I had ice cream for breakfast.

Talenti Beligan Milk Chocolate Gelato.

And I don't feel the least bit guilty about it either. It's not my birthday, it's not a holiday, there really is no special occasion. Except that I really wanted some.

Every once in awhile, you have to stop and enjoy the little things in life. Like ice cream for breakfrast.

I am buried in deadlines and revisions. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely and utterly overjoyed at the fact that I have work (Thank you, Universe!) but when I'm working like this, I tend to be a little bit single-minded and ultra focused. Good for the work, not so good for the other things in my life. I tend to push everything to the side.

So today, I started my day with ice cream. To feel that creamy, decadent chocolate goodness on my tongue and remind myself to partake of the little joys while I'm working toward my bliss.

I hope all of you do something just for you today; whether it be a cup of tea, a long walk down a favorite path, or buying yourself a flower just because the scent of it makes you happy

How 'Bout Some Summer Lovin' for our Readers?

The summer's heating up fast here in Florida. It's early, but already the air's so thick I could easily wring bath water from it and have a nice long soak. I love summer, though, and so does my muse. Like me, he likes his weather sultry. Hmmm, so do I!

The weather's not the only thing heating up around here. So is the crew at Writer's Gone Wild. And to celebrate, we're kicking off a brand new promo. Getting published is hard. Hell, finishing a book is hard. But you know what's harder? Chaining yourself to your keyboard while everyone else in the world is enjoying swim-a-thons and barbeques. Giving that bouncing baby book you labored over for so long an objective look see before you send it out into the world is even harder.

I don't think there's an author alive who doesn't suspect that much of what she sends out into the world never captures a glimpse from human eyes. Wouldn't it be nice to get some objective feedback now and again, preferably from an author who has found her way? Uh huh, we know. Every author here at Writers Gone Wild has been there. Some of us twice. :) The writers who blog here are as varied as the stories they tell about their paths toward publication. Yet somehow, most of us have found our way to print through publishers like Kensington, Carina, Sourcebooks, Red Sage, Changeling, and Ellora's Cave. Others have banded together to form a small independent press, Sanibel Moon. We've learned enough about the business to know many of our favorite books are those we read that were written by authors who are still pre-published.

We want our readers who write to find success, too. Beginning June 1, every commenter who adds these words to her post "Show me some summer lovin'" will be entered into a monthly drawing for an in-depth critique by one of our multi-published contributing authors. One monthly winner will receive a loving, thougtful and in-depth look at any combination of query, one page synopsis and first twenty pages of a sensual or erotic romance manuscript.  

The rules are simple:

1) Your comments are your entry. One comment/entry per day

2) Comments must relate to the day's post in addition to the words "Show me some summer lovin'"

3) Each meaningful comment you make in a months time qualifies as one entry so long as it also contains the phrase "show me some summer lovin'. In other words, you can comment once a day every day there is a post. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

4) Drawings will be held on July 1, August 1, and September 1 Winners will be announced on the blog on those dates, so be sure to check back on those dates.

One more thing. Good luck. Now go ahead and make our summer sizzle.

Dreams Really Do Come True

Dreams Really Do Come True  by Maree Anderson  (for Writers Gone Wild)

Hi y'all,

You know me by now. I state I'm gonna write a short post and....

Yeah, well. If only these posts counted toward my daily word count I'd be sweet :)

So here goes: The. Shortest. Post. Ever. From Wild Writer Maree Anderson:

I'm proud (stoked! rapt to bits and beyond! over the freaking moon and far far away in la-la land!) to announce some BIG NEWS.

My self-published young adult novel Freaks of Greenfield High has been optioned for TV by Cream Drama Inc.

The next step in the process is obtaining funding for the project, so please, wish us luck!

Cheers!

Maree

FREAKS OF GREENFIELD HIGH

By Maree Anderson

When a teenage cyborg is forced to hide out at a small-town high school, the unthinkable happens: she falls in love. But with a covert organization intent on using her as a weapon hot on her trail, now’s so not the time for a cyborg to get all emotional!

*Winner: Gulf Coast RWA Silken Sands “Self-Published Star” contest (YA category)

*Winner: Maryland Romance Writers Reveal Your Inner Vixen contest (YA category)

Laura Kaye: Her Forbidden Hero

Today I'm thrilled to introduce the astoundingly talented Laura Kaye to our blog. She's here to talk about her most recent release, which I have waiting for me on my Kindle right now and can't wait to get to. And, she's giving away a digital copy of it to a commenter here on Writers Gone Wild.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thanks so much for hosting me here today! I write paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance and have six books out to date, plus two more coming in the next two months. I am wife and mom of two young girls (ages 5 and 8), college history professor, and total vampire addict. Oh, and I have a very bad dog. He’s also pretty cute, lucky for him…

When did you first begin writing novels?

I started writing fiction almost four years ago. I’ve been a writer my whole life—of non-fiction, but after a head injury gave me a creative streak that demanded outlet, I began writing fiction and completed my first book in 12 weeks—what became (after a lot of revision) my vampire romance, Forever Freed. Talk about a silver lining!

What book are you telling us about today?

My new release, a contemporary romance called HER FORBIDDEN HERO! 

 Here’s the blurb:

You always want what you can’t have…

She’s always been off-limits…

Former Army Special Forces Sgt. Marco Vieri has never thought of Alyssa Scott as more than his best friend’s little sister, but her return home changes that…and challenges him to keep his war-borne demons at bay. Marco’s not the same person he was back when he protected Alyssa from her abusive father, and he’s not about to let her see the mess he’s become.

…but now she’s all grown up.

When Alyssa takes a job at the bar where Marco works, her carefree smiles wreak havoc on his resolve to bury his feelings. How can he protect her when he can’t stop thinking about her in his bed? But Alyssa’s not looking for protection—not anymore. Now that she’s back in his life, she’s determined to heal her forbidden hero, one touch at a time…

Is this part of a series? If so, tell us how the books are connected.

My second book from Entangled’s Indulgence imprint will pick up with a character introduced in Her Forbidden Hero, the heroine’s brother, Brady Scott. I can’t wait to write his book!

What do you love the most about this particular book?

I really love the characters. Marco and Alyssa are damaged and sweet and so right for each other that it hurt me to keep them apart! They are just a couple I think readers will really want to route for to get together and find happiness.

Which character is your favorite?

Heroes own me. Always. So as much as I love Alyssa, I have to pick the hero, Marco Vieri. Marco is a good guy through and through, a hero in every definition of the term, and someone who by nature puts others needs and well being before his own. And he oozes wounded and sexy from every pore! Gah!

*fans self furiously* (You had me at Army Special Forces, by the way.) What is your favorite part of the writing process?

The discovery of putting the words on the page, because what comes out often surprises me. I am a total pantser, and even when I do attempt to plot, my brain doesn’t always cooperate and still comes up with plot points or dialogue or combinations of words that make me wonder where they came from!

What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?

Well, plotting, for one. I’m not good at it. And I really dislike doing it, much to my editors’ consternation. LOL Usually, I also find that I don’t give my first pass enough emotional depth, and I have to go back through in editing and layer deeper, more intense emotion in. I didn’t have that problem with this one, though, because the characters had been in my head for a while and I already felt I knew them so well. This time, it was the beginning of the book that I found challenging. I couldn’t get it just right and had to keep tweaking. It was worth the effort, though, I think!

How long does it generally take you to complete a book?

Hmm. There really isn’t a typical amount of time. But once I’m writing, it tends to come fast. I’ve written first drafts of my last two novel-length books in under 6 weeks.

*glares* Seriously?!?

Okay, I'm mad with jealousy right now, but you're so sweet I suppose we can still be friends. So before this insanely fast drafting phase, do you map everything out ahead of time, or do you like to be surprised along with the characters as the story unfolds?

Hello, my name is Laura, and I am a complete and total pantser.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the third book in my Hearts of the Anemoi contemporary fantasy romance series called South of Surrender. I’m also working on final revisions on an erotic women’s fiction manuscript I’m hoping to query this summer.

What will you be working on next (uh, assuming your speedy fingers haven't worn the letters right off your keyboard)?

So many projects! So little time! Next, I’ll either be working on a novella in the Anemoi world, the follow-on story to Her Forbidden Hero featuring the heroine’s brother Brady, or the third novella in my Vampire Warrior Kings series. I’m not sure which will grab my attention first! *grins*

Where can we find you?

            Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page  

Thanks for coming by, Laura. Okay gang, who's got a comment or question for her? You might even be the lucky winner and get to spend the night with Marco...

Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Winner for Best Romance Novella, Forever Freed is the NJRW Golden Leaf Winner for Best Paranormal of 2011 and is a finalist for two GDRWA Booksellers’ Best Awards, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, is a finalist for a FF&P PRISM award, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

TO BE READ

There’s been a lot of talk on a loop for indie-published authors where I lurk about the practice of giving away FREE e-books. One side argues FREE is a smart promotional tool; readers who like the sample will buy the author’s backlist, leading to profits. The other side asserts that giving away FREE e-books causes readers to devalue the authors’ hard work, and furthermore, most of those FREE downloads are never read.

I doubt I’m a typical reader, but I bought my Kindle just before Christmas (when the $79 version came out) and as of today, I have about 110 books loaded on it. Of these, I paid for about 15 (though in several cases I only paid 99 cents), and I’ve read about 20.

My electronic TBR “pile” consists of several different categories of e-books. On the top are books written by my friends, including the Wild Writers. These I paid for, and will read as soon as I can. Unfortunately, between a fairly demanding day job and trying to fit in my own writing, I don’t have nearly as much time as I’d like for reading. Of course I’d have more time if I gave up watching TV… but I'll leave that topic for another post.

Next are novellas, which I find easier to squeeze in because they’re shorter - see above about lack of time.

Then there are FREE books I’ve downloaded to support members of the indie author community, and which I truly would like to read, but realistically speaking, in many cases that’s not going to happen for a long time… if ever.

I also have a number of craft books, which I may or may not ever use, but I thought enough of them to snap them up when they were FREE.

Finally, there are the books I expect I’ll never read, at least not all the way to the end. These are books that got terrible reviews from people I trust, so I’d never buy them, but when they were FREE, I downloaded them. My motive is the same reason people stare at car wrecks - morbid curiosity. I want to see if they’re as awful as I’ve heard.

In some ways I’m Exhibit A to the detractors of going FREE. I download a lot of FREE e-books that I may very well never read. But in this respect, my electronic TBR pile is no different from my “dead tree” TBR pile. Even though I’m somewhat selective, I come home from every RWA national conference with a major pile of books I’d love to read, but suspect I’ll never get to. However, unlike physical books, it doesn’t cost the author or publisher anything to give me FREE e-books. And it’s not like FREE is replacing a sale - if I had to pay for these book, I wouldn’t. Then there wouldn’t be any chance - however slim - that I’d eventually read them, love them, and buy more books by the same author.

So, readers, and writers, what do you think - is FREE a savvy business move, or the first step down the road to hell?

Brenda Novak's Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes

**Note: Cross-posted from www.mareeanderson.com**

Hi all,

I have a friend with a daughter the same age as mine. My friend’s daughter lives with diabetes, so when I had the opportunity to participate in Brenda Novak’s Annual Auction for the Cure of Diabetes (2012), I jumped at the chance to participate! Here’s the low-down from the woman herself:

“Welcome to Brenda Novak’s Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research. So far, we have raised over $1.3 million–and hope to break $2 million in the near future. In order to make that happen, we are gearing up for another great year, so be sure to keep an eye on all the fabulous items our generous donors are contributing. The auction will open on May 1st and run through May 31st. Make sure you register as a shopper so that you get all the notices that will be going out. You wouldn’t want to miss the fun–this is such an easy way for us to join together to make a difference!”

And you’ve gotta see it (i.e. VISIT THE WEBSITE!!!) to believe what’s being auctioned this year :) I went in with a bunch of my author-friends, and we all kicked in to buy eReaders which are being auctioned off on Brenda’s online auction website. And, because no eReader is complete without eBooks, we’ve preloaded the eReaders with a bunch of eBooks *g*

First up is  ITEM #2553511 Young Adult Kindle
This is a Kindle Wi-Fi, pre-loaded with the following eBooks:

STIRRING UP TROUBLE; VALENTINE’S DAY SUCKS by Juli Alexander

THROUGH THE EYES OF A GEEK by Kat Brookes

HEAVEN IS FOR HEROES; ON THIN ICE by PJ Sharon

DANGEROUS DESIGNS; VAMPIRE IN DENIAL by Dale Mayer

SHATTERED by Jezebel Jorge

FREAKS OF GREENFIELD HIGH by Maree Anderson

THE DEEPEST CUT; A MACKINNON CURSE NOVEL by J.A. Templeton

THE HAUNTED; A MACKINNON CURSE NOVEL (Bk 2) by J.A. Templeton

A CLOCKWISE FAIRYTALE by Helen Scott Taylor

PRIDE’S RUN: A WOLF’S PRIDE NOVEL by Cat Kalen

And second, is ITEM #2553155: Paranormal Romance/Paranormal Suspense Nook
This is a Simple Touch Nook with power adapter (usually sold separately), pre-loaded with the following eBooks:

SPIRIT OF THE MOUNTAIN by Paty Jager

THE CRYSTAL WARRIOR (BOOK 1 OF THE CRYSTAL WARRIOR SERIES) by Maree Anderson

FIONA by Linda Andrews

SUPERSTITION by Tori Scott

KISS ME, I’M IRISH by Bella Street

DARK MOON (DECORAH SECURITY) by Rebecca York

YOUR MAGIC OR MINE by Ann Macela

But if eReaders and eBooks aren’t your thing, there’s plenty more to check out. So make sure you head on over to Brenda’s Online Auction and check out the amazing range of items and services being auctioned and let’s make this year’s auction the most successful one ever!

:-)
M

Superheroes

Jennifer L. Hart for Writers Gone Wild

To celebrate the release of The Avengers, I'm talking about superheroes. You see, romance writers spend a whole lot of time thinking about heroes. What do we want in a man, what fatal flaw can we give him that will work to brink him even closer to his happily ever after and what makes him tick. But a superhero is an entirely different animal. He's larger than life, a role model, not just a pretty face, but the kind of guy who shoulders enormous responsibility.The weight of the world (or the cosmos) might literally rest on his oh so perfectly sculpted shoulders.

Example One: Thor

 Oh man, has this guy got it going on, in this world and the next. His one aim to become King of Asgard, at least until he meets his lady love and discovers exactly what sacrifices being crowned king will demand.  Fatal flaw? Pride goes before the fall and Thor has to choke his down while recognizing that even his dogged determination doesn't make him invincible. What makes him a force to be reckoned with? Takes on the Ice Giants, decimates a military base, and can talk science about an Einstein Rosen bridge with a smoldering wink. And let's not forget about his massive...hammer.

Example Two: Snake-eyes

Talk about the strong silent type. Storm Shadow said it best, he never gives up. The mystery of the man ensures he commands all the attention in the room and he's Colonel Hawk's number one go to guy, the best of the best of the best Fatal flaw? He's all weapon all the time, driven first by vengeance and then by the mission. I'm not sure he even sleeps, and if he does, does the mask come off? Though he is a martial arts expert, finesse isn't exactly his strong suit. Never mind his lcak of conversation. Verdict, while he'd be on the top of my dream team ass kicking list, I have a feeling alone time with this Joe would be downright unsettling.


Example Three: Wolverine
Casting Hugh Jackman as Logan was pure genius, he's owned that role from the first minutes when those claws came out. Adamantium aside, Wolverine is the ultimate reluctant hero, a mutant who didn't ask to be immortal or for the rapid healing that makes him so unique and so coveted. It's more of a curse than a gift, especially when he's staggering around completely clueless to anything about himself and that relentless quest for answers is his fatal flaw. Still, his heart is in the right place. Plus hey, it's HUGH JACKMAN!

 Finally, my personal favorite...

Example Four: Batman
Frankly I don't care who's in the suit, he's the Dark Knight. Obsessed with justice after the untimely death of his parents, Bruce Wayne developed the cool technology and kick ass fighting skills to ensure he could help out the good citizens of Gotham City when the police couldn't. Vigilante justice, his fatal flaw and driving force all at once and just like Robin Hood he makes you wonder if sometimes playing by the rules, coloring in the lines and getting the girl isn't a total cop out. Tortured hero, check. Billionaire playboy with the hottest ride in own, check. Unwavering moral compass, check.

If you can't be Batman, be with Batman.

So who are some of your favorite superheroes? Do you go for the dark and angsty types? Is a lone wolf or a team player your type of guy. Are you wowed by super abilities or cool toys? Or do you just think I'm a geek with way too much free time?

Please help me Welcome Nikki Palomino

Guest blogging with us today is Nikki Palomino. She has a new release scheduled to release this month from Silver Publishing.   Dazed The Story of a Grunge Rocker. Here's a  sneak peak.


Dazed

The Story of a Grunge Rocker

Coming May 2012

 



“Eric returns home from the Portland streets to find most things unchanged, but a fellow art student sees the pain beneath the artistic brilliance as the men struggle to survive in a world that hates junkies and fags. Follow Eric Peterson, a 19 year old boy through his journey of sex, drugs, grunge rock, confused sexual orientation and mental anguish. Experience this life through his eyes.”



Praise for Dazed:

"A quicksilver story of raw lust made real before your reading eyes." Brian Heffron,Writer/Director/Poet on Dazed(The Story of a Grunge Rocker)

"I was a lot like Eric. I lived to jam drugs into my veins. I did All those things I said I would never do. That includes experimenting with just about anything sexually. I'm not really concerned about society's labels. I know who I am. Society can fuck off. Had I read this book with only a few weeks clean, I would probably make that phone call to the 'loose cannon'. I could literally picture the rig filling with blood. The optimist in me hopes Eric will find lasting recovery and peace within his troubled soul. The cynic in me hopes he will end his existence in a heartbreaking dramatic way. If I were to predict Eric's future, I'm betting there is no happy ending." ANONYMOUS on Dazed (The Story of a Grunge Rocker)



About the author:





As a runaway on the streets of NYC to the Strip of L.A. as Grunge Punk Rock Musician and independent feature writer, Nikki Palomino racked up enough confusion, frustration and passion to write Dazed(The Story of a Grunge Rocker)Silver Publishing in the first of the Dazed novel series. She learned life, drugs and rock'n'roll touring in a van packed with the rest of the band, equipment and under aged groupies, playing the likes of CBGB's, Max's, Paramount and Rockerfellers. 2003 named Best Genre Short Story writer by Writer's Digest with a history of print publications including Nightmares, Blonde on Blonde, and hetero- erotica for Foggy Windows. She covered rock and country music for print rags Los Angeles Country Examiner, Buddy Magazine, Space City News, Houston Chronicle under John Scarborough, Blast Music. 2004 wrote and co-produced Film Noir "Baby", 2007 Award-winning short "The Rug" turned into TV pilot "Our Way of Life" for Fox and later ABC.

The best analogy of such a life as shown by protagonist of “Dazed” novel series, Eric Peterson, “When your heart hammers against your chest and your veins blister inconsolably, you run down an alley to find the underpass to spike. A few minutes later, you join the discarded humanity on the streets, invincible.