Day: July 26, 2015

Laughter and Romance Writers

I belong to my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. We meet monthly at a local library. Sometimes, the “big” room isn’t available for our day-long meeting, so our sessions are split–mornings in a smaller meeting room, afternoons in the big room.

This happened a few months ago. As we were leaving the smaller room, I noticed a group of women sitting at a table outside the smaller room. “Are you ladies waiting to get into this room?” I asked.

“Yes,” several of them replied.

I stuck my head in the door and told the stragglers the next group was waiting to get in there.

“What group are you?” one of the ladies asked.

“We’re the Central New York Romance Writers,” I replied.

“You certainly laugh a lot. What was so funny?”

“Love is funny. Life is funny. Romance goes for the happy ending!” I replied.

According to RWA (and we are the last word in romance fiction) a novel must have two elements to be considered a romance: a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.

I read an article in Publisher’s Weekly  not too long ago:  “When did happiness fall out of fashion?” The author of the article concluded with, “Books with happy endings are a gift of hope.”

Isn’t that a wonderful thing?

Happiness Happens month starts on August 1. I’m going to start my list a little early: Happiness Happens when one of the books I write gives someone hope.

 

 

Et Tu Baseball

1 Comment

“Baseball lasts as long as it takes. Like life, like love, baseball exists in real time.” Carol Travis

I went to opening day of the local Triple A baseball team last week. Opening day frequently isn’t kind to baseball in my neck of the woods, but not this year. It was a beautiful, sunny day. There were hugs a-plenty as I greeted my baseball family. There were a lot of people in the stands.

Several innings passed before I noticed it. I probably wouldn’t have noticed if someone hadn’t mentioned it.

A clock. A countdown clock.

“Part of the game’s genius is the absence of a running clock, granting us the coveted commodity of time, in which anything can happen before the last out is made.”  Jean Hastings Ardell

The pitcher now has 20 seconds from the time he receives the ball to throwing his pitch.

It seems “people” think the leisurely pace of baseball is out of hand.  It could be TV/radio wanting a fixed block of time; it could be the MTV generation with its lack of focus prompting the change. Regardless, I am appalled.

Baseball is the only North American team sport played without a clock. The game allows its fans to breathe. It’s spiritual, like yoga.

The clock could force its way to the big leagues by next season. That would be a terrible thing.

12870890_s

 

WIP Wednesday: Taryn Elliott

Today I’m delighted to host author Taryn Elliott for Work In Progress Wednesday. Taryn, what are your top three dream destinations and why?

TE: Hawaii – hello…it’s Hawaii. Ireland – went once and wanted to immediately figure out a way to live there forever. San Francisco – I’ve been completely intrigued by that city for years.

MJ: What is the top book on your TBR pile?

TE: PRISONER – Skye Warren & Annika Martin.

MJ: If you didn’t write, what would be your creative outlet?

TE: #1 would be graphics and design, but since I actually get to do that because of writing…I’ll say jewelry design. I used to love to do it, but there never seemed to be a decent return on it for selling my work.

MJ: Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

TE: Hair tie – I have wild, long hair and I’m always sticking it up.

MJ: What do you normally eat for breakfast, or do you skip it and get straight to work?

TE: Depends on my level of sleep deprivation. I normally like a little sausage egg and cheese scramble.

MJ: Describe your ideal/dream writing space.

TE: A tower with one big, circular desk that I can have all set up for writing, research and design. And the perfect chair that is made for me and my shortness. LOL!

MJ: Name 3 things on your desk right now.

TE: Charger for my phone, Bose speakers for my tunes, and about 5 fruit snack wrappers.

MJ: Do you listen to music when you write? Explain.

TE: YES!! I make a Spotify playlist for every story.

MJ: Do you collage your story before writing? Explain.

TE: Yes, I have a Pinterest board for all my books. All my chars have pix and clothes and setting pictures. As well as a few inspirational ones. Ahem.

MJ: I know what that Ahem means. What do you love most about your WIP hero?

TE: Logan King has an amazing capacity to love – even with all the trouble following him around, he is falling hard for Izzy. I love that protective instinct in him.

MJ: What genre is your current WIP?

TE: Sexy Romantic Suspense.

MJ: How did you chose the setting for your current WIP?

TE: I love upstate NY. But I have a crap sense of direction – so I didn’t want to make any mistakes. So I created my town and have allllll of the control. Muahaha.

MJ: LOL! Okay, now it’s time for the lightning round! Addams Family or The Munsters?

TE: Addams Family

MJ: Stephanie Plum or Eve Dallas?

TE: Eve Dallas!!!!

MJ: Favorite TV show?

TE: Supernatural

MJ: Favorite band when you were in high school (Marching band doesn’t count)?

TE: Def Leopard.

MJ: Coke or Pepsi?

TE: Pepsi Max.

MJ: Favorite ethnic food?

TE: Italian.

MJ: Now, can you share the first few lines of your current work in progress?

TE:  I literally have just started the plotting on book 2; Bulletproof Weeks.

MJ: Great title! And you just had a book come out last week –where can readers find it?

taryn elliot

TE: Anything But Mine is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.

MJ: And how can readers stay current with what you’re up to?

TE: My website/blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Goodreads.

MJ: Thanks for joining me today, Taryn, and good luck with sales!

 

 

 

Oh Canada

Several weeks ago, I started writing this blog as a tribute to my favorite Canadian musicians. The scary happenings north of the border this week skewed the timing.

I have a great affinity for our northern neighbor. My grandfather came from there (according to some family legends). I have many Canadian friends. My home town Triple A baseball team was affiliated with Toronto for three decades. The Canadian flag still flies at the ball park. I’m not fond of hockey, snow, or cold, but I adore Canadian musicians.

My personal music collection is filled with:

  • Neil Young
  • Joni Mitchell
  • Gordon Lightfoot
  • Kate & Anna McGarrigle
  • Terri Clark
  • Leonard Cohen
  • Loreena McKennitt
  • Michael Buble
  • Robbie Robertson

My children grew up listening to Raffi. I’ve been exposed to Arrogant Worms and the Guess Who.

Here’s to Canada!

 

Today is the Day!

1 Comment

Today is the realization of my lifelong ambition: I am a published author. What else is there to say?

How about this?

Alpha male werewolf Tokarz de Lobo Garnier will do anything for his headstrong human bride . . . except trust her. She’s a reporter, and she’s on the trail of a story that could destroy the sanctuary his pack has enjoyed since the American Revolution. But she’s in danger, and risking her safety goes against everything he believes. When the evil turns its sights on him, he must make a decision: the safety of his mate or the security of the pack he leads.

Or this?

“Compton’s debut is a gripping, sexy as hell, page turner of a werewolf novel not for the faint hearted!”

~NY Times Bestselling Author Maggie Shayne

Or this?

Please buy my book.