NaNoWriMo

Yes I joined the thousands who are doing NaNo this year. For those that don’t know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and it takes place every November. “National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.”

Sounds like fun doesn’t it :) Having never attempted this before, I’m excited. I have a few writing buddies  on-line and there are get-togethers around the city for those of us crazy enough to do this so I’m not alone in my madness.

Anyone else doing NaNo this year?

Published in: on November 3, 2010 at 8:06 am  Comments (2)  

Life Happens

Well, it seems like I fell into a hole. The typical “I have no time to write” hole that a lot of new writers fall into (or so I’ve been told). My husband works out of town a lot so when he’s here, I want to spend time with him. My daughter is out on her own so when she stops by or calls, I want to talk with her to find out how she’s doing. I have a son away at college who doesn’t come home often but when he does, I want to visit with him. I have another son in high school who is one of the popular kids, at least in his circle of friends, so he’s always wanting me to bring him here or there. Then there’s the me time that I take when I go for a ride on my Vegas. That usually happens back and forth for my day job and once a week for bike night where I meet my Dad and a few friends for a couple of hours. Then all the other things that have to be done, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning (even though I avoid doing those if at all possible), watching my Saints football. And of course sleeping. So life happens and the writing doesn’t get done.

But how do all the other writers do it? I know many who are wives, moms, career women who still find the time to write. Maybe I lack the discipline. Maybe I’m not motivated enough. Maybe it’s too hard. Or maybe I just keep looking for excuses.

Enough! Time to buckle down and write the damn book. To that end, I’ve decided to participate in this year’s NaNoWriMo competition. I have to write a 50,000 word novel within 30 days… That means 1,667 words a day. Lord what have I gotten myself into? I’m lucky if I get 500 words in one day. Like I said, time to sit my butt down in front of the computer and write. No more excuses, no interruptions.

If you’re an author who has to take care of family and work a day job, how do you manage your writing time? And if you have done the NaNoWriMo competition, did it help you?

Published in: on October 21, 2010 at 8:21 pm  Comments (2)  
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RD’s Not Going to Conference Conference

NGCC-2010t

Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever “business casual” means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference…

The Conference You Don’t Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors — and you don’t even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We’ll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O’Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL’S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora’s Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner’s choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis…/crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner’s choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner’s choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner’s preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR’S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 e-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner’s choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner’s choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner’s choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

C’est tout!
Devon

Published in: on July 26, 2010 at 9:14 am  Leave a Comment  
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Dixie Kane Contest

My local RWA chapter is hosting the 5th annual Dixie Kane contest for writers. I entered last year but didn’t win which was OK. I didn’t expect to win but I did better than I thought I would. I also received wonderful feedback from the judges which has helped me to realize where I need improvement and also shown me what I did right (I was excited to see these comments ). Anyway, the contest is open now and will be ending soon so get your entries in.

The Dixie Kane Memorial Contest is a literary contest in honor of the late Linda Kay West, attorney, who wrote as Dixie Kane. A member of SOLA and RWA for many years, Linda served in numerous board positions. She shared her knowledge of writing, publishing, and law generously as a speaker at SOLA’s meetings and conferences. SOLA created the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest to encourage aspiring writers to hone their craft and submit their work.

Sponsor: SOLA, the Southern Louisiana Chapter of RWA

Fee: $15.00

Deadline: July 15, 2010

Eligibility: Entrants do not need to be members of Romance Writers of America to enter.

Enter: Just a taste–the first five (5) pages double spaced and a synopsis (one page, single-spaced, not judged). No electronic submissions.  Contest Entry Form

Categories:

  • Short/long series contemporary
  • Single title contemporary
  • Historical romance
  • Paranormal
  • Inspirational
  • Novel w/ strong romantic elements
  • Romantic suspense
  • Erotic romance

Also our monthly SOLA meeting will be next Saturday, July 17. We will have Dr. Jeffrey Long there to speak about near-death experiences and his book “Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences”. You never know, you might find some inspiration for your next book while here. You can get information about the meeting on SOLA’s website.

C’est tout!
Devon

Published in: on July 10, 2010 at 8:04 am  Leave a Comment  
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