Wildcard Weekend: The Accidental Gardener

Nocturne and bestselling author Michele Hauf explains her gardening style and why her characters don't garden.

That's right. I'm not a green thumb by any definition of the word. My garden has plants in it, but none of them are defined as 'flowers'. Too much work, if you ask me. I suspect that is the reason none of my characters will ever be seen gardening.
My theory about gardening is: It must be hardy. If it can survive with little care and little water, it can stay. I forget to water plants, you see. I've tried those glass bulbs you fill with water and stick in the dirt, but I forget about them, too. So my solution?

I love to garden with succulents. They are hardy little plants that don't need a lot of attention or water. They're interesting, too. They have unique leaves and some have flowers. Some look like squat little flowers that were never given color. Others are prickly, such as agave and aloe, and I still haven't learned not to touch their leaves. Ouch! But I get a lot of satisfaction from these fascinating plants, with very little effort. That's the way gardening should be, yes? (It is at my house.)
Only problem is, I live in Minnesota. Not exactly a succulent paradise. Come winter I have to bring in all the plants. And most of them die. You see, some need to go dormant over the winter, with no water, and others do not. I still haven't quite figured out which are the dormant ones and which are not.

But my pride and joy is this little bugger, a euphorbia obesa. Had him for a decade. Hasn't gotten much bigger either. But he's hardy. Which, apparently, is very important in my garden. 

My current release is ASHES OF ANGELS, and you can probably still grab it in stores (but it'll be gone by mid-August). Here's a bit about it:
As a muse, Cassandra Stevens had been warned of the Fallen angel who'd one day come to impregnate her with a nephilim, an evil offspring. But no one could have foreseen that Samandriel—the raven-haired, silver-winged Fallen one—would sweep her off her feet. Against all good sense, Sam stirred her suppressed desires, yet for her own sake she dared not arouse his carnal ones. For Sam had been summoned to earth by a dark vampire lord. And more Fallen were on their way. Despite the dangers, Cassandra needed Sam by her side, for only together could they prevent the apocalypse that had been unleashed…
You can learn more about Michele Hauf's romance with a bite books at her website http://www.michelehauf.com/

Fill the Well Friday-- Revisit Your Goals

PHS editor Michelle Styles finds an unexpected way to revitalise her writing.
Why do you write? What is the goal of your writing? What is the ultimate prize for you -- fame, fortune, security for your family? Something else? When did you last think about it? Seriously. What are you going to do to achieve that  goal?
It is very easy to get lost in getting the next book finished. Or completing the next manuscript in the multi-book contract. Or doing following the next idea. Without really stopping to consider - -where do I want to go in my career? Where is this taking me? What do I ultimately want to achieve? What is holding me back from making that commitment and finishing what I started? Am I looking at things as obstacles or steps up?
Reaffirming the reasons why I am writing in the first place and my long term goal has unleashed all sorts of creativity. Suddenly I *know* why I am doing it and it is not just because I am in the middle of a multi-book contract. One of the problems with multi-book contracts is that it can suddenly feel more like work and less like play. Creativity often does not thrive on  mundane work but it does thrive on dreams and goals.

I have just finished  Bob Mayer's Write It Forward. What he says resonated deeply with me and reminded me to take the joy. Mayer because of his recent background has an obvious biases towards indie/self-publishing/micro-publishing (he also writes guys with gear who go books rather than romance but hey, it is his platform)  but  don't let that put you off. What he says about goal setting, courage etc speaks to all authors, regardless of the chosen career path. For that reason, I do recommend anyone who feels like they are currently struggling with their writing career to read the book and grab the inspiration with both hands.  As a download, it is not going to break the bank and is certainly cheaper than a bottle of wine.
The book is not about writing per say but about taking control of your career. And a big part of doing this is doing the research. How realistic are your goals?  Do you understand the various pathways? Time commitments etc? he also gives practical exercises and guidance as often an author's biggest obstacle is herself and her habits.
One of the things Bob talks is about looking at other authors and their careers. See their career paths. Were they straight forward as often is portrayed in movies? Or not? A very good example is Sherrilyn Kenyon's keynote speech at the RWA Conference this year. Her journey to hugely successful publisher author was anything but straight forward. (Read it with a box of tissues handy) If you have heard Nora Roberts speak, you will know it took her 16 years before she hit number 1.  Robyn Carr took 30 years to hit success with her Virgin River series. Brenda Novak in her interview in the August 2011 RWR describes what she went through (I already had a huge respect for Brenda and all she does with her auction. It increased tenfold)  Many other long term successful authors can offer up similar stories. If you haven't spoken to successful authors or read about their career paths lately. Take the time. Revisit those stories. See what they did. How long it took them and why. Use them to inspire you.
So go ahead. Revisit those pie in the sky dreams and see why you held them. Dreams can change.  But it is important to have a dream. What are your long term goals and how are you going to get there?
And thank you to Bob Mayer for writing such an inspirational book and allowing me to reconnect with my dreams (like any author I do have them).  It is all about how determination, dedication, deiscipline, desire and persistence ( a common mantra of mine) pays so I felt as if he was on my wavelength.

Michelle Styles writes warm, witty and intimate historical romance in a wide variety of time periods. Her most recent release To Marry A Matchmaker was a July ll release in the UK and will be a October 11 release in Australia/New Zealand. Visit www.michellestyles.co.uk to learn more about her books.

Thursday 13 :: Vegas!

The Pink Heart Society editor Jenna Bayley-Burke loves Las Vegas. And since she's currently planning a girls weekend there with some lovely ladies who have never been (gasp) she's ready to share her highlights of the Las Vegas strip!

1. PARIS - Since I've never been to Paris proper, the Paris resort has to do. I even rode up to the top of their version of the Eiffel Tower! This is a great way to end a trip, so you can look over the strip and see all the places you've been.
2. VENETIAN - I've also yet to make it to Venice, so the gondolas, strolling performers and opera serenades at the Venetian resort keep me dreaming of nights in Venice...
3. LEARNING TABLES - Most casinos have tables open for lessons at 11 or noon. The instructor gives the basics of the game and then usually hands you a coupon so you can play too. This is really the only way to figure out games like craps and roulette.

4. SLOT MACHINES - I love slot machines the way teenage boys love video games. Probably for the same reason. I see them as cheap entertainment, and since I usually break even on them, it's doubly fun. I like to play machines that have bonus rounds, because those really are like arcade games. Invaders From The Planet Moolah is my can't lose game!
5. BUFFETS - As a kid, Vegas meant buffets and pools. As an adult, I think of the buffets differently. Get an all-day pass and snack your way through the day. Vegas is no place to be overly full. This is actually a great money saving tip. Grab a light breakfast, morning snack, quick lunch, sweet afternoon treat, dinner before a show and yummy stuff after. All those little meals add up in restaurants.

6. RESTAURANTS - Yes, I was just talking about costs and buffets. Keep food costs down with the buffet pass, so you can splurge on restaurants! FIX @ Bellagio is my favorite, probably for the cucumber martini as much as anything! Wolfgang Pucks @ MGM is amazing. And everyone should eat at Joel Rubuchon once in their life. Plus, Sugar Factory @ Paris will serve you the most amazing breakfast of your life. Red velvet pancakes, anyone?
7. SKYBRIDGES - If you can avoid crossing the street in Las Vegas, do it. I promise, you'll never regret snaking through a casino to get to the skybridge. There are no people handing out nudie brochures on the skybridges either.

8. CIRQUE DU SOLIEL - There are lots of Cirque shows in Vegas, and they're all great. Mystere is the oldest, Zumanity is the sexiest, KA has fire, O has water...you can see each show a dozen times and never see the same show twice. The staging and costuming are amazing, but the performers are out of this world!
9. SHOPPING - The larger casinos have their own mall attached! I love the Miracle Mile @ Planet Hollywood, but there's great shopping everywhere. I found my new favorite thing while shopping in Vegas -- Incoco Dry Nail Enamel Strips French Manicure! It's a sticker made out of nail polish! I can do my nails in the van during soccer practice while the baby naps.
10. FREE SHOWS - In addition to the free performers strolling around inside the Venetian and Palazzo, be sure to catch the Volcano @ Mirage, Fountains @ Belagio, Sirens @ Treasure Island, and Lions @ MGM.

11. DAIQUIRI BARS - As you stroll Vegas you'll see these shops everywhere. They look like a collection of slushy machines in various adult flavors. You can get your pina colada in a cup, your strawberry daiquiri in mug, or your margarita in a half yard or an entire yard of peach bellini. You can even get them to layer flavors for you. Mudslide and White Russian anyone?
12. ADRENALINE - There are lots of rides to get your heart pumping. The NYNY roller coaster, the drop atop Stratosphere...heck, walk beneath the sharks and Mandalay Bay!
13. CLUBS - There's nothing like a Las Vegas club...for people watching. I'm not a party animal, but sitting back at a table at any club in Vegas is fascinating. Coyote Ugly is fun because they really do dance on the bar. The Dueling Piano Bars are always a good time. This trip I'm going to try Minus 5 - an actual ice bar!

Jenna's dealing with line edits, waiting to hear back on a new story, and finishing the road trip book right now. Until it's ready, be sure to check out her latest. Private Scandal is ripe with secrets, sass, and sensational sex. Keep up with Jenna's spin on things on her website & blog

Writer's Wednesday - Plotter or Pantser?

Presents author Kimberly Lang joins us to talk about plotting, pantsing, and how every book is (kind of) like a trip to Graceland.

I’m often asked if I’m a Plotter or a Pantser. Then I’m always asked to explain how that process works for me and why it does. I understand why people ask – after all, writing is hard and we’re all looking for ways to make this easier and less stressful. But I’m not really sure I’m the person you should be asking for advice on process…

So, you really want to know how this particular Pantser works…? All righty, then. Buckle up.
For me, every book is like a college road trip with two brand-new friends I think are really cool and interesting. We’re not really close, but that’s what road trips are for: bonding. I just know we’ll bond on the way and be BFFs by the time it’s over. I know they have some problems they haven’t told me about yet, but that’s okay. They’ll share when they’re ready. And they’re really cool and fun.
But where shall we go… Ummmm. Graceland! Of course! Sounds like a plan, right? I don’t know why we’re going there, but why not? So we’re off.

Now, plotters would have a map, a GPS, estimated times of arrival and planned places to stop for meals and gas. Not me. I have a general idea: I’m going to Graceland, and it’s East-ish of here. I’m pretty sure I want to See Rock City, stop at the outlet mall in Nashville, and do some bar-hopping on Beale Street on the way. That’s a plan, right?

With that plan in place, we head off for Graceland… but then I see that sign for the Giant Ball of String or The World’s Biggest Sweet Potato, and I have to turn because it sounds like it might be fun. The plan goes right out the window, but that’s okay. We’ll get to Graceland eventually. It’s all about the ride, not the destination anyway, right?

Right. And because I’m with new friends, I enjoy the ride. Except when I don’t. They fight when I really just need them to get along. They get stubborn when I ask them to do things. They have baggage I didn’t know about and it’s dragging the whole thing down. And they keep forgetting that it’s MY car, and that I’m the BOSS, and DON’T MAKE ME STOP THIS CAR! I’LL TURN THIS CAR AROUND, I SWEAR I WILL. After a while, I’m wondering why I ever thought I liked these people in the first place and contemplating ditching them at the next rest area (where, if I’m really lucky, a serial killer will find them).

Know what I mean?

Now, when I get stuck, I’m stuck. That general road map is kinda helpful – I know I’m at Rock City, and the next stop is Nashville, but I don’t know how to get back to the interstate. And it’s not like I can skip ahead and write that great scene that takes place on Beale Street. I don’t know what happens between here and there, so there’s a good chance that conversation won’t work by the time I catch up. Maybe my characters will have already had that moment by then – in a rest area on the side of I-24.And, of course, there’s an equally good chance they won’t make it to Beale Street at all. Hell, they might not make it to Nashville because I will turn this car around if they don’t start acting right.
Because they’re not helping, either.

Another problem with Pantsers (or at least this Pantser) is that we end up writing ourselves into scenes we don’t have any research on. All of a sudden, we’re pulling into the parking lot at the World’s Biggest Sweet Potato, and I don’t know how big the sweet potato is, who grew it, who decided it was the World’s Biggest, what purpose it serves in the tourist industry of the surrounding area, or even how much it costs to get in to see it. (In particularly exciting circumstances, I’m not even sure exactly why we’re here or what I hope to accomplish with this little side trip.) Everything has to come to a grinding halt while I frantically start Googling “giant sweet potatoes.” And, should I happen to find the email address of the country’s leading expert on exceptionally large yams, he’s always out of the office until Monday.

What? I’m supposed to just leave my hero and heroine in the Sweet Potato parking lot for a couple of days? Um, I’m on a deadline, people.

But Pantsing through a book has its charms, too. Because I don’t have everything plotted out, I never get bored of the story or feel it’s getting predictable. Because I don’t have a plan set in stone, I’m fine with adding interesting details and side trips and just weaving them into the book as I go along. So my characters stop at the Giant Sweet Potato. The heroine has a soft spot in her heart for sweet potatoes because her mother used to make them for her. (Go back and stick that in chapter 2). But her mother is dead now (that’s why her baggage is so heavy) so this is an emotional and healing moment for her. Later, in chapter twelve, when I need the hero to make a grand romantic gesture, he’ll cook her a sweet potato casserole from his mother’s recipe. Ooh, when he asks his mother for the recipe, they are able to break down that estrangement barrier that I will go back right now and add in chapter five, and then reconcile in a way that makes him realize he’s not his father – run back to chapter three -- and can therefore commit to the heroine in a satisfying HEA once I get all these threads tied together. And they’ll get married at Graceland! That’s why we were going there! It’s perfect!

Plotters reading this just dropped dead from a heart attack – and it wasn’t from the butter and marshmallows in the casserole.

Road trip and sweet potato metaphors aside, this is exactly how I write books. I can’t say whether it’s good or bad or whatever, because that’s just my process. It gets the job done – for me. It might not work for you. In fact, it probably won’t, because it’s my process.

I don’t question the process. I’m a big fan of respecting the process, whatever it may be. If you’re getting words on the page and they make a good story, does it really matter how they got there? Be a Plotter or a Pantser or something in the middle (a “Planter”?). You do what you need to do to write, and whether that involves Giant Sweet Potatoes and or intricately drawn maps, more power to you my friend. I’m sure the book will be fabulous.

Kimberly
www.booksbykimberly.com

Kimberly’s newest book is The Privileged and the Damned and there are no sweet potatoes anywhere. Promise.

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Deadline Recipes :: Let the Kids Do It!

Pink Heart Society editor Jenna Bayley-Burke thinks food tastes better if she didn't have to make it, and twice as good if she doesn't have to clean the kitchen after. And someday, this will happen at least once a week, in her very own house!
I have a girlfriend whose daughters make dinner. All. The. Time. I know, right? Dinner is prepared and cleaned up after by other people. People she created. It's one of the reason's I adore her, she's made these kids that I want to have, or at least fashion my brood after.

So how was it that the other night she got to have lasagna and homemade bread without spending all day in the kitchen - or even at home? She claims the simple secret is to foster a love of cooking when they are young. That's it.

Okay then. The boy has an EZ Bake oven, now what? Because that gadget is more work than it's worth, and now that light bulbd are phasing out, I'm not sure how long it will be able to not actually cook the frozen cookie dough.

Start small, with something the child can have ownership of. And, let them choose it. Well, I've tried to get my boys interested in green beans and pasta...but they're all about the wheat. My tall boy loves the idea of making bread. I think because it is both scientific and magical...and because I cheat. We use the breadmachine dough cycle, and he can turn this 'homemade' dough into whatever he wants. Bread, pizza, challah, cinnamon rolls, even pizza pockets. I'll take help with anything.

My small boy is equal parts wheat, butter, and sugar. My pastry-chef in the making can think up a great cookie. He'll even do the measuring, mixing, and taste-testing with little help. But...he's challeneged when it comes to cookie size. So, he gets a little help there.

Everyone praises the kids on whatever they make, and they do a great job so no one has to feign enthusiasm. My boys know what they are good at, so much so that my youngest decided to enter his cookies in the county fair.

The whole idea made me nervous. I've worked so hard to build this boy's confidence, I didn't want him hidden behind the junior division 4H geniuses. So, I hedged his bets and let him make 6 kinds. He really enjoyed the process of coming up with cookie ideas and making 6 batches in one day. When the fair opened, we checked on his entries...and the boy won 4 blue ribbons! I think I was as happy as he was. He also got a 2nd place, which he was glad about so he'd have differnt kinds of ribbons.

Now, he wants to make his 'winning' cookies for everyone...which had me wondering if the county fair has a casserole division. Just think, by this time next year, I could get out of dinner duty all together!

HAYDEN'S EASIEST PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar (white or brown)
1 egg
1/2 cup of your favorite mix-in

Blend, form into 12 cookies. Use a fork to press cookies flat and make those peanut butter cookie marks on top. Bake 375 for 8-10 minutes.

Hayden's award winning mix-in? A chopped up milk chocolate bar. Other favorites include, chocolate chips, mini m&ms, bacon & honey roasted peanuts.

Jenna's dealing with line edits, waiting to hear back on a new story, and finishing the road trip book right now. Until it's ready, be sure to check out her latest. Private Scandal is ripe with secrets, sass, and sensational sex. Keep up with Jenna's spin on things on her website & blog

Male on Monday: Inspiring Actor in Medical Drama Royal Pains

Medical Author Fiona Lowe shares one of inspirations -- Mark Feuerstien

I think most of the medical romance authors will confess to watching the medical drama shows on television and I’m no exception. I love watching and trying to diagnose the condition before it’s revealed. I’m not too pedantic about medical content accuracy, but I confess to letting a pair of very blue eyes win me over every time on Royal Pains when they never put the unconscious patient in coma position!

  Mark Feuerstein plays Dr Hank Lawson and there’s something about his smile. And his eyes. And his torso and….

So who is Mark Feuerstein? He’s a 40 year-old New York City boy, son of lawyer and a school teacher and he studied at Princeton and won a Fulbright scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and studied physical comedy at L'École Philippe in France. It appears his career to date has been a bit hit and miss, and many critics have labeled him "sit-com kryptonite,” and audiences didn't even notice him, me included because I have no recollection of him in What Women Want.  I surely noticed him in Royal Pains.  Put him in a royal blue shirt and he lights up.

Sheer determination has made him a Hollywood stayer. Named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 2003, he is now better known , although this Aussie only discovered him last year and yes, shallow as I am , I watch Royal Pains because of those bluer –than-blue eyes and his smile.

Fiona Lowe writes for Harlequin Medical romances which feature doctors who are both gorgeous on the inside and the outside. Her latest book, Career Girl in the Country, features two doctors who are at the top of their game professionally, but emotionally it’s a whole other story. For more information about Fiona and her books, please visit her at her website, Face book and Twitter.