INTERVIEW with Author Kim Killion

Today I’m interviewing KIMBERLY KILLION. Her book, Caribbean Scot is a Scottish Historical and was released on May 20, 2011.

Kim Killion with cover model Brooks Johnson

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book

RICHES... 

Forced to flee Scotland and forfeit the chieftainship of his clan, renegade Reid MacGregor prospers as a fortune hunter in the rich waters of the Caribbean. But there are two treasures he has yet to claim—the lost library of an ancient Mayan priestess and the wild lass he left behind. 

TEMPTATION... 

Mary-Robena Wallace is a member of the rebellious MacGregor clan and a warrior in her own right. Desperate to free her clan from the cruelty of their king, she raids the borders alongside her kinsmen...until the devilishly handsome man from her past returns with an offer she’s hard-pressed to refuse.

SEDUCTION... 

Reid promises gold in exchange for her expertise as a cave diver to locate a treasure in the Caribbean—but they both know he’s after something more. They strike a deal to save her clan, but the fruits of an exotic paradise and the sinful kiss of a traitorous rogue force her to choose between returning to Scotland, or surrendering to the Caribbean Scot.

"A sexy, suspenseful story with great plotting 
and lots of witty dialogue. A winner!"

—Toni LoTempio, Reviewer, Night Owl Reviews,

Author of Raven’s Kiss & No Rest for the Wicca

Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?  This is a Scottish historical and is the genre I like to write in. It’s what I prefer. I did write a novella in the erotic genre titled, Educating Aphrodite published from Elorra’s Cave. (mention the video from RomCon.)  SIDE NOTE; Kim goes to many conventions and just went to RomCon in Denver Col. And this is the video…….

When did you start writing toward publication?  

 I started writing in 1998 but didn’t sell until 2007. The first book I wrote came out in 2008 with Kensington. It is called “Her One Desire,” and was my RITA nominated book.  ***The RITA award is the romance-publishing industry’s highest award of distinction.***

Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself? 

I had one book written and it is under my bed where it will stay. LOL! I had Highland Dragon written and Her One Desire only had 5 chapters finished when I sold. I wrote 80K in three months to finish it. Her One Desire  was published first.

Why have you become a published author?    

I like to write, to tell stories. I have always been a creative person.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and teach Graphic Web Design in St. Louis, MO so I love to be creative.

What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help? 

I mainly do social networking for promotion. I try to keep my website updated. There is always reader communication through email and I go to conferences. Best accessory is a HAWT male in a kilt!!!

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?  

By far, the fan mail! It is fun to receive an email from someone who said I was able to take them away for a couple of hours.  It’s very rewarding.   

Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped? 

Of course! Romance Writers of America, Missouri Chapter of Romance Writers of America which I was the President for 2 years. It was their critique group that helped polish my craft and I credit my success to them. I am also a member of PASIC, Novelists INC, Hearts Through History, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.  (PASIC stands for Published Authors Specialty Interest Chapter.)

Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?   

Biggest advice I could give to a new author is perseverance. Don’t let NY or a rejection get you down. Write because you love to write and not because you want a career in writing. 

What’s next for you? 

My Cursed Highlander is coming out in January 2012. It is a Scottish Historical with Paranormal elements that’s set in Scotland and Italy. The heroine is the blind ward of Lorenzo the Magnificent.  (For more information on this book, please go to http://www.kimberlykillion.com/) 

BOOK EXCERPT for CARIBBEAN SCOT

~ TAKEN ~
Dunbartonshire, Scotland, Summer—1603

At ten and six, Reid MacGregor only had one person occupying his mind, and she stood at his boot tips preparing him for the dive into Loch Lomond.

"Think ye a bit of treasure might be worth one kiss?” Reid snapped a wink at the lass tying the leather straps at his neck. He ignored the gagging noises Eoin and Fergus made behind them.

Torchlight filled the cavern with a yellow glow and showed the blush tinting her fair skin. She pulled the laces tight. A wee bit too tight. “’Tis just like a MacGregor to bargain without means of payment.”

Mary-Robena Wallace had always been quick of wit, especially when it came to tossing barbs at Reid. She didn’t give him the answer he wanted, but neither did she tell him no.

Anticipation and excitement tickled his stomach. He’d never actually kissed a lass, save for Nanna, and that wasn’t the kind of kiss he wanted to share with Robbie. Nay, he wanted the kind of kiss the kinswomen gave the warriors when they returned from battle. The kind of kiss that involved a wee bit of tongue.

Reid squirmed inside his leather suit, swallowed, and slipped a gloved finger between the ties and his neck to make room for the knot in his throat. But Robbie slapped his hand away, flipped her red-blonde braid over her shoulder, and then picked up a pail of tar off the cavern floor. She smeared the thick black pitch around his wrists and then his ankles, sealing the leather suit to his iron boots so water wouldn’t seep in. The pungent smell of turpentine burned his nostrils as she circled the warm tar around his throat.

Not once did Robbie attempt to hide her dimples as she glued his hair to his neck. He would have to soak in animal fat for a sennight to remove the sticky substance. But it would be worth it if he found evidence of the treasure Robbie’s grandda assured them was in the depths of Loch Lomond. Robbie had mapped out a grid based on her grandda’s theories, and they’d covered more than half the area where he believed a Spanish lieutenant might have hidden treasure he’d stolen from Cristóbal Colón’s new land. In the past three months, they’d found little, save for a boot and a piece of armor.

A little bit about the author.
Kim Killion wears many hats. Mother, professor, web designer and owner of HOT DAMN Designs. Kim lives with her two children and pets in Illinois and teaches Graphic Web Design in St. Louis, MO. If you are interested in contacting Kim, you may do so at kim@kimberlykillion.com.

How can my readers buy your book?
Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://www.kimberlykillion.com. Barnes and Noble and Amazon.


You can find more information about Kim Killion and her books, by visiting her website, http://www.kimberlykillion.com or her blog at http://www.hotdamndesigns.com.

Photo courtesy of Kim Killion

Photo courtesy of Kim Killion

JUST FOR YOU! Kim is giving away TWO copies of Caribbean Scot, ONE copy of Educating Aphrodite* and ONE copy of Taming a Highland Devil.


For your chance to win one of these prizes, you must leave a comment. GOOD LUCK!
*Educating Aphrodite is an erotica romance.


ALSO- Come back Friday to learn more about HOT DAMN DESIGNS. Leave a comment for your chance to win one of TWO stock photos. Your choice!!

WRITING CONTEST

2011 Celtic Hearts Romance Writers' Contest
NOVELLAS NEED LOVE, TOO!




PUBLISHED and UNPUBLISHED authors are welcome

**CONTEST DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 1, 2011**

RULES, ENTRIES, and ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility

The "Novellas Need Love, Too" contest is open to both published and unpublished authors. For the purposes of this contest, "Published" means either an RWA member or non-member who has accepted or initiated a publishing contract from any kind of publisher for fiction in the past five years of 12,000 words or more. "Unpublished" means either an RWA member or non-member who is unpublished in novella (12K or above) or novel (40K and above) length fiction and who has not accepted or initiated a contract with any kind of publisher for fiction in the past three years. This includes self-published works of fiction. If upon entry, you are "unpublished" but receive a contract (for other than the entered manuscript) before the entry deadline, you must notify the contest coordinator and we will give you the option of switching to the "published" category, or withdrawing from the contest.

Entries

Entry must be a novella, whose completed word count falls between the range of 12-40K words. Manuscripts must be completed by the final deadline so they may be submitted to the final judge if requested (November 1st). If a final judge asks for a full, you'll want to be able to send it out immediately. Entrant must retain all rights to the entry and not have granted any of them to a publisher or any other party by the contest entry deadline. If your entered manuscript is accepted for publication during the time of our contest (before October 1st) you must notify the contest coordinator; your submission(s) will be withdrawn from consideration and your entry fee(s) returned.

For "published" authors, the entirety of the entered manuscript must be uncontracted and unpublished, including (but not limited to) the concept and characters, the plot and storyline, and the written manuscript itself. It may be part of a series if
(1) the rest of the series is uncontracted and
(2) you are not under contract for subsequent series books with a publisher (vanity/subsidy or otherwise).

Please Note:

• You may submit multiple entries so long as you pay an entry fee and submit a completed entry form for each submission.
• Entries must be ROMANCE. Your synopsis will be reviewed upon entry and if a romance relationship is not obvious, your entry may be remitted to you and your contest fee returned.
• You may not enter the same manuscript in more than one category.

Entries are 5 pages maximum with a complete synopsis no longer than 3 pages (double-spaced), for a total of 8 pages maximum.
All entries are electronic. Entries must be the FIRST five pages of a novella and may not be from any location other than the beginning (so, if you have a prologue, you must begin with the prologue, and not with Chapter One, although you may include any part of Chapter One that falls within the first five pages). Remember that you're turning in a complete entry, so please don't end in the middle of a sentence.

How To Enter

Entries should be submitted to the appropriate category coordinator. (See Below)

Contemporary, Historical, Erotic, and Paranormal categories are for UNPUBLISHED authors. All PUBLISHED authors should enter the Published category, regardless of the category of the manuscript. Judges for the published category will be asked to be familiar with all potential categories.

• Contemporary Romance – Michelle Muse (rmjamuse@msn.com)
• Historical Romance – Lizzie Walker (bttrfly811@yahoo.com)
• Erotic Romance – Sarah Hoss (sarah-hoss@hotmail.com)
• Paranormal Romance – Janet Flowers (romanticheart98@yahoo.com)
• Published Authors – Clancy Metzger (clancym13@gmail.com)

Categories
Paranormal: Romance novella where the mains focus is on the romantic relationship, but the future, fantasy or paranormal elements are integral to the story (includes time-travel).
Contemporary: Romance novella with a contemporary setting set after 1945. Main focus is the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine.
Historical: Romance novella set primarily before 1945 -- any location. Main focus must be on the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine.
Erotic Romance: Any genre or time period, erotic romance submission only - no straight erotica - this means there must be a HEA ending or at least a Happy For Now.
Published: Romance novella of any category, where the author has been published in fiction over 12K in the last three years. May be any type of novella and have any heat level.

DISTINGUISHED NOVELLA AWARD –
Each judging form will contain a unique category where judges will rate their enjoyment of each novella (both manuscript pages and synopsis) in comparison to every novella they've ever read. The top five scores (regardless of genre or author) in this category will be forwarded to the Distinguished Novella Award final judge. This judge will pick one winner from among those five, who will receive a certificate and a cash prize (of $50).

Judges
Final Round Judges
Paranormal – Imogen Howson, Samhain
Erotic – Kelli Collins, Ellora's Cave
Historical – Mary Hamilton, Samhain
Contemporary – Grace Bradley, Ellora's Cave
Published – Gina Bernal, Carina Press
Distinguished Novella Award (overall) - Heather Osborn, Samhain

Entry Composition

Your entry must have the following:

• 1. A separate entry form for each entry which includes the author's real name, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address, submission title, category and manuscript word count. Do not include the entry form in the same attachment as your manuscript and synopsis. The manuscript and synopsis will be sent together as one document as an attachment.
• 2. The beginning of your manuscript, including prologue, cannot exceed five (5) pages. Standard manuscript format must be followed: 1 inch margins, double spaced in a standard font and size that gives 24-26 lines per page. We will not accept entries that have colored, or designer fonts. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE MANUSCRIPT.
• 3. The synopsis must be included with the same file attachment as the manuscript, must be double spaced and is not to exceed three (3) pages. Do not send the synopsis in a separate attachment. Include the synopsis is at the end of your entry, and it should start and end as though it were separate from your manuscript. Any entry that contains a single spaced synopsis and/or begins or ends on the same page as the manuscript will be refused and sent back for correction. The synopsis will be scored. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME ON THE MANUSCRIPT.
• 4. Confirmation of your payment. If paying through Paypal, include in the entry form your PayPal confirmation number from your PayPal receipt. Not the receipt itself, just the number. For each entry. If paying by check, please include the check # and amount on your entry form.

NOTE: Your entry, which includes the synopsis must not exceed eight (8) pages total. ANY MANUSCRIPT, OR SYNOPSIS THAT DOES NOT FOLLOW THE RULES SET DOWN HERE WILL BE REFUSED AND YOUR ENTRY WILL BE RETURNED SO THAT YOU CAN CORRECT IT.

Entry Format: Standard manuscript and synopsis format, double-spaced, 12-point readable font, twenty-six (26) lines maximum per page, minimum 1" margins all around. Only the TITLE of the manuscript, the category, and any subcategory should be placed on the top left hand side of the entry. The PAGE NUMBER should be on the top right hand side. IF THE NAME OF THE AUTHOR(S) APPEARS ANYWHERE ON THE MANUSCRIPT OR SYNOPSIS, THE ENTRY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND THE ENTRY FEE WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
Manuscript and synopsis must be in a .doc or .rtf file.
All winners will receive certificates and icons to place on their websites.
Have questions? Please contact the contest chair, Rebecca Lynn, at rlcameron@yahoo.com.

CHRW reserves the right to discard all electronic entries and return fees if a minimum number of three (3) entries is not received in any category.
Entrants will be contacted before the entries are returned and given the option to place their entry in another category.
We may also refuse an entry that does not follow the rules stated here in the guidelines.

Entry Fee: $10 per entry. You may pay for all entries at once, but please note which entries your payment covers, especially if paying by check.

Pay by Check
Please click the link for this form which will download to your computer and include with your payment: Contest Entry Form
Mail to:
CHRW Treasurer
c/o Rebecca Syme
PO Box 445
Bozeman, MT 59771
Once our Treasurer has received your check, she will notify you to submit your entry.

For more information, please go to www.celtichearts.org.

FRIDAY 56

FRIDAY 56: SEDUCED BY A HIGHLANDER by Paula Quinn



Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

* Turn to page 56.

* Post any sentence from that page (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog. (If you do not have your own blog) post it in the comments section of this blog.

* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

*****Tristan left Lady Elizabeth Sutherland with a curse on his lips and headed across the court to the lawns. He was angry with himself, but he had Isobel to blame for his sudden-and a bit frightening- lack of interest in the fairer sex. It didn't matter that she had avoided him like plague since their kiss in the garden, completely ignoring him at the coronation yesterday. She haunted his every waking moment, and his dreams, as well. Why? Was it the refreshing resistance she offered to his most practiced advances that piqued his interest? Or the succulent flame of her tongue that left him aching for more?*****

Heart of Romance credits Freda's Voice for the great Friday 56 meme:



Totally HOT Thursdays

Photo courtesy of Jamie Ungaro.
Jamie and his wife, Meshella

Today, I am interviewing JAMIE UNGARO,  Mr. Romance, 2010. I hope you will enjoy reading this interview as much as I enjoyed getting it!



**Welcome to Heart of Romance, JAMIE! We are so happy to have you. Let me start off by asking the question I am sure everyone wants to know and that is, how did you get started in the modeling profession?

JAMIE- After high school my dreams of keeping my football career going was not a reality so, I took my friends and families advice by going into acting and modeling. I started in 2004 and up till now it has consisted of a lot of rough auditions with only a few jobs. LOL! But I’m still hanging in there and holding onto the dream that one day acting will be my career. As for modeling now a days if someone wants’ me to model for them I will but, I’m currently not perusing it. I only will model for Christian and regular romance books and won’t model for erotica or immoral fantasies.

**How would someone go about getting an image of you if they wanted it for their book cover?


JAMIE- Just send me a detailed description of the pose and dress in an e-mail to jamieungaro@gmail.com . Then I will go have it done and send them back to you. If you’re wanting pictures, make sure you fill the subject bar in and make it clear of what it is or, I might over look it. Thanks!

Photo courtesy of Jamie Ungaro

**Can you tell us how many covers you have graced?


JAMIE- Ironically I have not yet been on cover being Mr. Romance 2010 but, I am working with a company trying to get a cover for my winning. I did act in a book trailer for Zodervan all thanks to Sheila Clover English and “Circle of Seven Productions”. The book is called “An Eye for Glory” here’s the link for the video check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKmjL5ZfqLo  Even though I haven’t been on a cover God has really blessed me by being the only Mr. Romance ever to win all three trophies (readers choice, contestants choice, and Mr. Romance) and having a true romance in the same year. Then got married January 3rd of 2011 and my wife Meshella is an author so, we have been planning on writing about a true romance and how God put it all together and blessed us greatly! If it wasn’t for putting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first, none of this would have been possible. All the Glory goes to God!



** How many different places have you shot a cover or all of them right there in a studio?

JAMIE- I have shot for covers just never made it on one yet. I have done many photo shoots inside and out. I like the outside shoots more, there’s more things you can be creative with in your poses.


**You were Mr. Romance, 2010. Can you tell us how you came to receive the title and what was it like to be called Mr. Romance?

Photo courtesy of Jamie Ungaro

JAMIE- I’ll start by saying what I said before; it was all because of Jesus.

It all started when I was taking modeling and acting classes at Barbizon. A week left of classes and we had to come up with a commercial and act it out. Right when the teacher told us that, the Lord laid it upon my heart to make a commercial of Him. I sat back and said are you for real? LOL! I had all week to think about this so, I listened and it went like this: “Hi friend, is there something in your life that you are battling, and it seems like there’s no way of overcoming it? Or that your heart may be heavy with the weight of the world. No matter your situation there is hope. Well my friend hope has a name…. That name is Jesus Christ. He is the light of life. He can bring light to any dark spots in life, and give you a softer, loving heart. So bring salvation, joy, love and understanding of truth to your soul by checking out the website at the bottom of the screen at http://www.jesuschrist.com/ ”


After doing what I was told one of my friends there, his mom was thrilled to hear about my commercial and she ended up introducing me to my manager and friend Loretta Rodgers. Then Loretta told me about the Mr. Romance contest. At first I thought I couldn’t go with low funds, and then I thought maybe I’ll just go and not enter but do some social networking. I decided to just go for it and didn’t expect to win anything I just wanted to start getting my name out there. I went with only $75 and the trust in our Lord and Savior that all my needs would be met. I had a blast meeting a lot of people and the competition to win over the ladies. LOL! I just stayed true to who I am as a person and kept Jesus first and man! Did he bless me! The first thing I did after winning I pointed to the sky gave thanks to Him and blessing Him for blessing me. Experiencing those 15 minutes of fame was great! Keeping a smile for long periods at a time for pictures is exhausting. Don’t know how the stars do it? LOL! Back to the point of the story, which is obedience. If I was not obedient and didn’t do the commercial of Jesus none of this would have happen. I just think it is one of the coolest testimonies; Jesus never seizes to amaze me!



** Is modeling the only thing you are doing at the moment?

JAMIE- I currently put everything on hold to put my family first. When I have my family set, I’ll put myself back into the picture. I work on an off shore oil drilling rig and take the time I do have with my family I consider it precious.

**What does your future hold?

JAMIE- Like I said before my wife and I would like to come together with our life stories and where we meet and write a true romance about it and how God worked in both of our lives to set us up for the perfect match. I also won’t ever stop pursuing my dream of making acting as my career and be a positive role model for people. Last but not least I would love to have my own gym and use it to glorify God through it.



** What are the kinds of things you like to do in your off time?

Photo courtesy of Jamie Ungaro

JAMIE- REST! LOL! I like to stay in the gym. I like to go camping and water skiing in the summer. I like going snowboarding in the winter but, things I do more often are helping teach my step son how to play football or ride a rip stick and try to teach myself how to play the guitar. LOL!



** We would love to know one thing about you that we wouldn’t find in your bio.


JAMIE- I enjoy riding my step sons rip stick because it simulates snow boarding and surfing on pavement. There’s just a sense of freedom on it.



Your stats:
Age: 27

Height: 6’2’’

Weight: 220

Chest: 45’’

Bicep: 18’’


**If you don’t mind, here are some brief questions to answer.

Favorite meal? My wife’s corn beef and hash.

Favorite movie? The first Dumb and Dumber.

Favorite past time? Walking with my wife and my yellow lab at Lake Park in my home town Coshocton, Ohio.
Favorite sport? Football

Luck or Destiny? Destiny

Mountains or Beach? Mountains

Hair-Long or Short? Long hair

Sunrise or sunset? Both

Hot or Cold? Hot
Silk or lace? Lace


**If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go?

I would like to go to a lot of places but, I would like to visit Greece.



**Jamie, it was so exciting interviewing you today, thank you for the opportunity. I would like to leave some links for the fans to use so if they are interested in learning more about you, they can.


https://twitter.com/#!/MrRomance2010

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/jamie.ungaro

FRIDAY 56

                            

This is my first time participating in FRIDAY 56. I found this on Author, Renee Vincent's blog, Past The Print, and have followed for awhile, now I am going to participate. I think it only fair that I dedicate this FRIDAY 56 to her.

Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Post any sentence from that page (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog. (If you do not have your own blog) post it in the comments section of this blog.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Book: RAELIKSEN by Renee Vincent

Dægan touched his cheek where the sting of her hand still tingled. “Conceivably, that was ill. Forgive me. But I still believe she wanted something more than just a passing 

moment at the water’s edge. And I know there is a large part of you, no matter how much you deny it, that longs for the same. I saw it in your eyes. And I can give you that. I want to give you that. If you like the river as much as you say you do, then you will love the sea. You will love seeing your homeland from the distant bows of a ship where the meadow’s flowery arms wave in polite parting and the hills stand up to bid you farewell.
‘Tis like nothing you have ever seen. Come with me. Let me take you on the sea and show you what true freedom is.”
 

Heart of Romance would like to credit Freda's Voice for starting FRIDAY 56.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Totally HOT Thursdays

Welcome back! Like you, I never get tired of THT and I hope you will enjoy today's choice.

I went old school again, because let's face it, there were some HOT men back in the day and there is no denying that. Just like today's pick. His dark hair and hazel eyes draw you in and watching him in the movies mesmerizes you.

http://www.fanpop.com/

Today for THT, I chose MONTGOMERY CLIFT!

Montgomery was born October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska to William Brooks Clift and Ethel Fogg Anderson. Montgomery had a twin sister named Roberta and a brother named William Brooks Clift Jr. Montgomery was named after the physician who delivered him, Dr. Edward Montgomery.



http://www.flixster.com/

 He was home schooled and attended private schools in USA and Europe until his teens. Then he attended public schools. He was educated in French, German, and Italian.

Montgomery got his break at the age of 15 on Broadway and performed there for ten years before he got his big break in Hollywood. In the Broadway play, There Shall Be No Night, he played the role of the son for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

His first film role was opposite John Wayne in the 1948 film Red River. Montgomery would go on to make such films as The Search, The Heiress starring Olivia De Havilland and A Place In The Sun starring Elizabeth Taylor who would become one of his dearest friends.

A role that Montgomery Clift is most notable for is playing Robert E. Lee Prewitt in th 1953 classic From Here To Eternity. They say that in this movie, when Montgomery acted out his death scene, he did it so realistically that people on the set cried. Elizabeth Taylor was quoted at saying  Montgomery Clift could have been the biggest star if he hadn't been so picky. At one point, there were so many movie offers sent to him, that friends had to squeeze past the stacks to go up the stairs. And who can forget the famous beach scene kiss between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. This movie is golden!

http://www.countyhistorian.com/

On the evening of May 12, 1956, Montgomery Clift was injured in a car accident when he crashed into a telephone pole after leaving the home of Elizabeth Taylor. They were filming the movie The Raintree together and she hosted a dinner party. Montgomery suffered s broken jaw, broken nose, a fractured sinus, and many sever facial lacerations. The Studio worried the film would not do well, but Montgomery spoke up saying it would because people would want to compare his looks before and after the accident. He was right.

Montgomery Clift would do many films and be nominated for Academy Awards four times in his career. But Montgomery suffered all his life from colitis and the pain from the car accident caused him to get hooked on pain killers and alcohol. By the end of the 1960's Montgomery Clift was no longer filming.

On July 22, 1966, Montgomery Clift passed away in his townhouse in New York. He was 45.

Another useful writing tool

I have mentioned the web site, SAVVY AUTHORS, here before. I truly believe this is a page no author should be without. The information, interviews and contests they provide are very helpful to a writer's career. They also offer pitching opportunities to agents and publishers.

One thing that Savvy is offering up is called, SUMMER SYMPOSIUM. This takes place August 24-August 28.

What does a symposium mean? Here is your answer.
sym·po·si·um (sĭm-pō'zē-əm)



1.A meeting or conference for discussion of a topic, especially one in which the participants form an audience and make presentations.


2.A collection of writings on a particular topic, as in a magazine.


3.A convivial meeting for drinking, music, and intellectual discussion among the ancient Greeks.


***Taken from Savvy Author's Page****
Join us for five days as we talk craft - from plot and character, to dialogue, suspense, theme and story question (with a bunch of stuff in between) in chats, Q&A forums and mini-workshops. Our presenters will be sharing what works - whether it's worldbuilding or setting or layering in back story; or even if it's technical detail and the fruits of research, they'll be exposing the craft that underlies a good story. We'll also be talking about publishing and promoting, offering pitch opportunities to the attendees and raffling off over 175 prizes from books on craft from folks like James Scott Bell, novels, gift certificates, workshops, 3-chapter critiques from published authors and more.




Go to www.savvyauthors.com to learn more!

Pitch your book today!

Today at Savvy Authors, you can pitch your bookin 30 words or less to Agent, Kathleen Rushall of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

If you are wanting to catch the eye of an Agent, then here is your chance!!!

SUBMISSIONS REQUESTED: Kathleen is looking for YA and MG, southern gothic, historical fiction, magical realism, science fiction, supernatural/ paranormal, ghost stories, humor, fantasy, thriller, suspense, edgy YA, friendship MG.



Until midnight EST August 12th, members will have an opportunity to post their one line pitch as a comment to this post. Check back next week to see if you've scored a request!



Who can enter?

Contest is open to all registered members of Savvy Authors. Not a member? JOIN TODAY! Basic membership is FREE! All entries must be from registered members. Entries posted anonymously (by non-members) will be removed.

Please contact Jus, our resident pitch wrangler with any questions. JusAccardo@savvyauthors.com



The rules are simple:


1. Post your one line pitch (30 words) in the comments section of this article after logging into the website.

2. Make sure your manuscript falls within the genres Kathleen listed above!

3. Only post if your manuscript is ready now!

4. Check back next week to see who Kathleen picked. (Minimum of one, no maximum!)

5. Limit two pitches per member.

6. Be sure to include your name, title and word count of your manuscript, and genre.

Totally HOT Thursdays!

Welcome back everyone to another session of THT! Those of you who follow me, know I am a Days of Our Lives fan and I have featured one of their actors here before. The man I feature today is someone I had thought of featuring but was also brought to my attention by my good friend, Lizzie. Today's post is for her.

Let me introduce you to:                       JAMES SCOTT



**James comes to of from across the pond having been born in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on January 14, 1979. 

**He is the oldest of four children. He has two brothers and one sister.

**James's mother is Scottish so he spent many holidays there. When he graduated from school, Jmaes moved to Edinburgh. His first acting job was in the famous Gilden Balloon Theatre.  Having caught the acting bug, he moved to London.

**There he caught the eye of a modeling agent from STORM, he has non other than Elle Macpherson on their list of clients. James also auditioned and was accepted into the acclaimed London Accademy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

**While modeling, he come to America to do some stints and while here enrolled in an acting class. Having decided to move to America, he landed his first acting job here on the day time soap, All My Children.

**From there, he came to Days of Our Lives where he is currently in the role of E.J. DiMera. Let's hope he sticks around for a while!!!

http://www.dedetillmanblogs.wordpress.com/

A new challenge

Author, KERRI NELSON is hosting a 4k a day challenge at her blog. All you have to do is try and write 4 thousand words a day and post a comment talking about your progress. There will be prizes!!

For more information, go to www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!

Totally HOT Thursdays

My friends and co-writers who also do pages like this have always planned which gentleman they will feature in advance. Not me, I never know who I will feature until Thursday morning. Today, there was a discussion in my CHRW about who the model was on Michelle Willingham's cover of her new book 'Craving The Highlander's Touch' and Author Renee Vincent discovered that it was none other than:

http://www.karynsromanorum.blogspot.com/

NATHAN KAMP!!!!

BORN- Seattle, Washington
SIBLINGS- He is the oldest of three.
ACTIVITIES- Played any sport possible growing up including finishing High School as an All-State football player and Second in his State in Wrestling. (Well done!)
HIS START- Met with a model scout at the end of college. His first job was Abercrombie & Fitch.
***Sorry ladies, he is happily married since 10-2000. *** Nathan- we wish you all the happiness in the world!

Here are a couple of more pictures and then I will show you some book covers I am SURE you will recognize.

http://www.ravensanctuary.blogspot.com/

http://www.karynsromanorum.blogspot.com/

There were so many covers Nathan has been on. I saw names like Hannah Howell, Sherilynn Kenyon, and Kresley Cole.

http://www.karenmoning.com/

http://www.veronicawolff.com/

http://www.michellewillingham.com/

http://www.monicamccarty.com/



3 Act Structure by Kristal Lee

If thespians can do it in three acts, so can writers.


Aristotle believed “a whole is what has a beginning and middle and end.” In essence, he taught a three-part plot structure featuring the protasis, epitasis, and catastrophe.

www.gamespot.com

The first act, the protasis, introduces the protagonist and establishes what will be the over-riding conflict. It ends with the protagonist’s point of no return, often referred to as the first turning point--an event that takes him/her out of their normal world and propels them forward on journey that will force some type of change. Whatever comes next, his/her life will never be the same.

The second act, the epitasis, is where the protagonist faces obstacles that test his/her character and endurance. Here is where the rising action creates conflict through worsening situations in which the protagonist has yet to develop the skills to overcome. He/she must figure out who they are and what they’re capable of in order to overcome the forces trying to keep them from their ultimate goal.

The third act, sometimes referred to as the catastrophe, is where all hell breaks loose. The climax, or second turning point, is an out and out cage fight where the protagonist will either be utterly victorious or be smashingly defeated. Whatever happens, the protagonist should gain a new understanding of who they are.

Why does the three act structure work?

In life, there are three phases to life: childhood, maturity, and death. The idea of Trinity goes back to man’s earliest beliefs. Ancient Celts had the three sisters—The Morrigan: Anu, Badb, and Macha; Christianity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There are other examples, but I’m most familiar those.

According to Mary Jones, author of Jones’ Celtic Encyclopedia, the number three “is simply the highest number grouping, the highest pattern that the mind will accept before dividing objects in a new group. [The] mind divides the number four into two groups of two. Five is divided into groups of three and two, six into three and three (or two, two, and two), etc. The preponderance of the number 3 is [universal].”

For whatever reason, the number three is a part of the universal consciousness. Why not incorporate its power into your writing?

Now, there is a lot of debate about formulaic fiction writing. But, remember, readers want a beginning, middle, and a satisfying end. In essence, commercial fiction requires a plot, not merely a series of random events. I’ve found that understanding the principle of the three act structure helps keep my characters from dancing all over the computer screen.

Happy Tales!
Kristal Lee

~Life off the Lease

http://www.kristalleeromances.com/