We are at the end of March, and regretfully at the end of the TV season (at least for me). Why regretfully? Because watching TV has made me a much better writer this year. How so? I know it sounds corny but watching TV programs this season (news shows excluded) has made me pay attention to the sound of words. The dialogue TV writers have used this season to get across the drama, or comedy, of their shows has filtered to my ears, as well as my eyes.
Now, as we approach the final weeks of some TV shows--from the big wedding on "How I met Your Mother" to "The Walking Dead" on AMC--the cliff-hangers are building. And as a writer, I appreciate those cliff-hangers, because they mimic my writing world. Like the finale of a well-crafted sitcom or drama, I'm always trying to write a book that will take my readers to a precipice with the characters, and then plunge them over the edge with the outcome uncertain (and scary) as they fall.
Building up to the cliff-hanger at the end of the season has always been a major part of the TV writing world, but in a novel writer's world, keeping the suspense alive throughout a book, is a must. It insures the reader will keep turning the pages, and keep coming back for the author's next book, and the next--the same way TV viewers come back the next season and the next. Staying tuned, they watch the new adventures of their beloved characters, and it puts a lift in their day, or touches an emotional cord of understanding in their hearts. Either way, words, (and the use of them), feeds us with the knowledge that we are all masters of our own stories.
This week, we are saying goodbye to old friends--some for the very last time. Will we ever see the likes of Barney, Ted or Robin again? Or Rick, Daryl, and Carol who are battling zombies in an apocalytic world? The answer is of course we will, in re-runs on TNT, TBS, and numerous other cable stations. Will there be new characters for us to fall in love with in the new season? Absolutely. Will we find a new book that mirrors something deep within us that we can't define, let alone articulate? Again, absolutely.
So, as of today, I'm going to go with the flow, and enjoy the TV finales currently going on on around me. But I'm also going to remember that everything has its season and, though I don't always like it, endings must occur. It's the rhythm of life. So good bye, March Madness, and hello, April Fool's Day. Without you, there would be no promise of new beginnings, and certainly no new paranormal romance story for my fans to look forward to.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
"Bitten" SyFy Series
When I bought my first E-Reader, I decided to purchase some free books first--just to get acquainted with how this whole E-reader revolution works. The first book I downloaded was "Bitten" by author Kelley Armstrong. I fell in love with the book so much that I immediately downloaded the other books in the series.
Armstrong's stories revolve around shapeshifters--wolves, ito be exact. But we're not talking werewolves here. No blood-letting or violent attacks on humans. These shifters live human lives, away from cities, and have very human jobs--teachers, artists, etc. They live in packs with a head Alpha male, and they change forms only for the freedom of running--the way humans jog in parks across the country every day to stay in shape.
Imagine my delight, when SyFy introduced "Bitten" to audiences a few months ago. At first, I was afraid that the Hollywood version of the books would take the stories to places the author never intended. (And as a fellow author, I would hate that). However, after seeing Kelley Armstrong's name as one of the Executive Producers, I knew she had found the Holy Grail. She was one of the lucky authors, blessed to get the chance to bring her book to life on the TV screen in the way she intended it to be viewed in the first place.
As most of you know, I grew up in the world of acting, so it's been a double delight to see "who" Armstrong chose to bring her characters to life on the TV screen. The male wolves are all hunks, of course; you gotta make the ladies salivate over their buff bodies, don't ya? And the lead female is a gutsy beauty that would make any red-blooded male want to take her to bed for hours.
The series has been good at showing the CGI effects of the transformation from human to wolf as well. And thank goodness, the CGI effects never overpower the story-telling. So far, six weeks into the series, the script is staying true to Armstrong's books. There have been little tweaks here and there, but when you change mediums--written to visual--changes must occur to keep the story cohesive and interesting.
So, if you enjoy stories of forbidden romance, shapeshifters, all things paranormal, like I do, go to www.kelleyarmstong.com and read one of her books. Better yet, tune in to SyFy Monday nights at 8 PM and enjoy a sexy escape into the world of pack wolves and the mutts (rogue wolves) who are trying to annihilate them. Hopefully, you'll become as obsessed with the series as I am.
Armstrong's stories revolve around shapeshifters--wolves, ito be exact. But we're not talking werewolves here. No blood-letting or violent attacks on humans. These shifters live human lives, away from cities, and have very human jobs--teachers, artists, etc. They live in packs with a head Alpha male, and they change forms only for the freedom of running--the way humans jog in parks across the country every day to stay in shape.
Imagine my delight, when SyFy introduced "Bitten" to audiences a few months ago. At first, I was afraid that the Hollywood version of the books would take the stories to places the author never intended. (And as a fellow author, I would hate that). However, after seeing Kelley Armstrong's name as one of the Executive Producers, I knew she had found the Holy Grail. She was one of the lucky authors, blessed to get the chance to bring her book to life on the TV screen in the way she intended it to be viewed in the first place.
As most of you know, I grew up in the world of acting, so it's been a double delight to see "who" Armstrong chose to bring her characters to life on the TV screen. The male wolves are all hunks, of course; you gotta make the ladies salivate over their buff bodies, don't ya? And the lead female is a gutsy beauty that would make any red-blooded male want to take her to bed for hours.
The series has been good at showing the CGI effects of the transformation from human to wolf as well. And thank goodness, the CGI effects never overpower the story-telling. So far, six weeks into the series, the script is staying true to Armstrong's books. There have been little tweaks here and there, but when you change mediums--written to visual--changes must occur to keep the story cohesive and interesting.
So, if you enjoy stories of forbidden romance, shapeshifters, all things paranormal, like I do, go to www.kelleyarmstong.com and read one of her books. Better yet, tune in to SyFy Monday nights at 8 PM and enjoy a sexy escape into the world of pack wolves and the mutts (rogue wolves) who are trying to annihilate them. Hopefully, you'll become as obsessed with the series as I am.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Writing Mentors
Recently, I had lunch with an old writing buddy I hadn't seen in a long, long time (Michael). It was invigorating to touch base with him and find out where his writing life had led him. In truth, his writing life had literally stopped--an ending of the Muse, he said. He no longer heard her calling his name and no longer felt compelled to write stories.
At first, I was saddened because in my case the Muses hadn't stopped calling my name. I write every single day, because, as my BFF Sheila always says, I can't not write. But then I realized that some writers hold the title of being mentors to others. I suddenly remembered that during my years in the writing workshop with Michael, he always made great suggestions about what I wrote. And listening to his own pieces of writing, I became a better writer. Perhaps, that's why he stayed in my life such a short span of years. He had something to give, and I had something to receive. And when we each got what we needed, our lives drifted apart.
During our lunch, I said as much to him and he agreed totally with me, except that he said thanks to Sheila and me, his life had matured--by writing his "Will" stories and hearing our critiques. He had matured as a person and then, after the demise of the workshop, he had found a new artistic calling, namely, woodworking. As I listened to how passionate he is over his ability to shape wood into something rare and beautiful, I realized once more that people go in an out of our lives for all different reasons. That we are all between two worlds. Astral-Human, Teacher-Student, Writing-Woodworking. It doesn't matter what the calling is; the only thing that matters is we answer the call.
When lunch was over, we wished each other the best that life has to offer. We also agreed that neither of had any idea why we had found each other again after such a long span of silence. I think it's because both of us needed a way for our souls to gauge how far we had come in fulfilling our dreams. And now that we see how far we've traveled, and are grateful, it's time for us to keep moving forward. I think that brief two hour lunch proved that trying to live in the past serves no purpose. We must always keep moving forward. Even if we have to leave a treasured friend behind.
At first, I was saddened because in my case the Muses hadn't stopped calling my name. I write every single day, because, as my BFF Sheila always says, I can't not write. But then I realized that some writers hold the title of being mentors to others. I suddenly remembered that during my years in the writing workshop with Michael, he always made great suggestions about what I wrote. And listening to his own pieces of writing, I became a better writer. Perhaps, that's why he stayed in my life such a short span of years. He had something to give, and I had something to receive. And when we each got what we needed, our lives drifted apart.
During our lunch, I said as much to him and he agreed totally with me, except that he said thanks to Sheila and me, his life had matured--by writing his "Will" stories and hearing our critiques. He had matured as a person and then, after the demise of the workshop, he had found a new artistic calling, namely, woodworking. As I listened to how passionate he is over his ability to shape wood into something rare and beautiful, I realized once more that people go in an out of our lives for all different reasons. That we are all between two worlds. Astral-Human, Teacher-Student, Writing-Woodworking. It doesn't matter what the calling is; the only thing that matters is we answer the call.
When lunch was over, we wished each other the best that life has to offer. We also agreed that neither of had any idea why we had found each other again after such a long span of silence. I think it's because both of us needed a way for our souls to gauge how far we had come in fulfilling our dreams. And now that we see how far we've traveled, and are grateful, it's time for us to keep moving forward. I think that brief two hour lunch proved that trying to live in the past serves no purpose. We must always keep moving forward. Even if we have to leave a treasured friend behind.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
A New Year of Finding Romance
We're two days into the New Year and I'm already waxing philosophic about reading and writing paranormal romance books. "Off with the old, on with the new". That's the mantra my mind keeps playing like a broken record. So, what is the old I need to get rid of? Nothing, I can see at this point. I finished writing my second novel, The Sacred Circle, in November of 2013, and it's sitting on the Amazon.com shelf ready for downloads and reviews. And I've read some spicy, sexy romance books this year as well. So, the old has already moved out of my world into the great Beyond. That leaves only one question to answer: What's the new I need to put on? Duh! It can't be anything else but writing another book filled love and romance.
In terms of yearly writing goals, I have one and only one every year: to write an entertaining story that people will love. It doesn't matter what the subject matter is. It can be supernatural or just plain modern-day. As long as I can take the reader into a world they've never been to, and have them meet characters to root for (or hate)--well, that's total euphoria for a romance junkie like me.
Hunky Heros. Feisty Heroines. That's my criteria for writing a killer romance story. And of course, lots and lots of sizzling confrontations between the pair as their attraction grows. And then a killer ending with a happily ever after must happen every single time. Don't we have enough "not so nice" endings out in the real world already? Shouldn't we be able to escape the real world for a few hours and enjoy the escapades of star-crossed lovers as they battle the world and each other?
I think so, and now that I really think about it, I know that I will be luckiest person in my neighborhood in 2014, for I will be creating interesting new worlds, fascinating characters to live in that world, and then I will be going to that world for however long it takes to tell their story. At the same time, as an avid reader of romance books, I will be escaping into my fellow writers' worlds. I'll be enjoying plenty of steamy sex, heated confrontations, jealousy, revenge, and soul searching--all of it ending in a love to last a lifetime. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
In terms of yearly writing goals, I have one and only one every year: to write an entertaining story that people will love. It doesn't matter what the subject matter is. It can be supernatural or just plain modern-day. As long as I can take the reader into a world they've never been to, and have them meet characters to root for (or hate)--well, that's total euphoria for a romance junkie like me.
Hunky Heros. Feisty Heroines. That's my criteria for writing a killer romance story. And of course, lots and lots of sizzling confrontations between the pair as their attraction grows. And then a killer ending with a happily ever after must happen every single time. Don't we have enough "not so nice" endings out in the real world already? Shouldn't we be able to escape the real world for a few hours and enjoy the escapades of star-crossed lovers as they battle the world and each other?
I think so, and now that I really think about it, I know that I will be luckiest person in my neighborhood in 2014, for I will be creating interesting new worlds, fascinating characters to live in that world, and then I will be going to that world for however long it takes to tell their story. At the same time, as an avid reader of romance books, I will be escaping into my fellow writers' worlds. I'll be enjoying plenty of steamy sex, heated confrontations, jealousy, revenge, and soul searching--all of it ending in a love to last a lifetime. Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Magic in the Air
Tis the season of sleigh rides, caroling in the snow, and presents under the Christmas tree. In every way, and every day, magic spills out of doorways and fills the air, touching our hearts and infusing us with feelings of love, especially for family. Is it any wonder that I'm thrilled that my new novel, The Sacred Circle, is slated for release on December 23rd? After all, my book is all about love and magic--but, the modern-day witches's kind. It's also about redemption, of coming home, and re-igniting the passion for life again. And of course, finding true love along the way. And isn't that what Christmas is really all about? The magical birth of a baby with the power to alter our lives forever?
What makes magic so special at this time of year, or any time of year? That's easy. It's all about the recipe used to make the magic. In the case of The Sacred Circle, you conjure up two very interesting ingredients, namely Brianna and Devlin (star-crossed lovers and bitter enemies). Then you stir the pot by adding in some magical talent and skills for them both--of the Wicca kind. You then add a lot of conflict (and I do mean lots--banishment, an unexpected marriage, un-Sacred Circles, bitter rivalries, revenge, etc.). And then you put the ingredients in the oven (or in this case, the Coven) to simmer. Ah, heck, put them in and let them burn; by the time the ingredients have been cooked to perfection, you've produced something delicious to eat (or in the case of paranormal romance novels, something delicious for the reader to enjoy again and again).
Where does the joy of magic live in your heart? To a hopeless romantic, such as me, it's found in the arms of two star-crossed lovers seeking redemption, the power of forgiveness, and of course, a love to last a lifetime. Again, is it any wonder I'm thrilled that The Sacred Circle is being released during the holiday season? What better Christmas present to be left under the tree than a book filled with the magic of love and romance and happily ever after?
So do yourself a favor this Christmas. Conjure up a magic spell in your heart and then share it with someone in desperate need of healing magic. You won't regret it. After all, when we help, we elevate our life to that of a true High Priestess and Magician.
What makes magic so special at this time of year, or any time of year? That's easy. It's all about the recipe used to make the magic. In the case of The Sacred Circle, you conjure up two very interesting ingredients, namely Brianna and Devlin (star-crossed lovers and bitter enemies). Then you stir the pot by adding in some magical talent and skills for them both--of the Wicca kind. You then add a lot of conflict (and I do mean lots--banishment, an unexpected marriage, un-Sacred Circles, bitter rivalries, revenge, etc.). And then you put the ingredients in the oven (or in this case, the Coven) to simmer. Ah, heck, put them in and let them burn; by the time the ingredients have been cooked to perfection, you've produced something delicious to eat (or in the case of paranormal romance novels, something delicious for the reader to enjoy again and again).
Where does the joy of magic live in your heart? To a hopeless romantic, such as me, it's found in the arms of two star-crossed lovers seeking redemption, the power of forgiveness, and of course, a love to last a lifetime. Again, is it any wonder I'm thrilled that The Sacred Circle is being released during the holiday season? What better Christmas present to be left under the tree than a book filled with the magic of love and romance and happily ever after?
So do yourself a favor this Christmas. Conjure up a magic spell in your heart and then share it with someone in desperate need of healing magic. You won't regret it. After all, when we help, we elevate our life to that of a true High Priestess and Magician.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Romance on the High Seas
I just returned from the first ever 5 day Celtic Thunder Cruise (to the Caribbean). It was fabulous to say the least. Besides, what's not to like? Five days on board with six of the most handsome lads to ever grace the Irish heritage. Now that's true romance. And even more interesting was seeing the ages of the passengers--from three to ninety-three. All of us were there to see the lads perform--singly or as a group--and lest you think, the ship held only cooing females, think again. Many men were sailing--alone, with their wives, or significant others. And in talking with them, they solidified what we all knew. Music is the language of love and romance--whether you're male or female.
Sitting up in the balcony, watching the hand holding going on, it was not hard to see how much music is ingrained in our souls, and in the connections we make with each other while in the human world. Combining words and music is nothing short of miraculous to a songwriter bent on sharing a message, and it's the same with a paranormal romance writer. Words, and the rhythm of them, spark the imagination and, because it does, a writer is able to share a message to the reader--one that, hopefully, connects to their soul.
What is the message for our souls? I think it's, that no matter where we find ourselves in our daily life, whether listening to an awe-inspiring piece of music, or reading an entertaining romance novel, love is our constant companion. There is a haunting beauty in connecting words to our lives. Our hearts are opened and we take on more love, and then even more love. Miraculously, we forgive those who have treated us badly, and begin to understand the phrase "I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet". Does that phrase resonate with your soul? I hope so, 'cause I know it resonates with mine.
Sitting up in the balcony, watching the hand holding going on, it was not hard to see how much music is ingrained in our souls, and in the connections we make with each other while in the human world. Combining words and music is nothing short of miraculous to a songwriter bent on sharing a message, and it's the same with a paranormal romance writer. Words, and the rhythm of them, spark the imagination and, because it does, a writer is able to share a message to the reader--one that, hopefully, connects to their soul.
What is the message for our souls? I think it's, that no matter where we find ourselves in our daily life, whether listening to an awe-inspiring piece of music, or reading an entertaining romance novel, love is our constant companion. There is a haunting beauty in connecting words to our lives. Our hearts are opened and we take on more love, and then even more love. Miraculously, we forgive those who have treated us badly, and begin to understand the phrase "I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet". Does that phrase resonate with your soul? I hope so, 'cause I know it resonates with mine.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
The Magic of Paranormal Romance
I've been away for awhile, caught up in a furious rewriting of my second novel, The Sacred Circle. I've learned alot about magic while away. Why magic? First, "Sacred" is about modern-day witches with the ability to conjure magic, so there should be plenty of spells and shit in it, right? And secondly, it's a story of romance, so there should be a lot of that too, right? So, what happens when your editor E-mails that the manuscript you've sent doesn't have enough of either?
You do two things. First, you cry with disappointment and silently threaten to put a curse on the Editor's head for not seeing how wonderful the manuscript truly is, and then, second, you sit your butt down in the chair and hit the "rewrite" mode of your creative Muse and get to work.
And that's when the magic begins to happen. You let your head and heart start working simultaneously--to tell the story you meant to tell in the first place. You take the Editor's critical notes, and you pare them down to what's possible and what isn't. And then you begin to write--from Page 1 to The End--all of it new. And the magic of writing begins to weave its way into your story. The charcters begin "living" the words, and the story shifts dramatically. Soon, the Magic finds its way into the characters' lives and romance is suddenly part of the conjuring. Out of nowhere, the story takes a new shape, but a shape that is exhilarating, because you've touched that chord of magical music where a new symphony resides. You stir and you summon, weaving a spell with the words. And then the magic builds to a high level of energy when the spirit guides answer the call.
By the time you've finished and sent the rewrite back to the Editor, you're exhausted and in need of a week's sleep, but you've also found that the magic hasn't left your life at all. It's still there, in the corners of your mind, simmering like a bubbling cauldron, ready for the next big story idea. What will that be? I don't know yet. But I know it will be laced with magic, love and romance. Why? Cause everybody knows I'm the biggest sucker for love and romance that ever walked the Earth.
You do two things. First, you cry with disappointment and silently threaten to put a curse on the Editor's head for not seeing how wonderful the manuscript truly is, and then, second, you sit your butt down in the chair and hit the "rewrite" mode of your creative Muse and get to work.
And that's when the magic begins to happen. You let your head and heart start working simultaneously--to tell the story you meant to tell in the first place. You take the Editor's critical notes, and you pare them down to what's possible and what isn't. And then you begin to write--from Page 1 to The End--all of it new. And the magic of writing begins to weave its way into your story. The charcters begin "living" the words, and the story shifts dramatically. Soon, the Magic finds its way into the characters' lives and romance is suddenly part of the conjuring. Out of nowhere, the story takes a new shape, but a shape that is exhilarating, because you've touched that chord of magical music where a new symphony resides. You stir and you summon, weaving a spell with the words. And then the magic builds to a high level of energy when the spirit guides answer the call.
By the time you've finished and sent the rewrite back to the Editor, you're exhausted and in need of a week's sleep, but you've also found that the magic hasn't left your life at all. It's still there, in the corners of your mind, simmering like a bubbling cauldron, ready for the next big story idea. What will that be? I don't know yet. But I know it will be laced with magic, love and romance. Why? Cause everybody knows I'm the biggest sucker for love and romance that ever walked the Earth.
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