Can Business Be Pleasure?

Business Vs Pleasure. This is an argument I often have with myself. Writing for me has always been about pleasure. I create stories that I love (most of the time) and I do so because I enjoy the writing process. It's creative, it's therapeutic, it has absolutely nothing to do with the mundanities of real life. It's an escape for me, it's my place.

But recently an author friend of mine decided to quit the day job and focus on her writing as a full-time career. A big step, a huge change and a major risk in terms of financial stability. She told me she felt it was time to start treating writing as a business. She wants her passion to become her career and she believes that if she works hard, she'll get there.

This got me thinking about my own life and the way I treat my craft. My attitude towards writing has always been pretty relaxed. Sure, I meet my deadlines, I send my contracts in on times, I'm professional, but I don't worry about writing and I don't depend on it for my income. But what if I changed my attitude? What if I made some rules for myself, schedules that have to be followed? What if I went business-mode on my writing career? I'd be much more productive and I'd probably earn a decent amount of money. But would I lose the heart of my writing? Would it become the stress of my life?

For any writers out there, how do you manage your writing? Is it a hobby or is it your bread and butter? Or have you found a happy balance between the two?

Please share, I'd love to get another perspective on this :)



Ava

Available Now from Ellora's Cave - Cyr's Revenge
Available Now from Liquid Silver- His Lying Eyes
Available Now from Loose Id - Beauty and the Beasts

http://www.avarosejohnson.literalseduction.com/

The Beginning

There are quite a few things in this world that can really make me sweat with nerves. Public speaking is one of them. And shopping when I'm having a "fat" day. Oh, and let's not forget visits to the gynaecologist. Eek! But the one thing that can really turn me into a trembling, itching wreck is the beginning--starting the WIP.

Here's how it goes for me: An idea for a new book usually starts to swirl around my mind as I come to the end of the book I'm working on. The new idea continues to grow and characters bloom in my head, desperate to be put down on paper, to be brought to life. I let the idea sit until I've edited my current WIP and sent it to my editor. Once my time is free to start working on a new book, I open a blank document, name it something random (titles don't come to me till the very end) and then I sit in front of my computer and start to feel sick.

I shut down my computer and go for a walk. And then I head back into my office and stare mindlessly at the black computer screen. My palms start to sweat. An itch crawls over my skin. My head starts to spin. What if it doesn't work out? What if the new book will suck? What if I'll end up hating my characters? What if I spend 6 months writing the darn thing and no editor wants it????

It's a scary place. The new WIP intimidates me more than any school teacher ever did. I get a glass of water and force myself to sit down at my desk. With a shaking finger, I turn the computer on. And then I open the document. I draw in a deep breath and write 1 word. And a 2nd. Soon I've written an entire sentence. I begin to believe in myself again, I can do this! By bedtime, I've written my quota for the day. I know my characters. I like them. And I know their story. The world starts to feel like a safe place again. And when I get up the next morning, sitting down at the computer isn't as difficult as it was yesterday. I've beaten the fear and it feels good!

As I write this post, I have a blank document open beside it. The new WIP is in my head, I just need to get it written. The dread is twisting my stomach but I know I'll get through it. Just need to write the first word and I'll be okay.

If I could just think of what the first word will be...


Wish me luck guys! And I hope you all have a much easier writing time today.


Ava

Coming Soon from Ellora's Cave - Cyr's Revenge
Available Now from Liquid Silver- His Lying Eyes
Available Now from Loose Id - Beauty and the Beasts

www.avarosejohnson.com

The Varying Elements of Alpha Males

Hello all, this is my first time writing on the Goddesses blog so let me introduce myself. I’m Ava and I write erotic romance (big surprise there!). There are a few reasons why I choose to write in this genre rather than any other. Creating hot, hunky alpha males is one of the very main factors.

All of my heroes tend to be alphas, but please don’t get me wrong. My definition of an alpha male is one who is confident but not arrogant, protective but not overbearing, successful but not necessarily hugely wealthy. He knows his own mind and he goes after what he wants. He’ll do anything for my heroine. He can be a cowboy, a werewolf, a vampire, a businessman (or a combination of all the above).

He’s also well-equipped, sometimes abnormally so, but that’s just part of the fun ;).

Anyway, I usually have a certain man in mind when I’m writing a book. A face or a piece of clothing that takes my fancy and urges me to write. Below is a picture of a cowboy that inspired me to write a western. You can probably guess why I found him so inspiring.

And last night, I saw Duplicity in the cinema. It stars Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, the man below. As soon as his gorgeous face appeared onscreen, I was desperate to write about a secret agent. The cut of his suit drove me wild through the whole movie. And I wanted him to be one of my heroes.

So tell me, what makes an alpha hero for you? If you write, do you use images of models or actors to inspire you or is it purely imagination? And readers, what’s your favorite type of hero? Are you a werewolf gal? Or do you prefer a man in a cowboy hat and breeches?

And by the way, I really enjoyed Duplicity. It’s a lot of fun and not just because Clive looks so devilishly handsome in it.

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Ava

Coming Soon from Ellora's Cave - Cyr's Revenge
Available Now from Liquid Silver- His Lying Eyes
Available Now from Loose Id - Beauty and the Beasts

www.avarosejohnson.com