As part of a Book Marketing Challenge I'm doing, I've been perusing book covers that relate to my genre (paranormal romance). I have to say that 80% of these covers are dark, gritty and sometimes extremely graphic, especially when it comes to the romantic part (read that to mean, sex).
After exploring at least thirty of these covers, I realize that my perception of paranormal and the young generation now writing this genre of stories, is as far apart as the Earth is to the Moon. Don't get me wrong. I have no objection to werewolves, vampires or shapeshifters doing their "thing". Even if that "thing" is killing or blood-letting. After all, the stories come from a creative muse that isn't real (or shouldn't be, anyway). And I have no objection to explicit sex scenes. It's the violence that dominates these scenes that makes me feel really old (and really sad).
I've been reading romance novels since I was a kid, and I have seen the change in storylines mirror the change in the world as it grows and evolves (or devolves in some cases). Both Film and TV are riddled with violent crimes and sex scenes that push the boundaries of our moral center into the stratosphere. And lately, when I turn on the nightly news, another teen has lashed out at his teachers, classmates, or his parents in an extremely violent manner.
Where will it all end? I wish I knew. I only know that dark, gritty and sexually explicit book covers don't fit the paranormal world I know and love to write about. Call me old-fashioned. Call me a prude. I probably deserve it. But, as my Dad used to say when we were playing poker. "If you show all the cards in your hand too soon, you've nothing to bluff with. Leave a little mystery. It adds spice to the game and makes you a much more interesting player". Ah, yes. Dad was certainly wise.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Hello, Mama....Happy Birthday.....
Today is my mother's birthday. If her soul was still on the earth plane, she would be 101 years of age. 101! A full century! Though she passed from the human world when she was 95, I can still feel her "presence" all around me. She's pops in on me from time to time, to frighten, scold, or give me comfort. It doesn't matter that she has no human body anymore. Her spirit is still going strong, and she's still doing what she always did--"mothering" me.
Sometimes, but not as often, I can feel my Dad's presence. He pops in to give me pointers on the mechanical things of life. My car, problems around the house that need fixing, lawn mowing and landscaping, etc. Sometimes, I can tell Mom's right beside him--just like she was when they were living their human life together. Other times, he comes alone, but doesn't stay long. I think he's anxious to get back to Mother's side.
I know that birthdays come and go, and most of them are unspectacular, but when I think of Mom passing her time on the other side, she looks young again to me, like the photos in our family photo albums. That thought makes me think she is putting that vision in my head to remind me that time is a "human" word--not a spiritual one. I think she wants me to remember that our human, physical bodies are only temporary, but that our time in the spirit world is everlasting. Without an aging body, our soul is able to be any age in the spirit world--young, middle-aged, elderly--you name it, we can be it.
So on what would be my Mom's 101st Earth birthday, I say...Happy Birthday, Mom. I miss and love you, and I'll see you again down the road. (Not quite yet, though. I still have some lessons to learn here in the human world. As soon as they're finished, I'll let you know to come pick me up!)
Sometimes, but not as often, I can feel my Dad's presence. He pops in to give me pointers on the mechanical things of life. My car, problems around the house that need fixing, lawn mowing and landscaping, etc. Sometimes, I can tell Mom's right beside him--just like she was when they were living their human life together. Other times, he comes alone, but doesn't stay long. I think he's anxious to get back to Mother's side.
I know that birthdays come and go, and most of them are unspectacular, but when I think of Mom passing her time on the other side, she looks young again to me, like the photos in our family photo albums. That thought makes me think she is putting that vision in my head to remind me that time is a "human" word--not a spiritual one. I think she wants me to remember that our human, physical bodies are only temporary, but that our time in the spirit world is everlasting. Without an aging body, our soul is able to be any age in the spirit world--young, middle-aged, elderly--you name it, we can be it.
So on what would be my Mom's 101st Earth birthday, I say...Happy Birthday, Mom. I miss and love you, and I'll see you again down the road. (Not quite yet, though. I still have some lessons to learn here in the human world. As soon as they're finished, I'll let you know to come pick me up!)
Monday, April 21, 2014
PubSmart Conference in Charleston, SC
I just got back from the PubSmart Conference in Charleston, and I couldn't wait to blog about the experience. Why? Because I came away inspired (and invigorated) by what I heard in the master classes, and by the writers I met while there. Some writers were in my genre, some not; but we all found we share a common theme--a passion for writing and getting our stories out into the hands of readers.
In retrospect, I know I went to the conference to get a better handle on how (and where) I fit in the scheme of the writing world; however I came away with so much more. I found out that I am ahead of some writers, but behind others. I found out that after the writing is done, a writer takes off the "creative" hat and dons the "business" one. Marketing, PR, Strategic Planning--all become necessary to get the word out on your book.
Am I comfortable with the "business" hat? Not at all, but I'm smart. After all, if I can use my imagination to think up characters and wild stories, I can certainly use it to re-think how I can find a loyal fan base of readers. Will it be easy? Nope. It will be a struggle, and defintely a challenge, but it's one I'm willing to take. In fact, I've already started my "to-do" list--which is growing longer by the minute, dammit!
So now that I'm home and back in "Rachel" mode, what's next? A lot of thinking. I realize the conference was named PubSmart for a reason. It was a chance to get smart about my writing and the publishing world as it exists today. Emerging Authors. Emerging Avenues. Those were the specific sub-headings of the conference, and it lived up to every bit of the hype as the two worlds collided for two days. Am I an emerging author? You bet! Are there emerging avenues out there for me? Again, you bet! Am I going to merge the two worlds from here on out? Damn straight!
In retrospect, I know I went to the conference to get a better handle on how (and where) I fit in the scheme of the writing world; however I came away with so much more. I found out that I am ahead of some writers, but behind others. I found out that after the writing is done, a writer takes off the "creative" hat and dons the "business" one. Marketing, PR, Strategic Planning--all become necessary to get the word out on your book.
Am I comfortable with the "business" hat? Not at all, but I'm smart. After all, if I can use my imagination to think up characters and wild stories, I can certainly use it to re-think how I can find a loyal fan base of readers. Will it be easy? Nope. It will be a struggle, and defintely a challenge, but it's one I'm willing to take. In fact, I've already started my "to-do" list--which is growing longer by the minute, dammit!
So now that I'm home and back in "Rachel" mode, what's next? A lot of thinking. I realize the conference was named PubSmart for a reason. It was a chance to get smart about my writing and the publishing world as it exists today. Emerging Authors. Emerging Avenues. Those were the specific sub-headings of the conference, and it lived up to every bit of the hype as the two worlds collided for two days. Am I an emerging author? You bet! Are there emerging avenues out there for me? Again, you bet! Am I going to merge the two worlds from here on out? Damn straight!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
TV as a Writing Muse
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.
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.
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.
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