Balls falling All Around Me

*NINA PIERCE slides onto blog completely out of breath*

Sorry I'm late. :( My life is totally out of control. It's driving me insane. I just celebrated Beautiful Girl's college graduation. Now I'm rolling into prom week for Little Boy Blue (because his girlfriend goes to a different school = 2 proms) and then there's the company and celebration of his high school graduation. *sigh* I feel like I keep moving yet it seems like nothing is getting done around me. Of course this has to do with the fact that my "to do" list is the length of Stretch-Armstrong's arm and my energy level is somewhere at the bottom of the ocean. Yeah, I'm a little overwhelmed.

But I'm not here for sympathy. Because I'm no different than all authors. It doesn't matter if you write fulltime or if you work at a day job, juggle kids or an aging parent, we all need to carve out sacred time to write whether it's late at night or early in the morning when no one else is around. There are excuses we can all make that pull us from the keyboard and keep us from finishing our books. Besides our families, there is the pull of the internet, whether it's answering emails, social media updates, or marketing through live chats or loops. It's a lot. And sometimes juggling it all is a tad overwhelming.

But successful authors all say the same thing ... "write every day". It's a habit that becomes ingrained and keeps the words flowing. I know this. But, ummmm, I haven't figured out how to do that yet, but I'm working on it.

Through my local chapter of RWA I have joined a goal loop. Our goal is only 100 words a day. No, it's not much, but I refuse to go to bed until it's done. Of course once I start, I get much more than 100 words on the page. When I set a higher word count I often was too discouraged at the end of the day knowing I couldn't meet my goals that I wouldn't even open my WIP. Now, 100 words ... one paragraph ... isn't overwhelming and I open that manuscript and once the words start they just keep flowing. Of course paragraphs add up to pages and pages to chapters and chapters to a full story. And before I know it, I'm subbing a story to my editor.

I'm going to admit that I did take the month of May off from writing. For me, it's necessary due to health issues. But May ends tomorrow. And I'm jumping right back into my goals and writing every day. Being accountable to others works for me.

I'm curious, how do you handle the crazy times in your life and still juggle a writing schedule?

It's Always a Good Feeling

When a book you've slaved over, loved, hated, rewritten, finally had an Aha! moment and actually turned it into a book you loved, your publisher buys it, releases it, and THEN you get a review that knocks your socks off. That's what happened with my Latest full length erotic romantic intrigue, Do You Trust Me. I had to peel myself off the ceiling when I looked online yesterday and discovered Romantic Times Book Reviews had given it 4 1/2 stars. (Still doing the Happy Dance!).

Here's what they had to say about it:

This thriller grabs you from the first paragraph and doesn't let go until the satisfying ending. Espionage coupled with BDSM makes for one titillating ride. Secondary characters enhance the action and add to the suspense.
Summary: The locket is the key. Rina's brother gives it to her before he disappears, telling her she will know who she can depend on when the time comes. McCall is assigned to guard Rina and is amazed when she submits to his dominant bedroom games. Although Rina commits body and soul, she's reluctant to reveal her secret -- even though national security depends on it.

And just for y'all, here's a little taste of Do You Trust Me?

What came next stunned her, freezing her in place. McCall put his wine glass down on the counter, reached for her and brushed his lips against hers. Just a brief contact but it seared her down to her toes. Her bones felt as if they were melting and she could have sworn the ground shifted beneath her feet.
Move, her inner voice commanded, but not one of her muscles would obey.
McCall traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, an artist’s stroke painting the surface. A tiny sound whispered from her mouth. As if it was a signal he was waiting for, he captured her in a kiss so hot it burned her lips. His hands cupped her face, holding her head in place, while he fed on her, his tongue pressing inside and tasting the texture of her flesh.
She gripped his wrists but not to pull them away. She couldn’t have broken the kiss if someone paid her to.
Time stood still while he devoured every corner of her mouth, his fingers lean and hot against her cheeks. When he lifted his head his silver eyes had darkened almost to black.
Rina felt dazed and weak.
He studied her face, his breathing uneven. “Two choices. Either tell me to leave or tell me where your bedroom is.”
She had trouble getting the words out. “Upstairs. Last door on the right.”
Do you Trust Me is available at The Wild Rose Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Fictionwise and All Romance EBooks.

And come see me at http://www.desireeholt.com/

Thunder on the Rock

This weekend was the experience of a lifetime. I'm not sure how many of you out there have been to a true biker rally. Let me say they are wild. I went to my first one this weekend with a two of my best friends and one of their husbands (who is a biker). It was like what I've thought Woodstock must have been like. Amazing.
First off Monteagle TN where the rally took place was beautiful. Very scenic. The drive was fun and filled with a brilliant vista of beginning summer colors. When we arrived we parked in an outside lot as we were in a truck and only motorcycles were allowed in. A wonderful santa clause looking man gave us a ride in his golf cart to the main field where all the music entertainment was to be held. At first he was telling us how to get shots and beads and all kinds of things...Then we told him we weren't going to be flashing. LOL
He was great, didn't bat an eyelash. Just told us where not to go and what not to do. He made sure we were okay when he dropped us off and told us where to find him when we were ready to leave.
Main field was full of people from every walk of life. Young, old, black, white, clean cut, scruffy. Everyone. The smell of beer and pot were there but not over whelming. What I loved the most was the way people were so friendly. (and yes I'm sure the beverages had something to do with that) But what I saw was total acceptance. Everyone was free to do as they pleased, be who they wanted and no one judged. People were polite. Men may have asked to see your boobs but were still smiling and laughing when you told them no thanks.
I felt like a kid gawking as I looked around and tried to soak in the atmosphere. The entertainment was wonderful as well. There was a fantastic new discovery names Sam Hughes. The kid had an amazing voice that I hope to hear lots more of.
So I learned that I'm not a biker chick. But that was okay with them. And I had a great time. So great that I just might have to pen a book about it! LOL

Lacey Thorn
It's your world...unlaced

Free Lunch Free Read

Hi y'all! How's everyone doing?

Recently, my sister-in-law became pregnant and became sensitive to most odors. Hence, she couldn't cook. I was concerned, because she and the baby needed nutritious food, and her husband (my brother) couldn't cook. Normally, she didn't like to receive favors, so I brought out all the reasons (for the baby's good, etc) to convince her to have dinner with us sometimes, whenever I cook. To my surprise, she didn't even demur, but immediately said yes!

Then, a week ago, a friend announced her pregnancy. Unlike my SIL, this friend didn't cook at all. So, um, kind, good-hearted me offered her a meal at my place too. Instant acceptance!

This led me to conclude, anything free is good. No one would reject it. If the free stuff is offered by a stranger, then there may be some suspicion, coz there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. But when it's offered by a friend, well, it's a blessing and heartily accepted.

So, my friends, to show you how I treasure each and every one of you, I'm offering you all a free read. I hope this would tide you over until my next release At Long Last, Love on July 3.

Journeying to the back of beyond to claim the inheritance left by his great-aunt, Tyler Morrison never expects to find hot, sizzling passion with a woman whose touch scorches him, who makes him ache like no one has before.

Elise longs for love, and she believes she has found it in Tyler, who delights in bringing her to the heights and soaring with her. Night after night, in the darkness where magic has the most potency, they indulge their insatiable appetites and satisfy their lusts. Yet, Elise harbours a deep secret, a secret that has the power to destroy the very thing she has ever wanted…

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Visit my website and join my yahoogroup for up-to-date news on contests and books. Want to know more about me? Read my blog or join me at Six Sexy Sirens !

I'm in love...(again!)

Hands up whoever fell in love with a place. Yes, a place. Genus Locii and like that. Places have souls. On my list, up to now, have been the New Forest (UK), the Hebrides (UK), Yosemite (USA), The Everglades (USA), Big Bend National Park (USA), and now -- Lake Lure, North Carolina, (USA). (You in USA have some AMAZING countryside! Cherish it!)

We'd just planned a four-day trip to visit friends who moved there a few years ago, and also because NC is the setting for some of Diana Gabaldon's Jamie&Claire series (Highly recommended, btw.). After a two-hour drive from Charlotte, we hit the mountain country. And I was blown away. 'Last of the Mohicans' was filmed around there -- in fact, after climbing to the famous Chimney Rock, I had to rent the movie and bounced excitedly on seeing the 'off the edge' scene near the end, which was filmed in the Park! We hiked to Hickory Nut Falls, climbed up and down interminable steps, and loved every moment. It's a stunning place!

A drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway was gorgeous, too. Forested mountains, lush with laurel and rhododendrons. Hidden valleys loud with birdsong. We didn't get to drive far, because of construction, but what we saw was enough. I want to go back. As soon as possible.

I know that for most of us, money is tight. But if you are pondering on a vacation, then go there. Actually, go anywhere -- just get away. It's the best way to recharge the batteries, and lord knows, writing is a solitary vice and we NEED to get from in front of the screen and do something else. So get outside. Breathe fresh air, enjoy some sunshine, listen to the birds. You'll be better for it.

I'm still jet-lagged, so this is a short post. Next month, maybe an excerpt from my WiP. Just don't hold your breath...

Alphas and Assholes

As a reader, I've always enjoyed strong dominant heroes. (I also enjoy strong dominant kickass heroines but that’s a blog for another day.)

I love reading about a hero who’ll do anything to keep his heroine safe, who looses his normal logic center to wrap his arms around his lady and kiss her brainless. But I’ve also put away a book where the guy is so predominantly alpha that I got mad at the heroine for putting up with such a dolt.

Maybe he would have redeemed himself at the end of the book. Maybe the heroine would finally smack him upside the head and make him see that he can’t have his way all the time, that she needs to do things her way, even if it means putting herself into a situation he doesn’t like. The tension in this book was amazing – but I could only get to the middle before putting the story away muttering something about damn stubborn males. And I love damned stubborn males! I just couldn't take him anymore.

Where’s the line that divides Alphas from Assholes? How much are you willing to put up with an alpha hero before wanting to smack an innocent member of the male species in the nearest proximity?

**Visit Fiona Jayde at www.fionajayde.com

Mugging the writer

Take a good look. That's me. I'm an ordinary everyday kind of woman. No glamour. No high living. My office is in the living room squashed in with all the other odds and ends. The sole advantage I have over most other writers is that I'm retired with no children at home. It could be that you won't see me again. Why?

Google my name.

In the first page, you'll likely find that my books are listed on multiple piracy sites. Just like everyone else in the world, I work for money. Oh, you thought I wrote for love of the word? Well... not!

Writing is a difficult, thankless calling. In order to write well enough to be published, I must have a workable idea, write a story a publisher will contract and a reader will be willing to buy. For every story of say... fifty thousand words there is an initial time investment of approximately six hundred hours. Hmmm.

Current minimum wage in my state is $6.55. So my initial time investment is worth $3,930. That does not cover my taxes, supplies, or Social Security. In order to recoup my investment I must find a publisher willing to offer me a contract (for most e-pubs there is no advance!) Then I will spend additional hours on edits, final line edits, and promotion--again all without receiving a dime. So let's add in that additional time... That's another $786.

Eventually, approximately eight months after the initial contract, my book is released. Now I'll tell you a secret. The most that I've ever made on a book is $3, 260. That was for sales over a year. That's the only book I made that much money on. My average sales over a year for an individual book are about $1200.

For my best selling book I'm in the hole to the tune of $1456. For my average sales, I'm behind (in time invested) $3520--per book!

As the proliferation of piracy sites and theft have increased, my sales have steadily decreased. In the last six months alone my sales have dropped over 50%. A glance at the download numbers on the piracy sites make it clear where those sales are going.

In effect, I'm mugged by my readers every time I contract a book. I don't know a single person who would continue to work at a profession if they were robbed every time they were paid--if they knew that more than fifty percent of their wages would be stolen by thieves. Why should I?

Quite frankly, the local McDonald's is hiring and I doubt that I would face the same kind of theft there. If I worked the same number of hours--at minimum wage--I would net at least $11,921. That's $2,500 more than I made last year from writing.

So...what would you do?

anny
www.annycook.com
www.annycook.blogspot.com