The perils of research

So, I'm still diligently working on Ryder & Sophie's story, Keys to Submission. One of the fun elements revolves around a series of hidden keys that the duo must track down. I had a blast figuring out how to create this scavenger hunt. I had a brilliant idea for the placement of one of the keys, but had to do a bit of research to find out if it was even feasible.
Oh boy ...

I found all sorts of information that fascinated me. It was like a choose your own adventure book. One thing led to another and another and another and before I knew it, I'd spent several hours online reading about everything from John the Baptist's head residing in Amiens, France to how the Knights Templar once claimed possession of it. While reading about the Templars, I was fascinated by the tale of the last Templar Grand Master, Jacques De Molay, and the legend surrounding him. Supposedly, as he was burning at the stake, he cursed King Philip (the one responsible for disbanding and ordering the arrests of the Templars) and Pope Clement (the pope who agreed with Philip), swearing they would join him in death within the year. They did.
This re-fueled my interest in another project I'd started years ago about a tenacious girl who breaks curses and a stubborn Duke who happens to be cursed. I pulled it up, re-read it and decided I still liked it. Now, it's back on my TBW (To Be Written) pile! Well, it's in it. I have no idea when I'll get to that one because while I was digging around to see if my curses in that book were viable, I also found myself intently studying some mystical things for another series of Victorian-era books. I'm eager to write those, too. Argh!
So many books and characters!!!
All in all, I spent about 5 hours "researching" (yes, yes, that I should have used writing) but research is an important part of my creative process. It fuels my imagination and helps my muse really take flight.
So, now I'm off to work on Ryder and Sophie. I'd like to get this book to my wonderfully patient and understanding editor sometime in the next month or so!!
And as for that brilliant bit with the key? You'll have to read the book to find out where it ended up! I'll give you a hint, though, it's the third key!
Happy reading,
Jennifer

Catch up - again!

So, recently I was chastised (rightly so!) for not updating my blog. I mean, for Pete's Sake, the book came out on September 1 and I didn't even mention it here. So, consider this your update. You can roll on over to www.eredsage.com and buy my book today! How cool is that? I'm still so very stoked about it. That's about all the catching up I have for the moment.
On to other random thoughts.



I'm hard at work on the THIRD total overhaul and re-write of Ryder's story, which I have titled Keys to Submission. Thankfully this one seems to be IT. The real deal it. I have agonized over this book trying to find the right storyline, the right heroine, the right everything. Nothing was working and I was ready to tear my hair out. Not to mention hide under a rock since I promised this book to my editor eons ago. And I do mean eons. I hate missing deadlines, even ones I make up myself.
That being said, I was so annoyed with myself that I sat down at lunch one day, drew up a pretty grid, penned in the chapter numbers and wrote some of my favorite words like "Hot sex here" and "First kiss here". A long time ago, some CPs helped me figure out a problem I was having with a book by taking this simple approach: You know what happens in the first chapter (they meet) and you know how it ends (happily ever after). Taking teeny baby steps backwards, how do you get them there?
It worked then and it works now. Traveling from the end to the beginning, I discovered Ryder is one interesting guy. And he's far from shy. In fact... he's rather demanding.
Luckily for him, I found a heroine who is more than capable of going toe-to-toe with him. Believe me, Sophie Turner is one hot pistol with opinions and passions that rival his.
Yeah, I definitely have the "write" story for them this time.

I love it when a plan comes together

The month of July has been a very busy one for me. Multi-tasking at its best. So far this month, I've written nearly 15000 words on the next book I plan to submit to Red Sage (that's due by July 31). What sucks is that I didn't get to keep all those words Things keep changing because my characters keep surprising me! Only a few more thousand words and it will be done. I hope to have it finished by The 25th, so if you're interested in being a beta reader for me, let know. I will really appreciate it!
While I've been writing that book, I've also been plotting the next two books that will feature characters from Her Dark Master. Tori's brothers - Ryder, the legitimate heir and Wolffe, the bastard. I had hoped to be able to send in Ryder's story at the end of July, but that is not going to happen. C'est la vie. Along with my critique partner Mae, I had a huge breakthrough in both books last night. The energy is humming like crazy and my writing muse is impatiently demanding I write til my fingers bleed. I'm doing all that I can to accommodate her (a good thing since my muse is a Wolfrider who carries a very big sword!)
Also this month is the big RWA National Conference in Washington, DC. I wasn't able to attend this year, but I'm getting updates and pictures from my friends who are there. The big awards ceremony, which is the Oscars of Romance Writing, will be on Saturday and I have several people I'm cheering for! In case you haven't read these authors, get thee to a bookstore fast and pick them up!
Here's who I'm rooting for:
Best Series Category in Romantic Suspense - Diana Duncan with Lethal Attraction (This book was so good I read it twice in one week and each time found something new. It's a total emotion book - laughter, crying, anticipation and some kick-ass action)
Historical Romance - Lisa Kleypas with Seduce me at Sunrise. You can't go wrong with a Kleypas book. So full of tenderness and memorable characters. It's definitely on my keeper shelf.
Regency Historical Romance - Julia Quinn with Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. It's a JQ, need I say more? A great, fun romp with witty dialogue, intense emotion and a whole new set of characters with which you can fall in love and revisit without ever tiring of them.
Romance Novella - Julia London with Snowy Night with a Highlander in the Snowy Night with a Stranger Novella. It's got a tragic Scot mixed with delicious and evocative writing. This is the story that led me to buy every one of Julia's backlist books.
Young Adult Romance - Tina Ferraro with How To Hook A Hottie. This fun story has a single minded heroine who doesn't quit. I loved the trials she went through to realize her goals. A very excellent read!

The big show is on Saturday so good luck to everyone!

P.S. Have you read a good book this year? I hope so! Tell me about some of your favorites.

Movies, Writing & Trailers

I'm a huge movie fan. Like really, really into movies. I can date it back to my childhood when my parents took me to see Star Wars right before we left for Germany. I was 6. It was magical.
Of course I'd seen movies before then but Jaws doesn't count. My mom didn't know it was a scary movie. Or I begged to see it. One or the other. I was still 6. And we're not even going to discuss how Carol Burnett warped me in relation to Jaws.
Now, as an adult, it's one of my favorite movies, go figure.
I think it was about this time that I began to absorb, if not understand and appreciate, the genius of storytelling. In books on writing, Star Wars is widely held to be one of the penultimate examples of how to do everything right. The perfect Hero's Journey. Reluctance, determination, romance, adventure, action, fulfillment, triumph. And Harrison Ford.
I digress.
Storytelling, in whatever medium, is a tricky art. It's a labor of love and hate (trust me, I have never met an author who hasn't hated their work in progress at some point. The other 1% percent are lying!). It's a long, drawn-out process. Or it's a whirling dervish of thoughts, plots and ideas swirling in your head, determined to get out.
The challenge is to get the words on the page. And most writers I know, are competitive. Even if it's only with those two little words - THE END. I've attended a ton of conferences, seminars and workshops and have heard over and over the idea of "creating a movie in your head" and writing it on the page.
While I love movies, I have discovered I'm not that sort of writer. It's kind of a bummer, too, because you'd think that would make my writing life so much easier. Alas...
I do admit to envying those who can simply close their eyes, start the movie reel and bang it out on the keyboard. Me, I can only sit down, close my eyes and feel the words, then bang them out on the keyboard. I have to get into the zone so the words can flow. I truly do feel each one. There's another saying in writing "If you don't cry, your reader won't cry." The same principle applies to every aspect of the book. If you don't like your characters, chances are no one else will either. Even with proper motivation.
I mean, who would have bought Hannibal Lecter as a scary cannibal if he'd just been hungry?
Which is a great segue into the meeting of the worlds for writing and movies. I don't know about you, but I have long been a fan of trailers/previews. They are my second favorite reason to go to the movies. (I was deeply saddened when movie voice-over guy Don LaFontaine died.) So, when I found out that authors were creating book trailers, I was stoked.
Talk about a way to get visual before you even read the book. And the range is so incredible. Some very simple like mine (free plug for Her Dark Master!) and some totally intricate such as Julia Quinn's for What Happens in London. I loved the trailer and I loved the book. They meshed so well together.
Is this the newest wave of promotion or is it a passing fad? I hope it sticks around. I love to watch them and I love to read them. Peanut butter and chocolate, man!
Anyone else have some favorite trailers or movie stories?

Release date for Her Dark Master

Okay, I've been horrible about keeping up with this blog, my apologies. I will definitely do better.

Especially now that I have a release date! September 1!! My book Her Dark Master will be available online only at www.eredsage.com. Mark your calendars and download it. I'm hoping it will be a good seller. Tell your friends, shout it from the rooftops.

You should also check out the other offerings at Red Sage. They have fantastic books at awesome prices. I'm so proud to be associated with them!

I've become a shameless promotion ho, too. I have t-shirts that I made that say ask me about my book. When someone does, I whip out the handy dandy blurb card and give it to them. Just enough to whet the interest, you know.

While we're also talking about this awesome event (can you tell I'm totally stoked?) I also have a cover to show off. It is the most gorgeous thing in the history of ever!

Additionally, I'm wrapping up another book and hope to finish a third by the end of July.

The current WIP (work in progress) is called The Pleasure Principle. It's another super sexy historical set in the Regency era. My heroine is a widow who, despite attending secret sex parties with her husband, knows absolutely nothing about the pleasures to be had with a man. Enter our rakish, rouge hero. He knows all the Principles of Pleasure and he's going to teach her every single one of them.

I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on Her Dark Master. So drop me a line or leave me a comment about it.

Also, friend me on Facebook!

Happy & Hot Reading!
Jennifer

Big doings on Saturday

This Saturday at my local RWA chapter - Dallas Area Romance Authors - I will receive the coveted 1st Sale White Rose. I'm uber-excited about it!! Look for pictures coming soon. It's such an awesome milestone and I'm glad to be celebrating with my friends - though there will be one sorely missed. Besides being a great friend and cheerleader, Susan Gable, of Erie, PA, is also my critique partner. She keeps me (and my stories) in line! I couldn't have done it without her or my local cp, Mae Harless.

Thanks ladies!!!
P.S. Look for Susan's new book A Kid to the Rescue from Harlequin Superromance on bookshelves in February. This is an incredibly moving, sexy and fun story. No one does emotion better than Susan!

Revisions - DONE!

Well, at least the first part were. My editor called them global changes and she was right. They were pretty straightforward and definitely strengthened the book. And the next book, too! As I write The Pleasure Principle I am keeping in mind the things that Theresa said to me about Her Dark Master and slowly but surely it's becoming a habit!

My former profession being one dedicated to meeting deadlines, I'm proud to say I sent the revisions in one business day early. Yay me! I want to show the Red Sage Folks that I'm a good bet, able to make deadlines and easy to work with. Hopefully they'll buy more books and I'll make scads of money and will never have to get another 8-5 job again! Hey, one dream came true, why not two??

Happy reading!

Jennifer