Now with every contest there must be rules, so here goes:

1. Only one comment per contestant per day.
2. Comments made ONLY on posts between October 1st and October 23rd will be eligible.
3. No spamming! Comments must pertain to the post for that day. Spammers will automatically be eliminated.
4. Winners will be picked at random and screen names will be used to identify winners to eliminate any confusion.

The drawing will be held on October 24th.

Good Luck!

Sure I much like many an author out there, have had my fair share of troubles. I once had an editor who had a million excuses why she wasn’t responding to my e-mails and completing the editing on my ms. Trying to stay professional, I went to the publisher who in my opinion wasn’t the most receptive in helping me out. It was frustrating and I actually got to a point where I hated my own story simply because of the negative vibes surrounding it. However, I didn’t use my blog as a weapon to torpedo my publisher or the editor. That would have been career suicide on my part. Which is why I don’t understand how other authors can rant so openly on their blogs about problem editors, publishers, etc.

Wouldn’t it be better to rise above the steady stream of crap that is taking place and be as professional as possible? Throwing a temper tantrum on line where anyone can read it, is in my opinion, setting yourself up for failure. Believe it or not, the book industry is small and everybody knows everyone. Make public waves and you run the risk of having yourself black balled by publishers who will see you as difficult and not worth their time. That’s not to say that you can’t express your frustrations to your publisher, but in a professional way.

Thankfully, for me, I rode the bad wave and when the project was over, I was assigned a new editor, who has been a joy to work with. I have to think that if I’d aired my dirty laundry in a public forum, I probably would have been dropped by the publisher and branded as being difficult to work with. But then that’s just my opinion.

Also, I’ve finished writing my romantic suspense entitled Northern Lights, but after some tough love from my critique partner and fellow author Liz Craven, I realize I still have some work to do. However, her advice can only make the story stronger so when it does get subbed somewhere it will hopefully be accepted too.

Ideas are cultivating for what my next project is going to be. After writing two romantic suspense stories and keeping both relatively tame in the bedroom, I might be due for another erotic romance…we’ll have to see.

In the meantime, I’m off to start my training at my new ‘real job’ today. That too is something I’m excited about becuase it’s not an office job pushing papers, but something completely different than I’ve ever done before. Wish me luck!!!

Not that I have anything against erotic romance. It’s a genre that I often enjoy writing in, but for my RS works I wanted something more. There in came the debate. To write a good, I mean really good, love scene not only requires covering all the senses, but the thoughts and emotions as well. You wouldn’t think this would be a difficult task, and for some I’m sure it isn’t. For me however, switching from graphic sex to eluding to the sex can sometimes be a challenge. And I don’t believe I’m the only one who thinks so as one of my critique partners generously volunteered to write the scene for me, until I told her the requirements. I believe her reply was something to the effect of “I wouldn’t have a clue how to even begin.” or something along those lines.

While I think we’re all in agreement that writing any good love scene takes skill, I’ve recently decided that because of the restrictions placed on non-erotic love scenes, its more difficult to write than a graphic scene. In erotic romance you’re allowed to use all those ‘naughty’ and ‘taboo’ words to described the male and female genitals. Oral and anal sex, while still slightly taboo (and highly erotic) are written out in almost painful detail, leaving little to the reader’s imagination. Bondage and domination are easily considered acceptable topics.

With non-erotic romance, all those freedoms don’t exist. That’s not to say I’m complaining as I enjoy books that leave something to the imagination as much as those that don’t. However, as a writer I’ll readily admit that I’m challenged by the rules. Ultimately, I believe it makes me work harder, thus honing my skills and making me a better at my avocation. I’m sure not everyone will agree with my thoughts on the matter and personally I think it’s a great subject for debate. What’s your thoughts on erotic vs non-erotic romance?

Keep checking back here for more information on both titles!

Sophie’s Secret is a erotic romance novella about a woman who is looking to fufill her secret desires and her room mate/friend who volunteers his services.

Also I’ve finished my romantic suspense novel entitles Northern Lights and have sent off a query to one publisher who at this time shall remain nameless. Wish me luck with that one because if they pick it up it will be a huge boost to my resume.

Now I’ve decided to go back and finish another romantic suspense story started by my critique partner and good friend author Amanda Young (when she was still writing heterosexual stories…lol) who after deciding it wasn’t her ‘cup of tea’ handed the story over to me to work my suspense magic. It’s a great story with lots of bones and is tentatively titled Don’t Look Back.

And thats about it for now, but as you all can see my plate is pretty much full at the moment. Stay tuned for more info…

Michelle

http://www.whispershome.com/book_pages/beyond_boundaries.html

From the blurb on the website it looks to be one HOT title and I absolutely love the cover. So be sure to add Ginny’s title to your TBR pile. If you’ve ever thought about pushing your own boundaries I’m sure you’ll enjoy this title!

While he isn’t 100% sure he does believe it was initially triggered by some sort of virus. Since I have two children in school I’ve had plenty of colds over the years, some worse than others, so it’s quite possible he’s right. The diesease progresses slowly and while there is no cure there is treatement to slow the progression and hopefully keep me out of renal failure.

I have to say, I am glad to have an answer even if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I’m very much a person who likes to know what I’m facing. I also have hope that at some point in the future sciene will find a cure.

While they can’t understand what I’m going through my friends have all be extremently supportive and for that I’m thankful. I also have a great doctor who is being vigilant in prescribing the correct combination of drugs to help with the diesease yet give me the least amount of side effects.

And now that I know, I can put this behind me and move on with more important things in my life, like my children. Still, I’d very much love to hear from other’s out there who have this type of kidney diesease, so if you happen to have stumbled across my blog, please drope me a line.