Blast Into The Future

When you have to go forward into the future, your foothold is often the cutting edge of the present. Right now, I'm dealing with where our military will be - say an easy couple hundred years from now assuming we haven't blown ourselves apart. Factor in the costs related to shipping people and parts across vast distances, and it will be far cheaper to invest in machines over soldiers.

Today, my jump-off point is the advent of unmanned aerial vehicles that are already in service in Iraq. I have to come to grips with the natural progression into the future - semi-autonomous scouts and such that can carry the battle to the enemy. So, my characters must face not just soldiers - but machines as well.

As a writer, this means I have to inject this sort of technology into my story whether I want to or not. Credibility in the worlds I create will otherwise suffer. My scenes must now take into account the speed, accuracy, and lethality of an enemy you can not hide from. One that is a crack shot, as patient as its power supply tolerates, and can act at a blurring speed you can not hope to match. Science Fiction is very much a cause/effect sort of thing. Very little room is afforded literary convenience.

So, I will use remotes in my sequel to Blade Dancer whether I want to or not - because the dictates of future speculation states that they must be there. My plot and scene construction will bend accordingly. Sure, I could fashion some techno-speak reason to not have such inconveniences in my story. Or I can meet them head on.

Bring it.

Kerry

Blade Dancer - available in electronic or paperback from Champagne Books

Blast from the Past

Since many of us write about events in the past, and many of us (myself, namely) are old enough to remember a time when this sort of stuff was common, I thought it might be fun to take these old advertisements and add some modern commentary.

Cigarette Ads
If you’re as old as I am, you may remember a time when it was not only acceptable, it was expected, that you smoked. You did so for pleasure, often during dinner parties and cocktail hour (always offering one to your guests), while you were out shopping, on an airplane, or even when you visited the hospital. That’s right – you used to be able to smoke right there in the room next to patients in oxygen tents and connected to IVs. There were ashtrays in the grocery store. Work in an office? Go ahead, light one up! Can you remember a time when the ashtrays in airplane seats were actually used for more than the disposal of old gum? The dire health reports regarding the effect of smoking on one’s health had yet to be distributed across the country in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Look at this first ad – Marcus Welby, M.D., is the spokesman for Camel cigarettes. Yes, four out of five doctors agree: Camel is the best choice! Take the 30-test day and try it yourself in your “T-Zone” – T for throat and taste. Just look at the blonde bombshell in the lower right corner – she’s got quite a T-Zone on her, doesn’t she? Of course, after 30 days of smoking non-filtered Camels, would you really have any taste left? And I don’t know about you, but I think my throat would be burning. Quite a testament to its health benefits, eh?

Who wouldn’t want to see a brightly colored box of Chesterfield
cigarettes under the tree at Christmas?

Santa’s already wrapped this thoughtful gift for you (oxygen tent not included). Apparently Santa doesn’t get enough smoke jumping down chimneys with fires going, he’s got to really blacken his lungs with Chesterfields (and from the looks of Santa’s rosy red cheeks, he’s hitting the bourbon pretty hard, too).

And then there’s Tipalet. C’mon gals, you know this message is true.

Don’t you love it as much as the brunette Nancy Sinatra there when a man blows smoke in your face? Of course you’ll follow him – right out the door. And then kick it closed behind him. And then spray with Lysol - oh yeah, that ad is coming up and it's got a totally different use advertised.

Now, here’s an even better reason for smoking – you could get hit
by a bus tomorrow. So why not light up in the meantime? Of course, in today’s world, this ad might not be talking about a cigarette. Maybe the real message is: Come out of the closet – since tomorrow you may be dead and old Ernie there on the right will never have known you existed.

Family Health

What typical American family wouldn’t be happy when eating lard? Just look how slim and trim it makes you look. Of course, they’re not showing the “after” picture of Dick and Jane, who died of hardened arteries at the age of 30 or little

Johnny there who grows into adulthood and becomes the 600-pound man who
has to get lifted out of his bed with a crane. This message is brought to you by the Lard Information Council. Huh? What does anyone need to know about lard that they don’t already know? Hmm, let’s see, it’s a fat, and it’s rendered
from animals. Nuff said.

This next one is a great follow-up to the lard advertisement. Have you happily been eating lard all your life? Have you turned into a 600-pound, bedridden individual? Well, we’ve got the answer for you here – take one of these tasty, six-foot long tapeworms, conveniently packed in a jar. Easy to swallow! No ill effects! No diet, no exercise! This ad brought to you by “Friends for a fair worm”. Those tapeworms sure get a bad rap, nowadays, don’t they? Where’s PETA when you need them?

Personal Problems

Is this from an Alfred Hitchcock movie? Or is Sandra Dee there just trying to add a little excitement to whoopee time with Dean Martin by injecting Lysol disinfectant in her play pretty? Maybe she figures it’ll clean him right up, too. Can’t have nasty germs getting in the way of fun! ‘Course you might not be able to feel anything after putting all those chemicals inside – either that or it’ll start glowing green; the jury’s still out on that one and I’m not willing to do the research.

Now here’s an ad which is still relevant today.

“Hey Sailor – know what your girlfriend’s been doing while you were out at sea?” Apparently she’s been visiting Tom, Dick, and even Harry. But why ruin a good relationship? After all, what's a little VD between friends? Just use a prophylactic: problem solved.

Beer

Husband: “Holy Schlitz, woman! What’s taking you so long to get
my damn beer?”

Wife: “But darling, I can’t get the can opener inserted into this tough, hard lid. Oh, drat! This is so frustrating!”

Husband: “Just shut up! If you

don’t get my beer out here now, I’m going to kick you clear across tomorrow!”

Whatever is an obedient wife to do?

Oh, I’ve got it – buy Schlitz in the new, easy open softtop can! Yeah, there’s a real timesaver. Don’t want to keep hubby in his recliner away from enjoying real gusto – real easy!

My thanks to www.strangecosmos.com and www.strangepersons.com for these little glimpses into our best forgotten past.

Never Boring

Throughout the years, I've met a lot of people who complained about having boring jobs. A plumber said if you see one back-up, you've seen them all. An office worker said she knew exactly what to expect from day to day, sometimes minute to minute, which meant she was constantly watching the clock for breaks, lunch, and quitting time. A librarian said the best perk of her job was reading the books she puts on the shelves. But if you're lucky enough to have written that book, whatever else your life is like, your job is never going to be boring.

Anticipation is part of an author's job description. Research can produce an interesting fact that you just can't wait to weave into your story. Even though I plot before writing, I'm always thrilled when my characters lead me down a different path so that I'm as excited as the reader to find out what's around the next corner. Editing has its own rewards; there's the joy of finding a more perfect word, or rearranging an awkward sentence so that it's crystal clear.

I expect my editor to find mistakes that I missed, but I just love it when she adds little tidbits like "lol" or "made me cry".

Then the book's out there, EGADS, in a reviewer's hands. Nail biting time. They could love it and recommend it, or they could hate it and trash it. I received the notice. The first review for Flower of Passion had been posted on The Romance Studio. I click on the website and drum my fingers on the desk in a stupid attempt to force my computer to move faster. Alas, it has 2 speeds, slow and slower.

Sandra gave it the best you can get, 5 hearts!!! She recommends it; I quote, "... passion, love, and on-the-edge-of-your-seat action." Now I can hardly wait for fan mail!

See the full review at www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/flowerofpassionlerma.htm

Rose Lerma
www.roselerma.com

Funny thing happened on the way to a book signing

Michael W. Davis

Davisstories.com

Author of: Tainted Hero (Champagne books, 1/08), Forgotten Children (Champagne books, 7/08),
Blind Consent (Champagnebooks, 4/09)
The Treasure (Golden Acorn Publishing, 12/07)

I finally got the email I’d been waiting for, “Mr. Davis – we love your book and hope you will consider participating in a multi-author multi-genre book signing.” Hot dog. Eight authors in different genres. Wonder what other fiction categories will be there; romance, western, mystery, SCIFI, doesn’t matter. It will be great to be with so many talented fiction authors.

I had picked a really moving passage to read, with a little romance, but nothing adults couldn’t handle. I ran it by my wife. “That’s a good one, babe. I’m sure all the ladies will love it.”

I counted off the weeks, and then the evening of my first signing at B&N arrived. I walked up to the table of authors and saw my nameplate and the beautiful poster of my book they had placed in front of my seat. All my surroundings blurred out as I focused on the excitement. I went down the line and began greeting the other eight authors. What nice people, what …wait a minute. Three of these authors are pushing children’s books. How can that be, it said . . . Oh no I misinterpreted the email. Multi genre meant anything, including Kids books !!!!

I turned around and scanned all the children with there parents. OMG. What was I to do? I can’t read that passage, no no. Quick Mike, find that real funny scene with the little boy. They all would enjoy that one.

As I tried to search, my big fingers stumbled across the pages. Oh no, the second guy just got up in his bug costume. I’m next.. I can’t find it !!! Where the …

“Mr. Davis, it’s your turn. What have you selected to read for us this evening?”

I scanned all the little munchkins squirreling in their seats. What can I do? Oh well, I’m nothing if not adaptive.

I put the book down and admitted. “Funny thing happened on the way here tonight. I see unexpected bright young minds just waiting to hear what this big man that writes romance has to say. That was unexpected, and I realize now I need to adjust my plans. So instead of reading to you, I’m going to tell you how this wonderful story came about.”

I looked at my wife, we both smiled, and I marched forward. All my years working for the military had taught me to adjust tactics under fire.

I still had a good time, but I learned a good scout is prepared for all contingencies. Next time I’ll have alternative passages for just such surprises. We really did enjoy the event. Just chalked it up to one of a thousand lessons I’ve learned over the past three years writing fiction.

See ya next month.

Big Mike

Davisstories.com - “Stories that touch the heart and mind"

Writing The Sequel

I loved Candace's post on writing her sequel (and it not working). I'm writing a sequel myself. Every test reader having read Invisible (my novel out February 2009) has asked me for Tavos' story. Every single one. You know what that means. I don't have much of a choice about the sequel. I have to write it.

Tavos Santos is a knife wielding vigilante with a mouth that would make a trucker blush (most truckers I know are quite polite so I don't exactly know where that phrase came from). His favorite English word is the F bomb (note to self: never write secondary characters I wouldn't want to write an entire book around).

I was honestly intimidated by this character. So intimidated that I wrote a novel and novella after the request. I couldn't find a heroine strong enough to hold her own against Tavos without coming across as a total beyotch. After I finally 'met' her, I caved under the pressure of expectations.

The other issue I had was consistency. I dislike it when a character changes significantly between their secondary character role and their main character role. I was determined not to do that with my own sequel. That meant using the same words, mannerisms, etc. It also meant having an anti-hero. Tavos is a bad man. He kills people. There's no getting around it.

All this makes a sequel more challenging than a fresh book. Yeah, I know. I thought it would be easier too. Nope. More challenging.

I've written the first draft. There is a lot of work left to do on it but I'm happy with it. I don't yet know if my test readers will be. That I'll find out in the fall (after two more drafts). 'Til then I'm biting my nails and eating Nutella straight out of the jar.

$
Kimber Chin's first novel Breach Of Trust is now available from Champagne Books. She isn't planning on writing a sequel based on this novel, though more stories about Anne, Stanley, and Nancy can be found on her website.

Get ready…Get set…EDIT!

Ah editing. Both the bane and joy of my writerly existence. Editing gives you a chance to make sure your little baby is cleaned, pressed and fresh for releasing into the big (and sometimes bad) world of Readerland

Editing helps you to see the manuscript with fresh eyes. You can see the places where you could write something better, make it more descriptive, expand on the emotion of the characters. When it comes to my series books, editing one can give me the boost I need to work on the next book. (Because trust me, I need boosts. I get into ruts and have a heck of a time focusing my mind).

The first round, even the second can bring such joy. By the third, I’m not so energetic. By the fourth, I’m a little frustrated. By the fifth round I don’t care if I ever see that book again. True I don’t always get more than three rounds of edits themselves. But proofing galleys (that’s to say reading the book before release jut to make sure there are no mistakes and you’re happy with it) counts as an edit. It’s also, usually, the final nail in the book’s coffin.

I have a confession to make: I have never read a single one of my books since it was published. I’ve read the final galleys. I know exactly what it will look like when it’s released. But to sit down and read the book as a reader? No. By the time the book is released I want a change of scenery. I’m ready for a new book, sometimes even a new author (LOL)

Truthfully, the real problem is my schedule. When I’m not editing or proofing, I’m writing a new book, or I’m promoting a current release. Right now I have three WIPS in progress: I’ve a man dangling from a cliff in one; a volcano mid-eruption in a second and an angel waiting for her demon tempter in a third. I barely have time to read a cereal box much less a book.

One day, when I’m old and gray I’ll pull out my books and show my grandkids what I spent most of my life working on and ask them to be read to me. I’ll probably be ready and have time for them by then…

Hugz
Donica

PLOTTING DETAILS VS WRITING BY THE SEAT OF THE PANTS

Both methods in the title can work well and I’ve used one or the other in my novels. Lucky is the writer whose story comes to her/him in one large swoop complete with not only the beginning, but the middle and end. Outlines can be filled in and a certain peace reigns over the story’s progression.
Writing a story by the seat of the pants builds a certain excitement that I thoroughly enjoy. As the reader unfolds the story, so goes the author in the writing of it. In each new development, the writer experiences everything as it happens. In this manner of writing I think I’m more open to new ideas striking where they may because I have no preconception for argument. Fresh notions that come while out for a bike ride or a walk can easily be transferred to the manuscript notes and worked in at leisure. This is the method I used for Undercover Trouble, a Champagne Books release. I never knew what I was going to type until I sat down at the keyboard in the morning. The story is about a social worker who discovers her insolent neighbor is a member of the gang that has a price on her head. I took it one step at a time, putting myself in the heroine’s shoes. The story wrote itself and I was entertained all the way.
A Spirited Liaison, also with Champagne Books, was a rewrite of an old manuscript that suddenly came to life when I added a Kenny Rogers-type privateer acting as a ghostly liaison between the hero and heroine’s unfavorable relationship. No matter what technique works best for you, relax and enjoy the process. Carol McPhee

Strong, smart, sensuous heroines; heroes to die for.
Carol McPhee: http://www.geocities.com/carolmcphee2003

My love of reading began when... by Angela Ashton

My fist grade teacher read 'Charlotte's Web' to the class. I remember sitting in a circle and being thoroughly engrossed in the tale. A bookworm in the making, I read everything I could get my hands on and even won a prize in 3rd grade for having done the most book reports, lol. I was addicted to the written word.

Spent many a summer day hoofing up the hill to the library. One of my fav books was a collection of works by Alfred Hitchcock. I was facinated by his imagination and spine-tingling plot twist. One of my fav summers was spent earning money with my best friend, Amy, doing odd jobs like painting porches or yardwork, etc. in the neighborhood by day, reading Hitchcock and Agatha Christie by night. She loved it as I'd recount the tales to her while we worked the next day! "So what happened next...?!" she'd say.

Then, one day my mother introduced me to a 'clean' (no steamy sex scenes *grin*) romance. I was so fascinated by the way the author brought 2 completely different people together in such a beautiful place (Scotland) only to rip them apart...and throw them back together again for a heart warming ending that the romance novel, especially Historicals--and if 'tis a Scottish Historical, all the better!--quickly topped my favorites list.

And while I still like to read most genres, mysteries and horror among the top 3, I own more romance than anything else. And it's that the 'what happens next' factor that keeps me hooked and challenges me to step up my game in the writing department!

When did your love for reading begin? Can you recall the name of the first book you ever read?

Until next time, happy reading!

Angie

http://www.angelaashtonbooks.com/

Amulet of Fate

Once A Rebel (Book 1 in the Orphan Train series)

Corsair Cove...available August '08

Critique vs. Criticism

Look up 'critique' and you'll see such words as evaluation and assessment. Look up 'criticism' and you'll see disparagement and disapproval. As new writers, we eventually find it necessary to offer up our work for critique. This isn't the same thing as asking friends and family to read your book. Your family will love it no matter what.

Your friends may like it. If they don't, they'll merely tell you they were too busy to read it. Maybe they were indeed too busy. Howver, you suspect they couldn't choke it down because your writing wasn't up to par.

You may not be getting an honest critique of your work if you don't enlist the help of other writers. If your mom says it's great and you jump the gun and start querying and sending partials willy-nilly into the publishing world, there's a good chance you'll be disappointed by the results. Rejections will likely pour in with the regularity of an electric bill. Maybe you'll give up, convinced that you suck.

Or maybe you'll realize that there are people out there who can really help. So, you join a writers' group or forum. You get tips on making your work better. You discover flaws like passive voice, showing not telling, info dump and wooden dialogue.

Some critique groups can be particularly harsh, and you might take their negative feedback personally. Perhaps you lash back, telling everybody you know that the critiquer is mean. If that's the case, you have a lot to learn about the critiquing process. Resist the urge to diss the critiquer. Don't flounce off in a huff because your brilliant prose didn't blow the socks off everyone who read it. Some people who think they're helping you are not necessarily professionals, and not all of them know how to assess another writer's work with an objective eye.

Take each comment, positive or negative, and store them in a safe place. Take some time to cool off and look at the comments again.

Some will be inconsequential, like: "I thought that joke was in poor taste and I don't think you should use it." So what if the reader didn't like the joke? A thousand others will. Disregard.

Some will sting: "Using excessive 'there was' is the sign of an amateur". Okay, that could have been worded differently, so take it in its intended context -- omit excessive 'there was'.

Some will be extremely unhelpful: "This sucks. You can't write." Or: "I didn't like the plot." Ignore these people and move on.

Most suggestions will be helpful, and eventually their advice will percolate into your psyche. If you see the same observations over and over again, there might be some validity in their opinions.

Above all, whether you agree or disagree, take the time to thank your critiquer. I love the people in my writers' group -- they all helped me hone my rudimentary writing skills until I was eventually published. Now they are helping me in my quest to obtain an agent. They are the sweetest, most generous and kind ladies I'd ever met online. Together, we help each other learn, we lean on each others' shoulders when tragedy strikes, and we laugh together on a regular basis. I don't regret joining the group, and I wish it could be open to the whole writing world, but it can't. They can't accept everyone, just like a dedicated couple can't adopt a whole orphanage.

Take advatage of the expertise of writers' advocate sites like Absolute Write, Writer Beware and Preditors & Editors. They carefully research any claims against agents, publishers and writers' groups, offering both sides of the story if available.

You might read complaints about blogs and forums who may have rejected a writer's work. A random blog has every right to complain about individuals in the industry, but it may backfire on the owner if they don't back up their claims with facts.

There are great critique groups out there, too. Run your first pages through Elektra's Crapometer and you'll get honest and helpful opinions. Give your query letter or opening paragraphs a shot at Evil Editor's blog and you'll laugh your ass off while he picks apart your pitch in a most hilarious fashion, followed by a revised letter that will likely be 300% better. Join in the office party at the Absolute Write water cooler and you'll get lost in a whirlwind of opinions, jokes, critiques, writing exercises and just plain fun (and a little flouncing).

Hopefully, you'll fit in some writing, too.
On another note, the cover for my Champagne Books romantic suspense Bad Ice is ready. The e-book will be released in July.

--Sandra Cormier

Summer Writing

I don’t know why I expect to be more productive in the summer. Nothing really changes for me. Nothing gets easier. I mean, I don’t have children, so I don’t have a lifestyle change with kids home come summer, and I’m not a teacher so I don’t have summers off. I work the same full time hours year round. So there’s really nothing different. Summer brings no more hours in the day than any other holiday.

So why do I expect to get more writing done come summer? Summertime brings warm weather, a rarity living in New York state, believe me. With the warm weather, I want to read more. If I’m writing a book set in Colonial New York, such as I’m doing now, I want to travel, visit the places I’m writing about, get lost in our state’s rich Colonial history. This takes time from writing. I also like to garden. I could spend hours pulling weeds, and I usually do. It’s one of the most relaxing things for me. Plus this year, my mom and I have decided to start canning and making homemade jelly together. More time from writing.

But the warm weather comes and goes so fast. Before you know it, I’ll be wrapped down in goose down with the laptop by the fire. Then I’ll get more writing done. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Nancy

http://www.nancyhenderson.com/

http://www.nancyhenderson.blogspot.com/

Research on the Internet vs Being There

On Memorial Day Weekend my husband had three days off in a row so we decided to take a short trip. I’m working on a book that takes place in the oil fields of East Texas and wanted to visit the site, the museums, and take the scenic drives. But, as the cost of gas was $3.85 a gallon, I hedged. I’d obtained good information off the internet but seeing dioramas of the town during the oil boom would be priceless in actually experiencing what times were like back then. It’s only 170 miles away and my car gets 29 to 30 miles per gallon on the road. Plus the drive is a beautiful one. So I ask myself, “why not go?” Well, I had to figure out what to do with the dog. She’s not a great traveler and my son’s apartment complex has big dogs that would eat her like a snack. He could spend the night here, but I didn't want to impose. I had this summer cold, allergies, or something where I hacked all the time. Of course, I thought the pollen might be better there and I could get some relief.

As it turned out, our son volunteered to stay here with the dog. Sunday morning we set out and arrived in Kilgore in time for lunch, checked into our motel and were at the museum when it opened at 2:00. It was a step back in time and well worth the trip. The movie with footage taken back in the 1930's was informative as was the elevator ride down into a well. Here are a few pictures.


Though I learned a lot on the Internet, I'm glad we made the drive. There is nothing like experiencing the setting yourself to make your writing richer. The Indian blankets and other wild flowers were in bloom. The pollen was as bad or worse but that's to be expected. We had a nice relaxing time.

Linda

My Hero

Yesterday was the first Wednesday of the month and for Champagne authors, that means a chance to promote our work on Love Romances Cafe Loop. As part of the day, Dawn, our hostess, asks a series of questions. The one that got me thinking was: "We all like to dream of that one movie star that we would love to think would fall in love with us on site What celebrity would you love to get to know better?"

The thing is, I don't fall in love with actors, not since my very one-sided torrid affair with David Cassidy. Okay, so there was no real affair. I was 12 and he was 17 or 18, but oh my, I was in love. Ah the follies of youth, but then Hollywood had a product to sell and they did a bang-up job selling it. All of America was in love with the teen idol then. I actually got to see him perform live and the teen screaming would have rivaled that at an Elvis Presley concert. Be still my heart.

No - I fall in love and deeply, I might add, with the characters these actors portray. My answer to the above question was; I would love to meet Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein from A Knight's Tale and yes, I was very sad to see Heath Ledger die. That's one of my favorite movies, but I would also love to meet Balian from a Kingdom of Heaven or Maximus from Gladiator. I have a long list of heroes I'd love to meet, but these three popped into my head first.

Why? Why do these characters remain with us for years to come? It's the same with heroes from books we adore. The author or actor managed to tap a well of emotion, to give the target audience a performance to remember. What characteristics make up a great hero?

Hmmm, well I'm sure others would answer differently, but here's the list I came up with based on these roles.

1. often a tragic past, or a past that allows them to reach for a better future
2. a strong sense of moral obligation to themselves or a cause
3. a fierce and driving need to succeed
4. a soft, vulnerable spot that is tested during the course of the journey
5. a weakness that makes them human
6. Confidence

Well, sure, there's probably more, but I think these are the attributes that stand out for me. My only hope is that I can produce a hero that will make an impact on a reader as certain characters have made an impact on me. But more important are the true heroes, the soldiers who fight for justice, the policemen/women who keep us safe, the firefighters that protect us, the teachers who give us wisdom and knowledge, the spiritual leaders who give us guidance, the doctors and nurses who keep us well. Gotta love our heroes no matter who they are.