Can you name some famous introverts? Some of the names may surprise you.
Original post: http://maryhughesbooks.blogspot.com/2018/05/2t-repeat-performance.html
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Author Interview VIDEO - Helen C. Johannes on Confessions of a Fantasy Romance Author
I met Helen C. Johannes at my first WisRWA conference when we both had
the thrill of receiving our first sale roses. But I really got to know
her and admire her through her writing. She spins an amazing tale, a
perfect seamless blend of landscape politics and personal passions.
With great words and dramatic music, this video turned out especially well. Original post: http://maryhughesbooks.blogspot.com/2013/02/confessions-of-fantasy-romance-author.html
With great words and dramatic music, this video turned out especially well. Original post: http://maryhughesbooks.blogspot.com/2013/02/confessions-of-fantasy-romance-author.html
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
3T Writing Tidbit
This is another in my 25 Ways You're Losing Readers (and what you can do about it) series.
Readers who tell you how much they love your writing are great. But you want your writing to inspire readers to tell other readers how much they love your writing.
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. Click here to see all 25 Ways You're Losing Readers.
Readers who tell you how much they love your writing are great. But you want your writing to inspire readers to tell other readers how much they love your writing.
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. Click here to see all 25 Ways You're Losing Readers.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
2T Repeat Performance
In December 2016, the lovely Magical Musings crew decided it was time to
close down their blogging shop. I had three wonderful years with them. This is another of those posts.
Soundtrack Super Twins—Guests Jodi Redford and Selena Illyria--originally posted April 16, 2015.
These authors may be multi published, award winning, and best selling, but above all they're ready for the Garden Gnome Apocalypse! I love their wit on Facebook so I'm especially delighted my friends Jodi and Selena agreed to be my guests today and everyone can enjoy their sparkling (and sometimes just a little naughty *wink*) convo. I asked them to stay PG for this post, and they did! Er, mostly, lol. Please welcome the Super Twins!
Jodi: When the awesomesauce Mary Hughes invited us to blog together, well, we were slightly concerned aliens might have bodysnatched her. It’s always a huge risk allowing me and Selena to cohabitate web space together. Garden gnome armies invade Detroit. Godzilla attacks the Jersey Shore. Exotic male dancers shape-shift into Yetis and make us waffles and bacon.
Selena: Unicorns invade Texas and have a cake decorating contest. Shape-shifting squirrels try and take over the White House to demand the world’s nut supply. Bees try to…wait…wait…they haven’t done anything yet. Whew.
Jodi: Okay, I’m failing to see the problem here.
Selena: Me neither. Does this mean we get pancakes and waffles for life? Cause I could be down with that.
Jodi: As always, you’re the voice of reason, Super Twin. No wonder our brains are so in sync! What? It’s not as terrifying as it seems.
Selena: I am? When did this happen? Oh my god! Someone has taken over my body and me…*shudder* I’m...sane. Make it stop, Super Twin!
Jodi: Oh my God, first the aliens got Mary, and now you too! *prepares my tin foil hat just in case* But on the bright side, at least the aliens will never take our outstanding taste in music from us. Your Musical Monday picks always get a big Thumbs up from me. In fact, several of them have ended up on my book soundtracks. And that’s something we both are a bit fanatical about—soundtracking our books. Is that something you’ve always done?
Selena: Not always. At first I needed quiet but then I couldn’t get in the mood you know? So I had to find a song that would say everything I wanted to say in that scene, only then it turned into more than one song and well…yeah.
Jodi: Same here! Nothing inspires me and gets me rooted into a story like music. My characters have even gotten me to listen to stuff I normally wouldn’t even listen to. *cough* Disco *cough* What’s the craziest or out of the norm song that’s ever inspired you?
Selena: Disco? Whaaaa? Super Twin you did not put on a polyester suit and start singing Stayin Alive did you? I won’t judge, promise.
*Jodi discreetly removes her polyester leisure suit*
Selena: Okay, so it’s weird but I listen to metal or rock to write sex scenes. Like Chevelle’s The Red really gets me in the mood to write sex scenes. Are we still PG? Is this PG?
Jodi: Pretty sure this is as PG as we get! And you think that’s weird? Remember you’re talking to the chick who choreographs love scenes to banjo tunes. But you’ve gotta admit that this cover of Anaconda by Postmodern Jukebox is effin’ outstanding. But I digress. I learn something new about you every day, Super Twin! I mentioned disco, but probably the craziest musical inspiration I ever had was visualizing an entire book world off of the song, Will You Follow Me, by Rob Dougan. That book world eventually became my Thieves of Aurion series. Speaking of inspiring...*drools as I stare at the cover of Selena’s latest Bachelor Auction book.* Your werewolf hero, Brandon, has some seriously inspiring...abs. What? I am so behaving! Just curious, does Brandon have particular song he grooves to? (Hopefully buck naked).
Se: Hmmm, *checks playlist* one song that comes to mind is Kongos- Come With Me Now. You have some seriously HOT men in your Fictional harem. What does Logan like to groove to? Hopefully while cleaning with only an apron on…
Jodi: Weeeellll, Logan has been known to Swiffer his heart out while shaking his money-maker to Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys. I just wish he wouldn’t insist on actually howling along with the song. The neighbors are beginning to complain. But you know what would be SUPER INSPIRING? If Brandon and Logan dance to Christina Aguilera’s Your Body while wearing short shorts!
Selena: Oh! Oh! Yes! *gets the camera ready* We’ll want to use for blackmail…I mean posterity later…yeah.
Jodi: And that’s why we’re Super Twins. *prepares for the garden gnome army*
Click on each of my special guest authors' name to find out more!
Jodi Redford pens wicked hot tales when not surfing the interwebs for sexy male eye candy, strictly for research purposes, of course.
After this much foreplay, something’s bound to combust.
As head mistress of Beaumont coven house, Clarissa Miles has perfected two things: keeping her sister witches from accidently turning innocent bystanders into toads, and resisting the sexy overtures of her familiar, werewolf Logan Scott.
But her resolve is vanishing—fast. Seven years ago she sold her soul to save her father, and that contract is coming due. The allure of spending her last days indulging in some dirty, naked loving is too tempting to resist.
Logan has patiently ridden out the past seven years, content to do Clarissa’s bidding and ignoring his consuming need to mark her as his. Now that the ban on witch/familiar fraternizing has been lifted, he’s off the leash and ready to launch a full-on sensual assault on her defenses. They’re destined mates, and he’ll do whatever it takes to convince her.
It’s delightfully easy to get her in bed. Get at her heart? Not so much. Especially when a deadly predator stakes its claim on her…and Logan faces a battle not only to win her heart, but save her soul.
Warning: This book contains a villain with more personalities than Sybil, a witch in search of redemption and a dirty-talking werewolf hell-bent on claiming his mate in every wicked, sexy way possible. Spontaneous howling may occur.
See more at Amazon.
Selena Illyria--a multi-published author, part vampire, part pixie who was born with a need to write and enable.
When you meet your true mate, you’ve got to take the shot...
Werewolf Pack Princess Kelly is overwhelmed with her new business, trouble with the rival cat shifters, and trying to ignore the attraction to her best friend’s younger brother. By bidding on Brandon in the Bachelor Auction, she thought she was just doing him a favor, saving him from the craziness. But now that she’s won him, her wolf wants to mark him as her mate, and she’s starting to lose control. So when he whisks her away for his birthday weekend, how can she say no? Every kiss distracts her. Each caress sets her on fire. And every whiff of his scent makes her wolf want to take him where he stands.
As a former hockey player and werewolf, Brandon knows all about being pulled in different directions. And he knows exactly what he’s asking for when he pursues a relationship with the already overwhelmed Kelly. She may be five years older than he is, and the daughter of his pack’s Alpha, and his sister’s best friend and business partner, but none of that matters. There’s only one person he wants to spend his birthday with, and he’s not going to let her refuse. And when Brandon has his eye on the goal, there’s nothing that can stop him...
See more at Amazon.
Thanks so much to Jodi and Selena for being my guests today!
What about you? Do you listen to a soundtrack to write or read (or prepare for the Garden Gnome Apocalypse)? What kind?
These authors may be multi published, award winning, and best selling, but above all they're ready for the Garden Gnome Apocalypse! I love their wit on Facebook so I'm especially delighted my friends Jodi and Selena agreed to be my guests today and everyone can enjoy their sparkling (and sometimes just a little naughty *wink*) convo. I asked them to stay PG for this post, and they did! Er, mostly, lol. Please welcome the Super Twins!
Jodi: When the awesomesauce Mary Hughes invited us to blog together, well, we were slightly concerned aliens might have bodysnatched her. It’s always a huge risk allowing me and Selena to cohabitate web space together. Garden gnome armies invade Detroit. Godzilla attacks the Jersey Shore. Exotic male dancers shape-shift into Yetis and make us waffles and bacon.
Selena: Unicorns invade Texas and have a cake decorating contest. Shape-shifting squirrels try and take over the White House to demand the world’s nut supply. Bees try to…wait…wait…they haven’t done anything yet. Whew.
Jodi: Okay, I’m failing to see the problem here.
Selena: Me neither. Does this mean we get pancakes and waffles for life? Cause I could be down with that.
Jodi: As always, you’re the voice of reason, Super Twin. No wonder our brains are so in sync! What? It’s not as terrifying as it seems.
Selena: I am? When did this happen? Oh my god! Someone has taken over my body and me…*shudder* I’m...sane. Make it stop, Super Twin!
Jodi: Oh my God, first the aliens got Mary, and now you too! *prepares my tin foil hat just in case* But on the bright side, at least the aliens will never take our outstanding taste in music from us. Your Musical Monday picks always get a big Thumbs up from me. In fact, several of them have ended up on my book soundtracks. And that’s something we both are a bit fanatical about—soundtracking our books. Is that something you’ve always done?
Selena: Not always. At first I needed quiet but then I couldn’t get in the mood you know? So I had to find a song that would say everything I wanted to say in that scene, only then it turned into more than one song and well…yeah.
Jodi: Same here! Nothing inspires me and gets me rooted into a story like music. My characters have even gotten me to listen to stuff I normally wouldn’t even listen to. *cough* Disco *cough* What’s the craziest or out of the norm song that’s ever inspired you?
Selena: Disco? Whaaaa? Super Twin you did not put on a polyester suit and start singing Stayin Alive did you? I won’t judge, promise.
*Jodi discreetly removes her polyester leisure suit*
Selena: Okay, so it’s weird but I listen to metal or rock to write sex scenes. Like Chevelle’s The Red really gets me in the mood to write sex scenes. Are we still PG? Is this PG?
Jodi: Pretty sure this is as PG as we get! And you think that’s weird? Remember you’re talking to the chick who choreographs love scenes to banjo tunes. But you’ve gotta admit that this cover of Anaconda by Postmodern Jukebox is effin’ outstanding. But I digress. I learn something new about you every day, Super Twin! I mentioned disco, but probably the craziest musical inspiration I ever had was visualizing an entire book world off of the song, Will You Follow Me, by Rob Dougan. That book world eventually became my Thieves of Aurion series. Speaking of inspiring...*drools as I stare at the cover of Selena’s latest Bachelor Auction book.* Your werewolf hero, Brandon, has some seriously inspiring...abs. What? I am so behaving! Just curious, does Brandon have particular song he grooves to? (Hopefully buck naked).
Se: Hmmm, *checks playlist* one song that comes to mind is Kongos- Come With Me Now. You have some seriously HOT men in your Fictional harem. What does Logan like to groove to? Hopefully while cleaning with only an apron on…
Jodi: Weeeellll, Logan has been known to Swiffer his heart out while shaking his money-maker to Howlin’ For You by The Black Keys. I just wish he wouldn’t insist on actually howling along with the song. The neighbors are beginning to complain. But you know what would be SUPER INSPIRING? If Brandon and Logan dance to Christina Aguilera’s Your Body while wearing short shorts!
Selena: Oh! Oh! Yes! *gets the camera ready* We’ll want to use for blackmail…I mean posterity later…yeah.
Jodi: And that’s why we’re Super Twins. *prepares for the garden gnome army*
Click on each of my special guest authors' name to find out more!
Jodi Redford pens wicked hot tales when not surfing the interwebs for sexy male eye candy, strictly for research purposes, of course.
As head mistress of Beaumont coven house, Clarissa Miles has perfected two things: keeping her sister witches from accidently turning innocent bystanders into toads, and resisting the sexy overtures of her familiar, werewolf Logan Scott.
But her resolve is vanishing—fast. Seven years ago she sold her soul to save her father, and that contract is coming due. The allure of spending her last days indulging in some dirty, naked loving is too tempting to resist.
Logan has patiently ridden out the past seven years, content to do Clarissa’s bidding and ignoring his consuming need to mark her as his. Now that the ban on witch/familiar fraternizing has been lifted, he’s off the leash and ready to launch a full-on sensual assault on her defenses. They’re destined mates, and he’ll do whatever it takes to convince her.
It’s delightfully easy to get her in bed. Get at her heart? Not so much. Especially when a deadly predator stakes its claim on her…and Logan faces a battle not only to win her heart, but save her soul.
Warning: This book contains a villain with more personalities than Sybil, a witch in search of redemption and a dirty-talking werewolf hell-bent on claiming his mate in every wicked, sexy way possible. Spontaneous howling may occur.
See more at Amazon.
Selena Illyria--a multi-published author, part vampire, part pixie who was born with a need to write and enable.
Werewolf Pack Princess Kelly is overwhelmed with her new business, trouble with the rival cat shifters, and trying to ignore the attraction to her best friend’s younger brother. By bidding on Brandon in the Bachelor Auction, she thought she was just doing him a favor, saving him from the craziness. But now that she’s won him, her wolf wants to mark him as her mate, and she’s starting to lose control. So when he whisks her away for his birthday weekend, how can she say no? Every kiss distracts her. Each caress sets her on fire. And every whiff of his scent makes her wolf want to take him where he stands.
As a former hockey player and werewolf, Brandon knows all about being pulled in different directions. And he knows exactly what he’s asking for when he pursues a relationship with the already overwhelmed Kelly. She may be five years older than he is, and the daughter of his pack’s Alpha, and his sister’s best friend and business partner, but none of that matters. There’s only one person he wants to spend his birthday with, and he’s not going to let her refuse. And when Brandon has his eye on the goal, there’s nothing that can stop him...
See more at Amazon.
Thanks so much to Jodi and Selena for being my guests today!
What about you? Do you listen to a soundtrack to write or read (or prepare for the Garden Gnome Apocalypse)? What kind?
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
1T Status Update
Summer concert season is upon us. Gregg and I are playing three nights a week, with a band concert every Wednesday and an orchestra concert next weekend. I got a new piccolo to keep up with the demand, a Powell Sonare (the 750 with those annoying rectangular keys) with resin-infused wood for outdoor summer gigs.
New first draft done! I have completed the first draft of Night's Kiss. It's got a few holes yet to fill and lots of sculpting work to be done, but the story is in place and there are some really great resonances already in. July will be several self-editing passes.
Those two items plus keeping up with the grass (I swear, the stuff grows an inch a day) will pretty much fill my time, though I'll have a story in a charity anthology called Somewhere Out There, and I hope to finish my reread of the Pull of the Moon series and start on Soul Mates.
Happy July!
New first draft done! I have completed the first draft of Night's Kiss. It's got a few holes yet to fill and lots of sculpting work to be done, but the story is in place and there are some really great resonances already in. July will be several self-editing passes.
Those two items plus keeping up with the grass (I swear, the stuff grows an inch a day) will pretty much fill my time, though I'll have a story in a charity anthology called Somewhere Out There, and I hope to finish my reread of the Pull of the Moon series and start on Soul Mates.
Happy July!
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