Writer"s Block

There's been a great deal of talk on the loops lately about writer's block *gulp*. Discussion has gone round and round about what to do if it strikes. Even in my brand bew issue of RWR magazine, there was an article about how to kick start your muse. That being said, I'd just like to let you know that help is on the way.
Carolina Romance Writers, my local chapter of RWA, has a great onine workshop coming up in February. Here's the info: (Don't worry about the cut off, they will let you register right up to the class start up date. And if you're a recluse and just want the information, they keep all the classes in the files section so you can download it.)

February Online Workshops
February 2-27, 2009 Standard WorkshopUsing Writer’s Block As Building BlocksPresented by Raquel Rodriguez

Want to just write? Stop fighting your Muse! Dry spells can indicate the dreaded writer’s block, a rough wall to hurtle. Teacher and writer, Raquel Rodriguez, can help you understand the possible causes for this challenge and offers several ways to break through. Learn what story options may be hiding from you and how to trust your instincts to make the right decision that can help move your story forward. Work with several block-breaking writing exercises you can use as building blocks to help get you writing again and build your scenes and story in the right direction. Topics Covered:- Scenes that refuse to be written- Finding the right words- Staring at a intimidating blank page or computer monitor- Reasons we get stuck in the middle of the story- Sweating that deadline
Growing up around ghosts and having written stories since her teens, native Texan and published author Raquel Rodriguez is used to things that go "bump" 24/7. With a passion for Science Fiction, anything paranormal, Space Opera, and writing romance, Raquel blends these elements into her passionate stories with twists of action and suspense. She has studied, taught and lectured about Parapsychology for over 25 years, utilizing Astrology, Astrological Tarot and Vogler’s 12 steps to plot her stories. Raquel 's personal motto is, "Never give up, never surrender!" and she writes at least five FF&P romance stories per year with her specific story planning and plotting techniques. For more information, please visit her website at www.RaquelRodriguez.com.
*Please Note: If paying by Paypal, please send money to workshops@carolinaromancewriters.com.
Registration Deadline: January 25th
To register, go to www.carolinaromancewriters.com and click onto "workshops" tab at the top of the page and then "February" on the roll out calendar. I hope you'll check it out.
Sarah McNeal
www.sarahmcneal.com

THE CRINGE OF ROMANCE

The Romantic Cringe

Often times people will ask me what I write when they first learn that I am a published writer. My gut reaction is a sudden desire to lie and explain in lofty terms that I write alternative fiction. I want to throw out a lot of baloney about time travel, science fiction, adventure, Western or even experimental dabbling into creative fiction. I could duck the entire issue and act like I just saw someone I know across the room and I must be off to greet them. The last thing I want to tell them is that I’m a romance writer.

I know. I know. I’m a coward. But the minute I tell an enthusiastic person that I’m a romance writer, I have to endure their deflated interest and sudden monotone voice depicting low esteem when they respond with, “Oh. That’s nice.”What the heck? It’s as if my IQ just dropped and my efforts to get that POV right and the hours I agonized working the plot into an exciting revelation meant absolutely nothing—because I write romance.

Some people just don’t get it. Writing about the most tender feelings two people can have for one another and making them find ways to overcome impossible obstacles to have that one person their heart yearns for is an amazing amount of work to get it right and make it lift the heart. Is it nobler to write dark tombs with sad endings than those filled with hope and ending in happiness? Apparently. Is it easier somehow to forge a romance than a murder? In the minds of many, yes.

Well, for myself, I delight in reading romance and I have no desire to write anything else. I enjoy happy endings and stories that make me believe in the impossible. My life is filled with the harsh edges of reality and the sting and bite of everyday existence. When I settle down into bed at night, I like to close my day within the pages of a wonderful romance that allows me to believe that the world really can be a better place.
Sarah J. McNeal
www.sarahmcneal.com

Frost, Flame and Flower...

Just wanted to pop in and let everyone know I've posted a new free story to Free Romance Fiction It's a holiday story about Jack Frost and a very naught flower fairy/flame elemental named Poinsettia.

Blurb:
When Jack Frost accidentally freezes Poinsettia's poinsettia plants days before Christmas, she is furious! Hurt, and angry, Poinsettia tells Jack she never wants to see him again. Taking her at her word, he disappears for 100 years. Will a visit from Dar-Flame, Poinsettia's flame elemental father convince him to return to the North Pole and Poinsettia? Will she welcome him with open arms, or a ball of flame? Read the story to find out! It's in the Holiday section. :-)

A Modern Vampire

I had not realised how long it was since I last posted here. Apologies to everyone but i got caught up in Christmas and since then I have been busy working and reading. I just managed to get through The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. this is a wonderful book that has made a tremendous impression on me. I feel as if I have been walking in a dream for days and have just come out at the other end. I intend to review it because it such a good book.

I on the other hand have a little Vampire book out with amira Press called A Modern Vampire/Anne Ireland. It was great fun to write. Jenna is a modern woman in every wway. Seh just happens to be a Vampire. If you feel like a light read for fun this book breaks all the rules.

I also have The White Dress coming with Eternal Press next month and Daddy Loves Belinda will be repblished by Red rose Publishing soon.

Love to you all. Linda/Anne

Sharon Cullars Chip In Auction

Hi all:

Some of you may be familiar with author Sharon Cullars and her recent struggle to keep her home. Emma Peterson, Karen Scott, and others have organized an auction to help raise money. Many authors (including Nalini Singh, Lorelei James, and Shiloh Walker), editors, promoters, designers, and reviewers have donated items to the auction, which will be held January 19th. I have offered up autographed copies of every work of mine in print, as well as an ebook bundle of ALL of my titles in electronic format. Information on each is below.

If you have anything you'd like to donate yourself, there's still time. Visit the auction site for information on how. These are difficult times for everyone. I myself have no steady income other than student loan checks and quarterly royalties. I know many others have lost their homes, their jobs, or both. A very close author friend of mine just moved her family across the country after her husband was laid off from his job, only for him to be laid off again, a month after their arrival.

That's why it's important to help when, where, and how we can. To band together as a community of book lovers and show we DO care about each other.

Leading Her to Heaven

Kayleigh Jamison

ISBN 13: 978-1-934678-45-9

Trade Paperback 224 pages

Ebook

Historical Erotic Romance

As the eldest daughter of an English earl, Lady Susanna Cavendish has led a sheltered life of privilege and leisure. She has been taught that her northern cousins, the Scots, are barbaric heathens with no regard for culture or civilization.

Notorious warrior Blair Ruthven is laird of the fiercest clan in Scotland. Born into a society rife with blood feuds and an engrained hatred for the English, Blair learns at an early age that trust and love do little more than damn and disappoint.

Forced into marriage by feuding kings in order to forge a political union between their countries, Blair and Susanna must learn to find peace between themselves as they battle ages-old prejudices – and vie for one another's hearts.

Svetkavista

Kayleigh Jamison

ISBN 13: 978-1-934678-43-5

Trade Paperback 216 pages

Ebook

Historical Erotic Romance/GLBT Romance

(warning: contains explicit m/f, f/f, and f/f/m)

Trapped within a life where she has always been an outsider, Karina dutifully follows the wishes of her father by day, and secretly pursues her dreams by night. Raised within the strict, patriarchal society of the Rom at a time when discrimination and fear are at their peak, she is forced to hide both her love of music and her passion for those who encourage her dreams.

She seeks comfort in the arms of her dearest friend and mentor, who shows her that love and lust rarely confine themselves to the ill-conceived notions of normalcy.

When a lie, spoken in a moment of desperation, threatens to shatter everything Karina holds dear, she must choose between those she loves and her own reputation. Will the truth set her free or destroy her? Does she have the courage to follow her own heart?

Unspeakable

Kayleigh Jamison

ISBN 13: 978-1604359350

Trade Paperback 70 pages

Ebook

Historical (Regency-set) Erotic Romance

Trevor Caufield has always prided himself on being a consummate rake...until a clandestine meeting with a mysterious, strangely silent woman in a darkened hallway. Setting out to pursue Emma Hatton with purely selfish intentions, he discovers emotions that transcend his formerly uncomplicated existence and teach him that true love has no need for words.

Caging Kat

Kayleigh Jamison

ISBN 13: 978-1-934678-83-1

Ebook Only

Paranormal Erotic Romance

2009 FANTASM Finalist - Best Overall Speculative Romance, Short Story

An infamous art thief, Kaitlin lives a life most can only dream of. There's one problem, though - she's bored. When a mysterious invitation to a masquerade ball appears in her mailbox, she decides to attend on a whim.

Ares, God of War, has had his eyes on the feisty Kat for some time. But can he win her over with only one night to tame her wild heart? Can he get what he's always wanted by fulfilling her deepest desires?

Eyes Like Yours

Kayleigh Jamison

ISBN 13: 978-1-60435-000-5

Ebook Only

Paranormal Erotic Romance

What happens when your dream become a reality or does it?

Each night is the same. A handsome, mysterious stranger visits Catherine in her dreams, never allowing her to see his face, and leaving her body satisfied, but her heart wanting more. With a chance encounter in the smoky confines of a night club puts Caroline face to face with a man whose eyes seem eerily familiar, dreams and reality colliding in a way that frightens and inflames her. Are her dreams real? Is Blake the key to her future – and her past?

And be one of the first to get my upcoming book, the first full-length novel I've put out in over two years, RELEASING MARCH 1:

Reckless Liaisons

Kayleigh Jamison

ISBN 13: 978-1-934912-13-3

Trade Paperback: 204 pages

Ebook

Historical (Regency-set) Romance

Was she a second chance at love—
or his golden opportunity for revenge?

Sebastian Cade, reclusive Duke of Rutland, has gone to great lengths to withdraw from the London society he's come to despise. Still reeling from betrayal and tragedy, he finds himself powerfully attracted to his lovely new raven-haired ward—so much so that he begins to question the last five years of his life.

When Julia Deveraux awakens in the Duke's rose garden, the memories flood back. A betrothal she detests. The great black horse stolen from her father. Her near escape … Now under Sebastian's care, she sees the rumors of his disfigurement are far from true. But will her secret connection to his sworn enemy tear them apart before love brings them together?

Wow!

I got the news yesterday that "Caging Kat" is a finalist in the 2009 Fantasm Awards, in the category Best Overall Speculative Romance - Short Story/Novella.

Voting on winners begins soon, I'll keep you posted! Thank you to whomever nominated me, what a wonderful surprise!

January Special/Contest from Regina Paul...

I wanted to make sure I posted here about a special/contest I'm running for the month of January. If you've never purchased a copy of my Native American romantic suspense and Amira Press Around the World of Romance Winner, Destiny's Choices, January is the month to do so! For a blurb and exerpt, visit reginapaul.com

Anyone who purchases a copy of Destiny's Choices during the month of January will be entered into a contest to win a free copy of every book I publish in 2009. Keep in mind that I already have two books contracted for 2009, and it's only January 1st! All you have to do is forward a copy of your confirmation e-mail to me at tiwatz@yahoo.com that you get from Amira Press when you buy the book and you'll be automatically entered. Some lucky winner is going to get free books for a year, so buy your copy today!