Different Dynamics: Anna Campbell & Captive of Sin
Another Fall, another delicious Anna Campbell book, Captive of Sin! Fortunately laAnna has graciously agreed to blog with us today about her new book and about writing outside your comfort zone.... Brace yourself and pour the rum! (And aren't these pictures completely bitchin'!)
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Hey, Pirates!!!! Cool to be back again. I really look forward to my chance to talk buccaneer with you guys. By the way – and I’m sure you already know this – did you know you can change your Facebook language to Pirate? Arrrrrrrr, me hearties!
OK, let’s weigh anchor and get this ship on its way to the Spanish Main!
I have to laugh – the title of this piece makes me think of my father yelling at my teenage self to turn the music down. He definitely preferred different dynamics!
But that’s not what I want to talk about today. Dread Pirate Hellion and I were tossing around ideas for today’s blog and she reminded me that I’d just got my latest book in and that it featured, shock, horror, a non-tortured hero!
“How can this be?” I hear you ask in shock. “An Anna Campbell opus with a non-tortured hero? Sacre bleu! C’est impossible!” Hmm, a French pirate seems to have stowed away. Wait a minute while I pack him away to the galley where he can whip you up some croissants. Yeah, I know croissants be landlubber food, but if anyone objects, we’ll put some nice fish jam on top and make them REAL pirate food!
Anyway, back to the hero of MY RECKLESS SURRENDER which is scheduled for next summer. The Earl of Ashcroft has his vulnerabilities and a few things from his past that he’s not entirely easy with – like most of us. But tortured? Nah! Which meant writing the book was a completely different experience from my previous books where the past has such a powerful influence on the present for the two main characters and the story springs out of past events.
So Hellion suggested talking about things that create a different writing experience. To be honest, all my books have presented a different writing experience. Each time I sit down to write a book, it seems to fling up new challenges. I guess if it didn’t, I’d get bored!
At the moment, I’m promoting my latest release, CAPTIVE OF SIN, which came out on 27th October. It definitely features a tortured hero in Sir Gideon Trevithick. And in fact, my heroine meets the gorgeous Gideon when she’s running away from a beating administered by her greedy and violent stepbrothers. So she’s tortured too!
You can meet Gideon and Charis in an excerpt here: http://www.annacampbell.info/captivesin.html
Both Charis and Gideon are trapped in their present circumstances because of their past. Only when they work together and learn to trust each other and the love that blossoms between them will they prevail against the forces ranging to destroy them. Again, that’s not an unusual theme for me.
But there were a lot of new elements to this story too. For example, it’s my first marriage of convenience story. The MOC is a staple of the romance genre and it’s a trope I always like – hey, they’re under one roof, plenty of room for nooky (yeah, I’m shallow – watch out, your ship will go aground if this conversation continues!). I’d love to write another MOC story some time.
Charis was also my first virginal heroine. Now, to be honest, there were times when I heartily agreed with all those jaded Regency rakes who populate Romancelandia and decided that virgins were more trouble than they’re worth! But I love this heroine – she’s so brave and spirited and determined.
When Gideon, because he’s such a knight in shining armor and he’s convinced he’s completely unworthy of her (you’ll have to read the book to find out why, but he has compelling reasons), insists on a marriage in name only, she fights him all the way. She knows they both deserve better than separate, lonely lives. I really admire a gutsy heroine!
The dynamics of writing a virginal heroine compared to two courtesans and two widows (Diana Carrick in MY RECKLESS SURRENDER is a middle-class widow) made for a completely different story and changed the tone of the love scenes. I hope they’re still passionate and compelling, but at least the earlier ones have to take my heroine’s inexperience into account.
Actually while I’m on things that create a different dynamic, Charis is the youngest heroine I’ve ever written. For the purposes of the plot, she has to be just short of her 21st birthday. When I wrote TEMPT THE DEVIL, one of the different dynamics there (there’s always different dynamics!) was that Olivia was in her early 30s and Erith was in his late 30s. Life for people at that age is a completely different ball game to life for someone who’s just past 20.
So I thought it might be interesting to talk about whether you find these different dynamics operating every time you start a new manuscript. Is different good? Did you ever do something so different you shocked yourself?
One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN. Oh, and by the way, there’s a pirate in CAPTIVE OF SIN!!!! Black Jack Trevithick who is a thoroughly dashing fella! Clearly, this is a book perfect for the library on the Romance Writers’ Revenge! Ahoy, shipmates! All hands to the comment boxes! And may the best seadog win!
Books by the Crew
167 comments:
FUNNY you should ask if I have ever done anything so different that I shocked myself. YESTERDAY there was a snake in my apartment and instead of screaming and running out of the house and making my landlord get it, I screamed, got some tupperware, trapped it, and then called my landlord to check the rest of my house just in case.
NEVER in a million years would I have done that on a normal day. I was more scared the landlord wouldn't find it if I didn't deal with it then and I'd still have a snake in the house tonight.
As for have I ever done this in writing, I'll have to think on that tonight and comment tomorrow!
Can't wait to break out the rum and celebrate your new book, Anna!
In me current MS, I wrote a woman who was so much the wounded spirit...the angry, righteous heroine... It's been very different from me norm. She be more outwardly merry, but the inwardly secret carrying lead.
Ivy is loud, angry...different fer me. And she feels more real for it.
But she's hell ta write.
But when this be done, it will be brilliant!
No waitin' ta break out the rum! Rum always be available!
Shall I fix ya a Glittery Hooha, Anna? ;)
Hey, Miss Hellion, thanks for having me in your cabin today! I promise not to use my cutlass to cut my roast beef! Laughed at the snakes - I'm rather fond of reptiles. My friend Christine Wells thinks I'm totally off my tree. Not so much snakes (although I think they're often very beautiful) but I love lizards. Good on you for coming out of the comfort zone. Mind you, a big tough pirate is more than a match for any itty bitty snake! Sssssss!
Ooh, 2nd Chance, I love the sound of this. I actually really like a flawed heroine - My Reckless Surrender definitely features a majorly flawed heroine. She sees the errors of her ways before she's done and her sins nearly cost her everything she values, but she's no angel at the start. I've noticed though that readers can be terrifically tough on heroines - heroes seem to get away with so much more! Hmm, after the wild launch party at the lair today, is it OK if I start with a cup of tea? Or is that too wimpy to be borne and I'll have to walk the plank as a consequence?
My books have different dynamics. Can't seem to change that. I've been calling my first book my Alien Beast. It's so different not only from everything out there, it's so very different from everything I've written since! LOL
I think it depends how the characters present themselves to you!
I'm writing a virgin heroines right now. I'm way scared about this! I usually avoid them like the plague. Any advice?
I think switching things up is good for a writer and for their readers... show's you're not a one trick pony. *g*
Hellie! I don't know if I should laugh or cry for you. I'm not afraid of snakes (there was that time I walked into a pit of garter snakes) and nearly had a heart attack. How the heck does a snake get into an apartment???
This is what it looked like! (might have to cut and paste)
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_56/1146287744J9PL21.jpg
Yay! It's Anna Campbell, whose words I would bronze if I could! I can't wait to read Captive of Sin. I looked for it locally yesterday with no success, but today I'm going to an actual city---to the dentist---yuck---and I expect to have better luck.It will be almost worth the novacaine if I can find your book after.:)
I love both tortured heroes and heroines. I'm all about the bad stuff, LOL.Writing my June release Tempting Eden scared the crap out of me...didn't know where that dark stuff came from at all.I also love the trend to older and more experienced h/hs, but if anyone can make a virgin interesting, it will be you, Anna!
Bonsoir, Mlle. Campbell!
You're practically wandering into YA territory with your young heroine. (Chanting) Join us...
Every manuscript is different for me--always an adventure. Much like seafaring, I imagine! On a whim, I once changed an ms from third person past tense to first person present tense. It was shocking to me because I wasn't a fan of books written in present tense. Once I made the switch, though, my characters felt much more real. I guess they wanted to live in the now!
Woohoo! Anna Campbell is on the Pirate ship today and CAPTIVE OF SIN is finally here. I got my copy yesterday, and the cover is even more gorgeous in person. I love the roses, and the gorgeous hero, too. Anna, you're certainly blessed by the cover gods. Do you get any input at all into your covers?
Also, I love the titles. My Reckless Surrender is awesome. I'd buy that in a heartbeat. I'm so excited it releases in May/June 2010!!! (You all can pre-order it on Amazon.)
As my CPs can attest, I have a really hard time with my beginnings. I seem to flounder around until I become more "familiar" with the story and then I have that "Aha" moment. Luckily, I'm getting better and better at finding how to fix the beginning sooner---it's gone from 90K to 30K to 12K. Maybe one of these days, I'll have that dynamic opening right when I actually begin typing the mss.
As to things that scare the crap out of me . . . for me, I think it was finally putting the demons to rest. For a long time, I was stifling my voice because I didn't think it wasn't good enough and that it wouldn't sell since my writing style tends to be more "meaty romantic comedy." But with the mss that got me my agent (and that book caused so many doubts), I was about 100 pages in when I had this epiphany that my voice was good and I didn't have to change to it . . . that someone would like my style and see the value in it. So finally accepting my style and voice was exhilerating because I finally went well, this is who I am as a writer and people will either like it or they won't. The jury's will still be out on that. ;-)
Anna, hi!! I love trying something different with every book. Whether it's an unusual plot turn, character, or a different style of writing. I think it helps to keep us excited about our work, but also challenges us.
Can't wait to read Captive of Sin and My Reckless Surrender sounds too good--Summer is so far away!
Another great post Anna. You do come up with the most interesting topics. I've delved back into the paranormal romance world as well as the fantasy I was/am writing. That has been new and interesting for me. It was a return as I had written short stories many many moons ago and am enjoying doing something different again. So I think I like how these two balance themselves out for me.
Thanks Pirates for hosting Anna. Or should I say - hurr, me mateys for having the wench Anna on board yon ship? ;)
Hi Anna! Great to see you here! With my recently revised (and soon to be submitted) ms, my lead heroine rather took me by surprise. She's a very outspoken lady with a perchance for scheming. Her wild notions often took me in new and different directions:)
Best Wishes for Stellar 1st Week Sales, Anna!!!
Tiff, if THAT had greeted me, the landlord would have dealt with it. He also would have dealt with my BROKEN lease and I'd be moving into the first 10 story apartment I could find. Penthouse all the way.
Welcome Anna! Congrats on the release of Captive of Sin. I've already read a bit of it on your site and I can't wait to dive back into it! Charis and Gideon have already captured my heart.
I'm one of the few out there that actually like virginal heroines. I think I like the tension it creates and the added sense of unknown for the heroine. It is also kind of fun to see how the hero deals with a heroine he has to be a little more careful with (or not depending on the storyline I guess). I happen to like tortured heroines too. So it looks like I'm in for a double treat this time around.
I went out yesterday with my booklist in hand and only came home with one and it wasn't Captive of Sin :( I'm going out again today, though, and am bound and determined!
Hi Anna! Congrats on your release, and what a hottie picture of you! Nice!
I love MOC stories, and can't wait to read Captive of Sin. Come on Amazon and ship! LOL!
I've ended up with some different dynamics recently. In my last MS, the hero and heroine were ex-spouses, which lent a whole strange dynamic of past and present clashing. In my current MS, I'm doing something really strange (for me). The heroine is 25 and in prison, and the hero is mid-late 40's and a cop. There's all sorts of strange dynamics going on in this one.
Now I have to go back and read the entire interview. I was drawn in by the title and holding someone captive.
Congrats on the new release Anna! It's always a blast to have you aboard!
*hehehehe*
He can definitely become a captive of Sin if he wants to...
*pushing Black Jack into a dark corner*
Good morning, Anna! And welcome to all our lovely guests. Do be sure to hit Chancey up for a drink. We have a full menu and a well-stocked bar. The Bo'sun Burner be my drink of choice, but the Frozen Nipples are pretty good too.
Huzzah for our Sin making it into a book! *Hellie whispers in her ear* Not our Sin? A different Sin? Oh, sin sin? *wiggles eyebrows* Go Anna.
I can't wait to read this book and lucky for me, I won my very own copy earlier this week. Even so, I'll still have to wait. I have committed to NaNo for the month of November and if I'm going to get anywhere close to those 50K words, I will be reading nothing outside of the word DELL on my keyboard. *sigh*
But you are just the lady I need to see. The hero of my NaNo story is evolving everyday and he's turning into quite the cranky ass. It's contemp, but he's still a little tortured. Not "grew up on the streets, lit cigarettes flung at his head" kind of thing, but tortured in a less school misfit kind of way.
So, how do I do that? How cranky is too cranky?
Let me have my delusions, Ter. LOL
I would love some Black Jack as well. I think he'd fit in well on this ship too...we have to think of something to do while Charis and Gideon are honeymooning. (I offered up the Captain's Quarters yesterday for their honeymoon.)
Anna, I don't mind lizards or frogs...it's snakes I have a real problem with. I realize a lizard IS a snake with legs, but I don't care. I think it's because lizards look kinda funny when they run, so it's hard to stay scared of something that looks that silly. But snakes... *shudders*
Anna's on the ship!! Wooot!
I'm depressed: I won't be able to go looking for the book until Thursday. I have an engagement tonight (a musical) and won't be able to go on any scavenger hunts to bookstores.
OKay, first, I'm reading Captive of Sin right now, love it, love it!!!
Different dynamics, well I was determined to be the next great Scottish Historical Romance writer. I thought I would never write anything else. But then I started writing. I loved writing my Scottish stories, but one day a stubborn character arrived on the scene and she insisted she was from Kansas. Writing westerns are much different. Some of these women were rough and tumble, they had to be to survive.
What are you talking about, Bo'sun? There is no such thing as too cranky.
I can't wait to read this book! Yeah, yeah, everyone says that, but the honest truth is that I so rarely buy a new book. This one, though...oh, my! I'm totally hooked from the description of CAPTIVE OF SIN. :)
I love stories with virginal heroines. Or is it just heroines who happen to be virgins? I don't know. Like Irish says, there is the tension and how the hero deals with her. And maybe something about her not having the baggage of a bad experience - - sexually that is. I think it's interesting that a virginal heroine could almost be more bold than the experienced hero. Maybe that's something to do with his feeling of being unworthy. That's another huge draw I see in your description. :)
So far, the dynamics of my stories have been different for each project, but I only have a few projects, other than several ideas, to speak of. The first completed story had a virginal heroine, the second is a reunion story of sorts with a married couple, and the third in mind is very different. The third will be with a heroine that does have some sexual experience - - some of it bad. So, in my limited arsenal of projects, I do see a pattern of wanting to write a different dynamic each time. Huh. Hadn't thought of it that way. Interesting!
Hi, Anna!
I am looking forward to getting COS. Today is my birthday, and I'm treating myself to a splurge at the bookstore.
As for my MS, it will shock me if I ever manage to get out of my own way, to trust that it is worth the effort of putting it on paper.
Di
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DI!!!
Now, get out of your dang way and write that book! Are you doing NaNo? You know you wanna. Come on, join with us other lunatics.
Happy birthday Di!!
Hi, Anna! It's always a treat to "see" you. Congratulations on the RT review of Captive of Sin. I'm another smalltown resident who could not find COS locally yesterday, but I will be venturing to the city Saturday where I hope to find it and the six other books still on my Oct, 27 list. Like Terri, I'm registered for Nano and my reading time will be limited for the next month. But I plan to use COS as the carrot to motivate me to write my 3K per day. :)
I love reading about tortured heroes and heroines, but there is little angst in my writing. The battles my contemporary characters fight are those most of the people I know struggle with--parental conflicts, consequences of bad choices, and guilt over lives of privilege.
Happy Birthday, Di! May this be the year you conquer your demons and finish that ms.
*swiiiiing, thunk!* Hi Revengers! Hi Anna! Swinging over from the Romance Bandit Lair to say howdy to Anna and give a whoop and holler that COS is finally, finally OUT! WHOOP!! HOLLER!!!
Grins.
Be gentle w/ Anna today, and make sure she's got plenty of water to go with that glittery hooha. (BTW, you can pour me one of those. I'm on deadline. Arrrrrrgh!) After all the champagne and partying in the Lair yesterday she's likely to have the woo-woo-head. She may need a cask to perch on and a rail to rest her feet upon as well. Grins.
As to your question, darling Anna, they ALWAYS surprise me, these people in my head. Always. No manuscript is the same, not even one little bit. They whys and wherefors of characters actions...wow. Go figure. At the moment, the hero who's giving me fits is Greek. He's a major power broker. He's virile and very smart. He's worth billions. He's....afraid of the dark. Seriously. Where the hell did htat come from? Bwah-ha-ha! Tortured childhood, what else?
I've decided nothing is more fun than this job. Well...that...but nothing else that's work-related, you know? Ha!
Hellie, eeek! on the snake. Anna, good that you're not cutting the roast beef with your cutlass. (dulls the blade) Di, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (And put it on paper, girl, put it on paper!)
The Duchesse is in the hou...err....ship!!! Welcome aboard, Jeanne, darling.
You all did throw a riotous party yesterday. And I know Anna was prowling all over the Round Table on Friday. This woman is on a tear!
Afraid of the dark? Really? *snorts* No, I'm not laughing at him. Of course not. *snork*
Well, the dark can be a ... dark place.
*snortle
*duckin' behind bar, stiflin' self ta be polite
I'm back! Glittery hoohas all around, guests! The frothy pink pitcher be the Frozen Nipples. It be full a healthy pink grapefruit juice if yer fightin' off the flu...
Anna, I can find ya a cup a' tea.
Jus' have ta unearth that box a' tea I gots under the bar...
*grabs flashlight, ties bandana around forehead
Be back in a bit!
You realize she's going to spike that tea, right?
Me???? ;)
Hmmm, spiked tea. I'm sure that will fix Anna riiiiiight up. Grins.
As to the afraid of the dark...you SEE why he's giving me fits? He'll go to almost any length to get over it (a weakness canNOT be allowed!) and to keep anyone from knowing it. Problem is, the villain KNOWS....(duh, duh,duuuuuuh - scary music)
So, fun all around.
Now, grapefruit in those pink Frozen Nipple thingies? Considering my fam did the whole "pass-around-the-virus" this weekend, you can fill up this here grog-mug with some of THAT. I need allll the help I can get to stay healthy and get this #$(@#)($*@)( book done.
Have to say that I'm seriously glad I have a deadline (for oh, so many reasons!) but esp. because I might be tempted to throw this hero over the rail right about now. Can't do that, w/ a deadline, so I guess I'll keep workin'. The FN in the grog-mug will help...surely...
Ya couldn't make 'im 'fraid a' spiders?
I'm so, so late to the post, Anna, and so, so sorry, but I'm also SHOCKED, SHOCKED I say. Your next release is NOT about a tortured hero?? Can't wait to see that.
But it's true, don't you think, that writing outside our comfort zones strengthens our writing.
Hahaha! Well, yes, but actually, not that many spiders in Greece. Its a fairly dry climate...
Literally for Dav, the hero, it's closed in dark spaces, not the dark itself. Closets, dungeons, cells, that sort of thing...
Jeanne - That does provide great fodder for the story, if even he is being a PITA. :)
Jo - Welcome, lady! Never too late over here. We're pirates. We're never on time for anything! (I wish that was a joke, but sadly, it's not.)
Hi Anna.
Good to find someone else from the Commonwealth braving these snake infested waters!
If you write with the same dynamic each time then you would become predictable. That just would not do.
I have a horror of being predictable. In fact the skipper once commented that I am predictable in my unpredictability!
A scientific perspective can sometimes provide some basic understanding, and understanding is at the root of creativity IMO.
As every scientist knows, it only requires a little non-linearity to turn a dynamical system chaotic. You just have to find a uniquely juicy feedback loop between hero and heroine. I think Balogh may have found one in 'Simply Love', with both hero and heroine being wounded.
I can't wait to read your latest ideas on non-linear dynamics though.
I have no doubt at all that it will be uniquely original and surprise us all! *grin*
Anna, fun to read more about your hero and heroine. Sounds like a wonderful tale, not that I'm surprised. :)
Welcome Anna! Congrats on the new release!
I'm still on my first book attempt, so I haven't had to worry about mixing it up yet. I am surprised at how little tid-bits about a character will pop into my head and change how I think of them. They are evolving even as I write and brainstorm.
*SWING* *THUNK!*
Another Bandita swinging in from the Lair. SHeesh! It's a HUGE MESS over there after FoAnna's release party yesterday -- rice and remnants of wedding bouquets everywhere!
HUGE CONGRATS on the release of COS, Fo!
Yes, I'm afraid I'm another of those writers who has new and different dynamics in every book. :-P My characters never behave as I expect them too, and no matter how much I threaten them, they STILL do their own thing. Luckily, that turns out to be pretty fun and interesting by the end of the story. But getting there?!?! ARGH!!!
AC
quaffing a Bo'sun Burner on this crisp fall morning
That'll warm you up, AC. I told Chancey the Banditas would be arriving in droves and she'd better have the bar ready. Do I know you gals, or what? LOL!
To my surprise, my new hero is very much a contemporary Mr. Darcy in some ways. Never saw that coming.
Tiff, you know how keen I am to read your first book! Interesting that the others have come up so different since. That happens - I keep trying to write another ultra alpha like Kylemore but somehow I've got nice guy-itis at the moment. I mean, these guys would make the alpha scale but they wouldn't be at the far end, if you know what I mean. I agree. It's all in how the characters present to you. And I know to my cost that trying to change them into something they're not means the book doesn't get written. I tried to turn Matthew from Untouched into an ultra alpha and he just wanted to be a knight in shining armor. So he sulked and wouldn't talk to me and I spent a lot of time writing a page then crossing it out over and over. Eventually I let him have his way ;-)
Does that sound crazy?
Hey, your first virgin heroine too? Must be something in the air. Actually I had to work to get Charis right - she was a bit too sure of herself in the original version. She needs to know what she wants but she needs to also be a young, inexperienced woman of her time. Honestly, I'm not joking about that rake line about deciding virgins are too much trouble! ;-)
And I say NEIGH to one-trick ponies!
OMG, Tiff, how did you walk into a pit of garter snakes???!!! That would seriously creep me out. I had a friend who was going out with a boy who bred snakes for the pet market. Some of the rainforest ones are really beautiful but I don't think I'd want one running/slithering loose in my house!
Hey, what a party we've got going on here! Or should that be a full-on seadog carouse? ARRRRR! Thanks everybody for swinging by while I was snoozing. Hey, I'm ready for my close up.... No, wrong movie. I'm ready for my hot grog now, Bosun!
Ooh, Maggie! I'm doing a piece on writing naughty bits for the Vauxhall Vixens tomorrow - I kept thinking, "Maggie should be writing this!" Seriously enjoyed your MISTRESS BY MISTAKE! TSSSSS!
Hey, thank you for that lovely welcome. Especially the bit about a visit to the dentist being worthwhile if you can find CAPTIVE OF SIN! That's the sort of stuff you put on the front cover ;-)
Actually I've got to say writing Gideon's story really affected me too - I had to go back and back and back to make sure I had it right. And it wasn't nice stuff to think about in detail (I don't really go into a lot of detail in the book but I needed to know what happened, if you know what I mean).
It was interesting writing Charis. For the marriage of convenience plot to work, she needed to be under 21. And she was definitely a virgin from the moment she appeared in my mind. Otherwise it would have been a completely different story.
The heroine of MY RECKLESS SURRENDER is a 28-year-old widow so in that sense, I was back on more familiar territory.
Hey, Miss Vanessa! Lovely to see you.
Hey, guys, Miss Vanessa made me a really gorgeous trailer as a surprise. She's a bundle of talents, this girl! Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTsRuTIYBaM
I can't write YA! I'd have to abandon all my naughty bits ;-)
Actually you're right - every manuscript is different. And so far, every manuscript presents new problems. It doesn't seem to get easier! Oh, well! It's Climb Every Mountain!
Whohooooooooooooo, it's a party!!! Hey Fo, giving you a big Bandita wave. What a fabulous post (and a lovely blog).
Different, Oh I wish. I'm the ultimate rut girl. I seem to write around themes, staying in a comfort zone more often than not. I'm similar in real life, as a matter of fact. I'm not afraid to try new things, but definitely have strong preferences and tend to stick with them.
That isn't very exciting, is it?
I think I'll have to work on that... maybe I'll start by reading Captive of Sin and get a few ideas *g*
Hey, Ely, it's thanks to you that I realized that My Reckless Surrender was on Amazon! How exciting!
Fantastic that you've got Gid! And aren't those roses etched into the cover gorgeous? I was SOOOO happy with this cover. I think it's my favorite one yet. Avon ask for input on the cover but the final decision is theirs - having said that, they're the experts! I love the guy on this one - he's so handsome and he actually looks like Gideon.
And I love, love, LOVE the title MY RECKLESS SURRENDER. The working title was Reckless Games which I liked but I think MRS is better. I'd pick up a book called MRS too!
Actually don't beat yourself up about the beginning. If you've got a way of working that gives you a viable manuscript at the end, that's all you need. I know other people who have to go back and rework the start once they know their story. I suspect those elements of your voice that you thought didn't fit were the ones that got you your agent. Editors want that individual voice. Congratulations and good luck!!!!!
JK, I think you've got a point about the difficulties stopping us from getting bored. If it was easy, I'd probably go and do something else ;-) Mind you, that's not how I feel when I feel like I'm battling the world's worst manuscript! Thanks for those lovely words about the books!
Eleni, I'm snorting into my thick black pirate beard about your pirate lingo. Hmm, maybe I SHOULD have done something about my facial hair before I appeared in public!
Interesting about short stories. I wrote them when I was younger and entered a few contests with short stories in my long time as an unpubbed. But I must say, my natural voice fits longer stories. But I've done a few short stories over the last couple of years because opportunities arose. And I think they really helped to sharpen my skills on the longer stuff. In a short story, every word has to count - and that should be true about a novel too!
Good luck with the writing!
Hellie, seriously, even I wouldn't have stayed in a place that had all those snakes in it! I would have had an Indiana Jones moment!
Sarah, I was noodling around your website a couple of days ago and thinking to myself how great your book sounds! Even the blurb is witty! Good luck for the submission!!!! My heroine in My Reckless Surrender is a bit of a schemer too - I've never written a heroine like her before. As my critique partner Annie West said, all my other heroines are up against it from the start but Diana creates her own problems! But she was such a refreshing change to write - I like women who seize their destiny by the scruff of the neck and shake the willikins out of it.
Thanks for the good wishes!
Hey, thanks, Haleigh! Let's hope Amazon shoot it off to you pronto! I know they did ship some on the 26th so with a bit of luck, it's not far away. Thanks for saying you like the picture. I had some new publicity shots done last Christmas and I really like them. And seriously, usually photos of me frighten the horses!
I haven't done a reunion story yet. That's definitely on the cards, though. As you say, such different dynamics to a story where they meet at the beginning for the first time. The new story sounds like it's chockfull of conflict - yay!
Hi Irisheyes! Thanks for swinging by onto the deck of the Revenge! And thanks for saying those lovely things about Captive of Sin.
There's an amazing article about the virgin heroine in Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women (or is it Adventurous Women and Dangerous Men?). Anyway, it's a book of essays by some of the really big names in the business and it's well worth reading. They make the point that the virgin has all this mystical stuff attached to her so she's a really powerful heroine in a romance. As whoever this was said (was in J.A. Krentz?), when they decide to sacrifice someone in the volcano, it's never the withered old crone who's had 15 kids!
Actually I'll probably write more virgins before I'm done. But it is a completely different dynamic - and you've pointed out some of the reasons why! Mind you, those reasons can heighten emotional tension to the skies!
Good luck on finding COS!!!! If you like tortured heroes, Gid's definitely your guy ;-)
Actually with all the drama and angst of this story, writing about Black Jack, Sin, was huge fun. He's one of Gideon's ancestors, the guy who established the family fortune. He's one of Lizzie I's privateers and he ends up marrying a Spanish noblewoman he steals off a galleon. A dark and dashing pirate indeed!
Okay, enough about snakes and more about Gideon...I can't wait to see how he handles a virgin. *LOL* I do get tired of virgin heroines who seem to know more about sex than the hero--nor do they suffer any guilt, fear, or real disappointment after. (I mean I know the hero's good, but seriously, give them some conflict. The homework to overcome these things would at least be a lot of fun.)
The closest I've come to writing outside of my dynamic is making a hero and heroine who are more POSITIVE/OPTIMISTIC rather than sarcastic and pessimistic. Okay, they're usually still a bit sarcastic, but on the whole, they're upbeat, they're positive...and most of my characters are on the pessimistic side. Oh, they accomplish things, but they're basically planning for emergency contingencies because they know the world is going to hell in a handbasket and they can depend on no one. So it's odd to have a character who actually believes other people might actually be good...and helpful. And willing to help them.
I haven't written many sex scenes--so all of them feature pretty neurotic heroines...so I'll probably need to write one who is a little more confident about the whole thing. Since this current character is more optimistic, she'll probably be the more confident sex partner too.
Sin, you're a naughty, naughty pirate! ;-) Hey, thanks for having me. I always have a ball here. By the way, I finished my hot toddy. Now I want some REAL pirate juice!!!!! Cabin Boy!!!!
Frozen nipples? Ouchy wouchy! Think I'll skip that one. What about hot and heavy on the deck? That's my favorite cocktail ;-)
Hey, Sin, you know I named the book after you, don't you? Just make sure you don't up in Sing Sing for Sin Sin! Oh, dear, I think the pressures of the launch are getting to me!
Bo'sun, I heard today the books are on their way to Kim which means they'll be on their way to you quicker than a rat scurries up a main mast!
Good luck for Nano!
Ooh, how cranky is too cranky? Is he torturing animals? People draw the line at that! Actually my advice is write it for all your worth and don't second guess yourself. Then let your CPs tell you if they think it's completely over the top. And then maybe even ignore them. Editors don't want safe books. They want books that make them sit up pay attention.
I always like the advice in Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. So you know that book? Sadly, Blake passed away not long ago. Anyway his advice if you've got an unsympathetic antagonist is to make him do something nice (save the cat from the burning building, for example) in the first few pages so people know he does have a spark of redeemability about him. Hmm, redeemability. Is that a word?
Hey, Renee, cool on loving the book. Thank you so much! I hope you've noticed Sin's major role in the story ;-)
How interesting about the Scottish historical ambition. I wrote a lot of Harlequin Presents way back when - I was determined to be Australia's next Mills and Boon star (that's what they're published as down here). Whereas I should have paid attention to the fact that all my FAVORITE books were historical romance!
I love western romances! As you say, so much scope for strong, courageous women!
Hellie, hope you find it no trouble on Thursday. What am I saying? I hope they're all sold out on Thursday!!!!! Sorry, had to be said! ;-)
And I really appreciate your generosity of offering up your quarters for Gid and Charis to get it on.
We've got a lot of lizards in the garden here. Bluetongues and bearded dragons and skinks and an interloper, Indonesian geckoes. I love them, especially the bearded dragons. They're like mini dinosaurs. And as you say, they look utterly
silly when they run!
Drink away those blues, pirate!!!!
That is the third time someone has mentioned that book to me in the last week. Must be a sign. I'll have to pick it up.
No animals will be tortured in the telling of this story. He's just a bit surly really. And the heroine is always blaming him for things that aren't his fault and then she assumes the worst about him.
But he does do nice things without making a big deal or even usually taking credit. That should help me out.
* brushing spider webs off her face, Chance rises from the deep bowels of her bar shelves with a dusty box of tea...
What? She wants a drink...NOW? Blast!
*tosses box of tea over the side for the Kraken to dispose of.
Fine! Let me fire up the blenders and get these visitors fixed up!
Melissa, hey, extra cool that you love the sound of COS!
I love reading stories with virginal heroines! There's something really powerful in the fact that it's the first time, isn't there? What an interesting point about the virgin being able to be bolder - I think you're 100% right. She hasn't been burnt so she's ready to dive right into the fire. Mind you, then she might get a bit singed, poor lamb!
How interesting that your stories have all had different dynamics. I actually think a change is a good as a holiday and keeps us on our toes! It's also interesting that one decision like how much experience your heroine has can impact so powerfully on the entire story.
Hey, Bo'sun! Noticed you echo my words of wisdom!
Hi Di! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I'm honored that I'm part of your birthday splurge! Chancey, a drink for my celebrating friend!
I hope you do get your manuscript out. Doubt, sadly, is always part of the process. Well, at least for most writers I know. All you can do is get the words down and pray! ;-)
I like the name Bearded Dragon fer a drink, mind if'n I borrow that one?
I jus' opened an e-mail from me mentor on some pages I sent her...wants more emotional connection from me character... How do ya make a woman frozen with PTSD communicate emotion without breakin' out a' the PTSD, which I ain't ready fer her ta do...?
Sigh. She's given me a tangle.
But I do love a challenge!
Bearded Dragon, anyone?
Anna, do the box a' squirrels ever arrive? They were hell ta pack up, but I knew ya'd appreciate them!
The Bearded Dragon reminds me of a tabasco'd Glittery Hooha....
Hi Janga! Lovely to see you too! And I'm not even putting inverted commas around the 'see'! Wasn't the RT review great? I was thrilled, as you can imagine. Thanks for the congrats.
There were all sorts of great books out on the 27th, weren't there? I hope you have better luck finding them when you're in the big smoke.
Good luck with Nano!
Actually, the conflicts you outline work in a historical as well as a contemporary. I remember with Tempt the Devil, one reviewer pointed out that basically Erith was a single father trying to cope with fractious teenagers! She was right! ;-)
Anna, I hope there is a "Rowling Run" on your book and I can't find it either. I'll just have to keep harrassing the bookstores until they bring in a copy for me. No worries. *LOL*
Hey, Miss Jeanne, let me help you up from that heap you collapsed into when you went THUNK into the deck. Seriously, pirates, there's a health and safety issue here. I think you need to quilt the deck!
Great to see you, my Bandita friend! Oh, wasn't yesterday's party in the lair the bee's knees? And you're right, I have got a heavy head today. Mind you, that Grappling Hook that Chancey just served up is going a long way to knocking the headache on the head. In which case, is it just an 'ache'?
Wow, a big brawny guy scared of the dark? That's really interesting. That element of vulnerability can really help make a character come alive can't it. I hate to tease Tiff, but there's Indy and his snakes!
Bo'sun! You're becoming such a big tough pirate. I might need to drag my cutlass out of the roast beef and use it for protection! You're scaring me! Thanks so much for swinging by the party yesterday. I always love to see the pirates - and honestly, pirates and bandits have lots in common, don't they? A taste for larceny and living it up, for a start!
Arrrrrr, now, Bo'sun, you be talkin'!
Chancey, tea???!!!! TEA????!!!! You can stick your tea in Davy Jones's locker. Give me that glittery hoo ha! Now, woman!
Did I hear a splash? Do I need to dive in to save Jeanne's hero? Oh, right, it was just the tea hitting the brine! Jeanne, you stick to your guns. Ignore these evil pirates!
By the way, speakin' of the good stuff (NOT TEA!!!), I so owe you a drink. I know you're under the gun and you always pop up to make me smile when I'm blogging. Or perhaps I'm smiling because I've had too many glittery hoohas. A girl can only have ONE GHH!
Great, now I'm picturing a Bearded Hooha and that is something totally different.
LMAO!!!
Chancey, spiders be big as housebricks down here in Australia, where spiders be tough and men be skeeered!
*grumble
She asked for tea earlier!
Fine! A Corrupted Tea, coming up!
KRAKEN? SPIT OUT THAT BOX! I NEEDS IT!
*deftly catches now slimy box of tea...
I'll make this work, sees if'n I don't! Now, where be that pixy dust the Grand Pixy Sita gave me...?
Nice-guy-ities? YOU, Anna? Seriously? I don't THINK so!
Neigh-snork-snork-one trick ponies - snork, snork! You punster you!
Ely, I'm with Anna on what she said. Most of my books either come in clear with that BOOM beginning or I have to struggle w/ it and go back and re do it once I've gotten the whole book done. Ha! Never the same way twice. One MSS my agent is pitching now
What was it you said, Anna? Climb Every Mountain? Arrrrrgh! Stuck in the riggin's more like it! Hahaha!
Actually Loretta Chase did a great claustrophobic hero in one of her classic old trad Regencies, the Sandalwood Princess. Lovely story!
Jeanne, he's claustrophobic!!!!! That doesn't mean he needs a night light. You've been leading us up the wrong sea lane, you sneaky young buccaneer, you!
Jo, I think writing outside our comfort zones is one of those what doesn't kill us makes us stronger things. I agree with you! But it doesn't make it any more comfortable - guess that comes with the definition!
Yup, Ashcroft's not tortured! Diana gives him a hard time and he definitely suffers in the story but tortured the way Kylemore, Matthew, Erith or Gideon are? Not even in the ball park!
Bo'Sun...SNORK!!! Yes, that is something else ENNNNNtirely.
BTW, I'll have you know that THUNK was my quite elegant and effective bucket boots connecting firmly and with perfect balance on the deck
Well...perhaps not quite THAT gracefully as I was up quite late dealing with my claustrophobic hero who, BTW is stuck in a dark cell w/ the heroine at the mo'
Oh, and I was in the Lair with you yesterday, partying. These launches are quite rowdy, 'round YOU, young lady.
Hey Bo'Sun, I'll skip the tea, adulterated or otherwise. Ummm, Kraken spit's a bit on the poisoness side, ya' know...
Yeah, this deck is covered in something, but it's not quilting...
Jeanne - I'll be scrubbing the image out of me brain all night long.
Trust me, Jeanne...it be a fun bit a' poison. Me Kraken knows not ta be killin' me shipmates. We feeds 'im Inner Critics regularly. He's all but become tame!
Don't mind the slime on the outsid a' the cup, the sting goes away... ;)
Here. *Hands Bo'Sun a long handled scrub brush* There's for the visual. Snork.
Anna, see what kind of mischief all this Launching leads to?
Snork.
I'm off to judge 7 Minute Poe stories tonight at a neighboring town's Arts Council. Think it'll scandalize them if I show up in bucket boots w/ a Glittery Hooooha in my Revenge Mug?
Take some extra glitter for the road, Jeanne! And thanks for the scrubber. Cleaning supplies are scarce on this ship.
Wow, Quantum! I want you to read all my books NOW and give me your analysis. That was fascinating. (By the way, I'm giving you the secret Commonwealth handshake - we all know about that, it's tracing the Union Jack on the other person's palm! Shhhhh!).
Actually it's interesting (seriously - all handshakes aside) that you think of your books in such scientific terms. I tend to think in terms of music. I started playing the piano at five and at one stage had a completely unjustified hope that I'd make a career in music. But there's something about the way your mind is trained in those disciplines like science and music that really sticks with you. Am I making sense? Or is this the glittery hoohas talking?
Interesting point about the Balogh. I haven't read it although I've read and enjoyed a lot of her books. I think, though, you could say that's working in COS. Charis has just escaped from a beating when Gideon comes across her in the stable. Because he's so recently been a victim of violence himself, there's an immediate understanding between them. And of course, when he starts to reveal what's happened to him, she's got some understanding of what he's been through from her own perspective. You're right. It's like a continuous loop. Kind of like Philip Glass! See what I mean about the music?
Hi Anna, great post - love the topic. Whoever says that writing is easy has never done it. I think one of the challenges is continuing to write even when each story is different and has new challenges. When plots and characters have a different feel it's unsettling even if it's intriguing and it can make you doubt whether you're doing it 'right' (if there is a right way).
I'm so glad you persevered with your marriage of convenience story with your young virginal heroine and your tortured knight in shining armour. CAPTIVE OF SIN is one of my favourite stories of yours. Yayyyyy! It's brilliant. Tense and emotional and sexy and intriguing and just a great read. Congratulations!
Annie
Hey, Trish, thanks for swinging by from the lair! And thanks for those lovely words!
Bo'sun, I'm laughing at the never on time thing! You need a few Virgos on the ship. Virgos, I said, not virgins!!!!!
Sabrina, thanks for swinging by and the congratulations.
Good luck with your writing. Actually those little details of character that pop up are magic, aren't they? And it always surprises me how so often they turn out to be important. It really is like this stuff is coming from somewhere else sometimes, isn't it?
When I start a new book (going to do that on Monday - wish me luck!), I think I've got the characters set in my head. And they NEVER come out on the page like the people who have inhabited my brain! It's weird!
Loucinda, great to see you! Honestly, those cabana boys are still snoozing. I know they were busy all day yesterday ushering and filling champagne glasses but don't they know the lair is a place of business! Risky business! Actually I've learnt through hard experience that the characters know best. I am merely here to jot down their doings ;-) Congratulations on the release of THE TREASURES OF VENICE!
Hey everyone! What's this I hear about a Frenchman in the galley? Wow, I can't believe I'm here in the daylight. Ach, the light, it burns. I prefer to live with the shades drawn and lights down low.(That just came to me in Barry White's voice. Weird, huh?)
So delighted to see another Anne Campbell book out there for me to read! I do adore marriage of convience stories. They are so full of possibilites.
I haven't written out of my comfort zone yet but I do see it happening. I don't think it will throw me too far off. I long for a time when I can just write like the wind and just settle back and see what comes of it all. Right now, I am steadfastly trying to stay focused and make sure it all jives together but I gotta tell you it's been tough. I go back and forth between adhereing to a process and not being annoyed at having to do so.
It just occured to me that this may be completely off topic, lol. That's what I get for just it all flow!
Well, I'm off to find that French pirate in my galley. You think you guys would give me the heads up on that sort of thing. Fear not, I'll be back shortly....
On second thought - I may be a while. Don't be alarmed by anything that you hear.
Bo'sun, a contemporary Mr. Darcy? I love it!
Hey Ms. Anna. Can't wait to find out what you did with your virgin (maybe I don't quite mean that the way it sounds). Personally I swore off them after my first book, Never Resist Temptation, and I've now written two widows who hook up with, respectively, a rake and a virgin hero. You did the male virgin so well in Untouched - it's an interesting challenge.
Anyhow, I think I'm ready to try purity again. With historicals you almost have to since for unmarried women virginity was pretty much the default state.
Yes, Tawny, read COS. It cures all ills. Swine flu! The economy! Tinea! You can even use it to floss your teeth. Not that any of the pirates have any teeth left! Oh, that's right, they need a few to clench on a knife! ;-) Actually I don't think you're stuck in a rut at all - all your books have been very different reading experiences for me. Different and still wildly enjoyable. I agree there's similar themes - but honestly, I think that happens to all of us. I had to laugh - there was a blog about COS where they said it was a Beauty and the Beast story. Now all my other stories are BATB stories but I thought this one wasn't. Um, no, they're right - it IS a BATB story. I just can't escape it. It's the ur story in my subconscious!
Hellie! You mean you'd rather talk about a gorgeous tortured hero than cold slithery things with scales? How weird are you? ;-)
Hmm, I think I can safely say without giving too much away that the criticisms you mentioned won't be a problem with COS. If I say any more, I threaten to spoil the story! Actually the first sex scenes in my books generally DON'T go well. As you say, it's a great way of ratcheting up the tension.
Laughed at positive and happy being outside your comfort zone! You're a classic. Be interesting to see how that plays out with the new heroine.
Actually I've just heard Avon are throwing some Tim Tams at my piece about sex scenes for the Vauxhall Vixens tomorrow. Swing by and add some pirate glamor to the proceedings!
Bo'sun, I think he has a right to be cranky, by the sound of it! Also sounds like you're on top of keeping him sympathetic even while he's cranky. I haven't actually read ALL of Save the Cat - Trish Morey left it in my hotel room in San Francisco and I was devouring it when she came back to pick it up. Curses!
LOL Anna -thats so funny that you found the BATB theme in COS. I can't wait to read it. I turn in my latest book this weekend, then next week I get to curl up with COS and have all my ills cured. But now I'm craving a pirate to go with it. Is Captain Jack available?
Actually, Chancey, I've just spoken to the Kraken. He wants a frozen nipple now. Sorry - the joys of working in customer service!
Ooh, Chancey, that was exactly one of the problems I had with Gideon. He has PTSD in a BAAAAAD way and it presented some real challenges with the book. Don't know if it will help but might be worth checking the book.
Ha, wasn't that a cunning way of selling a COS???!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
With Gid, I had a lot of showing not telling. Hope it worked. I didn't want to reveal the PTSD thing until well into the book either. Although I dropped plenty of pregnant hints (which is better than dropping a pregnant heroine). I also had his friends comment on what had happened. I was trying to create questions in the readers' minds so that they were desperate to find out by the time Gideon confesses all.
Hey, a bearded dragon? I like it. And yes, please, I'll have one.
What's that, Kraky?
Oh, one for my sea monster friend too, please!
And the squirrels and the bearded dragons have started to party all night here. It's really hard to get any sleep!
Hellion, keep hassling! What am I saying? You're a pirate - you enforce your will at the end of cutlass, my hearty!
Oh, no, that sounds even more painful than frozen nipples. A tabasco Glittery Hooha!!!!! OUCHHHHHH!
Oh, man, I ain't drinkin' no bearded hoooha!!!! The kraken can have that one!
Jeanne, interesting that you work like that too!
Climb every rigging
Swab every deck
Follow every sea lane
But never have a wreck!
Yeah, PTSD is hell ta write. Because they don't know they have it! They just react from it... And everyone who does know somethin' about PTSD thinks it be all about freakin' out in public and flashbacks... But sometimes it be about freezin'... and holdin' the freakouts inside ta the point a' feelin' nothin'...
Aye, nice merch push. I'll look fer the book when I'm out next! ;) See how ya handled the quandry!
I can see the party now, fuzzy nuts and leather lips...natural party animals!
Jeanne, clearly you're dreaming. I've got video and there's already people lining up to pay me for it!
Pixy dust? Now that sounds just right for a Cornish hero. Pixies come from Cornwall, you know!!!!
Ugh! Is that kraken poo I just stepped in. Maybe it's a good thing the deck's not quilted. Kraken poo stains like the devil! Must be all those unlucky sunken pirates he eats! Gives him a really bad digestion problem.
I'm not statin' where I think Sin's friend, Grand Pixy Sita, comes from...
Ooh, Duchesse! I think they'd be lining up for miles around to see that. Sounds like fun! Perhaps you'll meet a Poe-et! Oh, dear, I'm drinking too much. The puns are coming out!
Oh, that kraken! He always tries to kiss a pretty wench when he's had a bit to drink!
Sometimes an inner critic disagrees wit' him. Pardon, I'll get the shovel and get that outta here...
Ooh, the kraken eats inner critics? No wonder his, um, motions are a bit smelly!!!!
But it be a dear service he do fer us. And he gets most a' his frozen nipple treast when Nessie visits... ;)
Hey, Annie W, your ears must have been burning. I was talking about you earlier! It IS unsettling when a story is completely different. Mind you, so far they've all felt completely different! Be interesting to strike one that felt the same. Thank you so much for that wrap for Captive of Sin! I know you love a knight in shining armor hero - even if poor Gideon's armor is slightly battered and tarnished!
Hey, Santa! Can I just say these hors d'oeuvres are delicious? What you didn't make them? Jean-Claude did? Ooh, I see a fighting light in your eyes. I'm ducking and weaving. That cleaver you're toting looks dangerous! I hope Jean-Claude doesn't lose anything important!
Actually did any of you read Daphne Du Maurier? French pirate makes me think of the delicious hero in Frenchman's Creek. My 15-year-old did beat faster when he appeared! Actually that's ANOTHER Cornish story! No, I said Cornish, not corny!
I love marriage of convenience stories too. As you said, so many delicious possibilities. Mind you, I adore handsome French pirate in the kitchen stories too. What's that? That's your new project? How interesting!
Actually one of the nice things about being unpublished for all those years is that by the time I did sell, I had an idea of my best way of working. It's not THE best way of working but it seems to work for me. Good luck in working out your process, Santa!
Is that a faint howl of Zut alors! I hear from below?
Anna! Sorry it took me so long to get here!
Welcome back to the boat!
I do think the different dynamics is good. And I love the pics above as well.
Ahoy Anna and Pirates!
Good Lord, 120 comments already! No hope of reading through them all, though I wish I could. Of course I can't wait for this book. I'm always circling like a vulture for the next Anna Campbell book. Interesting to hear you talk of the differences, Anna. And of course the non-tortured hero in the offing....THAT will be something to read! I've just always described Anna Campbell books with tortured characters! Now we'll get to see another side of you. Can't wait!
Kracken shit on the deck? Now that's just gross. How many times have I told him to go to the rail when he needs to go out? Sheesh!
Snort, Miss Neville! I'm shocked! Any more comments like that and I'll feed you to the kraken!
Ooh, a virgin hero. I love virgin hero stories. Can't wait to read that one. By the way, I've been madly sending your beautiful coverflat all over the place. What a gorgeous cover for The Wild Marquis!
Actually I will write more virgin heroines. As you said, it's kinda the default state for a historical heroine. Hmm, perhaps de-faultless?
Santa made it aboard before lights out. I'm amazed! Good to see you come out of that galley now and then. I'm sure you and Jean-Claude will make beautiful eclairs together.
Tawny, if you're intending to fight our pirates here for a Captain Jack, I think you need to sharpen up a custlass or two. And put powder in your pistols. Oh, I do like a man with powder in his pistols. Flutters eyelashes becomingly...
Hey, cool that COS is your reward. As you know, Feels like the First Time was my reward for getting MRS in!
Oh, come on, Chancey! If you tell me, it will go no further!!!!
Actually you sent me TEENAGE squirrels and they've been tearing up the neighborhood ever since they arrived, the little devils! The lizards are looking tired, I have to say! They're not nearly so vigorous!
And hey, my merchandise push worked? Ha, my work is done!
Oh, man, now I'm having a picture of Kraky and Nessie flirting over a cocktail or two. My imagination will never recover!
Snort! I know how old kraky feels. My inner critiques are VERY disagreeable. In fact, they often give me an ill wind!
Hey, Cassondra! Another bandit buddy. Lovely to see you.
Actually Ashcroft does go through some torture in the process of the story so I think your urge for mayhem will be answered ;-) But he's not tortured before the story starts like all my other guys.
And you circle like a swan, not a vulture, hon! Only the most elegant of avians to describe you!
Let's just say...Sita is usually sweatin' when she shows up...
Hey, Marnee Jo! This is turning into such a party! Thanks for letting me stow away on the Revenge. And thanks for saying you like the photos! Now, get yourself a rum! Chancey!
Mmm, I'm partial to an eclair. What is that Santa doing down there???!!! Oh, right. OK, no tales out of school!
Hey, he's the Kraken! He doesn't have to take orders from nobody, Bo'sun!!!!
What would ya like, Marnee! A Marneasy!?
He ain't likely ta have taken a dump, more likely, it were an ill aimed burp. As I said, those Inner Critics don't always agree wit' him. But he do us a service by gobblin' them up!
Snort to Sita! Sounds like she gets into some sweaty SITA-ations! Groan! No, no, Kraky! No more jokes, I promise!
De-faultless. Aagh!
You and I keep finding books we both like - Frenchman's Creek is just the latest in a long list. Sooo romantic. Funny you should mention the age of 15. I was about that when I spent a vacation in Falmouth, Cornwall where the book is supposed to have been set. There's an inlet there called Frenchman's Creek (in honor of the tourists, I think). Anyway, a boy took me for a moonlight ride in a rowing boat to look at it. This may be the most romantic date I ever had (OMG that sounds sad).
I'm very excited about COS's Cornish setting.
Miranda - A moonlight ride in a row boat would be near the top a' me list!
Ahoy there, me hearties! Permission to climb aboard!? Hi Anna, Hellion and the rest of the crew!
Anna, looks like I'm immensely late to a party that has seriously rocked this pirate ship, but I saw you mention Black Jack Trevethick and thought Hmm, if I can't have the luscious, tortured Gideon (Charis would make me walk the plank!), can I have Black Jack, please?
Readers are going to swoon over CAPTIVE OF SIN! I'm so glad it's finally hit the shelves so everyone can enjoy it.
Miranda, your moonlit evening on Frenchman's Creek sounds like the stuff of romance novels! Are you going to use it one day?
Thank you for all the birthday wishes!
I did sign up for NANO.
I love when the party gets loud, people tend to spill all kinds of good secrets. I am loving all the puns.
Di
Oh, wow, Miranda, that sounds SOOOO romantic! Lucky you. It's got such a sad ending, that book, though, hasn't it? But he was loverley!!!
Chancey, thanks for clearing that up. I think!
Hey, Di, how kind of you to bring us a birthday cake. Santa was going to bring one up but she seems to have taken French leave!
Hey, thanks, Christine. Actually the gorgeous Black Jack with his devil may care attitude and dashing ways will fit into the pirate ship just fine. Hmm, you can have him if I can have Vane!
And Charis is quite a tough little chicky. I think she WOULD make you walk the plank if you look askance at Sir Gid!
Thanks for swinging by and saying those lovely things about Captive of Sin!
Anna, sorry I'm late for the party...life happens...you know, family and balancing act. Ok, Anna..or who's got the bottle of rum. Please, make me a double.
Congrats on your release, yay!! Talking of naughty bits...I love them...don't write YA books, please.
Anna, I am speechless with awe at the way you are fielding all of these comments. Only an Aussie could field like that!
I liked the music analogy. Today you feel like a one-woman band. *grin*
I'm off to look for COS :D
Snort! It's all that cricket we play, Quantum! People who don't understand say it's a boring waste of time but we in the know recognize it's the perfect training for a blog tour!
Hey, hope you find COS! I think it's still making its way across the States.
I knew the party would continue well into the evening hours. Sorry for my absense, had to make dinner and all. Santa has barricaded the door to the galley so we were all on our own.
Miranda - That does sound wildly romantic. And what a gorgeous cover! Makes me think of the classic covers from my youth.
Thank you all the Banditas for dropping by. The decks are really getting crowded. We have a vast assortment of our own hottie crew members. If you'd like a personal tour of the rooms below decks, feel free to enlist one to show you around. :)
Anna, I found COS as an ebook at fictionwise but they wouldn't sell it to me. It seems that I have to live in the US or Canada to buy it.
What a swiz! Those Americans think they are the centre of the Universe!
I will figure a way to get it though. *grin*
Anna,
My uber-alpha was Rothburn. Haven't been able to repeat his alphaness and I really want to!!!!
On the snakes... was hiking somewhere on my uncles property with his dog (buddy--gorgeous husky/border collie with the bluest eyes ever) and walked into them. Screamed. Got over it, and then hightailed it out of there! LOL I think I was around fifteen at the time.
Hey, Bo'sun! Miranda's great - and isn't that a wonderful cover? That red dress, yum! Personally I think the Banditas just wanted to avoid the wedding clean-up. I could be wrong but the evidence points that way. And if you expect them around to pick up bottles and clean up kraken burp and swab the decks in preparation for quilting, I feel you'll be whistling, my friend! They'll have moved on to the next venue for their mayhem! Well, I suppose they're bandits! What can you expect?
There's some very strange noises emerging from the galley. Do you think we should check on Santa? Even more importantly, do you think we should check on Jean-Claude???!!!
Hey, Quantum, where are you? I just assumed Canada. Silly me - one should never assume. Do you know about the Book Depository? They'll post any book anywhere in the world for NO POSTAGE!!!! That's right - you only pay for the book. It's in pounds sterling which means it's a bit dearer than a U.S. book but the no postage makes up for a lot and the pound's down against a lot of currencies right now, including ours in Australia. Which means the Book Depository is seeing a lot of me! http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/homepage.php
Thanks Anna.
I'm actually a Brit. And I haven't forgotten the way you Aussies stole those ashes!
I can probably enlist help from a friend with an American bank account. but the Book Depository could be a last resort.I do like digital formats as my house is stuffed full of physics books ... and one or two of yours!
Oh, my goodness, you can CALL into the Book Depository then! Ha ha, you know exactly what I mean about bowling a maiden over too. Oh, dear, an oldie but a goodie. Well, actually not that good. Where in England are you? I lived there for two years in the mid 80s and I've been back several times since. I'm a complete Britophile! Hey, we only LENT you the Ashes to cheer you up when your little chins were wobbling...
Ahhh “Captive of Sin“ sounds like a wonderful book. Sigh … and I haven’t been able to get my hands on it because I’m stuck in my house with the flu.
Vanessa Barneveld brought up YA. She is right. There are never enough YA books.
I’m stuck in my house with the flu… and my teenage daughter… who has finished reading all of Her books. If I see another episode of “Degrassi” I’m gonna go DeCRAZY!
HELP!
Julie - Surely you can find someone to do a book run for you both. Thank goodness my kid is not into that show yet. Then again, she has her own TV in her room, so that's a plus.
Anna - Thank you so much for being with us today. You are always one of our best guests and today was no different. Here's to books flying off the shelves and that new book flying onto the page!
Now as for the question:
Did I ever do something so different I shocked myself?
I have a hard time finishing a letter so Anytime I actually finish writing whatever it is that I have to finish … I am genuinely shocked! Seriously.
Umm … different and shocking?
The story about:
When I had to draw a “kumquat.”
The time my Dad made me retouch a photo.
The bell ringer’s story that I wrote one Christmas Eve because I felt guilty for not writing it down.
Then there was the thing I wrote about dancing with death, literally… that I wrote (this is the shocking part) for a friend with a sick cat.
The most "different story" I’ve ever written was started as a joke for my DD. But I found that writing “it” kept my mind active, like doing a crossword puzzle. So I kept working on “it” to see how long I could keep it up.
“It” is written in, are you ready for this?
“It” is written in Rhyming Couplets or Quatrain or iambic pentameter or something different like that. Really I’m not a writer so … yah… If I seem like I have no idea what I am doing
Its Because I don’t.
So judge for yourself what “It” is:
It was once upon a sometime
but not so long ago
I was reading a story to my guppy fish
by the light of the lanterns glow
That’s right … I actually have this ode thing-idy-bob thing that is written about A Guppy. A rhyming couplets quatrain iambic pentameter something or other Ode to a Guppy… that is over a hundred pages long… shocked?
The DH is out of Town!
Help ... before I'm reduced to
writing rhyming couplets or quatrains
about Degrassi's two timing teenagers
who are vain...
Would you look at me? I am simply covered in flour! Jean-Claude showed me a new recipe for some delightful meat pies. The crust was just a crispy, flaky dr...What? I have flour all over myself. I just said that...Where? On my bum? Handprints? Ah, yes, well..I can explain that. Jean was giving me a lift so I could reach the spices on the top shelf. Oui, I mean, yes.
Anyhoo...Thanks for your words of encouragement, Anna. Anytime I get discouraged, I remember your perseverance which has paid so handsomely for everyone who gets to read your wonderful books.
I must get back below deck and clean up the mess Jean made. Why am I cleaning up the mess? Well, let us just say that Jean Claude is a wee bit tired right now.
Ciao for now!
Wow, Tiff, that sounds like one gorgeous dog! Hey, interesting about Rothburn - he's kinda like your Kylemore, isn't he? Would you believe a red-bellied black snake killed my horse? Seriously! Pretty scary stuff!
Oh, man, Julie, De Grassi High! I was a bit old to miss the 80s version but when I worked as a subtitler, I worked on a few of the reunion programs. Not my cup of tea! I can see why you want more YA books in the house! Sorry to hear you're sick! Here, have a hot rum toddy. That's good for colds. And even if it's not, it's guaranteed to make you feel better.
Snort! I loved your list of new and different. Yep, it was definitely new and different! And seriously, start drinking - it will help with the Diapoetria!
Snort, Santa! Hasn't Jean-Claude got a big....
HAND!!!!
Hand, I really meant to say hand!
Actually should go into the instruction manual - don't fool around in the flour. You'll get found out!
Thanks so much for having me today, Pirates. I always have a ball when I'm with you guys. Seriously, you ought to be Bandits! ;-) Yeah, I know dem's fightin' words. And thanks to everyone for their amazing comments! Wow!
Don't forget to check back to see who won the signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN!
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