Susan Lohrer

Books are Like Chocolates

2011-02-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

I opened my Valentine's Day chocolates yesterday, and there were all those delectable-looking chocolates . . . with no helpful sheet of paper explaining what kind of filling I might find inside each one. Not right! Right? I mean, I love almost any filling, but what if I bite into one with coconut filling? Yuck.

And it occurred to me:

Books are like chocolates.

The description of the book is like the sheet of paper that tells you what's inside the chocolates. Helpful, yes?

But what if the description of a book is misleading? This is the case with short stories far too often. You go to, say, Amazon and find a short story that looks interesting, and you buy it. Then you read it, and it's not a story at all.

Because a story has a resolution.

Some of the short "stories" found on, say, Amazon read like the first chapter of a novel, leaving you hanging with no resolution to the plot. Argh.

A short "story" with a description that doesn't acknowledge it has no resolution is like a box of chocolates with no sheet of paper that describes the filling. In fact, without a resolution it's like a box of chocolates that have no filling at all.

Hey, publishers? If you're going to put a story up on, say, Amazon and leave off the resolution, do your readers a favor and let us know that in the product description.

I'm in the Ellora's Cave Submission Queue

2011-01-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

About a week ago I sent a novella to the Blush line at Ellora's Cave. For those of you wondering about what sort of stuff I've been writing lately, Blush is EC's line of non-erotic romance.

I found this in my Inbox this morning: "Your manuscript has been read by our initial editorial reviewer and has been placed in queue for our acquiring editors to consider further."

I suppose it doesn't mean much more than "Your writing isn't complete drivel," but it sure was a nice way to start my day.

Review: In the Garden of Iden

2010-11-18T12:41:00.001-07:00

In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was skeptical when I opened this book (because SF and cyborgs aren't really my thing), but only until I read the first couple of paragraphs. The main character's voice hooked me instantly.

The one aspect of the story I didn't care for [SPOILER ALERT] as a romance reader was that the romance thread had a horribly unhappy ending. Although, because of the time-travel aspect, there's a hope the love might be resurrected. [END SPOILER]

That said, the ending of the story delivered with satisfying irony, and it instilled in me an urgent desire to read the next books in the series. And the story actually concluded rather than feeling like a teaser for the next book, which was nice.

So I guess I might be a SF fan after all.

View all my reviews

How I Wrote a Fantasy Romance Novella in One Month

2010-11-05T16:05:00.000-06:00

If you've been wondering where I've been lately: I've been writing like crazy. My RWA chapter had a writing marathon in October, and it was the first time I'd written every single day. I would never have believed the difference it could make in my writing, just keeping my fingers moving and the story flowing without breaking for two days at a time over the weekends. I wrote more—and, I hope, better—in that one month than I've ever written before.

It's a nice little fantasy romance novella, full of magic and eagles, and while writing it I found out what the Northern Lights really are. They have nothing to do with the earth's magnetic fields, either. (Yes, the things I make up for my stories become real to me. That's normal, right?)

So I decided this habit will have to continue. I'm a new woman, one who writes every day. : )

And my family didn't even come close to starving while I was doing all that writing. They seriously thought they would. That's been a relief all around, let me tell you, because I'm already well into another MS.

RWA Writing Workshop: Prune Your Prose with Linnea Sinclair

2010-08-10T11:38:00.000-06:00

I like to participate in every RWA writing workshop my chapter offers (I belong to the online chapter). I always learn something new in them. If you belong to RWA but not to the online chapter, you might consider joining; the workshops are free to RWA Online chapter members and the annual chapter membership fee is about the cost of one workshop, so even if you participate in two workshops per year, you're getting a slamming good deal.

Check it out. : )

***** Permission to Forward Granted *****
RWA® Online Chapter presents:

PRUNE YOUR PROSE! Ten Tips to Tighten Your Fiction Writing
Instructor: Linnea Sinclair
August 16th – 29th, 2010
Registration Period: August 2-15, 2010
Fee: $15 Non-Chapter members. RWAOL Chapter #136 members; free.
Payment method: PAYPAL is recommended!

It’s safe and fast! Check and money orders also accepted.
Registration: http://www. rwaonlinechapter .org/campus.htm (without the spaces)

NOTE: -Use your real First and Last Name & Choose Pay Option.
ONLY Chapter #136 members choose the Chapter Member option button.
For more information: workshops@rwaonlinechapter.org

CLASS DESCRIPTION: As the saying goes, “Close only counts in…hand grenades.” Don’t let your manuscript bomb because of easily overlooked errors, or for lack of sophistication and polish. Learn how to make every chapter count, every scene earn its keep, every main character memorable. Award-winning Bantam Random House author Linnea Sinclair will take you though ten tips (and more!) that will make your story shine, move it out of the slush pile, onto an editor’s desk so that—when on the shelves—it can garner reviews that note: A must-read, by an author who never disappoints!

Attendees should bring sample pages of their work-in-progress (including their first page) and be prepared to share and improve!

BIO: Winner of the prestigious national book award, the RITA, science fiction romance author Linnea Sinclair has become a name synonymous for high-action, emotionally intense, character-driven novels. Reviewers note that Sinclair's novels "have the wow-factor in spades," earning her accolades from both the science fiction and romance communities. Sinclair's current releases are GAMES OF COMMAND (PEARL Award winner and RITA finalist), THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES (PEARL Award Honorable Mention), SHADES OF DARK, HOPE’S FOLLY and REBELS & LOVERS.
A former news reporter and retired private detective, Sinclair resides in Naples, Florida (winters) and Columbus, Ohio (summers) along with her husband, Robert Bernadino, and their two thoroughly spoiled cats. Readers can find her perched on the third barstool from the left in her Intergalactic Bar and Grille at www.linneasinclair.com.

FORMAT: Course is conducted via online discussion (bulletin) board on the RWA® Online website. Non-chapter members MUST complete both the workshop registration AND the discussion board login registration for access. Instructions for login are presented after the registration pages (or to return to the login instructions, go to http://www.rwaonline...strationTY.htm. The workshop is available for up to one week after the end date and a downloadable archive of the workshop will be available the week following the workshop.

***** Permission To Forward Granted *****

Amberville by Tim Davys

2010-07-20T16:47:00.000-06:00

Amberville by Tim Davys is a weird, weird book. I'm not sure it's fantasy, exactly, because it wouldn't be a huge leap to tell the same story with human characters rather than stuffed animals. The suspension of disbelief took a little while to kick in for me.

This book got mixed reviews because of the author's choice to populate his somewhat European setting (Germany, I think, or maybe England?) with full-size stuffed animals who are all relatively equal in size, with the unexplained exception of the character who's a smallish snake.

The main characters are twin bears, Eric Bear and Teddy Bear (groan, I know). Unfortunately for them, they love the same woman, whose father is a mafia kingpin and uses her to uncover the stuffed animal society's greatest secret: the Death List. The kingpin's name is on that list, and he wants it removed. The conflict and characterization are strong, and in the end, Eric Bear has to choose between two people (well, stuffed animals) he loves. Plenty of reasons to keep reading, and the twists keep coming.

A big part of Amberville is the question of the nature of good and evil. I can't say what I really want to say about that, or the vehicle Davys used to drive it home, without adding a spoiler.

I'm not positive the stuffed animals are necessary to the story. On the other hand, I found the plot and characters engaging, and I read the book straight through in one sitting. And it made me think.

Fantasy Romance on Goodreads

2010-07-01T15:01:00.000-06:00

I was looking for a group for fantasy romance readers, and I found one (through a post on the Romance Divas forum) on Goodreads.

Salome at Sunrise by Inez Kelley

2010-06-22T14:22:00.001-06:00

SALOME AT SUNRISE by Inez Kelley from Carina Press!

My take:

After reading just the excerpt, I already knew Inez Kelley has a talent for creating a supremely alpha hero who has complex and really real emotions. Mmm. You just want Bryton's heart to be healed.

The other thing that makes me drool is the simplicity of putting a Carina book on my Sony Reader (oh, Reader, how I love thee). Three cheers for Carina and another three for Inez.

The blurb:

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.

Our evolving language

2010-04-22T10:43:00.001-06:00

It seems the AP Stylebook, which governs style issues in much nonfiction writing, is making the switch from Web site to website. In some circles this is stirring up quite the controversy. Will The Chicago Manual of Style, the style standard of the fiction industry, follow suit? (Insert horrified gasp here. Or an eye roll. It depends on your opinion.)

If you ask me, dropping capitals and closing compound words is part of the natural evolution of our language. Do we still speak and write Old English? Nope. Shakespeare's English? Nope. We've even made the jump from Wal-Mart to Walmart. So from Web site to website? No biggie.

Besides, think of all the time we'll save by omitting the two extra keystrokes each time we type website. : )

And the stakes go up

2010-03-25T13:04:00.001-06:00

As if becoming a grandmother weren't joyous enough, now I'm going to be the grandmother of twins. Wheee! :)

I foresee a need for increased time management in my future.

Art Reflecting Life

2010-03-24T11:27:00.000-06:00

It seems that the fiction I write always revolves around family themes. Bonds between loved ones that transcend even the biggest challenges life can throw at us.

Right now I'm working on a story about three generations of strong women. How appropriate, then, for life and art to reflect each other in such a beautiful and inspiring event such as . . . drum roll . . . my first grandchild, who is due to come into the world this August.

I have a lot of knitting to do!

Tweets and Writing on the Wall

2010-02-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

After a phishing snafu, I decided my time would be better spent writing than trying to keep up with tweets and wall posts. What a load off. :-)

Feng Shui for Writers

2010-01-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

A writing loop I'm on ran a bootcamp on staying healthy as a writer, and one of the elements covered was making sure you have a pleasant work environment. Hence, feng shui.

Turns out I may need to make major changes in my writing area, like turning my desk around so it faces the door, which is supposed to make me feel more in charge of my life. Of course, that'd mean I couldn't look out the window at the mountains and the forest, so maybe I'll have to think about that one a little more.

But I'm happy to see I had some things right: the artwork on my walls is stuff I treasure (drawings by my kids and a gorgeous watercolor of a pink cockatoo my artist mom painted), and my writing corner is in the "prosperity" area of my house.

Yep, if I ignore the occasional foosball game four feet from my desk, things are looking good.

How does your writing area make you feel?

A Writer's Learning Curve

2010-01-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

I recently had the honor of reading the first manuscript of a fourteen-year-old writer. While this girl isn't Nora Roberts quite yet, her love of her story shines through the words on the page. But mostly, it blew me away that she writes as well as most adults do in their first manuscripts.

I believe that either you're a storyteller or you're not. And if you are, the craft can be learned no matter how old—or young—you are.

Golden Heart Judges: Entries Arriving Soon

2010-01-06T11:02:00.002-07:00

Carol Ritter from National gave permission to forward this information, which will be of interest to RWA members.

"Half of the Golden Heart judging packets went out yesterday and the other half will go out today. Domestic packages are shipped UPS ground, except for members using PO Boxes. International is UPS WorldShip."

I can hardly wait to get my contest package. I adore judging writing contests. There are some great entries, and it's a fantastic way to contribute to RWA.

Darkfever

2009-11-23T15:21:00.003-07:00

I read Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever on my Sony Reader (I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot about books I've read on my new-pretty-shiny). At first I was perplexed because the book's metadata said it was a historical romance (it's neither historical nor romance), but the heroine's voice felt strongly YA (it's not).

I stuck it out, though, because once the pastel-wearing, blonde-ponytailed, tan-legged heroine (did I mention she thinks of her appearance? a lot?) gets to Ireland, various creatures start trying to kill her and don't stop till the end. Um, I don't mean that I kept reading in hopes that the heroine would be killed, but rather because the creepy bad guys added an enjoyable amount of danger to the story.

The setting was richly detailed and vibrant. Loved the setting.

As for the ending, it didn't end. It just stopped. I might read the next one in the series, if only to find out what's in the dark, brooding alpha-male's past.

Despite this book's drawbacks, I admit I did finish it in two days. So there you go.

MS Word Trick: custom page sizes

2009-11-04T11:32:00.003-07:00

I took part in a Conflict Grid workshop led by Lyn Cote, and I now use a conflict grid for every set of characters I write.

You can create a conflict grid without using a table or spreadsheet, but I need the neatness of lines and squares. I prefer tables to spreadsheets (spreadsheets give me hives), but it's easy to run out of room on Word's standard 8.5x11" page. Don't let that stop you. You can make the page size as large as you like by creating a custom paper size.

Click File, Page Setup, Paper Size, Manage Custom Sizes, and then choose your dimensions. I like a page that's at least 15" wide and 25" high (the height doesn't matter so much, but a larger number here will eliminate distracting page breaks). Name your custom size something that's easy to spot when you're looking for it next time—mine's called Big Tables.

Caveat: I have no idea how or whether Word will print custom-sized pages.

Q & A with Ann Leslie Tuttle at Romance University

2009-10-30T11:52:00.004-06:00

Harlequin Senior Editor Ann Leslie Tuttle answers submission questions at Romance University: Top 3 Submission Errors and How Authors Can Fix 'em

Kama Sutra Quote: Winning a girl's heart

2009-10-26T14:43:00.003-06:00

Some truths are eternal, like this quote from the Kama Sutra: 'though a man loves a girl ever so much, he never succeeds in winning her without a great deal of talking.'

What's your favorite quote?

America's Got Talent: The first 15 minutes of the show

2009-07-22T13:03:00.003-06:00

America's Got Talent is one of my favorite shows. Not just for the great acts, but for the groaners, too. You know the ones I mean—the ones shown in the first fifteen minutes. They're always the ones who brag about how great they are, how everyone says they're tremendously talented. And then they demonstrate they have no business being in a talent show.

As a writer, I hope that when I send out my work I'm not going to end up in the first fifteen minutes of the show.