How much do you share?

A writing friend recently asked what my second book was about. Good question. Right now it's a companion book to The Forest of Hands and Teeth, ostensibly it's a sequel but we'll still see if that label fits once it's finished and turned in (incidentally, writing under contract does feel a lot like school, just with longer deadlines before you turn in your homework). As I pondered what more I could say about the book I started to wonder how much people really share about what they're writing.

Early on, when the idea for FHT came to me, I didn't say much about it on my blog. Maybe I didn't want to jinx it, maybe I was following what other writers were doing, but not talking about what I was writing suddenly became my habit. For my previous projects (pre FHT) I had word meters up (which I then protested) and talked at least minimally about what I was writing. And then, at the other end of the spectrum you have authors who have daily updates not only about word count, but also about plot.

On the one hand, I'm a writer and I blog about writing. It seems silly not to talk about what I'm actually working on at any given moment. On the other hand, I don't want to give too much information because I'm very anti-spoiler.

Plus, there's another element at play. It's hard to know how much I'm "supposed" to talk about. Not that there's a blog mafia out there watching my every word, but you start to get advice that maybe you shouldn't complain about writing, maybe you shouldn't talk about the struggles or put up a word count meter that will not only show the added words, but also the deleted words.

So that's the question I ask y'all. As blog readers, how much information do you want? What do you like to read about? As blog writers (or any kind of writer) how much do you share or think you should share?

Most Excellent in Blogging...and More

I know, it's not "my day," but Maven Carrie graciously offered to swap with me, and you'll understand why later in this post. (And yes, I'm concealing my motivation and plans for the sake of suspense.)

First up on today's agenda, our friends at the Romance Vagabonds nominated the Mavens last week for an Excellence in Blogging award, which we thought was pretty darned cool (not to mention flattering). The "rules" for this award are that the recipient, in accepting said honor, shall nominate ten other blogs for the same award. Since there are five of us, however, we thought we'd split up the task amongst ourselves, and each of us award to two blogs we particularly enjoy.

My two nominations go to:

• Southern Fried Chicas


• Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent

As you might expect, I like these blogs (one by a group of writers not unlike the Mavens, the other by an agent who doesn't even represent the romance genre) for completely different reasons, but they're both worthwhile and excellent stops on a writer's (or aspiring writer's) tour of the blogosphere.

Now, onto the reason you're getting me today instead of Carrie. Over the weekend, I got an initial mockup and then, yesterday, the final cover art package for Wickedly Ever After. And yeah, I'm in love...


Isn't it beautiful? I just adore the intimacy and serenity of it.

In case you're curious about the story, here's the "back cover" blurb:

Eleanor Palmer is relieved when her fiancé cries off to marry another woman, but horrified when he suggests the dissolute Marquess of Grenville as his replacement. Eleanor may claim descent from the lusty King Charles II, but this proper English lady has no interest in pleasures of the flesh—she'd rather read the Classics.

Nathaniel St. Clair is infamous for his wicked ways—drinking, gambling, and fornicating—but he’s willing to give up all but one of his vices to initiate the lovely Miss Palmer into the joys of lust.

Maybe a little dirty Latin poetry will aid his cause…

You can also read an excerpt on my website and see the book video here. Cobblestone Press will release the novella on Friday, May 23, and I've very, very excited about it.

Finally, speaking of Cobblestone Press, two of my favorite Cobblestone authors, Anna Leigh Keaton and Madison Layle, have a new release this coming Friday in their very popular Incognito series. And if you stop by the new release chat at on Friday afternoon between 8 and 10 Eastern Time, you might even win a free copy of their book!

YOUR TURN: Got any excellent news to share? Excellent books or websites to promote? Do share!

A Community of One

Note to Robynl: You won the signed book from Stephanie Rowe's backlist for posting on her interview! Please contact us with your information, and congratulations!

Ever wonder what writers did twenty years ago? RWA had been founded, but the Internet was still just a twinkle in Al Gore's eye (or had it started up by then - I admit I'm not particularly savvy on Internet history). Did some writers simply go quietly insane with their bunny slippers and stained heart-shaped coffee cup? (And how on earth did they live without an online thesauraus, Wikipedia, or E! News?)

I think there's a general belief that writers are solitary people, loners, even. But today's online communities in the form of chat rooms, email loops, and blogs perhaps argue against that. Given the number of writers I "see" online, I'd say writers are seeking to connect in a way that writing for publication prohibits. It's like doing theatre vs. a movie. Actors might say that theatre is much more gratifying because of the live audience and the instant gratification (I always thought it was, but then I've never done a movie). Participating in online communities might just offer the same rush for the writer - instead of waiting for your book/article/story to be published, you can write a blog, post to a critique loop, or chat for immediate results.

For me, online communities are great because I can take them or leave them. Some weeks I'm feeling chatty and curious, while other weeks I want to stay in my cave. In that respect, I guess I am my own community (well, you must count the Burkettes!) and I kind of like that. To be a writer, you have to exercise extreme self-discipline and, let's face it, you better like your own company. I'm fortunate in that I have the Burkettes around and even Mr. Burke since he often works from home, but since none of them are writers (currently, though Mr. Burke has aspirations, I believe), it's not the same as a community of like-minded/focused people.

How would you describe yourself? Do you like to fly solo or do you prefer a support group? Or maybe you like a little bit of each, which, really, makes the online community thing just about perfect.

Blog Virgin

Wow, my first blog post. How’d I make it two years into a romance writing “career” (I use quotes because career infers I’m getting paid for it, which I’m not…yet – see, I’m hopeful!) or perhaps I should call it an “endeavor.” Anywho, how’d I get this far without blogging? My CPs/writing friends blog. Look right and see links to their blogs. No linky for me. They’ve even asked me to guest blog and I never have. Fear? No. Lack of ideas? Maybe. Inability to be witty, snarky, or remotely interesting? Probably not. Deficit of time? Absolutely!

That said (you’ll see this is a favorite sequitur of the Mavens), Jacqueline assures me that blogging is addictive. Probably another reason I haven’t tried it. Same reason I’ve never drank coffee. (Yes, I live in the Pacific Northwest and I don’t drink coffee.) I’m sure I’ll like it, but do I really need it? (Uh, not when I drink at least one can of Cherry Coke a day.) I don’t even spend a lot of time visiting other blogs because I can see where I’d spend my entire day doing it and I have kids. And a work-from-home job. And, ahem, the writing. Not to mention the critting for our fabulous foursome (and occasionally fivesome – here’s a shout-out to Janice!).

So why now? Because I wanna play! One thing I’ve learned is that nothing beats a community of like-minded people. Like, say, romance writers. I LOVE going to my monthly Rose City Romance Writers meetings if only to sit in the room and soak up the vibe. The vibe we all share. The indescribable drive of creation that makes us writers. I get the same vibe from the Mavens and other writers I’ve met online. So, my hope is that this little blogsite will generate a lovely community of like-minded writers as we cartwheel through our individual and shared adventures.

YOUR TURN: So why do you blog? Or if you don’t, why do you go a-blogging? Do you think blogs are helpful to us as writers?

Do visit us often and keep us posted on your own adventures. Every success, no matter the size, is better when it’s shared. (I need to remember that.) And be sure to come back on Friday, June 22 when we will be awarding fabulous prizes for our Spectacular Launch Jamboree!