All About the Writing

Friday Friends: Karen Y. Bynum

Karen is one of the funnest people I've ever "met". She makes me laugh, all the time, and we have lots of things to laugh about while we're on Twitter. (It's "research". Honestly. We are required to be there many hours every day.) I don't know how we bumped into each other--I think she is friends with Lara Nance, and we started following each other on Twitter that way. Even better, Karen's mom Debbie has become a wonderful friend. (You should see all the wonderful desserts Debbie sends me on Pinterest. If only either one of us could cook. Oh yeah, that's what Karen does!)

Anyway, please welcome the delightful Karen Bynum to Friday Friends!

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (We'll make sure your other characters don't see your answers. *pokes fingers in their eyes* There.) Why do you love them best? Hmm, hittin’ hard from the beginning, eh? :P Okay, so my fave character is from my unpublished dragon story titled Becoming. The character’s name is Taylor Sinclair, and she’s a sexy, kick-ass blonde, dragon-shifter whose moral compass is similar to Dexter. She’s my fave because she is the most unique and well-rounded character I’ve ever written, and her voice is so strong in my head. If she were a real person and I met her I would probably just stare because she’s brilliant, beautiful, and quite intimidating. 

She sounds very intriguing, and scary! What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I can't believe we haven't run out of good ones yet.) Oh man, definitely social media. I tell myself I’ll just respond to a couple of tweets and only post one or two funny pix on Facebook, cut to two hours later, I have no idea why all the words aren’t written. O.O Annnd, TV. Now that the fall lineup has returned, it’s ridiculous the amount of TV I have to keep up with. ;) Erm…Sleepy Hollow, Modern Family, Glee, Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead, New Girl, Big Bang Theory, and some that I’m sure I’ve forgotten to list.

Well, I count Sleepy Hollow as "research". *stares dreamily at Ichabod's long hair and boots* If you were able to go on a writing retreat, where would it be? (I wonder if I need to add one more suitcase. . .) I actually do this annually with my local RWA chapter, and it’s a lot of fun and encouraging. However, the interwebs are still within my reach and if I have access, well, I’m gonna social media. Ideally, I’d love to have an entire weekend at a cabin in the woods with no internet access, but I’d want the hubs and the demon-pup to come stay with me at night because I’m scared to stay all alone in a cabin deep in the woods! O.o

I'd be scared too! And yeah, a girl's got to social media! What's the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)? Great question. It really depends on the book. For some reason I get hung up on a different word in each new story. A few of them are: back, must, much, she…was is probably the one I am most conscious of and really try to go out of my way to avoid using. 

Amazing how a new one pops up with every book! Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books. This question was actually really difficult to answer. :P Okay, so I don’t know that this is the very first thing I’d do, but it’s something I’d LOVE to do. I’d like to rent out the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC for an entire weekend, invite a few friends, and then explore every inch of the 178,926 square feet—including all those hidden passageways and alcoves that they won’t let you tour. And of course we’d have a gourmet chef cook every meal. And I’d have coffee on the rooftop deck every morning. Le sigh.

Thanks for hosting me, Donna! *raises coffee mug*

Thanks for being here, Karen! *steals coffee mug* Next is a lightning round known as The Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:

Dark roast or light roast? Dark

Drafting or revising? Drafting 

Twitter or Facebook? Twitter

Winter or Summer? Neither? Fall is my love

Banshee or minion? Haha I totally AM a banshee!

Morning or evening? Erm…midday is when I’m at my best

Pirate or cowboy? Fireman

Flats or heels? Flats

Pecs or abs? Abs

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) LOL Always a licker

~~~~~~~~~

Author Bio

Karen Y. Bynum is an author of new adult and young adult paranormal fantasy.  Her debut novel Witch Way to Turn is published through Lyrical Press.  She grew up in Hickory, North Carolina where mountains and magic surrounded her. Even as a child, she wrote her own faery tales and prattled incessantly to her imaginary friends. After graduating from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Communications, she went on to become certified in culinary arts from The Art Institute of Charlotte. But it wasn’t until her aerospace engineer husband accepted a job in Virginia and they relocated that she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. With the support of family and friends, Karen embarked on a journey with the voices in her head. They wouldn’t stop talking (yes, she does answer back) and their stories took shape. Karen currently lives in coastal Virginia and enjoys reading, tweeting, writing and spending time with her husband and their spoiled rotten Vizsla named Rusty (AKA the demon-pup in the social media world). 

Social Media Links

Witch Way to Turn Book Trailer 

Website  ~~ Blog ~~ Twitter ~~ Facebook ~~ Goodreads ~~ Pinterest

Blurb

Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?

The last thing eighteen-year-old Breena Cross needs in her life is more complications. It’s all she can do to balance studying, working, trying to keep her foster-sister safe and drooling over the new guy at work. But things go from complicated to crazy when a fit of rage ignites the dark magic inside her and she finds herself fending off the supernatural underworld.

Myles, Breena’s drool-worthy coworker and vampire convict, is carrying a load of secrets--one of which is that he’s fang-over-lip in love with Breena and in danger of violating the terms of his sentence.

Orin is a soul-hungry assassin sent to kill Breena. However, he takes one look into her eyes and sees his own lost humanity. For once thinking of someone other than himself, he chooses not to end her life, even though it means risking his own.

Despite a convict and an assassin fighting over her, all Breena wants is custody of her sister. But to do this, she will need help from both Myles and Orin. And if Breena doesn’t learn to control the darkness within, she could lose her sister…forever.

Excerpt

She caught his look. Oh God, she’d been staring. Her mouth was practically watering. The heat forming in her cheeks brought her back to reality. And the way he watched her nearly brought her to her knees. Looking into those pale-green eyes with the golden rim made her weak, left her breathless. He couldn’t be more than eighteen or nineteen but there was a knowing look in his eyes that made her want to find out what, exactly, he knew.

She took a step toward him and the knowing look turned darker, hotter. There was something raw about it. Something ravenous, and so powerful she could barely keep herself from being consumed.

He tilted his head slightly in her direction, and it seemed almost as if he was…listening to her. As if he were trying to puzzle her out by catching the subtle beat and hum of her body.

It finally dawned on her that they’d been standing there a good while in complete silence. She managed to shake herself out of her lust-filled stupor long enough to recover something vaguely resembling her manners. “Ah, about the other night… Thanks.”

Buy Links

Lyrical Press ~~ Amazon eBook ~~ Amazon Print ~~ Barnes & Noble 

Autumn Again? Already?

Autumn is when New England gets to show off, and it does so in a glorious fashion. It's one of the reasons I was tempted to move here from the dreary, rainy, grey Pacific Northwest. Autumn is a celebration of colors that seem garish at any other time of the year. What other month but October could have orange everywhere and not feel self-conscious?

These lovely things are called "Cinderella Pumpkins", and if you're fanciful enough you can see how a fairy godmother could work some magic and turn them into a coach fit for a woman on her way to make Prince Charming fall instantly in love.

I am always amazed at the numerous varieties of pumpkins and squashes. Have there always been this many and I wasn't aware? Very possible. Or do they keep creating new ones so I'll have something else to wonder about? Mmm. . .

For instance, when did Jabba the Hutt become a pumpkin? And the person who hoisted him up onto that bale of hay--are they still collecting worker's comp, or are they resting comfortably at home now?

New England is also known for its apples, and until I moved here I thought there were only about four varieties, and two of those had the word "delicious" in them. Apple orchards are everywhere here, which makes it too easy to take them for granted. And no, that "one bad apple" wasn't there when I snapped this picture. I have no idea why it wants to try to spoil the whole bunch.

"An apple a day". . .this ought to keep you going for a few weeks. Just don't look at that one apple. What? You can't see it? I'm not gonna point it out then. You'll just have to find it yourself.

Yes, autumn is a beautiful moment in this part of the world. My only complaint is how quickly it fades into the next season, which is fast becoming my least favorite of the four choices each year. Winter is way too eager to shove autumn out of the way, as if it's greedy to dispel the spicy scents of apples and the poetry-inspiring foliage of oak and maple trees. Knowing that the bitter cold of winter is hovering nearby is what gives autumn a bit of a melancholy air, so it's a good reminder to savor all its beauty.

After all, in a very short while, this is what will be here. . .

(Don't worry -- that crazy chair actually prefers winter.)

Autumn is speeding by way too fast this year, so fast that I had no time to take new pics. Hopefully you'll enjoy these pictures I took a couple years ago. And fingers crossed that winter gets lost on its way here!

Friday Friends: Melissa Johnson

Melissa has been a wonderful writer friend for several years. We "met" at a group blog I used to write for, and then she started coming over to my blog and adding these great, insightful, upbeat comments to my crazy posts. I asked her to beta read one day, which is always a nervewracking thing for me, but I loved her suggestions and insights and, well, I dedicated two books to this "beta reader extraordinaire"! I've also beta read for her, and the woman can do poignant like nobody's business. I'm still sniffling at some of the scenes I've read in her books. While I'm looking for a tissue, please welcome Melissa to Friday Friends!

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Characters, don't fret! She's only answering because I'm twisting her arm!) Why do you love them best? I’d have to say my current favorite character is my hero, Ben, in the upcoming GHOST OF A PROMISE. I loved staying in his POV for the majority of the story and I had way too much fun letting my true alpha hero vent his frustrations during the adjustment to being a ghost. Acceptance is out of the question, of course, because he’s a guy who’s a natural “fixer” of problems and a protector in an often arrogant “I know best” kind of way. But he’s also been that guy whose flaws are forgiven because, well, his good points are pretty darn good. He’s a solid best friend, a caring big brother and, last but certainly not least, he looks damn good in a leather jacket. And can he help it if women melt at his feet if they stare too long into his blue eyes? Of course not! So who could say no to him? Who would want to? I guess that was up to me, the author, to say no to this hero…at least for a while. It was difficult, but I threw a lot of heartache at this guy who found his loved ones suddenly just out of reach, experienced some betrayal that had him question his choices, and had the control taken out of his capable hands. But I was more than ready to say yes to the guy after all that angst.

You know I love Ben already, and can't wait to read more of him! What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I hope we never run out of these.) Most of my writing avoidance techniques involve some sort of housework that suddenly seems inexplicably appealing. So I DO hope to run out of that one! But it never happens, so I quickly switch to something I can very loosely claim as “research.” 

I'd much rather do "research" than houseework! If you were able to go on a writing retreat, where would it be? (My suitcases are really getting a workout here. . .) Hmm.  You might want to stow your suitcase because I guess I never did get the logic of a writing retreat being too appealing. Doesn’t that encourage writing avoidance? Don’t four bare walls and no internet sound wonderful? 

Eeek! No, that sounds HORRIBLE! *shudders* What's the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)? Devilish grin.  I cannot have enough devilish grins. Do I have to take them out?

Absolutely not! I love a good devilish grin! Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books. Go on a trip around the world to find waterfalls. First stop, New Zealand. Now you can repack, Donna!

I'm repacking as we speak! Next is a lightning round we'll call The Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:

Coffee or tea? Coffee!

Drafting or revising? I’ve never really been able to tell the difference.

Twitter or Facebook? Facebook

Winter or Summer? Summer!

Angel or demon? Angel. Of course, I have to say that since my first heroine was a guardian angel.

Contemporary or historical? Both! I’m a time traveling/paranormal kind of gal.

Morning or evening? These days, morning.  With lots of coffee.

Pirate or cowboy? Oh, tough choice. Cowboy.

Pecs or abs? Gotta go with both again.  But now that I’ve thought about it a while I might have to change my go-to writing avoidance answer.

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Licker.

~~~~~~~~~~

Author Bio

My favorite things in romance are often ghosts, time travel, historical settings, plots with amnesia, eccentric secondary characters, humor, and romantic suspense. These characteristics describe what I love to read and I'm drawn to include them in my own stories. (So far, not quite all have been in one story, but it's close!) I worked as a legal secretary in Washington, DC for many years before moving back to my small hometown in Northern Minnesota. In recent years, in addition to my writing and my role as a mom to one, I returned to college for a degree in Biology, with an emphasis in Ecology.

Book Blurb

Ben, my ghost in my contemporary GHOST OF A PROMISE was begging for the limelight, but this one is from my regency paranormal book that is available now:

When JUSTIN MONTROSE, a former captain in the British Army and the new fifth Duke of Claymore, is rescued from highwaymen by a mysterious beauty, their meeting sets in motion his search for an angel. As he will discover, the truth of ARIANA’s identity is more than most ordinary men can swallow. Not only is his angel a member of the Order of Guardians, an eclectic group of time travelers, but she has a surprising tie to his world and time. Will that tie, and the growing attraction between them, be enough for her to abandon her calling as a Guardian? If not, does he have a place in her world? He’s not certain, and when his angel needs rescuing herself and loses her memory, he takes his chance and smothers his conscience to rewrite her past. But it’s hard work to maintain a lie - - especially when Ariana has a secret locked in her mind that her former Guardian colleagues are desperate for her to remember.

Excerpt

"I should not have come," she finally said slowly, as if half to herself. "There was no reason for it."

Wryly, Justin reflected she did wonders for his ego. If he wasn’t being beaten to a pulp or suffering from a raging fever, apparently there was no reason to be in his company. If she hadn’t so recently kissed him like he was a favorite dessert he might be mortally wounded. 

She swiped at her cheeks, but he couldn’t tell if her tears mixed with the rain. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to take her back in his arms – if he could get close enough. He’d witnessed her fight and considered himself lucky to be sporting only a sore shin. "Angel, I’m sorry. I truly am. I don’t know what troubles you so, but I want to help. I owe you that much."

"Owe me?"

He winced at her hurt expression, clearly reading how she’d interpreted gratitude as somehow lessening what they’d shared. He hadn’t meant it that way. Hell, he didn’t know what he’d meant. She confused the hell out of him. With one look he felt like he knew every thought and emotion that passed across the sweet contour of her face. Impossible to assume so much when he knew nothing about her life at all.

Buy Links

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble 

Blog 

http://everythingofinteresttoaromancewriter.blogspot.com/

Dear Brain: Can You Work A Little Faster?

I bought a crockpot a few days ago, and I've been raving about it on Facebook and Twitter, and to anybody who can't get away from me fast enough.

This little piece of machinery has become my BFF, my boon companion, my own personal chef that has delicious food waiting for me when I come home, or even when I am home. All I do is put basic ingredients in the stoneware container, and several hours later they have been magically transformed into a mouth-watering meal.

Naturally I think how this is similar to the writing process. (I've warned you before how everything reminds me of writing. Now you can see what I mean.)

I discovered this link between crockpots and writing because I have a sort of deadline in mind for publishing Lord Wastrel. This is the next book in The Curse of True Love series, the one that follows Lord Rakehell's Love.

I would say Lord Wastrel is about 85% done--but don't hold me to that, since my math skills can be a bit sketchy. Also, my characters love to surprise me with unexpected, unsanctioned work stoppages and slowdowns, especially when I believe we're all in a good groove.

Anyway, I would like to publish this book in the next month or so, but some parts aren't quite right yet. It's not one of those situations where I can just pound out a certain amount of words and everything will be fixed. No, what is required is sitting and stewing.

I take all I know about my characters, as well as the scenes I've written, and dump it into the big crockpot of my brain. I ponder why the chapter I devoted hours to on a previous day is decidedly lacking in zing. I cogitate about how the character is going through the paces, but they're a bit begrudging about it, as if they are aggravated that I can't figure out what they need to say and do.

Sometimes my crockpot brain does its thing while I'm occupied with chores, or reading, or commuting. It's nice to multi-task, since my contrary characters will take as long as they need to. I respect that. After all, I'm a contrarian too.

Still, I can't help but wish it was a quicker process. While the crockpot takes mere hours, my brain might take a couple of days to finally produce that result I've been impatiently waiting on.

So if Lord Wastrel takes a little bit longer than I'd hoped, now you know why. I'm constantly stirring, lifting the lid to check the progress, trying not to whine, "Aren't you done YET?"

I just have to be patient with the process. It always works. Always.

Until then, I'll just wish for that day when my writing brain acts more like a microwave than a slow cooker. 

Friday Friends: Virginia Kelly

Virginia is one of the most delightful online writing friends I've made. She's another one that I followed each week on Six Sentence Sunday, because I have such a crush on her heroes. They're sexy, strong, protective--and when they use those Spanish endearments? *swoons* We've had many email conversations where we've managed to figure out Facebook, and I'm tickled whenever Virginia considers me a guru (I'm SO not!) Without further ado, please welcome the lovely Virginia Kelly to Friday Friends!

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Characters, don't be worried. We know she loves every one of you!) Why do you love them best?  

Nicholas Romero, the hero of my first ever published novel, To The Limit. Nick is still in my thoughts. I often catch myself providing him with a new scenario and new dialogue. Why? I’m not sure, since all my guys are favorites and Nick certainly found his happily ever after. But Nick holds a special place. He’s a native Spanish speaker, like me. He’s a diplomat, but also a soldier. He’s tough, loyal, and very much devoted to family. And did I mention that he has black hair and blue eyes? He also has a fabulous voice with the most delicious, very slight, accent. 

Oh yum! I like that idea of coming up with new scenarios/dialogue for your fave character. What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I can't seem to get enough of these.)

I would say clean the house, but my house isn’t clean enough for me to claim that as a writing avoidance technique. I think email and Google (searching for random bits of information that I promise myself I’ll remember, then forget) are the best ways to avoid writing. Oh, and watching television (Supernatural, Justified, Longmire, and new favorite, Arrow, among others).

I'm a Longmire fan too, and the workouts that guy does on Arrow are so. . . inspiring. *fans face* If you were able to go on a writing retreat, where would it be? (I've got my bags packed, no matter where you pick. . .)

A mountain cabin in the Fall, when the air is crisp and leaves are at full color. Oh, wait, that would be writing avoidance since I’d be out hiking. Hmm… Any place a few good writing friends could meet to exchange ideas, critiques and generally have some writer fun. Let’s do it! :-)

I am so there! What's the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?

And. I am the queen of And at the beginning of sentences, something my 7th grade English teacher told me was a no-no. I also like Okay as a response in dialogue.  Way too may Okays in my dialogue.

I love using And at the beginning of sentences! Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.

Go back to Italy for a nice long stay.

That sounds wonderful--and my bags are still packed from the writing retreat! Next is a lightning round we'll call The Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:

Coffee or tea? Café au lait

Drafting or revising? Neither. I like it when the story just flows. Okay, [sigh] it never just flows, :-( so I guess it’s revising.

Twitter or Facebook? Neither. Pinterest is my love.

Winter or Summer? Fall. I’m really not a contrarian, but summer in the South is miserable and I hate really cold weather.

Cowboy or pirate? Cowboy. And a few select highwaymen ;-) [Donna says: Yay!]

Baseball or football? Soccer.

Pecs or abs? What’s wrong with both?

Soldier or sailor? Soldier.

Beer or wine? Wine. White.

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Licker :-)

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Bio

An RWA Golden Heart® finalist, Virginia Kelly’s first book was published as To the Limit and finaled in several contests such as the Holt Medallion, The Golden Quill and The Aspen Gold. 

Virginia has always loved adventure novels, but romance is at the core of her stories—romance with the adrenalin rush of danger. Against the Wind, a full-length novel, and Dancing in the Dark, the prequel novella to In the Arms of a Stranger, are about dangerous men and the adventurous women willing to take a chance on them. 

Traveling is a passion that came early in life. Her first airplane ride was a trip over the Andes Mountains in Peru at the ripe old age of two months. Her travels provide the settings for her novels, whether it’s a fictitious Latin American country based on Peru, the country of her birth, or Florida and the American South where she now lives. 

A graduate of the University of Alabama with a master’s degree in Library Science, Virginia is an academic librarian. She tries to include a librarian in all of her books as either the heroine or as a minor character. Having taught high school and college, she has a great appreciation for teachers and often uses that as the profession for her heroines.

Social Media Links

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest

Book Blurb of Dancing in the Dark

What if you discovered all you ever wanted were the things you left behind?

Covert CIA agent Matt Kincaid is back in tiny Walton Springs, only to find Janey Blackmon waiting to ask him a favor. Matt's not there to reminisce with the girl he's never forgotten...and he's definitely not there to divulge government secrets about her missing brother. Ten years...and Janey hasn't forgotten the love of her life...or that he abandoned her on prom night. Bound by duty and honor, he was shipped out to parts unknown by Uncle Sam. But she knew he'd go because adventure is in Matt's blood. Being stuck in a small town with plain Jane the librarian wasn't ever in his plans. Trapped by a flood, with no phone or power, desire tempts them both. Will passion--and Matt's offer to recreate prom night--lead to a future together? Or are they just dancing in the dark?

A novella prequel to In the Arms of a Stranger, coming October 28, 2013 from Entangled Publishing.

Excerpt

He was leaving in two weeks, no choice, no way to…do what? Make promises he couldn’t keep?

“That’s okay, no biggie,” he hurried to say. “I understand if you don’t want—”

“I want to dance with you.” Only she said it like she wanted much more than a dance.

If she didn’t stop him, could he stop himself? Again?

Yes. 

He was a damn clandestine officer. He could keep his hands off Janey Blackmon. 

Not if they were dancing. “There’s only elevator music,” he said, suddenly desperate for an out.

“We’ll make do.”

That was exactly what he was afraid of.

“This is a nice song. Come on, Matt. You asked,” she said, backing into the dining room.

He followed through to the living room, tempted by the thought of holding her. He prayed the song would end. He prayed it wouldn’t.

There she stood, this woman he’d wanted as long as he could remember. Rain beat against the windows, thunder rumbled in the distance. The town was flooding, but he didn’t care. The whole damn place could wash away as she smiled up at him, a little hesitant, a little shy. Like she was afraid he’d refuse.

He couldn’t. 

He held out his arms in the dance position and she glided in.

She smelled like heaven, she felt…he didn’t have the words. Like a gift. Like… No, he didn’t have the words. 

Book Buy Links

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBookstore

Friday Friends Recap

I accidentally left a hole in my Friday Friends lineup for this week. I could try to blame it on my "assistant", but she has the same name, and she looks EXACTLY like me. . .

Anywho, in the spirit of turning lemons into limoncello, I thought we could revisit the folks who have bravely blazed the Friday Friends trail for us.

So here are links to the previous FFers. Um, let me try that again. Here is the lineup so far. I hope you find some new friends (and books!) here. And don't forget to stop by next week, when we'll have another new victim, er, guest with their Tasty Ten responses!

Catherine Peace

Lorraine Paton

Samantha Hunter

Carrie Spencer

Tonya Burrows

Mae Clair

Karla Doyle

S. J. Maylee

Heather Boyd

Lara Nance

Endora

Silver James