Writing
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Splitting Time |
My time between family and writing are carefully balanced. There are times where I shut down writing because my family needs or wants me and there are times where they lead me to my desk and make me sit because the energy thrumming in my veins is a story and they can feel it. It is those moments they send me to my desk so I can de-energize. No matter what, I am always there for them. With a husband, a daughter, a mother, four sisters, five nieces, five nephews and numerous pets, I am always available. |
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Being An Author |
What I like most about being an author is I can wear what I want to my desk, turn off my phone and lock my doors. I enjoy the best of all worlds. I am a mother, housewife and author. It's nice to share my dreams and stories with others and comments are highly welcome. Constructive critique is something I appreciate as improvement only occurs with advice or suggestions. Please remember when you read something of mine, I welcome your input and comments. I may even ask for permission to post your words, but will never post them without permission. I love writing and look forward to it each morning, but follow no schedule. I don’t write to live, I live to write. I enjoy promos and email. I spend between eight to twelve hours writing or editing. I write sensual and erotic romance in the genres of sci-fi, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary. I believe strongly in love, happy endings and romance. Although sometimes struggles happen, love blooms and lives in my books. |
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Pen Name |
I don’t have a pen name because my family said there is nothing wrong with what I write and no reason for me to pick one. Besides, I drew a blank at the time and still don’t know what I’d pick if I opted for one. No pen name, no agent. I am what I am, simple and just me. As an at-home mom, my family knows what I do and they have no qualms. My daughter’s friends and parents know and we speak openly. Hubby’s in college and he brags. My daughter already asked what happens to it all if something happens to me. I showed her a legal document that transfers all my copyrights and royalties to her, but made her promise that her father gets the money until his loss. She agreed. |
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Other Writings |
I wrote poetry at fourteen and, in 1991, started my first book. |
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Writer's Block & My Weapon |
That is the ugliest gray wall I ever encountered and I hope to never see it again. When I faced my first battle against the monster, I didn't know what do and couldn't think of words or ideas. I thought I was finished before I even started. At that moment, I learned the value of nature's serenity, water's tranquility and the peace of a waterfall from a fish tank. The pond grew from there. When I need a moment to regroup, I visit my koi. I hope I never face writer's block again. If I have a lousy day, I crank up Godsmack or INXS and, if that doesn't work, I go stare at my koi pond and spend hours on my porch listening to the cascading brook, babbling stream and plunging waterfall that feeds my 3,500 gallon pond while the waterfalls wash away the barricades. |
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My Night In Shining Armor |
My husband plants plots and characters in my head with subtle whispers and even uses poser to show me what can and can't be between characters. Someone asked if his whispered subtle suggestions made me toss down the pen and investigate with him or if I made him suffer and wait. As good as he is, I can't make him wait…more than long enough to tell the IC Recorder which tracks of all my ideas. It's after that we investigate. Aside from my family and some occasional ‘me’ time, blurbs, excerpts, answering readers and updating the website is important to me. I hate HTML, but hubby's heavy workload hinders him at times. He set up FrontPage and showed me what I needed to know. I will never forget the night I lost my website. I was on the verge of tears and he sat down and redid my entire website in a matter of hours. I couldn't thank him enough. |
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Workstation |
My workstation is in the kitchen so I'm near the homework table, which keeps me close to the family. There are notes everywhere, pages of information on each book and numerous reference books at hand. If I reach an intense scene in a story that requires privacy, my family disburses to other rooms, their snickers amusing. My small desk houses hubby’s generous gift of a 3.4 GHz dual processor, 1.5 GHz memory, large non-glare/flat screen, HP Compaq. I don’t understand all that, but it does fly. Little yellow stick ‘em notes decorate the monitor’s left side and bottom. Full page notes stand on the monitor’s left and right. A tall left-hand shelf holds a thesaurus, dictionary and various research books, including a Strunk & White Elements of Style. The top desk shelf holds a dragon with a massive sword, a baby dragon, a tiger, a unicorn and a black knight. On the right is a large cage with parakeets who dance and sing throughout the day. Behind me, the sliding glass door opens and invites in the sound of the backyard waterfalls. A coffee warmer lives a foot from my right hand. Shame I can’t find a tea cooler for my right. If I snack while working, I prefer cereal and fruits. The other day, I concentrated on finding an error I knew I saw and reached for a honeycomb. I dipped my fingers in the coffee. |
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Early Encouragement |
My English teacher's belief and encouragement let me grow wings and chase my dream, but eXtasy Books helped me learn to fly and catch the stars. I've been with eXtasy Books since 2004 and give them everything I write. I wouldn't trade my editor or publisher for anything. I have several books published, more awaiting edits and some in the works. |
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First Acceptance |
My first acceptance was an email I stared at and re-read at least half a dozen times. I even shut down, rebooted and double-checked to make sure it was still there because that meant it was real. Hubby read it because I was stunned. BTW, I do this with every acceptance. |
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About Being Published |
The best thing about being published is hearing someone tell me they like my work and reading the reviews. The silliest thing I ever did was scream at receiving a contract. I must make myself a 'pride wall' soon. The most enjoyable was a reader who bought and liked my book. The most shocking was when the publisher and editor called me. I was floored! It was such a shock that if she wasn't laughing, she should have. |
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Worst & Exciting |
The worst thing is editing and making sure all the little glitches are destroyed. The most exciting is when a reader tells me they like my story. The most rewarding is when a reader talks to me. |
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A Reader's Power |
A reader is the person who holds the power to help me. Tell me if you like a story or didn’t and why. I will do my best to answer every email from any reader, no matter what, because without the reader, there is no one to hear my stories. Readers are the lifeblood of books. One of the most memorable moments was when a reader said she liked Dark Hope and was re-reading it. Her words meant so much to me that I cried. She touched my heart in more ways than words can say. Thank you, Cathie. And Lisa. And Julie. |
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Worst Comment |
That one of my books lacked sex scenes until the end. In truth, I don't like writing sex scenes, but I adore and enjoy writing love scenes. There is a big difference. I have an editor who gave me some wonderful advice: if the sex/love scene doesn't farther the relationship or plot, don't add it. |
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Love & Sex Scenes |
When asked the between a love and sex scene and which part of a story is most vital, I replied all parts of the story are vital…plot, characters, all of it, but when the love/sex scenes take center stage, the rest of the involvement suffers greatly in my books. I don't mind if my lovers have a random act of sex because love is still between them. The lord can always tumble the lady where he or she desires, but just two people who jump in the hay for sex then nothing farther isn't something I can write. My characters must feel something for each other. |
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Words I Use |
I use: Male: rigid, thick or veined shaft, length or hard-on,
erection, cock. I never ever the c word for a woman. It’s always been an insult
to me and I find the word completely UN-sexy, unattractive and unappealing, in
my writing. There are authors out there who might be able to make that word
work, but I cannot. |
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Most Difficult Book |
Every book I write has difficult aspects, but if I have to pick the most difficult book, I will say there are two and for very different reasons. Dark Hope because unless you endure a disability, it's an extremely difficult perspective to write. LaViolette because it's a fourteen part saga and I must make sure every part of the story is needed, wanted and fits as well as assuring the continuity, flow, details and facts are exact in regards to time. It won't do to have a certain word written one way in book one and a completely new way in book seven unless I have a justifiable reason and the reader is aware of it. |
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Consistency |
If a hero is dark haired on page five and light haired on page one hundred, unless altered by age, spell or dye and clarified, I have wronged the reader and such is a tragedy. Things like refining a character must show, the reader must be allowed to see where something was learned or be given the incident which changed the character's perspective toward something or someone. Picky? Yes. By golly, if someone is four in one book and five years pass, they better be nine or close to celebrating a birthday party unless, altered by spell and clarified. |
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Odd Story |
That one came from a dream. Touch of Earth started in 1991. I didn't realize the characters wanted to tell their story so I ignored it. Big mistake. The three dimensional dreams were vivid, colorful and extremely insistent. It was terrible dealing with a story that wanted out so bad. That dream haunted me until I wrote it out of my head in hopes it didn't become a nightmare. The dark side of the story isn't pretty. Finished in 1994, the story is accepted by eXtasy Books, but is currently awaiting my rewrites. I learned to deal with characters in a much more friendly way as I now pay attention to what they say and get it on the screen. The primary character in part two is my dark side and he scared me. |
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Emotion & Humor |
Do I work emotion or humor into a story? If I have a scene that's funny, sad or touching, it was all the characters acting it out in front of me. These are very important parts of a story and when I can laugh, get teary-eyed or become mushy, I'm hoping the reader does, too. I have several areas in each book where I giggle, gasp or something and I love the emotion. |
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Writing Urges |
I write whatever a character urges me in order to tell their story. Some books have been in the works for years and others just pop up. In all the writing I did, I never intended any of it to become a saga. I did whatever the story called for. I write with the flow and when the story becomes so big it must be divided then so be it. I have several sagas right now and the rest are open-ended. My publisher and editor both have wonderful hearts and granted my request of holding some books to avoid overloading myself as I prefer following through on edits as much as possible and that's where I am on all my sagas. |
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Sequels |
I've been asked about such on several and here's the plan. Ditmyer from A Cry in the Night. The man is considered interesting by several reviewers. Yes, he'll get his story, but until he steps up, leans down over my shoulder and whispers his story in my ear, I can do nothing. Hey, Ditmyer, they want to know. How about it, handsome?
Matt & Zane from
Dark Hope. I Several
readers want to know about this set of charming twins.
Ya know, when I have
one muse leaning over my shoulder, breathing in my ear and said muse collects
and brings the second muse to lean over my other shoulder, it’s not too bad.
However, when I start out with two muses and get whispers in both ears, then add
a third! Oh my gawd! The Crystalzine from A Second Chance. It seems he sparked an interest and readers want to know more about him. |
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Thirteen of the fourteen parts of the saga are complete. My intention is to release a new 75K or greater book every three months. There is one major plot throughout the saga and several sub-plots intertwining a few books together, but each book also has its own plot and sub-plots. Nothing is so twisting as to confound if the saga is read in order. This story accompanies an injured hero and heroine who learn trust makes a difference, fate is an odd friend and everything has a reason. |
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Three of the four parts are finished, but on hold by my hand for edits in order to follow through on the above saga. This story follows a young girl who grows up to discover love and betrayal, life is more than what you see and sometimes the kindest touch leaves the deepest wounds. |
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This story is two main parts with three to five smaller novellas branched off. Four of the five to seven parts are complete, but also on hold. This story is of the destruction and reparation of earth as we know with a twist of magic, a touch of myth and a glimmer of hope where merging the old into the new means making changes, adapting and sacrificing. |
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Marriage |
I don't always have my characters get married unless one is young, it's right or they insist, but I do make sure there's little doubt the unmarried hero will never leave the unmarried heroine's side since love is a powerful bond. I tend to test the hero/heroine in every way and you can bet I'll put them through some serious challenges, which force their bond to become a hidden strength when the primary villain contributes to the plan. Do I as reader miss characters getting married? No, not if the bond is as I've listed above. |
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Fantasy Or Reality |
I like a combination of real fantasy or fantasized reality. I want real on what needs to be real such as emotions, bonding, relationships, love and some of life's daily troubles, but I want fantasy such as dragons, elves and shape-shifters. To me fantasy is a beauty where reality can't tread. |
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Appearance |
I like the way each of my hero/heroine looks, but it's what's inside that makes them appealing or despised. I have a female of exceptional beauty and a male who is extremely attractive and both suffer for it. I have everything from white, brown, blond, red and black hair to blue, green, brown, violet, teal and gray eyes. Each of the above mentioned hair and eyes has a shade. |
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Age |
My characters vary in ages. The youngest looks fifteen, but elves live for one thousand years. The oldest character is over four hundred. I use mostly non-human races. As a rule of thumb, a human at seventeen may be barely legal to some, but a one hundred fifty year old elf, well, they've been around a while and their experiences are quite aging. |
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First or Third |
Personally, I read and write a book for a story and every story has
more than one side. For me, I like knowing what the hero AND heroine
are thinking. I can only get this with third because first limits
whose feelings, emotions and perspective I am entitled to.
There are times where a poorly done third is better than a decently
done first, so yes, it is a POV you best know what you’re doing with
it or it will flop. |
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When & Where Can I Write |
Anytime, anywhere. If angry, if makes for a great fight, the villain's stroke of luck, the h/h's demise. If hurt, a perfect chance to write something similar for the h/h. I can write anytime I do not have a TV to interfere, hence the reason the TV is in the living room and I am in the kitchen. Until my computer room is finished. |
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Hardest To Write |
Intermingled scenes because I must see who is doing what and it must be feasibly possible for the action to be done. Be it a fight or sex scene, I like real. Oh, and then there's the tough spot where the character clams up. Ugh! Try telling a story when the storyteller won't open their mouth. I have dealt with several like that and some are more ornery than others. Elusivar. Wait until I get that man to talk…and there goes his wicked smirk. Oh is he hot. *sigh* |
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Too Many Characters |
I believe a reader can become just as confused with numerous characters in a story as the author. If I, as the writer become confused then so will the reader. I try to keep the storyline clear as to precisely who's in the scene, what they're doing and why. As a writer, I have a limit as to how many secondary characters I am willing to manage. I only have what I need and am able to handle what I bring in. I do my best to assure the reader can tell who is who and who is doing what. The more characters in the scene, the less personal the situation. All my books have two primary characters the story revolves around. All other characters are secondary. Some stay, some leave. I worked on a book where there were too many secondary characters. I decided either the secondary let the primary have the story or someone would be murdered at the hands of a crazed writer. Remember the campfire? You should have seen how many secondary characters bowed and eased back into the shadows. All characters get their turn, but when eight jump at once, this writer gives a warning glare. |
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Importance Of Secondary Characters |
There are times where the characters come across a situation and the only way out is to rely on experience and, if not the main, then a secondary. I never object to a secondary character who steps into the light every now and then because they can save the day or offer advice as no hero/heroine should have all the answers or know everything. There's nothing wrong with a secondary character being heroic or becoming just too interesting to ignore. Sometimes it leads to another story. In A Second Chance: Tarot - King of Cups, I've was told by several readers the crystalzine was fascinating. Hmmm…second story plotting. |