01/23/12
Those of you who read this blog regularly might remember I’m a personal fitness trainer when I’m not writing romance novels. Every year around this time, I meet with each of my clients and we talk about how the previous year went for them, and we set goals for the coming year.
I want to share two conversations I’ve had over the years (with names and details changed for privacy, of course). I’m paraphrasing, but you’ll get the gist.
01/9/12
Talk about muse overload! Our daughter turned 21 last month and as her birthday present we all took a trip to New York City! She’s a music performance major and she has big dreams, including performing in NYC. Read the rest of this entry »
01/2/12
The Musers have shared beautiful traditions and holiday insights with you these past Days of Christmas, and I hope to do no less than follow in their inspirational footsteps by sharing a culinary tradition celebrated by my Scandinavian-heritaged family since before I was born. It’s a tradition stemming from ancient days and intrepid explorers (along with a few pillagers), and born of resourceful women hoping to provide long, long, long term sustenance for their beloved Viking Warriors.
It’s a tradition of exacting culinary prowess and pounds of melted butter that my mother and father’s generation holds dear.
And, it’s a tradition that strikes dread into the heart of any “child” in our family under the age of seventy-five. Read the rest of this entry »
12/19/11
‘Twas the Week Before Christmas…
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Because they knew Mom would take care of everything.
I know that doesn’t rhyme. Sue me. It’s been crazy, trying to get everything done, and unfortunately writing has taken a back seat. It always does this time of year. At least, that’s the way it is for me, and I can’t say I like it. I, too, would love to spend a few hours, hiding behind my characters, torturing them so I don’t have to think about the stuff that’s waiting for me when (if) I come up for air. It’s scary stuff, let me tell you.
Help me out. Tell me how you keep motivated to write when the rest of the world is going crazy. Or do you do like I do, which is, cave in and let the rest of the world take up what’s left of your time? There’s only two more weeks in 2011 and I need to set some goals for 2012.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be the one tangled up in her own wrapping paper.
12/12/11
by Livia Quinn
Since it’s Muse Monday I thought we might try a little joint improvisational exercise. We writers have different ways of beginning a story, some know the main character or plot idea; others just start out with a first line. Sometimes our Muses needs to be tricked into coming up with new ideas. As Cadence mentioned in her blog post ‘ How to Kick-start Your Muse, free association is a good way to light a fire under the elusive critter. Or I come up with an idea, my CP elaborates. Where do you go to unblock your story?
So…whether you are one of our regular bloggers, readers, or new to our blog, please grab your muse and come play. We’re going to build a story, interactively.
12/5/11
Once again, my Muse Fred has flown the coop. He left me a note saying he was out doing some Christmas shopping—apparently the Muse Union holds a Secret Santa every year at their holiday party; he still won’t tell me where it is, but I suppose he’s afraid I’d crash—and he’d be back soon, but his suit case, swim trunks and suncreeen are also gone. Something tells me if I check Horseshoe Beach in Bermuda, I’ll find him and his “bad naked” self on the beach. This is me, not complaining. The guy’s so white, he’s practically iridescent.
Which, of course, he’ll blame on me and all the time we spend indoors. I’m sorry. I’m not a big fan of sweating.
Besides, I could use the mental down time too. I’ve been taking a good, long look at our relationship, and I’m wondering if it’s time for a change. What Fred wants out of my stories and what I want out of my stories are starting to look like different things. Pity, because when we started out together 11 years ago, we could finish each other’s sentences. Well, really, he finished all mine, but that’s what a Muse does. Lately the bloom is off the rose and we’re snapping at each other more than we’re musing. I’ll say the characters should fall madly in love, and he’ll bark about how that’s ridiculous and they should be fighting instead. (I knew I shouldn’t have gotten him that Rocky DVD collection for Christmas last year.)
Granted, conflict is essential for every story, but every relationship? Well, okay, I suppose make-up sex is fun too. If that’s what he’s getting at, he better tell me now before I put a want ad on Craigslist.
So here’s my question, while Fred’s still sunning himself on the sandy shores: If you were going to put out an ad to hire a new Muse, what would it say? What’re you looking for? What must s/he be able to do, and what’s an absolute deal-breaker? Or do you prefer to go it alone?
I bet I’ll get more writing done without him, that lazy SOB…
11/28/11
When is a Cliché Not a Cliché?
by Livia Quinn
When I saw this video last week I was reminded of the times I’ve seen the phrase “deer in the headlights” or thought about using it.
Embedding was disabled by ABC so
Please click HERE to see video
11/21/11
It’s November, which means I’m one of a gazillion who joined the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). For those of you who don’t know, NaNoWriMo is a yearly nationwide event (in fact, I think it’s international now) where writers of all stripes attempt to write a 50,000 word novel during the month.
11/14/11
Did you ever visit a city and fall so in love with it you felt like you must have lived there in a past life? Or were simply drawn to some indescribable piece of it? The culture, the smells, a certain park or shopping mall?
I’ve had a life-long fascination with the city of Chicago, starting when I was very young and we traveled there to visit my maternal grandfather’s family. Last month, my husband I took a trip to Chicago for our wedding anniversary. It was the first time we’ve been anywhere alone together overnight that didn’t involve our daughter or a band function, since before she was born. We had a fantastic time!
10/31/11
A Halloween Treat – Dangerous Magic Release Day!
What do you get when you mix Celtic magic with Regency reality? Wait! Before you answer add a helping of dangerous smugglers, a former lover, a disapproving family, and one scandalous bargain?
You get DANGEROUS MAGIC— my newest regency-paranormal! Read the rest of this entry »
