Romance Writers Weekly – What are you watching?

Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.

You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/

Check out Carrie’s amazing Love in London series.

If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Carrie Elks’ blog welcome.

Carrie also offers up today’s topic: The new fall TV schedule is here – what are you watching and why do you love it so much? Does what you watch influence your writing?

I’m not much of a television watcher any more. Three years ago my wife and I gave up cable and switched to watching our favorites a bit delayed on Hulu and Netflix.

That said, I do have some favorites in the new fall season.

I’m stoked about season 4 of marvel’s Agents of Shield.

Yeah. Ghost Rider. Nuff said!

I’m also watching the new Luke Cage series right now.

If you think I’m focusing in on superheroes, you’re right. I have a new series of superhero romances on the front burner right now, and I’m soaking in the genre. With comic books I feel like I’m getting back to my roots, and this new series is coming along nicely. Book one is done and (almost) sold. I’m hip deep in book 2 right now, with book 3 on the storyboard.It’s going to be fun.

Here’s a little peek at my Inspiration board for book 1:

His name is Z-Bot, hopefully coming to print sometime next year.

Oh, I’m also watching The Voice, Project Runway, and Lucifer.

Tell me what your watching in the comments below, then hop over to Leslie Hachtel’s blog to find out what she’s watching as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues at: https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com/

 

Romance Writers Weekly – Stranger on a train.

Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.

You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/

If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Jenna Da Sie’s wonderful blog, welcome.

Today my good friend Marc Stevens offers up a writing challenge – Flash Fiction Challenge: Planes, trains, and automobiles (or even boats) give us a quick scene set on/in a moving vehicle.

Fun stuff, and I’ve been playing around with a couple of new characters for a future novel, so here’s a quick peek at them.

Stranger on a train.

Brakes squealing, the dingy subway car lurched to a halt. Doors slid open and grumbling commuters shuffled out.

A seat opened up across from the doors and Katherine slid into it. She let out an exhausted sigh, but let the soft smile linger on her lips. She’d had that dream again, waking her in the middle of the night. This time he’d taken her farther, almost to the point of . . .

Around her, voices stilled.

A lone figure stood in the train car’s doorway. The kind of man that attracted attention in any crowd. A man of mystery, dressed formally but with a dark blue cape on his shoulders, like something out of the past, or the future.

Light from behind cast the form in shadow, but familiarity sent tingles creeping up Katherine’s spine.

It couldn’t be.

As the man crossed into the train, the interior lighting illuminated his features.

Raven haired, a scruffy five-O’clock-shadow darkening his granite jaw, the man scanned the car. Dark, sullen eyes, the kind that burned into your soul, were suddenly directed at her. Eyebrows arched. “Katherine?”

The doors swished close behind him, the train lurched back into motion, as their eyes locked. Trapped in his gaze, her heart thundered in her ears as moments turned into centuries.Then his gaze wavered, dropping to the floor as his cheeks reddened.

Katherine steeled herself. “Damien?”

Her core clenched. Gooseflesh crept up her arms. She’d never met him. Yet, she knew him.

His name, his visage, and his touch were oh so familiar to her. Every night for the past two weeks he’d haunted her dreams, stripping her bare, kissing her crazy, and taking her farther and farther every night toward an inevitable climax. Each night closer, but never there.

He stepped nearer, took the seat next to hers, then gently took her hand. “I thought, maybe, it was time we met.”

***

What do you think? Want to know more about these two? I have a new series percolating that I think they’d fit into perfectly. We will see.

Now check in with the high-flying Marc Stevens, as the Romance Writers Weekly blog tour continues at: https://marcstevenserotica.wordpress.com/

And check out Suburban Spies, part of the Cherished Secrets novella collection:

 

Romance Writers Weekly – Now what?

Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.

You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/

Check out Ace by Lyra Parish

If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Lyra Parish’s wonderful blog, welcome.

Circle of Lies by Fiona Riplee

Today’s topic comes from the wonderful Fiona Riplee – I’m curious what everyone is working on. Write about a new work in progress, new idea, or some characters that just won’t leave you alone.

Right now I’m in edits on Between Venus and Mars, a fun Science Fiction Romantic Comedy scheduled for release next year from Soul Mate publishing as part of their Soul Mate Tree flagship project. I’m very excited about this book and this project.

 

The Soul Mate Tree

Between Venus and Mars

 

Once Upon a Galaxy . . .

Zana Starchild is on a mission to restore her tribe’s livestock and save herself from one more meal of kelp. Sure, it’s technically illegal to visit Old Earth, but to a rim rat like Zana, galactic laws are really just guidelines. Her wrecked starship just means she’ll need to use her backup plan to get off the abandoned world, an old Earth legend her uncle passed down to her.

Pulled from a relaxing shower, across the galaxy to Old Earth, Galactic Marshall Kyle Kepler finds himself naked and marooned with a quirky rim rat. Zana’s broken more laws than Kyle can count, and he plans to arrest her, just as soon as he can find transport off the planet and a pair of pants.

A junk heap of a starship, a magical tree, and a roving gang of mutant kangaroos are just the beginning of rollicking intergalactic journey filled with laughs, love, and adventure.

***

Look for it August 2017.

So, what is the amazing Leslie Hachtel working on?

Find out as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues here: https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com/

Check out Emma’s Dance by Leslie Hachtel.

Romance Writers Weekly – In the mood!

Welcome to the romance Writers Weekly blog hop, where every week a great group of romance writers answer questions and accept challenges. Diverse in what we write, we are unified in the quest to bring you, the romance reader, a very happy ever after.

You can join us daily on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWritersWeekly/

Click to check out Brenda’s wonderful new novel, When Time Falls Still

If you’re starting your blog hop here, or just hopping over from Brenda Margriet’s wonderful blog, welcome.

Check out The Dream Dancer by Leslie Hachtel.

Today, Leslie Hachtel asks: A writer I know sets her mood with candles and music that suit her characters. Do you do anything special to put you in the right frame of mind to sit down and create?

Well, nothing gets me in the mood to write better than having my head in a story. Each morning I try to have my “quiet time” with a cup of coffee. I let my head wonder through my current WIP (Work In Progress) and really try to picture the next scene, cementing it firmly in my mind. Then when I do sit down to write, it’s all there, ready for me to throw it all onto the page.

That’s pretty much it for me. No candles or soft music. just coffee and story.

Now, Click Here to find out how Leslie Hachtel gets in the mood to write as the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop continues.

Yet another cover reveal – Between Venus and Mars

I’m thrilled to be part of Soul Mate Publishing’s flagship project, the Soul Mate Tree.

Starting in January Soul Mate will be releasing 13 books, one per month, in this exciting new series.

My story, Between Venus and Mars is scheduled for an August release. I know, that’s over a year away, but we all did get our covers, and they’re amazing.

Here’s mine:

Between Venus and Mars

(A science fiction romantic comedy)

Blurb:

Once Upon a Galaxy . . .

Zana Starchild is on a mission to restore her tribe’s livestock and save herself from one more meal of kelp. Sure, it’s technically illegal to visit Old Earth, but to a rim rat like Zana, galactic laws are really just guidelines. Her wrecked starship just means she’ll need to use her backup plan to get off the abandoned world, an old Earth legend her uncle passed down to her.

Pulled from a relaxing shower, across the galaxy to Old Earth, Galactic Marshall Kyle Kepler finds himself naked and marooned with a quirky rim rat. Zana’s broken more laws than Kyle can count, and he plans to arrest her, just as soon as he can find transport off the planet and a pair of pants.

A junk heap of a starship, a magical tree, and a roving gang of mutant kangaroos are just the beginning of rollicking intergalactic journey filled with laughs, love, and adventure.

Romance Weekly – Writing Space

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!

RWW also has a website with its own blog, a newsletter, and can be found on Facebook, and Twitter (@LoveChatWrite).

 

If you’ve wondered in from J. J. Devine’s wonderful blog or are starting your tour with me, hold on to your hats because today we’re going behind the scenes to discover your Romance Writers Weekly writing spaces.

 
This week Elizabeth Janette asks: Give us the inside scoop on your writing space. Include photos, if possible.

 

Ah, my writing space. It’s a tale of two cities and three offices.

 
This past September we moved to a new city and a new home. Before that I had a wonderful office all to myself. Birds sang and the kingdom was happy.

The office I left behind.

Our new home has a large, unfinished basement, most of which I instantly adopted as my man cave and office. The king ascended his new throne, and the peasants cheered.

 
But as winter set in, a chill invaded the kingdom. I discovered my basement was drafty and cold. So the king packed his bags and ascended the stairway to find his winter abode, with a pledge to return when the spring does.

The once and future office.

For the winter I’ve moved into our spare bedroom. My kingdom now has flowered curtains. But while cramped, it is closer to the refrigerator and coffee pot. The king is content…for now.

The present, not so perfect office.

What does the future hold?

Some revamping of the dungeon no doubt, but there is also the possibility of that small 3rd bedroom…

 
Adventure awaits, and the kingdom never sleeps (at least until around 8:30PM).

 

Oh, and for a look at Kim Handysides’ kingdom, click here. http://kimhandysides.com/

 

The next chapter.

I’m blogging today over on the SMP Author site. Stop by and find out about THE NEXT CHAPTER: http://smpauthors.wordpress.com/2014/08/10/the-next-chapter/

Romance Weekly – #LOVECHATWRITE

Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all….. About our writing of course! Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!

If you found me via Carrie Elks’ wonderful blog, or you’re just starting your Romance Weekly journey here, welcome. Some probing questions and fun answers lie ahead as you make the rounds.

 

 

Jeanne McDonald is the author of this week’s questions:

1. How did you go about choosing the names for your characters?

I wish I knew. Names just kind of come to me when I need them. Occasionally I have to wait a bit, filling in ‘man’ or ‘woman’ in the manuscript, but as the character reveals itself to me, he or she usually tells me their name.

 
2. Where did the inspiration for your current book come from?

My current work in progress is the sequel to Son of Thunder, entitled Daughter of Darkness. The inspiration came during the writing of Son of Thunder, while writing the scene where Jord and Meghan are joined by Tyr and Nott to fight Loki’s dust demon. It was just supposed to be a cameo by Nott and Tyr, but grew into a whole separate novel, and the logical next phase of the Heavenly War.

 
3. What methods do you use to ensure you have no plot holes (journal, storyboard, outline, editor, etc.)?

 
I am terrible at this. As a pantser, I have no outline, and no framework to work from during the rough draft, so lots of dead end scenes and hanging sub plots tend to creep in. I need to read, re-read, and edit extensively to tie everything up neatly. I also have a wonderful editor at Soul Mate Publishing.

 

 

I hear you out there. Yes, I have spies all over the interwebs. You’re wondering what the other authors of Romance Weekly answered. Start (or continue) the tour by visiting the wonderful Leslie Hachtel at http://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com

A Wicked Perspective

My wife and I spent an incredible evening in Appleton WI that included going to see the musical production of Wicked.

I, like Dorothy, was completely blown away.

Without giving up too much of the story, in case you haven’t seen the play or read the book, it’s the Wizard of Oz story told from the Wicked Witch’s point of view.

It also made me think about perspective. So much of what we ‘see’ in a book is filtered through the eyes of the character whose perspective we are in at the time. While the same events happen, the way they are viewed and experienced, along with the internal dialogue of the character, can completely change the scene and the story.

I sometimes find in my own writing that, even though I know what’s going to happen, just changing the perspective character can bring out nuances and surprising insights.

In my romances I usually stay in the hero’s or heroine’s viewpoint, so there are really only two options. I just finished writing a high fantasy, with quite a large and diverse ensemble cast. Chapter to chapter I used the character I felt told the story best at that time. Some of my beta readers suggested I might have used too many different points of view. I’m not sure I agree, but I do plan on going back in and looking at each scene through different character’s eyes.

The book is titled Amulet of the Fallen God, and is hopefully coming yet this year. It’s a bit of a divergence from what I’ve published before, and there’s still lots of work to do on it, so we will see.

Getting off the hamster wheel and finding my bliss again.

I haven’t been blogging as much. (You might have noticed.) I haven’t been tweeting as much, or spending as much time on Facebook. In short, I haven’t been trying so hard to be a ‘professional author.’

Since the publication of Son of Thunder, I’ve been on a roller coaster ride of publicity, trying to do everything ‘right.’ Then about three weeks ago it hit me. I don’t have to be like other authors. I’m not hungry for fame or fortune (though I wouldn’t turn it down if it found me). I don’t need to be on this hamster wheel.

I’m in the unique situation of not having to make anything from my writing. It’s not the reason I started writing, but somewhere along the way I got caught up in the whole I-need-to-make-money-to-be-successful thing.

I used to write because it made me happy. Stories bubbled up inside me, begging to be put on paper (well, in the computer). I would lose myself for hours in other worlds, exploring characters and the crazy things they did. At some point I lost that bliss. I started regular writing sessions (where many times I would stare at a blank page for hours), scheduling what I was going to write (instead of letting the story draw me in), and avoiding writing by pretending social media was actually part of the writing process. In short, I turned my hobby into my job.

I’ve read a number of articles that state the best way to publicize your published work is by writing your next book. I think that’s a good piece of advice and that’s what I’m going to start doing, losing myself in my writing and finding that bliss again.

So I’ll be blogging less, tweeting less…being less ‘social.’ I was never very good at it anyway.

Oh, I’ll still post here occasionally, but only when I really have something to say, not because I have to maintain my ‘platform.’

So, thanks for stopping by, but I have to go. There are characters screaming in my head that I need to go socialize with.

Until next time,

Steve