Hate Outlines? Timeline!

By A.Catherine.Noon on January 28, 2012

Keeping the plot of a novel-length manuscript can be a challenge for the most organized of writers. If you, like me, aren’t naturally left-brained sequential, then it can be more of a headache because your mind doesn’t organize information in a stepwise fashion. Have you ever looked at your story and realize that everything is happening in one day? or two different things are going on in the same night?

Reading a manuscript that is disorganized is no fun, for obvious reasons; but what do you do when you don’t like or can’t write to an outline?

One tool is a timeline that simply tracks each chapter and includes a simple sentence or two as to the action that takes place. I find that I have a bad habit of putting all my action on one or two days, and using a timeline helps me straighten all that out and figure out the flow of the action.

Here’s an example from Rachel and I, the timeline from our recent Samhain release, BURNING BRIGHT:

I don’t start using a timeline until I’m about 10,000 or 30,000 words into a project.  Once I have enough material to have a clear picture of the story, then I’m able to write down what I have and see where I am trying to go.

Another tool is to build a literal calendar:

This is from an earlier draft of the book, when we first worked on sorting out when things happened.  It’s important for the flow of the story that the action ebb and flow, rather than clot and spurt.  The calendar can help you sort out who does what to whom when.

I hope whatever you use works for you.  Every writer is different.  But if you need some ideas for how to play with and reorganize your plots, I hope this generates some solutions for you.

Write on!

Are You Crafty?

By Anara.Bella on January 27, 2012

BeadsCrafty. A rather fun little word, it literally means to be skilled in deception. But I’ve also heard it used in casual conversation when referring to a totally different kind of skill. As a writer, the first thing I think of when I hear the word craft is the craft of writing, which of course is a creative endeavor, but in this case I’m talking about arts and crafts.

Read More

Sleep Deprivation, Yoga, and the Giggles

By Isabo.Kelly on January 25, 2012

My work day starts at 10pm and ends at 2am. Sometimes I get to work during the day, but mostly I work after the house goes to sleep. Since my toddler wakes up between 8 and 9am most of the time (thank the universe he’s not a 5am toddler!), this means I manage around 6 hours of sleep, if I’m very luck and Destructo doesn’t decide he needs to wake up a lot during the night. Since I’m one of those poor saps who requires about 9-10 hours of sleep, I’m perpetually sleep deprived. And that’s just fine. I do what I love so it’s worth it. And I adore being able to spend the day with my son, so the late night work hours suit me.

To offset the constant sleep deprivation though, I do need to do things beyond drinking pots and pots of coffee—too much and the caffeine starts putting me to sleep instead of waking me up. That’s happened to me before! This is not the first time in my life I’ve lived on too little sleep. (The final five weeks of writing my Ph.D. thesis were great preparation for having a toddler and a full-time job!) One of the things I do is to squeeze in a little afternoon yoga.

Now, you may be thinking I do this to stretch, relax, center, and stay fit. Well, yeah, sort of. I also do it because my three year old frequently joins me, and it turns into a free for all game of downward dogs, and mommy pretending to be a bridge while in downward dog, and funny little kid sun salutations that involve throwing arms in the air then flopping forward into a sort of forward bend, and finally crawling on top of mommy for a hug when she’s in corpse pose. Laughter does more for my ability to carry on than an entire pot of coffee. And nothing chases away tiredness quicker than a good bout of giggling with my son.

Then it’s off to work at 10pm again. Happy reading and happy sleeping to all you other sleep deprived souls! What do you do to counter that mind-numbing tiredness so many of us face in our busy, hectic lives?

What’s Meg Up To?

By Beverly.Rae on January 24, 2012

Woo-hoo! One of my favorite books (of mine) releases today. Sex with a Hex is the second book in my Magical Sisters trilogy and centers around Meg Tristan, the middle sister. Oh, yeah. She’s a witch, too, who just happens to have a sister who is a succubus-turned-mortal and a shape-shifting older sister who will do anything and be anyone to help her sisters. Meg is a freedom-loving, sexy-as-hell witch who loves men. But no man has ever caught her attention. Until Dr. Chance Dannigan.

Together the witch and the doc cook up a challenge that leaves them aching for more. More of each other, that is. It’s all in good, dirty fun…until the heart raises the stakes

Here’s a little bit about Sex with a Hex ~

Meg Tristan is spontaneous, spirited, outspoken and beautiful—and she enjoys every second of it. She can have any man she wants, with or without casting a spell. Too bad she hasn’t found one who can keep up with her non-magical sex drive, much less handle her hexual prowess.

When he’s not caring for his patients, Dr. Chance Dannigan spends his off hours getting acquainted with as many women as he can in his new town. None hold his attention—until he catches Meg’s flirtatious glance across the bar. One drink later, he’s sure he’s found the one woman who can stimulate both his heads.

Sensing a kindred spirit, he challenges Meg to a daring competition. Each must choose a random partner for the other, and the one who fails to seduce the target, loses. And to keep it honest? The opponent must witness the act.

Winning each round proves almost too easy. The ultimate challenge is figuring out how to handle their unexpected attraction to each other…and how to end the game without both of them coming out losers.

SEX WITH A HEX (Magical Sisters Trilogy, Bk 2) - (Kindle) or (Nook)

Beverly Rae – www.beverlyrae.com

FOR KICKS by Jenna Bayley-Burke

By Jenna.BayleyBurke on January 24, 2012

With every new release I like to take a moment to close the office door and do a total happy dance. I’m talking Snoopy dance, Kermit flail, showing off moves no one should ever have to see. Sometimes you just have to let the excitement flow and revel in one of those truly blissful happenings. Putting a book in the hands of readers never gets old, in fact, it gets better every time.

Adding to my joy this turn around the dance floor are the great reviews For Kicks is collecting. I’ve found some amazing review quotes, and truly lovely reviewers. This may be strategic for me since reviewers tend to come to conferences and I hate to sit alone at lunch. When a reviewer takes the time to make your review special, they tend remember you and let you join their table.

I haven’t told my mother about the reviews yet. This is her favorite story of mine, so whatever success the story finds she’s going to take full credit for. And I’m okay with that.

“For Kicks is as decadent as a chocolate layer cake, as bubbly as a flute of champagne and as exhilarating as a roller-coaster ride. Bayley-Burke writes blood- pumping contemporary romance that will leave readers energized.” 4 1/2 stars, Romantic Times

“[Logan] pursued Breeze like “a Black Friday shopper” and it definitely added to the humor of this story, as did Breeze’s attempts to always turn the tables on Logan.” — Guilty Pleasures, 4 stars

“I loved this story. It was funny, witty, sweet, and sexy. I could not put this book down. Oh and did I mention the love scenes? Oh my…way to melt the panties.” – Romance Book Craze

  • News

  • Samhain Publishing’s ebook Rocky Mountain Haven by Vivian Arend hits New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists - 01/20/2012

    Rocky Mountain Haven, book 2 of the “Six Pack Ranch” series, is only available in eBook format

    Jan. 19, 2012 – Cincinnati–International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that author Vivian Arend has been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list for ebooks (31),  and the USA Today Bestseller list (102) for eBooks and print books, with her eBook romance, Rocky Mountain Haven. The novel is only available in eBook format.

    “We couldn’t be more delighted that our first bestseller of the New Year is Vivian Arend,” said Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing. “She has long been a fan favorite, and we look forward to continuing to play a part in her success.”   

    The New York Times’ e-book bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

    The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

  • Samhain Publishing’s eBook Cowboy Casanova hits New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists - 12/16/2011

    Lorelei James’ novel, the twelfth in the bestselling “Rough Riders” series, is only available in eBook format

    International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that author Lorelei James has been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list for eBooks (15), the combined New York Times print/ebook Bestseller list (29) and the USA Today Bestseller list (81) for eBooks and print books, with her eBook romance, Cowboy Casanova. The novel is only available in eBook format.

    “This remarkable achievement will come to no surprise to Lorelei’s passionate fan base,” said Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing. “With this, her twelfth book in the series, Lorelei continues to appeal to both long-time and brand new readers. We’re proud to be a part of her success.”   

    The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

    The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

  • Samhain Publishing launches new Retro RomanceTM line - 12/12/2011

    Launch authors include five romance favorites including Debra Mullins and Kate Donovan

    International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced the launch of Retro RomanceTM, a Samhain line dedicated to bringing out-of-print romance novels from the seventies, eighties, nineties and early 2000’s to an entirely new readership.

    According to Heather Osborn, Editorial Director, the program is in line with the desire of many authors to find new readers for old favorites—without the challenge of self-publishing. “With the proliferation of eBook readers, authors know they can quickly reach a new audience with their books, but self publishing still has inherent challenges for authors who prefer to spend more time writing than promoting,” explained Osborn. “For authors who have older titles and want to release them digitally, but don’t care to act as their own cover artist, production assistant, editor, or distributor, Samhain’s Retro Romance line is an ideal solution. We take on the work of scanning print books into digital files, copy editing, formatting into all of the various digital formats, creating beautiful cover art, advertising and promotion – and supply authors with a robust built-in distribution. It’s a win-win.”

    The line, which launches Dec. 13, includes the following authors and titles:

    Sharon DeVita, Heavenly Match

    Kate Donovan, Game of Hearts

    Patricia Hagan, Love and War

    Karen Kay, Lakota Surrender

    Debra Mullins, Once a Mistress

    To learn more about Retro Romance, visit us online at www.samhainpublishing.com/retro-romance.

  • Samhain Publishing’s eNovella Once Upon a Winter’s Eve hits USA Today Bestseller List - 12/01/2011

    Tessa Dare’s novella, part of the “Spindle Cove” series, is only available in eBook format

    International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that author Tessa Dare has been ranked on the USA Today Bestseller list (100) for eBooks and print books, with her eBook romance, Once Upon a Winter’s Eve. The novella is only available in eBook format.

    “Since 2009, Tessa's historical romances have become reader favorites,” said Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing. “We're thrilled that she's made her first appearance on the bestseller list with her Samhain novella.” The USA Today Bestseller list combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

    Tessa Dare is the award-winning author of seven historical romance novels and one novella. She has twice been awarded the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award, and has twice been a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award. Her books have been contracted for translation in nine languages. Recently, Booklist magazine named her one of the “new stars of historical romance.”

  • Samhain Publishing’s eBook Eastern Ambitions hits NYT, USA Today Bestseller Lists - 11/17/2011

    Jayne Rylon and Mari Carr's newest "Compass Brothers” novel is only available in eBook format

    International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that authors Jayne Rylon and Mari Carr have been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller extended  list for eBook Fiction (26) and the USA Today extended list (130) for eBooks and print books, with their eBook romance, Eastern Ambitions. Eastern Ambitions is only available in eBook format.

    “Mari and Jayne have created an exciting world with heartfelt stories that readers can’t put down,” said Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing. “Their Compass Brothers books have been fan favorites since they launched, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this achievement with them.”   

    The New York Times’ e-book bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

    The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.