THE WRITING PROCESS

I have decided writing is like one of the memes we often see on Facebook:

What Readers Think We Do:  Sit in a spacious, color-coordinated office plunking away at the keyboard while drinking the latest brew.  Dash off the occasional side note to our Personal Assistant so we need not trouble ourselves with mundane chores.  Ain't nobody got time for that.

What We Really Do: Try to find our way to the computer stuck in a closet through a narrow aisle carved out among stacks of rejection slips, unpaid bills, moth-eaten manuscripts with sticky notes hanging out the sides, cast-off socks, slung-off bras (if you're female) and coffee pots that no longer work.  Occasionally tripping over the dog or cat that has taken up residence in your closet/office because they can't find you anywhere else.  That's your Personal Assistant.

What Readers Think We Do:  Glance up at neatly arranged poster boards to study color-coordinated stickies (more stickies, can't live without 'em) that Spell Out the Plot, Give Us Pacing, Fill in Plot Holes, Map Out Plot Twists and lead straight to the Happily Ever After.

What We Really Do:  Peer, bleary-eyed, at the same damn manuscript we peered at the day before that still has a developing plot (at least we hope so), a sagging middle, plot holes like Swiss cheese,  and an ending that makes you consider...well...ending it all.  Sort of like a fatal disease without painkillers.

COFFEE BREAK

Now, where was I?  Oh, yes, the writing process.

This creative process is like entering uncharted, deepest space where No Man/Woman Has Gone Before. There is no road map and the stars are never in alignment.  You can't file a flight plan because a) you have no idea in bloody hell where you're going, and b) this journey can commence as early as 3 a.m. or as late as midnight.  Along the way you may encounter the rare Exploding SuperNova which gives you the Happily Ever After, and this makes the perilous journey worthwhile.  More commonly you will find Deepest Space which is both black and blank, stardust which is pretty but does not fill in plot holes, and the occasional Black Hole that sucks you into a time warp.  If you are unfortunate enough to encounter one of those, you will emerge unable to remember what day it is, where you put the car keys, or the names of your children.

And this brings us to a final point:

What Readers Think We Do: Go to the mailbox only to remove juicy royalty checks mailed by our  publishers.

What We Really Do:  Go to the mailbox hoping there may be a $50 check.  Go to the mailbox to remove bills--lots and lots of bills.  "Don't Give Up the Day Job" was written for writers.  Many of our books have been pirated for free downloads by sites as various as Free Reads R Us or Porno with a Freebie.  If we had the money to pay a Personal Assistant we would undoubtedly assign them the endless, time-robbing chore of mailing takedown notices.  It is endless because as soon as you take down one, your book pops up on thirty more, some of which have simply taken another name and are now Demon Downloader.  We write at 3 a.m. or midnight because that's the only time we have to write. What you are reading are our hours stolen from sleep.  We keep our jobs because a) we like to eat, and, b) we have a huge vet bill because the dog had to have his leg pinned after we fell over him for the 19th time. Our own legs may have been pinned, too, but at least there's insurance for that, if we can keep the premium paid.

Sigh.  It's nearly 8 a.m. and I've been writing since 5 a.m.  I had an exploding SuperNova while walking the dog--the one without a cast.  I hope I've cleared up a few key points about the writing process.  It's not really all that mysterious.  You just have to be crazy. 

 

 



    

ANOTHER MODEST PROPOSAL

It’s arguably safe to say the majority of people reading this are on Facebook.  Recently (recently?), I have noticed a trend towards pessimism, doom and gloom and…well…disagreement there.  More lighthearted individuals have even accused me of fostering this myself, so I gave it some thought and have realized how we can end it. 

Just Be Happy.

It’s so simple.  I am forever indebted to those who pointed out that by maintaining a positive attitude we can cure all ills.  It’s true, you know.  If every person in this world, maybe even this universe, would just Be Happy—we could make it all right.  If everyone was happy, for instance, how could they have wars?  What If We Gave A War And Nobody Came?  How could they come if they were all at the local coffee house, trying out the latest brew?  Or if they were in the garden, watering flowers.  “My flowers are beautiful this year” is ALWAYS appropriate.

And so, taking a line from Jonathan Swift, I would like to make a Modest Proposal.  Everybody Be Happy.  Post nothing but positive, glowing and uplifting ideas on Facebook.  For God’s sake (yes, you can say God, we can’t fight over that any more), be cheerful.  Facebook is a worldwide media and if this catches on, you never know, we might even bring about World Peace and Harmony.

Let me give you some ideas of appropriate material:

Response to birthday posts: "Have a wonderful (and/or blessed, depending upon religious convictions) year!"

Response to death in the family:  "He or she is with the angels now."  Or, if angels are not their thing, wishing peace is usually comforting.  Alternatively, if the post is about a family pet, they are at Rainbow Bridge.  Do not weaken and say they are the Rainbow Bridge waiting for you, because that implies someone will die someday and be with the angels.  Just leave it at, “They’re at the Rainbow Bridge.”

Response to war posts: "It is far away from us and I am going out for coffee."

Response to illness posts: "I am very sorry to hear that, but I know the doctors/shamans/drugs/natural cures/power of prayer will make you better."

Response to There Is A War on Christmas/War on Christians/War on Women:  "It is far away from us and I am going out for coffee."

Response to Political Division:  "If everyone will just smile and shake hands, I’ll go out for coffee."

Whatever you do, do not try to share your experience or knowledge with people because they will take that as negativity.  We are all adults.  They will find their own way.

You get the idea.  Some people may find it too boring to post and do something else, which will impact Facebook.  But think of the time and money they will save not having to censor posts, take down pages and otherwise fight all negativity in the world.  We can help!  Be brave.  Be bright.

I’m going out for coffee now.  And leaving you all a nice flower.  What can it hurt?  :)

TEN DAYS IN A LIFE

This is a feel good story.   As usual, it began with me snarfing through Facebook.  I knew I would get into some kind of trouble there; I always do.  And sure enough, there was trouble in the form of a picture of a poor, terrified puppy staring out at the camera through cyclone fence.  She was standing on a 2x2 piece of metal that was all she had to stand or sleep on.  And this was at a so-called humane shelter. 

You're not feeling good so far, I know, but wait.  It gets better.

I got the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I was about to do something I knew I shouldn't...but I knew I would.  It always starts out that way.  I'm gritting my teeth and muttering, "You idiot" at the same time that I'm emailing.  Always.

I emailed the rescue group working with the shelter, saying I fostered for a rescue and would find out if they would pull the puppy from the shelter.  It was only a little bit of a lie.  I was thinking of fostering for the rescue group.  Well, it's only a small step between thinking and doing, right?  It doesn't take long if you can type fast and I can type really fast when I want to.  Almost as fast as I can lie.

I emailed the rescue.  Would they be willing to take this puppy?  I would foster her for however long it was necessary.

Sometimes people sense when you're having a weak moment.  The rescue said yes, the rescue group said, "Thank God," and some good people donated to pay puppy's way out.  Her name was Kipsy, she was two months old and weighed 8 pounds.  Just a nugget.  They also said she'd been trembling with fear the entire time she had been in the shelter.  I would have, too.  That shelter gives the dogs only a three day stray hold and generally dumps them in a gas chamber on day four.  I'll say no more about that part.

Five days and a rushed veterinarian visit later, Kipsy was loaded on a transport with many other dogs and driven seven hours through darkness and rain from her southern birthplace to an SPCA in Pennsylvania, where I picked her up.  I couldn't even put her on the ground for fear she would contract the deadly parvo virus to which she didn't yet have immunity, so I carried her in the dark and rain to a crate in the back of my car and drove a rather harrowing hour home.  My night vision isn't the best and it was foggy and rainy just short of sleeting.  It was also 4 a.m.  Well, at least there was nobody on the roads to hit.  To my amazement, when I went to take her from her crate Kipsy came straight forward into my arms.  And when I put her on the ground, before even relieving herself she threw herself vertically up my pants leg in the traditional puppy greeting.  This, I thought, was a good puppy.

Not an entirely healthy puppy--all ribs and skinny little legs and big sad eyes.   You can see that for yourself:

Things would get better, I told her.  And they did.  My big dogs, much to my amazement, made her welcome.  The cat was another story.  But although the puppy barked at him she clearly didn't intend him any harm, and the other dogs soon showed her the ropes.  She began to feel a little cautious hope.

Well, the food was pretty good, the couch was soft, the bed was even softer.  No more sleeping on a piece of sheet metal.  The dogs were friendly; in fact, my pit bull Tia took that puppy under her care like a mother dog.  It was funny as heck, because up to that point Tia had been the puppy.  But her maternal instincts kicked right in.  My grumpy old Labrador groomed Kipsy, licking the kennel smell patiently off her coat.  My hound tolerated her.   She discovered a yard full of toys, a refrigerator full of food and a really bad belly when that food disagreed with her.  Uh-oh.  Off she went to Dr. Ginny, who told me that my two month old eight pound pit bull puppy was actually a four month old twenty pound hound puppy.  Who knew?

Ten days of food, shelter, companionship and medication brought out the puppy inside that puppy, who nearly ended her short life in a gas chamber.  She was a happy Kipsy, rocketing around the house, leaping like a gazelle onto the couch, barking ferociously at everything and nothing in the yard.

Ten days in a house with somebody to love her.  That's all it took.  Today Kipsy met the person I think will be her new mom--somebody who saw her sad shelter picture on Facebook and got the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that meant she was going to do something she shouldn't.  She did, and emailed me.  I knew she was having a weak moment and...well...I pounced on her!  I'm just waiting for final approval from the rescue and then, probably next weekend, I'll take my now 25 pound little nugget over to Betsy's house and we'll have a trial run with her other dog.  And if all goes well, Kipsy should have a great life on a little farm with two nice parents and a Labrador sister.

There--don't you feel good now?




  

THE FAB FIVE CONTEST

It's contest time!

The Wisconsin Romance Writers of America's 2013 FabFive contest submission deadline is closing in on us. All submissions must be received by midnight Friday. 

Some of our categories have low entry counts this year. That makes your odds of becoming a finalist and getting your work in front of an agent or editor better than ever in this highly-popular contest.

   

FabFive is available to writers unpublished in book-length romance fiction during the past five years.

Self-published authors may also apply. Your entry must be limited to the first 2,500 words of your manuscript and must be submitted electronically. For an entry form and complete details regarding rules and eligibility, click the Contests link on our website: http://www.wisrwa.org.

Grab this opportunity for a critique of your work and the chance one of our final round judges may ask to see more of it.  In last years contest, agents and editors requested eight full manuscripts and eight partials from our finalists. 

Inspirational writers: We've established a new category just for you! 

Our fees continue to be among the lowest for contests of this type - just $18 for WisRWA members and $20 for all other entrants.

  

Deadline for entries is 11:59 CST, March 1, 2013. Categories are limited to thirty-five submissions each, so enter early to beat the rush.

Here's our lineup of categories and final round judges for 2013: 

   Historical: Amanda Bergeron, Harper Collins

   Inspirational: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary Agency

   Paranormal/ Fantasy/ Futuristic/ Time Travel: Latoya Smith, Grand Central Publishing

   Romantic Suspense: Katherine Pelz, Berkley

   Series Contemporary(Long/Short): Dana Hopkins, Harlequin Enterprises

   Single Title: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates

   Women's Fiction: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary

   Young Adult: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency 

- Joe Fraser, FabFive Coordinator (jfraser6353@yahoo.com)

THE SHEILA CONTEST

Valley Forge Romance Writers is proud to announce The Sheila Contest opens for entries on March 1, 2013

Fee: $25 for VFRW members, $30 for non-members

Deadline: April 12, 2013

Eligibility: all RWA members, published and unpublished, who have not published a full-length novel (40K words or more) in the category entered at the time of the contest deadline and within the past five years.

Entry: Total of 35 pages, including synopsis (not to exceed 5 pages).

Categories: Single Title Romance, Historical, Fantasy/Futuristic/Paranormal, Women's Fiction with Romantic Elements, Romantic Suspense, Young Adult.

Judges: Entrants will receive a detailed score sheet from four qualified judges, including PRO and PAN members.

Categories and Final Judges: Romantic Suspense – Katherine Pelz, The Berkley Publishing Group; Historical – Elizabeth (Lizzie) Poteet, St. Matin's Press; Women's Fiction – Alex Logan, Grand Central Publishing; Single Title – Emilia Pisani, Gallery Books; Paranormal - Megha Parekh, Grand Central Publishing; YA – Wendy Loggia, Delacorte Press/RHCB.

Top Prize: Certificates. First- through fourth-place winners will have their names printed in RWR magazine.

FMI, http://www.vfrw.com/contest.

LIVING IN A HAPPY PLACE

Last Friday night, I had a Snow Party.  It was snowing, beautiful clingy snow that draped itself on everything, making it look like Wonderland.  I made a pot of stew, baked bread, took out some nice crisp apples, lit scented candles and put on Celtic music.  Then my dogs and I had a Snow Party.  We were in our Happy Place.

Some nights aren’t so happy.  Those are the ones I spend online doing animal rescue work.  Occasionally I post results on Facebook or my blog, but I keep those posts upbeat—cute puppy pictures, dogs rescued or adopted.  People don’t want to see the seamy underside of rescue—the suffering and death—so for the most part I keep that to myself. 

Occasionally, though, you get a request you feel duty-bound to pass along.  A gruesome photo of animal abuse came in with a request to share, because it was the only photo of the incident that showed the faces of the perpetrators.  Authorities are finding Facebook one of the most effective tools for tracking these monsters worldwide, so I posted it with a request that anyone knowing their whereabouts contact police.

A couple of people responded negatively, one demanding that I remove the photo and another asking if there wasn’t another way to contact the “right” people. 

Like the majority of writers I don’t believe in censorship, and we—collectively--ARE the right people.

Once upon a time, you looked at the Most Wanted list at your post office.  With the world made smaller by travel and technology, social media sites are the new post office.  There’s no going back to the good old days and they weren’t good.  Those pictures only showed the most wanted criminals—people who had hit the end of the road—people not stopped at the point where some of them were “only” torturing and killing animals, before they had moved on to bigger game.  That bigger game is us.

We had a clear illustration of this in my community. On an abandoned railroad track behind my property, someone began leaving carcasses of farm animals. They had not died a natural death.  Old stockmen shrugged it off.  Farmers were just dumping downed animals, they said.  But two of us with medical and psychiatric training became seriously alarmed by what we were seeing and called the state police.  They did as much as they could in a rural area, but within a short time we had the reports I was expecting.  A woman was assaulted in her own yard; fortunately, passing motorists came to her assistance and her assailant made his get-away.  We assume it was the same man who later exposed himself to two women walking their dog in a county park.  The dog attacked and once more he escaped. 

Was I surprised?  No.  THOSE WHO ABUSE ANIMALS ABUSE HUMANS.  Usually their targets are the most vulnerable:  women and children.  Thank God we have had no incidents involving children.  But with events like Sandy Hook fresh in our minds, how can we ignore threats to our society?  There were four men in the photo I posted.  How many wives, girlfriends, pets and children are at their mercy? One abuser previously apprehended through Facebook photos worked in security.  The man was carrying a gun.  His three-year-old child was in the photos, watching everything.  What would you do to stop a thing like that?  What should you do?

I love Snow Parties, my blog and Facebook page.  I visit pages of friends and acquaintances on Facebook and they are often delightful, visually appealing and creative spaces with wonderful photos, philosophy, poetry…cheerful and charming pages.   They are Happy Places.  Even if I don’t actually know those people, I  envision them as nice, decent women who nurture families, take meals to shut-ins, read to children at libraries, do the myriad little things that form the weft and warp of our society.   I can understand why they are so distressed by a graphic photo and ask if I can’t make it go away.

No.  I can’t.  I respect the rights and feelings of those who do--who can block or hide my posts--and not for a moment do I underestimate their importance to our decent, civilized society.  They are decent, civilized people and we sorely need them.  But we need other people, too.  I can handle the tough stuff.  Not to do so, at its worst, invites the sort of disaster represented by Sandy Hook.  Everyone looked away until it was too late.

We must each of us do as our conscience dictates.   I like Happy Places.  But, Heaven help me, I can’t live in one.

MY DOG'S DAY

Did you ever wonder how life could be for a puppy dumped at a high-kill-rate gassing shelter, if the puppy makes it out alive thanks to the tireless efforts of rescues?  If the puppy is adopted? 

Well, my puppy thinks it's not a bad deal.  Here, I'll let you read her diary:

Crack of dawn.  Wake up with Mom and my dog and cat friends in big bed.  Walk on Mom.  Get belly rubs.

Pee in the yard.  Sniff everything.  Every-thing.

Breakfast!  (My breakfast, Mom’s breakfast, cats’ breakfast.  My friends’ breakfast if I can sneak it in.)

Biscuits.

Long walk.  Pee twelve times.  Sniff everything.  Every-thing. (If it’s Sunday or snowing, long run in the pasture with my friends.  Even better.)

Chew bone while Mom walks my friends.  This will take a while.  They pee twelve times each and sniff everything, not quite as well as I do.

Mom back.  Mom looking funny.  Mom takes blood sugar.  Says we wore her out.  Mom eats second breakfast.

Breakfast!

Help Mom work on computer.  Or she might get in the car to go to work.  Either way, long nap.  Probable chew bone when she gets back.

Pee in yard.  Sniff everything.  Every-thing.

Lunch!  (Mom’s lunch.)

In office while Mom works on computer.  Red squeaky toy drives Mom nuts.

Pee in yard.  Sniff everything.  Every-thing.

Short walk.  Sniff half of everything.

Tea time.  Don’t like tea.  Like biscuits.

Nap time on Mom’s bed, with or without friends.  They seem a little tired of me, especially the cats.

Pee in yard.  Not too much sniffing because next comes—

Dinner!  (My dinner, Mom’s dinner, cats’ dinner, my friends’ dinner.)

Cuddle time on couch.  Belly rubs.

Where is red squeaky toy?  There it is!  Drive everybody nuts.

In computer room with Mom.  Switch to blue squeaky toy.  This doesn’t improve things, so I get to--

Pee in yard.  Make up for time lost not sniffing on previous trip, unless I smell a bear or coyote, in which case—

BACK IN HOUSE!   Love my Mommy.  Mommy will protect me! 

Big bear-hunting hound, Mayhem, goes in yard.  “I’m sorry I stole your food!”  Love Mayhem.   Mayhem will protect me!

Whew.  Whatever was there is gone.  They don’t like Mayhem even though Mom never lets her really hunt bears.  She likes them so much she tries to climb fence, but it zaps her.

Biscuits.  Bed time.  Curl up against Mom.  All is well.

Night-night. 

HAPPY HOLIDAY 2012

TO ONE AND ALL, A HAPPY HOLIDAY AND WONDERFUL NEW YEAR

THE DEVIL'S OWN DESPERADO!

Today I’m interviewing Lynda J. Cox.  Her book, The Devil’s Own Desperado is a western historical romance and was released for Kindle through Amazon’s KDP program in September and will be available for all formats and in hard copy on January 11^th, 2013.

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.  

The book for Colt Evans and Amelia McCollister is a western historical.  Amelia is raising her two younger siblings, forced into being a parent when her parents were murdered.  She’s resigned herself to that role and to probably never marrying.  She’s not necessarily opposed to guns but she doesn’t carry a lot of love for the weapons or for those who live by the gun, so when a wounded gunslinger wanders onto her homestead, she’s very torn.  Part of her wants to turn him away but her conscience and upbringing won’t let her.  Colt Evans, though he’s deadly accurate and blazingly quick with a revolver, is a very reluctant shootist.  He wants to hang the hardware up, but he’s a realist.  He knows he has a past and that past is well armed.  He knows that most men who live by the gun stand very good odds of dying by the gun.  Add in a younger brother infatuated with gunmen and the lore of the shootist, a little sister so traumatized by being a witness to her parents’ murder that she won’t speak, and an over-protective marshal, and you’ve got The Devil’s Own Desperado.

Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?  

Western historical romance is any romance set in the wide open spaces of the American West, usually any time after the American Civil War (or, depending on which side of the Mason-Dixon line you fell on, either geographically or politically—The War for  Southern Independence or The War of Northern Aggression) until about 1890.  Most often there are cowboys in this genre but the days of the cowboy that we know from Hollywood were very short because by the very early 1880s, barbed wire was already sectioning off the American West.  There are stock characters to be found in the genre: the drifter usually embittered by his experiences in the Civil War (as most of the cowboys were veterans of that war), the wall-flower school marm, the harlot with a heart of gold, the cattle baron, the gunslinger with a dead soul and a frozen heart…and you won’t find a one of those in this novel.  I prefer to write in the western historical romance genre because it’s a place that I’ve very comfortable. 

How did this story come to be?  

The Devil’s Own Desperado wasn’t supposed to be written when it was.  I was eyeball deep in writing the creative project for my master’s degree, and struggling to write a critical introduction (minimum of 25 pages with at least 15 sources) to the same.  If you think writing a synopsis and blurb is difficult, try writing a scholarly paper on the influences that shaped your work, where that work fits into other published works within the same genre, and what is new or unique about your work. At one point in the middle of that semester, Colt Evans walked into my subconscious—fully formed—and he was hand in hand with Amelia.  He demanded that I write their story and he wouldn’t take “no” for an answer.  So when I wasn’t pulling my hair out with that critical introduction or the creative project itself, I was writing Colt and Amelia’s story.

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold?

Actually, yes.  I had my creative project finished which is a fantasy romance and I have three other manuscripts in varying stages of completion—from one sitting on my editor’s desk to one in just rough draft form.  Other than my master’s project, those three manuscripts are all western historical romances and are set in the same small town where The Devil’s Own Desperado takes place.  Characters introduced in Colt and Amelia’s story have their own stories to tell.

What is your writing routine like?

I try to set aside at least three hours a day to write, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen.  I often find that I’m writing for hours on end when I can’t get those three hours in.  Before I start writing, I do a quick review of the manuscript, figure out where the characters are going in the next couple of scenes, decide who has the most to lose in that scene, and start writing.  I don’t write from an outline.  The one time I did, I discovered I had put so much creatively into the outline that the story itself was flat and lifeless.  Now, I just let the characters “tell” me where we’re going.

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?    

Oh, my…I think it would just be seeing my name on the cover of a published book.  All those hours spent dreaming of seeing that, all the hours spent writing, and sending out queries, getting ever so close…to finally see my name on the cover of a book that is published by a real publisher, not self-published—and there is NOTHING wrong with being self-published, but I had set the goal of being published by a more traditional publisher.

Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?

I’m a member of RWA.  While I’d like to join my local RWA chapter, I frankly don’t have the time.  Between teaching full time, raising our grand-daughter (she lives with us and is truly the light of my life), taking care of critters (two horses, chickens, cats and collies), and showing those collies, I really don’t have time.

What character is most like you or least like you?

I don’t think any of them are like me or not like me.  I try to let my characters be their own persons, but if you’re going to press me for an answer, I’d have to say that the marshal is the most like me.  I’m incredibly protective of those I love and care about.  For a while, there was a Facebook picture that pretty much summed me up.  It said, “I’m easy-going but mess with my dogs and I’ll break out a level of bad on you that will make your nightmares seem like a happy place.”  That would also go for my family and friends. 

What most inspires you in life?

Oh goodness.  I find inspiration everywhere: in stories of the underdogs, in nature, in watching my grand-daughter grow into a self-assured, beautiful young lady.

What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m working on an idea that I started for NaNaWriMo (and it’s not even close to being finished).  And, I’m looking forward to the upcoming show season with the collies.  I’ve got a young male who has really come into his own and we’re going to be campaigning him, hopefully into the top ten.

BOOK BLURB

He's everything she fears…

Wounded gunfighter Colt Evans stumbles onto a remote homestead never expecting to find compassion. But beautiful Amelia McCollister is like no other woman. Suddenly, his dream of settling down with a wife and home is within reach—but only if his past never comes gunning for him.

She's everything he dreams of…

Amelia had to grow up fast after outlaws murdered her parents, leaving her to raise her siblings alone. With a young brother who idolizes shootists, she dreads having a notorious gunman in her home. But as Colt slowly recovers, he reveals a caring nature under his tough exterior that Amelia can't resist.

Just when Colt starts to believe he can leave the gunfighter life behind, his past returns, bringing danger to them all. Can a shootist ever hang up his hardware? Or will their dreams disappear in the smoke of a desperado's gun?

A little bit about the author

I earned both my B.A. in English and history and M.A. in English from Indiana State University.  I’m an adjunct instructor of English, teaching mainly freshman composition.  Growing up on a steady diet of John Wayne Westerns and the television series Lassie, I’ve incorporated those influences into my life.  My historical romance novels are set in the Wyoming Territory and when I’m not writing or teaching I can be found on the road to the next dog show.  I love to talk books and can be reached at lynda.cox@aol.com.

Excerpt

“Colt. My name is Colt,” he interrupted.

She froze for a moment near the stove. “I would feel very forward to address you by your given name, Mr. Evans.”

His laughter boomed through the room. Amelia whirled. His head was tilted back and the strong cording of his throat stood out in relief. “Amelia, you didn’t have a problem taking care of me while I was unconscious and naked as the day I was born, but you think it would be forward to use my given name. There is something that doesn’t add up there.”

She twisted her apron between her hands, staring at  the floor. A moment later, Colt caught her chin in his            palm and tilted her head to him. She hadn’t heard him cross the floor. Her breath caught in a mingling of fear and some nameless anticipation.

“My name is Colt. Try it, Amelia. Colt.”

Amelia’s skin burned with the light touch of his fingers and her heart hammered against her breastbone. She wet her parched lips.

“It’s a simple name, really. Four little letters. Colt.”

Her throat was frozen. She was falling into the depths of his gray eyes. The pad of his thumb brushed along her lower lip. The butterflies returned to her stomach and that curious ache renewed. She shook her head, freeing herself of his gentle hold. She staggered a step away and broke the spell.

How can my readers buy your book?  

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page after January 11, 2013 and find The Devil’s Own Desperado at  http://www.thewildrosepress.com or it is currently available on Amazon (for Kindle only) at: http://www.amazon.com/The-Devils-Own-Desperado-ebook/dp/B009KA3ORW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353864507&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Devil%27s+Own+Desperado  After January 11^th, it will be available in all formats.

  

You can find more information about Lynda J. Cox and my book, The Devil’s Own Desperado by visiting my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LyndaJCox or my blog at http://lyndajcox.blogspot.com

Just a few fun questions to answer if you don’t mind.

1)    What’s your favorite movie?

You’re going to make me pick just one? 

2)    What is your favorite season?

They all have their good points and bad points, but I like fall the best.

3)    What is your favorite thing to eat?

A rib eye steak, medium rare, smothered in sautéed mushrooms and onions.

4)    Who is your favorite author to read?

J.K. Rowling.  I admit it, I am a Potter-head.

5)    What’s your favorite vacation spot?

Wyoming.  Anywhere in Wyoming.

6)    What’s the best piece of advice you have been given?

It’s not advice, but I have this on a sign hanging over my desk.  It’s a quote from John Wayne that says “Courage is being afraid but saddling up anyway.”

7)    Coke or Pepsi?

COKE!

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!

On the planet Megasta, colonists live in an uneasy peace with native tribes until the advent of Terran fever threatens their tenuous coexistence.  Can the efforts of a medical technician from Old Earth and her love for a Megasti man avert bloodshed between their people?

This Christmas-themed novella, first available in DCL Publications’ anthology Season of Love, is now available as a stand-alone for only .99 at the following locations:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/259419

http://www.amazon.com/Peace-on-New-Earth-ebook/dp/B00AEGID2M

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Peace-on-New-Earth-by-Miriam-Newman?keyword=Peace+on+New+Earth+by+Miriam+Newman&store=ebook

UPDATE ON TIA THE RESCUE PUPPY

It seems impossible that it was only last June when I was idly clicking through pictures of pups on a site that belongs to a friend who runs a rescue group.  I had already adopted a hound puppy from my friend and another from Lab Rescue, as well as two cats and a horse!  My ark was full--or so I thought.  And then when I accidentally clicked on one of the pictures it somehow magically linked me to Home Free Rescue in Red Bank, NJ and there was Tia.  Her name was Peta then, but no matter what you called her she was the spitting image of my first rescue dog, Dancer.  It was as if my pit bull/whippet cross Dancer had come back to life.  Call me a sentimental fool, but I knew I had to have this pup.

Fast forward to November.  This morning I was awakened by a warm little belly pressing against me while a little snout rooted in my face.  Like most pit bulls, Tia doesn't have a soft muzzle.  No, she has those folds of sandpaper skin the pitties have, and stubby whiskers, so it feels like being kissed by a shark.  Little Miss Shark wanted to go out even though it was only 5:30, so up I got and put her in the yard with a stuffed hedgehog I knew would be history in minutes.  It was, but she had fun and I saved his squeaker and batting to stitch later into a square of fake fur remnant from my local sewing shop.  Tia can't tell the difference between that and a toy, so we recycle to save money since she can shred the expensive ones to bits quicker than you can say, "Bob's yer uncle."

Then it was in to a breakfast of kibble and warm hamburger...oh, and a bite of my whole wheat waffle, of course.   Thank goodness she lets me have my own coffee.  Then out for a walk on a 20 foot training lead so she could check out every blade of grass, pounce in the leaves for anything that might be underneath and crane her neck at the wild geese flying overhead.  They scared her at first, but she's used to them now.  Next we'll go for a walk to the local garage where my car is being inspected.  She's still afraid of cars, I guess because every time she was in one she was taken and left somewhere...first at a kill shelter by her owner who said they had "too many dogs," then up I-95 from South Carolina to New Jersey and to a rescue, a foster home, a vet and finally to me.  Tia isn't too fond of cars, so after she has greeted her friends at the garage I'll take her to Arby's to share a roast beef sandwich.  I'm hoping maybe she'll eventually realize that the car always takes her to good places and then home again.

Home isn't much--a small Victorian cottage with well-worn floors and doors scratched by a number of dogs.  But it's warm and smells like food and her friends and she seems to realize this is her own forever place where she'll be cared for.  She had her first Thanksgiving turkey and I think today I'll get the Christmas tree and she can help me decorate.  She helps me do everything, from my first eye-crack of the day to the last puppy sigh at night as she curls up against me and dreams sweet dreams.  At least I hope they're sweet now, because she's home and she'll never leave again.

Won't you consider sharing your home?  There are so many rescue dogs and puppies, cats and kittens, all of them desperate for a warm place and a dish of food.  In return, they'll give you every ounce of joy and devotion in their little cuddly bodies.  Please think of them this holiday season and adopt, foster or donate--whatever you can do.  Call any local shelter or rescue group or consider a group like Home Free Rescue, Recycled Tails or Middlemutts/Last Chance Rescue.  Just check them out on Facebook.  Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Love,

Miriam and Tia     

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2012

WISHING A SAFE, HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING DAY TO ALL WHO OBSERVE

BOOKS BY SUZANNE SABOL

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Today I’m interviewing Suzanne M. Sabol.  Her book, Pool of Crimson, is an Urban Fantasy and was released on July 11, 2012.  Midnight Ash, the next in The Blushing Death Series, will be out in November of 2012.

 

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.    

Pool of Crimson is an Urban Fantasy set in Columbus, Ohio.  Urban Fantasy is a gritty genre based in an urban environment with a paranormal twist.  The undertones are darker, the sex and violence are more graphic and there isn’t always a happy ending.  I write in both Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

How did this story come to be?  

I tend to develop a character first, what his or her problems are and what their reactions would be in any given situation.   Dahlia came about after talking to one of my employees.  This particular woman was named after a flower and it seemed to fit her.  She was sweet and gentle.  I started thinking about a woman who was named after something delicate and beautiful like a flower but hard as nails who saw all the darker things in life.  Since I’m most comfortable in the paranormal genre, I started putting together a story to force her into the preternatural underworld and situations that would test her mettle.   

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?

I had several manuscripts completed prior to Pool of Crimson selling to Soul Mate Publishing.  I had four for this particular series, The Blushing Death Series, completed as well as another dystopian paranormal romance.  I sent out manuscripts religiously.  I always had at least six queries out at a time.  I currently have Pool of Crimson in publication, Midnight Ash (#2) coming out in November, a contract for #3 and #4 in The Blushing Death Series, and requests from two publishing houses to view the dystopian paranormal romance. 

What is your writing routine like?

I write important dialogue and outlines out long hand.  I have notebooks for each novel with important plot points and conversations, as well as post-its on the wall, chalkboard walls filled with information.  I plot out characters, their likes/dislikes, their backstory, fears, and family histories prior to starting the hard work of starting chapter 1.   I also outline chapters so that I know what the conflict is and where the story’s going. 

What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?

I am very active on facebook, twitter, goodreads, and pinterest.  I have ads running on facebook, romance divas, and bookdaily.com.    I’m also active on several listservs that help promote my work. 

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?    

I think the most rewarding part for me is seeing my work out there, having people reading it and disappearing into the world I created.  I love seeing my name on my work.   Seeing my name on something that is published is a real sense of accomplishment. 

Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?

I’m a member of Romance Writers of America and my local RWA chapter, Central Ohio Fiction Writers.  My local chapter helped me a great deal.  They have been incredibly supportive, providing moral support, critiques on my work and providing me with the ability to learn with workshops, wonderful guest speakers every month and conferences.  I have met some fantastic people in my local chapter.  I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

What’s next for you?

I’m always writing, editing, and revising.  I’m currently working on The Blushing Death series #5 and #6.  I am also working on my dystopian paranormal romance trilogy.  I started a master’s program at The Ohio State University in August.  This means a lot of course work but it’s very rewarding. 

BOOK BLURB

Killing vampires is easy. Trusting one will be the hardest thing Dahlia Sabin has ever done.

Dahlia has lived a lonely existence as a killer of the undead. Known as The Blushing Death to those that fear her, Dahlia uncovers a plot by Columbus’s Master Vampire, Ethan. He intends to raise a demon from the depths of hell to destroy the city, cement his power, and take control.

In her pursuit to stop a demon from manifesting, Dahlia sinks deeper into the city’s supernatural underworld and discovers that vampires are not only deadly; one in particular could be dangerous to her very soul and her heart. Patrick, the Master vampire’s second-in-command with dark penetrating eyes and a cool, deadly sophistication, can’t stay away and Dahlia can’t tell him no. There’s something that neither of them knows; Ethan wants Dahlia’s unleashed power for himself and is willing to do anything to get it.

Dahlia is in a race against time to send the demon back to hell, at war with her better judgment, trusting a dark and intriguing vampire with his own agenda, while struggling to save her own neck. As the portal to hell opens, Dahlia has only herself to rely on in order to survive, if she can …

A little bit about the author

Suzanne M. Sabol began writing at a young age, completing her first full-length novel at the age of 17.  Her love of everything paranormal and romance began shortly thereafter.  She is an avid reader and writer, focusing mostly in the urban fantasy genre.    She loves reading anything from contemporary single title romance to detective noir as well as the classics.
Suzanne published her first novel Cursed in 2009, Pool of Crimson in 2012, and Midnight Ash will be available in November of 2012.  She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with majors in Criminology, International Studies, Russian and Political Science.  She is currently working on her Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration at the John Glenn School of Public Policy.  She works full time as a Human Resources Professional and Fiscal Officer.
Suzanne was born and raised in Eastern Ohio where she was more likely to see a deer on the road than a sports car.  She currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with her husband Ross.  When she’s not working, writing, or reading, she’s spending time traveling and looking for the next great story.  She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Central Ohio Fiction Writers.

How can my readers buy your book?  

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at www.soulmatepublishing.com 

You can find more information about Suzanne M. Sabol and my book, Pool of Crimson by

visiting my website, http://www.suzannemsabol.com or

my blog at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2889259.Suzanne_M_Sabol/blog

Just a few fun questions to answer if you don’t mind.

1)    What’s your favorite movie?

a.     The Thin Man with William Powell and Myrna Loy

2)    What is your favorite TV show?

a.     Once Upon a Time

3)    What is your favorite thing to drink?

a.     Iced Tea

4)    Who is your favorite author to read?

a.     Jane Austen

5)    What’s your favorite vacation spot?

a.     Barcelona, Spain

6)    What’s the best piece of advice you have been given?

a.     It’s not brain surgery.  Everything else can be fixed.

Thank you for allowing me to interview you here. Good luck to you in your future!!!