I’m at Flirty Author Bitches today talking about chapters in books. Are they important to your writing process? I must admit, I have very specific opinions about chapters, although I may be alone in that. Stop by if you can!
I’m at Contact Infinite Futures today discussing — briefly — the discovery of a new planet and how it’s inspiring to a sci-fi writer. And amusingly, the interface is trying to be all supportive. It’s giving me blogging goals and encouragement. Apparently this was my 24th post at CIF, and since my next goal is 25 posts, I only have ONE MORE TO GO! YAY! Seriously, I’m not sure that type of encouragement is necessary. I’m reasonably certain I don’t need affirmation from my blogging software.
I’m at Loose Ends today blogging about a couple of my favourite words. Stop by and share yours!
Time for another retro blog, this one about why I dislike Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is the time of year where stores become infected with red, pink and white hearts… filled with chocolate, attached to stuffed animals, slapped on just about anything that might be considered a romantic gift…
I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day.
I know, I know — a romance author who doesn’t believe in the most romantic day of the year?!?
Well, it’s true and there’s a number of reasons for it. First, I’m cheap. I despise the fact that prices for flowers, etc. get inflated at this time of year as the Valentine’s industry hoses those poor suckers trying to do a nice thing. Which brings me to my next issue. If I need a greeting card mandated ‘holiday’ to remind you to be nice to me? I’d have kicked you to the curb before we had a chance to celebrate a second Valentine’s Day.
As my husband and friends would be the first to admit… I’m not particularly sentimental. I don’t like flowers. The whole hearts and cupids stuff is way too cutesy. I don’t like poetry. I don’t like chick flicks. I don’t enjoy expressing emotion.
I think they were all very surprised to find I DO like reading and writing romance. I’m kinda surprised myself!
While I appreciate romance (particularly the fictional kind), the gooey trappings of Valentine’s Day aren’t for me. And don’t even get me started on Sweethearts Day. At least for Valentine‘s, there’s a patron saint of lovers to hang the celebration on, rather than plain old crass commercialism. (Don’t get me wrong, I love other crass commercialistic holidays… mmm… Halloween… but Sweethearts Day is trying too hard.)
Then, we move on to Steak & Blowjob Day, which is the boys version of Valentine‘s, occurring in March. I have no doubt it arose in protest and illustrates the dirty underbelly of Valentine’s. If blowjobs aren’t fun for all parties (and c’mon, how can they not be?) then there shouldn’t be this “I’ll give you flowers & chocolates on Valentine’s in exchange for sexual favours!” mentality. For me, I’m only interested in sexual barter during role play.
So if your partner likes flowers, by all means, buy some. But don’t wait for Valentine‘s Day or an anniversary. And blowjobs? Well, I won’t decree that they should happen more than once a year, but give it a shot, eh?
Woo-hoo! I finally have a title for my sequel to Spice ‘n’ Solace. I probably shouldn’t be so ridiculously happy to have a title, but I am. It’s not even out until summer (from Carina Press), but I’ve only got copy edits left to do. This might feel like a looooong wait until release day! I don’t have an official blurb ready, but this is the story of R’kos, the alien negotiator from Spice ‘n’ Solace and a thief who crosses his path.
I’ve been offline for a couple of days due to a back problem, and spending any length of time at the computer is painful, but I did want to add my voice. I’m saddened and horrified that a chapter of the Romance Writers of America, specifically the RWI chapter in Oklahoma is no longer allowing GLBT entries in their contest, due to the members being “uncomfortable” with GLBT entries. Now, there have already been many, many blog posts already on the subject which articulate eloquently and reasonably (and more so than I believe I could) the problem with this pronouncement. I encourage you to read these blogs and make yourselves heard.
I’m at Contact Infinite Futures today talking about the upcoming Battleship movie. Not sure how I feel about a game tie in, but the trailer was rather cool. Come visit if you can!
Lords of Aether Contact – Infinite Futures Flirty Author Bitches Loose Ends
