Rallying Point, Food for Thought, & (Over-) Editing Validation

It’s with a light heart I report that, for now, Tilly the cat is breathing easier most of the time and still acting healthy in all other respects. She appears so comfortable I’ve left her sleeping alone on the low-set heating pad to spend time around Jezebel. You see, yesterday afternoon that elderly grey kitty acted a fool for attention despite her age, racing around for me to chase. Of course the napping brat acts all casual about my presence now (~grin~) but I’ve no doubt she appreciates it.

Jezebel in Full-on "Monkey Mode"

In other news, exchanging emails with a very talented and oft published writer, I confessed my ongoing obsession with re-re-re-editing older stories. This kind mentor’s reply validated my quirk with uplifting, if disheartening wisdom:

“Never feel guilty about fiddling with old stories. Taking your own work to pieces is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills -- it also gives you fresh perspective on the work of other writers. (One of the pitfalls is that one can become quite critical of books in print, particularly the best sellers, where the actual value of the book can be secondary to the marketing hype, spectacular cover, and writer's reputation, all of which go together to make a best seller out of a work that ... shouldn’t have been. They do say -- and I believe it -- that the best books are lying in desk drawers, unpublished. These days, they're probably languishing on the Amazon servers, having sold 35 copies and then been forgotten for want of an advertising budget!)”

Thanks, my friend.

More on that note, I’d like to share a snippet and would appreciate knowing what you think if you care to comment. This scene from “Man’s Best Friend (BloodMoon #8)” follows a violent home invasion and the protagonist’s efforts to move past it, surprising her reunited lover with the renovations.

Story:

Nickolas ripped off the scarf blindfolding him. He took a step back, jaw dropping, and shook his head.

“Wow. You do like yellow.”

“And I remembered you like blue. Is it too much like a circus tent?”

“Not at all. It’s psychedelic.” Looking to me, he fanned out the fingers of his right hand like a conjurer. “Where on earth did you find this cool carpet?”

“There’s a hotel supplier in town that sells remnants.” I uncrossed my fingers, no longer worrying that blue and yellow paisley pile might be too much. “I figured it would hide dirt and hold up well.”

“I am kind of a slob.”

“You and me both,” I said, snickering. “What do you think of the furniture?”

“What happened with the old stuff?”

“We donated it to charity. It… I…”

“Wanted a fresh start?”

“Yeah.”

I gave him a look I hoped showed my gratitude over his understanding. Neither of us speaking, he looked around the room. I could sense him wanting to touch me and took hold his hand, swinging our arms child-like between us before continuing my narrative.

“Anyway, everything matches now. I figured solid yellow upholstery and curtains toned down the carpet,” I prattled, “as well as the blue sheets.”

“I can hardly wait to see you in them.”

Letting go his hand, I feigned a need to show him which drawers contained his socks and underwear. Nickolas smiled walking to the replaced window. I appreciated him ignoring my discomfort, whether out of civility or male oblivion.

~

Final paragraph revised:

Longing rumbled in silent echoes. I let go his hand, darting forth to show which drawers contained his socks and underwear. Nickolas smiled walking to the replaced window and I appreciated the disregard, whether out of civility or male oblivion.

~

Now I need to stop editing this. Heh… It’s time I go to the gym and lift weights.

What are you up to today?

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A Review of ‘Bodies in the Boatyard’ by Ellen Jacobson

I am honored to have been gifted the second Mollie McGhie cozy sailing mystery in grateful exchange of a fair review. Thank you, Ellen, for this opportunity. Free reads are awesome, as is the opportunity to support other authors.

Again, Ms. Jacobson’s delightful and quirky sense of humor shines as Mollie fumbles her way toward solving another murder case. In fact, as the title implies, there are two. And the plot includes way more suspects than stiffs.

Favorite characters return, such as Ben the poor dressing wannabe pirate who does odd jobs around the marina and pines for his elusive lady friend. Readers are also given further glimpses into the protagonist’s loving marriage. Exchanges between Mollie and Scooter never fail to make me smile.

I get the distinct impression there is a good deal of Mr. Jacobson in Mollie’s protective, chocolate and Cap’n Crunch loving partner. Please let Mollie’s propensity for finding dead people remain fiction. ~grin~ The light romantic elements woven through the various relationships, meanwhile, provides a fun and realistic touch.

It’s not beach season here in my northern hemisphere neck of the Midwestern woods, but curling up with this e-book in the light of my Christmas tree almost made up for the grey and chilly venue. If you like demanding kitties, especially those worming their way into aspiring sailors’ hearts while helping her intrepid human find clues, you’ll enjoy this book.

“Bodies in the Boatyard” is available both as an eBook at Amazon and paperback both on Amazon and Barnesand Noble. I hope you’ll give it a read and perhaps visit Ellen’s humorous and interesting blog, The Cynical Sailor andHis Salty Sidekick. Other places to find Ellen Jacobson include Facebook and her author page.

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Momentous

My mother’s tombstone was installed this month. Dad asked the monument company to please try to have it done before Christmas. They were married fifty-seven years. When I saw the center inscription I bawled like a baby.

Have you ever seen a wedding date inscribed on a headstone? What would you like yours to read?

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Fear and Fervor

For someone reticent about publishing, especially amid the industry’s current craziness, I sure woke at 4am obsessed about the topic. Not surprisingly, I focused on artistic elements like writing a logo for my series and the thankful aspect, writing a dedication.

Even less of a shock, I found choosing the correct font the most enjoyable. At first I wanted something that looked like cursive, but the flowery results didn’t fit in with my angst laden erotic tales of treachery and torment. By 6:15am I came up with the following (not sure if the words are unique, but this is just for fun, after all):

Love.

It Isn’t for

the Faint of

Heart.

Despite my having failed to work in the series title (~shakes head~), what do you think?

 

Cover Created for NaNoWriMo

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Dress for Success

One thing dear friends and co-authors A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder (website is NSFW) taught me about publishing is that you want to have a ‘brand’. And that includes having a certain style for meeting your book fans at conventions.

I remember seeing these ladies get ready for a holiday party with their publisher in my part of the Midwestern United States, how they both regaled me. You see, we usually hang out for a few days out of the year in casual, comfy clothes.

So far I’ve only sold a short story and haven’t had the will to try for more. But my recent online purchase of a butterfly wing patterned dress got me to thinking that it might be the sort of thing I would wear to book signing conventions.

Liz of Laws of Gravity was kind in asking for a photo of me in the dress but I’m still camera shy. So here’s a photograph of the dress after it arrived in the post. It’s hanging over the bathtub because, for some reason, the garment showed up at my house soaking wet.

Garnered Several Compliments
Some From Strangers

Needless to say, I washed the dress before wearing. The fit and length (about mid shin) turned out to be perfect, I’m happy to say.

What do you think of a butterfly themed style for a romance/erotica writer?

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OCD, a Little Insane, or Just in Love with My Characters?

I believe I have the most minor, pleasant case of obsessive compulsive disorder possible (though friends tired of hearing about the same music groups during each phase may disagree; Palaye Royale, anyone?).

I'm polishing my short story series for like the thirteenth time and having as much if not more fun as I did writing them. Or maybe I'm just mildly deranged.

Go Ahead, Roll Your Eyes

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Please Welcome Author Nick Wilford with Excellent Writing Insight

Hi Darla! Thanks for helping out with my blog tour today. I’d like to engage your readers in a discussion if I may.

Darla: Splendid, Nick! Thank you for guest posting. I really enjoyed "Black and White" and am delighted to host you.

Why is it important to include some romance in non-romance books?

I’m the last person to count myself as a romance writer, and it’s not a genre I had read a lot of before I started writing books. But I have met some really excellent fellow authors who write romance, and seem to do something different with it. There are always new things to do in every genre; it’s all in the hands of the author. And it’s interesting when genres mix and mingle. When beginning to write Black & White, I didn’t set out to include the element of romance. It was something that arose naturally, and it did serve the plot. I don’t think anything should be included in a book just for the sake of it.

The world of my novel is quite grim on the face of it. Not because there are bad things happening – crime as we would see it has been eradicated, people have been conditioned out of it, and of course that’s a good thing. But the society is very sterile. Not just for the fact that there is no dirt or illness – things are hyper-ordered and regimented, with people eating meals and working out at set times. It’s as if the human touch has been lost. Marriages never seem to be particularly affectionate, and people also don’t extend that much love to their kids (only one is allowed per family). My two young leads, Wellesbury and Ezmerelda, both have friend groups that are characterised by quite a mean, cutting sense of humour. So the idea of romance blossoming between them was something that really helped offset this and offered some light relief. It wasn’t immediately obvious – as I said earlier, it wasn’t planned from the start. But right away I was intrigued by the dynamic between them. It was clear that Ezmerelda is smarter than Wellesbury – and smarter than her whole peer group, in fact, which irks them. But her intentions are always good, so hopefully it doesn’t irk the reader. She’s also the practical, level-headed one, where Welles is wide-eyed and optimistic. She’s great at taking his ideas and fleshing them out into a concrete plan, and she’ll also give him a pep talk whenever he gets discouraged.

So initially, this was more a case of two like-minded souls finding each other than something that was written in the stars to be a great romance. But then, I find the appearance of “insta-love” in books quite bothersome. At least give them a chance to get to know each other first. With Welles and Ez, their feelings developed after they had been through quite a lot of stuff together – some very adverse circumstances – and they started to realise that it really was them against the world. Hopefully this will make the reader root for them to succeed even more, especially when it looks they might not get the chance to be together.

All in all, I think a splash of romance is a great addition to any story. It can help round out your characters and draw the reader in. But just like our real-world affairs of the heart, don’t try and force anything. In fact, just get on with the main plot and if things develop organically – well, then it was meant to be. This will make for a much more satisfactory experience for the reader.

What are your thoughts on including romance in non-romance genres?

Title: Black & White

Author: Nick Wilford

Genre: YA dystopian Series #: 1 of 3

Release date: 18th September 2017

Publisher: Superstar Peanut Publishing

Blurb:

What is the price paid for the creation of a perfect society?

In Whitopolis, a gleamingly white city of the future where illness has been eradicated, shock waves run through the populace when a bedraggled, dirt-stricken boy materialises in the main street. Led by government propaganda, most citizens shun him as a demon, except for Wellesbury Noon – a high school student the same age as the boy.

Upon befriending the boy, Wellesbury feels a connection that he can’t explain – as well as discovering that his new friend comes from a land that is stricken by disease and only has two weeks to live. Why do he and a girl named Ezmerelda Dontible appear to be the only ones who want to help?

As they dig deeper, everything they know is turned on its head – and a race to save one boy becomes a struggle to redeem humanity.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US / Amazon UK / Smashwords / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

Add it on Goodreads

Meet the author:

Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those early morning times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and formatting thrown in. When not working he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also the editor of Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew. Visit him at his blog or connect with him on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, or Amazon.

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