Mystery Date Monday: Glory Windsor

Photo courtesy "Bixo" from Stock Xchg

Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Psychic/Single Mom Glory Windsor

What Book She's In: VISIONS, contemporary/romance/mystery novel

Where She Lives: Mentone Beach, California

Why She's So Fascinating: Glory finds herself in a position most women would envy: she attracts the notice of a delectably sexy film star. What's more, they become inexplicably bound to each other after an accidental bump transfers some of her much-maligned psychic abilities to him. While he--and the paparazzi--chases after their passion and power, she runs away...but not fast enough to escape an inevitable union, OR a past that threatens to rob her of her daughter, Jade.

A Memorable Moment with Glory Windsor:

“Glory Windsor?”

Her head snapped up, startled to find flashbulbs going off from over a nearby display rack. She hadn’t noticed anyone come in.

“Glory, can you really see the future?”

Two photographers slapped at shutter buttons as she tried to process what was happening. The press? Had they followed her here?

“What’s the future look like for you and Trenton Dane?”

Another reporter chimed in. “Are you taking money for your services? Is it true you’re running a scam on celebrities?”

“No!” She looked around, silently pleading for help. The sales people huddled together by the register, making no move to intervene. For one of the most famous shopping destinations in the world, she decided some Rodeo personnel could stand lessons on customer service.

The press stood between her and the exit, leaving her trapped like a mouse about to be picked off by a circling hawk. Desperate, she dropped to her knees and shuffled through two small racks of designer dresses before hopping up and rocketing out the door. Not to be outdone by the feeble trick, reporters pushed after her.

Another flashbulb, situated by the curb, caught her head on as she fled out onto the sidewalk.

“Glory, who’s going to win the playoffs next week?” The question sent up a ruffle of derisive laughter.

“Hey, she didn’t pay for that stuff!” The spiky-haired salesgirl protested. Glory was too far out the door–and moving too fast–to hear.

Without thinking she dashed across the street, narrowly averting a trip to Cedar Sinai hospital courtesy of a midnight blue Mercedes 350 SL. The driver was still yelling at her as she took the remaining few feet of Rodeo Drive in long strides and rounded the corner at Wilshire, nearly taking out a woman heavily laden with shopping bags labeled “Escada.” The startled brunette sniffed at Glory’s breathless apology and resumed clicking her high-heeled way down the Boulevard.

A hundred feet further brought her to the old-world European splendor of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, where she wasted no time peeling through the glass doors. Still at racing speed upon entering, her black flats slid across the shiniest floor she’d ever seen.

[...] A quick look back offered reassurance that no one had followed her. Yet. She leaned against a massive square column, breath coming in short, mouth-drying gasps. Beads of sweat prickled her armpits. The hundred-yard dash had never been her best event, but the fatigue induced by her sprint was a definite sign it was time to get reacquainted with the treadmill gathering dust out in her garage.

--from VISIONS
~~~~~~~~~

When Glory is Available: VISIONS is available now in ebook or print.

How You Can Get Her Story: Get it in print on Amazon, or in eco-friendly eBook from Draumr Publishing

Feng Shui Friday: Family

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
What does a romance/erotic author know about Feng Shui? Early on in my writing career I discovered this ancient Chinese art as a means to organize my desk space. The impressive results prompted me to employ this art well beyond my novel writing, and a dozen years later I've applied Feng Shui to every area of my home. Every Friday I'll share tips to help bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life. I'll begin by introducing the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui.

This week: The Family Area (right hand wall)

Moving clockwise around the octagon from last week's Knowledge area discussion, flip the above octagon so the Career line lies against the wall where your front door sits. If you're standing inside this octagon facing the door, the Family area glides along the far right wall of the house (or room). Energies here influence family relationships.

Family nagging that you're spending too much time with "your writing stuff?" Squabbles or lack of communication at the dinner table? This is the area in your house to point your feng-shui goggles at.

The Family area is just as affected by chi-blocking factors (chi=natural, life giving energy) as areas discussed previously. These include:
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Family Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Clear the cobwebs, say sayonara to the dust bunny parade. Windows in this space? Give 'em a wash if you can.

2. Light it up. Bright lighting can bring cheer and understanding to the family, but avoid candles.

3. Dress it up. Calm greens and blues are wonderful color choices for the Family area. Healthy live plants work well. Wood is the natural element of this zone as well as columnar shapes, so wooden furniture, bowls, etc. are helpful.

4. Fix it up. Clutter in this area complicates family relations and blocks the way to harmony. Natural metals are considered a poor choice here, as metal (think axe/knife blade) cuts wood. So things like wrought iron furnishings, silver candlesticks, etc. can interfere with family bonds. Similarly, avoid candles in the Family area, and cure fireplaces. Fire energy consumes wood, and in a relationship area can evoke high emotions and anger. Lots of family strife/arguments? Check this area for any "fire" items and relocate them.

Here's a little space I've dedicated in my Family area to, well, FAMILY! Family photos are a natural here, and stand on a columnar wood cabinet. I also store our family albums in a drawer underneath. Bamboo is a potent feng shui cure, promoting healthy, strong, steady growth. I use green color accents and have added a few natural stones like amethyst and hematite for grounding and calm. Earth elements may or may not work well in this space; play around and see what results you get.

A few of you might be wondering about the pewter frame in this area. Metal? Yep, you caught me! Matter of fact, if I stood back and shot a photo of my ENTIRE Family area, you'd spot quite a few family feng shui faux paus. (Say THAT three times fast!) I've done a few cures to this area including the dedicated space shown, and did see an immediate boost in family communication. However, I'd like to see this zone even stronger, so later in this blog series I'll be posting a Family area makeover.

Just like the other areas mentioned, whether you shift a candlestick or renovate the entire Family space, remember to make your changes with intention. See nurturing, peaceful calm among family members as you paint the wall green, or picture positive communications and smiles as you place family photos here. Sweep old family business away with the dust bunnies.

~~~~~
Romance writer duties call!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a Family area tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that inspires your family!

Wild Dreams Wednesday #3

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg
Note: this week's dream contains mature themes.

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams returns!
By popular demand, every Wednesday I venture away from writing and editing romantic/erotic fiction to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Tell me about it at writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll attempt to shed some light on an upcoming Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I had a very disturbing dream where I was in a train station. And there were suspicious people so I listened to my gut and I left and next thing you know the train station blew up!"
--NuellePena
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While it seems very disturbing, dreams like these can be indicative of a much more general issue.

First is the train station itself, which represents a desire to achieve our goals--generally relationship or career goals. The train carries us to these goals. Multiple people in dreams tend to represent our social circle, in this case I'd say probably ones who have ulterior motives that may interfere with your goal achievement. Explosions involve pent up anger that finally boils over, or a destructive shock that interferes with your desires. Here, you got away before the explosion hit, which indicates that you will be able to carry on your path despite the temporary derailment.

Combining these into a theme, I'd say that something recently might have happened, or you are concerned that something will happen, that involves people around you who could pose a threat to the goals you're seeking. But while anger and disappointment threatens to take the day, you rise above and can continue on the path to your goals--even if you need to use a different train station to do it.

Good luck on that journey!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Mystery Date Monday: Prince Verrill

Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Prince Verrill

What Book He's In: TWISTED FAYRIE TALES, story: SINDARELLA anthology/fantasy/erotic

Where He Lives: In a fantasy kingdom of vampires, erotic pleasures, and witches' spells

Why He's So Fascinating: Powerful enough to attract the notice of 'Sinda's step-witches, there's more to Verrill than meets the eye--and he's certainly a delectable eyeful. And he's more than male enough to go neck and neck with the dangerous beauty who crashes the ball to save the man she believes little more than a shallow slave to his hand mirror.

A Memorable Moment with Prince Verrill:

Truly, the royal portrait painter deserved execution for the gross miscarriage of justice in every likeness of Prince Verrill I'd seen. This god wrought my understanding of his plight; had I been born to his visage I, too, would desire only to pleasure myself in view of the looking glass. Tall and sculpted, his hair was sleek, yet wild as the finest black steed. Eyes were the unfathomable jade of a churning sea. Indeed, the latter fixed me with a stare stirring new hungers, tossing what remained of human emotions like waves after a storm.

This storm was just beginning.

Shock subsided enough to allow dictates and my voice. Lifting heavy skirts, I dropped in a low curtsy. “I fear I'm naught for finery or the ballroom, sire.”

His nod bid me rise; his smile bid my desire aflame. “Yet finery clings to you quite naturally,” he said, gaze sweeping without fanfare to my breasts. “Though you seem to have forgotten some of it.”

He neared, gold tassels swaying from epaulets which capped shoulders a palm's width greater than my own. “Perhaps you were remiss in your excitement? Or did you wish to get a horse's gallop ahead of other maidens, by seeking me without your undergarments?”

My lip snarled. I recalled my true purpose here, and my true feelings. “I was neither, Highness. Merely in need of haste.”

And no longer disposed to modesty, but no doubt he would count this a personal testament.

“I've offended you.”

I raised my chin. “Not at all, sire. I came with all haste to see you, true. But for reasons you do not suspect.”

My chest gave an odd flip as he took my hand, my stilled heart trying to remember how to beat. “I can't say I'm not glad of it, whatever your reasons.” He frowned. “You're frozen. Here.” The Prince tugged a silk cord at his throat, releasing a gold capelet thrown across one shoulder. With the smooth flourish of a conquistador, he draped me in fabric.

I had no need of it, but smiled. “You're too kind, Your Majesty.”

“Verrill.”

“Lucinda Ella Fairbairn. Sinda.”

'Twas his turn to bow. “Come, Sinda. I would not have you catch your death.”

Truly. My smile followed his to a small chamber; small being relative to the palace. The parlor spanned the Manor's length, boasting more chaises than a carpenter's craft for a year.

Leading me by the hand, Prince Verrill brought me to a crackling fire. He took both hands in his, but 'twas his gaze warming me as gentle strains of a minuet stole through the open door.

“May I?”

Without pause for the rejection he'd undoubtedly never heard, he pulled me to him. Dance 'tis a genteel art, one my father tried to bestow. Alas, I proved early on I lacked a featherlight step. Yet my liege was in command of his talent. Giving me honors, he plié-stepped like a master. I moved with the grace of a wooden ox-cart. To his credit, the Prince showed no sign of it.

Circling, we twirled in to face each other at a close breadth, but instead of opening back out he halted, possessing my waist with his arm.

“Sinda.”

The name quivered low, as though my womb had awakened to possibility.

--from SINDARELLA, TWISTED FAYRIE TALES
~~~~~~~~~

When Verrill is Available: TWISTED FAYRIE TALES available now in print or ebook

How You Can Get His Story: Get it in print on Amazon, or in eco-friendly eBook from Eternal Press Publishing

Feng Shui Friday: Knowledge

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
What does a romance/erotic author know about Feng Shui? Early on in my writing career I discovered this ancient Chinese art as a means to organize my desk space. The impressive results prompted me to employ this art well beyond my novel writing, and a dozen years later I've applied Feng Shui to every area of my home. Every Friday I'll share tips to help bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life. I'll begin by introducing the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui.

This week: The Knowledge Area (front right corner)

Moving clockwise around the octagon from last week's Career area discussion, with the octagon flipped so the Career line sits against the wall where your front door sits, you'll see the Knowledge area resides in the far right corner. Energies here are responsive to aiding or hindering attainment of knowledge.

Why is this important to writers or anyone besides students? Writers often research their books, new markets, or tips on successful promotion. In everyday living, we constantly seek answers. When our Knowledge area is out of order, these answers may prove difficult to come by when we need them.

The Knowledge area is affected by many of the same factors that block chi (natural occurring, life-giving energy) discussed previously, such as:
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt (front entry ways tend to track in a lot)
*Lack of vital purposing (dead or incorrectly apportioned space)

Knowledge Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Clear the cobwebs, bid dust bunnies farewell. Corner spaces are notorious dust and clutter hogs.

2. Light it up. Lighting here is especially important to illuminate the path to knowledge.

3. Dress it up. As light is important, the Knowledge area is a good location for candles and/or lamps. A fireplace here is a fortuitous location. Water is less useful. I've also found scent cures are helpful here, particularly those that stimulate mental acuity: citrus, vanilla, sage, and mint for starters. Blue, green, and black are all good color choices in this area. What's more, this is thee recommended location in the home for a television and/or bookcases. Windchimes or a lead crystal sphere hung over this zone can be useful as well.

4. Fix it up. Avoid energy blocking clutter that keeps knowledge hidden. If you have bookcases or a TV here, make sure to keep them dusted and that books, DVD's, etc. are displayed neatly and not stacked haphazardly. Water can drown flames that light the path, so try not to use much in this zone, or add plenty of light to negate the effect. If light bulbs burn out in this area, replace them immediately.

Okay, here's my own Knowledge area. Note that the family TV is situated here, and the prominent use of black. (The TV is set here to a soundscapes music channel I use sometimes to aid focus.) At lower left is a set of Asian hanging lanterns, and above this a spotlight against the back wall. I have a daughter in college and another being homeschooled; their photos are displayed in this area. Sitting atop the TV you'll notice an aromatherapy diffuser; it's filled with vanilla as a constant scent cure.

Remember, whether you decide to relocate the family library or just add a small candle or scent cure, the most important technique is to make the change with intention. See knowledge coming to you effortlessly when you need it; visualize barriers being removed as you clean the space.

~~~~~
My latest romance novel beckons!! I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a Knowledge area tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that satisfies your thirst for knowledge!

Wild Dreams Wednesday #2

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg
Note: this week's dream contains mature themes.

Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams returns!
By popular demand, every Wednesday I venture away from writing and editing romantic/erotic fiction to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Tell me about it at writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll attempt to shed some light on an upcoming Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I dreamed I got a tattoo on my shoulder blade. Of all things, it was a tattoo of Jesus riding a horse!! What on EARTH does this mean?
--Anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are several symbols in this dream that are worth looking into. First, the idea of a tattoo itself. Tattoos are permanent marks, indelible impressions that stay with us for a lifetime. In a dream, these can represent a physical or emotional situation that left a long term impact.

Horses in a dream represents physical and sexual power, virility. That wild, untamed sense of passion and desire that sweep us away. For those of you gasping in shock at the thought of Jesus being associated with such imagery, hold on!! The dreamer isn't having an immoral moment. Jesus is a common dream symbol not necessarily indicative of a God figure. Jesus commonly refers to achieving our own potential, an actualization of possibilities or attainment of desires or goals, no matter how difficult.

To combine these ideas into the one cohesive dream, perhaps the dreamer has recently entered a new relationship in which she feels passionately empowered and actualized. Or on the flipside, perhaps a past passionate circumstance left such an indelible mark that it is influencing her ability or willingness to risk pursuing that wild, untamed side in her present encounters.

Either way, the overriding themes here are to be aware of the long-term implications of attaining our potent, "wild side" passions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Monday Mystery Date #2: Ridelle Walters

Photo courtesy "Bixo" from Stock Xchg

Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Daddy's Girl/Professional Student Ridelle Walters

What Book She's In: A GRAND SEDUCTION, contemporary/murder mystery novel

Where She Lives: Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Why She's So Fascinating: Ridelle is a fierce enough friend to go out on a very long, precarious limb to end the heartache of a failing marriage. This Girl Least Likely To becomes the bait for a staged seduction scheme...but this affair is a far greater sacrifice than merely bedding someone's husband on camera--and not even her best friends know why.

A Memorable Moment with Ridelle Walters:

Ridelle stared into the closet, despite knowing the outfit jointly selected for her trampy debut was tucked right up front in a wispy dry cleaners bag. Now, two years after Fran had dressed her in a ridiculous froth of peach chiffon to act as a bridesmaid, the marital investment she’d spent most of her adult life securing was about to come to a bitter and grinding halt. At Ridelle’s own hand, no less.

Yanking the hanger off the rod, she twisted around to the full-length mirror inside the closet door and held the bag-covered garment against herself. “You can do this. You’re a vixen...an animal of unimaginable sexual magnitude.” She rolled her eyes at her reflection. “Girl, if your pals only knew the truth.”

An hour later, Ridelle stared with fascinated horror at the transformation. Her eyes were rimmed in kohl, shadows of taupe and cream accentuating a dreamy, heavy-lidded look. Full lips were moist with a slick of magenta, and her usual straight brown locks fell in soft waves just tickling the tops of bare shoulders. A single pearl dotted each ear, and a matching pendant fell like an arrow pointing the way to modest, but well displayed cleavage.

The dress she’d worn only once and vowed never again, but here she was, all five-feet six inches almost wearing what her mother had dubbed the “man magnet.” She’d bought it for Ridelle’s twenty-fifth birthday, in hopes that scores of well-to-do country club suitors would stampede. Done in abstract splashes of pink, black and white silk, the halter bodice plunged bikini style to a snug band of fabric under her breasts, then clung for dear life along dangerous curves to mid-thigh. There, the fabric flared outward in gentle folds that fell to just below the knee.

Once again the revolving door of her will spun to the negative and her heart drummed out a rumba, a beat befitting this new style. She shook her head at the slut-tastic vision in the mirror. “I can’t do this.”

Is that your final answer? She nodded at the thought as she gaped at a woman that was the antithesis of herself in the mirror. Much as she loved Fran and wanted to help, she couldn’t kid any of them. Time to do everyone a favor and stay home, before she blew the whole plan out the whale’s hole.

She reached slender arms behind herself to unhook the halter at the back of her neck, picturing Fran racing around with preparations, daring to hope for a way out. She needed a life boat, but Ridelle was fresh out of inflatable rubber. Still, the thought stayed her hands. She couldn’t just beg off with a phone call, not for something like this. Could she?

Ridelle tottered on strappy heels over to where a wicker table lamp highlighted the old slimline on her cluttered walnut night stand. For a long moment she stared at the phone. Fran needed moral support if nothing else—she was as nervous about pulling off the party as she was about the scheme embedded within it.

Damn. She’d just changed sides again.

Fine, so she would show up to lend whatever clumsy hand or crying towel she could muster, but the first order of business was to explain why she couldn’t go through with this. Fran would understand that this was too far out of her jurisdiction to be plausible.

Hopefully better than Ridelle understood it herself.


--from A GRAND SEDUCTION
~~~~~~~~~

When Ridelle is Available: A GRAND SEDUCTION is available now in ebook, and coming soon to print on Amazon.

How You Can Get Her Story: Get it in eco-friendly eBook from Fictionwise

Feng Shui Friday: Career

Octagon graphic, Bartett Designs
What does a romance/erotic author know about Feng Shui? Early on in my writing career I discovered this ancient Chinese art as a means to organize my desk space. The impressive results prompted me to employ this art well beyond my novel writing, and a dozen years later I've applied Feng Shui to every area of my home. Every Friday I'll share tips to help bring positive energy to YOUR writing...and life. I'll begin by introducing the nine main zones of a house as defined by Feng Shui.

This week: The Career Area (front wall)

Imagine flipping the octagonal diagram so the Career line sits along the front wall where the main entry door to your home or room is located. Energy flowing in this area is believed to be especially responsive to helping or hindering career goals. Take a look at that front wall and see whether the space is affected by any typical factors that blocks chi (natural occurring, life-giving energy), such as:
*Clutter
*Poor/no lighting
*Dirt (front entry ways tend to track in a lot)
*Lack of vital purposing (dead space)

Front walls are notorious for dead space and clutter, especially near entryways where papers, books, mail, shoes, etc. get dropped off and dirt gets tracked in.

Career Area Fixer-Uppers:

1. Clean it up. Clear the cobwebs, bid dust bunnies farewell. Get rid of the stacks of mail and piles of galoshes and briefcases in the front hall.

2. Light it up. If lighting is sparse, add a decent lamp.

3. Dress it up. The Career area's natural element is water, so a fountain or water feature is useful here. Good color choices are black and dark blue. Wood is appropriate in this area. Wavy shapes (representing water) in your décor can also be helpful.

4. Fix it up. Candles or a fireplace contributing light or ambiance? Nope. Having fire elements in a natural water zone creates undesired enmity. Pottery—clay, representing earth—is also an issue, as earth elements can “dam up” flowing water energy. To cure this, move candles, pots, and statuary. If you have a fireplace, consider placing a fountain inside, or use décor and colors to cure it and make sure to add a water feature somewhere in the zone (water globe on the mantel?).

Here's my Career area, or rather the portion dedicated to activating my writing career. Note the use of black, and snow globes as a water feature. The images inside these are pretend “book covers” I did up for works in progress. The faux stone in the center reads “Inspire” and yes, rock is an earth element which isn't ideal. To negate/balance this, I surrounded the stone with color and water cures to allow just the powerful message to shine through. This was a great addition, as two days after adding it I was able to finish a book without difficulty that I'd fought with for months.

Regardless of whether you simply sweep your entry way or go all out and install a giant wall-mounted fountain, the most important technique when performing any Feng Shui cure is to do it with intention. Don't just sweep; realize you're removing blocked chi from your career path. Don't just slap in a fish bowl; see positive energy flowing like water to move your career goals forward.


Time for me to get back to romance writing. I hope you've enjoyed Feng Shui Friday. Have a Career area tip or dilemma to share? Please post in the comments! Until next time, may you find the magic within that unleashes all YOUR career goals!

Wild Dreams Wednesday #1

Photo courtesy of Stock Xchg
Tell Me Your Wildest Dreams returns!
By popular demand, every Wednesday I venture away from writing and editing romantic/erotic fiction to interpret your dreams. Have a recurring or puzzling dream? Tell me about it at writerlisalogan@verizon.net and I'll attempt to shed some light on an upcoming Wild Dreams Wednesday!

This Week's Wildest Dream:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I dreamt I was cooking on the stove, but the flames got bigger and I couldn't turn them off. Then my arms caught fire!”
--Anonymous
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fire dreams are relatively common, and while they can represent a literal fear of flames, they often have a more subconscious implication.

Fire can represents passion or powerful emotion, often passion or anger, generally toward a relationship or vital aspect of your life—a hobby or career, for instance. As fire brings dramatic, sometimes frightening change, its presence in a dream can either convey the emotions themselves or a lack of control over them. As fire alters the very shape of things, dreaming of it can also indicate issues surrounding areas of change and transformation in your life.

The fire isn't the only important symbol in this dream, however. That the fire originates on a stove can be significant. Stoves represent awakenings, awareness. And arms also have specific meaning—these represent our ability to reach out, achieve, act, and express ourselves.

To combine the above symbols into a theme for this dream, perhaps the fact that a stove's fire is climbing onto your arms means you recently have emotions that are getting out of control, threatening to consume you. Your temper could be getting the best of you lately, for instance. Or perhaps you've been facing challenges in a relationship, job, or area of change in your life. In either circumstance, these emotions or morphing situations leave you feeling helpless to steer things in the direction you want.

In the end, the moral of this story is—don't wear long sleeves near open flame! In dream speak meaning, be careful when indulging your more powerful emotions and juggling life transformation, lest you get burned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wild Dreams Wednesdays interpretation by romance author/editor Lisa Logan is meant to be used for education and entertainment purposes only. I hope you've found this week's post useful! Stay tuned until next Wednesday, when we again delve deep into our Wildest Dreams. Sleep Tight!

Monday Mystery Date #1: Trenton Dane

Photo courtesy "Surely" from Stock Xchg
Every Monday I'll treat you to a Mystery Date with a character from one of my romantic or erotic fiction novels!

This Week's Mystery Date:

Who: Actor/psychic Trenton Dane

What Book He's In: VISIONS, romance/psychic/mystery novel

Where He Lives: Beverly Hills, California

Why He's So Fascinating: Not only is Trenton Dane celebrity hunk gorgeous, he's largely unaffected by his own stardom--but highly affected by the mysterious beauty who unwittingly transfers psychic abilities to him when they bump into each other at an event.

A Memorable Moment with Trenton Dane:

By the time the tortilla soup arrived, Glory was feeling like a geek in a fish bowl. People were staring and whispering, and though “the falls” kept words away it wasn’t hard to imagine what they were saying. This was the local hotspot in a small town, and a major name had plopped his Calvin Klein-encased derriere right in the middle of it. She swore she caught camera flash from the corner of her eye a couple of times. Who, she wondered, brings a camera to the local dive?

The question was answered as a couple of breathless girls of maybe sixteen bounded to the table, caught up in the giggling mania of teenaged adoration. The shorter of the two, arms akimbo, gripped a Nikon digital. She nudged her elbow into the other girl’s ribcage.

Girl Number Two sprang into action. “We have a bet. She says you’re Trenton Dane, but I say he would never be seen in boring Men-toad Beach, so you must be a look-alike or something. Right?”

Glory’s eyebrows had inched higher with each sentence, but Trenton was unfazed. Instead, he winked at the shorter girl and turned his best The-Camera-Loves-Me smile on the Doubtful One. “Guess I’m not a very good look-alike, am I?”

Camera Girl’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Ha! See, I told you,” the Doubter trumpeted to her friend. “You owe me a jumbo hot fudge.”

Several koi wriggled near the edge of the pond, checking out the commotion.

Trenton wasn’t finished. “Yep, my agent’s always telling me I’m so terrible that I must be the real deal.”

The believer’s eyes widened three sizes. “You are him!”

My heaven, are those tears in her eyes? Glory laughed while the pair squealed and bounced around in delight. “Can we get a picture, Mr. Dane? Please?”

Glory did the honors while the pair leaned in–just a bit too close, she thought–on either side of his seat for a giddy group photo. They were met in short order by the manager, who shooed them sternly back to their seats and proffered a rosary’s worth of apology.

When they were alone again, Glory stared at him with open curiosity. “How do you manage? Isn’t it, distracting to be in the public eye all the time?”

He swallowed a mouthful of rice pilaf and shrugged. “Sometimes, but this is what I’ve chosen to do. What I love to do. If people didn’t have this reaction, I wouldn’t be nearly so marketable as an actor. You learn to adapt, and to hone the art of disguise when necessary.” He waggled his brows at her, Groucho
Marx style.
--from VISIONS
~~~~~~~~~

When Trenton is Available: VISIONS available now in print or ebook

How You Can Get His Story: Get it in print on Amazon, or in eco-friendly eBook from Draumr Publishing

Mystic Stones by Lydia Howell

Thanks to Authors Promoting Authors, I'm delighted to be able to tell you about the following intriguing anthology!

Throughout history, many have believed in the magical powers and healing properties of gemstones. In Mystic Stones, the skeptical are forced into believing by their own needs and desires.


Because of the gemstones they possess…

in Aquamarine Love, Nadia's desperation could lead her to her destiny;

in The Stone Hex, an old witch's curse could ignite the first sparks of attraction between Rachael and Gabe;

in A Witch's Protection, attraction could save Emaline from torture at the hands of the witch-finders;

and in Sexual Healing, love may save David and Catherine from themselves.


In these stories of sex and redemption, witches and ghosts — the characters will tug at your heart and arouse your passions. Become enchanted with the mystical powers of the gemstones while being swept away by the romances of those in their mists…

Buy MYSTIC STONES, AN ANTHOLOGY

Visit Kiki Howell's Blog

S-E-X Scenes 101

image courtesy of artix on stock xchg

I just entered a "Five Sexy Scenes" contest, and the instructions contained a line I felt really made a point. It said, "sexy isn't necessarily the act of intercourse. It's a feeling, an emotion provoked by a skilled storyteller, something that gives me a tiny, or not so tiny, rush and makes my eyes widen, my breath catch, my heart race..."

Especially when crafting encounters for more erotic tales, it's easy to slip into The Act without truly giving ones' self over to the sexual experience. I'm talking the full 3-D, Dolby Digital Surround Sound ultra-sensory experience; the ones in fiction that make our mouths water and pulses pound long before hero and heroine (or however you slice it!) hit the sheets.

So what is it that allows a combination of words to pass through the eyes and knot directly in our libidos? I find it's a one-two punch of Torturous Buildup and Sensory Layering.

1. Turturous Buildup

Anticipationnn, it's makin' me wait... Even an erotic tale that opens with a sex scene can possess delicious anticipatory torment, if the author engages in literary foreplay. Let's take the opener to my upcoming Suite Seduction, for example. The first line reads,

The blindfold was a bit over the top, perhaps, considering the room was already pitch black as Julietta lay naked and waiting under the sheets.

Pretty obvious she ain't at the church quilter's meeting. But there's built-in anticipation by having her naked and WAITING under the sheets, further enhanced by her visual deprivation. I could have mentioned the blindfold and gotten right to it, but I extend the torture by making the character (and reader) wait for the reward.

Another technique I love to be teased with during Torturous Buildup is the Push-Me-Pull-You factor. That Come Here, No Wait tap dance that characters engage in because of their conflicting desires. In my first novel, VISIONS, there's a moment where the heroine has just been thrust into a limousine with an unsettlingly desirable film star:

As large as the limousine appeared from the outside, the interior closed around Glory, sending a quiver through her stomach. Though she’d scooted across the seat and glued herself to the far window, she felt pressed to Trenton’s side as if some giant magnet drew them inexorably together. The dim lighting, provided by a string of tiny white bulbs concealed behind strips of plastic along the upper edge of the compartment, only added to the air of forced intimacy.


I use conflicting cues, like Glory gluing herself to the far door while feeling magnetized, and combining opposing ideas of "forced" and "intimacy" to accentuate her battling desire. Makes the Big Payoff that much sweeter when one or both characters have been resisting it...and as a reader keeps me page-turning to get to that Surrender!

2. Sensory Layering

It's not hard to fall into a rote Insert Tab A In Slot B description when writing physical interactions. To avoid having these scenes read more like a chilly clinical manual than a hot interlude, pile on the layers. Include smells, sounds, and taste in addition to the common sight-and-feel depictions in many sex scenes. Even the bed or setting itself can become a character that lends dimensionality to the moment.

My couple's first (full) sexual encounter in ISLAND SEDUCTION starts here:

Pulling the door open with a grunt, he shoved her into the darkened room and closed the door. With a tug and a profanity—not necessarily in that order—she freed her arm and tried to glare Steve down in the darkness. She blinked hard, part against the inky black and part in shock at finding herself half-naked in a closet—with a man who was also half-naked.

"Are you insane?"

I might be, but nonetheless the characters are about to release pent-up Push-Me-Pull-You in a hotel housekeeping closet. The room and situation itself becomes a key player in helping me ratchet up tension and the urgency of their need.

What titillates YOUR literary libido? The setting? Slick descriptions of the hot Alpha Hunk in action? Paranormal situations? The Kiss-and-Make-Up scenario? Which techniques make your reading glasses melt? And as a writer, how do you turn up the heat until that keyboard sizzles?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Favorite Line Written:“He did something to me that night.” To Dorianne's raised brow Justine blushed, her hand slipping to her belly. “I mean besides the obvious. He cast a spell on me while we were...in the act.”

Her mentor's cautious gaze now glittered with interest. “A spell? What kind of spell?” --From The Wiccaning

How Do YOU Like It?

Excerpts. For readers, that crucial Deciding Factor on whether to purchase a book. For writers, The Final Frontier. You've voyaged through plotting, dialogue, and characterization, plundered the lands of submissions and publication, and are now facing the dazzling supernova of promotion. Now, you are faced with the five W's of excerpts:

1. Who? Do you focus on one character? A meeting between hero and heroine? Plucky side characters? Or a juicy moment with the creepy love-to-hate antagonist?

2. What? A subtle interlude? Dire action sequence? Sizzling-hot bedroom scene?

3. When?...do you stop? A brief snippet? A tickler ending with a profoud ". . ." cliffhanger moment? An entire chapter? What length works best without giving away the farm?

4. Where? Do you post your excerpts? Your website? In a regular blog feature? Author Chats? What places bring the most attention to excerpts? Where as a reader do you look first for excerpts?

5. Why? Do you choose the excerpts you do? Do you always use the same ones for every author chat and on your website? Or do you swap them out from time to time?

Also, there's HOW many, meaning do you like to see a variety of excerpts on a single title--say, ranging from Rated G to Rated X, perhaps--or is that Too Much Information to read? Authors, do you offer multiples on your titles, or just stick with one Uber Excerpt?

These are questions I've explored a lot lately, as I've been examining my website and my "author chat" goody bag of tricks. I'd love to hear from readers, writers, and editors as to How YOU Like It (and Do It)!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Favorite Line Written: “Love? Check the dictionary. I don't think you'll find 'lying, trickery, and manipulating spiritual free will' under the definition.”--from The Wiccaning

Editor Escapades #1

Warning, some adult themes in this post.

Yes, before you ask, that's really ME in the photo. Of course, I don't always look like this, but there are days...ah, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

When you open a book or send off your latest submission, ever stop to wonder what life is like on the editor's end of things? What dark secrets loom behind glazed expressions and uninspired form letters? Allow me to share a glimpe of a typical day in the glamorous life of one mostly-mild-mannered editor--Yours Truly.

I wake up, dress, make herbal tea, and sit on the couch, pulling the laptop onto my lap over a cooling unit so my thighs won't burn. I situate my drink, pull the mouse within reach, and toss a throw blanket across my legs to ward off the winter chill. How much more perfect can things get than a job that involves the words couch, blanket, and tea, right?

Once comfortable and ready to read submissions, I note my computer screen is fuzzy. I've forgotten my reading glasses. Kick off the throw, put laptop with cooling unit aside, and shuffle across the room. Find my glasses. On the way back, I answer my 5-year-old's six (hundred) questions. I sit back down, put on the glasses, and reassemble my work zone. Child is now hungry for the food rejected moments earlier. Kick off blanket, set laptop aside, and head to the kitchen. After whipping up the feast, I must then partake, too, lest she develop an eating complex because her "working mom" is too busy to eat with family. Then it's time for the dishes--which she insists on drying herself...and who am I to deny a child who WANTS to do chores?

Before I can get back to couch, the phone rings twice--telemarketers. I feel very wise for turning off the ringer AND thinking to use the restroom before padding back to the living room. HA! Now I can get down to biz. Back on couch, laptop and throw in place...but tea is now ice cold.

Run to the microwave...ZAP! 45 seconds later and I'm back. Get comfy cozy, sip the warm brew, and click open the submissions database queue...which I can't read. I'd left my reading glasses on the kitchen counter while whipping up eggs and toast. Away, blanket and laptop. Up, editor chick. Away I go to fetch spectacles. On the way back my kid asks for 1.) a story, 2.) to watch TV, 3.) for me to take her swimming. I am reminded of why the first word babies often learn to say is NO, then sigh and take her to the desk and set her up with a computer learning program.

Back to the couch, laptop, tea, throw, AND glasses, I start sifting through a pile of submissions with a combined word count of two million words. Spouse senses a lack of outside distraction, and sits down meaningfully on the couch. I know the look; it's his, "We Must Talk...the Survival Of Our Species Depends On It" gaze. He is compelled to make a decision about a new mattress that has been ten years in the proces Right. This. Second.

Twenty minutes of frame types, pillow tops, and feng shui principles later, I snatch up the glasses, pry open the laptop lid, and peruse the submissions list. I bring tea to my lips to discover it is again bloody cold. Forget it--I no longer care that it's too early in the season for iced tea.

I've almost focused on the title line of the first submission on my list when DING! An instant message pops up over the front of the file, blocking my view. A submitting author wants to know why I haven't read their submission yet.

Good question.

Five minutes of assurances later, three new Emails pop into the submissions box. Two from staff, one new sub, which I carefully log into the database...a task rendered difficult considering the author has sent me a totally blank Email with an attachment titled, "Sub1." I download the file, only to discover it is a format my computer has never heard of. I respond asking the mystery author to please resend.

My attentions turn back to the submissions list. Several files cannot be opened, as they, too, were not sent in one of the formats requested on our submission guidelines. Those all receive "Please Resend" Emails. Two more are from authors asking me if I'd like to see their work, but haven't attached any. Another one addressed to Dear Editor, who sings our company's praises as the reason they want to submit--but forget to change the publisher name on their mass form letter.

The next file I open reads: ~_{+)@#@ojklj>m>MUOU$#4$~~~~@##@$%--for three hundred pages. Off goes another resend letter.

Hesitant, I click the next submission. Success! It opens AND contains actual words. No author's name or title at the top, but it's progress and I'll take it. It's a horror sci-fi, and I'm thinking it starts off intriguing. My eyes widen. My jaw drops, then hits the keyboard. Alien invasion by way of masturbating goo. Not pretty.

Deciding I need that tea hot after all, I jot a quick note to the author, explaining we're full up on semen-as-gooey-weapon stories, and hit the microwave. Daughter now needs a snack and some juice.

I come back, and haven't even got the laptop open before my husband needs input on the grocery list. I offer expertise and he's off--yay, a man who SHOPS!--and my daughter is in front of me again. "You forgot my vitamin."

I oblige, return, and review a story that has no punctuation--what.so.ever. Another with no discernible plot. And YESS!! One that catches my eye, ensnares my very soul with the promise of wondrous reading discovery. My eyes ping-pong back and forth, my heart speeding just a bit. After spending two hours reviewing the partial, I zip off a reply to the author asking for the full manuscript.

The reply shortly thereafter: "I already sold that. Didn't think about letting you know."

Spouse is back with the groceries, which I help put away. "So," he asks, "how's the editing going?" My stare teleports him wisely to another room.

I return once again to my couch/office, re-situate myself, and determine that I WILL find diamonds in the mine today. With steely determination I don my glasses...and my gazes focuses on the clock at the bottom of my screen. Time to go to my OTHER job.

Luckily, this diamond mine operates 24-7, so I can take another crack at it when I get home...at midnight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today's Favorite Line Written: If he somehow succeeded, what would he become? With the world short one monster, would Mak's own flesh morph into something more evil to maintain the balance?

National Writing Challenge: Week 4

Looking for my NaNo contest link? GO HERE

Warning: Some excerpts may contain adult language and situations.

11/30 OMG This is it!! I can't believe another NaNoWriMo has come and gone. One novella done, another almost. AND NOW....

WEEK FOUR BEST NANOWRIMO LINE CONTEST WINNER:
He smiled at her warmly, let go of her hand, then he turned and jumped out the window.
--Written by happy-go-lucky

HONORABLE MENTION:

...the circus was serene, until a booming scream tore through the silence.
--Written by mijahu

AND THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER: WEEK 1, .harmony. Congratulations!!

Today's total: 1166. GRAND TOTAL, NaNoWriMo 08:52621

Today's Favorite Line Written: Ironic, how one journalist had posted a mostly flattering article while fucking Evan's woman, whereas Evan's woman planned to post a decidedly unflattering article while fucking him.

By the way, my personal Favorite Line written for NaNo was this:

All Evan found himself able to think at present was of the grinding need to be Desiree's sexual CPR kit...and to resuscitate her as many times as she would let him for the rest of the night.--from Kata Sutra, written 11/22



11/29 The family did our Christmas decorating in the morning, then I had work the rest of the day. I was pretty tired by the time I got home, so only got a page written...plus I'm still scratching my head over some key plot points I need to tie together. Maybe I'll dream program for an answer tonight.

Today's total: 302. To date: 51455

Today's Favorite Line Written: The very truth she'd been so desperate to discover about him until last night had suddenly become the one she least wanted to discuss.



11/28 YEAH, Baby!! Somewhere in wee hours of 2am this morning, typing alone in dark silence, I crossed the fifty thousand word mark and won the challenge. Kata Sutra still has some finishing up work, however, so I'll keep plugging away while other fellow NaNoers hit the mark and download their award certificates. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL....and don't forget, I'm still looking for Best Line winners for this final week, so get those entries in before the deadline!

Today's total: 1306. To date: 51153

Today's Favorite Line Written: A future Evan knew he wanted with a desperation as great as the need to draw breath, regardless of what kind of article Desiree had written about his dojo...or whether she loved Mak more than she cared for him.


11/27 Happy Thanksgiving to all! I ended up working at the "day job" on turkey day today, once again falling short on word count. I wonder if I'm just trying to draw out the anticipation of crossing the mark?

Today's total: 1611. To date: 49847

Today's Favorite Line Written (okay, so a couple together this time): The truth was, they'd never been friends. They'd shared a common need within the walls of the dojo—several needs, as it turned out—but Evan had never truly been Makoto Chinen's friend. He'd been an opportunity.


11/26 Fell short on word count and plans to attend the final local write-in, bummer. But still moving on forward, and hoping to hit the big 50k in the next day or so!

Today's total: 1436. To date: 48236

Today's Favorite Line Written: “listen to yourself--you're paranoid, jealous, and so far down the path to the wrong conclusion that I can't even Mapquest you out.”


11/25 Got a good stride going today, approaching the neighborhood of an ending for KATA SUTRA. Good conflict/argument scenes today, so those fingers started flying!

Today's total: 3445. To date: 46800

Today's Favorite Line Written: “I never slept with either of you because of the story...I fell for you in spite of it.”


11/24 Hit a little over average word count today, setting up a crucial conflict scene but still not sure what will become of the three-way love triangle in Kata Sutra.

Today's total: 1695. To date: 43355
Today's Favorite Line Written: The rest of that night, conversation was reduced to the way Evan's body spoke to Desiree's, and her cries in response.


11/23 Kind of lazy day today, and even though I'm still feeling a bit lackluster I made up for some of yesterday's lackluster word count.

Today's total: 3450. To date: 41660

Today's Favorite Line Written: Proof yet again that when Mak least expected pain, life scheduled him for a root canal.

National Writing Challenge: Week 3

Looking for my NaNo contest link? GO HERE

Warning: Some excerpts may contain adult language and situations.

11/22 WEEK 3 WINNERS, BEST NANOWRIMO LINE WRITTEN!!!

WINNER:"I don't know what happened the last few months... but when I woke up this morning, I had a bottle of gin in one hand, and an accounting degree in the other."---Written by Hugo_Jawfaln

RUNNERS UP: Mother didn't struggle much when I killed her.--Written by fthsquared

There is nothing more satisfying than playing tic-tac-toe in the margins of the Book of Life.--Written by Xuxilbara

Congrats to all, and Hugo_Jawfaln advances to the finals for the chance at the Starbuck's Gift Card!!

As for me...held a yard sale this morning, sat through the Twilight movie twice, and still not feeling the greatest. But I did manage to write another scene.

Today's total: 1149. To date: 38210

Today's Favorite Line Written: All Evan found himself able to think at present was of the grinding need to be Desiree's sexual CPR kit...and to resuscitate her as many times as she would let him for the rest of the night.

11/21 Called off work, feeling pretty blechy today. Barely managed 1/4 of today's word count.

Today's total: 460. To date: 37061

Today's Favorite Line Written: Some of the words she'd begun to understand, the rest needed no translation--hearing Mak speak his native tongue burned through her like an erotic firestorm.


11/20 Edited Immoral Magic all morning, figuring I'd write late after work...which almost backfired when a headache and flu-like feelings just about sabotaged me for the night. Then my characters had so much to say and do to one another that the muse took over and I got my daily count in--plus some.

Today's total: 2657. To date: 36601

Today's Favorite Line Written: When had Desiree stopped being a mere distraction--just a fiery sexual convenience--and become the dream of a future he never knew he wanted?


11/19 The ranks really thinned out--only three of us showed up for this week's local NaNo write-in. Am still sailing along above the total goal, even though today's count was a bit shy.

Today's total: 1549. To date: 33944

Today's Favorite Line Written: Tossing the key down on a warped round table, Mak turned to face the woman who had become a deer in the headlights of harm's way tonight, thanks to his profoundly fucked up life.


11/18 Pounded out the rest of an alleyway fight scene for Kata Sutra today, a bit short of daily word count, but I'm still ahead of the game overall. Now I just have to decide whether to forge ahead in the writing, or fall back to fill in where I jumped ahead to get to this "juicy" part!

Today's total: 1633. To date: 32395

Today's Favorite Line Written: She obeyed Mak—a curious recurring theme with her tonight—and slid in beside him.


11/17 Spent the main part of the day with more editing and query follow up, but around ten PM I was at work and finally got a flash of a scene from Kata Sutra I wanted to write. So the muse has spoken--Kata Sutra it is!

Today's total: 1922. To date: 30762

Today's Favorite Line Written: “There's nothing you need to know,” Mak leaned in to press the remaining words against her lips, “that this doesn't tell you.”


11/16 Adrift without a ship today, since I finished my NaNo book! I couldn't decide which in-progress book to work on to pick up my word count, so instead I entered an excerpt of this year's NaNo in Reading Writer's Romantic Encounters contest. Then pulled out LAST year's NaNo, which was recently turned down by the first place I subbed to, to polish it a bit before sending it back out. Oh, and I sent a status inquiry in on SUITE SEDUCTION, which has been under consideration for a whopping seventeen months now. And in my personal reading-for-enjoyment today, I ran across some interesting research I may well use in my upcoming ANGELIC SEDUCTION. So no word count, but a busy writer day nonetheless!

Today's total: 0. To date: 28829

Today's Favorite Line EDITED!!: Isn't there a law against plaid flannel on the West Coast?

National Writing Challenge: Week 2

Looking for my NaNo contest link? GO HERE


Warning: Some excerpts may contain adult language and situations.

11/15 IT IS FINISHED!!! I completed BUILDING SEDUCTION today, exactly halfway through the challenge! Since the novella is shorter than the 50k suggested word count, I'll continue participating by working on other in-progress stories. And NOW...**WEEK 2 CONTEST WINNER!!**

The number of entries may have dropped off this week, but certainly not the quality!! After careful deliberation, I had to give a winning nod to this line:

"Oh aye, because nothing says 'I love you' like a good storm off."--Written by Morgans-Spiced, submitted to the nanowrimo.org forum

And close behind were these runners up:

What job besides stripper requires fishnet stockings?
--Written by Hulagirl10, submitted to the nanowrimo.org forum

AND

"If it gets to the point where I start making sense to you, I would say that it would be about time to drug you again, wouldn’t you agree?”
--Written by DeniseB, submitted to the nanowrimo.org forum

Excellent job, everyone! And Morgans-Spiced advances to the final round to vie for the Starbuck's gift card.


Today's total: 2758. To date: 28829

Today's Favorite Line Written: She didn't want him, which had made every moment spent toiling over this little side project burn like a jagged sliver shoved up his love life.


11/14Woke up this morning all excited to start writing, since I'm about to reach the big climax scene. Took one look at my precious little girl's face, realized I have to work 6 out of the next 7 days, and pushed my laptop aside. Took a day off from NaNo so we could hang out at the museum, rent some movies, and go swimming. My characters are in limbo waiting for their big moment, but THIS moment was even bigger. I know they understand.

Today's total: 0. To date: 26071


11/13Today I was a little late to work because I just couldn't stop writing until one of the characters got to say a line I'd been really looking forward to! As this series is novella length, I'm actually closing in on the end of this book, so I may begin another in the series or do some pickup work on some other in-progress pieces to make the 50k goal for NaNo.

Today's total: 2531. To date: 26071

Today's Favorite Line Written: The kiss was suffused with an ageless, almost fatal passion; a living entity that existed apart from the two lovers, yet bound them together the way a thread joins two fabrics while retaining an identity of its own.


11/12Tonight was another local NaNo write-in, so I didn't pen a word until hitting the coffee house. Managed to get 800 words in between rounds of witty banter. Came home all fueled up on Chai Lattes and zinged up another 1800 words. Gotta love writing by the light of a full moon...and a caffeine buzz!

Today's total: 2529. To date: 23540

Today's Favorite Line Written: There was no doubt about it; if she wanted to make trouble for him, David's breezy island flower could very well turn out to be a category five hurricane.


11/11 Stayed up til 3am finishing word count, then up at 9am to tackle more. I find I type faster when I'm writing conflict/argument scenes. Anyone else find their adrenaline gets going then, too?

Today's total: 2090. To date: 21011

Today's Favorite Line Written: You think you're so smart, she willed him to hear her thoughts...but you're still flunking Gina 101.


11/10 MONDAYS!! Gak. I'll leave it at that, other than to say I dug in my heels and made my word count plus some...though it took until well past midnight to do it.

Today's total: 1843. To date: 18921

Today's Favorite Line Written: Dark clouds sailed in over the perfect morning, and David wondered what could have gone on between the last time she'd clung to him in passion and now to warrant her harbinger-of-doom attitude.


11/9 Made my word count with only an hour and a half to spare in the day...waited until evening to finish the love scene since Sunday beckoned me with the promise of a fun family day.

Today's total: 1881. To date: 17078

Today's Favorite Line Written: Flashes of the earliest human ancestors flicked through her mind, from a time when tribal drums and soaring bonfires were still insignificant next to the pounding, insatiable beat of a man yearning to mate with his female.


11/8 Week 2 got off to a HOT and smoldering start for my characters. Alas, there's nothing like having to stop writing when you're smack in the panting midst of a crucial love scene...because your kid has to go meet "Barbie" for a photo op and free tote bag. But that's where today found me, and hey, this was like BARBIE, man, serious stuff. so off we went!

Today's total: 1245. To date: 15197

Today's Favorite Line Written: The atmosphere around them seemed to thicken, as if molecules of their overabundant pheromones and lust spilled out and hung in the air like tropical mist.

National Writing Challenge: Week 1

Looking for my NaNo contest link? GO HERE


11/7 ***WEEK ONE CONTEST WINNER DAY!!!*** Today was one of those days I knew was going to get away from me as soon as I forced open exhausted eyes. Didn't make quota, but my 1 week total is still in the running.

Okay, enough about ME...onto the CONTEST! WOW, I was impressed with the eighty entries I received (here, the NaNo forum, and MySpace), and what a tough job to choose ONE winner! With no further ado...

**THE WINNER, WEEK 1:**

And somewhere between imitating the president and saying completely blasphemous things about organized religion, Alice fell in love.
Written by ".harmony," submitted on nanowrimo.org.

RUNNERS-UP:

It was as commonplace as talking about the weather now - sunny skies, and also a slight chance of serial killings, taking an umbrella advised.
Written by "Lynndenial," submitted on nanowrimo.org

She supposed one could flip a pancake with a flounder, but it would depend heavily on the state of the flounder in question.
Written by "chelonia," submitted here on the blog

The problem with living in Death's waiting room, Tammy always thought, was that no one was ever in a hurry to meet their appointment.
Written by "Johanna Ransom," submitted here on the blog

CONGRATULATIONS to all four of you, and our first place winner .harmony moves into the next round for a chance to win the Starbuck's gift card. Good luck!!

Excellent job to all...but it's not over yet!! There are three whole weeks left to have YOUR chance to shine with a Best Line Written...so keep 'em coming!

Today's total: 1096. To date: 13952

Today's Favorite Line Written (by me, heh): Their lips met before David even realized he'd reached for her, and the room around them imploded until the only reality left was the utter perfection of their joining.


11/6 Slept in a bit to make up for last night's late hours, but got right to writing upon waking. Despite time out to clean the house and work on my daughter's new learn-to-read program, I barely managed to squeak out my daily quota in time to post this and head to work. Whew!

Today's total: 1684. To date: 12856

Today's Favorite Line Written: The monstrous bed sat there staring, and couldn't have been more obvious or insistent if she'd trained spotlights on the beckoning mattress.


11/5 Instead of writing on auto pilot upon waking, I delayed until nighttime in order to join fellow NaNoers at a local write-in. While there we had so much fun gabbing, joking, and discussing our stories that I barely managed a scant 500 words...so I had to pick up the slack at home.

Today's total: 2383. To date: 11172

Today's Favorite Line Written: David wasn't supposed to be spending this island excursion rutting like a Wild Kingdom episode...though as plans were made and they disappeared behind their respective doors, he couldn't for the life of him remember why.


11/4 Hitting the polls to vote split my writing time today, and I fell a bit short of my desired word count...but rocking the vote made up for it!

Today's total: 1501. To date: 8789

Today's Favorite Line Written: In all Gina's studies to date, none had fascinated and stymied her as much as the realization that humans needed to know they were not alone in the universe...and at the same time hoped that they were.


11/3 I was dressed and ready to go to the first local NaNo Write-in when my husband announced he had to run errands and hit the gym. That left me on munchkin duty, but I got my word count in, and a fun little sequence to boot!

Today's total: 1914. To date: 7288

Today's Favorite Line Written: Her nonchalance made it clear she was oblivious to the blood-churning effect she was having on him—much to his relief—and that he had no similar effect on her—much to his disappointment.


11/2 Almost two full scenes today, with some interesting hints shaping up as to what troubles are coming the characters' way!

Today's total: 3036. To date: 5374

Today's Favorite Line Written: In entranced wonder Gina watched the ocean sigh back onto itself and bellow forth, shooting sprays of foam skyward as the glittering sea hurled itself against a jetty reaching out like the resort's right hand.


11/1 Up Up and Away! I barely chose a male lead yesterday, and while I wanted to start writing at midnight, Halloween plans meant no time to give any thought to his big entrance. So when the clock struck twelve, all I managed was a two-sentence note on how the lovers meet. This morning, however, I pounded keys until the first scene was done.

Winner of my FIND ME A HUNK contest: Katherine Weber with this short, sweet prompt: "He owns a construction company and has been hired to build something for the resort." There were several people who had variations of this theme (architects, construction guys going on vacation, etc.), but hers fit the bill to perfection. Congratulations...and thank you for introducing me to Mr. Right-for-this-book!

Today's Total: 2338 words

Today's Favorite Line Written: Her eyes slid away from his, back to the swimsuit she was no doubt wondering whether she could will onto her body without having to uncross her arms.

NaNoFavLiWriMo Contest!!

Warning: Today's posted excerpt contains adult language and themes

That's right, it's almost November, aka National Novel Writing Month! (For the uninitiated, NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge to try and write a novel during November. My 2nd novel, A Grand Seduction, was a past NaNo winner.)

This year I've taken the liberty of adding a couple extra syllables to the NaNoWriMo acronym...because I'm including a National Novel Favorite Line Writing contest as well! During November I'll be blogging daily about this crazy experience, and will bring back my popular Favorite Line Written feature with one important difference! I will showcase my Favorite Line Written by a FELLOW NaNoer each week ...one of whom will receive a special prize!

HOW TO ENTER THE BEST NANOWRIMO LINE CONTEST:

During November, select the best line you write each day and post it in the comments here. Post only ONE line daily, but there is no limit to how many days in November you post! (In other words, you can have up to 30 entries.) You may post any genre, any heat level.

Every week (on the 7th, 15th, 22nd, and 30th) I will choose my favorite line to showcase on my blogs, website, and NaNo site. At the conclusion of NaNo I will review these weekly winners and select ONE grand prize winner...who will receive a Starbucks Gift Card!

Rules:
By entering you confirm that the lines submitted are your own original work, and that you are writing them as part of 2008's NaNoWriMo challenge. No past work--NaNo projects or otherwise--accepted for this contest, sorry.

Here is a recent FAVORITE LINE WRITTEN: It is a rather ugly and perverted telling in our lore that vampires engage in nothing more than a fuck-and-suck mass murder lifestyle, sharks on dry land who move and feed and mate with mindless machinations. --Immortal Wine


If you have questions, you can post them here as well. Good luck...and happy writing!

Anatomy of a Love Writer

As a matter of fact yes, I was an anatomy major in college...though I bet my professors couldn't have guessed what my biological education ended up being used for.

With National November Novel Writing Month just around the corner, I've been doing some thinking about what makes us "love writers" tick. Is it that we just love a good story with a happy ending? Or perhaps we just can't get enough of rubbing elbows (and other parts) with those sexy alpha hunks. Maybe we're simply addicted to the thrill of new love--that pivotal moment where boy meets girl with enough heat to place any nearby fireworks factory in serious jeopardy. Or perhaps it's a combination of all these things.

Any way you slice it, I was a good college student on the fast track to a nursing degree, one of the top students in my class. Invited by the college to study advanced microbiology. Awarded scholarships in the field. And encouraged by teachers with pats on the back that were no more than thinly disguised pushes toward the door of Registered Nursing 101.

Then somewhere along that path, I detoured into the steaming jungle of romantic and erotic studies...and I've never looked back. The romance bug had bitten, and it proved to be an illness which no nursing education could ever hope to cure me of. So I never saw what was behind the door to Nursing 101, but I've visited many strange and exotic lands.

One of the things that brings me back to romance is the surprise element--a statement that knits the brows of many. "What surprise?" they say. "Romance is always the same: they meet, they fall, they fight, they get back together." Perhaps the traditional arc hits these markers, yes, but it's the wiggly path that drags the characters--often most unwillingly--from A to Z that keeps me turning those pages. The surprise of love finding people in the most unlikely of circumstances, and forging them together. And nowadays when I write, I find that I want to experience just as much suprise during the process as if I were reading a brand new book.

It's for that reason I decided to write this year's book for national novel month with no starting plot or characters--and to let readers suggest the alpha hunk that will get the ball rolling. In this way I will be introduced to him with no preconceived notion of who he is or what he is supposed to do--he will surprise me when he crosses my path just as much as the heroine he is fated to find love with. With just one difference--I know someone special is coming, someone to steal my breath and speed my pulse. Anticipation is a sweet thing, and waiting for the November 1 kickoff to meet this latest hero has my toes and points north tingling. Wish me luck!