Guest Blogger: Author Louisa George

Back by popular demand - it's the Romance Author Extravaganza! And I'm especially thrilled to hand over the reins to the gifted Louisa George, who I had the pleasure of meeting in person! Over to you, Louisa!

Hi Libby!

So lovely of you to invite me here today! And so fabulous to have actually met you. In Person. In Anaheim! What a total thrill!

Anyway, on to the blog…

INNER CONFLICT

So, I think I left my muse in the bar in Anaheim. She was being entertained by a mojito cocktail and a lovely waiter called Jason. I’d really like to have her home now, so please send her back if you see her! I’m stuck and I need her help.

So what to do in times like these? When the story has hit a wall and your brain is out to lunch? Sometimes you write yourself into a corner and it seems as if there’s no way out.

What works for me- what ALWAYS works, is going back to the core conflict. Not the silly argument the hero and heroine had in chapter two which meant they had to kiss and make up, or the misunderstanding they had in that last scene about the woman she saw him with who wasn’t his wife but was really his sister…but the CORE CONFLICT of the story.

What is preventing the hero and heroine getting together? It isn’t the visible obstacle, although an axe-wielding murderer is pretty important, but deal with him and you’ve still got to have some kind of roadblock to the romance. You need an emotional obstacle.

The emotional/inner conflict comes from some sort of belief your hero/heroine holds that prevents them from achieving their goal. In a romance it prevents them from finding love.

This conflict stems from something that has happened to them in the past that has formed this belief – usually crystallised by thoughts such as – love hurts/ love can’t last/ you can’t trust a charming man / I am worthless. They are unhealed wounds that shape the character’s way of thinking about the world and their place in it.

So, after the kiss, or after their first night of wild love-making the thing that holds the tension and the pacing of the story is how the character sees the relationship IN LIGHT OF THE CONFLICT.  This is why so many romances have a dark scene after a love-making scene- the hero/heroine cannot believe they are lovable /or that they can trust someone else so they shrug on their emotional armour and put up barriers again. Thus we have the lovely push/pull and will they/won’t they? of the romance journey.

This inner conflict is the key to story because it is key to character. And character is what makes readers invest their emotions in our books.

So, when the chips are down and you can’t see a way forward in your plot, always look to your characters’ inner journey to find your answer.

In my current release, Waking Up With His Runaway Bride heroine Mim strives to keep her independence after a childhood dominated by controlling men and her mother’s addiction. So when ex fiancé Connor turns up to decide her business’s future she fights tooth and nail to retain control of both her emotions and her medical centre.

Blurb: 

Their make-or-break reunion...

Mim McCarthy needs to focus on saving her clinic—not her insufferable yet outrageously sexy ex Dr Connor Wiseman. He might have grown into those cheekbones, but she knows he won’t have forgiven his runaway fiancée so easily! Yet it’s impossible to deny the sparks between them – their fights used to be legendary, but their making up might be even more momentous…

I’m happy to give away one copy – all you have to do is leave a comment!

Waking Up With His Runaway Bride is available in ebook from: 

Mills and Boon

And in paperback (free postage worldwide!) from:

The Book Depository

Visit me at www.louisageorge.com

Or: http://louisageorge.blogspot.com

RWA Conference Wrap-Up

This is me at the awards ceremony with the fabulous chicks from the Chick Lit chapter.

Hello all! I'm taking a side jaunt from the Romance Writers Extravaganza to check in because I know some of you will be itching to hear about the RWA conference in Anaheim. So without any further ado, here's a recap of what happened:

I arrived on Tuesday evening full of excitement (and nerves). I'd never done anything like this before - gone to a professional conference and I wasn't sure what to expect. The hotel was super (and huge!) and all but taken over by folks in the romance biz. They were identifiable by the RWA badges, but most everyone you passed in the halls, the lobby, etc. was sporting a friendly smile along with a badge. The energy was seriously buzzing. I ran into Heidi Rice in the elevator that first night and took it as a good omen. :-)

On Wednesday I signed up for the Women's Fiction mini conference and I'm so glad I did. Margie Lawson led the morning session with tips and techniques on Deep Editing. I am thrilled that I got to sit in on this. Am starting to think of Margie Lawson as Queen Midas, given the number of Margie graduates who go on to snag RITA awards... After the technical portion, the WF mini con arranged for an author panel, and agent and editor panel and later a marketing expert. So much great information! In addition to padding my knowledge on all aspects of the biz, I got to meet some wonderful women including Laura Drake - the chapter president, Lucie Simone - who I already knew in the virtual world and was so psyched to meet in real life, and Victoria Russell - who is fabulous. More on her in a bit.

During the break, I headed over to the Literacy Signing where I met more people I've only known online up to now, including some of my all-time fave HMB authors: Fiona Harper, Kimberly Lang and Louisa George, AND some of my friends from the Absolute Write Water Cooler: Sandy James and Joanna Bourne AND some of my fellow Musa authors: Lisa Sherwood-Fabre and Donna Del Oro. It was pretty surreal to put real live people with all these online personalities.

Here's the goody room. So much fab stuff there.

The next day I hit several workshops, all of which were informative and helpful. And I also discovered the goody room. This picture isn't so great. It hardly captures what that room really looked like - rows and rows of fun stuff (sparkly pens, chapter excerpts, little bottles of perfume, etc.) Somewhere in my pile of booty, I've got a "do-not-disturb" door hanger thingie with an image of a historical novel cover and the words "Her ladyship cannot be disturbed" or something like that. Too hilarious.

The RWA held a keynote luncheon featuring author, Stephanie Laurens, whose speech was fabulously inspirational. (The chicken was not so good though.) In the afternoon, I met up with Joanna Bourne, Sandy James and Victoria (not sure of her last name) from Absolute Write. It was such a great experience. We chatted for a nice spell. They're great gals, all of them. 

A little later, I found Heidi Rice at the Harlequin book signing, and it was so fabulous to catch up with her. I was fortunate enough to have met Heidi a couple of times before back in England and we chatted like old pals. Later that evening, I met up with the warm and wonderful Tari Lynn Jewett, one of the writers behind the fabulous From Fact to Fiction blog, and later I hung out with the lovely Victoria Russell and we practiced pitching our stories to each other. The pitch sessions were looming and the nerves were definitely tightening... I'm SO glad Victoria and I pitched to each other, though. You can only rehearse alone so many times.

On Friday I eased up on the workshops a bit. I think I only attended two as I had my agent pitch that day and definitely wanted to seem fresh, not burned out. After another RWA luncheon with another amazing orator (Robyn Carr) and sadly more dry chicken, AND after a few outfit changes, I went down to the ballroom for my agent pitch. 

Oh boy. Walking through the lobby and into the ballroom, I honestly felt like I was walking towards the gallows. But the pitch wasn't painful at all. I don't really want to say much on this - don't want to jinx myself or anything. Sorry. Believe me, I'll be shouting it from the rooftops if this pans out. :-)  Anyway...

Saturday was more of the same. Workshops, an editor pitch and lots of chatting with some fascinating authors at all stages of their careers. I spent time getting to know RITA winners, writers who were just getting started on breaking into the industry and everyone in between. 

Just a random sign indicating the workshop inside. These were everywhere.

One thing I have to say is that despite all the forewarnings about sore feet, that was definitely not an issue for me. Course I didn't spent a whole lot of time standing in line and I had fairly comfortable shoes on - not the most comfortable ones I own, but definitely not my spiky heels or anything. Another thing I have to remark on is the incredible amount of books they give away during the conference! I had to mail a small box home to myself and, believe me, I was pretty conservative about picking up books. I'd have loved to go the whole hog, but I was concerned with when I'd find time to read them all! 

And then it was Saturday night and time for the awards banquet. I sat with the lovely ladies from the Chick Lit chapter of RWA and we had a great time before the awards began. About the awards... in a word... wow. Oh my goodness. If you took all the excitement and energy of the previous few days and multiplied it by ten, then you'll get some idea of the atmosphere that night. Each and every one of the Golden Heart and RITA winners was overwhelmed with her win, and the speeches were so touching, I felt myself almost starting to tear up a few times. The incredibly talented Joanna Bourne - if you recall, one of the authors from Absolute Write that I'd met up with earlier - took home a RITA for Best Historical novel. Cool, huh? Naturally I indulged in a few fantasies that night. Is it possible that someday I might be up on stage getting an award? You never know... 

Haha, when I started this blog, I'd planned on quickly summarizing what happened at the conference. Fat chance! But to wrap this up, I'll just say:

Amazing energy, inspiration, encouragement, support, sisterhood and camaraderie, seeing/meeting my idols, learning that dreams can come true.

Love,

Libby

Guest Blogger: Author Nicola Marsh

Next up on the Romance Author Extravaganza is bestselling author, Nicola Marsh, who's given us over thirty delightfully sassy heroines to date. Go for it, Nicola!

Thanks for inviting me to blog, Libby, it’s great to be here.

Before I start writing a book, I must have the perfect title. Even though I know a publisher may change it, the words won’t flow for me unless the title I devise sums up the book perfectly.

Yesterday I had a similar experience with a song.

I know some authors use playlists while writing (me? I prefer silence) but with NOT THE MARRYING KIND, my new book just released, I knew the song for the book trailer had to be perfect too.

The song needed to encapsulate the fun, flirty feel of the book. I wanted fast and boppy and Vegas!

Must say, I discovered googling songs can become as addictive as googling hot heroes (purely for inspiration purposes, of course!)

I had a ball checking out Vegas songs on YouTube and like finding the perfect book title, I knew I’d found the perfect song within hearing the first few bars.

Johnny Ray’s ‘I’m Going to Vegas’ is everything I want NOT THE MARRYING KIND to be. Fast-paced. Fun. Racy.

So what do you think?

Click here to see the YouTube link.

USA TODAY bestselling author Nicola Marsh writes flirty fiction with flair.

She’s had 31 books published with Harlequin Romance and Presents series, a fun, flirty contemporary mainstream romance BUSTED IN BOLLYWOOD with Entangled Publishing (nominated for Romantic Book of the Year 2012) and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

Her first category romance for Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence series, NOT THE MARRYING KIND, releases July 2012, with another category contemporary romance FALLING FOR FLYNN releasing with Crimson Romance October 2012.

Her urban fantasy young adult novel SCION OF THE SUN releases November 2013 with Month9Books.

She’s also a Waldenbooks and Bookscan bestseller, has finaled in a number of awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath,

More than Magic and has won several CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

A physiotherapist for thirteen years, she now adores writing full time, raising her two little heroes, sharing fine food with family and friends, and her favorite, curling up with a good book!

She loves interacting with readers so you can find her:

Website


Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

NOT THE MARRYING KIND BLURB:

Who said marriage had to be convenient?

LA party planner Poppy Collins has kept her side business—planning divorce parties as the Divorce Diva—under wraps, but keeping her sister's company afloat is proving tougher by the day. When a new divorce party prospect gives Poppy the opportunity to save the day and boost her bottom line, she can't pass it up. But this time, she's about to get way more than she bargained for…

Vegas golden boy Beck Blackwood knows Poppy's secret, and he's not afraid to use it to get exactly what he wants—a wife. With his reputation and corporate expansion plans on the line, the only way he can repair the damage is by getting hitched, and fast. And if blackmail is the only way to get Poppy to the altar, then so be it…

But they're in the city of high stakes, and Poppy has a few aces up her sleeve. Now it's time to find out if they're playing to win…or if they're playing for keeps.

Link to excerpt

Buy links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Guest Blogger: Author Fiona Harper

The next guest blogger on my Romance Author Extravaganza is the fabulously imaginative Fiona Harper, who happens to be doing a giveaway. Take it away, Fiona!

Guilty pleasures…we all have them. Aside from chocolate, mine often come under the heading ‘trashy telly’.

Don’t get me wrong, I love watching documentaries and dramas and rip-roaring adventure and crime shows, but there’s something about the writer in me that LOVES reality TV. I suppose it’s like taking my love of sitting in cafes watching people go by to the max. You get access into bits of people’s lives you’d never be able see when they’re walking down the street. You get to peel back the surface layer and see what motivates those outrageous or surprising things they do.

But I tell myself it’s not really numbing my brain. After all, I’m a writer, and I write character-based stories. Surely I can learn something from each of these shows…

Here are my top three guilty TV pleasures:

1. Survivor

I’d much rather watch a reality TV show where people are put to the test, have to do things that are outside their comfort zone, rather than watching them sit around back-biting. I love the sheer physical challenge of Survivor, but add in all the scheming and the alliances… it’s pure TV gold. My only complaint is that they DON’T SHOW IT IN THE UK! I’ve had to resort to buying the DVDs, so there are plenty of seasons I’ve missed. Sob.

From a writer’s point of view this show is pure gold. Writer of Story, Robert McKee, says that true character shows up when people are under pressure. One of the best bits about Survivor is the fact you never know who is going to surprise you by being strong and loyal and dig deep and find it within themselves to do things they’d never thought they do. And sometimes you never see those dastardly betrayals coming!

Most memorable moment: wanting to throw stuff at the screen when Boston Rob made a deal with Lex to save Amber and then reneged on it, going on to win the show…

2. The Real Housewives of New York

I only caught up with this show a year or so ago. I started watching because I knew I was going to the RWA conference in NY and was very excited about anything to do with the city. Didn’t take me long to get sucked into all the drama that naturally occurs when strong women with colourful personalities get together.

From a writing point of view, this was great for seeing real multi-layered conflict. I can often see both sides of the arguments that occur between the cast, can see why those people are upset, why they believe what they believe and how, when the other person is coming from a totally different place, it can cause conflict that can’t always be solved by a sit down chat over a cup of coffee.

Most memorable moment: Bethenney and Jill’s fight. Is it wrong that I still want them to make up and be friends again?

3. Judge Judy

What can I say? I love the woman. Nothing gets past her. Nothing. And the relentless trail of people suing each other for various things are also fascinating. How often is the lawsuit not about the money but about something else? Principles, revenge, venting at a friend or a lover who has moved on… Why people bring their cases is almost as interesting as the cases themselves.

The writing bonus I’ve got from this show is reading body language. I am getting much, much better at working out who is telling porkies (I’m a Londoner, so translation: pork pies = lies) and who is on the up-and-up. Judge Judy always has their measure before I do, but I’ve realised that people really do give guilty smiles. There’s often a moment when Judge Judy will confront the person who is lying through their teeth with the truth and they give themselves away. Sometimes they laugh, sometimes the smirk, and often it’s only a split-second of a reaction before they rearrange their features and carry on. And it’s totally different to the kind of laugh an honest person gives when they can’t believe what the other person is saying. You watch it and you’ll see it yourself!

Most memorable moment: any time the judge says, “I don’t give a rat’s behind about…”

So, what are your guilty TV pleasures, and why do you love them so much? I’m going to a draw to give away a copy of my latest release Always The Best Man to one of the people who comments on this blog!

Be sure to comment before midnight on 24 July (US Pacific time zone) to get your name in the drawing.

I’m going to be in Anaheim this week for the RWA national conference. I’m taking part in the Readers for Life Literacy signing at the Anaheim Convention Centre of Wednesday 25th July from 5 – 7 p.m. 800 West Katella Ave, Anaheim. Drop by and say “hi” and pick up some books to help a really worthwhile charity too!

Guest Blogger: Author Natalie Anderson

The next blog guest on my Romance Author Extravaganza is the super talented Natalie Anderson, who pens addictive, smokin' hot romances. Go for it, Natalie!

When you're a writer there are several milestones in your career that give you the most massive thrill - holding your first (and actually, any subsequent books) in your hands for the first time, seeing them on the shelf in a bookshop at the local mall, getting your first email from a reader who loved the story you wrote, getting your books in translation. It's a fabulous reward for those 'hard slog' days!

I've had a couple of lovely 'buzz' moments recently - getting copies of my books in Manga - I'm sooooo thrilled about that - check out the cover of this one, I love it!!! And I had another thrill this month with a book included in the Australian/New Zealand "Best Selling Authors Collection 2012".

The story of mine in the anthology is UNBUTTONED BY HER MAVERICK BOSS (in the US this was released as REBEL WITH A CAUST). I'm so thrilled this book is getting another outing as it is a particular favourite of mine. I love the hero, Lorenzo, for many reasons, but one of the biggies is the way he gives the heroine, Sophy, the time to reach for her dreams. Sophy is the kind of girl I think many of us can relate to - she's trying very hard to be all things to all people and she tends to shove her own dreams to the bottom of the 'to do' list. But Lorenzo pulls her up on this - realising that the root of Sophy's reason for being so busy, is fear - she doesn't want to fail in something that's so precious to her. But she's been given an opportunity and he's not going to let her self-sabogage it! He whisks her away for the weekend - and then pretty much abandons her, literally giving her the time and the space to get the work she needs to get done, done. Of course, he does come back later in the day and helps soothe her weary muscles (think massage and thermal pools...) ;) But thanks to him she got the work done, her confidence grew and she began to truly believe in her ability.

I think many people get bogged down in day to day 'busy'-ness and often don't take the time to give their creative selves a chance - and actually sometimes it takes courage to take the time for yourself and your own dreams. My husband, my real life hero (who is of course, inspiration for all my romance heroes) is the guy who gave me the time - literally - to start my own writing career. I was home with two small children and he'd take them off (to the park, via the cafe) so I could sit at the computer and try to 'write a book' - because I'd always said I wanted to. It was such a supportive thing - and still does - for me. Giving someone time (especially as a busy mum!) is the most fabulous gift!

Is finding time to fulfil your creative self a problem for you? If you got given some time, what would you do with it - write, paint, garden, dream? Would you create something yourself or enjoy the creations of someone else?! Tell me what would you do before enjoying the massage and thermal pools?!? ;)

USA TODAY bestseller Natalie Anderson writes fun, frisky, feels-good contemporary romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon and Entangled. With twenty books published, she's also been a Romantic Times Award nominee & a finalist for the R*BY (Romantic Book of the Year). She lives in Chirstchurch, New Zealand with her husband, four children and what feels like a million ducks. Sign up to her newsletter and find out more at her website on Twitter  and on Facebook.