Celebrities vs. Authors

Let me start by saying I love television, movies, books, music, etc. I love to follow certain people on Facebook and Instagram but these days it's becoming increasingly harder to do so. It seems like celebrities are more concerned about getting free stuff and promoting certain products hoping you'll purchase them with their special "code" than actually sharing their lives with people.

For example, I'm obsessed with the Bachelor shows on ABC. Absolutely obsessed. So naturally I tend to follow my favorites on Instagram and Twitter. I notice though as soon as these people hit a certain number of followers the promos begin. I scroll along on Instagram and I notice post after post of these Bachelor alumni pushing the Fab Fit Fun box, Diffey EyeWear, Hello Fresh, and SugarBear vitamins just to name a few. Now don't get me wrong, I understand that they are getting these products completely free and therefore must promote them or else bye bye freebies but would it kill them to limit the promo posts to once a week at most? I mean I don't blame them I'd love to be getting free stuff too just for showing my face on a television show but there is a certain limit of promo posts this girl can handle and yes I've unfollowed a few because of this alone. I want to see them, their daily lives, hell even their dogs, NOT PROMOS.  And yes sadly I've fallen into one or two of these promo posts unfortunately. NEVER AGAIN! Until next time.....

Now authors I don't see doing this at all. Not even the USA or New York Times Bestsellers. Authors aren't trying to get free stuff (unless it's books) and they don't promo anything but themselves or other authors and I think that's refreshing. They aren't trying to push anything on you or giving you a special "code" to go purchase something that they got for free. No. They are working their asses off trying to write, trying to edit, trying to get their stories out there. They have no time for silly promos. Their energy goes into the world they are in which is books. They'll promo fellow authors which is fantastic! Every author needs people talking about their books. That's how they get noticed. I follow quite a few authors and/or bloggers on Instagram and Twitter and every post I see is just them, their daily life, their writing nooks, a few book promos and I LOVE IT! I will admit that I follow some big bloggers in the book community and sometimes they post for certain subscription boxes but I will say the boxes are actually book subscription boxes and they actually talk about the books that are in them not just "Use this code to get yours today". As a writer ( I won't even call myself an author) I have nothing but respect for these authors and bloggers.

Is it too much to ask for those 'celebrities' to post more about their actual lives? Some are private and I get that but if you are not going to share then why are you even on social media?

Authors are an open book. *Pun intended* They share their daily lives, their struggles, and their books. It's awesome to follow along with them and it doesn't feel like they are just trying to push something on you because they aren't. Unless there's a book they just happen to fall in love with of course.

This is something that has increased a lot within the past year or so. Granted it's my decision whether or not to participate which is why I've unfollowed many people lately because of the constant promos. I'm happy to report I have yet to unfollow an author because like I said earlier they don't do it.

So in this case of celebrity vs. author the authors win! ;-)  Keep posting writing buddies!

And to end this post, here's a little promo of my own! Download my book because it's awesome! You know I had to. ;-)

BUY LINK

Hugs,
Amber

Motivation

It's getting to be the end of the school year and my kiddos are having a hard time focusing. It's a feeling I can relate to, I've been having a hard time focusing on my writing all year. It happens from time to time. I somehow manage to lose the joy in writing. I get bogged down in the business of it and forget why I love to write.

If I go through that with a job I love, I can empathize with my kiddos. Let's face it, few kids have ever stated their love of school over the years. And mine are not in that group. They love certain subjects and the love specific subject matters, but school as a whole doesn't do it for them. So this time of year we, my husband and I, have to start getting creative about motivation.

Tickets to see the Silversun Pickups certainly did the trick for my oldest this week. He did a great job staying focused and getting his work in. And that has me thinking maybe I could benefit from this tactic with my writing? Only I can't decide what to use as motivation. Maybe a night at my favorite restaurant if I get words on the page every day of the work week? Maybe a day trip to a winery after I write three chapters? I'm not sure but I'm open to suggestions.

How do you keep yourself motivated when life gets hard? 

Change isn't always a bad thing

I hate when my routine changes. It takes me so long to get "back on track" when something comes up and changes things. That is mostly because I fight the schedule change or life routine change. I think I will always do so, but I'm learning to adjust with the change.

Writing full time is harder. No, that's not right. Working from home, is hard. People around you think because you are home, you can just stop what you are doing and do for them. Or you have those you think you are mooching off you husband so you don't have to work. But that is a rant post for another time. lol.

In April, my daughter and I got 50/50 timeshare (Florida doesn't call it custody anymore.)  of my granddaughter (long story). We have her one week on, one week off. Well on the weeks she is here, My writing time has gone back to early mornings and late nights, just like it was when I worked a day job. You'd think I can catch up on weeks we don't have her, right? Wrong. I have errands to run and "people" in my house have things that need to be done. This is a change I'm still fighting. I'm real close to renting me an office so I can leave the house to work. Then I'd have to get dress. and I love working in my PJs.

Another big change that is coming, and I'm looking forward to has to do with the genre that I write. I've reached the point where I'm real close to being burnt out. Sales have dipped this summer. The trends in the romance industry is changing, again. So after talking with a couple of great author friends who have noticed the same things as I did, I've decided to add a new series and a new pen name.

In 2016 I'll start writing cozy mysteries under Aleah Raynes. I'm looking forward to this. I love mysteries and I love adding humor and twists to stories.

Lia Davis is not going away, so don't worry. Lia has a few new things coming in 2016 as well. I am dipping my toes into SciFi Romance. I spent the last few days, while playing with Bella, building the world and the characters. I'm so excited to start it, but I have to wait until I finish what is on the schedule first.

So change is good. And I feel good about where I'm heading in my writing career for 2016.

Deadlines, distractions, and staying sane

There are times that I overbook myself and push too hard to get things done. I always say that I won't do that again. Then I do it. I think it's hard wired in my brain to always be busy but as i get older, I'm finding I just need to slow down and enjoy what I do. After all I'm living my dream of being a full time author. So why am I stressing so much? Because I love what I do. Even when I'm under crazy deadlines while attending conferences.

My life doesn't stop because I'm living my dream. It continues on it's crazy, stressful path to drive me into a padded room. But hey as long as I have internet and a computer, I'm all for the nice quiet room in the psycho ward. Who's with me? Of course you'd have to get your own room because I'm not sharing mine. :P

What do you do when life gets crazy? Share some funny stories with me.

Hugs,
Lia

New Romance

Last week I started writing a new story in a new world with all new characters. This hasn't happened for me in awhile. Actually, my writing had slowed to a crawl after the three releases I'd had in the spring, so when I started a new story, I was instantly in love.

Starting a new story, for me, is a lot like starting a new romance. Or, at least, what I remember about starting a new romance. There are the flutters of excitement, the compulsion to spend all my available time obsessing about it, and I constantly wonder if the story is actually going somewhere.

This particular story is a horror romance, which adds a whole new level of anticipation to the process. Who is going to live and who isn't? Plus, I get to throw myself into a diabolically evil manifestation and figure out what its motivation is.

Over the next couple of weeks, I anticipate the story growing and my understanding of it becoming second nature. That's actually my favorite part of writing a story. I like the anticipation and excitement of starting something new, but I love when the story finally clicks into place. And then I will have to end it. Just like a relationship, I hate that part. It sucks to get to know somebody so well and be in their lives so deeply only to say goodbye and set them free. I always drag my feet on that part.

Do you experience anything similar when you read a new romance? Do you have stages you go through when you find a new author or series to love?

If you want to follow the progress of my newest story and all the other stories I'm writing (I also just finished writing a new Black Hills Wolves story and am polishing it up and getting it ready to submit) feel free to friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter

Revising an old manuscript is like cleaning out from under your kids' bed...

...You never know what you're going to find.

I've been revising--more like rewriting--an old story I wrote before I knew anything about being a writer. Let me tell you, it's a little challenging and great at the same time. The best part is the story line doesn't suck! The writing...well it needs works. LOL

The story is a vampire romance I started but didn't finish. It's still needs an ending. I think I need to add 2 or 3 more chapters to wrap it up. However, I haven't got that far into the rewrites to really know much it needs to end it.

So what is the challenge of revising an old story?

1. The writing is all over the place. The tense flip flops from past to present, but mostly present. There is a lot of head hopping (where the point of view flips from one character to the next with warning). Keep in mind this was BEFORE I joined a critique group and my RWA chapter. I credit both of those groups as well as my amazing editors for everything I've learned in the last 4 years. 
2. I'm finding random WTF sections that have nothing to do with moving the story along. Those are being deleted.

What's great about revisiting an old story?

1. I truly see how much I've grown as a writer. It make me feel great to see how much my voice had changed and it changed for the better.
2. I love the revising part of a story a little more than writing it. LOL. Yes, I know I'm weird. Just ask my friends. *grins*

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Lia

It was a good idea at the time...

Every have the great idea for a project, a great new way to manage time, or just a idea that seems foolproof? Yeah, me too. Several times.

One of the recently. I need to learn to say no, but the muse pops in with, "that's a great idea and will be a lot of fun!" What I really need to do is tell my muse to shut the hell up and work on the projects we already have. But I love her ideas and so do my readers. Plus I'm having way too much fun creating new things. I love being busy and having enough things mapped out for the next year or so. Yes, I've started my 2016 writing schedule. Although my schedule is more of a list with dates.

Back to the great idea thing. A few months ago I got completely caught up with my deadlines and was actually working a head of schedule. Then the idea of writing a few shorter stories and fitting them in between my current releases so I'd have a release every two weeks. Yes, I know I'm crazy. Like I said, it was a good idea at the time.

I was fine until I got sick and the whole month of April fell apart on me. Now that it's a new month, which is almost over, I'm back on track and ready to tackle my ever growing writing schedule. Let the fun begin!

Have you ever had a great idea that turned out to no be so great?

Inside a paranormal author’s mind

It’s a wonderful, intriguing, and scary place to be. But I love it!

So what is it like? Well sometimes you feel like at outsider around non-writers, or just non-artistic people in general. I’m a little reserved when meeting new people, because I don’t think like others. My mind is always running. My muse is always searching for new plot ideas, watching others’ reaction, or she’s just plotting world destruction with the bad guys.

Around my friends and family, I’m more open and a little sarcastic. I’m able to speak freely without strange looks. Umm, that’s not true. They do give me strange looks, but they’re my friends, so I give them back. LOL.

The wonder part about being a writer is I get to create new worlds and characters, fall in love with them, share them with my readers, and get awesome feedback from them.

What’s intriguing? The mystery of not knowing when my characters will decide to change the outline on me. That’s always fun. I have to trust that they will get me back on the road.

Now the scary part. I have demons, magically beings, dragons, wolves, leopards, warlocks, and a bunch of evil-take-over-the-world people living inside my head. There is always a chance that someone will die. I’m never sure who it will be.

Thanks for coming by! Best wishes, Lia.

The day job verses the dream career

June will mark two years since I quit the day job to pursue my dream of being self employed. The bonus is I get to make something I love into a career. Has it been easy? No, it's hard work and I work more hours now than I ever did at the day job. There never seems to be enough hours in the day.

I started writing with the intent to be published in 2008. There were a few factors that drove my decision. The main one was discovering paranormal romance. While reading everything I could get my hands on something opened up. Worlds of vampires and witches formed in my mind and my muse sat up and said, "Girl, we got this."

It took me about a year to finish my first book. That was after I've started several stories trying to nail down a mythology and learn to world build.The actual draft flowed out onto paper (computer screen) in about two months, but spent several months in a critique group as I learned the process of revising and self editing.

Tuesday my 23rd book releases. I look back and think, "wow, I did it." I worked my ass off to achieve my dream. The frustration of creating a new world and failing about ten times before I finally get a mythology/world I love. Then rewriting that first book THREE times before it worked. yes, three times. One was a complete rewrite. I scrapped the whole thing and started over. The other two were rewrites to the first half of the story. But I did it. I even singed my second contract with that story.

Guess, what. I suck at spelling and grammar. I've learned a lot over the years and my creativity is growing to heights I only dreamed of. And I'm loving every minute of it.

If you have a dream of doing something, don't ever give up on it. Work for it and reach your dreams and goals.

Hugs,
Lia

Let the future write itself

One of my biggest challenges as a writer is to let the future write itself. What does that mean? Let the story tell me what the future is and stop worrying about every detail. I struggle with writing the middle of the story on if I don't know how it will all end. It's a control issue, I know that. Yet, I find it hard to just let go.

I've tried plotting out the story. Most the time that works but there are some stories that refuse to follow an outline. No matter how much I try to steer the story in the direction of the outline, it refuses to go there. So I'm learning to let the future write itself. let the characters tel me where they want to go and end up. After all, I could change things in edits, right?

A few things I'm working on is to ignore that inner voice that tells me to go back and fix stuff, to turn up the music and do word sprints, and to repeatedly remind myself this is only the first draft, it's supposed to be total crap. 

Authors, do you struggle with this? What do you do to get pass it?

Readers, are there projects or other things in your life that you struggle with because you can't control the outcome?

Have a great day!

Lia

Schedules, routines, and the chaos that effs it all up

You try to set a schedule and develop a routine to help stay with that schedule, but Chaos is lurking, waiting for you to get into the grove. Once you think everything is on track and you are finally making some kind of headway, BAM! Chaos, in the form of a loved one (aka grown kids in my house) comes along and destroys all hope of meeting that deadline.

What do you do? Killing real people isn't an option. I don't have the time to go to jail... Wait, could I have a laptop and free internet...?

Okay, okay. No going to jail. That means those grown kids of mine get to live another day.

Disclaimer: The above statements are my twisted sense of humor working and not actual plans to kill or harm anyone. Unless it's the nasty villains in one of my books series, then its fair game.

My numerous interruptions during what should be my "normal business hours" force me to work all the way up to bed time.For some reason the grown children in my house thinks I don't have anything important to do because I work at home. Yeah, I know.

Then there are the life things that no one can control. So what is there to do? Make it work. Learn to say NO. And stop catering to grown kids that should be getting jobs and finding a life. (Oh, sorry that last one was for me. LOL)

1. Make it work: I try to take weekends off from writing. I usually catch up on admin/office duties like balancing Quickbooks and checking on contest. That way I have time to spend with Hubby. But there are times when I need to set a few hours aside to make up word count for a book that was due to the editor a few days before. Plus like I said above, I work in the evening and many times work up to bedtime writing.

2. Learn to say NO: Say it with me NO. That's N...O. Doesn't that feel great? Now go to your kids and just say NO. They will look at you like you've lost your mind. That's okay. Mine do that to me all the time. My hubby told me once to shut my door and put a note on the it. I'm working on a quirky saying to put on it. In the mean time, I put my headphones on and turn up the music!

What are somethings you do to keep Chaos from crashing in on your routine or schedule making plans?

Have a Chaos free weekend!
Lia

Giving Thanks

I am a grateful person. I have many things in my life I'm thankful for. Year round I realize how many wonderful people and opportunities I've been blessed with. When times get rough, as they often do, I try to focus on the amazing aspects of my life. But this time of year, I try to stop and make lists. So here is my top five things I'm thankful for....with a twist.

Top Five Things I'm Thankful For As a Romance Writer:

1. The word 'Cock'

And pussy, ass, breast, clit, balls....I think you get the idea. I love that we can just call a spade a spade now. I'm not sure I could've survived in the industry if I had to write manroot or honey-pot. Not to mention all the animals a man's dick has been compared to. Yes, some writers do it beautifully. I, however, would not have been one of them.

2. Toys

Sometimes it can be hard, no pun intended, to keep escalating sex scenes. It's true, variety is the spice of life. But let's be honest for a second, there are only a handful of sexual positions that are comfortable for amateurs like myself. To try to describe a position I've never enjoyed feels deceitful. But even plain old vanilla missionary can become red hot if the right toys are employed. Handcuffs, nipple clamps, and anal plugs-oh my!

3. A healthy appreciation for women's bodies

We come in all shapes and sizes. And men love us in all them. Don't believe me? This year, we went to a Suicide Girls' show for our anniversary. I've been to a couple men's reviews over the years. And the men were handsome. But there wasn't a huge variety in their body types. The same was not true for the burlesque show. Some of the women had large breasts, some had small. Some of the women had curved asses and some of them were lean. But regardless of the dancer's body type, the audience went crazy for them. I love that so many writers have started embracing this and writing about the diversity of women out there.

4. Wine

I don't think any of my 'grateful lists' would be complete without this one. I helps to celebrate the good times and commiserate in the bad. This industry tends to be full of ups and downs. Finished you novel? Yay! Have a glass to celebrate. Got a rejection? Sorry. Have a glass and tell me all about it. Got a great review? Awesome! Let's toast to many more. In edits hell? I'm so sorry.

5. The community

This is actually my favorite thing about writing romance. The people. And I'm talking about everyone: The writers, the readers, the reviewers, bloggers, editors....everyone. You guys are amazing. I've never met a group of people more caring or supportive. You keep me going. You are the reason I write. I love you guys so much.

So it's for those reasons (and many, many more) that I'm sending out a huge thank you to the romance world! You guys are awesome. I love you all. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a fabulous new year. Cheers!

Writers' Retreat- Leavenworth

Writers retreats. What are they and why are they necessary? For me it’s an opportunity to leave the distractions of my everyday life, keep my butt in the chair and get words on the page. It’s a chance to feed off the energy of my fellow authors and be inspired to finish the work.

Last month I met up with writers Danielle Monsch, Christa Mc Hugh, and Gwen Mitchell in the picturesque town of Leavenworth, Washington. Our requirements for a retreat are iffy Wi-fi, plenty of outlets, no television and a kitchen. We try to keep it simple. After we unpack, the laptops come out and words start to flow, usually after one of us throws down the gauntlet of a massive word count. Yes, we can be competitive.

As you can imagine when you get a roomful of women together, it’s not all work, work, work. There are breaks for dinner, a whiskey ginger (oh wait, that’s during the writing) and time to work out plots, marketing strategy and just discuss the latest gossip. But the heart of the weekend is the work.

There are strict building codes.
All business must look
like a Bavarian Village

Honey Crisps are in Season!

On the way home Danielle and I took a stroll through down and enjoyed one last bratwurst while plunking down another hundred words. We also stopped by the cutest fruit stand and general store. Enjoy the pics and I can’t wait till the next trip! 

Anna- The Super Diva

Website- http://annaalexander.net/
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*side note- Christa won us the weekend at the cabin from the Brenda Novak Auction for Diabetes Research. Susan Wiggs graciously made the donation. Look out for more auction fun next May.

 

 

How I write

I get asked all the time how I produce so much writing. Some even going so far as to call me a machine. I can assure you, I'm not.  But I do keep myself on a constant schedule as long as life permits it. 

Truthfully, since we just recently moved houses I've been completely off kilter but right now I'm going to write about what happens on what I think of as average days.

I saw an interview once with Jerry Seinfeld. He talked about how his career changed when he made comedy his job, treated it like a person handles a career and not as a hobby he was trying on the side.  That was when his career took off.

The day I decided I wanted writing to be what I did for a living, I threw myself into it.  Of course other things--family, friends, house--can get in the way but writing has to be something I do all the time.  If I could, I would write from 8 AM til 5 PM breaking for meals.  I don't always get that but I do get to write every day for part of the day.

Other things have to be fitted into this, too. Promoting, editing, and organization play their role.  But they don't count for actual writing time. 

I keep a list I call my WRITNG list. Its a working list that I can alter if need be but I try not.  As soon as I finish a Work In Progress I look at the list to see what I'll be doing next. That's how I keep myself going.

I think that list plus writing every day is why I have been able to produce a large number of stories.

Hope you're all well.

RR

Finding a Hero

Starting a new story is always my favorite part of the process. Staring at the blank page and letting the possibilities flood my head is one of the best feelings in the world. I’m a pantser. I write by the seat of my pants. So as I sit there and stare at the page, I get to imagine any number of plots, settings, and genres. For that one brief moment, I could write them all. The moment I write the first word, the story starts. And the more words I write, them more locked in I am.

One thing that always amazes me is how long it takes me to figure out my hero. I often have the heroine down from the first word. I know who she is, what she wants, and how she’d react to just about any situation I throw at her. Some of my heroines are smart and serious, others are wild and fun but each of them come to me as a fully developed character. My heroes? Not so much.

I’m currently writing a new series in a new world. The hero is a mage. Not just any mage, he’s a pretty dark mage. He has to be. He works for the best assassin in the three kingdoms. But he’s also my hero. So when I started writing him, I kind of thought he’d be kind, companionate, and sweet with her to counterbalance his profession. When I started writing their first sex scene, however, that’s not how I wrote him. As I typed in the words, he ended up being almost the exact opposite of the lover I’d planned on him being. Oh, he’s still kind and compassionate. He loves the heroine deeply. He just realizes that she needs a man who can stand up to her in the bedroom.

And that’s just what she needs.

It’s true, the scene wasn’t anything like what I first pictured it’d be. But it turned out exactly as it should be. I found my hero. Or, at least, I found my most recent hero. The challenge isn’t over, however. I’ve written minor power-exchanges before. Bond Betrayed was probably my most notable. But I have a feeling things are going to get intense between these two. I’ll be swimming into dark waters with them. And it’ll be a challenge to stay true to their journey. Now that I’ve got the story and the characters set, however, I can see how much fun this particular adventure is going to be.

What's your favorite part of writing or reading? Is it that first moment when you open a new story or when it's all said and done and you finally get to take a deep breath?