Let the countdown begin. . .#SpreadRumors

I'm a few weeks away from the release of my novel Rumor Has It. And I'm nervous. Here's the back story on how I came up with this plot.
There was this writer who'd been seeing a guy who was running for a political office. At the time, he had a female campaign manager. And he brought her to my —I mean that writer's— parents' house to discuss his campaign. All the while he was there, the writer saw there was something going on between the two that had more personal than business written all over it.

See, writers are magical and while plotting, they often see the truth. As it turns out, the writer was right. So, old boy was running for office and trying to portray this wholesome image, but behind the scenes, he was anything but.

He lost the election and my story was born.

Looks like putting a little truth in my fiction paid off. Here's what Publisher's Weekly thinks about my book:

 Rumor Has It
Cheris Hodges, Author
Hodges (Love After War) infuses this contemporary with complex and vivid love, friendship, and loyalty. Public-relations professional Liza Palmer is never off duty, so she ditches a wedding planning session with her best friend, Chante, and heads to the office of Chante’s fiancé, Robert, to discuss an idea for his North Carolina senatorial campaign. When Liza interrupts Robert having sex with a woman on his desk, she is outraged by his behavior, and then hurt by Chante’s refusal to believe her. Determined to expose Robert, Liza takes the juicy gossip to his competitor, Jackson Franklin, a handsome man who leaves her tingling and weak in the knees. Jackson refuses to play dirty politics, but he does want to get inside sassy Liza’s “mind, heart, and soul.” As rumors fly, damaging Liza’s reputation, Jackson’s hot and tender lovemaking claims her heart. With Jackson and Robert neck and neck, Liza has to make some difficult choices. The nonstop intrigue, romance, and smart dialogue will keep readers enthralled. (May)

I do hope you enjoy it just as much.
Be sure you preorder today!

Oh, How Sweet The Sound!

Voices…voices…voices…

Do you hear the voices inside your head as you read a novel, short story or a novella?

Are the characters vivid in your mind…make you feel some kind of way?

Do they stand out?

From the way the characters are painted in situations, to the settings in the plot that may be unfolding in three ways but you didn’t see it coming?

A backstory in the making with a secondary character that inadvertently blossomed due to a specific measure taken…

If you read enough stories by a particular author, their writing style and “voice” should come to life in your mind. Sometimes it takes more than two books to “hear” it, yet, the more they write, the stronger it becomes.

That’s called growth and experience, Beautiful Ones.

Avid readers can decipher the tone of a well-written story by their favorite authors quicker than most. If the author flexes genres (Romance, Historical, Mystery, etc.) do they hold the same standards of injecting a strong voice into their respective branches?

Start a conversation with a co-worker or friend about these "voices" and see what you learn fro one another. It could be the discovery of a great book to read.

 

Until next time, keep reading and keep sharing!

 

Loretta R. Walls

www.nucherte.net

 

 

 

Throwback Thursday

I've been asked to take part in a Thursday Throwback chat today featuring the Ramseys. When I received the request, I was undoubtedly excited. More than that I struck by the amount of time that's passed since the release of that first title: A Lover's Dream- which was published in 2006, but actually written in 2003. Gosh! My son was a baby! I was still a relatively new author- a relatively new PUBLISHED author. I had actually been writing since 1994 and by the time I got around to ALD, I'd had about 4 published works and almost 15 unpublished works to my credit.

A connected series had eluded me however.

I guess it really hadn't eluded me, I'd actually not considered writing one- not understanding how much readers enjoyed returning to find out what their beloved (and not so beloved) characters were up to. Heck, I was one of them- from Karen Moning's Highlander Series (which actually sparked my decision to create Quest and Quaysar) to childhood faves like The Chronicles of Narnia and the Paddington Bear Series. I had a definite love for returning to the stories that followed characters I enjoyed.

At a book event at the Greensboro Public Library in North Carolina, I spent a great deal of time in conversation with the readers in attendance about our love for connected books. By the end of the event, I had the motivation I needed to get this thing started, but the actual plot path still eluded me. I did have the ingredients, though. I knew that whatever this connected story would entail would have to involve a family (because seriously, who comes with more drama than a wild family?) I knew there would have to be gorgeous men and women (this was a romance, after all-ha!) I knew there had to be secrets- tons of secrets. This ingredient was an easy one to come by since pretty much all my work deals with some hidden revelation to be uncovered as the story unfolds.

Different from my other stories, however I wanted the secrets comprising this series of stories to not only unfold more slowly but to also have been ones that were set in motion years- decades prior. I had completely enjoyed creating this series. The characters, the secrets, the passions, the settings...all of it has motivated me in the most phenomenal ways and it's rather bittersweet to envision a time when the story will come to its completion. I say bittersweet because part of me- a big part- is excited to see all the characters find the happiness they've fought for.

There are still two more stories (at least) to go. Readers are asking that I also include a Tesano Elders title, and there's a high probability that I will. But that's a ways off. There is still loads of drama to be recorded- Still more tense (and fatal) moments, more steamy encounters... Enjoy!

Deadlines...You've Finally Arrived At The Finish Line!

We all have them...
We all dread them...

Deadlines.

Whether it's to pay a bill, finish our taxes or complete that manuscript, a deadline is sure to be in your life at some point in time.

Now, how you handle approaching such a time slot is the factor.

Did you work steadily toward the goal of completion? Or was there some life-changing event that took you off course?

Either way, if you were on point and got veered off track, one can usually adjust. Keep a calendar on your person or if you're tech-savvy, utilize your cell phone for daily updates. It's important to maintain one's focus, even in challenging times to achieve goals. If you find yourself off track, take a moment to regroup and get back in the movement!

Do not allow a deadline to determine your destiny!

After all, it's just time...make the most of it.


Speaking of such a topic, it's time that I get back to this story for the Embue line.
Chin up, pens up and fingers to the keyboard.
Rule your day and the HOT MAMA'S look forward to seeing you in June at the Fly Hat Luncheon in Morrisville, NC!

 -- Loretta R. Walls aka Embue. #nucherte

Holiday Treats: Books by Deatri King-Bey, Zaria Garrison, and Lisa Y Watson

Hey, Y'all, 

Here are our first three holiday treats, brought to you by some talented authors. Go ahead, get your holiday read on!

The madness must end. All Abigail wants for Christmas is to be left alone. She has grown tired of her family’s horrible matchmaking schemes and her daughters’ deceptive plans to get her to take her ex-husband back. It’s not that she doesn’t want a relationship. She’s more than ready for Mr. Right to sweep her off her feet. She’s just come to the realization that there may not be a Mr. Right out there for her—and that’s okay. Now if she could only convince her family of that.

Jeff is all work and no play, which is why he found himself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a blizzard quickly approaching. Desperate for cover, he spots a house in the distance. Upon meeting the kindhearted, gorgeous owner of the home, he deems Abigail his Christmas Angel, and thanks Santa for the early gift. But is she too good to be true?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Second-Chances-Deatri-King-Bey-ebook/dp/B00GBJCAAC

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-angel-deatri-king-bey/1117268242?ean=2940148713821

Visit Deatri online: http://DeatriKingBey.com

Inspired by her own battle with breast cancer, Zaria Garrison presents The Power of Pink: A Christmas Story.

Caron Taylor, Teresa Sanders, and Pamela Jefferson are three women looking forward to celebrating the upcoming holiday season with their family and friends.  

After becoming engaged to the love of her life, Caron finds out she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The first person she confides in is her fiancée’, Michael. He is stunned by the news and suddenly drops out of sight. 

Teresa is a pediatric nurse who considers all of the children in her ward as her very own. She is also a twenty year cancer survivor who has never shared her diagnosis with anyone. After her marriage fell apart she chose to have the surgery alone and never speak about it with another living soul until fate and circumstance force her to open up her secret box. 

Pamela Jefferson has just completed radiation and chemotherapy following her diagnosis. Although she lost both breasts to the disease she is not letting a little thing like a double mastectomy slow her down or steal her joy. 

These three women, like so many, are fighting breast cancer and its lasting effects bring them all together this holiday season to celebrate.

Purchase Links:

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/4507826

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Power-Pink-Christmas-Story/dp/1493652206/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1385595324&sr=8-1

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Power-Pink-Zaria-Garrison-ebook/dp/B00GQJ69OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385595324&sr=8-1&keywords=zaria+garrison

My Web Store: http://webstartsshoppingcart.com/shopping-cart/store/catalog.php?userid=200958&pid=1&op=display

Website: www.zariagarrison.webstarts.com

Sometimes a glimpse of the past can hold the key to your future.

The Love at Christmastime series is two sweet holiday novellas, A Heart for Christmas, and Two Hearts for Christmas to warm your heart and soul any time of the year.

In A Heart for Christmas, Yvette Stilwell, a young widow, has overcome a terrible loss. Her eight year old daughter, Lacey, is her primary focus and romance is a thing of the past...until now.

When Christopher Darcy realizes that the woman sitting next to him in the airport is the “one that got away” so long ago, he is amazed at his good fortune.  But Yvette is not exactly ready to rush into anything, even after she discovers just how attractive a holiday romance may seem...

Will the magic of the season and some well-placed mistletoe bring them together?

In Two Hearts for Christmas, the Darcy’s have a two-year old 

son, a pre-teen daughter, and work keeping their family on the go. 

When Christopher begins spending long hours running his parent's 

Christmas tree farm, it causes stress at home. 

Will a hidden secret and unexpected news threaten their bond, or 

will they find a way bring their family joy at the holidays?

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=lisa%20watson%20love%20at%20christmastime

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-at-christmastime-lisa-y-watson/1117314781?ean=9781493516216

Connect with Lisa - http://www.lisawatson.com

I hope you enjoyed our first edition of Holiday Treats! I'll be back with another batch next Tuesday :)

Until Next Time, 

Kianna

Is that how you do it?

So in case you haven't check out either Yvette Hines or my Facebook pages recently, you may have seen that we just hosted an in-person author event to announce the launch of our latest contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance releases, Red Hots by Yvette Hines and my Licorice Whips.

Wow! It's all I can say. For one, what a massive undertaking to arrange to get a conference room, discounted hotel rooms, speakers if you're not the only one doing the presentation, and prizes. On top of all that, Yvette Hines and I had to write, edit, and get published our full-length novels. It was a lot to do in a few months. I know what you all are thinking. "Bridget, didn't you do the same thing for the Hot M.A.M.A. event?" There were a lot of differences between the two events. For one, Kianna Alexander did most of the legwork for the Fly Hat luncheon. She found the hotel and set up the conference room. She also ordered the bags and bookmarks. She was the go-to woman. Plus for this event, we didn't have to have a full-length novel written and published.

It was a lot of moving parts that we had to make sure all worked together. After some scary moments (I didn't think I would have my print books in time for the event), we got it all to work. Both of us had our print books. The hotel did a great job setting up the room for us. The lunch was nice. And a friend of mine made these cute stiletto cupcakes for the event.

While Yvette and I were writing our books, I had arranged to get people in the BDSM lifestyle to be at the event and talk about how they got into the Lifestyle and why it works for them. They also did some actual playing during the event that I think was eye-opening for a lot of our guests.

We ran contests throughout the day. Both Yvette and I did presentations. Yvette did a phenomenal job on writing while incorporating the five senses. You can tell she did a lot of research on the subject. Who knew that honey was the number one aphrodisiac? I think we all thought it would be oysters or chocolate.

I presented a more controversial subject: writing interracial BDSM erotic romance. Writing BDSM is controversial enough. Throw race into the mix, and it gets a little dicey. I just had to present it in two ways: reality and the romantic. The romantic aspect is to have writers focus on the sensations and the love. The reality of writing about race within BDSM is that there are controversial acts dealing with race within the Lifestyle. For example, have you heard of race play? In BDSM, that's when race is used within a scene. Author K.D. King shared an online blog article about people who recreate the whole slave auctions, complete with a rebel flag hanging behind the stage, an African-American man standing naked for the "buyers" to view, and him being flanked by shirtless, booted white men in cowboy hats. In one picture, the "slave" is bending over and getting his genitals examined by one of the "owners." But that's not the only race play. Jewish people in the Lifestyle will go through a concentration camp scene with someone who looks or acts like Hitler.

I know. Sounds horrific. There's no way I could write something like that and make it romantic. I don't think anyone can. What I had to remind people at our event that all of this was done consensually. Yes, the African-American man at the slave auction wanted to be there. This was his fantasy. The BDSM community has a great credo that they follow: safe, sane, and consensual. A person isn't forced to do any act. And there are safe words, words used to signal how a participant is feeling, that can slow down or stop the action completely.

If anything, I do like that in BDSM: freewill. All parties involved have to be very strong in order to be in it. Yes, that includes the slaves and submissives. You can't be unsure and do the Lifestyle. You'll frustrate yourself and the Dom or Domme playing with you.

So now with that event behind us, I can now exhale. The Hot M.A.M.A.s and I are gearing up for another Fly Hat luncheon. Stay tuned for more information. Just like last year, we hope you all have fun!

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

If you love authors, why are you stealing from us?!

I don't mean to be the Metalica of the ebook world, but stop stealing my words! Stop stealing Beverly Jenkins's words. Just stop stealing.

You want to support your favorite author? Then avoid piracy sites. Whether your favorite author is with a major house or self published, he or she took months to write that book. Spent hundreds of dollars on covers, promotions, web sites and giveaways, then you go to a site just to get books for free?

That sucks. That's why so many of your favorite writers have to have day jobs. That shit isn't cool! Can I come to your job and get some of your things for free?

Nine times out of 10, authors do give away free books. We want you to discover our work and tell other people about it. But, authors got to eat, got to buy health insurance and pay for editors.

Oh, avid reader, you know how you feel when you pick up a book and it isn't properly edited. It makes your brain throb and it makes your toes curl for all the wrong reasons. When you visit these pirate sites to read books for free, YOU ARE THE REASON WHY WE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY LEGIT EDITORS!

Beverly Jenkins said it best on Facebook:

We work too hard to be dissed this way - so for them and the people who patronize them - I curse thee. Hope they'll enjoy waking up in the morning with the head of a goat.

I'm Cheris Hodges and I approve this message! 

HOT BODIES

It's been hot summer. I mean, HOT!

Allow me to share a few of my hot summer memories.

You get the idea of my definition of HOT? The best part is I never left the comfort of my home. Nope, these hot bodies were sent to me while I had my feet propped  up, a glass of Moscato in hand and a few popsicles when I had the urge to suck something cold and hard. 

Where did they come from? I'm so happy you asked. Members of my Facebook group, The Book Palace, we call them Gems & Gents, would send them by for a brief visit. The Book Palace is where we come together to discuss books, current events and support each other in anyway we can. To take a break from the trials of everyday life, we have an event on the 1st Friday of every month called PAD, Palace After Dark. 

Rules are set aside, a topic is selected and the floor is open. We have guest host to join us and they facilitate the discussion. In June we had Ms. Loretta R. Walls who facilitated  Setting The Mood discussion. We picked up on a few ideas surrounding when, where and how to get ready for that special date night. In July we had Ms. Cheris Hodges, who facilitated the discussion on Toys, Boys, and Toys. Lessons were definitely taught that night. I'm still waiting for my supply of toys to come in.

If you find yourself sitting home one Friday night, stop by The Book Palace. Be sure to bring your favorite cold beverage and a comfortable chair. Some of these conversations are go into the next day. 

Next up, at The Palace, Kianna Alexander. Her topic? Keeping Your Sexy Alive- When Life Interferes.


Come visit The Palace After Dark, where the grown and sexy meet the uninhibited.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Irisbollingbookpalace/



Until the next time,

August 20, 2013

Iris 

www.irisbolling.net
www.sirient.com

Let Me Share a Secret...

One question I hear often from aspiring authors is Ms. Angie, how long does it take you to write a book? Well, that really depends on what type of book I'm writing. Romance? Mystery? Women’s  fiction?

A romance takes sixty days.

My secret is…, I just simply do it. I handwrite an outline then I sit in front of my computer and I get started nonstop. And I do mean nonstop. No editing. No rereading. Nothing. Nada. Zip. The rule is, I’m not allowed to read what I have written until it’s over. By doing that, I free myself to focus on just one thing. Writing. And go at it HARD. Of course the book is extremely rough. Sometimes there is nothing but dialogue for pages, but at least this way I have a general idea of the scenes, how long the story is going to be, and how many love scenes are going to be required. LOL. If I have a chapter I’m not feeling, I just write a few lines then type NEED TO FINISH ANGELA! (by the way, no one calls me Angela but my mother) in big letters, then I move on to the next scene. By doing that I am able to flesh out an entire book in thirty days. Yes. 30 days. Afterwards, that’s when the rewrites begin.

Writing isn’t supposed to feel like work. It should be fun. So as an author you have to find ways to make the experience enjoyable like I do. And as a result, I have the best job in the world.

Muahhh!
Angie

Music to my ears

Hello my lovelies,

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel for the contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance novel I'm working on for the "Wrapped Up: A Corseted Event with Bridget Midway and Yvette Hines." The novel will be called Licorice Whips, and it will be through Phaze Books in November 2013. People who come out to the event on November 9th will get the book before anyone else. Doesn't that make you feel special?

As I'm writing the novel, I often will pull inspiration from songs. Oftentimes songs will set a mood for me. Or a lot of times, I can use the singer's voice to imagine what the character's voice will sound like. For Licorice Whips, I imagine the hero named Sweet Hawkes to look like Bradley Cooper.

For the heroine, Nikla Dearwood, I imagine her looking like the actress Paula Patton.

Hot couple, right? So for a hot couple like this, I need to listen to the appropriate music, especially since it's a romance, and especially because it's a BDSM novel. Because the hero owns and operates a candy store, I wanted a song that would work to express the sensuality. No, not Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" or Foxy Brown's "I Taste Just Like Candy" or even Cameo's "Candy." No, I went for Suzanne Vega's "Caramel" especially since caramel was used in a crucial scene. I'll just leave it at that.

Of course the hero has to learn to trust the heroine. In the process, I figured my hero would come to a point where he and the heroine are on the same page. For that moment, I like Lenny Kravitz's "I Belong to You."

My heroine has to come to grips about this new lifestyle she's been introduced to thanks to the hero. As you can imagine, she starts to feel more sensual. For her, Beyoncé's "Naughty Girl" comes to mind.

So what do I listen to when I'm writing the BDSM scenes? Mainly it's Nine Inch Nails and early 90's Madonna when she was in her shocking sex phase (think "Human Nature" and "Erotica"). What it comes down to is that anything that can help me craft a great story, I'll use it.

So you authors, what kind of music or what songs do you listen to when you look for inspiration?

Stay sexy,
BridgeT

Riddle Me This: Reaching the Readers

Hi, Y'all,
I have recently been wondering a lot about how I interact with my readers. Each reader I gain is precious to me, because you all allow me to pursue my dream of writing for money. So, I want to be the absolute best I can when it comes to my interactions with you.
So far, I haven't had any complaints. I think folks find me pretty approachable, and I plan to keep it that way. Still, I'm not moving the number of books I'd like to, and I think this is mainly a problem of exposure- that is, I'm not effectively getting my books in front of the all the people who would be interested.
Here's what I do now:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Blogs (2)
• Personal Appearances/Events
• Passing out bookmarks to anyone who'll take them.

Apparently, these valiant efforts are not enough. I've been thinking of using direct mail- it's about the only think I haven't tried.

And so, I embark upon yet another creative Hot MAMA venture: The Hot MAMA Street Team. I want to assemble the avid readers, the die-hard book fans, to start a kind of whisper campaign to bring new readers to this group. Why? There really isn't a more effective way of spreading the word about a good book than word of mouth. I know- I have heard people going on and on about Twilight and Fifty Shades. :)

Think you might be street team material? Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

• Pass out bookmarks/promo items when you are out and about.
• Talk up the group, and our blog.
• Recommend our books to other readers you think might enjoy them.
• Promote our upcoming events, like the 2014 Fly Hat Society Luncheon, in person and via social media.

What will you get for you efforts? A super awesome Hot MAMA Street Team t-shirt, a first look at new books before anyone else, special discounts to our events, and our undying gratitude. Pretty sweet, huh?

We are only accepting (10) members per state, so get on the good foot! Send an email to me at kiannaalexanderATgmailDOTcom and let me know where you live, why you want to be on the street team, and your t-shirt size. We will launch the street team with an online party this summer, so get in while the getting's good!

Until Next Time,
Kianna

Meeting a Romance Writer

I hope this day finds you all well. As the year gets started with all the conferences coming up. Readers are fiercely looking up lists to see which authors will be where. It takes me back to my first event I went to as a reader/new author. Going to see my favorite author. I was nervous and excited. I had books in my suitcase ready to get their signature on them all.

The moment a reader gets to meet an author they have grown to love is one of the best moments. Readers don't only put a face with a name, but they put a personality to the stories. If an author is cold and standoffish, the reader will either stop buying those books or always think back on the meeting with un-fond memories. However, if the meeting is all the reader hoped it would be and more--the author is engaging, interested in readers thoughts on their stories and pleasant--the author has a reader for life.

Since my first event, I have been to several as both a reader and an author. I've learned that I enjoy the smaller events at times more than the larger ones. Why, because less distractions and both individuals are solely there to get to know each other a little more.

That's what we plan to bring our readers at the HOT M.A.M.A Fly Hat event. We want to set back with those readers new and faithful and share in the experience of romance books. The authors are filled with just as much excitement and expectations as the readers. We are hoping to get feedback about our stories that will carry us through as we write the next book. Find out what you all loved, who you all would like to see next in a story or what you think is missing.

So, don't be shy, bring those questions, your smiles and those fly hats we can't wait to break bread with all of you.

Event: March 9th
Where: Morrisville, NC

Don't delay. Limited seating. Get your ticket!

Monique Lamont
Romancing You
www.moniquelamont.com

Autumn Madness

Hey, Y'all,
I'm totally late on my post. Why? It's election day! The madness is nearly over. No more of those tasteless television ads blasting the personal character of this person or that person. No more annoying calls asking you who you're voting for. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a bit of relief at the prospect of having the election be over!

On another note, there is even more madness on the horizon. It's November, and you know what that means- the holidays will soon be upon us. Veteran's Day will quickly morph into Thanksgiving, then Kwanzaa, Hannukah, and Christmas won't be far behind. Some folks will pretty much live in the mall for the next several weeks. As for me, I always give out home made baked goods as gifts, so I'm gearing up for three solid days of being trapped in the kitchen, covered in flour. Heaven help me. :) It's a crazy time of year, and you might find yourself feeling a bit like this....

Also, for writers, November is National Novel Writing Month, a month when we, (however foolishly) try to write 50,000 words. Yes, we try to do this in one month. Emphasis on try. This is my first attempt at NaNo, as it's affectionately called, and so far I've logged in close to 3,000 words. A far cry from the goal, but I'm pleased with myself. I'm working on the long awaited final book in my PHOENIX Files series, Midnight's Serenade. (This is under my Alexandra Kane pen name.) Look for updates on my progress in the coming weeks, and a cover reveal in late January/early February.

So, I'll close with a question. How do your survive the Autumn Madness that sets in this time every year? Leave your comments below, because maybe we can help each other get through it.

Until Next Time,
Kianna

Things that go bump in the night

As I was thinking about my post for this month, I couldn't come up with something interesting to say. When I thought of that, my post came to me: fear. I don't want to talk about general fears like big, hairy spiders. I mean fears of authors.

"Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Bridget?" Yes, authors have fears.We're all insecure. Okay, maybe I shouldn't talk about all authors. I'll say that I have lots of fears.

My first fear: the ideas will stop. I think that's the main one. As authors and readers, we always hear that there are no new storylines. Authors are supposed to create fresh characters, settings, and plots to make their stories seem less cookie cutter. I think how I do it is by punching up the norm. I write interracial romances, and I did it in a time when they were seen as fetish fiction. Then I started writing interracial BDSM romances. So now I pressure myself to take it up another notch, not only to keep it interesting for you readers, but also keep challenging myself as a writer.

My second fear: the readers will stop reading me. I think besides not getting inspired to write new stories, losing readers is right up there as a genuine fear. I love writing to entertain. If I fail to entertain, I fail as an author.

My third fear: I'm misunderstood. This fear goes hand in hand with my second fear. If the point you try to make as an author doesn't get translated, then you run the risk, as an author, on losing readers. No reader wants to read an author who is a one-trick pony, trotting out the same plot with different characters and slightly different settings. Readers want to be pleasantly surprised.

So with all of these fears, how do I get over it? For one, I have to trust my muse. The ideas will come. And if they don't, I scan news stories on the Internet. I pay attention to my dreams. I people watch. That's right. So don't pick your nose in public. Or do it. I'll make a story about it.

Now that I bared all to you, just know that as an author, I'm trying. And as an author, I appreciate every reader. And with that, I have to go and do edits for one of my publishers.

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

A Day in the Life

Denise Jeffries inspired me to describe my day, but not just any day. I want to talk about my writing day.

Just like Denise and, I'm sure, a whole host of other authors, I have a day job, a regular 9 to 5, or rather 6 to 5. When I get home from work, I'm back on the computer but mainly doing promotions. I answer e-mails. Sometimes I plot out my next book. Rarely to I write on my current WIP (work in progress).

"So when do you write, Bridget?"

How did I know you would ask that? I do a lot of my writing on the weekends. I drag my laptop onto my lap (laptop tray underneath, of course) and I sit in bed and I write. The pros of writing in bed is that I'm comfortable. I have what I need all around me. I get inspired easier in bed. The con, a rather big con, is that when I get sleepy, and let's face it. Who wouldn't writing in bed? I tend to take a lot of naps. Just push my laptop to the side and get snuggly under my blankets.

So after my nap(s) -- don't judge me -- I get down to writing. I have my notes next to me. For novels, I do a chapter-by-chapter basic outline. I write key points I want to see happen in a story.

Before that, I do a full character outline. Even if I don't use it, I write out the characters' full names. I write down where they live. What they look like. If I'm inspired by a celebrity, I write down that celebrity's name. Then I write down the charcters' internal and external conflicts. Those are what propel my stories. If you ever hear an author say that they have writer's block, the problem is that the conflict(s) is/are not strong enough to push the story along. Yeah, it hurt me when someone told that to me. But I realized it was the truth.

Anyway, so I write all day and sometimes all night into the early morning. I write until I get to a good spot or when my wrists hurt. Whichever comes first. I keep that up until I finally writh "The End." After that, I push the story aside for a few days, maybe even a week or so, then I come back to it and reread it again to edit it.

Once I submit the story, it's off on to the next one. I know of other authors who are able to write more than one story at the same time. I'm not one of those people. I can't mix all of those voices in my head. Call me simple. That's just how I roll.

Speaking of rolling, I have to go now. The books won't write themselves.

Stay sexy,
BridgeT http://www.BridgetMidway.com/

Kicked My Heels Up in Nawlins!

Well, I must say, this has been one interesting summer. I have traveled to new places each month and have loved the people and richness of various cities. I will tell you though that nothing beats New Orleans (Nawlins), LA. I mean to be in an area that is so steeped and rich in culture is unbelievable. The people there are wonderful and friendly. I wouldn't call it southern charm, because the ice tea needed a little work at some of the places, nothing like North Carolina. LOL. However, it was a down home laid back mentality. They just smiled everywhere and seemed happy to greet each day; from the hotel staff to the people in the vintage stores.

I was there for a conference geared toward romance readers. One of my favorite types of conferences to attend, I must say.

Now, lets talk music. I love all types of music and generally find myself inspired by it. In Nawlins, especially within the French Quarter, you are inundated with jazz, blues, soul and other blends. One night I found myself setting back with a drink in a jazz club and I started getting a story idea. So, I listened and plotted in my head. That is the best thing about being an author is seeing a story work itself out in my head like a motion picture.

Food is just as inspiring to my writing as music. The food in Nawlins, oh, man, de-li-cious. I got drunk on some etouffee the first night in town. One of my friends told me it was not possible. But, I tell you, those little crawfish were doing a musical number in my body and I was lightheaded and tipsy. I loved every bite. I went to Cafe Du Monde and consumed cafe au lait and beignets. Tried to eat my weight in beignets they are so good. Instead I just picked up a mix box and decided to attempt to make them at home. Grabbed some salt water taffy, and pralines to go as well. The chickory drink at the Jazz Legends: Cafe Beignet was good. I think it is a blend with coffee so it was mild and nice to drink. You know I had to get myself some red beans and rice, with smoked sausage...yummy.

Sadly, I only have a moment to write down the idea of the story at the moment, since I'm working on Evidence of Desire, the third story in the heroes series. The first two, Fire and Desire and Restrained Desire. My hope is to have the third released by the end of the year. However, I need to get my butt in gear. As an author, usually the story you want to work on most generally falls to last place after the stories your editors are waiting on. :)

That's alright, I love writing, just like my Hot MAMA sistahs. So any good story I get to bring to my readers is worth the time and energy.


Romancin' You,
~Monique Lamont

Inspiration

I often get asked, as I'm sure other authors do, what inspires the stories I write. I draw inspiration from lots of things: dreams, newspaper articles, news stories, TV shows, songs. If it's interesting and I can twist it in a sexy way, I'll write about it.

The very first story I published with a publisher was "Adam and E.V.E." through Phaze Books. This futuristic erotic romance (yes, I said futuristic) was about a human and a female cyborg who discover that when she gets turned on, it can stop the opposition's weapons. Who said sex wasn't a weapon? So where did I get the inspiration for that story? The tabloid, Star Magazine, used to publish these 850-word romances and paid $300 for each story. So I wrote them a few stories that they published. Then they changed and said they were only publishing science fiction stories. So I wrote "Adam and E.V.E." where E.V.E. could stop the opposition's weapons with just a kiss. Stories in this magazine had to be pretty PG. Not even heavy petting. I once wrote a scene where the hero is locked out of his hotel room with only a towel around his waist and the woman he wants is in the room across the hall from him. His towel is stuck in the door. So when he can't take it anymore, he drops the towel and goes across the hall. The publisher said "Oh no!" The implication that this hero could be nude in public was too much for them. So I changed it so that he wore a robe and ripped a corner of it to get to his woman. Anyway, getting back to my cyborg. I submitted "Adam and E.V.E." and they rejected it. They wanted straight science fiction without any romance. So that gave me permission to expand the story to a novella and add A LOT more sex.

So that's how a submission call inspired me. As I mentioned above, I also get inspired from songs. I am definitely a child of the 80's. If you look at most of my book titles, you can definitely tell that. That's What Friends Are For, Fascination Street, Love My Way, Woman in Chains, hell, even Reignited. Whenever I say that title, I'm tempted to sing the old Peaches and Herb song, "Reunited." When I hear a song or hear a song title, I think of a story behind it. Some songs are easy to conjure a full story. Has anyone heard Christina Aguilera's "Sex for Breakfast"? People are drawn to songs. Some songs have the ability to conjure up fond memories...at least I hope they do.

One other thing that inspires me is a topic that challenges me. If you read my initial Hot M.A.M.A. post, then you'll know I write a lot of BDSM erotic romance, and I've done a lot of research to pen each story. What was harder for me to write was the futuristic works. I can't research cyborgs and how they act like I can with a Dominant and a submissive. I have to use my imagination and see where it takes me. In that way, it's fun to push yourself and see where you go.

And speaking of inspiration and pushing myself, I have got to go. I have a story to finish. The title is "O, Come." Yep, another song title. What can I say? I am consistent.

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

Wiggle! Wiggle! Wiggle! Wiggle! Wiggle!

Hi my sexy bitches!

I'm thrilled to be posting on the Hot M.A.M.A's blog! I get to break the author cherry. Whoo! Hoo! But enough about me. Let me tell you about...me.

I'm an author of contemporary interracial erotic romance, but I'm probably best known for my contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romances. Some of my more popular titles are Love My Way and my Corporate series: Corporate Seduction, Corporate Desires and Corporate Needs.

So why BDSM? And why interracial BDSM? I get asked that question a lot from readers and other authors. When I started writing erotic romances, an author friend author told me about her desire to write BDSM. I thought she was strange. In my mind, BDSM meant that men disrespected and beat women. I wasn't down for that. Then she convinced me to meet with some folks in the Lifestyle and ask questions. I didn't even think there were Dommes, Doms and submissives in my neck of the woods. Sure enough there was a group there.

I attended one of their munches. A munch is a lunch/demonstration. Slaves and submissives serve their Dommes and Doms. Because this is in a private residence, the submissives and slaves are in various forms of dress. I've been to events where the male slaves and submissives have served us while wearing women's panties and nothing else, a French maid's outfit, or even completely naked.

As far as demonstrations, I've seen everything from different types of canes and how to use them, to whips to floggers, even wax play, mummification, electric play, and paddles.

I have also attended play parties. Play parties are exactly what it sounds like. Doms, dommes and their submissives or slaves attend one place and play with each other. At these events, I have seen needle play and have paddled an 80 year-old man. Yes, I paddled a senior citizen. Hey, he asked me to do it! I find, though, that I don't have that edge needed to discipline another person. I really think you have to care about that person to give them that type of treatment (as strange as that sounds).

Aside from the play itself, what drew me to write BDSM was my desire to figure out why someone would want to be in this Lifestyle. I think most authors write to figure something out than anything else. If I could get into a character's head, then I could understand the Lifestyle. It worked. The more I attended these events, the more I could see how much the submissives and slaves love what they do for the person they serve. That's the angle I had to explore.

So why interracial? I write interracial romances anyway. Why stop? Plus I like pushing boundaries. If you want to read some boundary pushing scenes from some of my works, check out my blog, The Bridget Monologues.

Please feel free to ask me anything. I'm an open book!

Stay sexy,
BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com