Slushy Erotica?

I've officially found slush. The dreaded million deep pile that affiliates of trade publishing like to talk about when smearing self publishing. They are not wrong, its there, but it certainly is not the epitome of self publishing. Erotica isn't even a genre I like to read, but I was taken in by a picture of Chris Hemsworth. So there I was, cringing my way through a horribly cliched, tacky, erotica novella. I felt bad for the author. Here she is publishing her first book and yet she is only at the beginning of learning all there is to know about self publishing and unfortunately that revelation is only going to come at the hand of one star scathing reviews. I didn't review it and I'm not sure that I will. I could say a lot of things to help her but there is no way to take away the bitter sting of a one star review and that's what I feel guilty about. I know the pain all to well.

So what was my problem? Am I a prude? Nope, not even close. The overall steaminess of the sex was surprisingly not that different from my novels, but here are the key differences:

Romantic elements: I have to build attraction and emotional connection before intimacy can be established. There is some leeway in certain situations but there must always be a HEA and a monogamous commitment. In this book there was only attraction at first, which I expected from an erotica novella.

Explicit word usage: This is one of the elements that really put me off but this could be just my opinion. Pussy. I will call my husband a pussy, for example, if he ran from a bee or refused to kill a spider. (To me) this word is supremely unsexy and a mood killer. Altogether I would say that the description of the sex was like hearing a really bad porno narrated. There was nothing creative or inviting about it.

So many exclamation points!!!!!!!: Everything is sooooo exciting! Not. It was really over used unnecessarily which made reading it obnoxious.

Holy cliche batman!: I get that you want to convey that your heroine doesn't have very good self esteem but come on. Subtly is your friend. Show don't tell and I don't need to be reminded of it every other sentence. Its been done over and over again, so its important that your heroine be unique. I was disappointed in the Hero too. He was too nice. The author set the foundation for a sexy, rough looking biker, and then suddenly he's this mind reading protective nice guy who--surprise--turns out to be rich. No thanks. I skipped to the epilogue and there was an HEA.

Is this the standard for the Erotica craze? I hope not. I was confused about what I was reading. Not that I mind the "girl gets the guy scenario" but I was expecting a sexy one night stand. I didn't expect the HEA when there was no lead in to it, there was no deeper emotion then lust established.

What is Erotica? Is it defined  by more graphic sex? I'm confused now. I think I will stick to what I know and enjoy from now on.

This was the picture that hooked me.


See what I mean?

Learning My Craft

Becoming a self published author is a journey, and from what I have learned so far, it seems to be an endless one. I'm on an adventure and meeting lots of fun and interesting people along the way who are imparting wisdom and their own personal experience to me. This information is invaluable to me and I soak it up so that I too can continue this journey and achieve my dream. Of course I want to go fast, I want to dive head first, and swim in the sea of success with the authors who inspire me but I can't. I really hate that word. But I must go slow, I must build this foundation brick by boring brick so that no wolf can blow it down (thank you Paramore).
One fabulous resource I found is an awesome yahoo group here. There is so much information daily and all from wonderful successful authors like Marie Force and Courtney Milan. I also just finished reading Lets Get Digital by David Gaughran.

All these things bring me closer to my goal and keep my motivated. They also give me perspective. As much as I would love to shoot up like a rocket and pay off my debt, buy my dream house etc, that's probably not going to happen and like Paramore also says "Keep you feet on the ground, when your head is in the clouds"

Above all else I need to be patient and keep writing. Things will grow as I grow and before I know it I'll be swimming too. I've learned that dreams are achievable with hard work and perseverance. I can never give up on that. I've already been down that road, the work to eat and pay bills road, never actually enjoying life. It sucked, it hurt, and it did some serious internal damage. There are people around me who live that way and its easy to get sucked into the "life sucks get over it" mentality when really there is so much more. Never stop fighting for your dream. Cut off people who only try to bring you down. They are weeds in your flower garden.

Don't forget about my new release Fallen Angel at Amazon!

Would You Like Fries With That?

We live in an age where immediate satisfaction is guaranteed. Everything you could want and don't even know you want is there for the taking. Often at lightning speeds compared to the days of old. Advertising is on your T.V., radio, phone, Internet, social media, windshield, and anywhere you might glance. People expect superior service, immediate gratification, and all for pennies.
How does that translate to books? As an indie author I'm always coming across people talking about the poor quality of ebooks. How the market is flooded with crap, ebooks are over priced, and you don't know what your getting until its too late.

Really?

The idea of a reader refunding a book they finished is galling to me. If you read a sample, buy the book, FINISH THE BOOK, then decide you don't like it, tough cookies. You don't get to return your empty plate to the kitchen and demand a free meal. But that is what is happening at amazon on a regular basis. How many of those are actual dissatisfied returns vs cheap readers is unknown, but let me remind you, you who shall not be named, that is a person who spent a lot of physical and emotional time writing that book your shitting all over and now you want to rip your .99-6.99 back out of their pocket. We are talking about an individual here, not big NY publisher or huge XYX company.

I also cannot stand when people decide their personal preferences should stand for everyone. "I cant believe author Jane Doe is on the top 100. Shes mediocre at best." Don't deprive other readers of enjoyment and distraction just because an author doesn't fill your standards. Those are YOUR standards. And lets be real here, its romance novels not Shakespeare.  Lives are not being changed, we are not ending world hunger with our muscled hero's and strong relatable heroines. We provide distraction and a little joy in a world that sucks for the most part. So why such high standards? Relax, clean the sand out of your panties, and use your imagination to transport yourself to a magical place where the wallflower gets noticed, hot muscled men turn into animals, and everyone gets a happily ever after. We all know its bullshit. We all Know life is never so sweet even if it starts off with very real conflict. In real life there is no HEA, conflicts come and go like the dips of a roller coaster until death. So crack a book and take a break, but stop expecting the unattainable. Tastes change, trends come and go, and authors come in many different flavors.

 FOR GODS SAKE stop bashing indie authors. If you buy a bad book you have no one to blame but yourself. There are millions of good stories out there if you take the time to look. If you read a sample and can't figure out if you like the book enough to buy it well then...you have other, more pressing, issues. The world of publishing is changing. So many good authors were being rejected that indie publishing is flourishing and readers should be thankful. The connection between authors and readers has never been closer. Novels are coming out faster, and with more new and exciting genres then ever before. Whole new worlds and avenues have opened for readers and authors alike in the digital age, and it continues to grow. There is a niche for everyone, an author to write it, and a reader to find it. That is a wonderful thing.

If you--reader who shall not be named--can't find something to read in this growing and ever changing book paradise, you have only your closed mind to blame. I myself broke away from my regency only preferences and read a syfy romance. It was great and I look forward to the next book. Its a whole new world out there. Hallelujah!

Authors are not popping out books like mockmeat fast food. We are readers just like you, driven by a story and the desire to share it. Sure we want to charge for it, money doesn't grow on tree's and I can't pay rent with giggles and sunshine. My hard work and dreams have a price. You spend much more on worthless crap all the time but think authors should entertain you for hours for pennies and let you do what ever the hell you want with it. I personally think the print version and ebook version should be the same price. Ebooks mean I don't have to speak to people and this introvert loves that. If you love the author, the book is worth it, and indie publishing means that author is actually earning some real money. I like that too. I wish Eloisa James and Julia Quinn were indie authors so I knew my money was just going to them but oh well. Their publisher better be busting their ass for those women and paying them well, but I'm certainly not going to deprive my self of reading their fabulous books for that reason.

Might as well plug the book I recently enjoyed while I'm at it.

Writer Virginity: What title popped your cherry?

I want to talk about debut novels. Its always fascinating to me when I read an authors debut novel because you can always tell, especially if you discovered them later in their career. Why am I referring to an authors debut novel as a cherry popper? Well, I think its safe to say that for most of us, the first time was a little awkward, sloppy, you think you know what your doing but you really don't, but it is still a momentous experience and with time and practice you improve, you find your strengths, and become your own expert. So yes, publishing your debut novel is kinda like loosing your virginity. Every author has a debut novel that isn't nearly as good as their later work.

 As much as I love Mine, All Mine and all that is stands for in my life, it is far from perfect. Like so many have done before me, I too have plans for revision. I'm thinking sooner rather than later. I wrote Dominic and Lilly's story over a period of about three years if not more. Their was a lot of stop and starting, submitting and rejection, and then life got in the way. The birth of my son really lit the fire under my ass again and finally I got it done. I found Tinderboox who was willing to publish it and here I am today.

If you don't know where here is, its me living my dream of being home with my baby and actively pursuing my dream as a romance novelist. I'm busy writing, blogging, face booking and tweeting to keep my dream alive. All that comes second to my son but he lets me get things done a little at a time.

Its only been a few months since I released  Mine, All Mine but I have been working hard at improving my writing and learning so much from other authors that I have grown enough to recognize that if Mine, All Mine is going to represent me and be my foundation then well ... it needs to be a lot stronger. I was anxious to move on to the other stories waiting in my brain that I held off on revision. However; the other books are going so well I think its time to go back and take another look.

Its exciting and a little scary to go back over what is already done but it must be done. I'm even thinking about doing a free promo again once it is revised and re-released but time will tell. This will also help promote my next books: Fallen Angel, a novella, coming this summer, and Sweet Torture, (the next book in the series after Mine, all Mine) coming this fall. Lots of work to be done! I always want to laugh when family members say, "Oh you have so much time now that you're not working." HA! But whatever, I love it all.

Cover Reveal!

Isn't it pretty!
I am so excited to be close to the finish line with Fallen Angel. Its such an amazing feeling when I see my books for sale and it also means I can move onto the other love stories waiting to be written.

Friending Men On Facebook?

As a new author I have a profile and page for myself to gain/meet new readers and enjoy the company of romance readers like myself. Thanks to author Marie Force's awesome blog I have been friend-ing people like crazy but I hesitate to friend men.
I want to ask fellow female authors and female readers: do you friend men who are not directly related to you or know in real life?

The few men I have friend-ed immediately message me. They come from all parts of the world and want to chat, almost always asking me to turn on my camera.
Red Flag #1? Or am I just a paranoid?

What happened to facebook? I have nothing on my profile that suggests I am offering anything but me as an author. My picture is only of my face and shows nothing else, so what is happening here?

Is there a creep filter I can enable?

The Future Looks Bright!

Soon I will be self publishing a novella titled Fallen Angel. I am scouring the Internet for editorial services within my means and have found some great info. I am very excited to take this new path with all that I have learned so far. Thanks to twitter, I stumbled upon an interview with author Marie Force. She is a phenomenally successful self published author who is blogging about her nifty tricks to find readers, promote sales, and reach success. My eyes are glued to her blog daily. She is where I want to be and that means everything she says/writes is gospel. May the Force be with me!

She has no idea she is now my imaginary mentor but oh well. I have a general game plan for the future release of my coming books and it goes like this:

• Publish Fallen Angel gratis with and excerpt for Mine, All Mine and Sweet Torture? Can I do that? I will look into that. I will basically be introducing the series Fated  For Love: Mine, All Mine, Sweet Torture, Storm On The Horizon, and To Love, Honor, and Obey.
• Sweet Torture will be coming out late summer/early fall and have the excerpt for Storm On The Horizon.
• Storm On The Horizon will contain the excerpt for To Love Honor and Obey, which will wrap up my four book series. That day will be insane I promise you.

Some things are still up in the air. I can't write too much without leaking spoilers but I am bouncing back and forth with the idea that Storm On The Horizon will be a novella. But, Jeffrey and Olivia deserve a full novel right?  Hmmm, time will tell.

Depending on my muse, a novella may sprinkle its self in here and there. Its exciting to have a mental image of all my stories making their escape out of my brain. I've got a lot of work to do!