BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS
For Readers with Exquisite Tastes

NEW: Accepting her Laird, Book 3 of the McRaidy Clan

NEW: Accepting her Laird, Book 3 of the McRaidy Clan
Available at all your favorite e-Book stores!

~The McRaidy Collection~

  • Her McRaidy Chieftain, Book 1 of the McRaidy Clan
  • Somers Rising, Book 2 of the McRaidy Clan
  • Accepting her Laird, Book 3 of the McRaidy Clan
  • Only because it was You, Gus McRaidy
  • All of Me, A McRaidy Son

Friday, September 23, 2011

Could we all be a writer without knowing it?

I think there may be a writer in each of us but we just don't know it. The average persons perception on an incident, happy or sad becomes a story. However, to those that feel a swelling inside are driven to put it down in writing. Little things that happen in every day life become a seed to an author. It may not generate an entire novel but it definitely shows up somewhere in some fashion.
Even the color of the sky at sunset can fertilize a growing story. For instance, during a tremendous windstorm, dust seemed to gather in cloud that, to me, looked like a character in my book. As the wind lifted various items and floated them around I wondered if the hero in one of my story's could actually float down on gusts of wind if they were controlled by a mythological creature. Well I did a few trial and errors (no I didn't jump off anything) with some research on wind gusts and some probability theory's and viola, it could happen.
The reason for my musing is this, when you are in a group and people are relaying their weekends or an event, some of them are noticeably more interesting than others and you want to hear more. Could they be a writer and we don't know it or is it that they don't know it yet.
I worked with a wonderful woman at one point and she had a personality that made  you want to know her. Kind, funny, honest and a wonderful heart. She is drawn towards making life better for others but when she tells about it, I always thought she should write a book. Maybe she will, maybe she won't but I still always thought it.
Well those are my thoughts today on writing and now I shall open my latest WIP re-write (and trust me, you want me to re-write this!!) and get to work.
Lots of Love to all
Em

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Been working hard---How about you?

I've been working hard on a few different manuscripts now that work continues to calm down. Whatcha been doing yourselves?

Lots of love
Em

Thursday, June 2, 2011

I was a drama queen! My thoughts on romance and a comment about Her McRaidy Chieftain

Romance writers write about one common thing regardless of their subgenre...romance. But what is romance really? Are couples that have been together for years and years still romantic? Absolutely! It's just different. The thrill of new love is exciting. All the fun things such as anticipation, unexpected compliments, special touches are addictive but is that what describes romance in long term relationships? Maybe a little but more so it is the unspoken compliments that are replaced with "that look". You know the one I mean. When your man throws a little wink at you, cups your butt with a squeeze...just the way you like it or flashes an intimate smile with a little nod.
Now let me regale you with my drama queen moment that relates to this very topic...It's the Saturday before Valentines day, I'm tired and feeling defeated that I gained a few pounds over winter and it was still too cold to do much outside. Envision I'm plopped in the middle of the couch focused on playing battleship on the Xbox whining about us eating too much red meat, I want to become a vegetarian and if I had a bicycle all my problems would be solved.
My man teases me a little, kept giving me a kiss or squeeze and patiently tolerated my snippy comments, crappy attitude and general bad behavior. Then he grabs the keys and mentions he's going for a haircut.
Now keep in mind he goes every week to the same barber and gets a haircut. He is picky about his hair and always has been. One of my favorite things about him. A haircut should not have come as any surprise to me but at that moment the fact that he was spending 20 bucks on a haircut and I was moody without a bicycle sent me over the top and into self pity. (I really should have slept in that morning, it had been a long week with a ton of overtime) I got teary eyed, left him in the living room and sniffled my way to the bathroom to sulk.
Finished with my pout about a minute later I decide I really needed a nap and slinked out of the bathroom and then I see the front door wide open and no one in sight. I stomped to the door and shoved it shut. Stomped to the couch and plopped myself down again all the while loudly giving my opinion of my mans manners since he left the door open.
Not a minute later, Woosh the door opens and in a loud racket my gorgeous loving man sets my brand new bicycle down and smiles and announces "Happy Valentines Day Baby!"
I sobbed and hugged him while I apologized for being such a bitch. He explained he knew I wanted a bike and bought it the night before. He hid it at the neighbors to wait for Valentines day but decided I needed it today. I adore him for that and I took a ride then a nap and was much more pleasant for the rest of the weekend.
The moral to my little recitation is this...even though it isn't brand new love, romance comes in all sorts of ways. To some a bicycle for Valentines day may not be the perfect romantic gift but my man knew it was for me. That is what romance is all about, knowing what makes your partner tingle. The important thing for we ladies is to remember it goes both ways. I think our partners like a little attention too.

Update on my writing block...some days go better than others but I have several books that are at the closing stage. I am still waiting to see if my submission is accepted by the publisher but these things take time.
This week I received a lovely comment on my book Her McRaidy Chieftain from Eternal Press that I want to share
"Just wanted to let you know I read your book. I love it! I'm not a romance fan and it was great! You are truly talented!:)"
It meant so much to read that. I keep these types of comments close so when I feel a little unsure, I can be reminded somebody really did like what I wrote
My every day career is getting better every day so I think my writing pace will continue to pick up! Thank goodness the upheaval of the last year is behind me:) Have a happy day!!
Lots of Love Em

Monday, March 21, 2011

I'm still on track!

I submitted my latest manuscript a week ago and have that mixed feeling that is usual. Glad it's off and starting a new book combined with are they going to take it and how long will it take until I find out. It's a process that personally I think is good for a soul. Just like when you were a student, waiting to see how you did on a test or a big report. Anticipation! That too, is what makes a great book, anticipation of what will happen next. All of my favorite authors include that in their story telling which is what is also known as a hook. Placing these hooks to keep our reader with us is a craft of love.
I have some authors that I read that focus more on the "created world" so to speak and don't utilize a great deal of anticipation...or so I thought until recently. Layering their "worlds" is what keeps readers hooked. They want to know what it becomes.
I'm finishing the sequel to Her McRaidy Chieftain at Eternal Press and will sub it in when it's finished. Weeeeelllll, you know what happened, I was almost finished with it months and months ago and then my "real career" got in the way and I forgot it. Not that I had worked on it but that it was so close to being finished. Then I stopped in to finish Only Because it was You and there you go. I really believe in everything happens for a reason so I'm not angry with myself, just wondering how it will all pan out:)
Ok, I know this was a quick check in but I have to get going. Maybe I can stop later and tell you about my weekend...some fun stuff happened!!
Lots of Love
Em

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Whew!

I'm so sorry I haven't kept up over the last  months. I could and should go into the details as part of my apology but it will come in time. The old adage that things happen in 3's...well somewhere in the cosmic sphere the calculation portion of life became skewed. My best mathematical skills showed the original 3 issues then a multiplication of the square root of said 3 issues which then a rounding up factor kicked in. Without an even divisible, you can see how that happened.

As things seem readily in hand and controlled...well at least the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned back on I have that old feeling back. My characters chatting at me as I drive, reminding me that I'm almost finished with my self edits...just come on!!
That is exactly what I did last weekend (keep in mind the light only turned on a week or so ago) and the foundation piece of my McRaidy series is 75% done with edits and will need a polish and tightening round. Hehehe, I thought that sounded funny...anyway back to my progress.
I posted on my Facebook page (come visit me) that I should set a goal or timeline to complete this manuscript and sub it in. My very good friend (I'll talk about her in a minute) helped me out and next Monday is the day.

Ok, lets talk about my BFF. She has surgery next Monday and I'll be at the hospital worrying. This isn't something minor...they are removing some skull ...that is freaky stuff. The thing about this woman is that she gets some of the freakiest things happening to her health. Like I told her, she will end up with this her whole life and live forever whereas me on the other hand will probably just have some heart attack in my sleep.
I'm worried about her and my way to cope and not ask her to make me feel better, is to take the low road. My solution-Texting her as to what I should wear that will make me look lovely while I worry and stress at the hospital. She of course-because she is my BFF for over 20 years- suggested sweats...........I can't do thaaaaaaaaaaat!!! Entertained with ourselves we agreed on something casual but not overly so. In addition I have her permission to bring my laptop to the hospital and work on my submission. (the surgery is hours and hours long) Isn't she the bomb!!!! Seriously though, whether you pray, keep good thoughts, meditate or any number of other things, keep her in there. I want success and a great recovery for my friend.

Now back to my writing, I'm on it. I haven't really been MIA, just quiet, I've been promoting Her McRaidy Chieftain published with Eternal Press. And I really have been working on things but it's not my usual pace or schedule. Speaking of Eternal Press, I still love them:):) Kim the owner works so hard and the other authors are exquisite. Helpful and supportive. I love reading their books, posts and blogs. I've also been silently keeping up with some of my favorite author friends too. Kim, Lisa and Nicole. Their links are on my blog so go visit them!!
I've chattered long enough, I just wanted to say HI and update you on my plans.
Lots of Love
Em