Category: writing romance

writing romance

The evolution of a romance… Novel, that is

Today I’d like to tackle what it takes to get a romance novel from computer to publication. I’m not talking about the concept, plotting, research, character development, story arc, etc which goes into the actual creation of the story. I’m not even talking about researching and targeting which publisher is appropriate for you to submit to. I’m talking about the nuts and bolts. You and your publishing house and what happens between you to take your story from submission to reader, an insider’s view. You published authors know all of this already, and feel free to chime in with any additions, but this is for the curious reader, or the aspiring writer. Submission. Since my second story in the bull rider series (Bucked) is releasing in less than 2 weeks, let’s discuss that book specifically in this case. It went directly to my editor for a first read at a little over 60K words. It came back to me with suggestions for improvement. Things like the hero and heroine need to meet sooner. There is too much reference to book 1 in the series. All totally valid points so I took it back and cut (gulp) 10K words out. Then […]

Life, writing romance

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

12 days until the new year. 2009 has been a mixed bag of good and bad. I suppose all years are, but 09 seemed even more so. I anticipate even more major changes in 2010 too. So what’s happening? It was a year ago that Samhain Publishing announced the purchase of Linden Bay Romance. That meant many changes for all of us, the biggest being Samhain’s decision to close Linden Bay’s virtual doors at the end of 09, which as I’ve mentioned, is upon us. What does this mean for me and my books? I am slowly working on getting the biggest sellers re-rereleased. Both Rough Stock and Unridden have found a new home at Samhain and at least some of my military books will end up there also beginning with Trey, the first story from Red Hot & Blue, releasing there in an expanded form in April ’10. The rest of my backlist is up in the air. I am deciding whether to just let those books go out of print (both in eBook and print) next week, or if I will seek new homes for them. With my time and energy limited right now, it seems more logical […]

Romance eBooks, writing romance

Sex: Pushing the boundaries

The theory goes that everything cycles. I know this is true in fashion. I’m sad to admit I’ve lived long enough to see bell-bottom pants come and go twice now. Will romance go full circle as well? I remember stealing one of my mother’s Silhouette Romances when I was young. Reading and thinking it was so scandalous when the couple kissed and then “made light love before eating lunch”. Now as the pendulum swings further out than ever before, I wonder where we can possibly go next. As I monitor the best selling list on All Romance eBooks, I see themes that shock even me, and I write erotic romance for a living. What were not one but TWO of the best selling eBooks of 2008? Twincest. Books that feature love, and yes a sexual relationship between twins. Male twins, not that their sex matters since they are siblings having sex and that is where the shock value comes from in my opinion. Let me reiterate. Two of the ten best selling books of the entire year spanning all genres of romance featured twincest. Other recent best sellers? eBooks featuring multiple partners. Not just threesomes either but many men, three […]