Fast Five with Gordon Warnock

Gordon Warnock is the Senior Agent with the Andrea Hurst Literary Agency. He combines his knowledge of the industry with a sharp editorial eye. He’s also fun to visit with. He attends as many conferences as his schedule allows so if you have the opportunity to meet him, GO!

1. How do you select what conferences to attend?

I’m usually asked and have a hard time saying no. I also look at conferences that have been recommended to me by other agents and editors.

2. In my pitch workshop, I encourage authors to not waste time getting a requested submission out. Then you spoke about there not being a ‘statute of limitations’ on a request. Would you clarify, please?

If they learn something at the conference that can make that submission better, then I would prefer they took the time to put that knowledge to use before sending me something. Quality is more important than Time.

3. What is the biggest mistake you see made during pitch sessions?

Not relaxing. We are human, just like you are. And being prepared.

4. Personal favorite read? Non-work related?

Stories that inspire me, shorts or flash pieces and stories that push the art form.

5. Favorite comfort food?

Carbs and cheese. I attended one of those BBQ cook-off events with friends and found I enjoy good BBQ.

I had a great time chatting with Gordon at the Ozark Creative Writers conference. He gave an informative presentation and I look forward to networking with him again. Thanks Gordon!

NOTE: The above answers are paraphrased from our quick conversation and not ‘direct’ quotes.

Fast Five with Marissa St. James

Welcome to a beautiful Friday in Eureka Springs AR. I love this little town. I am at the Ozark Creative Writers conference and running behind after a beautiful 3.5 mile walk through the Historic District.

So, today I'm sharing with you a talented writer. I've known Marissa for over fifteen years. I hope you'll enjoy this glimpse of what she has to over then scoot over to her Website and Blog.

Here's a little bit about Marissa St. James:

Marissa St James is a lifelong New England resident. She began writing as a hobby when she was a teenager then turned it into a career after earning a degree in Humanities. She is an avid reader and when she has time enjoys a variety of crafts. Marissa has written several romance novels as well as a collection of paranormal short stories. You can visit Marissa at Marissa St. James and her blog at Marissa's Meanderings.

#1 – How long did you work on Highland Eyes before it saw publication?

Actually Highland Eyes was my second writing project but was the first to see publication. It took about a year to get it ready for submission. The Legend and the Laird was my first attempt at writing and took ten years, off and on, to complete.

#2 – McKinley’s Jewel is your newest release. What is your favorite part of the story?

I would say later in the story when David finally realizes just what Bonnie-Jean means to him.

#3 - What do you like best about writing time travel?

It’s a challenge to combine ‘old’ ways and modern thinking to come up with something that’s compatible and makes sense. I’ve always been fascinated with medieval times and I like trying to blend in some of those events with modern ‘intrusions.’ It’s also fun to have medieval characters shocked at modern day conveniences and attitudes.

#4 – If you could travel back in time, what would you most like to experience?

This is a toughie. I think I’d like to try a little of everything. Kind of like looking at a table with all those tempting desserts. You have to have a bite of everything.

#5 – What is the most helpful piece of writing advice you ever received and how has it helped you?

When you have an idea just write. Don’t worry about it being correct the first time around. That’s what first drafts are for.

This is one of the hard ones for me yet the most important and productive. Editing is my day job so I tend to fix things as soon as I realize they need fixing. It saves a little time on the next round but you have to be very good with the basics to pick up errors as they’re made.

Excerpt:

“Candace just told me the place is haunted. She said she heard a voice begging for help, somewhere around the portrait gallery.”

“And you believe her.” Bonnie-Jean glanced up at him, one delicately shaped brow raised in question.

Andrew shrugged. The man was nothing if not gullible when an attractive woman was involved. He wasn’t a handsome man but sometimes Bonnie-Jean wondered if he couldn’t use a bit more confidence when it came to the more devious gender.

“Look, Andrew,” Bonnie-Jean put down her notebook and folded her hands on top of it. “I know how much you like Candace, but do yourself a favor and don’t believe everything she tells you.”

Andrew’s expression was one of attempted denial, but Bonnie-Jean knew better. “Do you want to file a complaint about the supposed haunting?”

“I suppose not. The laird would undoubtedly find it absurd.”

First Fast Five Winner!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to check out my new blog feature. You're really going to enjoy who I have on tap for next week.

This week's winner of Eliza's new release, Wicked Lord, is Jennifer! Congratulations, Jennifer. I'll get you hooked up with Eliza so you may collect your eBook.

Until next week...

Happy Reading!

Angela

Fast Five with Eliza Lloyd

Today begins a new series where I use the occasional Friday to do a simple Q & A with an author. I give them 5 questions and they give me their 5 best answers. Sometimes, like today, they even offer up a Free Read.

Today's author is Ellora's Cave author, Eliza Lloyd . Her third 'Wicked' book - Wicked Lord - was released on September 14th. I still need to read this series, but I did read Another Lover in under 2 hours. Eliza knows her heat factor. You won't want to miss any of her beautifully crafted stories.

Today.. one lucky person will win an eBook copy of 'Wicked Lord'.

#1 – Do you have an idea for characters and build your plot around them or vice versa?

The plot “idea” always comes first. Then I’ll get a glimpse of the characters. Once I know what they want and why they can’t have it then I got back to plotting. I am a pantster who lives by sticky notes so plotting is a very fluid process for me.

#2 – Wicked Lord is the third in the series. What makes this book different from the previous ones?

That’s a tough question especially when I’m writing a themed series (see below.)

One of the biggest relationship differences is that the hero is in love with his wife before she realizes she is in love with him. Because of the circumstances of their marriage, he believes it is necessary to wait for her to declare her devotion to him first. This 19th century story is also set at a country estate rather than in London during the season – so there is only one waltz.

#3 – What is the common thread throughout the series?

The Wicked Affairs series started with a single idea, “happily ever after unless.” All of the protagonists are married but are at some great impasse in their marriage. In Wicked Desires, the hero is impotent. A great trick to pull off in an erotica! In Wicked Temptation, the heroine is married to a younger man and her naughty past comes back to haunt her. And in the new Wicked Lord, the hero is newly married but his wife is in love with another man. I like to write about married couples – it is more realistic during that time period and the hurt and emotion can be greater, I think.

#4 – I read Another Lover in 2 hours last night (I LOVE MY KINDLE!) You tell a beautiful story. What drew you to this genre of romance?

I love historical romance and read it non-stop so I was naturally drawn to that genre when I started writing. The erotica came next because I tend to write stories that are more sexual. For me, the early 19th century is just so full of romanticism, drama and wonderfully dressed men in tight breeches – what’s not to love?

#5 – What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and how has it helped you?

A couple of years ago, I met three authors at a Celebrate Romance conference in Kansas City. They told me that to get published I would need luck, perseverance and talent. I used that as my screen saver for several years to remind me that to be successful was going to take more than just the ability to string a few words together.

Secondly, learn to be your own best critic. Writing a novel that impresses your friends and family is generally not going to impress a New York editor. Look for ways to make every word count and to make them strong. Voice is a nebulous thing but we all recognize it when we read it. Find yours.

You can pick up any of Eliza's books by going to her blog and clicking the Amazon or Ellora's Cave link.

How do you win your copy of a Wicked Lord? Answer the following question by leaving your answer in the comments. Happy Reading!

Answer and WIN!

What is the common thread throughout the Wicked series?

When life happens.

I realize I've not gotten back in here as soon as I'd planned. Where does time go? I know my days stay full with writing and creating and life. Someday I'll strike a balance that will prevent me from letting some things lapse while others roll along without incident. Yeah.. right! And if you find the solution before I do, please share.

My weekly column has been well-received so far. I'm getting great feedback from the community. Partly, I think, because it's about community. So I spend some of my 'free' time knocking on doors, introducing myself to business owners and others responsible for keeping Birch Tree MO in existence.

Aside from the weekly column, I've been able to add some feature stories to the paper. I've reported on local entertainment and crime news. I guess you could say my focus has been more on Non-Fiction than on Fiction in recent weeks. It's been an interesting change of pace.

But over the past couple of weeks I've found my love for fiction again. I entered four categories in the Ozark Creative Writers competition. One of the most challenging entries, and the most fun I've had in a long time, was to write a 500 word piece of sale-able fiction, without using the letter E. Have you ever tried to write a sentence without the word THE - let alone an entire flash fiction piece? I put Thesaurus.com through it's paces over the course of two days and came away with a story I'm happy with. We'll see how it does in competition.

I also entered the first chapter and a 5 pg synopsis of the Western Romance I've been playing with. I entered it in another category last year, sponsored by Western Author - Dusty Richards. I thought the chapter was good. But when it didn't place at all, I went to Dusty and asked if he'd do a critique on it for me. The one thing he found most lacking was INTERNALIZATION. I wasn't in my character's head enough. Okay. I can do that. But my biggest question was, Why in all these years of critique sessions has no one else ever pointed that out? I know I don't write a lot of it because it's the part I will skip over in a book. I love dialogue and it is my strength.

So with Dusty's critique in hand, I fine-tuned the first chapter yet again and submitted it in a different category. I'm anxious to see if it fairs any better. We'll know on October 8th when the awards are handed out.

I also had the pleasure of speaking to the Springfield Writers Guild on Saturday. I've known the current president for over fifteen years and this is the first time we've had the opportunity to work together. I was asked to give my Pitch workshop. With conferences still popping up through the end of October, I think some of them will have the opportunity to put the tips into practice. I wish them luck and would love to hear how they do.

I've been lining up more guest authors beginning in September and hope to fill the calendar out to keep the guests coming in this door through the end of the year.

As to my writing...

I'm writing every day on something. I'll try to be better at keeping you posted.

What are you writing today?

Busy Week

Good morning, everyone!

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here. As most of you know by now, when my husband comes home after being gone for three weeks, my world centers around him - at least for the first of the 3 he's home.

This time he brought a friend with him. Kassie has been a part of our lives since the day she was born.... she's now 14. But every couple of years she wants to come spend time with us. Having a teenager around the house wasn't really an issue. But I don't get to spend much time with her. When she comes down, I try to show her places she might not otherwise get to experience and she enjoys that.

The third week she was here, we also had the grandtoddler. Man, is that little girl growing. She'll be 4 in November. This time she was all about 'grandpa'.

So as you can tell, writing wasn't really part of my agenda. When you have the babies home, you just want to enjoy them.

By Tuesday, the house was all mine again and I had news in my email. I will be writing for our local newspaper on a weekly basis as a reporter for our small town - one of many small towns included in the paper's readership.

So I have lots of writing in my future. I won't be forgetting about the novels but short story competitions loom and now the weekly byline. As a result I need to reassess my GOALS. So give me a couple days and we'll get back to speed.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Barb H. was the big winner in out Win It Before You Can Buy It give away. Thank you to Vicki Lewis Thompson for this generous gift. I know you're going to LOVE the book!

Happy Reading!