Marilyn Brant's Blog, page 17

Just a quick post to let you know I'm over at the RWA-Women's Fiction chapter's blog today with a post called "Don't Wait for Heroes." (My homage to the wise words of Dennis DeYoung of Styx and how it relates to writing fiction. ;) I'm so excited to get to see DeYoung and The Mojo Daddies this weekend. Well, weather and good health allowing...both have been a challenge this month.

Today, there's more Austen Project twittering (#A4T) and I'll be back in a day or two with photos from a really delightful book club I got to visit with over the weekend. (I know I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: I LOVE BOOK CLUBS!! Such fun. :)

Wishing you all a very good day!

Just launched! The Austen Authors now have a story board for posting excerpts, novellas and short stories, and it's called The Writer's Block. Many of the offerings are, of course, Austen-related, but there are places for those of us to contribute tidbits of our other novels as well. I've never posted on fiction boards of any kind before, so this is a new venture for me -- and a fun one, too.

Another new venture -- having just completed our second week out of thirteen -- is the Austen Twitter Project, which is a hoot! It's a collaborative effort between Austen lovers from around the globe (anyone can participate, btw, it's not restricted to published authors), during which we're writing in real Twitter time a story called "The Ball at Pemberley." Each participant tweets the next lines in the tale during a set time slot every Tuesday. You can follow the meandering -- and often hilarious -- story with the #A4T hashtag and, also, every Sunday on the Austen Authors blog, the new transcript of the week will be up. (Here is part one.) Sign up for a slot and join us, if you'd like!

Finally, I get a to have double the fun at Magical Musings this week. Today, I'm interviewing debut historical women's fiction author Kristina McMorris (and she's giving away a copy of her fab novel, Letters from Home ). And, tomorrow, I've got book giveaways and great romantic moments from three wonderful romance authors and friends: Robin Kaye, Laura Moore and Tina Radcliffe. Very excited to get to share these with all of you!

Hope everyone has been having a lovely Valentine's Week ;).

I've been looking forward to having my friend and fellow '007 GH Bond Sister, Robin Kaye, visit me on Brant Flakes for ages, and I'm thrilled that I get to finally interview her here! Her new and sure-to-be-hilarious novel, Yours for the Taking, just came out from Sourcebooks early last month, and I'm SO looking forward to reading it ;). Welcome, Robin!

1. Can you tell us about your new book?
Yours for the Taking is a modern-day marriage of convenience with an urban twist.

2. What's one scene from this story you loved writing and why?
There's a scene where my Gina, my heroine thought my hero was gay and is questioning it . She decides to test him and ends up getting more information than she planned to. I just love Gina and how her mind works! The scene turned out to be really funny! Poor Ben didn't know if he should apologize and protect his privates or thank God that he got caught.

3. Name 3-4 of your favorite musical artists/groups. Did you use any musical references in your novel? If so, do they play a significant role?
I think I've used a few musical references in my novels. Nick Romeo thought of Frank Sinatra as the patron saint of single men everywhere and he and Rosalie danced to I've Got You Under My Skin. I think I might have mentioned one of my favorites Corrine Bailey Rae in Too Hot to Handle, and maybe even On the Wild Side (I'm in the middle of revisions for that book.)

As for my favorites — that's an impossible question. I have over 15,000 songs on my iPod and can't imagine going anywhere without them. Lately I've been listening to a lot of David Wilcox since I just saw him in concert again last week. He's an amazing lyricist and guitarist. I have eclectic tastes ranging from '40s Big Band to The Sick Puppies and everything in between. I really like Landon Pigg, Jamie Cullum, Neko Case, Iron and Wine, Ben Taylor, Chris Botti, Dashboard Confessional, The Postal Service, The Goo Goo Dolls, Leigh Nash, Lifehouse…the list is never ending. (LOVE these, Robin! The Goo Goo Dolls and Lifehouse are very high on my list, too. ;)

4. Who was the first person you told when you got The Call announcing you'd sold your first novel?
I think I called my husband first, then my mother, my aunt, my dad, and my best friend.

5. What's one piece of writing advice you've found valuable on your journey to publication?
Madeline Hunter came up to me at the STAR conference after Romeo, Romeo won The STAR contest for Best Contemporary Single Title. The final judge had requested the full manuscript, which wasn't completed — I had another 250 pages or so to write. Madeline was in full lecture mode and told me to get myself home, put my ass in the chair, and finish that manuscript in 30 days. She demanded that I email her once a week and tell her how things were going, if I got stuck, I should email her. Then she told me that I had a great opportunity and it was mine to take and run with or lose. She said not to make the same mistake so many others do by letting opportunity pass them by. I finished the manuscript within 30 days, and Madeline Hunter has been one of my favorite people since that conference.

6. Do your neighbors/hometown acquaintances know you're a published author or did you just choose to tell those closest to you?
Most of my neighbors and acquaintances know since there have been a few articles about me in the local papers and magazines. I wouldn't think to hide it, I'm really proud of what I do and my work.

7. What's a personality trait you love about one of the characters in your novel and why?
I love that Ben is a chameleon — he fits in wherever he goes and shows different sides of his personality depending on who he's with or where he is. It confuses the heck out of Gina at first, but I think it really shows so much about his life — he has so many different roles that are sometimes complete opposites. He's had to 'change color' to blend in from the time he was a small child. Who doesn't love a man who looks as comfortable in well worn hiking boots and Levis hiking through the wilderness as he does in a Hugo Boss suit at a board meeting, or in his trendy monochrome, slacks and sweater dealing with a new artist on display at his gallery? Ben fascinates me.


8. Do you pay attention to book reviews? If so, has there been any particular review that made your heart do a little dance?
Everyone pays attention to their reviews, even if they don't admit it. I have no problem admitting I read them, but I don't obsess over them.

I danced for days when Eloisa James featured Yours for the Taking in her Barnes & Noble Reading Romance Reviews. It was almost as cool as when I saw her on Twitter and thanked her for the wonderful review. She tweeted me back and said I was welcome and that she really loved my book.

9. Writers are usually big readers too. How do you make time for reading and what are you reading at the moment?
I used to be a book-a-day reader but with all my time commitments my reading time has decreased drastically — something I'm not happy about. I have a hard time starting a book and putting it down to get work done, so I try start a book until I can give myself the 4 – 6 hours it takes me to read it from cover-to-cover. The last book I read was The Heir, by Grace Burrowes. It was amazing!

10. What's the most surprising thing that has happened to you on your publishing journey? Have you learned things about the industry you never knew before?
The most surprising thing that happened to me was winning the Golden Heart, heck, even finaling shocked me.

I've learned so much about the industry I never knew before, but then I knew so little when I started. When I began I didn't know what Point of View was. I think RWA is so fabulous about teaching, not only the craft of writing, but the business. Most everything I learned was by attending conferences and listening to the recordings of RWA National Conferences. I have six years on my iPod and listen to them over and over and over again. You never know what you'll pick up. (I agree, Robin. I think RWA is simply an amazing organization. I've learned so much from the generosity and wisdom of our fellow writers...)

11. What's your writing schedule like during the day/week?My life is really hectic. I'd love to say I write from 10 – 5 every day, but with three kids in two states, my life is insane. Sometimes I drive to Pennsylvania for my 15 year-old ballerina and get a few hours here and there at my favorite Starbucks, sometimes I can't sleep and write 3,500 words between 10 PM and 3:45 AM, sometimes I sit at my desk all day and write like crazy but there's never any schedule. For me it's better to know I how many words I need to write per-week to make my deadline. Right now it's about 9,000 words, not including the business end, blogs, and then of course procrastination. :)

12. What's next for you? Is there a new book in the pipeline?
I've started the Domestic Gods Gone Wild series, the first book, On the Wild Side is in revisions. I have two more of that series under contract, and an idea for a fourth book. We'll see what happens.


13. Did you have a writing mentor? If so, in what ways did he/she provide guidance?
I don't think so. There were a lot of people in The Valley Forge Romance Writers who were always there to answer my stupid questions or an encouraging word, but no one who really worked with me as a mentor.

The nice thing about RWA is there are so many people willing to help. Some of my heroes in the business have been so wonderful to me. I remember I was sitting next to someone at National and we started talking. I had no idea who this person was, so as we were finishing up our conversation, I introduced myself and she said she was Maureen Child. I screamed OMG! I love you! I've read every one of your books! (I know, I was such a dork). She thanked me and told me that she really needed to hear that. A few years later, I was at the Rita and Golden Heart Awards rehearsal and I saw her. She asked how I was doing, so I showed her my ARC and she asked if she could keep it. I said, sure and if you want to give me a cover quote, I'd really appreciate it. Maureen Child had to hunt me down to find me and give me some of the nicest cover quotes I've received.

14. Any other questions you'd like to answer?!
No questions, I just wanted to thank you for the interview. You're a doll!
(Awww, Robin! You, too!! Thanks so much for being here. ;)

As I was working on a post for next Tuesday's Austen Authors blog, I came across a number of delicious-looking websites including Cheryl's, which had these fabulous frosted cookie-heart bouquets. YUM! You can have your flowers and eat 'em, too...

Here, we are going to have a very low-key Valentine's Day. We don't do any elaborate celebrations or give big gifts (in fact, my husband and I only exchanged Valentine's Day presents once, during our first year of dating ;), but we already have some chocolate onhand that we both really like, and there will probably be a dinner that I don't have to cook sometime this weekend -- most likely Thai carryout, since that's marginally healthy -- along with the exchanging of cards.

My husband doesn't have to do much more than that to make me feel loved and appreciated (although, if he baked me a tiramisu every now and again I would probably consider him to be the perfect man -- one that could rival even the Old Spice Guy, lol). From the publishing world, however, I got my Valentine's treat early and in a non-edible form: The ISBN number for A Summer in Europe appeared on Amazon this week, and that never fails to make me squee aloud and say, "Oh, my God, it's real!" No cover yet. No product description. Nothing more than a placeholder page, really, but I have yet to tire of the experience of seeing these things pop up.

Anyway, it's Friday and the start of the weekend...what are you all going to do? Any special/romantic plans?? Will you do your celebrating tonight, tomorrow or Sunday...or will you wait for the official day on Monday to share your particular words of love with your Valentine? Regardless, I wish you all a Very Happy Hearts Day! xoxo

Just popping in for a sec to let everyone who might be interested know: There's a 3-book giveaway (for Friday Mornings at Nine ) and interview (with me ;) going on right now on Free Book Friday! The winners of the drawing will be announced tomorrow...

And for those who didn't see it, yes, this picture (courtesy of the Chicago Tribune) was taken of Lake Shore Drive this week. They've been calling it "Snowmageddon 2011." Yeah. Why doesn't anyone want to sing "Winter Wonderland" when we get 20+ inches of new snow in one day, hmm?!



Wishing you all a fantabulous weekend. And, because my Bears-loving husband and son are STILL home, thanks to 2 consecutive snow days, and they are STILL pouting because Green Bay beat their team, I also have to say, very loudly: GO, PACK!! (*waving to everyone in my home state of Wisconsin*) Best of luck on Super Bowl Sunday!

Dear CW,

Not to be too blunt about it but...what the hell were you thinking?!

In good faith, thousands and thousands of viewers waited for TWO MONTHS while Supernatural was on hiatus. That was a long time to patiently wonder if Sam Winchester's soul could be restored without destroying him. That was an even longer time not to see Dean Winchester's black-leather-jacket-wearing torso and smoldering and/or smirking facial expressions. Yet, most of us did not whine on message boards or complain openly on blogs or do other such things that would be proof of our geekdom and over-obsessiveness because, hey, we're adults. We can wait and look forward to -- with great anticipation -- getting to see the climactic last few months of the final season.

We were told January 28th was the return date. We believed you. We turned on our televisions Friday night at 8pm, gleefully awaiting the next battle between angels and demons...the next road trip in the black '67 Chevy Impala with classic metal rock blaring...the next possible occasion for one of the Winchester brothers to take his shirt off...and, instead, we got: a Nikita rerun.

Not. A. Smart. Move. CW.

Now, I understand the desire to promote a new show. I understand that it's difficult to turn viewers on to something that's debuting this season rather than see them reach reflexively for an old favorite that's been on for SIX seasons (of which I have not yet missed an episode) and is now winding down. In the writing world, though, this would be an unforgiveable bait and switch. Imagine thinking you were downloading the latest New York Times bestselling thriller onto your Kindle or Nook and, instead, you got the debut suspense release of a newbie. Does that mean the newbie's book is bad and/or not worth reading? NO. It is not, however, what you thought you were getting and what you'd planned to invest your time in. And, what's worse, it smacks of Big Brother manipulation in the "I know what you need better than you do" vein.

For the record, I kinda hate that.

I don't forgive you for doing this, CW, because it was premeditated trickery. I won't go so far as to rant about how you have no respect for your fans or, more personally, about how you deprived me of an anticipated night of fun watching Castiel say absurdly delightful one-liners or make out with hapless mortal women in imitation of "adult" movies viewed in a motel room (taking a deep breath here), but your ploy backfired big time. I will not be watching Nikita just because you want me to -- no offense to the writers or the cast -- and to add an Austenesque exclamation of horror to this grievous affair, "I am most seriously displeased."

~Marilyn

p.s. I understand your Smallville fans share my sentiment as well...

Dear Everyone Else,
Aside from this regrettable television-network incident, I had a great weekend and hope you all did, too. What d'ya do??
~M. ;)

This is a REAL picture!

Although I keep having a Magritte moment whenever I look at it (and saying "This is not a pipe" as in The Treachery of Images), I was assured of its authenticity by its photographer, suspense author Shawn Grady. Shawn's faith-based thrillers have been praised by Booklist and his upcoming third novel, Falls Like Lightning (Bethany House, July 2011), showed up on Amazon's Christian Mystery bestseller list this week -- congrats! He's a real-life firefighter and paramedic in Reno, NV and, while I don't know him at all beyond our Facebook connection, he comes across online as a very kind and genuine guy...

Which was why I was (eventually) persuaded to believe him when he told me he'd seen my book on this shelf at a Raley's grocery store in northern Nevada. That, no, he didn't Photoshop the image of my book cover onto someone else's novel. That he didn't even physically prop it up on the shelf (putting it in the same vicinity as Dickens, no less!) before pulling out his camera phone. Thing is, even when I thought Shawn had somehow crafted the picture, I considered it an awesomely cool gesture that a fellow author I'd never met, writing in a genre quite different from mine, would take the time to send it to me.

Gift 1: The surprising and sometimes heartwarming sense of connectedness that can happen between strangers thanks to social networks.

I've been blogging regularly for nearly 4 years, on Facebook for 2 years and struggling to figure out Twitter for a little over 1 year. (Someday, I'll really get it...maybe. ;) Understanding, intellectually, why it's a good idea for an author to have a Web presence is one thing; feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude at making wonderful friends online is altogether another. I've now had the pleasure of meeting in person many of the friends who visit me here, but I haven't forgotten that it was Blogger or FB that first introduced us.

Of course, because you all know me, you also know the truth: I am not a New York Times bestseller. (Not yet, anyway...trust me, if that ever happens, I'll make a point of announcing it, enthusiastically, and with MUCH celebratory chocolate.) Not being on that list right now, though, is a stone-cold fact -- verifiable in black-and-white newsprint -- even if the definition of "Famous Author" is a bit squishier and more of a judgment call. From my point of view, however, I can say with certainty that even our nearest neighbors wouldn't consider me famous for anything other than not being able to keep the hanging plants on our front porch alive for more than a week. But, hey, if some kindly (though misguided) store clerk across the country wants to put me in the "famous" category, who am I to object?!

Gift 2: Knowing that some truths are purely subjective.

My reality is that, no matter what my age, I'll always feel about 16. No matter how mature I (supposedly) am, I'll still squeal like a fangirl if I ever get to go to a U2 or Bon Jovi concert. (Pamela Cayne, you know it's true. ;) I seriously doubt I'll ever stop thinking of pizza and brownies as a perfect -- albeit high-carb -- meal. And, regardless of where my books rank on the sales spectrum, I suspect it would take J.K. Rowling- or Stephenie Meyer-like levels of success before I could ever keep a straight face at being called famous. Which is not to say that I didn't get a little giddy when seeing that bookshelf header this week. Not only because my second novel was placed just beneath it, but because of something far simpler: My book is in Nevada! It's a thousand miles away! It exists even when I can't see or touch it...

Gift 3: Never getting over that sense of amazement that people other than my family members and critique partners are reading my novels.

You'd think after finishing three publishable books that I'd be used to the routine and even a little bored by it these days. Blah, blah, blah, blah, copy edits...blah, blah...page proofs...and then ARCs, ho hum...and final printed copies. But, actually, no. It's still crazy-exciting just knowing my stories are Out There. Knowing someone out grocery shopping -- in another time zone -- might just pick it up, put it in her cart and take it home to read. Priceless.

So, thanks, Shawn, for the picture. And thanks to everyone else for letting me share it. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend! I know we're still a full week away from Super Bowl XLV, but I'm curious -- who are you all cheering for? Packers or Steelers? (I was born and raised in Wisconsin, so I'm trying to find my Cheesehead hat...)

I'm thrilled to have one of my Girlfriends Book Club pals, Malena Lott, visiting here today and guest blogging for us! Malena is an award-winning writer and the author of three novels. Her latest release, FIXER UPPER, is available in the Kindle store and other digital formats. She writes on how to "verbinize" your life all year long at www.malenalott.com and lives in Oklahoma with her husband, three kids, and dog.

Welcome, Malena! We're delighted to have you here today ;).

Are You In Between? by Malena Lott

Life can be a bitch for a while if you're in between. I'm not talking anything as drastic as a sex change operation (though that would qualify), but about becoming who you want to be. Sometimes we fight it for a long while. Sometimes the Universe throws us for a loop - an unexpected divorce or death in the family or unplanned pregnancy. Other times our awakening is a quiet whisper.

In my third novel, FIXER UPPER, Macy Baxter has the third type - a niggling feeling that her husband no longer loves her though he's the king of catches: handsome, well-bred, charming, a rising star in his political party. Macy married young, had two girls, and became a stay-at-home mom in a wealthy suburb, happily playing the politician's wife - wearing what she was supposed to wear, saying what she was supposed to say, attending all the right functions with all the right people.

Although it sounds logical that "playing" someone will eventually catch up with us, it can be hard to identify it in ourselves. We are so caught up with our "busy-ness" that we often don't connect the dots to why we are depressed or smile less or feel fulfilled.

As an author, I do allow myself "me time" because how else could I write this post? How else could I sit down and write an entire book? It doesn't happen all at once, but with a hell-or-high-water attitude, we can get our goal accomplished. I'll admit that the in-between stage is the toughest. If you are in between projects or on submission or waiting for any sort of big news is your life, it can make you feel restless and agitated. But when we realize that we are ALWAYS in between something and that it's not the goal line we're after but enjoying the ride (even if it's a bumpy one), it can really help with nerves.

Thanks so much, Malena! I think it's easy, especially with the demands of life, work and family, to get caught up on all the details that we forget to take time for ourselves. Time to take stock and figure out what we really want and need. Thanks for the reminder... And, everyone, if you have a chance, take a peek at Malena's contest page before 1/31/11 to find out how to win her January prize package. Lots of good stuff there!!

Good Morning! Happy Monday! Just a quick note that I'm over at the Chick Lit Writers of the World blog today, thanks to the kind invitation of Melina Kantor! But I'll be back here tomorrow to host a guest visit with the lovely Malena Lott, and I'm still visiting Spirited Woman for a few more days and talking about romance novels vs. real life.

Also, special thanks to Brittany Roshelle of The Write Stuff for bestowing this lovely award on my blog! As per the rules, I'm supposed to tell the world 7 things about me and pass it along to my fellow bloggers. (I'm sharing it with any of you who would like to participate. ;)

So, 7 things:
1. I'm 5'3" (almost). One time when I went to a book-club meeting as the visiting author, some woman I'd just met looked at me strangely and said, "I thought you'd be taller." I looked at her strangely in return and said, "Yeah, I thought so, too."
2. I make up book titles when I dream.
3. I find the smell of pickled herring to be revolting. Yet, my husband eats it in front of me anyway.
4. I only studied Russian for one semester in college -- they didn't offer it at my university until my last year -- but I loved it and still remember how to sing this one drinking song. I do not, however, remember what the words mean.
5. I'm fascinated by hockey players fighting on the ice. How do they keep their balance?
6. I am NEVER in the mood for dusting.
7. When I look at a digital clock, I immediately check to see if it's a workable equation (i.e., 2:36pm is 2x3=6, but 1:09am is just an imbalanced set of numbers, and I'm annoyed with them until it's 1:10, or 1-1=0). My brother -- the statistics guy! -- claims this is an odd reaction to telling time and he would like me to get over it. Is he right? (So far I haven't listened, LOL.)

First and foremost, CONGRATS to the two winners of Laura Moore's drawing for Believe in Me: Debra St. John and Robin Bielman!! I'll confirm address details with you both via email and send along the info to Laura so she can mail the books out to you. I know you'll enjoy the story!

Today, I'm over at Magical Musings daydreaming about warm-weather travel adventures. My heart is most certainly in somewhere subtropical today...sigh...particularly as the thermometer keeps dropping and I have to keep adding layers of clothing to stay warm. (I look like a maroon marshmallow at the moment with my warm maroon sweatshirt, second pair of fuzzy maroon socks and maroon cut-off fingertip gloves.) So, if you have a sec, please join me over there and let me know where YOU would like to jet off to for the weekend, if you could!