Happy Birthday and Publication Day, Romaniacs. 2 today!
As part of the team, I am thrilled to announce the release of our first anthology, Romaniac Shorts.
All the news is at Romaniac HQ: http://theromaniacgroup.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/birthday-celebrations-in-romaniac-shorts/
We hope you enjoy our short stories and flash fiction.
Have a great day.
Out there in the open – it’s Romaniac Shorts, hanging on the washing line for everyone to see.
What an exciting week it’s been. As part of the Romaniacs, a wonderful group of fellow writers, and my very good friends, I enjoyed a cover reveal on Thursday.
Romaniac Shorts is a diverse collection of short stories and flash fiction, ranging from romance, to crime, to fantasy, written by the eight Romaniacs, whose writing styles are as different as the shorts on our cover. It will go live on Amazon, as an eBook, this coming Thursday 13 February, in celebration of our two years together. All proceeds are to be shared between Dyslexia Action and the RNA.
To find out a little more, please visit the Romaniacs blog, here.
In the meantime, here is the fantastic cover, designed and created by our very own, Vanessa Savage.
Can you guess which pair of shorts is mine?
Writing Processes. Do I have one?
Today is Blog Tour Day. This blog tour is where writers and authors answer questions about their writing process. My friend and fellow Choc Lit author, Janet Gover, posted hers last week. It’s a great read. Very interesting. I love finding out how writers tackle novels. You can check out Janet’s writing process here.
I have four questions to answer.
You see, now I’m thinking of the Two Ronnies. This isn’t the first time. It’s the ‘four’ that does it. I’m instantly transported to a hardware store, watching Ronnie Barker harass Ronnie Corbett with ‘four candles.’ I’ll show you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz2-ukrd2VQ
As usual, I digress, but what a marvellous, comic display of writing and acting.
Without further ado, or forays into the past, I shall answer my four questions.
1) What am I working on?
I have Book 3 planned and underway. Its working title is What Doesn’t Kill You, and it’s an issue-driven romance, with a strong focus on family relationships. It’s set in Weymouth and Portland, an area I love with a passion. It has so much drama and beauty. The recent storms have provided the opening backdrop and set the tone of the story. My hero, Griff, is a coastguard – strong, protective, and in command. He is master of his own destiny. He respects and loves his father, a courageous, dominant being in his youth, but age, illness and disability has withered the old man, stolen his strength, and destroyed his independence, all things Griff fears. Throw into the maelstrom a demanding job, a two-year-old son and an errant teenage step-daughter, and Griff’s eighteen month marriage to Evie is at breaking point. His relationship is all at sea.
What Doesn’t Kill You is an insider’s view of the pressures and difficulties faced by today’s sandwich generation, and like Truth or Dare?, there will be dark before the dawn.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
There is an edge to my work that is not always expected in a romance. One review of Truth or Dare? put it succinctly: ‘A love story without the soft edges.’ And my publisher, Choc Lit, have got my number: ‘Laura E James tackles some thorny issues in this new Choc Lit Lite, showing that contemporary romantic fiction is not all flowers and swooning heroines.’
3) Why do I write what I do?
I’m a big fan of Jodi Picoult, and love the way she tackles taboo subjects. This is reflected in my books, but because I also enjoy romance, my characters will always search for the hopeful or happy ever after ending.
4) How does my writing process work?
Hmm. That’s under debate.
I’m on book 3, and have made an effort to plan this one. For Truth or Dare?, and Follow Me, I had a beginning and an exact end – I knew what was being said, by whom and where. I had a rough idea of how to get from A to Z, but for the most part the paths were built on ‘what if’, as I went along.
I now have a cartoon image of manoeuvring rocks over tree trunks, pulling the last log out, and hauling it to the front, to continue the forward motion.
I enjoy the organic growth of the characters. On occasion, they surprise me, and one or two of them have been known to solve plot problems on my behalf.
For What Doesn’t Kill You, although I’ve planned, it’s not to the enth degree. There’s plenty of room for improvisation and what ifs.
I write in silence, and it can take me a while to enter ‘the zone’. I don’t set a daily word count – I write as much or as little as is in me, and I cannot switch off my inner editor. If something isn’t right, I have to fix it ‒ otherwise I cannot move on. I don’t write a dirty first draft, but I am acutely aware it is still the first draft, and I love editing – it appeals to my ‘correct’ nature.
NEXT WEEK:
I am thrilled my three friends, Sue Fortin, a fellow Romaniac, whose debut novel, Unites States of Love is available here, Nikki Goodman, recently signed by HarperImpulse, and Crooked Cat author, Kathy Sharp, Isle of Larus, have taken the Blog Tour challenge. They will be sharing their writing processes next Monday on their blogs, as follows:
Sue Fortin: Sue writes women’s fiction; contemporary, suspense and time-slip. All with romance and a touch of danger.
Lover of cake, Dragonflies and France. Hater of calories, maths and snakes. Sue was born in Hertfordshire but had a nomadic childhood, moving often with her family, and for a time, did actually think her name was ‘The New Girl’. However, having lived in West Sussex all her adult life, it does feel like home and, these days, she knows what my name is!
Sue is married with four children, all of whom patiently give her time to write but, when not behind the keyboard, she likes to spend my time with them, enjoying both the coast and the South Downs, between which they are nestled.
She is a proud to be a spoke in the wheel of The Romaniacs – her lovely supportive friends who she wouldn’t be without and without whom, she says, she wouldn’t be here.
Sue is delighted to be part of the Harper Collins group, through Harper Impulse, who have published her debut novel ‘United States of Love’.
http://suefortin.wordpress.com/
Nikki Goodman: Nikki Moore lives in beautiful Dorset and writes short stories and sexy contemporary romances for Harper Impulse. The first chapter of her book Crazy, Undercover, Love can be read for free in the HI sampler at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Loving-Year-Love-Romance-HarperImpulse-ebook/dp/B00GWG5EEI
She is also a contributor to the RNA/Harlequin short story Anthology Truly, Madly, Deeply (2014).
A finalist in several writing competitions including Novelicious Undiscovered 2012, she graduated from the RNA New Writers’ Scheme after four years and has contributed to their magazine Romance Matters. She has far too much fun attending the annual RNA conference and has previously chaired a panel and taken part in a workshop at the Festival of Romance.
She blogs about some of her favourite things – Writing, Work and Wine – at http://nikkimooreauthor.wordpress.com/ and believes in supporting other writers as part of a friendly, talented and diverse community.
You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NikkiMooreAuthor or on Twitter @NikkiMoore_Auth and she invites you to pop in for chats about love, life, reading or writing!
Kathy Sharp: Kathy Sharp is the author of Isle of Larus, a fantasy tale inspired by the Jurassic Coast, and published by Crooked Cat Publishing in 2013. She is now working on the sequel, Sea of Clouds. Blog: http://tinyurl.com/pq8jenp
It’s over to you …
Handy New Year – that’s what I’ll be having, with another sixteen days in plaster. The Hand is sporting a fantastic, luminous orange, lightweight cast. I’m very attached to it. I once had welly boots the same orange – I remember splashing about in them. I digress.
I hope you had a great Christmas and are now ready for 2014. Our tree will come down on New Year’s Day, as we prepare for my son’s birthday. I like to have a marked distinction between the events. It’s the end and the beginning wrapped up in a few days.
I’ve spent time reflecting. 2013 has been an enormous year for us.
Shortly after the first anniversary of my mum’s death, my family and I set off to Florida, and spent an incredible three weeks visiting Disneyworld and Universal Studios. This is a holiday I will never forget. It was special. It was healing. It was magical.
A glorious week was spent in Italy, at Arte Umbria, with Celia Anderson, on a course led by Sue Moorcroft, followed by a fab weekend in Sheffield with my lovely Romantic Novelists’ Association and Romaniac friends at the annual RNA conference.
I saw Paloma Faith live twice, introducing my daughter to the live gig experience. Jessie J was the next concert my daughter attended, escorted by Gajitman, as I was away at the Festival of Romance.
Choc Lit accepted my manuscript and Truth or Dare? was published.
My short story, Bitter Sweet, was accepted for the RNA anthology due out early 2014, Truly, Madly, Deeply.
Truth or Dare? was nominated for the Festival of Romance Best Romantic Ebook award.
I received a new ulna joint.
Christmas dinner was cooked by my husband and daughter, and my son ensured our energy levels were high. I was thoroughly spoiled.
Well, that was my year, and supporting me all the way through with unconditional love was my small, but perfectly formed family, and my wonderful friends. Thank you so much.
And thank you to everyone who bought, read, and reviewed Truth or Dare?
I hope 2013 was kind to you, and I wish you all health, wealth and happiness for 2014.
Take care.
Naked. That’s how my left hand feels tonight, as it prepares for tomorrow’s surgery. It feels odd to not wear my rings, but I had to take them off when the opportunity arose – when my hands were at their coldest.
Tomorrow, assuming all goes to plan, my left arm will be wrapped snugly in a back-slab and bandages, following surgery to prevent further damage to my tendons.
I am a little obsessed with hands. Declan, my main man in ‘Truth or Dare?’ has safe hands, and it’s one of the first things the heroine, Kate, notices. She’s of the opinion one can tell a lot about a person from studying their hands.
I’m not letting her near mine.
While I still have both hands free to type, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your wonderful support this year. 2013 saw my debut novel published, which was a dream come true. Receiving 5* reviews and being nominated for an award has taken me beyond those dreams.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
My naked hand and I are off to bed – we have an early start.
Take care.
The party season is in full bloom, with the Festival of Romance, and the Romantic Novelists’ Association Winter Party paving the way. Both are great events, with opportunities to meet readers, writers, book bloggers, editors, agents – all sorts of industry professionals.
I met my publishers, Choc Lit, at the inaugural Festival of Romance, in 2011, not to mention the ladies who went on to become The Romaniacs.
The RNA parties provide the opportunity to meet with writing friends, and catch up with the latest news. It’s a great party.
I love these events, and if you are able to attend, I recommend doing so.
On the most recent trip to London for the RNA party, I had a few hours spare, so I took a trip to Harrods, something I haven’t done in years. The Christmas decorations are still on the third floor …
It was a fab couple of days away, but as always, I was pleased to be home with my lovely family, share with them my exploits, and show them the photos I’ve taken.
It took me a week to recover.
My next ‘big thing’ is a wrist operation, a week before Christmas, so I’m trying to get everything wrapped up before then. Excuse the pun.
Have a great weekend, and take care.
Laura x
Catching up with news? Sleep? Eating?
Yes to all three. What a weekend at Bedford’s Festival of Romance!
This was my third attendance, but my first as a published author, and it was a thrill to be behind the Choc Lit table, chatting with readers and writers who share the same passion for romance.
I took my Truth or Dare? scratch cards and I’m now waiting for more of those truths or dares to hit the wall of my Facebook page, before choosing a winner to receive a Kindle version of the book. If you have anything you wish to share, or evidence of a dare, why not drop by and reveal all, here?
Saturday night saw the presentation of the awards, the results of which can be seen here. Many congratulations to all the winners and nominees. I was particularly excited when my lovely Romaniac friend, Lucie Wheeler picked up the New Talent Award. Congratulations, Lucie – it was a hotly-contested prize.
On Sunday morning, I, along with another Romaniac friend, Celia J Anderson, Linn B Halton and Kristy Price were on a panel discussing the factors that helped us on our way to publication. For at least three of us, belonging to a writing group has made a huge difference, providing support, guidance, and friendship.
It was a great weekend.
And yes. I am still catching up.
Take care.
Laura x
The Festival of Romance has started! I shall be attending Saturday and Sunday, with my Truth or Dare? scratch cards.
This blog is a gallery of the fun my family and I had this week, making the cards, following a suggestion from fellow ChocLiteer, Rhoda Baxter. She sent me this link: http://www.cupcakesforclara.com/cupcakes_for_clara/2012/03/the-make-your-own-scratch-cards-tutorial.html which is fabulous, and I must acknowledge Cupcakes for Clara – thank you.
Gajitman is holding the fort back here, so it’s a weekend with the girls … I look forward to seeing you in Bedford this weekend.
Come and play Truth or Dare? for a chance to win a Kindle version of my book. There will be one winner only, so I want to see your best dares, and hear your most honest truths. 😀 Applies to my scratch card game only.
Dare you play?
Have a great weekend.
Laura x
Adrenalin rush? I’m not sure that covers the excitement of the past week.
On Sunday 20th October, Truth or Dare?, my debut novel, published by Choc Lit Lite, was nominated for the Best Romantic Ebook award, organised by the Festival of Romance, and then the book went live on Amazon on October 23rd 2013.
I woke the next morning to more excitement as I checked the Amazon rankings. The book hit #1609 in ‘Paid Kindle’, and #37 in Fiction > Romance > Thrillers and Suspense, and #36 in Fiction > Romance > Romantic Suspense.
Being new to this, I have no idea how the rankings work, but it was as thrilling as Disneyworld’s Harry Potter Dragon Challenge ride to see it hit the top 40, albeit for a brief time. Another adrenalin rush.
Then yesterday morning, a friend alerted me to the fact my local radio station, Wessex FM, was running the news of the award on their bulletins and website.
As it stands, Truth or Dare? has received 2 reviews, both 5*, and I’d like to thank everyone who takes the time to leave their thoughts on Amazon, and thank you to everyone who has already bought a copy, tweeted and Facebooked news of its arrival, and eased it into the big, wide world. I am overwhelmed and touched by your amazing support. Thank you.
I hope you enjoy the read.
Here’s a clip from one of our favourite TV shows in the James household: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ9Uct0LHR0 – the Big Bang Theory girls, playing Truth or Dare?, just as many of our lovely friends did at Romaniac HQ on Thursday 🙂
My intention today is to start the planning process for book 3, and using techniques taught to me this summer, I’m aiming to write this book in nine months – that is half the time it took to write Follow Me, which in turn, took approximately four years less than ToD. Don’t ask.
So, without further procrastination, I shall unroll my large tube of lining paper and dive into my imaginery world.
I hope you are all safe from the storm and rain.
Take care.
Laura x
Weymouth and writing go together like fish and chips, the sea and sand, and Portland Bill and the red and white lighthouse. I love using scenery from my home town, and Chesil Beach features in both Truth or Dare? and Follow Me, but leading up to the release this week of my debut, Truth or Dare?, I would like to share with you an insight into my life, in fact and fiction.
Truth or Dare? begins in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, where I bought my first house. In the late eighties and early nineties, it was a small market town, a fifteen minute drive from the big shops in Central Milton Keynes. I moved there from Watford, primarily because property was cheaper, but also for my job. I was an insurance claims assessor, and Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire were part of my area.
My parents lived in Weymouth, and I visited whenever work, social life, and Rotaract permitted, rising early so during my drive I would see the sun drift over Salisbury Cathedral, and arrive in Weymouth in time to watch the dedicated dog-walkers set their hounds free on the beach. I would reach my parents’ house ready to sit at the family table for breakfast. Sometimes I told my mum I was coming, other times, I’d just pitch up.
I’ve lived in Weymouth for twenty years, on three separate occasions, this latest spell being the longest. I cannot imagine leaving. It holds many precious memories – marriage, births, deaths, friendships.
I love the scenery, the drama, the cry of the gulls. The sea.
It is no wonder Weymouth and Portland feature in my novels. I hope I can do it justice.
And I hope you enjoy reading Truth or Dare? It’s published today, and is available on Kindle.
Truth or Dare? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00G3I4PHM
Love’s a dangerous game …
Kate Blair’s sick of unrequited love. She’s quietly waited for Mickey for the past six years and finding a compass-carved heart, with their initials scratched through the middle, only strengthens her resolve: no more Mickey and no more playing it safe.
It’s time to take a chance on real love and Declan O’Brien’s the perfect risk. He’s handsome, kind, and crazy about her so it’s not long before all thoughts of Mickey come few and far between.
But old habits die-hard. Kate may have started to forget … but has Mickey?
Choc Lit Lite.