HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

To all you moms out there, a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY from the LIT ladies....

Kristi(na)
Charlotte
and Amanda

For The Love of Research....

Bella Tuscany....that's what I'm researching for my sexy chef book coming next year from NAL (Hot in Here, May 09). It's not a historical, but I thought I'd share this story with you anyway.

You see, my hero, a sexy celebrity chef takes the heroine to Tuscany for a few days of wine, food, and hot sex, and not necessarily in that order! So, being an armchair traveller, I've been to Tuscany and back in a week, and all without jet lag. Imagine that!

The research has been so insprining, both visually and creatively, and I've had a blast imagining where my hero has taken his heroine, and what they have done while sharing a gelato while strolling down a narrow medieval cobbled street. But what I've had the most fun with, is testing recipes for the book. You see, the hero, being a chef loves food, and he loves women who loves food. And me being me, certainly does love food; so naturally, I needed to add a little food and little food play.

Now, I like to eat. But what I don't like to do is cook.

But lately, I've been getting into that mode, trying out new things, coming up with ideas that my hunky chef might use to seduce his lady (I'm not telling about the warm toblerone chocolate fondue, or what they do with it! lol! You'll have to wait to read the book)



Last night, I tried out a new pasta recipe~a very Tuscan one. Angel hair pasta with fresh tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs and spinach amongst other things. I told my husband I was 'researching' again, and I wanted to cook something that I was actually writing about so I would be able to adequately describe what the heroine was smelling and tasting.
So, we sat down with a loaf of rustic Italian bread, and our pasta and a bottle of vino. It was nice outside, so hubby suggested dining al fresco (our little angel ate a friend's house so it was just hubby and I). We moved dinner outside and I imagined we were in a beautifully quaint medieval Tuscan town dining al fresco in a piazza.It was a wonderful meal, and really fabulous research despite the early arrival our of angel, who promptly despelled any day dreams I had of being in romantic Tuscany.

'Ewwww,' my angel said, screwing up her face, 'are those veggies in the spagehtti?' I nodded and held my fork out to her for a sample of my delicious and romantic pasta creation. 'That's gross. I'll barf if I have to eat that. Why don't you just cook regular spagehtti?' Ah, good old Ragu. And surprise, surprise, gone was the image of Tuscany.

The angel coerced her dad into a bike ride, and I cleaned up, trying to remember everything I had mentally plotted during the meal. I finished my wine while loading the dishwasher then headed upstairs to write the scene that ended up taking place in piazza on a warm Tuscan night at twilight where the hero and heroine share a plate of pasta, a fork and an excellent glass of Chianti, while beneath the table, my heroe's hands show the heroine how much a bad boy he really is. And amazingly, there was nary a child in sight, threatening to barf because there was a vegetable in her spaghetti!. That scene turned out wonderfully sexy and intimate. A scene I wish my husband and I could create with a little more frequency. But alas, this was fiction, and well, real life does tend to interfere with the romance of day to day living.

For me, research is so exciting and so much fun. Besides creating a plot and characters, research is my favorite part of writing. It isn't something to dread, or put off. It's really my escape. It takes me to so many worlds, and so many places that I haven't been. But research isn't just for writers. With the internet, anyone can be a researcher.
So my question to everyone is, during your armchair travels where do you go and what do you do?

Happy reading, and buon appetitto!
Charlotte

Out Of The Box --RT Roundup

That seemed to be the buzz phrase at RT this year at both the historical panels, that, and two pieces of advice that I shall get to shortly.

As promised, here's the re-cap on what the editors are saying about historicals from the RT conference.

First, you should know that both historical workshops ("Breathing Life Into History" and "The New Historical") were standing room only--evidence in itself that the historical is not dead, nor is it dying. Second, there was really good audience participation, which we panelists love to have. It keeps us on our toes and keeps us from being shameless book pimps! lol!

Secondly, there were two pieces of advice given out from editor extraordinaire, Kate Duffy (editorial director from Kensington) that really should be repeated here for everyone, and they are, 'anything is possible' and 'don't listen to what other people are saying.' Just write what you want to write.

Now, I don't think she was saying don't listen to editors , lol! After all, it is their opinion that counts, as they are buying the books. But what she meant was, don't listen to your writing peers who tell you can't do something, or that something won't sell, or that RWA says...(not trashing RWA, just using it as an idea of the type of organizational information that sometimes gets miscontstrued).

As Kate was saying, there is a real sense of 'undermining of confidence' within our industry, and it doesn't come from editors, it comes from us--writer to writer. It's so obvious that she's noticed it in her submissions--they're cookie-cutter-type books. Editors do not want cookie cutters. They want out of the box.

So, I asked, "what is out of the box?" And you know what? The answer was, "surprise me." That's what editors want--a pleasant surprise. They want to be thrilled and teased with your manuscript. They want it to have some fresh element that isn't in all the other historicals out there. Could that be an exotic location? A different era? A different sort of villain?

Out of the box is taking risks. Risks, as we know, are not a sure thing. But they can pay off. The editors are asking us to take risks in our work. They see lots of 'safe' manuscripts, and they're looking for something different.

All of the panelists had sold 'out of the box' books. Sophie Jordan's regencies don't have spies or villains nor are they a comedy of manners. They're an emotional exploration of the h/h's relationship. That's it. No extraneous external plot to keep them apart. It's them and their inner demons that does that quite nicely. Now, you might not think this is so out of box, but I ask you, when is the last time you read a book that was 'just a sexy love story'? It's been a while for me, and it was rather refreshing.

Colleen Gleason/Colette Gale was up there because of her Gardella series (and also her erotic twists on classics). It's a regency vampire series. Ok, you groan, how original and fresh is that? Vampires are lurking everywhere, why wouldn't they be in Regency England? Well, I can tell you, what sets this series apart is there will not be the traditional happy ever after ending until the last book, and there's a possibility of three yummy heroes for good 'ol Vicky to choose from. Now, this is a romance, with a huge over-arching plot, and not an evident HEA at the end of each book. You think romance readers would be having hysterics! Guess what? They're not. They're rabid with the desire to see just who the heck Victoria is going to wind up with. As for me, I'm pulling for Sebastian, but Max is starting to look dark and mysterious....he could be coming up quickly behind Sebastian!

Then there was me, and my book Addicted. When I submitted it to Spice, its title was Obsession. That title was apt because there are many different kinds of obsessions going on in that book. Both my h/h are very flawed in the beginning, and come to think of it, are still flawed at the end. They're only human. I also let out a secret from the book in order to show an example of what thinking outside the box was (and I was scared as hell it would backfire). That secret is that the hero is addicted to opium. Guess what? No one was disgusted, everyone was intrigued. Even Kate was intrigued~so intrigued that she asked why she hadn't seen it come across her desk, and she asked for a copy of it when it came out. I also had readers come up to me at the book signing, not to purchase and have me sign my copies of Secrets, but to ask me when the 'opium book' was coming out. So see....taking risks can pay off. Who would have thought that an opium-addicted hero could be seen as...intriguing?

Then there was our very own Amanda, who's Diary of Cozette is an intimate journey into a Victorian woman's sexual awakening. Is that woman a lovely lady of the manor? A society wife getting tupped in her manicured maze? No. Cozette is a servant. Just a plain old domestic who is awakened in a variety of ways, and by a variety of men. That's refreshing. The lofty lady has been done to death. Isn't it nice to discover that people who had to work like dogs for their bread and butter were getting a little on the side and enjoying it, too? You know, women like us, women who are wives and mothers, and hold down day jobs while cooking and cleanning and laundering while shuttling the kids to dance, piano and band practice! yeah...just an ordinary woman and her journey. Someone we want to cheer for, someone we want to be for a few hours of escapism.

And then we have Kristina Cook/Kristi Astor who is going to be giving us some hot Edwardian-period novels...complete with motorcars and men wearing those lovely long duster coats! The periods are merging, and the old rule of 'nothing beyond 1900' is out the door.

So, to recap:

The editors want risk and say that anything goes--it all depends on the execution. And execution will be subjective. Each editor will want or be looking for something different. While Susan (who bought Addicted) loved it, and Kate Duffy seemed very taken with the idea, there were still three other editors who turned it down. They either didn't like the characters, or the tone of voice. So, remember, one person's execution is not the others!

Surprise them. If you have a 'safe' plot, throw in something that will add a twist or make your book refreshing.

Write what you want to write, because editors know when you're faking it. This was expressed in every single workshop I attended~across all genres. Write what you want, what really gets you excited.

Don't give up. Keep trying, and because your first 'risk' book doesn't sell, don't go back to the same old safe method of writing.

Miriam Kriss (agent with The Irene Goodman Agency) had an excellent quote that I'll share with you: "Write like no one is watching, and then edit like there is." And all that means is, is write for you, and when it comes time to submit, edit so that it's a professional document, worthy of a look.
'
Also, lets support ourselves as writers, not undermine ideas and confidence. Don't let people tell you can't do something because it's not an accepted form in romance. There are no rules. The editors made that abundantly clear.

And for our readers on the blog, good news! Editors are dying to get their hands on all kinds of different historicals that are out of the current mold. The editors wanted us to know that they're really dependent upon the authors. They can only publish what crosses their desks. So, if we want 'different' books, we have to start writing them!

happy writing!
Charlotte

Guestblogger GENELLA DEGREY on RT

Confessions of an RT Virgin

~ OR ~

RT...Whew! What A Ride!

Hello everyone! I’m returned (and nearly recovered) from my very first RT!

It was UNbelievable. I met my fellow “Lusties” In Time, Charlotte, Kristi, and Amanda, and mingled with some of the most gorgeous men ever. Can a girl ask for anything more?

Although I gushed all over Charlotte when I met her (thank God there was no water in that glass I sent flying across the table) she was very gracious and self-composed in the face of a rabid fan. LOL!

It was wonderful to see everyone participating in the costume events! I highly recommend doing at least one if you can get to RT next year.

My favorite workshop was The “New” Historicals, where I met the “Lusty” gals (and almost ended up in Charlotte’s lap.) My second favorite was a two hour romp called “The Nuts and Bolts of Mind-Blowing Sex” with Renee Bernard, L.A. Banks, Stephanie Burke, Eric Jerome Dickey, Adrinne Kama, Jade Lee, Madeline Oh, Robin Schone, and J.C. Wilder. Eric, who was the only male on the panel, was simply fab! He had insights for us that we as women could never have fathomed. I hadn’t seen Jade Lee before, but I’d heard her name everywhere. I get it now. She was a delight – totally cracked me up at every turn. I was able to ask her what the book of her heart was, and she told me, “Dragonborn.” I can’t wait to jump into my autographed copy!

My roommate, who is also in my RWA chapter, was Trish Albright (a new Dorchester author.) Hanging out with her was like hanging out with a rock star. Even though she’d deny the fact – and has - believe me, it’s true. We got good seats at various events and the guys buzzed around her (and because I was standing there, us) like bees near honey. Trish’s first book, “Siren's Song,” comes out in July.

We headed out to the airport VERY early on Sunday AM, so I was unable to do all the wonderful Sunday events. I’ll have to stay just one more day next year. Yeah, twist my arm. LOL!

Oh, the freebies! Oh, the books! Oh, the hunks! I won’t soon forget the fun I had at RT. I hope to see you all there next year!

Blessings –
Genella deGrey
- Heating up History

myspace.com/cloakanddaggergirl

Back from RT!

The LIT Ladies are back from RT....and we had a blast! In the next few days we'll be sharing some pics and stories from the Convention, and LIT reader Genella will guest blog with her very own RT trip report!

So keep checking back for more RT tidbits. As soon as I get out from under the pile of laundry and suitcases, I'll be posting my own trip report.

Until then, I leave you with this--the LIT Ladies and LIT reader Genella enjoying the Faery Ball! (l. to r. Amanda, Charlotte, Genella, and Kristi)

A Little Eye Candy

Well, this is going to be quick, and just a little parting gift for you! Mr. Charlotte is warming up the car as we speak. I'm headed on the Greyhound, for eight hours of riding pleasure. ACK! Someone hand me barf bag...or better yet, some pics of Richard Armitage as John Thornton.

In light of our discussion yesterday, I thought I'd leave you with a pic or two of Mr. Broody-Thornton. Just to get your juices flowing. I've included a link, but it's from a Canadian bookstore. They do ship to the US. At the very least you'll get to read the blurb and see the cover of the DVD. Enjoy the pics!
Come join Kristina and I in our obsession!

See you next week!

Charlotte

Leave The Bedroom Door Open!

Think back to your favorite historical characters in literature--your all-time favorite heroes, those sexy men like Rhett Butler (Gone With The Wind), Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice), Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre), George Emerson (A Room With a View)....those are my favorites.

Now it's confession time--after reading about any of these heroes, did you secretly wish you could see *inside* the bedroom, once they finally got around to bedding their heroine? Or, in the case of books like Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice, were you secretly imagining their wedding night? Ever wondered exactly what happened after Rhett carried Scarlett up that huge flight of stairs?

I confess, I've secretly imagined such scenes in my mind. I mean, c'mon....who wouldn't like to see Mr. Darcy 'let loose' and get some action? And let's face it, Rhett Butler is pretty naughty with his clothes on--just imagine what happens when he gets them off! I must say, of my favorite fictional historical heroes, I imagine Rhett Butler being the best lover. He's just so deliciously wicked, naughty, and unabashed--not to mention tall, dark and handsome. And funny. Did I mention funny?

So now I throw the ball into your court...which of your favorite (fictional) historical heroes' bedrooms would you most like to see into, and why? C'mon, don't be shy!