Archive for the ‘writing’ Category
Polls and Other Stuff
Good Evening Everyone!
I hope your weekend is going well.?There are three new polls. Two close on the 22nd, the third is on-going. ?Two have to do with the Authors After Dark Convention (Oct 23rd-24th) and the last one has to do with the Vampiropolis series. ?On Monday the Urban Fantasy Week kicks off and I can’t wait for you to see some of the wonderful posts.
I’m thinking of starting a guest blogging series called Sunday Spotlight where an author gets to spotlight their series, news, whatever. Not sure yet, still mulling it over. I still have to put up the Lizzie Lynn Lee interview and Artist Corner.
I also found out that Tease will be putting out Pixie on the 15th of October. *Big Grin* Can’t wait to share it with you.
Anyway, I have to go do a bit of writing. Have a great weekend everyone!
Se
P.S. I just wanted to give you a heads up. Ulta is doing a wonderful thing for Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you go into any Ulta store and donate $10 you can get a scarf or hat. $7.50 of that donation goes to Breast Cancer Research. If you decide not to get either the whole $10 will be donated. For more information go here:
http://www.ulta.com/store/breastcancer/
Please, click the Breast Cancer button on the left hand side, under the archives menu of the blog to help give free mammograms.
News, New Contract and Contest
Hi Everyone!
Look three blogs in one month, wow! LOL.?A few things, first Changeling Press has contracted my next Dawg Town Story called First Snow which will deal with Robbie and Kitty. *Grin*
My writer’s block is over. Yaaaay, I’m so happy. I’ve also started a new story which I hope to finish soon and have turned into my editor ASAP. Just been dealing with a few things lately. Buut, I will be at the Authors After Dark Convention the 23rd-24th. I hope to see you there. It looks like it’s going to be an awesome gathering.
I’m putting together two bags as prizes. The first one is a pink plaid weekender bag filled with print books, promo and some awesome stuff. The other bag is a beachy/tote bag filled with promo, print books and stuffed animals. *Grin*. Hopefully I can get some cool swag at the Con to give away to you guys.
Now for a Contest that is currently going on. Check out Wick’d Reads for an awesome contest. I’m giving away the Tartan Interlude candle. Go here for the details.
Next Week I’ll have a whole bunch of fabu Guest Bloggers and the theme this week is Urban Fantasy. I hope you’re as excited as I am.
Soon the site will be getting another makeover and I’ll be getting a forum. I’m so excited. Once it’s up and running and everything is as it should be I’ll let you guys know. Squee!
I’ll be posting one or two new polls.
Se
My Muse seems to Enjoy Torturing Me
Currently that is my avatar at the moment. I’m pissy.
I’m not at this point yet. —->
If that happens its time to break out the chocy and all my fav movies. Anyway, I feel like?my muse is screwing with me. She shows me hot and sexy scenes (a threesome no less!) and then runs away laughing. ?I just don’t have a beginning for my story I have sex scenes! I want a beginning damnit. I want to start at point A, get to point B where they meet and then have them get to point C and maybe D and then The End. I know how they get together, where they meet and how this whole thing happens but what I want is a good beginning and I loathe starting over which is what I seem to be doing as of late. I start a story, go back, redo the beginning and then move on.
It doesn’t help that I’ve been sick for the last month and I’m tired most of the time. And when you’re tired everything you write seems like crap. No natural rhythm. I feel off balance. I want to write not dredge through it. I want to get lost in the story, not growl at the screen, hit backspace and start all over again.
-Whine over-
So here’s a question for the writers.
When your muse throws you a curve ball and shows you the story in bits and pieces do you roll with it or fight to start at the beginning?
Or do you grab your muse, put them in a hammerlock and threaten to flog them until they tell you everything, no details spared.
(I tried threatening my muse with this: http://www.bootyparlor.com/good-girl-bad-girl-whipper-tickler.html she just laughed and bent over. My muse is sick I tell you! Sick…And naughty.
)
Se
P.S. Thank You to Teeka, she gave me a good idea. *Grin*
Stuff
Hi Everyone!
I hope your 2009 is going well so far. I just turned in edits for Blood Claim: Prelude and With His Mind. *Grin* I just found out With His Mind will be out Feb. 20th*, I’m excited about that. I got to play in the Sci-Fi/Futuristic genre with that story. Right now I’m working on re tweaking White Russian. The story, I felt had been missing something, so I had a friend read it over and she told me what she thought. The pieces fell into place after that. Now I just have to re-work things, finish it and then turn it into my editor. That still leaves Justice Unbound (Vampriopolis 4) and Fallen Lover.
I also got a two story ideas for shorts for Tease. I blame Tilly for one of them. LOL. Which reminds me I still have to do the Tagged 16 Random Things about me list. I’ll get to that towmorrow. LOL. I swear, when I take a break from White Russian. *Grin* I also started Blood Claim: Bound, the next book in the BC series. I showed the beginning to my editor and she loved it. Whew. *Grin* So that’s another thing I have to pile on.
This week I plan on staying inside as temps around here about to hit single digits. Brrrrr. If you’ve been poking around the site and you’ve been here when it first started or a bit after that you’ll notice I’ve begun updating and changing pages, that will continue. I am thinking of a new look. Not sure. I’ve very inspired by Renee George’s Cover for Melanie Unmasked, but only in red, black and white colors maybe some silver. *Shrugs* I want to do character pages for the books just you get to know them a bit better. I already have page? in mind for Jessye from Blood Claim. Just have to do Rysen and Kit’s page first. LOL
I plan on putting up a new poll about genres you may be interested just to get feedback. I would really like to get into Cyber Punk and Sci-Fi a bit more. I’d also like to do stories that have their insipration rooted in Anime. Dawn Montgomery did a fantastic story about a Kitsune and I’d love to do something along those lines. Okay, enough of my ramblings. Here’s the song that I’m loving at the moment:
Garbage: Milk
It’s really inspiring me for White Russian.
Hugs All Around,
Selena
Updates, Cover Candy and Awards
Hi Everyone!
I just turned in my first round of edits for Pixie and finished up Catering to Hayley. *Grin* Now I get to work on tweaking Fallen Lover, then Justice Unbound and after that Her Chaos Dragon and then White Russian. I’m tired and we’re only in day 5 of the New Year.
Today starts the voting process for the LRC awards and Discovering Passion is up for Best Paranormal Book. Here’s the link to vote (You must be a member of the Group to Vote):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe/surveys?id=2140905
Also, here are some new covers I just got *grin*
Blood Claim: Prelude:
When You Wish Upon a Pixie: Induction:
Catering to Hayley:
I’ll be uploading the images into the image rotator and giving the books individual pages.
Hope you like them. Hugs All Around.
Selena
I’m a bad Blogger
I haven’t been updating you guys like I should. I’ll try to blog much more. I envy Savannah, she’s such a great blogger. *smile* Okay, here we go. Let’s try and pack as much into this as possible
Books:
Tartan Surprise is out which I’m so excited about, next up is Discovering Passion, in August ’08, which is Lida’ story from A Fling in Vampiropolis. I’ll get the exact date to you as soon as I get it.
In June I subbed a total of five books, three to CP and two to Tease and on July 1st I subbed a book to a new pub. I’m hoping they like it. I was really nervous about query letter and synopsis. I can write a book but blurbs, synopsis and query letters stress me out. But hey, they’re a part of the process.
For the last month or so I’ve been either tired, working my ass off to finish a book or suffering from writer’s block. Up until now, I haven’t written anything for a week which frustrated me a lot. But I finally managed to work on a story that I’m aiming to finish by Friday of this coming week. So far I’ve got 8k+ on it. It’s a ghost story, I’ve never done a ghost story before so this is all new to me. I hope I get it right.
My aim is to finish several stories by the end of the summer and subbing to at least two to three more new pubs. I know, a lot of work but at the end of the day, it’s worth it. I’m also working on making my Free stories downloadable, not the Friday Flash series though, not until that’s done. That’s about it on the writing front
Lori Foster’s Get Together:
I had fun at this event. It was so nice meeting so many people and seeing some people I had me at RT. The highlight seeing my twin from another mother, Ce! We were good I swear *shoots look over at Dawn*. Tell them Ce, we were well behaved.
I have to say Hi to Lena, Liz (good to see you again), Joy (you are awesome), Maggie, Kelly, Bianca (B!), Jacki (as always, you are fabulous), Maya, Marty, Tuesday (I’ll call you I swear. You are behaving right? lol), Laura K., Kelley, Jackie, Sierra (Big Hugs), Teeka (Teeka!), Kate, Camille, Flash, Renee, Shiloh, Rhonda aka SandDaz (sorry for the awkwardness), Anya, Ali and Aneka. If I forgot you, I’m soooo sorry, please feel free to yell at me later.
I loved the conference and had so much fun. Ce, Tuesday we sooo have to do an antho together. *grin* Tuesday, stop looking at me like that, you know you want to0, mwhahahaha! I definitely want to go next year. I also want to go RT next year as well. Shar, Ce you ready for that? I know I left a lot out but I can’t really remember everything. *sigh*
Birthday:
Well, I turned 27 this year. Yeah! My birthday started early when the fabulous Crystal Green/Chris Marie Green (she’s going to be at Comic Con and the RWA conference, I soos wish I was going), sent me a signed copy of Midnight Reign. I was in absolute shock. She is so awesome. I got a Birthday Card from Savannah (Big Hugs, babes). A lovely bag of chips from Tilly , (yum). *Grin* And yesterday, although late, I got flowers from Shar. She told me to expect a few more things. Goodness!
I pretty much spent the day wading through email, promoing Tartan Surprise and doing the chat over at ARe. *Grin* That chat was so much fun! I want to do it again. I’ll try and arrange another one maybe this month or next. A special to Thank You to Shar for staying up late just to do the chat. Another special Thank You to everyone who stopped by and spent my Birthday with me.
My birthday was made all the more special by Jambrea who showed me the book review she did for A Fling in Vampiropolis for Joyfully Reviewed. I was so ecstatic by it. That really helped make my Birthday great.
I got an ice cream cake the next day: cookies and cream ice cream with Devil’s Food Cake. A real ice cream cake! One that isn’t ice cream in the shape of a cake. Man, I want another one. LOL
I know it sounds like a boring Birthday but it was good enough for me. I like the simplicity of it. Not too much expectation which I’m good with. I didn’t go see Wanted like I wanted too. It was opening weekend which would mean dealing with too many people. I am hoping to go to see either Batman: Dark Knight or Hellboy 2 or both. LOL
Movies and TV:
What else can I add? Hmmm . . . nothing more, I don’t think. I’m watching the Twilight Zone, absolutely brilliant. I can understand why they wanted to resurrect the series but, sorry if it doesn’t have Rod Serling, I really can’t bring myself to watch it. The Twilight Zone is classic, brilliant story telling.
Speaking of TV, is anyone watching In Plain Sight? I’m loving that show. I also can’t wait for Burn Notice, Psych and Eureka to come back. I’m starting to enjoy So, You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew.
I’ve seen the trailer they’re running for Heroes next season. I love the series but I was left feeling as if the show is lacking something. Maybe it was adding too many characters or the sudden character shift (Uh, Hiro what about Charlie?). I’m hoping this season makes up for what was missing last season.
I can’t wait for Chuck to come back on air, I love that show. And NCIS, noooo, you can’t do that! OMG! I can’t wait to see what they do with Lost, that finally was just, WOW! Okay, can’t think of any other shows and I think I’ve started babbling. LOL. Later’s guys.
Hugs all around,
Selena
P.S. So what shows are you guys looking forward to seeing this summer or this fall? What are you reading? Any questions for me? *Selena now wonders if she’s opened up a can of worms* I’ll answer them if I can.
Release Date
A Fling in Vampiropolis will be released on March 28th by Changeling Press. *Big Grin* In project news, my fabulous CP and bestest friend Shara Cooper is helping me put together a newsletter. *Grin* I’ve also started the first mini story after Green Beer, or interlude between Green Beer and Pot of Gold. *Grin* Hope everyone is having a Great Week.
Selena
An Annoucement
I am pleased and excited to annouce that I have been offered and accepted a contract for my story A Fling in Vampiropolis with Changeling Press. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go insane now. LOL
Selena
Aurora Black’s Potent Spirits
Bio:
Aurora Black is a self-proclaimed “passionate woman of the world in an ingenue’s clothing,” who made her erotic literary debut in late 2006 with Phaze. She got her start at Literotica, where she learned the basics of the writing trade and gained the confidence she needed to turn professional.
An erotica writer by day and sultry jazz singer at night, Aurora uses her vivid imagination combined with glamorized life experiences as material for her works. Living in exotic Europe has made an everlasting impact on the Detroit-area native, and she writes to express the deepest (and sometimes darkest) parts of her soul along with her great love of the written word. Like her characters, she pursues her dreams with everything she has.
Aurora can be found at her website, “Who Is Aurora Black?” at http://www.whoisaurorablack.com/ and her blog, “Roses on Snow” at http://aurorablack.blogspot.com/
Cover Link for Potent Spirits:
http://a397.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/m_e4216169619df2513cd8d488d3fd8174.jpg
Buy Link for Potent Spirits:
http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Potent+Spirits+by+Aurora+Black
Potent Spirits Blurb:
The legendary story of “A Christmas Carol” has never been seen like this!
Quiet and shy Vivian Woods is in love with the devastatingly handsome Caleb Blackwell, a sexy fireman who sets her heart ablaze every night in her dreams, but she’s convinced that he doesn’t know she exists. She plans to spend another lonely Christmas at home, with thoughts of her secret love to keep warm.
Someone has other plans.
With the help of three hunky spirits, Vivian takes the most erotic and revealing journey of her life. Their sizzling touches on her skin teach her about the passionate, strong woman she really is inside… and a special someone’s true feelings. ‘Tis the season to make love.
Excerpt #1:
Her lower lip trembled from the lunacy of it all. “What do you want from me?”
His eyes were tender as he held out his hand for her to take.
“All I want is to take away the pain. Come with me.”
She could almost feel her mother’s presence beside her again, encouraging her.
*Go on, honey. Take a chance. Be happy. Live free and open your heart to love.*
Vivian placed a trembling hand in his own, and he gently lifted it to his lips. “You won’t regret this,” he murmured against her shivering skin. She remained silent as he wrapped his arm around her, leading her to the window. “Look outside, Vivian. What do you see?”
Her dark brown eyes darted over the scene below as she licked her dry lips.
“I see other apartment buildings, cars on the busy streets, falling snow.”
The spirit dropped his arm from her shoulders and stepped behind her, his eyes drinking in her beauty. He tenderly stroked her hair as she faced the window. With one hand he brushed away some of her wayward curls, leaning forward to graze his sensual lips against the sensitive nape of her neck.
His breath was warm against her ear, and her eyes fell shut from the sensation.
“Do you know what I see down there? I see people who have purpose in their lives, people who love and are loved in return. I see them racing through the icy wind and snow to get home, back to the warmth of their houses and the company of their loved ones.”
His hands trailed down her sides to cradle her hips, pulling her to him. She could feel him growing hard against her ass, and instinctively she pressed back. He let out a soft grunt, his breathing heavy as he slid his hands beneath her pajama top to cup her breasts. His husky voice seduced her as he resumed speaking.
“I can feel the grief and loneliness that you carry in your breast, Vivian. Such a heavy burden for a woman such as you. I sense that you’ve been burned badly in the past, and as a result you’ve abandoned your dreams and resigned yourself to the life of a hermit. It’s not too late to set things right.”
She reached behind her and traced his powerful thighs with her fingernails, entranced by the cords of muscle that quivered beneath her touch. He gave a wordless murmur of encouragement as his fingers deftly unfastened the buttons of her shirt and slid it off, exposing her breasts to the night’s chill. His calloused hands covered her aching nipples, and she whimpered in pleasure.
Vivian leaned forward and rested her forehead against the frosty glass as her earlier apprehension was replaced by lust for her visitor. Her breath came in pants, fogging the glass even further. With a great deal of effort, she managed to speak.
“I…I don’t usually do this with men I don’t know…”
His laughter was deep and rich as he gently pushed down her pajama bottoms and motioned for her to step out of them. She wore only a pair of lacy panties, but she wasn’t cold. On the contrary, she was downright hot.
The spirit embraced her from behind, his chest flush against her back as he cupped her mound through the thin barrier of lace. “If you must attach a name to me, call me Tobias. That was my name in life.”
She turned her head to the side, her eyes filled with wonder as she regarded her ghostly lover.
“What are your plans for me, Tobias?”
His soulful green eyes flashed in the darkness, his lips close to hers.
“I’ll show you, if you’ll allow me.”
Excerpt #2:
The last message began to play, and the sound of her recorded voice
filled the room. She had forgotten that she called earlier that evening.
“Hi, Caleb. This is Vivian. I was just calling to wish you a Merry
Christmas. So, um, Merry Christmas. Maybe I’ll see you around
sometime. Bye.”
She winced at how she’d sounded, glancing to see Caleb’s reaction.
He stood beside her, staring at the machine as it clicked off. His tawny
eyes softened, and he played the message again as he removed his belt
and unsnapped his jeans.
Behind her, Chris leaned forward and whispered in her ear. She
could feel his erection throbbing against her ass. She imagined his
wicked smile. “Now the fun begins, baby.”
Vivian’s mouth fell open as a half-naked Caleb strode into what
must have been his bedroom. She turned to Chris, who was watching her
with raw lust in his gaze. She felt warm all over from the lethal
combination of his look and the fact that her man was undressing just a
few feet away. And then it dawned on her that she was alone in the
apartment with not one, but two gorgeous men. Oh, the possibilities!
Her answering smile was positively feral. She trailed a hand down
his body and firmly gripped his cock, giving it a few pumps before
releasing it to walk toward the bedroom. “Shall we?”
Soooo . . .
I subbed Fling in Vampiropolis on Wednesday. Wish me luck. I’ll tell you more about the story later. Right now I’m trying to write a story, that doesn’t have a name yet, so I’m kind of lost, once a story has a name it’s a bit easier for me to write it. Is that weird?
As far as me goes, I’m feeling good, a bit sore from all the walking I’ve been doing lately, I just got the new Pirates movie, but haven’t watched it yet, must write! Need to write, I’m only on Chapter 4 at 3k, I need to write at least 10k, I want to get this story done on Sunday, ambitious but this week has been all over the place for me. Oh, before I forget. Happy Friday!


The Google group is open, just no activity, must plan a party, so what would you guys like to see excerpts, contests, jokes, what? Comment and let me know.
Selena
P.S. The Free Story is now done, I hope to have a new story ready for you guys soon. Hugs.











