Growing a Story

I’ve struggled with my current work in progress, adding layers to the characters, surprise twists, and, hopefully, foreshadowing just enough to hold the reader’s interest without giving away the farm.

The other day I came across a photograph of mine which represented where I am and where I want to be. You all know “Before” and “After” pictures. Here is one which includes both, side by side.




I view these two potted geraniums as stages in a story. The geranium on the left has bare branches. I call them bones––a rough draft––the spine of the story with incomplete elements.

Shall we hop up the weaker plant with a strong dose of fertilizer? Ah, too much too quick and you may kill it. The same applies to my story. I do not rush revisions. Instead, I put the manuscript aside and leave it for awhile, to later read with fresh eyes. I weight my critique partner’s suggestions and comments.

Don’t fool with word choices until you’ve nailed down any structural weaknesses. Of course, you will correct obvious typos or grammar errors when you spot them. Is every scene necessary? Check for redundant thoughts. Typically, revision means ‘to tighten.’ But make sure you retain your voice. Eliminate clichés. Instead strive for something more unique.

There are a hundred different items to consider from passive voice, using concise language to varying sentence structure. You work diligently, your passion shines, and then, lo and behold, the once bony plant sprouts lush growth, an overabundance of life trails out of the confined space.

Voila, all the time and effort has paid off beautifully. Everyone wants to touch those velvet leaves––savor the texture––embrace your well-crafted story.

Certain areas challenge each of us in growing a story. Mine are nailing down my theme. I start with one and then somehow my characters lurch and strain in another direction, wanting to change my theme. Whether this is a weakness or strength depends on the outcome. If the new theme is more compelling than the original perhaps I need to listen to my characters. After all, it is their story.

What part of growing a story challenges you?

That's My Guy!

Bollywood movie stars with heavy eye make-up. The rugged Marlboro man. A courier in Louis XIV's court with a white perfumed wig and lace cuffs. An African hunter with intricate body scars made by rubbing wood ashes into knife cuts.

Astrologers and biologists assert subtle, yet powerful, attractions such as compatibility and pheromones. Culture (and advertising agencies) dictate prevailing standards for attractiveness, but I feel the attraction for a hero should be deeper than his skin tone. My kind of man doesn’t have to have rippled abs or azure eyes.

My eyes might linger on a man with physical beauty, but as soon as he opens his mouth, or fails to hold open the door, I know.

Oh yes, I know.

So what makes a memorable hero? What I find desirable may not be what turns you on, but I like a man who has:

1. intellectual curiosity
2. ethical values
3. above average vocabulary
4. interesting career path
5. honest charm
6. a nice butt
7. lovemaking skills (and the capacity to experiment)
8. dishwashing ability
9. kind eyes
10. used a shower regularly

What traits do you value in your heroes?

Treasure Hunt

Digi Book Cafe Summer Hunt
Prizes: Kindle eReaders

1.Visit the 12 author’s websites listed below and locate the unique word. In each website look for a picture similar to the Digi Books Cafe picture. The picture maybe in the first page or in any page of that website. The hidden Digi Books Cafe picture contains a specific word, such as paranormal, romance, and ebooks. Collect the words and email them to marketing@digibookscafe.com
Put Summer Hunt in the subject of your email. *The unique words are in blue. the words are book related such as paranormal, romance, and ebooks

Here are the twelve participating authors:
Hunt 2 – July 19, 2011 – August 22, 2011

Mona Risk - http://www.monarisk.com/
Lynne Marshall - http://www.lynnemarshall.com/
Caroline Clemmons - http://www.carolineclemmons.com/
Gail MacMillan - http://www.gailmacmillan.com/
Gini Rifkin - http://www.ginirifkin.com/
Hanna Rhys Barnes http://www.hannarhysbarnes.blogspot.com/
J L Wilson – http://www.jayellwilson.com/
Kathy Lane - http://www.kyrlane.com/
Laura Kaye – http://www.laurakayeauthor.blogspot.com/
Linda Banche - http://www.lindabanche.com/
Phyllis DeMarco - http://www.phyllisdemarco.com/
Stacey Joy Netzel - www.staceyjoynetzel.blogspot.com/

 OR
2.Every purchase at http://www.digibookscafe.com/  enters you into the drawing.
To buy Prescription in Russian

Go to http://www.digibookscafe.com/

Click on search in the upper left corner, it will open an Advanced Search page with a box where you enter the first letter of the title: P

A list of the books starting with P will be displayed.
Prescription in Russian is in the page 3.
Buying this book at DigiBooks Cafe entitled you to be entered in the drawing for a Kindle.

Blurb:  Fyodor Vassilov is a Russian widower, surgeon and officer. Duty demands he provide a mother to his four little boys and marry a woman who loves children and a big family.
  Jillian Burton is an American pediatrician on a mission to improve medical conditions in Belarus. Following a bitter experience, she has lost her illusions about men and marriage.
  When they work together for six months in his hospital, their fascination with one another shocks them both. Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!" -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

Night Owl Reviews:  Mona Risk is one of my favorite authors for several reasons. She knows how to pull a reader into the minds of her well-crafted characters and she also makes you want the best for them. Her work also takes me on a journey be it local or overseas. Prescription in Russian is a wonderful read for any contemporary book lover.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with passion.

The Cheerleading squad

I heard something a while back that really hit home for me. A woman had lost 300lbs in 3 years by dieting and exercise. What struck me about her transformation was what she said, “In order to succeed at anything, you have to surround yourself with people who understand your vision, and support it.”

There couldn’t be a more truthful statement than that, and it especially goes for writers.

In order to succeed, we do need each other and that cheer squad at your back. We need that support system to find our way through the darkness of rejections, bad contest scores, cruel judges, and the struggle to continue to write. We’ve all met up with that moment, when we’d considered throwing in the towel. To give it all up, and say, “I can’t do this.” I know I have, and had to fight to come back.

I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t have the support of friends and family for my writing. They don’t always understand why I continue to write, after so many rejections, (I could wallpaper my den, and down the hall), but even without always being a part of my writing world, they continue to support me. They see my vision. Maybe not as clearly as I do, but yet, they still see it happening for me. If they don’t, they still are very supportive, and continue to be positive in their statements.

Recently, I met up with a group of old work colleagues for dinner, one of the gal’s asks, “Are you still writing?”

I responded, “Yep, still plugging away at it.”

“OMG, it’s time to give that up. It’s been long enough, and you’re still not published. Obviously, what you’re writing isn’t very good. I mean, anyone can write a book.”

In that moment I knew I wouldn’t see this person again. It was a hurtful statement that really stabbed at me. It gave me pause, for a second, maybe two. People who make remarks like this clearly don’t understand the publishing world, and the difficulties that authors face, and how much we love to write, regardless.

My response, “It’s not about publishing, or the money, it’s about my love for the written word.” I ended the conversation with, “Why don’t you write a book?”

I got no response, she ordered another drink.

The economy, has taken a familiar industry and transformed it into something, I personally never thought I’d see. Midlist authors are being dropped. Sell threw on contracts have gone from 40% to close to 80%. Print runs are much smaller, longtime agents/editors are let go from large publishing agencies and houses. And it’s become harder for traditionally published authors, at least more stressful for them, to hang on.

E-publishing has made a impressive stand against the industry, and self-publishing is now being considered by authors who once turned their nose up at it, ‘as not really being published.’ Everything is changing, what hasn’t changed for me, is my little group of supporters, and the cheer leading squad that I hear in my head occasionally.

Have you ever been faced with quitting?

Mona Risk interviews guest author, Stephanie Burkhart

The Crystal Palace home of the Great Exhibition, circa 1851


MONA: I'd like to welcome fellow author and friend, Stephanie Burkhart. Her latest release is a steampunk romance called "Victorian Scoundrel."

STEPH: Thanks for having me, Mona. I always enjoy visiting the ladies here on Voices from the Heart.

MONA: What's steampunk?

STEPH: Generally a steampunk novel is set between 1830-1901 when steam was king. More traditional steampunks are placed in Victorian England, but an author isn't limited to location, just the time frame. You can have the story take place during the American civil war, in Brazil, or even Africa. It's an alternative universe concept that usually contains paranormal elements. Time travel and shifters are the most popular. Steam is the major means of energy and lots of crazy gadgets from goggles to leather and transmogrifiers populate the novel. If you've seen "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, you can get a feel for what steampunk is like.

MONA: What's Victorian Scoundrel about?

STEPH: Edmund Windsor is a son of the Prince of Wales. He feels its his destiny to give Prince Albert a dirigible for the Great Exhibition. Big no-no. His cousin, Alice Windsor (of York) discovers what he's up to and follows him back in time to prevent him from striking up his unique brand of mischief. Once back in time, Alice meets Earl Swinton, Grayson Kentfield and strikes up some mischief of her own.

MONA: How long did it take you to write?

STEPH: 3 months including my research and since I never tackled a steampunk before, my research took a little longer than my usual projects.

MONA: Why write a steampunk now?



STEPH: It's a hot new genre that interests people. I liked it because it really stimulated my imagination and creativity. Not only that, I have a fond love of time travel.

MONA: What kind of gadgets can we find in Victorian Scoundrel?

STEPH: I've got steam run grandfather clocks, datamancers, (very early computers that focus on calculating odds and determining number values) dirigibles, dresses, and whuzzies. Did I mention there's a crazy guy named Ridgecroft who wears goggles and owns a transmogrifier? – wink-

MONA: Where did you draw inspiration for your characters?

STEPH: My inspiration comes from two different sources which I blend together to make my characters. For Alice, my inspiration is HRH Beatrice of York and Mena Survari. For Edmund, it's HRH Henry of Wales and Robert Pattinson. Alice and Beatrice have something in common. Anyone who can guess what it is I'll send you and autographed postcard of the cover and I'll pick a winner to receive a $5.00 GC to Amazon.

MONA: What do you want readers to take away after reading the novel?

STEPH: I hope they enjoyed the story and had fun. I want them to feel like they were on a fly on the wall in Alice's bedroom.

MONA: Can you share an excerpt and buy links?

STEPH: Sure. I'm also having a giveaway. Post a comment with a question for me about steampunk, or the story, and I'll choose a winner to receive a coffee mug with the cover filled with goodies. I'll announce the winner on 18 JULY.

BLURB:
It's 2011 and compressed natural gas has taken over form the coal producing steam machines of the Victorian Age. Alice Windsor, Princess of York, follows her mischief-making cousin, Prince Edmund of Wales back to the past and 1851 where Prince Albert is hosting Britain's Great Exhibition.

Alice soon discovers Edmund has struck up a friendship with their great-grandfather, Prince Albert, and his mischief making entails leaving a dinosaur-sized footprint in history. She also meets Grayson Kentfield, Earl Swinton, and the Prime Minister, Sir John Russell. The Prime Minster finds her odd, to say the least.

It's only when Alice falls for the handsome Earl Swinton does she realize the dangers of time travel. How can she give her heart to a man from the past while striving to stop Edmund from changing time with his forward thinking ideas?

BOOK TEASER ON YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IUYj2d7ZeY

AMAZON KINDLE BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Windsor-Diaries-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0058UG9Q6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310085532&sr=8-1

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thewindsordiariesbookonevictorianscoundrel-571272-141.html

BARNES & NOBLE NOOK BOOK BUY LINK: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-windsor-diaries-book-one-stephanie-burkhart/1104099940?ean=2940012813824&itm=1&usri=the%2bwindsor%2bdiaries

REVIEWS: 5 Stars, Readers Favorites, Molly E: I have never read a Steam Punk novel before, but because of her fantastic writing, her engaging plot line, and fun loving characters, it will NOT be the last. I highly recommend this with highest of 5 stars, and I can't wait until the second Windsor Diaries installment releases!

5 Stars, Tami Dee, Author of the Mists of Time Series: Stephanie Burkhart has a fresh, quick, quirky, inventive imagination and she gives the readers of Victorian Scoundrel a delightful mixture of all of the above!

EXCERPT:

Grayson escorted her to a door on the right, threw it open, and put his hand on her waist, guiding her inside. A gas lamp burned on a nearby table, throwing stark, deep shadows into the room.

Her determined man shut the door and pinned her against it. He plucked her glasses from her face and threw them onto the table with the gas lamp. Then he pinned her against the door, placing his hands on the door next to her arms. His breathing was erratic. The light from the lamp cast dark shadows over his chiseled features.

"Gray--"

He stepped closer and lowered his hands, placing one on her waist. Heat spiked within her and settled low in her abdomen. His hazel eyes burned with desire. He drew in a deep breath and raised his forefinger, tracing her lips. Alice closed her eyes, but only briefly, savoring the gentle touch of his finger.

"You do wild things to my heart, sweet Alice," he finally whispered. His finger traced her cheeks, then her jaw.

She grew hot, yearning for more. Her senses spun from his sensual touch. She could hardly breathe. "Me?"

"Yes, you."
"What do I do to your heart?"

"You make it beat hard -- fast." He ran his finger down the side of her neck and traced the 'v' in her throat.

Alice met the raging inferno in his eyes and nipped at her lower lip with her teeth. "Is that all I do?"

He issued a low, deep groan from his throat and leaned forward. Their lips searched for each other, teasing, until finally they meshed into a heat-searing kiss.

Alice completely lost her head. His lips were hard, firm, staking his claim. His hands went to her waist as his long, lean body pressed against her. She placed her hands on his shoulders and glided her fingertips around the nape of his neck. She wanted this man. Etiquette and propriety be damned. Victorian values wafted to the floor. She wanted to feel every inch of him that she could. His lips trailed over her jaw, kissing the side of her neck.

"Oh, Gray..." she moaned, her flesh now highly sensitized to his touch.

She had never been kissed like this.

He lifted his head; his mouth overtook hers once again. Her stomach fluttered. If it wasn't for him leaning into her, giving her support, her knees would have buckled. Need. Want. Desire. They pulsed through her.

His tongue teased her lips, coaxing her to receive him. She gave in.

Their tongues mingled, exploring, tempting, teasing. Raging flames consumed her body. There was only Grayson and her. Here. Now.

Grayson broke free, gasping for breath, as did Alice. His hands cupped her face. "I have to stop."

"All... all right."

His thumbs stroked her jaw. "You fascinate me, Alice."

A deep smile graced her lips. "Completely?"

"Totally."

"You kiss like a demon possessed, Grayson."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. She previously served 11 years in the US Army from 1986-1997. She lives in California and has two children, 9 and 4.

THE HOLY PLACE by Rolynn Anderson

What is the ‘holy place’ on a boat, you ask?

My husband and I are on our first cruise to Alaska in our 42 foot trawler, INTEPID. As we explore the fabulous Inside Passage, we pay special attention to our boat’s ‘holy place.’


The helm, you think? That is certainly the place of power on a boat, where the turn of the wheel helps us take the next enormous wave at a 45 degree angle instead of straight on or sideways. Lots of praying goes on at the helm, for sure, when the seas climb higher than our boat and push us in directions we don’t want to go

Second guess for the holy place? Maybe the galley (kitchen), where the cook must magically make meals out of limited ingredients, none of which are fresh (stores in the Alaskan hinterlands are woefully understocked…if we don’t grow our own lettuce on board, we’re eating frozen vegetables every meal). Food is important on a boat, but the fare is pretty basic. No, the galley, a cramped space, is far from holy.

The head (toilet). Excellent choice. Seriously, if a boat’s head gets plugged the trip sours immediately. We have two heads (better than one…sorry, couldn’t resist) on INTREPID. One is a fancy flusher, but the other is an old-fashioned hand-pumper. Guess which one fails most often. Yup, the complicated one. No question, functioning heads are sacred, but it’s hard to call them holy.

The REAL holy place is the engine room. Our trawler comes with only one engine. Do the math. If our big red Ford Lehman 235 quits on us, we have no spare to call upon. We’re dead in the water, afloat, adrift…in deep trouble. If the seas are troubled and we’ve got wind to contend with, no engine means a May Day call.

Recently, when my husband and I cleaned the holy place, shining the engine, sopping up oil, scrubbing the bilge and neatening up the stored items, we did so with care. Our engine gets a full tank of gas with additives, oil, water and spanking new belts whenever it wants them.

Yes, all that is holy on a boat centers on the engine. No need to pray for us on this long, amazing cruise, but please, do bless our sainted Ford Lehman.

Order LAST RESORT, a suspense/romance:

The Wild Rose Press http://tinyurl.com/682vwgv

and Amazon http://tinyurl.com/3cq6d7b

http://www.rolynnanderson.com/

Celebrating a win

This month my blog entry is a celebration. For the second time I've won the FF&P Prism award for best Erotic paranormal book. My book Bad Dog and the Babe, a take-off on Lady and the Tramp, where a lady shifter teams up with a "bad dog" werewolf in Los Angeles to investigate the disappearance of her young sister and her boyfriend.

This is a picture of the award which is an engraved crystal pyramid. Because it is transparent it takes some doing to get a good image of it, but my hubby managed to get this one.

Obviously I'm very proud of the win, but really I was just happy to final in this contest. It is always nice to have your work recognized by your peers.

Of course coming home with a shiny trophy is also pretty cool. 

Cheers!
Janet Miller/Cricket Starr

Self Promotion

Being a newbie to the world of publishing with my first book under contract scheduled to be released in January, 2012, many questions filter through my mind as to what needs to be done next.

Web site set up, check. Create a presence with social media, facebook, twitter, etc., check. Network with other writers, check. What else is there to be done?

As I start this process of self-promotion for my book it's overwhelming. Do people really throw book launching parties? Press releases? How do you set up book signings?

As I am writing this I receive an email regarding a blog at Romance University regarding the transition from unpublished to published author. What's the main thing a new writer needs? Patience. It's a waiting game and during that waiting period the best thing to do is, yes, keep up your social presence, but more importantly keep writing that next book, plot out the one after that. Keep ideas flowing.

So let's hear all the ideas out there on self-promoting.

Researching Romantic Suspense

Today is my first blog post here at Voices From the Heart. I am very excited to be a part of such a great group. I look forward to exploring the world of writing, reading and life with all of you and expect to have a lot of fun along the way. Look for me on the 11^th of every month. Now here goes:

Before writing paranormal romance, I wrote romantic suspense. My first novel with Samhain Publishing, Dark Waters, is a sensual romantic suspense set in Puerto Rico. My hero is an ICE agent.

A what agent? ICE? Does he track down ice cubes for a living? No, but you might need some after you read one of the love scenes. ;)

ICE stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. At the time I wrote the story most people hadn’t heard of ICE. Nowadays, you can flip on any TV station and hear about them protecting the border, stopping drug traffickers or rescuing illegal border crossers being smuggled into the U.S. in overcrowded, suffocatingly hot truck trailers.

As happens with many writers, I got an idea in my head and wanted to tell Frankie and Rico's story.

But even when I started to write the story I knew very little about ICE.

Research was the key to creating a credible hero and a story that was plausible.

So I had to do a lot of digging. It took time, energy, a lot of web surfing, making phone calls to ICE agents and calling up family members to track down an actual ICE agent.

I got FBI, ATF, TSA, and NYPD detectives, but no ICE agents. I finally had to call the main office in Washington D.C. I did get one special agent in charge but he could only give me the basics--his superior shut down talks for more details. :(

But that was okay. I was hooked and determined to do my homework.

I went to the ICE website. At that time it had limited information as it was so new.

Then I spoke to an FBI agent who was able to clarify small bits of information about the job and some of the things all agents share in common.

Once, I had all my facts, I was able to plug them in here and there into the story to make it more genuine. Now, I didn't use every fact because my story was a love story not an ICE handbook.

As I begin to ponder the next installment (way overdue) for the second in the ICE Files series, I am back to doing the research. This time I want to delve more into the Puerto Rican culture and the way law enforcement is viewed on the island.

I am lucky enough to have family and friends who either grew up in Puerto Rico or visit every year to help me write a more authentic book. I find firsthand information really adds to the flavor of a story and provides a more personal touch.

Also, I am gathering my information via the Internet and books from the library.

Research takes time but is well worth it and in the long run makes for a better book.

I would really love to know, what was the most interesting fact you learned from doing research? Anything shocking, cool or just plain weird?

Dave Barry-- Sex and fruit flies

Hi everyone,
It's the 8th of the month,and it's time to share another hilarious Dave Barry excerpt--this one on sex and fruit flies. Hope you enjoy!

"Despite several million years of thinking virtually nonstop about sex, guys have made very little progress toward answering such basic questions about human sexuality as: How can you obtain more of it? How much talking is required? What is the role of jewelry? How important is the size of a guy's, um, car? For guys, these are uncharted waters. That's why I am so pleased by a recent Reuters article concerning research being done by scientists at Stanford University into the sex life of fruit flies. This research is significant because fruit flies have many biological similarities to humans. For example, both species eat fruit. The list goes on and on."

Me again: Are there any other similarities between males and fruit flies? :)