MAYbe Blogfest: My First Writer's Conference and The Ultimate Simone Elkeles Giveaway :D

Hey, everyone!  For today's MAYbe post I decided to post about my experience at my first writer's conference on April 27th since today's post is about writing :D

I had a blast, learned a lot, and I can't wait to share some pictures and some interesting tips and tricks I picked up during the experience.

Now if you're here just for the giveaway scroll down.  Simone Elkeles was one of the keynote speakers at the conference and she was so awesome that she gave me sighed posters as well as a signed copy of Perfect Chemistry to giveaway to my followers when I sat down with her for a chat :D


So how I'll format this post is to give you dos and don'ts for what to do if you attend your own writer's conference.  So here we go!

Do:  Make Lots of Friends!

I can't stress how invaluable networking is here.  I came in with the cool chicks you see on the left, my Prairie Sisters from my local RWA chapter.  They helped me learned the ropes and took me under their wing-being the newb that I was-and I was so greatful for everything they did for me.  Now you may say, "Well, Victoria, what if I don't have a group of people I can go with?  What ever should I do???"  Well, I'll tell you...MAKE FRIENDS.  I did.  Despite the fact that I had these amazing women with me, I made sure to branch out and find others!  And here's one of them below:

I found this stellar chick Nicole on Twitter two weeks or so before I went.  We met up and had an awesome time and met so many others that expanded our conference going exprience. We were both newbs and connected!

Do:  BRING BUSINESS CARDS

Holy crap were these things a big hit! (Thanks, Carrie, my NA Sister, for the tip!)  All weekend people were fawning over my Moo cards (refer to my post on how to get these pretty babies here) for their originality and along with their pretty-gorgeousness they helped me network like crazy.  I was handing these things out and gathering others up so quickly that a quarter of my stack was gone by the end of the weekend! 

Do:  Attend Every Seminar and Learning Experience You Possibly Can

Nicole's so silly, tehe

I can't stress this enough.  You are going to a conference first and foremost to LEARN so do it!  Don't sleep.  Don't sit in your hotel room all day.  Get off your butt and go and you will not only learn something, but you will meet people.  The industry professions that teach the classes know what their talking about and can help you out.

Do:  Bid on Silent Auctions if You Can

See that in my hand?  It's a critique from an editor at Samhain which I won by simply bidding in a silent auction.  It didn't cost me that much and the money goes toward a good cause.  This is an amazing resource.  I was going to submit to Samhain anyway and now they will have already seen my work and have given me feedback on how to make it better at no fault for when I actually submit.

Do:  Act + Dress Professionally

Now obviously this is a given.  Nothing too fancy, but look nice.  You are essentially marketing yourself with the big wigs.  Look good to impress.

Now on to the don'ts...

Don't:  Creep People Out

This is another obvious one.  There's lots of famous people at these things so it's easy to get giddy and want to freak out, but remember they are people too and you just got to be mellow.  Also, with the big wig industry professionals don't hold them up in the elevator and throw your manuscript at them.  They won't like it...and will most likely file a restraining order against you, haha.

Don't:  Pitch Your Work Unless You Are ABSOLUTELY Ready

Despite the fact that it's embarrassing to you if you do get a request for a full or partial from pitching and you, in actuality, have nothing to offer up to them that's polished, it's also just plain rude.  Imagine if you're an editor or an agent and someone gives you this stellar pitch and it's amazing and then all of the sudden the conference is over and you never heard back from the person you requested from again because they weren't ready to submit in the first place.  Its wastes everyone's time and disappoints them to no end.  There was an agent panel that spoke at the conference and they said that out of the requests that they ask writers for during an average conference after hearing their pitches only 30%, that's right you heard right, 30% actually send in the request?!  What a waste when there are people who are ready in the slush pile who want nothing more than to have that same editor or agent read their work.  You got the opportunity and wasted it.  Just don't do it unless you're ready.

Don't:  Be Shy

This one brings me to the end of this post and the giveaway below.  This is Simone Elkeles, author of the New York Times Best Selling Perfect Chemistry Series.

This is Simone Ekleles asking me for a good time to meet up later after her signing so she could give me some extra posters to hand out to my blog readers!  I told her I was a blogger and asked her to sign an extra copy of Perfect Chemisty for my wonderful readers (yes, you awesome folks) and she ended up not only signing my books, but also giving me some of her extra delicious posters featuring her Perfect Chemistry boys to hand out to my readers.  Why did she do this?  Because I wasn't shy and asked her for a favor--signing my extra book.  I ended up having a nice little chat with her and got some awesome signed swag to give my readers.  The lesson of the story?  Don't be shy.  Be yourself and people will be cool in return.  Oh and here is a pic of the poster and signed book.  *grins*

So I hope you enjoyed my dos and don'ts and they help you if you decide to go to a writer's conference in the future!  Now on to the giveaway!

The Ultimate Simone Elkeles Giveaway :D

So this is like my 4th giveaway this month, but I'm on a roll so why stop now!  Here's a quick laundry list of my other giveaways.  Click the links for more info:

500 Follower Giveaway (Thoughtless, Beautiful Disaster, or Slammed - 3 Winners)

Conception by Jennifer Hartz (Hurry ends 5/13 - 3 Winners - Low Entries)

NA Alley Giveaway (7 Big Prizes consisting of ebooks, critiques, and more)

So with this giveaway Author Simone Elkeles gave me a whole bunch of swag to pass on to you lovelies. 

The Goods

Ultimate Simone Prize Pack:  Signed Paperback of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles with Matching Bookmark and signed poster! (Book and Poster Pictured Above)

Fuentes Lover's Prize Pack:  Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles with matching Bookmark and sighed Poster (Book is unsighed and Poster Pictured Above)

Signed Perfect Chemistry Series Poster (One of the Posters above - 2 Winners)

The Rules

So there will be a total of 4 Winners here and the only requirement to enter is to follow me on either GFC, Network Blogs, or Linky Followers.  The other options are extra to better your chances.

Enter now for this awesome swag in the Rafflecopter below!  Giveaway ends 6/10

Interview with Author Jennifer Hartz + Giveaway (3 Winners!)

          "I do not think it is a question of where, but when." were the words that Charis left my mother with thirty years ago when I disappeared from Meric . . . before I was born. 
          Shortly after being sent back I've been attacked by man-eating Vaipes. I've learned that my father was a power wielding Guardian. I've discovered that the silvery-blue eyes intriguing me my entire life belong to my Watcher, Shaw who is without a doubt the most handsome man I have ever seen. And somehow I need to stop a war mongering tyrant who can manipulate people's thoughts. 
          So my question isn't where or when. It is how? How can I help the people of Meric when I can't stop myself from falling in love?

Get The Future Savior Series on Amazon Today!

May I Tell You About Someone Else?

          Hello, All!  For my Blog Me MAYbe Blogfest post today I bring you a special treat!  We're suppose to share something about someone else so today, I'm posting an interview with the very author I have been gushing about for almost a month now.  She writes a stellar series called The Future Savior, a five part book series which features a crazy cool, strong heroine with some seriously boss powers and a drool-worthy, sword-wielding hero, which would make any girl fan herself back into reality.  She's here today to discuss her awesome books as well as give away a few copies of the first book of her Future Savior Series: Conception as seen above.  Without further ado, I present you my interview with Jennifer Hartz!

1.  Okay, first question, Ms. Hartz.  Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started writing.

I've always loved fantasy stories, ever since I was a little kid.  In fact, I wrote my very first story when I was about 6-years-old.  It was about magical fairies who had their magic wands stolen by evil trolls!  Some how I got away from writing... life likes to move us in interesting directions.... but I eventually found my way back.  My current commute to work is an hour and a half... one way!  My mind would wander and daydream during my drive about a fantasy world and slowly, but surly The Future Savior Series was born!  Now I am so excited because this is my last year working!!!  I've got just over one month left!  Soon, I am going to be a full-time mommy/wife/WRITER!!!  I've got sooooo many ideas for different novels and series (mostly fantasy) that I should be writing for a VERY LONG time!

2.  Your series, The Future Savior, is seriously stellar and I love the first three books of the five parts that have been released, Conception, Resurrection, and Evacuation.  Why don't you tell us a little bit about the story itself overall for those who haven't read them yet. 

Oh gosh, it's so hard for me to talk about Future Savior without giving spoilers!  Basically a young woman, Christina, is mysteriously transported from her normal life to a fantasy world called Meric.  There she discovers she has an amazing destiny... she's the prophesied Savior of Meric!  She learns that she has unbelievable powers including visions and telekinesis.  She also discovers that she has a shape-shifting Watcher (body guard) named Shaw who has been protecting her since before she was born and who just happens to be the most breath-taking, handsome, yummy man ever!

3.  So as many of you out there in the blogosphere know by following my blog, I love a witty sarcastic heroine as well as a tough chick who can fight with the big boys and your heroine, Christina Vaughn, I feel epitomizes both of these elements.  Tell us more about her and how she came to be.

To tell you the truth, there is so much of me in Christina.  I wanted her to be as realistic as possible since the things happening to her were soUN-realistic.  Whenever something happened to Christina in the story, I would say to myself, "Okay... what would I do if this were me?"  In real life I'm sarcastic to a fault (it actually gets me in trouble!) and I'm extremely competitive.  That's totally where Christina gets her personality.  At least that's how Christina started... however, as the story grew, she sort got a mind of her own.  Now she's her own awesome self!  She's way cooler than I am!!!

4.  So here’s the question I have been dying to ask…  Where did the inspiration for this swoon worthy, sword wielding, Leviathan slaying hero Shaw come from?  The guy seriously makes me melt with every page turn of my Kindle.

I know, right?  Shaw  ***sigh***  As you might know, I get my visual inspiration for Shaw from the major swoon-worthy, mega handsome, drool enhancing, heart pounding (oh I could go on... and I will just a bit) deliciously gorgeous Kellan Lutz.  Victoria, please feel free to post as many Kellan Lutz pictures as you can get your hands on... your readers will not mind!!!

But for Shaw's personality he's what every woman wants.... at least I think so.  He so strong and so protective of her.  Which I think is one of the major rolls of men... to protect.  Somehow over the years this roll has been diminished, but deep down every woman truly desires her man to protect and lead her.  Not only does Shaw protect Christina, but at the same time, as her Watcher, he gives her distance to live her life.  Plus he lets her participate in the adventure.  Every woman out there wants an adventure!  Additionally he is so mysterious, which is just so much fun!

5.  One thing I really enjoy about your series, outside of the story itself, is the world it’s set in, Meric.  The land itself and the creatures who reside there are beautifully described.  How did you go about developing such an intricate world?

I have a completely whack imagination!!!  LOL!  Seriously though, I wanted to make sure the readers could really grasp the picture of things inside my head.  I wish I had a better explanation than that, but that's pretty much all I did... described the pictures in my head.

6.  This blog features books that twenty something readers would enjoy.  Why do you feel your series is great for twenty somethings? 

I think The Future Savior Series is ageless and I hope that doesn't sound conceded, but I wrote it for people of any age to enjoy.  It has the feel of a YA story, but the leading lady is in her thirties and then there's the fact that the people of Meric stop ageing at 33... who doesn't love that!

7.  What are your plans for future projects?

Oh my goodness!  I've got so many!!!  Along with writing Future Savior 4: Desecration, (which I'm currently working on now and it's stellar!) I'm about 2/3 of the way through a YA Urban Fantasy.  Then, recently, I was also bombarded with one of the best ideas I've ever had!  It's more of a Middle Grade, but I can't wait to start working on it!  Plus I've got a really nice paranormal romance I'm looking forward to working on soon... like I said before, I've got enough ideas to keep me busy for a long time!

8.  Okay, so totally unrelated, but for those of you that don’t know Ms. Hartz and myself share a serious love for all things Hunger Games!  So now the ultimate question, Ms. Hartz…  Team Peeta or Team Gale and please pick the right team ;)

Team Peeta all the way!!!  He's one of my many loves, including Shaw of course!  But maybe that's it... Peeta is all about protecting Katniss and Shaw is all about protecting Christina.  Good stuff!


        

Jennifer Hartz wrote and illustrated her first novel, an epic tale featuring winged fairies losing their magic wands to evil trolls, back when she was six years old. She has been a fan of fantasy and science fiction ever since. From the land of Mordor to a galaxy far, far away, Jennifer loves it all.

Born in Pittsburgh, but currently living in northeast North Carolina with her amazing husband and beautiful son, Jennifer spends her days teaching, reading, and writing.

The Future Savior series is Jennifer’s first crack at a novel since the early days of fairy wand heists and she couldn’t be more thrilled with its quick success.

Jennifer Hartz's Website  

Check out her Blog! 

Find her on Facebook

Tweet her on Twitter

Buy Conception, Resurrection, and Evacuation on Amazon Today!

Isn't she just great! Ah, I love this woman. And she picked the right team!  Make sure to check out these awesome books of hers and enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter below for your chance at the first in her Future Savior Series: Conception. She's giving away 3, yes 3 copies so there will be 3 winners!

Thanks, Ms. Hartz for joining us today!

Don't Forget to Fill out the Form Below!
Click "Read More" :D

Blog Me MAYbe Blogfest: Something About You!

So for today's Blog Me MAYbe post I get to ask a question about all of you!

So for today:

Share one of your favorite blogs in the comments section below!

I can't wait to see what you share :D

Oh, My Hero! Blog Hop + Bonus Interview at the Bottom ;)

Victoria:  Hello, everyone out there in the blogoshere! Jaycee Delorenzo and I combined our interviews and we would both like to thank you for joining us here today to meet the two hot heros from our novels.  Today we have the swoontastic and deliciously mysterious hero Luca Grinaldi joining us from my novel The Crimson Hunt.

Jaycee:  And we have my equally delicious “bad boy” hero, Ian Hollister, from my novel The Truths about Dating and Mating.

Victoria:  Ian and Luca, thank you for joining us today.

Jaycee:  Yes, thank you.

Luca:  Hello, and thank you for allowing me to be here.

Ian:  Yeah, thanks.

Victoria:  Okay on to the questions boys, how would you describe yourself in one word?  You first, Luca.

Luca:  ::thinks for a moment::  I find this question…rather difficult to answer.  For how one sees oneself does not matter.  It is the impression one makes on the world and how one treats others which is the most important, but if I had to answer I suppose I would consider myself logical.  Logical is my word. 

 Jaycee:  Thank you.  And how about you, Ian?

 Ian:  Is badass one word or two? 

 Jaycee:  ::shrugs::  One works for me.

 Victoria:  Okay, next question.  How would you describe your heroine?  How about you first this time, Ian.

 Ian:  ::grins::  Ivy?  Ivy’s incredible.  She smart, fearless, and tons of fun to hang out with.  If you’re her friend, she’ll be your biggest cheerleader.  She’s loyal to a fault, even when you don’t deserve it, and I include myself in that lot.  She… ::brow knits as he gets serious::  She’s always been there for me.  Always.  In fact, there’s very few childhood memories I have without her in them, and the ones I do aren’t worth mentioning.  She’s the only person in my pathetic, fu--screwed up life that made getting through the days bearable.  Ivy’s special.  ::clears throat; shifts uncomfortably, then smirks::  And she’s cute, too.

 Jaycee:  ::Smiles::  She sounds like quite a person. 

 Ian:  She’s the best.

 Victoria:  ::makes Aww face::  Luca?

 Luca:  ::Quirks a small smile in the corner of his lips::  Ariel is a rather interesting woman.  She is actually the only woman I have ever been around that flusters me.  I have yet to figure out why this is, but she does.  As far as describing her, that would take me a great deal of time.  If you are looking for a physical description, I could do that, but I feel the qualities that make Ariel unique are not so simple.  She is very kind and very grateful for everything she has.  She sees the world in a beautiful way and in return the world reacts to her.  She warms it with her light…her spirit.  It is hard to describe.  It is almost as if she creates a balance just because she is near.  Does that make any sense?  ::he looks up, noticing he’s looked down.  Almost lost in his thoughts::

Jaycee:  Makes sense to me.

Victoria:  Of course.  ::stares doe eyed::

Ian:  Well, this has gotten a little deep.  Bring on something a little more fun.  I can see something naughty there lingering in your eyes, ladies. 

Victoria:  ::stops mid-giggle.  Clears throat::  So, Luca, next question for you.  ::She leans in close::  Do you believe in love at first sight?

Luca:  ::Puts fingers to the curl of his lips::  I believe anything is possible since transferring here.  ::smiles warmly.:: 

Jaycee:  ::smiles, charmed.:: 

Victoria:  ::fans out shirt::  Ian?

Ian: Not even a little bit.  One look and bam! You’re in love?  No way.  That’s lust; a pure chemical reaction.  Love -- deep, all-consuming love-- takes a lot longer to develop, and is done with every part of you:  your heart, your head, and your soul.  What you see is irrelevant.

Jaycee:  Alrighty, then.  Next question, what is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?  Ian, how about you take this one first?

Ian:  Her curves.  I can’t stand stick figures.  Not to get all poetic, but a woman with curves is a work of art.  She’s gives a man something to hold on, something substantial to hold close.  I like curves.

:: Jaycee and Victoria both study their curves::

Luca::  I can definitely respect Mr. Hollister's answer, but for me, I believe it is the eyes.  They really are fascinating.  They tell so much about a person.  A flicker or a glance could mean so many things if you look deep enough and when they are bright and full of life, like the color blue for example, they can be quite intriguing. 

Ian:  ::shrugs::  I’m a fan of big brown eyes, myself. 

Jaycee:  ::Melts inside and opens eyes a little wider so Ian can notice their brown coloring.::  

 Victoria:  Okay, guys.  Our audience is dying to know.  What is your idea of the perfect date?

 Luca:  My job does make dating to be quite difficult...  ::His eyes slightly shift.::  With the time commitment and all, of course, but I did take Ariel to a small café once.  The light was warm, the mood magnificent…but I really believe that the perfect date is one in which the person you are with is never happier.  This is what is most important.

 Jaycee:  Wow ::sighs::  Ian?

 Ian:  ::scoffs::  I don’t date. 

 Jaycee:  Never?

 Ian:  ::shrugs::  The closest I come to dating are the nights I spend the Ivy.  Heck, that’s way better than dating.  There’s no need to be this guy everyone seems to expect me to be.  She already knows who I am and what I’m all really about, so I can relax and just be me. What’s better than that?

 Jaycee:  Sounds like a great way to spend time to me.  Okay, next:   who’s is your favorite comic book character and why?  Ian?

 Ian:  I’m a fan of Spiderman, myself.  I relate to his story the most.  He’s a nobody, then one day something happens to him, something out of his control, and suddenly he’s given all this power he’s never had before, and he had to decide what to do with it.  Yeah, I can relate.

 Victoria:  Very awesome, Ian.  Luca?

 Luca:  Though I do believe that comic books provide little functionality beyond leisurely enjoyment, there is one hero I do hold in high regard.

 Victoria:  Oh, and who would that be?

Luca:  Superman.  He has been forced to live in a strange world all while at the same time holding the weight of its safety on his shoulders.  I have respect for this. 

Jaycee:  Thank you, Luca.  Okay, we have time for one last question for the both of you.  Luca, what do you value the most in a potential love interest?

Luca:  ::Thinks to himself for a moment.  Looks up slowly::    Trust.  Trust above all else.

Ian:   He took my answer, so I’m going to go with my number two, which is almost as important as trust:  honesty.  Be honest about who you are and what you want, and you’ll get the same from me. 

Victoria.  Great.  Thank you so much for joining us today, guys.  I’m sure our audience has really enjoyed getting to know you two.  As well as Jaycee and myself.  ::Grins::

Jaycee:  Yes, thank you.  I’ve very much enjoyed getting to know the both of you better, and have to say, I’m a little surprised by some of your answers.  In a good way.  A very good way. 

Luca:  Thank you.  It was great to be here today and discuss with you lovely ladies.  I did indeed enjoy this session.  :: kisses Victoria’s hand and then Jaycee’s::

Victoria:  ::Melts a little bit inside::

Jaycee:  ::Blushes.::

Ian:  And thank you, ladies. 

Jaycee:  No, thank you.

Victoria:  No problem, Ian.  And thanks again for joining us.  

And as an extra special little treat to all you hero loving ladies and gents out there I present to you the hero of my New Urban Fantasy which I can now tell you I have titled:  Story World.

Meet:  Christopher "CK" Kincaid

Pardon Mr. Kincaid for his lack of shirt in this photo, but when he’s outside and enjoying life he can never be found wearing one since he’s always playing football or basketball with his mates on his off days.  He unfortunately was wearing a shirt for our short interview to my dismay.  He can’t help, but dress “professional” in professional settings :(

On to the interview:

Victoria:  Hi, CK.  Thank you for joining us today.  I know it was short notice.

CK:  ::Crosses leg at the ankle over his knee::  Hey, how ya doing?  Oh and not a problem.  I can always make a time for fan ::Winks::

Victoria:  ::Victoria smiles a little too wide::  On to business, sir.  How would you describe your heroine, Rae Evans?

CK:  ::Thinks to the air for a moment::  How would I describe Rae of Sunshine?  She can be a little bit of a hard pill to swallow, but contrary to HER belief I actually don’t mind spending time with her.  She can be pretty cool when she isn’t snarling or scowling and I do consider us friends.  She’s bit of a nerd, but hey, we can all be that way sometimes and we shouldn’t be ashamed of who we are.

Victoria:  Whoa, you guys seem to have a love/hate relationship.

CK:  You’re telling me.  Can you believe she called me a man whore?  I mean, really?  Totally uncalled for.

Victoria:  ::Picks up magazine from table and reads::  Well you are known as the “Playboy Prince,” CK, according to this here magazine.

CK:  ::shrugs::  Yeah, that’s what the tabloids call me.  But can you really buy into those things, Ms. Smith?

Victoria:  ::Puts magazine down::  I suppose you’re right, CK.  And actually I must end this interview now.  I’m so sorry, but Luca Grinaldi and my critique partner’s hero Ian Hollister took up most of the time.

CK:  No problem.  I have to go “annoy” Rae anyway since she seems to be convinced that my sole purpose in life is to torture her.  Eh, women.  No offense, Ms. Smith.

Victoria:  None taken.

CK:  Well thanks for having me.  ::Shakes hand::

Victoria:  Thank you, CK.  And have a good one.

CK:  Same to you.

Hop Around the Other Blogs Folks!

The Playlist to My New Urban Fantasy!

Hello, all!

Today I bring you the playlist that I just got completely put together which is the music I wrote my new Urban Fantasy to!  We have a little bit of everything on this mix, but the most important to note are the artists above especially Kimbra and her song "Two Way Street" and Rihanna's "We Fell In Love."  Rihanna's song is the theme song to the whole book and Kimbra's song is my heroine's (Her name is Rae :D) personal theme song!

Now I won't be revealing too much more about the project just yet, but it does have a title and that title will be revealed April 27th during the Oh, My Hero! Blog Hop that I'm hosting with my critique partner Jaycee Delorenzo.  Why is the title going to be revealed that day you may ask???   Well my hero from the new project, CK, will be dropping in for a quick question and the title will be given to you then, so yeah!  

You will find out what the "CK" stands for and get a little tidbit about him so you have to come back this Friday, April 27th, to meet him and my other hero Luca Grinaldi from my other work The Crimson Hunt!

Enjoy the playlist from my new work and I can't wait to show you my heros! :D

Rae's Theme:  Kimbra "Two Way Street"

Research and Your Audience Featuring: The Geico Cavemen!

Hello, all!  Well to start off today's post I would like you to watch one of my FAVORITE commercials featuring the Geico Cavemen above!

So what does this post have to do with the Geico Cavemen you may ask?  Well Geico made these two Cavemen pretty perturbed when they ran a commercial without bothering to research if Cavemen existed, thereby offending the whole Caveman Community!



The same goes in writing, my friends.  Research and how it effects audiences.  Author's don't want to offend their audiences so they always research, research, research to not play on stereotypes or cliches.

Now in the writing world they say you should always "write what you know" first and foremost.  So that's what I do personally.  My stories will pretty much always be set in the Midwest or at least feature a character who has lived there at one time in their lives because that's what I know!  I've lived there my whole life so I feel that that's a great starting point from me.  But what do you do to supplement that with things that you don't know to get your story really amped up with variety?  RESEARCH!!!

I call my friends, social network, head to the library, google, and all kinds of things to make sure everything in my stories can be the best that they can be portrayed to wide audiences and I love the process.  I find out so many cool things about the world and how it works through the eyes of my characters.  Heck, I grow as much as them :D  I use my writing to explore new worlds, customs, and environments that I otherwise would have never been able to be introduced to before!

Now I ask you?  What's your research process?  Is there a common theme to your writing as well like my connection to my good ole' Midwestern roots?  I'd love to here it!

Laterz,

Oh, My Hero! Blog Hop Sign Up Reminder :D

Hey, Everyone!  
I just wanted to post a quick reminder about the blog hop that my Critique Partner Jaycee Delorenzo and myself are hosting!
You have a little over a week and a half to sign up and the turnout has been great so far!  I can't wait to see everyone's entries :D  Now don't forget there will be prizes so show us your delicious heros writer's and authors for a chance at some swag!
Here's The Details Again:

Rules:

1.  Pick a hero from your writing in progress or novel. 

2.  Post a Picture of your Hero!
3.  Interview your Hero by:

• Picking at least five of the sample questions below and having your hero answer them, or
• Creating your own set of questions to surprise us all!

4.  Follow Both Jaycee and I

5.  Post our blog button to your blog!  Also, it's not required, but feel free to repost the hop!

6.  Post your entries on April 27, 2012 and hop around the other blogs through the linky!

Sample Interview Questions:

1. How would you describe yourself in one word?
2. How would you describe your heroine?
3. Do you believe in love at first sight?
4. How would your friends describe you in one word?
5. What's your favorite pastime?
6. What's your idea of the perfect date?
7. Are you a morning or a night person and why?
8. If you won a million dollars what would you do with it?
9. If you had 24 hours to live what would you do/ where would you go?
10. What's your favorite comic book character and why?
11. If you had three wishes what would they be?
12. What's your favorite movie?
13. What is the first thing you notice about a woman that you find attractive?
14. What do you hold value the most in a potential love interest?

Prizes:

Jaycee and I will each pick one winner of the hero we wouldn't mind getting to know a little bit more of ;) 

From Me: An ebook download or up to $15 Book from Book Depository

From Jaycee: An ebook of your choice up to $15 from Amazon OR a Custom Blogger/WordPress Banner (up to 2 images). Your choice.

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Link Up Below!

Setting the "Mood" with Song!

So as I'm finalizing putting together a physical playlist of all of the music I listened to while writing my newest manscript, I decided to do a post on setting the mood in song when writing.

Now not everyone listens to music while they write, but I do!  I love feeling those tunes and hearing those lovely lyrics to set the tone for the scene in which I'm writing.  One song can change the entire feel of a scene, so we must always have the right one to create the best scene we can!  I would like to share with you a few of my faves while writing romance.

Scene Topic 1:  Smexy

Now I use all kinds of goodies when writing smexy scenes.  You can use a lovely dovey one for a sensual scene or just a raunchy one for an intense I-just-want-to-bite-the-clothes-off-your-body-scene.

Sensual Smexy

"Colorblind" by Counting Crows

Blouse Ripping Smexy

"I Know What You Want" by Busta Rhymes ft. Mariah Carey

Scene Topic 2:  That First Meeting

Your characters can meet under all kinds of scenarios.  It can be love at first sight or a disaster!

Love at First Sight

Landon Pigg "Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop"

Disaster Meeting!

Karmin "Crash Your Party"

Scene Topic 3:  The Epic Battle

So many different songs can go here.  You can have a true fight guns blazing as your heros fight their ultimate enemy or a final fight in a contemporary romance where the final confrontation is just as epic, but not so intense, like an argument that's been a long time coming between two lovers.

Guns Blazing Battle!

"I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin

Final Battle, but less Intense

"I Hate this Part" by Pussycat Dolls

So there you have it my friends.  Do you do this?  Or does listening to music just distract?  

Laterz! And don't forget to sign up for the "Oh, My Hero" Blog Hop!

I Finished My Urban Fantasy!

3.5 weeks...  95,000 words...  and multiple cans of Sprite later...

MY URBAN FANTASY IS DONE!

Ah!!!  I'm so excited!  I have finished my 4th manuscript and let me tell you I celebrated.  Something about eating like a bucket of ice cream and about half my body weight in pasta or something...  Haha!

It's been fun.  I stressed.  I laughed.  I cried.  But now it is done!  What's next for me you may ask?  Well, I plan on doing a read through for enjoyment and then tossing it to the side for about a week and editing another project.  This is usually a routine with me.  It's always good to put the work away for a while to recoup.  Then you can look at it fresh and edit the hell out of it later!

And now, my friends, I give you a little sample.  Now remember this is a first draft so it's pretty rough, but I just wanted to share.

I noticed that with my Lucky 7 entry and my original sample I shared with you a while back, I always seem to have my characters at each others throats.  So today, you get one of those warm tender moments from them.  They don't happen often so this is a rare treat for them, haha!

May 6, 2012-
Hey, all!  Took the sample down for polishing.  Thanks to all who read for their input!

Thanks for reading, my friends.  It's been a wild ride for my two characters!  Don't forget to check out the blog hop that myself and my critique partner are hosting featuring swoon worthy heros called the Oh! My Hero Blog Hop!  I will be interviewing the deliciously mysterious Luca from my first novel The Crimson Hunt!  Look out for it and enter the hop to show us your heros as well :D

Laterz!