll of each wave chasing the next unfolding in white puffs of foam then dissolving, and then again… it unfolding and dissolving… it unfolding and dissolving… it unfolding and dissolving…that sequence never ending… never changing… it was like love, she thought, a lover chasing a lover... minute after minute… hour after hour… day after day… year after year… they dissolving as if lost in one time, their time. She knew this was the way of love, with its wash and roll, soft and subtle, relenting toward an abstract objective though for each it was sharp and precise. But for those who have known love it was abstractly keen. This universally oxymoronic ideal of love first called Adam to Eve and every man since, never waning over all time."

One of the first manuscripts we did together resulted in the following piece of poetry. The reason we are sharing it is it shows the harmony necessary to at minimum respectfully deal with the concept of love. We both admit openly we don't have the answers, but we feel the questions.

ELEUTHEROMANIA vs. MONOPHOBIA
(Excessive zeal for freedom vs. fear of being one)

I’ve cried a million tears for you
And I don’t know why.
You don’t care; you don’t share one
Feeling for me.

I’ve cried a million tears for you.
I love you
And, I could never give a single
Reason why.

As my heart beats as one
Walking life’s paths, hand in none.
I wince, that hurt of silent loneliness
I cry help, I cry… for lovingness.

I’ve cried a million tears for you.
I felt a millions fears.
Chances are you have not thought of
My name, why?

Burning deep inside is a need to be two.
So passionately that time’s blindness would ensue.
Yet, my heart beats as one
Walking life’s paths, hand in none.

I’ve cried a million tears for you.
Wet my pillow case
Night after bitterly lonely night
For you, why?

I’ve cried a million tears for you.
And you have not let one dampen your cheek
I pity your world… your compassion.
I cry… millions... why?

Please free me… from my next tear.
Release your grip upon my heart.
I want the glory of smiles unbridled.
Please free me… from my next fear.

On a daily basis we honor and respect the give and take, pull and draw of that one universally fundamental emotion. Love. It would be the most grievous disservice to any connoisseur of our genre. This we have pledged to each other. Now, outside of the issues of love we have few boundaries. So, grandmothers might piece their navels and uncles might step in dog do-do and the occasional rat might find its way into one's cereal box, but we hope you can trust that our point of view about love is that we believe it is grand and glorious. And, yes, according to Angelica different for every individual

We'd love to hear from anyone interested in what we do. Anyone who writes us and leaves an s-mail address, we will send you a gift and add you to any future mailings.

Angelica Hart and Zi
KILLER DOLLS
SNAKE DANCE
CHASING GRAVITAS
angelicahartandzi@yahoo.com
angelicahartandzi.com

BOOKS can be purchased at
Champagne Books
http://www.champagnebooks.com/

Talking with Author Christine London

Dear Budding Author,

                       Congratulations on the near completion of your first novel. It is a feat not unlike sailing single-handed around the world. Many aspire to doing so; few actually are able to write “the end” on a full-length work.

   You are on the right track having friends read and comment on your work. It is most important to have others eyes, ears and hearts evaluate what you do---especially when you are new at writing fiction. Better would be to join a writers group so you have access to people who have walked this path before you. I cannot stress the value enough of doing this. To try to walk the road to publication without colleagues is tantamount to reinventing sliced bread.

   I belong to Romance Writers Of America, the largest professional writers organization in the world. Yes…they do accept international members, but I also know there is a similar organization in UK. My chapter meets once a month nearby, but for those who do not live close enough, there are online chapters. Each meeting has a speaker/workshop given by an industry professional. Topics cover writing craft, promotions, industry etc. You simply cannot access any better information and perhaps more importantly---support/networking.

   Most communications, including soliciting publisher, editors and agents, is done over the Internet. It is one of the greatest things about writing---you can do it, including the administrative and promotional work, from anywhere in the world.

   DO you need money?? NOOOOOOOO!!! If they are asking you for money they are charlatans. Legitimate publishers and agents evaluate, contract, edit, format, produce cover art and distribute your work as part of the cost of doing business. Money should ALWAYS flow from publisher to author, not the other way around. The only exception is in self-publishing. If you were to research doing this, you would find it a legitimate avenue if you are trying to get a work published for limited/niche audience to buy it or if you were producing a work meant for family and friends only. These are legitimate reasons for people to go this route. There are even a few well-known authors that launch a book via self-publishing, but these individuals already have a fan base and a platform. To self publish as an unknown and expect to reach an audience of any size is extremely difficult/unlikely to succeed. Handling all the many aspects of publishing on your own not only requires knowledge of the market and the art of production, it requires the building of an audience to purchase the book. While the Internet has opened the publishing world up, it is still a task that requires unreal amounts of time (even for those of us published by legitimate presses). It is not unlike opening a new business (which, btw, it IS). You can expect about a five-year ‘launch’ period to grow your name recognition and readership. Not to have any help via a publisher sets you adrift-- alone. Publishers, even ones that do electronic books only, find distribution avenues that are not available to an individual.

   Are there self-publishing success stories?? Yes. They are one in a million however and usually from an author who is already a known commodity.

   Okay…now for the reality check. There are lots of people with potential talent. The marketplace is flooded with them. It is therefore absolutely necessary that any work you submit for potential publication be as shiny spic and span perfect as you can make it. How do you improve?? You write, you write, and you write some more. Never stop. Tenacity wins the prize. It is those who stick to it in spite of the ungodly amount of rejection (nearly all published authors have enough rejection letters to wall paper at least one room) Ninety eight to ninety nine percent rejection rate of all manuscripts that cross a publisher/editors desk is the norm.

   How do you improve your chances of being read/taken seriously?? Learn how to write a decent “query’ letter, gain some writing credits (write magazine articles, quote your past publishing credit(s), network, network, network to gain referrals). If you can afford it, attend writer’s conventions. That is where the ‘big boys’ can be found. You can rub whiskers with the best authors as well as access agents/editors. Put names to the faces and maybe even have opportunity to ‘pitch’ your novel face to face. There is nothing like face to face. We are, after all, all still human (as are these ‘rock stars’ of the publishing world). Pressing the flesh is still one of the most effective ways to learn and become known. You never know who is going to be connected to whom---six degrees of separation and all.

   As far as learning names and addresses of publishers/editors/agents---that can be gleaned from an Internet search. Even if you use one of the printed publisher/editor/agent listing guides, it is still necessary to visit each targeted agent/editor/publisher website to learn their submissions guideline (and follow them exactly!)

   An agent is more difficult to land than a publishing contract. They are the people that live and work in New York (the global publishing Mecca), lunch with the powers that be, and know their personalities/desires/needs better than any other living persons. They can negotiate a contract that gives you much more money than you could do on your own. They know what all the fine print means and what is best for an author’s career. They work for YOU and as such, get fifteen percent of your royalties for the effort. That amount is small if they are worth their weight. 

    That said, you can, and many do, get published (especially through smaller presses) without an agent. There are positives and negatives (as is the case in most things in life) to small house verses big house. Small houses tend to be more open to work that is not considered as mainstream as the Big Boys ask for. The small press is simply more willing and capable to ‘take a chance’.

   Electronic books are the future; so don’t shy away from getting published in this medium. It is a great foot in the door with global distribution via the Internet…nothing to sneeze at.

   Most people write their entire lives and still cannot break in (the negative). BUT (and this is an enormous BUT) tenacity will get you there. Don’t ever give up. You will grow and improve your entire career, your entire life. It is a business you can do well into old age (mind remaining intact of course). You don’t need to dress for the office, commute, put up with restrictive hours or face the public (very often).

   Don’t expect to make money at this. DO it for the love of it. If you love what you do and are persistent, money may or may not follow. If you think getting published is difficult, making a living at it is even more so. Most authors have a day job well into their careers to pay the bills. Many always keep that day job. More than pocket money initially is a pipe dream and any of that is more than likely going to go right back into your new business. You will spend more than you earn in promotions, conventions etc very easily. None of this spending however should be required of you (as I previously stated).

   So, dear author, with all this available online, there simply is no reason for you not to proceed. YOU CAN DO THIS if your heart, mind, and soul are dedicated to it. We who are authors have been bitten. We must do what we do as the characters and stories have nowhere else to go but onto the page. We have the power to change worlds---one person at a time. There is nothing more potent than the written word. If you have been blessed/burdened as the vehicle of that word---HONOUR YOUR GIFT. Take it in all seriousness. You have something to say to people now and those that will come after you…the power to uplift, educate, inspire and entertain. No small potatoes.

   Don’t rely on any one person, but yourself. This is a subjective business and all it takes is finding that one editor, that one agent who will say yes!

Regards,

Christine London

Talking Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase

Strange Neighbors

Ashlyn Chase

Available NOW

When star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment but as a place to escape the demands of major league baseball.

That is, until he meets his tenants--a sarcastic unemployed vigilante vampire; a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a werewolf thief who sells security systems; and two witches with an owl who work as phone sex actresses. Not to mention a beautiful, all too human nurse. But with all the hooting, howling, and hollering going on, how's an all-American shapershifter supposed to sweep a girl off her feet?

Sneak Peek Excerpt:

Strolling away from her car with competing thoughts swirling through her brain, she fumbled in the dark for her back-door key. Suddenly, her feet went out from under her and she found herself hurled to the ground and pinned by some foul-smelling brute. A moment later she realized she had hit hard pavement with her head.

Unable to find her voice right away, or even process what had happened, she lay there, dumbstruck. The moon reflected a glint of metal nearing her face.

“Shhh… Don’t scream and I won’t hurt you—much.” Maniacal laughter followed. A hand fumbled with the buttons on her coat.

Oh my God. What is it they tell you to do in case of rape? Oh, yeah, scream!

Merry inhaled deeply and let out a blood curdling scream. She didn’t even recognize the voice as hers. Suddenly her throat tightened and she recognized another threat—her asthma.

She remembered being told to fight but not struggle. They liked it when a woman struggled. Gouge out his eyes! Punch his nose up into his brains. Fight like your life depends on it.

As she tried and failed to get near the bastard’s face, her assailant grabbed her wrists in one hand and pressed the sharp knife to her neck with the other.

He hissed, “Shut up! I told you to shut up!”

She pushed his arm away from her and freed one hand. Grabbing anything else she could get a hold of, she tried to yank him off of her.

His jeans must have hung low on his hips, because she grabbed onto the waistband of his underwear. Riiiiiip.

The perp yelped. His eyes flashed in horror and she realized she had just given him a world-class wedgie.

Dear God, I’m going to die. I’m going to be raped and killed in a back alley on my first night as an independent adult. I’m never going to fall in love, get married, hug my children, or live in a McMansion.

The knife pressed into her flesh, and the warm trickle down her neck meant he had pierced the skin. Should she scream again? Would he just kill her and leave her rather than rape her? Or would he, ewww, kill her first, then rape her? Oh, my freakin’ God!

As she contemplated what would be the lesser of all possible evils, the man flew off of her and landed a few feet away. At first, she didn’t see anyone else.

When she blinked, two shadowy figures stood over the gasping pervert. One of them clamped his boot on the would-be rapist’s neck and pointed a gun at his face. The other one hurried over to Merry and helped her up.

“Thank you. Both of you. You saved my life!” The man holding her elbow seemed preoccupied with her neck. Awareness rolled over her. She recognized the dark-haired man who had been leaning against the wrought iron fence, watching her move in. Again, he wore all black, but the concern on his face completely changed his ominous air. His dark chocolate eyes were warm and almond shaped, much like her own.

“He missed your carotid artery. You’ll be okay.”

Merry touched her neck. Thankfully, his diagnosis seemed true. Blood simply trickled from the wound, it didn’t gush.

“I saw you yesterday,” she said. “Do you live in this building?”

“Nearby,” he said, then he turned his attention to the other man, a tall blond with broad shoulders—also dressed in black. “Konrad, here, is one of your neighbors. Hey,” he called to the tall blond with the massive shoulders, “leave him to me and take her inside.”

“Good idea, Sly,” the striking Viking said. His white teeth glistened as a grin spread across his face. His canines seemed larger and more pronounced than in most men. Light facial hair and a short goatee softened his jawline. He had heavy brows of the same color. His ears were slightly pointed and poked though his almost waist-length hair.

The dark-haired man called Sly moved with lightning speed, holding down the assailant.

The guy protested, vehemently. “No, please! I’ll do anything you ask. Just let me go.”

The blond Konrad changed places with Sly and escorted Merry to the back door. She glided along beside him, numb, as if in a dream.

As soon as she had ascended the concrete steps, before she stepped through the door that Konrad held open for her, she turned and caught only a glimpse of the scene she had left behind. Sly knelt beside the stranger and leaned over by his head. Konrad placed his hand on her lower back and hurried her in, closing the door on a male scream that emanated from the dark alley.

Order your copy on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Neighbors-Ashlyn-Chase/dp/1402236611/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270205590&sr=1-1

Welcome Author Rie McGaha

Can you tell us a little about how you started writing; was it something you have always wanted to do?

 I was born a writer and have done it since I learned to make letters. My parents say that I began telling stories long before I could write, and as a child I wrote all kinds of little tales for friends and cousins. I was in the 8th grade when I wrote my first "real" story. It was a historical western about a woman from the east who travels to the wild, Wild West to teach school in a small town and falls in love with the sheriff. I wish I still had it because I'd love to see how my 13 year old brain worked out the romance!

Who or what has been your biggest influence as a writer?

 I think it's been some of the classic authors like Theroux, Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, and many others. Modern authors like James Patterson, Stephen King, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Karen Marie Moning are great influences. As far as people I know, Jill Noble, (Noble Romance Publishing), has been one of the biggest influences I've had. She has literally taught me the business of writing. I also have a great group of author friends who are not only great authors in their own right, but also the ones I can go to with questions and get honest answers--sometimes too honest, but that's what I love about them!

Your work is very popular with readers and reviewers; how does it feel to have such positive recognition for your work?

 Is it? lol That's flattering. I just hope I can provide a few hours of enjoyment for people, take them away from real life for a while and drop them into a fantasy that will leave them feeling a little better than they did when they began.

What do you consider to be the key elements of a great story?

 That depends on genre of course, but basically, the story line has to be intriguing, moving, and one the reader can relate to. Also, it never hurts to have a hunky-dunky hero and a fiesty, beautiful heroine!

Could you tell us a little about how you develop your characters? Who has been your favorite character to write? The most challenging?

 My characters tend to write themselves. The voices in my head begin and the characters come to life, as real as any actual person I know and that makes it very easy to write them. A fave character? That's like asking me which of my children is my favorite. I don't really have favorites, but if I had to pick one, it would be Lucian in Deadly Dreams. He was also the most challenging. Lucian is gorgeous, but he's also the bad guy. I wanted to make the readers understand him, but also hate him. And I think I succeeded because I've been told he gives everyone nightmares!

Please tell us about the projects you are currently working on; what can readers expect to see in the coming months?

 Oh my. Ancient Blood,  as you know this is a werewolf story and the sequel to Blood Line, which comes out May 31, 2010 from Noble Romance Publishing. On June 15, 2010 I have a short story called Winter's Night coming from Untreed Reads, and I'm excited about this because this is my first non-romance story. On July 26, 2010 the second book in the My Soul To Keep Trilogy, Caleb, is coming from Noble Romance Publishing, followed in August with the third book, Arion, and on September 10, 2010 Closure is coming from Champagne Books. In the meantime, I am contributing to The Wine Diaries by William Maltese. My husband, Nathan and I will be touring local Oklahoma wineries, sampling and writing about the wines made here. Most people aren't aware Oklahoma produces wine, but they are my favorite wines and I've wanted to write a book about them for some time, so when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it!

   

   I also write two monthly columns for The Pagan & The Pen. The first is called The Eggshell Effect and is about domestic violence. The other is called What Women Want/What Men Need and deals with the many nuances of the battle of the sexes. 

Where can readers find out what's new and how can they contact you?

   Everyone is always welcome to drop by my website and leave a comment or question on the guestbook. http://www.riemcgaha.com  If anyone would like to email me, (I always answer my email), rieanswers@gmail.com

What is your favorite movie of all time? The one where you can watch it and still get affected at the same spots each and every time? There's quite a few actually. My all time fave has to be It's A Wonderful Life, the b&w version of course. There's an old western called China 9, Liberty 37 that I can watch over and over, but I think it's out of circulation or the title changed, I haven't been able to find it anywhere, or at least not the original version. I found the G version and it's just not the same. But I can watch the romantic comedies over and over and never tire of them!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 5 things would you have with you?

   My husband. My laptop. Rum. Rum. Rum. 

What is your favorite way to relax after a hard day working and writing?

   Refer to last three items on previous question! LOL 

What is the one era you would love to go visit and why?

   I am a huge American history buff and I would love to see this country before the white man arrived. I would also love to visit ancient Egypt, Scotland, and Ireland. 

What is one historical figure you would love to chat with and why?

Abraham Lincoln. I have always loved American history and Mr. Lincoln is a man who made a real difference in this country and I'd love to pick his brain! I'd also love to chat with the founding Fathers, Martin Luther King, Jr., Hadrian, Mary Queen of Scots, and my list goes on.

     

Out of all your books, do you have a favorite one? If not, then which one is closest to your heart?

  Yes, I have a favorite and it's currently in the hands of a publisher as I wait to see if it's going to be picked up. It's called Cross The Line, and it's set right after the Civil War.  

What is coming from you in 2010? Anything you want to do a shout out about?

   Right now I'm concentrating on Ancient Blood since it's next up for release. I have a contest going on and everyone who enters wins a copy of Blood Line, and I'm also giving away an Ancient Blood T-shirt and a poster signed by me! This contest is very easy to enter, and readers can go to my website and click on the Ancient Blood tab, or the direct link is www.riemcgaha.com/ancientblood.htm 

EXCERPT: (http://www.nobleromance.com/BrowseListing.aspx?author=8)

     Ancient Blood by Rie McGaha

Ireland was her destination, where she would visit her beloved Colin's final resting place—the last place she'd been before making the choice to remain in human form. Now that she'd decided to live again, she would begin here, as well.

Ganda traveled by ship. She wasn't up to giving flying a try. Not just yet.

As the Irish coast came into view, her hands shook. She took a deep breath as she took in the stunning sight. The rocky shores, the lush, green valleys shrouded in mist—shimmers of rainbows formed by etches of sunlight gave the land an otherworldly, magical quality.

Although, all those thousands of years ago, the land hadn’t been called Ireland and hadn’t been populated either. She and Colin had loved the place for that very reason. The island had been their paradise where they were alone and in love. As Ganda disembarked from the ship and stepped onto the dock, a pang of loss filled her. Though the island had changed, there was a familiarity to this place that felt welcoming.

Thoughts of Jessie filled Ganda’s mind. What would she have done without her dear friends who had helped with the travel arrangements? The ticket for the ship, the hotel, all the reservations made from Jessie's laptop computer, everything had been set up for Ganda before she left the states. She checked into her hotel, staying only long enough to shower and change. When she’d finished dressing, she returned to the lobby, where the doorman hailed a cab for her. She handed the driver the address and settled into the seat, gazing out at the passing landscape as they sped toward the country.

The cabbie pulled into the cemetery drive and stopped. Ganda asked him to wait. Hesitantly, she emerged from the cab and walked across the grass, a gentle breeze caressing her face. Her hands shook violently; she slowed her pace. Inhaling deeply, she held her breath for a moment, then exhaled slowly as she stood before the gravestone and read the inscription. Her husband's name, Colin . . . next, the eulogy, Beloved husband of Ganda . . . the date of his death but not his birth was carved into the stone. So old, she thought, and weathered by centuries of rain and wind. Kneeling, she placed her hand on the stone, tears rolling down her face.

"Oh, Colin, I've missed you so very much. So many years have passed, but I feel as if you left me only yesterday. I tried to join you my love, but . . . ." She sighed. "I guess I didn't have the strength. I hope you know how much I love you. Then and now."

She rose, kissed her fingertips, then pressed them to the stone. "Till we meet again, my love." She turned away and returned to the waiting cab.

Talking With Author KC Burns

Hello!  Thanks, Dawn, for letting me blog here!  Here’s a quick intro – I’m KC Burn, and my first release was in March from Loose Id – MIA Case Files: Wolfsbane.  I’ve got a blurb and excerpt up at my site if you want to take a look.  But I’m here today to talk about one of my favourite topics – expletives.  Or, maybe they’re more a favourite pastime than a topic!

I recently wrote a blog post on my own site about expletives, and why I find them useful and appealing.  However, I focused solely on contemporary expletives and the creative use of them.  What I didn’t delve into is the creativity and effort required by fantasy and sci-fi writers as regards to swear words.

I believe swear words, curse words and foul language are all very necessary, valuable tools, especially in writing.  They can create tension, they can reveal character traits, and they can help give immediacy and realism to a scene or dialogue.  But the ones we use today, no matter how creatively applied, may appear out of place in sci-fi or fantasy.  A few short words can break the world-building spell.  And yet, I know from personal experience how agonizing it can be to create swear words that fit into your imaginary world. 

Many current swear words have been around for a long time.  For some, their origins are commonly known, others are more obscure.  They may also be reflective of cultural mores and ideas that no longer exist!  That’s a lot of work for one little word or phrase. 

One example that comes to mind is “blimey.”  Not used much in North America, and although I’ve heard it used on British television, I’m not sure how common it is.  What I do know is that it originated from the phrase “God blind me”, which then got shortened to “gor’blimey” and from there to “blimey”.  It’s an evolution which tells us that expletives are not always simple or easy, no matter how trippingly they fall off the tongue.

Sci-fi writers have the luxury of choosing, if they wish, to use expletives we’re all familiar with, especially if the future they write about isn’t far off.  Fantasy writers, however, need to make up words that have a wealth of meaning or weight of history for their characters, possibly involving back story, religion, or historical events that may never be described explicitly in the story.    

One of the first times I noticed this phenomenon was well before I started writing seriously.  Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern use the expletive “shells” and “shards”, among others.  The survival of Pern’s people is dependent on dragons and these expletives reference the shells of the eggs their dragons are hatched from.  While these aren’t based on religion (as many are), there’s a lot of history, culture and sentiment embodied in the words. 

David Eddings’ Belgariad/Mallorean is another great example.  There’s the colorful “by One Eye’s nose” or “Torak’s teeth”.  The polytheistic world David Eddings created provides ample fodder for curse words, which are based on the religion of the peoples in the book.

Most of the sci-fi I read uses contemporary expletives, but Red Dwarf by Grant Naylor uses the word “smeg” in the place of another extremely flexible four letter word.

While my own book is a virtual bounty of expletives, they’re all fairly standard, current ones.  The futuristic romance I’m working on?  The first draft had the phrase “futuristic curse” scattered throughout because I knew I needed to put some serious and focused thought into them and I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of the story at the time to do so. 

So, lay some of your favourite sci-fi/fantasy swear words on me (but keep it clean, please - I’m guest here in someone else’s house!) or let me know your thoughts on making up expletives – does it add realism to a book’s setting and characters, or is it completely extraneous?  I’ll give away a copy of my ebook to a commenter.

www.kcburn.com
www.twitter.com/authorkcburn
MIA Case Files: Wolfsbane - available from Loose Id

Link 1: http://www.kcburn.com/books?utm_source=dbn&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=swear1
Link 2: http://www.kcburn.com/?utm_source=dbn&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=swear2

Talking Romance with Yvonne Eve Walus

What is Romance?

When it comes to books, what qualifies as a romance? All the usual medical, historical and romantic suspense aside, would you say that “Gone with the Wind” is a romance book? How about the Stephanie Plum series with the sexy Morelli and the even sexier Ranger? And am I the only one who thinks the literary “We need to talk about Kevin” Orange Prize winner is not a book about parenting as much as it is a love story between the narrator and her husband?

OK. Perhaps I’m exaggerating with the latter. Well, I don’t think so, but it’s all right if you do. My point is this: we are so used to alpha heroes and the search for Mr. Only, that we sometimes tend to overlook the romance in other places.

As a writer who’s been married for - ahem - significantly more than a decade, I’m perhaps a little biased when looking for romance outside of speed dating and all the singles’ bars. I believe that true romance can be found within an established long-term relationship.

You know, it’s easy for the alpha hero to say to the woman he’s just bedded: “I want you to have my baby”. But when the novelty wears off and the sleepless nights kick in, I believe it takes a true hero and the trues of love to utter the following most romantic words a woman can hear: “You carry on sleeping, darling, I’ll get up to the baby”.

Romance is more than red roses and a candlelit bath for two. Sometimes romance is a clean nappy and the opportunity to have a long, warm, silent bath for one while your wonderful hero is keeping the baby occupied.

If you think a murder mystery series has no scope for romance, I challenge you to try my “Murder @ ...” series published by Echelon Press. Although the amateur detective, Dr. Christine Chamberlain, doesn’t have children (yet), the whirlwind romance that landed her married lasted precisely five minutes.

Three years later, she’s beginning to discover her husband is not only the level-headed easy-going artist she knows and loves.... When it comes to your loved ones, is it possible to know too much? Find out in “Murder @ Play” Echelon Press, 2009).

 

 Find Yvonne at her website, Echelon Press and writing as Eve Summers at Red Rose Publishing

Meet "New to Me" Author Kiki Howell

Excerpt From A Questionable Hero Available Now at http://www.shadowfirepress.com

A divine proclivity to perceive imminent danger made Shaebiel turn in time to glimpse the glinting silver of a demon’s sword inches from slashing into her flesh. As her body tensed for the pain, a sharp metallic clash rang in her ears followed by the shrill grate of metal against metal. Two long daggers crossed beside her, and moments later a human form was reduced to smoky ash on the blacktop. To her utter confusion and dismay, when she followed the length of the sword that had saved her, it was held by a demon—a devilish being with magnetic silver eyes.

These eyes, lighter than the inky black of most of his kind, bore into hers, searched hers. As an angel warrior gifted with empathic abilities she could feel lust burning over the rush of his more erratic feelings of fear, confusion and shame. It could have been a minute or an hour they stood there, because time seemed to stand still wrapped in the embrace of this man’s stare. Her angel’s sword of light remained down at her side instead of being jabbed into the cavity of his chest to kill him. At the same time, he slowly returned his weapon to his side rather than coming for her. They were opposing sides of the war in a shocked stalemate, entranced by each other, out of sync with the natural order of events.

Before she could figure out a plan of action, a sword of light wielded by another Angel warrior seared through the demon’s hip. His cry cut through the background noise of the fighting, causing her rapid breathing to pause. He grabbed at the burning flesh and his sooty hair fell over his face. Another angel, seeing the demon who had saved her as an obvious threat given his proximity, had come to her rescue as well.  She stood there frozen as if she had never been trained for such a battle.

The attacking angel warrior to her right was still in a duel with his own demon. His one light sword had stopped a metal dagger in mid-air. Metal forged with evil intent could not cut through the light produced by heavenly beings. At the same time, his other sword stabbed a second time at the demon before her. It seared his thigh. His cry was cut off to a mere rush of air as if he had been punched in the stomach. Then, her questionable hero fell between two trash cans adorning the asphalt land. She had to hand it to the other angel for trying to fight two demons at once. The angel warrior’s aim may have been off, but his mission had been successful. He had unknowingly saved her from her savior. The warring emotions of this evil incarnation now at her feet struck her with the impact of a bludgeon.

http://www.kikihowell.com/

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