A Rogue By Any Other Name...

Words have meaning and names have power.  ~Author Unknown

I love naming characters in my novels. I pore over my myriad baby name books, scour the internet for just the perfect name, then spend hours writing or saying it while I compile the rest of that character. It sounds silly, but would you buy a book about a Viking named Bob? Even Robert the Viking doesn’t have a good ring to it.

I love good characters, ones I really bond with and enjoy whether they make me laugh or cry or raise a brow. And a name is inherent to that. I have been a romance reader for a looooong time. Really long time. I used to have a subscription to Silhouette’s Desire line and would eagerly receive my 6 books every month, devour them, then put them on the bookshelf. I also read anything Kathleen Woodiwiss or Diana Palmer put out. There were quite a few other authors I read but can’t remember (eek!) but I DO remember their characters names. And it drives me crazy because I want to find those books again to re-read them and find out if the book was really good or why it made such an impression on me.

Here’s an example (this was the mid to late-80s): the book was an historical, vaguely recall it being set on an island like Martinique, but I could be wrong. The two characters I remember are the hero Kincade or possibly Kincaid  and the heroine Chris, short for Christine. There was also a witchy woman vying for the hero’s attention who had a very sexy, Latin name, except I can’t remember that either. Any clues?

I remember Kade’s name and his general impression of a character being strong, forceful and sensual. I remember Chris being unafraid, a force of nature and not one to give in. Obviously these characters formed an impression on me, but I wonder, would they have done the same if they’d been named Bob and Jill? Probably not.

Not that there’s anything wrong with “regular” names. Edward and Jacob have proven to be phenomenal as have Harry and Ron. I just think it depends on the type of setting. For example: Brenna and Garrick. Any indicators? Any ideas what type of book those would be from? They are from Johanna Lindsey’s book Fires of Winter. She’s a Celtic captive and he’s a Viking. I haven’t read the story in many years, but it, too, stuck with me. Especially the scene where Garrick saves his young son Selig.

But I also find myself shying away from unpronounceable names, like ones with too many vowels or apostrophes or an overload of consonants. I don’t know about you, but when that happens, I have a standard set of “fill-in” names that I use. So Uyghor becomes Therrin and Sa’patke becomes Sarah. It works for me, but I do feel a twinge for the author because I’m sure they worked hard to find a name to fit their character. It’s not unlike naming your baby. Over and over again.

Photo from star-babynames.blogspot.com

So, what kind of character names do you like? Are there any you are tired of? Ones that have been over done or not done enough?

Here’s a list of my favorite names:

Ethan, Quinn, Garrick, Kincaid, Kellan, Amelia, Abigail, Catherine, Victoria, Marcus and Emily. There are tons more, but I want to hear from you!

Happy reading,
Jennifer

What Makes You Pick Up A Book?

When I shop for romance books, I have tried and true methods for picking them up. First, of course, are my favorite authors – Julia Quinn, Julie Garwood, Jo Davis, Shayla Black/Shelley Bradley, Suzanne Enoch, Tracy Anne Warren, Stephanie Laurens, Susan Gable, Diana Duncan, Karen Hawkins – just to name a very few. Those are auto-buys for me and I eagerly await their new releases. I have a special calendar above my desk with upcoming releases penned in.

Beyond that, though, I pick up books first based on the cover – I’m a firm lover/believer of clinch covers. While my imagination will fill in the details and come up with my own hero and heroine as I read, I like having a head start on the cover. Bare chests and sultry women are good.

Next are titles. In historical romances, I gravitate toward books with words like royal titles (Dukes, Earls and Viscounts), knights, Templar, crusades, Scotland, etc. In contemporary books, I lean more toward the erotic and mysterious. I’m not really much on generic titles or the other spectrum of all-inclusive titles such as the Billionaire Cowboy’s Secret Baby with His Virginal Bride. Hey, it could happen. Now, some of those tags interest me, but by and large they don’t catch my eye.

I also love saucy titles such as Sarah MacLean’s Nine Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake. That was a darn good book, as are the sequels. Karen Hawkins’ phenomenal MacLean curse series also tweaks tradition tongue-in-cheek style: To Scotland, With Love, Sleepless in Scotland, The Laird Who Loved Me. Who could resist those titles? And you really MUST read those books. Wow.

Next is the back cover blurb. Those 30 seconds it takes me to read the back cover is like the trailer to a movie. Grab me, interest me and leave me with that I-have-got-to-buy-this-book feeling. Good cover/blurb writing is an art and those who excel at it do a lot to convince me to buy. Hopefully, but not always, the author does her (or his!) part and delivers an exceptional story.

After the blurb, I’ll flip open and read the first paragraph. If it doesn’t grab me, I KEEP READING. I know how hard I work on my books and there’s no way I’m giving up after one paragraph. I usually will read at least the first five pages of the book because I know if I don’t like it by then, I won’t at all. Most of the time. Once or twice I have been fooled.

Those are all the usual reasons people have for picking up a book. What are some things that pull you to pick up and buy a romance novel?

What makes you pick up a book?

Happy reading,

Jennifer August

Resolutions and Goals

Welcome one and all, and a very Happy New Year!

I am totally excited to be here and am looking forward to a healthy and prosperous year for everyone.

Today, I want to talk about New Year’s Resolutions and Goals: Two four-letter words as far as I’m concerned. I know I’m probably in the minority, but there you have it.

A few years ago, I decided to quit making resolutions because I felt like I was always setting myself up for failure. If, near to the year end, I had not followed through completely on all of my resolutions, I would beat myself up. My soul would plunge into deep depression. Guilt weighted down my shoulders and churned up acid in my stomach causing many sleepless nights.

Even though for a few years prior to my no-resolution rule, I wouldn’t carve anything into stone, I would still repeat over and over in my head phrases like, “This year I’m going to lose weight,” or, “This year I’m going to be a better person,” or, “This year I’m going to write on a more regular basis…yada, yada, yada. About half way through the year, I’d start whining (to myself of course), “Gosh, I haven’t lost enough weight,” and “I haven’t been a good enough person,” and “I haven’t written enough…” and the list goes on. You get the picture.

So now, I simply don’t make resolutions. I no longer fret over them and I’m healthier because of my decision. I’ve tried repeatedly, with the same result so I relinquish that task to the braver, stronger public. Maybe I’m doing something wrong? Perhaps I internalize my shortcomings a bit too seriously? Whatever the reason, I’ve come to terms with my personal monster and he no longer gets the best of me.

Now for that other four letter word - Goal. Ask my critique partner’s what I think about goals. They’ll laugh and tell you I don’t like those either. I can hear them snickering right now. Hush vicious girls! :)

When it comes time each year to write our goals on paper, I’m the one and only in the background groaning loudly. For some reason, to me, goals are just another way to set myself up for total mental and physical collapse. I know it’s probably silly of me to think this way, but then not everyone can explain their own behavior, what works for them and why it works, sometimes it just does.

I know this is contrary to everything everyone has heard or been taught before, but this is what works for me. Don’t get me wrong, I believe goals are an invaluable tool, and they work for most people, giving them a guide to follow for their coming year’s achievements. Heaven knows everyone makes goals, right? I guess I’m one of those unique individuals who doesn’t fit the status quo. I blame my genealogy for that one. Even though I forced myself to write something on that blank piece of paper, I try to put it out of my mind…hmm…maybe that’s how it’s supposed to work. Mind games.

Previously, I would do just as everyone else and make those darn resolutions and goals even though I hated it and it made me nauseous. However, as I age, I’m learning to listen to my own motherly mind more and more. That crazy little voice wandering around in my brain instinctively telling me what’s the right and wrong thing to do. My twisting gut, and a considerable amount of therapy, tells me not to worry about these outside pressures.

One way is not always the only way.

I now appreciate my universal intuition and like the feeling I get from taking responsibility for my own actions. If I decide not to do something, like make resolutions and goals while everyone else around me thinks I’m nuts, or the system tells me it’s the only way to accomplish success, I can accept that choice and be happy and content.

I’m amazed at how often I feel like I’m doing the right thing for me and that everything plays out better than I expect most times, especially when I get out of my own way. I do however prepare a mental list of sorts and then try to get those things accomplished. I suppose this could be considered mental goal making without the written backup. I know what I need to do to get those tasks done. When I recently went back and thought about everything I’d accomplished this last year, I was surprised and satisfied. And of course with the help of friends, and the goals everyone forces me to face, I will push myself harder this year. So off I go to lose more weight, be a better person and to write more!

So now that you know how I feel about Resolutions and Goals, what are your feelings on the subject? Do you make resolutions? Do you make goals? If you answer yes, I’d be interested to know what your process involves. If you answer no, I’d love to hear why you don’t partake in this annual ritual. I’m also curious to see if there’s anyone out there who feels like I do.

If you perform an internet search for Resolutions and Goals, over 14,000 links are out there and there’s something for everyone, so have fun browsing that subject!

Regardless of your preferences in planning your future objectives, I wish each of you a fabulous and successful New Year. I look forward to next time.


For now I remain… Sincerely Yours,
Wendy Treitel

Fun Facts About Coffee

Today we are delighted to have the talented and fun Michelle Miles guest blogging for us today. Author of the popular Coffee House Chronicles books, Michelle is a prolific, intriguing writer. Check her out today!

Fun Facts About Coffee

By Michelle Miles

I’m so excited to be a guest of this new blog! I was excited when Jen asked me to come over and check out their new digs. It’s still shiny and new, isn’t it? I’ll try to keep the paint splatter to a minimum. ;)

I’ve been procrastinating on this blog entry for a couple of days, thinking I would come up with something witty and brilliant for a post. Something that has meat and people can sink their teeth into it. My CP gave me some brilliant ideas on the evolution of the coffee bean, different ways coffee is enjoyed around the world, and other similar things. But I couldn’t get my brain to function that way. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t come up with anything informative much less witty.

So this morning as I was driving to work, the radio station I listen to does a spot call “Did You Know?” One of the fun facts was that people who drink coffee were less likely to commit suicide than people who didn’t drink coffee. Hm, I thought. I guess that means I’m safe seeing as how I drink my allotted two cups per day. And I know my man is safe because he single-handedly keeps Starbucks in business.

Recently, I received a gift that was a set of Irish coffee mugs. I was so delighted about this, I ran out and bought a bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream. Do you know how delicious a cup of coffee is with a healthy splash of Bailey’s? It’s to-die-for. The only I had missing on my coffee was s dollop of whipped cream (and we all know that’s not conducive to keeping a girlish figure).

Then, I perused the Intarwebs, looking for All Things Coffee. When I ran across some interesting facts. For instance: The United States is the world largest consumer of coffee followed closely by Brazil, who happens to be the largest producing country. Juan Valdez would be proud, don’t you think? The highest per capita consumption, though, occurs in Northern Europe. Those crazy Finns, Swedes and Danes love their coffee almost as much as my husband loves his Americano. The largest exporter of coffee is Italy, birthplace of the espresso, coffee bars and biscotti. The French enjoy their espresso with baguettes and croissants; the English prefer their coffee at tea time and we Americans like coffee any old time.

Now that I think about, it seems I have provided you with some information about coffee. It’s at least something you can file away in the Useless Information File for future use. You never know when you’ll need facts about coffee.

Here’s another fact about coffee. My new novella, THE COFFEE WARS, is now on sale at Cobblestone Press for $3.99. Here’s the blurb:

All's fair in love and coffee. In this war, the only thing that matters is a lot of hot steam!

Lilly owns the new up and coming, Java Perks. She’s determined to be the number one coffee house in town, crushing her competition down the street, The Bitter End.

Meeting the mystery woman in his coffee house, David immediately wants her for himself. After a hot encounter on his desk, he can’t stop thinking about her. Until he learns she’s the owner of the place trying to put him out of business.

When David confronts Lilly accusing her of using him, she throws down the gauntlet. Now the two are at war and may the best woman win!

I would love it if you’d pick up my new book today. I have a coffee habit to support after all. ;)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michelle Miles found her love of writing buried in the fantasy books of Patricia A. McKillip and the beautiful romances of Victoria Holt. It wasn’t until her high school years she decided to take up the pen and try her hand at writing. She created faraway lands, space adventures, and even princesses who just wanted to be saved. Never learning to plot, she always believed that jumping in feet first was the way to go and has since become a self-proclaimed Pantser, writing sexy contemporaries and sizzling action/adventure.

Her contemporary Coffee House Chronicles, include TALK DIRTY TO ME and NICE GIRLS DO, which are currently available from Samhain Publishing. TAKE ME I’M YOURS, SEX LUST & MARTINIS and THE COFFEE WARS are now available through Cobblestone Press.

She resides in North Texas with her cat, her Man and her son. Visit her website at http://www.michellemiles.net to sign up for her monthly newsletter and read her daily blog, Ye Olde Inkwell.

Motivation ... or a swift kick in the ass

Wow! Is it already 2011? Another good year to write passed me by and I did very little. Did you reach last year’s writing goal? Did you make more writing goals this year? Do you fear you will never get your WIP finished?

Well, join the club. I know exactly how you feel, think and…stall. I know because I’m one of the best procrastinators out there. I’m ashamed to say, I haven’t finished a manuscript in a very long time. However, I have started a ton of new projects. Three chapters of anything, and I’m out. At last count, I had eighteen unfinished stories.

Sound familiar?

Knowing this had to end, I spent the holidays questioning myself. Yes, I had an ugly pity party, and I was the only guest. I cried, I tried to validate my fifteen years of wasted time, and I even blamed my old computer; then my new computer. Anything but admitting I don’t want to write.

I am a lazy person who struggles to get off the couch, walk to the computer and write. Isn’t that pathetic? I want to be a writer and I want to get published, but I can’t bring myself to do the work.

Well, this year that changes. I’ve made yet another New Year resolution. I will finish a manuscript this year and I will get it out the door.

So, how am I going to do that you ask. Well, for one thing I’m going to write everyday. I’m not putting a word count to that commitment, but I will write something...hell, anything is better than a blank page.

Also, I plan to finish a book. I’m not going to stop when I get stuck. I’m not going to listen to that editor in my head that tries to convince me that I can’t write. And I’m blocking out that little weenie that sits on my shoulder and encourages me to stop writing on this WIP, and start something new and exciting.

I’m making motivation the topic of my first blog entry and I’d love to hear from you. Hey, I can use all the advice you want to offer. Tell me how you get out of a writing slump. How do you struggle to get to the finish line? What is your number one rule? How do you make that difficult leap from putting exciting words on a blank page to being published?

I look forward to hearing from you, and if you are like me, well, we can all learn together.

Thanks

Geri Foster

An Awesome Gift of Time

Welcome to 2011 and a new year; a tantalizing package waiting to be unwrapped, teasing and encouraging us to life and living. As I drank my coffee on the first day of the New Year I couldn’t help wondering what adventures lay ahead. That’s when it occurred to me what an amazing gift the New Year offered; time and lots of it!
Really, think about how much time is contained in that measure we call a year; 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days! I’m not even going into hours and minutes, I’m good with a blank calendar page. Mentally rubbing my hands together I wondered how to best use my new gift? What to do? What goals did I want to make? What dreams to chase?
That’s my favorite thing, chasing dreams (writing fiction) and now thanks to the New Year I have all these blank calendar pages! Yes, there is work to be done, but there is also fun to be had. As I sat, coffee cup in hand watching the day unfold, I thought about the current projects (unfinished stories) and how to move them to the completed file. What new ideas would pop into my head this year?
Creating a work of fiction is one of the most exciting adventures imaginable. From ‘idea’ to ‘the end’, it’s a ride with twists and turns and stalemates; sort of like a roller coaster or river rafting-no matter how many times you do it, each adventure is different. That’s what makes it exciting time and time again.
And yes, while contemplating all this “new” time I had, I got an idea for a story, really a series of stories. It’s the tiniest germ of an idea, but an amazing concept I can’t wait to explore. Of course there will be characters to develop, plotting parties, writing and rewriting. There will be information to gather and a location to find or create.
Okay, got to go, life is busy and my calendar pages are filling up quickly!
Let’s raise a glass to Auld Lang Syne, adventures and this amazing gift of time to enjoy life.
Ella

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2011, it’s going to be a great year!

Welcome to our brand new blog, too. Ella, Wendy, Geri and myself are tickled to be trying our hand at blogging. We don’t really have a gameplan, we just want to make it entertaining and informative. If you have questions whether as a reader or a writer, let us know and we’ll be happy to do our best to answer them.

I have been asked several times where I get my ideas from.  I love that question because my answers usually result in brow-furrowing looks of “Oh, realllly?” J You know, the kind of response that people take a step away from and surreptitiously dial the funny farm? Yep, those kinds of answers.

Okay, maybe it’s not really that bad. My ideas come from a variety of different spots. Once, I dreamed an entire book start to finish. It was a really good book. Even if it’s currently languishing in my To-Be-Revised pile! One of these days it will see the light of day.

Sometimes I will hear part of a phrase and think, hm, I wonder… My friends and family are used to seeing me suddenly have that faraway look in my eye before I start furiously digging for a pen to write down whatever it is I’ve seen. Often a factoid I hear triggers a germ of a story idea. Once, I heard that the President’s limousine carries two pints of his blood just in case. I immediately said “Oh, I could kill the President with that!” Fortunately, I have not received a visit from anyone in a suit about that statement. My immediate thought was if I could have an assassin try to get to the blood supply, switch it and then cause an accident which needed to result in an immediate transfusion – wham, instant assassination. However, I don’t write those kinds of books, so that mostly went away!

The strangest book idea I had came from an address. It was 1200 Midnight Drive. Really. I don’t remember what town, but I remembered that street address. It spawned a short ghost story involving murder, mayhem and romance. It was quite fun to write!

Other ideas are word association games, reading the dictionary (honestly! I find some good fodder just by doing that), brainstorming with my critique partners and good old fashioned brain sweating. It doesn’t always happen easily – more often than not it’s a great deal of work to create a viable idea. Then, you have to ensure the world you create is the right place for your idea and the characters the proper ones to populate it.

Sometimes a publisher sends out a call for a specific kind of story. That's where the idea for Strokes At Midnight (Amazon Kindle Store) came from. The theme was Halloween and the heat level was erotic. I came up with a twist on the classic Cinderella story with my heroine covered only in body paint and posing as a model in a living art collection. At a Halloween party. It involves some *ahem* adult themes. To give you an idea, the tagline is : An erotic short story of fantasy, fetish and forever after!

The inspiration for my book Her Dark Master (Red Sage Publishing) was actually borne from my favorite song in The Phantom of the Opera by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. Masquerade is full of emotion both light and dark, promise and retribution. It has genius lines and captivating music. The lyric “Paper faces on parade” was the ultimate spark. From that line, I came up with the story of Victoria Ashford, a lady of the Regency Ton who is betrothed against her will. And not to the man she loves. So, being a sort of rebellious young lady, not to mention very adventurous (after all, she writes scandalously sexy stories for an underground paper) she decides to masquerade as a courtesan and have at least one night of passion with the man she truly wants. It was great fun to write!

So, tell us, what are some of your favorite books and storylines. What do you like to read about?