First Draught & The "I Love You"

Just a few quick things to tell you about today. Read

I'm over on the Contemporary Romance Writers' blog talking about why your characters don't always have to say, "I love you," at the end of your romance.

Meet

I will be speaking at the NECRWA "Let Your Imagination Take Flight" conference from April 24-25. Audra North and I are presenting a practical guide to self-publishing an anthology or box set with great tips about idea creation, organization, and royalties distribution. I'll have more details on that appearance in the coming weeks, but if you plan to be there please say hello and introduce yourself.

Watch

The women of First Draught are back at it again talking about problematic heroines. Why can it be so tough to get a heroine just right? Are we harder on our heroines than our heroes in romance? Plus we dish on the heroine tropes we just can't stand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh4xBxK2Pws

Also keep an eye out for updates about One Week in Hawaii, the next anthology in the One Week in Love series featuring novellas by Audra North, Alexis Anne, Alexandra Haughton, and myself. We're getting ready to release our very sexy cover and get this book up on preorder.

If you would like to be the first to see that cover and help us spread the word about One Week in Hawaii, check out this quick form.

And don't forget to sign up for newsletter for the very latest preorder and release date information as well as exclusive excerpts!

Books for All!

So yeah, that was a longer blog hiatus than I meant to take. Sorry about that, everyone. The good news is that amid all of the day job and professional writer craziness, holidays, and family time, I actually got a lot of reading done. Several transatlantic flights will do that to a girl.

So here's a big, long list of what I've read recently and am happy to recommend.

Romance & Erotica

Agnes Moor's Wild Night

by Alyssa Cole

Amazon

Short and deliciously not sweet. This is a multi-cultural historical erotic romance set in Scotland, and I can't gush enough about it. The rafters of a great hall never saw so much action...

Radio Silence

by Alyssa Cole

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

I'm shamelessly plugging an Alyssa Cole that you can't read yet (sorry, not sorry). It's on pre-order until February 2nd, but I got an ARC and guys. Guys. I had no idea that I was into post-apocalyptic romance with hot Korean doctors, but I am. I really am.

Blamed: A Blood Money Novel

by Edie Harris

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

A little bit James Bond, a lot of hot romance with a sexy British hero. What more do you need?

Stripped (Volume 1)

by Alexis Anne

Amazon

We're several volumes into this very sexy rockstar romance from Alexis Anne. This is another I've been getting sneaky early reads of, and it's hot. Very hot. The hero, Travis, also has a knack for being sexy and tender at the same time. Perfect.

How to Fall

by Mary Chris Escobar

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

If erotic romance and rockstars aren't your thing, take a look at this book. It's a women's fiction with a sweet, slow burn romance that develops over a summer.

Literary Fiction

Dept. of Speculation

by Jenny Offill

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

I went on a depressing reading streak somewhere in late December-early January, and that's when I read this book. Yes, it's depressing (it's about the rise and fall of a marriage), but, man, is it good.

Dear Committee Members

by Julie Schumacher

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

An epistolary novel told entirely in letters of recommendation written by a cynical, sardonic, egotistical English professor at a second tier university. This book is a masterful send-up of academic life.

Nonfiction

My Salinger Year

by Joanna Rakoff

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

My Salinger Year manages to capture the feeling of being a twentysomething year old woman living in New York City, broke but hopeful (and in a terribly dysfunctional relationship with a man you know you won't wind up with). The writing is masterful. My sister and I both reached the 40 page mark before realizing that this is a memoir and not a novel. I didn't want it to end.

Outliers: The Story of Success

by Malcolm Gladwell

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

To say that Outliers is out of my comfort zone is an understatement. Normally I would never pick this book up, but it was recommended so ardently that I took a chance. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Gladwell has an easy way with narrative, and his work makes you think about how you look at the world.

Inheritance: The Story of Knole and the Sackvilles

by Robert Sackville-West

Amazon | iBooks

I'm a sucker for family histories of the English aristocracy. There's enough scandal and bad behavior in this book to make parts of it read like a novel, and it has added interest in being tied in with the history of the house.

Bad Feminist: Essays

by Roxane Gay

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

 I love Roxane Gay's collection of essays on everything from feminism and culture to Scrabble and questionable adult life choices. Some of the essays work better than me for others. I tend to get the most from her personal anecdotes or reviews of works I've engaged with (The Hunger Games books and movies). Although Gay doesn't believe in trigger warnings, I will say that if you're sensitive to rape accounts you're going to want someone one to screen some of the essays in the Gender and Sexuality section.

First Draught Takes On NaNoWriMo

Hi all! I will not be there for tonight's First Draught, but Mary Chris Escobar and Alexis Anne have brought in a ringer to take my place. Lindsay Emory will be joining us for this month's discussion on NaNoWriMo (that's National Novel Writing Month). You can RSVP by clicking on this link, and be sure to be watching at 8:30 PM EST tonight for a great NaNoWriMo break or a little inspiration to start writing fearlessly!

First Draught: The Old is New

I'm zooming along the rails of the mid-Atlantic to make my way to Richmond for a little retreat with Mary Chris Escobar and Alexis Anne. They're probably going to be sick of my voice by the end of this weekend because this past Tuesday we got together thanks to the power of the interwebs for a First Draught chat about going back to abandoned manuscripts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LsgcyrCEN0

We're always happy for suggestions of what to talk about, so if you've got a topic you'd like us to explore just let us know by leaving a comment!

What We Talked About This Month...

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Amazon | B&N

First Draught

I feel as though every month I sit back and say, "I can't believe another First Draught is already here!" This month is no different. Seriously, where is the time going? For October, we will be discussing pulling out that old, abandoned manuscript, ripping it apart, and revising it. Both Alexis Anne and Mary Chris Escobar have taken a forgotten draft through to publication, so catch the chat for all of their tips, tricks, and advice!

RSVP here to make sure you don't miss the live chat Tuesday, October 7th, at 8:30 PM EST!

VIDEO: Learn to Love Your Research

Yesterday night First Draught tackled the question of research and writing. How do you get the details right, where should you start, and how do you know that you're just avoiding writing the book? A.L. Parks shared her stories about interviewing members of the FBI, Alexis Anne discussed the pros and cons of writing about fictional vs. real places, Mary Chris Escobar talked about authenticity, and I tackled the historical side of things. UPDATE: Looks like a gremlin got into one of our computers and caused some feedback for a few minutes in the middle. Bad gremlin. The problem does resolve itself pretty quickly, and we will try to figure out how to prevent it in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMRN7X8MW5k

If there is a topic you want us to discuss, reach out to one of us! We're always happy to take suggestions.

Mark Your Calendars!

Mark you calendars! First Draught is back this Tuesday at 8:30 PM EST (can you believe that it's already a new month?). A.L. Parks is joining Alexis Anne, Mary Chris Escobar, and myself (and maybe a surprise special guest) to talk about research and writing. We'll discuss how we approach research in our different subgenres, and why it isn't just the responsibility of historical authors to get the details right. RSVP to let us know you'll be watching live, or keep an eye out for our YouTube video after the show is wrapped.

Greetings from RWA!

As thousands of romance writers begin to congregate in San Antonio, RWA's annual conference is set to kick off. I've been in Texas since Tuesday, and I've already had some great time with friends. You can follow my RWA experience on Facebook and Twitter. If you're at the conference, don't be afraid to say hi!

VIDEO: Everything You Wanted to Know about Critique Partners (But Were Afraid to Ask)

There's something about the start of the summer that always sends me into a flurry of activity. This year between an international family move, a college reunion, and a friend's wedding all of of my energy focused on traveling. Unfortunately that meant letting some things go by the wayside. I was in London the week that I would normally tape First Draught with Alexis Anne and Mary Chris Escobar, so when we reconvened on June 3rd we decided to give you a nice, long video discussion. We tackled all of the questions we commonly get about critique partners. How do you get one? How do you keep one? When is it time to let your CP go?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhOnmH0Ns4E&feature=share&list=PLsjvuodQlH8tJEEQUAOWgsJHPx_0P0Nlt

If you have any follow-up question we'd love to hear them! Just leave a comment here or tweet us.

First Kisses

What is the best part of a new romance? I love the sparkling banter laced with flirtation and tension, but really we all know it's the first kiss. It's hoped for but not guaranteed, and when it finally happens everything slows. The world falls away, desire fires through you, and then -- when lips finally touch -- your mind goes blissfully blank. The first kiss is magical.

Starting today, 25 authors are writing about those first moments as part of an exciting spring blog hop. The stories are short -- around 1,500 words -- but they're big on passion and romance. The entire list of participating authors is at Audra North's website. My story "Accidentally (On Purpose)" goes live this Thursday, April 10th. I'm posting along with Mary Chris Escobar and Pieper Vaughn. I hope you enjoy reading your way through all of the stories and discover some wonderful, new authors in the process!

First Draught: Music as Muse

I love technology. It lets me write and edit so easily I often take it for granted. It's brought some incredible people into my life and helped me keep in touch with old friends and family. It's fantastic. Until it doesn't work.

That's what happened Tuesday when the women behind First Draught and I tried to talk about music and writing. Our chat experienced major technical difficulties both as we were trying to get on air and then while it was going. However we pushed through, and here it is in all its hot mess, hilarious glory.

http://youtu.be/dGTpYrISYBs

As always, comments and questions are welcome!

Plotting vs. Pantsing

Hello all! I'm resurfacing during a crazy couple months of drafting new stories to share a new author chat with you. Yesterday four of my favorite fellow authors and I sat down to debate the merits of plotting vs. pantsing (ie planning it all out or writing spontaneously). We also shared our methods for finishing that draft. Take a listen and join the conversation by letting us know what works for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYplXVUQRPE&feature=share

VIDEO: Holidays Romances, Traditions, and Beer!

Authors Alexis Anne, Mary Chris Escobar, and I got together to talk holiday romances, writing about Thanksgiving and Christmas, and what we do to celebrate the season. Add in a dash of celebratory booze and you've got a pretty good chat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpHC6o9TwBA&feature=share

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition in your family?