Good vs. Evil

Good triumphs over evil.

This isn't something that only happens in stories. It happens every day, all over the world. Why? Because (I believe) people are inherently good creatures. If we were inherently evil, wouldn't we have killed ourselves off by now?

What we have done, especially as Americans in our post-9/11 world, is triumph over evil. This is a recurring theme in books, movies, folklore, and fairy tales for a reason. We want to live in a happy, peaceful place. We want to know the children of the world are safe. We want good to win Every. Single. Time.

It may not happen overnight. But it will - and does - happen. This is a long war, that started at the dawn of time and shall continue until its dusk. For all those touched by evil, outshine it with your good. Today, secretly, do something kind for someone else. No recognition, no glory, no gold...just because you are inherently good.

Good. It's a great word.

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What is sexy to you?

When writing, it's sometimes difficult to tell what makes a hero so sexy. Really, there are two types of heroes:

Some women love the alpha type - the strong, capable, in-charge, take-no-prisoners type, in the form of warriors, law enforcement, or other protective roles. Usually, these men are leaders, and can sometimes be a bit hard-headed or set in their ways. These are great in stories where you want to see the alpha man fall from his perch and admit that he really, truly, 100% cannot live without the love of his (one and only) woman.

My example of a well-known alpha male is Booth (David Boreanaz) from the TV show Bones. (You're welcome.)

Others like the beta type - kind, gentle souls, sometimes in the form of pediatricians or teachers. They help kids with homework, volunteer with the Big Brother program, change tires on the side of the road...these types are great when the woman is the one who needs a bonk on the head; it's gratifying to see a heroine take that fall. Especially if she's convinced herself that men like that don't exist anymore...and is presented with it at almost every turn.

My example of a well-known beta male is Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden) from Pride & Prejudice. (Again...my pleasure.)

Some books can successfully combine the two. Those are the hardest to write (in my opinion) because the alpha bit of the character can easily overtake the beta bit. And really...for a successful crossover character, you really needs to have all the bits in equality. Again, because I'm in a pictorial mood (and you're loving this post)...Thank whatever agent discovered this man - the quintessential alpha/beta mix. (No character name necessary. *fanning myself surreptitiously*)

(I know. I'm a giver.)

Show your love in the comments below - what's YOUR idea of sexy?

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Fight...or Flight?

Fear is a double-edged sword. 

Some people say to face it - that it's the only way to overcome such an emotion. If you don't overcome it, it will overcome you. You don't really want to be overcome, right?

Others say to listen to it - a fear of something is your intuition letting you know that something is desperately wrong, and the fight-or-flight instinct kicks in. You don't really want to risk your life, right?

Personally, I'm in the camp of whatever works for the situation. So, when a centipede comes crawling across my wall, I'm confident that the flight instinct is the one to go with, at least until I track down the husband and point/screech/"Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod" at it until he calmly disposes of it.

Conversely, when an editor requests my manuscript, I'm squarely in the face it camp. So today, fellow campers...I'm sending my manuscript to an editor, at her request. (Yes,that makes a difference. :) )

What camp are you in? Comment below!

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What's Your Kind of Love?

Romance is a tricky thing. It's different for everyone, right? What I find romantic might be completely opposite of your idea. 

For example, my honeymoon was on the sunny, tropical island of St. Lucia. Palm trees, drinks on the beach, waterfalls, horseback riding.

One of my sisters' honeymoon was on the snowy, breath-takingly beautiful Alaskan tundra. Camping, helicopter rides, nature and wilderness.

For me, camping is one of my nightmares. I'm not outdoorsy, unless you count lounging poolside overlooking the ocean as such. I like to sleep on soft things - sleeping bags, no matter how much fleece is used in its creation, does not compare to a plush mattress at a five-star hotel. And cooking over an open fire...well, I'm not a fan of char-broiled, no matter how it comes to my plate.

All that being said, when you're in love, it really doesn't matter what you do. If my husband took me camping on our honeymoon, I would've loved it, because it was with him. (Thank goodness he knows me better than I know myself. I would've loved it at the time, but probably held it against him in the future in order to extort tropical vacations on a yearly basis "to make up for it." He's a smart one.)

The point is, when you're in love, it doesn't matter where, and - in the case of my stories - it ends up not mattering when, either. Because love - that initial passion, and the resulting comfort of a lifelong best friend (with benefits!) combined with that passion, is something that people tend to want.

If you could honeymoon with the love of your life (real or otherwise!), where would you want to go? And, perhaps more importantly...when in history would you like to go there?

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The Path We Walk

As a writer, at some point during your writing path, you think about that moment when you're asked to submit your work. You sleep, eat, breathe and live that moment for months, sometimes years.

That was me about 8 years ago - before deployments, children, moves, career changes...real life. Before reality poked through my bubble and encouraged me to see what was most important - my family, myself, and my relationships. 

This is what shapes me as a writer.

There are some incredibly talented kids out there (Christopher Paolini, anyone?) who are wonderful writers, who perhaps don't need this kind of perspective, and that's wonderful for them. I used to think I was one of them...but as I found out, I clearly was not. I can freely admit that I could write better than most others - grammar and I were very close from an early age (I remember editing my Babysitters Club books, then the Sweet Valley High ones) - but I needed perspective. I needed to read thousands more books. 

That was only the start of my journey, and I believe it's going to be a long and fulfilling one.

All that said, I have to finish revising another 50 pages by Thursday to get this stuff to all the people who requested it, and an editor who shows the kind of enthusiasm about my book that I myself feel. I must do this while balancing work and family, and not passing over one for the other in any of these.

Elation is a good word for my moment. But now, the overwhelming feeling is rushed. 

Yeah...after eight years, I can see the irony in it.

The hiking trail to the Cliffs of Moher
(photographer Carly Wray)

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The Top Ten Things I Learned at my First Writers Conference

This conference was even better than I thought it was going to be. It's such a huge investment - the cost was almost $500. I almost didn't do it - I mean, people scoff at writers who aren't yet published all the time. That mindset didn't influence my decision, but it certainly crossed my mind - and that in doing this, it would put me into a new category of writer: That of a serious one. Romance books are not usually serious, but the writer behind them certainly is...and it's when I fully realized this that I went ahead and, with much support from my husband and family, signed up.

I am so thankful I did.

This brings me to my Top Ten Things I Learned at the Writer's Digest Conference East list  (in reverse order, because I like to build suspense. Don't skip to the end, then read it 1-10! I know who you are, you last-page-of-the-book reader standing next to me in Barnes and Noble...)

10. Revisions are a necessary evil.
9. Agents are real people, too. 
8. The are some CRAZY people out there who use the guise of writing/art to enhance their craziness.
7. There are some AMAZING writers out there who can make a sentence of six words evoke more emotion than you thought possible.
6. When you are yourself, people respond well to that. (Disclaimer: See number 8.)
5. When you believe in yourself, others will, too.
4. I have always had everything I need to succeed. 
3. I might need to find a new name for my hero - Nioclas looks good on paper, but saying "Nee-klaws" trips up the tongue. Not so awesome when you're talking about your book.
2. There are some mean folks in the publishing world - but I do not have to take their word as the last and final word on being a writer. (I will, however, take what I can from their criticisms - really helpful stuff. And it helps to thicken the skin.)
1. Investing in myself gave me the permission I thought I needed to be proud of my work. And you know what? To get to where I am today, from where I was on Friday...I'd pay double. Because writing - and making people feel something through my writing - is pretty darn invaluable.

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First-look Friday 4/5/13

Today's excerpt is from Mists of Time (Aidan and Emma's story).  Comments are so appreciated - don't be shy, be verbose!

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     His smile was slow and seductive. “First, there’s never reason to be afraid when you’re with me. Second, I don’t know anyone – man or woman – who would have dealt with your situation with as much grace; your entire world has been turned around, yet here you are, the consummate professional, going into the most anticipated auction with the world’s wealthy elite, as if you've been doing it your whole life. After being sacked, then ransacked...here you are. Funny, witty, refreshingly direct...beautiful, poised, and confident.” He sat back, the lines of his tux outlining his powerful arms, sex appeal radiating from him in waves. He raised an eyebrow at her. “That’s the Emma Perkins I see.”

     Emma simply stared at him, transfixed. His face was deadly serious, and she had the distinct impression that he wasn't giving her lip service. A delicate shudder ran up her spine...and she was lost.

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Similar Posts:

Mists of Time, Book 2 in the Time Passage Series

First-look Friday 3/15/13

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E-books or Paperbacks?

A few years ago, I wanted nothing to do with e-books. I wanted my trusty paperback - the weight of it was a comfort to me. The new-book smell (you know what I'm talking about!), the ink, folding the pages, bending the spine....Treasured ritual! Part of the experience!

In my life, the downsides of physical books are plentiful. Hundreds of books weigh a lot, and - being that we move around the country so frequently - that starts to add up in box count (and price). Books can tear, or - if you drop it in the tub - become unreadable. If you lend the book out, be prepared for it never to return. The dog can eat it. (True story...Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, in billions of shreds, all over my bedroom.) 

The downsides of ebooks are much less for me. One pound device (or whatever my Kindle  Touch or Fire weighs) holds millions of pounds of boxed books. It won't tear. If I drop it in the tub, I'm hoping that whole stick-it-in-a-bag-of-rice thing works, but if not, I can still access my books on the other Kindle, my computer, or phone while I'm waiting for the replacement to arrive. :) The dog won't eat it. (He's much older now, and has no interest in electronics.)

The instant gratification I can have with ebooks is frightening, though - I see a book, read an excerpt, then click that handy "Click to buy!" link. Five minutes after I've first discovered a book, I'm reading it...no trekking to the bookstore (although that is fun), no gas used, and I'm happily stirring my tea as my eyes are glued to the screen.

I don't get headaches (unless the story is that bad) and I don't get eyestrain (thank you Kindle for making the e-ink). But I do have an enormous library of books at my fingertips, which means if I'm sitting up in bed and finish one book, I can simply open another when I'm finished without getting out from the cozy covers. Lazy? Not really. I'd do it if I wanted to read a book I have in paperback...but the uninterrupted continuity I can have (reading happy endings, as it were) with my Kindle makes my "me" time that much better.

And as far as signed books go - I have many signed paperback (and hard cover) books and a couple of digitally-signed ones. First thought -  anyone could have typed up the "digital" message. But then again, anyone could have signed my hard copies, too, right? 

It's a draw for me. I love both equally. 

What do you prefer? Paperbacks or e-books?

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The Things We Do For Love...

It definitely pays to be married to a creative person with a Type-A personality...

Recently, I was asked about copyright for images. While I do have them, I need something more for my website. My first thought was, What better image to have than the brooch that sets Brianagh on her journey, thus setting off the entire Time Passage series?!

I have lots of great first thoughts. Sometimes I'll come up with a second thought, but usually this is a waste of time, as I tend to stick with the first. I don't really know why; it's -- never mind, this isn't important for this post. Back to what I was trying to tell you before I interrupted myself.

So - brooch - great idea, right?! Now, if I only knew how to draw (anything)...

My incredibly talented husband worked all afternoon and night on things for my books - a redesign of my webpage (he's getting to be quite the whiz at web design!) and drawing this brooch. He's got mad illustrator skills (can I use that terminology if I'm over 18?) - check out his BLOG! - and his art hangs all over our house. I have full confidence in everything he creates - he really is that good.

But what he's creating this time is a bit different...it's something from my head, that came to me in a dream about 9 years ago. I've always been able to see it clearly in my mind - however, I can't draw a stick figure to save my life. I still don't know what colors make purple, and I certainly don't know what colors "go" together. I rely on him for these bits of knowledge.

After a bumbling explanation of what I imagined this brooch to be (seriously, there were many "kinda like"s and "actually, it's more like"s in that discussion than were strictly necessary), he sat down with a sketch pad (it was actually some sort of cool sheer-ish paper with a small pencil and crazy good eraser) and I went off to put more words on paper. A few minutes later (OK, it could have been a lot longer, I usually lose track of time when writing), he called me out and I stared at what he created.

It was just about perfect.

And, the thing is...it wasn't what I described. Well, it was, but it was so much better. He took my original idea (which he clearly understood; he read the whole first book a few years back when I first wrote it, and again today when I was prepping it for submission to an agent - more on that later) and recreated it into a beautiful rendering of what I would have imagined, had I been capable of imagining something that awesome.

It'll be splashed all over my website in the coming weeks, so you'll get to see it firsthand. 

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Girlfriends make the world go 'round

I love sitting around a table with girlfriends. The non-stop laughter is something everyone needs in life, and when I'm having a particularly tough day, there isn't anything better than a cup of coffee (or glass of wine) and a couple of girlfriends to chat with. I love my family more than life itself, but it's all about the ladies when it comes to simply unwinding. I don't even have to watch my tongue (I can say the S word - that's stupid, equivalent to the F word in a house with a 6 yr old in it).

This morning, I read a great article about two contemporary romance authors who happen to be best friends, as well - Jill Shalvis and Kristan Higgans. I had never read their books until I started reading their blogs, which are equal parts hysterical, poignant, or fantastic to look at. I'm not talking about the web design (they are great sites, though). I'm talking more about their "research." You'll have to check them out to see what I mean.

Today, there is an article posted on USA Today about these two, and reading it, I connected. I saw that these two are laughing, teasing, and having just a good time with each other, and with life. 

I think that makes a better writer. Many of my girlfriend chat sessions end up in books in some shape - it's real, sometimes it's funny, and it's always relatable. If you don't have a girlfriend to while away an hour with....get thee one immediately. It's not that hard - just smile, start a conversation, and you're off and running.

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