Angels everywhere – Guestblog from David Bridger

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I’m delighted to have my good friend and critique partner David to blog here today. David’s “Beauty and the Bastard” has just released from Liquid Silver and its about angels. And so is his post.

So, without further delay…

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When Angels Visit

Thank you for inviting me, Ruth. I’m thrilled to be here sharing my happiness upon the release of Beauty and the Bastard.

I believe in angels.

There: have an Abba earworm. J You’re welcome.

Beauty and the Bastard is my first story involving angels and demons, and I’m working on a second one now. But even though I only started writing about these beautiful beings last summer, they’ve been around in my life for years. Continue reading Angels everywhere – Guestblog from David Bridger →

Better late than never – RNA Conference 2010 post

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Better late than never in so many ways. First of all it has taken me all week to get around to posting this. Secondly WHY have I not been going to this coference for years???

I am, as with most writers, not the most extroverted of individuals. Never really had been, although I can do a good impression when I need to. I was determined to make it to my first RNA conference this year and I am so glad that I did. Had a bit of a stressy trip out to the airport between a late bus and heavy traffic, and a bit of a stressy time at the drop-off-your-bags points when I found a large group of Japanese tourists had arrived just before me and proceeded to re-pack their luggage in the queue! But Air France/City Jet were wonderful and the flight itself was a dream. When the air hostess asked if I wanted a drink I had a budget airline flashback and just asked for water, only to realise too late they were giving out wine as well. And sandwiches. And boiled sweets for take off (a trip back to childhood). And chocolates just before landing.

I should warn you, food will probably be a theme of this post.

The DLR was also wonderful and in no time at all I arrived at our accomodation in Greenwich. Yes, it was like being a student again. There was a party going on as I arrived and my lovely flatmates were drinking wine out of plastic cups. That didn’t stop the hugs and warm greetings.

Another theme of this post will be the friendliness and fun-filled nature of everyone I met at the conference. I couldn’t have asked for a better gang to hang around with than the ladies of flat 20, but everywhere we went people chatted, exchanged ideas, joked and generally had a wonderful time.

Continue reading Better late than never – RNA Conference 2010 post →

Back from RNA Conference

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But utterly braindead and exhausted. Learned lots, laughed lots, met some wonderful wonderful people and had a fantastic time.

In a while, when I have recovered a little and libraryland stops its total upheaval that has to happen (apparently) when I go away for a day or two, I will sort out photos and a blog post with some of the things covered – like Sarah Duncan’s fantastic tips on lifting a ms from good to great, Kate Walkers fab conflict workshop, and that wonderful “Oh my God, it’s 2am and we have to be at a session at 9am” moment!

But since all day today I had to struggle to say Connolly instead of Colony (and failed), I think I need a rest!

(plus I really really want to read Julie Cohen’s “Girl from Mars”)

Salome out today

Awesome authors, romance divas,

First was Myla by Moonlight, and now…

SALOME AT SUNRISE by Inez Kelly releases today from Carina Press!

It’s not nice to piss off Mother Nature…

Bryton Haruk sets out on a suicide mission to stop the bloodthirsty Skullmen from terrorizing the war-weary Land of Eldwyn. Consumed by guilt over the death of his wife, Bryton seeks revenge and reunion in the afterlife with his lost love. His purpose is determined, his bravery unmatched, until the queen casts a spell to save Bryton from himself.

Salome is that spell. A bird-shifter, she can harness the earth’s breeze and take the form of a beautiful, innocent woman. Her challenge is to harness Bryton’s pain and guide him to peace. She entrances and irritates him, tempting Bryton from his mission. Even as he gives in to the passion between them, Bryton insists on mounting a solo attack on the brigands’ compound, and Salome fears her love won’t be enough to save him…

Celebrate Summer Solstice.

Salome at Sunrise from Inez Kelley and Carina Press.

Seize the day.

Buy it now.

When Plotbunnies attack

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Plotbunny: A tempting idea for a story that hares off into strange territory upon pursuit. Known for breeding rapidly and dividing a writer’s attention to the point of achieving nothing at all. (unword.com)

I think we all know the scene. We’re working away, dutifully writing our current WIP, enjoying the character development, the fight scenes and the build towards a showdown between the forces of good and evil (or the showdown between dog and cat for that matter – it’s your story). Maybe you take a break, listen to some music or read a book.

BLAM!

“What ifs?” explode all over your brain. The entire plot for a new book arrives in a blinding vision of glory. Characters start yabbering away inside your head, telling you everything their life story and all the intricacies of their conflicts with each other.

And it won’t. Go. AWAY!

The plotbunnies have got you. aka Teh Shiney! Continue reading When Plotbunnies attack →

Question time: Your mileage may vary

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My LJ friend bogwitch64 (Terri-Lynne DeFino) asked me a question the other day so I thought I would blog about it in response.

“You published quite a few books with Samhain (unagented?) before landing your current agent–is there a difference in the way you write? In what you write?”

Yes, I was unagented when I subbed to Samhain and then signed with Colleen late last year. This is my experience, and what I’ve found on my journey so far. Your mileage, as they say, may vary. This is basically what happened: Continue reading Question time: Your mileage may vary →

Wicklow Gaol Night Tour

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On Friday night we went on a night tour of Wicklow Gaol – highly recommended, really entertaining and very moving.

Oh, and creepy.

It’s known as one of the most haunted places in Ireland. Actors in period costume greet you, introduce you to the gaol and its history and, oh yes, follow you around scaring the bejaysus out of you!

At one point, my best friend E and I were standing in a cell (a tiny tiny dark cell) reading something on the wall, when a convict crept up behind us silently, leaned in between us and said, in a whisper “do you have any money?”

Screams, jumps, minor cardiac incidents, general hillarity for everyone else. 😀

Overall its a fantastic experience. Especially at night. The actors are amazing, the gaol is really well organised, fascinating and very very moving.

I stood in one room and it felt like my breath had been stolen from me, in another and I just wanted to cry, on the deck of a model of a transport ship where the slope of the deck and the sound of the quays made me feel like I was standing on a ship at sea.

And one room… oh man… it was weird. Like you walked in and the pressure completely changed, closing in around you.

Did I see anything? No. But there are lots of orbs in my photos. Whatever those orbs might be. You can make up your own minds 🙂

Btw, the people in 18th/19th century prison clothes… yes, they would be the actors. Honest. 😉

Awesome research material. Awesome night out.

Afterwards we went to dinner at Donelli’s. Beautiful food, wonderful service, fantasic meal.