I’ve been a fan of college football since my grandfather introduced me to the magic of the game on Saturday afternoons when I was young girl. Years later, I infected DH with the fever for the Fighting Irish and then both of our boys. Now, it’s a family tradition to plan every autumn Saturday around the football schedule and watch the game together.
I don’t obsess over the scores, or even know everything about the game; I just enjoy it.
My youngest, DS 2.0, plays high school football. I encourage him to play for the fun of the game and not to obsess over scores. It’s more important to play with heart (aka: “Accept your mother’s lack of skill when she’s playing a game of catch with you.”) 🙂
DS 2.0 is gearing up for football practice. Earlier today, I threw a series of “slants,” “hitches,” and “fades” to him. Not to brag or anything, but a few of my passes were even on target. And a bonus: minimal eye-rolling.
I loved writing the Wallflower Wedding Series, The Rakes of Fallow Hall Series, and getting to know the characters and their families. It was difficult to say goodbye. However, beginning something fresh, new and completely unrelated to the previous books sparks excitement inside me.
I’m currently working on a proposal for a new series and I’m already obsessed with these characters and their stories. Unfortunately, this process isn’t foolproof. My first round of book titles flopped. My second round received a bland response (definitely not promising). And now my third attempt is trapped somewhere inside my head.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the perfect title just revealed itself? Landing on my windowsill in the claw of a carrier pigeon… Emerging in ghostly writing on the steamed-up bathroom mirror… Burned onto a piece of toast… Spelled out in tea leaves… Or even, hand delivered by Gerard Butler to my door… (not that I’ve given that idea any thought at all…) 🙂
The truth is, there is magic in the right book title. You always remember the really great ones: Perfect, by Judith McNaught; A Knight in Shining Armor, by Jude Devereaux; Devil in Winter, by Lisa Kleypas; On the Way to the Wedding, by Julia Quinn; A Kiss at Midnight, by Eloisa James… And the list goes on and on.
Great titles + great stories = magic. It’s as simple as that. Right?
Right now, I could use a bit of magic (and a visit from Gerard Butler). 😀
It’s truly uncanny how closely these people resemble the characters I had pictured in my mind. Of course, my Regency era hero and heroine aren’t actually werewolves from London, but my guess is that they are moonlighting… and time traveling. 😉
It’s GIVEAWAY time!!! YAY!! Entering is easy: For an assortment of author swag and a paperback copy of THE ELUSIVE LORD EVERHART & FINDING MISS McFARLAND, just “share” the post on my Facebook page and “like” my page.
If you happened to stop by my Facebook page this week, then you might have seen a mention about street teams. So far, I’ve found that most readers are pro-street team. The truth is, I don’t know much about them or how they operate. Fortunately for me, others have weighed in and offered their knowledge on the topic.
I’m still doing research and giving the idea thought. However, one thing that strikes me as vital (in any and all street teams) is a catchy name. After all, this name will go on t-shirts, mugs and canvas bags, right?
Early this morning (before my tea, mind you), I came up with a few that made me laugh:
Viv’s Vixens
Lorret’s Liasons
The Kettle Crew
The Caffeine Commandos (underwear optional, of course) 😉
As you can see, my thoughts started to veer directly toward a need for my morning mega-mug of chai. Before this list continues, I must add writer fuel to my brain.
I’m researching settings and finding character inspiration today. When I don’t already have a set hero or heroine in my head, I usually browse Pinterest. After a few random key words, something sparks my interest and sets fire to my imagination. From Pinterest, I go to my local library’s site and see what history I can uncover, and from there I expand my search. One little thing usually leads to another and then another. I love this process.
Today, it’s all about the hero: Who is he? What does he want? What is holding him back?
Here are my two options. I’m trying to decide which one I like better, a or b. What do you think? Feel free to comment below, or add a comment to my Facebook page.
I’m hosting a GIVEAWAY this week for a $100 Amazon Gift Card! 🙂 Why? I’m celebrating the release of THE DEVILISH MR. DANVERS and thanking my fans for pushing my Facebook “likes” over 500.
Entering is simple, just click on this link http://gvwy.io/8p2fh74 OR… you can leave a comment on any of my Facebook “giveaway” announcements I’ve posted this week.
*This giveaway ends at midnight (ET) Friday, 5/8/15.
*One winner will be chosen and notified via email.
I feel like celebrating! The first two books from THE RAKES OF FALLOW HALL Series are out AND there are over 500 “likes” on my Facebook page!! I think this calls for a HUGE GIVEAWAY, don’t you?
So… starting tomorrow, I’ll be hosting a GIVEAWAY for a $100 Amazon Gift Card!!! Yay!!!
Mostly, this is a way to say THANK YOU for giving my books a chance and for taking the time to visit my pages. Your support means the world to me. <3
For my last stop on THE DEVILISH MR. DANVERS Tasty Book Tour, I’m answering an important question 😉 at The Reading Wench: Am I a plotter or a pantser?
I’m posting the answer below; however, if you’d like a final chance to enter the Wallflower Bundle GIVEAWAY, be sure to visit The Reading Wench and Books & Spoons today.
Good luck, warm wishes and happy reading!
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I guess I’m more of a plotter with pantser tendencies. “Pantser” days are like taking a writing vacation. The beginning, middle and end of a story are mysteries. The characters are strangers. And the only thing I know is that the hero and heroine will eventually fall in love. Anything can happen.
Being a pantser is freeing. It’s like having that movie-trailer voice in your head as motivation: “In a world where love conquers all and happily ever after is right around the corner…” And all I have to do is fill in the rest.
However, if I want to meet a deadline, then I must plot and work up character sketches. For me, there’s peace of mind in plotting. I know what’s going to happen. Sure, maybe not exactly what will happen from one scene to the next (those pantser tendencies occasionally lead me astray), but there is a guide, showing me the path.
I think of the plot outline and sketches as my own personal wilderness guide. He’s sexy, rugged, confident, and I really want to follow him, but he also knows about these beautiful vistas and the perfect places to have a picnic off the trail. And, in the end, he knows how to get me where I’m going.
