Introvert Shocker

You and nine people are in an elevator. How many of them are introverts? One? Two...and a half?

Would you believe five or six? Apparently the statistics we've all been fed are shockingly out of date. The truth is, almost fifty-one percent of the US population is introverted.

Well, okay, but that fifty-one percent is hiding in corners, right?

Um, no. In this USA Today article from 2006, 4/10 top execs are introverts. Remember, introverts aren't antisocial but simply need thinking space.

Speaking of thinking space, check out this 2012 NY Times article on a new rapidly scarce-ifying resource--not oil, not water, but uninterrupted think time!

3T Writing Tidbit

I've been published since 2009 but I've been writing for a lot longer. Over the years I've accumulated various items of wisdom from all over. Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit will showcase these items one at a time in no particular order.

Make ever character introduction count.

I've gleaned information from Janet Evanovich's How I Write and Jack M. Bickham's Writing Novels That Sell (among others). They have specific recommendations so I'll just boil it down to--make it memorable, make it distinctive.

Example: June had blonde hair, was five-nine, athletic and shapely vs. John's jaw dropped when the golden goddess danced into the room like it was her personal Garden.

Vivid Images--For Writers

Strong verbs and vivid nouns are the canvas and oil that authors use to paint living images for readers.

But what about images for writers?  When we learn our craft, where's the impact? Is our writing ever blah because our idea of craft is eh?

Here are a few phrases I use to jumpstart my romance writing. Hope you'll find them electric as well.

For a basic hero/heroine scene-- "You're driving me nuts!" Note, this works in romcom, in bedroom situations, and more :)

Set up an expectation--then twist it.

Show don't tell--You're making a movie of it, not a movie of you talking about it.

A Pearl for Your Fantasy II

Why is A Pearl for Your Fantasy one of my all-time highest read posts? Some ideas at the Samhain blog. This is my first non-release blog at the Samhain Publishing site--hope to see some of you there!

http://www.samhainpublishing.com/2012/03/a-pearl-for-your-fantasy-ii/

Hugs!
Mary

March 1T Giveaway!

Welcome to the First Tuesday giveaway! Each first Tuesday of the month I'm offering a contest where I choose one winner (who hasn't won in the past twelve months) by random number from all comments on that post. The winner will receive his or her choice of one Biting Love ebook *or* a $5 gift certificate from Amazon or Samhain!

If you're a 18+ and an adult, and if you consent to having your name listed on the rotating 12-month winner list, just comment on this post to enter! Void where prohibited. Please note, the Biting Love books contain explicit sex and violence. If you win please consider that when making your prize selection. Winner chosen at the end of the month and posted as part of next month's contest.

And February's Winner--Nancy G! Nancy please email me (mary @maryhughesbooks . com) for your prize!

Party Extravaganza at Pub Weekly

Paranormal bash today with party prizes from Sherrilyn Kenyon, Anya Bast, Jim Butcher, Nalini Singh and more!! 

Nixie's band is doing the music :) and my prize is all 4 Biting Love books -- Come share the fun and invite friends! Barbara Vey's Fifth Anniversary Bash--Paranormal Bash

Better yet--it's continuing all week! Through March 10.