Guy Fawkes Day: Remember, Remember

In Britain, today is Guy Fawkes Day. You might recognize him better as the face of Anonymous or that fellow in V for Vendetta. There’s a reason for that.

This post was originally published here on 11/5/2010, but I think it bears repeating in the current political and economic climates. People are unhappy and they’re always looking for someone to blame. Most will not take it upon themselves to act for the better of all, but some will take it into their heads that Fate has tapped them on the shoulder and they must act. Unfortunately, these aren’t the type of actions that will help. Many of us enjoy the right to vote. Some harder fought to gain than others. If you’ve got an upcoming election, exercise your right. If you don’t, take advantage of the opportunities to contact your elected officials and let them know how they’re doing and what needs doing in their area.


Guy Fawkes Day: Conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot: November 5, 1605
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!

I’d never heard of Guy Fawkes’ Day/Night while I was growing up in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. And, Bonfire Night was the night before Homecoming when an effigy of the other team was offered up as a ritual sacrifice to the almighty football gods. I do remember my mother often saying “Remember, remember, the 5th of November” on that day and seeing references to it in the Regency and Victorian romance novels I read over the years, so I was curious to what this holiday was all about since it’s cropped up in pop culture recently with movies like V for Vendetta and thanks to 4-Chan many different groups of protesters have adopted the traditional Guy mask as a show of solidarity and a way to preserve their anonymity.

So when I asked my 13 year old daughter, if she knew what today was, I got a blank look. So, in explaining how Guy Fawkes was the fellow who was caught in connection with the Gunpowder Plot, she was highly amused by some of the traditions the British have kept in celebrating this holiday.

“So, that was around the time of the Declaration of Independence?” She’s studying the American Revolution and Constitution currently, so she tries to relate everything to that. Nearly two hundred years earlier, the Gunpowder Plot planned to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605 in an effort to not just protest his stance on Catholicism but to assassinate King James I. November 5th was chosen because it was the day Parliament was scheduled to reopen and the King would be present.

“People celebrate this? Why? How?” The idea was that they were happy to have avoided the disaster and also serves as a warning to Parliament to keep the desires of the people in mind as they make their decisions and laws. In England and several former British colonies, like Australia, the night is marked by bonfires, burning effigies of Guy Fawkes or other current political villains, and fireworks.

“What?! Fireworks? Really? Silly Brits.” Remember, it was also to serve as a warning of what could have happened had it not been uncovered. She was unconvinced, claiming it was rather ironic to celebrate preventing a catastrophic explosion and fire by setting off intentional ones. And then I mentioned that in one town, Ottery St. Mary in Devon, they celebrate by carrying flaming barrels of tar through the streets and how the people carrying the barrels had passed the tradition down through their families. Such a stretch for her modern imagination.

“Don’t they celebrate Halloween?” These days, it’s becoming more popular to celebrate with trick or treating, American-style, but in the mid-1600s, Oliver Cromwell’s puritanical rule abolished All Hallow’s Eve and many other traditional celebrations and feasts that he associated with pagan ways. Many of the traditions such as the bonfire on November 1st was simply shifted to November 5th and stayed there. Despite the fascination of the occult, paranormal and gothic romances, the people of the extended Regency period, which gave birth to some of our most familiar Halloween icons: Frankenstein and the headless horsemen, would have been more familiar with bonfires celebrating Guy Fawkes Night and burning a “Guy”.

Guy, guy, guy
Poke him in the eye,
Put him on the bonfire,
And there let him die

“A guy? A real one?” No, not a real person! Sort of like a scarecrow dressed up to look like Guy Fawkes. Kids would make these, and in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, they’d sit out with them by the side of the street begging, “A penny for the Guy?” so they could defray their expenses in making this annual effigy. The practice eventually evolved into asking for money to be spent on fireworks, but modern sensibilities worry that the money will be misspent on more dangerous things and sales of fireworks to children have been limited.

So, I’m not sure I explained it well for my daughter, but she did get a taste of a different culture than the one she’s used to and I’ve been thinking about ways to incorporate it into a plot. But then I wonder if I could do it justice, not having experienced the tradition firsthand. Some day, maybe.

Upcoming Class: Secrets of A Research Ninja

It’s not to late to sign up for Secrets Of a Research Ninja, Class Starts Monday

You can register with PayPal, don’t know why it chose that text to “call out” as important.

Hope to see you there!

Interview with Georgie Lee, Historical Romance Author

Cover for HERO'S REDEMPTION by Georgie LeePlease welcome Georgie Lee to the blog today to celebrate her recent release of her Regency novella, HERO’S REDEMPTION. I met Georgie through my local RWA San Diego chapter because we both had an interest in Regency Romance and she’s also a member of The Beau Monde chapter. If you can’t guess from her bio picture below, she’s a wonderfully animated person and a veritable whirlwind of energy when you get her going on topics she’s passionate about.

Hero’s Redemption
by Georgie Lee

eISBN: 9781426895913

Blurb:

London, 1817

Devon, the Earl of Malton, is a hero for his deeds at the Battle of Waterloo. But he suffers terrible nightmares, and drinks himself to sleep most nights. A habit he vows to break when he awakes one morning to find a woman sharing his bed, no memory of how she got there, and her angry brother at his door.

Cathleen is mortified when her wastrel brother and his greedy wife propose a blackmail scheme involving the earl, but as a penniless war widow she’s at their mercy. She goes along with the plan and sneaks into Devon’s bed one night, and ends up comforting him through a night terror.

Charmed by her beauty and kindness, Devon determines that rather than pay the blackmail, he will offer his hand in marriage to Cathleen. Although she is deeply attracted to the stoic earl, Cathleen cannot understand why Devon would want to marry her. What she doesn’t know is that Devon owes her a debt that can never fully be repaid…


Georgie’s a fan of many historical eras from Ancient Rome to the Golden Age of Hollywood, but let’s find out a bit more about her and why she writes in the Regency Era.

1. What drew you to writing Historical Romances in general and specifically to setting stories during the Regency Era?

I’m a history buff who loves many different eras from ancient Egypt to early America but I’ve always been drawn to British history. Jane Austen is responsible for leading me to focus on the Regency in my writing. I love Jane Austen because she captures the spirit of a very specific era with great insight, humor, wit and intelligence. Her characters are well-developed and with foibles, heartbreaks, challenges and triumphs that everyone can relate to. And, even after almost 200 years, Mr. Darcy is still very dishy.

2. What’s the strangest bit of historical trivia you’ve picked up in your research?

I’ve learned a lot of strange things, but one of the strangest is that the Sears catalogue used to sell morphine and a syringe, back when it was legal.

3. These next few questions assume that time travel is possible. I know you’ve written novels in several different time periods from Ancient Rome to Regency England to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Which era in time would you pick to visit?

Choosing just one time period is tough, but I have to pick ancient Egypt during the reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III. She was the most powerful female ruler in Egypt and they were co-rulers for some time. Once she died, Thutmose became one of Egypt’s greatest Pharaohs. It would be wonderful to see the dynamics that made her reign possible, to watch her rise to power and to know why, so many years after her death, Thutmose decided to remove her from the historical record. Also, I’d love to know more about the ancient Egyptian’s daily lives. Although we know a great deal about their funerary practices, very little is known about their daily lives. I would love to see the court of Pharaoh, to see how he and the noble women spent their days.

4. What modern conveniences would you miss most? What would you miss least?

The modern convenience I would miss the most is modern medicine. The one thing I would miss the least is TV. I just don’t watch it as much as I used to.

5. What would be the hardest for you to adapt to in the Regency Era?

The lack of plumbing and bathrooms. I really like running water and flushing toilets. It is so convenient.

6. Where would you fit into the society?

Oh, I would definitely fit in right at the top, maybe not as Queen, but definitely as a Duchess (hey, this is all make-believe so why not aim high, right?)

7. How long have you been writing? What advice would you go back and give yourself as a beginning novelist if you could? Would this advice differ from what you’d say to an aspiring author now?

I grew up writing many different things including poetry, short stories and screenplays. I wrote a short story for a contest in sixth grade. At the time, I was fascinated by Greek mythology so I created a myth about the Greek gods and the creation of the silver swan constellation. The story won first prize.

I began my professional writing career at a small cable TV station in San Diego where I wrote marketing videos and public service announcements. I’d always dreamed of being a screenwriter, so I moved to Los Angeles and earned my MA in screenwriting. Despite my best efforts, screenwriting success proved a little elusive (OK, a LOT elusive). I’d always read romance novels and so I thought to myself, heck, I can write a romance novel. So I did. The first draft wasn’t pretty, but I learned a lot during the revision process. That story went on to become Lady’s Wager, a Regency romance and my first published novel.

The best advice I would give myself as a beginning novelist is to learn to plot. I could have saved myself a lot of time if I’d forced myself to become a plotter sooner. The best advice I can give to aspiring authors now is to keep trying and don’t give up. There were many years where I was writing and nothing was being published and then all of a sudden, one day, all the hard work began to pay off. It’s a long term career so you can’t let setbacks make you give up.

8. I know you also love the Golden Age of Hollywood and even have a novel set there. Tell us a bit about your Hollywood experience and what are the biggest differences between writing for the screen and writing for novels that you’ve found?

Ah, the Hollywood experience. I have so many whacky stories from when I worked in La-La land, there isn’t a blog post long enough to write them all. However, I also have a lot of great stories too, like the time I accidentally met Enya, my favorite singer. It was the only time I’ve ever been star struck.

The biggest difference between writing for the screen and writing novels is detail. Screenplays don’t demand a lot of detail about setting, characters etc, so when I made the switch from screenwriting to novels, I had to learn to add details and not leave them out.

9. How do you balance your writing life and with being a wife and mom?

Making time to write is key and those writing times are usually first thing in the morning when the house is quiet and I am, for the most part, awake. I’m also an opportunistic writer and I will sneak in writing time during naps, quiet play and in the evening.

10. Are you reader? What are some of your favorites?

I am a voracious reader of non-fiction history. It’s where many of my ideas for historical romances come from and something I’ve always enjoyed. I have a large library of non-fiction books covering subjects from ancient Egypt to medicine, Regency England and classic Hollywood, to period costume and dance. There are very few topics or times periods that I am not interested in reading about.

I also read a lot of fiction, but when it comes to favorites, I lean towards classics authors such as Oscar Wilde for sharp witty dialogue, W. Somerset Maugham for great insight into characters and D.H. Lawrence for well-developed internal monologue.

11. What do you find to be the most challenging part of being a writer?

The most challenging part of being a writer is marketing. However, I am really good at walking up to strangers holding a Kindle and handing them a card for my book. I have done this numerous times, much to the embarrassment of the person I’m with.

Photo of Georgie Lee, Author


About the Author

A dedicated history and film buff, Georgie Lee loves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San Diego before moving to Los Angeles to work in the interesting but strange world of the entertainment industry.

Her first novel, LADY’S WAGER, and her contemporary novella, ROCK ‘N ROLL REUNION are both available from Ellora’s Cave Blush. LABOR RELATIONS, a contemporary romance of Hollywood, and STUDIO RELATIONS, a love story set in 1935 Hollywood, are currently available from Montlake Romance. Her Regency novella, HERO’S REDEMPTION from Carina Press released on July 29, 2013, and her Regency novel, ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE is coming from Harlequin Historical on October 1, 2013.

When not writing, Georgie enjoys reading non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please visit www.georgie-lee.com or http://georgielee.blogspot.com for more information about Georgie and her novels. She can also be found on Facebook, GoodReads, and Twitter.

Buy HERO’S REDEMPTION: Amazon | Carina Press

Interview with Collette Cameron, Historical Romance Author

Cover for HIGHLANDER'S HOPE by Collette CameronPlease welcome Collette Cameron to the blog today to celebrate her imminent debut release, HIGHLANDER’S HOPE. I met Collette online through The Beau Monde chapter and chat with her regularly on twitter and Facebook.

I got a chance to read an ARC of this novel and I know you’re in for a special treat! This isn’t your typical Regency fare waltzing through the ballrooms of London, but it’s also not your usual Scottish Highlander novel filled with raids across the border and kidnapped London misses either. No, this plot takes your expectations and sets them on end through a mix of common Regency and Highland elements but with twists that pleasantly surprise. The author’s sense of humor shines through in descriptions, especially regarding the secondary characters, and in the dialogue. Yvette and Ewan’s HEA is satisfying and the tension of suspense is kept taut throughout as the heroine is chased from America, to London, to Scotland while the hero must unravel a spy ring.

If you enjoy Regency Romance romps or Historical Romance with light suspense, give this one a try! I’ll be sure to add buy links as soon as it’s available!

Highlander’s Hope
by Collette Cameron

ISBN 9781619351974

Blurb:

She was the heiress determined to never marry.

Shipping heiress Yvette Stapleton is wary of fortune hunting men and their false declarations of love. She’d rather become a spinster than imprisoned in the bonds of marriage. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but her reaction to Lord Sethwick’s passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony.

He was the nobleman who vowed to make her his own.

Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, Lord Sethwick and Laird of Craiglocky, hasn’t dreamed of the sensual beauty he danced with two years ago; he’s determined to win her heart. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, he unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish Canon law to declare her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.”

Amidst murder and betrayal, Ewan attempts to win Yvette’s forgiveness. But is it too late? Has his manipulation cost him her love?

Excerpt: London Inn Scene

Ewan jolted awake. “Merde.”

He had fallen asleep with Yvette in his arms. Shooting a worried glance at the window, he recognized the first golden blush of daybreak sweeping across the hazy sky.

Sucking in a strangled breath, he grasped the inexperienced hand fondling him. Blast it. The towel had come loose while he slept, of course.

“Yvette,” he whispered as she showered kisses across his bare chest and neck. Grasping her roaming hands, he ensnared her in his embrace, and raised his voice. “Yvette, wake up.”

He gave her a gentle shake. Dark lashes trembled, rising to reveal drowsy eyes. A smile lit her face when her gaze met his. She lifted her hand, caressing his face, her fingers lingering on his scar before she raised herself up and kissed the mark. Caught up in the powerful spell, he almost forgot himself. He fought the urge to throw reason to the wind and kiss her with all the desire he was holding in check. “Yvette. . .”

Ewan knew the moment she awoke. He felt her stiffen in his arms and heard her small cry of shocked dismay. She pressed at his chest with both hands. He released her and watched her scramble across the bed. She stopped in the middle, facing him. Her hair swirled around her, settling in shimmering waves about her hips.

Dawn’s glow lit the room. He could see her expressions. Shock—followed by confusion, then complete horror as she realized the full scope of her situation.


I hope you enjoyed that excerpt, but let’s find out a little bit more about Collette herself and her writing in the Regency Era.

1. What drew you to writing Historical Romances in general and specifically to setting stories during the Regency Era where English propriety clashes with Scottish brashness?

When I was 13, a friend gave me a Barbara Cartland Historical Romance to read. I fell in love with historicals, right then and there. I do enjoy other romance genres, but historicals appeal to the romantic and the historian in me. I’m a history buff and digging into the research for a historical is something I really enjoy.

Georgian, Regency, and Victorian are my favorite eras, (all those lords and ladies, you know) so when I decided to write a historical romance, I choose the Regency era. It was such a time of transition; strict propriety strove—ineffectively, I might add— to conceal an undercurrent of immorality and entitlement.

Highlanders are the epic heroes. A bit too unrefined for the Haute Ton, but, oh, do they add a delicious element in a romance.

2. What’s the strangest bit of historical trivia you’ve picked up in your research?

I found a Scot’s Canon Law that “covered” irregular marriages—those not performed by the church. In essence, you could declare you were married, or exchange vows, in front of anyone, and you were legally married.

That law came in quite handy when I was writing HIGHLANDER’S HOPE.

These next few questions assume that time travel is possible.

3. What modern conveniences would you miss most? What would you miss least?

Bathrooms! My hubby teases me because I don’t even like to go camping unless there is hot running water and electricity so I can style my hair.

I do not know how the elite could stand not bathing. I see paintings of the most extraordinary fashions, and I’m appalled that such an exquisite outfit was donned by a stink-meister.

Telephones too, though not so much for communication, but for emergencies. You know when the coach breaks down or your horse goes lame? Just dial the 1800s version of AAA.

What else?

Refrigerators and clean water.

Water wasn’t safe to drink (which is why so many cooks had a drinking problem) and food was hard to keep from spoiling. During my research I discovered that many of the thick, rich sauces favored during those eras was actually a means used to cover the taste of half-spoiled meat and fish.

4. What would be the hardest for you to adapt to in the Regency Era?

Lack of good hygiene and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.

5. Where would you fit into the society? Where would you like to visit most?

I’m a teacher so most likely, I’d be a governess or an instructor at a school for young girls. Though perfectly respectable, neither position was enviable. Most women who filled those roles did so because they had no other recourse. There were very few jobs available for decent women, which is why the prostitution rate was so ghastly high.

I’ve been to London and Paris, but I’d love to go back. Right now, I’m trying to figure out a way to finagle a visit to Scotland. I have a six-book saga about highlanders in the planning stages, so a trip for research is a must, don’t you think?

6. How long have you been writing? What advice would you go back and give yourself as a beginning novelist if you could? Would this advice differ from what you’d say to an aspiring author now?

In February 2011, I plopped myself in front of my computer, on a whim really, and decided to write a romance novel. It took me six months—I taught the whole while—and when it was done, I realized I had only really begun. Two major rewrites, including cutting 73,000 words, and two title changes occurred before it was ready to submit.

I didn’t have critique partners for my first novel. I do now, and they make a huge difference in the revising and polishing of my work. I also hadn’t read any books on the craft or attended any workshops. I wasted a lot of time learning stuff after my manuscript was finished.

I think it is extremely important that a writer stay true to their own voice and creativity. Learn from others, but make sure your writing reflects you as the artist.

7. Your blog prominently features blue roses and you have a wonderful explanation with some gorgeous pictures there, but how did your series become the Blue Rose Series? Did you consciously set out to include them and build around that idea, or did your character(s) make the suggestion?

When I first dove into the whole publishing thing, everyone kept saying you need an author platform. A what?

You need to create your branding? My what?

I came up with the blue rose for my branding because my favorite color is cobalt blue, and anyone that knows me, knows I’m nuts about flowers. There are only two rooms in my house that don’t have floral wallpaper. I’ve pictures of flowers on my walls, and yes, I do have scads of flowers in my yard.

My dishes actually have a blue rose pattern so it was a natural transference to my author branding.

Now, as far as the Blue Rose Trilogy, I named the trilogy before I started writing it. My reasoning was as a new author, I needed a way for readers to identify me. Each of the books has multiple references to blue roses in them.

I’m actually thinking about having a blue rose contest after Highlander’s Hope releases and asking readers where blue roses are mentioned in the book.

Oh, I also have a really fun Blue Rose Romance page on Pinterest, in case anyone would like to take a peek.

8. Between writing and teaching, you manage to find time for a number of hobbies: amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, and salmon fishing on the Columbia River. Not to mention three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds. How do you balance it all?

You know that thing called sleep? I don’t get much of it.

It’s all about prioritizing. What’s most important right at this moment?

Because I’m a substitute teacher, my teaching is more flexible. I also utilize my time really well. It helps that I’m a very organized and disciplined person. I don’ t spend as much time gardening, bird watching or fishing as I used to. My focus at present is launching my writing career.

9. Are you reader? What are some of your favorites?

I am a reader. I don’t know any authors that aren’t.

I don’t really have any favorites though. If a story appeals to me, I read it. I did name my daughter after Brianna in THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER by Kathleen Woodiwiss.

10. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?

I think the promo and marketing are what I find the most challenging. I’m not a natural at either, and both make me uncomfortable.

Also, developing a thick skin is a must. That comes with time, I think.

Not everyone is going to like my writing; I don’t like some books that I’ve read—yes, even some romances. I’ve not had any reviews yet, but I hope to respond with dignity and grace when poor reviews come in because, it’s inevitable, they will.

Photo of Collette Cameron, Author


About the Author

A life-long Oregonian, Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of Portland. Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit, interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water, and of course, vegetable.

A voracious reader of romance since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance, she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor, and a liberal portion of suspense.

Having dabbled in interior decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum laude from Oregon State University, and went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc., and a whole slew of other author/writer groups.

Some of Collette’s favorite things include unique blends of coffees and teas, trivia, Cadbury Milk Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith, husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life quite nicely! When she’s not teaching or writing, she is a content and copy/line editor for an Ebook publisher, enjoys amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading of course.

To connect with Collette, please visit http://collettecameron.com/ or http://www.blueroseromance.com/. She can also be found on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Linkedin, Goodreads, Twitter, and the Soul Mate Publishing Author’s Blog.

Buy HIGHLANDER’S HOPE: Amazon

Favorite Books: Common Elements

Favorite Books: My Historical Romance Keeper Shelf
A partial view of my Historical Romance keeper shelf. Click to enlarge.

This week my accountability group’s How I Write series asks, “What are your types of favorite books? Do you write those elements into your own? Or do you do something different? Why?”

I’m a pretty omnivorous reader. I’ll read cereal boxes if left with nothing better. If you saw how many books we have. Ok, so we have well over 300 linear feet of books (not counting the kids’) in our house. Oh, did I mention I need a new book shelf? Oh, right, my favorite types of books.

In looking across all the books I hold dear, there are three common elements that draw me to them: a coherent world I can escape into, an emotional journey, and a happy ending. This is one reason why romance appeal to me in general and historical romances provide a much needed escape from every day first world problems.

My Favorite Books Have a Coherent World

I love series that continue to build and add depth to the setting with a familiar cast of characters. I like revisiting old friends. It doesn’t have to be the real world, but one of the things I adored about Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern books were how closely tied together everything became the farther you got into the series. I love how a very minor secondary character can repeatedly show up, and each time we learn a little more about them, and end up stealing readers’ hearts. The idea of a coherent world is definitely one of the things I’ve been trying to do in my writing. The main characters from one will show up as secondary characters in another story. They frequent many of the same places which makes research easier and reusable.

My Favorite Books Take Me on an Emotional Journey

I like to laugh, to worry, to think, and yes, to cry over a good book. Now before you go thinking I’m a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, lemme tell you it has to be natural and inevitable, but it can never feel contrived or manipulative. That creates wall-bangers for me. Kat Cantrell is an up and coming author who does this well for me. Suzanne Enoch is an example of an established author who did this extremely well with her Lessons in Love Trilogy. Some days I think this will be my hardest element to conquer, but I’m going to keep working at it.

My Favorite Books Have a Happy Ending

There’s enough doom and gloom in the world. I read for escape. I want something that’s going to restore a little hope to the world and comfort and reassure me that certain truths are universal and the bad guys always get what’s coming to them in the end. I’m writing, historical romance, so duh! This element is non-negotiable for me in my own writing as well.

I don’t find it very surprising that these elements keep showing up. They’re pretty basic, but they’re also pretty universal in their appeal.

Now, if I just had more time to read, I’d go curl up with an old friend (a specific book or author) and tune out the world for a while.

YOUR TURN: What are some of the common elements in your favorite books?


And if you’d like to check out the rest of my accountability group, you can find their blogs here:

* Alexia Reed * Kimberly Farris * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Susan Saxx *

Comfort Reading

This week my accountability group’s How I Write series asks, “When you need some comfort reading, who do you turn to?”

Comfort Reading: Julia Quinn's The Viscount Who Loved Me

I took a run at this topic back in 2008, with a Thursday Thirteen post where I listed 13 Repeatedly Reread Books in our personal library. But in looking back at that post, the only one of those books that I’ve reread in the last 5 years (HOW is THAT possible and where did they GO?) is Julia Quinn‘s The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Family)

Maybe what I’m looking for from a comfort read has changed. It’s not that I don’t think I’ll never read any of those books on that list again. I’m pretty sure I will. However, I’d like to share a few of the authors I’ve discovered over the past 5 years and will keep buying in the future. Disclaimer: I’m friends with several of these authors and have met many others, but I stand behind their books after having read more than one of them. In no particular order…

Great Contemporary Reads

Comfort Reading: Caitie Quinn's THE LAST SINGLE GIRLCaitie QuinnTamara MorganChristie RidgwayChristie CraigLouisa EdwardsKat Cantrell (Yes, even though she only has one book out so far, I also got to read a WIP of hers that made me cry.)

 

Great Historical Reads

Comfort Reading: Jillian Stone's AN AFFAIR WITH MR. KENNEDYJoanna BourneTessa DareHeather SnowJillian StoneJeannie Lin

 

 

Great YA Reads

Comfort Reading: Danielle Joseph's SHRINKING VIOLETDanielle JosephRosemary Clement-Moore

 

 

Great Fantasy Read

Comfort Reading: Jim Butcher's CODEX ALERA seriesJim Butcher – Yes, Dresden Files, but REALLY loved the Alera Codex series.

 

 

I have to say that I’m reading more in ebooks these days because some of these authors are only available that way, but also I find myself pulling out my phone or my iPad to read while I’m waiting. I still prefer reading a paperback in bed and think they’re MUCH better for getting authors to sign. =)

There were a couple authors I really wanted to add to this list, but since I’ve only read one book by them I didn’t think it would be quite fair to include them yet. But I don’t doubt they’ll remain favorites.

YOUR TURN: Which authors or books do you turn to for your comfort reading?


And if you’d like to check out the rest of my accountability group, you can find their blogs here:

* Alexia Reed * Kimberly Farris * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Susan Saxx *

What’s Your Self-Editing Process?

Steaming Hedge - Version 1 before self-editing process
Raw image as downloaded from camera.

I’m trying to develop/discover my self-editing process and this week in my accountability group How I Write series was asked, “Do you have an editing process? If so, what?”

This is one of the things that I’m honestly struggling with as a writer. I do not currently have what I would term a self-editing “process” and have just sort of flown by the seat of my pants in this area. But this year, I decided I needed a process that I could follow and would cover the necessary bases instead of just getting lost in an endless circle of line edits as my internal editor argued with itself.

So, what did I do? I started researching it. I’ve read through Cathy Yardley‘s Rock Your Revisions, by Renni Browne and Dave King‘s Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, and Noah Lukeman‘s The First Five Pages. However none of them really felt like a good fit with what I have in my mind as what an editing process should look like. Just call me Goldilocks… cause they’re either too vague, too fluffy, or too small and only cover a particular part of the self-editing process.

Now, that’s not saying I don’t recommend any of these books. I absolutely do! They are ALL great books, they’re just not what I’m looking for right now. They may have PART of what I’m looking for, and I haven’t discounted that either. I have one more to read through that I have high hopes for that Danie Ford recommended: Alan Watt‘s The 90-Day Rewrite: The Process of Revision. On the surface it sounds like it has the stuff I’m looking for.

So what is it I’m looking for that I haven’t found yet? Something that’s kinda like a checklist, but organized in a logical fashion. Something that details not just what I should be looking for, but how to address any problems I find. Something that holds my hand through the process and doesn’t just say, “G’won! The water’s fine! Just jump in!” Something that’s a comprehensive game plan to tackle these projects. Tall order, right?

I think I’m also looking to clarify in my mind what I should be doing at this point to get a manuscript to a state that is “good enough” to send out and hopefully one that better matches what’s in my head.

As I sat down to write this post, I immediately started thinking about what photo I was going to put with it that would be illustrative of the self-editing process. As I was looking though my digital collection, I realized I do a lot of preliminary editing “in the camera” as well as a bunch of post-processing, especially on my close-ups of flowers to get them to pop.

By “editing in the camera” I mean that I take several shots of the same subject. Often with identical settings, but sometimes I purposely try several different ones to get different effects. Then once I download the photos from the camera, I’ll sift through the multiples and pick the ones that appeal to me. Sometimes, it’s a no-brainer — blurry, badly composed, and/or poorly lit ones get tossed. But I’ve found some that had lots of potential, but it hadn’t been captured in a very flattering way.

Take the photo at the top of this post, for example. Lighting and composition were the first things that jumped out at me at problematic. In writing, this would probably translate to tone and structure. If that photo were a book, I’d say it had a lot of extra irrelevant scenes and odd tone choices that were detracting from the overall story I wanted to tell.

Steaming Hedge after self-editing process
Final image after cropping/resizing, desaturation & additional affects applied.

I’m not sure if I tackled the lighting or the composition first. I suspect I probably played with the lighting first, trying to minimize the glare from the morning sun and then added a few special affects to get the hedge to pop more visually. In that process, I’m sure I decided to play with the saturation levels and the black & white struck me as the best way to show off the contrast between the hedge and the steam rising from it. Then, a quick crop (re-framing the picture and cutting away parts of it) to fix the composition and further eliminate the big ol’ glaring sun from the top left corner.

I guess my next question is, how do I take the ideas of what I do instinctively (now?) for photography into something usable for writing.

YOUR TURN: Do you have an editing process? If so, what?


And if you’d like to check out the rest of my accountability group, you can find their blogs here:

* Alexia Reed * Kimberly Farris * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Susan Saxx

Staying Positive Despite Rejection

Staying Positive Despite Rejection: Wildflowers blooming in the scrub by Kristen KosterThis week in my accountability group’s How I Write series we were asked, “Every writer goes through ups and downs. What do you do to keep positive about what you’re working on?” I chose to interpret this as “How do you focus on staying positive despite rejection?” Because, we writer’s know, there are different forms of rejection that must be faced and overcome on a regular basis.

Staying Positive Despite Rejection from Our Selves

This is the hardest one for me. I am definitely my own worst critic. So, how do I deal with this?

Work with a timer.
This gives me something to beat. It’s that competitive streak. Also, I know I have to write until the timer goes off, but then I get a quick break.
Stuff the internal editor in a box.
Ok, so some days the visualization is more like stuffing her into an iron-bound chest and shipping her off to Timbuktu, but I’m sure you get the idea. She’s NOT welcome for first drafts.
Reread Old Stuff
Yup, pull out that ms that’s been hidden with the dust bunnies under the bed and see just how far my writing’s come. Who would ever start with a daydream where the heroine’s looking in a mirror. Cringe and be glad you’re not that writer any more.
Revisit the Praise
Reread some of the good comments from feedback from crit partners, beta readers and contest judges.

Staying Positive Despite Rejection from Our Peers

Writing is often a solitary pursuit, but many don’t think you should remain completely in a vacuum for the entire process. It took me a long time to build the confidence to show my work to others. When I did, I told myself that I wanted the feedback and that it wasn’t personal and that the people giving the advice wanted the same thing I did, to improve the story.

Critiques
Take what you can use, and ignore what doesn’t make sense or doesn’t work. It’s your book/story/etc, don’t write by committee. But do remind yourself that people have the story’s best interests in mind. Sometimes, when you come back to it later, you may see the comments from a different perspective.
Contests
Again, you’re not going to please everyone, but save off the stuff you do well and sift through for the useful stuff. Remind yourself that people have the story’s best interests in mind.
Reviews
I’m not lucky enough to be in this boat yet, but I’d like to think I could handle truthful ones.
Comments/Corrections
This is a more general space. This could be in email, on your blog, or even facebook or twitter.

Let It Sit
This is good for all of the above: read it, let it sting, bask in the praise, whatever. Then, put it away! Come back to it at least a day or two later and look at it with a fresh perspective.

Staying Positive Despite Rejection from the Industry

I don’t have a lot of experience with the publishing industry beyond querying some agents and editors, but here’s what I’ve learned so far and from watching others go through similar situations.

Hit Send & Move On
After hitting send, I try to jump into the next project and ignore the fact that it’s out there.
What’s the worst they can say?
No, right? Ok, there are probably worse ways they could phrase that “no thanks”, but really, it’s not personal. Move on to the next person on your list. Besides, you’re liable to get pleasantly surprised with a “yes!” at some point.
It’s all Subjective!
Look at how many books/movies/tv shows/paintings/photographs/dances/sculptures that you’ve either loved or hated. Or even just been “meh” over. Everyone has their own tastes and no two people will ever read the same book.
Keep Going/Keep Learning
This may sound similar to the first one, but it’s more specific. Keep practicing, don’t stop if it’s something you love. I don’t know who originally said it, but I love the quote, “Failure leads to success (unless you quit trying.)”. So true.

Your Turn: What do you do to keep positive about what you’re working on?


And if you’d like to read what the rest of my accountability group is expanding out their comfort zones, you can find their blogs here:

* Alexia Reed * Kimberly Farris * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney * Susan Saxx

Hello 2013 Goals, Thanks 2012!

Photo of hydrangea by Kristen Koster on flickr.comMy accountability group just kicked off a new year with new goals and are continuing with our How I Write series. This week, the question asked was, “What is one thing you’re going to do to refocus your 2013 goals that you learned in 2012?”

Each year I always seem to bite off more than I can chew. Always with the best intentions, of course. And always in the name of balance. I’ve tried several different methods of organizing my goals and what seemed to work best was a breakdown by quarters.

Last year, I had great plans to write a book along with my local RWA Chapter’s challenge participants. Life had other ideas. I’m refocusing on that book this year, but instead of just jumping in and running, I have a concrete step by step plan to see it all the way through.

Likewise, I did really well with my Project365 progress up until a certain point last year. I had worried about keeping up with such an ambitious project every day, but had settled into a comfortable routine until, it broke. This year, I will be focusing on one photo post per week, taking a lot of the pressure off.

This year, in pretty much all areas, I’m focusing on quality over quantity and approaching everything with a plan before execution, taking smaller bites. I’ve also learned that I absolutely must put my writing at a higher priority and I can’t be content to stay safe in my comfort zone.

So far, the momentum is off to a great start and I’m looking forward to keeping it building through out the year. Stay tuned, there are 51 Weeks to go!

Your Turn: What are you going to do different this year to reach your goals?


And if you’d like to read what the rest of my accountability group is changing this year based on lessons learned, you can find their blogs here:

* Alexia Reed * Kimberly Farris * Danie Ford * Emma G. Delaney

Another Interview with Historical Erotic Romance Author: Sorcha Mowbray

Cover for LOVE REDEEMED, by Sorcha MowbrayPlease welcome Sorcha Mowbray back to the blog today! We’re celebrating her upcoming release of LOVE REDEEMED, which will be available on November 27th from Decadent Publishing.

*** UPDATE: THE WINNER OF THE EBOOK
COPY OF LOVE REVEALED IS:
JEAN!!
CONGRATS! ***

Blurb:

Love Redeemed (Book 2, The Market Series)
by Sorcha Mowbray

Brennan Whitling wants for nothing but the love of a good woman. He has a close family, good friends, and a successful textiles import business. But, a beautiful and elusive young woman he has only seen from afar haunts him. Until a chance meeting leads to far more than dinner.

Serena Freemont has only ever known the life of a prostitute. When an invitation to dinner by a handsome gentleman provides her an opportunity to experience life as a young lady, it’s too tempting to pass up. Much like the man issuing it. After a night of passion she must disappear or face his reaction when the truth is revealed.

To find happiness Serena must shed her past long enough to realize she is worthy of a future. To win her heart, Brennan must show her the redemptive power of love.

Excerpt:

“Are you all right, Miss?”

For a moment, for this moment, she was a normal young woman experiencing the attentions of a handsome young man. Heat crept up her cheeks as he held her hatbox out, and the burning had nothing to do with the sun. “I-I— Yes, I am. Thank you.” His blue-gray eyes seemed to bore into her.

“I am so glad. I was sure you were a goner there for a moment.” He flashed a brilliant grin liquefying Serena’s insides instantly. “Please let me introduce myself. I’m Mr. Brennan Whitling of Whitling Textiles Importers and Wholesalers.”

“How do you do, Mr. Whitling?” Serena allowed her lips to curve up ever so slightly. “I am Miss Serena Freemont.”

“It is a pleasure. Might I interest you and your”—he glanced around the bustling street as his grin faded in confusion— “chaperone in a cup of tea?”

A wave of horror swept over Serena. Chaperone? Harlots did not require one of those. “Oh, Aunt Henrietta is in the bookstore, and I fear she will be in there a very long time. I am certain she won’t notice if we slip off for a quick spot of tea.”

“Excellent! There is a lovely little shop just up the street.” A beautiful smile spread across his face, causing her pulse to quicken.

He escorted her up the block where they stopped at a quaint little teashop. They settled in at a table and ordered a pot of tea.

“What has you on Bond Street today, Mr. Whitling?” They sat in semi privacy at the back of the shop.

“Oh, I was visiting some of my customers and taking new orders. I am very glad I was there to help you, and by virtue of said assistance make your acquaintance.” Did his already deep voice grow huskier? Their tea service arrived, dispelling the moment.

“As am I. Landing on my backside in the middle of the street would have been rather embarrassing. But in truth, thank you for your assistance today, and now the tea.” She lifted her freshly prepared cup to her lips and took a dainty sip from the delicate china. Through lowered lashes, she watched his graceful movements as he prepared his own.

“It is my pleasure on both accounts. You seem familiar to me. Have we met somewhere before? A ball perhaps?”

Gotta have it? You’ll be able to buy it from Decadent Publishing on Nov 27th!

If you missed my previous interview with Sorcha, you may want to read it first for some background and to see where some of these follow up questions came from. Don’t worry, we’ll wait for you to read it and then come back…

So, now that you’re all caught up, let’s put Sorcha back in the hot seat and grill her with some new questions!

1. Last time you visited, you mentioned you had a minor in history in college and that you loved doing research. What are some of your favorite research resources?

I don’t really have particular books I go to all the time. I use the web A LOT mostly because it’s so handy.

2. What’s the strangest question you’ve had to get answered in the name of research?

Oh definitely the questions about sex toys. It’s fascinating to consider how long they’ve been around and in use. Our modern civilization does not have the corner on the kinky market. LOL! For the series I needed to use a dildo and well, frankly some of the materials used in early dildos was downright terrifying. For example wood. All I can imagine when I think of wooden dildos is a really awful splinter in the wrong place. *shudders*

3. Do you plan to make use of your discovery of the Victorian’s fascination with tattoos in your Market series?

No. Strangely, I have not tattooed any of my characters in this series. Maybe in a future book, if I write any more set at The Market, or in another Victorian era series.

4. Where did you get the idea for The Market as a high class bordello? What was the biggest challenge in accurately portraying life in such an establishment and still managing to write the story you wanted?

I needed a brothel and I love naming things in kind of obvious ways at times. It is rather like a meat market, and I just kind of went…oh! I like it! Also, I guess I like the idea of writing a story (or series of stories) that makes prostitutes more accessible as people. Yes, they sell their bodies for money, but they are people too. They have hopes and dreams, and long to fall in love just like anyone else.

5. You said before, your favorite type of hero was an alpha. How is the hero in Love Redeemed different from your typical alpha hero?

Oh, he came scary close to being beta. I remember at one point as I was writing it wondering who the hell this guy was and how did he wander into my damn story! Then his alpha tendencies came to light and I breathed a lot easier. I guess he’s a kinder gentler alpha than I am used to writing and liking. And that was hard to get used to. I kept reading the book and thinking, everyone is going to hate this story. Eventually I got to a place where I felt better about Brennan as my hero and so did Serena. 🙂

6. How would you describe your heroines? Do they have similar traits that drew you to them? Would they get along well together or would they dislike each other?

I don’t think they would dislike each other, but I am not sure they would get along famously either. Kat is rather bookish, and while Serena is intelligent she is more street smart. I mean, she likes a good book too, but not so scientifically oriented. I think all the heroines I write are strong women. Maybe not always in a blatant way, but every one has a core of steel that helps them survive all the things I do to them.

7. Do you find there are any recurring themes in your books that you seem to keep coming back to?

No. In fact, Love Redeemed (book two of The Market Series) was surprisingly different from Love Revealed (book one). And book three is different yet again. I guess the one common theme is that love really can conquer all, but that is such a broad theme and really, it generally applies to the whole genre of romance.

8. I have to ask, and I’m sure people out there want to know as well, will we get to read Madame Marchander’s book at some point?

Ha! Of course you will. She’s book three and it is with the publisher right now for review. I have to say she was something of a challenge to write, but I will save that conversation for later.

9. What next? More stories set around The Market or something new?

I’m actually working on a post-apocalyptic m/m/f/m romance. It’s in the super early stages…plotting, writing a scene or two to get a feel for everyone, etc. I also have a second short story in the One Night With A Cowboy series I hope to get edited and released in the next few months. But, I am not anticipating anymore Market books for now. Doesn’t mean forever, but I need a break from writing historical for a bit.

10. Are you excited about reading an excerpt at the Lady Jane’s Salon San Diego in November?

I am! I always love to share my work with readers, and to have the opportunity to do it in person is pretty awesome. Let’s just hope I don’t blush too much as I read. I’m actually pretty shy about reading the sexy parts. I suppose I’ll get better at it as I do it more often. LOL!

Sorcha Mowbray - scorching the sheets one page at a time.Sorcha Mowbray is a mild mannered office worker by day… okay, so she is actually a mouthy, opinionated, take charge kind of gal who bosses everyone around; but she definitely works in an office. At night she writes romance so hot she sets the sheets on fire! Just ask her slightly singed husband.

She is a long time lover of historical romance, having grown up reading Johanna Lindsey and Judith McNaught. Then she discovered Thea Devine and Susan Johnson. Holy cow! Heroes and heroines could do THAT? From there, things devolved into trying her hand at writing a little smexy. Needless to say, she liked it and she hopes you do too!

Be sure to connect with Sorcha Mmowbray online:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pintrest | GoodReads | Kindlegraph
She’s also got more dates for her blog tour listed under EVENTS on her website.


Love Redeemed Blog Tour Banner
At each stop of the blog tour, Sorcha will give away a copy of Love Revealed (Book 1 of the series). At the end of the 11 day tour, a grand prize of a $25 All Romance eBooks (ARe) store gift card and one copy of her back list will be given away to one lucky winner.

Rules (Cause you know there have to be rules!)
1. Winners of the individual blog stops will not be eligible to win the grand prize
2. One comment per stop will be eligible for the drawings (so be sure to answer my questions!)
3. The contest is open internationally
4. Commenters must include a valid email so they can be contacted (Just in the form is fine, don’t have to share with the world!)
5. Any prize not claimed within 48 hrs will be subject to forfeiture and a new winner drawn

YOUR TURN: Sorcha asks, “Do you prefer alpha heroes, beta heroes, or some combination thereof?”