Roll over and slap snooze button when first alarm goes off for hubby. Mumble thanks when hubby brings coffee into bedroom. Slap snooze button. Slap snooze button. Swear when second alarm goes off and slap snooze button. Drag self out of bed. Gulp coffee. Stumble out to living room to sit in front of computer … Read More
What’s next?
Whew! Turned another manuscript in to Siren on Sunday. Was sort of like giving birth. *LOL* (Only without the blood, contractions, hospital visit, epidural, and the screaming at the end is me on release day when I see it for sale. *LOL*) It’s a hot BDSM stand-alone mmf romance, but three of the characters also … Read More
Writing How-To: The list of lists…
What writer hasn’t made a butt-load of lists in their life? I think it sort of goes hand in hand with the whole “I’m a writer” gig. Thanks to the magic of Twitter, I was led to this writers “list of lists” (The (Nearly) Ultimate Resource: 176 Tips for Writers) and thought it was a … Read More
Writing How-To: Tag, you’re it!
Dialogue (or dialog) tags tend to trip some writers. Add to the mix that the US tag standard differs from the UK, and it can add to the confusion. CORRECT: “I don’t like spinach,” she said. CORRECT: She said, “I don’t like spinach.” INCORRECT: “I don’t like spinach.” she said. INCORRECT: “I don’t like spinach.” … Read More
Writing How-To: A little hashed phrase to go with the word salad…
Anchors away for our next topic! Um, no, not really. “Aweigh” is correct, however. This hint goes well with the word salad post from last week. See, the English language is a hair-rippingly funny beast. The bastardized, red-headed step-child of many different languages, it causes quite a bit of confusion. And that’s just for those … Read More
Writing How-To: He said WHAT?
Continuing the writing how-to series, another frequent issue that crops up, especially in romance/erotica novels — guys speaking unnaturally. “You little minx.” Now, honestly. When have you EVER heard a modern guy call a woman a “little minx?” I’m not talking a period/historical (although in those I think it’s overused too). Or a hellcat, spitfire, … Read More
Writing How-To: Can I get ranch dressing on my word salad?
Continuing the writer how-to series, our next quickie topic: word salad. That’s probably not the best term, because there is a condition called word salad, but for the purposes of this tip it’s the phrase I’ll use. Here’s how you prevent this condition (and yes, I am screaming): DO NOT RELY ON YOUR SPELLCHECK FEATURE! … Read More
How “real” do you like it?
I know, it’s been a while since I’ve written. Been swamped in a good way! And on Monday, July 20th, “Hell’s Bells,” the second book in the Good Will Ghost Hunting series, is coming from Lyrical Press. Today’s question is pitched out to readers and writers alike, because I’m interested in hearing from both sides … Read More
"Advances" in publishing…
An article in the New York Times made me think. It talked about book advances and how they’ve changed, how the amounts are influenced. The article talks about how 7 out of 10 books don’t earn out their advance. That means the author never gets a royalty check, if I’m not mistaken. Also, that it … Read More
Guest Blogging Today – Characters & Promotions
I’ve got a new free story posted in the Free Reads & Excerpts section of my LesliRichardson.com website, titled, “Of Shuffleboard and B-Negative.” It’s a twist on the traditional vampire tale. Also, today I’m guest-blogging at Lyrical Press: http://lyricalpress.blogspot.com The topic: Characters. Come. First. If you’re a writer, you won’t want to miss it. If … Read More
"How did you think of THAT?"
I get this question a lot. I’m sure other writers do too, probably, but the wide variety of subject matter, themes, and settings I use in my stories probably prompt it quite a bit more often. Let’s face it, I write everything from sweet contemporary romance to sci-fi to BDSM erotica, to Stephen King-esque contemporary … Read More
Not enough fingers!
I went this weekend with my husband to a dinner with his co-workers and I was asked several times how many books I’ve got coming in 2009. I realized (with some surprise) that it’s…a lot. *LOL* NOT complaining, mind you! *G* And the question, “How do you keep them all straight?” came to mind. That … Read More
WHOO HOO!!
I’ve got my laptop back! My cousin John ROCKS!!!! I’m so happy I could wet my pants (but I won’t, I promise!). I missed it SO MUCH! Now I can get caught up. *ugh*
Behind the Times
I am probably the second to last person on Earth to both watch “The Devil Wears Prada” and to read “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer. I just watched the first this morning on HBO, and I’m a little over 200 pages into the second as of last night. (The last person, of course, is my husband.) … Read More
Performance Anxiety
So the good news is that “Love and Brimstone” is getting great reviews. The bad news is I’m ripping my hair out now over the sequel. Not because the story isn’t coming together, because it is. Frankly, I think it’s a good book. But… Now I sit and look at it and think, is it … Read More