Writing Life
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Authors are Team Players Too
There are many quotes about writing being a solitary pursuit.
“Writing is one of the most solitary activities in the world.”
― The Alchemist
“Writing is a strange and solitary activity.”
―
“I am forever an advocate of books, both the reading of them and the writing. There is something sacred to me in that community. Because writing–and reading–is a solitary business. And it’s good to know I’m not alone.”
―
“It’s true that writing is a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much companionship a group of imaginary characters can offer once you get to know them.”
―
While the actual writing and composing of a story is a solo effort, I like Shannon Celebi’s reference to the community of those who read and write. This is particularly true for the romance genre, where readers and authors actively engage and connect through events such as book signings and Facebook parties.
Romance authors also collaborate. This makes the journey much less solitary and a whole lot more fun!
I am currently part of a multi-author project, and it’s been a great experience! We share ideas, brainstorm, and inspire each other’s creativity. The best part is that after working together as a team of authors, we’re able to share our handiwork with readers! From there, we are sharing the wealth, so to speak, with a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This project is a 10-author holiday anthology called Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge. You can preorder a copy for just 99¢. The box set will include a brand new story from my Impossible Mission series–Mission: Impossible to Wed.
Each novel in this sweet to steamy romance set has a Mistletoe Lodge, none the same, but all magical, Christmasy and full of Happily Ever After endings. Curl up in a favorite chair and treat yourself to 10 wonderful holiday romances full of Christmas trees, jingle bells and mistletoe. The box set includes new romances from:
Sabrina York
Tamara Ferguson
Jen Talty
Natalie Ann
Pam Binder
Tammy L. Grace
Jacki Delecki
Joanne Jaytanie
Kim Hornsby
Lauren Gayle
As if a holiday box set wasn’t enough fun, we also compiled a collection of holiday recipes. You can download the Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge Cookbook for FREE!
What is your favorite thing about being part of the romance reader-author community? I’d love to hear from you!
What I learned about military drones researching 'Mission: Impossible to Love'
In my new release, Mission: Impossible to Love, coming July 25, Elizabeth “Izzy” Benson is a tech genius whose Artificial Intelligence drone technology has been stolen and is being sold on the dark web. When I was writing the book,I spent a lot of time researching technology, including drones, AI, the dark web and hackers.
There is so much interesting research, and obviously not all of it can be included in a book. Here are a few facts I learned about drones that didn’t make it into Mission: Impossible to Love...but are still fascinating.
- Drone technology is also called “unmanned aerial vehicle” (UAV) technology.
- Drones (unmanned crafts) are built of lightweight composite materials, which enables military drones to fly at high altitudes, and are controlled from a ground-based system. Many drones are equipped with state of the art technology such as GPS, infrared cameras, and lasers.
- Applications for drones are becoming widespread in both the public and military sector. They come in a variety of sizes. The largest military UAV is the Predator drone. Click here to watch a video of a Predator drone taking off.
- Use of drones in the public sector is expanding. While you can’t yet have a pizza delivered by drone, this technology is widely used by companies for film, photo and video, as well as surveying and mapping land areas and inspecting and monitoring physical structures.
Here’s an excerpt from Mission: Impossible to Love. Enjoy this scene with Sten and Izzy and then preorder your copy to keep reading on release day!
Sten never stopped staring at her. “Avantus is using machine-learning algorithms to interpret drone-surveillance imagery. The company has managed to stay out of the controversy of using Artificial Intelligence in military operations. You have DOD security clearance, Ms. Benson?”
Why was he asking about her security clearance? What had he discovered about her? Paranoid fantasies of being dragged out of Dean’s office in handcuffs flashed before her. Now she could never ask Reeves for help in clearing her name. She had only planned to share her algorithm with him if she couldn’t stop Charles from selling it to North Korea or Russia.
“I have top secret level security clearance from my work at both Google and Avantus.” She didn’t add, “which you are totally aware of,” since she had been vetted before joining Dean’s software company.
All male eyes were now on her, and she felt the heat moving up her neck and across her chest. Darn her pale skin—it acted like a lie detector, preventing her from any subterfuge.
“But why leave Avantus?” Dean persisted. No wonder the man was a success. He was as tenacious as a colony of busy ants.
She gulped down the burning acid from her stomach moving upward. The noose was tightening around her neck. They didn’t still hang traitors, did they?
“I discovered that my work interests lie elsewhere.” Away from her cheating, conniving, criminal boyfriend.
“But I thought your second Ph.D. thesis was on machine learning?” Dean asked.
Izzy could feel the scorch of Sten’s intense focus zeroing in on her. It was as if he were slowly undressing her, leaving her sitting naked with every secret exposed. She could feel herself unraveling, wanting to believe that she’d soon wake up and be relieved that this was a bad dream.
“I never finished that Ph.D.”
Dean laughed. “At twenty-five, you still have plenty of time to finish it. Now, my daughter Sophie would say your arrival in Seattle was serendipitous. And I must agree. We need your help.”
“My help?” Izzy’s voice quivered. “How could I possibly help you?”
Mission: Impossible to Love ~ Releasing 7.25.19
Sources:
How Do Drones Work And What Is Drone Technology
Drones Are Doing More In U.S. Than You May Know, As These 3 Companies Show
When Horses are Cattle: Regency Slang and Expressions
I recently saw a Facebook post in which a historical romance writer shared a “correction notice” she’d received from a reader about referring to horses at “cattle.” Since when do horses moo?!
Of course, horses don’t moo, but according to Regency expressions and vernacular collected from the works of Georgette Heyer, the term “cattle” was sometimes used when referring to horses. If you’re still skeptical, a quick check of the Merriam-Webster dictionary found this definition for cattle: domesticated quadrupeds held as property or raised for use
I can’t fault the reader for alerting the author about this potential error. This expression was common more than 200 years ago and has–obviously–fallen out of use.
Balancing the use of vernacular language is a common challenge for authors. Sprinkling patois, jargon or slang into a story is one technique writers use to infuse authenticity to characters and setting. The goal is to use just enough to draw the reader into the period, era or community without confusing and frustrating them.
Here are a few examples from my most recent Regency romantic suspense, A Holiday Code for Love, book 7 in the Code Breakers series.
“Jack, where are we going?” Abbie paused and looked up at him. Her bright eyes were the same color as her sky-blue pelisse.
The soldier/footman opened the door to Rathbourne’s study. Jack didn’t see himself discussing his personal life with his superior. As Head of Intelligence, Rathbourne wasn’t the sort of chap who you would joke with or confide in.
“Mabel and Amelia are able to handle this group of people. And think of the great gossip with you, Jack, and Sabine all missing from the ball. Society will be entertained for weeks.” Aunt Euphemia winked. “Be aware of anyone watching you, my dear. Haste is needed.”
Have you ever encountered unfamiliar slang in a Regency romance? If yes, you might enjoy this guide to Regency Cant and Expressions or the Regency Reader blog’s Regency Lingo guide.
How do you feel about authors using slang and jargon in their books?
Romantic suspense research: DEF CON
Right now I am working on Mission: Impossible to Love, book 3 in the Impossible Mission romantic suspense series. After coming up with a premise for the story, it’s time for the fun part: research!
In Mission: Impossible to Love, Sten Jenkins and Elizabeth “Izzy” Benson are sent to a hacker convention, posing as black hat hackers trying to sell software that could jeopardize the security of U.S. military drones.
In researching black hat hackers, I learned about DEF CON, one of the world’s largest hacker conventions. Held annually in Las Vegas, the event draws IT security professionals, law enforcement officials, journalists, lawyers, federal government employees, students and–of course–hackers.
Since the first DEF CON in 1993, the event has expanded to feature speakers on a variety of topics, as well as cyber-security challenges and competitions known as hacking wargames. It has also gone international, with DEF CON CHINA 1.0, scheduled for May 31 to June 2.
A hacker convention is the perfect setting for romantic suspense that includes technology, cyber crime and “virtual’ espionage. Such events are straight out of today’s headlines. I hope readers enjoy the very real element of cyber danger in my new military romantic suspense story, coming July 25.
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Now Available for Preorder
📚Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xf82HV
📚 Nook: https://ift.tt/2CA7dRx
📚 iBooks: https://ift.tt/2UP3YNe
📚 Kobo: https://ift.tt/2CsWybl
📚 Google Play: https://ift.tt/2UQHnzG
Mood Music - One Writer's Inspiration
Palm Springs is one of my favorite destinations to visit. It has a glamorous past as a resort town for Hollywood celebrities, actors and entertainers in the 1940s and 1950s. While it might not be the glamorous playground to the stars it used to be, there is still nostalgia to be found.
One of the best places to experience the history of Palm Springs is The Casablanca Lounge at Melvyn’s. They feature nightly entertainment with live performances. Knowing I’m hanging out at the same club that hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Rat Pack definitely inspires my creativity. After enjoying a few hours of music and soaking up the ambiance, I’m ready to dive into the next chapter of my current work in progress, Mission: Impossible to Love.
What inspires your creativity? Does music help or hinder your imagination when you’re painting, writing or engaging in some other creative venture?
If you’d like more information about the history of Melvyn’s and the Ingleside Inn, you can read it here.
