Very Superstitious

So it's Friday the 13th. An unlucky day? Well, I tried all day yesterday to get this post up, but Blogger was down. I strongly suspect anyone involved in the highly successful movie series considers it very lucky, on the other hand.

So many superstitions about luck. Bad luck can come from broken mirrors, spilled salt, black cats, walking under a ladder or opening an umbrella inside the house. Good luck charms include crossed fingers, four leafed clovers, rabbits' feet (not so lucky for the rabbit) upturned horseshoes and knocking on wood.

I found a collection of interesting tidbits at http://www.corsinet.com/trivia/scary.html. While you're at it, leave a comment below on your favorite superstition, and sometime Sunday, I'll draw one random commenter to win a copy of my new book from Ellora's Cave: Midsummer Dreams.

 * * * *

Midsummer Dreams

Holiday Hearts #4

By Cindy Spencer Pape

From Ellora’s Cave

Blurb:

Matt Warren has always been the man of Summer’s dreams. He was her childhood imaginary playmate, her teen crush, and the wildly sexy fantasy lover of her adulthood. She’s always known he wasn’t real, but after experiencing his imaginative, passionate touch, no real man has ever measured up. Alone on a beach shortly before her birthday, however, Summer discovers that the Holiday family magic hasn’t left her behind. Matt is real, here on her beach, and her to make Summer his, in every way possible.

Matt has always known that he has a gift as a dreamwalker, and that Summer was out there, and would someday be his, if he didn’t get himself killed first. Now that his career as an Air Force pilot is over, he’s moved to Charleston to find Summer and teach her that their shared erotic dreams are even better in real life, and that their love can last a lifetime.

Excerpt: (ADULT)

Summer Holiday tossed and turned in the middle of a dream that had visited on and off her whole life. She knew she was dreaming, but she didn’t want it to end.

The sand was warm beneath her feet and the surf lapped softly against the shore. No one else was around, just the two of them. The handsome, golden-haired man gazed at her with his midnight-blue eyes. He reached for her and she walked into his arms. He was mostly naked, a pair of cut-off jeans his only covering. She had on a sundress, with a bikini underneath. This part of the dream was the same, had been since she could remember. As she’d gotten older though, it had grown more and more explicit. Now, sometimes the dream carried through until they’d both come, and Summer wanted that tonight. It had been a long week, and she needed some sort of release.

“Summer.” He murmured her name into her hair as he hugged her close. That had been added to the dream sometime in her teen years. They’d shared names and told each other about their lives. Her subconscious had built quite a character for her dream man. He was three years older than her, had parents who were divorced, a married sister, and since her college years, he’d been in the military. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Matt.” Matthew Harrison Warren, that’s what she’d named him. Major Matt Warren. Her childhood dream friend who’d grown into her adult dream lover. “It’s been a long time.”

“I was in the hospital for a while,” he told her as he kissed her earlobe, the line of her neck. “I didn’t dream while they had me pumped full of drugs.”

This was her dream, not his. Still, she wasn’t going to waste it asking questions. She wanted him inside her—now. The minute she’d seen him coming down the beach in her dream, she’d grown wet and ready for him. It had been months since her last dream of Matt and years since she’d had a real lover. None of the guys she’d dated had ever measured up to the man of her dreams.

Summer was impatient. She tugged open the buttons of his fly and pushed his jeans down around his ankles. There was a new, angry-red scar on his hip, stitch marks clear through the center of it.

“I have an artificial hip joint now,” he said. “Like an old man. I’m not in the Air Force anymore, of course. I’m working on what to do next.”

When had her dreams decided she needed a lover who wasn’t a fighter pilot? No matter since he only existed in her head. Maybe this was her subconscious reminding her she wasn’t getting any younger. “You’ll find something. You’re a qualified engineer, right?” Before he’d gone off to the Air Force, she’d dreamed he was an aeronautical engineering student.

“That I am, sugar. I’ll find a job, don’t you worry about it.”

She leaned over and kissed the scar. Her cheek rubbed against his thick cock, already fully erect. Of course she wouldn’t worry—or shouldn’t. He was simply a dream. But the scar looked so inflamed and painful, her heart lurched. “Does it hurt too much?”

“Too much to make love to you? Never.” He pulled her sundress over her head and tugged open the ties of her bikini. The sun warmed her nipples but they stayed as hard as if she stood in a snow bank. One by one, Matt dropped kisses on the dark-pink buds. “Every time I see you, you’re even more beautiful than I remember.”

“I’m almost thirty-three,” she reminded him, feeling positively ancient. “Just another few weeks until my birthday. My youngest brother just got married, and my oldest has a two-month-old little girl. My younger sister’s been married for a year, and now they’re talking about having a baby. That leaves just me and Sam as the singles in the family.” Summer was the middle of the five Holiday siblings while Sam was second oldest.

“All the men in Charleston are idiots.” Matt dropped to his knees in the sand, though there was miraculously a blanket underneath them. “I’m coming, Summer. Will you wait for me? I promise I’m on my way.”

Guest Blog: Avril Ashton: We're Not That Different!

I’ve been fortunate in my short—so far—span at being a published author to meet some totally awesome people. Recently a woman—a mother, wife, teacher, was outed as also being an erotic romance writer. The news station did an abysmal and one-sided job on reporting the non-story, and a firestorm ensued across the social media universe.

This really got under my skin, because it’s so not a big deal. Not even a small deal. What we do in our private lives concern no one but us unless, and until, it interferes in some way, shape or form with our ability to conduct ourselves as law-abiding citizens.

I can’t imagine what it must feel like to have your business all up in the streets because some busy-bodies are on a moral rampage. I’ve tried putting myself in the shoes of the people on the other end of the debate? and nope, the shoe don’t really fit.

See, to compare us to predators and law-breakers are just going too far. You don’t have to like what we do, you sure as hell don’t have to read it, but just as I don’t have the right to walk into your house and criticize you, you have no right to do it to me. We’re somehow portrayed as deviants, sexual freaks out to corrupt an upright society, but I’ve got news…ship done sailed and we erotic romance writers weren’t even on board.

Now, I’m the first to admit I’m rather on the crazy side, but I’m also a parent, a sibling, someone’s child, and someone’s partner. I’ve never been in trouble with the law, never even had a parking ticket. Squeaky clean. Though I haven’t set foot in an actual church in eons, I believe in God—we’re on a first name basis, him and I. He’s given me an amazing gift of words, and the ability to craft it into a killer story. And I love what I do.

How many people can really say that?

I say to those who turn up their noses, we’re not that different. Well, except for the whole I love to read and write about sex bit.

BIO:
A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y with a Spousal Equivalent of almost eight years. Together they raise a 6 y/o daughter who loves reading and school (wonder how long that will last). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of The Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Avril remains a believer of love in all its forms.

BLURB: Blindfold Me
Thirteen years ago, Lyric Benson's boyfriend accused her of sleeping with his older brother then disappeared. She never stopped caring, never stopped hoping. Now, all these years later, Lyric is stunned to discover the new owner of her company is one Grayson St. Clair, who never forgot or forgave her transgression.

Grayson wants nothing to do with someone he thinks hurt him so deeply. He can't let go of the past and he can't trust Lyric. It doesn't help matters that while on her watch, the Masonry company she oversaw was hacked into and the company's top secret client list accessed. Reluctantly, Lyric and Grayson team up to find the culprit, with Grayson denying their blossoming feelings at every turn. But when his brother appears, secrets in tow, Grayson will have to choose: live in the past or move on with Lyric.

http://www.avril-ashton.blogspot.com
http://www.avrilashton.weebly.com
http://www.facebooks.com/writeravrilashton
avril.ashton@yahoo.com
http://www.twitter.com/#%21AvrilAsh

Writer's Retreat

I am going on a writer's retreat and I can't wait. Five days of nothing but writing, mingling with other writers, writing, eating, writing, relaxing, and, oh, did I say writing?

It's a retreat my local RWA group takes every year - this is our tenth year. About fifteen of us go and we have a blast. Yes, it is a long weekend of intensive work, but we also find time to socialize, party, have fun, and generally enjoy ourselves while putting out amazing amounts of productivity.

We stay at a campground that has a "hotel" on the grounds so we have all the comforts of home - and don't have to cook! They do all the meals for us. One thing we don't have in our rooms is TV - which is just as well since many of us would probably tend to use it to catch up on our favorite shows (though we can do that with our computers). We also do not have WiFi (or any other kind) of connectivity in our rooms - only in the lobby of the hotel. So no email, no surfing the web, no nothing.

Just days of writing. Brainstorming with other writers. Having immediate support when we're stuck with a word or scene. It is nirvana.

This year, I have two manuscripts I'm working on - an epic fantasy and an urban fantasy - my goal is to have them both plotted out and scenes ready to go by the time I'm done. I also plan to edit a third ms I've finished but needs work. Lofty goals, but I'm hopeful. :)

Can you tell I'm excited about this? We all are. My little crit group, all five of whom are also going, has been preparing for this for weeks. We have everything we're going to work on ready to go and we're packing up our pages and red pens and plotting sheets.

So my suggestion is to you... plan your own writing retreat. It doesn't have to be four or five days like we do - it can be just a day, or even a few hours. Get together with other writer friends and start writing. Or editing. Or brainstorming. Anything to get the writing juices flowing and have fun!

See you all next week! Oh, and keep an eye on my Victoria site - I've got a new "Chosen" story coming out on May 25th that I know you'll love!

Vicky/Victoria

A taste of 'Sugar Roux Voodoo' for you"

It’s good to be back at Romance Books R’ Us! I took a little break from most blogging this spring because of a heavy workload. Hopefully, I’ll soon have something to share with you about what I’ve been working on.

“Sugar Roux Voodoo” is my latest book from Ellora’s Cave Publishing and the first of what I hope will become a series. This story has a little bit of everything. It’s categorized as a historical but it has Voodoo parlors aboard gambling riverboats, dashing pirate captains who love purple brocade, evil shape-shifters sexually accosting women in the alleyways of the French Quarter, and zombies working the cane fields…It’s all for fun and complete fantasy, none of it belongs in a history book.

Did I mention there’s also a once in a lifetime romance, redemption, forgiveness and love? That’s the good part. I’m not giving anything away here be saying the core of the story is love makes us better people and can save us from our darkest hour. At least that’s what I intended.

Here’s the Blurb:
New Orleans 1834. Lark La Beau is a green-eyed beauty and respected beneficent voodoo priestess with the sometimes uncooperative gift of clairvoyance. Captain Valcour Curry is a debonair, larger-than-life buccaneer with ambition to burn and a taste for fine things. Following a whirlwind romance with Lark, he disappears at sea, leaving Lark with a riverboat and a child to rear—alone.

A guilty act of piracy causes Valcour to fall victim to a shapeshifting magician who practices the dark art of soul-swapping. For five years Valcour has been enslaved as an emotionless zombie with no memory of his loved ones or past. From dusk to dawn he is cursed to toil in the cane fields while the evil magician uses his soul to lure women near and have his brutal way with them.

Lark’s love for Valcour runs deep. She risks hell and journeys to the oppressive Broken Oak Plantation to break the curse. It’s a terrifying place. Her only tools to call Valcour’s lost soul back to life are beneficent voodoo and the sensual power of love.

Romance Writer’s Reviews loved “Sugar Roux Voodoo” and gave it 5 Stars!
The book had me hanging on, I couldn’t put it down I wanted to know what would happen. I really enjoyed the storyline, it was interesting and different.”
You can read the full review here:
http://www.romancewritersreviews.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=3&sobi2Id=82&Itemid=30If you would like to read an except of “Sugar Roux Voodoo” please go to:
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9273-sugar-roux-voodoo.aspx

“Sugar Roux Voodoo” has a book trailer too. I wanted to make Captain Valcour Curry happy, so we used a lot of purple and of course one of his favorite gemstones… if you haven’t see the trailer yet please take a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTFQfTDb-t0

Thank you! I love reading your comments so please leave one or just say hello!

Katalina Leon “Sugar Roux Voodoo”, Ellora’s Cave Legend Line available now.

Interview of Author Jennifer Labelle

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Jennifer Labelle!




Latest Book: Meant To Be






Buy Link: www.secretcravingspublishing.com/JenniferLaBelle.html
Video Link: http://weebly-link/505965631803747364

BIO:
Jennifer Labelle resides in Ottawa, Ontario Canada with her husband and three beautiful children.After her third child she became a stay at home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active reader of romance (especially historical), mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work she's decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination with all of you.

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: The very first thing I did was call everyone to share my excitement otherwise my celebration was pretty tame while I celebrated at home with the kids. Now whenever I’m trying to promote or whenever they happen to notice the book’s cover their awestruck with “Wow’s or look it’s mommy’s book” with enthusiasm. My nine year old already gloats to all his friends and it’s so nice to see the pride in all three of them. They’re so precious and have made my experience that much more fulfilling. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: I find the beginning can be the hardest part of the story. That initial hook in the start to get the reader intrigued. The middle and ending are my favorite part. They always seem to flow well for me, but the beginning I seem to change often. It’s an annoying habit I can’t seem to break.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: I’d have to say Jewels, by Danielle Steel. I’ve probably read it at least twenty times over the years and it still makes me cry every time.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: I’d pinch myself to see if I was dreaming…LOL. The situation is highly unlikely but I’ll play along. If I was single I’d probably enjoy Mr. Handsome by getting cozy. The island is remote so there’d always be time to work on my writing afterward.

I’m not single so I’d behave and probably stick to my fantasies and the computer.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: Horror. Why? Because I grew up being a king fan, and I’m also told that my writing leans towards the darker side. Not to mention I’ve seen and lived through enough horror in my life that I can relate.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: I like Facebook the best, although Twitter is a close second. I like that I can keep in touch with people that I don’t get to see every day. Like distant friends and relatives.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all! http://www.jenniferlabelle.com
http://www.secretcravingspublishing.com/JenniferLaBelle.html
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jennifer-Labelle/168414043184292
http://twitter.com/#%21/1JenniferLabell

BLURB:
Jenna Baker is shaken up after her recovery with a near death experience. As if, being haunted with visions and losing her husband in a car accident weren’t hard enough. Could she be losing her mind? She finally moves on, only to have the husband she thought was dead suddenly reappear.

After the shocking task of convincing Jenna that she’s not seeing his ghost, Tyler becomes overwhelmed with guilt for saving himself and leaving her to almost die. Jenna’s recovery takes its toll while Tyler’s vulnerability gets the best of him. He’s harbouring secrets that will devastate her and as Jenna unravels the truth her life takes an unexpected journey.

EXCERPT: (PG)
“Um, if I forget to say this later, thanks, Sam.”

They finally arrived.

“You’re thanking me in the airport.” Sam said with a laugh. “That’s very sweet, Jenna, but just wait until we get out there.” She gestured to the beautiful scenery of Dublin visible through the doors, “I’m really hoping that you can have a good time. Start out fresh in new surroundings, have an adventure, live a little, let loose, and have fun. Now that’s the vacation I’m hoping to have.”

Putting an arm around her, she stopped. “Speaking of beautiful scenery, what have we here?” Sam played innocent as she turned Jenna to see what she was talking about.

Two men stood only a few feet away from them, just staring. There was an instant attraction when her eyes met with one that scared the hell out of her, and she panicked. “Sam, I don’t think I’m ready for this,” she whispered, wide-eyed. Now that she was there she was getting cold feet.

“Relax, Jenna. It’s okay if you’re not ready today, but honestly, hun, how long has it been?” Sam asked.

Jenna was clueless. “How long has what been?”

“My guess, in fact I know, it’s been over a year now.”

She looked Jenna straight in the eye and nodded because it was true.

“But I’m just not sure that I’m ready to take the leap, Sam.” Sighing in defeat, Jenna felt bad for Sam. She was obviously interested in hooking her up. The problem was sex and men were two subjects she wanted, but she just wasn’t sure of anymore, hoping to get there someday.

“They’re really great guys, Jenna you’ll see. They’re also our ride to the hotel. Just let me introduce you, and see how it goes.” Sam flagged Brady and another guy over.

Jenna recognized him right away as he neared. Sam had shown her several pictures from her last trip, and it was hard to forget someone you had fantasies about. He was gorgeous.

Given no other choice Jenna sighed and tried not to fidget nervously.

“Hi,” Sam laughed giving both men a hug. “I missed you guys. It’s so great to be back again.” Sam lingered, putting her arm around the lighter haired one, and then turned to face Jenna again.

“Jenna this here is my cousin Brady Connelly, and his delicious friend Caleb O’Donnell. Caleb, Brady, this is my lovely best friend, Jenna.”

“Hi,” Jenna waved, and turned red with being put on the spot. Two gorgeous men were looking at her, and she’d been out of the game so long that she wasn’t sure what to do next. Caleb waved and engaged in a conversation with Sam, while Brady stared.

She was hypnotized.

He extended his hand, “Lovely, Jenna, it’s a pleasure to meet ye.”

Jenna gulped nervously, and tried to smile. “Brady.”

Anything else you’d like to add?
I’d just like to say thank you for this interview opportunity and Thank you to all those who’ve given their support.

Guest Blog: Janet Lane Walters: What If - Those Magic Words!

For a writer "What If" are magical words. What if the hero learns the heroine has hidden a baby from him? What if she meets the man of her dreams and he's resistant the pull? What if a mutual enemy tries to pull a loving couple apart? There are so many ideas those two words spark. And "What if" can send a writer on the adventure of a lifetime, at least until those words pop into mind again. "What if" is the idea that sends a writer on a journey but there are six other words in the form of questions that help the writer find his or her way along the road to the completed manuscript. The six additional questions are Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

Who are the people in the story. In romances, there must be a hero and a heroine. There can be an opponent to one or both of the main characters, or not. There are often minor characters who play a role as in employer or best friend. One thing to be sure of is not to let the minor characters take over. The main characters must be rounded rather than paper characters. There are probably as many ways of creating characters as there are writers but some things are essential. The names a writer gives his or her characters can be important. A hero called Horace Blob might not make a good impression on the reader. One way of developing characters is through Astrology. Finding a good book that gives not only the Sun Signs but also the Moon Signs and the Ascendant gives a multitude of traits that can be used to show the characters in a great light. The Sun stands for the character's inner nature, something he or she may not let many people know. The Moon defines the emotional nature as in hos the character will react to a given situation. The Ascendant is the face the character shows the world. Put these all together and a character with many sides will start the writer on the road to a completed book.

What signifies the characters' goals. Even minor characters can have goals but the ones they have shouldn't be stronger than those of the hero and heroine. In a romance, the goal is to find a lasting love. But the main characters may have other goals such as solving a mystery, succeeding at some job or caring for their family. Making the goals go along with the traits a writer selects can deepen the story. Layers make for good reading.

Why is the reason the hero or heroine has for wanting a particular goal. Since he or she may have more than one goal, there could be more than one reason. In romance the reasons for finding love are a multitude. Some of them are a wanting to belong, the desire for a family and the need for a physical consummation.

Where is the location of the story. This can also be a milieu and can cause twists to the plot. But where can be more than a city, town, village or a farm. The where can be a world of the writer's imagination. The where can be the past or the future. Think of the ways where a story is set can touch and change the road the story takes. A space ship with crowded corridors, a world where dragons live, a steel mill town during a strike, a farm that can be lost or won with the wrong or right decision. A writer has to consider the where also when describing the house, room, park or other small venue where the hero and heroine meet. This should be done with short bits of description that is woven into the scene.

When involves time and time is a vast subject. There are years, seasons, days and times of days. Using time allows a writer to locate a character in time. Time also adds to the story and can make changes. Imagine a hero or heroine waking in the past or in the future. What will this do to their goals and reasons. What about the hot days of summer or the bitter cold of winter? The hours can make a difference. Things seen while the sun is rising or the room appears may be different than what the character sees during the brightness of noon.

All these things lead to the last of the six. How? This is the journey the hero and heroine take while they search for and find love. The how involves all the other questions the writer has answered knitting the strands into a braid.

BIO:
Janet Lane Walters has been writing romances since 1972 when her first "sweet nurse" romance was published, followed by two more in the same year. A few years later she returned to nursing to help educate four children. She is now writing full time and has some 35 to 40 books published. She writes in a number of genres and subgenres. At present she resides in the scenic Hudson River Valley with her psychiatrist husband who has no desire to cure her obsession with writing. She has won a number of awards for her writing. Janet is a member of EPIC, RWA and Broad Universe.

BLURB: The Warriors of Bast
Tira has always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, but circumstances and finances have kept her from becoming an archeologist. Her dream of seeing her older sister drug free is shattered by Luci’s murder by a drug dealer. Tira must run to be safe from the killer. A crumpled flyer offers an escape…The answer is in your stars.

Tira flees her pursuers and reaches a brownstone where two elderly women cast her horoscope. She is offered refuge but must undertake a dangerous quest. She will be unable to speak of her world, or anything alien to the culture she enters and… she will remain there forever.

Kashe is the unloved middle son of the nomarch of Mero. He reminds his father of the Nubian slave ancestor the nomarch wishes to forget. Though Kashe wants to become a warrior of Horu, his father has other plans. A desire for power drives the nomarch. To see his eldest son, Pian, as pharaoh, the nomarch plots with the priests of Aken Re.

The pair sets out on the quest for the symbols; the flail, the crook and the double crown. Tira learns this Egypt has many differences from the Egypt she has studied. They must face nearly insurmountable challenges as they pursue their sacred quest.

Let me TAKE YOU AWAY contest!!!

This has been one wild week for me!

Much to my surprise - and delight - my newest erotic romance Take Me Away will be releasing sooner than I expected. In fact, it's coming out today - May 6!
And today, I'm introducing it to you at our beloved RBRU.

Here's the cover, blurb and buy link. And BTW - to one lucky commenter, I'm giving away a copy of one of my backlist that includes:

1. Adored (RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars Romantic Times)
2. Deep Dark Delicious (EPIC 2011 Finalist)
3. Lush Velvet Nights (EPIC 2011 Finalist)
4. In His Arms (SIX - 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars Romantic Times)
5. Sensual Stranger (Book of the Year 2010 - Erotic Category; 4 Stars Romantic Times)

Blurb:

She’s everything he escaped…and all that he desires


Three years ago, Kyle turned his back on a pro-football career and being the target of tabloids or gold-digging groupies. Craving privacy, he gets it at his roadhouse in Northern California until Lexi Sands invades his life. Indulged and surely phony, she’s exactly what Kyle fled.

An actress since childhood, Lexi’s fresh out of an anger management program, court-ordered when she lashed out at a badgering paparazzo. Weary of the press’s harsh scrutiny, she sees Kyle’s secluded cabin as the ideal place to hide out and him as a damn-near perfect alpha male. Deliciously virile. Protective. Principled. She offers him serious cash to let her stay for two weeks, assuring there will be no complications or touching.

Yeah, right. Passion flares, along with tenderness. Kyle recognizes how lonely Lexi really is, while she’s falling hard. Through intimate days and impassioned nights, they explore their most shameless needs, until a cruel betrayal exposes their growing love, forcing a choice neither anticipated.

Buy link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9333-take-me-away.aspx
 
Please leave a comment for your chance to win one of my backlist!!!

Hi Guys,

Sorry I'm late on this month's posting. I spent last week with my mom and sister's and I'm moving household this week. UGH! If I ever have to move again, I'm hiring someone else to do it for me.

Anyway, on to my writing topic for this month.

A lot has been said for the use of pen names especially since a teacher was fired because parents found out she wrote erotic romance and they felt she shouldn't be around their children.

Personally, I don't use a pen name, but then again, all my children are grown and I don't need to hide my true identity from anyone. I haven't been persecuted by my town or anyone either, over the fact that I write erotic romance. I can certainly see the give and take of using one even if you don't have children or whatever. I've thought about using a pen name, but now that I have so many books out in my real name, it would be like starting over with a fan base and I'm not sure I want to do that.

What about pen names for different genres? I've heard pro's and con's of that, too. I write everything under one name and I figured hopefully the posting of the genre within the description would make them different enough, the readers who don't like paranormal won't read those and anyone who doesn't like cowboys, won't read those. Of course, who doesn't like cowboys? Mmm...not me! LOL

So there is my take on pen names. Some use them and some don't. What's your thoughts?

Until next month

~ Sandy

What's in a Name?

Hi, my name is Cynthia Arsuaga. I’m a relatively new author, actually a very new author. My first release was in January, followed by two more and a week ago had my fourth accepted, the sequel to the first release. This little exercise in promotion is one of the ways I’m supposed to get the word out about my books and myself, and as I thought about what I had to write, ‘er Blog about, well I figured why not talk about what’s in a name. This led me to think about my name, Cynthia Arsuaga. Should I use my real name or a pen name?

As you no doubt have figured out, Cynthia is okay to pronounce. Haven’t had too many problems over the years with that one. Although, people do tend to automatically call me Cindy, which I really don’t like. I like Cindy, not the presumption. Ask my husband. He’s never, ever called me Cindy since the day we met. Now, to the last name—Arsuaga. The name isn’t a problem for those of Hispanic background because it’s Spanish Basque. Keep in mind, my lineage isn’t Spanish Basque, it’s my husband’s. I always tell people I proudly chose the name, I wasn’t born with it. His family originates from that region in Spain and can trace his family roots back to the “Old Country”. So, how do you pronounce the name you ask? It has had some derivations over the years, some of which have had me rolling in the aisles with laughter, but after thirty plus years living with the name, I’ve learned to take the well-meant mispronunciations in stride. I can’t get upset with anyone because the name is certainly chocked full of vowels. Hopefully, after everyone starts to see, buy, and enjoy my stories, the pronunciation will become easy.

Can picking your book title be as important as your author name? Should it roll off the tongue easily? Long, short, tell the story in a few brief words? Do you come up with a title before you start to write or after you’ve begun? Or have it change when the publisher takes a crack at it? I’ve wondered these questions and in my brief explorations on chat rooms, social networks, and blogs (there’s that word again), I don’t think I’ve seen the questions answered directly. Some say they like a title, but never asked the author how they came up with it. As Shakespeare so eloquently wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet;” and the rest is history. This passage from Romeo and Juliet is recognizable and associated with Shakespeare hundreds of years later. So, is a name important or not?

I created my characters’ names on purpose. Their monikers were important to me and had to be just right. My heroine, Alexandra Carlton, also known as Alex, came first. I knew her instantly, no question about it. The hero, I actually researched a name for him. I wanted his name to be authentic, not made up or a “maybe it could fit” or “it sounded good” name. Stefan Marin had a meaning behind the use. The secondary characters had the same thought and care put into their names as well; especially the villain, Dragos Munteanu.

And the title? Born to Be Wild came to me within writing the first two pages. Alex drove Highway 95 north to Virginia on a hunt for the rogue vampire in her candy apple red ‘Stang with the CD blaring her favorite song. And the story unfolded from there, living up to its title. My Life as a Dog, which I co-authored with my husband, came about the same way. The story is about a private investigator that has special abilities, namely a shape-shifting Yorkshire terrier. Drake Martin has the ability to get into places, and trouble, that other shape-shifters never could. My latest release, The Cougar and Her Vampire, evolved. I had two other titles before I settled on the final one. The “Cougar” in this book is not a shape-shifter, but an older woman who meets up with a younger man, except he turns out to be a three hundred year old vampire. Hopefully, the titles will resonate with readers. Only time will tell.

So the final question is—do you think a name is important? Let me know what you think.

Oh, my name’s pronounced R-SWA-GA (short “a” sounds). Remember the name, Cynthia Arsuaga, erotic paranormal romance author. Find me at http://cynthiaarsuaga.weebly.com or www.secretcravingspublishing.com/CynthiaArsuaga.html where I have excerpts of my other novels and other interesting information.

Depression=Writer's Block=Depression?

What comes first? Depression, leading to Writer's Block, or Writer's Block, leading to Depression?

Actually, it seems as if both scenarios are correct!

I seem to reach a point in my writing when Writer's Block hits...and it's always in the middle of the book. How can this happen? I've got my basic outline, I know what happens first and how the book will end. AND, I know what SHOULD be in the middle. But staring at the computer screen and wondering, "What do I do now?" always happens....and that can be so depressing.

My muse deserts me. I question my writing skills. I reread what I've written and itch to do endless edits. In fact, that's what I've done in the past...I leave the middle and rewrite the beginning. So...what does that accomplish? A new start for my book, but the dreaded middle will STILL appear to vex me.

Feeling depressed affects my writing ability. Here again, I question my writing skills. I start to wonder if this is what I want to do, am capable of doing. If I'm tired and feeling low because of depression, how can I write? What makes me think I can continue?

Both scenarios happen to me, and for both, I do the same thing...I back away for awhile. There's no point in trying to write, because:
1. I don't like what I write
2. Other things sneak in to distract my attention
3. Soothing my ego is needed

I admire those who follow a strict writing routine everyday and are so successful. But, I know any one type of  writing style along with coping skills isn't the same for everyone.

How do you fight depression, writer's block, both?

Photos: Flickr: Gillian, mia3mom, and kingfishpies photostreams.