Saturday, September 30, 2006

Book Trailer

I've created a book trailer! Since I'm not so html literate, it took me a loonnng time to get it posted but it's done!

I created 2 trailers, one with the romantic aspect of the novel, the other with the suspense.

Romance Trailer

Suspense Trailer

The Power of Dreams

Do you get inspiration for a story idea from dreams? I don’t when I’m sleeping, but from “daydreams” when I’m focusing on my story.

The book I’m reading talks about listening to your dreams. We all know Stephen King does. I keep telling my husband he should write from his dreams, he’s one of those kinds of people. But I don’t dream like that and have never derived a story idea from a dream.

It also says Paul McCartney heard the melody for his Beatle’s song, Yesterday, in a dream and felt so strongly about it that at first he thought it was someone else’s song he’d heard. I feel that way about my writing sometimes. Not because of a dream, but because it’s so strong to me when I write it and the scene is so vivid that it seems like I’ve read it before. (Or it could be because I’ve read so much, but I hope not, LOL).

Anyone else have this happen? Anyone else use the power of their dreams?

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Character Emotions and Fresh Writing

If I could choose any career field in the world, writing wouldn’t be it. I love to write, writing is my mission, but I didn’t choose to write. Writing chose me.

Saturday night and I’m up at midnight digging through the thesaurus trying to find the perfect word. I used shot 3 times in one scene. I need something else.

It’s hard sometimes to say something that hasn’t been said already, or say the same thing in a different way. How do you describe love in a way that hadn’t been described already? How do you empower your character’s emotions and keep your writing fresh?

I’m working on a Halloween short story. I’ve set my WIP aside to write this. I don’t know if it’ll be accepted or not, but even though it’s short doesn’t mean it took any less commitment from me. Maybe more, actually. I didn’t realize it’d be so hard. Smells are harder for me than anything, I think. In going through my short story, I realized I have no smells or taste senses mentioned, and Halloween is full of smells and taste.

Going back to my current WIP, I looked through it and decided it needs changing. The first chapter is a clichĂ©. It takes too long for the characters to meet. I haven’t even gotten close to finishing it, but I got stuck so went back. I think I’m stuck because it’s not working for me. A lot of good material, but it needs to be changed, and I don't know where to start. I know I need to keep writing.

Do you ever get disgusted with writing? I'm probably just tired and definitely calling it a night.

Mainstream Vs. Romance

I'm having a tough time with my current WIP.

My CP (critique partner) says I should make the characters meet sooner than they do (they meet in the fourth chapter). Since romance novels are more about the romance and mainstream novels are more about the character's journey, I'm starting to think this WIP is more mainstream.

What to do? I'm going to keep trucking along to see what happens with this. I enjoy reading mainstream...but this WIP has been my most challenging yet.

Why does it have to be so difficult? And if is mainstream, is that going to make it harder to sell? Will I have to market it in a completely different way? Categories suck sometimes, LOL!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Characterization

What I'm reading now: Creating Characters, Let Them Whisper Their Secrets.

Every now and again I like to go back and read "how to write" books. It reminds me of things or teaches me new things. The book I'm currently reading offers a lot of advice and reminders on how to create larger than life characters.

For instance, it says that everytime you meet a new person, you notice something about them, and most people notice the same thing on each person. Do you notice people's shoes? The way they talk? Their hair? What do you notice about a person upon first meeting them?

I had to think about this for a minute. I don't notice anything, do I? I try not to judge people's shoes or the way they dress, because I hate to be judged. What if you meet me for the first time and I dressed in grunge clothes to make a quick run to the grocery store? I'm all about comfort, LOL. But I've learned that just because I notice them doesn't mean I'm judging them, nor they me. I've also learned that I need to be more observant!

For me, I mostly notice hair and eyes. Eyes are the window to a person's soul, right? What about you? What do you first notice?

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Suspense Excerpt and ramplings

First of all, I want to whine a little. My husband and I "restored" my computer because I was having a lot of problems. Luckily, I saved my work, but now I can't get it to look the same, and I really LIKED it! I've messed with the fonts, the display, etc. but it just doesn't look the same. On the other hand, it's bigger, which might be better for me in the end. Staring at the computer screen so much is playing havoc with my eyes (and my head!)

Also, I think I'm getting a cold. I rarely get sick, but I'm having those signs. It could be allergies, the weather is changing (thank God!) but whatever it is, it's making me miserable.

I've been busy, still have that self-imposed deadline that I'm failing miserably at, so to tide you over, I want to give you a brief glimpse of the suspense in my current novel, Holding Fast.

EXCERPT:

A floor lamp illuminated the bedroom. Blue velvet on the bed, and he’d bet on satin sheets underneath. The guy was proud of this room, if rumor had it right.

He didn’t see any frills to indicate a woman, but his curiosity got the best of him. The sheets weren’t satin. What a disappointment. Regular cotton sheets but, judging from the stains on them, either the guy jerked off or he had a girl visit from time to time.

He’d bet on both.

The closet door was open and there, almost taunting him, lay a folder, its documents sprawling out like fingers trying to escape their black hole. But he couldn’t grab it and run. No, if there was anything else he could get while he was here, he would.

He heard a key in the lock and the door clicked open. He froze in the shadows and touched his hand to the knife he carried. He didn’t necessarily plan on killing, but when he saw the owner, intense loathing charged through him. He wanted the guy dead. He could try to escape, or exact revenge.

But God didn’t allow him to choose an option. The owner noticed him before he could slip away and think on his decision.

“What the hell?” the owner muttered, probably recognizing him. As if realizing what the intruder came for would not be pretty, the guy turned to run. It was too late.

The blade sank into the man’s ribs, right beneath his heart. The smell of blood fed the killer’s senses and caused his own blood to pulse through his gonads.

Ah, it’d been a long time, but the sensation of a kill hadn’t changed.


Want to see what happens? Download a copy!

Friday, September 15, 2006

Amazon.com

My husband was surfing the internet and found this:
http://www.amazon.com/Holding-Fast-Emma-Sanders/dp/1601540094/sr=1-1/qid=1158371932/ref=sr_1_1/002-8242156-8639216?ie=UTF8&s=books

My book is now available at Amazon.com! Even being a writer, I cannot describe the feelings raging through me right now. Of course I bought myself a couple of copies, how could I not?

I'm still in shock. So, to entice you, I hope to be posting more teasers and exerpts-I just don't know when. It's Friday, and I have a fun-filled day with my niece tomorrow. Ok, so maybe it's not planned, because I have no idea what we're going to do yet. She'll be 5 in November and she just started preschool. I talked to her on the phone earlier, and she was so tired she could barely talk. We don't live far from each other at all, but I haven't seen her in awhile. Before we hung up she said "I wish I could have a hug from you" and I told her to "Wrap your arms around yourself and pretend." My sister told me she was squeezing her shoulders and scrunching her eyes shut. Ahh, my little sweetie.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

I'm still here

I'm still here, but I've been ultra busy. I have a self-imposed deadline I'm trying to stick with and made a vow to myself that I have to stay off the internet, for the most part. Work has also been busy, and when I'd normally use spare time to peek online, I haven't had a lot of chance.

I have organized my office! Don't have pictures right now, but if you saw the ones from earlier, you know how much it needed organization. I have to thank my husband for helping me. :)

I've also been very frustrated. I thought I'd make my own business cards. After all, I'm pretty creative and can work well with Printmaster. Well the printer would line up some of the pages right and other times, not. So I ended up wasting a lot of paper and a lot of MY time. It took less than 10 minutes to go to Vista Print and order them, so that's what I did! I'm still working on making my own bookmarks. Boy is that time consuming! Which brings another rant about the printer. It wouldn't pick up the thick "matte" paper for my bookmarks.

Looks like it's time to get a new printer...

Anyway, that's my life for now. Trying to get some writing done and going through one of those phases where I just want to bang my head against the wall. Bye for now!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Tonight's Party

I had so much fun at the Cyber Celebration tonight and I want to thank everyone for stopping by. Wow, it was crazy. I’m sure I missed something because it went so fast at times. It seemed like some people saw things at different times than I did. But I had a lot of fun.

I can’t tell you how excited I am that I am with The Wild Rose Press from the beginning. This is crazy, I know, but when I read about them, it was almost like they’d been created just for me. I’d already submitted to so many agents, and received so many rejections. Some of them said they loved my work but…

Writing is so subjective, and NY is so hard to get into, even for good writers. You have to be in a standard, like a form, and my friends will tell you I never did that well. I love NY publishers and the writers, believe me, they are some of my favorites! So I don’t mean anything when I say that. But it’s hard...

It’s a dream come true to have my book published, but it’s also wonderful to be published with people who are fulfilling their dream. I feel like I’m part of a big thing! And, well, my life is not that great big of a deal, usually. I mean, I’m married to a wonderful man, I have a great family, I work full time, blah blah blah, (and my wonderful cat, LOL) but it’s very normal, usually. I feel so blessed to be part of The Wild Rose Press family.

Ok, I’m a little sentimental after tonight’s celebration, but I just wanted to “tip my hat” to every reader, writer, publisher, and editor alike tonight. We’re doing something we love, we’re fulfilling a dream, and we should be proud!

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Cyber Party

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Join THE WILD ROSE PRESS Sunday, September 10 at 8PM EST for their Grand Opening Cyber Party. It's going to be crazy fun! Lots of giveaways!



Also, please join me on September 11 from 5PM-10PM CST at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aoraag/ for a loop chat. I'll be posting excerpts, answering questions, and introducing you to my characters. I'll have prizes to give away, just for showing up.

Two lucky winners will receive a $5 gift certificate to the Wild Rose Press. All you have to do to be eligible is make one post. That’s it. Stop by, say hi, whatever.

Another lucky winner will receive a bag full of goodies and a $5 gift certificate to the Wild Rose Press. However many posts you make will put you in the drawing that many times. If you make one post, you’ll be entered once, 20 posts, you’ll be entered 20 times. Of course, this doesn't mean make a post just to be making posts.

I’m also giving away a journal and pen homemade by me.

If you can't make it during that time, drop by before then, and I'll see your post when I get there.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Rayma O'Riley

Rayma is a secondary character worth having her own dossier. She is Caitlyn’s best friend and has her own story. Her story, Starting Now has just been sent for consideration to my editor.

I’ve always wanted to write a story that didn’t have a happy ending, but then again I knew that I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it, because I like happy endings too much (and most people do, too). Rayma doesn’t really have a happy ending in Holding Fast because her story is yet to be told, but don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging! I'll keep you updated on the progress of Starting Now.

Caitlyn describes Rayma: Rayma O’Riley was the kind of woman most females either somewhat envied or outright despised. Thick locks of natural blonde hair hung past well-toned shoulders kept fit by daily exercise. Tall enough to be a model with the body to go along with it, people often asked her why she chose a career as behind-the-scenes investigative reporter when her face should be on television, even if it was to anchor the news.

Rayma is a little flighty and a lot cynical, but Caitlyn believes: Rayma was the best counselor, and free, and had helped Caitlyn see that she should be grateful for what she had. There were people who suffered a lot worse.

Rayma has never met Wesley, but she knows the depth of Caitlyn’s relationship with him. When Caitlyn tells her of her new assignment, here is Rayma’s reaction:

“Why does he think you can get a story on him when nobody else had any luck?” Rayma asked, turning back to Caitlyn.

“He found out about our friendship but won’t listen when I tell him it has been estranged for the past ten years.”

“Man, oh man,” Rayma shrilled. “This will be interesting.”

“It’s not like I need your support or anything.”

“I’m sorry,” Rayma said, reaching for Caitlyn’s drink since she depleted hers. “Why didn’t you tell me this last week?”

“I’ve been busy. Today’s really the first day we’ve seen each other.”

“You still pine over him.”

“No.”

“You’ll never find any one to compare until you purge him from your system.”

“That’s not true.”

“She sprays the brand of cologne he used to wear all over her bed sheets so the bed smells like him,” Rayma told Keegan.

“I like Calvin Klein, thank you very much.” Caitlyn seized her drink from Rayma’s hands and clenched it against her. “And I like to go to sleep with the smell of man around me.”

“So find a man to sleep with,” Rayma said.


Want to find out more? You know what to do! Download a copy of Holding Fast from The Wild Rose Press, or wait for the paperback, coming soon!

Monday, September 04, 2006

Caitlyn Joette Daniels

Caitlyn Daniels is used to living on her own, doing what she wants, and answering to no one except a boss who is out for dirt on eccentric people. When her boss assigns her to do a story on Wesley, her ex-fiancĂ©, he doesn’t know that she has all the dirt she’d ever need, and it involves no research.

She’s sassy, cynical, and can usually hold her own, but Wesley has an emotional hold on her. She has tried to convince herself she’s over him, but she sleeps with the scent of his cologne on her pillow every night. It’s a comforting factor for her. Wesley was her best friend, the first person who knew when she got her period. Before their relationship became sexual, he was just like any girlfriend. (Only with balls, LOL).

When Wesley left her, she thought she’d at least see him again, talk to him, maybe even work out their differences. She spent the first few years looking over her shoulder, expecting him to come back…

Rayma, Caitlyn’s very supportive friend for, well, most things, tells her:

“So find a man to sleep with,” Rayma said.

“You know that’s not the way I am. I don’t just sleep around and I’m not ready for a man to share my bed. Besides, it isn’t as easy as you seem to think.”

“I don’t think it’s easy,” Rayma said. “I just think you live in the past too much.”

“He was a friend-”

“A lover,” Rayma interrupted.

“And a whole lot of other things.” Caitlyn stood and snatched her purse, ready to dash off to the ladies room and get away from her friend’s interference, though she was only trying to be helpful. “I’ll always care about him as a person.”

“So sleep with him,” Rayma said.


Both Caitlyn and Wesley have a lot of baggage to muddle through, and neither of them looks to reunite in the beginning. But things become heated as their past comes to play and it isn’t easy to fight through those feelings. Sometimes emotionally intense, sometimes light and funny, Caitlyn begins to fall in love all over again.

“Your house is amazing.” She dipped her toe into the pool water and discovered it was heated.

“Thank you,” he said. He walked up to her and thrust his hands out as if he intended to push her in. He stopped just short of doing so and she sidestepped him. “You want to take a swim?” he asked.

“I don’t have a swimsuit.”

“That never stopped us before.”


Find out what happens to Caitlyn and Wesley in HOLDING FAST, available now at The Wild Rose Press.

Friday, September 01, 2006

Meet Wesley Joel Webb

Today, I want to introduce you to Wesley, my hero in HOLDING FAST. I didn’t use a photo to inspire his creation, only the image from my own mind. I wish I could draw, I’d draw him out for you because I think he’s very handsome.

6’2”, 178 pounds, piercing green eyes, dark brown hair, athletic body. Edgy and competitive, but humble. Witty but aggressive. Loves the spotlight, but hates it. Caitlyn, the heroine who I’ll tell you more about in my next post, thinks of him as “an elusive racecar driver with a shaded past that some people could only speculate. Except for her, because she had been there.”

Wesley’s biggest fear is that his past will be discovered. He’s at the top of his game. “Although at times Wesley resented the media, it was because of them some fans were able to see their favorite drivers. He owed it to his sponsors and to his fans to grant media interviews. The crowd cheering for him when he was carried from his vehicle was overwhelming and filled him with fierce pride. No matter who he really was, no matter what made up his life, no matter what happened in his life, his fans rooted for him.”

When Caitlyn enters his life, he’s afraid she’s out to destroy him. His main rival has just been murdered, and the police are looking at him. He doesn’t take her reappearance in his life well, especially hearing that she’s a journalist.

I’m a journalist now, Wesley.”

What a way to make a man come to grip with reality. Any thoughts of tasting her lips vanished. He turned away, not granting her a chance to further explain.

Later, when he tries to push her away:

I didn’t come here to start where we left off, you egotistical jerk,” Caitlyn said as she pulled her bag away from him.

Caitlyn and Wesley were the best of friends and did everything together–making mud pies, going to their first movie, playing Barbies and GI Joe together. When they were fifteen, sexual tension and romance got in the way. He started dating other girls, which she didn’t like, and she dated guys, which dumbstruck him. They quickly became involved, and were each other’s first sexual encounter. He honestly thought they’d be married, until he learned life couldn’t be planned or bargained with. Their relationship didn’t end on good terms, and he’s afraid she’s out to air his dirty laundry in public.

They hadn't seen each other in ten years. Now, it isn’t only his past he has to worry about being exposed.

Some things the other characters tell Wesley:

Tim—his uncle and team owner: “…let go of that damn guilt you’re holding inside. It’s tearing away at you.”

Tim tells Caitlyn: “What happened that night screwed up his head…when he goes out to race he goes back to that night and tries to correct the mistakes he made.”

Wanna know more about Wesley? Pick up a copy of HOLDING FAST, available at The Wild Rose Press.