The Loss of Two Artists by Betsy Ashton

On January 11, 2016 I woke to two announcements in our local newspaper. One was the loss of David Bowie. I confess to being a Bowie fan. I loved not only his daring swoops in music but his glam look on stage. I sipped tea and thought about how I'd never seen him perform live but how I had a couple of his albums on my playlist. My husband and I talked about his permanent mark on the music scene.

I flipped through the paper until I came to the obituaries. We have only lived in our current home for about ten years. I never expect to see the names of anyone I know, but this day I did. One of my local writers, Michael "Big Mike" Davis lost his battle with cancer. Smith Mountain Lake readers knew Big Mike; Lake Writers found him to be a presence because of his size and out sized personality.

Big Mike walked into Lake Writers one Friday about eight years or so ago. He had published more than a dozen romantic suspense novels through a publisher in Canada, more than another of the writers who struggled to put the right word in the right place. He knew more about promoting his books than I did at the time. He offered mentoring. He offered critiquing. He offered friendship. I took him up on all three.

Over the years, Big Mike, Sally Roseveare (a Lake Writer who describes herself as a "grandmother who kills people") and I found ourselves sharing tables at various book fairs. We got so good that we could and did sell each others' books.

Last fall, Sally and I manned (personned?) our table at a local festival. Big Mike had finished his last round of chemo and didn't think he should be sitting out in a cold wind. We sold as many of his books as we did our own. Our pitch: Mike's coming off chemo and couldn't be here. We have a special on his books, $15 each or two for $30. Not a great deal but we sold out.

This year, Sally and I are looking ahead at the two festivals where Big Mike had shared our table. Right now, I don't want to think about it. Maybe we'll ask his wife if she has any of his books left. We'd take them with us.

When both of these voices were silenced the weekend of January 9, one highly public and one much more local, I mourned. I mourned more for Mike and his wife Karen. I knew them. Once again, readers lost a strong voice and a good storyteller. Sally and I lost our friend.

Downsizing in more ways than one

I'm on a clean-out phase, and I'm pitching things right and left. I've learned through past experience that you need the right frame of mind to do this. There's no use trying to right-size unless you're willing to let go of Stuff.

The same is true with writing. I went through at least 4 drafts of my last book, Resorts, before I settled on the finished project. There was an entire sub-plot I got rid of, characters who didn't make the final cut, and lots of scenes that vanished.

Now I'm working on a large series and I have multiple drafts of these books. Now I've decided on the Final Draft and how I want the series to play out. So I went back to look through those multiple drafts.

I enjoyed a lot of the scenes and the dialog. Some of it will fit into what my plans are for the Final Draft, but some ... not so much. It's so hard to pitch it out, but I'm going to need to do so. I may excerpt a few of them here and there, or rework them but I won't keep much.

I've shuffled those old drafts into a folder and I can't quite press the Delete key. I think I'll let them sit there, out of sight and mind, until the next time I get in the mood to pitch. Maybe then I'll hit delete.

Or maybe not ...

J L
(jayellwilson.com)

HOW I COME UP WITH SEXY SCENES by Sheri Fredricks

Please welcome our guest blogger today. And Sheri has a giveaway!

Maybe you’ve wondered this very question while reading books. While I can’t answer for others, I can give you an idea of how mine are created.

First, we have to remember that a sex scene is the same as any other event in the life of the characters. With that in mind, I give it the same considerations as I would in an action scene: tension buildup, dynamic tease, a balanced length, good resolution, followed by consequences.

I only wish it were that simple, but it’s not. I’ve got choices. They’ve got choices, and those need to match the way my characters think and behave. It’s kind of like telling someone how to have sex. And depending on the scene, it can sometimes get downright graphic—at least in my mind, if not in print.

Voyeuristic, in a literary way.

Just as in their individual actions, the character’s motivations for sex have to remain consistent to their personalities and fit the character—or the person the book character wants to be.

One way I get ideas for character actions is through research. I’ve been known to skim through fantasy date sites online, read articles on what men and women want in their partners. Maybe watched a skin flick or two. *giggles* A culmination of research can go a long way when creating the perfect scene.

Of course, a glass of wine will help as I type the rough draft.

If you were to write a sexy scene, how would you like a scene to be written? Answer in comments below and I’ll chose one random commenter to win an ebook copy off my backlist.

Good luck and thank you for stopping by!

XO,

Sheri

Book Blurb:

Monica Beggs is more than the hottest porn star out on DVD—she's Finn Daniel's next assignment.

Lights. Camera. Lube?

Famous porn star Monica Beggs wrapped up another grueling on-location movie shoot when the Colombian cartel attempted to kidnap her. Their guns are as real as the price on her pretty head.

Former Special Ops and present day surfer, Finn Daniels recognizes a lady in distress when he sees one—especially if it’s his adult film crush being hustled out the door. He’s no longer in the business of busting up the underworld, but that doesn’t deflect his moral compass.

In a fast-paced adventure—over land, sea, and air—playing it hot and heavy will lead them straight into action!

Excerpt – PG13

Scene setup: **A few members of Finn’s civilian team discuss their options**

“If I can’t ditch these guys, then what do you recommend?”

Monica’s large eyes implored him with her gaze. Finn discerned his response would be critical. Not only to her career—should she carry on, that is. And by the way she’d been talking, an early retirement seemed sooner, rather than later. Potentially her actions, and certainly her life, could be influenced by his answer.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Scooter shift his at-ease stance to straighten his back. This was one responsibility Finn didn’t take lightly. But before he strategized their next move, Monica needed to understand that she wasn’t to blame. When unchecked, self-loathing often turned even the most positive people into empty shells of their former self.

“Moni,” he carefully formed his words to coincide with his thoughts. “Your career shouldn’t be a relevant factor for me, them, or anyone else. You don’t force people to watch your movies, and it sure as hell doesn’t hurt physically if they do.”

“Okaaaay….”

Finn sensed her doubt and adjusted his position so their knees rubbed as he faced her. Time for some pep-talk psycho-babble, but for all the right reasons. “In our business we deal with a wide variety of people, and I’m not talking about just the surfing accessories company, either. I’m talking about our side business.”

“That’s an understatement.” Riley chimed in.

Finn pretended not to hear his partner’s comment. “What a client does for a living isn’t relevant to us. Hasn’t been for a long time now. In your case, your income is legal. The porn industry is highly regulated and, fortunately for your bank account, extremely popular. People who buy your movies do so willingly.”

Matt sat up in his chair and made a choking sound. “You’re a porn star?”

Everyone ignored him. Again.

Her eyes grew round, evidently surprised Finn knew as much as he did about her industry.

“Look how many adult film actresses have crossed over to mainstream these days,” he said. She lifted one eyebrow, nonplussed. “Pornos are what you do to earn a buck. It helped you survive a rocky time in your life. Because of it, you had food to eat, clothes to wear, and a solid roof over your head. Unlike some of your coworkers, you didn’t get sucked into the ugly side of show biz. You’re clean, conscientious, and you don’t do drugs.

“Babe, what you do for a living doesn’t define who you are. And I happen to know your profession isn’t who you are as a person.” Finn sat back but kept hold of her hand. “Don’t let your choice of career horde your thoughts. We’re here to protect you, Moni Beggs. Not Monica the actress.”

She bit her bottom lip, the slim fingers trembling in his hand. “Thank you.” Her eyes traveled to each member in the room. “I truly appreciate your help.”

Maybe it was her beautiful persona. It might have been the sincerity of her words. Whatever the reason, she’d captivated them.

Finn most of all.

Tension dissipated with masculine throats clearing. Everyone responded at the same time.

“Consider it done.”

 “No problem.”

“Why the hell didn’t anyone tell me she made adult movies?”

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

Woof!

As soon as Winnie barked, they all started to laugh. Once the noise died down, Finn took charge again.

“Alrighty then. Here’s what I’m thinking.” He paused a moment. “You may be here longer than we initially thought. I doubt you brought enough clothes with you.”

“She could keep wearing your shirts,” Riley teased. “God knows she looks a helluva lot better in them than you do.”

Finn couldn’t argue with Riley’s logic, but Moni looked a hundred times more beautiful without a shirt at all.

Buy Links:

Amazon.com:  http://amzn.to/1P79l1U

Amazon.ca:  http://amzn.to/1j0tFXN

Amazon.fr:  http://amzn.to/1KoKfJJ

Amazon.co.uk:  http://bit.ly/1QRixYu

Amazon.co.jp:             http://amzn.to/1LGMCpa

Amazon.de:  http://amzn.to/1R1JpnX

Amazon.com.au:  http://bit.ly/1FVJ28B

Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/1KZwC7l

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1LkMxvp

Sheri loves to spend time at home and connecting with readers. A computer hutch keeps her focused on creating stories, but the panoramic view of life on a ranch will call her outside to play in the sun.

Winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewer’s Choice Award, and a Finalist multiple times for InD’Tale eMagazine’s Reward Of Novel Excellence award (RONE), she has numerous five-star reviews everywhere eBooks are sold.

 

Website:              www.sherifredricks.com

Blog:                      http://sherifredricks.blogspot.com/

Twitter:                http://twitter.com/Sheri_Fredricks

Facebook:           http://www.Facebook.com/SheriFredricks

Author Info:       http://www.amazon.com/Sheri-Fredricks/e/B008L3T50Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

I MURDER AND I MOURN by Brenda Whiteside

I killed someone I liked yesterday. I'm still grieving. Hold up there...no need to dial 911. I'm a romantic suspense writer don't forget, so it's my job man! Until now, my murder victims have been characters that walked through the story so quickly I didn't have time to bond with them. This is the first time one of my characters who hung around, cracked jokes, did good deeds, and became a friend has fallen by my pen.

My hope is this is an indication that my writing capabilities are expanding...not that I'm crossing over to the dark side. I've thrown myself a real challenge here: my other two main characters have to deal with the loss. And, and, well, it's very complicated.

So, while I mourn for this person, I have to mourn in triple for me and my two characters. I may need a great deal of chocolate and coffee for the next few weeks. Sniff!

I'm writing book four of my Love and Murder Series. Books one and two are out there. Look for book three to be released worldwide on March 30. You can pre-order right now from The Wild Rose Press.

Inheriting an Austrian Castle is an Alpine fairytale for August, until someone begins killing the heirs. 

In Austria to meet her great-grandfather and explore his castle estate filled with priceless art, August Myer arrives to find he’s died suspiciously. As one of the heirs, her life is in danger, turning this fairytale Alpine adventure into a nightmare of unexplained accidents, neo-Nazi threats, and murder.

Inspector Tobias Wolf splits his time between his profession and fighting the spread of neo-Nazism. But when the beautiful, intriguing American crosses his path during a murder investigation, ensuring her safety challenges his priorities…and his heart.

When August learns the handsome inspector’s involvement with a major female Nazi is more than he’s admitted, and the death of her great-grandfather is somehow connected, she takes the investigation into her own hands. The outcome could be the death of both of them.

Find all the Love and Murder novels here: The Wild Rose Press

And here: Amazon Author Page