LOVE AMONG THE RUINS

I'm happy to welcome a favorite paranormal romance author to my blog, Dani Harper. 

Dani says, "Quite simply, I adore the paranormal."  Her stories show her love of the genre and are fresh and well written and I like her twist on shifters--Changlings.

Her topic is writing life, deadlines, dustbunnies, environmental hazards, and love. Not necessarily in that order. J

It isn't easy living with a writer who’s working to a deadline. Impending deadlines cause vacuuming to fall by the wayside, and roving herds of dustbunnies to collect along the baseboards. (The ones under the bed may be close to achieving sentience.) The linen closet holds all the items I swept off the coffee table when unexpected company pulled into the driveway last week. Clean towels are currently kept in the dryer (assuming they made it that far), and may or may not be dry. The pots are in the oven? Don’t ask, don’t tell.

The kitchen table does double duty as my desk. I have a desk, but I can’t get to it for all the stuff that’s been thrown into my office in hopes of being organized later. I may have to find a third option soon since the table is almost completely buried in papers, books, notes, and oh look – there’s the mail from yesterday. Or maybe last Friday. Eating, of course, takes place in the living room or over the kitchen sink.

And those are just the environmental hazards of living with a writer on deadline….

Nutritional hazards abound as well. Don’t get me wrong, there is food in the house – honest, decent food. The problem is that I've forgotten what to do with it because I literally can’t write to deadline and chew gum at the same time. Take a brain already preoccupied with characters and plot, add the pressure of a ticking countdown, and suddenly I can’t rely on it to do anything else. Of course I still try to force my brain into preparing meals – and that’s when the smoke alarm goes off, or Splenda gets poured into the coffeemaker, or the brussel sprouts go bouncing amongst the dust bunnies, or I forget something important. Like turning on the oven two hours ago for the chicken. We won’t talk about what happened to the food processor during my last deadline…

Emotional hazards are rampant and unpredictable for a writer on deadline. Turning green (“HULK SMASH!”) when I can’t get a scene to work is not unusual. So is feeling overwhelmed or intimidated by the pressure, accompanied by considerable weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. The neighbors have all heard “I’LL NEVER GET THIS DONE!” through the open windows dozens of times. They’ve also heard such favorites as “I CAN’T THINK OF AN IDEA!”, “MY WHOLE STORY SUCKS!” and “WHY CAN’T MY CHARACTERS DO WHAT THEY’RE TOLD FOR ONCE?”  Most of the neighbors just ignore it now as normal background noise, right up there with lawnmowers and cicadas, but a couple did stop in the street to look when I ranted “HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO GET THESE PEOPLE TO HAVE SEX?”

We’re so not going to talk about the visual hazards of me still at the computer in my pajamas at 2 in the afternoon …

So there you have the ruins. And that’s where the love comes in. My Alaskan mountain-man husband is already my hero in every possible way, but even more so when I’m writing to a deadline. Hugs or coffee or help – he’s generous with all three, and never complains. He’s used to waking up to an empty bed in the middle of the night because I've gotten an idea on how to fix a scene. He’s patient when I’m cranky as a crocodile with a toothache because I’m stressed. He holds my hand and says I look perfect even I've been too busy to shower and my hair looks like a raccoon was electrocuted on my head. He empties the dishwasher, rescues the towels from the dryer and does battle with the dustbunnies. Cheers me on, calms me and consoles me, and would still be button-popping proud of me if I never sold a single book.

And he even reads my stories. Every. Last. Word.

It’s not easy living with a writer on deadline, but my husband does it well. My real-life hero may never know how much he inspires the heroes in my books simply by being who he is. He definitely inspires ME to keep trying, keep working, keep writing. Without his unfailing support and his belief in me, there are days that the pressure would simply flatten me and I would hide under my desk (if I could find it) and suck my thumb.

• YOUR TURN – Who or what inspires you to get back in the ring and keep swinging?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

BUY: AMAZON, B&N, CHAPTERS INDIGO

FIRST BITE, Book 1 of the Dark Wolf Series

Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn't want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life.

After witnessing Neva’s leap from a high ledge, Travis Williamson—a Changeling with a dark past—uses his powers to save her life. He feels a connection to the strong-willed woman whose eyes flash that familiar Changeling green. While Neva is hospitalized, Travis risks everything to kidnap her, knowing the approaching full moon will put everyone in jeopardy.

Bickering constantly to hide their growing attraction, Travis and Neva run from the authorities…and from Neva’s sinister sire, Meredith de la Ronde. Meredith delights in creating new shape-shifters and compelling them to do her dark bidding; now Neva must join Meredith’s murderous wolf pack…or die. Excerpt

~A Night Owl Top Pick ~

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Dani Harper is a newspaper editor turned paranormal author. There isn't anything she likes better than exploring the supernatural - unless it's writing sizzling and suspenseful romance. Of course, all of her stories have at least one foot in the netherworld!

Website - http://www.daniharper.com (where you’ll find lots more ways to connect with Dani)

Facebook Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/Dani.Harper.Fan.Page

Twitter -  @Dani_Harper or https://twitter.com/Dani_Harper

Monday Musings—Juggling Life And Writing

Seems like whenever I get a good writing streak going, something in life pops up that needs my attention. Stat. I don’t know about the rest of you, but this past fall and winter seemed to bring one thing after another.

Still I did manage to participate in NaNo. I was about 12,000-words short but I feel good about participating. NaNo writing was an experiment in writing a sub genre I hadn’t tried before. I learned a lot. I also have some major editing to make it viable, but that’s okay because it’s a story I want to tell and so I’ll get back to it. The characters there are content to rest a bit since I put them through hell. Me too.


I’m back working on a story that is moving along well, if slooooow. Why is it slow? Because things and people (life issues) won’t leave me alone. If it isn’t kid problems, it’s extended family problems, or health. All of which zap me emotionally, overwork my energizer bunny batteries, and suck my creative spark somewhere into the cosmos. The good thing is, the characters in this story aren’t quiet. They bellow at me in dreams, creep into my thoughts when I’m doing chores, or simply sitting still with a nice cup of coffee. They whisper to me when I’m reading the pile of books I have assigned to me for review. They’re relentless.


Despite life’s chaos, I manage to meet the deadlines of the blog and scheduling. Sometimes it’s by the skin of my teeth and from time to time my creativity is at low ebb, but I get it done. I’ve dealt with deadlines of some sort or another all my working life. I don’t fail to meet them. It’s a matter of professional commitment. I keep my commitments and don’t believe in doing something half-assed. My blog reflects that.


Don’t get me wrong, I love my blog and I’ve had, and will continue to have, some wonderful guests. Most of them are so much fun.

Poor little bunny is a bit worn and pale

Where it gets tough is when you’re juggling so many balls in the air, and your energizer bunny looks for someone who is less maintenance, it gets tough to get back to writing. If I had a deadline for them to be done I’d find a way to do it, as I always have. Having a goal and having a deadline are two different things (no matter what I tell myself). When something has to give, I tend to prioritize and let go of things lower on the list. Consequently, my story is taking much longer to finish.

One of the things I've learned to do is carve out little bits and pieces of time and usually in the early morning when I’m fresh. If I’ve had a hard day, forget it. Writing isn’t smooth or as much fun as it usually is. Smooth, quantity, and fun require energy, and my poor little energizer bunny is just plumb worn out by the end of the day. I do keep a small notebook in my purse so when I hear whispers or shouts, I can jot down scenes and dialogs, or, at the very least, notes so as not to forget the epiphany when it hits me.


How do you juggle life and writing? Any special tricks you've learned to apply?






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Road Trips, Blizzards, And Truth Stranger Than Fiction

It's my pleasure to have Lori Foster as my guest Over Coffee. I thoroughly enjoy Lori's books. Although I've only recently discovered them and quite by accident.

One day, making a trip with some co-workers to a three day seminar, I realized I left my book at home. The car group stopped at a little mom and pop store that had a small selection of book. A few I had already read, most were authors I hadn't heard of. A book caught my eye by an author I hadn't read before. It was Lori Foster and the book, Too Much Temptation. I read the back cover and thought, wow, this sounds like a fun read. It was. After that I bought several of her back list, like Jude's Law and Murphy's Law. Then I read one of her Mixed Martial Arts books and loved it.

I'll admit it, I'm hooked and I'm really looking forward to Drew's story (excerpt link below).


Like most authors, I sometimes need a break from writing. Not often, because whenever I’m away from writing too long, I start to get antsy. Usually, even when upsetting things happen, my writing is my escape, my entertainment.

But losing my dad... that was a blow. He passed away on the 11th, and I’ve been struggling with writing ever since. I did manage to finish my last single title not too far behind the deadline. But then I was supposed to do a novella that is now late. (It was originally due Feb 1st!)

So anyway, hubby and I decided on an impromptu trip to Tennessee to look at gorgeous lakefront vacation property. Usually a short road trip will rejuvenate me and I get back ready to leap into a story. This time, I came back exhausted!

See, we blundered into one of the worst winter storms Tennessee has ever had! It didn’t really hit until we’d cleared Ohio and Kentucky – two states that know how to deal with snow. We had already travelled too far to turn back, so we pushed on – past a lot of semi tractor-trailers that were overturned, in a ditch, upside down and demolished, past several police cars that had slid off the road, past numerous cars that had spun out of control – too many to even keep count – and past a horrifying accident that involved an ambulance upside down in a ravine. We said a quick prayer that the ambulance hadn’t already been carrying an injured person.

It was a harrowing ride – what should have taken 6 hours ended up being almost 9. Given the pile-up of snow on either side of the road, there was only enough room for one vehicle. You couldn’t see the exits even if you wanted to take one, so forget potty breaks. The wiper blades kept freezing over, meaning we could barely see out of the windshield. Hubby drove hunched over the steering wheel, holding it in a death grip.

When we did finally reach the hotel, it was all but buried so we had to plow our way into the parking lot, and then got snowy to our knees getting in the door.

As I took my two little Chihuahuas in and hubby was unloading, we realized we’d forgotten the suitcase holding our clothes.

We had the bag with our shower supplies, my hair stuff (brushes and blow dryer) and make up, and a mostly-eaten bag of snacks. We had several other bags filled with things that my doggies needed. THEY were set, with their cushy bed, their leashes, their food, water bowl, medicine, blankets, a variety of treats, etc...

Of course, once at the hotel, we weren’t about to head back out in search of food or clothes. The room was awesome, but I was uncomfortable and hungry and I wanted clean socks! Thank heavens the internet worked! I’d have gone bonkers if I had to do without that, on top of not eating and not having cozy PJs.

Everything was so snowed-under, that even that next morning we couldn’t get out to see the vacation property. The roads were all but shut down, and you can imagine that roads surrounding new building sites near a lake sure wouldn’t have been a priority for road crews.

Totally bummed, we ate a wonderful breakfast supplied by the hotel, and then headed back home. It was again rough travel until we hit Kentucky, then smooth sailing. But along the way... I got a neat plot idea! See, that novella I have to start is all about spring break and flings and I can’t think of a better way to get things going than to have my couple get sidetracked by a snowstorm when they’re expecting sandy beaches. Heaven knows, I’ll have plenty of experience now to pull from! Every complaint you just heard from me will be in that story!

So now you know, much of what’s in my books is complete and total fiction, but every so often, some of it is based in fact! I’m not going to tell all of the “real” parts, but this time, I don’t mind sharing. LOL.

• Do you use real experiences in your writing?
• How much ofreal life goes into YOUR writing?
  
  
  
  Back Cover Blurb:

SBC president Drew Black is as controversial as they come. But the hot-headed entrepreneur is a perfect match for his popular sports club venture: uncompromising and extreme. Maybe too extreme. With a reputation for saying what he thinks, Drew's been causing a lot of friction. That's why someone's been called in to clean up his image—before he does any permanent damage.

The lucky lady is Gillian Noode, a PR expert who's smoothed out the rough edges on many a man. But Drew is rougher than anyone she's ever met, and he refuses to change for any woman, for any reason. To make matters more complicated, Gillian's starting to like him raw. Now, opposites aren't only attracting, they're igniting. But in the rising heat, which one of them will end up on top?

First Chapter Excerpt


Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has routinely had 6 to 10 releases a year and has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain. She is currently with Berkley/Jove.

Lori believes it’s important to back to the community as much as possible, and for that reason she ran special contests in conjunction with a publisher, facilitating many first sales for new authors. She routinely organizes events among authors and readers to gather donations for various organizations.

Along with her good friend, Dianne Castell, Lori hosts a very special annual “Reader & Author” event in West Chester Ohio. Proceeds from the event go to benefit worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women’s Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, and The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

In 2007, Lori put together “The Write Ingredients” a cookbook of recipes donated by popular authors. Proceeds from the cookbook go toward Lori’s ongoing “Troop project” of collecting and mailing fun, and sometimes necessary items to our troops.

In 2008, Lori coordinated eleven other authors of her choosing, and through Berkley, arranged for the publication of a special anthology of novellas about empowering women. Proceeds from the anthology will go to the Battered women’s shelter.

In 2009, another anthology with Lori and a new set of authors will be published with proceeds to benefit The Animal Adoption Foundation.

Stop by Lori's website for the lastest from LL Foster and Lori Foster

DEADLINES AND STUBBORN BEGINNINGS.

Today my guest is Romance writer, Judi Fennell, author of In Over Her Head, the first in the Mer-Trilogy, available June 1, 2009.



Reality comes crashing down along with the high of a publishing contract when deadlines arrive fast and furious, life intervenes, holidays show up sooner than they should, and the dang story doesn't want to be written.

Normally when I write a story, I fashion it. I picture the setting, get a feel for where the story is going, and then let the characters out of the starting gate. Add a bit here, tweak this, move that, write the words.

Until the most recent one—the first story written to deadline, under contract.

I liken the writing of this story to a sculptor who tries to bring the piece out of a block of marble. It's in there and up to him/her to bring it forth, as opposed to a builder who crafts the piece.

This story would not let me write it. This story wanted to emerge. I knew the middle, and fashioned the ending, but that beginning... I think I have two dozen different starts-no exaggeration.

Where to start, how much the reader needs, what is the story... questions I never had to deal with before. In other stories, the beginning was always there. The black moment was there. The character arcs were there.

This time?

Nope.

This time, I had the middle of the story. No sagging middle for this baby—which is great, as sagging middles can be problematic. But the beginning, where you meet the characters, like them, find something about them to root for...I had nothing.

Well, I had something—it just wasn't the right something. It was everything I needed to know and none of what the reader needed.

So, like a sculptor, I pared it down, layer by layer, rounding the curves, smoothing the edges, and, slowly (slower than I liked), the piece emerge, the story unfolded.

And became the piece of art I knew was in there.



Judi Fennell
Mer-Trilogy
In Over Her Head, Wild Blue Under, & Catch of a Lifetime
Published by Sourcebooks

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