Celtic Hearts Romance Writers

 

 

 

 

 

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers is a special interest chapter of RWA®.

The focus of our chapter is on the very popular Celtic genre. We have many benefits to offer our members such as an email loop, bimonthly newsletter, research area, academy for workshops, author promotions, reduced contest entry fee, a chatroom, and forums available to all our members. We also offer our members two (2) free workshops per year. All this for $15 the first year, and only $10 a year thereafter. Celtic Hearts Romance Writers is more than just a group of writers. We're a clan that offers our members unconditional support during the journey that is romance writing.

*Join CHRW*

It's easy to become a member of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers! Simply provide the information below and submit your dues through Paypal. If you prefer you may pay by check - just click the appropriate button, and you'll be provided an address for mailing. Go to www.celtichearts.org for more information.


*Please note: You must be a member of RWA National to join Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.


I am a member of this group and I would like to tell you that I absolutely love this group. Not only because of the friends that I have made who feel more like a family to me, but because of the wealth of knowledge that flows through its people. We discuss EVERYTHING celtic. from countries, clothing, music, etc, to how to maneuver through the industry.

If you are an author and your writing is celtic themed, please consider joining Celtic Hearts Romance Writers.

Thanks,
Sarah Hoss

Taking a new class

I am taking a new class. Its called "KILLER OPENINGS" BY Alexa Bourne.
This makes me stop and think about my own writing, as any class should do. I wonder if what I have done is good enough? Did I write something that will catch the reader and pull them into the world that I have created?

They say you can't judge a book by it's cover, but in all reality you can. Most people pick a book off the shelves because that is what grabbed their attention; the cover.  Other times they automatically go for a book by their favorite author.

But let's say a friend recommended a book to you by an author you had never heard of before. You trust their judgement, so you pick it up and look at it. That author only has one page to draw you in. Maybe even only the first line.  So what they write must make the reader want to keep reading. The author needs to be able to pull you into the story so that you want to turn the page. 

Some say the end of the book is hard to write and others think the middle of the book is the hardest thing to write, but I think we all agree that finding that killer opening can be just as difficult.

What I want to know is what draws you into the book in that killer opening. Is it dialog? Is it the description of where the scene is or who the people are? What makes you want to keep reading that book and turning it's pages?  Maybe give us an example of an opening that blew you away.

Thanks for being with me here today and here's to hoping the next book you read knocks your socks off.

Have a great week!!!
Sarah

INTERVIEW with Author, Pat McDermott



Pat McDermott

 INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR PAT McDERMOTT


Today I’m interviewing Pat McDermott. Her book, Glancing Through the Glimmer, a young adult romantic adventure set in an Ireland that might have been, debuts today.



Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Thanks so much for hosting me and my new release today, Sarah. Glancing Through the Glimmer is the young adult “prequel” to my “Band of Roses” trilogy (A Band of Roses, Fiery Roses, and Salty Roses), coming in 2012 from MuseItUp Publishing. I’d already written the trilogy (the first two books will be re-releases) when an acquaintance suggested the YA angle. I found I loved writing about my “Roses” characters as teenagers. The Scottish legend of Tam Lin and the Irish myths surrounding Finvarra, the King of the Connaught Fairies helped inspire the story, which takes place in a modern Ireland ruled by kings descended from High King Brian Boru. The title is a phrase from The Fairy Thorn, an old Irish poem by Samuel Ferguson about four “merry maidens fair in kirtles of the green” whose evening stroll is ruined by thieving fairies.



Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?

I dislike genre rules, as I dabble in a bit of everything. Most of my stories contain elements of fantasy, action/adventure, sci-fi, and romance. Glancing Through the Glimmer is no exception.

When did you start writing toward publication?

Not until my kids were grown. I have great respect for writers who juggle the jobs of writing and parenting. I’ve written short stories and attended writing classes over the years, but my kids were in college before I pursued publication. I worked up the courage to enter a short story in the 74th Writer’s Digest Annual Writing competition and received an Honorable Mention for children’s fiction. That award gave my confidence a serious boost, enough to finish my first novel, A Band of Roses.



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

My first novel was under contract before I finished the second. I have four under contract now, all submitted without an agent.



Why have you become a published author?

Because of a combination of persistence, networking, finding a publisher who liked my stories, and good luck—though I believe the first three factors conjured that good luck.



Do you have any rejection stories to share?

What writer doesn’t? I attended a lecture by a noted author who said that after successfully publishing stories for over thirty years, she still receives rejections. I once had a drawer full of rejection letters from agents and publishers. A writing teacher warned me to expect them, though I still found the initial batch of barely legible form letters discouraging. The nicer rejections, more personal and actually signed, stated that my book wasn’t for them but encouraged perseverance. I recently cleaned out that drawer. Tore up the letters and tossed them out. It felt wonderful.



What is your writing routine like?

I try to write every day, usually early in the morning when it’s quiet and my only interruptions are a cat or two in need of a hug. Whether I’m starting something new or revising pages I’ve already written, I find that quiet time of day most productive. I spend time in the afternoon reading for research or pleasure, usually with a cat or two in my lap. On Monday evenings, I host a writers’ group, which gives me a deadline to finish a chapter or two each week. For most of the year, I attend a writing class on Tuesday evenings.



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

I wish I had help. The promotional aspect of writing bewilders me. I’ve attended book marketing seminars and did a couple of book signings, and I loved that a local readers’ group chose A Band of Roses as their book-of-the-month and invited me to be their guest author. Great fun. I wish I could say the same for the rest of the marketing process. Marketing is important, yes, but I’m happier creating stories. Right now, I’m promoting Glancing Through the Glimmer through my web site, blog, and online interviews, by word of mouth, and through various internet sites.

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

Having my kids think I’m smart? Seriously, I loved holding my published novel in my hands for the first time, and that’s a response with which I think most authors would agree.



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

I am a member of the New Hampshire Writers' Project, Seacoast Writers' Association, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. Then there’s Sip, my Monday night writers’ group, a key writing organization for me.



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

You’re the only one with the ultimate vision of the story you’re trying to tell. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Join a writers' group, take classes or workshops, and never stop reading. Go out on a limb and read books you wouldn’t ordinarily read. To paraphrase an Oliver Wendell Holmes quote, a mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions. Don’t be afraid other authors will influence your personal style. And exercise those writing muscles! The more you write, the easier it is to get your vision onto a printed page. Set goals and deadlines for yourself, and meet them. Persevere in your quest to become a published author, and enjoy the ride!



What’s next for you?

I’m sprucing up the sequel to Glancing Through the Glimmer. Liam and Janet return in Autumn Glimmer for a Halloween weekend they’ll never forget.



BOOK BLURB

In the modern Kingdom of Ireland, few mortals believe in the fairy folk. Without that belief, the fairies are dying. Finvarra, the King of the Fairies, would rather dance than worry—but he must have a mortal dancing partner.



When Janet Gleason’s grandfather becomes the new U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, the sixteen-year-old orphan must leave Boston and her friends behind. Janet is lonely in Dublin and unused to her grandparents’ stuffy social life. An invitation to a royal ball terrifies her. She can’t even waltz and dreads embarrassment. Finvarra’s fairy witch overhears her fervent wish to learn to dance.



Seventeen-year-old Prince Liam Boru loathes the idea of escorting another spoiled American girl to a ball. In fact, he detests most of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed and finds himself on his royal backside when Janet crashes into him. Intrigued, he asks to see her again, and she willingly agrees. Unaware of each other’s identities, they arrange to meet. When they do, the fairies steal Janet away.



Liam’s attempts to find her trigger a series of frustrating misadventures. Can he and Janet outwit a treacherous fairy king who’s been hoodwinking mortals for centuries?



A little bit about the author

Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat grew up in a family full of music and myths that have found their way into her stories. She lives near the New Hampshire seacoast with her husband and three devious Tonkinese cats. Her favorite non-writing activities include hiking, reading, cooking, and traveling, especially to Ireland.



Excerpt

The first time Liam slipped and fell, he cursed the rain-damp grass. He blamed his second tumble on his haste to catch up with Janet. What on earth had possessed the girl to run off like that? She couldn’t possibly want to find music that badly.

Music only she could hear.

The third time he lost his balance, he’d swear someone had pushed him, but no one was there. He landed on his hands and knees and cursed again. He might not be a muscleman, but he was far from a clumsy dolt. A lifetime of sports and outdoor treks had surely left him fit enough to climb a scrubby little hillside.

Something strange was afoot.

I’m being ridiculous. The breeze must have kept him from hearing the music she heard. She’d likely gone after the owner of whatever was playing the tune to learn its name.

Yet the Nose of Howth seemed deserted. How odd for a sunny Sunday morning. Even if Janet had gone off seeking the source of the music, no amount of rationalizing could explain why she’d left so abruptly. The chilling sense that she was in danger had Liam’s heart thumping high in his throat.

Should he call his cousin? If Kevin was still on the pier, it would take him a while to get here. And practical Kevin would surely think Liam astray in the head.

Maybe he was, but something told him he had to find Janet, and fast. Keeping close to the ground as if he were dodging radar, he clambered monkey-like up the hill. This time he reached the top of the rise. Lumps in the landscape surrounded him, clumps of rock and rolling masses of heather and gorse that encircled the level spot where he stood. He knew the place well. Except for the curious lack of weekend hill walkers, nothing seemed amiss.

“Janet!”

He listened hard. A seagull cried in the distance. Otherwise, all was silent. No, wait! Music drifted toward him, a plucky harp tune he might have enjoyed under different circumstances. Was that what Janet had heard?

Where was it? He turned in a circle, squinting in the sunlight, scanning, straining to hear. When he returned to the spot where he’d started, a jolt of fear set his pulse racing.

A round stone hut had appeared on the highest part of the clearing. Its low thatched roof rose to a ridiculously high point. It resembled a roundhouse, the sort of dwelling that belonged in a prehistoric ring fort.

Or a fairy fort.

Liam swallowed hard. He’d seen replicas of such huts in Ireland’s folk parks. He’d also viewed ruins of the original ring forts, all that remained of the structures built by the mysterious peoples who’d lived and died in Ireland thousands of years ago.

Where had this one come from? Why was it on the Nose of Howth? Liam had never seen it before, nor had he heard of any gimmicky tourism plans for the cliff walk. Of course, he didn’t know everything. Convincing himself that he’d failed to see the hut at first because the sun had blinded him, he ventured toward the structure.

He spotted a doorway and relaxed. Janet was there, speaking to a woman wearing a period costume, medieval or older. That’s what it was, he thought: tourism come to tarnish Howth. How could Uncle Peadar have allowed such nonsense?

Liam called Janet’s name again, but neither she nor the woman showed any sign that they’d heard him. The wind must have carried his voice away. He stalked toward the roundhouse. As he approached, the costumed woman placed a necklace over Janet’s head.

The roundhouse flickered, faded, and reappeared. Alarmed, Liam stopped. This was no tourist gimmick. As his thoughts scrambled for an explanation, the woman grabbed Janet’s arm and pulled her into the hut.

“Janet, no!” His ferocious roar proved useless. Unbelievably, the roundhouse began to dissolve. No longer doubting his horrified senses, he dove at the hut and charged through the disappearing door.

The world around him melted away.



How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can visit the book’s buy page on the MuseItUp Publishing site:

Glancing Through the Glimmer Page



You can find more information about Pat and Glancing Through the Glimmer by

visiting her web site:  http://www.patmcdermott.net



Writing/Travel Blog (Put the Kettle On):   http://pat-mcdermott.blogspot.com



Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pat.mcdermott1



Facebook page for Glancing Through the Glimmer (feel free to “Like” it!):

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/www.patmcdermott.net



MuseItUp Author Page: http://museituppublishing.com/musepub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168&Itemid=82



MuseItUp Bookstore Page for Glancing Through the Glimmer:

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=224&category_id=69&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1



My cooking blog (Kitchen Excursions): http://kitchenexcursions.blogspot.com

Novellas Need Love Too! contest

I promised to write back and bring to you the names of the finalists in the Novellas Need Love Too! Contest. I am still very excited to have finaled and knowing that my manuscript is now in the hands of an Editor is even more exciting.

I loved writing HEAVEN SENT. It was fun and endearing and it flowed easily from my mind. I never had to struggle to figure out what to write next. Hopefully one day you all will be able to read my little piece if heaven.

Now, with out taking any more of your time, here are your finalists in the NOVELLAS NEED LOVE TOO! Contest.

*** Permission to Forward Granted ***

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers is proud to announce the finalists for our Novellas Need Love, Too! Contest. As this was our first novella contest, we were thrilled that all the categories filled and were so excellent. We look forward to final results on November 12th. Finalists are in alphabetical order by first name and/or entry title. This order does not reflect scoring. Congratulations to ALL our finalists!

CONTEMPORARY

Barbara Heintz: Chocolate On Her Sleeve

Sarah Hoss: Heaven Sent

Valerie Clarizio: Cookies for Santa

Final Judge - Grace Bradley (Ellora's Cave)

HISTORICAL

Karen Dobbins: An Honorable Seduction

Kathleen Bittner Roth: The Seduction of Sarah Banks

Melinda B. Pierce: A Shocking Proposal

Final Judge - Mary Hamilton (Samhain)

EROTIC (tie for second place)

Jayme LeClair: Hurricane Winds

Sabrina York: Going Up

Sabrina York: Wildfire

Sabrina York: Wildkat

Final Judge - Kelli Collins (Ellora's Cave)

PARANORMAL

Alisa Walker: The Ghost Who Came To Supper

Amity Grays: Savage Protector

Amity Grays: Unlikely Protector

Final Judge - Imogen Howson (Samhain)

PUBLISHED

Camryn Rhys: The Sword of Elements

Liz Talley: A Little Bit Wicked

Mary A. Behre: Picture Me Hot

Final Judge - Gina Bernal (Carina Press)

For our Distinguished Novella Award, judges were asked to place each entry in a rubric against every novella they'd ever read. Every novella entered in the contest was equally eligible for this award. And the finalists are:

DISTINGUISHED NOVELLA AWARD

Karen Dobbins: An Honorable Seduction

Kathleen Bittner Roth: The Seduction of Sarah Banks

Melinda B. Pierce: A Shocking Proposal

Sabrina York: Going Up

Sabrina York: Wildfire

Final Judge - Heather Osborn (Samhain)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rebecca Lynn and Clancy Metzger, Coordinators - Novellas Need Love, Too! Contest

http://celtichearts.org - Where Love and Legends Come Together

Heart of Romance has won another award!

You read the title right! The LIEBSTER AWARD was given to me by my fellow Celtic Hearts author, RENEE VINCENT. Thank you Renee for honoring me with this!

You can find Renee Vincent at her blogs, Deep In The Heart Romance and Past The Print.


In keeping with the traditions associated with receiving the Liebster Blog Award, I must now convey the following:

Winners of a Liebster must:

1. Post the award on your blog and show thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them via the award graphic.

2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog or send them a shout out on Twitter.

3. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers (and bloggers)

Those that I have passed this award on to:

1) Author Miriam Newman, fellow writer at Celtic Hearts, at The Celtic Rose

2) Author Melissa Stark, fellow writer at Celtic Hearts,  at Melissa Stark

3) Author Tami Dee, fellow writer at Celtic Hearts at Tami Dee

4) Author Beth Trissel, fellow writer at Celtic Hearts at One Writer's Way

5) Author Kristal Lee, fellow writer at Celtic Hearts at Kristal Lee Romances

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!

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/

It's a writing stand still

http://www.aglimpseintothepast.com/

Yup, that's right. I am having a moment of complete and utter writing stand still. It isn't because I have writer's block. Not at all. I know exactly what I want to say and I know where I want to take my story. The problem is, who to write what I want and do it the right way.

My heroine started out as any American girl, but as I kept writing she decided she wanted to bring forth her Cherokee heritage. Which is totally fine with me. In researching for her, I can learn more about my own heritage. The problem is to write about it and do it respectfully. I want to honor the traditions. So, do I write about them or not. Well, I have decided not to use the traditions I wanted to but maybe refer to them in passing. This way, it is mentioned and I don't offend anyone by screwing anything up.

The other problem is bringing in two totally different religions and making them work without causing a major conflict. My heroine is of Cherokee blood but I need to bring in a moment of witch craft for my time travel to work. So, how do I do this and do it appropriately.

I understand that writing fiction gives me a certain amount of playing room to write what I want, but that still doesn't mean I can just DO what I want.

http://www.blingee.com/

So, how do I  decide the best way to bring the Hero forward in time? Do I do it before she runs for her life or after she has already ran? I also realize I have written 45 pages and the heroine owns 35 of them and the story actually belongs to the Hero. *sigh* The heroine talks way to much...... LOL!!!

So, wish me luck as I sit back and diligently work and trying to get past this stand still. I have been writing like crazy and I hate to have to slow down now.

Will keep you posted! Until next time---

Are you going to a conference this year?

This is going to be an exciting year for me as I begin a new chapter in my author career. Now that I have a finished manuscript, I have begun to query agents. But, there is so much more for me to do so that I can grow as a writer.


I have mentioned on here in previous blogs about workshops. I have taken “The Book Factory” and “Pitch like a Pro” by Author, Kerri Nelson, Microsoft Word class by Catherine Chant and two classes by Nicole North. One on how to write a great sex scene and building that sexual tension and another on writing with description. All were amazing classes and I highly recommend them.

This year, for the first time, I am going to attend a conference. The New Jersey “Put your heart in a book” conference is October 21-22, 2011 and I can’t wait to attend. Though October feels like a long ways away.

So, in preparing for my first conference, I found I had a few questions. Here to help me answer those questions are four wonderful ladies. Authors Eliza Knight, Renee Lynn Scott, Dorothy Muir, and Sidney Ayers.


***I want to thank you all for joining me here today and answering questions about this subject.***

RENEE- Thank you for having us.

ELIZA- Anytime, Sarah! Attending conferences is such a great way to network and to improve your writing as well as advance your career.

DOROTHY- Thank you for inviting me, Sarah. I’m really glad to be here.

SIDNEY- My pleasure. Thank you for inviting me.


***My first question is about the expense of the conferences. A person has to pay for the conference, lodging and travel. What other expenses are there and what can we do to keep the cost down?***



ELIZA-On top of conference/lodging/travel fees, you have to think about cab rides, food, alcohol, tips, souvenirs, extra hotel fees for internet, books—yes believe it or not you will buy books at either a literacy autographing or sometimes Barnes and Noble sets up shop with tons of awesome resources, notebooks, etc… These are the little things you don’t think about. I’m all about setting a budget, and sticking to it. You can try to share meals, or pack things like granola bars, water bottles—or purchase them along with fruit to have in your room to cut down on meal costs. Share cab rides. Start a tab at the bar so you tip on the final bill instead of tipping with each drink—drink moderately, say one or two drinks at cocktail hour, no need to get hammered anyway. For souvenirs, give yourself a budget, say $10 per person, or $20 for yourself. For the literacy autographing I always set a budget, and I spend no more than that amount, and for resource books, I also set a budget. The biggest thing is not caving in, and to leave yourself a little wiggle room, say an extra $50 just in case. I typically give myself $50 a day to spend when at conference. Sometimes I spend $0 on a particular day and sometimes I spend more, so it balances out.


RENEE-Don’t forget meals outside of conference. When I traveled to D.C I spent some time at a local pub with my friends. Drinks can be expensive. Have one and then stick with water. And don’t forget souvenirs. They’re not a necessity but since my family has never been on a vacation I thought I should bring something back.

SIDNEY- Depending on where the conference is located, you may have a tourist and/or entertainment expense. This year, since the RWA National Conference is in New York City, I plan to attend several tourist spots. One thing that I’ve always wanted to do in New York City is attend a Broadway show, so that’s one thing I’ll need to save some money for. Also, you may have some additional food expenses. The conference does provide some meals, but not enough to keep you properly sustained.

DOROTHY- Conferences present the opportunity for networking and making new friends, as well as getting to know editors and agents. That means you might spend more than you anticipated on coffee and drinks, depending on the conference and whether or not you’re a shy person. And if the conference offers any type of bookstore, you could find yourself drawn into spending money on books. Big conferences like Nationals can result in you spending a lot more than expected, but some of the smaller conferences can pack just as much informational punch and take less out of your wallet. If you want to minimize your expenses, take advantage of any paid meals offered by the conference, budget for everything (and stick to it!), and stay out of the bookstore!



***What should a person wear to a conference?***

DOROTHY- You can never go wrong with business casual. Some of the conferences are OK with jeans and casual wear, but some of the larger ones have a more professional atmosphere. Nice slacks and a good blouse can say ‘professional’ and still be comfortable. Much as we love what we do, it’s still a business. But make sure you have good, comfortable shoes! You’ll do a lot of walking.

SIDNEY- Clothes! Just kidding. You should wear professional attire. Nice slacks or skirts look nice. Dress like you’re going to work. Also, if you’re pitching, dress like you’re going to a job interview. I’m pretty sure the other ladies will say the same thing.


ELIZA- Business casual. It depends on the weather. Always pack a cardigan to easily slip on and off. For workshops, meetings, pitch sessions etc, I typically wear a nice pair of slacks (or nice capris/skirt) and a nice shirt. I pack an everyday outfit for sight-seeing. Pack a nice dress for awards ceremonies—depending on what other activities you have, you may have to pack more than one. For RWA this year, I need a dress for the RITA Awards and a dress for the Harlequin Ball. Wear comfortable shoes during the day, you’ll do a lot of walking and standing. Heels or nice flats for dinners. Whatever you do, don’t wear something uncomfortable. You don’t want to be worrying about discomfort while talking to other writers, agents/editors.


RENEE- I’m all about being comfortable, especially when it comes to shoes, but you should dress how you want to be perceived. If you want to be taken seriously as a writer you shouldn’t wear your jammies and slippers. Choose a basic color (black tends to work best) and then accessorize. If earth tones are your color then go for them. If red is your color . . . well you get the picture. Balance comfortable wear with business casual.


***When should we arrive and leave? How do we go about checking in?***


SIDNEY- I like to arrive at a conference a couple days early. It helps me get adjusted to the lay of the land and also gives me a little time to do the tourist thing. I usually leave the day after the conference closes. With the conference ending so close to Independence Day this year, I thought about extending the trip, but it would have put a big dent in my already dwindling pocket.

ELIZA- I always arrive a day or two early to settle in, relax, do some sight-seeing and meet up with friends before the whirlwind begins. I always leave the morning after it ends. By that time I’m exhausted and ready to go home.

DOROTHY- As for checking in, most conferences have a registration desk of some sort. I usually check in with the hotel first, so I can drop off everything I’ve lugged along with me. I try to register as early as possible, to avoid the last-minute rush and any conference stragglers.

RENEE-Gosh, checking in was a little overwhelming. I hadn’t left home in ages and I certainly hadn’t stayed at a hotel in over twenty years and my parents are the ones who had checked-in then. And then you have to find out where to register for the conference. Don’t forget that. You’ll want your packet and all the goodies.



***Will there be away for me to recognize my fellow Celtic Hearts Romance Writers members?


RENEE- It'd be nice if we were all required to wear a clan badge. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Sid! We'd known each other for a few years and she has such a lovely, memorable smile that it was easy to recognize her. As nervous as I was about the whole conference thing it was nice to see a familiar face.

DOROTHY- Well, first off, writers like to gab! That’s part of what we are, Celtic Hearts writers even more so, if you go by the loop traffic. Part of the standard introduction I give is my writing group affiliations. And a lot of conferences offer some kind of bulletin board system where members of different groups can post messages.

SIDNEY- Every attendee usually wears a badge with their name on it. Those badges may also include a listing of different RWA chapters they are a member of.

ELIZA- People where lanyard badges most of the time and pin their chapter/award/publisher pins to it. So you will recognize names, but you may also see the Celtic Hearts Chapter pin too on badges. But the best place to meet up with CHRW members will be at the annual get together at RWA. Not sure about the NJ Conference—although I’d be happy to set up an informal get together for cocktails!



***Are there meals included in the conference rate?***


DOROTHY- That depends on the conference. Every conference has a different budget, but a lot of them offer at least one meal. Something big like Nationals will offer more than one. Something local might only offer a boxed lunch.


ELIZA- This depends on the conference. For the NJ Conference, I believe that most of the meals are included. For RWA, there are a few coffee breaks in the morning, two luncheons, and I’m not sure about the RITA awards, sometimes they do dinner and sometimes they don’t.



***How do I go about getting an appointment with an agent or an editor?***
RENEE- If you don’t already have your appointment then you can hang out in the waiting area. There are often no-shows and you might get the chance to pitch to one of your top five.

SIDNEY-You can register for appointments at the RWA website. Also, during the conference you have the ability to sign up on site.



***How do I prepare for an appointment?***

DOROTHY- Practice. Lots of it! Pitch appointments are kind of like mini-interviews. You need to prepare to sell yourself as well as your story. It’s OK to be nervous. Those editors and agents are people too, so they understand if you stumble from nerves. The key is to be able to recover if you stumble, so know your story’s key elements inside and out, including the high concept. Pitch to your friends, especially non-writer friends. If they can understand your story, then so can an editor.

ELIZA- I write my pitch on a note card—I also write questions I want to ask the editor/agent. Then I practice aloud with a few different people. Whatever you do, just relax. They are regular people, they won’t bite.

RENEE- Is there such a thing? The best thing to remember is they are people too. Smile and sell your story. If you don’t do it chances are nobody else will, besides who knows it better than you?

SIDNEY- Practice! Practice! Practice! Be calm… relax. I usually take 3x5 cards with me to keep my pitch on track. Make sure to avoid the bar until AFTER you pitch.



***Will there be any workshops? What should I bring to those if you answered yes?***

SIDNEY- There are a ton of workshops. Bring a pen and paper to take notes.

DOROTHY- Workshops are what most conferences are about, so there will be plenty. I’d bring along a notebook and a pen. I’ve found workshops frequently cover material that’s not on any handouts. I like to jot notes a lot, and a spiral notebook helps me keep things organized.

RENEE- As I’m sure the others have already answered, there are tons of workshops. Some provide handouts but you’ll want to make sure you have pen and paper in hand just incase you need to take notes. Since some workshops offered hands on activities, I carried the first few pages of my manuscript with me.

ELIZA-YES! That is one of the biggest parts of conferences. There are TONS of workshops—and I mean dozens and dozens to choose from. More than you can attend, which is why they offer conference CDs. You should bring something to take notes with, some water, gum, tissues, business cards and a sweater.



***Is there anything else we should know?***

ELIZA- Have fun! Not only is this a great experience for networking and learning, but it is also a chance to be with like-minded individuals. A rare opportunity for many of us.

RENEE- Relax and have fun!
SIDNEY- If you can’t get to some of the workshops, don’t fret. You can purchase a conference CD that will have all the recorded workshops available to you. If you can’t afford the whole conference CD, I believe you can buy individual tracks. That being said, not all the conference workshops are recorded, so I would suggest attending those—especially if it is a topic you are interested in.

DOROTHY- Have fun! Conferences have a way of energizing you. So far, I’ve come away from every conference excited and inspired to write. And you’ll probably have a slew of new friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You may find more information about these authors at these locations.

ELIZA KNIGHT- http://www.historyundressed.blogspot.com/ or http://www.elizaknight.com/

SIDNEY AYERS- http://www.sidneyayers.com/ or www.sidneyayers.com/blog

DOROTHY MUIR- http://www.dorothymuir.wordpress.com/

RENEE LYNN SCOTT- http://www.nkothwb.blogspot.com/

The next big thing!

I have heard many times on different agent's blogs that they don't want writers to write what's popular, they want a writer to create the next best thing. Vampires have been a very popular subject of late. That means we shouldn't be writing about vampires.
A friend of mine who is published told me that Amish romance stories are the next big thing. What I wonder is, how do we know what that is? How do we create it? I was told that if you are writing, but the time you get signed, edited and published a year will have passed and the subject then will be outdated.
Agents and Editors are going to know as they watch the market and are able to see a broader picture of what's out there. As a unpublished writer, I would not have that ability. For me, I started writing what I enjoyed reading and that is paranormal historical romance. I have always been interested in Scotland. I love to read historical romance and have been intrigued by time travel. Obviously I wrote about what I knew and interested me.
I have many ideas for new books, I am sure we all have. But will the ideas that float through our heads be the next big thing? So what do you do? Are there trends that never go out of style? If you are writing about what's popular now, does that hurt you or help you get published?


What are you writing about and have you descovered the next big thing?

Is it fate?

I told a story the other day at work about the birth of my middle child, my son. My sister-in-law and I were pregnant together. Come January 7, 1998, I went into the hospital in labor. I was 7 days late. After visiting me, my brother and his wife went home, only to come back to the hospital. She was in labor and she was 7 days early. I gave birth that day to my son. 7 hours and 16 mins. later, my sister-in-law gave birth to a son. They were born on my sister Beth's birthday. Also, there are 7 people in our family with 7 in their birthdays.



Was this fate?


I like to think that because of all of the 7's surrounding their birth, that there is something special in store for them. 7 is a special number. You find it mentioned in the Bible and in the Native American lore, 7 is lucky.


We should have bought a lucky 7 lottery ticket the night the boys were born, but didn't think of it then. On their 7th birthday, my sister-in-law and I went at 7 pm to buy a lucky 7 lottery ticket, but we didn't win anything. Oh well.


These are things we can never foretell in our futures. Some believe in fate and some think that we make our own destinies. I think there is a little bit of both. You never know what life has in store but what we do with it is up to us.

When we are writing, we create the fate that lands upon our characters. It is up to us to decide what happens to our characters and how they will handle it.


Are the H/H fated for each other? Is it in the stars for the hero to become a knight when he is not of a royal line? If a heroine travels back in time, is that her fate or is she just in the wrong place at the wrong time?


I think people want to believe in fate. To believe that there is a bigger plan in the world that will affect our lives.


What do you think? Do you believe in fate?

Interview with Author TERRI BRISBIN

I am so excited to bring to you an amazing author of historical romances.

I remember standing in my library, searching through the endless rows of books, trying to find something good to read.

I tilted my head to the side to read the name- TERRI BRISBIN. When I pulled the book out, Surrender To The Highlander, the cover snagged me. When I read the pages in side, her writing hooked me and I have been a follower ever since.

I hope you will enjoy this interview and please, if you have never read one of her books, I encourage you to do so!

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR Terri Brisbin


Today I’m interviewing Terri Brisbin. Her book, HIS ENEMY’S DAUGHTER is a historical romance from Harlequin and was released on March 1st.


Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

This is the final book in my Knights trilogy and the three books all tell the stories about three illegitimate knights and one noble one who were raised together and then fight for William the Conqueror in his conquest of England in order to gain lands, titles, wealth and…wives! Sent to gain control over the most dangerous lands in William’s new kingdom, they must first survive long enough to find success and love.

Soren Fitzrobert, ‘the Beautiful Bastard’, had been left for dead after the Battle of Hastings and survived by on the need for vengeance against the man who destroyed all that he was. When only his enemy’s daughter remains alive, becomes his target.

Sybilla of Alston has lost all—her family, her home and now her eyesight as her father’s enemy captures her keep and her. She never dreamt that such a scarred man could tempt her mind, her body and her soul. As war ends, can they each find the person they should become or remain victims of their past?

Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?

This is a historical romance. I also write historicals with paranormal elements for Kensington Brava.



When did you start writing toward publication?


Although I’ve always written something, I began to write with an eye to getting published in the mid-1990s. That’s when I realized I had ideas for romances, so I began to network with other romance writers to learn more about the industry and the market.



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


My first published novel was actually only my second completed manuscript, so I was lucky! I did send out my first and second manuscripts to editors I’d met at a romance writers’ conference and had been gathering information about agents when I got the offer from Berkley for my first time travel novel! I hired an agent because I believe that a published author, looking at this as a career, should have an agent as her/his business consultant and representative.



Why have you become a published author?

Well, I sought publication for my work because I wanted to share my stories with others AND to make money from my work. That’s really what being a professional writer is about – making money by reaching an audience with your work.



Do you have any rejection stories to share?

I did get a rejection on that first-sale manuscript the month after it was published! I’d sent out a proposal to a number of editors when I first started with it and this particular editor rejected it almost 30 months later…when the book had just hit the shelves! So, that one didn’t sting as much as the others.



One word of warning to potential published authors out there – I’ve received far more rejections on my work SINCE I got published than before I did. And when I went searching for a new agent, I was rejected by more than 20 agents in a two-year period. Getting published is only the first step—staying published is sometimes and in some ways the more difficult part of this business!

What is your writing routine like?

Routine? Um….I don’t have a routine. I don’t write daily, unless massive amounts of emails count. I am a deadline-binge writer who can write huge amounts of words and pages when I have a deadline. As it gets closer, I write faster and more. Usually it takes me months to write the first 100-150 pages and then I write the rest in the week-two weeks prior to my deadline.

It’s not pretty! I don’t recommend it to others, but it’s how I create and produce my work. Deadline=production for me.

But, I am highly-distractible so anything new or shiny grabs my attention, especially new ideas for new stories, so staying on task during those binges-o-writing is difficult, too!



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


I do lots of different things – I have a website, I blog a couple times a month (more during release months), I do book signings and events, I speak at conferences and meetings, I send out an email-newsletter, run website contests and a pay for some promotions on/by internet romance communities.

Other than a wonderful webdesigner, I don’t have help…which is why I’m usually late in sending out blog/chat/web prizes!

Something else I’m trying is releasing a previously-unavailable-in-digital story to use as a sample of my work—I’ve put KIDNAPPING THE LAIRD, a fun, sexy, short, historical, Scottish story published in print in the MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE up for sale in digital formats at Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Sony, Kobo and Diesel ebooks. It’s doing very well so far!

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

Actually, the most rewarding this about being published is hearing from or meeting readers who have read and enjoyed my work. When I meet with readers’ groups and they know my stories and my characters, it is such a thrill!



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

I belong to several writing organizations – Romance Writers of America, several chapters of RWA including my ‘home’ chapter of NJRW, and Novelists Inc., along with a number of research groups and general writing groups, too.

I credit NJRW and its members with teaching me most of what I needed to know to get my book into the hands of someone who would and could publish it. I joined in 1995, before the explosion of information on the internet, and learned more in five minutes of chatting with published authors at that first meeting than I had in months of my own research! Those authors were so open and informative and helpful, they really did help me. And they supported me through the dark times of rejections as well as celebrated with me during the high points.

Now, years later, I look for different things from organizations than I did before publication, so groups like Novelists, Inc. are a big help and a wonderful resource.



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

Well, I would remind writers that writing for commercial success and writing for personal validation (so they can be called ‘published’) are not always the same thing. Writers need to have career goals and do what they need to do to attain those goals. Writers seeking commercial success need to remember that this is a BUSINESS and need to make business decisions about their creative product – not an easy concept to accept or practice!

But, really, writers need to be writing and reading. Focus on creating something worth publishing, learn your craft, learn it better, and write more. Don’t be worrying over how you’ll promote your writing UNTIL you actually have something written and close to selling. The writing is really the only part of this business we can control, so never let it be second or third on your list of priorities or your to-do list!

And most of all, remember that everything we write is moving us forward in our writing skills. If a project isn’t getting you that contract, move on and write something else. I’ve realized that my first manuscript didn’t sell for good reasons and I know that each project I complete makes me a better writer.



What’s next for you?


My next release is a short digital-only story that’s part of an upcoming Royal Wedding celebration from Harlequin. WHAT THE DUCHESS WANTS is an April 1st release from Harlequin Historicals/Harlequin Mills&Boon online.

Then the last of my STORM trilogy will be out in July from Kensington Brava. MISTRESS OF THE STORM, will be available in trade and digital on June 28th. It’s a great story and brings the three stories to a wonderful conclusion!

I’m working on a new series for Harlequin Historicals – I’ve gone back to my popular HIGHLANDER stories and am writing about their children, now grown and falling in love. I don’t have release dates or titles, but I think the first one (due in June) will be out sometime early 2012 with a Harlequin Historical UNDONE short story to introduce it a month prior.



Thanks so much for inviting me to talk about myself and my writing! I hope readers will stop by my website – www.terribrisbin.com – for more info about everything and to see my upcoming releases, beautiful covers and event info. Thanks Sarah!



BOOK BLURB

A warrior’s rebellion

Once overwhelmingly irresistible to women, Soren Fitzrobert’s life was changed forever by a brutal wound. Now Soren has come to wreak revenge by claiming his enemy’s daughter.



A fierce retribution

Left temporarily blind by his invasion, innocent Sybilla trembles before the scarred barbarian. But it’s not entirely out of fear....



A sensuous redemption?

Forced into marriage, Sybilla must surrender to Soren’s seduction, one sense at a time. And Soren is drawn evermore to the woman he intended only to use....



The Knights of Brittany

Born to conquer...and seduce!



A little bit about the author:

Terri Brisbin has been writing romance fiction since 1995 and has more than 25 historical and paranormal romance novels, novellas and short stories published since then. When not living the glamorous life of a romance author in the southern NJ suburbs (or pining over Gerard Butler), Terri spends her time being a wife to one, mom to three as well as a dental hygienist to hundreds.



A National Readers’ Choice Award finalist, three-time RWA RITA® finalist, and winner of the NJRW Golden Leaf and Desert Rose Golden Quill, Terri is now working on more romance novels and novellas for release through 2012 from Harlequin Historical and Kensington Brava. You can visit her website for more info about the author and her work or to contact her: www.terribrisbin.com.


How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can go to my book page on my website for links to purchase any of my books through various online and physical booksellers:

http://www.terribrisbin.com/books/index.php.


You can find more information about everything Terri Brisbin by visiting my website:

http://www.terribrisbin.com.

A beautiful day!

I started my day today early. I had to open the store and 7:30 came around early. We were busy as usual, but things went smoothly and we had a good time.



So peaceful!

 When I came home, I had a GREAT day! Spring is in bloom. It was 75 degrees out but quite windy. My niece and her family came over. Andy took Barry and all of the kids to the woods with his metal detector. Didn't really find anything but junk, but the trek through the woods was fun. Brookney and I joined them later. To walk along with the trees dancing in the wind, moldy earth crunching beneath our feet, let's just say I am ready for this weather. We stood next to the stream talking and watched out husbands and kids having a great time.

A fun Sunday afternoon activity.

When we went back to the house, the men put pork chops on the grill and we took care of the rest of the food inside. Our kids played Uno at my dining room table. Curtains blew as the smell of dinner cooking was carried in through the window on a warm breeze. And when we were done with dinner, everyone headed outside to play football.


Now I sit here this evening with the front door open, Country Music Awards on the television, and the dog laying at my feet. I just sent my kids to bed with a kiss and my dear husband is laying beside me on the couch. Life is good! It's peaceful and in this very moment as I write this to you, it is absolutely PERFECT!  Days like today make those moments where life goes crazy, seem insignificant.

My hope is that you had a day like this too. I hope that at some point this weekend you were sitting somewhere thinking, It doesn't get any better than this!  Because between you and me......it doesn't.

WRITING WORKSHOPS

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers has put up their list of up coming workshops. I have chosen two to show you and they are listed below. For a more detailed list of classes, please go to Celtic Hearts and click on workshops. Cost is $15 if you are a CHRW member and $20 if not a member.



April 2011 2 weeks April 1st thru 16th)

Class #1: Sieze the Reader: Write compelling openings that don't let go!

Instructor: Anthea Lawson

You have one sentence. One paragraph. A page if you're lucky. Make the most of your chance to grab the reader, whether they're an agent, editor, or bookstore browser. Learn how to escape the most common pitfalls and pull the reader into your story.


Drawing on years of experience giving workshops, as well has her insights as a contest judge and critiquer, RITA-nominated author Anthea Lawson will lead this two-week workshop. We'll look at examples of novel openings, dissect what works (and what doesn't), and explore common problems writers have with their beginnings. This is a hands-on workshop with lessons posted every-other-day. Questions and comments encouraged!

Instructor Bio:

RITA-nominated author Anthea Lawson is a dynamic, engaging instructor. She has presented workshops at the Emerald City Writer's Conference, been the featured speaker for RWA chapters throughout the NW, and has taught online for Hearts Through History and East Valley RWA. Anthea is a teacher by both trade and inclination -- her day jobs have included client education for a large-scale coffee roaster, and a sought-after fiddle instructor for both kids and adults. She brings enthusiasm and a deft touch to her teaching, invariably giving students "lightbulb" moments as they participate in her engaging workshops.


**********************************************************************************

April 2011 (4 week version April 18th thru May 13th)
Class #2: Pitch Like a Pro for Writers (includes Editor pitch session*)

Instructor: Kerri Nelson


Want to practice your pitch for an upcoming pitch session to an agent or editor? Need help refining your pitch to include in a query letter? Well, practice makes perfect!


Sign on for this handy four week pitch practice workshop, taught by multi-published romantic suspense author, Kerri Nelson.

*During class you'll get to practice pitches for up to 2 different novels AND at the end of class you'll have the opportunity to pitch before a real acquiring EDITOR from a major publisher!*

Over the past five years, Kerri has pitched more than thirty different books in every imaginable genre (from erotica to young adult) to multiple agents and editors with a tremendous success rate for follow-up requests for both partial and full manuscripts. She has sold fourteen novels and novellas in the last eighteen months after perfecting her pitch process!

In this intensive interactive course, Kerri offers up the secrets to nailing your pitch, how to score a home run with editors, and how not to stop short of getting the results you want!


Start the year off right with the book contract you've been waiting for!


Students from prior classes have sold 3 book deals to Sourcebooks, been offered representation by agents, and many other successes after perfecting their pitch with me.

Instructor Bio:


Kerri Nelson has always been passionate about reading books but when she wrote her first poem in the second grade, she discovered her love of writing. At the age of sixteen, she became a columnist for her local newspaper as the high school correspondent for the weekly "Panther Tales" column. She won the Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year Award for her efforts.


After an education and career in the legal field, Kerri began to pen romantic suspense novels with a legal or law enforcement theme. She currently lives in the sunny south with her romance inspiring husband and her adorable children. When she's not reading or writing, you'll find her baking homemade goodies for her family. Kerri is an active member of Romance Writers of America, Hearts Through History Romance Writers, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, and Futuristic Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Writers.

In addition, Kerri has been contracted to publish fourteen books with six different publishers in multiple genres. She continues to pitch both live and online to agents and editors on a monthly basis and has received requests for nearly one hundred percent of her pitches! Check out her website at: www.kerrinelson.com

Character Arcs

Many times I have seen people talk about character arcs but had never received a clear answer as to what it is. So, I went in search of  the answer myself. To be a successful writer, I need to know everything I can about everything there is to know.

CHARACTER ARC is the process of getting a character from one point to another. To over come what ever obstacle it is that stands in the way of their HEA. (HEA means Happily Ever After).

Let's say you have a hero. He has been betrayed numerous times by his family and his ex-fiance. That's point A. What needs to happen to him to get him to be able to move past the hurt and betrayal to be able to find love again? Most likely in the arms of the heroine. That would be point B.

He has to learn to trust again. To believe that love is worth fighting for and that even if there are some bumps in the road, it will all work out in the end. We want the hero to feel and believe that no matter the outcome, the heroine is worth fighting for. And if he has been hurt and betrayed that is a long road to travel down.

With that said, it doesn't mean that the heroine has nothing to do. She has to prove herself. She had to help him build that trust by being a trusting kind of person herself. She must betray the qualities that will make him feel as if he can't live without her. And we all know, that sometimes the heroine comes with baggage of her own.

If the heroine has no problems and her goal is to win him over, then her jobs is going to be a whole lot easier than if a heroine came with problems. She will have to overcome her own as she is trying to help the hero overcome his.

As I work on my characters in my book, I need to outline their struggles and find the best way for them to deal with them and be able to move on. No easy task to do, I assure you. Each book will have different problems and different solutions.

Here we go..........

Interview with Author Nicole North

Today I’m interviewing Nicole North. I have read her books and taken a few of her classes. I am a huge fan and very exited to be interviewing her today. Her book, Laird of Darkness, is a historical paranormal erotic romance and was released on March 21.




Please tell my readers a little bit about your book.

Thanks so much, Sarah, for allowing me to visit your blog!

Here is the blurb for Laird of Darkness: Half-Fae Laird Duncan MacDougall is cursed. His nights are haunted by Otherworld creatures sent to kill him. The only way to stop them is to possess the magic bow currently in the hands of his enemy half-brother, Kinnon MacClaren. In desperation, Duncan plans to take MacClaren's bride-to-be hostage and exchange her for the bow.



Lady Alana Forbes has never met her intended, but she hopes he is handsome-and a good lover, for Alana is no innocent virgin. On her way to Castle Claren, Alana and her escorts are intercepted, and she is kidnapped by a man with extraordinary abilities-and every attribute she longs for in a mate.



Duncan didn't expect the woman he thought of as a mere pawn would be so beautiful, and so arousing. Alana is drawn to him as well-but Duncan still needs the bow, and Alana is betrothed to another. How far will Alana go to save the life of the man she's come to love?



Laird of Darkness is based on an ancient Scottish legend or fairy tale… with a twist. The villain of the original fairy tale is actually the hero of my story.



Describe the genre of this particular title, and is the only genre you write in?
 I write mostly spicy Scottish paranormal which is what this story is. One thing that’s interesting is that it incorporates several subgenres—erotic romance, Scottish historical romance, paranormal romance, with suspenseful and humorous elements. I also write contemporary and straight Scottish historical romance (with no paranormal). Since I sometimes write time-travel, knowledge of all these subgenres is necessary.



When did you start writing toward publication?
 Longer ago than I care to admit. LOL But since writing was the career path I wanted and needed to take, I persisted. If you want it as badly as I did, then you never give up, no matter the number of rejections.



Did you have several manuscripts finished before you sold? If so, did you send them out yourself?
 Yes, I finished about six or seven manuscripts before I sold. It’s a learning process and we have to deal with the unpredictable market. There are so many factors that go into a sale vs. a rejection. Is the writing good enough? Is the story high concept enough? Does it have a hook? Is your subgenre hot right now? Did publisher x just publish a story similar to this? Does this agent already represent an author who writes xyz? When we start out on this journey, we never know how long it will take to sell, or how long it will take to become successful. As writers, we have to continue to learn and grow and challenge ourselves.



Why have you become a published author?
 Persistence and determination. And because, like I mentioned, there wasn’t another career path that made me happy. Believe me, I tried a few.



Do you have any rejection stories to share?
 I have a lot but I don’t want to scare anyone. LOL The most memorable and baffling was from a big publisher who shall remain nameless. The editor loved my story and said it was a fantastic, strong story, but because I had already mentioned that I write in two other subgenres of romance (paranormal and contemporary), she didn’t feel I was committed to writing historical romance set in Scotland. (Um… excuse me, I would LIVE in historical Scotland if I could.) So you see, there is yet another factor we have no control over. Sometimes it isn’t enough to simply write a strong, publishable novel.



What is your writing routine like?
 I don’t really have a routine. When I write and how much depends on what else I have going on that month. I tend to try and block off my writing into months. If I’m writing the rough draft of a new story, my goal is to write about 2500 words per day. If I’m writing 2nd or 3rd draft then my word count would be lower and my goal might be to complete chapter 7 that day, or whatever. And then there are various other things I have to do like creating workshops and teaching them, doing edits required by my publishers, blogging and other promo.



What sort of promo do you do? Do you have help?
The help I receive on promo would be from wonderful people like you who interview me and post my interviews or guest posts on their blogs. I do all sorts of online promo: blogging, interviews, asking for reviews, posting info on loops/groups, entering contests, holding contests, a newsletter, a website, social networking.



Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?
 Knowing that others enjoy reading my stories. While it might be true that I write for myself first, I also LOVE entertaining other people, making them laugh, or cry or fall in love. It’s a major thrill for me to hear from a reader who’s enjoyed my story.



Are you a member of any writing organizations and, if so, have they helped?
 Yes, I’m a member of RWA, CHRW, HHRW, and FTHRW. They have all helped me in one way or another, with vital information about the publishing industry, contests, conferences, workshops, networking, friendships, opportunities to get in front of editors/agents, etc.



Will you share some encouraging words for authors still struggling for that first contract?
 Don’t give up. If you want it bad, then go for it with all the strength and determination you can muster. Keep your eyes wide open. Keep learning. Remain flexible. Be honest with yourself. Don’t be afraid to try new things. It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down; what matters is how many times you get up. I know these things have been said many times, but this is because they’re true.



What’s next for you? I’m excited to have a paranormal, time-travel erotic romance novella called Scoundrel in a Kilt which will be released in July in Secrets Volume 30, a print anthology out from Red Sage. In that one, the hero is a selkie shape-shifter and the heroine is a modern day supermodel. Hmm… wonder how that could play out? LOL I hope readers find it to be a fun, hot story full of emotion and passion.



BOOK BLURB for current release.


Laird of Darkness: Half-Fae Laird Duncan MacDougall is cursed. His nights are haunted by Otherworld creatures sent to kill him. The only way to stop them is to possess the magic bow currently in the hands of his enemy half-brother, Kinnon MacClaren. In desperation, Duncan plans to take MacClaren's bride-to-be hostage and exchange her for the bow.



Lady Alana Forbes has never met her intended, but she hopes he is handsome-and a good lover, for Alana is no innocent virgin. On her way to Castle Claren, Alana and her escorts are intercepted, and she is kidnapped by a man with extraordinary abilities-and every attribute she longs for in a mate.



Duncan didn't expect the woman he thought of as a mere pawn would be so beautiful, and so arousing. Alana is drawn to him as well-but Duncan still needs the bow, and Alana is betrothed to another. How far will Alana go to save the life of the man she's come to love?





A little bit about the author.

Nicole North's erotic romance novellas have been described by reviewers as "exciting, high octane, captivating, scintillating, sinfully delicious and pure romance." Her stories contain "heart and heat, killer love scenes, magic and extraordinary characters." Her books include Laird of Darkness (Harlequin/Carina Press, March 2011); Beast in a Kilt (the second novella in the Kilted Shapeshifter series) in the anthology Secrets Volume 29, Indulge Your Fantasies (Red Sage, July 2010). Devil in a Kilt (the first story in the Kilted Shapeshifter series) in the anthology Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures, (Red Sage, July 2009). Kilted Lover (Red Sage, Nov. 2009.) Scoundrel in a Kilt (third in the kilted Shapeshifter series) in the anthology Secrets Volume 30, (Red Sage, July 2011.) Her works have finaled in over a dozen writing competitions and won several awards. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and three chapters. She teaches online workshops about various aspects of writing, including sexual tension and how to write great love scenes. Though she has a degree in psychology, writing romance is her first love. She and her husband live in the Southeastern US, but she wishes she lived in the Scottish Highlands at least half the year.




Excerpt (PG rated)


Laird of Darkness, Chapter One



’Twould be a night of much turmoil. Duncan MacDougall, chief of Clan MacDougall, crouched upon the rocky crag above Loch Searbh as violet-gray gloaming settled over Scotland. The cool, early summer wind, fragrant with flowers, gusted between the rugged granite mountains. He tugged the wool plaid closer about his shoulders. Even the kelpie tribe that dwelled beneath the loch’s murky, peat-tinged surface rumbled more violently than usual.

But a more pressing matter weighed on Duncan’s mind: plotting how he might acquire his enemy Kinnon MacClaren’s magical bow and quiver. If Duncan possessed the Dealanach, as the old druid had once said, he would no longer be doomed to lurk about the night alone. With that special bow, he would finally vanquish the vile Otherworld creatures that tortured him in his nightmares and sleep peacefully as all others did.

He stroked his fingers over the sore wound on his forearm, three deep scratches he’d received almost a week ago. Recently, the beasts had even found ways to invade his sleep during the daytime. These scratches and the bloody bite marks on his calf told him the attacks weren’t his imagination.

The thumping of hooves from the south drew his attention. With his enhanced Fae senses, he listened as the horses galloped closer over the rocky ground. Below him, near the ferry crossing, the riders dismounted. Duncan counted nine men and five women in the party, all perched upon fine horses. The dock held no boat at this late hour, the ferryman having already returned to his home on the other side of the loch.

After the horses drank, the men led them away from the water, closer to the shelter of the cliffside, out of the wind. All but one woman followed.

“Do not wander far, m’lady,” one of the men called out.

“Of course.” The lady’s voice was feminine and rich, but she wore a dull brown cloak complete with a cowl over her head. Though the bulky garment concealed most of her body, she appeared slender.

“Oh, is that…” She tugged her skirts off her shoes and trotted through the heather and gorse, just starting to bloom purple and yellow, and approached the loch’s edge. “Indeed.” A small dagger glinted as she removed it from a hidden pouch. Kneeling, she cut a plant out of the ground and sniffed it.

With his keen hearing, Duncan detected a thunderous din beneath the surface of the loch once again, too low for human ears. The lady was perilously close to the water’s edge. He stood, knowing what tragedy would befall her if he didn’t intervene.



Lady Alana Forbes knelt by Loch Searbh, overjoyed to have found such a large clump of marsh tea. She would dry it and use it to heal many skin afflictions. A dull roar reached her ears. Thunder? No storm clouds lurked overhead. The loch at twilight, surrounded by the rugged Highlands, was one of the most beautiful sights she had seen. A pink and violet sunset painted the sky to the west, the direction she would journey tomorrow to meet her future husband at Castle Claren.

She hoped Kinnon MacClaren was a handsome and kind man. And though she would never admit it to anyone but herself, she hoped he was a generous lover and skilled in the bedchamber. If the rumors about him were correct, the MacClaren chief was indeed handsome, with blue eyes and tawny hair.

Rising, she sniffed the balsamic aroma of the herb. Above all, her new husband must allow her to continue practicing the medicinal arts her beloved grandmother taught her. Gran had passed three years ago, and Alana was the only one to preserve her family’s herbal knowledge and ancient Soillse Eòlas Leigheas healing spells.

She took one step toward her party’s camp when a fierce clamor exploded from the loch. She froze. Water gushed upward and a herd of white horses burst forth, headed straight toward her. What in Hades?

Something unseen slipped around her waist, snatching her into the air far above the ground. Strangely, the invisible band around her felt like a man’s strong arm. St. Bride preserve me! Nausea roiled through her. She screamed, flailing, cold chills covering her body



How can my readers buy your book?

Readers can go to the publisher’s home page at http://www.carinapress.com.



You can find more information about me, Nicole North, and Laird of Darkness by

visiting my website, http://www.nicolenorth.com. or

my blog at http://fierceromance.blogspot.com.

When the Muse wants to be heard

I have mentioned before that I have written a historical romance novel with a time travel element. It is set in Scotland and stars Marlana Crawford and Alexander Macpherson.

What you don't know is that Alexander has a sister, Margaret, and two brothers, Hamish and James.

I had decided to make this a series and tell the stories of the brothers. Margaret is already married so I am not sure if she will have a story to tell or not. She hasn't asked me for one at this point.

The books will feature the siblings, as I believe that since they are family, they would be seen in each others lives. But their stories do not effect each other. They each stand alone.

I had already started James's story. I have been working on it, researching the things I need etc. But I will tell you that for some reason, Hamish seems to be pushy and is wanting his story told now. All of these ideas have invaded my mind the last two days, so I have set James back on his pedestal for now and am letting Hamish work his magic.

There isn't anything I can do about it. I have tried to write for James in the last two days, but find myself wandering to Hamish. We will see what happens. At some point, I imagine I will be working on two stories at once. The Macpherson men are stubborn and the last thing I would ever do is tell one no. LOL! That just gives them the incentive to try harder.

So, what do you do when your muse wants to be heard? You sit back, listen, and take notes!

Another bump in the road

I have been wanting to post for a couple of days now, but waited until I got the results back form the writing contest I had entered so I could share that information with you.

I entered a contest called The Write Stuff and it was held by the Connecticut Chapter of RWA. Our results were supposed to come on March 1st, but something must have happened and we didn't get them until the 2nd.

I entered Highland Dreams. Well, it didn't final. Yah, I was sad for a bit. No one wants to hear news like that, but I got over it. If I am going to be a writer, I can not allow myself to sit and wallow in sadness. I have to get back up and start again.

Besides, just because I didn't final, didn't mean I did badly. It just means that someone did better. Who knows, maybe I was 2 points away from placing. I haven't received the comments back, so I don't know what anyone thinks. Of course, I am assuming I will get comments back. I hope so, it would be very helpful.

This is my dream. This is what I want to do and I will see it to the end. I have an agent who asked for the full manuscript. Fingers crossed that she likes it. That's the main goal; to get an agent to want to represent me and get published. Once that goal is achieved, then we set a new one. The final goal would be to be on the New York Times Best Seller list. But, even if hat doesn't happen, that's okay too. Just getting published would be a wonderful dream come true!