Monthly Archives: March 2010
Being Done by Victoria Janssen
When is it time to stop working on a novel?
As with anything to do with the craft of writing, there are a lot of different answers, and the only answer you can count on is “it depends.”
But here are my thoughts on being Done, and how they work for me on contracted novels. To give some background, I just turned in the fourth novel I’ve completed. I rewrote my first completed novel twice before I submitted it anywhere; it never sold. Prior to my first completed novel, I spent quite a long time on two other novels that were never finished. I’ve had quite a few stages of Done.
There’s a saying that no novel is ever finished, only abandoned. When I abandon, the novel has reached its required wordcount and is complete in my mind; it has a shape and structure and feel to it that further tampering and small enhancements won’t substantially alter. It’s done with me and, just as importantly, I’m done with it. (Also, the deadline will have arrived. I’m good like that.)
There are ways I can tell I’m Done. These feelings vary from writer to writer, and the only way to recognize them is to finish something, preferably several somethings, and identify your sensations of doneness for yourself. (Nobody said this was easy!)
For example, when I have a complete manuscript of the appropriate wordcount, I might enter a fair number of line edits, tightening prose and clarifying sentences. I don’t count those things against being Done. Done means I won’t add any more scenes, or majorly change scenes. If I have ideas for changes to the story, it always turns out those changes can’t be accomplished without major restructuring, so I don’t make them. Those ideas are for some future project.
Being Done for me is also a multi-stage process, partly related to the publication schedule.
I’m done with a polished draft when I submit the manuscript to my editor; any substantial changes after that will be completed because of her suggestions. It does help to know that period of leeway is built in; it helps me to let go of that polished draft for the first time. I’m done again when I’ve finished the editor’s required revisions (and usually a few more of my own, that occurred to me in the intervening months).
Then there are the final line edits, which I will continue to work on until my brain is in the condition I call Empty. That is when I am really and truly most sincerely Done.
Empty means I can’t work on the novel anymore. Thinking about it leads to a feeling of calm peacefulness, a feeling that I’ve done all there is to be done. This isn’t true, of course, but when niggling thoughts arise, I brutally crush them. If you never submit the novel, it can never be published.
Finally, there can be a hard call that’s sometimes associated with that mental stage: sometimes I reach Empty when I’m not Done. And then I know, from experience, that it’s time to abandon the manuscript and move on, because I’ve learned all I can from it. At that point, I either start a rewrite from scratch, usually from a new angle, or begin another project. I’ve learned that if I dig away at a manuscript for too long, without making progress, that it’s likely it won’t sell, or will only sell with great difficulty. I don’t often reach that stage these days. I’ve studied my own process so I can start over before the novel goes too far in the wrong direction.
I think recognizing when I’m Done is a necessary stage of my writing process. If you’re never Done, you can’t move on to write something new and better.
To find out more about Victoria Janssen, go to: http://victoriajanssen.blogspot.com or http://www.victoriajanssen.com
Scavenger Hunt with Tina Donahue
To pump up the action today, Tina’s hosting a scavenger hunt. Here’s what
you do to win!!
Rules: Periodically, throughout the day, Tina will post questions (four in
all) to the comments section here and at her site with the answers found
on her website. Hold onto your answers until all four questions have been
asked, then email the answers to Tina at tina@tinadonahue.com
Prize: The first one to email Tina with all four questions answered
correctly will have her choice of one of Tina’s books, including:
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious
3. Close to Perfect
4. Bad Boys with Red Roses
5. Take My Breath Away
That’s it!! Complete info on her website.
Can you tell everyone a little bit about yourself?
Be happy to. I’m a multi-published author in contemporary, historical and erotic romance.
To my delight, Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly and Romantic Times have praised my work. I’ve reached finals and/or placed in numerous RWA-sponsored contests. Before I began writing novels, I was the editor of an award-winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in story direction for a Hollywood production company. I like to write what I call “Heat with Heart” – sexy, sensuous stories with a lot of emotional build before, during and after the sex.
Do you have a ritual or writing process?
If putting my butt down in a chair everyday in front of my computer and banging out my stories is a process, then that’s what I do. I write or research my books seven days a week, early in the morning when it’s quiet.
Can you tell us about your newest release DEEP, DARK & DELICIOUS?
Couldn’t wait for you to ask! J Here’s a blurb and an excerpt.
Blurb:
Deep, Dark, Delicious – A wickedly sensual feast…
Eden DeCarlo may have narrowly lost Miami’s best chef competition and the prize money she desperately needs, but she has caught the eye of dangerously virile Rafael Zayas, one of the judges and a wealthy restaurateur. Despite her vow not to let any man derail her life, Eden’s captivated by Rafe’s imposing masculinity, then challenged by the business deal he offers. He’ll invest in her new venture if, for one month, she can satisfy his culinary expectations and the sexual attraction they both feel. Dominant and unashamed, Rafe knows what he wants when it comes to carnal pleasure and will spare no seduction to have Eden in all the ways he demands – naked, wanting, submissive. Within thirty days, he will teach her the delights of yielding to passion, relinquishing all control to him and fulfilling her deepest, darkest and most delicious desires.
Excerpt (this scene opens as Rafe arrives at Eden’s house to begin their thirty day agreement):
Eden’s house, a relic from the 1940s, sat back from the street, its spacious front yard carpeted with lush grass and crowded with a variety of palms, some tall and slender, others squat and fat. Rafe lowered his duffel bags to the walkway, pausing to take in the white Spanish-style façade, Cuban barrel tiled roof and forest-green awnings over the arched windows.
As a seven-year-old new to the United States, he’d delivered morning papers to homes like this, his young eyes staring, his heart hoping one day he’d be able to live in such a palace.
His current waterfront estate, purchased after his endorsements reached several million dollars annually, boasted eight-thousand square feet of living space in the main house and two guest houses on the grounds, each the size of this home. His parents lived in one, Victor and his family in the other. Rafe had an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis court, wine cellar, gourmet kitchen, dock and yacht, countless bedrooms and more bathrooms than a single man would ever need. His dream had taken him well beyond his wildest aspirations. However, the seven-year-old boy in him couldn’t help but smile. His estate was a showpiece, almost too perfect. This pleasant place felt like home.
To the left, a car door slammed. He looked over. An older man, possibly in his sixties, carried bags of groceries into his house. In the yard next to this one, Rafe saw a very pale young woman partially hidden by a tall palm, her bony hands on the ringed trunk. A floppy straw hat shaded her face. Her eyes jumped from his luggage to him.
It seemed Eden had noisy neighbors. The sight of a man moving into her place probably enlivened an otherwise boring day or was so uncommon it warranted notice. Preferring the latter scenario, Rafe grabbed his things and went to her front door, ringing the bell.
The gentle chimes reminded him again of his paperboy days, waiting on porches for the homes’ owners to give him their payments. Back then, his young heart had beat wildly. He feared making a mistake and angering his customers.
His pulse quickened now at the sound of light footfalls nearing the wooden door, ornately carved in the style of Spanish architecture. The click of metal signaled Eden turning the dead bolt and the beginning of their thirty day adventure.
Even before she’d opened the door fully, Rafe caught her fragrance of cool fruit and sweet flowers with a suggestion of musk that went well with the cinnamon and vanilla aromas coming from the kitchen. Her cheeks glowed with heat…not from the oven, from him. As if she were helpless to stop it, her eyes softened beneath his appraising gaze. She’d changed her nose stud from a topaz to a diamond. The gem winked in the day’s gloomy light. Her stretchy white tank top worked to contain her breasts. White shorts hugged her honeyed thighs. A delicate silver chain circled her left ankle.
Bursts of warmth journeyed from his chest to his crotch, lodging there to feed his swelling cock. Damned near breathless, he looked up.
She murmured, “Welcome.”
Rafe dropped his bags. Hand on her throat he eased her against the door, his chest, belly and thighs molded to hers. Her heightened color said she felt his erection. Her tattered breaths said she liked it. He whispered, “Buenas tardes.”
In synchrony with her parting lips, her lids slipped down. An encouraging reception no sane man could refuse. His tongue touched hers, then pierced deep, compelling her to relax her jaw, to submit.
On a whimper, she obeyed.
His chest bumped hers with his sharp breath, her firm nipples stirring him further. She tasted of mint, toothpaste no doubt, having prepared herself for his arrival. Pleased, Rafe took possession. For thirty days she was his in every way, he wasn’t about to delay a second. His relentless kiss mirrored his savage appetite. With their bodies pushing against it, the door hit the stop, it wood shuddering briefly. His tongue explored her teeth, the silky insides of her cheeks. She suckled hard, pulling him more deeply inside.
Not good enough.
He bunched her top to her breasts, tunneling his hand beneath the cotton, seeking skin. Instead, he reached the edge of her bra. His kiss faltered at the obstruction.
She took over, pushing his tongue aside to plunge hers into his mouth. It won’t be as easy as you expect, her actions warned. I may be yours to take, but if you want my full submission, you’ll have to win me.
Did she have any doubt?
Her determination couldn’t match his. His discipline would be absolute. When the time came, he’d warn her against wearing underwear. While they were together, he wouldn’t have it.
He suckled her tongue, not about to let her end the kiss. Impatient, he pushed the bra’s sheer cup past her left breast, freeing it to rest on his palm, reveling in its feminine weight, flicking the long nipple with his thumb.
Subdued, her body relaxed, its weakness telling him he could do whatever he pleased.
Later, once he made her desperate for it. For now, he’d proven his will and released her breast, settling it back in its cup, easing down her top. She moaned softly as his mouth left hers. The back of her head rested against the door. Her eyes fluttered open.
Holding her gaze, Rafe’s hand slid down her arm to the large socket wrench she held in her fist. “Is this how you greet all of your guests?”
A smile danced in her eyes. She lifted her free hand to cover his on her throat. “Do you greet all of your hosts this way?”
He laughed. “You’re the first.” His lips sought the fine hair at her temple. Damping it with a tender kiss, smelling her melon-scented mane, he whispered, “Why the weapon? Were you expecting someone other than me?”
Her labored breathing didn’t allow her to speak immediately. Her sweet, quick breaths glided past his ear. “The pipe under my kitchen sink is leaking. I thought I could fix it before you arrived.”
He left a path of kisses across her cheek and jaw prior to looking up. “Give me the wrench. I’ll take a look at it.”
What helps get you inspired and what were your writing influences?
Events I see on TV or read about on the Internet often inspire my stories. For example, I got the idea for Deep, Dark, Delicious while I was watching Iron Chef on The Food Network. That night, there was a mega-hot Latin guy in the challenge. I started wondering what would happen if he was one of the judges and a hot Latin lady was a contestant. Then I began to wonder, what would happen if he voted down her dish and she lost but he still wanted her? After that, the story just took off.
My writing was influenced by the classics written by Dickens, the Bronte sisters, etc., and by contemporary writers whose work I enjoy, including Lawrence Sanders, Sol Stein, Hilma Wolitzer, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Dean Koontz - stop me, please, I could go on and on! 
When you’re not on deadlines, what do you like to read?
Just about anything, though not necessarily in this order: Romantic comedy, thrillers, horror, mainstream, historical romance, contemporary romance, and erotic romance.
What helped you make the decision to become a romance writer? Was it reading a romance book or a nudge from friends?
For me, writing wasn’t a conscious decision. It just came naturally. I’ve been writing since I was nine. When I read Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss, I started getting interested and excited about romance, so I’d say her work convinced me more than anything to try my hand at it.
How many years of writing did you invest before you finally made it?
When I decided to write romance, I wrote my first novel in six months and in less than a week after submitting it to my agent, he sold it to my editor with her asking for two more. However, I had been writing since I was nine, I had been the editor of a newspaper, so I had lots and lots of practice and years of honing my skills before I delved into romance.
Which character(s) or storylines that you are most attached to?
For me, the story I’m currently working on is always the one I like best. If I had to choose the characters or plots I enjoyed the most from my earlier novels, I’d have to say “Lady Love” and “Take A Chance”, contemporary romantic comedies for Kensington – more on the sweet than the sexy side.
What is the biggest misconception about romance authors that you’ve come across?
That they can’t write and aren’t professional. Nothing could be further from the truth. In addition to crafting stories with unique plots, especially in sci-fi and fantasy, they convey the characters’ emotions on the page. Believe me, that isn’t easy. In fact, it may be the hardest thing a writer will ever do. It takes talent to create and sustain emotional build – to make the reader sigh, laugh or cry and to truly care about the characters even after the story has ended.
Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?
Read everything you can get your hands on, and not only in the genre you’re targeting. Write, write, write – everyday if you can. Perfect your craft.
Never give up. No matter how many times you’ve been rejected, write again, make it better and submit it. You will succeed.
Any last words for our readers?
Thanks for stopping by today and for your interest in my books. My commitment to you is to provide the best in romantic entertainment. Drop by my website to see what my current releases are and for a chance to win one of my earlier releases. I run contests and scavenger hunts monthly.
About Tina:
Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary, historical and erotic romance. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly and Romantic Times have praised her work; she has reached finals and/or placed in numerous RWA-sponsored contests. Her most recent work – Deep, Dark, Delicious was nominated for Book of the Week at Whipped Cream Reviews. She was the editor of an award-winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company (with work shown on CBS-TV) and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern. You can email Tina at tina@tinadonhue.com
March Member News
Romance Divas would like to recognize our members for their good news!
Please congratulate them on their writing achievements and success.
**We’ll post updates as they come in for the month of March.**
♦ Christine d’Abo’s new erotic futuristic, No Quarter, is releasing on March 31st from Ellora’s Cave.
♦ Eden Bradley’s e-novella, SPRING EQUINOX, Book Two in her Celestial Seductions series, was released March 5th from Samhain!
♦ Elise Hepner’s Sex Tool is released from Excessica on March 1, College Trouble is released from Excessica March 8th, and Repossession is released from Excessica March 29th.
♦ Jeannie Lin will be presenting her workshop “Page 1, 5, 50 — Keeping Them Hooked” at the NECRWA Let Your Imagination Take Flight conference, March 26-27.
♦ Jenna Bayley-Burke’s latest, Pride & Passion releases March 9 from Samhain Publishing.
♦ Marisa Chenery’s paranormal romance The Goddess’ Girdle, the 3rd book in the Goddess Revealed series, will be released at Ellora’s Cave on March 26th.
♦ MK Mancos’ Immorati from Wild Rose Press/Black Rose and the print edition of Scythe from Samhain Publishing will be released this month.
♦ Nell Dixon’s book, Animal Instincts is a finalist in the UK’s Love Story of the Year Awards.
♦ Paige Tyler’s new erotic romance MR. RIGHT-NOWreleases Mar 3rd from Ellora’s Cave.
♦ RG Alexander’s, MY SHIFTER SHOWMANCE, the first in her Shifting Reality series, releases March 30th from Samhain Publishing.
♦ RG Alexander’s TWILIGHT GUARDIAN, Book 3 of the Children of the Goddess series, will be released in print March 3rd from Samhain Publishing.
♦ Rhonda Stapleton’s teen romance FLIRTING WITH DISASTER (book 2 in the STUPID CUPID trilogy) released March 9 from Simon Pulse.
♦ Stephanie Adkins‘ contemporary erotic romance novella, Enough, debuted from Loose Id on March 2nd.
Spotlight On Realms of Fantasy
This month we welcome Shawna McCarthy, Fiction Editor, and Douglas Cohen, Editor, from Realms Of Fantasy magazine.
For those new to Realms Of Fantasy can you give us a little background on the magazine?
DC: Well, Shawna knows a lot more about the magazine’s origins than I do, because was the magazine’s founding editor and is the only person left who has been with the magazine since its first issue. But I’ll add a few additional tidbits for those unfamiliar with us. RoF is a full-sized bimonthly color magazine. Besides the fiction and the nonfiction Shawna mentions, each issue also features interior illustrations accompanying the stories, an artist gallery, and a number of different review columns. I joined the magazine back in 2005 as Assistant Editor, meaning I was Shawna’s assistant in the fiction department. Actually, Shawna was the one who hired me. Thanks, Shawna! The magazine was cancelled early in 2009, but our current publisher, Warren Lapine of Tir Na Nog Press, stepped in a couple of months later, bought the magazine, and brought me and Shawna back. I have some additional duties with the magazine thes
e days (thanks, Warren!), so everything I do now gets lumped under the title of Editor. But in the fiction department, I remain Shawna’s assistant. I’ll also add that our current issue is February 2010 and is available on newsstands, while subscriptions are available on our website: http://www.rofmag.com. The April 2010 issue of the magazine is scheduled for release in early February.
SM: The magazine was launched in October 1994 after a series of meetings with Carl Gnam, then the publisher of Science Fiction Age. I had written to him suggesting that since Fantasy outsells Science Fiction by a factor of ten to one (back then—it’s probably a larger number today), that he might want to consider publishing a fantasy magazine. In addition to the fiction, I stopped to consider what sorts of non-fiction might be of interest to the fantasy reader, and I realized that as a fantasy reader I was always curious about the folkoots behind the fantasy tropes. What was Samhain, anyway, and how did you pronounce it? (I’m still not sure!). There was only one person I knew who was qualified to write such a column, and that was the remarkable Terri Windling, who stayed on as our Folkroots editor for nearly 15 years. Thanks, Terry! I also wanted to get a real eminence grise´ for the book review column, and was able to snatch Gahan Wilson (yes, that Gahan Wilson) out from under the hands of George Scithers who was at the time trying to get him as a reviewer for his magazine. Sorry, George! And of course, the fiction was the main reason for the magazine’s existence, so I contacted all of my writer friends and they came through for me. Thanks, Writer Friends. And so Realms of Fantasy was born.
What is your favorite aspect of working on the magazine?
DC: For me it’s two things. One is finding publishable manuscripts in our general submissions pile. I pass what I like along to Shawna and she makes the final call on what we’re taking. It’s always fun finding the proverbial needle in the haystack, and the genuine appreciation from the authors is always a wonderful thing. Also, I love seeing the final artwork when it’s handed in. It’s always interesting to see a story brought to life visually. Also, it’s fun to see the finished product before just about everyone else!
SM: I love presenting high quality fantasy fiction to an audience that appreciates it. I also love finding new writers and watching them grow into major talents.
I understand you’re starting a paranormal romance column. How did that come about? What sorts of topics will you be covering? Are you looking for contributors to that column?
DC: That came about through a conversation with Warren. There was a book up for potential review, something in the vein of romantic fantasy. Warren wanted to know which columnist was best suited to review the book. We swapped a few emails about this, and then Warren made the suggestion that we create a book column dedicated to reviewing paranormal romance/urban fantasy/romantic fantasy/related areas. I didn’t have to think about this long to realize it was a great idea. So after figuring out the particulars to how we would handle this new column, I put out a call on my blog for interested reviewers (I would have put out a call on our website too, but it was still under construction). Some amazing candidates applied for the position, making it a very difficult choice for me. I suppose I should stop and explain that, with few exceptions, RoF tends to use the same group of nonfiction columnists from issue to issue. So I would be choosing just one reviewer. Ultimately I selected Elizabeth Bear. She is a very talented, prolific, and respected author who has also done reviews for such venues as Washington Post Online. She has a deep appreciation for these areas of the fantastic and her ability to deconstruct and review a story is absolutely amazing. I have every confidence that she is going to do an amazing job. The column will be premiering in our June 2010 issue. We’re also planning to concurrently run some of the magazine’s nonfiction columns on our website from time to time. Right now, there’s a very good chance we’ll be posting Elizabeth’s reviews in the June 2010 issue on the website as well. We would of course encourage everyone to buy an issue of the magazine and give us a shot, but I know the majority of the readers on this site are big romance fans. So if you fall into this category and you’re not sure if the magazine is for you, reading this column to help you decide might be a good starting place.
The upcoming Women of Fantasy issue has already created some buzz. Why this theme now? And I know it’s listed on the website, but can you run down submission guidelines for that issue here?
SM: I don’t think there’s ever a wrong time to present the work of talented women writers. Why now? Why not? I’ve always wanted to do themed issues but the timing never worked out in the past. Doug will provide you with the exact guidelines.
DC: Well, I think Shawna answered the question of why rather well. As to our guidelines, here is the abridged version: we’re putting out a women in fantasy issue in August 2011. This issue will address the aforementioned topic through the magazine’s fiction, art, and nonfiction. We’re currently accepting fiction submissions for this issue, which is open to women only. Stories dealing with gender, sexism, and other topics important to feminist speculative fiction are particularly welcome, but are not required. The stories do not necessarily need to feature a female protagonist. Stories must be postmarked no later than November 15th, 2010. The full guidelines can be found here: http://www.rofmag.com/2010/01/12/women-in-fantasy-take-two/ The magazine’s general submission guidelines can be found here: http://www.rofmag.com/contact-us/
What’s the last book you read or what are you reading now?
DC: The last book I read was THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Phillip Pullman. It’s the first book in a YA (or middle-grade—I’ve seen it shelved in both areas at the bookstores!) fantasy trilogy called HIS DARK MATERIALS. People who haven’t heard of the book still might recognize the title, since there was a movie made about this one a couple of years back. Despite the fact that it was marketed to reach younger readers, the content is handled in a very mature manner and the author’s imagination is quite impressive. Adults should be able to enjoy this without a problem. And the young heroine is without a doubt the spunkiest protagonist I have ever encountered. You can’t help but root for her.
As to what I’m reading now, I’m about to pick up PARABLE OF THE TALENTS by Octavia E. Butler, one of the most talented writers science fiction has ever known. Everything I’ve read by her to date has wowed me. PARABLE OF THE TALENTS is the sequel to PARABLE OF THE SOWER, one of the better novels I’ve read in some time. I have every expectation this too will be amazing. After this, I imagine I’ll read something entirely different. You wouldn’t know it based on my answers, but I do read outside of speculative fiction!
SM: Right now I’m reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Vergese. It’s not fantasy or science fiction but it hold in common with those areas a very realized sense of place for a part of the world that’s utterly alien to most Americans. It makes Ethiopia sound like a sort of paradise!
Book you’re most looking forward to?
DC: Ha! That’s an easy one for me! The book I’m most looking forward to is A DANCE WITH DRAGONS by George R. R. Martin (yup, another fantasy). It’s the fifth book in Martin’s epic fantasy series, A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. I can’t even begin to describe how much I love this series, or to even describe the series itself. I would fail to do it any sort of justice. I really put it on a pedestal above all other stories. Epic fantasy is my favorite form of literature when done right. I’ve read a lot of good epics over the years, but nothing quite like Mr. Martin’s works. That story fills me with awe.
SM: Too many to enumerate, and too little time to read them!
What else is in store for Realms Of Fantasy’s future?
DC: Well, our website is very new, because we launched it about a month ago. We’re still planning to do a lot more with it. Beyond that, well, we can’t give away all of our secrets, now can we?
SM: I’m looking forward to a robust future for the magazine—we’ve got a new publisher who’s totally energized and who’s working proactively to get us back into the marketplace. I’m excited!
