WHO DOESN'T LOVE A GOOD SCARE? by Kathy Ivan

It's getting close to that time of year where we all love a good scare. It's become something of a ritual to scream on Halloween—the more bloodcurdling the better. Tales of terror have been passed down for millennia about ghouls, ghosts and goblins inhabiting the dark places, waiting and watching for the perfect opportunity to frighten the unsuspecting.

As kids who didn't sit around telling scary stories? Maybe it was around a campfire with other teens, darkness all about except for the flickering of the firelight and the deep, dark shadows surrounding you. Remember the one about the man with a hook? Tell me you didn't scream when it was being told and somebody tapped you on the shoulder. Maybe it was a slumber party, a sleep-over with your friends, sitting around in your PJ's, the lights dimmed and one person held the flashlight under their chin, telling a spooky ghost story.

Blog: Jillian Burns-Never Give Up! Never Surrender!

Never Give up! Never Surrender!

That quote from the movie Galaxy Quest has always stuck with me.

Like most people, I’ve had some adversities in my life to overcome. An abusive boyfriend, the loss of a baby, teenagers… (hey, don’t underestimate the heartache they can cause)

My mother used to say “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.” That quote, from a popular song when she was a child, was her generation’s version of “Never Give up, Never Surrender.”

And sometimes we all have to choose, when we’ve been beaten down by life, whether we’re going to pick ourselves up and start over, or whether we will surrender.

Being a writer puts that choice to the test almost daily. Whether you’re published or pre-published, challenges are ready to knock us down. It could be a scathing rejection (or any rejection) from an editor or agent. It might be a scene you’re working on that’s just not coming out right, or it could just be life interfering with your writing time.

Blog: Vicki Batman-Why Can't We Go on Forever?

Discovering An Author, then... 

Many years ago, I'd browsed my local Half Price Books and picked up a book to read: Maeve Binchy's Light a Penny Candle.

I'd seen the movie, Circle of Friends, with Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver, and loved it. But HPB didn't have a copy of that one for sale. Instead, I picked up Light a Penny Candle, read the back cover blurb, and said, yeah, I could read this. The book was pretty hefty, too, but not intimidated. Since I'd devoured Gone With the Wind several times, I knew I could whiz through this one.

I went to a conference with Handsome and hadn't had much opportunity to read. When time to leave, we were standing outside of the resort's entryway, waiting for the airport shuttle. I had the tome cradled in my arm. A woman--obviously, a book lover--leaned over and said, "You'll love this book. It's a three hankie one."

Three hankie? Oh, dear. Was it too girly and weepy?

On the plane, I began the book and quickly, became engrossed. I found it to be thoroughly engaging. I totally immersed myself in the characters' lives, and when over, did need a tissue. That's rare.

Michelle Miles on: Swashbuckling Heroes

Swashbuckler: noun. A swaggering swordsman, soldier, or adventurer; daredevil.

I think the first time I heard the word “swashbuckling” I was nine and it was 1981. Yes, I’m once again referring to Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones, the famous archeologist. I like going back to my roots. What can I say?

I got to thinking about all the swashbuckling heroes that were in the movies. I think for the most part “swashbucklers” are associated with “pirates”. But then along came Indiana Jones, who redefined the word for us. Now our hero carried a whip and/or a gun. Sometimes he was from the future and sometimes from the past. Some were sea-faring and some were space-galloping. But no matter who he was, he was guaranteed to make our hearts flutter and our pulses race.

Let’s explore all those famous men who have swaggered with a sword, adventured with a whip, strutted with a laser gun, and served up rapier wit and razor-sharp sarcasm.

Princess for the day...T. Michelle Nelson and The Life & Death of Lily Drake

Let's extend a huge, warm welcome to T. Michelle Nelson who's visiting with us today. She's the author of The Life & Death of Lily Drake. Hi, T. Michelle!



How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  I’ve always written stories but when I finished writing the Lily Drake manuscript I felt really strongly about it and sent it out to publishers.  Here we are!

What are your three favorite books of all time? Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Morning, afternoon, or evening person?  Evening, late evening

T. Michelle Nelson

Princess for the day...Margay Leah Justice & Sloane Wolf

Welcome to Margay!

Let's get all the inside stuff about her

 and Sloane Wolf

(and how did she get that title?)

How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  I actually started writing long before I ever had a ‘day job.’ I’ve been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil.

What are your three favorite books of all time? Oh, that’s kind of a hard one. There are so many, but I’m going to go with some classics here. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and North and South by Elizabeth Gaskill.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? I think I get more writing done at night lately, for some reason, so I’d have to say night person, in that sense.

Princess for the Day! Charmaine Gordon & Reconstructing Charlie

 Princess for the day is Charmaine Gordon whose idea

popped in her head and wouldn't let go!

Hi Kids, I’m Charmaine Gordon happy to be with Plotting Princesses today. A funny thing happened backstage where I had the lead in a wonderful play Off Broadway a few years ago. An idea popped in my head and wouldn’t let go. When the run of the play ended I began to write. And that’s how it all began. A new career.

I write romance/suspense about women who survive & thrive and yet my taste in books is murder and mayhem. Robert B. Parker is one of my all time fave authors-especially his westerns.

I’m an all day/all night person trying to make the best of every hour I can. A little nap helps once in a while and then I’m raring to go again.

I write in quiet. If I hear music, it’s time to stand up and boogie.