Voices from the Heart

Don't forget to drop by Voices From the Heart on the 27th to read my latest post. This month, I'm discussing the remake of the classic fairy tale.

This is an interesting topic for me because I don't really know how I feel about it. On one hand, I'm a part of the camp that asks "Why can't we write something new?" On another, I question turning something for children into something very adult. And then on yet another, I like removing some of the old stereotypes of the damsel in distress waiting on her "hero." Too many hands, I know :-)

So, where do I stand on this issue? You'll have to visit Voices From the Heart to find out. And while you're there, tell me what you think.

Free Read @ Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors

Twenty-six writers of various genres have all joined together. Truly Madly Deeply Romance Authors allows us to have a little fun with our writing through contests, giveaways, and free reads.

Every Saturday, you'll be treated with a new never before seen piece from one of the member authors!

My first FREE READ, based on Monica's beautiful song "Love All Over Me", is posted. Today would be a great day to sit back with a glass of sweet tea or lemonade, and read my post, as well as, any of the other wonderful posts the authors have waiting for you!

Here's the blurb for my "Love All Over Me".

Tamara Blanden lost the love of her life in an accident. An accident she couldn't control or change. She made a promise that she didn't keep. Jerome Blanden knows he is the reason she won't keep it. But, he will correct his mistake. And Michael Armstrong will help him. Even if he doesn't know it, yet.

If you had to write yourself as a character what would you be like?

QUESTION: If you had to write yourself as a character what would you be like, what kind of book would you be in (go nutz.) Question provided by affiliate author Amy Romine.

I have thought about this before; I've even had people ask me point blank if any of my characters are based on me or my life (of course, the answer is no.) Well, not exactly. They are based on things I've heard, seen, care about, would love to do, etc. And physically, I normally base my characters on: actors/actresses, musicians, etc.

But, if I absolutely had to :-) I guess my character would be a woman who definitely was strong minded, which would help to make her successful in business, or whatever she pursued, but also creative. A woman who had found a magical way to balance career and family. Able to lunch with girlfriends, and travel the world with her man and children. Her stories would be filled with passion for family, travel, and food. With perhaps a little hint of the magical. Why magic? Because why not :-) What would her superpowers be? Part Storm (X-Men), Wonderwoman, and maybe a little Catwoman. That's right...Catwoman!

One day I will...

Go to the place Bogie made famous!

Have you ever fallen in love with one of your own characters?

My guest this week on Romancing the Pen, Brien Michaels, discusses his love affair with his heroes.

I have to admit...I have taken a slight fancy to one or two of mine. Also, one of my favorite authors, has a male vampire hero that simply makes my knees melt. Love him!

I would love to cast a magic spell that would make him float off of the pages of one of her books. Yea, baby!

Check out what Brien has to say at Romancing the Pen this week.

Blurb (and cover art unofficial):

The Mayans had it right. The apocalypse began on December 21, 2012, but the world slipped into darkness in a way even the most pessimistic of doomsdayers could never have foreseen. The Earth’s population had been flourishing as usual, but in the blink of an eye, it was cut by more than half. By the morning of December 22, every female on the planet was dead.

In a world with no women, what are the men to do? Some swear off sex forever. Some take their own lives. But some turn to the remaining men, desperate for sexual contact. Eduardo Harvelle is one of those men, but when he meets Lincoln James on board The Miracle, a cruise ship promising to take the two of them as well as dozens of other men to meet the last woman in existence, his entire perspective changes.

Character Inspiration

Benjamin Bratt, movie and television actor

IMRR Bookclub

When I made the decision to throw my heart into my writing, and jump off the sidelines,one of the first groups I was introduced to was IMRR Bookclub by a friend and author. At that time, our home was on multiply.com.

The authors there shared information, techniques, war and success stories, and more. It was an introduction to writing that I truly treasured, and never forgot. I carry the comradery I received there with me, and try to give back to others I meet in the same manner.

Here are a few more of the specifics for you directly from IMRRBookclub.com.

In February 2001, IMRR Bookclub (originally Interracial Multicultural Romance Readers) was formed as a gathering place for readers of interracial and multicultural romance in response to the increasing number of romance books featuring Black, Latin and Asian heroines in relationships that crossed racial and cultural boundaries, much like the readers purchasing those books.

A short time later, RICH Writers, IMRR’s sister group for aspiring authors of interracial and multicultural romance was created to foster and support those interested in pursuing a career in romance.

IMRR Bookclub and RICH Writers celebrates the authors of Interracial and Multicultural romance whether their genre is contemporary romance, Christian fiction, erotica, paranormal romance or everything in between and the readers who love and support them.

Visit IMRR Bookclub for more details.

What good are blogs for brand name building?

QUESTION: Do blogs or serializing your novel on line really help build your brand name? Question provided by Alternative-Read Affiliate author Wendy Woods.


Okay, I'm going to answer this question from a few angles: reader, writer, and marketer.

Reader: I love the connection I get when I stumble upon any information about authors, actors, musicians I love. And when it comes from "them," I treasure it even more. When I can interact with it, OMG!, I am in heaven. I feel like part of their entourage!

Writer: Because I know how it affects me as a reader, I attempt to provide my readers with the same connection I love and crave. I want them to know what spurred story ideas, to know when a new piece will be available, to let them know what else is going on--in general, beyond my writing.

Marketer: Social media, series, free reads, contests, etc. are great tools for developing new inventive ways to connect with and maintain relationships with readers, other authors, and potential publishers.

It is a way to strengthen readers knowledge of you and creating a bond, but there's also the chance that they won't like you. There is a delicate balance.

How do you really feel about e-publishing?

Join me July 11th, as I guest blog at Chick Lit Writers of the World about a subject that always gets me going.

e-Publishing and eBooks.

Before I was e-published, I don't think I really thought once about buying a book electronically. When I made the decision to submit to an e-publisher, I read everything I could about it.

But, it wasn't until after my books were released that I truly understood what it meant, and how people felt about it. Authors, readers, friends, and family.

Drop by Chick Lit Writers of the World's blog, and let me know what you think about it.

Rules for writing fiction

As written for The Guardian by Richard Ford, novelist and short story writer.


1 Marry somebody you love and who thinks you being a writer's a good idea.

2 Don't have children.

3 Don't read your reviews.

4 Don't write reviews. (Your judgment's always tainted.)

5 Don't have arguments with your wife in the morning, or late at night.

6 Don't drink and write at the same time.

7 Don't write letters to the editor. (No one cares.)

8 Don't wish ill on your colleagues.

9 Try to think of others' good luck as encouragement to yourself.

10 Don't take any shit if you can ­possibly help it.

Stop aspiring and just be

This July 5th, author Amanda Arista drops by Romancing the Pen to talk about her love for writing, and her journey to becoming a published author.

Blurb: Violet Jordan thought the fairy tales her mother wove were just a way to get Violet to sleep, not a way to prepare her for the apocalypse she is the key to preventing. When she becomes a midnight snack for werepanther Spencer Haverty, his infectious bite invokes the first element of her destiny. When Violet’s budding instincts allow her to save a boy’s life, she realizes this new gig may come with perks: a slimmer figure, the attention of a handsome Guardian, and insights into her future embedded in her mother’s stories. But as push comes to claws, can Violet make the fatal strike against the men threatening her new family, her new home and her first boyfriend in ages?

Amanda is giving away a $25 Amazon or B&N gift certificate! Visit Romancing the Pen on July 5th for more information about how you can win.

Truly, Madly, Deeply Romance Authors

Don't forget to drop by Truly, Madly, Deeply Romance Authors for the chance to read FREE romance stories by some of your favorite authors! Every Saturday!

And of course, for the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes!!!