Tarnished

I got a peek at the cover. It's *exactly* what I asked for--my favorite scene in the story. I don't have a large version yet, but you can see what it looks like here. It's the first one in the third row. The book will be available in a couple of weeks. Lis

Quiet today

Not much happening around here. I got a little bit of writing done, but now that I've had time to sit down and think about it, I'm probably going to scrap the whole thing and start over. I just wasn't getting anywhere with it, and I think I know why. It's going to be a novella, and the way it was going would have made it too long and meandering. I think I've come up with a really interesting plot twist, so we'll see what happens. The kids and I are leaving in a little while to go pick up their instruments for school band. One clarinet and one trumpet. I think this might be the last afternoon we have peace and quiet for a good long while. *g* Lis

New Look

Being the Gemini that I am, I have a hard time sticking to one website design for too long, so I've done some work on my site and revamped my blog to match. I'd love to hear your opinions on it. Lis :)

The glamorous life...

Not! *g* Ants have invaded my kids' cereal boxes in my pantry. They haven't touched anything else, but my son poured himself a bowl of Cheerios this morning and found ants in the bowl along with the cereal. Gross. The box tops were closed and the bags rolled down, but I found ants in 5 cereal boxes. I had to go out today and replace all the cereal, plus buy plastic containers to keep the cereal in, in hopes of keeping the little creatures out. My very picky middle child had Ritz crackers for breakfast since there was nothing else in the house he liked. *g* Lis

Website updates

I've posted this month's contest on my website. This month one reader will win a download of Dark Promises: Midnight. Since the last book in the series will be out next month, I thought it was fitting to give the first book in the series away as a prize. Also, the new Featured Author spot is up. This month I grilled... er, interviewed, Phyllis Marie Campbell. Lis

The cover for Grave Silence

Here's the cover for my next release from Cerridwen Press. What do you think? I'd really love to hear your opinions on it, good or bad. Lis :)

To critique, or not to critique...

This is a very controversial subject in certain writing circles. *g* The good thing about critique groups, and critiques in general, is that it helps you polish your work before you send it out into tbe big, bad world of publishing. The bad thing about critiques is that they're very subjective and can be harmful to the story you're telling. Critique groups can be an invaluable resource for learning the mechanics of writing. But inexperienced critiquers can over-critique, changing your voice to their own and making the story lose its heart. There has to be a balance between negative comments and positive ones, and the critiquer's style has to mesh with your own or else you won't be gaining anything much from the critiques. Support is so important in this career. There are too many letdowns--and high points non-writers don't understand--to go it alone. I have a terrific group of authors that I work with now for my mainstream manuscripts. (I still have yet to find someone brave enough to read my erotic stuff LOL) We critique each other's work for plot holes and inconsistencies, and we brainstorm when someone needs a little help. We also cheer for each other when things are looking up, provide a shoulder to cry on when someone gets bad news, and give a kick in the rear when someone starts to get down on themselves. For me, this works. I get the advice I need from people I trust, people who get my voice and my style. If they tell me that my ms needs work, I know it probably does. Okay, I'm stepping off my soapbox now. *g* I'm a little behind on website updates, but the featured author page for this month will be up in the next few days. Lis

Auction to help Larissa Ione

There's still time to bid on items to help author Larissa Ione, who lost everything to hurricane Katrina. I've donated a critique, and one of my critique partners, Marjorie Jones, has donated her designing services for a 10 page website. The entire list of what's available can be viewed here. Lis

Supernatural

I watched the show in Tuesday night and loved it. That's exactly my kind of show. I love anything paranormal, the darker the better. Rescue Me just ended for the season, so it'll be nice to have something else to watch on Tuesday nights. I don't watch a lot of TV, maybe 2 or 3 shows every season, but this one will be on my Must Watch list along with Desperate Housewives and maybe Reunion, if the next few episodes are as interesting as the first. Lis

New featured author coming up

On my website. This month the featured author is Phyllis Campbell. If you haven't had a chance to check out my interview with Rayka Mennen yet, it'll only be up for a little while longer so hop on over and take a look. Also, the new issue of the Sirens newsletter will be going out tomorrow. If you're not a member and would like to join, click here to join the Sensual Romances Yahoo group. Lis :)

The stories that just flow

I started a short story last night (A quickie for Ellora's Cave that will probably end up at about 12k) not expecting much. Within two hours I'd written 3,000 words. Now, this morning, I'm almost up to 5,000. It's been a long time since anything has flowed this well, and I'm kind of excited about it. I love when this sort of thing happens. I'd set my goal completion date for Tuesday but I may actually have this done tonight, freeing up a couple of extra days for the next project, a rewrite of a women's fiction/chick lit book I'll be submitting to Cerridwen Press. I don't usually work weekends, but the hubby is in New Orleans right now doing morgue duty and I really, really need the distraction. Have a great weekend everyone! Lis

Night Creatures is now available

From Changeling Press. For most of her life, nightmares have plagued Juliana McGovern. Twisted, erotic dreams where monsters urge her to join them in their terrifying rituals. When she moves back to the small New England town she grew up in, the nightmares get worse. Stranger still is the sudden appearance in the dreams of Max Parker, the man she left behind when she moved out of Davenport ten years earlier. Every night, the nightmare creatures get closer. It’s only a matter of time before they pull her into their world. And Max, the one man she thinks she can trust, has a few deadly secrets of his own. Click here to see the cover, done by Bryan Keller, and read an excerpt. I've also done a few updates to my website. There are only two more days left to enter this month's contest, so if you haven't entered already be sure to drop me an email. Lis

A few ways to help

The devastation from Katrina is just horrible. So many lives ruined and lost. So many people with nothing left. My husband is in Mississippi doing what he can to help, and the stories he's telling me are heartbreaking. Here's a short list of links. If anyone has others, feel free to email them to me at elisa@elisaadams.com and I'll add them to the list. Author JC Wilder is in Houma, LA to help with the relief efforts. She's in need of funds to buy clothing and other items needed for the victims. For more information and to find out how to contribute, visit her website. Visit The Red Cross online to make a donation. The Network for Good is also taking donations to help the victims. Noah's Wish is an organization that helps animals during disasters. They've set up a distaster animal shelter in Slidell, LA. Visit their Katrina page for information on how to donate. Code 3 Associates is another organization that helps animals during times of disaster. Author Nora Roberts is matching funds donated to Habitat for Humanity for victims. Author Charlene Teglia is offering her romantic comedy, Catalyst, for $2.00 directly from her website and is donating 100% of the profits to the relief efforts. Help for author Charlotte Dillon Help for author Larissa Ione Lis

Peaceful night

Lately those have been few and far between. The kids are watching TV for a little while before bedtime, I've finished up my writing a little early tonight, and I'm just enjoying the quiet while it lasts. I hope everyone has a good weekend. Lis :)

The last day of summer vacation

And I'm a little sad. The kids and I always have a great time over the summer, and I wish they had a little more time at home. The past couple of weeks have been spent researching birds, visiting pet stores for hours on end as we search for our new pet. After a lot of deliberation, it looks like we'll be getting a cockatiel next month. Now I just hope the bird can get along with our dog. Lis

I'm Back...

From vacation and I'm missing it already. Now it's time to dive back into writing full time. I have my September projects lined up--trying to get a few loose ends tied up so I can work on something completely new in October. Lis

Rejection and Breeding Negativity

Writing is a tough business. Rejections are part of the game. They're not always nice. Sometimes they sting, sometimes they're insulting, and sometimes they can make us want to give up. Growing a thick skin is a must--if you don't, you're going to get hurt. It's tough, but you have to learn not to take rejection personally. The agent/editor in most cases has never met you. They aren't rejecting you. They're rejecting one particular project they don't feel is right for them for any number of reasons. But you have to learn not to dwell on them. Personal rejections can be difficult to accept, but keep in mind it's just one person's opinion. I like to think of them as a critique, of sorts. If I agree with the assessment made, I change what needs to be fixed in my manuscript. If I don't agree, I don't make the changes and realize that, for whatever reason, my writing doesn't appeal to that one particular person. If I receive a few rejections that state the same thing, I know I need to take a second look at my writing and fix whatever problem they're finding. If you're submitting a lot, you're bound to get a lot of rejections. Think of it as going for a job interview. For every open spot, there are hundreds of applicants. Your work may have been terrific, but someone else's fit perfectly with what the editor was looking for. So we have to just keep applying, knowing that someday we'll find an agent or a publishing house that's a perfect fit. It's when we let the rejections get to us that the problems start. Negativity can be crippling to a writer's career, and it's also contagious. Writers' groups are wonderful places to vent about the downsides of the business, but it's easy to get carried away. Too much venting without any positive comments can be harmful not just to the one venting, but to the entire group. If nothing positive is being said, odds are no one is getting much work done. We're in this together. We need to support each other through the good times as well as the bad, but when negativity takes hold the good news tends to get lost in the shuffle. Then the jealousy can start, and that's never a good thing. I've seen more than a few writers' groups fall apart that way. Remember this: You wouldn't be writing if you didn't think you had a chance at publication. When you get a rejection, don't question that you aren't good enough. The book market is very competetive and there aren't enough slots for everyone at once. Be patient, keep trying, and remember that positive thinking breeds more positive thinking. I'm off on vacation for the next week, so there won't be any new posts until I get back. Have a great week everyone! Lis:)

Great review for Nothing Personal

Thanks to Glenda K. Bauerle of The Romance Studio!! Here's a little sample of the review: "A delightful older woman younger man story and well written with all the misgivings and feelings of uncertainty one might imagine having in the same situation. Definitely a recommended read for all those romantics enjoying a good relationship story." Rated 4 hearts Read the rest of the review here. Lis

Two more days until vacation!

I can't wait. Sitting on a private beach on the lake all day, relaxing on an island with dirt roads where people drive golf carts around more than cars. Taking long walks with the kids and just enjoying the peace and quiet. I'm not going to be working. Well, not much. I'm bringing the laptop, but I have some critiques I promised one of my critique partners I'd work on for her. Other than that, it's all about the relaxing. This weekend is pretty much total chaos in preparation, though. Shoe shopping for my daughter this morning, lunch with my mother, putting the finishing touches on DI, a cover art request, and the first round of edits for Tarnished. I'm sure there's more, I just don't have my list in front of me right now. Usually I thrive on chaos, so this is a good thing. Between writing full time, housework, grocery shopping, and the kids' activities (which this fall will be Monday-Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings) I'm continually being pulled in all directions. A little craziness is never a bad thing, though. Writing-wise, it looks like Night Creatures might be released from Changeling Press in September. I'll know more after my vacation. I'm going to try to post again before I leave, but if I don't, have a great week everyone! Lis

What I'm reading, what I'm writing, and my interview with Rayka Mennen (In other words, random thoughts tossed together in one post )

I just finished For Love or Honor by Melissa Schroeder. Short, but a very enjoyable read. Now it's on to Blind Alley by Iris Johansen. I always like her work. She has a tight, clean writing style I'm in awe of. Suspense is one of my favorite genres to read. I'm looking for a few new suspense books. Any suggestions? What are some of your favorites? Writing-wise, I'm putting the finishing touches on DI before moving on to the finishing touches of DBM. After that...well, I haven't decided yet. I have a few different things that are begging to be written, so I guess it depends on which characters scream the loudest. Here's a small sample of my interview with Rayka: EA: Where do your story ideas come from? RM: Everywhere! I travel quite a bit and I listen to snippets of conversations at the airport and start spinning a story from it. Or I may see a book or a movie and it triggers an idea for a story. And of course since I became published, any number of friends are constantly offering what they call “literary ideas”. EA: Every author has favorite characters, ones that won't let them go even after the book is written. What are some of yours and why? RM: That’s easy – Paul from Operation Playboy. I think at the time I was going through a rough time personally and invested him with some of the characteristics I really wanted in my own companion. I keep thinking of ways to give Paul a cameo in the other Operation books even though he isn’t a secret agent. EA: What's your writing process like? What steps do you go through when completing a story? RM: I start by writing the synopsis. Of course it changes about 20 times before the book is done, but I find that without that basic structure I digress a lot from the primary plot. Once the synopsis is done, I make a big ceremony of typing up the cover page with the title, my name and address. From there, it’s how much I can get written in a day given the constraints of my other job or how inspired I am to write. To read the rest, check out the Featured Author page on my website. Lis:)