That's All She Wrote

A little March madness

2012-03-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's March already! For me, it'll be a fun month of writing, editing, and my first half marathon of 2012. For you, it means free stuff!

I'll be participating in two giveaway events in March with tons of other authors. Please check them out for many chances to win books, e-readers, and more.

First: for the entire month of March, The Romance Reviews will be celebrating their first anniversary. If you register on the TRR website, you can play games and quizzes for chances to win free books and more. The quizzes are based on the participating authors' books, and the answers to the quizzes can be found on their websites. Psst: if you want a head start on the quiz for my book (which will be up on March 7), check out my HARD BARGAIN excerpt here.

Second: On March 5-10, Barbara Vey at Beyond Her Book will be celebrating her fifth anniversary (lots of March anniversaries!). Every day will have a different theme, so stop by each day to check out the festivities and enter the giveaways.

I think that covers it. Don't worry, I'll send reminders during the month so you won't miss the fun. I hope you can join us!

Stuff I like: microwave brownie in a mug

2012-02-25T16:50:00.002-05:00

I'm in the middle of content edits for my next novella (final edits are due 3/13) and I'm also preparing my short story for submission (draft due 3/4). After that, it's time to get ready for the Romantic Times convention in Chicago (my very first con). Whew!

When I hit major milestones, I like to celebrate with a little sweet treat, and this microwave mug brownie always hits the spot. I found this recipe after being disappointed with microwave chocolate cake recipes that contain egg (the egg makes the cake bland and rubbery). This is more like a cakey brownie. The best part: it takes about 3 minutes.

Microwave Brownie in a Mug

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. water
a few drops of vanilla extract
dash of salt
pinch instant coffee powder (optional)
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (I prefer Dutch-processed cocoa powder for its darker color and richer flavor. Don't skimp on the quality: I've used Droste and Ghiradelli with good results)
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
a sprinkling of nuts and/or chocolate chips (optional)

In a 12 oz coffee mug, stire together the water, oil, salt, vanilla, and optional coffee. Add the cocoa powder, sugar, and flour, and mix until well combined. Add the nuts and chocolate chips, if using. Microwave for 60-75 seconds: 60 seconds for a molten bottom, 75 for uniformly done. Enjoy with a spoon and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Careful, the brownie will be hot.

Note: I normally cut this recipe in half, mix it in a Pyrex custard cup, and microwave it for 45 seconds. Scientists have proven that if you cut a recipe in half, all the calories disappear.

As long as we're talking about chocolate, I can't believe I missed this meme when it first appeared. A friend showed me this video and I didn't know what to think. It's just so...odd.

We have a winner!

2012-02-20T07:47:00.000-05:00

I picked the winner of the blog hop the old-fashioned way: drawing a name out of a bowl. And the winner of a free e-book and signed romance trading cards is...

Bette

Congratulations to Bette, and thank you to everyone who participated!

Blog hop: Musa books I love

2012-02-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

From February 16-19, Musa authors are talking about the Musa books they love to help you find books you'll love.

I found it impossible to choose only one Musa book to chat up, so I picked three instead. These three books have one major thing in common: they opened the door to new-to-me genres (historical romance and same-sex romance). I love it when that happens.

CIVILIZING FRANCES by Marguerite Butler

Civilizing Frances is Book 3 in the very heartwarming, very funny Mad Hatterly series. Frances appears briefly in Book 2, and I couldn't wait for her to get her own story. Thanks to growing up with five brothers, Frances is wild, smart-mouthed, and yes, uncivilized. When she's compromised (quite hilariously) by the haughty Duke of Ainsley, she vows to be as obnoxious as possible to drive him away. Favorite scene: the "I Never" game with the other debutantes and the Duke's stolen booze.

PLAYING WITH FIRE by Kimberly Nee

Playing With Fire is Book 2 in the addictive McKenzie Series. If you like historical romances with a dark, moody edge, this series is for you. Heather Morgan finds herself at a mistress auction, ready to be sold to the highest bidder to pay her father's gambling debts. On impulse, Drew McKenzie rescues her, but he didn't expect to fall in love. When Drew's family learns of Heather's scandalous past, Drew is forced to choose between love and family honor.

BUT I NEVER SAID I DIDN'T LOVE YOU by Andy Dunn

BINSIDLY (it's easier to type the acronym instead of the full title!) is a charming gay romantic comedy set in London. This is the first same-sex romance I've ever read, and now I'm hooked. Callum's married, but his flirtatious relationship with his co-worker Brian confirms he should've come out years ago. When Callum finally embraces his true identity, he falls for Simon and wonders how it will affect his relationship with Brian. Brian tells Callum it's okay for him to date other people, but what does Callum owe the man who's been there for him from the start?

Of course, I have to briefly mention my own books as well *coughobligatoryself-promotioncough*. HARD BARGAIN is a spicy summer romance with hot cars and an even hotter man. AN IMPERFECT WIFE is a women's fiction novella about a young marriage tested by a husband's ambition and a wife's loneliness. Blurbs and buy links are here. I hope you check them out. You can find more Musa authors and books by clicking on the Blog Hop icon at the top of this post or clicking here.

Are there any Musa books that pique your interest? Share your thoughts in the comments before midnight EST on February 19 for a chance to win a copy of either HARD BARGAIN or AN IMPERFECT WIFE (your choice) and two signed romance trading cards!

Edited to add: If you are a winner, you can also choose to get a copy of my next novella, NEVER LET GO, which will be available April 13. NEVER LET GO shows what happens when clinging to a lost love skirts the line between devotion and obsession. Thank you to everyone who's commented so far!

Trying something new: 15 minute chunks

2012-02-04T16:56:00.002-05:00

My original writing word count goal of 4000 words a week is shot to heck and back. I don't know what's going on with me, but the past two weeks have been like swimming through honey. Lots of flailing without getting anywhere. I tried telling myself I'd focus on a task for one hour or 30 minutes and even that was too much for my measly reserves of willpower. I've managed to stick to a healthy No S Diet (six weeks and counting) and my half marathon training schedule, so at least a few things are going right.

I'm going to give Laurie Halse Anderson's Write Fifteen Minutes A Day (WFMAD) challenge a whirl for both my writing and my drums. Fifteen minutes is small enough to sneak past my resistance, and it's often enough to kickstart me into doing more. I wish I knew why it's so hard to start something I enjoy, but there you go. It's so easy for me to fritter away time on the web or on errands. Heck, over the past two days, I avoided writing and drum practice by doing my taxes, then shredding three years worth of old financial records while watching the Miss Piggy episode of Project Runway All-Stars online. :facepalm:

I figure after a few successful weeks, I won't want to break the WFMAD chain the same way I don't want to break my No S Diet chain. Let's see how this goes.

AN IMPERFECT WIFE: Love Romances Cafe runner-up for 2011 Best Contemporary Book

2012-01-27T10:10:00.000-05:00

Squeeeeeeee!!!!

That's pretty much all I have to say about that. Thank you to everyone who voted! The complete list of winners is here.

Facing my fears not so gracefully

2012-01-25T22:14:00.000-05:00

Two weeks ago, I joined a jazz practice band. The bandleader is a former co-worker and used to take drum lessons from my teacher. Both my teacher and the bandleader said this would be a great, low pressure opportunity for me to learn how to play with others. I've played in two other practice bands before, but they were more like goof-off jam bands. This band is a level up for me.

Anyway, I almost quit tonight after our second rehearsal. We're at the beginning stages, choosing music and getting comfortable with one another. The others have played together, so I'm the odd one out. And I'm the world's most timid drummer. I'm also not very good. OK, let's be honest -- I suck.

After struggling through the entire rehearsal, I called my teacher.

Me: Can I pick your brain for a moment?
Teacher: Sure. What's up?
Me: I don't think I'm ready to play with other people.
Teacher: :laughs:
Me: What?
Teacher: You'll never be ready to play with other people unless you play with other people.
Me: :fumes:
Teacher: I know you hate me right now. I'm shoving you off a cliff. But I tell all of my students this: take any and every opportunity to perform. That's how you improve.
Me: I take it you've had other students melt down like this?
Teacher: Yup. Many of them do. Stick with it.

I know he's right. I hate it when he is. He sounds like my editor, who also shoved me a cliff six months ago into the publishing world (and I'm eternally grateful for that). I still get scared from time to time in my writing, but years of practice has helped contain it to a reasonable level. I have enough experience to know I can always fix a bad page. Besides, I always pretend no one will see my stories except me (if you've bought my books, shhhh...I want to maintain my happy illusion, okay?).

With music, it's different. People hear my suckitude in real time, and there's no delete button. Plus, I trade drumming duties with the bandleader's son, a fourteen year-old who's played since he was six and has no performance anxiety whatsoever. Yeah, I got my butt handed to me by an eighth-grader.

In both cases, I didn't handle my fears gracefully at all. But I did have people who believed in me enough to close off "quitting" as an option. When I can't quit, there's nothing else to do but keep moving forward, even if it terrifies me and even if it's not fun at the moment. Creative endeavors are a strange combination of love, enjoyment, and hard work, and sometimes you need cheerleaders to haul you through the rough patches.

Have you ever wanted to quit something you loved because it got challenging? If so, how did you get through it? Or if you did quit, do you regret it?

Happy re-release day to me! HARD BARGAIN is now available

2012-01-20T10:32:00.003-05:00

Wow, this little romance novella has gone through some big drama over the past is months (read my blog posts from the summer if you're interested), but the big day is finally here -- HARD BARGAIN is available for purchase! It's a spicy summertime romance with hot cars and a very hot man, perfect for chasing away the winter blahs.

Click on the cover photo to read the blurb and buy the book! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Plz to haz ur vote?

2012-01-16T13:19:00.002-05:00

I feel very strange asking people to do this, but here goes nothing... :deep breath:

An Imperfect Wife was nominated for 2011 Best Contemporary by Love Romances Cafe, and now it's time to vote! If you'd like to vote for me, please leave a comment at Dawn's Reading Nook saying you'd like to vote for An Imperfect Wife by Grace Wen. Thank you SO much!

Stuff I like: Asian peanut dip

2012-01-09T10:05:00.002-05:00

If you resolved to eat more vegetables in 2012 and are having a little trouble, here's something that might help: my go-to Asian peanut dip. New York Times food writer Mark Bittman (@bittman) inspired this recipe -- he tweeted the basic formula for the dip and I improvised from there. You have to love a recipe that fits in 140 characters.

This peanut dip is surprisingly versatile. If you keep it relatively thick, it's a great dip for raw broccoli florets or blanched green beans. If you thin it down, it's a lovely sauce for noodles. Don't be afraid to experiment. A little Thai red curry paste, cilantro, coconut milk, or chopped lemongrass wouldn't be out of place here.

ASIAN PEANUT DIP

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
2 tsp. (or more, to taste) soy sauce or fish sauce
one or more squirts Sriracha hot sauce, to taste
juice from 1/2 lime
2 tbsp. (or more) chopped Thai basil (optional)

Whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce or fish sauce, and lime juice with a splash or two of water. Continue whisking and adding water, a little at a time, until the sauce is the consistency you want. Stir in Thai basil. Store in refrigerator.

My 2012 goals

2012-01-01T14:17:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! I guess today's the day everyone posts their goals for the year. 2011 was a fantastic year for me writing-wise, which is odd because I didn't even set any specific writing goals last year. I published one novella (and was nominated for an award!), got contracts for two more, and sold two short stories. Not bad at all.

The best part is I learned a LOT about how I work best. Setting goals too far in advance, like creating a five or ten year plan, is not always a good idea because there are things you can learn only by doing, and those things affect how you move forward with your plan. I know that's true for me. By diving head first into the publishing process in 2011, I developed my idiosyncratic editing process, learned my optimum writing pace, and got a better sense of my storytelling strengths and weaknesses. Two years ago, I didn't have a clue about any of these things, so how could I possibly incorporate them into a multi-year plan?

Armed with what I learned in 2011, I put together my 2012 goal list:

Write 4000 words a week, every week (with 2 weeks off as vacation). This doesn't sound like much, but for me it's a sustainable pace that provides forward motion on new work while allowing plenty of time for revisions, promotion, research, etc.
I enjoy revising much more than writing first drafts, so I didn't set specific editing goals. I simply edit until the story is "done" (or due, whichever comes first).
Write, edit, and submit my contracted short story (by end of February).
Edit and submit my two category romance WIPs to Harlequin/Mills & Boon, then work my way down the publisher list if HM&B rejects me. The editing process itself will involve pushing both WIPs through a modified version of Donald Maass's Breakout Novel checklist.
Write the first draft (about 100K words) of my novel. There should be enough time left in the year to start edits as well.
Research agents and make a list of at least 50 target agents.

At 4000 words/week (200K words/year), I have wiggle room for more goals, such as starting a new WIP. I'll set new goals after reaching the ones I listed above.

What are you writing goals (or any other goals) this year? What did you learn in 2011 that will help you reach them?

HARD BARGAIN is now available for pre-order!

2011-12-27T22:10:00.000-05:00

I'm thrilled to announce that my re-release of HARD BARGAIN is now available for pre-order. This book was first released in July and on sale for two short weeks before, ahem, stuff happened. None of that matters anymore, though, because we're back in business -- release day is January 20, but you can buy now and get your copy the day it comes out. This spicy romance novella is a perfect way to warm up your winter!

I have a real soft spot for this book because it's my first published book ever. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

:does happy Snoopy dance:

Here's the tagline and blurb:

Sparks fly in both the boardroom and the bedroom for two headstrong attorneys clashing over a law firm merger.

Jenna Petersen won't give up her law firm without a fight, even if it means casting the only vote against a merger with a large DC firm. She's worked too hard to build the practice, and she doesn't care if she angers the other partners to keep it. But when sexy Brad Tremaine comes to Detroit to persuade her in person, her resolve wavers and she finds herself wanting to merge with him in more ways than one.

Brad Tremaine thought buying Jenna's firm would be an easy deal he wouldn't have to manage himself. But after talks turn shaky, Brad takes negotiations into his own hands. When he meets Jenna, he's even more convinced they're better together than apart, in every way. To join their firms, and their lives, Brad will do anything to drive a hard bargain.

Taking a holiday break

2011-12-21T18:36:00.001-05:00

My blog will be quiet for the rest of the year as I spend time with my loved ones and finish revising my current work-in-progress. I'll still be posting on Twitter. Have a wonderful holiday, everyone!

We have a winnah!

2011-12-19T08:06:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to

Megan K.

for winning the Stuff Your Stockings Blog Hop giveaway! I've sent you an e-mail asking for your physical mailing address and your preferred e-book format.

Thanks to everyone for your comments, Likes, and tweets. I had so much fun reading everyone's comments in particular. Have a happy and safe holiday!

Stuff your stockings giveaway

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm joining 192 other authors in the Stuff Your Stockings Christmas blog hop to spread some holiday cheer to our wonderful readers! We have literally hundreds of chances for you to win some great prizes, including books, jewelry, gift cards, and more.

If, like me, you're easily overwhelmed by so many choices, may I suggest starting with my fellow Musa Publishing authors Marguerite Butler (who writes charming Regency romances that will have you laughing the whole way through) and Dominique Eastwick (who writes hot paranormal romances that will steam up your screen)? And if you want more free stuff, Musa has free reads until the end of the year. You don't even have to enter a drawing to get them. How's that for holiday spirit?

I'm giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of my confession novella AN IMPERFECT WIFE. Use the nifty widget below for up to 5 chances to win!

In the spirit of confessing, I'll confess my own holiday guilty pleasure: fruitcake. Not just any fruitcake, though -- it has to be None Such mincemeat fruitcake soaked in rum or brandy. I know, fruitcake is the butt of so many jokes and you're not supposed to like it, but few things say "Christmas" to me like this cake. It's not overly sweet and terrific when sliced thinly and nibbled with hot tea.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stuff I like: China Glaze nail polish

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

I admit it: I'm not the best dresser. I wear mostly black and grey, and the drabness of my wardrobe would give Stacy and Clinton fits. But if I ever make it on "What Not To Wear," there's one thing they won't be able to nitpick: my nails.

I do my own nails at least once a week, and most of the colors in my 110-bottle collection are by China Glaze. The photo on the left shows a sample of what I own. Yes, I have a lot of blues and greens in there (and greys, purples, and black along with the more normal reds and pinks). You know that cozy feeling you get when you gaze at a fresh box of crayons? That's how I feel when I look at my polishes. Yeah, I'm a dorky girly girl that way.

China Glaze doesn't have the brand recognition of its rival OPI, but I have to say that China Glaze has OPI beat in both quality and colors, hands down (pun intended). The fact it's several dollar cheaper per bottle helps as well. I'd given up on manicures for years until a friend suggested trying China Glaze -- she called them her "easy mani" polishes, and she was right. The polishes flow smoothly and are easy to control, with no bubbles, bare spots, or uneven patches. Two tricks: use an orange stick to clean up pooling around the nail (you can scrub off any polish on your skin the next time you shower) and use Seche Vite top coat for a faster drying time and a shiny finish.

Right now, I'm wearing an emerald green glitter called Emerald Sparkle and I'm already thinking about what my next color will be. Shiny navy blue? Shimmery grey? Glossy army green? 80s-inspired hot pink? Classic red? Decisions, decisions.

Holiday Deals at Musa Publishing

2011-11-28T10:43:00.001-05:00

It's Cyber Monday, which means it's time to fire up those laptops and do some damage on that credit card. Luckily, Musa Publishing has some fantastic deals that will give you hours of reading pleasure without denting your wallet.

Starting today, Musa has a "Buy 3, Get One Free" deal for selected titles. Load up your e-reader now so you can relax with a good story when the holiday stress gets too overwhelming.

Musa also has a "12 Days of Christmas" celebration as a thank you to its customers: every day between November 28 and December 9, Musa will be offering a FREE holiday read. Free stuff? Yes, free stuff. We all like free stuff!

THANK YOU for supporting me and my fellow Musa authors. We love sharing our stories with you.

A note to my friends and readers about reviews

2011-11-26T20:03:00.001-05:00

Over the past few days, there's been some discussion in author loops, blogs, and Twitter about what people, especially friends and family, owe an author in a book review. To clarify my own opinion on the whole matter, here's the spiel I give to people whenever the topic of my writing comes up:

You are not obligated to buy my book. If you do buy my book, you're not obligated to tell me. You're also not obligated to read it, like it, tell me whether you read it or liked it, write a review, or provide feedback.

Side note: when I voiced this opinion in a blog comment, I was essentially patted on the head and told that, as a "happy amateur," I didn't have to treat publishing as a business like "most of us." Um, what? I was also told that happy amateurs "can sometimes produce the purest forms of art." As a proud, unapologetic commercial writer, I thought this was incredibly funny (and condescending), especially after I'd spent a good part of the weekend researching the finer points of Harlequin/Mills & Boon's branding strategies in the US and the UK to plan my next WIPs.

Of course, I always hope readers will enjoy my stories, but if they don't, that's okay too. When I release a book, I truly release it. I can't control what happens to it after it's out. I don't know why some authors try to dictate how readers view their books. Readers aren't book characters: they won't do something just because you want them to (and even with characters, it's questionable).

I choose not to burden my personal relationships with book review stuff. At best, it creates an awkward situation and at worst, it strains the relationship. Maybe I'm a bit warped, but no book of mine is worth that.

My true confession: I love writing confessions

2011-11-26T11:47:00.001-05:00

Today, I confess my love for writing confessions at Musa Publishing's blog. What are some of your true confessions? Don't worry, I won't tell. Shhhh.....

AN IMPERFECT WIFE is out today!

2011-11-25T12:51:00.001-05:00

Yay, happy release day to me! AN IMPERFECT WIFE is now available for purchase on the Musa Publishing website. The best part: you don't even need to brave the Black Friday crowds to buy it.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Interview on Trashionista

2011-11-20T19:16:00.001-05:00

Check out my interview on Trashionista, where I talk about NaNoWriMo, deadlines, the writing process, and the authors who inspire me.

The fun of #1k1hr and #500in30

2011-11-12T08:56:00.001-05:00

Fellow writer Patrick Alan introduced me to the fun of #1k1hr this past spring. I have to say, it's a fun way to get the words down and meet other writers at the same time. Basically, all you have to do is tweet a message like "Starting #1k1hr at the :45" and ask if anyone wants to join. Then you write for an hour or 1000 words, whichever comes last and tweet your word count. It sounds so simple, but it's a wonderful way to make writing less isolating.

Patrick explains that #1k1hr was inspired by writer Scott William Carter's 30/500 game. After experimenting with both, I've found that #500in30 works much better for me. For some reason, half an hour seems less daunting. It slips past the resistance that always seems to crop up when I start to write. This, by the way, is true with other things I love too (drum practice, running, etc.). An hour is like "What?? A WHOLE hour? Eek!" while 30 minutes is like "Yeah, whatever, I can do that." Also, it's harder to put off a half-hour commitment without feeling silly. It makes it easier to start, and getting started is 90% of the battle.

Writers play #1k1hr and #500in30 all year, not just during NaNoWriMo. Come join the party!

My family baklava recipe

2011-11-08T18:30:00.001-05:00

Musa Publishing's blog has a fun feature called Tasty Tuesdays where authors share food tips and recipes. This week, I've shared my family baklava recipe, just in time for the holiday baking season. I hope you enjoy it.

Stuff I like: the Alphasmart Neo

2011-11-05T17:00:00.000-04:00

If you check out the Et Cetera page of my blog, you'll see what I'm working on, what projects are on the back burner, what I'm reading, and, as a random aside, stuff I like. I put the "stuff I like" in there because I couldn't think of anything else to add to the blog. To be honest, if I blogged only about writing and reading, I'd bore everyone to death, including myself (and it would be a very sparse blog). I do a lot of both, but I have surprisingly little to actually say about either topic.

So, to add some variety to the blog, and since thinking about stuff I like makes me happy, I've decided to include a "Stuff I Like" feature. I hope it will inspire you to check out a few new things. And please share the stuff you like in the comments as well -- I'm always looking for new things to make life more enjoyable!

I have NaNoWriMo on the brain, so for this first installment of "Stuff I Like" (and expanding on an item in the Et Cetera part of my blog), I'd like to sing the praises of the Best. Writing. Tool. Ever.

:drum roll: The Alphasmart Neo.

It's so low-tech it's laughable. It runs for 700 hours on three AA batteries and can't do anything except store the words I type. But oh, does it do it well! It weighs less than 2 pounds and turns on and off instantly with zero boot-up time, and when it turns on, the cursor is right where I left off. The full-size keyboard is a dream, responsive with just the right amount of stiffness. It's easy to upload my work into a Word document for later editing. The result? Lots and lots of words. I carry wee Neo with me everywhere. I can dash off a paragraph or two when inspiration hits, making it easy to cram writing into slivers of time.

For me, the best feature is the tiny screen. I can only see 4 to 6 lines at a time, and editing on the Neo is a massive pain. As a result, the Neo forces me to keep pushing forward on my first draft instead of futzing and, worse yet, deleting. I enjoy writing first drafts so much more now. The year after I bought my Neo, I completed more projects than I had in the previous five years combined, including my first novel. The Neo paid for itself within the first two months. A sound investment!

And yes, I'm writing this blog post on my Neo. I'm so predictable.

Are you an Alphasmart fan? Or have you found something else that works better for you?

Taking the NaNoWriMo plunge

2011-11-01T00:00:00.001-04:00

Okay, okay, I'm doing NaNoWriMo. :chews nails: I can't think of a better way to move forward on my two contracted novellas. I finished my outline yesterday and did more character brainstorming today. I'm still super nervous, though. I always get this way before starting a new project. Can I pull this off? What if it stinks? What if I get stuck? Will I hit my deadline? Stretching myself always requires discomfort, so I have to repeat my distance running advice to myself: get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Best of luck to everyone joining the writing madness. Happy word counts, everyone!

Brainstorming

2011-10-28T16:38:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking about what I want this blog to be like. As you can probably tell, I'm still not comfortable with the whole blogging thing. Twitter is more my speed. I always feel so self-conscious. Seriously, I'm not as stiff in real life as I sound on my blog!

I'm a new fan of Mindy Kaling's blog, and I love how she writes about, well, anything. I've decided to make my blog more of a personal one in a similar vein (I'm not as funny as Mindy, though, so sorry about that), with posts that talk about whatever catches my fancy at the moment instead of focusing solely on writing, reading, book promo, and book research. I hope it will help create more ways for me to connect with you ("Hey, you like green smoothies? So do I!") and make the blog more interesting.

Here's to blog experiments!

AN IMPERFECT WIFE now available for pre-order!

2011-10-25T19:39:00.001-04:00

Can I freak out now?

The edits are done. No more tweaking or futzing. No more removing one more "just" or "that" or compound prepositional phrase. For better or worse, I've done my best on the book. Now it's time to let it go.

So, without further ado, I'd like to announce that AN IMPERFECT WIFE is now available for pre-order! :blares trumpet: Simply click on the cover image and, for the price of a latte, the book is yours on November 25. Buy early and often!

Here's the tagline and blurb:

A homesick woman finds comfort in the arms of a new friend -- her husband's boss.

Nicole Evans wanted to support her husband Josh's career, even if it meant moving away from their hometown, family, and friends. So what if he didn't ask for her input before accepting the job? They needed the money, and the opportunity was too good to pass up. Standing by him was the right thing to do.

But Josh's crazy schedule leaves her lonely and taken for granted. With no friends or job to fill the long hours, she turns to Adam Cahill, Josh's handsome boss, for a sympathetic ear. She tells herself it's a harmless crush. Until she kisses him. And he kisses her back.

Nicole feels guilty, but she's doesn't want the affair to end. What will she do when Josh discovers she's an imperfect wife?

It's almost NaNoWriMo time

2011-10-23T12:42:00.003-04:00

It's almost November, and you know what that means -- National Novel Writing Month! Each year, tens of thousands of writers all over the world attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days.

I've participated in NaNo a few times and have always had so much fun. It's a great way to bang out a draft of a novella or the first part of a novel. HARD BARGAIN started as a 2008 NaNo project and, to my surprise, eventually became my first published book.

The best part of NaNo is the camaraderie. For one crazy month, everyone seems to be a writer, and that's a wonderful thing. Since I know very few writers in real life, NaNo write-ins are a great way to meet people who enjoy storytelling as much as I do. I love seeing so many other people sharing my passion for writing.

I haven't decided whether I'm officially participating in NaNo this year, but I have to say the timing is excellent. I turned in my final edits for AN IMPERFECT WIFE on Friday, so that gives me a whole week to plan the next novella I want to write. NaNo might just be the perfect way to get the first draft done.

Are you participating in NaNo? What do you love about it?

Pretty, shiny new cover for AN IMPERFECT WIFE!

2011-10-19T21:38:00.002-04:00

There's promising news on the horizon about Aspen Mountain Press: AMP books are gone from Amazon, and rights reversion letters are trickling in to authors. I hope this positive trend continues. I'm done dwelling on the bad stuff. Just done.

Now, let's get back to the good stuff!

First, if you haven't checked out the Aurora Regency blog tour, you still have until this Saturday to meet some cool authors and enter to win great prizes. Don't miss the fun!

Second, I have my cover for AN IMPERFECT WIFE! I absolutely love this cover, so much so I squeed when I first saw it. AN IMPERFECT WIFE is a pulp confession-style story, and the retro look of the cover reminds me of the 1940s, when confession magazines were very popular. I also love the McMansions in the foreground, which are a nod to the story's opening scene.

AN IMPERFECT WIFE won't be out for another month (on November 25), but it's never to early to ogle cover art!

Aspen Mountain Press: the continuing train wreck

2011-10-15T09:44:00.002-04:00

I should be editing.

I should be polishing AN IMPERFECT WIFE so my editor doesn't go, "Why did we buy this manuscript? Grace can't write her way out of a paper bag!" I should be mentally gearing up for my half marathon tomorrow.

Instead, I'm writing this damn post because Sandra Hicks, owner of Aspen Mountain Press, put her website back up and told an author she doesn't have money to pay royalties, one day after she said there was money available. She continues to insist she's done nothing wrong.

Yes, she's selling books she has no rights to, failing to pay authors and staff, failing to edit and release books, and using business money for personal expenses. And she thinks everything's fine and dandy.

Insert shocked pause here.

Celina Summers posted two jaw-dropping posts about the AMP debacle (here and here). There will be more to come as AMP continues to use its feet for target practice.

Here's my story:

For both Books 1 and 2, I signed my contract and sent it to Sandra Hicks on 6/27. I included an extra copy of the signature pages for her to sign and return to me. To date, nearly 4 months later, I haven't received my copy of the signature pages.

Book 1-- HARD BARGAIN (HB): 

9/15: July royalties and statement were due. I never received them. 
10/7: Sandrasent me an e-mail asking me where I wanted my royalties sent. I gave her mymailing address. 
10/15: I'm still waiting for royalties.

Book 2 -- HARD TO HANDLE (HtH):

8/8: Isubmitted the manuscript per my contract. According to the editorial schedule,final edits were due 10/3 for a 10/24 release date. 
8/17: I hadn't heard froman editor regarding HtH so I e-mailed Sandra asking her when I would beassigned an editor. I never received a response. 
8/19: I noticed the wheels were coming off AMP, so I sent a certified letter to Sandra offering torenegotiate the contracts for both HB and HtH. I offered to waive my right to an audit and allroyalties due in exchange for my rights back. I never received an answer. 
8/22: HtH was listed in the "Coming Soon" area of the AMP websiteunder my REAL name (not my pen name). I contacted Sandra every hour for thenext 5 hours asking her to immediately remove my real name from the website. 
8/30: 8 days later, Sandra finally removed my real name from the AMP website. 
9/28: I mailed Sandra a certified letter notifying her she breached thecontracts for both HB and HtH. I listed each contract term she breached. 
10/3: the final editorial deadline for HtH passed with NO word from aneditor or from Sandra. 
10/15: I'm still waiting for an editor. Obviously, HtH will not bereleased on 10/24, if ever.

You'd think a publisher would release authors who no longer wish to be associated with it, right? Unhappy authors won't promote and won't write, especially if they're not getting paid (duh). Yet Sandra Hicks thinks she can bully authors into staying. Here are some choice quotes from a message she posted to the AMP authors (bolding mine):

The first thing I amdoing is reading and responding to authors. Each is individual, case-by-case.Just because some authors no longer wish to be identified with AMP doesnot negate their contracts. I and I alone will make that decision, on acase-by-case basis as I look to the future.

.....

Having been an author, I know the return of my intellectualproperty is more important than anything else. That said, I would seriouslyconsider how much attorney fees cost and weigh them against what I believeI'm owed.

Translation: "You want your rights back? You want your money? Come and get me."

Nice.

I've already taken steps to terminate my contracts, but much of it is a waiting game. I hope speaking up will shorten that wait. Please spread the word, and don't buy HARD BARGAIN or any other Aspen Mountain Press book. Thank you!

Happy Birthday, Aurora Regency!

2011-10-14T22:28:00.002-04:00

I'm not an Aurora Regency author, but I play one on TV.

Wait, wrong script. :shuffles index cards:

OK, let's start over. I'm not an Aurora Regency author, but some of my dear friends are. They're celebrating AR's first anniversary with a blog tour and free stuff! I must admit, I never read a historical romance until I read Compromising Prudence by Marguerite Butler and The Pursuit by Kimberly Nee. You could say they were my gateway drugs into the genre because now I'm hooked!

Starting tomorrow, you can check out the blogs of some fabulous authors and enter to win prizes. I highly recommend buying a book or two as well, even if it's not your usual thing. You never know, you might get hooked too.

More on the Aspen Mountain Press debacle

2011-10-13T21:37:00.004-04:00

Celina Summers wrote an eye-opening blog post (link here) about the Aspen Mountain Press train-wreck. Yes, I'm still trapped in it. I have two books being held hostage by AMP. I haven't been paid a dime for HARD BARGAIN (so again, please don't buy it). I knew things were bad, but I didn't know they were this bad.

Read Celina's blog post, then spread the word. Thank you.

We'll miss you, Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T09:05:00.003-04:00

As I write this on my 5-year old MacBook, I think about how Apple products have been a part of most of my life. I wrote my first real short story (and learned how to program in BASIC) on an Apple IIe, got through high school, undergrad, and law school on Macintoshes, wrote my first pro non-fiction articles on an iMac, and all of my published fiction on this trusty MacBook.

I'm solidly in the Apple camp when it comes to my outlook on technology. One of my friends put it this way: you work on a PC, but you work with an Apple. That sums it up for me. Apple products work the way regular people, not just techies, work. Steve Jobs recognized computing isn't simply about speed and technical specs. It's also about artistry, aesthetics, quality, good design, excellence and ease of use, all those touchy-feely things that many techies pooh-pooh. If Steve Jobs hadn't taken that calligraphy class in college (and used that knowledge when developing the Macintosh), we probably couldn't recognize fonts the way we do now. It's a little thing, but it illustrates how much Steve Jobs has influenced our everyday lives.

I know this quote has made the rounds over the years, but it bears repeating:

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

-- Steve Jobs (Stanford commencement speech, June 2005)

Thank you, Steve Jobs, for daring us to "think different" and be "insanely great." You left us much too soon.

Welcome, Musa Publishing!

2011-10-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

:does Snoopy dance:

I'm eyeball-deep in edits right now, but I wanted to give a HUGE shout to announce Musa Publishing's grand opening! Musa has an ambitious release schedule: they will have 97 books in their catalog by the end of 2011 in a wide variety of genres. If you're an omnivorous reader like I am, this news will thrill your e-reader and scare your book budget.

If you're already paralyzed by all of the wonderful choices, how about starting with contemporary mystery/comedy THE ESTROGEN POSSE by Sharon DeVita? The excerpt made me laugh and hooked me right away.

Welcome, Musa Publishing, and congratulations!!!

Don't buy my book. Buy my friends' books.

2011-09-24T20:43:00.000-04:00

Don't buy my book. Yes, you read that correctly: do NOT buy my book.

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm no longer promoting HARD BARGAIN, and I removed all Buy links from my blog. The reason? I won't be paid. I'm one of the many Aspen Mountain Press authors who are not being paid, whose e-mails and letters are being ignored, whose contracts are being breached, and whose books are caught in limbo. AMP hasn't assigned me an editor for Book 2 even though the final editorial deadline is one week away, which essentially means Book 2 won't be released at all. AMP hasn't released a new book or even updated its website since mid-August. You can read more about AMP's growing problems here.

So please, do NOT buy HARD BARGAIN. I won't see a dime from it. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I'll get the rights back so I can re-publish it elsewhere. Once that happens, I'll let you know right away, and I'll also get Books 2 and 3 in the series ready to go. Please send good luck vibes my way!

In much better news, Musa Publishing launches October 1! I'm very excited about Musa, and not only because I have a book coming out with them November 25 (shameless self-promotion there). They have a fantastic lineup of authors, both new and seasoned, and they're committed to providing a satisfying reader experience with every story. As they say in the About Us section of their site, "The story comes first."

Get your e-readers and credit cards ready!

Fall down seven times, get up eight

2011-08-18T20:07:00.005-04:00

First, I apologize for not updating my blog with Dream Cruise photos like I promised. I did get a few pictures around town, but I plan to take more Friday and Saturday when things are in full swing. Woodward Avenue has been hopping all week, with lawn chairs, old cars, party tents, and advertising banners everywhere. It's quite a sight!

You may notice the buy links to HARD BARGAIN are gone. Sadly, I'm no longer promoting the book. I'm sorry I can't explain further, but I want to let people know that I really appreciated your support during my short stint as a published author! Stay tuned, though, because I have plenty of other stories in the hopper. It's been a crazy two months on the writing front, and I've learned so much. The biggest lesson so far: writing for publication isn't for the easily discouraged. I learned I'm tougher than I thought. No matter how many times I fall, I will get up.

The flower in the photo is a plum blossom. It's a traditional Chinese symbol for perseverance and hope because it blooms in winter. There's a lesson to be learned in there somewhere.

How I started writing romance

2011-08-13T19:32:00.007-04:00

There was this boy.

Isn't that how it always is? Actually, there were many boys. I was a boy-crazy teenager who went through a string of crushes through middle and high school. Unfortunately, I was also a nerdy girl, which meant I couldn't get a single date even when I mustered the courage to ask someone out. The only time I had a boyfriend was at summer camp, which presented its own unique set of problems, such as going home to different states when summer ended.

So I wrote stories of how I wished my life would be. I fantasized about road trips to reunite with my camp boyfriend. I wrote stories about how boys finally noticed me after I switched from glasses to contacts. I imagined losing weight and becoming beautiful. I wished I could be a drum major, homecoming queen, and valedictorian all rolled in one (and this actually described someone in the class ahead of me). I scribbled in spiral notebooks and typed on an Apple IIe.

I was lucky to have loving parents and a relatively drama-free life with a few friends, but I also knew I was on the social fringes, which was a big deal to the teenaged me. Writing those stories gave me, in a small and probably pathetic way, the happy ending I craved. It was also a more constructive way to deal with unrequited love instead of moping and crying, even though I did a lot of that too. At the time, I didn't realize the stories would also be part of my training as a fiction writer.

I have no idea how much my teen writing contributed to the requisite 1 million words of crap or 10,000 hours of practice. At the time, being an author wasn't even on the radar -- I was just writing to make myself feel better. I'm so glad I put in all that effort. I was a hopeful romantic then and I still am now, and I'm thrilled I can share that hope with my readers.

What a party! Thank you!

2011-08-08T07:00:00.010-04:00

It's time to put away the party tents for the Aspen Mountain Press blog tour. THANK YOU to everyone who visited. I loved reading your comments and great car stories. Also, congratulations to books4me for winning the random drawing for a copy of HARD BARGAIN! I've forwarded your e-mail information to the publisher so you can get your free book.

Over the next two weeks, I'll share photos of the Dream Cruise and other local spots appearing in my book. Come back for a peek into Jenna and Brad's world.

Happy 5th Anniversary, Aspen Mountain Press!

2011-07-31T11:40:00.017-04:00

It's AMP's fifth anniversary, and we're having a party! If you're stopping by from fellow AMP author Viki Lyn's blog, or from anywhere else for that matter, welcome. We're celebrating with virtual champagne, a Kindle giveaway, other great freebies, and lots of dancing!

I'm thrilled to promote my debut book HARD BARGAIN, which is the first in my Dream Cruise Desires series. HARD BARGAIN is about Jenna and Brad, two headstrong attorneys on opposite sides of a law firm merger. They discover fighting over business doesn't stop them from merging in a much more personal way.

Shameless promo alert: here's the cover. Isn't it lovely?

[IMAGE REMOVED]

Much of the story takes place in the Detroit suburbs, which I'm proud to call home. Around here, people cruise Woodward Avenue all summer to show off their beautifully restored classic cars. People also park their cars along Woodward, pop the hood, and hang out in lawn chairs to talk cars with other enthusiasts. On really busy days, it's like one big outdoor car museum. Even though Dream Cruise is officially on the third Saturday in August, the cars start appearing when the weather gets nice. Michigan summers are far too short, so we enjoy them while we can.

Oh, I mentioned freebies! If you comment on any blog in the AMP tour between August 1 and August 7, you'll be entered to win a shiny new Kindle. How cool is that? Contest rules are here. Also, I'm giving away one copy of HARD BARGAIN to a randomly chosen commenter on my own blog. Feel free to say hello, tell me about yourself, or share your favorite car-related story (keep it PG, please -- it's a family show. :D).

Next stop on the AMP anniversary ~~pub crawl~~ blog tour: Andy Dunn's place. His debut book BUT I NEVER SAID I DIDN'T LOVE YOU, is a charming gay romantic comedy and the first m/m romance I ever read. I highly recommend checking it out.

If you'd like alerts on blog updates or just want to keep tabs on what's happening in Grace-land, you can follow me on Twitter. Thank you for stopping by!

Happy release (and debut) day to me!

2011-07-22T19:32:00.008-04:00

I can't believe I'm typing these words: my debut book HARD BARGAIN is out, and three days early to boot! When I jumped (or, more accurately, was pushed) into this journey a month ago, I seriously didn't think I'd see a finished product at the end. Well, I was wrong and my beta readers and editors were right, and now I have a wonderful book to show for it. Who knew a NaNoWriMo novel from 2008 could turn into this? I hope you enjoy reading Jenna and Brad's story as much as I did writing it.

Save the dates: on August 1-7, Aspen Mountain Press will celebrate its 5th anniversary with a blog tour and a Kindle giveaway. Stop back by my blog for a chance to win!

Preparing for my debut, being a "driven dreamer"

2011-07-16T10:53:00.013-04:00

Check out the awesome cover art! I turned in the final edits for HARD BARGAIN last night and now I'm counting down until release day (July 25 -- mark your calendars!).

Writing's been tough lately because I hit a rough patch in my personal life this week. I hope it resolves okay, but in the meantime it's difficult writing romances with my current state of mind. I admire writers who produce even when life doesn't cooperate. I need to channel that kind of strength and professionalism.

I guess I am, as fictional author Joan Wilder puts it, a hopeful romantic. If I were a realistic person, I never would've pursued writing in the first place, or asked for a part-time law firm job, or started learning drums as an adult, or run a marathon. I guess I've always been a dreamer, maybe too much so, but I've made enough dreams come true in my life to believe in the power of stupid optimism combined with smart, persistent work. Call me a "driven dreamer." Hmmm, I like the sound of that.

Wow, I feel so much better after writing this. Yet another example of writing's power. Outstanding.

I'm still here!

2011-07-06T21:00:00.009-04:00

I'm in the middle of editing HARD BARGAIN and Book 2 my series. Final edits for HB are due on July 17, and the draft of Book 2 is due on August 8. Yikes, what did I get myself into?

Last week was thrilling and terrifying. My fantastic editor discovered all sorts of bugaboos in my story, so I spent the past weekend holed up in my condo revising like a fiend. And that's only the first round. There's more to come this weekend. Professional writing crash course FTW!

Did I mention I'm terrified? I have a bottle of Australian sparkling shiraz in the fridge, and I'm cracking that baby open the evening of August 8, when I can take a breather before starting work on Book 3 in the series.

There's a pony in here somewhere

2011-06-26T10:20:00.009-04:00

When I look at HARD BARGAIN, my current WIP, all I see is a steaming pile of manure. Thanks to the encouragement of my beta readers and my editor friend, I've managed to convince myself there's a pony in there somewhere.

I submitted my revised draft and notes last night. I'm thrilled my friends think I'm ready to brave the submission and editing gauntlet, and I'm excited about going through an ultra-tough editing process to whip HB into shape. HB is the first story I've ever written over 12,000 words. It's also the first story I've written in third-person point of view. And, if all goes well (:crosses fingers, toes, and eyes:), it will be my first published book. Here's hoping!

ETA: ZOMG, ponies!! Looks like the editor found not one pony, but two. I'm contracted to write two novellas with a request for a third!

The best laid plans

2011-06-23T07:09:00.009-04:00

Original plan for the next few days: replot my novella WIP, maybe rewrite a chapter or two, shop for groceries, make soup and muffins, meet friends for coffee, go for a run, recaulk the tub, clean out the closet.

Current plan: lock myself in my condo, rewrite the entire WIP and get it to an editor by Saturday night. Eating and sleeping optional.

Yes, someone is interested in my WIP, sight unseen, based on the strength of some of my earlier pieces. Did I mention that my WIP looks like Humpty Dumpty after he took a tumble? "Hot mess" doesn't even begin to describe it. I'd initially planned to get it submission-ready by the end of the summer. Now I'll be submitting two months earlier than that. Yikes.

I'm excited about the opportunity, but this is new territory for me. I've never been asked to rewrite something this long, this fast. Ah well, deadlines and panic focus the mind beautifully, and I feel up to the challenge.

Wish me luck!

A shiny new blog!

2011-06-20T14:54:00.005-04:00

:stares at screen:
:stares at keyboard:

Wow, it's my first post and I'm already stuck on what to write.

:waves and grins awkwardly:

Getting started on any new project is tough for me. I'm afraid to mar the pristine shininess of a blank notebook or an empty computer file with my awful first-draft writing. Once I get going, however, it's easier because the damage has already been done. The notebook has scribbles in the margins and the file has incomprehensible sentences, so all pretenses of perfection are out the window.

So, with this imperfect first post, I'm launching my blog. Publishing post in 3...2...1...

:tosses confetti: