Spotlight on Berkley HEAT

Over at Writerspace.com, there is a spotlight on the HEAT line. Click HERE to view. If you scan down, you can see several of the yummy book covers, as well as a list of what's coming over the next year or so.

Wednesday is all-about-writing day no.1: revisions and edits

I’m going to blog about revisions and editing today. This was one of the things I used to scour the Net looking for information about, when I was unpublished. I wanted to know what to expect. Now that I’ve been e-published and print published, I can share my experience -- but do keep in mind that every publisher does things slightly differently, this is just my experience.

I’ll look at the revisions stage first. This is where your acquiring editor will make suggestions on the book overall, helping you to mould the story, making it stronger. Depending on the publisher, some will ask for revisions before buying, some after. If before, they are very interested in buying, they wouldn't be asking for this otherwise, so give it your best shot! Usually, revisions come in the form of a note/mail with the editor’s suggestions. Once an editor gave me revisions over the phone, while I was scribbling away. That's more unusual.

What sort of revisions might be asked for? Here's one example. In my forthcoming Red Sage paranormal novella, WHAT YOU WISH FOR, the editor wanted me to go deeper into the magic of the story. There is a matchmaking white witch character who creates the magic in the story, and what the editor suggested was showing more of her involvement. If you look at the excerpt I have on my web site HERE, the opening scene is from the point of view of Enid, the white witch, and it was one of the revisions I made. Adding in a third point of view might seem like quite a major revision, but because the character was already there and the majority of her actions were just “off set,” it was easy and a lot of fun to give her own viewpoint! The revisions stage is where an editor really helps you make your story stronger, which is what Enid’s PoV did for that novella. They are the kind of things that might make you wonder: “now, why didn't I think of that myself?”

Now, you’ve done the revisions, the editor has bought it, if they hadn’t already. On to the editing itself. With electronic editing your book comes back as an electronic document with added review comments from the editor, suggesting changes and improvements. These will appear as a different coloured text in the margins. You go through and make the changes yourself, based on what they have said. This is a really good learning experience. It’s also easy to send a document back and forth in the process I call “cyclical editing.” That is, the editor goes through once, and I make the changes, send back, she goes through again to pick up anything we missed before.

When a New York publisher signed me, I’d heard that things are done in a more traditional style. The day I first saw the FedEx van outside, my heart beat a little faster. This was it. Exciting and daunting all at once! ;-) The package contained my book, with information from different people inscribed onto the printed out pages. I think I was expecting it to be the more complicated method, but in a way it was simpler. My acquiring editor had been through with pencil, making word change suggestions here and there, or asking for a clarification, or expansion. An example of this is in the editing I’ve just done for SEX, LIES, AND BONDAGE TAPE. The heroine makes the hero think of a Modesty Blaise novel. The editor asked me to say who Modesty Blaise is, for readers who might not know. I added a reference to “the sexy secret agent,” and it was done. Yes, I should have thought of that myself, but these things slip by in the heat and passion of writing. ;-)

The line editor has then gone through with red ink. This is where we get to the nitty-gritty of things like punctuation, grammar and repetitions. The line editor also double checks facts, and includes post-it notes to highlight specific things that need my attention, such as where something has been reworded and I need to give approval, or explain. The difference between doing it this way, as against electronic, is nothing ever changes until everyone has their input. So it goes through the cycles of two editors and my final revisions, then it goes back again and someone else adds all those changes into the original document. You get a chance to check that all those changes were incorporated correctly, when proofs -- or “first-pass pages” -- are sent out to you after typesetting. Suprisingly, I think that’s my preferred method, because it feels more formal, although the big thing that is missing is that I’m not actually making the changes myself, I am merely approving someone else’s suggestions or rewording in margin notes. I have to make an extra (big) effort to make sure I am learning from the experience. To do that, I go through it twice, then I go back and incorporate each and every edit into my own original RTF document. This also puts my mind at rest when sending off the only existing copy with all that added information. Believe me, seeing the package go off in the back of a delivery van and expecting it to arrive in New York the next morning, intact, is a process that leaves me in a cold sweat. LOL

What was initially surprising to me about the editing process is that relatively few things get changed. It truly is polishing. The odd word here and there, punctuation, knowing how to lay out things like emdashes (it has finally sunk in, my editors will be relieved to hear. LOL) The line editor also looks out for things such as inconsistencies, as I mentioned in a previous blog, where my heroine's bra kept appearing on and off in the same scene. Grin. Me bad. The truth of the matter is that most editors don’t have time to take on books that need a whole lot of editing, no matter how outstanding the story -- and I heard that directly from a major UK acquiring editor. You need to keep going over your work, then have a critique partner or a test reader go over it for you, because if an acquiring editor has two manuscripts in front of her with equally compelling stories, and one is weaker on presentation, grammar or spelling, which one do you think she’s going to buy?

I used to worry about this part of it all, but it truly is a positive experience. The editors want your book to shine, and together you are a team. I found that I love doing revisions and edits, because I want to learn and improve my work through that input. Always learning :-) Next Wednesday I’m going to say some stuff about option clauses!

New review for DOUBLE DARE

Serena at Fallen Angels has given DOUBLE DARE a score of 5 angels! Hurray! I'm so pleased. If you want to see what was said, click HERE to read the review.

THE STRANGELING

And now for something completely different, here's an excerpt from my first fantasy novel, THE STRANGELING, a pagan sexmagick extravaganza! ;-)

BLURB:
One woman alone holds the power to undo the hundred-year-old curse of an invincible army of dead men who wait to prey upon the living. Maerose, a beautiful, resilient maiden must drive back the evil spirits by mating with a man of faith on the dark night of Samhain at the very gates of the underworld. Her dormant magic can only be unleashed by willing submission to her predestined lover . . . but a mad man aligned with the demonic forces of the underworld threatens to possess her in his place.

EXCERPT:
The atmosphere across the land was filled with nervous anticipation. Bron sensed it the moment he made contact with the outside world through the visior pool. The whole of Edren was troubled, as if under a dark, foreboding cloud, and it was growing all the time. News traveled from village to village about Maerose’s disappearance, about the movement and action within the elders. They spoke in hushed tones about the ancient curse coming to pass. More than that, the very land itself shivered in anticipation, for the underworld stirred. He stood up and paced back and forth silently, watching Maerose as she leaned over the pool to view the images of her family and friends.

Her hair fell over her shoulders, tumbling down her back. He stroked it with his gaze, longing to hold her again. Her lips parted as she looked at her family, her eyes bright with wonder and withheld tears. He wanted to kiss the tears away and crush her mouth with his. Instead, he tore his gaze away, drawing his resources together in order to move their lessons on. At this time on the morrow, they would be at The Strangeling. There was much to do and talk about. The sands of time slipped through the hourglass; the moment of their departure would be upon them soon.

He took a moment to cast a watchful presence up and scent out the surrounding countryside, circling the enclave, his vision far above them, taking in what movement there was beyond the divide. The more predatory birds still circled, but the foreboding in the atmosphere had driven most of the smaller creatures to their burrows. A hungry wolf scouted for the pack that followed his trail. Skirting the forest, the need that had driven them out in daylight hours weighed heavy in the wolf’s wake: hunger, awareness of the changing atmosphere. Bron observed and then beckoned the scout, drawing him closer with a scent trail. The wolf paused, lifted his head, and turned in their direction.

A tremor ran across the skies as he turned back to Maerose. She lifted her head, her expression changing. She looked at him for explanation.

“You feel it?”

She nodded and stood, walking over to him, her upturned face expressing resolve, a depth of acceptance that he had not seen in her before.

He reached out to touch her face. “The demon lords of the underworld stir, stretching their limbs. In the forest the small creatures take shelter and hide. Others sense the danger and hunt for food. They sense the darkness that comes.”

She crept closer to him, her body against his. What if she couldn’t shelter with him? He needed to know. Her instincts were true and pure, but was she strong enough to act alone, if necessary? He lifted her chin and assessed the emotions he found in her. “It isn’t easy to be brave, in the face of complete darkness and evil. Death...”

She returned his gaze, steadfast. “If you are by my side, I am prepared to face it. I’ve thought about everything you’ve said and I will be ready. I would give my own life, for the sake of the village, for Edren. For those I love.” Her expression was earnest and she searched his eyes for his acknowledgment of her vow.

“You would forsake your own safety to win this battle, and trust me to lead you, no matter what?”

“You know it already.” Her eyes shone, and deep within her the spirit of summer was growing; the gift that she carried made real by their passion. Maerose from Riversbend was a woman now, a woman who carried a wealth of female power, as yet untapped.

He nodded, for he felt her soul rise to join his. In her heart he found the unspoken acknowledgement of their union in fate. Energy flared between them as they joined in purpose, in passion.

She reached to touch his lips with her fingers. “You are my master, Bron. Show me the way.”

He captured her wrists in his hands, his will to have her growing fierce. Drawing her closer, he watched her lips parting with anticipation. She was so soft in his arms, yet so ripe and full of vital, life-giving elixir. He drew her hands behind her back and reached for her lips, his mouth bruising hers. She struggled against him, her body warm against his. Supple. As darkness shifted in the land around them, his need to brand her as his own took over.

“My master,” she whispered again, breathless. As he looked down at her she dropped to her knees before him, her hands trailing over his body, her touch making his blood roar. She was full of incandescent heat. She rested her face against his breeches, moaning softly as she rubbed herself against him. “The power to make magic and change things is yours, Bron.” She looked up at him, her face flushed with arousal. “I am your handmaiden in this,” she whispered.

“We are joined now,” he breathed, barely able to speak with her touching him so bravely. “We are as one now, in this and in all things.”

Cover art

Curious about how and when cover art is decided, and why it sometimes doesn't quite match the story? Check out THIS blog entry. Fascinating stuff from Irene Gallo, Art Director at Tor/Forge.

SEX, LIES, AND BONDAGE TAPE

As promised, here's an excerpt from my novella SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE, forthcoming in the KINK anthology, together with a story from Canadian author, Sasha White.

BLURB Fitness instructor Kelly Burton is a woman on a mission, and this time it’s sneaking backstage at a rock concert to get super star Clayton Warren's autograph for her friend. What she doesn’t factor in is becoming privy to a big media secret, nor being captured by a sexy security guy who sends her pulse racing.

Backstage security man Tommy Samson’s speciality is sending rogue groupies on their way with a playful spank and a threat, but this woman is responding to his behaviour in an entirely different way and very soon they’re locked in hands-on-combat of an intimate kind, kicking off a sequence of crazy sex games back and forth across London.

When Kelly wants to track Tommy down, she has to resort to being a 'groupie' all over again, shanghaiing Clayton Warren and doing a deal over his big media secret to get hold of Tommy’s contact details. Kelly is a stubborn, independent woman who plays the men at their own games, but it only makes Tommy want more, and what Tommy wants…Tommy goes after.

EXCERPT(unedited) Tommy was still feeling that there was something odd about the job on Saturday afternoon, when he stepped out of the elevator and glanced up and down the carpeted corridor of the hotel. It was a cushy place, with solid wood doors and dark walls—a top class, expensive hotel. He was more familiar with hurrying stars out of back doors and into speeding cars to avoid the press, than this sort of number. He’d never had a job quite like it and, whilst he wasn’t in the mood for it, he nodded and smiled at the luxury of the surroundings.

Room 323 stood at the end of the corridor, beckoning to him. He approached slowly, still racking his brains trying to place Jennifer Sandringham, the client. He wasn’t a big movie buff; he’d rather listen to a good rock band play. Even so, he pretty much recognized most A List celebrities; at least, the sort of international stars who could afford to pay for a security man and a place like this. He should have looked her up on the net, but he’d been much more interested in trying to track down Kelly instead. Kelly was the only woman on his mind right now, had been from the moment he met her.

He rapped on the door. No answer, so he rapped again. He reached into the inside pocket of his leather jacket and checked the address. The scrap of paper Daniel had scribbled the instructions down on definitely stated Room 323. He tried the handle and the door opened.

“Hello, is anybody home?” No response. He stood in the open doorway scanning the room, a reception area to a full suite of rooms by the looks of it. There was a window at the far end and doors to left and right, both closed. In the center of the space stood a fancy table, dominated by an explosion of flowers in a vase. A small envelope was propped against the display, and his name was scrawled across it. Apparently, he was in the right place.

He shut the door and walked over to the table, dumping his backpack on the floor. He picked up the envelope, turned it in his hands and lifted it to his nose. Beneath the smell of flowers from the display, he smelt a more exclusive scent. “The lady has expensive tastes.”

He tried again to place the woman’s name. Where was she anyway? He opened the envelope and pulled out a small white card.

When you’re ready, come into the bedroom. Whatever happens, remember that you have signed a contract to be at my beck and call, all night long…and Tommy Sampson has a reputation to keep. Tommy Sampson never lets a client down…

Tommy stared at the card, rereading it with a frown. He’d felt uncomfortable about that clause in the contract, and now it was being emphasized. What the hell was this about? He flipped the card over. There was nothing on the back. Dropping the card on the table, he glanced at the two doors facing each other on either side of him. As he contemplated them, he heard a key turning in the door behind him. He turned, expecting someone to walk in. But no. He heard the faint sound of footsteps and laughter disappearing away down the corridor. “What the fuck?”

He crossed the room and tried the handle. The door that he had come through was now locked, with no sign of a key anywhere inside the reception area. He glared at it. Someone was having a joke at his expense, and he didn’t like it.

He walked over to the door on the left, knocked and entered. It opened onto a sitting room with low-slung leather sofas focused around a marble coffee table. The room also had a wet bar, entertainment center and a selection of faux fur cushions and rugs draped across the chairs and floor. The décor instantly made him think of sex, and that did not lie easily with his current confusion about the set up. He ran a finger inside his collar, which suddenly felt tight and restrictive.

‘At my beck and call...’

That suggestive phrase in the contract and the note kept echoing round his brain, unnerving him. Why the hell had he signed something so out of the ordinary? Because you were too busy thinking about Kelly, that’s why.

“The bedroom,” he murmured to himself. The note had said when you’re ready, come into the bedroom. Shit. Some mad woman wanted him in her bedroom and had him locked in, both physically and contractually. This was a big mistake. Daniel must have misunderstood what the woman was after. He really did not need this hassle now. He had enough of a woman issue to deal with, trying to track Kelly down, without adding some deluded celebrity into the mix.

‘Come into the bedroom...’

She obviously thought...he swallowed. She obviously though she’d hired a man for all her whims, and satisfying her in the bedroom department was a whim he had no intention of fulfilling. “I’ll give Daniel hell.”

Once he explained the mistake and got the hell out of here, his agent was in big trouble. Not to mention Jay. It was his so-called friend who’d got the wrong end of the stick here. But first he had to find the client and explain. He was tempted to call reception—or, better still—just kick the door down and walk out, but he was a professional. This Jennifer woman needed to understand he was a trained security man, a bodyguard and a roadie, not a fuckin' gigolo. The very thought of it made his hackles rise.

Dreading what he might find, he braced himself, stormed back through the reception area and opened the second door without knocking. The room was in darkness apart from the bed area, which was lit by fancy red lamps that seemed to be built into the headboard. They cast what was supposedly a seductive glow over black and red bed coverings. Tommy broke into a cold sweat. It looked like something from a Valentine’s Day card, a heart-shaped bed with some sort of tent-like fabric hanging over it, like a harem. Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone in the damn bed. He steeled himself and stepped into the room.

“Look, lady, there’s been some sort of a mistake here.”

He heard the sound of wicked chuckling in the darkness, then the door slammed shut behind him.

“What the fuck?” He went to turn on his heel, but not quickly enough. He was kicked in the back of the knees, buckling him. As he staggered forward, a hand pushed him in the small of the back. He lurched in the direction of the bed, which he cursed at as he collapsed onto it. The air whooshed from his lungs as he hit the surface. Inhaling, he got a face full of satin.

Lifting his head, swaying, he blinked and gathered himself, then someone or something leapt onto his back, snatching at his arms and locking them together at the small of his back. He felt fingers wrapping around his wrists.
Scowling and cursing, Tommy pulled his hands free, clambering up the bed, trying to break loose. The Thing, whatever the hell it was, grunted and leapt, snatched hold of his belt, and hung on. The more he lurched away, the more his belt tightened on his hips and the thing jerked him back. His jeans were half way down his arse and he felt sharp nails biting into his buttocks.

Shit, not only is she a complete maniac, she’s a freakin’ man-eater.

He’d heard stories about stuff like this, about men hired for sex. He’d read about them in those dodgy Sunday newspapers. But Tommy Sampson wasn’t going to be a victim of some demented celebrity, left tied to a bed for some maid to find, no way. Get a grip man, he told himself. She was fast, and she was strong, but she was a woman. He rolled onto his back, flipping them both over, and snatched at her hand where it was locked onto his belt. “Excuse me, but I’m the security person here. I’m supposed to protect you from people like you.”

He gripped her by the wrists and hauled her physically up and onto his chest, pulling her closer into the lamplight to get a look at her.

*

I know, what a place to leave you. Tease, tease. :-)

End of the week

End of the week, and the end of the edits, I'm happy to report. I take edits slowly. It's a learning experience and I want to be sure I don’t miss anything, so that it all sinks in. I’ve been laughing at myself today, though. During SEX LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE the mid section takes place in a hotel suite. During the sequence of scenes in that setting my protagonist’s bra was on and off like a yoyo. The copy editor had diligently gone through and marked up where it was on, where it was miraculously off, on again, and best of all -- when the hero magically got through or round it without taking it off at all, (and he's in bondage at the time, which proves he's true hero material. LOL) What a guy! And you thought it was only French knickers that worked that way. Ha! Guess I was concentrating on what was going on in other...regions. Ahem. It struck me as particularly hilarious. It's been a tough week. Thank goodness that was the only major headache I gave the copy editor. With any luck she was amused too.

So, I’m back to the fantasy novel, with a sigh of relief. With everything that came in this week, I realised that I've got 3 novels and 2 novellas coming out in the next ten months. That’s not at lot compared to some – Sylvia Day has 8 novels coming out in the next year, a prospect that makes my head spin. This is all so new to me, I admit that I’m a bit shell-shocked, but I am getting there.

I promised an excerpt last weekend and forgot all about it, so this weekend I’ll give you two, one each from the two projects I’ve just edited. Until then, hope you’re getting ready for a fun weekend, wherever you are!

Escaping into someone else's book

After several days of swapping between projects and making leaps between an exotic ancient world, a pagan world, and contemporary London, my head was so full of my own characters bumping into each other in the wrong story, I was in danger of going crazy. Okay, even more crazy.

So I escaped into someone else’s book, and it was the best possible thing I could have done. This one had been calling me from the bookshelves, where I've had it waiting for far too long, AFTER BREATHLESS by Jennifer Potter. The story is about a 19 year old British student studying in France in 1969, and it's a must read for fans of French film, as I am. Janey, the protagonist, has an affair with an older French man, Georges, because he reminds her of Jean Paul Belmondo in "Breathless". The book reads, in part, like a homage. Georges is compelling, but shadowy. Right from the start we know he has a double life. The story is told in flashback from 20 years on. Janey is forced to confront the ghost of her past, when she sees her old lover on TV. Told in first person, the tale comes together in a compelling jigsaw, the pieces all finally slotting into place.

Early on in the book it reminded me of one of my favourite films, Betty Blue, and it also reminded me of Anais Nin (although I hasten to add it is very sexy throughout, but this is not erotica.) Later on in its characterisation, its reflections on life and the crazy things we do when we're in love, reminded me of another of my favourites, Almodovar. Potter looks at human nature, how we view our own image and that of those we love, how we hide from what we don’t want to know, how we see the past and how that effects our future. There is a subtle commentary about art, poetry, literature and philosophy woven throughout. There is humour, mystery, and suspense. It says on the cover “violently romantic.” It is, but it’s not a romance, in fact in a subtle twist at the end the protagonist says: "I want to tell you a story...I thought it was a love story, but it’s not." Intrigued? I was. Such a terrific read. I wish I could write like that.

More from me soon.

Panic? Who, me?

Things are hectic here, and that’s an understatement. I was halfway through doing line edits on THE STRANGELING when FedEx arrived with the edited SEX, LIES, AND BONDAGE TAPE for me to check over. I admit it -- there was a moment of sheer panic. I’m trying to promote the October release, while writing the May release, and edit the January release, when the February release arrives. I didn’t let it get a grip on me, oh no. I reminded myself that this is what it’s all about; writers deal with this all the time. In fact this is what I dreamed of life being like, being a full time writer. Like a snowball gathering speed. Well, it is. LOL And of course the most ironic thing of all is that when I finish this little lot, I have no idea what’s next, if anything at all… Ah… the panics, the uncertainties….

Looking at these two different things I'm line editing (one fantasy, one contemporary) I also have two different editing styles, one is electronic and one on paper. It reminded me I want to do a post on that subject and I will. When I was starting out as a writer, I scoured the net for writer experiences that I could learn from, and when I revamped my website I included a page of thoughts for aspiring writers. I’ve had some great feedback about that, and I’ve received email thanking me for bits and pieces I put on the blog too. So I started thinking maybe I should be more organised, and have a regular slot for writing bits and pieces. As from next week, look out for Wednesday is all about writing day.

Meanwhile, why not stop by the Berkley Babes blog where Mia King has a fun post about your first kiss, and wondering about the one that got away. Just click HERE to stop by, and why not add your secret to the comments? ;-)

Back to the job in hand. If I owe you mail it’s coming very soon! Hope you’re all doing well.

How to make a newbie novelist smile

I'm now part of the Berkley Jove authors website, and I was tickled pink when my first single title, DOUBLE DARE, appeared in the upcoming book pages. Especially so when I saw it was right next to the new Nora Roberts book LOL It's a chance "bookshelf" encounter, never going to happen again, but great fun for a new novelist. I'm just enjoying it while it lasts. ;-)

Alison Kent: CIG - WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE, chapter 19

Erotic romance author, Alison Kent, has a non-fiction guide to WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE coming out in just a couple of weeks. When Alison was putting the book together, she held a thought-provoking roundtable discussion about the genre, which I took part in. I am now pleased to have the opportunity to review one of the chapters in advance of its publication.

Chapter 19. Intimacy: The Character/Reader Connection

First up, I have to say the style of the book is really appealing. Snappy chapters, broken into manageable subdivisions, with highlighted flash points drawing attention to important points. The chapter utilised my personal favourite teaching method -- learning by example. Alison uses bite-size chunks of fiction to illustrate her points, enabling the reader to see the lesson in action immediately, which helps it fall easily into place. She also includes a practical exercise, and a summary. All of this worked for me. I may be able to read vast tomes of solid fiction, but when it comes to instructions or non-fiction I want it quick and accessible. I want a book I can read easily, and then go and back dip into whenever the mood grabs me. That is exactly how this book works.

In terms of content, the chapter had my attention right away. Good characterisation is, for me, the single most important thing that hooks me into a story and keeps me reading. No matter what the genre, if the characterisation is strong and appealing, I’m led through the story with the characters, by identifying with them, living their adventures and emotions. In this chapter, Alison sets out the craft elements you can employ to strengthen your characterisation and make it really work for the reader, drawing your reader into the story by making that vital, deep connection between reader and character. Although there were specific sections dealing with intimate situations, I think the majority of the chapter would be useful to writers of any genre.

I have no doubt the book will find a wide audience and hope it gets promoted as a good general guide, as well as a guide for erotic romance writers. As a British writer, I think it will do particularly well in the UK. There isn’t a whole lot for ER writers over here. That is slowly changing. Harlequin M&B author, Julie Cohen, runs highly popular and successful workshops on writing sexy scenes in your romance novels, through the Romantic Novelists' Association. On the erotic side, Mitzi Szereto runs regular erotic writing workshops. There are a few guides on writing erotica, but I haven't seen anything else quite like this. My feeling is this book will sell well over here. I’ve got my order in.

Find the book on Amazon.com
Find the book on Amazon.co.uk
Visit Alison Kent’s website

Saturday smile

New day, new shuffle

Thank you to everyone who left me good wishes yesterday. I was really touched. :)

Today’s slew of email brought edits for THE STRANGELING, from Paula Guran at Juno books. That means shuffling the schedule a tad. Not much to do at all, though, which pleases me greatly. Every time I get less revisions and edits I feel I must be improving, and that is my goal. I should be able to finish them up and get back to the current WiP by Monday. Tomorrow I'll be posting my review of Chaper 19 of Alison Kent's GUIDE TO WRITING EROTIC ROMANCE. I’ll also post an excerpt from STRANGELING as I edit. Meanwhile, hope you all have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday to me!

It’s my birthday, and my treat is Bettie Page. Grin. Well, we're off to see the film this weekend, and I’ve been looking forward to this one for ages. The birthday is on hold because I'm snowed under. (If only we really could put them on hold, ay ;-) The Man of the House has a surprise lined up for after I've finished my current WiP, and all I know is that it involves a band I enjoy, playing live in a different city. I sense a night away, maybe. What fun! More on that as it is revealed. I have to finish the WiP to earn the prize! Better get on with it... Meanwhile, I’ll leave you with the delectable Bettie, who I've been smitten with ever since I first went to The Torture Garden, where they were showing continuous reels of Bettie film on the wall in one of the rooms. yum.

Hot hot hot, check out the cover for KINK!

Need I say how happy Sasha and I are with it? ;)

More being-a-writer oddities

Having got through the editing of the novel as it already stood (i.e. one-third written) I am now running through my outline and notes for the rest of the book. This fantasy novel is the most complex thing I will have written, with a cast of thousands (in true fantasy style, ha!) Well, not literally, but with four points of view and much magic and skullduggery going on, I’ve got to cross-reference everything before I press on, or I'll trip myself up. Have also started worrying about chapter length for some unknown reason, after several years of not giving it a second thought. How mad is that? My chapters have always fallen between 20 and 30 pages, with either one or two points of view changes per chapter. Recently it has worried me. I heard a rumour about shorter chapters being trendier. It’s amazing how the slightest hint of such a thing can send a writer in to worry overdrive. No editor has ever said this to me, and no one has ever hacked my chapters down. Yes, I’m a worrier. Besides, fantasy novels often have huge great chapters. Should just get on with the book, I know.

Amidst all of this I got some unusual writerly mail popping up. A British journalist looking for mums who write erotica, for research for an article. She’d found me via my web site. I’ve passed her e-mail on to the three erotica writing mums I know of, and told her if she ever wanted a disabled erotica writer, I’m her gal. It made me smile. Then I heard from a Penguin publicist, armed for action for the publication of DOUBLE DARE. You could have knocked me off my chair with a feather. How excited was I? Yes, very! It came at a good time, because I was trying to pull together the nerve to get in touch with the British press. I’ve been involved in promo work before, on behalf of Black Lace, so I was going to contact some of the same publications. Last time, however, I had the Virgin books publicity person, as well as the editor, boosting me up for the events. My ego and self confidence are always fragile. I thought of an appealing hook, in that I’m the first British author to be signed by Penguin for their new hot erotic romance line, Berkley Heat. But did I have the nerve to use it? Hmm. Anyway, the good news was I was able to chat with the publicist and she thinks it’s a great hook, and says I’m to go for it. I can blame her now, and feel much less responsibility. LOL That should help steady my ego a tad. I have to say, the writers journey has some usual and unexpected pit stops along the way. I'll continue to document them as I can for the interested parties out there.

Oh, and coming soon, more on Alison Kent’s CIG book HOW TO WRITE EROTIC ROMANCE. As I mentioned previously, I was involved in the round table discussion for the book. I’ve now got a chapter of the book that I will be reviewing here shortly. I’ve read it over once, and I can definitely say this is an excellent how-to book, not just for writing erotic romance, but for general fiction writing, too. More details on that soon. Hope you're all having a good week!

Hot reads and a contest

Why not hot up your weekend by hopping on over to Alison Tyler's blog, where she's got lots of sexy reads. Alison is also doing a giveaway of her latest novel, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU. Just click HERE.

Weekend funny

Writing and the learning curve

After losing out two whole days to that dreaded thing called “Real Life,” I got stuck back into the fantasy novel today. I’m still reworking what was already there, and I think I'm having far too much fun with it. What do I mean? Well, just little things, like I've introduced a meddling, mischevious spirit guide for my hero, just to stir up trouble for him and his object of lust (the heroine.) Naughty me. I’d written well over a third of it, and as I mentioned before it needed updated. I’m about done with that, so things will start moving much quicker shortly, but I came to the last older bit today and I thought “you could do that so much better now” so I deleted the whole chapter. Sounds hard? It gets easier, believe me. I understand better now what makes a novel more dynamic, and how to achieve it. On the one hand, I'm impressed I’ve learnt something, on the other I wish I’d known it back then ;) Learning, always learning.

For the readers out there, I'll be adding a naughty short story to my next newsletter, in the pipeline now, so join up HERE if you want my occasional newsletter (latest news, reading and contests) delivered direct to your mailbox.

In outside world news, this latest danger and chaos on flights makes my heart sink. Long haul travelling is a big deal for me anyway, but the potential long-term implications weighed heavy on me. Sad days. On that note, I hope everyone who calls by here is safe. It makes us step back and be glad of what we have. Hugs, all!

More on short stories

Following on from my meanderings about why I write short stories, Black Lace author Nikki Magennis recommended this article on the subject, by Steve Almond. Check it out. Interesting stuff.

Why short stories?

I keep writing short stories, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop, even though my novel writing career seems to have well and truly begun. Yipppeee. :-) However, the reasons why I write shorts have changed somewhat over the time I’ve been doing it, as have the benefits. An author colleague recently asked about the benefits of writing shorts, when often the pay is low. I had a lot to say. :-) So I thought it might be useful to post something about it here, too.

When I first started out, I used short story writing to dip my toes in the waters. Much to my delight, I got positive reactions. Both my first fantasy and my first erotica story were published, so I kept at it. I viewed each short as part of the foundation for what I hoped and dreamed would be a full time writing career one day. Each short that was published represented a building block. I was learning all the time, too, learning from the actual writing and from the feedback I was getting from editors. That knowledge went on to inform my fledgling novel and novella writing.

When I began to get longer work published, I also seemed to be getting more opportunities for short story writing. Happy! There was a new discovery at this point. Working on a short story could motivate me to press on with a longer project. It’s the quicker turnaround, the buzz of making a story work and getting it accepted. Writers have a phrase for this “refilling the creative well.” Lots of ways to refill your own well, for me writing a successful short is one of them. So, when I need a boost on a long project, writing a short will give me just that. When a story is accepted, I get such a kick! Oh, don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t happen all the time, but when I do get a “yes,” it is party time again. Whoop! :-) And then... aaaah, seeing it in print, holding the book in my hand, and seeing my name amongst so many talented writers...can’t beat that feeling, just can’t…

When I approached publishers with my longer work, I had a CV of internationally published work in short story form. I hoped this would help me -- wasn’t sure if it would or not -- but it did. Happy! Berkley are marketing me on that very fact, which was a surprise, a really amazing one. “This is the daring debut of a cutting-edge voice in contemporary erotic fiction. Her short stories have seduced readers in more than 30 international anthologies. This, her first novel, is twice as hot.”

Dancing, I'm dancing! Well, wonky dancing. ;-)

I was also gaining readers through my shorts. I frequently get little notes about particular stories (got a lovely mail from a reader just today, about RICHARD’S SECRET, my story in the TABOO anthology, thank Kevin! :-) and people were signing up to my newsgroup, even though I hadn’t yet had a print novel published. Shocked and incredibly pleased. Just the other day I spotted a review of a US anthology I was in that said “with talented authors including Saskia Walker (who I love from Black Lace anthologies)” I was so surprised – readers remembered me from elsewhere. How cool is that!

That’s when I realised the most significant aspect of writing shorts. Every time I get one published, it’s introducing my work to new readers. I believe this is the best possible promo you can have. When I think about what makes me buy a writer's work, it’s not flash advertisements, it’s either word of mouth or because I’ve read something in a collection and liked their voice. I’ve asked around my friends, and this is not so unusual.

From where I began, just dipping my toes, short stories have given me so much. The fee is often the least of it, although I do enjoy receiving those cheques. Call it the icing on the cake. Maybe the other short story writers who call by here will add their halfpenny/1c to the subject.

KINK agogo!

Last night I heard some great news. Kate Seaver, my editor at Berkley, loved the novellas for the KINK project that Sasha and I put together. I’m so pleased. And – I admit it – hugely relieved. This was my first proper commission for Berkley. When they signed DOUBLE DARE it was already written. They could have asked me to change it, sure, but it was a done thing, so they either liked it or not. Thank god they did like it, but my point is that they commissioned and signed our novellas for KINK on a short proposal. This was a new situation for me. I loved writing the story, really enjoyed the characters and set up, but at the back of my mind I knew I really needed this one to prove I could bring out the goods on demand, too. It was a hurdle I had to get over, and I’m so pleased I’ve managed it. All these little stages on the writer’s journey, things that I wasn't even aware of as I started out...amazing stuff.

KINK is due out in February and we’ve already seen a draft of the cover. Verrry sexy indeed! Hopefully we’ll have the finished one to show you soon. Meanwhile you can read a taster from my novella, SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE, here. NB: adult content!

I’ve been working on the fantasy novel this morning, but we’re off out soon to party a bit. Grin. Have a great weekend!

Writer pals getting together

Last week, it was the annual Romance Writers of America convention, and 2200 delegates from all over the world descended on Atlanta. I’ve wanted to be at one of these events for a couple of years now, and I devour all the reports I can find online. This year was really bad though. I felt as if I should be there. I actually felt as if everyone had gone on the school trip and I'd been left behind. Awwww! Yes, you may laugh :-) It was partly because I’ve forged such good relationships with so many fellow authors and I wanted to meet them in person. I wanted to chat with my editors and publishers, and my lovely agent, Roberta. I had to turn down the chance to schmooze with them all. Saying “no” to cocktail parties, dinners, and meetz of all types. Ach! :-( Hopefully I’ll make it one day, not too far away.

That’s partly why my occasional meet with local author pal, Wendywoo -- AKA Portia Da Costa -- was very well timed, yesterday! I always enjoy our meetings, and it was just fab to chat over coffee, lunch, more coffee, empty cups LOL We often realise they might be about to chuck us out when we finally leave. Lots of decompression. The sort of chatter that we’d be doing bit by bit if we worked in a regular job, we manage to squeeze several weeks worth in, over a few hours. We exchange our troubles and our mad moments, and have a really good laugh about the funny side of the business, and of being an erotica author. I treasure my time with Wendy, and think myself very lucky to be pals with someone so widely published, who is such a mistress of erotica and such a down to earth, lovely woman to boot. I confessed to her yesterday that when I realised she lived so close to me, I was overawed. I mean...THE Portia Da Costa. I first read her work with her sexy paranormal, Gothic Blue, back in ’97, when being a writer was a fledgling dream for me! So it took me some time to muster up the nerve to get in touch and declare myself. A couple of years on from then, and I wouldn’t be without our friendship and times together.

As full time writers, we have the amazing characters that live in our head and inspire us, and we have the online friendships we form through the fabulous online writer network, but a real meet with a fellow author is the best.

Looking for reports from the recent RWA? Go HERE.

RED HOT EROTICA winner

Many thanks for all your entries and your lovely comments, very much appreciated. Congratulations to Bailey, who wins the RED HOT EROTICA anthology draw. I'll be in touch shortly for your postal address!

Butlers in the buff?

I've seen it all now, literally LOL

Had a superb day today, yacking over a long lunch with my lovely author pal, Wendywoo. Really though, we shouldn't be allowed to meet in public places LOL More on that tomorrow. ;-) Meanwhile, there's still time to enter the draw (see previous blog post) so drop your name on the list if you haven't already. A random winner will be selected tomorrow evening!

Random giveaway!

To win a copy of the RED HOT EROTICA anthology, edited by the lovely Alison Tyler, just say hello in the comments and leave your name! RED HOT EROTICA contains my short story, "It's Just not Cricket," a very naughty summer time tale. Grin. I'll get the Man of the House to close his eyes and point to one entry, and I'll announce the winner here later in the week. Good luck!

Busy bee today. Tomorrow The West Yorkshire Erotic Writers (ie Wendywoo and I :-) will be having our meet, so today I'm immersed in my fantasy novel, making time, with this album on repeat. yum. Have a great day!