Friday Book Club: Romantic Suspense

Stalkers. FBI. Car chases. Missing people. Dead bodies....

Now that I have you're attention, we're talking about Romantic Suspense for this month's Friday Book Club and storylines that give you thrills, chills and that tease of adrenaline-fueled romance.

Karen Robards was my first taste of romance suspense a ways back, along with some early Nora Roberts books. And who could forget classic Linda Howard?  It's not a genre I read quite as much any more, but nothing gets me turning the pages faster than a suspenseful road romance where the hero and heroine are slow to trust and even slower when the bad guy(s) give them enough down time to give into all that sexual tension they've been fighting since Chapter One.

So who are your go-to romantic suspense authors? What's your favorite rom suspense book or series?  Have any romantic suspense storylines that you just can pass up?

Next month we'll be talking about our all-time favorite authors and books we could read over and over again.

Thursday 13 (ok, 18): Our favorite words

Every time word choice comes up between readers or writers, it's usually about words we dislike (moist, anyone?). Today, we're doing the opposite and sharing the words we love. Whether it's the way they feel rolling off the tongue or the meaning behind the letters, these are the 13 words that top our favorite lists. What's your favorite word? Leave it in the comments!

1. Incandescent (Skylar)
2. Caress (Meg)
3. Rococo (Kinsey)
4. Inconceivable (Sydney)
5. Stark (Juniper)
6. Lush (Kelly)
7. Mellifluous (Erin)
8. Serendipitous (PG)
9. Dirigible (Skylar)
10. Iridescent (Meg)
11. Jejune (Kinsey)
12. Primal (Sydney)
13. Gruesome (Juniper)
14. Decadent (Erin)
15. Luminous (Kelly)
16. Preternatural (PG)
17. Byzantine (Kinsey)
18. Pentultimate (PG)

This crazy business, change... and wine

I was talking with my editor yesterday, which is always a treat, because not only does she whip my books into shape, we inevitably get to talking about books in general and the publishing business and all kinds of cool things. 

We started talking about how it seems that right now so many authors are scared.  They’re trying new things, not because they have a passion for writing something different, but because they’re trying to catch the latest bandwagon or because what they’re doing isn’t selling well or because they want to spread their eggs to many baskets, so to speak.  This is not a brand new phenomenon, of course.  Many authors have tried their hand at various genres or made it their business model to write for multiple publishers.  But it seems that it’s much more common now and it’s likely due to the current crazy and quickly shifting business that is publishing right now.  Writers are struggling to hold onto (or establish or reinvent in some cases) their careers and they don’t know how to do it.  So they’re throwing things out there, hoping something will stick.

Well, this conversation got me thinking about how publishing isn’t unique in this and writers aren’t alone in facing a shifting climate that can affect their careers. 

I’m in healthcare.  I own my own business.  There are healthcare policy changes guaranteed every year, if not more often (and they almost never mean *more* money coming in).  My mom is in education.  Again, there are cuts and changes every year.  In this area anyway, there are more teachers than positions.  My husband’s family farms.  Not only are there policy changes affecting prices, but there are market and economic shifts that affect what and how much people are buying, there are big businesses coming in and buying up family farms and there’s *weather* affecting the health of their product.  How would you like it if your writing career depended on the fricking weather?! :)

The point is, this industry is not unique in the fact that it changes and that a dozen outside influences— that you can’t control— affect what happens, and that there are often people making decisions who don’t really know what they’re doing :)

I think, though, that many of the same solutions from other businesses also apply-- 

If you’re in it for the right reasons, the changes and ups and downs won’t get to you as much.

You have to work at it, regularly, diligently, faithfully… getting better all the time, finding the people who need and want what you have to offer, and being confident that you can deliver the product to them over and over.  That’s what helps you ride the waves of change and stay afloat.  There’s something to be said for being steady in the midst of change. 

Be open to, and creative in finding, new ways of delivering the product and connecting with consumers.

You have to be knowledgeable so you can lobby for the things you need from the right people.

You have to advocate not just for yourself, but for your industry as a whole.

You have to surround yourself with like-minded people… there is strength in numbers and wonderful support to be had from people who know where you’re coming from.

I get the anxiety about change.  I understand the unrest when you don’t know what next year will bring and the frustration when things aren’t going as you want or expect.  Of course, I get that. Everyone does.  That’s the point.  You’re among friends.  Not just in the publishing business but in… well… everywhere. 

We talk about this crazy business as if it was the only crazy business.  It’s not.  And it’s not going to get any less crazy.  So… don’t let it make YOU crazy.  Stay the course.  Choose things you’re passionate about, not because of the money but because you love the work.  And when things get scary and frustrating we should all agree to drink our wine together rather than alone in the corner. 
 
And there are *lots* of people we can invite to the party.

Here, I'll pour...

Guest Blogger Mallory Braus--Three Tips for Finding a Freelance Editor

I’d like to first thank the Nine Naughty Novelists for having me here today! I’m thrilled!

Now—*puts on editor hat*—let’s get to business.

With so many changes to publishing, the role of a freelance editor has become more in demand than ever before. Authors can do a quick Google search to find an editor for any plethora (how fun is that word?) of reasons. Perhaps they want a second pair of eyes to critique the story. Or maybe they’re looking for the full package of edits before they self-publish their book. Or maybe they’re just looking for someone to give guidance on how the industry works in today’s ever changing publishing world.

The most exciting part of finding a freelance editor is that you, the author, can choose who you want to work with. Yet, this can also be an intimidating choice. How do you find the editor that’s right for you?

Thus, I bring you 3 tips to use while searching for a freelance editor…

1. Research. I know, after all the research you’ve put into your story, the industry, the various publishing choices, the word ‘research’ probably has you grimacing. But the truth is, there are a lot of editors out there. Don’t limit yourself to only scrolling through the first few who pop up in an internet search. Ask fellow authors (especially those who work in a similar genre!) who they work with—or who they’ve heard good things about.

You also want to find an editor who has the publishing credentials that meet your standards. A bio page should give you a sense of what that editor has worked on in the past. If not, don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials! A professional editor should have them available.

2. Find the editor who is passionate about your work—who can’t wait to dive in and immerse themselves in your story. I’ll use myself as an example. I love my job. Why? Because I work with authors and stories that I love. If that passion and intrigue isn’t there, it’s not fair to me or the author if I’m simply trying to fill a quota. You want someone who you can build a relationship with—someone who wants that book to succeed just as much as you do! Don’t be afraid to take your time in searching for the editor who will act as a partner in helping to make your story the best it can be.

And finally…

3. Know what services you would like from an editor before you contact them. Look at the services they offer and be clear about which option you are hoping to work with the editor on. Time is a large factor in edits. If it takes four emails to just figure out what types of edits an author is looking for, there’s a good chance I’ll pass on the project. While there are exceptions to every rule, this would most likely raise a red flag that an author isn’t really ready, or prepared, to begin the editorial process.

I’ll use myself as an example again. I offer the following services to authors:

• Content Critiques: These include a detailed editorial letter for authors who want insight/feedback on their manuscript. 
• Phone or Skype Consultations: This includes follow up phone calls to discuss revisions, brainstorming, questions regarding the publishing industry, and/or advise on how to take the next steps in reaching your goal. 
• Developmental edits: These consist of an extensive edits focusing on the work as a whole. 
• Line Edits: Line edits take a deeper look at the prose/dialogue of the manuscript. I look at each sentence isolated and as a part of the paragraph, the scene, the book as a whole. 

More details on these services can be found here: http://mallorybraus.com/service/

After having researched (there’s that word again!) my site, know which service you want. It’ll make both our lives a lot easier and let us get to the fun part faster!

These may seem like fairly simple tips, but they’ll go a long way in helping you make your decision on who the right editor is for you.

With that said, I’ll close this post with my motto: Behind every great book is a great partnership–an author who has a dream and the editor who helps refine it.

***

Mallory has always had a passion for reading. But she never considered that the books she loved could lead to a future career. Until one fateful day she was offered an internship with a fabulous literary agent. A position as intern for editor Rose Hilliard at St. Martin’s Press soon followed. She graduated from UCLA in 2009 with a BA in English. After a brief stay in New York, in which it was discovered that city life did not agree with her, she returned to California and accepted a position as freelance editor for Carina Press. She also works as an independent freelance content editor and consultant. She feels so blessed to have found a job that lets her work with her one true love—stories. 

Mallory will read just about anything—except horror. She’s especially on the look out for historical romance, mystery, sci-fi, urban fantasy, speculative fiction, and dark paranormals. More than anything, she loves character driven stories. Make her believe in your characters— give them real depth and vulnerabilities and quirks—and she’ll be putty in your hands. 

You can follow her on Twitter @MalloryBraus or visit her website at mallorybraus.com

And, saving the best for last: 

Mallory is offering a special goody. If you contact her between August 6 critique or consultation, she’s offering a 10% reduction to her pricing if you mutually agree to work together. In your email, make sure to reference the Nine Naughty Novelists to redeem the goody!

My Three Masters

 Back at the start of my erotic romance writing career, my ignorance was mind-boggling. I didn’t write with any sort of plan, I simply wrote the stories that came into my head. Or rather, I’d take images and spin them from a ball of tangled yarn into something that hopefully resembled a sweater. Or at least a scarf. I wrote a contemporary set in the Caribbean, another set in Maine, the saucy tale of a wayward receptionist -- then decided to experiment with a Regency romance.

Series? What was that? While I loved reading series, it seemed clear that my mind didn’t work that way. I was a “standalone” writer. A “one-off” writer interested in exploring a transformational moment in someone’s sexual journey. How the heck do you make a series out of that?

Well, my editors soon bonked me over the head with the obvious. If readers like the characters, they want to know more about them. They want to know what happens next. Hello, sequel? Ever heard of it? How about series? Ring a bell? So I got the message and continued Dana, Simon and Ethan’s story in the Receptionist series. I wrote another book set in Wild, Alaska. Now that I’m onboard the series train, I love it. I can revisit old characters, bring new things into their lives, throw new challenges at them, and create an entirely new story in a world I’ve already established. 

So now it’s the Marquis de Beaumont’s turn. In MY THREE LORDS he played a crucial role in Lady Alicia’s sexual discovery, but at the end the Marquis was left on the outside of the great love between Alicia and the Duke of Warrington. I decided the Marquis deserved his own story.

MY THREE MASTERS, out now from Ellora’s Cave, picks up the tale of the naughty lives of the Marquis, the Duke, the Earl and his Countess, with the addition of the lovely, scarred and mysterious nursemaid Miranda Brown. In MY THREE MASTERS, everyone’s back in all their scandalous glory, but the main story is the passionate love that develops between the Marquis and Miranda. This book has much more of a BDSM slant, as well as a vicious bad guy and some dark secrets.

With all these sequels flying around, it sure seems like I know what I’m doing, right? I confess that it’s still pretty much accidental. Oh, my editor wants a follow-up to MY THREE LORDS? Um, okay. Cue the wheels spinning. (If I’m lucky.) Maybe one of these days I’ll actually plan a series ahead of time. You never know.

Here’s the blurb for MY THREE MASTERS. You can read an excerpt here and buy the book here. 

It’s been years since the Marquis de Beaumont, London’s most notorious rake, felt anything more than sexual need. But something about the mysterious nursemaid Miranda Brown catches his eye. Why is her face so terribly scarred? Why does her speech slip into the cadence of the upper class? Why is she haunting his dreams?

Miranda is used to hiding in plain sight. After fleeing her vicious guardian, she’s wary of everyone, especially the Marquis, who stars in her most secret nighttime fantasies. But not even her fantasies could prepare her for the truth about the Marquis, the Duke, the Earl and the Countess…or for the intense passion that flares between them. As the secrets from her past begin to surface, she fears their fragile bond won’t survive, and that not even her three masters will be able to save her from a cruel fate.

Inside Scoop: This Regency-set tale boasts ménage, BDSM…just about everything you could possibly want in a hot historical. 

 Happy reading! 

Juniper

Road to Hell

I'll be honest. I probably should have gone with my first instinct and written about the county fair that's going on here this week. I mean, who doesn't love a good fair? There's the midway, the rides, the games and all sorts of weird fried foods to try, random musical performances, fireworks, livestock--it's fun.  But I've written that same post several times now. I'm kind of over it now. So instead, I'm going to talk about some things I've been observing lately.

There was a full moon last week. I blame some of the recent craziness on that. In Romancelandia, writers were off on another tangent (which is something we’re sometimes wont to do) about reviews on Goodreads. Quelle Surprise! The question under debate had to do with whether or not authors had the right to post “honest” (for which read “unfavorable”) reviews. “Don’t I have a right to my opinion?” was, I believe, how the question was most frequently framed.  And, much as I’d really, really like to be able to say “yes” to that question, I’m really not sure we do. 

I think once you give up your amateur standing you might have to rein in a little of your freedom to say whatever you please about someone else’s books in a public forum.  And not just because you might hurt someone’s feelings or lose a few friends, but because I don’t think it’s very professional.

Wanna criticize it in private, or among friends? Go for it. Someone asks you directly what you thought of the book? No need to lie. But to offer an unsolicited review, your very subjective opinion, in a way that might dissuade people from buying someone else’s book? A book that (opinions being what they are) they might actually have fallen in love with? That’s a little more iffy. Personally, I just happen to think it’s a poor business practice.

And this is a business, which leads into the next part of my story.

My husband and I went away last week and spent the night in a lovely bed and breakfast. As luck would have it, most of the guests were loosely involved in creative fields, film, music, writing. Which should have been fun, right? Something in common? As it turns out, not so much.

At breakfast, the conversation largely revolved around new technology and how it’s ruining so many things. Being something of a technophile and a proud early adopter, I politely kept my mouth shut until the woman seated beside me (who happened to be a psychologist) turned to me and asked me what I did for work.

I said I was a writer. She asked me what I wrote, I said novels, mostly in the romance genre. She favored me with a look of Extreme Skeptical Disbelief (I know this look. I have this look. I wear it often myself.) and asked, “And you actually make a living from that?”

I knew I should have just said yes, because many people can and do just that, but the truth is if I, personally, had to live solely off my royalties at this point...well, let's just say I wouldn’t be staying in lovely bed and breakfasts very often. So instead I said, “Not yet,” and my husband, bless him, launched into a passionate defense of my books in particular and digital publishing in general.

I could have told him it was a waste of time, and sure enough, his remarks were quickly met with cries of, “I know it’s supposed to be exploding, but I haven’t seen any evidence of it, myself.” And, “I like a book I can hold in my hands.”

Luddites. They’re everywhere.

But it got me thinking. What is it about books and writing that makes people think it's okay to be rude? To ask personal questions that they'd never think to ask about anyone else's income? Why do some people believe that their opinion is so critically important that they simply have to express it at any cost?

 I mean, I shoot my mouth off as much as the next person, and sometimes I shoot first and ask questions later. But do I go around asking random psychologists that I meet at breakfast if their choice of a career is an attempt to deal with their own psychological issues? Do I go around offering my unsolicited opinions of other people's work or career choice, or…well, anything that’s not actually my business, and then get offended when said people are not properly grateful for the gift of my fabulous insight?

Sigh. Well, anyway, the fair was lovely. And ooh, look; fireworks!

From Brain to Page: How Kinsey Holley writes

In this series, we'll be talking to different authors about their brainstorming, outlining, and drafting processes. Want to be involved? Send an email to skylarkade@gmail.com with the headline "From Brain to Page".

From Kinsey Holley:

I'm a big, big fan of Word's Navigation Pane - used to be Document Map. That's how I keep my WIP in chronological order even though I don't write chronologically.

I always envision a book as a series of scenes, and the dialogue comes much easier than the narrative. So I make headings and subheadings for the scenes - these show up in the Navigation Pane.

If I need background material, like characters' ages, relationships to other characters or, in this case, song titles and lyrics, I put it at the top or bottom. Things I need to remind myself of going at the top. (Like the attached "Pretzel!" is a sex position. Shut up and fuck me is a scene for which I haven't done dialog yet.)

I write dialogue, scene by scene - just dialogue and if I need, really sketchy stage directions, ie., [he brushes face from her hair, then takes her chin and makes her look at him] but I don't worry about the narrative. Then I smooth it out, flesh out the dialogue, and lastly go through and write narrative.