If you'd like to get all your Aussie paranormal news in one place along with giveaways come and visit the Dark Side Downunder blog.The launch is on halloween of course.
See you there!
http://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/
25 October 2010
Darkside Downunder
If you'd like to get all your Aussie paranormal news in one place along with giveaways come and visit the Dark Side Downunder blog.The launch is on halloween of course.
See you there!
http://darksidedownunder.blogspot.com/
17 October 2010
There's nothing quite like ....
In a world where no one seems to care and everyone is looking out for themselves, there are groups of women around the world who are the opposite. They share their knowledge, friendship, guidance, honesty and warmth. Those women are romance writers-published and unpublished and I had the privilege of spending Saturday 16th October 2010 with a group of them.
I attended the Northwest Houston RWA conference and spent a fabulous day learning new techniques with the insightful and knowledgeable Randy Ingermanson. I learned new ways to make my scenes pop, and what to look for in others scenes. I also learned about, how in this current economic climate, the importance of marketing and getting yourself out there and known, all before your book comes out or even before you are published.
There is nothing quite like learning new things and when you are in funk, like I was, a day like this is valuable to your creative soul.
But on top of learning new things I made some fabulous new friends (Hi Amanda!!). Women who were willing to make me feel welcome. Women who were willing to give email addresses out so I could pick their brains about things. Women who were extending the hand of friendship. For me, that was the most rewarding part of the day. To feel part of a community that is NOT afraid to share knowledge. A community that welcomes everyone. I'm not sure there is another group of people that are so open.
Romance Writers of the World - I salute you!
Nicki
I attended the Northwest Houston RWA conference and spent a fabulous day learning new techniques with the insightful and knowledgeable Randy Ingermanson. I learned new ways to make my scenes pop, and what to look for in others scenes. I also learned about, how in this current economic climate, the importance of marketing and getting yourself out there and known, all before your book comes out or even before you are published.
There is nothing quite like learning new things and when you are in funk, like I was, a day like this is valuable to your creative soul.
But on top of learning new things I made some fabulous new friends (Hi Amanda!!). Women who were willing to make me feel welcome. Women who were willing to give email addresses out so I could pick their brains about things. Women who were extending the hand of friendship. For me, that was the most rewarding part of the day. To feel part of a community that is NOT afraid to share knowledge. A community that welcomes everyone. I'm not sure there is another group of people that are so open.
Romance Writers of the World - I salute you!
Nicki
09 October 2010
Absent Hearts
In the last yea while, I’ve been rather distracted from my normal pursuits and found writing pushed lower than usual on my priority pile. Life happens.
What also happened was that my heroine packed up her bundle, slipped out the back door and followed a twisty path over the hill to parts unknown. At first I didn’t notice. When I did, I pouted a bit, sulked for a while and then shrugged in acceptance. After all, I thought, I’m a plotter not a pantser so when the chance does pop up to write, I’ll plan each scene and just write it. That assumption was a slippery slope to a thorough ducking in the village pond.
My medieval heroine starts her journey in a prosperous provincial French city. I know the streets she walks to go to church, to market and to celebrate holidays and harvests. I know how she earns her living, what skills she has and what artisans and trades are prominent in her city. I know the rich merchant houses she passes and the work-a-day world of the craftsmen and women around her. And it’s all as flat as pitta bread.
The yeast of her presence is missing. Street scenes feel like old postcards in an album. I’m not walking those streets at her shoulder, experiencing what she is seeing, touching and smelling. I don’t feel her awe at soaring church splendours or her excitement at the beauty of silks, brocades and exotic fashion. I can’t capture her dream as it unfolds not can I follow her gradual realization of what the hero really means to her. I can’t write her story when she’s not here with me. But I’ve started smiling again. I got a pigeon post the other day.
“I’ve missed you. I’m on my way home now.”
What also happened was that my heroine packed up her bundle, slipped out the back door and followed a twisty path over the hill to parts unknown. At first I didn’t notice. When I did, I pouted a bit, sulked for a while and then shrugged in acceptance. After all, I thought, I’m a plotter not a pantser so when the chance does pop up to write, I’ll plan each scene and just write it. That assumption was a slippery slope to a thorough ducking in the village pond.
My medieval heroine starts her journey in a prosperous provincial French city. I know the streets she walks to go to church, to market and to celebrate holidays and harvests. I know how she earns her living, what skills she has and what artisans and trades are prominent in her city. I know the rich merchant houses she passes and the work-a-day world of the craftsmen and women around her. And it’s all as flat as pitta bread.
The yeast of her presence is missing. Street scenes feel like old postcards in an album. I’m not walking those streets at her shoulder, experiencing what she is seeing, touching and smelling. I don’t feel her awe at soaring church splendours or her excitement at the beauty of silks, brocades and exotic fashion. I can’t capture her dream as it unfolds not can I follow her gradual realization of what the hero really means to her. I can’t write her story when she’s not here with me. But I’ve started smiling again. I got a pigeon post the other day.
“I’ve missed you. I’m on my way home now.”
03 October 2010
Hot Cover Art
Two weeks ago I woke up to an email from my lovely editor at Samhain, asking for my opinion on some prospective guys for the cover art of How To Breathe Fire. Hot half nekkid guys.
Yeah I know what you’re thinking…what an awful way to start the day *grin*
Track back a couple of months and I was struggling to fill out the cover art form. I know, I wrote the story so I should have some idea about what I’d like on the cover, right?
Uh, no.
I never know what I’m doing when it comes to the cover. Sure I know what the hero and heroine look like, I know the setting and the tone, but that little section reserved for suggestions gets me every time. Aside from the book’s title and my name, what makes a good cover? What I like may not be what the others like.
So I end up writing something all the while praying the cover artist will read the included blurb and make the cover awesome. I wrote something about the hero being fiery this time.
Oh yeah, he’s fiery. And the cover is all kinds of awesome! Thanks Kanaxa!
Freedom comes with a blistering price…
For as long as she can remember, Camea has longed to explore the world beyond the island kingdom of Adar. It is an impossible dream, especially if she follows tradition and marries the farmer her parents have selected for her. But then, Camea has never been one to follow expectations.
When the village witch announces she has been selected to be the Fire God’s next bride, Camea has no intention of sacrificing her life to appease the volcano. She plans to escape and follow the Stars to her dream.
Matai, once a prince of Adar, now pays a fiery penance for seducing one of the Fire God’s witches. He must take a new bride each year, then kill her—or condemn Adar to the lava. Unlike his past brides Camea doesn’t shed one tear for her fate, nor does she beg for her life.
In the face of death she sees the remnants of the man he used to be—and a way to save them both from the Fire God’s never-ending cycle of wrath. If Matai has the courage to trust his heart.
How To Breathe Fire will be out on January 18 2011
Yeah I know what you’re thinking…what an awful way to start the day *grin*
Track back a couple of months and I was struggling to fill out the cover art form. I know, I wrote the story so I should have some idea about what I’d like on the cover, right?
Uh, no.
I never know what I’m doing when it comes to the cover. Sure I know what the hero and heroine look like, I know the setting and the tone, but that little section reserved for suggestions gets me every time. Aside from the book’s title and my name, what makes a good cover? What I like may not be what the others like.
So I end up writing something all the while praying the cover artist will read the included blurb and make the cover awesome. I wrote something about the hero being fiery this time.
Oh yeah, he’s fiery. And the cover is all kinds of awesome! Thanks Kanaxa!
Freedom comes with a blistering price…For as long as she can remember, Camea has longed to explore the world beyond the island kingdom of Adar. It is an impossible dream, especially if she follows tradition and marries the farmer her parents have selected for her. But then, Camea has never been one to follow expectations.
When the village witch announces she has been selected to be the Fire God’s next bride, Camea has no intention of sacrificing her life to appease the volcano. She plans to escape and follow the Stars to her dream.
Matai, once a prince of Adar, now pays a fiery penance for seducing one of the Fire God’s witches. He must take a new bride each year, then kill her—or condemn Adar to the lava. Unlike his past brides Camea doesn’t shed one tear for her fate, nor does she beg for her life.
In the face of death she sees the remnants of the man he used to be—and a way to save them both from the Fire God’s never-ending cycle of wrath. If Matai has the courage to trust his heart.
How To Breathe Fire will be out on January 18 2011
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