tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post3466723083142887886..comments2023-05-24T08:06:43.882-04:00Comments on Romance Writer's Revenge: Vampires! Dark Elves! A horse! Oh, MY!Terri Osburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-41972221535613193022011-03-17T21:27:46.000-04:002011-03-17T21:27:46.000-04:00Now, pirates, be kind ta Pat. She's up early b...Now, pirates, be kind ta Pat. She's up early but has to spend time takin' care a' her animals first! Priorities! Especially 'er horse!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-68134502917444061092011-03-18T04:52:40.000-04:002011-03-18T04:52:40.000-04:00Pat, welcome aboard! This is my second try at a co...Pat, welcome aboard! This is my second try at a comment -- LOL -- I went to look at your website and lost this one.<br><br>Your story sounds inventive and creative, and I love Regan's "workaround" of singing her spells. <br><br>And I'm sure Beaky will fit in just fine around here. *slams door to my quarters and locks it while giving Beaky a warning glare* I just hope nobody slips and falls on his slime.<br><br>So what story is coming up next?Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-14851943725872387832011-03-18T05:21:50.000-04:002011-03-18T05:21:50.000-04:00I love the music aspect of this story too. And I ...I love the music aspect of this story too. And I feel sympathetic toward Regan already (poor thing!) and I haven't even read a word. :)<br><br>Thank you for giving us Beaky. I love babies. Especially babies that don't require regular diaper changes. Those are the best kind! :)<br><br>Thanks for visiting with us!Marneenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-27877343578007221812011-03-18T05:40:26.000-04:002011-03-18T05:40:26.000-04:00I wondered that too, Bo'sun, but decided to go...I wondered that too, Bo'sun, but decided to go along with it -- especially since I don't have a blog post for next Wednesday. (I gave it up for Chance.) LOLDonnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-9250803040801035772011-03-18T05:47:53.000-04:002011-03-18T05:47:53.000-04:00A guest who shares her awesome book, owns an adora...A guest who shares her awesome book, owns an adorable Arabian *petting said Arabian and offering an apple*, and gives us gifts. *offers Beaky a puppy* Those are the best guests of all! <br><br>Beaky is awful cute.<br><br>I second the question about what are you writing next. (And I applaud you for twisting the UF trope of giving the heroine a crappy family and giving her one she loves instead. Nice change of pace!)<br><br>I'm going to have to ask about the horse: what's its name? What's its favorite trick to do? (My horse used to like to act like she was being all laid back and lazy, then when a flock of birds practically flew up her nose, she'd shy sideways so violently, I'd fall off (still holding the reins--this wasn't my first time with this trick). My horse also liked Pepsi, not that I shared often.Hellionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-58204940828446045232011-03-18T05:57:56.001-04:002011-03-18T05:57:56.001-04:00Right guest, right day, ignore me. LOL! (Though I ...Right guest, right day, ignore me. LOL! (Though I think my text message may have woken Chance even earlier than she wanted.)<br><br>I don't usually like UF or paranormals of any kind. Especially not vampires. But, Pat, you manage to make this all sound fun and really interesting. Kudos to you! I love that she's 130 yrs old and considered immature. LOL! <br><br>That she can sing the spells is making me think of the State Farm commercials where they sing and the agent appears. They totally stole your idea!Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-71202134287359645002011-03-18T05:57:56.000-04:002011-03-18T05:57:56.000-04:00Oooops! Grumble. This is what happens when ya writ...Oooops! Grumble. This is what happens when ya write three guest blogs in two days, ya get yer days mixed up. Not not Pat, she's is supposed ta be here today, but me! I got the day mixed up when I wrote it. I am draggin'...errrr...asked another guest next Wednesday and a third the Monday after that.<br><br>I got social wit' me fella Decadent authors...<br><br>Don't ya like the song stuff? Makes me think a' The Kings Speech, when he got 'round the stutter by singin'! <br><br>Pat said she'd be here once she got the animals fed...so hang about!<br><br>Think I'll go inta the file and change that Wednesday...2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-66029768108576273652011-03-18T06:24:26.000-04:002011-03-18T06:24:26.000-04:00Oh, boy. You folks do get up early. Me, I'm st...Oh, boy. You folks do get up early. Me, I'm still in the not-quite-human phase of my morning.<br><br>Lessee...my next published book will probably be The Canvas Thief, a paranormal romance in the same "universe" are TMOC. (It features Breas, the vampire, as secondary character.) I got The Call on Wednesday, and am waiting for the pub's legal department to send me the contract.<br><br>The sequel to TMOC is 2/3 done and I trying to untangle a nasty snarl of plot threads.<br><br>The horse...His online names are the Wonder Horse or Professor SnottyPants. (Offline, he goes by his registered name, which oddly, is just one word.)<br><br>The Professor is so-named because he is opinionated and spoiled. And because he has taught me so much about patience and the intelligence of horses. More so, than any other horse. I adore him even though he's a sh*t head.<br><br>He is clicker trained and does all kinds of tricks: plays fetch, bows, understands hand signals, etc. He follows me around like a big dog. Hence, the Wonder Horse.<br><br>Thanks for asking. And thanks for having me over for a visit. Please take good care of Beaky.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-85869998441375765872011-03-18T06:34:33.000-04:002011-03-18T06:34:33.000-04:00Somehow, a horse that likes to act like a dog woul...Somehow, a horse that likes to act like a dog would seem to be a bit of a problem...what if he begs for table scraps?<br><br>Did you do all the training?<br><br>And congrats on the new contract! I be pitching more to Lisa at RT!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-66245721122547801962011-03-18T06:44:54.001-04:002011-03-18T06:44:54.001-04:00Chance. Maybe I should teach him to "sit up a...Chance. Maybe I should teach him to "sit up and beg." :)<br><br>The nice thing about clicker training is that it actually eliminates "mugging for treats." The animal learns to associate the click with good things, and works to earn the click (not the treat).<br><br>An interesting side effect is that the animal will start inventing behaviors, hoping to earn the click. So a bunch of WH's behaviors, including bowing and posing (neck arched), are things he tried when he thought he wasn't getting enough attention. I thought, "Cute," and did the click/treat thing, and he had a new trick.<br><br>Interesting side note. It took my dogs a week to initially associate the click with the treat. It took the horse 5 minutes. Who's the smarter animal, eh?P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-20545629011903637832011-03-18T06:44:54.000-04:002011-03-18T06:44:54.000-04:00Oh, and I'm supremely jealous of all ya'll...Oh, and I'm supremely jealous of all ya'll that are going to RT. Sounds like so much fun.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-60548260449102061952011-03-18T06:46:49.000-04:002011-03-18T06:46:49.000-04:00Well...dogs just figure out ways to get around the...Well...dogs just figure out ways to get around the clicker! I wonder if maybe horses are more sensitive to certain noises?<br><br>Well, I'm the only pirate making RT...so don't be too jealous here on the ship!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-63944178453426033622011-03-18T06:47:52.000-04:002011-03-18T06:47:52.000-04:00Chance is the only one among the crew who is going...Chance is the only one among the crew who is going. I've attended an RT booksigning, but never the actual convention. Have you attended before and did you find it helpful?Bosunhttp://www.romancewritersrevenge.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-70298301912667684322011-03-18T06:53:56.001-04:002011-03-18T06:53:56.001-04:00So, Pat...You are writing the sequal to TMOC and y...So, Pat...You are writing the sequal to TMOC and you have a secondary set in the same universe. Are you like me and once you create a world, you tend to keep your writing in that world for awhile?<br><br>And how did you sell the first one to Decadent?2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-36845821090947234852011-03-18T06:53:56.000-04:002011-03-18T06:53:56.000-04:00I've never been to any writing conference. Out...I've never been to any writing conference. Out here in the wilds of New Mexico, there isn't much goin' on. And my teeny budget and other constraints make travel difficult.<br><br>Someday....sigh.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-44209976573413043302011-03-18T06:55:47.000-04:002011-03-18T06:55:47.000-04:00Interesting side note. It took my dogs a week to i...<i>Interesting side note. It took my dogs a week to initially associate the click with the treat. It took the horse 5 minutes. Who’s the smarter animal, eh?</i><br><br>I've always thought horses were smarter. *LOL* After all, don't they always walk faster when they're going home and know there is probably some oats and a lovely rub down in the waiting?Hellionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-54838347029441597482011-03-18T07:07:14.000-04:002011-03-18T07:07:14.000-04:00I admit it. I never thought horses were stupid. B...I admit it. I never thought horses were stupid. But coming up, I never gave them much credit.<br><br>It's only in recent years, that I've realized your average horse is able to learn hundreds of commands, many quite subtle.<br><br>Meanwhile, most of us can't even get our dogs to stop jumping on company.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-86196267181592126692011-03-18T07:09:32.000-04:002011-03-18T07:09:32.000-04:00*snicker!Come on, Pat...don't be shy...push th...*snicker!<br><br>Come on, Pat...don't be shy...push the book! I want to know how you sold the first one!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-14137883734346689932011-03-18T07:30:15.000-04:002011-03-18T07:30:15.000-04:00Pat - Me sis has a question. She don't log on,...Pat - Me sis has a question. She don't log on, but I ask 'em for her. She wants ta know if you came to write this paranormal book via a love of romance or a from a scifi/fantasy background.<br><br>She's recently become addicted to paranormal romance and likes how it turns the straight fantasy conceit of stereotypical females around.<br><br>I know you said earlier that you wanted to balance the whole miserable family stuff that is the norm for urban fantasy...2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-50567542559836810352011-03-18T07:32:37.000-04:002011-03-18T07:32:37.000-04:00TMOC was accepted by three publishers before I fin...TMOC was accepted by three publishers before I finally went with Decadent. <br><br>My two early acceptances were with a version that I now dislike. I'm glad that they didn't work out and that I was forced to revise, again. This version, while retaining it's original snarky and funny tone, is tighter and much more mature.<br><br>Right before the Decadent acceptance, another, more established epub accepted it. But their contract was a train wreck: secondary rights misidentified as primary rights, contradictions, etc. <br><br>Honestly? Though the pub had a decent rep, I really didn't have a hard time turning down that contract.<br><br>I queried Decadent on a whim and accepted on a gut feeling. (Note to newbies. NOT really a good idea; seriously; but so far it's worked out well.)P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-65494178017882679672011-03-18T07:38:51.000-04:002011-03-18T07:38:51.000-04:00That is interesting, that the contract pushed you ...That is interesting, that the contract pushed you away. Situations like that I'm so glad I have an agent to hammer all that stuff out!<br><br>Once you had it all signed and sealed, how did you celebrate?2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-64508646374579404112011-03-18T07:47:47.001-04:002011-03-18T07:47:47.001-04:00Chance. Ugly confession. While I love the "id...Chance. Ugly confession. While I love the "idea" of romance, I rarely read romance novels. I find that the (over) emphasis on Teh Relationship actually diminishes my belief in the couple's viability as a couple. I.e., it feels forced and ignores that fact that people are individuals first. I hate saying anything negative about romance, because so often critiques of the genre are based in sexism and a notion that anything for "women" is inferior. (As a feminist, that really pisses me off. Yes, I'm a feminist and proud of it.)<br><br>My writerly influences are primarily non-romance: SF/F/H. (My pseudonym comes from my origins as a horror writer.)<br><br>TMOC has it's roots in fantasy, with my magic systems influenced by the science, notably string theory.<br><br>But I can't not-write a story without some romantic sub plot. Romance, lust and attraction are part of the human* experience. Excluding that also feels...wrong.<br><br>Even when the characters aren't human*. The reading audience is human, and therefore, romance and romantic entanglements are more relateable.<br><br>Thanks to your sis, for asking.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-17202374133514849932011-03-18T07:47:47.000-04:002011-03-18T07:47:47.000-04:00"has its root..." Ugh. Hate it when I do..."has its root..." Ugh. Hate it when I do that.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-70194665213631291742011-03-18T08:00:29.000-04:002011-03-18T08:00:29.000-04:00Chance. You have an agent? Argh. More envy. :)Ther...Chance. You have an agent? Argh. More envy. :)<br><br>There wasn't that much to Decadent's contract, but I think this coming contract is going to take a while to go through. I find it...scary.<br><br>Here' the weird thing about TMOC. It took so long to get there, if felt anticlimactic. I'd already gone through the celebration phase years before (and been sorely disappointed.) So I sort of shrugged and went on with my business. I didn't believe it would get published until it actually showed up on Decadent's site.<br><br>I'm currently in the "Duuuude? I have a book? Really?" phase.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-32464798365586303372011-03-18T08:09:11.000-04:002011-03-18T08:09:11.000-04:00I'm with the Bo'sun. Paranormals and UF ar...I'm with the Bo'sun. Paranormals and UF are not subgenres that I usually read, and I generally run fast in the opposite direction when vampires are mentioned. But I have to admit that <i>The Music of Chaos</i> sounds fascinating. Great title, BTW!Janganoreply@blogger.com