It's 2017!

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

The last time I posted was in November. That's pretty bad, but getting to post a blog is tough. Blog posts take a lot of time because I have to think of a topic, write it up, edit it, add graphics/pictures, and make sure any relevant links are set up. I'm thinking that I will go to once a week or once every other week for blog posts. Also, apparently there are some kind of European laws and Blogger is posting Cookie notices, but I don't know where they are and I don't

know if they're showing up, so if they are, please let me know where to look because the directions weren't clear.

Christmas in the Averie Household was eventful. On Christmas Eve we went to Mass and the Averie Offspring was rather rambunctious much to me and Mr. Averie's chagrin. I'm chalking it up to the excitement of the season, but despite the goofiness on the part of my offspring, it was a lovely service and we sang one of my favorite Christmas hymns (Joy To The World--Christmas Mass just never seems complete without it).

Christmas Day was celebrated at my sister's house, with her crowd and my parents. The Averie Offspring made out like bandits (thank you Gran and Grandpa!) And, I must say, I was happy with what I got. My siblings and the spouses do an assigned name gift exchange--so one couple will have another couple and so forth. We got some nice things we wanted and some lovely surprises, too. (I won't go into all the details, but we got books, movies and other things we had wanted--plus a couple of cool mugs).

The week following Christmas, my younger brother and his wife and family arrived and we had official Turkey Christmas Dinner on the Thursday after Christmas. It was fun and delicious. My sister-in-law took some Brussels Sprouts, coated them with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roasted them. They had this yummy nutty type flavor. I'd never had Brussels sprouts like that before and I really enjoyed it. I actually always liked Brussels sprouts, but it'd been a long time since I had them and never roasted.

New Year's was quieter for us, which is just as well since excitement has reigned in this house for several days. Now we're getting back into our usual routines.

I'm finishing up reading the ARC of Kerrelyn Sparks' March release, How To

Me with Kerrelyn Sparks October, 2016

Tame A Beast In Seven Days and will post a review on the blog at another time.

I'm also working on pre-publisher run-through per the request of my publisher (not that they had a problem with my manuscript, they just said they've found and extra run-through before the official editing process helps, so that's what I'm doing). It's a bit on the slow side, but I'm making progress. Publisher wants to start edits either at the end of February or the beginning of March. This novel is scheduled to release in June.

There is another novel I'm working on, but it's still too early to say much about it. It's going okay. We'll see what happens with it. I have a few ideas so we'll see if I can pull this one off.

The audio version of Divine Love is moving along. My narrator is working on some polishing of the earlier chapters, and I have to listen to a chapter he sent me. We're moving forward and hoping to release the audio version in March. (We'll see, we may have to push it back, but maybe not. We're going to have to crack down on that one!)

One of my nieces is married and is expecting a baby in May, so I'm on the road to Great-Aunt-hood. I'm so excited and thrilled. I know she and her husband are excited. It's the first great-grandchild for my parents and they are also thrilled.

So, 2017 is going to be a rather busy year for me (but that's okay and relatively normal). There are several exciting things in the works, so I'm looking forward to seeing it all come together.

I wish you and yours a wonderful, blessed, safe, and healthy 2017 and hope you had a great Holiday Season. Happy New Year!

Have A Thrillingly Terrific Tuesday!

The Importance Of Stories...

Happy Tuesday All,

Storytellers. That's another name for novelists. But some storytellers are not novelists. My grandfather was one of those. He wasn't a novelist, but he did tell stories. And later this month you'll get to know one of his more popular stories when I guest post on Erin Bevan's blog. I'm excited about that blog post because I don't think I've ever posted any of my grandfather's stories anywhere. (At least, not that I can remember).

Verbal storytelling is so important. Some of the stories we have nowadays started off as verbal storytelling before they were written down or they were in a rough format before they were properly put together (like the Bible).

Just one of my bookshelves.
I'm not just a writer, but I love to read, too!

And stories play such an important role in our lives. Some of them teach us something (like Aesop's Fables) entertain us (like my Grandfather's stories) or provide an escape from every day life (like what I write, for example).

The most recent "escape" from every day life I have available for you, my darling readers, is as you know, Immortal Dreams Book Two: Astral Love.

I love both Astral Love and its predecessor, Book One, Divine Love. It's been a lot of fun to incorporate my love of Greek mythology, with adventure and romance. And Greek mythology is rich with all kinds of stories--from tragedies, to adventures, to morals, to romance. In my opinion, there's something for everybody in Greek mythology. And that's what I've tried to do with these books (and it's upcoming third and final novel, Book Three, whose title and cover I'll reveal probably in December)--put a little something for everyone in each installment.

If you haven't checked out Astral Love (but have read Book One, Divine Love) then here's the blurb from the book and a link to where you can get it:

Laney Alberts and Jason Magnus eagerly proceed with their prom plans, determined to have a normal night in spite of their Immortal destiny. However, when a mysterious visitor appears claiming the Astra Queen desires the pair’s presence, everything changes. 

Despite his skepticism, Jason finally agrees to visit the queen so Laney can learn about her Astra background. 

Too late they discover an enemy has set a trap for Laney. In his attempts to free her, Jason’s powers are tested. But, when faced with shocking details of his past, Laney must decide whether or not she’ll continue the mission. 
With their futures and the fates of both worlds at stake, everything depends on Laney’s choice. And their survival. 

The adventure continues in Immortal Dreams Book Two: Astral Love.

You can pick up a copy of Astral Love on Amazon Kindle.

Is there a story that is important to you? Share in the comment

Another one of my bookshelves.
If you can believe it, they WERE
clean once. Then got messy again.
These pictures are several months old.

section.

*PLEASE NOTE:  ALL COMMENTS COME TO ME FOR APPROVAL FIRST. IF YOU DON'T SEE YOUR COMMENT POSTED BY THE END OF THE WEEK, SEND ME AN EMAIL.

Have A Terrifically Tip-Top Tuesday!

The Perfect Sound

Happy Thursday All,

I missed posting Wednesday, but don't worry, I'm okay--just busy!

There's a new release! Author of Nocturne, Syrie James, has teamed up with her son, Ryan M. James, to put together a Paranormal YA novel entitled, Forbidden. And, it looks intriguing! It's available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle, as well as Barnes & Noble and Barnes & Noble Nook.

I'm currently reading a novel by an author I hadn't ever read before. The premises really interested me because it's pulled from Shakespeare. I'm not very far into it, but I'm already curious as to what this novel will bring. So we'll see what happens.

On and off I've mentioned music on here. Especially music that sets a tone/mood for one's writing--or inspires. For me, it can be anything from AH-HA's Take On Me to Spin Doctors' Two Princes.  I like a lot of different songs, but those two came to mind because Two Princes always makes me want to dance, and Take On Me is one of my "happy place" songs.

There's a few collaboration songs I like...one such song is the collaboration done by John Waite and Alison Krauss, I Ain't Missing You. This was originally sung only by John Waite, but I think it came out lovely.

Speaking of music and collaborations, I've collaborated with one of my brothers before. He's a music composer and musician. When I was in high school he approached me and said, "Hey, Bethany, I think this piece needs lyrics. I can write music, but lyrics aren't really my thing, and I know you've written some, would you mind working on it?" I said, sure. Unfortunately my lyrics were definitely not on par with how beautiful the piece was, but I tried my best. We'd sometimes do our own version of Heart & Soul on the piano (he is far and away a better musician than me, but I never had the passion for playing instruments that he did). Then when I got married I had a set of lyrics that was a duet. I begged my brother to put the lyrics to music. He was going to play at my wedding, and I had a soprano from the church choir and my brother-in-law who's a tenor. Eventually he got the lyrics arranged and it was gorgeous.

Something music composers and novel writers have in common is the emotion they have for their work. I know my brother spends a lot of time working on his compositions so it sounds just how he wants it to turn out. When I sit down and work at a story I'm asking myself a series of questions, and going over each sentence to make sure it comes out just right--that it is what the character would say. I've sat and talked with my brother about this and I said, "It seems composers and authors have a lot in common in that respect." He said, "Oh definitely." He agreed that like novel writers, composers get attached to their work. They want others to enjoy it and fall in love with the piece as much as they did.

Novel writers are the same. They fall in love with their characters. They giggle over the jokes, agonize over the pivotal scenes, and contemplate whether or not the dialogue works. In music, they have to go over each phrase. Contemplating the key signature, tempo, what instruments would play it and what emotion it would invoke--what the purpose of the piece will be, not to mention a series of other concerns they have about what they're composing.

It's amazing what composers and writers have in common. I may not be able to play Liszt or dazzle with a piano concerto, but put me in with paper and ink and I'll be off on this idea or that idea. Either way...emotions, hopes, dreams, fears, joy, and sorrow all play a part regardless of whether it's Beethoven or if it's Shakespeare.

So, what music makes you happy?

Have A Top-Notch Thursday!

SURPRISE!

Happy Wednesday Everybody,

Wow, it's Wednesday already? Time flies when you're having fun.

Or dealing with surprises...

That's me. Dealing with surprises. In writing, that is. Some of my writing (and a current project) has taken me in a direction I didn't see myself going. But there are times writing will do that. And for now, it's helping me create and figure out what I'm doing with this project and the others I have going.

Some authors start out writing one thing and branch out to two or three other areas. Like the Adult-novel writer who ends up writing YA or Mid-Grade...or all 3--adult, YA and Mid-grade.

Or the person who starts out in Romance and finds themselves with a Thriller on their hands.

Perhaps you began your writing with Contemporary and got lost in the fields of Fantasy. Maybe while you were shaking hands with a vampire then a cyborg jumped into your living room.

Writing isn't always predictable, which if it was, would probably bore the authors. At least it would more than likely bore me. I enjoy that spark of inspiration--the feeling of the imagination running wild with ideas--ideas that are new for me. It's even possible you could start off with one idea that is something you don't usually write and it morphs back to something you normally would write--but you had to write it differently for everything to click into place.

The point is, wherever your writing journey takes you, enjoy the ride. Explore, discover, and create. There's so many ways a writer can go--so many options--all  you have to do is figure out which options you're taking.

So what surprises have you encountered in your writing?

Have A Wondrous Wednesday!

Calling All Heroes!

Happy Monday All,

What do you look for in a hero? Someone larger than life? Super-Man, maybe? *EDIT as of 9:37 a.m.:  (I'm talking about FICTIONAL heroes. As Tess points out in the comments there are real life heroes that make this world a better place, and they have my respect, admiration and gratitude for what they do, but for this post I'm talking about heroes in novels, I apologize for being unclear).



  Or perhaps you're for someone a bit more "untouchable"--a little more "forbidding", like Mr. Darcy. Maybe you go for swashbuckling pirates like Captain Jack Sparrow.

One thing I was told about heroes is that they should be "larger than life".  

Heroes do have to be believable but they aren't likely to necessarily be someone you'd meet walking down the street. I don't know about you, but I've never run into Edward Cullen (or any other vampire) as I walked out of my house (maybe I wasn't looking hard enough?) I have yet to meet Mr. Darcy at the grocery store (kind of the wrong time period). Or Captain Jack Sparrow anywhere (not that I'd want to, I'd rather read about pirates, not encounter them in real life).

Last time I saw a shape shifter was...never. So, yeah, in a sense they have to be larger than life and unrealistic. But they also have to be believable, someone people can relate to. Now granted, most of us aren't going to believe that a demigod is existing in our swimming pool, like Percy Jackson, but believable in that a person can suspend their disbelief. That is, they have traits we can relate to.

Heroes have to have some kind of honor code. Something that makes them heroic. For Darcy, one of the things that made him heroic was helping Elizabeth Bennett's sister--and saying he only thought of her while doing so. That's not only heroic, but entirely romantic. (Now you men understand why we women swoon when someone brings up Fitzwilliam Darcy).

For Edward Cullen, I'd say a heroic gesture on his part was how he prized Bella's humanity. He treasured it. He didn't treat her as expendable as the other human-blood drinking vampires were prone to doing, he and his "family" treated her humanity as something to guard.

I don't know enough about Captain Jack to say what makes him heroic. 

My favorite heroes are the ones who did things because they are just so passionate over the heroine they couldn't help themselves. Yes, I'm that mushy-romantic. I'm sort of the "knight-in-shining armour" type heroes.

What defines a *edit as of 9:38 a.m.:  FICTIONAL or in a novel hero for you? (Like I said above, there's many real-life heroes I totally respect and agree that they truly DO make the world a better place, but I'm talking about fictional heroes that appear in novels, that's why I brought up Mr. Darcy, Captain Jack and Edward Cullen, rather than real-live people.  I apologize if I wasn't clear).

Have A Magnificent Monday!

It Won't Let Go Of Me

Happy Thursday All,

Before I get started, you all might want to check out this explanation of High Concept done by Josin on her blog--I thought it was excellent.

Okay back to our regularly scheduled  blog post...

What makes a killer scene? Is it the emotions behind it? Not knowing what's going to happen next? The surprise plot twist? Perhaps all of the above.

Authors are constantly working to put that "certain something" into their books to nail each scene. Whether it's an emotion they didn't know they had,  going to a dark place they never wanted to visit, or thinking outside the box. Every author wants their books to be unforgettable in the most positive way and one of those ways is having those scenes that grab hold of the reader and refuse to let go.

An author also works on having scenes a reader will want to read again and again (hopefully read the whole book over and over, too). Scenes that strike a chord with the reader somehow--whether it invokes the happy/satisfied emotion, or sad (some sad books are really good despite not having happy endings).

There's several scenes like that in Lurlene McDaniel's novel, A Rose For Melinda(YA novel). The story centers around a teenage ballerina who faces life and death. The story is told through notes, journal entries and emails and the like. It's sweet and moving.

The author also wants to make their book impossible for the reader to put down. (Yes, that's done on purpose, you weren't imagining things). I don't know how many times I had trouble putting down a book (even though I had to for sake of getting sleep, or taking care of other needs, or family needs). I remember with one book I was thought, "Oh crap, I have to go do thus-and-such thing, and I really don't want to. I want to find out what happens!" It's agonizing. But it's the mark of good storytelling.

All of us writers aspire to write the story where the reader thinks: "I-have-to-put-down-the-book-but-I-don't-want-to". To present that dilemma means you've grabbed hold of your audience and refused to let go.

Here's just two examples of that happening to me (please note, these are not the only authors to have accomplished making it hard for me to put the book down, these are just two examples that I got off the top of my head):

I told Melissa Ohnoutka from page one of Faithful Deceptions until the end, my heart was in my throat (I honestly thought the heroine was going to die and she just couldn't...she had to succeed...she just had to...and I had to know what happened).

I've email corresponded with Nancy Gideon to tell her "You write so tight, I never know what's going to happen next."  (I don't know how many times she's hit me between the eyes with something I had not seen coming my direction).

What books have grabbed hold of you and refused to let you go? What was it that made you have to find out what happened next?

Have A Thrilling Thursday!

Spotlight On Author: Tess St. John

Happy Friday All,

The drawing/contest part of this post is now closed...but please feel free to read the interview.

I got my days mixed up. This week has been nutty for me, so for some reason I thought next week was the 27th (even though yesterday was the 26th, I kept thinking for some reason I was posting this on the last day of the month). Anyway, I feel horrible I didn't have this up earlier...but at least I'm getting it up now.

Today is a special Author Interview Day. I'm going to call it "Mutual Admiration Day" because of this:  I've got Tess's interview on here today, and today she's got a guest blog post on her HER blog that I did! Below (after the interview) there's a link I provided to the guest blog post I did for Tess St. John's blog. There's a short part about writing fantasy/paranormal, then I do an interview with the hero of my novel, Surreal--his name Monroe Dubay and he's a man-beast lion...to check out what all that means, read the interview on here with Tess St. John, then after the interview click on the link provided below and go check out my post!

As you all know, Tess St. John is a friend of mine. We met when I was first getting interested in the NWHRWA. She was absolutely wonderful about welcoming me. We met [in person] at that year's Lone Star Conference and that sparked a friendship that has spanned over 2 years already. We became each other's Critique Partner (she's fabulous). She believes in me, encourages me and has helped me so much.

So please, give a warm welcome and applause to my dear friend, Tess St. John. CONTEST:  If you post your email address (or at least email it to me) I'll enter you for a drawing tonight. One lucky winner will get a copy of Tess St. John's book, Second Chances. I'll close the contest about 10:30 p.m. Central Time. **Edit as of 2:55 p.m. Central time:  If you have trouble posting a comment, email me and let me know you want to enter to win a copy of Tess St. John's book**

Me:  You write in Historical Romance, Romantic Suspense and Romantic Mystery genres. Do you have a favorite out of those that you enjoy writing the most?

Tess:  I think it depends on when you ask me! If I'm working on a historical, all I think about is how much I enjoy that. Then when I'm writing the contemporary romantic suspense/mystery I absolutely love that. So today, I love historicals!



Me:  Authors pull from all sorts of places for inspiration. Do you have a particular source of inspiration, or is it anything and everything?

Tess:  Since I see scenes when I write, I'm not sure where the inspiration comes from. I think it's just my blessed life, to be honest.


Me:  For Fun: What's your favorite color?

Tess: Red.


Me:  What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Tess:  Write. Write. Write. Then write some more. I believe classes are wonderful and critiquing others' work is educational, but unless you write, you'll never be a writer. And read everything you can get your hands on.

Me:  For Fun: Do you have a favorite book hero, and if so, who is he? (I know your husband's your favorite, but aside from him...someone from a book you read).

Tess:  I have so many! But if a gun was pointed at my head, I would have to say Cam Rohan from Lisa Kleypas' book "Mine Till Midnight".


Me:  What books are on the horizon for you to put out this year (and their genres)?

Tess:  I released "Emma's Chance" (a short story) and "Second Chances" (book one of my Chances Are Series), in April, those are historicals. I also hope to release "Don't Let It Show" and "Eyes of Jade" (books one and two of my Undercover Intrigue series)  this summer (note: Tess doesn't have an exact date for those releases, yet). Then before the end of the year I hope to have "Angel Eyes", "Eyes of a Stranger", and "Lyin' Eyes" (the rest of the Undercover Intrigue Series) out by the end of the year (if my health cooperates).


Me:  Where will your books be available?

Tess:  Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.


Me:  When you're not writing what's something you enjoy doing?

Tess:  Spending time with my family, playing pool, reading, cross-stitching.




Me:  Second Chances and Don't Let It Show are listed on your website as the first novels you're releasing. Can you tell us about them?


Tess:  "Second Chances" --Love that frees a heart - also captures it. Lady Emma Easton’s elopement to an elderly earl shields her from an abusive father, until her husband’s death leaves her vulnerable once again. Only one man can protect her—the earl’s trusted friend, Viscount Drake. After losing his wife, Lord Drake vows never to marry again. But his heart warms to the young widow he’s promised to protect. Emma’s love frees him from the darkness that’s consumed him. But now Drake must protect her from her father’s evil whims, or face losing her forever.


"Don't Let It Show" -- Attorney Gail Martin's life can't get any worse. Her client has been convicted, her law license suspended, and her inbox inundated with a strange riddle. But things start looking up when a handsome cop saves her from the press. Undercover FBI agent Sam Newton is in Houston to catch drug dealing cops while pretending to be one. His identity must be kept top secret, but his attraction to Gail can't be concealed or ignored. He's tried, repeatedly. As their love deepens, Gail confides she doesn’t believe the man in jail for her mother's murder is guilty. She and Sam investigate her mother's case, hitting nothing but dead ends. When tragedy strikes, Gail is left with only the email riddle, which leads her on a deadly quest for the truth about her mother’s life and death—if she can stay alive long enough to solve it.


Me:  What do you hope the future holds for you as a writer?

Tess:  Just that I can continue to write. I have two other historicals I hope to release in 2012 and a Reality Love Series in Outline form. I just want to write.


Me:  Anything else you'd like to add?

Tess:  Thank you, Bethany, for this opportunity to be interviewed! It wasn't as painful as I thought it might be! And thanks to everyone who stops by!  My website is http://www.tessstjohn.com

Thank you so much, Tess St. John, for doing this interview. Thank you everyone for your patience with me as I "get my footing" after a busy several days!

To check out the guest blog post I did on Tess St. John's blog, please click here.

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Book Love Affair

Happy Thursday All,

Some of my favorite books are ones that left me with a warm feeling in my heart and/or a smile on my face.
 
Here's a few of them:
 
Lesley Livingston with her Wondrous Strange trilogy (according to her blog she has a new release coming out July 2011)
Shanna Swendson with her Enchanted, Inc. books
Christie Craig with Shut Up And Kiss Me (She has a new release coming out August 2011).
 
Oh yeah and the list continues:
 
Jackson Pearce's As You Wish (She has a new release coming out August 2011, and one in sometime in 2012).
Suzanne Selfors Coffeehouse Angel (She had a new release in April--the book wasn't a children's book, by the way--apparently several authors contributed to the release that came out this past April. It's called Hotel Angeline: A Novel In 36 Voices).
 
Georgette Heyer's The Grand Sophy
 
Of course, I could name more. You see...I have a love affair with books. I consider them some of my best friends and constant companions.
 
I love books. I've loved them for years. From the time I was read to as a kid, to when I read to myself (and even when I could read to myself, I still enjoyed my Dad reading Cheaper By The Dozen by Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey). I've been addicted to books.
 
My love affair included trips to bookstores and libraries. These sojourns into the wonderful places called bookstores and libraries are some of my favorite childhood memories. I even remember in my middle school years walking into this one bookstore and breathing in the scent of the place and all my cares and stresses just melting away. To this day, I still sometimes breathe in the scent of bookstores--particularly Barnes & Noble (hey the fragrance of a bookstore mixed with the aroma of coffee is addictive!)
 
What about you? What's your criteria for favorite books?
 
Have A Thriving Thursday!

Pucker Up!

Happy Tuesday Everyone,

Do you remember your first kiss? Was it awkward? Romantic? Early in life?

The first kiss (on the lips) I remember was senior year of high school.

It was very awkward. The second kiss I had when I was young I heard This Magic Moment playing in my head. Cheesy, I know, but I'm telling the absolute truth. I was 19 years old, so I'll blame it on being 19.

First kisses in books are usually so much more romantic and fun than in real life. But, they wouldn't be half so much fun to read if they weren't written the way they are.

So, what about you? What was your first kiss like?

Have A Tremendous Tuesday!

Who's That???

Happy Tuesday All,

Well it's "Shrove Tuesday" or, some prefer to call it "Mardis Gras" which means "Fat Tuesday" (the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent). I really don't do anything to mark the day per se. I mean, I have a book with meditations and it has somethings to think about for this day, but I don't do anything big to mark the day. Do you?

Annette McCleave on SILK & SHADOWS blog, has interesting post about characters and what they look like, which has gotten me thinking about how I imagine characters when I read a book. Often times I don't have the same "vision" as the author of the book I'm reading, but generally, when I go back to the character description I realize I probably left out a detail when I pictured the character in my head.

It's funny thing, imagination. Sometimes it leads you down a great path and things "click" other times you wonder what went wrong.

Authors rely on their imaginations to picture their characters, stories, and even settings. Without it they wouldn't be able to describe things to you.

As for me, the hero of Surreal was something I thought of based on another factor, but then when I saw one of my brothers-in-law and thought about 2 others, I realized what I had essentially created was a morphed image of 3 of my brothers-in-law (which was all done subconsciously). Now, I'm not saying it's a literal translation, but it's as close to how my hero looks like in real life that I can get.

What about when you see movies that are based on books? Is the actor's portrayal how you pictured the characters?

When you see the models/actors that inspired an author, is that the image you had in your head when you read their novel(s)?

Have A Treat-Filled Tuesday!

Inner Workings Part 2

Happy Thursday All,

Wow the first whole work week in the year 2011 is almost over. Time loves to fly (I think it uses Continental or American Airlines--my experience with these airlines has been good, by the way, just in case someone's wondering). Bad joke, I know--goofy sense of humor jumps up again.

Over the years I'd ask this one friend "What if?" Questions. Now, these "What if?" Questions are entirely fine for fiction writers--in fact, they're pretty much a must. Like asking "What if I set this story in the future?" "What if vampires were real?" "What if the heroine was a short, stout elderly woman who bashed people over the head with a cane?" (Okay that last one, I don't know of any author who actually asked themselves that one, and I haven't, but I thought it was funny).

Someone I know once told me (years ago, this might have changed by now) they didn't deal with "What if?" questions. Now, we weren't talking in terms of writing--we were talking about impossible things actually happening in the real world--but not for a story--for reality.

However, if fiction writers quit asking themselves "What if?" they and their readers would be in for a real jam.

Part of writing is asking "What if?" For example, when I was writing SURREAL I asked myself:  "What if the hero and heroine meet in the heroine's dreams?" and "What if they thought the rift would close separating them forever?"

We have to ask those impossible questions as if they're possible because fiction isn't always about what's reality--it's about what makes a good story.

I don't know of any witch who lives in the woods in a Gingerbread House and eats little children, but for Hansel And Gretal it works.

We don't know what the year 3020 will be like, but if Sci-Fi writers quit asking "What if in the year 3020 they had these types of space ships?" Their stories wouldn't get written. Shoot, Gene Roddenberry might not have come up with Star Trek if he didn't explore the possibilities of what was currently impossible.

If you're an accountant and you're working on bookkeeping you obviously can't contemplate "What if?" if the "if" isn't a part of the equation. It wouldn't be realistic and it wouldn't make the bookkeeping accurate.

Or Doctors can't contemplate when they're in the middle of an emergency "What if I could duplicate myself 90 times?" Because they have to focus on the task at hand (and nobody wants an unfocused doctor working on them).

However, for writing and careers like that, the "What if?" question is incredibly important. We must ask ourselves "What if?" every story we write. In fact, nearly every scene and word. Because the minute we quit asking "What if?" and quit looking for possibilities in the impossible, that's the minute our stories quit being open to what could happen.

So...what "What if?" questions do you ask when writing your novels?

Have A Thoughtful Thursday!

I Don't Do Pink Polka Dots

Happy Tuesday Folks,

Those of us who have been through the wedding planning process know how weird things can get. The dreams, the anxiety. Do these things ever make into novels?

I suppose even Paranormal has it's paranormal limits. I mean I had a dream that the sleeve of my wedding dress was torn a few months before my wedding. That was a bit creepy. And why I was wearing my wedding dress just to walk around the house in my dream still escapes my comprehension.

Not to mention the fact that a friend of mine had a dream that her dress was like pink with purple polka dots or vice versa. She was not happy...but she was relieved that it was just a dream and not real. Although, I suggested maybe that would've been funny...she wasn't amused. Go figure...I found out later when I was a bride (11 months later) why those kinds of things are not amusing to brides.

So...I wonder...has anyone put those wedding dreams into a story? Because so far, in all the books I've read I've never seen it.

I wonder if those dreams would go into a horror novel or if that would fit paranormal?

Your thoughts?

By the way, I'm happy to report that my dress had no tears in it on my wedding day and my wedding day was wonderful and I was married to my wonderful husband looking like a princess, just as I meant to. This May 8th will mark 6 years of me being married to the love of my life and as far as I know my wedding dress still doesn't have any rips in it. :-)

Have A Thrilling Tuesday!

"Shiver Me Timbers!"

Ahoy, Mateys And Welcome To Another Week,

Okay...I've talked about dragons, heroes, villains, the window characters, vampires and the like, now how about something else fun?

PIRATES!

I have no problems with people writing about pirates. In fact, one of my favorite Georgette Heyer books deals with a privateer. The book is called Beauvallet and it's awesome.

Not sure what it is that makes pirates so fascinating...especially in romance novels. I guess it's the whole sexy pirate appeal for some. For me, I guess it's just seeing how love affects people--especially a character that's supposed to be intimdating, like a pirate.

Another thing is pirates are utterly adventures. Take Pirates Of The Caribbean movies for instance. Lots of people were very fond of Johnny Depp's performance as Jack Sparrow and all the mystery, intrigue and adventure fond in those stories.

In writing this blog, I did some searches and found a Pirate Code Of Honor also there's some other Pirate Code of Honor information here (this last link is connected to a Pirate Cruise company).

While doing a second search about pirates (for this blog post) I came across some interesting links:

Avast! Welcome To A Pirate's Life Site!

Welcome Aboard! (this link seems to have a TON of information, I've read some of it. Very interesting).

So, what about pirates fascinates you (if you're fascinated by them)?

Have A Merry Monday!

Is Your Genre Your Life?

Good morning folks!

It's not yet 9:00 a.m. in Texas and I've finished my coffee...although I'm wondering if this is going to turn into one of those "Two-Coffee Days". So far I'm managing without the second one. Go me!

Anyway...the title of this post might be a bit confusing. Genre being your life? Huh? You lost me, Bethany! Here's what I mean...

A comment on my last post made by J.J. triggered the idea for this post (so kudos go to her today).

She mentioned she's writing a YA Paranormal filled with religion, legend, Indiana Jones elements (I'm guessing action/some type of discovery), etcetera. Ironically, I wasn't confused. She had me at YA Paranormal. My brain started clicking with all the possibilities that would fill the pages of her novel. In short, I'd pick it up, have a look and probably read it.

I read a lot of Paranormal/fantasy. Some ghosts. Some vampires. Magic. Fairytales. Time travel. That kind of thing. For example: I got into The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. I've been reading Kerrelyn Sparks' Love At Stake series.

I'm not into all vampire stuff, but if it's got the element of love, sacrifice for love, and characters I can come to love, I'm sure to read it. (I absolutely adore Kerrelyn Sparks' character, the vampire, Gregori. I think he's hailirious).

So what do I mean about living my genre? Well, I read paranormal/romance/fantasy, I write it, I often think in terms of it. People have told me all my life that different things are impossible. Okay, so maybe it's highly unlikely that a centaur's going to gallop through my backyard (ooo, story idea!), or that a unicorn is going to start talking to me, or even that I'll meet a crazy fairy with an odd sense of humor (reference to a character I once wrote named Femme de Noir; she was a bit on the nutty side), but, who's to say other things won't happen? You never know when someone might even train monkeys to wear hula skirts and dance to steel drums (odd, I know, but can't you just picture it?)

The point is, I don't negate wacky ideas simply because they're wacky (unless it's a guy telling me they're the most awesome man that ever existed, then I'll have to put it aside--1. because I can't stand egotistical men, 2. I'm married and could care less, unless it's my husband and 3. they should be acting like puffed up birds to a girl who's interested in them romantically, not wasting their time on me. But you never know when that egotism will make an appearance in a story--whether it be my own story or someone else's).

You never know if it might make a great story line, or just a thought to crack you up when you're on a sugar rush.

Living your genre is letting your brain/imagination run wild with possibilities. If you're a writer, it's about sitting there thinking "What if this happened, and this...and what if this person was this or that?"

I have a friend who generally doesn't like to be asked "what if" questions. He says they're usually made up of things that wouldn't really happen. That's fine for him. He's one of those logical, practical types (although he does love a lot of great fiction...)

For a writer, a "what if" question is often the beginning of a ride through another world...the world of his or her novel (or book proposal, if you're doing nonficition).

A writer has to think in "what if" at least sometimes. Can imagine if Tolkein or C.S. Lewis never sat there and let their imaginations answer the "What if" question? Would we even have The Lord Of The Rings or The Hobbit or any of the Narnia books?

How about if Anne Rice never sat there contemplating what her characters would be like. Would Interview With A Vampire have the same impact if she had just said: "So and so interviewed thus and so vampire, but we know vampires don't actually exist, so the point is moot." Huh? Then what would be the point of the novel?

Just imagine if J.K. Rowling never penned Harry Potter. The world wouldn't have met Hogwart's Castle through her style.

Readers and writers like the "what if" questions when it comes to novels because it opens the door to everything. It opens the door to a young magician going to school to uncover his talents, it opens the door to a sparkling vampire who can't bear the thought of being a threat to his beloved, it opens the door to a talking Lion who's often considered an image of God/Jesus, it brings out the power in a ring, it helped us meet a vampire named Lesat.

That's part of living one's genre. Going through life and suddenly thinking "What if this happened?"

Who's to say one day we won't have a story about monkeys who wear hula skirts and dance to the sound of steel drums? Just because it doesn't necessarily exist, doesn't mean it's impossible for an author to think: "Huh. I wonder if..." or "Hmmm...what if...." Then off and running with some tale about just that.

You never know. When you live your genre it's possible for centaurs to run around in your backyard (like I said, story idea, my brain is clicking!) You just have to know where to look.

Enjoy your genre life :-)

"What if...?"

Have A Wondering Wednesday!

Some of Bethany's Favorite Reads

Whenever I'm reading an author's blog I enjoy finding out what books they like to read. Here's why:

1. For all I know it might mean said author likes the same books I do.

2. It tells me something about the author. While the author might enjoy writing mysteries, that might not be his or her only interest. They might have a secret love of Horrors, Thrillers, Fantasies, Romance, who knows? It's always fun to get to know authors--particularly ones a person likes best. (And every author I've ever communicated with was so nice to me; I think it's because they like knowing people are enjoying their work).

3. Something might catch my eye. I like to find new books to enjoy--it's like a hidden gem. If you look hard enough, you might find it. (Ever since I was a little girl, there's been something about bookstores and libraries that are siren calls for me. Books are some of my best friends--now you know my secret. I'm a book addict--hey authors are readers too!)

So, what about myself? I'm more than happy to mention some of the treasures I've found (some authors I might've read way more than what I list and enjoyed them, I'm just mentioning a few titles here):

Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice

Charles Dickens' A Tale Of Two Cities

Georgette Heyer's These Old Shades, The Grand Sophy, and Friday's Child (just to name a few of the many titles I've read, own and enjoyed).

Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries (all of them)

Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swenson Mysteries (all)

Lynn Kurland's A Dance Through Time, This Is All I Ask, Stardust Of Yesterday

Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling Of Beauty And The Beast, A Door In The Hedge

Shannon Hale's Austenland

Stephenie Meyer's The Twilight Saga

Nicholas Sparks' A Walk To Remember, The Notebook

John Girshman's The Testament, The Street Lawyer, Skipping Christmas

Debbie Macomber's Between Friends

Sarah Strohmeyer's The Cinderella Pact

Anne Rinaldi's Time Enough For Drums

What's on my current list of books to read? I'm planning on looking into the following titles and authors:

Ciara Gold's Celestial Dragon

Kerrelyn Sparks' How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire

Kimberly Frost's Would-Be Witch

I should note that the above authors on my list of books I want to read are members of the NWHRWA website: http://www.nwhrwa.com/index.html (all 3 authors have websites that you can get to through going to the NHRWA's website).

So there you have it. A glimspe into my bookshelf.