Aug 8 2015

Gotta Get My Head In The Game #amwriting #writing

Great, now I’ve got Zach Efron singing in my brain. And doing….other things.

Okay, I can work with this.

Except I’m not writing about sex and steam right now. I’ve got a mystery to weave, and these next two chapters are critical. I’ve got a freaking spreadsheet full of details and I’ve charted out approximately which book and where within each book we find them in this 4-book story arc, and dammit, I don’t want to miss or overstate a one of them. They must be subtle.

And then my characters can have some sex.

Work first, then play.

Same for this author, so Netflix and I have to break up for a little while so I can get this done.

The sacrifices we make…

And Windsinger will be worth it – I promise!

Aug 6 2015

Is It Warm In Here? Oh, Sorry….That’s Just My Steamy Novella…#romance #goodreads #kindledeals

If you’re a fan of my Seeder Saga books and haven’t yet perused my novellas, this book is for you.

If you’re still on the fence about reading my stuff and have thought about the Seeder Saga – then for $.99 and a short read, this book is a good way to get to know how I write.

Because in my universe, the men are men and the women are all up in their face about it. And then the plot thickens, the clothes come off, the plot takes a turn, and the resolution will always be worth the wait.

I write smart women and equally smart men. I make them snarky and sarcastic and overly forceful at times, but I always try to keep the tension bubbling, just below the surface.

Want a peek inside this one? Check out the excerpt here.

And if you want to know how I like my men (and women), check out Captured by the Hunter, available on Amazon for Kindle or at Smashwords for all e-reading devices.

Aug 5 2015

Stephen King Says “Kill Your Darlings,” But I Say Wound Them, Too

It’s a standard piece of writing advice echoed by Stephen King: “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, kill your darlings.” In other words, don’t be so in love with a character or a scene or a line of dialogue or a setting that you can’t axe it when you have to.

Sometimes great characters do nothing to motivate the characters around them. Sometimes great scenes and awesome lines of dialogue slow things down or don’t fit right or don’t make sense to your beta readers (and you should listen to your beta readers). Good writing is also good editing, and you need to learn to do it even if it breaks your damn heart Continue reading →

Aug 4 2015

Another Big List Of Fabulous Writer Resources – Let’s Talk eBooks #amwriting #writing

Okay, so you’ve written (or are writing) this great book, but you have no idea how to format it, put a cover on it, and publish it. Here’s a short list of stuff I use regularly or have found helpful:

Formatting

I’m going to take you right to this great blog post because it offers you the template downloads (MS Word) that you need, plus complete instructions for use. These are set as Smashwords templates, but with some minor revision (as in, changing “Smashwords” to “Kindle” anywhere it appears) it easily alters to a Kindle template as well.

I chose Arial templates but I now only use Garamond templates, since I’ve started taking my books into print as well as eBook. Createspace (print on demand) primarily uses Garamond (and it looks better in print) so it’s just easier when I’m ready to convert. Continue reading →

Aug 3 2015

“Windsinger” Is Coming Along Nicely! Would You Like Another Peek?? #amwriting #amwritingfantasy #books

In my upcoming novel, Windsinger, we meet Cecy, who is half-elemental, and in her case, the element is air. She flits from place to place and dances on the breeze, but unlike her other Twixter counterparts (those who are also half-elemental), she has a special ability beyond her lightness of foot.

That ability brings her to meet Brad Wilder, a human man who’s captured her attention and has her seriously intrigued. In this scene, Cecy comes upon another Twixter in an unxpected way, all while trying to reason through her attraction to Brad… Continue reading →

Jul 31 2015

FanFic Friday: The Big Wedding Day #OUAT #Fanfic #CaptainSwan

My Fanfic Series “Captain’s Choice” is a series of one-offs set in and around the “Memory Keeper” trilogy, and in this chapter, we see Emma, getting ready on her wedding day, with a little help from Mom and Dad….

“You know, Emma, this would go a lot faster if you’d stop fidgeting,” Snow said, trying her best to keep a smile on her face. “I still say we should put it up.”

“Killian likes my hair better down. And so do I.”

“Hmmph.” Snow said, around a mouthful of pins.

“Do I really need all this crap in my hair? Really?”

“It goes with the dress,” Snow said, with a touch of exasperation. “Now hold still.”

“And this dress is so…white. I mean it’s practically blinding. Really, really white.” Emma frowned down at herself. “I feel kind of weird. I’m on my second kid with two different men and you’re marrying me in white?”

“First of all,” Snow said, with a bit of exasperation, “It’s ivory, not white-white. And it’s not ‘blinding’ it’s just sort of…shimmering.”

“I’m just saying that I don’t think I’m as qualified for the white dress as you were, that’s all.” Emma pointed out.

Snow was suspiciously silent, looking off to the side.

“Mom?” Emma’s mouth parted in shock. “Are you telling me that you two…?” Continue reading →

Jul 30 2015

Here’s Your Chance To Nab “Someday In Dublin” For A Song! #kindle #kindledeals #Romance #goodreads

What happens when an American girl decides to fulfill her “Irish Bucket List” on a whim but doesn’t know where to begin? Enter Michael, the sarcastic Irish lad with the quick wit and a twinkle in his eye that says he knows exactly what he’s doing to her.

Their eyes meet across a crowded pub, and a torrid night turns into a long weekend of surprises.

When Amy and Michael uncover a secret that affects them both, will it spell the end to their whirlwind romance? Find out…Someday In Dublin!

And beginning Saturday, August 1st, you can find out for a mere $.99 – but hurry! That price will keep going up every two days throughout the week. Now’s your chance to own a wonderful, funny, poignant romance (and it makes a great beach read!)

Take a trip to Ireland, and maybe…just maybe you’ll find love when you find yourself again.

[And don’t forget, tomorrow I’ll be announcing the winners of a free copy of the book – watch here for details!]

Jul 29 2015

Fall In Love With Your Characters…Or No One Else Will #amwriting #writing

Recently, I had to revisit a manuscript that I’d set aside for a while. And that’s a good thing. I haven’t had a reread on this in nearly six months, and seeing it with fresh eyes has made a world of difference. It’s also a really, really good feeling to be falling in love with my hero (and heroine) all over again.

When I first wrote this particular book, I asked my daughter for some feedback on her ideal guy. These protagonists were younger than I usually write, and I thought it might be good to have another perspective. Continue reading →

Jul 28 2015

“Tell Me About Your Book!” (Oh God, Don’t Make Me Tell You About My Book…) #amwriting

“So you’re a writer!”

Cue deer-in-headlights look.

“Um….yeah. I am.” (Put some more conviction in your voice, dammit!) “I’m a writer.”

“So what are you writing?”

“It’s a story about a girl and she steals people’s dying breath so she can sing their stories to the stars.”

“Oh.”

“And there’s a whole council of magical beings defined by the four elements and -“

(Their eyes are wandering. They’re bored. I knew they wouldn’t get it.)

“That sounds crazy!”

“Yeah, it is. I mean, no, it’s cool and the way she and the guy end up finding each other is -“

(Their eyes are drifting again and what the hell am I giving up the entire plot for? Shut the f**k up, already. Idiot.)

“Well, good luck with that.”

“Thanks.” (Should I get more wine? I barely drank any. I should probably look like I regularly drink wine. But I don’t want to seem drunk. Or be drunk. God knows I’ll be drawing plot diagrams with refrigerator magnets if I don’t watch myself.)

“Hi! Lisa tells me you’re a writer!”

(Turn slowly, smile widely) Yeah, I am.” (That was nice and confident. Yes it was.)

“What are you writing?”

(Pause) “It’s a romance.” (Smile)

“Nice! Do you need more wine?”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

(I am the master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul…)

Jul 27 2015

Announcing A Giveaway!! Win A Free Copy Of “Someday In Dublin!” #Books #romance #goodreads

That’s right! Three lucky people will own their very own copy of “Someday In Dublin,” courtesy of yours truly! Copies are available in either paperback or Kindle download – your preference!

All you have to do is share this post via Facebook or Twitter to be entered for a chance to win one of three free copies. Contest runs until 8am EDT (US) and I’ll announce the winners on this blog that day!

Here’s a little synopsis: Continue reading →

Britt DeLaney

Romance Author