Of Ink and Quille

Tis the season - to be busy! With so many projects on the go its hard to keep things organized and on track. However, when you've got the motivation it can be a rewarding experience. Recently I began writing a western novel that I had hoped to get published via a New York publisher. I've revised that idea - not because its hard, or an out of touch idea but simply because at this stage in my career I don't feel confident enough to win an agent over to my talents. Having said that, I don't think my writing is poor quality - I wouldn't get published if it didn't hold up to industry standards. No, I simply have come to the conclusion that the smaller publishing houses are a good experience and will help me create my name before I launch into a larger market so to speak. If you get the chance, I highly recommmend you read the book The Career Novelist by Donald Maass. It's an excellent read and it will help you figure out where you want to go. Having a plan for yo...

My christmas Novella "Christmas for The Cowboy" has come out - just in time for those still shopping for X-mas presents. Warning: May contain material that is steamy - read at your own risk! Feel free to leave a comment: An Excerpt from the Novella: “And now for those ladies who haven’t got a date. We have a treat. All the way from Hornbow ranch, we have a real live cowboy.” Tanya waved a hand at the curtain as it pulled back to reveal the shadowed figure of a man. Holly swallowed, her gaze soaking in the sight before her. A dark felt Stetson sat at a rakish angle over his features. His broad shoulders flowed down into a chiseled torso; a matting of darker hair followed a familiar line down his body to disappear into the low riding Levis he wore. The long, tight jeans were threadbare in places, conforming to leave little to the imagination. Her mouth went dry as she noticed the way he was ‘dressed’. The faded lines of the denim flowed down along the ridge they hid, to the edg...

Yeah! With only a handful of days left before my Christmas Novella comes out, I thought we'd celebrate. So I'm holding a contest. Pop over to Blade's site and look through my excerpts of the novella. To win, simply answer the following question: What was Ty wearing at the auction? On December 3rd when Christmas for the Cowboy comes out from Blade, I'll be drawing a name from those with correct answers to win a copy of the novella. From the remaining names I'll be drawing four to win a special 'surprise' gift as well as a promotional package. Good luck, and happy reading. The link to the excerpts is: http://www.bladepublishing.org/excerpts/cowboy.html

Hello everyone, in the spirit of halloween I'm holding a contest. If you've got a short story 400-1000 words in length about a shapeshifter, vampire, ghost, goblin or anything halloween submit it to me via my contact information. Submit a link to it if you've got it posted on your blog, or send me the entire story. I'll be posting them. Everyone will have a chance to vote on them and select your favorite. They will be entered to win a spooktacular gift basket! Have fun with them - but keep in mind anything that is above the PG 14 rating will have to be flagged and I may only post an excerpt from it, simply to keep it family oriented. Thanks and hope to see everyone come out to participate.

Welcome to everyone, I'm glad you could join us. Today we'll be having a short chat with Amoda Ni Cormac from the lush green of Ireland's shores. Welcome Amoda. Thank ye for having me. PB: My readers have been wondering about you. You're not the typical 'slave', you can read the written word, speak several dialects, and follow two independent religions. Where did you learn so much for someone so very young? AC: Tis the truth that I am educated, a rarity amongst slaves in Brattilhid. In fact none of the others I met spoke more than their master's tongue. But I was not always a slave, when I was very, very young I was stolen from my home by the Gaill King Tyr. Thrust into the darkness of my captivity, my learning was my only escape. PB: You refer to Tyr as a Gaill - what does that mean?" AC: Gaill is a celtic word that means invader. In the dialect of my people, Vikings were considered intruders, foreigners. It is a term we have always used. PB: Your ...

1. What was your inspiration to begin writing and when did you start? When I was a kid I spent hours writing stories; besides reading, that’s what I loved to do. Life as an adult kind of pushed that aside for many years. I tried for a while when my kids were young, but it just didn’t work. A couple of years ago, I read a really good book. Okay, I’ll even name it. It was A Date With the Other Side by Erin McCarthy. It was laugh-out-loud funny, sexy, with characters who felt real. And I wanted to do that. Combined with the fact that my kids are getting older and I actually have some time to myself, I decided instead of sitting in front of the television every night I would do something productive and give writing a shot again. 2. When you write, how do you go about it? Are you a pantser or plotter? I began totally as a pantser. I sat down with characters in my head and wrote my first story. And although I’ve never submitted it anywhere, I think it actually isn’t bad in terms of plot...

Congratulations to Kelly Jamieson on her release this month. “Love Me” by Kelly Jamieson Read An Excerpt Online Genre: Contemporary Romance , Red Hots! ISBN: 978-1-60504-194-0Length: Short StoryPrice: 2.50Publication Date: September 16, 2008Cover art by Scott Carpenter How far does she have to go to get his attention? Melina Wenham is worried and frustrated. Lately, her boyfriend of six months seems to have lost interest in her. Yes, she knows he’s stressed about his big project at work, but jeez, it seems like he’d rather go solo than have sex with her. Sexy lingerie, a Brazilian…nothing seems to get his attention. Gavin’s frustrated too. He’s under enough pressure at work, without feeling more from Melina every time he gets home. Another night, another party, and Gavin is off talking to the boys. Feeling ignored yet again, Melina confides her troubles to an acquaintance, Abby, who suggests shaking him up by flirting with another guy. Hmm. Not a bad idea, except there are no flirt-wor...

Welcome, today's guest is Holly Walker, the heroine of Christmas For The Cowboy due out Dec. 08 through Blade publishing. Hello Mrs. Walker, its a pleasure to have you with us today. Holly: "The pleasure's all mine. I'm glad to be here." Interview with Holly Walker You’ve been involved with rodeo in some capacity all your life, what got you hooked on rodeo? HW: I started riding when I was six, my grandfather got me started. I competed in 4-H for two years before I got the competitive bug. By the time I was nine years old I’d been touring the show circuit. When I went to the local rodeo and horse show my friend dragged me with her to watch the cowboys. After watching the speed of the barrel racers, the skill, the horses I began to think I’d like to do that. When I was ten I signed up for my first rodeo and never looked back. You could say the cowboys got me hooked. Do you ever wish you’d done anything other than the rodeo? HW: I’ve done a lot of different things. I...

Welcome, today's guest is Tyson Walker, the hero of Christmas For The Cowboy due out Dec. 08 through Blade publishing. Hello Mr. Walker, its a pleasure to have you with us today. Tyson: "It's just Ty, and the pleasure's all mine ladies. PB. You’ve been involved with rodeo in some capacity all your life, what got you hooked on rodeo? TW: Rodeo is in my blood. It’s who I am. My father is a two time world champion Bronc rider and my mother is a world class barrel racer. I was born into the circuit, and didn’t know anything else. Growing up I was encouraged to follow my dreams, to experience the full range of the rodeo. I guess you could say, the rodeo’s excitement was bred into me. PB: Do you ever wish you’d done anything other than the rodeo? TW: No. Like I said, it’s a part of me. Wasn’t until I was a teenager that I really understood there was more to life, and by then I’d already gone pro. It’s pretty hard to stop being what you’ve always been just because something n...

It seems so unusual to have nothing to say - to write - when you've got that dreaded curse of writers block. Still, many suffer it, work their way through it. For some of us its as simple as our brains agreeing to work. You're probably laughing at that statement but it's the truth. I'm extremely prolific - I've always got two or three things on the go and for me to have nothing - is uncomfortable. We had guests, as I've mentioned, they stayed for two weeks and I didn't write a single word. Thought it was because I wasn't on the computer -but it wasn't that. My brain - and my muse - had decided that I had enough on my plate. I was, admittedly, stressing a bit about the edits for my Christmas novella, about my company, family problems, and then work. For me my writers block wasn't about not having anything to say - it was simply my brain's way of telling me to relax, to become stress free. So, now where I am? Well I'm elbows deep in writin...

Firstly, allow me to apologize for being absent. With my internet down until I could get a repair person out it made it difficult to get online. And I have had several full weeks with company, writing, and 'work', but I'm back now and hopefully will be able to post a little note next time I'm to be away. Today I want to talk about something that I think everyone needs to know. There are many talented writers out there who have both the skills and the talent to write - what most don't have or have little experience with is the overwhelmed feeling when your career suddenly springs into full gear and you're standing there go "Huh?". I was invited to participate in a very interesting and exciting series through one of my publishers and I'm delighted to do so. It was an unexpected honor to be asked and I wasn't prepared with anything more than a summary of the story I'd intended to write before I learned that it was 'invitation only'. So...

Everyone has moods, good ones bad ones, they affect our daily lives and allow us to have an individuality that is unique. However, they can also affect us in ways that we never consider. This past week was, for me a hard one, I couldn't wrap my mind around my writing. Picked up a pen wrote three words and that was it. Maybe its the realization that I've got a lot on my plate right now. I'm not entirely sure what the problem was, I did however know that at the end of the week I have nothing to show for all the countless hours spent in front of my computer. I've managed to accumulate pages of research notes, ideas, character charts and outlines - but no writing for the fourth novel. It's a difficult task to force ones self to write but it is necessary. How can you successfully have a career writing if you can't write? How can a person get past their writer's block? For me its as simple as stepping back and thinking about it. I'm working on developing a sys...

Normally, I'd be promoing and author or editor or publisher or talking about my journey through publication but today I thought I'd touch on something else. As everyone is aware, I'm a member of several fan fiction groups. One of which is dedicated to writing about a television western that was on in the late 80's early 90's (An episode was actually interrupted when they announced the first gulf war). Recently they announced they were hosting a blogathon to raise funds and awareness for a worthwhile organization. Wild Horse Rescue Assoc. has recently come into another 120 head of mustangs. (I've enclosed a link at the bottom of this blog to take you to the sites) and its a startling, and rather saddening predicament. Humanity is not kind. For thousands of years, human beings have been the alpha preditor, and even now when we've become 'civilized' we still maintain that. To know that animals that have run wild for centuries are now a problem saddens ...

PAWS For Thought Submission Call Do you find it hard to resist a man or woman who loves animals? If so then keep reading. We are looking for stories where the hero or heroine is some how involved in the daily care or rescue of animals. We are open to any story ideas, from a fireman whose popularity exceeds no other when it comes to cat rescue, to a vet who takes care of un-identified paranormal creatures. There is no requirement of heat level nor does there have to be a happily ever after. If you write young adult and have a story in mind then we would love to read it. Young Adult acceptances will go on our sister site, Midnight Press, which is currently under development. Stories should be between 30,000 and 35,000 words. The first PAWS For Thought novels will be published in the first part of 2009, so in order to be considered for one of the debut releases, submissions should be received no later than November 1, 2008. Once royalties are paid the remainder will go to charity, unless...

Am I hot or not? Erotic Romance VS. Erotica. Q&A with Liquid Silver Acquiring Editor, Tina Burns.All day July 12th at Romance Divas Featuring: Tina Burns How do you know if you’ve crossed into the Erotica zone? Get a professional’s opinion. It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum . All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register. The workshop will be in the “Steamy” section of the forum which requires permission from the admin. Details are HERE .

KellyAnn Bessa AKA Devil Doll (DD) has a BS in Management from Cardinal Stritch University, and currently works as a human resources consultant for an investment firm. She has been in fandom for nearly ten years as a writer, mailing list owner, community moderator, and webmaster. In addition to running several archives, she hosts and maintains websites for a number of fan fiction writers. One of her first childhood crushes was Batman, and she still works several hours a week at her local comic book store, and participates in the online feminist comic fan community. One of those fandoms is X-Men. She currently runs the Woverine and Rogue archive, where I personally have over a hundred of my stories posted, as well as several yahoo groups, a livejournal, and not to mention her work with the OTW. She's an incredible woman who has managed to create a place for the fan fic author to post their work. Devil Doll has for the past couple of years also provided a home for the Reader's Ch...

When I first got the idea to send something to a publisher after years of writing for myself I had this grand idea in my head. You get published, your book comes out, you get a cheque and move on to the next project. While that it what happens there is a lot of behind the scenes work. There's editing and rewrites, working one on one with a mentor to polish the polished manuscript until it shines like a diamond. There's promoting the book on line and in stores. The Publisher will do its share but for anyone to be successful you have to be pro-active in promotions. I've created a solid presence on line with my blogs, my newsletter/group, chats, and forums. That's the first step now comes the hard stuff. Keeping that presence alive, keeping folks aware of me, aware of my work and not giving up. There seems to be this grand illusion from those who aren't published or don't even write that once you've written and published one book you can sit back collect your r...

For the past few months I've been a stay at home mom. My days were filled with housework and taking care of my son. Then when I got the great news that my book Master's Mistress was to be published life hit fast forward. I didn't know where I was going or how I was getting there, the excitment and adrenaline were pumping through my blood faster 'n a Nascar Rally. However, reality has set in. Yes my books coming out next year which means that when the time comes I'll have plenty of edits, rewrites, tightening, and such to do before I can really focus on the things I want to. This hasn't dulled my enthusiasm at all, in fact it's only made me want to do more. So here I sit, one manuscript that I've finished and are doing edits on, and two that I've barely started. I'm waiting to hear back on my Christmas novella - on pins and needles I may add - and all this must be done in my spare time. Finances and time have come to a parting of the ways. So, to ...

With the upcoming interview with the moderator of one of the fandoms I write in, I thought this week we could touch on a topic that is as controversal as it could be. I've heard every argument out there about fan fiction being a copyright infringment, about it being a useful tool to a writer, and everything in between. Being an author of fan fiction I have to admit that using another person's character to write a story is a harmless tool. I don't see the difference in borrowing a well known character to write a story and borrowing a pattern to make an afgan. As long as the writer/creator doesn't make a cent what's the harm? Personally, if people are so enamored of a character or show that they're willing to spend their free time (Something that there isn't much of in today's world) writing about it, take it as a compliment. A fictional character is just that a piece of imaginiation by some really intelligent, creative people. Stan Lee is one of the most ...

Star Stepping: An Anthology of Fantasy & Sci-Fi Tales Written by VariousStories Included: Beneath and Beyond by Debbie Mumford Archaeologist Erin Carstedter is a no-nonsense kind of gal. If something can't be defined by scientific method, it doesn't exist. Erin's beliefs are about to be tested by a ruin beneath the polar ice cap. What Erin discovers in those icy depths will challenge her thinking...and change the world. Read excerpt . That Old Sweet Smell of Deception by Martin Owton An ancient dragon tempted out to war for the first time in centuries finds the world greatly changed and dragons a rarity. Does an enemy wizard hold the key to saving dragonkind? Read excerpt . Fatal Wager by Andy Heizeler Read excerpt . A Pixie Story by Joe Miller Miike awoke to find himself in a strange land. To then find himself surrounded by a whole hoard of pixies, each one with an arrow aimed at his heart, one could hardly guess how things would turn out. Read excerpt . The Hon...

Heat Wave IN PRINT-Big Contest! Midsummer Night's Steam stories are now available in paperback from Samhain or Amazon to enjoy at the beach. The stories are bundled in several anthologies including HEAT WAVE which features three of the Erotic Muses authors. To celebrate the release, the HEAT WAVE authors are having a contest. The prize is a tote bag with summer items: suntan lotion, a beach towel, a baseball cap, sunglasses and a margarita glass. All you have to do to enter is stop by EROTIC MUSES blog every day this week (May 26-30) and learn about these great stories! Leave a comment Tuesday through Friday for a chance to win. To clarify: YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT ALL FOUR DAYS-TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE. The winner will be announced the following Friday, June 6, giving latecomers a chance to enter. If you don't find out about the contest until the second week, that's okay...go back to the previous week's posts and drop a comment. This week each of ...

Do you remember the thrill you got the first time you picked up a pen? The butterflies in your gut, the dry mouth, sweaty palms? Remember the tremble in your fingers as you stared at the page before you? If you've answered yes to any of these questions than you're on the right track. Regardless of whether you've written a year or ten years, if you're dedicated to your craft but don't feel any emotions when you begin to right something is wrong. I've been writing for years, and I still get butterflies every time I start a new project. Does that mean that I'm a green-horn with no skill? Does that mean it takes me weeks to come up with a plot that's believable? No. Not even a novice is like that. It simply means that writing is for me as much of a rush as bungee jumping for the next guy/gal. I was talking to a friend of mine recently who asked a lot of questions and it got me to thinking. What does it mean to be a novice? How do we as writers develop our sk...

With the recent blog I did on Deadly Vixens it got me to thinking of how the writing environment is so crucial to us. For each person there are little things that they need to write successfully. Some write better in natural light, others can write by a candlelight, still others require silence, myself - I prefer music in the background and the clutter of my life about me. My office is by no way spotless. I have stacks of binders, folders, papers all about me. My printer is hidden by papers and notes. My computer desk has barely enough room for a cup of coffee. Not to mention the clutter of the floor but its got a comfort about it that I crave. I don't write so well with pen and paper simply because it takes too long and my thoughts like to flow as fast as I can type. Still if I get an idea I generally go with it, be it writing on a scrap of paper or a binder, or even the back of a receipt. Each person has a special way of doing things. We like to think that a writer's skills a...

I just wanted to share this with everyone. I was fortunately enough to be a guest blogger on Deadly Vixens this week. Here's the link to take you to the interview: http://deadlyvixens.blogspot.com/ Feel free to comment or ask questions and I'll try to answer them as best I can!

As people we always assume that we have an identity. Our name is who we are but its so much more than that. Anyone who writes can relate to this. Many author’s use a pen name or their initials. That identity is part of us, its another shade of our colors. However, for many people they don’t see that. With any good thing there are bad points. For example, I’ve written fan fiction for years to go with my own original works. I’ve gotten good, bad, and indifferent reviews. I’ve also gotten a couple that were beyond bad, they were scary. But I didn’t take them personally. Why? Because the person that wrote the story, the identity that created that plot line wasn’t me. Wasn’t who I am in my core. My pen name got the review, the flame, the stripped down to nothing blast of fury from an irate reader. Did it hurt, darn right it did. That pen name is still a part of me, but I didn’t let it affect me to the point where I gave up everything. I stopped writing in that genre for a month, posted thin...

For many writers we create worlds within our minds that we turn into fiction. Fan fiction or not our brains build on bits of fact and our experiences. I know a lot of people through several forums who research a great deal for their stories and in the end they have this fantastic fiction story and piles of notes from books, experts and others in the 'know' as it were. So what do you do with them? I said in an earlier column about taking your notes and putting them into a non-fiction paper. This is sorta of an expansion of that idea. While I was reading an interview Kissa Starling did on her blog, I got to know a bit about a new publishing company that's attached to an older, larger one. This interview and editor peeked my interest so I did a bit of digging around and found that Jupiter Gardens Press has several imprints. Now Jupiter Gardens is a an alternative spirituality Fiction/nonfiction publisher. However they do have several other genres that their imprints publish. P...

He was my greatest love, never to be labeled a gentleman A magnificent creature the likes I never thought, Could exist to us mortal souls. How wrong I was, he was alive, he loved, he hated. Above all he ran, for his spirit was ever free. Like a man driven, A shadow chased by demons, Like a breath of wind a chestnut devil on a cloud. He was my inspiration my reason for living Now alas I am alone Like so many times Yet I do not grieve, for he lives in my heart, in the wind on my face. He still races under me his hooves pounding the turf My inspiration, my hopes, I still hold them close For he has given them to me, That great Thoroughbred, Man O' War. Patricia Bates 01/03/96

Many people say that fan fiction is simply a copyright infringment and should be dealt with harshly. Still, others say it's a valued tool in their arsenal. I can't speak for everyone, but I do know what I think. I've written original pieces for years, and fan fiction right along with it. I currently have not one but two full pages on two different fandoms and a smattering of other stuff elsewhere. When I'm bogged down by plots and character problems, or hit by that dreaded thing called writers block, I have an escape. I can simply go to another file, another world and write. I don't have to pick at every little detail, I can simple throw the characters around and let my muse flow. It recharges those creative batteries that we all have and I know for a fact that we need them, I need them. In the time I've written fan fiction I've learned all about plots, about how to build a character from nothing. I've also created a support network of other like minded ...

The Fictionistas: we've got text on the brain : "k" This is a must read!

For many of us having a blog is like having an extension of ourselves. We stop off chat, log in, log out, leave a comment, put up a picture, and carry on. For some of us though, a blog is part of our daily lives and has a great many uses. I blog every day for one reason, I enjoy it. However, having said that a lot of the time I'm online is not on my blogs, my sites, or anything else. It's busy chatting with and getting help from professionals on different publication forums. I'm a member of approximately 6 - I'm not on my computer so I don't have the list in front of me - but I'm active on all of them. I do online workshops, research, question and answer periods, you name it I've found it on there. During the process I've also learned alot about writing, about the skills and desires of others, and myself. I've also made a few friends along the way. I have contacts in the editorial world who are very good at what they do, critique partners who aren...

Since my mind is on overload with all I have going on I thought today I'd skip the heavy thoughts and instead post something I think is a lot lighter on the brain. Doing research for a novella that I've written to cover such things as senusal oils and such I got some really great tips from the ladies over at Romance Divas. One of them had said something about whiskey flavored oils so I took it upon myself to do a bit of digging. Now she may have been joking but it piqued my curiousity so I phoned around. I'm going to insert my disclaimer here that I have not tried this, I don't recommend doing anything that is unhealthy or unwise. If you choose to use this recipe please do so at your own risks, I will not be responsible for the after affects! This is what I found. To have an oil that smells or tastes like whiskey, or any other spirit is relatively easy. You don't need much of the booze, a few drops works. Now depending on if you want the buzz of alcohol or not you c...

“Ms. Morehouse has created an outstanding tale that takes you to the old west in New Mexico. With artist touch, this author described the area and time with vivid clarity. Interesting characters and an exceptional plot keeps this story moving at a steady pace. I loved how the author keeps you informed; yet could still surprise. Carefully woven all of this together then add the sensual romance scenes and you have the perfect historical romance, that we all know and love. A dynamite read. WateenaReviewer for Coffee Time Romance” Excellent read that I would suggest to anyone! Congrat's Candace!

In doing the workshop Artist’s Way I’ve come to a rather startling realization. For so many years I’ve always hidden my innerself from others, from myself. Those of us who are taking part in the workshop have to do what Julia Cameron calls morning pages. Bits and pieces of ourselves that have no rhyme, no reason, drabble, thoughts, a tangled web of things we don’t like to think about. I find these incredibly difficult. I sit in the morning and stare at the pages like they’re a coiled rattler about to strike. If I put down whats in my head, if i face my inner demons than there is noone else to blame. I can’t say oh well I didn’t do this because so and so said it wouldn’t work. I will have to face the things that I’ve allowed to sabotage myself throughout my life. Bad relationships, bad habits, self-destructive tendencies, vices, all those things I’ve tried to bury. Now I can’t, I have to face them. Looking the pages I find a mass of jumble ideas, of thoughts, and feelings that I’m not h...

Two Scoops of Vanilla Please I remember the first book I wrote. The determination to write an entire manuscript and not just a few pages. The excitement, the fever, the absolute lack of writer’s block. Until I hit a wall. A big old wall called: Shelli’s first sex scene. Ever. I remember typing the build up to it... (Build up to sex in Ain’t Misbehavin’) “You know, forget it. I wanted you and had the crazy notion you wouldn’t mind getting me into bed, but apparently I was wrong.” She almost made it to the door when he grabbed her by the waist and spun her around. “Oh, I want you all right,” he said, his voice low and thick. He lifted her so her legs wrapped around his waist. “I just had to make sure you knew what you were doing.” I typed that little bit above, stared at the computer. And completely froze. I couldn’t do it. Write sex. I stood up, paced the house, sweating and muttering to myself. I had to psyche myself up to write the love scene. How do you write that kind of intimate mo...

Psyche, by Aislinn Kerry Available April 22nd from Loose ID After months of text messaging, Psyche has fallen in love with a man she's never even met, so when she finally gets the chance to see him face-to-face, she leaps at it. However, their meeting doesn't turn out quite the way she expected. E hides in the dark and refuses to let her turn on the lights. Psyche's startled at first, but willing to overlook a few idiosyncrasies while they get to know each other in person. Their relationship flourishes--until the night Psyche's curiosity gets the better of her. Light reveals that E is Eros, the Greek god of love and desire, and he is furious that she broke her word. She begs for forgiveness, but he won't give it. In breaking her word, she broke his trust. She must seek help from a goddess and brave the dangers of the underworld in order to prove herself and win back the man she loves. Read an excerpt! *** All that Glitters, by Aislinn Kerry Availale April 22nd from ...

I briefly touched base on this book I'm ready by Julia Cameron yesterday and feel strongly enough that I may continue with inspirations I've gotten from it througout the week. I sat down and read through another chapter last night entitled Recovering a Sense of Identity. I was amazed at the words that I read. It was like this woman, whom I've never met, knows me. She's seen inside my head, my soul and pulled out these tiny bits and pieces that frankly I'm ashamed of. All my life I've surrounded myself with people who are drama stars. They need to have something to feed off of to make themselves feel important. This is something that is very unhealthy and its a habit I have to break. Any artist be it physical or verbal is in some way blocked and therefore a drama star. (I'm paraphrasing here - and putting my own spin so please note that these are not Julia's words.) It's a cycle that we each need to break. I need more than to allow my self doubts and ...

I've been a writer for most of my life. It's something that I've never really thought about, I've always been able to create worlds, to take a single idea and make it into something bigger. More lavish, something that draws a person in. Having said that, I know what it's like to sit and stare at a computer screen with a blank slate. No ideas floating around in my head, at least none I can put on paper. Then it's a matter of finding that inner voice, that spark of creativity to jumpstart the process. This is one of the reasons that I decided to take the workshop over at Writer's Retreat called The Artists Way. It's goal is to help me get in touch with my inner creativity and allow me to develop further as an artist and a novelist. I got the book and started reading it. What Julia Cameron has to say is both enlightening and scary. Her words make a person really focus on who they are, and what they try to deny. Its about building an identity, about capturin...

The Cowboy and the Bronc, written December 1995 This is a repost of an early blog that was damaged. They stand looking at each other, Each silent as death.Lost in their own thoughts, they judge the other in ways we cannot understand, they speak silently. One is first to turn and walk away, the silence unbroken. Soon enough they will duel, in a circle of dust. The metal bars clang, the sweat rolls down his back, He stretches and climbs the bars. spurs upon his boots jingle, his leather chaps flutter, His dueling parnter moves about restlessly. The tension is high,the rope is taut, His hat sits on his head as he settles in His head bobs up and down. The gates open and out they fly. Nearly a ton a waged against a couple of hundred pounds, In a malestrom of fury and sweat, man vs beast the battle rages on.

When you start writing the epic novel most people have an idea of what they're going to put down. Some do a full length outline, or write a novel that covers the novel plot. but regardless of what you write most of us have at one time or another taught ourselves to write a scene that squicks us out. Yes, it does happen. For example I write romances. I'm comfortable in the genre, with the warm, sensual love scene. However, to challenge myself I set a goal. I decided I'd write a novella, one that's hot, and sexy. I don't do erotic - I don't feel comfortable with writing it. So, now I have a challenge, a goal that I've set for myself and I'm having find a way to do it. Now you may think there's no difference. It's easy. Just get on with it. But let me put it this way, pick one thing that you know you're uneasy doing. Be it writing an explicit sex scene, or bungee jumping, or riding a bike. Now, focus on it. What exactly do you feel? Nervous? Sca...

One would think with so many words in the English language it would be nearly impossible to reuse the same word over and over again. How wrong we are. If I've learned anything in the past weeks and months its that I and I'm sure many other author's find a word that works for us and use it till it's dead. For example, glance. Seems to innocent until you actually read over your work and find six uses of the word within the space of a few paragraphs. It's been a challenge to find other words, terms, descriptions that can assist in creating the scene without slaughtering one word. So I'm offering a challenge today: Come up with three words that you use frequently and then for each one find at least five others you can use. IE: Blue - cerulean, saphire, aquatic, baby-blue, cornsilk Good luck and have fun! I think a little menace is fine to have in a story. For one thing, it's good for the circulation.~ Raymond Carver

I recently decided to take a workshop held through a forum I'm part of. It's one to help build creativity within us all and I of course went out and got the book that goes with the workshop. I sat down and began reading it and was amazed to find that the author understood exactly what I believe about myself. Julia Cameron wrote the book, The Artist's Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity about what she does. She teaches people to be creative. How you ask? Well, I really can't go into all the details in the book but what I can say is this. She doesn't teach us how to be creative, she teaches us how to let ourselves be creative. Yes there is a difference. No matter how dull or drab you feel you may be you are at some level creative. The housewife who feels boring or out of date is creative in the meals she prepares, the items she stitches so lovingly. Creativity is not something that has to be brightly broadcast, rather it's something we as human begins embr...

All my life I’ve never just done one thing. I’ve always had several things on the go be they items that I’m working on for Rescue Dolls, or my writing, showing horses or working. I’mone of those disgustingly busy people who even when they can relax can’t. In the evening I watch television, work on my writing, talk on the phone, and most of the time I’m doing it all at once. Even when I’m focused on my writing, I’ve got a web page open, my music going, and I’m up and down doing house work. Disgusting isn’t it? I’m learning how to prioritize my time. To set limits, to deal with one thing at a time so that I’m not left with partially completed tasks all the time. I set myself small goals, small priorities that must be completed and so far I’ve had results. I won’t say its a success because I’m still doing three things at once but at least I’m learning to finish something before I add another project to the mix. Being prolific isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does take getting used to...

Good morning to everyone, Today is the day that starts the countdown to the release of my newsletter. I will be placing little clues in my blog throughout the following days until the end of the month. A draw will be held on May 1st to reveal the lucky winners of some awesome prizes so come out and subscribe to the newsletter.

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New Collection: Carpe Nocturne by Tawny Taylor $8.99(vampire menage-a-trois) Now Available from www.ChangelingPress .com One determined entrepreneurTwo seductive vampiresA brutal murderer……and a bar where every vampire knows your name.Gives new meaning to the expression “Thrilling Nightlife.” Burke Langton is on the run. Wrongfully accused of murder, he’s just one step ahead of the Excoluni -- the law enforcement arm of the United Magical Nations -- trying to track down the real killer. When the murderer strikes again, this time at Club Carpe Nocturne, Burke learns the owner, Sylvie Durand, is not only his Origo -- his mate -- and she may be the murderer’s next victim. Miko Dvorak, a high-ranking officer of the Excoluni, is assigned to bring Burke to justice. But that’s no easy task, for the two share an Origo. Should he be caught protecting Burke from the Excoluni, his career will be over. Sylvie’s determined to convince him to take that risk. Together the three must...