3T Writing Tidbit

Being a published author develops a whole lot of skills, not just writing. One of the things you'll be called on to do at some point or another is sign your book.

I'm always looking for better ways to connect with readers, so if you have comments, let's hear them!

I sign on the title page. Above the title, I write "To Name:" then drop a line and write a little something personal.

The fastest way to sign a book for romance authors is to wish the reader joy in the couples' journey: "Hope you enjoy Alexis and Luke's story!"

Second is to pick a phrase that describes the book or your approach to the writing. In Bite My Fire, the first in the Biting Love series, I usually write, "Welcome to Meiers Corners!" (the small town where most of the series is set).

If you're signing in person, it's always appropriate to write something like "So lovely to meet you at the WisRWA Con!"

I sign my name after the name block. Recently I've started adding the date. At first I thought omitting the date gave a certain timelessness to the signing. But I've changed my mind.

How do you sign?

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.

2T Repeat Performance

March's 2T Repeat has been bumped to the last Tuesday this month. Enjoy February's 2T!

February 2015 at Lust With a Laugh--lots of new releases

• Hughes and Mews...New Releases For Your E-Readers!...
• #ROBOSEX Giveaway!
• Getting Kinky with Kinky Claus Giveaway!
• Recharging Batteries...or Shorting Them Out?

March 1T Status Update -- It was all about the story

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Samhain Publishing, my first publishing home, has announced they're closing their doors over the next several months.

Man, I loved this place. It was home in more ways than one. The quirky warnings, the editors who actually got my sense of humor, the safe environment made this the publisher of my heart.

Mind Mates, which had been slated for August 23, is now in limbo. I expect my rights back shortly and will proceed with indie publishing to try to get this to you as close to the original release date as possible. Here was the gorgeous cover. I don't know if I'll get to keep it or not.

Okay, before I get all weepy again, here is the good news. April Fools For Love 2016 is trucking along and plans are on track (to mix my vehicular metaphors) for preorder release mid-March.

Sneak peek at the cover!

Coming March 18, 2016--A fairy tale romance with a twist.

THE WRONGED DAUGHTER
Cinderella hungers to escape from under Widow Wikkid's grinding thumb. But to snare a plum job at Prince Industries, Cin desperately needs her degree, and she can't wrap her mind around tax accounting.

Then scarred but sexy Rafe Montoya ignites her imagination with his brilliant tutoring—and, as they work together in his cozy apartment, he sets her body on fire. She thinks he's the one for her, until he starts pushing her to attend Gideon Prince's marriage-mart ball.

THE HANDSOME PRINCE
Rafe is really Gideon Prince, head of Prince Industries. He must name his bride by his April first birthday or suffer the loss of his family fortune.

Rumors say he's still single because women love his money and looks, not him. Is he lonely or just another duplicitous tycoon?

THE GLASS SLIPPER TEST
Hopefuls flock to Prince's birthday ball, but only the woman who's kind, wise, and generous will win his heart. Is it Cin, or will her stepmother, as she always does, snatch the prize for her own daughters?

And on the night of the ball, when Cin discovers Rafe’s true identity, can she even accept his final test?

Warning: Rags-to-riches fairytale meets the texting generation. Stepsisters who are a blush-brush shy of a full makeup set, and a ball gown built like a tank. Contains material intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion advised.

What's in a name...? A Blurb Fit for Royalty

Please welcome guest Remi Bond, whose release Surprise for Three: Leap Year, along with S.L. Carpenter's Chasing Dreams: Leap Year, leaps into readers hands today!

 The first thing a reader sees of an author's book is the cover or title. I think Surprise for Three is a good, engaging title, and with SL Carpenter's artwork, you know the cover is going to be superlative.

But the next thing a reader sees is the "tag" and "blurb", the hook line plus the three or four paragraphs that set up a promise as to what kind of ride the story will give.

I wrote what I thought was a good blurb, but for this first menage, was it good enough?

So I handed it over to The Blurb Queen, a professional. Oh, my, am I glad I did! Here's the before and after, paragraph by paragraph, for your reading pleasure.

TAG
Before: (none)
After: Will she dare to take a leap this bold?

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR

Before: Annaliese loves Ransom, but she's too shy for him, and knows it. So in farewell, she throws him a Leap Year birthday party—with a surprise. Sure, she doesn't get his heart a-pumping, but the beautiful exotic dancer popping out of the cake will.

After: … she's not daring enough for him
Annaliese loves Ransom, but has given up on winning his heart. It hurts too much to watch him with other women, so she’s leaving town. In farewell, she throws him a Leap Year birthday party—with a surprise. She may not get his heart a-pumping, but the beautiful exotic dancer popping out of the cake will. 

 THE RICH PLAYBOY

Before: Ransom craves the adrenaline rush extreme sports and kinky sex give him. His heart belongs to Annaliese, but he’d make her miserable as her lover. He can only hope his hot blood cools before another man sweeps her away …and then the giant cake is wheeled in.

After: … he's too much of a risk-taker for her Ransom’s heart belongs to Annaliese, but he’s convinced he’d make her miserable, since he craves the adrenaline rush of extreme sports and kinky sex. He can only hope his passion for her matures before another man sweeps her away … and then the giant cake is wheeled in.

THE INJURED SEAL

Before: Jack's home from war for good and looking for a sweet woman to settle down with. When a relative maneuvers him into a pirate costume to swing his sword for some rich woman's birthday party, he spies sweet Annaliese and knows she's the one he wants. But she loves another…

After: THE WOUNDED WARRIOR … she's just what he's looking forJack is home from duty as a Navy SEAL and on the hunt for a sweet woman to settle down with. When a relative maneuvers him into a pirate costume to swing his sword for some rich chick's birthday party, he goes along as a favor. Then he spies sweet Annaliese watching his moves and knows she's the one.

(Wrapup)

Before: When the exotic dancer bursting from Ransom's birthday cake turns out to be a well-muscled pirate, it's a surprise for three.

After: A LEAP YEAR LOVE TRIANGLE … can they make it last?
When Jack sees the way Annaliese looks at Ransom, he’s ready to back away … until Ransom invites him to a private after-party for three. Can Annaliese overcome her shyness to share passion with not one, but two hot men?

WARNING

Before: This story contains material intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion advised.

After: Warning: This story contains hot ménage and demonstrations of affection between two alpha heroes and one heroine.

Don’t miss your chance to get in on this sexy celebration—get your copy of Surprise for Three today!

Will you dare to take a leap this bold?

We all like getting goodies. Holidays and birthdays are a great time for prezzies. Too bad they only come once a year.

Imagine if Christmas or your birthday or your favorite goodie-getting holiday came, not every year, but only every FOUR years.

Fortunately, ladies & gents, THIS is the YEAR! And I have the presents for you, even if you're not a Leap Year baby. S.L. Carpenter and Remi Bond have a set of tales just for this extra day in February, the mystical 29. If you like your lovin' hot and sassy, these are the 99c ebooks for you!

Chasing Dreams: Leap Year by S.L. Carpenter

Michelle has reached a crossroads in her life just as the year offers her an extra day – February 29th. Walking away from an empty relationship and striking out on a new path is reviving feelings—both scary and wonderful. A train trip home offers time to think about her future, and what the Leap Year might bring. It also offers her a good looking drunk, passed out in her sleeping compartment.

Josh is mortified that he crashed in the wrong compartment, but fascinated by the woman who let him sleep and even covered him with a blanket. Their meeting seems pre-destined, as does the passion sparking between them.

But they both have pasts, and sometimes the past can leave a long shadow across the future. Michelle and Josh will have to come to terms with where they’ve been before they can really set off on the ultimate adventure…chasing their dreams.

Amazon | Amazon UK

Surprise for Three: Leap Year by Remi Bond

Will she dare to take a leap this bold?

THE GIRL NEXT DOOR … she's not daring enough for him
Annaliese loves Ransom but has given up on winning his heart. It hurts too much to watch him with other women, so she’s leaving town. In farewell, she throws him a Leap Year birthday party—with a surprise. She may not get his heart a-pumping, but the beautiful exotic dancer popping out of the cake will.

THE RICH PLAYBOY … he's too much of a risk-taker for her
Ransom’s heart belongs to Annaliese, but he’s convinced he’d make her miserable, since he craves the adrenaline rush of extreme sports and kinky sex. He can only hope his passion for her matures before another man sweeps her away … and then the giant cake is wheeled in.

THE WOUNDED WARRIOR … she's just what he's looking for
Jack is home from duty as a Navy SEAL and on the hunt for a sweet woman to settle down with. When a relative maneuvers him into a pirate costume to swing his sword for some rich chick's birthday party, he goes along as a favor. Then he spies sweet Annaliese watching his moves and knows she's the one.

A LEAP YEAR LOVE TRIANGLE … can they make it last?
When Jack sees the way Annaliese looks at Ransom, he’s ready to back away … until Ransom invites him to a private after-party for three. Can Annaliese overcome her shyness to share passion with not one, but two hot men?

Warning: This story contains hot ménage and demonstrations of affection between two alpha heroes and one heroine.

Don’t miss your chance to get in on this sexy celebration—get your copy of Surprise for Three today!

Amazon | Amazon UK

3T Writing Tidbit

Symbols are important. They are vivid, shorthand ways for a reader to connect with a character.

Consider the button bazillionaire hero Roarke carries in the In Death series. It's Eve's fallen off her clothes (coat, I think), from before they were a couple. It's his reminder of who she was and why he fell in love with her, and the reader's too.

Consider Nixie's guitar, Oscar. She's a musician so her guitar is her life, so much so that she named it. It paints her vividly as a punk rocker. But more, the bent tuner (metal peg) is a reminder of (*SPOILER*) her dead sister, and how Nixie treated her. So there's a bit of heart there too. Heart which becomes even more poignant when (*SPOILER*) she has to break Oscar to save her own life. Ah, but that's not the end of the story :) so I haven't given it all away in case you haven't read Biting Nixie yet.

In a nutshell, here's one effective way to use symbols.
1. WHAT. Pick an object that the character LOVES or HATES. That object is a symbol for your character.
2.  WHY. Later in the book, explain why the character is attached to that object.
3. SACRIFICE. This is optional, but if your character loves the symbol, consider sacrificing the object in some way to vividly point up the character's break with their past. From this point forward, the symbol is broken and the character is new.
4. RESURRECTION. This is even more optional, but consider a way for the SYMBOL TO COME BACK, to return but in a new way, tied to the change in the character.

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.

Drive. He’s a kinky dream come true—and her only protection from danger.

Book Title: Drive Author: Teresa Noelle Roberts Genre: Erotic Romance Release Date: February 9, 2016 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

He’s a kinky dream come true—and her only protection from danger. Eight months after her (cheating, almost-ex) husband's death, Suzanne Mayhew has a plan to move on with her life. First step: sell off Frank's classic cars, starting with the red vintage Mustang convertible he never let her drive. Second step: get her unexplored kink on with a delicious younger man. Preferably the one an old friend sends around, ostensibly to check out the Mustang. Neil Callahan—Boston cop, Dom, fifteen years her junior. Neil feels the mutual sizzle, but if the blush staining her cheeks is any indication, her flirting skills are a little rusty. Though his instinct tells him to take things slow with the recent widow, he can’t resist inviting her along for a test drive—for the whole weekend. Throwing caution to the wind, Suzanne takes him up on it. But they’re barely out of the driveway when Neil’s cop instincts kick in. They’ve got a tail…and it looks dangerously like her ex’s secrets looming large—and deadly—in their rear-view mirror. Warning: Spies, lies and vile bad guys. A meddling BFF. Inappropriate use of kitchen tools. Completely appropriate use of rope and floggers. Your mileage may vary, depending on battery life.

The red Mustang with the FOR SALE sign on it was the second thing to catch Neil Callahan’s eyes, even though he’d been looking for it on this tree-lined suburban street of huge, handsome, but cloyingly similar houses. Cookie-cutter, but an expensive cookie cutter. The first thing he noticed was the ass and long, jean-clad legs of the woman cleaning the windshield of the classic convertible. The car was hot, a vintage Mustang—1965 or so, he thought—in near-showroom condition. Yet the car’s current owner drew his attention away from the vehicle. It said something about how tempting that butt was. How firm, yet curvy. How spankable… Which was definitely not what he should be thinking, unless he wanted to talk cars while sporting a mammoth hard-on. If this were porn, he could do that and find himself banging the callipygian redhead within thirty-five seconds, and she’d turn out to be as kinky as a cheap garden hose. But this was real life, so she’d probably pepper-spray him, or at least think of some good reason to cut the conversation short, leaving him without either the information he wanted on the car or a chance to flirt with her. Neil made himself ride a couple of blocks while thinking distinctly non-sexy thoughts about the details of the latest investigation at work (looked like a straightforward case of one drug dealer shooting another over money, but it was early yet) and the schematics of Ford engines from the ’70s. When he thought he could talk without sounding like a horny teenager, he whipped his vintage Indian motorcycle around and headed back. Probably the woman would have gone back indoors and he’d have to call but with luck, she’d come back out to answer his questions, so he could see if the rest of her was as impressive as the rear view. Then maybe he’d ask her if she’d like to get lunch sometime, or coffee, which could lead to all sorts of interesting places, including his bedroom, the inside of his favorite bondage club or… Down, boy! All the meeting was likely to lead to was finding out if he wanted to pursue the car, not the woman. She was probably married with kids, seeing as how she lived in a big house in upscale, suburban Bellwood, with the whole manicured-lawn thing going on. A far cry from his home base in Boston’s working-class Dorchester neighborhood, but one of his kink-community friends knew how badly he longed for a new project car and had mentioned seeing a Mustang for sale in this area. Not that this car looked like a project. More like it had been someone’s precious baby, lovingly maintained all these years, and would be out his price range, even if his dad wanted to go in on it. Their usual project cars were more the “three tubs of parts and a frame” kind. But he could always drool. Whether he’d be drooling more over the car or the woman was an excellent question. When he pulled up, the woman was still out front, idly adjusting the FOR SALE sign, which had been resting on the bumper but was now in a more prominent position on the windshield. The rest of her looked just as good as the rear view suggested. Older than he was, early to mid-forties, he’d guess, to his thirty—the perfect age, in his opinion. Older women were more confident, as a rule, more in touch with their own sexual needs and less likely to use the submissive role as an excuse to avoid responsibility. A guy could dream. Just like he could dream he could afford the car.

Teresa Noelle Roberts started writing stories in kindergarten and she hasn’t stopped yet. A prolific author of short erotica, she’s also a published poet and fantasy writer—but hot paranormals, sexy science fiction romances and BDSM-spiced contemporaries have become her favorites. Teresa is a crunchy granola girl who enjoys belly dance, yoga, cooking, hiking, playing in the ocean and growing more vegetables than she and her husband can possibly eat. She’d enjoy sleeping too. She thinks. But it takes so much time! She shares her home in southern Massachusetts with her husband—a Leo in law enforcement—and three cats. She and her husband often plan vacations around food,history and/or proximity to water. Find out more about Teresa at www.teresanoelleroberts.com. If you’d rather be conversational, find her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TeresNoeRoberts or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/AuthorTeresaNoelleRoberts. She also hangs out on Pinterest, sharing pictures of hot cars, hotter men and other inspirational imagery, at www.pinterest.com/teresanoellerob.

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