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.

<center><a href="http://twentysomethingfictionwriter.blogspot.com/2012/03/oh-my-hero-blog-hop.html"><img src="http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2382/ohmyhero.jpg"></a></center>
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!

Oh, My Hero! Blog Hop

Oh, My Hero Blog Hop!

April 27, 2012

Hosted by: Me! and my wonderful critique partner Jaycee Delorenzo

We all love the heros of our Manuscripts and WIPs.  They rescue our heroines, they're the ying to their yang, and they make us all swoon with delight!

Well now it's time to let the world see them writers with this blog hop!

Rules:

1.  Post a Picture of your Hero!
2.  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!

3.  Follow Both Jaycee and I

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

5.  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.

Can't Wait to Meet All Your Swoonworthy Heros!

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Link Up Below:

The Lucky 7 Meme

Okay so I was tagged for this meme a while back my lovely critque partner Jaycee Delorenzo, but at the time my current WIP hadn't been written yet to the requirements of it (I think I had like 5 pages done at the time, lol), but now it has and I'm going to play the game!

Instructions:

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written. No cheating.

4. Tag 7 authors.

5. Let them know.

Here we go! (I posted 7 lines instead of the sentences or paragraphs)

            “Excuse me, sir, have you seen a girl…”
            I looked toward the front of the bus upon hearing that oh-so-familiar deep voice.
            CK put his hand in the air at about the level of his mouth as he spoke to the bus driver.  “She’s about this tall…”  He gestured toward his face.  “Wears a scowl…”
            I gasped so loudly that his gaze shot my direction and he grinned.  “Rae of Sunshine.”  He pointed toward me.
            What the hell!

I tag:
Bonnie Rae
Cassie Mae
Lo Johnson
S.E. Lane
Juliana Haygert
Jennifer Comeaux
Kelley Lynn

Sorry if you've been tagged already.  Ignore it if you have!

Don't Forget about my Hunger Games Trilogy Giveaway!

Updates!

So I'm terribly, terribly sorry.  I've been a horrible blogger and it has been a week since I posted so I thought I'd drop in with a few updates about what's going on with me!

Well the post man has been good to me this week let me tell you.  First, I'll start with a lovely little ARC I got in the mail today from Ms. Jennifer Echols.

Ah!  I was so frickin' excited when this came in.  I have been dying to read this book.  It doesn't come out until July and when I email Jennifer Echols about getting an ARC for Your The One That I Want she said she ran out and I was sad :(  But then she said she could put me on the list for Such A Rush and I was like "Hell yeah!"  Okay, so I didn't actually email her that, but you get the picture.  I will read and review asap so look out for it.  Blurb here.

Next update, I went Hunger Games crazy this week.  The post man probably had fire on his feet from the way he was frequenting my mail box.  I ordered shirts and a few other things to prepare for the premier next week.  Here are those other things:

Yes, those are Capitol Colours and yes that is a Mockingjay pin!  Eek!  I'm such a dork and so excited for the midnight showing!  If you want to snag the trilogy enter my giveaway below :D

My New Project!

I have been tweeting and Facebooking about this for a few weeks now and I just wanted to make an official announcement on my blog since I don't talk about the status of my projects that often.  I have indeed started writing an urban fantasy and did my first chapter yesterday!

So I am totally excited about it :D  I actually like most of what I've written and fighting myself not to touch it until I'm done.  I'm exploring so many new things for this one and hopefully they all work out for the good. 

When I'm finished, I will indeed post a few lines.  I tabulated my rate for finishing and I think I will be at around two to three weeks until completion on this one.  Now before your jaw drops to the floor about how long it takes to complete a novel, I just want to let you know that with the Snowflake Method I use, it allows me to finish writing first drafts very quickly.  So if you're a writer check it out.  Though I started writing yesterday, it took me about two weeks of drafting and prep before I could start, so keep that in mind!

I started a playlist for this book so here's a little sample of what I'm listening to.  This little lady is the theme for this one so enjoy.

Kimbra - "Cameo Lover"

Don't forget about my Hunger Games Trilogy Giveaway!

WIP: The Movie! March 9, 2012

Why hello there, my friends!  I am participating in a blog hop on March 9th called WIP:  The Movie!

I am so very excited about this and I hope a few of you out there will join the fun as well and hop over to my blog and check out my post on the 9th!

Now you all may be wondering what this blog hop is about.  Well it is hosted by the lovely blogs of Rachel at The Writing on the Wall and Kyra from Write Here, Write Now and it's an opportunity to showcase some of our characters from our WIPs or Writing in Progress!

We are supposed to post a picture of a character or as many as we want from our writing and post a song from our soundtrack.

Now any of you who read my "Crimson Hunt" excerpt saw that I do indeed have a soundtrack already posted there, well when I do my song post I will let you all know why I picked it.

So head over to those blogs for more information and check me out on March 9th to see which mystery character I will post.  There may even be a special bonus featuring this character as well so check out to see what I have in store!

Don't forget about my Hunger Games Trilogy Giveaway!

My Moo Cards!

So I'm very excited because my moo cards came in!

You're probably thinking what the heck is a moo card?  Well it's a little company that makes business cards and not just business cards, but cute as hell business cards.

I first heard about this company on Getting Personal with Carrie blog when she ordered her moo cards.  Check her out she's got a great site!

And since I am going to Chicago's Spring Fling Writer's Conference I knew I would need some cards to market myself when I hob knob with the big wigs.  So here's mine:

How very exciting ;D

What do you think?  I themed them a little bit after my blog and I think they turned out well!  Just wanted to share with ya'll lovelies and click the moo pic to go to the site.  I got 100 for 19.99 with free shipping so not too bad at all!

Don't forget about my Hunger Games Trilogy Giveaway!

How Much Smexy Is Too Smexy???

So I went to my local RWA meeting yesterday (shout out to the Prairie Hearts! :D)  and the topic of the appropriate amount of smexy that one should use in their writing came up during a presentation by one of my Prairie sisters, Robyn.  It was a great presentation and it got me thinking . . . what is the acceptable level and how often should the smexy, smexy occur?

I write New Adult of course and this may come as a surprise to some, but college students-- now pull in really close so you can hear this---have sex *whispers*  I know it's insane!  This fact is indeed true.  Some more than others, but it is occurring just the same.

Now when I think about the high level romance YA novels I have read, basically anything by Simone Elkeles or Jennifer Echols, they have STEAMY scenes and these kids are in high school, so what's good for a New Adult?

I want to be conscious of the reader, but at the same time put the level that I enjoy reading as well.  You would think that when writing a novel about 20 somethings! there are no rules for this, but there really are.  You don't want to offend anyone, but at the same time you don't want to be unrealistic. 

New Adult is not Adult fiction writing.  These 20 somethings! have different worries and responsibilities and graphic sex is not necessarily what people want to read or see, but sweet "close door" isn't necessarily it either.

I enjoy Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster and S.C. Stephens' Thoughtless as far as a good example for our New Adults, but some might think it's a little too smexy.

I guess it's all subjective, but I am curious about all you readers and writers out there.  What's your "smexy" level?  Do you enjoy "close door," Euphemism City smexy scenes,  partially descriptive smexy, no holds barred, or do you just breeze over them entirely?  

I Wrote a Novella!

Well everyone I did it!  I started my novella last Thursday, a short 40,000 word work based on two of my characters to the sequel of my manuscript The Crimson Hunt, and I wrote the last word on the page today!  I laughed, I cried, but most of all--I finished!

I didn't know how easy this would be for me to do.  I was used to writing 90,000 word count books with the handy Snowflake Method that I use and wasn't quite sure if I could trim, trim, trim enough to write a book at 40,000 words and it still make sense and be well written...well I did it!

I'm so excited and when I finally get these books out the door for "Crimson" I would like to send off the novella as a companion.  And it is super funny, if I do say so myself :)  It actually ended up being a Romantic Comedy and "Crimson" is more of an action/adventure love story, so I was surprised by the direction of where this one went, but it turned out well!

I wrote from 4 POV's and OMG writing as a 23-year-old male...I thought 20 something! females were crazy!  Who says men aren't emotional???  Because they are!  lol.  Just wanted to let everyone know.  I'm so excited :)

Laterz!

Liebster Blog Award!

So this wonderfully awesome chick named Rachel over at this stellar bloggity blog Writing on the Wall nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award.

Thanks Lady!  I am so honored to be amongst your chosen 6 :)

And now that I have been chosen I get to pick 5 blogs of my own with less than 200 followers...hmm, teh, heh, heh.  There's so many great blogs, but I did find 5 of my favorites and now I am going to share them with you awesome ladies and gents!

Drum Roll Please!!!!!

First we have...

Ms. Aubree over at The Writing Hour.  Let me tell you why I loves this girl's blog.  She is a writer like myself who has dreams of making it big and doing what she loves to do best--writing!  She's knows what it's like to juggle school and write and offers great advice during her journey :)

Second up...

S.E. Lane at Writing Belle She is another stellar chick who hosts both a writing blog combined book review blog like myself.  She has a novel coming out too ya'll.  Follow her journey, she has a great voice!

And...

Ilima at ka'ao: tell a fanciful tale.  I love her blog.  Another writer of course and I read a line from her work and seriously it warmed my heart with her wonderful characters.

Can't forget this one...

My girl ShawnaLeAnn at Dreaming in the Pages  OMG this girl's book blog is amazing.  I follow her every week.  If you want some stellar recommendations for books go to this awesome chick.  And she reads+reviews about 20 somethings! like myself.  Who doesn't love that?

And of course...

My stellar critque partner Jaycee Delorenzo at her author blog.  Now, her blog is fairly new, but she is just too kickass not to list.  She writes about 20 somethings! like myself and she has a novel coming out this spring.  Check her out!

Whew . . . *wipes sweat from brow*  That was a toughy, but these ladies deserve it.  Thanks again Rachel and everyone check out these crazy awesome blogs!

I Joined the RWA!

Well, it's not official yet, but I just mailed out my forms to be a part of the Romance Writers of America!

For those that don't know, the RWA is a great resource for published and unpublished writers to connect with one another and aid each other on the road to publication!  There are many associations out there depending on what genre one is in and I can't wait to start using my resources to help my little series get out the door and to you lovely readers!

I attended my second local chapter meeting, The Prairie Hearts, on Saturday and it was a blast.  They are all planning a trip to Chicago to go to Spring Fling!, a writer's conference where there will be agents at the ready to pitch to and Simone Elkeles will be there.  For those who don't know she is the writer of this amazing book:

She's also a Midwestern girl like myself and we both went to the same undergrad, so yeah!  I will definitely be posting about the conference.  It's in April so I have a while, but I know it's going to be a blast!  I am also giving away said book above in my giveaway so check out my giveaway button to the right of the page.

-V (My Giveaway)

My Giveaway, My Critique Partner, and The Sequel

So Many Updates Today!

First Up:  My Giveaway!

You all are so freakin' awesome!  The giveaway has been going great so far and I want to thank everyone who has entered and welcome to my new followers!  There's still three weeks left to enter and there is no doubt in my mind that there will be a winner.  Remember I'm giving out a choice of Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Love Story by Jennifer Echols.  And I fixed the link on the comment (Thanks Shawna!) of my excerpt from The Crimson Hunt and you get 10 entries if you comment so go for it, but be constructive or it won't count!  So keep spreading the word.  The Giveaway ends 2/3!

Click Here to enter!

Second Up:  My New Critique  Partner

So I have been stressing about this for a while now, but I finally have a critque partner for my novel!  Everything is going great and she is a New Adult writer like me!  It's fate.  She found me on the forum Romancedivas.com which I highly recommend to anyone who is writing any kind of romance whether it be YA, Adult, New Adult, or Erotica.  It's an awesome resource.  Her story is awesome and I am having a blast editing her work and she really likes my story as well.  Oh, for those of you who don't know your critque partner is your lifeline as a writer.  You may have a story, but your partner finds what's wrong with your story before you contact agents and go through all the crap to get published.  So I am so relieved to have found one!

Third Up:  The Sequel

I have been blogging about my sequel for a while and with the last 100 pages to put into the computer to edit I finally decided to post a line from the book.  I was going to do a full scene, but since you haven't read the first that would just be spoiling wouldn't it??? So here's a sample:

From The Bringer's Quest:

       8/20/12 - This excerpt has been taken down to prepare for release! Thanks everyone :)

Wow . . . fan's self.  Hot boys, gotta love them!  This is from the point of view of my heroine Ariel.  The series is Upper YA/New Adult Sci-Fi Romance.  Check out "The Crimson Hunt" tab for more details on the first book!

-V (My Giveaway)

Top 10 Awesome Book Chicks of 2011!

Okay.  So today's post is the Top 10 Characters of 2011 so I decided to theme mine and make it the Top 10 Awesome Book Chicks of 2011!  So to start, check out this video and just keep it playing while you read :) (And yes I will admit I did.  I could not help myself, haha!)

Thank you Beyonce.  Yes, girls do run the world and my post is about to show it.  This list contains both leading ladies and side kicks from across the board.  These chicks are, yes, badass and they know it.  They are fighters, contenders, and underdogs.  I love them so and hope you do too!  So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

10.  Aech

This chick is so awesome that she is one of the top virtual fighters in Oasis, a program that has now taken over a post apocalyptic United States where everyone now lives their lives online instead of in the miserable real world.  She rules the online world.  She's got the money, the fame, the power, and the respect.  She literally runs the world :)

9. Erin Blackwell

Erin got stripped of her inheritance, put herself through college, all while battling the ass who took her inheritance from her in her creative writing class.  She's tough, independent, and isn't afraid of a challenge.  She literally looses like a million jobs while trying to put herself through school, but she keeps going and never stops fighting.

8. Kate

All around "bestie" of the leading lady Anastasia Steele.  Kate is the epitome of the best friend.  She's the shoulder to cry on, which believe me is severely needed for Anastasia in this book.  She's intelligent, funny, and isn't afraid to tell off leading male "Fifty Shades" himself Christian Grey.

7. Johanna Mason

Johanna doesn't even like Katniss yet she's willing to die to keep her safe for the cause.  Nothing is braver than that.  She fights for the greater good despite how she feels about the situation.

6.  Meg

  Meg has seen some stuff.  I mean she's been through some serious crap and she deals with it.  She doesn't let it get her down.  Sure, she's got some issues, but she figures them out and stands up to her Officer After and gets him to fall for her.  She's a criminal and gets a cop to fall for her.  That's saying something.

5. Kira

Kira is as plain and boring as you could possibly be.  She's your normal average, "wears leg warmers" girl, but do you see who's she's kissing in that photo?  That is Carlos Fuentes, a gun holding, gang affiliated tough man's, man.  And guess what?  Kira got him to change his ugly ways and fall for her.  That's some serious awesomeness.  

4. Evie

Evie has not one, but two awesome men fighting over her.  She's the one who comes out fighting in the end and she's doesn't fit the stereotypical super model beauty.  She's completely normal.  She's 5'9" and averages between a size 12-14 and rocks what she's got and does it damn well.    

3. Art3mis

If Aech got the award for top contender of the Oasis then Art3mis gets the award for owner of the Oasis.  This chick annihilates her online competition and has all the virtual guys fawning for her and they have never even seen her face.  She's just that good.  She fights with the best of them and kills at it.  She leaves the guys in the dust and our poor hero Wade Watts at her feet.

2. Rue

Oh, Rue.  How I love this little girl.  She is completely stellar.  The girl is only 12 years old and proves herself to be a serious contender in the games, more so than some of the best of them.  And she gets the all around award for "bestie" of all time to our leading lady Katniss Everdeen.  This girl has got skills!

1. Anastasia Steele

Remember earlier when I said that Meg from Going too Far had "seen some stuff"?  Well, that is an understatement for Miss Steele.  You have to read the book to find out what I'm talking about, but Ana has literally got nerves of "Steele."  Do read at your own risk, but believe me she's been through some stuff and comes out fighting.  She deals with the most destructive, powerful man in history, our leading male Christian Grey.  She's a normal senior in college, no one particularly special, but she holds all the cards and keeps her man on his toes.  She's the strongest chick I read this year and I can't wait to follow her journey into 2012 with Fifty Shades Freed.

So, that's the list.  The Top Awesome Book Chicks I read of 2011.  It was hard to choose because there were so great ladies and if I could have made my list longer I would have.  It was seriously awesome to see so many awesome ladies in books this year and I can't wait to see what next year holds.  We wrap up tomorrow with Most Anticipated Books of 2012 and as you can see from my previous post some of these ladies will be showing up again!

(All book covers from Goodreads.com)

Top 5 Book Boyfriends of 2011

Okay.  So, I know today's post is supposed to be the Top 10 Boyfriends of 2011, but if I'm being honest with myself most of the guy characters I read this year were complete tool bags and that's being nice.  So I decided to do only 5.  These book men are completely worthy of this nod and I'm happy to share them with all of you beautiful people!  So, I will be posting the book covers with each one and if the book covers don't have a picture of the wonderful men on the cover, I will choose an actor to go with it that I think looks like them, yeah!  So here we go.

5.  Daemon Black

Daemon is on this list because well...look at him.  His chosen human skin has done him well.  He's funny, smart, and knows how to save a girl just in the nick of time.  Why is he at number 5?  Well, he's a bit of an asshole and doesn't really stop being one, but I looked past that and he made my list :)

4. Alex Fuentes

Alex isn't on here because of his dashing good looks, (though they don't hurt) he is here because he is a badass. He literally risked his life for his lady and fought hard for her. I would be safer with no one else, but this Romeo. And he knows how to handle a gun and what girl wouldn't love that?

3.  Alex Night

Actor Ben Barnes is my inspiration for Alex Night from Eternal Starling, just without the facial hair.  So why is Alex Night here and not the other love triangle member of "Starling"?  Well, Alex feels like the real deal.  He is Evie's protector quite literally and well...Emil Stone belongs to a society that is trying to kill Evie and that was kind of a downer for me.

2.  Christian Grey

My inspiration actor is Chris Pine.  So this one was a little tricky because Christian is "Fifty Shades of F** up" and those are his words not mine.  He's a poor tortured soul with a lot of issues, but in the end he's just so freaking hot!  He's passionate and exhilarating and if he could leave his issues at the door, count me in!

1.  Peeta Mellark

Ah...Peeta, Peeta, Peeta.  Need I say more?  Peeta is so sweet and kind.  He risks it all for Katniss and had been looking out for her since they were kids.  I mean the boy took a beating just to feed her so she wouldn't starve.  He's such a sweet heart and deserves the top spot in my heart.  I can't wait for the movie.












So those are my Top 5 folks.  Until tomorrow!

-V

1/2 Way There and Still Trucking Along!

So bare with me, it's finals week next week and this could get messy...haha!  I might be MIA for a bit and I thought I'd post an update.

So as you can see by the title this 20 something is half way through the 2nd draft of edits my friends!  AND...might I add that I just made the steamiest Ariel and Luca scene of my career (which I guess isn't saying much considering I have only been writing since September, but whatever)  it was great and now I think I might have to take it down a notch, it was so hot!  Did I mention that I cannot keep my character's of off each other enough yet?  lol.

Also, my hubbie just got me this mad software that will help me when I start the third part of the book series featuring the godsend that is the snowflake method that I spoke about in an early post by the For Dummies author himself Randy Ingermanson, which I should be able to start using right around next month when I start the third book if all goes well on these edits.  I plan on making about two drafts of "Bringer" on top of this one before going back to revise the first book so we shall see.

Also...I am writing a novella!  For all who don't know a novella is shorter than a novel, but longer than a short story at around 12,000 to 50,000 words.  I actually am writing it about an absolutely scandalous hook up between two side characters in the sequel The Bringer's Quest.  I was just writing and then all the sudden these characters had hooked up and I was like WTF?  How did that happen?  So, I thought about it and as I did it completely made sense and now?  They are getting their own story.  The timeline starts rights in the middle of "Bringer" over the course of a week and it will be S.T.eamy!  I can't wait to write it.  Did I say steamy enough tonight?  Oops, well what I can say I warned this could get messy I got finals on the brain I guess.

Until next time!