Romance Author, Elodie Parkes Talks About Writing

Elodie Parkes is a British author writing romance, erotic, contemporary, and often with a twist of mystery, paranormal, fantasy, or suspense. Her books are always steamy. 

Her tag is, Cool stories: Hot love scenes.

She works in an antique shop by day and writes at night, loving the cloak of silent darkness that descends on the rural countryside around her home.

Elodie is joining us all the way from Canterbury. Her two dogs are eyeing me and licking their lips. Ah-ha! They know I keep doggie treats handy.

Thank you so much, Elodie for joining us today. Let’s get started. You’ve got ten seconds to describe your writing style. Ready… set… go!

Romantic. Thoughtful. Emotional. Addictive. Erotic.

I love your books Rescuing Cade and A Fairy Tale Romance. I enjoy the twists in your storylines. Do you have any authors who have influenced you or do you have a favorite authors you enjoy?

I’ve purposely not allowed writers and books to influence me. For instance, I love William Gibson books. He can do no wrong in my eyes, but would never attempt to be influenced by his work. I write completely different works. My stories are love stories with twists of paranormal, or suspense, or mystery that are woven into what could happen in real life. I could never approach writing like another author, my story and my characters drive me. I guess that other writers whose books I read lots don’t write erotic romance. I’ve read all Christine Feehan’s Dark series, but when I write paranormal, I don’t feel I’m influenced by her work. I read Henning Mankell and there’s no way I could be influenced to write as he does, because his Swedish environment influences him even though he now lives in Africa. Same with Ruth Rendell, I’ve read nearly all her work. Its good stuff but I’ve felt no influence.

I’ve dot pointed what strikes me about the above author’s work.

• Ruth Rendell, insight into the dark side of human behavior
• Henning Mankell, the atmosphere he creates, often wide open, empty spaces, bleakness
• William Gibson, intelligence, insight into society and the manipulation from powerful people, description, and scene setting.
• Christine Feehan, the creation of some of the most loveable male characters around, those Carpathians are to die for.

Real life influences me. I get my story ideas as I’m moving through life, from meeting people, seeing buildings, scenery, sign posts, all kinds of things will make a story idea drop into my mind. Then the characters start to talk. I guess that’s a little obtuse, but that’s how it happens for me. One of my vampire romance stories came from driving past a building that had an old Inn sign in the front garden, but the building was clearly not an Inn. There was an air of mystery about the place, though and a story dropped into my head very quickly. I used the name on that sign for the title. Then a paddock full of lovely horses inspired one of my shifter stories. Stories just arrive in my head and have the characters already formed in some magical way. I always fall in love with my characters and miss them like crazy when I have to let them go .

It’s fascinating how story ideas pop up then follow you around. When did you begin writing?

I started writing when I was seventeen, but I quit early on writing fiction because I needed to write academic stuff. After life got in the way for a number of years, I suddenly found my mind was crowded with fiction story ideas again and I went back to writing them.

You are living proof what one can’t escape the writing muse! When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I don’t really. That’s funny huh? I write but I think the definition of a writer has changed along with the radical changes in the publishing world.

When you think about it, writing is an art form. Writing, painting, creating music – whatever your title, you create something wonderful for others to enjoy. What is your writing process?

I don’t have a process per se. I write when I have time. It’s always there nagging me to get back to, but I have to fit it around my day job or starve. I suppose I stay up late writing because I feel peaceful then, but there are no habits attached.

Size counts… on average how loooooonnnnnggg do you like your (um, how do we put it delicately) manuscripts to be; (in words silly, not inches) and how steamy?

I write erotic romance. The love scenes are graphic. My stories must have happy endings and I enjoy that, giving happy endings to characters. I feel as if there are so few in real life. My stories are just told, the length varies from 15 K to 45 K whatever tells the story.

I usually drink tea or wine when I write. I also keep a jar of dark chocolate M&M’s handy. What snacks do you enjoy while you write?

None. I might drink a cup of tea or a glass of water, but I have lots of allergies and have to be careful what I eat.

Food allergies suck. But you stay healthy in the long run!

It’s time to get to the nitty-gritty in reference to writing:

 Are you most productive in the morning, afternoon or are you a night owl?

I am a night owl in all facets of life.

Are you a plotter or a pantster?

Both at different times and mixed together sometimes.

Which is more important: plot or characters?

For me they’re equally important. They drive each other.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

Not so far. I never have enough hours in the day so there are loads of manuscripts on my desktop in various stages all clamoring to be finished.

Do you write thing at a time or more than one? How do you balance them?

I often write more than one thing at a time, but in general one will take over and I’ll finish it then go on to the next as the other sleeps before I go back for the first creative edit before it goes to the editor and then is submitted.

What is your least favorite part of the writing or publishing process?

Oh hell, marketing, promoting. It’s so time consuming, such a stressful experience and so hard to know what to do for the best. I’d like to reach readers more, and in a more intimate way, but time forbids that for me.

What is your best marketing tip?

I have nothing for you. Try anything and everything to reach your audience.

What advice would you give other writers?

If you love writing, keep at it even in the face of the saturated market, the capricious industry, the negativity and competition, because when a reader tells you they loved your story it makes up for all those things.

WHEW! That was awesome! Thank you so much for joining us today. Girl, you gotta tell me where you got those adorable boots!

Elodie writes for, Evernight Siren Hot Ink Press Eternal Press Secret Cravings

She has also released titles as an individual indie author.

Find Elodie online: Blog  Facebook  FB  Twitter Tsu  Google + G+ Pinterest  YouTube  Amazon USA  Amazon UK Manic Readers

Check out her new release from Evernight

An erotic romance, with Dom/sub and spanking elements—a contemporary, magical love story.

Amazon US, Amazon UK, Evernight, Bookstrand, All Romance

Author Alexa Bourne Talks About Writing

On a dark rainy night,

nothing is better than reading a thrilling suspense with a compelling romance to spice it up.

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Alexa Bourne is THE author to write such a tale. She has many books out including the fast paced and incredibly hot story Wake Me (Hidden Destiny) and Chasing Gold (Beyond Fairytales) from Decadent Publishing. During her spare time she even offers on-line writing classes!  How cool is that!

 

Alexa has stopped by to give us a look into her life as a writer.

Thanks for joining us today. Make yourself comfortable. 

Help yourself to some tea and chocolate. 

So tell us, how long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. My first “book” over 100 pages was when I was in middle school a LOOOONG time ago. I have 11 books out and I’m part of 1 anthology that just recently released.

A born writer! What genre and topics do you like to write? Is there a topic you would never write about?

My favorite genre is romantic suspense. After my 11^th book came out I finally realized I love writing about people who are thrown out of their element and must find a way to gather their courage. As for something I wouldn’t write about….I’m not sure. At the moment, I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t try.

Sounds like you have a bit of an adventurous writer’s soul. Do you have a special place you like to write or a particular writing process?

I don’t have a specific place I write, but I do have a process. I start each story with only a vague idea of the plot and both main characters. The specifics of the romance, the people and the suspense all come through during the rough draft. The only habit I have is making a soundtrack for each book with at least 1 or 2 songs that specifically represent each couple. I usually listen to that soundtrack over and over as I write that book.

OMG… I do soundtracks too!!! Music always comes up with readers. Do you ever meet your readers?

I have met readers (and love it!). I’ve only had the opportunity to do 1 book signing so far but I look forward to doing more. When I’m able to go to conventions I love to do so. I hope to do more in the next few years.

I love meeting with fans. What is a question most people ask you?

The #1 question I get is “How much money do you make?” I don’t answer it or I might say, “I’m not going to tell you.”

LOL! Hey, summer time is coming fast. I’m sure you hope to find time to read. What is on your TBR pile right now?

The Lair by Emily McKay, Far Gone by Laura Griffin, The Hit by David Baldacci, a bunch of books by Jill Shalvis. Of course there are TONS more in a suitcase, on bookshelves, in boxes in storage….

Ooooo…. I love Jill’s Animal Magnetism series and the baseball novels. Would you say you are a daydreamer?

Not really. I don’t have time to daydream!

As a mom of 3 athletic boys, I don’t have a clue what spare time is. I don’t even have a chance to clean out my purse! Say…if we were to take a sneak peak in your purse, what would we find?

My wallet, promo cards, my headphones for my iphone, a pen & little notepad, tissues and lots of receipts. I know, boring.

I know about “lots of receipts”.  LOL

Time for some fun….

EBooks or Print? Both. I like to travel a lot and the Ebook works best for that.

Wine or beer? Beer, but I wouldn’t say no to a glass of white zin!

Coffee or tea? Tea. My mom’s from England and I grew up on tea.

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Enough said.

What is your biggest “girlish” vice? Earrings. I have more than enough to last me the rest of my life, but if I see earrings in a store when I’m shopping I always check them out. More than once I’ve had my friends help me NOT buy a bunch. I also can’t leave the house without earrings. I can be in sweatpants and makeup-free with my hair in a ponytail, but I have to have at least 1 pair of earrings in. (I have 3 holes in each earlobe.)

Romantic dinner at home or dinner out? How about a romantic dinner out? It’s not really a romantic dinner if you have to clean up after yourself!

What is your favorite flavor or ice cream? Chocolate chip cookie dough. Yum!

Yeah!!! Thanks so much for joining us today, Alexa. Let’s blow this pop stand. I know an ice cream shop that serves the best Choco-chip cookie dough on waffle cones.  My treat!

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Find Alexa Bourne

Website  http://alexabourne.com/

Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne

Twitter https://twitter.com/alexabourne

WAKE ME(HIDDEN DESTINY)

CHASING GOLD(Beyond Fairtales)

Grownup Fairy Tales Boxed Set

 Amazon 

All Romance Ebooks 

My Writing Process Blog Tour

Thank you Libby Waterford for involving me in this awesome blog tour.  

Libby writes California-set steamy contemporary romances. She lives in Los Angeles with her family and works off her weekly pilgrimage to in–N-Out by swimming and climbing the city’s hidden staircases. She’s currently working on a trio of novellas that take place during the reunion/commencement weekend at a New England liberal arts college. Passionate History will be released soon by Decadent Publishing. I love reunion stories so I’ll be first in line top pick this one up!

Find Libby Waterford at

Her Website     Email      Facebook      Twitter 

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What am I currently working on?

 I write novellas for the 1 Night Stand series from Decadent Publishing. Right now, I am editing a steamy Native American eagle shifter romance, Eagle Dance. It’s the second book in the “Legend of the Spirit” series. (Crow Magic was the first book.) In between edits I’m working on three more Native American shifter stories for 1NS.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I write contemporary erotic romance and I'm currently playing with Native American shifters (crow, eagle, hawk and falcon). I use sensuality and eroticism to emphasize the spiritualism of sex and how it creates a unique bond between lovers.

Why do I write what I do?

I was told by my mentor to “write what you know”. Growing up in Michigan and spending time near a Chippewa Reservation I became enthralled with the legends and stories of the people. The tales of animal spirits and shifters show how man/nature/woman work together to create balance in life. I center my novellas on these ideas and collect my research on Tribes of the Great Lakes Region. I give special thanks to two friends, Marion Roth & Ann Orr, for my Chippewa education.

How does my writing process work?

I get an idea in my head and it wormholes me! I have to write it down! My over active imagination often creates more than one story at a time so I often work on multiple stories. Once each story is like a movie in my head and I feel like I’m simply recording it. After a story is complete, I print a hard copy and read over it making corrections with a red pen. Once all changes/corrections are complete, I submit to my publisher and prepare for edits.

Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men. Hoping to overcome her fears and feel like a real woman, she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who will fulfill that goal. Eve arranges a one-night stand with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach Lucy to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.

Shape shifter Seth Crowe is a Keeper of the Spiritual Law who carries souls from darkness to light, and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic.

Tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort, Seth helps Lucy find spiritual and sexual freedom, never dreaming he might find his own mate in the bargain.

 BUY CROW MAGIC      Amazon      Barnes & Noble     Decadent Publishing

What Readers are saying.

Crow Magic is a story filled with spirituality and self-awareness. The author uses Native American culture and beliefs to spin her own tale of romance centered around inner peace and freedom.

About the Author

Romance author and Artist Mary Quast lives in a log home affectionately named "Camp Run-A-Muk" located in the woods of Michigan with her husband, three sons, and a collection of animal family members.

As a professional artist, Mary Quast answered the call to express herself creatively. With her descriptive writing style she has developed a knack for creating passionate characters and realistic settings. These features are prominent in her published novels of the "Soul Series".

When this Michigan author is not busy writing contemporary erotic romance for Decadent Publishing, Mary doles out sensual tips and yummy eye candy on her blog “Romantic Interludes”. She also can be found lecturing college classes on the importance of Journal writing.

Where to find me

Website

Email

Blog

Twitter: @MaryQuast

 Facebook

Thank you to all who checked out my writing process. 

Humpday Help - Plot Bunnies

For the next several weeks, Humpday Help will attempt to explain Plot Bunnies. First of all, a Plot Bunny is an idea for a story that gnaws at the brain until written.

Some well known plot bunnies that have been positively identified. There are various breeds, thousands of them, and many aren't even tied to writing. Inventors and scientists have their own breeds of plot bunnies that lead them to discoveries where A leads to B which jumps to G or even Z.

Here are a few Plot Bunnies that commonly plague writers.

The Lop-eared Sitting Around Talking Shorthair

Physical Characteristics: Lop ears, short brown/grey flecked fur

How to identify his presence: When your characters inevitably come to a point where the plot simply won't advance, so they sit on a couch/the ground/ a golf cart/ a pirate ship and start talking about nothing in particular. Some couple thousand words later, a plot bunny pops up, grins, and heads off! It can always be discovered in this kind of plot stall, and it's known for waiting until the last possible moment (the moment when you are about to throw your laptop across the table) to come and create a diversion.

The Mystery Plot Bunny

Physical Characteristics: Black, short hair with small, pointed ears.

How to identify his presence: This bunny is attracted to plots which aren't usually intended to have any mystery. The bad guys are known, the goal is visible, but suddenly the Mystery Plot Bunny appears and there's a piece of information lacking, a lost object, or an unknown baddie that needs to be discovered and stopped.

This bunny is known to complicate plots far more than they need to be. Usually can be made happy with a missing item, but sometimes demands the more involved mysteries.

Killer bunny

Physical Characteristics: Small, white, red eyes

How to identify his presence: Not unlike the much-feared Monty Python variety, this little white bunny looks harmless as you're writing along, and then up close, abruptly kills off a character you weren't expecting to kill - at least, you didn't intend for it to go right THEN! In its wake, it leave behind a host of new plot opportunities... as well as some definite Closed Paths.

Are you an author?

"Do I have a marketing plan? Are you kidding? I'm buried with writing, editing, fighting with a website, trying to balance a job, family, and all the other demands of life. If I think about taking on more, I start to stress out. But I'll listen to suggestions. I need all the help I can get."

Is this you? Are you a writer who fights constantly to find better ways not only to write, but also to promote? Need help? Like to offer solutions?

A writer pal, Kayelle Allen, told me about an awesome online group for writers. Check out  Marketing For Romance Writers. It's a self-help and mentoring group for writers dedicated to helping authors.

They will host a free online conference in July; so mark your calendars.

Plot Bunnies ARE Real

plot bunny :
An idea for a story  that gnaws at the brain until written.

An idea like this may strike at any time. Sometimes they're great, sometimes they suck.

An idea for a story, usually referring to an author having more ideas than he or she can use.  
The term's origin is unknown but is known to predate NaNoWriMo. Because plot bunnies tend to multiply quickly, the term is thought to be related to the oft-quoted John Steinbeck quote about ideas and rabbits.


"Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen." --John Steinbeck

Congrats to one fellow author who managed to capture all her plot bunnies at once.

Lucas Black, a famous author, finds himself struggling with writer's block. As he falls further and further into his obsession, his lover Simon breaks up with him. Depressed, Luc prays for a muse and is surprised when his prayers are actually answered in the person of a young man named Dury, who claims to be Luc's plot bunny. Dury is everything Luc shouldn't like, eccentric, mysterious, and far too beautiful. But in spite of his doubts, Luc cannot help but feel an increasing affection for Dury.
After his painful separation from Luc, Simon Roth is unable to continue sculpting. Seeing his ex on the street with someone else only serves to reopen old wounds. To his shock, that someone -- a mysterious man named Dury -- begins to stalk him, pushing Simon to contact Luc once again. Simon realizes with dismay that Dury's gentle coaxing reaches out to a deep part of him, one he'd thought reserved for his lost love, Luc.

Even as the two artists acknowledge their feelings for each other, they understand they have both fallen for Dury as well. Dury, however, hasn't told them everything. His secrets may well be the death of them all.

THE PLOT BUNNY by Scarlet Hyacinth
Read an EXCERPT

I have been recently attacked by a supper hot, sexy plot bunny.  I like the way he thinks, it's going to push me into a different direction but looks like fun.  Sometimes, one simply has to be flexible with these rabid creatures... or have some really strong cages. 

If you are a writer and have too many plot bunnies,

you can drop them off at

 The Plot Bunny Adoption Center.

Mojo Monday

Many writers will challenge themselves by looking at a photo and writing a poem or a short story inspired by the photo. Such an excersise is a great way to break writer's block. Here is a photo and the poem it inspired when during one of my mental blocks.

Watching and waiting.
I remain silent, without response.
Listening to the universe.

Watching and waiting.
Mystical and sensual.
A moment cannot be defined.

Watching and waiting.
A cosmic wave.
An energy released.

Watching and waiting.
A shiver runs through my whole body.
I'm profoundly moved.

Watching waiting.
Spontaneous combustion.
A master of body and mind emerges.

Watching and waiting.
A vision of pleasure.
Harmony of ecstasy and spirituality.

Watching and waiting.
The senses of the sacred are aroused.
Come to me.

Watching and waiting.
Beyond the physical plane.
I will protect you.

Watching and waiting.

Pensive

I was feeling rather pensive today. Several times I found myself pausing in deep thought. A quiet mood involving little thought at times, but emotion toiled within me like a hurricane approaching the beach. My contemplation was peppered with sadness without having complete understanding. As I tried to put my thoughts into some form of order, I fought an endless battle and lost.

Pensive moods usually hit me just before the storm erupts in my head leaving a well plotted story in its wake. This time there is more. A feeling of preparing for a loss, a moment of saying goodbye. Will it be that I'll have a sad ending? Or be forced to say farewell to a favorite character.

I love my characters like children, like lovers, like ... well... as if they are a part of me. Saying goodbye is like waving to a friend who you might every touch again.

I don't like saying goodbye. It makes my heart hurt. I guess I'll continue being pensive until my muse tells me it's time to write.





"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

~ Maya Angelou ~

Words from the Author - Tormented Soul

Authors sometimes will put alot of energy to produce a story and sometimes the story simply happens. Tormented Soul was a delightful combination.

Painted Soul was not written to be the first book in The Soul Series, but actually happened accidentally. While writing Painted Soul, I enjoyed creating the supporting characters. As the book progressed, the main character’s two brothers, Erick and Michael, began to develop. Around the same time, I read “Seduced by a Rogue” by Connie Mason. I was infatuated with the cover and that became Erick to me; until he turned into more of a Val Kilmer.

Erick’s story took a year to write and was fun to research. I studied speech patterns of young Englishmen and poured over maps of London as well as personal photos. I went online to “look” at homes for sale that Erick would consider living in. Feeling like a fish out of water, I visited a local motor sport shop to find out what kind of motorcycles my characters would ride and what kind of gear they’d need.

(Thanks goes out to Birch Run Motor Sports for putting up with all my questions!)

At one point, I stopped writing when I wasn't happy with my ending. When it finally came to me, I wrapped it up! The final draft of the second book, Tormented Soul, was complete at 136,217 words.

Thanks to my mom for pushing me to find love for my rouge character... because "he deserved to be loved".

To celebrate, I'm giving away two special items this month.
A signed copy of Tormented Soul and a gift from my favorite store, Lover's Lane.

All you have to do is leave a comment on any post from Feb.1st until midnight the 14 th, the holiday for love... Valentine's Day .

Names will be placed into a drawing and the winner will be picked and announced on February 15.

Tormented Soul - Excerpt 1

EXCERPT 1

“British Airways’ Flight 112 to New York will be boarding through gate sixty-five momentarily.”

Lynn quietly reached down and picked up her flight bag. She looked at the boarding pass in her hand. Funny that she didn’t feel like she was going home, but more like she was leaving home. This last trip had been so different from all the others and had taken an emotional toll on her. Perhaps an uneventful stay at her father’s would be just what she needed before returning to finish her photo shoot.

Erick McAlister reached out and adjusted the strap on her shoulder. He glanced toward the gate Lynn would be going through and noticed a young couple saying their good-byes. They spoke softly in between tender kisses, holding each other in a tight embrace. His black heart thudded in his chest. He wondered if that would ever be him; if he was capable of loving, or being loved.

His best friend, Andrew, had been a tormented soul like himself, and against odds found love and happiness with his sister, Elizabeth. Erick thought back to a time when he tasted the sweetness of comfort and contentment. Andrew had been determined to pay Elizabeth and Lynn a surprise visit at Hampton House and persuaded him and his brother Michael to join him.

Through Erick’s life, Lynn Westmore was the only woman to affect him like she did, and he didn’t like it. The night he was changed, he drank himself to oblivion to avoid his uneasy feelings. Unknown to him, his sister had put her best friend in his room during her stay. After retiring in a drunken state to his old bed, he woke in the morning with Lynn in his arms.

She had become a first of sorts. The first woman to sleep with him in his bed at Hampton House, the first to wake with him in the morning, and the first woman to share a bed and not be ravished. As tempting his lustful desires were that morning, he enjoyed the quiet conversation and her presence more than any sexual conquest. With Lynn he found a small piece of serenity he’d only dreamed of.

“Well, it’s almost time,” Lynn’s voice brought him back to the present. “I’ve been gone from the States so long; I hope I haven’t forgotten where I live.”

“Well if you can’t find it, Erick said, “you know you are always welcome at Hampton House. When did you say you will be back?”

“Some time in the spring; depends on the weather. I have a couple of locations I need to go back to. These books on English gardens are scheduled to go to press during the summer, so I have a time factor to work with.” She tilted her auburn head, her brown eyes sparkled, her smile teased. “Are you going to miss me?”

“Yes. I will.”

Lynn put her arms around his waist to give him a hug before she boarded. She felt his arms tighten around her and wondered what it would be like to be loved by him. She felt she could never compete with the beautiful women he surrounded himself with; he was just out of her league. She knew he was a man with worldly knowledge of women, a man capable of incredible passion; a man with such sexual prowess and confidence he would never find satisfaction in someone with her lack of experience.

Erick wanted the moment to last forever. He felt faint stirrings in his black heart. He had broken hearts and strained some marriages. Over the years his reputation grew as a lover, a prince of seduction and passion. To him, women couldn’t be trusted and were nothing but a sport. But he refused to get involved with Lynn because he couldn’t bear to hurt her. Lynn was too good of a person to be played with. He trusted her and her friendship.

He ran his hand up her back, along her neck and cupped her face. He looked deep into her eyes.

“Sweet Lynn,” his voice was a husky whisper. “These last few months have probably been the best as well as my worst. You have heard my secrets and you know of the monster that lives inside me, yet you’ve been a good friend to me. I want you to know I trust you as I would trust my own sister. Thank you.”

He caressed her cheek with his thumb. Her lips were so inviting. He remembered the shock he had felt when he kissed her on New Years Eve. Only a few days had passed and he still felt their heat. He dipped his head and brushed his lips across hers.
“Good bye, Lynn.” He pulled away from her. “Have a good flight.”

It took everything Lynn had to remain on her feet. On the inside, she shook head to toe, from his touch and his kiss. Looking into his green eyes, she saw sadness. She smiled as she bade him farewell, then turned toward her boarding gate.

What a lousy way to start the year, he thought. All alone. His best friend had married his sister over the holidays and they were honeymooning in the American Southwest. Lynn was gone. His father and brother would be leaving in a few days. Perhaps he should visit the Underground Clubs as soon as he returned to London and find someone to warm the cold winter nights. For some reason, the thought didn’t sound very appealing at the moment, but would surely change by the time he dressed in his favorite leathers and disappeared into the London night.

Purchase Tormented Soul now.

A Special Boy

Today is my son's 12Th birthday. Not a day goes by that I'm not amazed at how time has flown by. He's growing too fast but I'm very proud of him. Trevor loves books... reading and writing them. He hopes to publish a poetry book and/or a short story some day. I believe he will do this! (His 8 yr old brother already has!)

My little man already thinks about college... looking at Alma - Go Scots! He plans on being a scientist, a writer, and a book shop owner!

I've tried to take him to book signing events promoting children's and young adult writers. He's met Johnathan Rand at least five times. (See photo of Trev & his favorite author above.) He's even attended some of mine knowing that he's not allowed to read my work until he's 18. LOL.

It seems to me, that when a young person actually meets the author they in turn will read more work by that author and more books. This all being good!

So the message I send to writers of all genre is to be available to your fans, encourage young people you know to attend book signing events. I also send the message to those who enjoy books and reading; attend events with a friend, take a young person to an event of their favorite author.

Cleaning Day

Mondays are "Change the Bed Day" here at my house. This is the day of the week I catch up on cleaning the house and the laundry created from the weekend. So in honor of this eventful day, I decided to blog every Monday with the theme of cleaning. Perhaps I can inspire others, dole out tips to help with the strenuous task of cleaning, or simply add a bit of humor to the day. Cleaning is certainly not my favorite thing to do, but the task can be made fun or easier. I will do my best... so here we go!


Now I have preached before on turning the task of cleaning into a spiritual experience. As you throw away useless papers, throw away bad feelings to cleanse your mind and soul. But today lets have some fun... turn on the stereo.

You don't have to put on white cotton socks, and play an air guitar... but it is encouraged. Any music will do... as long as you enjoy it. Feel the music, let yourself smile and your spirit lift.

I like to play some blues at a high volume and sing along with the black master who tells the tale about getting dressed for his date. As I'm gathering discarded sweatshirts and smelly socks, I sing about putting on freshly pressed pants of a zoot suit, polished shoes, and don't forget that silk handkerchief for the breast pocket. Not all blues tunes are sad, many are very humorous... one can sing the blues with any words, the music simpy comes from the soul. I dance with my broom and the dog cocks her head in a curious manner while watching me. I try to encourage her to dance but she prefers to "sing".

A selection of light Spring Jazz is playing on my computer speakers...for now. There is a load in the washer, one in the drier, three other sorted piles in line on the floor waiting for their bath. When I return to the mud room, I'll play some fun jazz with birds and other nature sounds. Once a wren outside the window had an intersting coversation with the bird featured on the CD. I wonder what they discussed.

Currently, the house is quiet,the toddler is still asleep, the coffee pot just turned off. Today is my last day of drinking coffee; I'm switching back to tea. Coffee upset my constitution a bit too much. Speedy, the office guinea pig is even quiet at the moment; perhaps he knows his cage will be changed today and isn't bothering to complain.

Well, I'm headed downstairs to sweep. I think I'll tune in my favorite blues station and put on some cotton socks. Have a Happy Monday!