Hanging Out at RT by Donna Michaels

Hello, it’s Donna Michaels, again, and this month I’m blogging from the Romantic Times Convention in Las Vegas! 

There have been some wonderful craft workshops, and reader workshops, and author workshops. I’ve met many wonderful authors!! Sat in on a Q&A with Susan Mallery, HelenKay Dimon, and my idol, Jill Shalvis! 

I even got to ask them a question! J “What was the favorite occupation you ever gave to a heroine?” They each said they like to give them something interesting, but they prefer to concentrate more on the whole character and her backstory than just her occupation. Could be why I love their books so much!

~On Thursday, I had the privilege of hosting the SOS Military Tribute with:

Susan Stoker | Elle James (aka Myla Jackson) | Sharon Hamilton | Cat Johnson | Becky McGraw| Sabrina York | JM Madden | Julie Rowe | Geri Foster | Cristin Harber | Ella Quinn | Julie Miller | Lynn Raye Harris | Delores Fossen | Megan Mitcham |Trish McCallan

This is Brig. Gen. AJ Tata who recanted some very interesting tales and shared his version of a hero: Someone who puts other’s safety before his/her own. A wonderful definition! Oh, and he’s also a Kensington author. Look him up. He was amazing!

~I also participated in the Cowboy Corral with Host(s):

Amanda McIntyre | Beth Williamson (aka Emma Lang) | Cat Johnson | Kassy Tayler (aka Cindy Holby) | Elle James (aka Myla Jackson) | Melissa Cutler | Katie Lane | Becky McGraw | Hildie McQueen | B.J. Daniels | Randi Alexander | Lindsay McKenna |Lexi Post

We gave out free books, downloads, and swag. The hour blew past. I was bummed I wasn’t able to visit each table or grab a photo. 

~Yesterday, I, along with Susan Stoker, Randi Alexander, Elle James, and Desiree Holt, had the privilege to sponsor a private concert in a suite for country music singer/songwriter, cover model, Jackson Young! We raised $500 with the sale of our Soldiers Are The Best Book Boyfriends T-shirts, which was the ticket into the private concert. 

Jackson sang some terrific songs, not-yet released songs, and even did a tribute to the late, great Merle Haggard in a private suite with the Vegas strip as a backdrop. Thank you to all who came!!

~And today, is the day of the giant book fair! I’ll be there signing, along with over 600 other authors. I’ll have HER FATED COWBOY, LOCKE AND LOAD, and WYNE AND DINE, the book that just won 1^st Place for Best Contemporary at the BTS eMagazine Red Carpet Reader’s Choice Awards last week! 

It would be wonderful to see you today! If not, I’ll also be signing tomorrow at the RT Readers and Writers Roundup!

~Next month, I hope to have some great news to share. Until then, have a wonderful April.

Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

WHAT CAN YOU LEARN ABOUT WRITING FROM READING?

Vonnie Davis

I love reading romance. Now that I’m writing full-time, I only get to read a book a week. However, for forty or more years, I used to read two to three, so as you can imagine I’ve forgotten more characters, emotional angst and plots than there are stars in the sky.

Yet a few have remained in my memory. And those few, I read over and over to study why. Why did they make an impression?

I’m currently reading Linda Howard’s Mackenzie’s Mountain, a romance I first read twelve years ago and once nearly every year since. I read it last week and as soon as I finished, I started it over again, hunting for the “whys” of its appeal. There are point of view shifts within the paragraph. Dated philosophies. Said tags galore (my pet peeve). Yet, for me, the book creates all the warm fuzzies I want from romance: The strong alpha male and the plucky heroine who goes toe-to-toe with him.

Nora Roberts’ MacGreagor series is a favorite, too. She taught me the value of secondary characters, of weaving family into the romance.

Jill Shalvis is a master at internal dialogue. I’ve learned a lot from her writings, too. Her description of Wade in Slow Heat as he leans in an open car door to talk to the heroine is a lesson in itself. Thank you, Jill. 

While I also enjoy historical romance, some are so shallow in research that the story could be set in any era or any country. I love the stunning details of historical research that transport me almost from the first paragraph. Beth Trissel, Susan Macatee and Claire Ashgrove excel.

In her Plum Series, Janet Evanovitch taught me ways to write humor. I’ve read every installment, and every time I do, I sleep fitfully. I think it bothers my romantic mind that she won’t or can’t choose between Morelli and Ranger. Go figure.

Do you enjoy learning the craft of writing from other authors? What things have you learned in your pleasure time of reading?

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