If you’re a writer, what story are you working on currently? If you’re a reader, what book are you reading that you can’t put down?
As I said in an earlier blog, I couldn’t put down the Hot Blooded anthology. It was fantastic. I seem to be on a paranormal reading kick lately. I’m finishing up Bad Boys Immortal and have two more anthologies to get through.
I’m currently writing three different stories, which is a first for me since I don’t tend to normally be able to do that effectively. For now, it’s working. When I get stuck in the contemporary, I jump to the historical. If I get stuck in the historical, I jump to AQ4. It’s been a nice change of pace. Here’s hoping I can keep it going.
On a completely different subject, I’ve added an author blog section to my links. So check out all the blogs when you get a chance.
October 3rd, 2004
I’m working on a manuscript targeted at Mills and Boon Modern [Harlequin Presents]… but I’ve only writtend about a couple of thousand words so far, and I haven’t even written a synopsis!
I’m reading a book by Sara Wood, a M&B Modern. Pretty good, but it’s the first book I’ve ever read in the line that has a bondage scene! Quite a surprise, I can tell you!
by Wendywoo October 3rd, 2004 at 2:48 pmps. thanks for visiting my blog!
ps. thanks for adding me to your blogs list. I will add you to mine too!
by Wendywoo October 3rd, 2004 at 2:50 pmLove, Wendy
Thanks for the link! Yay! *g*
I’m working on revising my Brava novella, which is just a mess. Reading? Nothing except CP stuff, which is always fun! : )
by Larissa October 3rd, 2004 at 3:16 pmI’m revising the entirety of my Golden Opportunity finalist. It’s a massive undertaking. I’ll have to rewrite the entire middle, about 200 pages. *sigh* As for books, I’m reading The Stone Prince by Gena Showalter. I love it! Very cute.
by Sylvia Day October 3rd, 2004 at 4:21 pmI’m working on a potential Brava novella I pitched to Kate Duffy via a query workshop over the weekend. She said send it am I’m not about to argue. Panic, yes. Argue, no. I’m reading the second Ugly Strepp Sister book by Kathy Love (a freebie giveaway from the same workshop). It’s VERY good.
by HelenKay October 3rd, 2004 at 4:56 pmActually, Kathy’s heroine doesn’t have a disease. Her name’s Stepp, not Strepp. Thought I had too many Ps in there until I realized I added other letters instead. Sorry!
by HelenKay October 3rd, 2004 at 5:02 pmWendy,
You’re welcome.
I haven’t read a Mills and Boon modern, at least for a while. I did pick up a few of them when I was over in Edinburgh two years ago. I’m going to check out the bookstore when I come over for the holidays. The one in Edinburgh isn’t too impressive when it comes to romance. They’re filed all over the place. I can’t find a thing. I take it you’re not used to writing without a synopsis from your statement?Sounds like Mills and Boon are getting saucy if they’re adding bondage into the mix. 
Go M & B!
by Jordan October 3rd, 2004 at 5:05 pmLarissa, You’re welcome too. You wouldn’t believe the state of my Brava novellas when I send them to my critique partner. LOL! Bless her heart, she’s a saint. She’s working on a story now that I should see a partial of soon. Looking forward to it.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2004 at 5:07 pmSylvia, I feel your pain. I had to rewrite the first hundred pages of two different novels so I could send them to my agent. If they buy the contemporary, I’ll have to rewrite the rest of the book and if they buy the paranormal I’ll have to FINISH writing the book. Fun, eh? LOL! I’ve been wanting to read the Stone Prince. It looks so cute. Thanks for the recommendation.
by Jordan October 3rd, 2004 at 5:10 pmHelen, Congrats on the pitch! I forgot the conference was this weekend. You’re one up on me, I’ve never got to meet Kate face to face. I’m so happy for you. Now, get to work. ;-)Kathy is a good friend of mine. (You can tell by the huge phone bills.
If you like ‘Wanting What You Get’, just wait until you read her vampires. Oh my goodness! They are so funny. You all are going to LOVE them. (Pardon the pun.)
by Jordan October 3rd, 2004 at 5:15 pmDitto on the pitch congrats, HelenKay! Jordan, I’m SO glad to hear that I’m not the only one with an, er, messy novella! *g* I’m sending it off to a CP today–even though I feel really bad about it because it’s the messiest thing I’ve EVER let anyone read. So hopefully I’ll get some insight into just how I can fix it and make it not so scary!
by Larissa October 4th, 2004 at 7:32 amThanks Larissa and Jordan! My guess is it’s harder for Kate to say “yuck” with the wantabee writer standing in front of her looking sad and desperate. Good luck with the manuscript revisions everyone.
by HelenKay October 4th, 2004 at 8:21 amHelen, Believe me when I say Kate would have NO problem saying yuck.
by Jordan October 4th, 2004 at 5:20 pmThat’s probably true, Jordan. She certainly had no problem saying 99% of everything she gets is crap. Always a good thing to hear when you have something sitting on her desk at that moment. Then there’s her pet peeve against hero accountants (her quote: has Harrison Ford ever played an accountant?”) and her skepticism for books about finding love on airplanes. Through all this she was very charming, otherwise I would have hid under the table when she sat down next to me for breakfast.
by HelenKay October 4th, 2004 at 6:13 pmHm. I’m in the midst of trying to re-write a solicited manuscript that turned out all wrong when I sat down to write it a month ago. Grr! As well as re-writing, revising and re-doing old, first-timer manuscripts to send out to SOMEONE! And, I’m still, still trying to plot my Egypt set HR. On the reading front…just a bunch re-reads by Betina Krahn & Judith Ivory. I love those two women.
by Sidonie October 5th, 2004 at 3:30 amWorking on a rewrite and honestly finding that writing new material is easier than revamping what’s there. I’m about 1/3 the way in but it agrivates me–I’d rather pull my hair out one strand at a time (and i have a LOT of hair).
cece
by cece October 5th, 2004 at 10:02 amSidonie, Good luck rewriting the requested material and the first timer manuscript. I know how hard that is. Also hang in there plotting your HR set in Egypt. I loved doing research for my historical set Egyptian time-travel, Tears of Amun. It’s real easy to get caught up in researching.
by Jordan October 5th, 2004 at 10:18 amLOL Cece! Sometimes it IS easier to rewrite chunks of a story rather than edit and fix what’s there. I had to do that with two books recently and it drove me crazy, even though I started writing one in 2001 and the other in 2002. Apparently, that’s still not enough time away from the projects to keep me from being sick of them. LOL! Hang in there. You are NOT alone.
by Jordan October 5th, 2004 at 10:21 amWow! Everyone is so busy! Whoo Hoo!
Cece~ Have fun with theh new stuff…you deserve it after working so hard on the Bluebonnet series.
Helen~ from all I’ve heard about Kate…I don’t think she would have a problem saying Yuck! So go for it! Good job on the pitch..and good luck on the submission!
Sidonie~ Egypt set?? *ears perk up* I can’t wait!
Wendy woo~ I can’t wait to read more from you! Have you heard from EC?
Sylvia~ Good luck onthe rewrite..you knwo I will help anyw ay I can!
As for me. Not reading at the moment..I tend to go in spurts, and currntly I am on a writing spurt! I have editing and scene to add to my contemp novel..and it would be good if I could finish my novella (origainlly aimed at Brava) I’ve just subbed a partial to EC and a query to an agent.
Thanks for asking Jordan!
by Sasha October 5th, 2004 at 1:33 pmYep, we are ALL busy. Now we just have to prod each other to keep it going.
by Jordan October 5th, 2004 at 3:44 pmExcellent topic! I’m currently writing toward the halfway mark in an English Civil War historical romance, Plotting and doing character work for a Georgian (not Regency) and avoiding peeking at the half completed historical women’s fiction that’s related to the romance I sold to Awe-Struck, to see if I want to tweak it into a romance. ::pant pant pant::
In desperate need of a good, meaty historical read at the moment. Have Colleen Faulkner’s HIGHLAND LADY in my purse, but need something else for bedside reading.
by Anna October 7th, 2004 at 5:31 amWow Anna! It sounds like your historical plate is full. Best of luck with your projects. It sounds like you’re off to a good start.
by Jordan October 7th, 2004 at 8:04 am