Thursday Thirteen

By Cam

I’m leaving for Vegas today. Sigh. And wanted to depart with a few (13 to be exact) writerly quotes that are inspirational to me, especially since NaNoWriMo starts in a few days! I hope you find inspiration from these, too!

1. “The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.” ~Anaïs Nin
2. “Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.” ~E.L. Doctorow
3. “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” ~Anton Chekhov
4. “Write your first draft with your heart. Re-write with your head.” ~From the movie Finding Forrester
5. “Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it.” ~ Chinese proverb
6. “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ~ Jack London
7. “Words – so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne
8. “The only cure for writer’s block is insomnia.” ~ Merit Antares
9. “Don’t get it right, just get it written” ~ J. Thurber
10. “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” ~ James Michener
11. “You get ideas from daydreaming. You get ideas from being bored. You get ideas all the time. The only difference between writers and other people is we notice when we’re doing it.” ~ Neil Gaiman
12. “In writing, you can get by with almost anything as long as you motivate it properly.” ~ Catherine Spangler
13. “If I chance to talk a little wild, forgive me.” ~ William Shakespeare

Now, tell me…what are some of your favorite quotes (or advice) that have helped you through your more hazy days of writing?

Wednesday WriMo

By Cam

Okay…so in 4 days NaNoWriMo starts. Don’t know what that is? It’s National Novel Writing Month and that means thousands of writers across the world are going to partake in the most motivating writing challenge — to write at least 50K in 30 days. There are a few rules…like, no fair writing one word 50,000 times. And you can’t start until the bell chimes after midnight on Halloween (aka NaNo Eve). Go here to see how NaNo works in 10 Easy Steps.

This is my first time participating in NaNoWriMo and I’m feeling a bit of everything. Excited. Scared. Anxious. Scared. Inspired. Scared. And why am I scared you ask? Well, maybe I’m not scared. But my internal editor sure is! Because that’s my problem. I have an -itis…and it’s called Internal Editoritis. This disease is plagued with all kinds of backspace quirks, re-reading double vision, and red pen spewing. My prognosis was looking pretty grim…until I discovered that during the whole month of November I should–wait for it–SHUT. OFF. MY. EDITOR.

And what’s the recommended treatment for this disease called Internal Editoritis? Well, there’s a lot of nifty tools out there, but I found one that I really think will help me: Write or Die Desktop Edition. I was a huge fan of the online version and would frequently use it to pump out mass quantities of word count in short spurts of time. But since I plan on doing a lot of my NaNo writing on my netbook with little to no web access, this tool seems to be the perfect fit. Especially for NaNo.

In addition to the uber-coolness of Write or Die, I have a list of things I expect will be helpful to me during the next 30 days of craziness. In no particular order they are:

• NaNoWriMo Forums – This is a no-brainer. There are loads of just-as-insane people that frequent these boards with threads ranging from Adopt a (fill-in-the-blank) to soundtracks to get you in the mood.
• Q10/WriteMonkey/RoughDraft – Simple is best. At least during the month of November. Free from all the distractions of typical word processors, these applications are essentially just plain old text editors (with a few bells and whistles). Check out the cool typewriter sounds!
• DeviantArt – This site is full of all sorts of visual inspiration in practically every kind of genre. Take a look. Your muse will thank me.
• yWriter – This is a word processor that breaks your novel into scenes and chapters. Although I don’t plan on using this too much during November, it’ll be handy in December (and Jan, Feb, Mar…) when I edit.
• Google Docs/Dropbox – BACKUP. BACKUP. BACKUP. That is all folks.
• Pandora – For continuous background music based off your favorite tunes.
• Seventh Sanctum – Because sometimes I need a little help generating off-the-wall spells and villainous names.
• Bejeweled – Because breaks are good. But be warned: THIS GAME IS ADDICTIVE.

So there you have it. My tools for a newbie’s NaNo. Wish me luck!

Thursday Thirteen

By Cambria Dillon

I’m going to Vegas Ladies and Gents. Yup. I’m leaving Oct. 28 and not coming back until Nov. 4. Now I know most people say that three days is plenty of time to see the sights of Sin City. But since I’ll be there for a week (for a wedding), I thought I’d focus this week’s T13 on some hotspots I’m hoping to hit up. Feel free to add your two cents on places to see, skip, turn the other way, etc…I’m leaving my Frommers at home, so chime in!

1. Pussycat Dolls Lounge – Okay. I know this is sort of cheesy. But…it’s research. Yes, you heard me. Research. I’m writing a Snow White meets Pussycat Dolls burlesque-esque story, so this really would be research.
2. Adventuredome at Circus Circus (specifically Lazer Blast) – I’m going on the record to say that this one is not my idea. Hubs is the Best Man in his brother’s wedding and this sporting adventure is part of the bachelor/bachelorette festivities. I should note that I plan on drinking beforehand. Heavily.
3. Wasted Space at Hard Rock – This is Carey Hart’s nightclub and we have some real rockers (and a former N’Sync-er) attending the wedding event. So we’re on the VIP list at this fine establishment that Thursday night. I think I might be inclined to get me a a glass of Cristal. Or maybe just a cran & vodka. Alright, fine…a beer.
4. Payard Chocolate – Because Emily Ryan-Davis says this is the best place to buy chocolate. Even weird should-not-be-paired-with-chocolate chocolate. Like curry chocolate. Apparently it’s a must try.
5. Madame Tussaud’s “After Dark” – This sounds pretty cool. Live actors mingle with the wax figures to make for a frightful event where the lights are out at Madame Tussaud’s this Halloween season.
6. Jubilee at Bally’s – This is the epitome of a good old fashioned Vegas show. I’m hoping its better than Elizabeth Berkley in the faux-Goddess show in Showgirls. And yes, I did see that movie (and still bitter about losing those 2 hours of my life). Originally my vote for a show was for Thunder Down Under. But Hubs vetoed me.
7. Bellagio fountains – Hey–if George Clooney and Brad Pitt rested their elbows on the rail to watch the water show in Oceans Eleven (and Twelve and Thirteen)…you bet I’ll be there!
8. Hart & Huntington – I used to watch that show on TLC and I find the sound of a buzzing tattoo gun quite therapeutic. Plus I find something sexy about a man getting tatted up. Who knows…maybe I’ll walk away with some dainty little ink…what happens in Vegas…
9. The Venetian – I spent my honeymoon in Italy and a whole week alone in Venice. Now, I know the pumped in water in The Venetian won’t hold a dime to the real Grand Canal, but there’s something uber-romantic about being with the man you love, in a gondola, lazying down a canal.
10. The Eiffel Tower at Paris – Since I’ll probably never go to the real Eiffel Tower, I might as well settle for the next best thing.
11. Las Vegas sign – It’s a must-see, must-take-pic staple.
12. Fright Dome at Circus Circus – Five acres of fright zones, rides, freak shows, haunted houses, attractions…OMG I’m so stoked to go to this!!!
13. Casinos – Doesn’t matter which one. I’m not picky. Hell, I’ll probably only throw a quarter into a slot and call it a day. But you can’t go to Vegas and not spin the dice on something!

Tuesday Releases!

By Cam

I’ve been waiting MONTHS for this book to be released. And finally, it’s HERE!

KRESLEY COLE delivers a breathtaking tale of a brutal vampire soldier about to know love for the first time…and a Valkyrie aching to be touched.Murdoch Wroth will stop at nothing to claim Daniela the Ice Maiden — the delicate Valkyrie who makes his heart beat for the first time in three hundred years. Yet the exquisite Danii is part ice fey, and her freezing skin can’t be touched by anyone but her own kind without inflicting pain beyond measure. Soon desperate for closeness, in an agony of frustration, Murdoch and Danii will do anything to have each other. Together, can they find the key that will finally allow them to slake the overwhelming desire burning between them?

GENA SHOWALTER puts a daring spin on a tale of huntress and hunted…and concocts a sensual chemistry that is positively explosive.Aleaha Love can be anyone — literally. With only skin-to-skin contact, she can change her appearance, assume any identity. Her newest identity switch has made her an AIR (alien investigation and removal) agent and sends her on a mission to capture a group of otherworldly warriors. Only she becomes the captured. Breean, a golden-skinned commander known for his iron will who is at once dangerous and soul-shatteringly seductive, threatens her new life. Because for the first time, Aleaha only wants to be herself….

Buy it from Amazon

You can also read about how Gena and Kresley worked together during this project at Borders True Romance.

Thursday Thirteen

By Cam

This past week was a baaaaad week for me in terms of spending money. Now, I usually don’t go around dropping cash and then telling people all about it. But I’m feeling total buyer’s remorse and thought I could use today’s T13 as my “confessional” so to speak.

So, here it goes…13 things I bought this past week that are making me feel guilty:

1. Glitzy formal cocktail dress – There’s a reason for this. My brother-in-law is getting married this Halloween. In Vegas. The invitation said black tie. (I know, really?) I have dresses that could totally pass for this occasion. But what fun is that? It’s in V-E-G-A-S.
2. Glitzy formal cocktail dress – For my daughter. Who’s one. And because she’s just so stinkin’ cute and doesn’t have a wardrobe of suitable dresses.
3. These shoes – Again…V-E-G-A-S.
4. And these – See above
5. MAC nail polish – In Dark Angel (goth romantic dark lilac) and Vintage Vamp (rich deep retro wine). Because Fae raved about it on Twitter and at the time I didn’t think anything of the $12/bottle price tag.
6. Pedipeds – Gold shoes with cut-out stars for the little one. At a whopping $30+. Damn weddings.
7. New earbuds for my iPhone – Even though I already have a pair…these are special because they have a retractable cord. Yeah…cool, right?
8. My Writing Nook (iPhone app) – It was only $1.95, but apparently this app can sync up to the internet so I can write on the go. I haven’t test-driven it yet, but with NaNo coming up, I decided to be prepared for those moments when I’m standing in the grocery store line.
9. MiFi – Okay. I needed this one. At a $100 purchase price and then monthly fee for $60, I get a complete wireless internet connection for up to 5 wireless devices (5GB/month data plan). I can take it with me wherever I go and not have to worry about trying to find a free WiFi spot. I can even use it while Hubs is driving. Uber coolness people. And considering I canceled my internet service from Comcast (because our box got struck by lightning and they wanted to charge us to replace the box and charge a re-connection fee. Uh, no.). So this purchase was completely justified.
10. Books – Specifically Covet by JR Ward and Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I have no problem spending money on books. The problem is that I have about 20 books already in my TBR pile so this purchase really could’ve waited.
11. Fudge Stripe Cookies – Like three boxes. And not on sale. If you’ve never tried these Keebler concoctions…you must. Trust me.
12. Head massager – They got me. Those annoying people at those annoying kiosk stands in the mall. This one was the spidery-looking head massager thing that felt oh so good when the gal tickled my head with it. Now my daughter likes to trap Elmo’s head with it so I haven’t had a chance to really use it. $15 down the drain thank you very much.
13. Asus 1008HA netbook – This was the biggie. The chimichanga of the I-really-don’t-need-this-but-I’m-going-to-get-it-anyway purchases. I have a laptop. A perfectly nice Sony Vaio (it’s pink!) that Hubs got me for my birthday. I’ve even worn the paint off the keys because I use it so much. But the thing is a whopper. I can’t transport it to save my life without also needing a deep tissue massage to work out the kinks in my shoulder. And with NaNo coming up, my writing needs to be portable. Plus I blame it on V-E-G-A-S. It’ll be sooooooo much easier to cart this little number around in Sin City instead of my Pink Monster Lady. The netbook comes in today and I can’t wait!

So there you go. Thirteen things I spent money on this week that I’m feeling a little bit guilty about even though some of them are quite justified. Tell me – am I the only one throwing money around left to right? Please tell me I’m not the only one with a weird obsession with Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies…anyone?

Tuesday Releases!

By Cam

Man, I love me some Tuesday releases! Check out these books from a few fellow divas. Enjoy!

Scent of Cin by Ella Drake

Death brought Cin her love, a sexy half-demon she can’t resist

Half-demon Vedo resurrects the newly-dead Cinnamon Murphy, detective, bane of the Hellions — and all woman. Vedo needs her to find his son, product of a forced union with a powerful demoness, but Vedo gets more than he bargains for. Once Cin is no longer a shade, her scent becomes a lure his Nephilim nature can’t resist. Cin finds that being raised from the dead gives her uncontrollable cravings for heat, especially for the hot man who needs her help, a man she’s sworn to kill.

Before publication, Scent of Cin was the 2008 novella winner of the Stroke of Midnight Contest, sponsored by Passionate Ink.

This erotic paranormal romance is available at Cobblestone Press.
Excerpt and more information available at www.elladrake.com.

And Kendal Ashby has a new release for her novella, Chasing Sunrise. She has a contest going on until 10/13 with cool prizes. Check out her blog for details.

Here’s her blurb:

Chasing Sunrise

Megan Chase is vacationing at an all-inclusive Caribbean resort when her friend Sadie hits it off with another guest at the resort. She finds herself kicked out of her room. She spends the night in the hot tub and wandering the beach with a handsome stranger by her side. As the two get to know each other, Megan struggles to control her growing desire for a man who is supposed to marry someone else next month.

Keith Gates’s best man, Doug, dragged him on a makeshift bachelor trip to the beachfront resort. Before he left home, Keith learned his fiancee had been cheating on him and now faces the tough decision to forgive her or end the relationship. Ditched by his best friend, Keith spends time with Megan. As the night turns to early morning, Keith fights his growing attraction for Megan. He’s not a free man and refuses to take advantage of her. Is their night together bad timing, or the clear sign he was hoping to find?

Genre: Contemporary
Rating: Sweet
Book Length: Short Story
Price: $2.99

Visit this link to the book: HERE

Friday’s Focus – NaNoWriMo

By Cam

Just signed up! This will be my first official NaNoWriMo (although I’ve participated in some of Romance Divas’ monthly WriMo’s just for fun). I’ve been outlining a story I’ve been saving up for November and hopefully it ends up being as good on paper as it is in my head.

The only problem I expect to encounter is the Vegas trip I have scheduled from 10/28-11/4. That’s four whole days of attempting decent word count in a city that’s not really synonymous with the term. Here’s hoping I don’t get ahead of myself!

Now–who’s with me?