When I got my very first cover flat for my debut novel, DELIVER ME, one of the first things I did was to donate one to my local library so they could proudly display it. I loved that library and everyone in it. Even though it was tiny (I come from a tiny town), and the selection wasn’t always the best, the library still helped to nurture my love of reading. I was thrilled to see even my cover flat there.
When the book was finally published, I was all set to donate an autographed copy. However, my cherished local library bought copies not only for my local branch, but for all branches in the parish (that’s county to all non-Louisianans). Again, I was thrilled.
A newly published friend recently asked me if I experienced personal and/or professional jealousy after publishing my first novel. I wish I could tell her no, every single person in my life was over-the-moon happy for me upon the realization of this life long dream I worked years to attain.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t so. I [...]
A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking with a co-worker about what I call the “yucky part“ of the book, what some refer to as the sagging middle. I absolutely hate that part. With every single book I’ve written, I’ve always wanted to toss the computer out around chapter seven or so. It’s just…well…yucky. [...]
Several months ago, I blogged about characterization–how important it is to a story and different ways to achieve it. Let’s be honest, you can have the most intriguing plot ever conceived, but if you don’t have a character readers can root for, that great story isn’t going very far. It’s all about character, and I’m [...]
If any romance reader out there has browsed the shelves of their local bookstore in the last two or three years, it’s hard to deny that where the romance genre is concerned, paranormal romances are definitely holding their own. Sub-genres usually have their moment in the sun, then move over for another sub-genre to take [...]
The signs are there. Amazon now has the Kindle 2. The BeBook is starting to make a stir. And the other day, I saw the Sony eReader in a vending machine thingy in the airport.
The writing is on the wall, folks. Ebook readers are here to stay.
You hear it all the time, right? You should write what you know.
Well, apparently, I know my hometown of New Orleans pretty well, because over the past couple of weeks–ever since the release of the final book in my series set in New Orleans–I’ve received so many emails from fans sharing their love of the [...]
It’s the start of a new year and the start of a new book, which for me, means the start of a new process. Well, that’s not entirely true. After nearly a dozen manuscripts written, I’ve developed somewhat of a system, but I’m always tweaking it with each new book I write.
I mentioned this on my own blog, and decided it warranted enough attention to bring it here to the Readers Rooms. Novelist Carleen Brice has taken it upon herself to designate December as National Buy a Book By a Black Author and Give It to Someone Not Black Month. What a fabulous idea, just in [...]
Addiction is a scary thing. Some addictions are worse than others. To be addicted to drugs or alcohol can lead to death. For that matter, an addiction to chocolate can do the same. Eat too much, and you’re sure to face life-threatening consequences.
So what about addiction to the news?
