June 25, 2007 | Uncategorized

I’m working hard on the anthology that takes place in Hush, and I’m enjoying the shorter format. The hero is someone new to me, someone who surprises me on every page. The heroine, I understand her better. She’s more comfortable, but she’s surprised by the hero, too.

Yesterday I went to Justine Larbalestier’s blog (by way of Diana Peterfreund’s) to talk about what makes a romance sexy. It’s a great discussion you should all check it out. My response surprised me somewhat. Then again, my answer was completely true for me, and I think for a great many readers – it’s all about tension and delayed gratification.

And yet in several of the books I’ve written, the h/h end up in bed quite early in the book. Which means the tension and delayed gratification has to come in another way. It’s focused on emotions that are as revelatory and stunning as first sexual contact with a couple who have already fallen in love. This, I find, is not easy to do. (Duh)

So I did a little searching on my own today. I looked at the romances that have really moved me. That have given me visceral reactions and carried over long after the book or movie has been put away. I plotted the progress of the tension and the delayed gratification through several stories (I’m still working on it) and I’m really learning a lot.

I love it when this happens.
I love it when the conversation on line leads directly to awareness and an aha!
I love it that people are so willing to share. That so many see that it takes nothing away, only adds.

So is it the same for you? Delayed gratification and tension? Or is it something completely different?

June 18, 2007 | Uncategorized

I just finished reading LADY LUCK’S MAP OF VEGAS by Barbara Samuel. Gorgeous writing, word paintings, lovely, lovely. I thought the story was wonderful and it was a joy to read.

God, I love reading. (Yeah, that’s news). But I do so much reading for research that reading for pleasure is like winning a prize.

Next up? THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield. I’m rubbing my hands with glee.

On the writing front, I’m working on two projects. Hate it, but have no choice. I’m trying to separate work sessions so it’s not too painful.

As always, it’s taking awhile to adjust from being back from vacay. I have a stuffed up nose, so that makes it worse. But we had a lovely time and it was fun to be elsewhere.

Sunday night has been all about Robot Chicken, and if you don’t know what that is, you probably wouldn’t like it. Very funny stop-action animation by silly grown men. This is when I really know Dotes and I are meant to be together. Although he enjoys Sci Fi channel movies a whole lot more than I do. Okay, yes, I’m into Stargate and Dr. Who (when are we getting Torchwood here, BTW?) but the movies? I don’t like regular sized bugs, so why would I want to watch movies about giant versions? ICE SPIDERS? Really?

The current annoyance (for those who are counting) is that the mat under my chair is warped. It makes me sit either too far or too close to the keyboard. Sounds harmless enough unless you’re a freakin’ writer! I must do something about this. Did you know that wooden or bamboo mats are hundreds of dollars? Why? WHY?

And now, on a very grumpy note – I have a new book coming out in September (that’s not the grumpy part. I really like the book) called KIDNAPPED! It’s a Blaze about…well, you can probably figure that out. The problem is the cover. I’ve been getting fabulous covers, so I suppose I’m due for a mishap, but this one could have been caught. There’s just something that looks really strange. I’m not going to post it yet. It’s too early. But ::sigh:: I suppose I shouldn’t complain except it’s the cover and it’s the first introduction to a book I’m proud of. Other than the problem (which you’ll see when you see it) the cover is good. And sexy.

Maybe I’m overreacting. Only I’m not.

Okay, let’s end this on a happy note –remembering the moment of bittersweet satisfaction after reading two really excellent books. You know, that last page moment? Oh, and re-watching the end of Season 2 of Dr. Who and crying my eyes out—in a good way.

June 10, 2007 | Uncategorized

We’re on the road, having just been to Murder on the Grove where I was part of a panel, Robert Crais was funny and good-looking, Dotes got a request for a full, and we ate fabulous Thai food. :)

Now we’re doing a bit more vacation, then home to write like a fiend.

It rained the entire day today, and Dotes drove miles and miles - I should have been typing, but instead I watched Children of Men on our new tiny portable DVD player, and I finished ODD THOMAS, which was fantastic. Totally original characters and wonderful spookiness. Highly recommended.

I bought books at the conference that I have no time to read, but they do feel delicious in my hands.

Oh, also, when I get back I’ll be working with the web designer to do a new setup on the web site itself and here. We will have pictures once more!

June 8, 2007 | Uncategorized

Sorry for being MIA. I switched hosts and my old blog is toast. I’ll be using this one until I get the new design up and running.

So what did I miss?