...The Tough get writing.

What's your quirk?
I have one. Do you want to know what it is? No? Well, then stop reading now!

I have trouble finishing my mss. Not in a way that I don't have the story ready to go and be written, more like the closer I get to the end, the slower I write. WHAT?! I know!! Seems like lots of writers I know get toward the end and then find themselves racing to it.

Not me. Nope.

I can see the ending of this story. I can feel it! It's right there. But I am struggling to get it on the screen. I hem. I haw. I hesitate. Promo for a different book happens. So does redesigning my blog or my webpage. Facebook helps... not.

Not sure if it's the black moment I am avoiding or the Happily-Ever-After. *shrug* But I have both to write. So I better get to it.

Happy Hump Day friends.
With Love,
Beth

Fantastic Friday

End of the week Review
 
We had a freak snow storm... oh wait, that's right. It's January!! Winter time. So, not so freakish, although we've had some great, mild weather lately--40s and 50s since just before Christmas. One day of frigid and today we are back to 56 as a high. :D Should be like that all weekend. Not bad at all!!

I'm reading another Katy Regnery book, and it is GOOD! She was the third ebook I tried in one day. The first two were...freebies or something and, booo! They did not stand up. FWIW, Katy's book is self-published and it is wonderfully written, wonderfully edited and has a beautiful cover. Don't judge a book by its publishing status! Also, I picked up a paperback by Lisa Jackson, and Oh. My. Word. I read one scene--gruesome murder. An epilogue that left me hanging. But it made me think... I used to read stuff like this all the time! Tami Hoag, Sandra Brown. I've lost touch with the truly suspenseful, GOOD book. I've been reading these contemporary romances...sometimes with a mystery or suspense element, but nothing reads as well as a good, mainstream Romantic Suspense. Category just does not compare, even if it is a suspense.

My writing went really well this week. I did have two days here at the end of the week where I was banging my head against the wall, trying to find time to work. Lots of stuff going on this week--appointments, meetings, taxi obligations, etc. But I did at least 500 words a day, yesterday being the slowest at 526 words. And, of course, I'm loving the story... the contemporary romance--no suspense.

Maybe I need work on another dark story. It's been a while. I'm out of practice!!

There's a new link at the top of my Blog labeled "Home." It's my new webpage. It also reveals a few surprises, so come on over and visit. See what that's all about...and then forget you ever knew me. hahaha. Just kidding. :D

Have a wonderful weekend!
With Love,
Beth

A New Day

It's a new day...
And you'll see some changes around here.
A new header--if you aren't on a feed and actually visit the blog.
Some new coloring--because that's fun.

You know me, I get a little bored. I get anxious about having my personal life out there. My husband prefers anonymity--as in, he'd like to find a cabin in the woods and live off the land, make his own energy with wind, no internt, no television or video games--we won'to go that far, but perhaps I can help. So don't get all confused when you start seeing different things around here.

It was so easy, ten years ago, to think of myself as a nobody. Relatively speaking, I still am. :D hahaha. [just kidding, family. No emails, please, about how I'm a somebody and should I see a therapist] OTOH, selling my second book upped the ante a bit, and I think it's about time to change things up. I've been saying it's time for an official webpage for a few years, but have put it off just because--expense, etc. Why bother?? I have this great blog over here that even has pages!

But when I make a decision to do something...I go full out! No halfsies for this girl. So eventually, if I can't hook this blog up to a webpage, I might have to let it go, too. [oh, that will be a little sad!] And i hate Wordpress!! But I'm willing to be flexible and try new things, if I have to.

Take care this week.
Read a good book.
With Love,
Beth

Facebook -- Love it or Hate it?

Is Facebook betraying us all?? That's the question going around right now.

Remember months ago when you found an old friend, wanted to message them, but FB wanted you to pay a dollar to have it sent to that person's inbox rather than "other" box? And now it's Boost the post! Or buy advertising!

 Okay, well I'm in this very small range of not-really-that-important clients. I don't have a ton of Likes [452 to be exact]. I have the average of about 300 friends on my profile.... I'm on several times a day. I don't see as much as I used to. I don't see random posts from people who are friends. Some friends, I don't see at all anymore because they don't even show up in my newsfeed. It's a little sad. I heard a story recently where a FB user clicked "share" of a pages post/link and was asked to pay to share. Yeah. Crazy! I hear that if your page has thousands of likes, you are paying as much as $2K to boost a post so that ALMOST everyone on your list will see it. Notice I said almost...

I posted a link to my Newsletter, which is different from my posts here, and it has been seen by 8 of my 452 Likers. Will I boost it? I might. Because, it comes down to this. If we are business-oriented people and we want to build a platform, we don't efficiently use someone else's platform. We will eventually be bending our own goals in order to accomodate that person's platform.

So, goal for this year. Set up a webpage. I don't know exactly how much money I'll make on my books this year, but everything I make will go back into the business. And maybe I'll boost a post or two on FB, but mostly...

I want people/fans/not-fans/readers/writers to be able to find me outside of Facebook. That way, when the world ends er, I mean if Facebook goes the way of MySpace, it won't be such a travesty!

SIGN UP HERE!
Or Follow me on Twitter, if you'd Like.

Have a great weekend!
If you get a chance head over to Moira Keith's blog where she has First Line Friday going in full swing!
With Love,
Bethanne

The Artist

Sometimes, it's difficult to see everything within the industry. Watching trends, figuring out what's popular, trying to write the next big seller... but I've been thinking about this for a while.

And it's so easy to become ensconced in one corner of the writing world. Seeing what that one crowd wants and working hard to make the theme in  your book just right. It's work. Maybe not hard, but still--work. Perhaps the perspective on life and what's happening in the publishing industry gets narrowed.

All of a sudden, an author might question what in the world she's doing. Her stories hardly ring true anymore, she feels more like a drone than an imaginative, creative individual! Not me, an author. ;)

But I think that's why it's really important to READ everything. [yes, that's a bias statement--I'll explain] I've been reading romance since I was twenty-two, and it's usually contemporary, occasionally historical, always mainstream. When I say everything, I do admit that I won't read certain genres. For me, inspirational romance is a no. I'll read Christian fiction or Mainstream written by a Christian that is sweeter or maybe falls into the women's lit category. But Romance for me is a hard sell with no desire shown or implied. [but if you've followed me at all since I started this blog years ago, you probably already know how I feel--or you can read about it here and here!!] So, I don't read Inspirational Romance... fine. But there is so much to read!

Historical, Paranormal, Action/Adventure, YA, NA, Sci-fi...but wait! There's more! :D There's always one more genre out there to get our hands on in order to keep apprised of the industry and what it's doing. It's never as simple as "everyone is reading about vampires." Maybe writing that Vampire novel will help us grow as writers... maybe stepping out and doing something new is good for honing those skills. Yet, perhaps when we find ourselves writing against the grain, it's time to remember that there is a market for every genre. Every one!! [...no, not the one that tells the history of your family. Sorry!] There is a saying, if you don't like who you've become, change your friends. That can be true in this industry, too. If you don't like what you're writing, change your publisher! [again, I don't mean me. I'm just saying hypothetically] :D

Are we difficult artists if we write what we want to write? Or do we bring the best out in ourselves by allowing those creative juices to flow? How do you find a balance between this-is-business and this-is-art??


Baby, It's Cold Outside!


And I'm doing a Fabulous Giveaway!!
Because you know what?
It's cold outside, and there is nothing like cold outside to made a booklover want to read...that's a given. But this year, I broke out from my mold.

This year, I did something I haven't done since I was in my teens.
I ice-skated! [and despite the photo, I was doing it without holding on! haha] That's my wee, sweet daughter, Darla.


It was absolutely addicting. I worried that I wouldn't be able to do it. That it wasn't like riding a bike, ya know, and I'd fall flat on my ass a few hundred times before the hour or two were up.

But I didn't. It was awesome. I even smoked the old man, who is determined enough to learn something new in order to keep up. ;) :D Actually, he's quite athletic and a runner, so I wasn't surprised at all that he caught on so well. A few more outings with him, and I'm sure he'll be passing me by! 

So, tell me, what's one thing you did as a kid [and this includes even the younger crowd!!] that you haven't done in years? Sledding? Ice skating? Skiing? 

Are you living in the south and it's been years since you roller skated? Bowled? 

Leave a comment!! I'm giving away a $5 Amazon Giftcard, randomly selected from everyone who visits the crazy fun Baby-It's-Cold-Outside Blog Hop put on by JustRomance.me

And if it's still January 3rd, you've blasted through the blog hop, and you're bored, I'll be on Facebook, doing another giveaway, being hosted by my publishing company on their page as I chat about my new release, Letters From Home. Come on and join the fun.

~*~*~

ON SALE NOW! Only .99 for a limited time.
This book and all Entangled Flirts...



Excerpt:
Zack finally caught Lena’s gaze from across the table, and he lifted a brow as if to ask her, what is this?

Not that he didn’t enjoy spending time with the family. As a matter of fact, until the holidays had come around, there’d only been a few dinners since summer ended. School, work, and life had taken precedence.

Lena shrugged and a slight flush rose on her cheeks.

“Lena, you and me, at the pool table for a game.” When it looked like she might refuse, Zack stood and went around the table.

“I play winner.” Juan called out.

“Oh, no. I can’t. I stink at pool, Zack. You know very well how badly I play pool.”

“Come on. Smart girl like you should have no problem setting up a table and sinking a few balls.

Practice, that’s all.” Zack tugged on Lena’s chair. He took her hand and was surprised to feel a slight tremble in it. He tightened his grip. “Relax, I’m not going to bite. It’s just a friendly game of billiards.”

She laughed, almost nervously. He let her hand go when they reached the little cove with a table in it.

They were just hidden from view, enough to be able to talk privately, or make out. But that was just his imagination running away with him.

They both took a cue, and Zack set the table. Her silence put him on edge. Usually he knew what she was thinking, now he felt out-of-sorts. He’d asked her out on a date—hadn’t he?

She’d come with an entourage.

“Zack?”

He looked up and found her waiting for him. He made the opening break and nodded to her. “Your turn.”

She stared at him with a blush rising on her cheeks. “Where do I start?”

He relaxed, smiled at her, then studied the table, looking for her first move. “Over here,” he started and took her arm to guide her around to where the cue ball sat. “Go for the solids. You can hit the four in, no problem. Easy peasy.”

She stood behind her cue and leaned over the table.

“No. Not like that.” Zack moved in behind her.

The idea hadn’t started out as a ploy, but now that he was here, breathing in the delicious scent of her perfume, he enjoyed the heat of her against his skin where his arms met hers. They were hip to hip. He cupped her hand in his and rested the cue stick on top of it. She fit perfectly under his arm and against his body.

He cleared his throat as lust shot straight through his bones. “Ready?”

She turned her head and eyed him suspiciously. Her gaze fell to his lips for a fraction of a second, but she turned back to the table and took her shot. The light bracelets at her wrists chimed, and the purple ball rolled into the corner pocket. “Okay.” She grinned, turning into his space. His hands went to her shoulders where they met skin, supple and smooth.

“That wasn’t too hard at all,” she whispered. Her breath seemed caught in her throat, as if maybe, maybe she felt something too.

Zack stayed where he was, absorbing her warmth, the happiness that seemed to roll off her. This was what he’d wanted for her when he asked her to go out with him. Just a chance to have some fun, remember what it was like when they were younger.

He brushed strands of her hair from her face, the touch making his heart stutter. The urge to kiss her overwhelmed him. “Lena.”

“Yes?”

With his thumb, Zack traced a line along her collarbone. He tunneled his hand under the thick weight of her dark hair. Her eyes were wide with wonder. When he dipped his head to taste her, her lips parted, and she sucked in a breath.

Zack’s heart was pounding. Like the staccato of his M16, beating against his chest.

The kiss was soft and slow, and at first she didn’t respond at all. On the verge of letting her go completely, he felt her hands come up and grip his waist. Her lips moved against his.

Nothing in his entire life had felt so right before. He sank into her.

“Hey guys…Whoa!”

Zack groaned at the intrusion. Lena broke away, sucked in another breath, this one filled with shock and what-did-I-do?

His eyes slid shut. Damn it.



New Year's Eve

I have spent the last week of this year procrastinating!! It's true! I do not want to write this post. At all. The year in review is like taking medicine because it will make you feel better... but you're still taking the medicine!! Ugh! :D :D

Such a lovely, positive outlook, don't you think? haha

And 2013 has been a GREAT year. I was privileged to work with an awesome editor. I've made a story shine. I've written a couple new stories. I've had requests from more publishers. This is what we all want--as writers. To have that confirmation that we are doing something worthwhile, something other people can enjoy... telling a story that friends, family, and strangers can relate to.

It's not always about being thought-provoking or profound or nobel-prize winning. Getting to the nitty-gritty and telling a story that someone else feels. That is so satisfying. So, so, so!!

And this is why I question what I'm feeling deep inside.

It's a slightly unsettled feeling. Not DISSATISFACTION. No. That would devalue everything I've done so far this year. But a feeling that the course is due to change. And as I sit and evaluate the year before in order to make plans for the year ahead--like a good businesswoman, I have to consider all the aspects of WHY I WRITE and HOW I CAN SELL MORE.

See, the one thing I've learned this year is that not everyone will like my writing. *gasp* Don't be shocked! It's true. I am not a one-size-fits-all  variety of story. Does that even exist? No.

The truth on top of that is that if I'm not writing something I believe in, almost no one will like my stuff. Not even the people who usually LIKE my stuff will like my stuff. So, I really want to write stuff that consumes me, that makes me smile, makes me feel. Feel! Sheesh.

Is that too much to ask?

Also, I want to write a lot. I might add another daycare day to my schedule this year... maybe. Because, there's an urge there. Don't you just LOOOOOVE the urge?! :D


Merry Christmas to All...

The close of the year starts with such a celebration of Hope. Don't you think?

Christmas.

It goes both way... struggling or striving all year, working--ups and downs. Even to the last day there is so often the feeling of nothing-is-right, how can it all be soooo blech. And then we get this far and are able to say, Wow. We waited for this! This is the reason for all those ups, the reason why we can look forward to more than just the blech. We have the promise.

And it's with that hope that we plan for the future.

Does anyone else have plans yet? I've been thinking hard on the coming year...

1) I know it will include writing.

Well, I was going to make a list, but I can't. Maybe that's all I need to know.
Sometimes if we lock in on something too tightly, it's hard to move.

One day at a time, with an outlook.


Doing a Giveaway on FB--3 Truths, 1 Lie

So, my publicist is putting together a little get-to-know-the-authors fun, and we're playing 3 truths, 1 lie, which--if you don't know--is a game where everyone guesses which fact listed about me is the LIE.

I'm playing today, HERE. The game post will go up at 3pm CST, which is 2pm my time... and 4pm EASTERN! :D In case you need it put out there--no math necessary. Like me. ;)



How well do you think you know me??? How long have you been following this blog? Do you think you can guess which fact is true or false?

Hmmm....
Well, I guess we'll find out.
I'm also offering a $5 Gift Card. Winner randomly drawn from anyone who comments or LIKES the post.

And isn't that the REAL reason we'll all show up and see what it's about? haha.
At Amazon, $5 can buy 5 books! Or it can pay shipping on your next order... So come on. This afternoon.
Give me a shout out.

See ya there!
With Love,
Bethanne

The Author and her books

Imagine.
Write.
Sell.
Edit.
Publish.
Sell....

and keep selling.

How?

It's about publicity and marketing, yes.
But after that??? How do we continue to sell books?

Here's a funny thing --> We form relationships. We get to know readers. We interact with them, share experiences, and in general--stay connected.

I don't think there's a point when we can say, I've sold my book to every romance reader out there. I'm successful and can quit pushing that one book. Nope. Romance is always winning over new readers. New readers are being born every day. So, we just keep reaching out.

And we keep writing too.

...also, giveaways help! :D And I'll be doing one next Monday on Flirt's Facebook Page. So swing by and guess which fact is the lie about me. For every like or comment on that post, I will enter your name to be drawn for a $5 Gift Card at either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Breaking News

Not really.
I merely had a few days when I wasn't blog hopping and I wanted to come over and wake my own sleeping blog with updates on life.

~Book released on November 25th. You can find links for buying it HERE.
~I am finishing Dark Summer, which is a story about "OLD" people. Just kiddding. They're not that old. But they are late thirties, early forties.

...i'm sorry for being 37 [but not really]. I have a lot of life in me yet, and I can still kick your ass, run from the bad guys, drive fast, drink AND make mistakes. So, yeah, all the makings of a good book, btw. :D And a little bit of torture, but not a ton of gore. It's different than my happy contemporaries. Might be a huge flop. But that's also life...

~I started a "secret baby" book, The Billionnaire's Home. The second book in my Home series...yes, I just made that up right now. Letters From Home. The Billionnaire's Home. Yes, a secret baby. And thought it's cliche and so cheesy, I'm really excited about this story, another novella. Maria, the sister in Letters From Home, has a great story!!! Leaving an excerpt here:

He shattered every wrong with a touch.His breath was hot on her neck, his hands soft at her sides, gripping her hips and pulling her against himself. His mouth worked her over, his lips pressing softly against hers, nibbling, tasting.And she gave. She gave without thought, without hesitation. The want of it raged through her like an unexpected cold front and flattened her resolve, her good sense.He brought his hands to her face, traced her brows, and ran a finger along her cheek to her jaw. A smile came to his face—the square jaw and full lips. The dimple on the right that appeared at the most unexpected moments. His laughter had been just as startling, just as thrilling.Seduced by a stranger.Her heart pounded.She wanted him.With shaking hands, she began to unfasten the long row of buttons down the front of his shirt. Her choice. No regrets.But he covered her hands. “We don’t have to do this.”“I want to.”He dug strong hands through her hair and massaged her scalp, making her smile. His eyes shone, the twinkle in them as familiar as the night sky. And then he pulled her close, tucking her into the crook of his arm as he kissed her—slow and easy. As if they had all the time in the world.
Something tells me they didn't really have all the time in the world...

Blog TOUR schedule


This is it, People!! The day has arrived.
Four New Flirts are out on the shelves.
Join me on my virtual tour as I celebrate a great Christmas story about finding love where you least expect it.



November 26: Bookworm2Bookworm

November 27: Sarah Ballance 

November 27: Shut Up & Read 

November 27: Booker Like a Hooker

December 3: SOS Aloha


December 9: Manga Maniac Cafe


When you forget--

Don't you hate it when you get so excited about not having anything to do...For. The. Rest. of. The. Day. that you forget to take care of the stuff on your list?

Well, that was me today.

Should have cleaned out the car... oops. Thankfully, I have a husband who spent ten extra minutes doing the deed before he left this evening.

And I get to sit here, with my younger kids, and do nothing but...work or read or watch television. Even go to bed early!! Whooot. What a great Friday night.

Enjoy your weekend.
With Love,
Bethanne