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Friday, March 31, 2006
HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET FOR A KIDNEY?
Our house is too small. For four people and three dogs, that is. I remember when we moved in to this cozy, sweet craftsman in the valley with its spacious front yard, beamed ceilings and one bathroom. We were totally in love. Now, we're bumping into each other, tripping over our Bernese Mountain Dog and cluless about where we're going to put our baby boy.
To find a solution to this problem, we made a list:
1. How about a covered Porch? (It's L.A., but it does it cold at night...and then there's the coyotes)
2. Maybe stick him in the bathtub? (but then again, we only have the one...)
3. How about our room? (which means our bed, which means that I can offically pronouce romance dead in our house)
4. Here's a though; the peach tree out front? (orchard supply has some great products we could use for a nest)
No?
No.
Well, with further thought, we decided that these ideas didn't work. Go figure. The baby-sized nest was ingenious, in my opinion but just didn't "fly" with Daniel. (sorry, couldn't resist) Instead, we got our contractor from the last time we remodeled to work up some numbers. We thought, a brand new kitchen with a large playroom attached, then the kids could share a room.
Great idea!
For a month, we looked at every kitchen remodel book we could find, dreaming of Wolf stoves and custom cabinets, thinking we could stay within our budget.
"What fools"- I know you're thinking it, maybe even saying it out loud!
Well, clearly we are. Last night our estimate came, swathed in a solid gold envelope, no less. (which should have tipped us off) I couldn't get air to my lungs for a good 40 minutes after reading it. Wait! Stop. HOW MUCH? Okay, that must be a typo! What's with the extra zero....
Deep into the night, I wondered how we're going to pay for this. Parents? Preggo modeling? Hey - maybe I should I make another list??
Then it hit me - seel some kidneys. Mine and Daniel's. An easy 20 grand, right? But where do people buy such things? Or, maybe the question should be, where do we sell such a thing? Ebay? Craig's List? Do we have to travel to Gutalahara and wait for the surgeon to meet us in a dark alley behind the divethat sells Spanish fly?
"Just lay down here and try to get comfortable. This'll only take a few minutes. I know it's wet,
but I'd wager it's not urine. Just remember after we're done, you'll have to run over to Gutalahara General to get sewn up."
Hmmmmm, maybe not.
Any other thoughts?
posted by Laura Wright at 8:17 AM
Thursday, March 30, 2006
THOSE "OTHER" MOMS
What if we didn't have to make friends with the other moms?
Isa started preschool awhile back. She loves it. Her teachers are fabulous, and the whole environment rocks. It's like camp everyday, complete with brownies, water play and someone to cheer you on while you pee in the communal potty. There's just one problem for me. The other mommies. I feel..hmmm...what is the word - uncomfortable around them, I guess. Not because they all look like Lisa Rinna or Sharon Stone (okay, they do sorta look like this, and I do sorta want to confront them with, "Get serious, ladies! Manolo Blahniks and Channel sunglasses to play in the sand?") I think the uncomfortable-ness is there because we have absolutely nothing in common. Where they have nannies 24/7 and quite enjoy it, I have a babysitter a few mornings a week for a few hours - half of which is taken up with convincing Isa that I will in fact be back downstairs in a couple hours - and feel guilty about it the entire time. To the other mommies it's far more important to be back in their size zero Seven jeans three days after giving birth, while I believe it's infinitely more wise to eat my weight in Krispy Kremes while breastfeeding - (all to make sure my baby gets lots of fat, of course.) To the other moms, an outing with the kids might be lunch at Spago and shopping at Barneys, while I like the park or pick-yer-own strawberries at the farm.
Now this is not to say that my choices are any better than theirs (puh leeeze) - just different. So hanging out together is weird and uncomfortable, to say the least. The thing is though, our kids don't get these differences yet (baring the one 3 year old, who announced to Isa's class that she was wearing Channel Red nail polish that day.) At this age, they have no clue about status - like whose Mommy drives a Honda SUV (me) and whose mommy/nanny drives a Mercedes SUV (almost everyone else.) The kids just want to play with their friends. Scheduled Playdates. Which means you have to decide who's house your going to. Hmmm, will it be Laura's dog hair infested home with the fourteen piles of dirty laundry in the living room, or Kendra's Greek revival Mansion with the Olympic-size swimming pool, pasty and polished white everything, that's just "this close" to Bel Air and the killer school district. It's not fun either way, so who cares, right?
There we are....Kendra's exquisitely beautiful mommy, and me in my sweats sit down together over passion fruit iced tea and attempt to have a conversation.
"Nope, I know nothing about Botox."
"Nope, don't have a winter retreat."
"Seriously? Your neighbors swing? We're not talking about the kind out back, are we?"
(ACK! What time is it?)
Or maybe - just maybe - Kendra's mom is working or at the spa or sweating it up at Tae Bo. Maybe, this time I'll get lucky. Maybe THIS time, I'll get the nanny. Ahhhhh, Margerta...she's wonderful. Smart, funny, loves Americal Idol. I can see it now....She makes virgin pina coladas, guacamole and chips, and we gorge ourselves while the kids play in the hanger-size playroom........
posted by Laura Wright at 7:18 AM
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
GENDER BENDER
Okay, so I'm having a boy. I've come to terms with the bizareness that I'm growing a penis inside my body. I'm pretty set with boy clothes, boy toys and boy furniture. And I realize that I'll have to cut his hair and give him away to another woman someday. There's just one thing that scares the heck out of me; my total lack of experience. I don't know how to do a boy. I know girl parts, girl clothes, girl ways - and hey, I love ponies and princesses. Not so much with the monster trucks and Batman. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but boys seem so rowdy and loud. They jump on their mother like a trampoline, then hurl a rock at them without a thought.
I don't want a cracked cranium!
And animals? Frankly, it's a little disturbing how rough they seem with animals. I have a friend who has a dog and her little boy likes to tweek its nose. The dog doesn't seem to put up much of a fuss, but it makes me cringe. The answer when I ask about this is always in the general vicinty of "Boys will be boys." ACK!
I can just see myself, "Boy, shall we pull a little of your "fur" out too and see how it feels?" I've never been one of those kind of moms, but I'm scared this thought might enter my consciousness...
Then there's the actual output of energy associated with boys. My Isa will sit on the floor and color, play with her dolls, work endlessly with Playdough. Sure, she'll run around and dance with the best of them, but she'll never ask to give me a Playdough facial or pour an entire bucket of water on my head under the pretense of washing my hair or pulling down all the curtains in the living room to make a fabulous cape or.... (and the list goes on)
Honestly, these are the things I invision.
Am I nuts?
I know many of you have boys, probably grown now, but ease my mind, will yah?
posted by Laura Wright at 8:05 AM
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
SO, WHO'S REALLY IN CHARGE?
For a moment, I'm going to assume that you read books for the same reason I write books. To escape. House payments, the guy who flipped you off in traffic, the constant demand from your kids for designer everything. The list is never-ending. Just recently I've started to realize that my need to escape stems from this nagging fear in the back of my mind that the little person in my house is smarter than me. I simply don’t want to deal with the possibility.
When did this happen? I ask myself. Two years old? Two and a half? Halfway through potty training? When she learned where bacon really comes from? Well, regardless of when it happened, it's here and I'm thinking it’s only going to get worse.
For example, last night I was sitting on my daughter's bed, listening to the rain tap gently on the roof and windows while I read to her. Just so you know, we read four books EVERY night. It's a routine.
And God help you if you don't have a routine.
Well, after the fourth book, I told her it was time for lights out. Again, all routine. Normally, she snuggles under her covers and drifts off in about 15 minutes.
Not last night.
In her adorable sing-song voice, Isa says, "Mommy, you only read three books."
Now this, as every mother knows, is what is called a stall tactic. 'Keep the mommy talking, even if it's an argument.' 'Maybe my wee little throat will get so parched from all the arguing I can scam some milk out of her.' 'Then I can brush my teeth again and rile up the dogs'...and it goes on and on.
Well, last night - maybe because I so badly wanted to watch EVERWOOD with a volcano-hot heating pad behind my back - I wasn't having it.
"Honey," I say, "we read four books. Here I'll show you them again."
I'm figuring that words are probably not enough to end this discussion. I'm 36, I'm smart. I've had a lot of life lessons. I figure that evidence is the key here. So, I proceed to lay all four books out on her MY LITTLE PONY bedspread. One, two, three, four - I count to myself – just to be sure. Yep. All present and accounted for. I smile, knowing there is nothing my sweet, little cherub can say to this.
"No, Mommy," she says again, in the low, slow voice I normally use when I'm trying to get rid of telemarketers at supper time. "That is three."
Okay, God - grant me a little patience here....
"Let's count them, honey," I say a little too high. Sticking out my index finger and pointing to the first one, I begin, "One, two, three, f--"
"No, Mommy." Isa shakes her head like a disappointed twenty-year-old, then jabs her thumb down atop the fourth book, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN. "This is not a book. This is a song."
I pause for a moment, hoping something smart will come to me. Like, 'sure it's a song, but it's between two flaps of paper.' But then, so is sheet music..ugh! I sit there, my enormous tush causing the mattress to sag. I'm caught somewhere between my daughter frustrating the heck out of me and my belief that she is already bordering on genius.
A perpetual state, me thinks.
And for the record, I read her another book.
posted by Laura Wright at 8:54 AM
Monday, March 27, 2006
BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT ... LITERALLY!
I've read some of the previous blogs of my writing peers. They're all smart, savvy and full of wisdom. Unfortunately all the wisdom that I once possessed evaporated ...er...well, about 8 months ago. Yes, folks as soon as the bun went into the oven, the brain cells jumped ship. So, I won't be teaching anything this week. I won't be attempting to bring about any thought-provoking topics for you all to ponder, then discuss. I'm just going to ramble on incoherently about what's going on in my life, and hopefully you mothers and wives can impart your wisdom on me – and even you single chicks too. Sound good? Well, here goes.
I'm close to eight months pregnant - with my second child - and I'm seeing a whole new pattern developing. One I didn't have to contend with the first time around. Certain people (these are the people without common decency filters) seem to think I am not 8 months pregnant, but somewhere closer to 14. If that's not bad enough they follow up with questions about HOW MANY babies I'm actually carrying. To which I like to answer, (a deranged smile on my face) "I'm not having a baby. I'm carrying a litter of gray squirrel. The vet thinks there's somewhere between 10 and 12"
The wide-eyed fearful stare I receive from this answer is almost worth the humiliation I feel.
Now, although I live in Los Angeles - home to the size 2 pregnancy jean - I'm not one of those petite, waif-like, actress/mommy creatures you see in US magazine. I'm not exactly Attila the Hun either. I'm relatively normal. I've got a little extra in the hip and butt area, but hey, who doesn't right? I just want to say to these people, "Get a clue! Do you now how ginormous I already feel? Now, you've made me want to run home, strike that - waddle home - grab the two boxes of Little Debbie Easter Cakes I have stashed under my bed and camp out in front of all six seasons of Sex and the City."
This is a deliciously therapeutic solution, of course, but disastrous on the ever-expanding waistline!
I've been told by several abnormally thin pregnant sources to exercise regularly during this time. Lightly, of course. No bench pressing parked cars - my usual 3x a week routine. They say that this should keep the stretch marks, weight gain and cellulite in check. But walking makes my ankles swell up to three times their natural size, I don't have a pool and I feel I need a television in front of my treadmill to really get into it. So, instead I've challenged myself to things like switching sides while I sleep, sitting up in bed when I eat ice cream and, if I'm really adventurous, pointing and flexing my toes while I write. So far the pointing and flexing has only managed to give me a serious leg cramp, which can really spoil the mood of the love scene I'm writing. Ah…writing….a side note - a lovely yet ridiculous task for me right now, as I have a demanding 3 year old, and can hardly stay awake past 7:30. But I press on, commited to punish my three sexy alpha male as I would like to punish all males during these last few months....
But back to the real problem at hand ... As far as my bigness, I do have someone on my side, though. Someone who understands me, the woman. My doctor. A lovely petite creature with chocolate brown doe eyes, who tells me that I'm perfectly on track, beautiful, glowing, making a life with my own...blah diddy blah blah (this is all before she weighs me of course, and has the embarrassing discussion about why I'm producing so much gas I could fuel a jet!) I'm not sure if her comments are genuine… I feel that she probably has to say nice things to me. "Keep the moral up, sister! Just get her to the pushing stage ..." But it's better than nothing, and certainly better than the "You got a hanger to land planes in there or what?"kind of comments. So, to thank her I do something I wouldn't do for anyone else. I actually shower, put on makeup and get dressed in something other than my robe. It's damn hard work, but she tells me I look pretty in my tent shirts! Baby Steps.
Had enough? No? Well then come back tomorrow for more tales from KNOCKED-UP-WRITER-LAND.
And as I try and write this next book of mine with all its sexy, fabulous and highly neurotic characters in it, I'd love to hear the strange, insensitive, cutting and/or soul-shattering remarks you've received during your pregnancies ... Bring it on!
Guaranteed good times!
posted by Laura Wright at 8:04 AM
Friday, March 24, 2006
A Question of Love
Is love a feeling or a choice?
It's a good question. One worthy of a romance writer's thoughtful response. When this question was posed to a class of freshmen who were studying Romeo and Juliet, their nearly unanimous response was that it is a feeling. After all, they asked why would Romeo and Juliet fall for one another under such dreadful circumstances if choice had anything to do with it? Indeed. Surely we can all agree that initial impressions and chemical reactions do play havoc with our hormones and our minds. Much of the opening chapters in a romance focus heavily on the "feeling" part of falling in love. It is in subsequent chapters, however, that we test the depth of our characters' meddle in how they choose to handle all the obstacles that an author puts between them and their ultimate soul mate.
While I would have to agreee that feeling has a great deal to do with the honeymoon phase of a relationship, I would argue that it is definitely a choice to stay in love. We chose to stay in love when our significant other becomes ill, gets fat and bald, or makes some terrible mistake. We hope he will do the same when we fall short of Miss America runway ideals too.
One of the things that I love about being a romance writer is that I get to chose love every single day. With all apologies to Shakespeare aside, I'm glad I don't have to kill my characters off for them to find everlasting love. As I head into a blessed week of spring break, I wish you all love and laughter and thank you for your patience with my first experience with blogging. It's been a blast.
posted by Cathleen Galitz at 3:49 PM
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Heroes
What makes a hero heroic?
I believe the answer to this question bysteps popular belief that men have to be all things to all people. I'm drawn to alpha men in my writing and in my own life. That doesn't mean, of course, that I don't appreciate a man who'll do the dishes once in a while. It just means I'm more drawn to a man who is willing to be confident in the face of risk more than some ultra sensitive guy who's more concerned with androgyny than protecting his woman. True, his manliness may endanger her along the way as well if she doesn't help him figure out that it's okay to be let down his guard once in a while. (She secretly takes a certain satisfaction in polishing off his rough edges.) Such men appeal to our need for security. That doesn't automatically render a heroine a wimp either. It just makes her feel feminine and safe and loved in a world that is placing increasing demands on her.
A hero should offer his woman his full attention when he takes her on a romantic date. Although he is ambition oriented, he knows when to call an end to a business day and focus on what his soul mate has to say. He listens. He may be tempted to rush in and save the day when all she really wants is to have a discussion that will help her figure things out herself, but he really listens nonetheless. He makes her feel beautiful. And she makes him feel like the hero of all his boyhood dreams.
Of course, it doesn't hurt if she's wildly attracted to him physically as well. . .
posted by Cathleen Galitz at 5:12 AM
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
What's Romantic?
When considering the question "What's romantic?" I'm inclined to say any meal with my sweetheart that doesn't involve me cooking it. Beyond the obvious over-the-top gestures like honeymoon and anniversary cruises or honking diamonds, I am deeply moved by small, thoughtful gifts that let me know my man is just thinking about me. These include sweet, sexy emails and heartfelt handwritten notes received in the mail. There is just something about a busy man making the time to pick out a card, write something special inside, and actually mail it that melts me every time. Of course, what woman doesn't love to have her fellow pick up after himself (or her), do a load of laundry, or put on his barbeque apron without being asked?
That's romantic. That's the stuff upon which long-lasting relationships are based.
Of course, flowers are always nice too.
posted by Cathleen Galitz at 5:50 PM
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
First Day of Spring
You couldn't tell it was the first day of spring from the weather here. It snowed all day, and I had to put my truck into four-wheel drive just to get to work. Luckily it was a wet snow that had the farmers rejoicing. It shouldn't stay on the ground long as more temperate weather is predicted for the end of the week--good news for a wimp like me.
One thing I like about Wyoming is the change of seasons. It reminds me that all things, including writing, have their own seasons and can't be rushed (although deadlines help). As a school teacher, I can assure you that students can feel a change coming well before the weather channel can put it on the television screen. Good thing spring break is just around the corner.
I hope you experience the renewal of spring in your heart and spirit and that you are blessed with temperate weather this coming week.
posted by Cathleen Galitz at 7:08 PM
Monday, March 20, 2006
A First
This is my first blog. Thinking about this leads to comtemplation about some of the other "firsts" in my life. First kiss. First love. First baby. First published book. . . All are big and wonderful events in my life, but since so many people ask how I came to become a published author, I will focus on that particular "first" for this posting.
I wish I could say that I simply sat down one summer and transcribed something wonderful that my muse whispered in my ear, but that would be untrue. My "first" book was actually my third attempt at getting published (the other two efforts were thankfully incinerated shortly thereafter so I wouldn't be tempted to 'revise' them). I remember being so excited when "the call" finally came. It was the first human contact beyond written correspondence I'd ever had with an actual editor, and I walked around in a happy fog for the rest of the day. For some odd reason I was surprised by how very nice and genuine my editor was--and how excited she was to launch my writing career. I guess I thought all editors were gruff and hard bitten. After several more revisions, the manuscript was officially accepted, and I awaited the actual publication with unbridled anticipation. Seeing my name on the cover of a book was a real rush--something I'd dreamed of ever since I was a little girl haunting the aisles of our local library.
If any of you are considering a writing career, my advice is to remain tenacious. My own experience is far more common than those authors who never had to suffer a rejection slip. It's simply part of the business, and it makes you stronger. Really. In more areas of your life than just writing too.
As I write this, snowflakes melt into the river outside my writing window and a pair of ducks paddle upstream. Such overcast days are good writing days for me and so instead of doing the laundry piling up, I think I'll see how far I can get on my work in progress before my husband drags me off the the health club. He assures me it is for my own good. . .
posted by Cathleen Galitz at 11:45 AM
Friday, March 17, 2006
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
St. Patrick's Day! Today is the six-year anniversary of the day I met my husband. Time really does fly. Despite being as far from a barhopper as it's possible to be, I get to say for the rest of my life that I met my husband in a bar (grin, groan).
As a romance writer, I often get asked about all things romantic. How do you define romance? What's the most romantic thing that someone has done for you? How would you describe a romantic meal?
Particularly now as a new mother, I have to agree with those who say that the romance is in the little things. Not necessarily grand gestures like sweeping someone off to Paris on the spur of the moment. But things like having your husband fold laundry or entertain the baby so you can grab a few moments to yourself. . .and maybe read that romance novel that's been sitting on your night table.
posted by Anna DePalo at 7:05 AM
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Battling Your Inner Housewife
I'm the type of person who keeps a running list in her head of things that need to be done, and the list just keeps getting longer. At this rate, I will never die. LOL. Because I work from home, those little things that need to be done are there around me all day long, niggling me. Hey, you, when are you going to get this done? My husband, on the other hand, can walk around the house blind to dust bunnies, unaware of the unpolished silver keepsakes, happy. Men generally, I've found, are good at simply saying "that doesn't have to be done" instead of tearing their hair out trying to figure out how to get it done at all costs.
What does this have to do with being a writer? Well, it's about resisting the tug of other chores in order to get the writing done. The way I cope is to do at least one thing on my list every day, no matter how busy I am and no matter how small the task, even if it's just a short phone call. The other thing I do is simply to cross off things I will never get to. Yes, just cross them off. Someone let me in on this secret at some point, and you wouldn't believe how liberating this method is. There are plenty of things that will cease to matter (as much) once they've been postponed a few months, or that will simply resolve themselves. Some time ago, I read a short essay by a congresswoman who had raised five kids. Her secret? If a bag of laundry stayed in the basement for a year without anyone missing it, it automatically got donated to charity. Words to live by (grin).
posted by Anna DePalo at 5:12 PM
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
The Author's World View
Now that I've written four books, I've seen a pattern emerge. Some people call it the "author's voice," but I'm talking about more than a particular writer's tendency to use certain words or write short, pithy dialogue, or be inclined towards long, flowy descriptive paragraphs. I guess what I'm talking about has more to do with the author's "world view." One of the often overlooked benefits of being a writer is that it's a tremendous opportunity for personal growth. You're thrust into situations right along with your characters--more decisions than any one person can possibly face in a lifetime--and you're forced to ask yourself, what's the appropriate reaction here? Of course, I'm not saying that every character's decision has to be the same as the decision that you yourself would make in that situation, but there's often a moment when you're writing--at least for me--when you often pause to consider what you yourself would do. And of course, you also have to consider the overall message that you want the reader to come away with after reading your book. Yes, romance is escapist fare--just like most other genres of popular fiction and much of popular entertainment--but it's still important to consider what lessons you want to convey. Is it good to take risks, or is impetuousness a vice? Is it better to seek advice before making a decision, or good to rely on your own counsel? After four books, I've realized, for me, it's always about the woman who learns to assert her independence, even if the path ahead looks scary.
posted by Anna DePalo at 8:00 AM
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The Thrill of Publication
Today is the official release date for Cause for Scandal! Yeah! This is my fourth book, but I still get a thrill from hitting the store shelves. On Friday (an unseasonably warm day here in New York City), I was out and about, pushing the baby in his stroller, and decided on the spur of the moment--as I was walking by--to pop into my local branch of the public library (not that I have much time to read for pleasure these days). Wow, was I glad I did! So as I scanned the revolving paperback romance racks, what did I see? Me! Well, not me exactly. But my books me. Yes, not one, but two, Anna DePalo paperback romances. One copy each of my two releases last year, Under the Tycoon's Protection and Tycoon Takes Revenge. Fortunately, both copies looked well thumbed through (grin). It was weird seeing myself in my local library. After all, this is where I spent hours reading other people's books over the years. Cue in the Oscar music. This is the part where the breathless award-winning actress gets to the mike and says she's speechless...never thought she'd be her...wants to thank everyone, including her first-grade teacher (hi, Mrs. Anest!) and her nearest friend's law school classmate's cousin (Joe, thanks again for introducing me to my husband!). Anyway, I was immediately faced with a terrible quandary: autograph the books in black ink or blue? (Grin.) What's an author to do?
posted by Anna DePalo at 6:36 AM
Monday, March 13, 2006
Q & A with Anna DePalo
Why do you write for Desire?
I started reading the Desire romances back in the 80s and early 90s, when stars like Barbara Boswell and Jayne Ann Krentz (writing as Stephanie James) were getting Desire established as a great imprint to read and to write for. So naturally, a few years later, when I started to think about writing a novel, Desire seemed a great place to try to break in because I was so familiar with the books.
Do you plot first, or just sit down and write?
I have a general idea of where I'm going before I start writing. I write a synopsis for my editor in order to sell the book, but I also try, for my own benefit, to do a chapter-by-chapter outline with a brief description of the scenes in each chapter and a designation of the point of view in each scene. I also do rough character sketches of my hero and heroine, listing each character's name, occupation, age, hair color, build, likes/dislikes and personality traits. The character sketches help me when I get stuck: I'll go back to them and see if there is a detail I can explore and use to move the story forward.
What's your writing schedule?
It's constantly evolving. When I sold my first book, I was still working as an attorney in my day job, so I wrote mostly on weekends and some evenings. Last year, while pregnant and out of my day job, I had the luxury of deciding when I would write. It evolved into a pattern of some early morning hours, before my husband got up and left for work, and some mid-afternoon hours. Since I suffered from insomnia off and on, I also took to writing during the middle of a night, which was great in terms of having a low probability of being interrupted by a phone call or a ringing door bell. Now, with a four-month-old in the house, my schedule is in flux again. I try to write during nap time, some early mornings and some late nights.
Do you draw on your real life experiences for the settings of your books?
I think all authors do -- or have to. My books about the Whittaker family are set in Boston, where I went to college. The book that's out this month, Cause for Scandal, part of the Elliott family continuity series, is set in New York City, where I grew up. It's always fun to add some elements from places I've been, whether it's a neighborhood I've visited, or a bar that's sort of a composite of a few establishments I've been in.
posted by Anna DePalo at 8:07 AM
Friday, March 10, 2006
Five Secrets to Writing a Great Desire: Secret Five
It's Friday. Last day of blogging. Last secret...
Melissa Talking:
5) Create a dramatic story. All four of the previous elements will make for a very dramatic conflict, setting and characters. But they won't work together if an author doesn't push the envelope with dramatic writing. The tone of a Desire should be powerful and edgy, not flat and unemotional. New drama should unfold on every page and a reader should be swept away by the story and the storytelling.
Barbara Talking:
Every "secret" revealed this week has brought us to this final day. There's nothing simple or easy about this process, in fact, it's darn difficult. But while some of us may be writers, ALL of us are readers. In City Slickers, the Curly character, (Jack Palance) is talking about life and he says, lifting one finger,"There's one thing, just one thing..." If I had to say there's one thing in writing, it's story. Give me a story--dramatic and emotional--and you'll keep me turning the pages, keep me reading, until that last, wonderful page. That's what the New Desire is all about, ladies. That one thing...
And now here we are at the end of the week. The Goddess of Desire has imparted her Wisdom and Secrets, and you are now a member of The Chosen Few. Go forth and use this knowledge wisely, my Sisters.
Thanks to all of you who joined Melissa and me this week and a special thanks to all of you who took the time to comment and share their thoughts. You are all amazing women!
please stop by and visit me at www.barbaramccauley.com any time!
Bio: Senior Editor Melissa Jeglinski is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in English, Melissa relocated to New York City and began working at Harlequin Books. During her years with the company, Melissa has discovered over fifteen first time authors, worked on almost every line the company publishes and sorted through more than her fair share of manuscripts. Melissa currently resides in Queens with her girls—two cats named Esmerelda and Tallulah.
posted by Barbara McCauley at 7:11 AM
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Five Secrets to Writing a Great Desire! Secret Four
It's Thursday. Secret Number Four Day.
Melissa Talking:
4) Create a setting of wealth and power. Desires are not set in the everyday world…or at least the world most readers live in. Make certain that the world of privledge is part of the book and insinuate it in every way. The hero doesn't drive a car, he drives a Jaguar or has a chaueffer. He doesn't wear a Timex, he wears a platinum Rolex. And he calls Tiffany’s to have them send over some jewelry for him to look at. They don't attend the movies, they attend balls and charity functions. And be sure to describe the wealthy surroundings, making the reader feel part of that world.
Barbara Talking Now:
Obviously, wealthy, powerful men who can have anything they want--except the heroine, or the heroine's heart--are sexy and appealing. This is the direction for the New Desire. We can still have our cowboys and cops, but they're going to be very successful, or have money, even if they choose not to use it. But the majority of the New Desire Alpha Males will be very wealthy, and willing to use that money and power to achieve any goal they set. This has already been the basis for the Dynasties. Jets, Ferrari's, yachts--they have it all. Ah, but that's where Secret Number One comes back into play. Conflict... Now that's the New Desire, ladies.
Watch for tomorrow's secret. Last but not least, I assure you...
Bio: Senior Editor Melissa Jeglinski is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in English, Melissa relocated to New York City and began working at Harlequin Books. During her years with the company, Melissa has discovered over fifteen first time authors, worked on almost every line the company publishes and sorted through more than her fare share of manuscripts. Melissa currently resides in Queens with her girls—two cats named Esmerelda and Tallulah.
posted by Barbara McCauley at 7:07 PM
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Five Secrets to Writing a Great Desire:Secret Three
Secret Number Three unfolds...
From Melissa:
3)Create an original and flawed heroine. No one is perfect, and that is especially true for the Desire heroine. She needs to have some faults in her back story, a bad love affair where maybe she did some injuring instead of always being injured. A moment of bad judgement that’s still making her pay for her mistakes. But make sure the Desire reader can also like her. Remember, however, that no one likes the perfect girl because who can really relate to her?
From Barbara:
This is especially interesting, Melissa. While I have a tendency to write a flawed hero (Heathcliff, where are you?) it's a bit more difficult to add that extra dimension of imperfection to a heroine. A moment of bad judgment could certainly be the one night stand or night of passion, maybe a bad marriage. Then there are those heroines who are intentionally outrageous to hide their fear of never being loved. Then there was Sugar Beth in "Ain't She Sweet." Lord, talk about flawed. Maybe a bit over the top for me, but the idea is the same. Definitely something to think about as we create heroines the readers can relate to.
So we've covered conflict, heroes, and heroines. And what will tomorrow be...hm?
Bio: Senior Editor Melissa Jeglinski is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in English, Melissa relocated to New York City and began working at Harlequin Books. During her years with the company, Melissa has discovered over fifteen first time authors, worked on almost every line the company publishes and sorted through more than her fare share of manuscripts. Melissa currently resides in Queens with her girls—two cats named Esmerelda and Tallulah.
posted by Barbara McCauley at 7:08 AM
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Five Secrets to Writing a Great Desire: Number Two
Are we ready to talk more Secrets, ladies? Here's the next one...
From Melissa:
2) Create a powerful Alpha hero. An Alpha in Desire is rich, yes, and powerful. But he's not one to sit idly back. He's not a thinker, he's a doer. Make him active and reactive to situations. He sets things in motion, he has the means to make things happen and he will. He should never be cruel or physical. But when he wants the heroine he'll stop at nothing to have her.
Barbara here:
What's a romance novel without these hunky heroes? Okay, sometimes Beta guys are great, I've read lots of them that make my heart melt, but the new Desire man will be consistent with the Alpha personality. Strong, determined, a man who can have anything he wants, and he wants you (well, the heroine, but don't we all get to be the heroine of the books we read and write, for just a little while?)
Oh, and Melissa, I love the "he'll stop at nothing to have her." Sexy stuff. And the "powerful" goes hand in hand with Desire heroes, but now he not only has emotional and sexual power, but money power, as well. A deadly combination.
Bio: Senior Editor Melissa Jeglinski is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in English, Melissa relocated to New York City and began working at Harlequin Books. During her years with the company, Melissa has discovered over fifteen first time authors, worked on almost every line the company publishes and sorted through more than her fare share of manuscripts. Melissa currently resides in Queens with her girls—two cats named Esmerelda and Tallulah.
posted by Barbara McCauley at 7:42 AM
Monday, March 06, 2006
Five Secrets to Writing a Great Desire
Okay, I admit it. I'm cheating. These aren't really my secrets--these are straight from Melissa Jeglinski, Senior Editor of the Desire line at Silhouette. Trust me, her secrets are much more interesting than mine! January 2007 begins the new Desire. Desire like you've never known before. Desire as it should be: exciting, fast-paced, and oh, so romantic.
So reader and writers alike, this is it. The New Desire. Each day this week I'll reveal one new secret, as told to me by Melissa.
Secret Number One:
1) Create a complex conflict. Even the simplest set up could be added to in order to create a more dramatic conflict than previously dealt with in Desire. So a simple Cinderella marriage story becomes a marriage of revenge plot in which the hero seduces the plain Jane hero, not to just sweep her off her feet, but so that he can destroy her father. Or a secret baby plot becomes more complex when the heroine is the hero's mistress and he thinks she was sleeping with his brother.
Okay, Barbara speaking now.
Thanks, Melissa. Conflict is one the most difficult, yet most important elements of a story. (by the way, I like the "marriage of revenge" plot.) And it sounds as if the hero has more of an edge, too. I'm already gasping that the hero would think the heroine might have slept with his brother! (Ah, but I see tomorrow's "secret" will address that...)
Bio for Melissa Jeglinski:
Senior Editor Melissa Jeglinski is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in English, Melissa relocated to New York City and began working at Harlequin Books. During her years with the company, Melissa has discovered over fifteen first time authors, worked on almost every line the company publishes and sorted through more than her fair share of manuscripts. Melissa currently resides in Queens with her girls--two cats named Esmerelda and Tallulah.
Visit Barbara's website
posted by Barbara McCauley at 9:00 PM
Friday, March 03, 2006
TGIF!!
When I worked a real job...I always say that like writing isn't a real job! Anyway, I lived for Friday. I agonzied through the week waiting for Friday. Now that I'm writing full time there are a lot of weeks when I go...it's Friday, already?! Mainly because during the week I haven't finished everything I wanted to accomplish and Friday is the enemy. A day that I use to gauge what I've done and some weeks come up short.
Not this week. This week I wanted to blog here (check!), revise my Fantasy Mistress proposal for Desire (check!), start new dangerous dark paranormal idea (check!), eat healthy (amazingly, check!), chat with friends (check!)
What about you and Fridays? Love them? Hate them? Just another day?
Kathy :)
posted by Katherine Garbera at 5:16 AM
Thursday, March 02, 2006
New Words
Writing is all about words of course but while I'm working my way through the book I feel like I'm stuck with the same bunch of words. Like I keep reusing them. Sometimes a new word will come up it becomes my favorite. And after I've used it once, I want to keep reusing it. I don't, but it's very tempting.
My son who's 9 found a new word this week. Leotard. To him it sounds funny and he's been using it a lot lately. Just yesterday he changed the lyrics to just about every song on the radio to something involving new leotards, old leatards, the need to find a leotard. He's pretty creative and seldom repeats one of his new lyrics, just the word leotard.
It made me think of all the ordinary words that I never use. I'm trying hard to come up with a way to use leotard and make it sound romantic but I have to be honest, I'm struggling!
What words do you like?
Kathy :)
posted by Katherine Garbera at 5:08 AM
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
What Happens In Vegas...
I love Las Vegas. It's such a fun city where anything can and probably does happen! My new series for Desire is full of wickedly handsome wealthy men and deep dark secrets that promise lots of scandal. On my last trip to Vegas I ate some delicious meals, didn't win a dime and spent a little too much money...nothing to risky, but the temptation of being there always makes me think about what kind of outrageous thing I could do.
What would you do in Vegas if there were no consequences and no one would ever find out?
I think I'd do something very un-Kathy. Maybe something completely Vegas like being a showgirl or betting all my money in the high stakes poker room or maybe do some crazy sky-diving thing.
Kathy :)
posted by Katherine Garbera at 6:04 AM
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