Et Cetera, etc. | The blog of Author DeAnna Cameron

Novel Inspiration: Envisioning the Characters

2012-02-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

I could write about my inspirations for the characters in DANCING AT THE CHANCE, but wouldn't it be more fun to see them for yourself? Well, you can because I've put together a Character Inspiration board over at Pinterest (my new favorite site!).

Come on over and have a look. I'll bring the tea.

http://pinterest.com/deannacameron/

Recipe: Not-So-Traditional Scotch Broth

2012-01-29T20:02:00.000-08:00

I've never had an occasion to try Scotch Broth, but it is one of the dishes that connects the heroine of DANCING AT THE CHANCE with her Scottish heritage, so I added it to my family's Burns Night menu this year.

I wanted a traditional version, so I started with a recipe I found in “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book,” published in 1896. It calls for three pounds of mutton; a half-cup of barley; and a quarter-cup each of carrot, turnip, onion and celery; and salt and pepper.
Adjustments began almost immediately. At the supermarket, I found only leg of lamb and ground lamb. So instead of three pounds of mutton, I came home with a pound and a half leg of lamb.

I cut the meat into one-inch cubes, put it in a stock pot with the bone and six cups of water, brought it to a boil, then let it simmer, covered. The recipe didn’t call for it, but I couldn’t resist adding a bay leaf and a wire-mesh ball filled with five peppercorns, three whole allspice berries and a half-teaspoon of thyme to boost the flavor.

After an hour and a half, I removed the meat and set it aside, added the pearl barley, which had been soaking overnight, as well as two cups water and a cup each of chopped onion, carrot and celery. I left out the rutabaga, since I needed all that I had for the clapshot I was also making for dinner.

After a couple more hours of simmering, I checked on the pot and, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t thrilled with the gamey lamb smell.

I pulled out the bone, cut up the white and light green parts of three leeks I found in the fridge, sautéed them in butter, and added them to the pot. I simmered for another hour and was much happier with the aroma and the taste.

I took out the wire-mesh ball with the seasonings and returned the cooked meat to the pot about ten minutes before we served.

In the end, the soup made for a nice addition to the Burns Night menu, which this year included a veggie haggis (and the requisite reading of Burns’ Address to a Haggis), a creamy clapshot and the traditional whisky toast.

THE CAMERON FAMILY'S NOT-SO-TRADITIONAL SCOTCH BROTH

1 1/2 pounds lamb leg
Bay leaf
5 peppercorns
3 whole allspice
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 cup pearl barley, soaked overnight
1 cup onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup celery
2 tablespoons butter
3 leeks, white and light green parts chopped

Cut the meat into 1-inch cubes and place in a pot with the bone, 8 cups of water and a bay leaf. Place the peppercorns, allspice and thyme to a wire-mesh ball or cheesecloth satchel and add that to the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 1 1/2 hours, skimming away any frothy residue. Remove the meat and store in the fridge, but leave the bone. To the pot, add the pearl barley, 2 cups water, onion, carrot and celery. Saute the leek in butter and add that to the pot as well. Simmer covered for two hours. About ten minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf, peppercorns, allspice and thyme, and add the meat that was set aside earlier. Yields four generous servings

Flicker Friday: Historic Footage -- Vaudeville Acts from 1898 to 1910

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

This is one of the best compilations I've found on the Web of the kind of acts that filled vaudeville theaters in the old days. It's divided into two parts, and both dedicate the first minute to exposition, so I'd suggest jumping in at the 1-minute mark.

Part One includes animal acts -- which, unfortunately, don't hold up so well to modern ideas of animal treatment -- and physical displays. A notable one is Eugen Sandow (at 8:28), who made a fortune flexing his muscles because he had the good fortune of being managed by Florenz Ziegfeld before the Ziegfeld Follies was even a twinkle in that famous impresario's eye.

If you're more of a fan of dance and comedy acts, Part Two is for you. It starts with burlesque and dance acts, including Princess Raja, who performs a great belly dance but is probably best remembered for dancing while hoisting a wooden chair over head using only her teeth. No, I'm not kidding. See for yourself at the 1:46 mark.

Together, these videos offer a great glimpse into the roots of modern entertainment, and I offer my thanks to gallopingalligator for uploading them.

MUSIC ALERT: Turn your sound down or off if you're viewing at work.

Event: Passion And Prose festival

2012-01-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Hey, SoCal readers, have you signed up for Passion & Prose yet?

This fantastic daylong conference will take place Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Westin Long Beach and will bring together 500 romance readers and 50 authors for a full day of conversation and fun -- and I'm thrilled to be part of it.

Keynote speakers will be the amazing Meg Cabot, Christina Dodd, and -- a personal favorite -- Gail Carriger.

Lots of friends from the Orange County RWA chapter will be joining me on the authors roster, too: Kate Carlisle, Maureen Child, Tessa Dare, Sylvia Day, Linda O. Johnston, Debra Mullins, and Laura Wright.

It's going to be great day for readers and authors, and I'd love to see you there!

For more information, check out the event's website: http://www.passionandprose.org/index.cfm

Novel Inspiration: That Old Ragtime Jazz

2012-01-24T07:49:00.000-08:00

While I was writing about the vaudeville world of Old New York for my upcoming novel, DANCING AT THE CHANCE, it always helped to have some good old-fashioned ragtime music playing in the background. The music was so integral to so many scenes -- when the performers were onstage, as well as the after-hours gatherings -- that it seemed the music itself became part of the story.

Two songs that actually did become part of the story were Frog Legs Rag, composed by James Scott in 1906, and Maple Leaf Rag, composed by Scott Joplin, which is commonly known as the first instrumental piece to sell more than 1 million copies. I've listened to these compositions countless times, and I never tire of them.

Here are two of my favorite versions:

If you're interested, I've listed other albums I used for inspiration on my website here: http://www.deannacameron.com/DATC/DATCExtras.html

Happy listening!

Flicker Friday: Annabelle's Serpentine Dance

2012-01-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

While researching Victorian-era vaudeville and the early days of cinema for DANCING AT THE CHANCE, I spent a lot of time watching the kind of old flickers that appeared in kinetoscope parlors. (Have I mentioned lately how much I love research?) These early films aren't seen much anymore, but they really are wonderful. This one, Annabelle's Serpentine Dance, is one of my favorites, probably because it's a perfect bridge between my longtime love of belly dance and my new passion: vaudeville.

The dancer is Annabelle Moore, who later became (and was more commonly credited as) Annabelle Whitford, and finally Annabelle Whitford Moore Buchan. Her performances were captured on celluloid several times by Edison and Biograph in the 1890s, and those films became some of the most popular views of the day.

If you take a look, you'll see why. The way Annabelle twirls and swirls her skirt is lovely to see -- and quite like the way modern belly dancers use their Isis wings. Yet for me, it's the way she kicks up her heels with abandon -- as if she's dancing for the sheer joy of it -- that really draws me in.

But why take my word for it? You can see for yourself. :)

MUSIC ALERT: The video contains a rousing ragtime soundtrack that you might want to turn off first if you're viewing at work.

Cocktail time: Belly Dancer Cocktail

2012-01-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

I was in New Orleans recently and in case you didn’t already know this, New Orleans is a town that loves cocktails. On drink menus here you’ll find classics like the sazerac and the mint julep next to the usual collection of cosmos and appletinis. You’ll find ramos gin fizz and the hurricane, and probably a brandy milk punch, too.

Whenever I visit New Orleans, at least one sazerac is mandatory. On this trip, I also tried absinthe for the first time -- at The Old Absinthe House, which seemed appropriate. I also discovered a great old drink that is my current new favorite: the sidecar (cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice).

So I’ve been thinking about cocktails more than usual lately and perusing scads of bartender recipes for other lost gems, and I discovered something I cannot believe I have missed up till now:

The Belly Dancer cocktail.

Yes, there is such a thing and before we go any further, let me give credit where it’s due. I found the recipe at a site called Alex Cocktail Recipes and it describes the drink as tasting like a “liquid Turkish delight.” Of course I was intrigued.

The recipe calls for two measures vodka, two measures chamberyzette or other strawberry liqueur, and one measure rose syrup. I thought the rose syrup would be the tricky ingredient to find, but I found it easily at my local Middle Eastern grocer. I could not find a strawberry liqueur, however, so I substituted a cherry liqueur and hoped for the best.

Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake until the shaker feels cold, and pour into a martini glass. (As you can see from the photo, I substituted an aperitif glass.)

The verdict?

I wanted to love this drink. I really did. But there was something about the strong floral aroma that just didn’t sit well with me. Would it have been better if I had found a strawberry liqueur? Maybe, but I doubt it. For me, a belly dance-inspired drink should be sweet and spicy (cinnamon?) not sweet and flowery. So I’m going to continue my search, or maybe come up with a concoction of my own.

If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them!

Early reviews of Dancing at The Chance

2012-01-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

My new novel isn't out yet, but early reviews are rolling in -- and they're coming from some really outstanding authors. I'm thrilled -- and humbled -- by their praise.

Here's one from Christy English, author of THE QUEEN'S PAWN and TO BE QUEEN: A NOVEL OF THE EARLY LIFE OF ELEANOR OF AQUITANE:

DANCING AT THE CHANCE took me back to Old New York, when vaudeville still enchanted audiences and Ziegfeld was king. In her second novel, DeAnna Cameron brings the world of 1900’s theatre to vibrant life. Part circus, part Shakespeare, part Arabian nights, the Chance Theatre is a place I would love to visit again.

Thank you, Christy!

NaNoWriMo? Done

2011-11-30T16:11:00.001-08:00

Reached 50,020 words at 4:07 p.m. Not quite the eleventh hour, but close. And to call what I have a novel would be a stretch. What these 80-plus single-spaced pages are is a beginning. A very rough draft. And a clue about the historical research I still need to do before I can even think about revisions. Luckily, the research is often the best part and for this novel it includes New Orleans, Cajun-Creole cuisine, French explorers and Choctaw Indians. In other words, lots of rich, wonderful stuff, and I can't wait to dig in. But not tonight. And probably not tomorrow, either. After this crash-course rough draft, I need at least a day to rest. And maybe a cold compress for the typing elbow I developed at some point this month. And maybe a glass of wine.
Cheers!

The Belly Dancer's fresh new look

2011-10-27T12:12:00.001-07:00

I received this lovely surprise in the mail yesterday: cover flats for the reissue of THE BELLY DANCER. I love the new artwork, don't you? Very pretty.

The release date for the reissue will be March 6, a month before DANCING AT THE CHANCE goes on sale. My editor tells me the reissue will have an excerpt of DANCING AT THE CHANCE, too, to give readers a sneak peek.

BTW, the first-round of copy-edits are done on the new novel and I've been making a list of all the wonderful things I learned about the vaudeville era and Old New York that I'm hoping to put into blog posts soon. If you're as fascinated by these early performers as I am, I think you're going to enjoy them.

Dancing at The Chance cover

2011-10-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

DANCING AT THE CHANCE, my new historical novel about a down-and-out vaudeville theater in turn-of-the-last-century New York, won't be out till April, but the cover is ready to go. I'm so excited!

Mission Viejo Readers Festival 2011

2011-10-01T11:32:00.001-07:00

I'll be at the West Hollywood Book Fair all day tomorrow -- mostly signing books at the Historical Novel Society/L.A. Chapter's booth -- so I have a full day of chores today. But that was no reason to entirely miss the Mission Viejo Readers Festival. I was too early any of the speakers (Molly Shannon, Cornelia Funke and Jamie Ford to name just a few), but I did have an hour to walk the grounds at the Norman T. Miller Community Center. As you can see, it's a great event.

The entrance

The balloon man in front of Within Reach Learning Center

Book Corral's booth

Giant chalkboard for visitors to write the title of their favorite book

Happy Release Day for STAR CROSSED SEDUCTION, by Jenny Brown

2011-08-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

Today marks the publication day of STAR CROSSED SEDUCTION, the follow-up to Regency romance author Jenny Brown’s terrific debut, LORD LIGHTNING, and I couldn’t be more excited. I had the opportunity to read an early version of the manuscript and I fell in love with it. Not only does Jenny weave fascinating (and accurate!) astrological details into the narrative, she holds a graduate degree in 19th-century history and, boy, can she craft a great story. She is an amazing talent and I can’t wait to dig into the novel all over again…

The book is also one of seven Avon titles in the K.I.S.S. and Teal campaign to promote ovarian cancer awareness.

Happy release day, Jenny!

Want to know more about STAR CROSSED SEDUCTION? Here’s the jacket copy:

Lovers or Enemies? Captain Miles Trevelyan, on leave from active service in India, is heading out for a night on the town when he rescues a beautiful pickpocket from arrest. She's the perfect choice for a few days of dalliance--beautiful, cunning, and completely disposable. But Temperance has no intention of becoming the plaything of a man who wears the uniform of the solders who murdered her lover. Disarming Trev with a kiss, she escapes. But her sultry kiss opens the two Scorpio adversaries to an obsessive attraction that neither can elude--or possibly survive.

For more about Jenny and her books, visit www.JennyBrown.net.

Excuse the dust...

2011-08-04T19:53:00.001-07:00

I'm just working out the kinks in a new blog design...

Tinkering with the Website

2011-07-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

The manuscript for "Dancing at The Chance" is in my editor's very capable hands at the moment so I'm tinkering with my website.

I'm also learning new web software as I go so I would be ever so grateful if you'd let me know if you see anything wonky on the pages.

http://www.DeAnnaCameron.com

Historical photographs of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair*

2011-07-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

Want to see what the people who visited the Cairo Street exhibit at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair saw? I just posted a few historical photographs on my website. Take a look:

http://www.deannacameron.com/books/FairPics.html

*9/30/11 Update: The link has been changed. It's now:

http://www.deannacameron.com/TheBellyDancer/TBDHistoricalPhotos.html

Historical Novel Society Conference 2011

2011-06-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

I knew I was going to enjoy the Historical Novel Society Conference that took place in San Diego last weekend (June 17-19). Seriously, a whole weekend dedicated to historical fiction? What's not to like? What I didn't expect was how much I was going to *love* the HNS conference. There were so many amazing panels, so many great speakers, and some great mingling events.

But far and away the best part of the weekend was connecting with so many people who share this same crazy passion for the past. Some I already knew, some I knew from social networks and was meeting for the first time, and some were just lovely people I had the privilege and pleasure of sitting next to during a dinner or breakfast or the book-signing, or chatting with while we stood in a line, or hanging out with in the hotel lobby, where we talked and laughed like kids at summer camp.

I was having such a great time, I rarely remembered to snap a picture, so there aren't many. But here are a few:

Michelle Cameron (The Fruit of her Hands) and I sharing a book-signing table Saturday afternoon.

Michelle Moran (Madame Tussaud, Nefertiti, Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic Queen) and I at Saturday book-signing

The Saturday night fashion Show of historic costumes. (My camera wasn't up to the task on this one. Trust me, these costumes were awesome.)

Michelle Cameron, Patricia O'Sullivan (Hope of Israel), and me at the Saturday banquet.

Elizabeth Kerri Mahon (Scandalous Women), Christy English (The Queen's Pawn, To Be Queen), Sherry Jones (Jewel of Medina), and, yeah, surprise, that's me again, basking in their loveliness.

Want to see the hotel where all the magic happened? Sure you do -- here it is: Holiday Inn San Diego On The Bay. And it really is. The water was just a stone's throw away...

The next Historical Novel Society conference will take place next year in London. If you're interested, details will be announced soon at http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/conference.htm.

Happy anniversary, Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers!*

2011-05-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

A while back, I stumbled across the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers group on Goodreads and it was an epiphany for me. I hadn’t heard the term “romantic historical fiction” before, but I loved it instantly. It answered the question that had been bouncing around my brain since I was first asked what kind of novels I write.

You see, stories set in the past tend to be labeled either “historical fiction” or “historical romance.” But there are a growing number of stories like mine that don’t fit neatly into either category. There’s too much romance for fans of the former, and too little for fans of the latter.
So what’s an author to do?

Emery Lee, author of "The Highest Stakes," had the same question, and that’s what inspired her to create Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers.

“I started Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers a year ago in my growing frustration as an author whose publisher didn't quite know what to do with her!” Lee said in our email exchange earlier this week. “After discovering Goodreads and the various groups, I saw a distinct void between HF and HR. I then decided to try to bridge that chasm with authors, like myself, who endeavor to satisfy the intellect as well as engaging the emotions in our stories—
Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers was born.”

That was a year ago, and in that time the group has grown into a fun and lively group of 325 members. And it’s a diverse group, made up of avid readers, book bloggers and authors. Besides its popular discussion board, the group also maintains a recommended reading bookshelf of Romantic Historical Fiction titles.

The criteria for the recommended reading list has expanded and evolved over the past year, Lee says, but here is the criteria in a nutshell: Either historical or biographical fiction with a strong romantic element, or a work of historical romance based upon real characters, a major historical event, or having a well-researched exotic setting. Subgenres such as suspense, time travel, and some paranormal elements are also eligible. And only titles that are nominated by a group member are considered.

It’s been a lot of fun watching the group grow and seeing all the enthusiasm for romantic historical fiction. I can’t wait to see where the group goes from here.

Want to see what all the excitement is about? Here’s the link to Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/33864.Romantic_Historical_Fiction_Lovers

*Don’t miss the group’s virtual anniversary party on Facebook. Here’s what Emery Lee says:

"The party begins 5/27/11 at 12:00AM and will go on until midnight. We will be offering book giveaways from great HF and HR authors every hour! We will also have a "virtual" historical costume contest. Entrants to photoshop or paste their faces on their favorite book covers and post to the Facebook page . Prizes for Ugliest, Prettiest, Sexiest and Funniest. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!!!!"

Here’s the link to their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_135857949796897#!/home.php?sk=group_135857949796897.

Any haggis lovers out there?

2011-05-09T11:18:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know, probably not many. But I am an unapologetic fan of the stuff, and I wrote this little article for our local Clan Cameron group about making haggis pizza with our family's Burns Night leftovers. I don't expect Pizza Hut or Domino's will be adding it to their menus anytime soon, but really, it's better than you'd think....

TASTE OF SCOTLAND: HAGGIS PIZZA

We love our Burns Night haggis, but we never manage to finish all of it. What usually happens is we eat it the usual way with leftover neeps and tatties.

This year, though, I thought it would be fun to try something new. Surely there had to be something different I could do with the haggis. So, I searched the Internet and found haggis wontons, haggis paninis, and haggis-stuffed chicken legs. They all sounded tasty and worth trying, but the one that won me over was haggis pizza.

A few bloggers posted about a prepared haggis pizza sold under the Cosmo brand in Tescos and other United Kingdom outlets. The verdict seems to be split along the usual lines: People who like haggis liked the pizza, and people who don’t, well, didn’t.

I decided to make my own haggis pizza. The only tricky part, I figured, would be the crust. I started thinking through the options. The food shows always suggest buying dough from your favorite pizzeria, but frankly I’ve never been brave enough to ask. That leaves the dough that’s sold in a can next to the biscuits and cookie dough at the supermarket, but I’m not a big fan of it. And the plastic-wrapped Bobolis, which I’m not fond of it either. What I do like is the crunchy crust of a well-cooked DiGiorno Rising Crust pizza. And lucky for me, one was already in the freezer. Can’t get any easier than that, right?

I pulled the pizza out of the freezer, unwrapped it and popped it in the oven. About halfway through the cooking time, I pulled it out, added the cold haggis like it was sausage bits, and finished the cooking.

When it was done, I thought it looked as good as the haggis pizza on the Cosmo box. And it tasted – well, probably a lot like you’d imagine haggis pizza to taste. I think the pepperoni was a good addition. Those strong spice notes, along with the well-seasoned tomato sauce, worked well with the haggis and enhanced the overall flavor. I enjoyed it, but to be honest, I never did persuade my husband to try it – even though he never passes on the Burns Night haggis. Maybe I would have had better luck with the haggis wontons.

The new novel has a name and...

2011-04-08T14:25:00.001-07:00

At long last, the novel I have affectionately been calling "Untitled Vaudeville Story" now has a real, honest-to-goodness title, thanks to the brighter-minds-than-mine at Berkley. And it is.....

Dancing at The Chance

Yay! It's kind of a play on the phrase because the heroine is a vaudeville chorus girl who dances at a venue called The Chance Theatre. See how clever that is? The story takes place in 1907 New York, and in addition to a fun cast of fictional characters, there are critical roles played by Florenz Ziegfeld and pioneering moviemaker Edwin Porter. I had so much fun researching this one.

Oh, and there's more news, too. Those wonderful people Berkley have decided to re-release THE BELLY DANCER in mass market paperback, probably in March, which would be a month before DANCING AT THE CHANCE releases in April 2012.

Very exciting stuff!

Deadline: 3 hours and counting...

2011-03-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

I suppose that headline should read "Deadline: 3 hours to spare" because -- yeah, baby -- I just sent the manuscript off. It's whizzing across the country as we speak and *fingers-crossed* landing in New York, in my editor's email in-box, any second. Whew! Also, I should have a publisher-approved, for-public-consumption title very soon... Yay!

Deadline: 1 day and some change...

2011-03-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd be a lot more frantic and panicked this close to D-day. But actually, I'm doing okay. No hyperventaliting. No heart palpitations. Hearing back from my agent yesterday has a lot to do with it. She likes the manuscript and found only a few copyediting mistakes, which eases my mind a lot. I mean, *a lot* So, today I'm making those changes, and rereading again to fix the typos, missing words and all those other little pesky things I'm still finding after reading this darn manuscript a dozen times already. All in all, I think I'm in pretty good shape. Wait, I didn't say that. Don't want to jinx it... :0)

Literary Guild of Orange County's Festival of Women Authors 2011

2011-03-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

This year's Literary Guild of Orange County's annual Festival of Women Authors will be held Saturday, May 7 at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, and it will feature a great lineup of authors.

Here's the list:

Jean Auel (Earth's Children series, which started with "The Clan of the Cave Bear")

Hallie Ephron (award-winning author and book reviewer)

Carolyn Hart (award-winning mystery writer)

Sarah Blake ("The Postmistress," "Grange House")

Laurel Corona ("The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi's Venice," "Penelope's Daughter")

Zoe Ferraris ("Finding Nouf," "City of Veils")

Vicki Leon ("How to Mellify a Corpse and Other Human Stories of Ancient Science and Superstition")

Lisa Lutz ("The Spellman Files," "Heads You Lose")

Rounding out the day is a wonderful sit-down luncheon and an opportunity to buy the authors' books and getting them signed.

The festival is expected to sell out and soon, so act fast if you're interested in attending. Check the group's website for registration information.

Hope to see you there

Deadline: 6 days away...

2011-03-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

If you heard something like a huge sigh a couple hours ago, it was me, sending off the manuscript to my agent. The revision is done -- at least I think it is, fingers crossed -- and there's still time for one more reading for typos and little fixes...

You've heard it before, and I'm sure you'll hear it again: a writer's work is never done, she only runs out of time...
:-)

Deadline: 36 days away...

2011-02-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

I've got that old Whitesnake song in my head: "Here I go again..." Seems appropriate, though. I finished the latest draft of my WIP this afternoon and now I'm going back to the beginning. This time it's to give it the final polish and to add in the things I made notes about during this draft. (I can't be trusted to go back and tinker mid-draft or I would be constantly going backward and never make any progress. I'm terrible that way...)
Also, this is the point where I put together my very un-writerly spreadsheet, which will help me be sure that pesky things like time references and such are kept straight, and comes in darn handy if I have to find (fix?) a scene quickly.
So, here I go again... :-)

Deadline: 41 days away

2011-02-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

Just checking in to say, yay, I revised all the pages I hoped to revise this week, and even a few more to boot. **Insert Snoopy-like happy dance**
Also heard back from some of the beta readers, and the early reviews are much better than expected. Here's hoping next week goes as well :-)

Today's special delivery...

2011-02-15T17:10:00.001-08:00

I received my author copies of the Japanese version of "The Belly Dancer" in the mail today. Aren't they pretty?

What I think is cool (well, besides my name in Japanese...) is this tiny paperback has a dustcover that folds around it like a hardcover. The book itself has a cover that looks a lot like a school composition book.

Now before you mention it, I do realize that the Egyptian bellydancers at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair didn't wear shimmy belts like the one the cover model is wearing and the street scene looks an awful lot like New York not Chicago, but hey, if the Japanese publisher is fine with it, so am I.

Hm, maybe I'll celebrate with some sushi or a big bowl of miso soup :-)

Just when I thought I was out...

2011-02-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

My all-time favorite Godfather line: "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in..."

That's how I'm feeling about my WIP novel today. See, I thought I had the whole thing drafted out and that I was now in the polishing, tweaking, and fixing inconsistencies phase.

Until this morning...

In that strange space of being half awake and half asleep, I realized I really needed to throw some more conflict at one of the minor characters who has his own subplot. How did I not see that while the main character was facing all kinds trouble, he was getting off virtually scot-free? Can't have that. So today it's back to the draft to stir up more trouble.

Sorry, Gregory, that's just how it has to be...

Big day? It kinda is...

2011-01-31T08:21:00.000-08:00

This morning I crawled out of my deep, dark writing cave for a few minutes to send the opening pages of my new novel to a few readers to get feedback. I know it shouldn't seem like a big deal, but for me it kinda is (I'm hearing that as Russell on "Rules of Engagement," what about you?)

Here's why: I'm the type of writer who prefers to hoard the whole manuscript until it's finished and I'm happy with every page. But I'm not going to have the luxury of doing that this time around. The deadline is looming, so I'll have to overlap parts of my usual writing process to make sure I'm finished on April 1.

Yeah, my deadline is April Fool's Day. There's probably some cosmic message in that, but frankly I don't have time to puzzle it out because I have to get back to writing.

[Note: If you're interested, though, I'm going to start logging my progress as I try to meet that deadline. Just as an added incentive to myself not to slack off. Public humiliation is such a powerful motivator :-)]

BACKSTORY: The story behind AGAINST THE WIND, by Kat Martin

2010-12-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

Few authors are as versatile as New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin. After debuting with the historical romance MAGNIFICENT PASSAGE in 1988 and building a strong following in that genre, the former real estate broker proved she also had a knack for romantic suspense when she published THE SILENT ROSE in 1999. Since then she has continued to publish in both genres—as well as a paranormal romance, SEASON OF STRANGERS, in 2008—and she’s tackling new territory again with a contemporary trilogy with western flair, starting with this week's release of AGAINST THE WIND.

She lives in Missoula, Montana, with her husband, author Larry Jay Martin.

What was the inspiration for your novel?
I love that question because I have an interesting answer, not just “somehow it popped into my head,” which is usually what happens. Well, it did pop into my head, but I was listening to a Toby Keith country song, “How do you like me now?” It’s about a girl who makes fun of a guy when they are young, and he has a crush on her, and then he becomes wildly successful and he wonders, “How do you like me now?” Jackson, the hero of AGAINST THE WIND, is a western man who just sort of fit the part.

What was your writing process?
I used to do a detailed synopsis. I’m most comfortable when I know what I’m going to write next. But since my deadlines are so much closer together, I do both. I know the story roughly, but have to work in the details and a lot of the plot as I go along, so I work a good deal by the “seat of my pants.”

What was your biggest writing challenge this time around?
I had written contemps before, but not so much crime oriented. You have to be a lot more detail oriented. I’m loving the freedom of writing in the present. The opportunity to use language more freely, that kind of thing, but it is ultimately more difficult. And there is also the problem of the book being part of a trilogy, with the brothers, Gabe and Dev, having stories of their own, AGAINST THE FIRE and AGAINST THE LAW.

How much time do you spend writing each week?
I’m a work-a-holic. It seems to get worse every year. On top of my two books for Mira each year, I’ve been doing a small hardcover for Perseus Books, Vanguard Press. The new one is out for Mother’s Day, A SONG FOR MY MOTHER.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?
I think of writing as a job, which for me it is. It pays the bills, therefore I have to go to work every day just like everyone else.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?
“Don’t read your reviews.” Which of course I do anyway, but not obsessively. I feel bad when I get a bad review and it affects my writing. So I only read the major websites. And of course there is the notorious Publishers Weekly review, which I dread every time.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?
What I know now is that you can’t make it happen by yourself. If you are not chosen by your publisher, not promoted by them, your chances of success are very slim. I didn’t know that and actually I’m glad, because I did so much promo over the years and it probably did help my career in the long run.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?
To be honest, I run to my husband. He has written 20 books himself. I go in and say, “I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next.” Then we sit down and hash things out for a half an hour or so, and that usually gets my juices flowing again.

Do you work with a critique group?
When I started writing, I worked with a critique group and I think they are very good. I would love to work with a plot group, but am too far out in the boondocks to make that happen. My husband is usually the only one who reads my manuscript before I turn it in. And usually not the historicals.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?
Traveling is good for that. Reading novels in the same genre helps me sometimes. I read a lot of books. Movies are good, the newspaper. Anything that gives you ideas.

What are five of your favorite novels?
Ohmygod. I love books and never remember the titles when I’m asked. But here are some: THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and just about any other Woodiwiss novel. I like Laura Griffin’s romantic suspense novels. Wilbur Smith wrote my favorite all-time romance, THE EAGLE IN THE SKY. A great new historical author is Joanna Bourne. FORBIDDEN ROSE is terrific.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?
Dean Koonz’s HOW TO WRITE, but you can’t find it anywhere. It’s fantastic.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?
I’m reading a lot of romantic suspense right now, since that is what I’m writing. I’ve got a Joanna Bourne novel in my lineup. Just finished SUMMER AT TIFFANY for my readers group, a really fun little read. Really hoping readers will put my new Raines Brothers Trilogy, starting with AGAINST THE WIND, on their to-be-read list. Best to all, and happy reading!

For more about Kat Martin and her books, visit http://www.katbooks.com/.

BACKSTORY: The story behind Jacqueline Diamond's THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS and backlist e-publishing

2010-12-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

USA Today bestselling author Jackie Hyman, who writes as Jacqueline Diamond and Jacqueline Topaz, isn’t one to back down from a challenge. The former Associated Press television columnist pursued publication for ten years before selling her first novel, a Regency romance titled LADY IN DISGUISE. It debuted in 1982 and launched a distinguished writing career that includes a career achievement award from Romance Times and two Rita Award nominations.

Although most of Jackie’s nearly 90 novels are romances, including THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS, which releases today, the longtime OCC/RWA member and popular writing instructor has not been afraid to cross the genre border. Her novels include mysteries and horror, as well as fantasy.

Her latest challenge, however, is learning the ropes of digital publishing. So far, she has made four of her out-of-print titles available for electronic readers, and expects to add to that soon. She’s also finishing up two new Harlequin American Romances due out next year: OFFICER DADDY (February 2011) and FALLING FOR THE NANNY (June 2011).

What was the inspiration for you’re THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS?
THE HOLIDAY TRIPLETS is the third book in my Safe Harbor Medical miniseries, published by Harlequin American Romance. Although each book stands alone, I like to introduce my characters in earlier books so readers can look forward to seeing them star in romances of their own. In this case, readers met my characters in THE WOULD-BE MOMMY (released in February) and HIS HIRED BABY (August).

Mark Rayburn is an obstetrician as well as the hospital’s administrator. He has a lot of respect for and feels a strong attraction to pediatrician Samantha Forrest, but she gives him nothing but trouble. Passionate about her causes, she has a gift for stirring up controversy – which translates into a lot of embarrassment for Mark.

Throwing them into a romantic entanglement sprang naturally from developments in the earlier books.

What was your writing process?
I always outline and make lots of notes. But the books always change as I write.

What was your biggest writing challenge this time around?
My editor asked for a Christmas book, which meant I had to plan all three Safe Harbor Medical books so that the timelines worked out right. That’s a lot harder than it sounds!

Do you have any other writing-related projects you’d like to share?
I’m excited about the possibilities offered by e-reading devices such as Kindle and Nook. Authors like me can now make our older, out-of-print books available to readers all over the world at a low price.

How does that work?
Of my 87 published novels, I have the rights reverted to 16, from publishers such as William Morrow, Berkley, Five Star, Walker and St. Martin’s Press. These include a number of Regency romances, a couple of mysteries, a fantasy novel, a horror novel and some romantic comedies.

Since I only had two of these in digital format, I paid to have the books digitally scanned. I also had to design covers and buy ISBN tracking numbers, so this isn’t a simple project, but it’s wonderful to be able to give new life to some of my best work.

I decided to re-edit each book and put it in the best possible shape before making it available. It’s a slow process, since I have to find time while also writing about three Harlequins a year and teaching via a distance-learning college-accredited institute called Long Ridge Writers Group.

How much are you revising the books?
I’m lightly re-editing all the books and updating them where it won’t cause major changes in the storyline. In some cases that isn’t possible, so I make it clear to readers that the book is set in a particular year. That way, they don’t get a jarring surprise when they discover that a plot twist in a mystery involves, say, photographic techniques that are no longer used.

How many of your older books are now available?
So far, I’ve posted four digital editions for Kindle and Nook. There are two mysteries: DANGER MUSIC, which has humorous touches, and THE EYES OF A STRANGER, which is very scary – going into the mind of a sociopathic killer. I’ve also uploaded TOUCH ME IN THE DARK, a paranormal romantic suspense, and A WARM DECEMBER, a frothy romantic comedy with a holiday theme. They’re priced at $2.99, which is less than the cost of a used book on the Internet.

Next I’m going to work on one of my Regency romances. You can keep tabs on what’s available at my Web site, www.jacquelinediamond.com. I’m posting the first chapters, so anyone who’s curious can sample these books for free. Also, many people don’t know that you can read Kindle editions without an e-book reader. A free application available from Amazon.com allows you to read them on a computer or smart phone.

Does it feel strange revisiting your old work?
Actually, it’s a lot of fun. I was a little afraid I might not like them but so far that isn’t the case at all. While I like to think I’ve grown and matured as a writer, there are more similarities to my current work than differences.

What do you think will surprise your readers the most?
Those who know me primarily from my family-oriented Harlequin romances might not realize the range of books I’ve written. As I mentioned, there are mysteries, a fantasy novel, a paranormal romantic suspense, Regencies and more.

Getting back to your current work, what’s next?
In February, the fourth Safe Harbor Medical book, OFFICER DADDY, will be released. It will be followed by two more books in the miniseries, tentatively in July and September. I love researching medical issues, and for me the “world” of this series has really taken on a life of its own.

For more about Jacqueline Diamond and her books, visit http://www.jacquelinediamond.com/.

And the November Contest winner is...

2010-11-30T12:12:00.000-08:00

Are you in the holiday spirit yet? The weather here has been cold and windy, just perfect for cozying up with the laptop. It's been great for writing, which is a good thing since my book deadline is coming up fast.

It's always fun, though, to take some time out of the writing day to pick a contest winner. This time we're giving away the awesome THE ART OF BELLYDANCE CD from Bellydance Superstars. We had about 65 entries this time around, and thank you to everyone who took time to play along. This winner was chosen, as usual, by my ever-helpful assistant. She was so excited to pick the winner, she nearly jumped out of the frame altogether. See:

And the winner is:

Taliba Lafleur

(Hooray!!!)

Taliba, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Tuesday!

Aw, gee, thanks...

2010-11-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the lovely folks at Masters Degree Online for naming this a Top Reviewing blog. You can check out the group's list of Top Reviewing blogs here:

http://www.mastersdegreeonline.net/top-blogs/top-reviewing/

Online Masters Degree

November Giveaway

2010-11-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

The holidays are coming, isn't that a great reason for a contest? I thought so, too! To get in the spirit of the season, I'm giving away the "The Art of Bellydance" CD. It features some amazing musicians, including master drummer Issam Houshan, Oojami, Beats Antique, Galactic Caravan, and many more.

To enter the contest, click over to http://www.deannacameron.com/. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PT) on Tuesday, November 30.

Good luck!

BACKSTORY: The story behind IMPULSIVE, by HelenKay Dimon

2010-10-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Before HelenKay Dimon became an award-winning romance author, the former East Coast resident’s career path seemed headed in a much different direction. She worked as an aide to a member of the House of Representatives, attended law school, became a lawyer specializing in family law, and eventually earned the position of partner in a legal firm.

Then her husband was offered a job on the West Coast, and the family moved to Southern California. That was the catalyst that led Dimon to transform herself from what she calls “a divorce lawyer specializing in unhappy endings” to an author of happily ever afters.

In 2006, she made what Romance Reviews Today called a “sparkling” debut with her story HARDHATS AND SILK STOCKINGS, in the anthology WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS. Her first single-title novel, YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY, followed in July 2007. It was named a Red-Hot Read by Cosmopolitan magazine, featured on E! Online, and won the 2008 Booksellers Best Contest’s single-title category.

This month, Dimon, who calls herself a “recovering lawyer,” will release her seventeenth title— IMPULSIVE—which Booklist praises as “a sizzling, sex-filled romp.”

What was the inspiration for IMPULSIVE?

First, thank you so much for inviting me here. It’s a thrill to be able to talk about IMPULSIVE and ramble on about my love of books and writing.

This book is part of a series of connected books set in Hawaii. Each book stands alone but some of the characters carry over from one to the other. And, really, is there a better inspiration than Hawaii? My husband grew up there and my in-laws still live there. During one trip, I was sitting by the pool and had just finished a previous book, HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO, when I started thinking about a minor character, Eric Kimura. I didn’t have any intention of writing Eric’s book. He was the ex-boyfriend of the heroine in HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO and when he wouldn’t leave my head I knew I had to give him a happy ending.

Did you outline?

I am a seat-of-the-pants writer. My convoluted process goes like this: I come up with the first scene, write it as fast as I can and then go back and think about who the characters are and what the book is about in light of what I wrote. I don’t use outlines or charts or any of those great devices I see other authors use. I’ve tried and found that doing all of that means, in my head, the book is written and I get stuck. I just need to sit and start writing.

What is your writing process?

Speaking of convoluted... I revise every single day. I sit down and start at the beginning of the book and read and edit until I get to the point where I’m ready to write something new. I do this full revision until I reach the halfway point in the book, then I force myself to stop reading from the beginning forward each day and start new with the second half of the book. It sounds daunting, but it’s the best way to put the book in my head.

What was your biggest writing challenge this time around?

My heroes tend to be broken with rough pasts. They’re usually alpha and can be a wee bit difficult. Eric is a very different type. He is a good guy even though he’s too self-controlled and emotionally closed off. Developing his character arc took some work. At first I worried he was too solid and wouldn’t have much need to grow, but turns out he had a lot to learn from the heroine.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

Some weeks it feels like every minute. Other weeks...well, let’s just say the Internet is a dangerous place for people with procrastination issues. In general, I try to write from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every weekday and part of the day on Sunday. When I’m closer to a deadline, those hours extend significantly. In those precious days right after I finish a book and hand it in, I barely write.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

If I waited to be in the frame of mind, I would never write. I have to kick-start the process by shutting off the Internet, opening a document and revising. By the time I stop revising and get to the point of writing new material, I’m usually ready to go.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

The best writing advice I ever received was really career advice from my editor, the late Kate Duffy. She told me repeatedly: “Your career is a marathon not a sprint.” I didn’t get it when I first started writing, and I struggle to remember it now. It’s easy to get sucked into the craziness of the business. It’s the “someone is writing faster/getting more attention/hitting lists and I’m not” issue. I sold in 2005 and it’s taken me until this year to step back and plan the career I want without worrying about what everyone else is doing.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Every career is different, so focus on what you need. It’s all about finding that balance of what works for you. There are a lot of opportunities out there, but you can miss them if you’re worried about stockpiling contracts or keeping up with those around you. Write, revise, relax and write again.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

Easy, I pretend writer’s block doesn’t exist. I refuse to let that excuse in my mind. There are days when the idea of sitting in my chair and opening a word document makes my head explode, but I have to do it. Starting at the beginning of a manuscript and revising through to where I stopped writing the day before is my way of gently working back into the groove. The other thing I’ve found is if I take too much time off between books, it’s so much harder to get started again. So, a few days after turning something in, I start again. I’ll write a short story or write down notes on a possible future book idea, anything to keep in the habit.

Do you work with a critique group?

I don’t work with a critique group in the usual sense. I tried it, but exchanging chapters every week or so didn’t work for me. Judging things like continuity and character arcs seemed really hard. Instead, I work informally with a fellow author I really respect, Jill Shalvis. We usually finish a book, or at least a huge chunk of it, and then send it to each other for a read. That way we can better judge if it works as a whole.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

I’ve never been at a loss for book ideas – which is a huge relief. My issue is in getting started each day. I can find 1,000 things to do instead of writing. Having a contractual deadline looming helps. Wanting to stay published works as well. When all else fails and the motivation just isn’t coming, I sit down and write something totally different. I’ll sketch out the first scene of a book I might never write. The idea is to be at the computer and typing. Once that starts, the ideas begin to flow.

What are five of your favorite novels?

I was one of those people. I didn’t even read romance until I was thirty-something. The first three got me hooked on the genre and led me down this path where I stopped practicing law and started writing. Those books: PERFECT PARTNERS, by Jayne Ann Krentz; DANIEL’S BRIDE, by Linda Lael Miller; and THE BRIDE, by Julie Garwood. I’ll always have a special love for those books and those authors. Even though I rarely read historical romance, I’ve read RAVISHED, by Amanda Quick about 100 times, so it’s clearly a romance favorite. My favorite non-romance author is Kazuo Ishiguro (REMAINS OF THE DAY), so No. 5 is anything by him. I also love mysteries and thrillers, but you said five, so I’ll spare you.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

I’m not a huge craft book person, which is a little strange since I teach romance writing at two local colleges. My fear is if I know all of these techniques, I’ll be too focused on everything I “should” do to just write. I do love Stephen King’s ON WRITING and think anyone who writes or wants to should read it.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

The list is soooo long. I love to read. The books I’m most excited about digging into right now are THE IRON DUKE, by Meljean Brook; STILL MISSING, by Chevy Stevens; and PRECIOUS AND FRAGILE THINGS, by Megan Hart (releases in January).

For more about HelenKay Dimon and her books, visit http://www.helenkaydimon.com/.

BACKSTORY: The story behind ETERNAL HUNGER, by Laura Wright

2010-10-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Like many novelists, multi-published author Laura Wright’s love for writing grew out of her love of reading. Unlike many authors, however, she can trace her inspiration to a single book: Jude Deveraux’s KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR.

“I couldn’t put it down until the very last word,” the OCC/RWA member writes on her website.

That novel led Wright to more Deveraux novels and then on to more romance authors.

“I instantly loved those emotional, sexy reads,” she adds, “so much so that I began to carve out ideas for my own stories, themes that were unique to me and moved me.”

In 2002, Wright—who in addition to writing has worked as an actor, singer and dancer—published her debut novel, CINDERELLA AND THE PLAYBOY, in the Silhouette Desire line. Another fifteen Silhouette Desire novels followed, as well as an anthology, TAKEN BY STORM.

And today, Wright enters the paranormal romance realm with ETERNAL HUNGER, the first in her Mark of the Vampire series. Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, praises its “rich mythology, page-turning tension, and blistering sensuality.”

The series continues in April with ETERNAL KISS.

Wright, a native of Minnesota, lives in Los Angeles with her family.
What was the inspiration for your novel?

To be honest and blunt, it came from my very vibrant fantasy life. With ETERNAL HUNGER, I wrote the vampire, the hero, that I would love to heal, banter with, and be taken by.

What was your writing process?

Oh man, I so wish I could be a “panster.” That sounds like so much fun! Writing for Silhouette Desire, synopsis was the only way to go, only way to sell. It’s the same way with NAL, and frankly, I need it now. I need to know the beginning, middle and resolution of the book to get going. Once I do, I write the entire book in dialogue.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

BC (Before kids), I wrote at least 10 hours a day. Now with two little ones, I try for fourt to five. It depends if I’m closing in on a deadline. Then I have to work full weekends and nights, too.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

Well, that is the question isn’t it? Lol. I do coffee and set myself in my office with music and headphones. But honestly, there is no other way to get it done – for me anyway – but doing it. Some days it flows like honey, but most days it takes a good half hour for me to get into it.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Wow. Good question.
A. (from my mentor/teacher, Barbara Ankrum) “If the external conflict is the wheels, the Internal Conflict is the engine that will drive your story.” and “Never start with the plot, start with the internal conflict.”
B. (from Jayne Ann Krentz) “There will never be a perfect time to write” and “writing has to be a compulsion; a drive – an addiction.”

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

A. Writing is a job, not a hobby.
B. The author/agent relationship is tricky if you don’t go into it with a clear understanding of what both of you expects from the other.
C. Support is huge and key! Family, husband/wife, friends, RWA chapter. Writing is a lonely job, you’ll need people along the way.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

I honestly don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe in fatigue and/or not knowing your conflict enough. Taking a break, a walk, making a new pot of coffee can help clear your head. But the only way to get past a difficult scene is to run head first into it. Hell, you can always delete it later or the next day, but just pushing through will (most times) spark creativity. Also, write a scene that isn’t working from another characters prospective – that can be very helpful.

Do you work with a critique group?

I have two or three people that read my work, sometimes in scenes, sometimes large chunks. I think feedback is so valuable – with someone you trust. It’s hard to see everything, especially when you’re focusing on internal conflict or dialogue. Another set of eyes can find all those places you’ve neglected.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

Just recently, I had a deadline moved up and I had to finish my book in weeks instead of months. Most of the time I turned to coffee, music, sheer force of will, but at the end I went to this special motel by the beach that really recharged my batteries. Sometimes just changing locations can light a fire!

What are five of your favorite novels?
Only five? Yikes. Let’s see…

KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR, THE DEMON LOVER, Harry Potter (any and every), Gemma Doyle Trilogy, PASSION

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?
BIRD BY BIRD, by Anne Lamott – all the way. That book saved me from many a meltdown!

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?
Ooooo, love this! Jennifer Lyon’s newest Wing Slayer Hunter, NIGHT MAGIC; LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRARIE (with my daughter); WHEN YOU ARE ENGULFED IN FLAMES; THE HUNGER GAMES

For more about Laura Wright and her books, visit http://www.laurawright.com/.

Inspiration: Joyce Carol Oats on Writing Characters

2010-09-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

In this snippet of a video taken during Joyce Carol Oats' visit to Book Passages, a lovely bookstore in Northern California, where she talked about THE GRAVEDIGGER'S DAUGHTER, she also talked about how important it is for a writer to listen to the characters and allow them to speak for themselves.

Why?

"If you're a writer and you allow your people to talk," she says, "they will express themselves in a way that the author herself might not have thought of."

But there's more good stuff here, too. Check it out...

BACKSTORY: The story behind WARRIOR, by Zoe Archer

2010-09-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

With her debut novel, the historical romance LADY X’S COWBOY, Zoë Archer quickly earned raves for her powerful storytelling and compelling characters. Publishers Weekly called the 2006 release a “fast-paced, lighthearted romp” that “both tickles and thrills,” and it won the OCC/RWA’s Book Buyers Best Award.
Archer, who graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, followed that book’s success with the historical romance LOVE IN A BOTTLE; a historical novel, EARLY BRIGHT, which she wrote as Ami Silber; and a novella, HALF PAST DEAD.
She launches her new BLADES OF THE ROSE series tomorrow (Sept. 7) with WARRIOR, a historical romance that RT Book Reviews calls “part Indiana Jones, part The Mummy,” and a “pure passionate pleasure.”
She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

One of my favorite film genres has always been high adventure: far-flung locations, characters having exciting adventures, lots of action, as well as a sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. There didn’t seem to be much of that in romance novels, at least, not the way I imagined. When it came time to think up a new series, I decided to write the kind of books I’ve wanted to read. It was, admittedly, a big risk, especially because the first book in the BLADES OF THE ROSE series is set in Mongolia. Historical romances just aren’t set in Mongolia, or so many editors said. One brave editor fell in love with the story and writing, and she took a chance. And so, WARRIOR and the rest of the BLADES series were born.

What was your writing process?

I plot the heck out of my stuff. That isn’t to say that I must stick to my outline at all costs. It’s not uncommon for me to reach a point in the story and discover that something needs to be changed, or I’m just not feeling a certain beat, at which point, I do deviate from the outline. But I absolutely do not start writing without a detailed outline, complemented by a considerable amount of research. If I didn’t plot, my characters would just wander around with glazed looks in their eyes.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I’m extremely fortunate in that I write full time, so I’d say I put in a full work week—sometimes even more, if I’m nearing the end of a book.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I’m always in a writing frame of mind! But I do like to have music when I’m writing. And, in case you’re wondering, I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks and stuff from the ‘80s. The ‘80s stuff gets me back into my youthful, daydreaming self, the kind who wrote adventure stories starring me and sundry members of Duran Duran. Yep—I wrote fan fiction long before I even knew there was such a thing as fan fiction. We didn’t even have the Internet back then, kids. Crazy, right?

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Sit down and do it.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Be prepared for setbacks and deviations from your plans. It’s not all smooth sailing, even after your first sale. And don’t give up. Write because you love to write, not for the promise of money or accolades, because those might not come, or, if they do, not for a long, long time.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

Usually, I talk with my critique partner (aka my husband). He’s also a writer, and a font of ideas. If something’s giving me trouble, we go on long walks or hikes and talk about the story.

Do you work with a critique group?

Again, my critique group is my husband. He and I spend time hashing out the plot, I write a detailed outline, get his notes, then start writing. He gives me notes every three chapters, then he reads the whole manuscript, more notes, revision, then on to my agent for her notes, another rewrite based on those notes, and then, finally, to my editor. My editor says my manuscripts are very clean. They should be, considering how much work and revision goes into them!

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

I try to read things that aren’t romance so I get a broader vision of the world. But, honestly, there are always more ideas percolating in my head, so this doesn’t happen very often.

What are 5 of your favorite novels?

LOLITA, Vladimir Nabokov
THE TIN DRUM, Gunter Grass
THE ENGLISH PATIENT, Michael Ondaatje
JANE EYRE, Charlotte Bronte
PERSUASION, Jane Austen

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

I don’t read them! I went to a schmancy MFA program, but I discovered that the best way for me to learn about writing was to sit myself down and do it.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

Non-romance titles: TINKERS, Paul Harding (he and I were at the MFA program at the same time)
A GATE AT THE STAIRS, Lorrie Moore
UNACCUSTOMED EARTH, Jhumpa Lahiri.

Romance titles: WICKED BECOMES YOU, Meredith Duran
TWICE TEMPTED BY A ROGUE, Tessa Dare
THE FORBIDDEN ROSE, Joanna Bourne
THE TREASURE KEEPER, Shana Abe

For more about Zoë Archer and her books, visit http://www.zoearcherbooks.com/.

Contract Day

2010-08-11T17:35:00.001-07:00

When I published The Belly Dancer, my big goal was for the novel to do well enough that I would be able to publish a second novel.

Well, I have to come up with a new goal because here's the contract for book No. 2.

There's no title yet, but here's the tidy blurb the lovely people (probably my awesome editor) at Berkley wrote:

A novel set in turn of the century New York City, about a young chorus girl whose love of dancing leads her on a quest to save a venerable vaudeville house from closing its doors, and who discovers in the process the price -- and value -- of true love.

My deadline for the manuscript is April 2011, so the book will be out, I'd expect, sometime in 2012.

I'm so excited about this story, and I've been spending a lot of time -- a lot -- researching the vaudeville world. A world that's full of colorful characters, big dreams, wit, drama -- everything a storyteller could hope for. And there's dancing! (If you know me at all, you had to know there would be dancing.)

I'm thrilled for so many reasons, not least of which is that this will be the first time I'm writing a novel on a deadline. The ex-journalist in me is so up for that challenge.

Which reminds me, I still need to finish today's pages... :-)

BACKSTORY: The story behind AWAKENED BY A KISS, by Lila DiPasqua

2010-08-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Historical romance author Lila DiPasqua makes her publishing debut tomorrow with AWAKENED BY A KISS, a collection of stories based on three classic fairy tales, scandalously retold, and marks the first in the author’s Fiery Tales series.

DiPasqua’s “lushly erotic writing is sophisticated, sensuous, and deeply romantic,” says bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt.
During the submission process, DiPasqua received two offers of representation, and the contract with a New York publishing house followed shortly thereafter.

“My editor at Berkley told me she read the book on the train to work and didn’t want the train to stop so she could keep reading to the end,” DiPasqua recalls. “The book is a fresh take on classic fairy tales as I’ve set the book in the very place and time when the genre of fairy tales was born.”

The series will continue in November with THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, a collection of three more hot stories.

What is your writing process? Do you outline, or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I do a little of both, actually. I write a general outline before I start a book. I’ll know the characters and I’ll have some scenes drafted out. Then I dive into the book and let the muse take me where it wants. It’s a little scary and exciting at the same time.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I write from Monday to Friday, during the day when my kids are at school. Depending on the deadline, I may write on weekends, too. I try to write a certain number of pages per day, but some days the muse leaves the building. I visit Facebook or Twitter until it returns.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I turn on classical music. I write historical romance and it definitely puts me in the “historical” frame of mind. Plus, it’s simply beautiful to listen to. To change things up, I sometimes listen to new age music when I write. Either helps to keep me focused.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Make sure your book has *escalating* conflict from the beginning until the black moment. That will prevent the book from having a saggy middle. For the main characters, the conflict can be internal, or coming from external pressures. Either way, the conflict should continue to build until the climax of the story. Sounds basic and common sense, right? But awhile back, as a new writer, when I heard that I had a huge light bulb moment.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Organizing your time between writing and promoting is key. You can’t simply sit back and wait for the sales to roll in. You have to promote the book with as much passion as you had when you wrote it. As a debut author, I honestly had no idea just how much time and work authors put into promoting their work. It’s given me a whole new respect for authors—especially those who have established themselves in the publishing world.

How do you overcome writers block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

I have amazing critique partners! I get writers’ block when I hit a snag in the plot. Discussing the problem with my critique partners always does the trick.

Do you work with a critique group?

Yes! I have a critique group, five wonderfully talented writers who are worth their weight in gold! We’ve been together for years. We’ve worked on many manuscripts together. Before being published, we used to get together once a week, but deadlines make that a bit difficult. Now we simply exchange chapters as we need. Their feedback is invaluable to me.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

GMC: GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT, by Debra Dixon. It’s one of my first books on writing. I have it by my desk. It’s easy to digest, clear and concise.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

My to-be-read pile is huge, but on the top is Lisa Kleypas’s latest series (The Hathaways). I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this series and I can’t wait to dive in.

For more about Lila DiPasqua and her books, visit http://www.liladipasqua.com/.

And the July Contest winner is...

2010-07-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

This has been such a fun contest. First, I'd like to say I really appreciate all the kind notes people sent along with their entries, both from those who have read "The Belly Dancer" and others who plan to. And it's no surprise there were a lot of entries -- 102, in fact. Those lovely dancers from Bellydance Superstars draw a crowd wherever they go, don't they? I admire these ladies so much for elevating the dance form and helping it break into the mainstream. I'm thrilled to be giving away their Solos from Monte Carlo DVD, along with the belly dance starter pack.

Anyway, let's get down to business. The winner, as usual, was selected by my charming assistant. It's such a pretty day outside, she even dressed up in her summertime best for the occasion. See:

And the winner is:

Melissa Loomis

(Congrats, congrats!!!)

Melissa, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Friday!

BACKSTORY: The story behind BLACK MAGIC, by Cherry Adair

2010-07-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

Bestselling author Cherry Adair moved from South Africa to the United States as a young adult to cultivate a career as an interior designer, but it is her talent for action-packed storytelling that has made her, as Romantic Times has said, “one of the reigning queens of romantic adventure.”

In May 1994, Adair introduced readers to her fictional anti-terrorist group T-FLAC with her debut novel, THE MERCENARY, originally published in the Harlequin Temptations line and re-released in 2008 by HQN with an additional 100 pages.

She continued the series in 2000 with KISS AND TELL, and subsequently has published 15 other novels – most of them incorporating her T-FLAC world – as well as six anthologies.

Adair’s titles have landed on the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists and earned her numerous awards. Today's she's celebrating the releas of her newest adventure, the paranormal romance BLACK MAGIC.

The author lives near Seattle with her husband.

What was the inspiration for BLACK MAGIC?

I had an idea for a powerful wizard villain. I’ve never had the germ of an idea because of the bad guy before! I usually know who my hero is, then give him his heroine, then decided who the bad guy is. This was all backwards. It worked. But the bad guy still gives me the willies!

What was your writing process?

I do a detailed outline after I’ve plotted the book. I used to write by the seat of my pants, but it proved too slow, too painful a process for me. Once I have a road map detailed by my left brain, I can use right brain to fly through the twists and turns and not worry that I’ll hit a roadblock along the way. A well-plotted book makes my writing much faster, and a lot easier.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I write full time at least five days a week, more the closer I get to the due date of my deadline. I come into my office ready to work at 9 a.m. (That means dressed, face on, hair done, shoes and earrings! Exactly is if I were going to an outside office.) I write until 6 p.m., and then do a little research for the next day if necessary.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I have contracts. Publishers waiting for the book as they tap their nails on their desks (or so I’d like to think). There is no frame of mind other than sit my butt in my chair and write.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Sit your butt in the chair.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

It doesn’t get any easier. But it’s still the best job in the world!

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

Since I plot all my books, that rarely happens. If and when it does, it usually means I’m in the wrong POV.

Do you work with a critique group?

I work with a critique partner whom I trust. We exchange Word documents and use Track Changes before sending that chapter back. I’ve learned to love red!

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

Again it goes back to a well-plotted book. Once in a while I feel flat not fluffy, and when that happens I scan my plotting board to find a scene I’m dying to write. Maybe it’s a fast-paced fight scene—lots of action, or a slow paced love scene or a verbal sparring match between the hero and heroine. It’s out of context, but because it’s been plotted and I already know the motivation, it’s fun to write just those pages out of order. Once I’ve primed the pump that way, I can go back to where I was.

What are five of your favorite novels?

There are too many to count! But in no particular order these are the authors who are must-reads for me: Anne Stuart, Tom & Sharon Curtis, Linda Howard, Nora Roberts and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

Hands down—Debra Dixon’s GOAL, MOTIVATION AND CONFLICT. It is a must for every writer’s tool kit, and should be read, studied and then referred to often.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

The pile is so huge it’s now unmanageable. My buying habits haven’t changed since I was a reader, not a writer. But now there’s very little time to indulge my desire to curl up with a good book. I usually read historical romances or Regencies when I have time while I’m writing. And these days I’m always writing, so my reading has to take a far distant back seat. (Darn it!)

For more about Cherry Adair and her books, visit http://www.tflac.com/.

Anniversary Giveaway

2010-07-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's been a year since The Belly Dancer hit bookstore shelves? Me, neither! But what an amazing year it has been!

To celebrate the big day, I'm giving away the "Bellydance Superstars Solos from Monte Carlo," which is one of my favorite performance videos. It features some terrifically talented dancers, including Rachel Brice, Jillina, and Sonia (posing on the cover), as well as Adore, Bozenka, Amar Gamal, Petite Jamilla, Sharon Kihara and Saida. Of course there are great musicians, too: Issam Houshan on drum and Nabil Khalidi on the oud.

And, as an added bonus, I'm also including the cute little Art of Belly Dancing starter pack. It includes a pair of finger cymbals, adhesive jewels, and a 32-page primer.

To enter the contest, click over to http://www.deannacameron.com/. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PDT) on Friday, July 30.

Good luck!

Heading to Morocco, virtually...

2010-07-01T09:17:00.001-07:00

I just discovered this amazing blog: The House in Marrakesh

The photos are so beautiful, and I'm finding myself returning again and again. If you're like me and don't have any exotic travels on the horizon, they might satisfy your travel bug, too.

And the June Contest winner is...

2010-06-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the 200-plus people who entered the contest for the new, jingly yellow hip scarf. As always, the winner was selected by my highly official and incorruptable assistant. It was tricky this time -- Sesame Street was on and she just can't get enough of Elmo.

And the winner is:

Dana Packer

(Yay!!!)

Congratulations, Dana! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Monday!

Writing and Cooking (and Eating!)

2010-06-17T14:39:00.001-07:00

I love to write, obviously. But I also love to cook, and today over at a wonderful website featuring book-inspired recipes called Chef Amore, you can find my recipe for a braised chicken dish that I think captures the spirit of "The Belly Dancer."

If you'd like to make it a feast, I've also included recipes for Persian-style rice, roasted garlic hummus and a sweet mint syrup to flavor your tea.

If you're interested, you can check it out here:

http://www.chefamore.com/home/2010/6/17/recipes-from-author-deanna-cameron.html

Think Your Booksigning Was Bad?

2010-06-10T11:54:00.001-07:00

Check out this video mystery author Parnell Hall created ... so funny:

BACKSTORY: The Story Behind TEMPTING A PROPER LADY, with author Debra Mullins

2010-06-08T09:53:00.001-07:00

Since the 1999 release of her debut, ONCE A MISTRESS, award-winning historical romance author Debra Mullins has published a novel a year, every year, including DONOVAN’S BED, an RWA RITA finalist in 2000, and last year’s TO RUIN A DUKE, a finalist for this year’s Book Buyers Best award (the winner will be announced at the June 12 meeting).

Her latest novel, TEMPTING A PROPER LADY, arrives today and kicks off a new Victorian-set series. It’s been called “humorous, spirited and charming” by RT Book Reviews, and “one hot book,” by Coffee Time Romance & More.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

I was having a conversation about weddings with my editor, Esi Sogah, at the RWA conference in San Francisco. She was going to be in a wedding, and I had just gotten married two years prior. That casual conversation sparked the idea that became TEMPTING A PROPER LADY.

What was your writing process?

My process is to write a detailed synopsis, which is me working out the story. This helps me test the conflicts and make sure everything is clicking. Then I start writing the book. I find I usually rewrite the beginning a number of times, then usually end up going back to the original incarnation. Apparently my first idea was the right one, but I have this need to verify.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I still work a full-time job, so my writing time is directly proportionate to my deadlines. The closer I get to deadline, the more I write. I often spend whole weekends writing, as well as some hours during the week, either before or after work.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I often use music to help me get into the zone. When I first started writing, my desk was in the living room of our two-bedroom apartment. Very often my children would be in the living room watching TV. In order to shut out the noise, I started wearing headphones to listen to music. Now, even though I have a whole office to myself in my house, I still put on those headphones to write. It's a signal to my brain—and to the rest of the family. If I am in my office with my headphones on, they know it’s Do Not Disturb time.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Read your manuscript straight through as a reader, not a writer or editor. As a reader, you will instinctively know when something is wrong or missing, something you might miss looking at the work through a writer/editor’s eyes.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Publishing is a business. While editors and publishers love books, they are in the business of selling books, not fulfilling dreams, and their decisions are often made with that goal in mind. It can be a hard lesson to learn for us creative artist types.

How do you overcome writers block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

I talk to other writers. Often trying to explain the story helps me see where I am stuck and how to get out of it.

Do you work with a critique group?

I have had a number of critique groups/partners over the years. I have a couple of long-distance friends who help me brainstorm plot, since that is harder for me than character. I also meet with a local critique group every month after the OCC meeting. We take turns submitting work and also do an online chat once a week when we are not meeting in person. I recently joined the EVA chapter (East Valley Authors). They are a small group but have a critique session after every meeting. Each of these venues offers me something different, and I submit depending on what I am trying to learn.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

I find that by doing something else for a while, your creative batteries recharge. My pastimes are mostly reading, writing or watching TV or movies. I don't have a whole lot of other hobbies—I don't have time! But I have found that doing something mindless for a while can help me regroup. Things like doing the laundry or showering or loading the dishwasher. These tasks keep my hands busy while my mind is free to wander.

What are five of your favorite novels?

Only five? I'm better off naming five of my favorite authors: J.D. Robb, Marjorie M. Liu, Mercedes Lackey, Jayne Ann Krentz and Robin D. Owens

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

WRITING FROM THE INSIDE OUT, by Dennis Palumbo.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

The pile is huge. Right now I am in the middle of Tina Gabrielle's LADY OF SCANDAL.

For more about Debra Mullins and her books, visit http://www.debramullins.com/

Celebrating 117 years of American belly dance with a giveaway

2010-06-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

The summer of 1893 was an important one for American belly dance. While the Egyptian belly dancers were scandalizing the crowds at the Chicago World's Fair with their shimmies and hip drops, they were also introducing a generation of women to this exciting dance form.

And it seems belly dance has never been more popular than it is today. Not only can you find festivals dedicated to its art, history and practice in most major cities, belly dance classes can now be found alongside ballet, tap and jazz in many colleges and community dance programs. Imagine what those prim and proper Board of Lady Managers would say about that!

So, in honor of that momentous occasion 117 years ago, I'm giving away a cheery yellow hip scarf that's perfect for summertime!

To enter the contest, visit my website at http://www.deannacameron.com/ and follow the contest link.

I'll be choosing a name at random on Monday, June 21. There are more details on the contest page.

Good luck!

Maybe the best bio ever...

2010-05-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

I recently read "Pleasure and Purpose" by Megan Hart and was browsing through Amazon for the title of the next in the series. I came across her bio on her author page, and I believe it just might be the best one ever:

I was born and then I lived a while and I did some stuff. Then I did some things and whatnot. Now, I mostly write books.

See, I told you... Awesome.
(Also, I'm a big fan of the word "whatnot" -- I believe it's sorely underused...)

BACKSTORY: The story behind THE LAST LONE WOLF, by Maureen Child

2010-05-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

To say USA Today bestselling author Maureen Child is prolific is an understatement. Since her first, RUN WILD MY HEART, debuted in February 1992, the longtime OCC-RWA member has written more than 110 romance novels and novellas under her own name, as well as pseudonyms Ann Carberry, Kathleen Kane and Sarah Hart. Her work encompasses a variety of subgenres (contemporary, historical and paranormal), and has earned her six RITA Award nominations, the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Prism, the Golden Quill and a career achievement award from Romantic Times magazine. Also, her novel A POCKETFUL OF PARADISE was made into the 1999 movie THE SOUL COLLECTOR, starring Melissa Gilbert and Hilary Duff.

Child’s latest novel, THE LAST LONE WOLF, hits bookshelves today.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

THE LAST LONE WOLF is the last one in a quartet about brothers in my ongoing Kings of California series for Silhouette Desire. Jericho King is the loner brother. He joined the Marines young, going outside the family dynasty to find his own way. I needed to find a way to keep him the “loner” while still showing that he has the same need as anyone else, to connect, to fall in love.

What was your writing process? Did you outline, or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I do a synopsis for my editor and then I use the synopsis as a roadmap for the book. I don’t really outline. For me, it feels like that’s writing the book twice. Everyone’s different though. A good friend of mine, Susan Mallery, does a detailed outline before she starts the book. That would make me crazy, yet it’s what works for her. The synopsis is enough for me. It gives me plenty of wiggle room if I want to add things—though I don’t make any major changes to it without first running it past my editor. If she buys a certain book, I want to make sure she gets that book.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I usually work six days a week—that’s for four to five hours a day. But my goal isn’t hours spent, it’s pages done. So however long it takes me to reach my page goal is how long I’ll be on the computer. Some days that could be two hours, some days…not.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I’m always reading. I read everybody and everything. Romance, mystery, YA, suspense, scifi. There’s something about losing yourself in a great book that revs you up to get going on your own. When I’m not reading, I’m daydreaming and usually, my characters sneak in and come up with a terrific argument or conversation, and that sends me running to the computer to get it all down before I forget it!

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

It was actually in a morning program here at OCC when I was first starting out. Susan Liepitz gave it and included this quote from Calvin Coolidge:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Geniuses will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

I heard that and it just resonated with me. I’ve always remembered one phrase: There is no substitute for persistence. And I made up my mind that I wouldn’t stop. Ever. Until I had reached my goal of being a professional writer.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Ah, to not chase trends. By the time you’ve recognized that there is a trend, you’re seeing the tail end of it. Books that are flooding the market now were bought by the publishers more than a year ago, usually. So, if you start chasing the Trend Train, all you’ll catch will be the caboose. And that’s not a good ride.

How do you overcome writers block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

By continuing to write. For me (and I’m saying this only for me,) writer’s block simply doesn’t exist. If I’m having a hard time of it or can’t make myself open Word, that’s just my mind’s way of trying to get me to take a day off! And the hardest part of being a working writer is the discipline thing. I’m a very generous employer and would like to give myself the day off far too often!

But I work on deadlines. And if I’m late on one, it has a domino effect and can send my schedule tumbling out of whack for a year or more. I simply can’t afford writer’s block. I write anyway. It may be (and probably is on some days) complete garbage. But to paraphrase Nora Roberts, I can fix a bad page. I can’t fix an empty one.

Do you work with a critique group?

When I first started, I worked with a critique partner, Cheryl Arguile (she writes excellent mysteries under the name Emily Brightwell). We met once a week, exchanged pages that we’d done during the week, and over coffee, we tore up each other’s words with bright red pens. Then we’d look them over, talk about what worked and what didn’t and why, then retreat to our own computers for another week. It worked great for us, because we learned together and we were both determined to become published authors. Cheryl sold before I did, which just made me even more dedicated to doing the same.

I do have a plot group I go to twice a year, but I don’t really have a critique group or partner anymore. Though I do send chapters to Kate Carlisle when I’m feeling really whiny about my work—which, she can tell you is fairly often. We read each other’s stuff and catch any major holes or logic problems or…the inevitable typos. Otherwise no, when my book is finished, I send it in.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

Reading. Watching movies. Or the million or so DVD series I have. Or, I call my friends and say HELP! This is where I am and this is what I’m thinking and what do you think? We can kick a story idea around or commiserate on feeling uncreative. All good.

What are 5 of your favorite novels?

HOUSE OF MANY SHADOWS, Barbara Michaels
CARNAL INNOCENCE, Nora Roberts
THE UGLIES, by Scott Westerfield
CROCODILE ON THE SANDBANK, Elizabeth Peters
THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE, Stephanie Laurens

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

I’ve never been a big “books on craft” kind of person. But GMC by Debra Dixon was excellent. Still pull that one out from time to time.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

There are a lot.
A LADY’S GUIDE TO IMPROPER BEHAVIOR, Suzanne Enoch
THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE, Mary Higgins Clark
CHASING PERFECT, Susan Mallery
LOVE IN THE TIME OF DRAGONS, Katie MacAlister
THE PARIS VENDETTA, Steve Berry
Okay, this is getting too long….stopping now.

For more on Maureen Child and her books, visit http://www.maureenchild.com/.

BACKSTORY: The Story Behind HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, with Jess Haines

2010-05-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

I’m excited to feature my literary agency sister, Jess Haines, who this week is debuting HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, the first book in her H&W Investigations series. It’s been praised as “fresh and snappy, dark and sexy,” by New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian, who calls Haines “a talent to watch!” It’s also been deemed “a delightful romp of a book,” by New York Times bestselling author Angela Knight.

Of course, that comes as no surprise to me. I already knew she was an amazing talent. :-)

And a busy one. The former New Yorker who now makes her home in Los Angeles has two more Shiarra Waynest novels in progress, as well as a novella in the anthology NOCTURNAL, scheduled for release in September.

Congratulations, Jess!

What was the inspiration for this novel?

I’m a fan of cheesy horror movies. When Blade hit theaters in ’98, it inspired the creation of the character, Shiarra Waynest. She originally started out as a kick-ass, jaded vampire hunter. Go figure.

Over the years, I never forgot the idea for the character, but the bits and things I wrote that included her got put by the wayside. I worked on other stuff, life got in the way, etc. While working on a high fantasy novel, I realized that it was a struggle to write it and I’d been battling with it for far too long (2001 to 2008). That book was supposed to be my crowning achievement – which I later came to realize meant I was taking myself far too seriously. It wasn’t fun for me anymore. So I shelved the high fantasy and started writing something lighter, something funnier — something that didn’t feel like pulling teeth to get down on paper. HUNTED BY THE OTHERS was born!

What was your writing process?

I’m a pantser. All pants, all the time. Much to the occasional dismay of my editor…

How much time do you spend writing each week?

As much as possible. Never less than an hour; usually between two to four hours.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

Sit my butt down in the chair, open up my word processor, and ignore the shiny internets and such that do their best to distract me.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Miss Snark said it best: “Quit obsessing. Write well.”

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

That your agent and editor will not grow ten feet tall, spew fire, and/or bite your head off if you have questions or disagree with a suggestion they give about changing something in your work. They are (awesome) people who are there to help you make your novel the best it can be. They are not there to chew your magnum opus up and spit out something vaguely novel shaped at the other end — as long as you treat them with respect, and present any arguments logically, that is.

When they take on a novel, your success is their success. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarify if you need to.

How do you overcome writers block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

I sulk about it for a bit. Then I get over it and work on something else for a while. It helps clear the air for me – and leads up to a lot of unfinished drafts! Usually once I’ve gotten whatever’s been bugging me out of my system (taking a couple days off, taking a walk, talking to somebody about it, jotting down that other idea that’s been dying to get out, etc), I’m good to go.

Do you work with a critique group?

I used to be involved in a critique group. Unfortunately, they split up, so I haven’t been working with them for a while. These days, I just have my beta readers to help me out. They do a fabulous job spotting everything from grammar and spelling to magically appearing pants. Yes, really.

While I’m talking about ‘em, I’d like to give a shout out – thanks Binah, Eve, Evi, Kristin and Jen! You guys rock my socks!

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

Coffee and chocolate. After a bit of both, I can do anything!

In all seriousness, when I spend time brainstorming with friends or immersing myself in a good book, it helps freshen things up and give me new ideas to work with.

What are five of your favorite novels?

Oh, man, that’s tough. There are so many I love! I’ll do one for each of my favorite genres (and one subgenre):

Urban Fantasy: DEAD WITCH WALKING, by Kim Harrison
Fantasy: THE ELVENBANE, by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
Sci-Fi: BATTLEFIELD EARTH, by L. Ron Hubbard
Horror: THE TOMMYKNOCKERS, by Stephen King
Romance: THE SECRET, by Julie Garwood

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

To be honest, I’ve never read any. Unless you count dictionaries or books on grammar.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

My to-be-read pile is constantly changing. I keep a pretty decent list on Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines) – but right now, I’m in the middle of HUNTER’S MOON, by C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, and THE MAD SHIP, by Robin Hobb. Next up is DEMON POSSESSED, by Stacia Kane.

For more about Jess Haines and her books, visit http://www.jesshaines.com/.

Writing, writing, and oh yeah, more writing

2010-04-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know, I haven't had much to say lately. But I haven't been idle, honest. Just writing. And writing. And writing some more. Today there's a workman in the house -- a bathroom is getting a little sprucing up, thanks to this year's tax refund (yay!) -- and the munchkin is being her adorable, if somewhat high-maintenance self, but otherwise it is expected to be another clear day of steady writing ahead.

I have a new interview to post, though! Here's a teaser: It's a fantastic new author of urban fantasy and she's a pretty cool gal to boot.

(Picture via)

The New Sounds of Vaudeville...

2010-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those authors who doesn't like to talk about new stories much before they're done. But I'm going to break that rule a little bit right now because I was so, so happy to find this amazing CD this weekend at one of my favorite local belly dance festivals. It's not only the perfect soundtrack to the story I'm working on, it's given me a huge boost of inspiration just when I really needed it.

Check out the link to hear some samples...

http://www.empcds.com/comp-vaudeville.html

BACKSTORY: The Story Behind MASQUERADE, by Sheri Whitefeather

2010-04-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

Busy bestselling author Sheri Whitefeather kicked off her writing career with the Silhouette Desire romance WARRIOR’S BABY in 1999, and she has been steadily adding to her list of published novels ever since. This month she debuts her 34th title, MASQUERADE, which is the third erotic romance she has published with Berkley Heat (the previous two were published under her pen name, Cherie Feather). This summer she will add another two, PRIVATE DANCER, and the novella WEDDING FAVORS.

In addition to erotic romance, the former makeup artist and leather artisan writes historical and contemporary romances, and many of her stories incorporate her vast knowledge of Native American culture.

For this interview, Whitefeather shares her thoughts on her upcoming release, MASQUERADE.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

Luke and Amber, the hero and heroine, are secondary characters that appeared in other books. They evolved from a ménage, which created a romantic challenge for me. I had to delve into Amber’s mind and help her figure out why she favored ménages and wasn’t able to commit to one man in the past. As for Luke, I had to help him figure out why he was currently involved in a threesome when he was more of a traditional guy.

Although MASQUERADE is a contemporary romance and Luke and Amber’s relationship is the focal point of the story, there is also a historical subplot. When I first started writing, I didn’t think I had a historical voice. But I do! So far, all of my Berkley Heats have been plotted and written this way. I’m happy to say that I’ve received praise for it, too. Readers love the historical twists.

What was your writing process?

I usually create a brief outline and let details develop as I write. I like seeing the story unfold, especially when the characters take over and start changing the rules. Their spontaneity is what keeps my job fresh and fun.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

When I’m deep in the throes of a story, I work six to seven day a week. It’s hard to walk away from the computer or focus on other things. I’m compulsive, I suppose. But I think most prolific writers are.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I just sit down and write. If the pages suck, I rewrite them until they work. I actually do better in the polishing stages. That’s the part I enjoy the most.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Many years ago at OCC, a multi-published author gave a workshop about the financial aspect of writing and how many books a year most authors have to sell to survive. It opened my eyes to the business side of writing and prepared me for the road ahead. Up until that point, every workshop I attended was based on the mechanics and/or creative sides of writing. I’ve come to realize how important it is to discuss the ups and downs of actually making a living from our craft, too.

What is something you know now about writing that you wish you had known when you started?

When I was new, I thought every word I wrote would remain imbedded in my mind. But after almost 40 books, I get forgetful. I’ll marvel over a clever passage from my current work, then realize it’s not all that clever because I’ve used the same phrase before. Sometimes I have to go back and check. The amazing thing is that our readers remember everything.

How do you overcome writers block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

I’ve never had writer’s block, but I do hit rough patches in a story. Sometimes I discuss it with my critique partners, and sometimes I sit quietly and wait for the characters to speak to me. Of course sometimes I don’t even know it’s a rough patch and an editor will point it out and request a revision.

Could you elaborate on your critique group?

Judy Duarte and Chris Marie Green are my critique partners, and they read everything I write. We’ve been working together for over 10 years and are the best of friends. In the beginning, we mailed our pages back and forth. Then we started faxing. Now, of course, we email. Their feedback is essential. I couldn’t imagine my career without them.

What are 5 of your favorite novels?

My all-time favorite book is RIDE THE WIND, by Lucia St. Clair Robson. It’s based on the life of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was captured by the Comanche and married one of their chiefs. It’s beautiful and tragic and powerfully written. Cynthia was a remarkable woman and her son, Quanah Parker, became the last free war chief of the Comanche.

Next up is Kathleen Eagle’s FIRE AND RAIN. I love every book she’s ever written, but this one inspired me to try my hand at contemporary novels with historical subplots. Kathleen’s execution of the dual time frames blew me away.

My favorite erotic romance is MENAGE, by Emma Holly. This is the first threesome book I ever read, and it still tops the charts. The characters are deep and emotional and the plot is wonderfully daring.

My favorite adventure is TARZAN OF THE APES. I read it when I was a teenager and couldn’t put it down. In my opinion, Tarzan has been poorly depicted in movies and on TV. I think the closest and truest movie rendition is “Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.” Christopher Lambert captured the essence of the character.

Lastly, my favorite classic is GONE WITH THE WIND. I’ve always loved the movie, and when a reader sent me a copy of the book, I was thrilled to read it.

For more about Sheri Whitefeather and her books, visit http://www.sheriwhitefeather.com/.

Thank you for the Lovely Blog award...

2010-03-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Time has been getting away from me lately and I've been remiss in not giving a heart-felt thank-you to A.F. Heart for giving this blog a Lovely Blog Award. Ms. Heart keeps a very interesting blog called Mysteries and My Musings: A Celebration of Mystery and Suspense that is filled with book reviews, musings on the mystery genre and the writing craft, and other odds and ends. If you aren't familiar with it, it's definitely worth a look.

So, thank you, thank you, Ms. Heart. Your recognition is very much appreciated.

LGOC's Festival of Women Authors

2010-03-18T14:49:00.001-07:00

The Literary Guild of Orange County's annual Festival of Women Authors will be held Saturday, May 22 at the Irvine Marriott Hotel, and it's going to be another can't-miss event.

The featured authors are Kristin Hannah, Rhys Bowen, Helaine Becker, Wendy Hornsby, Tania James, Rhoda Janzen, July Marie Myatt and Sandra Tsing Loh.

The festival sells out every year, so act fast if you're interested in attending. Check the group's website for registration information.

Backstory, The Story Behind A TWIST IN TIME, by Susan Squires

2010-03-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

The novels of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Susan Squires are often praised for their deftly depicted characters, lush historical settings, clever paranormal mythology and captivating storytelling, so it’s no surprise readers eagerly await each new release. Her debut, DANEGELD, won the Holt Medallion for best first book, the Golden Heart Contest in 2000 for best paranormal romance, as well as numerous regional RWA contests. She’s gone on to write twelve more novels, including the popular Companion series of vampire tales, which began with the 2002 release of SACRAMENT, winner of that year’s PRISM award for dark paranormal.

This month she delivers A TWIST IN TIME, the ninth Companion series book, which continues to build on the time-travel dimension she introduced in her September release, TIME FOR ETERNITY.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

I have been enjoying writing my time travel series a great deal. I was talking to my editor about the next in the series, and she said, why don’t you bring someone forward, instead of sending someone back? (I have a great editor at St. Martins, Jennifer Enderlin). I got very excited about that. (I have a soft spot for Kate and Leopold.) So, I thought about what time periods I already knew to reduce the research. I know Dark Age Britain quite well from my first novel, DANEGELD, and my fourth, DANELAW. I spent quite a bit of time in England researching the Viking age. So I brought a Viking warrior forward into modern day San Francisco. I had a character that appears right at the end of DANELAW, who has some magic of his own. I concocted some villains who wanted the time machine for their own dire purposes, and I made the heroine a bookseller – who normally would have nothing in common with a Viking. I thought it would be fun for a rare bookseller to have a very Viking male on her hands. I also knew that the Viking would speak Old English as well as Old Norse (since he was living in Anglo Saxon England as a conqueror) and maybe even Latin, the language of the priests who were just coming into England in 986 AD. What was most fun was the fact that they speak the same language (English), just separated by time, so that they realize only slowly that they can communicate. I sat with my Old English dictionary and picked out words they would have in common. That kept me interested for nine months. And I figured out half way through that they were going to have to sail. I studied up, but my neighbor, who teaches sailing for the city of Redondo Beach, took me out in some swells and I learned to sail his 25 foot sailboat. What a blast.

What was your writing process? Did you outline, or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I used to write by the seat of my pants. Unfortunately, while my first editor allowed that, my current editor panicked. She now requires that I submit a brief (two pages?) outline, and has structured my contracts to require it. I get paid ten percent of my advance when she approves it. Smart woman. I thought I couldn’t write if I worked it out first, but really it saves me a lot of time and ensures that I can turn my books in on time.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

It depends on what stage I’m in. If I am working on that synopsis, I can work for very long at a time. Once I get going, I work two nights a week and Saturdays. If I’m traveling for the day job, I write in hotels at night, and in the center seats of the plane if necessary.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

Oh, my. When you actually have a deadline and a big day job, you don’t get the luxury of waiting for the muse to strike. I use odd times in the day to plan what I will write next (as I’m falling asleep? in the shower?). By the time I come to my planned writing time, I know what I’m doing. I sit down somewhere with my laptop, anywhere will do, though I need relative quiet. Then I read a few paragraphs of what I’d written before to gather momentum (fixing a little as I read) and get to it.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

There are so many pieces of good advice. Don’t give up. (I did that for a while when I was trying to get published.) Show don’t tell—that sort of thing. The advice I give myself is “Just do it.” You can’t be a writer without writing. A lot. Even if you can’t do it every day (I certainly can’t.) And the most startling thing my editor ever said to me is “The first chapter is often the author clearing her throat and getting ready to tell the story.” Her point was—cut to the chase and start fast and well into the story. That one sticks with me.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

I actually think you can know too much about publishing when you are trying to get started. That line from “Star Wars”—“Never tell me the odds, kid”—comes to mind. I do think I caused myself a lot of heartache by trying to get published before I really knew how to write. I had to go back and learn that before I was ready.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

When I get stuck (and for me it happens about page 100 in every book), I step away from it for a day or two and try to think what I don’t know that is stopping me from continuing. Often it’s that I don’t know the characters well enough or I haven’t figured out what the villain would really do to drive the middle of the book. I’m a big believer in trying to find the right question to ask yourself. Your subconscious mind will answer those questions. It’s important to ask positive questions. (Why does this book suck is not positive. Your subconscious mind will answer that one, too, but the answers won’t help you get started again—they’ll just depress you.) So questions like, What would the character do? Why does the character have this trait? How can I ramp up the tension? What does the villain really want and why? Those help you get started again. Try asking questions. It’s never failed me yet.

Do you seek any feedback before submitting your manuscript?

I don’t work with a critique group. I used to, and it was helpful to hone my craft and get feedback. I recommend it highly as you’re starting out. But after a while, submitting a few pages a week for people to read wasn’t keeping up to the pace I needed to keep. I also felt I had gotten what the group had to give me. As I became surer of my direction, the conflicting comments were drawing me off base. I worried that if I incorporated all of them, I would write “generic book,” rather than a unique vision. So now, when I’m in the second draft, I give the book to my husband, Harry. I’m so lucky that he’s a talented writer in his own right. He gives it a quick read through for individual problems and assesses how the whole story arc works. I give him a deadline, by the way. I leave myself enough time to incorporate his comments, and then submit. My editor is my next critique partner. She always has comments!

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

There’s nothing like having a deadline for motivation! So before I was on contract with a publishing house, I would give myself deadlines. Then I would work out how much I had to do each week to meet them. It’s really important to set small, incremental goals, not just a big one some time in the distance. I still do that. Two months to figure it out, six months to write it at X number of pages a week, with some time built in for being stuck, and a month to revise it. If your creative batteries are low, try to go back to something you really want to write, no matter how wild it is. That will cook in your subconscious and percolate up into something fresh.

What are five of your favorite novels?

I hate these questions. But at least you gave me five. I love the Patrick O”Brian Master and Commander series (all twenty—I’m counting them as one). Great studies in character. Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse series (ditto counting as one.) I’ve been a fan since the beginning. Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton family Regencies—funny and light, and the first chapter of ON THE WAY TO THE WEDDING is a great example of show don’t tell. Any James Lee Burke mystery. Who says that hard-boiled mysteries can’t be art? And I love Georgette Heyer. She got me started. Uh, oh. Only five? What about Jane Austin and James Crais and Janet Evanovich and ....
What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

It’s a toss up between Steven King’s ON WRITING for the feel of being a writer, and James Frey’s HOW TO WRITE A DAMN GOOD NOVEL for simple, easy directions.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

Well, I’m a judge for the Ritas, so I have seven of those before mid-March. I’m in the middle of Cormac McCarthy”s The Road--beautiful writing.

For more information about Susan Squires and her books, visit www.SusanSquires.com.

And the February contest winner is...

2010-02-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for the band new, jingly red hip scarf. The winner was selected, once again, by my unbiased and incorruptable contest official. I admit, she was a little distracted this time. I was unfortunately cutting into her nap time ...

And the winner is:

Marci

(woot-woot!)

Congratulations, Marci! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ often to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Friday!

BACKSTORY: The Story Behind IF BOOKS COULD KILL, by Kate Carlisle

2010-02-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

It’s not often that a debut novel hits the New York Times best-seller list, but that’s exactly what happened in March 2009 to OCC/RWA member Kate Carlisle’s HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER. RT Book Reviews praised Carlisle’s “delightfully eccentric character” and “droll dialogue,” and called heroine Brooklyn Wainwright “brilliant, feisty and funny.”

This month, Signet released the second book in Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mystery series – IF LOOKS COULD KILL – and she has generously agreed to talk about her inspiration, writing process and what she’s learned along her road to publication.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

Book two of my bibliophile mystery series takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the inspiration for the book was … Edinburgh! It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. I love the people, the pubs, the history, the castles and the energy in the air. So when I first proposed the Bibliophile Mysteries to my agent, I knew I wanted my bookbinder protagonist, Brooklyn Wainwright, to visit the Edinburgh Book Fair as soon as she could. Another bit of inspiration was the fact that 2009 was the 250th anniversary of the birth of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns. What better book could Brooklyn stumble upon that a secret book of poems written by the man himself?

What was your writing process? Did you outline, or do you write by the seat of your pants?

I first write an extensive synopsis, then forget to refer to it. Halfway through the book, when I’m floundering and freaking out and flying by the seat of my pants, I’ll suddenly recall that I wrote a synopsis once upon a time, and I drag myself back from the brink. It’s quite a process.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I try to write every day. On the three mornings I go to work, I get up early and write for a few hours. The other four days, I usually write six to eight hours, including the weekends.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

Well, first I dance skyclad and howl at the moon. No, actually, first I drink some coffee, then I sit down at my computer and start writing. I can’t check email or the Internet first or I’ll be lost for hours.

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Write every day. And write fast.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

I wish I’d known what a marketable hook was. I spent years writing books with fun protagonists and evil villains and cool murders and hot sex and yet, there was no hook. Seriously!

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

If writer’s block exists, I can’t afford to catch it. When I hit a rough patch, it’s usually because my head is spinning with all the other stuff that I’m caught up in, and I lose my concentration. I eventually have to step back from all the stuff I can’t do anything about. I re-read my synopsis and reconnect with the story, take lots of deep breaths to clear my brain, clear off my desk, and get back to the book.

Do you work with a critique group? If not, do you seek any feedback before submitting your manuscript?

I have a brilliant writer friend who reads my chapters and makes comments. My DH [darling husband] reads the final version for continuity and to catch any weird stuff that slipped through the cracks. It’s amazing how much weird stuff can slip through the cracks.

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

If I’ve reached an impasse in the book, I’ll often try to write dialogue, just dialogue, for a few pages. The banter that emerges between the characters usually perks me up and helps to motivate me. Then I’ll go back and fill in the blanks with narrative and description and detail.

What are 5 of your favorite novels?

Only five? Okay, this week I choose AIN’T SHE SWEET by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, NAKED IN DEATH by J.D. Robb, CATCH OF THE DAY by Kristan Higgins, THE PRINCE OF TIDES by Pat Conroy, and SUGAR DADDY by Lisa Kleypas.

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

Before I start a new book, there are three books I refer to for ideas and inspiration. WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK by Donald Maass; THE COMPLETE WRITER’S GUIDE TO HEROES & HEROINES, SIXTEEN MASTER ARCHETYPES by Tami Cowden, Carol LeFever and Sue Viders; and ON WRITING, by Stephen King.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

I’ve got one of Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander books, Day LeClaire’s latest Silhouette Desire, Lorna Barrett’s BOOKPLATE SPECIAL, and Courtney Milan’s debut, PROOF OF SEDUCTION.
For more about Kate Carlisle and her books, visit http://www.katecarlisle.com/.

Romance Authors' Tea

2010-02-05T14:37:00.000-08:00

The lovely people who organize the Huntington Beach Friends of the Library Romance Authors' Tea have invited me to speak at their annual event, along with paranormal romance writers Susan Squires and Jennifer Lyon.

It's a fun event that begins at 2 p.m. (doors open at 1:30 p.m.) and is held at the HB Central Library & Cultural Center (7111 Talbert Avenue, HB). The cost is $18, but the catch is that reservations must be received no later than Monday, February 8. To get your name on the list or for more information, call 714-375-8429.

And for more info, you can click here.

I'd love to see you there!

(Photo via)

A new giveaway for February

2010-02-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

What's red and gold and jingles all over?

The new hip scarf I'm giving away in the February contest over at DeAnnaCameron.com, of course!

To enter the contest, visit my Web site at http://www.deannacameron.com/ and follow the contest link.

I'll be choosing a name at random on Friday, February 26. There are more details on the contest page.

Don't miss this chance to shimmy like a raqs star :-)

Elizabeth Gilbert: On nurturing creativity

2010-02-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

This is sorta long -- about 20 minutes -- but what Elizabeth Gilbert ("Eat, Pray, Love") has to say on the subject in this TED video is definitely worth your time. She has an interesting take on the nature of genius and creativity, and a new way to get it to work in your life.

What I learned: Don't leave home without a pen, and show up...

And I have to say a big thank-you to my OCC/RWA pal Laura Drake for directing me to it. Great find, Laura!

We're talking about creativity...

2010-01-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

My friend and fellow blogger Penelope Przekop is doing an interview series on creativity. She's interviewing artists, actors, authors -- just to name a few. You can see my interview with her here: http://tinyurl.com/yl42y8c

But I would urge you to spend some time at her site. She's got lots of interesting things going on there.

Thank you, PNA Book Club!

2010-01-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

I'd really like to thank the lovely ladies of the Pasadena Neighborhood Association Book Club in Wisconsin for inviting me to speak to them at their Wednesday night meeting, and a very special thanks to Wendi for setting it up. We spent about an hour and half together via speaker phone and I had a terrific time in their company.

We talked about the research that went into the story, the inspiration, character motivations, and so many aspects of the novel. I loved taking their wonderful and thoughtful questions. They are an amazing group that is really passionate about reading. An author's dream.

I hope our paths will cross again!

Back row left to right: Ann, Marie, Terri, Emily, Janice
Front row: Karen, Mary Beth, Carol, Wendi

Saying goodbye to a Borders

2010-01-16T14:10:00.000-08:00

I was driving by this Borders in Costa Mesa when I saw the place covered in yellow closing signs. What a blow! I didn't even know this one was scheduled to be cut. (I have heard of a few others in Orange County, unfortunately.)

And the store was not only closing, but this was its absolutely final day. So of course I had to stop in.

I went to my section first, ready to rescue any remaining copies of "The Belly Dancer." I was grateful to find others had already snatched them up. (Thank you, whoever you are!)

It made me sad to see so many other books were still waiting for homes, though. My DH is going to roll his eyes when he hears this, but even though I have about twenty-five books in my TBR pile, I loaded up on some titles I've wanted and some that just called to me from the shelf. I roamed the aisles with my baby stroller, browsed and waxed nostalgic about all the hours I'd spent in this shop. I would've stayed hours, but the munchkin only has so much patience for this sort of thing.

When she let me know it was time to leave, I took my accrued pile to the sales girl and she told me the store would at least be shipping the unsold books back to the Borders distribution center to go to other stores. Those books won't go back to their publishers, which is a good thing for the authors. (I breathed a sigh of relief for a friend whose new release still had several copies on the shelf. No author wants bookstore returns like that...)

The young woman also told me the store's space had already been leased. It will very soon be a Mother's Market, which is a local chain of healthy lifestyle grocery and vitamin stores. It's not a bad addition to this neighborhood, but the death of a bookstore is never a good thing in my book. Here's why: I'm a browser. I don't always know which book I'm going to buy when I go to a bookstore. I look at covers of books I've never seen before. I read the jacket copy. Often I purchase books I never even knew existed. You can't really do that with online retailers.

As a reader, I find it sad. As a new author, one who doesn't have the benefit of thousands of readers waiting breathlessly for my next title (a la Debbie Macomber, Dean Koontz or Stephen King), I find it terrifying. I'm sure that stunning cover the brilliant people at Berkley created for "The Belly Dancer" tempted many bookstore browsers to pick up my book and read the jacket copy. That's probably what convinced them to buy it. And that is not going to happen anymore if book buying becomes a Web-only kind of thing.

The market is changing. I accept that. Doesn't mean I have to like it. And for now, I can't do much more than enjoy my new books and raise my teacup to the memory of my old friend.

R.I.P., Borders / 1890 Newport Blvd.

And the winner is...

2010-01-15T13:01:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for this lovely "All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers" 2010 calendar. Unfortunately I could only pick one winner, and that person was selected by my unbiased and incorruptable contest official (well, she could probably be bribed with a squeaky toy or anything with bright colors, but that didn't happen, honest!)

And the winner is:

Nikki Hedrick

(insert applause, trumpets, mass hysteria)

Congratulations, Nikki! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

Everyone else, thanks for playing and please remember that I'm planning more fun contests throughout the year, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ often to see what's up for grabs.

Also, if you are dying to get your own copy of the "All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers," they are still available from their creators Weathervane Arts & Tribal Bazaar, as well as Amazon and Etsy.

Happy Friday!

Avon Editor Esi Sogah and Literary Agent Laura Bradford Rocked My World

2010-01-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

I haven’t been able to make many OCC/RWA meetings since the munchkin was born, but I am so glad I was able to attend Saturday.

Not only was the excellent Esi Sogah, Avon editor extraordinaire, the main speaker, but because I was lucky enough to be standing in the right place at the right time while talking to her about the possible marketability of a manuscript I have in the works (it doesn’t fall in Esi’s genre, so it wasn’t a pitch – just a question), I received some great (and encouraging!) advice from her AND amazing agent Laura Bradford. I admit I was starting to wonder why I ever loved the mss in question, but now I’m feeling the love again. Thank you for that, you wonderful ladies!

I wish I could tell you all the exciting things Esi shared during her visit, but there was Just. So. Much. and since my reporter speed note-taking days are behind me, I’ll just share some of what she said about trends in the romance genre, though she carefully prefaced her comments with the caveat that those in publishing are “really bad at predicting these things.” So here we go...

• Steampunk will probably become like Medievals. They will have their place, but they won’t be the next vampire.
• Small-town, family-type dramas along the lines of Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber will be the next biggie.
• Paranormals will continue to grow, and that it really is rare for a trend to go on this long and still be fresh and exciting.
• Scifi/fantasy within romance is taking a step forward too.

And for writers discouraged by the slow economy, she said there’s still a lot of good news in the romance genre. “Romance and women’s fiction is doing really well,” she said, largely because women continue to be the backbone of the book-buying public.

If you’d like more of Esi’s pearls of wisdom, you should check out her blog:
http://www.avonromanceblog.blogspot.com
AND the newsletter she writes for Avon:
http://www.harpercollins.com/Members/Newsletters/sample.aspx?newsletterid=N11
AND her twitters here:
http://www.twitter.com/esisogah

To find out more about Laura Bradford, you can visit her Web site here:
http://www.bradfordlit.com
AND her twitters here:
http://www.twitter.com/bradfordlit

Finally, I have to plug my RWA chapter, too, because this wonderful group makes it possible to meet lovely ladies like Esi and Laura:
http://www.occrwa.org

Still in awe over Anne Tyler's intense revision process

2010-01-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

I was just reading the excellent interview with Anne Tyler at BarnesandNoble.com, and was blown away by this:

BNR: How many drafts did you make of Noah's Compass? Was that more or less on par with the number of drafts you've made for other novels? Did any of your
books come relatively easy, from beginning conceit to finished product?

AT: It all depends on how you count, but I'd say the book took four
drafts. That's three longhand drafts before I entered it in the computer, and
then I copied the computer version into longhand again. I read that fourth
version into a tape recorder and then listened to the tape recorder while I
followed along on the computer screen to pick up any minor changes I had made.

Ridiculous, I know. But it's more or less the way I've always done it,
except for the three or four earliest books which I wrote without revising,
under the mistaken impression that revising was a form of cheating. Nowadays, I
love revising. I think of Draft One as work and the revisions as play.

My easiest book was Searching for Caleb, which felt like attending one
long, merry party. My hardest was Noah's Compass. I didn't know why at the time, but now I think it was because it reminded me too much of my own current stage of life: no new milestones to look forward to.

Did you get that? Three LONGHAND drafts, THEN typed into the computer, THEN written out in longhand again, and THEN read into a tape recorder!

I've always thought I revise to a fault, but now I don't know. I've never written my manuscript out longhand even once and I've certainly never dictated the whole thing into a tape recorder.

I also found it interesting that she says she wishes no one would even read her first four novels anymore because she didn't know what she was doing yet.

Anyway, if you haven't popped over to read the interview yet, do it :-)

Starting the year with a great giveaway...

2010-01-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

I am the owner of not one but two of these awesome "All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers" 2010 calendars. So that means I have one to give away to one lucky contest winner. I know -- what a great way to start the new year, right?

To enter the contest, visit my Web site at http://www.deannacameron.com/ and follow the contest link.

I'll be choosing a name at random on Friday, January 15. There are more details on the contest page.

If you want to know more about the calendars, I wrote about them on my belly dance blog here:
http://scribblinggypsy.blogspot.com/2009/12/all-pretty-snakes-belly-dancers-2010.html

Don't miss your chance to get one :-)

A little inspiration ...

2009-12-22T13:23:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't need some every now and then?

A fresh start and a Nanowrimo reflection...

2009-12-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

Now that Nanowrimo is finished and I'm getting serious about a new project, I thought it was time to give my writing desk a good cleaning. So here it is -- where I spend hours and hours (and hours and hours).

Looks relatively clean, doesn't it? Believe me, it won't last.

As I get involved in a new story, pictures will be printed out or cut out and posted on the cork board as the faces of characters I'm developing. I'll post notes about plot points I want to focus on, and details I don't want to forget.

Whatever doesn't fit on the board will go into the WIP notebook, which I try to keep organized, but always ends up being kind of a jumble. Even so, it still helps to keep all the notes together, otherwise I might find them tucked in with next year's tax documents, or the magazine pile, or who knows where.

I also always work with a notepad or sticky notes beside me so I can jot notes about chores and other non-writing-related things I need to remember for later -- but not during writing time.

So this is it. Welcome to my writing home...

Also, I said earlier that I'd share my post-Nanowrimo thoughts. So here they are, for whatever they're worth...

It was my first year, so I'm really just happy that I was able to log 50K words even thought I fudged and wrote two partial novels instead of a full one. It couldn't be helped, though. The second one had to get started, and there was no way I was going to be able to make a dent in it *and* write another 50K novel.

What I really liked about the whole endeavor, though, was the sheer pressure of writing so many words. By nature, I'm not what you'd call a fast writer. Writing roughly 2K words a day is far more than my norm. I'm a write-revise-revise-revise kind of writer. To keep up with the challenge, I really had to force myself to push forward. But since I couldn't stop every few paragraphs to think about how everything was going to fit with the outline, I went into uncharted territory quite a few times and it led to some great new material. It was actually really fun to stumble onto what will become some great scenes once I go back and work on them a bit more (now that I have time to write-revise-revise-revise!).

Overall, I think Nanowrimo is a great way to plunge into a first draft. I don't think I could ever punch out pages at that speed and be happy with the prose as an end result, though. But that's just me...

Making it to the end of Nanowrimo...

2009-11-30T19:25:00.001-08:00

Yup, I did it. I wrote 50,208 words during November, but I have to admit that I didn't follow the rules of the game precisely because all those words aren't part of the same story.

I know, you might be thinking that happens all the time in writing. A writer begins a story thinking it's going to go one way and then it ends up going another. That's called the creative process. But that's not what happened here.

What happened was I was happily writing a first draft of one novel until about midway through the month. I had more than 23,000 and was feeling really good about it. Then I received a phone call from my editor saying what would be really great was if I was working on something else altogether.

So, yeah, I stopped working on project number one and quickly started working on project number two. Now I'm about 27,000 words into that. And feeling very good about this project, too.

It's been quite an experience banging out 50,000+ words this month and I'm still a little (a lot) amazed that I was even able to it. I have some more thoughts about it, but they're going to have to wait because I just finished typing my last 3,000 or so words about fifteen minutes ago and I really just need a break :-)

That's still a lot of words, right? So I'm hoping the people at Nanowrimo will forgive my creative license with their

Just when you think you have a plan...

2009-11-20T15:10:00.000-08:00

...everything changes.

Well, maybe not everything, but enough to make me step back, switch gears, and start again.

Up until Monday, I had been working on a novel that would've been a pretty major departure from THE BELLY DANCER. But after getting some great feedback from my editor and some soul-searching, I realize that's probably just not the best way to go just yet. So, I'm going back to a story I started working on several months ago and set aside. It's in a similar vein to THE BELLY DANCER, though a little different time and milieu.

And you know what? I'm already feeling so much better about this direction. I'd had reservations about that other idea that I ignored. I'd gotten so far with it, though, I just couldn't let it go.

Now I'm glad I have. I've been working on this new (old?) story for just a couple of days, and already I can feel a big difference in the writing...

I'm a very happy storyteller right now :-)

NaNoWriMo Update

2009-11-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

I'm still toiling away on NaNowriMo -- pretty much keeping up with the daily min. to get myself to 50K at the end of the month.

One thing that is frustrating me a bit is that my pages seem more like a freewrite exercise than novel pages. I'm finding myself writing off on tangents about character backstory and I know I'm not going to keep these in, but I feel like I have to write them to get them out of my system (and to better understand the characters) before I can write bona fide novel pages.

So the word count is pretty much there, but the progress? Not so much. My attempt at being a pantser isn't working out as well as I'd hoped, so eventually I'm going to have to sit down and create a better outline than what I have.

Guest post: Terence Hawkins, author of THE RAGE OF ACHILLES

2009-11-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

Terence Hawkins’ debut novel, THE RAGE OF ACHILLES, a modern retelling of the THE ILIAD, debuted earlier this month. It "has the paradoxical, invigorating effect of making Homer's epic feel oddly familiar, and of highlighting its deep strangeness at the same time," says Tom Perrotta, author of LITTLE CHILDREN.

Hawkins, an author and trial lawyer, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Yale. His work has appeared in Poor Mojo's Almanac(k), Keyhole, Pindeldyboz, Ape Culture, Eclectica, Megaera, the Binnacle, and the New Haven Register. It has also appeared on Connecticut Public Radio.

So here’s a harmonic convergence if ever there was one: When I first started practicing law, nearly thirty years ago, in Madison, Wisconsin, my secretary was a belly dancer. No kidding. At lunch she’d go off to deliver bellygrams and come back to type out briefs about pendent party jurisdiction and federal exclusivity. All her friends were belly dancers. I’d go to parties at her house where I’d see the distinctions between the various traditional schools demonstrated. At that time, the fusion styles I see on your page were things of the future. At one such party I even met Art Feldman of NPR’s “Whaddayuh Know.” Neither of us danced. I think.

That said, belly dancing did not inspire THE RAGE OF THE ACHILLES. Nice if it had. Because this is a writer’s site I will tell the real writer’s story of how I came to write the book.

Humiliation.

Yes. Humiliation.

I took my first novel in progress to a writers’ workshop in Manhattan. Confident that it would be met with praise if not outright adulation.

Didn’t work out that way. As I read the chapter I’d brought to the group, I happened to glance up to intercept the embarrassed looks my work seemed to be generating. As I read further my shirt stuck to my back with the effusion of flop sweat, because I suddenly knew, down in my heart, that this book was really, really bad. A conclusion that the group seemed to share in its subsequent discussion. When I got into the cab to go back to Grand Central, New Haven, and shame, I asked the driver whether he knew a bar where I could get morphine.

When I got home I decided that I should quit writing or try something else. Given the schooling I’d got downtown, I clearly wasn’t ready for a novel. At that time I was reading Christopher Logue’s WAR MUSIC, a blank verse account of several books of THE ILIAD. And I’d just seen “Saving Private Ryan.” So I decided to try to write an episode from THE ILIAD with Spielberg realism, as an exercise, to see whether I really had novelist chops.

That exercise was THE BATTLE OF PATROCLUS. I thought it was okay, so I decided to try another episode. And another. Pretty soon I had nearly a hundred pages. So I propped Lombardo’s translation up to one side of the screen and wrote the whole book.

Just like that. Well, okay, maybe not just like that. More like in just two years. But I think what this shows is that old adage, which probably predates Gutenberg, the difference between a published writer and an unpublished is as much persistence as talent. This book was inspired not by an idea, or a vision, but by the need to keep writing.

By the way—I’m going to finish that first book.

You can learn more about Terence Hawkins and his novel at http://www.terencehawkins.net/.

4th day of NaNoWriMo

2009-11-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

I have a whole new level of respect for people who accomplish the goal of writing 50,000 words in a month. Yesterday was the first day I even reached the daily minimum of 1,667 words (just a tad over, actually). The first two days? Not even close. So I'm already behind.

But I'm not giving up.

I'm in the middle of an interesting scene, so I think today will be a good writing day. We'll see.

I could make this post longer. Unfortunately the words won't count toward my NaNoWriMo goal, and -- well -- I need to focus if I want to make it through...

If you've signed up to NaNoWriMo, too, and want to look me up, my screen name is "deanna" (I know, not very original, huh?)

Wish me luck :-)

I'm hanging out at Caroline Leavitt's place today...

2009-10-09T13:22:00.001-07:00

Come by and say hi. We're talking about THE BELLY DANCER and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and Little Egypt and some other fun stuff...

http://carolineleavittville.blogspot.com/2009/10/read-this-book-belly-dancer.html

Hurry before all the cookies and chocolates are gone :-)

Another great review...

2009-09-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

This time from the lovely Bonita Oteri at Gilded Serpent.

Here's an excerpt:

"...author DeAnna Cameron deftly peels back the layers of Gay Nineties society and affords a richly descriptive and fascinating glimpse into the life, times and giddy excitement of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. ... The overall carnival excitement, curiosity and wonder of the Chicago Fair visitors is infectious. The pages teem with the unbridled enthusiasm and hope of our still young, shiny and new pioneer nation."

To read the full review, click here.

More photos from the Laguna Beach book signing...

2009-09-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

The O.C. Register photographer who attended the book signing and belly dance showcase at Laguna Beach Books on Sept. 4 put 17 of her photos together in a slideshow on the newspaper's Web site.

You can check them out here:
http://www.ocregister.com/photos/belly-book-laguna-2565186-beach-books/pid2565203

Even if you have an agent...

2009-09-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

...this is a great list of things to avoid in your writing, or at least what to do only after very careful consideration because as you know, I believe there are no hard and fast rules in writing :-)

http://bewarne.com/content/blog/what-agents-hate2009092/

Giving THE BELLY DANCER away...

2009-09-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to toss your name in the hat for one of a few free signed books, head over to Goodreads. The contest closes on Oct. 8.

Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway.

The books are arranged by contest close date, so scroll down till you see October 8.

The Belly Dancer

reviews: 10
ratings: 63 (avg rating 3.83)

Catching up after a busy Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-08T14:41:00.000-07:00

Friday was one of the hottest (and most humid!) days of the year here in Orange County, but the Cameron clan had a very cool time at the booksigning and belly dance showcase that Laguna Beach Books hosted for us.

The event took place on The Old Pottery Place's brick terrace overlooking Coast Highway and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, with the lovely Danielle Bauter (you might remember her from this interview) starting things off. After her introduction, I gave a short reading of THE BELLY DANCER and then the real fun began with live Middle Eastern drumming and lots and lots of belly dancing.

I was thrilled that so many friends came out for the event, especially Diane and Mara (who also danced!) who took great care of my little belly dancer while I manned the microphone and signed books, and my multi-tasking husband managed the sound system and drummed.

Here's a peek at the evening:

The darling Taide was our first dancer for the evening

Irma Garcia followed with a great tribal fusion pieceThen it was IrinaXara, who adds a touch of Gothic flair to her tribal fusion performanceAnd then the always spectacular Sooz and troupe Azuluna, with special guest Soy, performed traditional American Tribal Style as the sun started to set Sherrie followed with a sassy tribal fusion solo

Then Mara dazzled the crowd with her awesome Egyptian cabaret style

And Shanna, who came all the way from L.A., followed with another awesome Egyptian cabaret number

And Ninyshenka wowed us with her graceful dancing Next up was Tivka, who danced to a lively Middle Eastern number

And then JJ & the Habibis, a local Laguna Beach favorite, ended the night with a big troupe number

Then on Saturday afternoon, I had the pleasure of signing at the Borders store in the Village at Orange shopping center with three OCC/RWA chapter mates: (from the right) Susan Squires, Debra Mullins and Tessa Dare. Standing is the amazing Maggie Rahm, who coordinated the event for us. She's a book-selling powerhouse!

Writer's Digest and my query for THE BELLY DANCER

2009-09-02T15:54:00.001-07:00

If you're looking through the query letter examples in the latest issue of Writer's Digest, you'll find mine for THE BELLY DANCER on page 32.
My wonderful agent, Ellen Pepus, was kind enough to submit it for the feature titled "Real Queries That Worked," compiled by Jessica Strawser.

Thanks, Ellen!

'Writers on Writing' interview tomorrow

2009-08-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

I'll be talking about THE BELLY DANCER on "Writers on Writing" (KUCI-FM 88.9) tomorrow from 9:30 to 10 a.m.

If you're interested in listening in but are outside the small broadcast range, you can also hear the show on the live stream at http://www.kuci.org/. And they podcast on iTunes (though I don't know how long it takes for them to upload each new show...)

Wish me luck!

Sending congratulations...

2009-08-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

...to my friend and fellow OCC/RWA chapter mate Tessa Dare on the release of the second book in her romance trilogy, SURRENDER OF A SIREN. It's a followup to her debut, GODDESS OF THE HUNT, which came out last month and has been wildly successful.

Her third installment in the trilogy is set to release next month, and then -- as if that isn't enough -- she's got another three in a new trilogy coming out next year. She is definitely an author to watch!

Way to go, Tessa :-)

'An Evening at the Cleopatra Club' Recap

2009-08-24T12:42:00.001-07:00

Boy, Aziza Sa'id and her dancers really know how to throw a party! I had so much fun at their "Evening at the Cleopatra Club" on Saturday night in Riverside. I arrived knowing only my OCC/RWA chapter mate Shauna Roberts (pictured with me in front of the lovely table they decorated for me to sign books. You can't see it, but the table is swathed in gorgeous burgundy fabrics with Moroccan lanterns -- tres chic!) But by the end of the night, I felt like I'd known these ladies for years. They are such a warm and friendly group, and I can't thank them enough for making me feel welcome.

And it's no wonder they attract such a large group to their haflas! There was plenty of food and drinks, music (some of it live!) and lots of dancing. Yes, they even made me dance during the open dancing, too -- no one had any sympathy for my post-pregnancy whining about weight, stiffness, aches, pains, etc. -- and I'm glad they didn't... 'cause it was fun out there!

Here are some of photos I took of the dancers from my gorgeous little book-signing spot

Etoile performing with Isis wings

Zaheen Sa'id performing with silk fans (an astonishing piece that she insists she'd only worked on for a few days. Must be a testament to her talent becuase it was the best fan performance I've ever seen!)

Siri performing a fun cane dance

SeylenaTroi dancing with zills, and boy, can this lady play! When the taped music stopped, she created a very entertaining exchange with the audience with just her zills and dancing. A true pro :-)

This troupe piece was mesmerizing to watch. It was sort of the same idea as a circle dance, with one dancer passing the spotlight to another, but instead of going in and out of the circle, the dancers passed the spotlight simply by touching a neighbor.

This was the beginning class's troupe performance. (You can see Shauna in the center -- go, Shauna!)

And of course Aziza! What a pleasure it was to watch her dance. So much great energy and warmth -- and you can see it all in her smile!

I wish I had a photo of troupe Diatribe from Victorville -- an awesome trio whose performance I really enjoyed. Unfortunately my little camera just didn't do them justice. But take my word for it, these ladies rocked (or raq'd?)

For information on future "Evening at the Cleopatra Club" events and other special events at Anahata Movement Arts (3742 Tibbetts St., Suite 202, Riverside), visit http://anahatamovementarts.wordpress.com/eventsworkshops.

Signing in Riverside at 'An Evening at the Cleopatra Club'

2009-08-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Aziza Sai'd has invited me to sign copies of THE BELLY DANCER on Saturday at "An Evening at the Cleopatra Club," which is her monthly hafla in Riverside, CA.

In addition to the booksigning, there'll be dancing -- lots and lots of dancing -- as well as live music and food.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Anahata Movement Arts, 3742 Tibbetts St., Suite 202, Riverside, CA. For more information, call (951) 276-YOGA (9642) or visit http://anahatamovementarts.wordpress.com.

I'd love to see you there!

Today on the blog tour...

2009-08-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

You can find me over at the excellent Book Faery Reviews site talking about my two favorite things: belly dancing and writing.

Come by and say hi :-)

http://tbfreviews.net

Aug. 8 booksigning at Barnes and Noble in Costa Mesa

2009-08-10T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here I am with my OCC/RWA chapter mates (from left) Debra Mullins, Jennifer Haymore and Tessa Dare during our booksigning at the Barnes & Noble in Costa Mesa. It was a casual event and a great way to spend a Saturday evening, thanks largely to the excellent care and coordination we received from the store's community relations manager, Kaye Nemec.

We were there just a couple of hours, and those hours went by so fast! Most of the evening is a blur, but here's my top 5 list of what I'll remember:

1. A stranger whom I thought was approaching me to talk about THE BELLY DANCER only wanted to know where the restrooms were. (I've read about this happening to other authors and now I can say it has happened to me, too.)

2. The impromptu workshop reunion we had when my friend and writing mentor Lynette Brasfield (center in the picture) showed up at the same time as fellow workshop friends Kathy Sartori (left in the picture) & Russ Shore (taking the picture). Frank, wherever you are, we missed you and hope you are still writing!

3. The nervous energy. I had a very hard time sitting down, and think I stood all but maybe 10 minutes of the signing.

4. That people other than my friends actually came to buy the book!

5. How nice it is to share space at the table with friends for those inevitable lulls between requests to sign. Thank you for being there, Debra, Jennifer & Tessa. I wouldn't have wanted to do it without you :-)

AND THE WINNER IS....
The lovely lady who was such a good sport and entered my contest for a free belly dance hipscarf is Lois Pecora.

Congratulations, Lois! I'm going to e-mail you separately now for mailing instructions.

THE BELLY DANCER goes international...

2009-08-05T11:27:00.000-07:00

I just heard that the Japanese rights to THE BELLY DANCER have sold -- yay!

Of course it's a nice way to make some extra money, but I think I'm most excited about seeing a Japanese cover.

Maybe I'll even splurge on some celebratory sushi for dinner :-)

THE BUSINESS OF BOOKS epilogue

2009-08-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you already know that I retired the BUSINESS OF BOOKS author interview series a few weeks ago. But some of you have asked me privately to share what I'm doing in the way of marketing for my debut novel, THE BELLY DANCER.

I think that's only fair, don't you? So in the interest of balancing the karmic scales, I offer up the marketing efforts that have worked best for me.

The top 5 things I did to market THE BELLY DANCER

1. Have an author Web site.

It’s a given these days that an author will have one, so the challenge becomes how to make it interesting. Good Web sites will offer visitors a little something extra. On www.DeAnnaCameron.com, for instance, I’ve pulled together some ideas to enhance book club meetings, as well as offer some belly dance resources and a few things related to my novel, including a map of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair grounds and some YouTube videos of what belly dancing looked like in the late 1800s.

2. Invest in promotional materials.

Whether they are postcards, bookmarks or something else, you need something to hand to people when you talk to them about your book. The instant I received the cover artwork, I bought two-sided business cards, with one side featuring my information and the other featuring the book’s information. I also created two-sided postcards to hand out at writing and belly dance events I attended. The most popular promo items by far, though, have been the gorgeous bookmarks my publisher’s artists created. I’m getting requests for these from all over the country because the book’s cover is so beautiful.

3. Have a presence on social networks.

There’s really no way to quantify the effect of sites like Myspace, Facebook, Tribe.net and others on an author’s success, but for me they have been invaluable because, being a new mom in addition to a new author, I’m limited in how much I can travel beyond my home turf of Southern California. Through these sites, especially Facebook, I’ve been able to connect with people scattered all over the country -- old friends, family, former classmates and co-workers, as well as new friends with shared interests. I’ve been touched and humbled by how much enthusiasm people have shown THE BELLY DANCER, and how much they want to help me spread the word.

4. Get to know the local booksellers.

Online retailers are a fact of life, but there is no better friend to an author than a local bookseller. These are people who love books, so chances are good they’ll enjoy getting to know you as a local author. I’ve gotten so much help from my local booksellers, from requests for book-signing events and stock signings, to preferential placement of my novels at the store and offers to hand out my promotional materials.

5. Connect with readers outside the traditional reading-oriented communities.

This was an easy one for me because my novel is about belly dancing and I’m involved in my local belly dancing community. There aren’t many belly dance-related novels out there (which was a major reason why I wrote the novel in the first place – to satisfy my own desire for one!), and my fellow belly dancers and belly dance fans have become some of my most enthusiastic readers. I’ve been thrilled to see the word is spreading through belly dance-oriented Web sites and publications. I’m now getting feedback from dancers nationwide, and even as far away as Australia, Indonesia and Great Britain. I’ve also seen opportunities like this for authors whose books involve other particular interests, such as knitting and baking, or issues such as mental health and Alzheimer’s issues, too.

These five things have worked surprisingly well, but that doesn't mean my job is done. The way I see it, a marketing strategy will always be a work in progress. I'm constantly on the lookout for better and more effective ways of making potential readers aware of my novel, and when opportunities present themselves, I try to make the most of them. Do they always translate into sales? Who knows... but I think it's definitely better to try and fail than to never try at all.

Today I'm feeling very fortunate...

2009-07-31T20:52:00.001-07:00

Something I didn't mention in the last post about the book release party is the part that made it a party *and* benefit, and that's because I wanted to devote a special space to that important aspect of the event. And here it is.

Very early in the planning stages, I read about the murder of a woman in Pakistan by the Taliban (which I blogged about here: http://scribblinggypsy.blogspot.com/2009/01/dancing-girl-killed-in-pakistan-by.html) for the simple reason that she was a dancer.

I couldn't believe it. It was something that didn't seem possible in this day and age. But the reality is, we're lucky in this country to be able to dance and express ourselves openly. There are many women around the world who cannot, and I thought it was important during an event that celebrates belly dancing and a book about belly dancing, to also do something for women who don't have the same luxury.

After searching for an organization that helped women in these troubled areas, I discovered Women for Women International. Its mission is to help women survivors of war rebuild their lives, and it operates in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and parts of Africa. The organization is dedicated to improving women's lives in a lasting way. Here's how it's described on the group's Web site:

"We begin by working with women who may have lost everything in conflict and often have nowhere else to turn. Participation in our one-year program launches women on a journey from victim to survivor to active citizen. We identify services to support graduates of the program as they continue to strive for greater social, economic and political participation in their communities.

"As each woman engages in a multi-phase process of recovery and rehabilitation, she opens a window of opportunity presented by the end of conflict to help improve the rights, freedoms and status of women in her country. As women who go through our program assume leadership positions in their villages, actively participate in the reconstruction of their communities, build civil society, start businesses, train other women and serve as role models, they become active citizens who can help to establish lasting peace and stability."

It's a meaningful message of self-empowerment, and it's women reaching out to and helping other women. These are themes that were very important to me as I wrote THE BELLY DANCER, and I can't think of a more appropriate way to honor the art and history of belly dance than to support this noble cause.

That's why I'm feeling very fortunate today. Not only do I enjoy the freedom to dance and live my life the way I want, but our event helped raise money for the organization, thanks to the help of so many individuals who donated either drawing prizes or cash, or both. I was thrilled and honored to be able to mail off those proceeds today.

If you'd like to learn more about Women for Women International, you can do so here. And please consider making a donation. There are women in this world whose lives may depend on it.

Photos from the THE BELLY DANCER Book Release Party & Benefit

2009-07-29T10:35:00.001-07:00

Is there any other way to celebrate a book about belly dancing than with a night filled with belly dancing and belly dancers? I think not.

We had dancers, lots and lots of dancers, as well as drummers, belly dance costume models and even pirates! (Oh yeah, and some of them were even extras in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies).

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique in Long Beach for allowing us to take over her store (and her sidewalk, and her alley, and the street in front of her shop...) on Saturday night to throw this party for our friends, family and folks who wanted to get their own signed copy of THE BELLY DANCER.

We had a phenomenal turnout -- at least 200 people at one point packed the store and back patio, where the guys from Hana Lima Industries set up the most amazing Moroccan tent. The crowd was so thick, it spilled out onto the sidewalk and street. My husband says he watched as the traffic on Broadway had to maneuver around the crowd, and at one point a city bus slowed down to a crawl so the driver and passengers could get a good look at the dancing and drumming taking place on the sidewalk.

We sold out of the books that Laguna Beach Books so kindly provided!

The event was such a wonderful success because of all the help and support from so many people.

The dancers: Katerina, Sarah al Nour, Enala, Sooz & her troupe Azuluna & the Om Sisters!

The musicians: Ed Lee, Donavon, Austin Cameron, Marc, and their friends

Andrea Farese of Stellar Advantage for providing the belly dance costumes for the fashion show.

Rachel from O.C. Bellydance Connection for taking great photos!

And of course, my parents, who kept my 9-week-old daughter fed, dry and entertained during the madness, and my dear friends Alane & Diane, who were the first to arrive and the last to leave, and stepped in to help me fix all the little problems that popped up throughout the night.

Honestly, I can't thank everyone enough. You're the best :-)

(Photos courtesy of Rachel of OC Bellydance Connection)

I'm blog touring again...

2009-07-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today you can find me at NUMBER ONE NOVELS, where I'm answering Rebecca Chastain's questions and offering up an autographed copy of THE BELLY DANCER to one lucky reader.

You can also read a great review of THE BELLY DANCER at THE PRINTED PAGE. Here's a snippet:

"I enjoyed The Belly Dancer. Pour yourself something to drink, pull up a comfy chair and settle in for a weekend of pleasurable reading."

THE BELLY DANCER Book Release & Benefit tomorrow

2009-07-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

If you're planning to be in Long Beach tomorrow evening, stop by! We'll have belly dancing, live drumming and a belly dance costume fashion show.

We'll also be raising money for a really great cause -- Women for Women International, which helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives.

All the proceeds generated from the drawing for drawings for the great belly dance-inspired prizes will go toward this amazing nonprofit group. And we have so many wonderful people to thank for donating the prizes!

Belly Dance magazine (1-year subscription)

Naked Rhythm's Alex Spurkel (1 month of drum lessons and Naked Rhythm CDs)

Om Sisters (3 belly dance classes)

www.bellydance.com / Hollywood Music Center (3 belly dance CDs)

Sashi (her new Gothic Bellydance instructional DVD)

Alane Canzone (a custom-made hula hoop)

www.savehollywoodpark.com (thank-you gifts)

I'll be donating a bunch of stuff, too: two cosmetics gift packs, a Moroccan caftan / coverup, a restaurant gift card. And we're adding new donations every day!

The event will go from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique, 2747 E. Broadway, Long Beach. 562-987-4363.

Hope to see you there!

Just posted an excerpt of THE BELLY DANCER...

2009-07-22T12:10:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to check it out, here's the link:

http://www.deannacameron.com/NovelExcerpt.htm

Enjoy!

Celebrating with a friend...

2009-07-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday friend and fellow author Gayle Carline celebrated the launch of her cozy mystery, FREEZER BURN, with a great party at a community center in Placentia, which is not only her home city, but the setting for her novel, too. She read a couple of short excerpts, answered reader questions, had fun contests, and signed books for the roomful of people. The line for her books was so long, I was afraid she might run out before I made my way to the front of it. Luckily, she didn't and I walked away with my very own copy, which I can't wait to read. It's next up on my to-read list :-)

Thanks for a great party, Gayle, and you can bet I'll be cribbing ideas for my book release party on Saturday. You set an excellent example.

Congrats!

What a great day...

2009-07-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a quick trip to my local Borders bookstore, and I have to tell you -- I'm feeling pretty good :-)

The trip was prompted by a request from a woman who read the review of THE BELLY DANCER in Orange Coast magazine. She tracked me down to ask if I would please autograph a book because she thought it would make the perfect birthday gift for her sister.

That right there was enough to make my day.

But it gets even better.

I arrived a little early (I'm learning to build in lots of wiggle room when I have to go anywhere with my darling 8-week-old daughter) and while I was waiting I asked a handy Borders representative, who turned out to be the supervisor, if I could sign the copies they had in stock (all of which were nicely set out in a corner spot on the New Paperback Fiction table -- yay!). Not only did she oblige, she kindly tracked down the "local author" stickers for me and offered to run a quick check on her computer to see how the book was faring company wide. It was doing quite well, she assured me (another yay!),

But then she did something that endeared her and the store to me forever. She said she was going to push my book to customers because "we have to support our local authors, don't we?" How amazing is that? She could've just nodded when I asked about signing stock and gone on about her business, but she didn't. She took time to talk to me and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know about me and my book. It's the kind of interaction you're just never going to have with an online retailer.

Giving stuff away over at Romance Book Club -- come see!

2009-07-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Today I'm guest blogging about my inspiration for THE BELLY DANCER over at the Romance Book Club, and one lucky commenter will win either a signed copy of the book or a belly dance hip scarf.

You can check it out here:

http://www.theromancebookclub.com/guest-blogs/2009/7/14/the-inspiration-for-the-belly-dancer-by-deanna-cameron.html