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Archive for Writing with the Stars – Page 2

Alannah Lynne, Writing With The Stars Finalist!

By HelenKay Dimon · Comments (16)
Friday, October 15th, 2010
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Huge congratulations to all the finalists in the Writing With The Stars finalists. It is a huge accomplishment to enter and be chosen. And it takes a lot of guts to post your excerpts for everyone to comment on and vote.

I was lucky enough to be a mentor in this contest. I didn’t know Alannah Lynne before the official announcement introducing her came. After watching her work so hard and be so professional through tough deadlines, I have huge respect for her. She is charming and talented and I think you’re all going to like her as much as I do. Take a look…

** Meet Alannah Lynne**

On May 1st, when I made the decision to enter the Writing With the Stars Contest, I made the best decision I ever could have.

I’d originally planned to enter a guardian angel story. But two weeks in to editing, I decided it was more suited for the Aphrodisia line, so I scrapped it. On May 15th, I decided to write LAST CALL.

Had I known what a rollercoaster ride the next seven weeks would be, I probably would have changed my mind about entering. Thank goodness I didn’t know!

There are too many lessons learned to list them all, but here are a few of the biggies.

Lesson #1 – If I have to, I can block life out, sit in my chair, and focus for hours on end. I wrote every single day. Even when I didn’t want to, even when I was sick, I sat at my desk and met my word count goal.

Lesson #2 – I don’t need 8-9 hours of sleep like I’ve always thought. I LIKE that much, but I don’t need it. Half-way in, I started sleeping 6-7 hours each night, and was able to function fine. The last two weeks, I didn’t get more than 6 hours any night, and most nights I was down to 4 1/2 – 5.

Lesson #3 – I don’t need to do as much around the house as I’ve always believed. The last two weeks, my husband and son did a great job of fending for themselves. And they survived!!

Lesson #4 – Having a tight deadline worked well for me. Being forced to work on the story for long hours (up to 18 hours some days), kept me immersed in the story world and helped with the continuity.

Lesson #5 – Worrying about the story doesn’t get it written. Normally, I over-think things. On this timeframe, I didn’t have time to crawl around in my head and play with my doubts, fears, and paranoia.

Lesson #6 – Self-care is important to a writer, and something I neglected. I won’t do that again.

I’m happy to say, the lessons have continued since becoming a finalist. I can’t thank Alicia and Megan enough for this opportunity. And there are no words to describe how fabulous HelenKay has been! Thank you!

So, how about you? Has a project taught you more than you expected, or ever would have believed possible? I’d love to hear about your lessons learned.

-Alannah

NOTE: You can read the first paragraphs and last lines here and then vote.

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Interview With Dale Mayer, Writing With the Stars Finalist

By Cynthia Eden · Comments (27)
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
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I want to congratulate all of the Brava Writing With the Stars Finalists! They have worked very hard, and they should be proud of all they have accomplished.

I am a mentor in the contest, and I had the pleasure of being paired with Dale Mayer. Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten to know Dale pretty well. Today, I’d like to share an interview I conducted with Dale. That way, you can get to know her, too. :-)

1. Hi, Dale! Congratulations on becoming a Brava finalist! That is such exciting news!! Will you please tell everyone a bit about your story?

Hi Cynthia, thanks so much for the invitation to be here today! You know in every career, there comes a time when you hit a crossroad? For me this point was deciding whether I wanted to continue as a writer or throw in the towel? Tuesday’s Child was my crossroad – my nemesis. At a bad personal time in my life, the manuscript was a very rough first draft. I couldn’t see a way to fix up the manuscript and I couldn’t start a new one. Tuesday’s Child wouldn’t let me. It’s like it was saying, “Nope. No more playing around. I’m up on deck. Either fix me up right or walk away forever.” How could I leave my characters hanging like that? Samantha Blair needed me! I’d created her and the mess she was in so I felt responsible for getting her through to a happy ending! This is the scenario that evolved:

SAMANTHA BLAIR, a psychic with a terrible gift, is forced to work with Detective BRANDT SUTHERLAND, a cop on the hunt for serial killer, in order to save not only her sanity but also the women falling victim to an unusual killer preying on their small town.

2. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

It’s not an idea I thought about when a young girl, but as I matured the desire took root and grew over time. Except I was so busy living life that I never gave it much thought. But once I did – there was no stuffing it back into the dark recesses of my mind.

3. What do you think is the most rewarding aspect of the writing life?

For me the creation is the most rewarding aspect. I’ve always been involved in a craft of some kind whether it was spinning, sketching, knitting, cake decorating, and the list goes on… But having words go down on a page in such a way that they bring events, places, and characters come to life – so you can almost reach out and touch them – is pure magic.

4. What is the most challenging part of being a writer?

The journey! Joking aside, to set out on a long term goal that might span years if not decades, and where you need to continuously hone your craft with little to no encouragement along the way is difficult. As a newbie writer you need feedback from other people to see what works and what doesn’t. You need to throw your work, your baby, out for criticism and judgement. It’s hard. That’s why you need to love what you do. I didn’t start out with the thought of getting published; I answered a compulsion. I continue to write because I love it and because I can no longer NOT write.

5. So Dale…what do you want readers to know about you?

Most people don’t believe that I am a writer. Not sure what the stereotype in their mind is but I’m a single parent of four and have been for over a dozen years. I’m an avid skier, gardener, and lover of life! I’ve lost people close to me, faced horrible financial challenges, and too many obstacles to count but I’m living my dream. I’m not perfect! I get depressed and lose faith sometimes, but I always get back up and carry on.

I’m also very approachable. I’m always open to questions on any topics, my craft, the writer’s life, my books – even my characters – they are real to me!

6. What should readers expect when they read a story by you?

Hopefully, each book will impart the things I love to write like chilling suspense, plots that twist in on themselves and often come with a surprise ending, and characters that stay with you long after the book has been finished – and readers have the added security of knowing that I am VERY prolific and the next book will already be in progress!


Thanks so much for answering my questions!!

If you’d like to learn more about Dale, you can visit her website, or follow her at twitter.com/dalemayer.

And you can check out all of the round one Writing With The Stars entries on the RT website.

Now it’s your turn to talk. I asked Dale what readers could expect from her…and now I want to know what readers expect when they open a Brava novel. The finalists are competing for a Brava contract–but what do you expect to find in a Brava book? I’ll pick one commenter to win any Cynthia Eden book (including an ARC of ETERNAL FLAME).

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Bravo to our Brava Rising Stars!

By Susan Fox · Comments (38)
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
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Update: Winner of The Naughty List is Lisa Kessler!

The first round of the Brava/Romantic Times Writing With the Stars contest is up at the RT website. Each of the 10 contestants provided the first paragraph and the last line of her book. You can read them here and vote: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/content/writing-stars-vote-first-paragraph-and-last-line.

I’d like to say, “Well done, ladies!”

It’s a pity the judge for the first round, Sarah Wendell, didn’t feel the same. Let’s just say, she lived up to her reputation by providing rather biting comments. Personally, I read romance to enjoy, not to snipe, and I found all the entries very well done so I’d like to offer my feedback today.

Maeve Greyson, Eternity’s Mark. Wow, your first para certainly got me involved and curious, Maeve. Lots of tension and conflict, and I’m just dying to know who the “infernal woman” is. And your last line is classic romance.

Lisa Kesler, Moonlight. Your heroine intrigues me: she has spunk, and interesting taste in food. She’s going to be fun to get to know. In your last line, I don’t understand the reference to the Pack, but I’m sure I would if I’d read the book, so for me it delivers a lovely “happily ever after.”

Alannah Lynne, Last Call. Something’s obviously on this guy’s mind and I want to find out what it is. Nice action in that first para. The last line indicates to me he’s gone through a major character arc and dealt with some significant issues, and I love to see that in a romance.

Mari Manning, Daddy’s Girl. Your first para nicely sets up lots of conflict for the heroine, and makes me curious to see how it plays out – and who the hero is going to be. The last line has a nice tone, showing a lovely connection between the pair.

KC Klein, Dark Future. I like first person POV, and present tense – and talk about conflict. Lots of unanswered questions and I’d have to read on. Your last line is a nice contrast to the first para: she’s gone from feeling awful to feeling hopeful, and clearly he’s had something to do with it.

Dale Mayer, Tuesday’s Child. Hey, another BC girl. Way to go, Dale! This is a story that grips the reader by the throat. Very dramatic beginning; it sure makes me wonder what’s going on. And I like that the last line gives them a happily-ever-after that’s unique to them.

Diana Quincey, Seducing Charlotte. Well, that’s sure getting the story off with a bang! I can’t imagine anyone not reading past that first para. And the last sentence is a lovely romantic ending, quite a contrast to the opening of the story.

Madeline Smyth, Aliya Arabesque. All the mystery and romance of the desert. You definitely make me wonder what she’s doing there, and how things will play out between her and the Arab. A very appropriate and alpha male ending, too.

Meredith Simmons, Indentured Hearts. I’m guessing she’s rejecting the suitor her father wants her to marry, and that shows her spunkiness and sets up great conflict. I love the bit in the last sentence about the new woman in a new country – she’s obviously freed herself from paternal pressure.

Maria Zannini, Mistress of Stone. You’ve set up a fascinating heroine, and made me wonder if the captain is the hero. I’m guessing there’ll never be a dull moment with this heroine. An interesting ending – because it sounds more like a beginning than an end. Makes me curious.

Everyone’s first paragraphs set up intriguing situations and characters and each one made me want to read on. To me, that’s what a first para is supposed to do, so bravo, ladies! Your last lines give lovely romantic wrap-ups that are appropriate to your characters.

May the future hold more positive reviews than negative ones. And best of luck to all of you as you continue on in the Writing With the Stars contest.

And now, in the spirit of fairness, I’ll toss out my own work out for criticism. Here’s the opening para and final sentence from my latest release, “Tattoos and Mistletoe” in Brava’s holiday anthology, The Naughty List.

First para: Ten years ago, Charlie Coltrane left Whistler, British Columbia, taking only her ratty old backpack and the certainty that she’d never return. And now, here she was, back in the damned place, riding in a cab from the bus station to the B&B she’d inherited.

Last sentence: She went into his arms and tugged him onto the dance floor. “LJ, you’ve got the original Coltrane.”

Now it’s your turn. Want to critique me? Want to critique our contest entrants? Want to critique Sarah Wendell’s comments on the entries? Want to talk about what makes for a good critique or review? Have at it!

I’ll give a copy of The Naughty List to someone who comments—autographed by all three authors: Donna Kauffman, Cynthia Eden, and me.

Susan Lyons/Fox

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A rising star

By Emma Lang · Comments (2)
Monday, September 20th, 2010
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When I volunteered to be a part of the Writing with the Stars contest, I knew I’d be helping someone just starting out in publishing. Pleased to be selected as one of the 10 “stars” of Brava, I awaited an introduction to my rising star.

Brava is one of the few imprints that truly reaches out to those folks who may not have an agent, or any publishing experience, but they’ve got guts, courage, willpower and most of all, talent. Amidst the oodles of entries received, 10 lucky finalists were chosen, and soon I was introduced to Madeline Smyth.

Madeline wrote an incredible book called Aliya Arabesque, a rich, sensual romance set in the An Nafūd Desert. It’s different, it’s provocative and most of all, it’s a really good read.

She and I worked together to polish her entries into the five stages of the contest. Each stage will be published on the Romantic Times site for online voting. I’m so excited to see this kick off October 11. Be sure to stay tuned and vote!

Go Madeline, go!

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The Moodiness of a Muse…

By Rebecca Zanetti · Comments (9)
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
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First I’d like to say congratulations to all of the finalists in the Writing with the Stars Contest! The next several months are going to be packed full of good writing and some spunky competition.

Speaking of spunky, I’ve been battling my muse a bit lately while working on book 2 of the Dark Protectors. Don’t get me wrong, my muse is usually absent and I sit alone pounding away on the laptop. And I always figured that those moments when the writing flows, when the muse shows up, would be like that scene from Cinderella when the birds sing, the sun shines and the pretty dress smoothly drops onto her. NOT.

My muse is like an impatient two year old who wants juice. NOW. Right there in my ear. Let’s do the next chapter, I know what happens. No. Next chapter. Skip ahead.

She doesn’t care if I’m driving down the street and need to watch the blind spot in my car. She wants to write chapter 11. NOW. No. No. No. Not work. Computer. Time to write. I want juice.

I’ve been asking around…and I’m not alone. My friend and Writing with the Stars Finalist Maeve Greyson describes her muse as a petulant, hard-headed, wicked beastie known to jolt Maeve out of a sound sleep at any time of the night.

Speaking of Maeve, you’ll be seeing some hot, fast-paced and intriguing writing from her during the contest. Her novel has a wickedly sexy Scottish Alpha and a stubbornly feisty heroine who…well…I guess you’ll have to read each month’s RT magazine to find out. :)

So…what’s your muse like?

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A Bit of Advice for The Writing with the Stars Contest

By Rebecca Zanetti · Comments (13)
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
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First, I wanted to show off my new cover – isn’t it beautiful?  I love the colors, photos and font!  Second, I’ve been thinking about the 4th of July holiday weekend I’m hoping to spend at the lake, as well as the Writing with the Stars contest right here at BRAVA.  I thought I’d chime in with a bit of advice.

MAKE YOUR BEGINNING PARAGRAPH yank the editors out of their lives and into the story. Make them NEED to keep reading, just to see what happens. For example, we all know the story of Paul Revere. He rode through the streets to warn his countrymen the British army was making a move, thus allowing the Militia to repel the British troops in Concord. Rumor has it he didn’t really shout “The British are Coming,” but close enough.

Now if someone wanted to tell Paul’s story, there are a couple of ways to begin.  [Please keep in mind that history wasn't my strongest subject in school...and I added a few fictional details to make my point here.]  The first attempt:

Clouds gathered across the heavens, thunder rolling, lightning hinting at oncoming strikes. Paul sighed, his thighs clenching the rushing horse. He had a job to do, but would rather be home with Sarah. He’d met her several years ago and hoped to spend the rest of his life convincing her that the one time he danced with Susy Jane at the Smith’s barn raiser; it was because his mother insisted upon it. His mother. The woman who taught him that duty called, a lesson he learned when he stole an apple from the Jones’…

OKAY.  Hopefully at this point, Editor Megan Records is wondering what to have for lunch, and not whether or not she should stab her eye out with a fork. Please don’t send her an opening paragraph like the one above. I need her to have both eyes working to read my books.

What’s wrong with it? Well…while the first sentence is kind of pretty, it’s about the WEATHER. Not the best hook in the world. Then the paragraph erodes into BACKSTORY and INTROSPECTION. Is Paul’s strong urge to fulfill duty important to the story? Sure. But does it have to go in the first paragraph? HECK NO.

Another attempt:

Hoofbeats and painful death pounded behind him. They were getting closer. Paul tightened his thighs on the stallion running full-bore, ducking his head as branches ripped sharp bark across his face. Faster. He must go faster. If they caught him, his friends would die. His country would fall.  Moonlight glinted off a weapon through the trees, and he yanked on the reins.  The horse trilled in protest. A shout sounded from a roadblock ahead. They’d found him.

See? Lots of questions raised here. Who’s after him? Why is he running? What would happen now that they’d found him? (Which by the way, Paul Revere really was captured in Lincoln at a roadblock and detained until he escaped and ran through a cemetery…but that’s a story for another day).

I hope this helps a bit. And I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday weekend. :)

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The Fireworks are About to Begin

By Alicia Condon · Comments (1)
Friday, June 25th, 2010
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With July Fourth right around the corner, the fireworks are about to begin as we launch our Writing with the Stars contest on the first of the month. I know all you aspiring writers out there have been polishing your manuscripts and brushing up on your marketing skills (yes, self promotion is a big part of becoming a successful author these days and it can be fun too). All the rules are posted right here on the Brava Authors site under Contests, but I thought you might like to get a sense of the guidelines Megan and I will be using as we evaluate the submissions. Here they are:

At Brava, we look for exciting new voices that will thrill readers. Plots that have you turning the pages faster and faster. Heroes and heroines that you want to spend time with, cry and laugh with, and cheer on. Villains that make you want to sleep with the light on. Sexual chemistry that satisfies your every desire.  We want stories that drag the reader in and keep her coming back for more.

We’re especially interested in fresh contemporary romance with a humorous voice that is not chick lit; paranormal romance that explores new territory beyond the vampires, werewolves and demon hunters other authors have created; romantic suspense that is cleverly plotted, action-packed and genuinely suspenseful; and historical romance with witty dialogue and risqué situations.

The heat level of Brava romances varies.  There is no required number of sex scenes, but the sensuality should be a step above  mainstream without being erotica. The hero and heroine are always very sensually aware of each other, and the love scenes are longer and more detailed than in other imprints.

Does your manuscript fit the bill? Are you ready to become a star? Then check out the rules and email your submission to Marketing@KensingtonBooks.com with “Brava contest” in the subject line. I’ve got my reading glasses on, my Kindle charged and my heart set on finding some wonderful new talent!

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Writing with the Stars

By Alicia Condon · Comments (21)
Friday, March 26th, 2010
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We all have our favorite reality TV shows – Donna Kauffman blogs about American Idol; next year Kensington will be publishing a paranormal send up of The Real Housewives series; and now Brava has its own Writing with the Stars contest. In conjunction with RT Book Reviews, Brava is sending out a call to unpublished writers of paranormal, historical and contemporary romance , as well as romantic suspense: We’re looking for a hot debut novel to be published in 2012 under the Brava imprint at Kensington.

If you’ve written a sensual full-length romance novel, this is a great opportunity to submit to the editors at Brava, who will be reading the entries and selecting the top ten finalists. Starting in September, each of our top ten will be paired with one of Brava’s star authors for the next stage of the competition – creating one-of-a kind opening hooks, to-die-for heroes, sizzling love scenes and more.

Each of the ten finalists will have her own temporary page here on BravaAuthors.com as well as the opportunity to guest blog on the site. And each month the results of the challenges will appear in RT Book Reviews along with commentary from the Brava mentors and a panel of romance celebrity judges. Readers and fans themselves will vote for the winner, who will be announced at the awards ceremony of the 2011 Romantic Times convention.

So put the finishing touches on that manuscript you’ve been polishing, check the June issue of RT for the contest details, and get ready for the journey of a lifetime. By this time next year, you could be a star!

For rules and entry information:
www.bravaauthors.com/contest/brava-contest

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