Writing as an Endurance Sport

I’ve probably picked up running ten times over the last few decades. I started in my thirties when I was an aerobics instructor (no, I didn’t wear those leg warmers), in my forties to get in shape for my black belt test, and again now, to try to stave off a few of the ailments of middle age. Of course, it hurts more now. The little aches and pains you have to ignore. I just signed up for my first half-marathon (go ahead, you real runners, laugh it up). I have the 12-week training plan posted over my computer. It gets ugly at about week 4.

For now, it’s good enough that I can run continuously for about 3 miles. That’s what I’ve been doing for a while. For now, it’s good enough that I write about 1000 words at each sitting. I don’t see how I’ll ever have the time to do much more than that. But I need to make those 1000 words better. Immer besser. Because just like in running, it doesn’t move you forward to do the same thing and expect better results. In fact, your body gets used to the same excersize, and it takes more. And guess what? The market is getting less forgiving of the same ol’ half-baked erotic novellas and urban fantasies. In my humble opinion, as they say.

So how do you get better? How do you crank up creativity, your writing chops, your marketing saavy, with the same resources–time, money, whatever? Cause it’s no fun to be “stuck.” I think you need a training program. You can’t google one like I did for a half-marathon. I think you have to create your own, and call on all your writing world friends to help you construct a plan to move forward.

Some seminal psychological writings tell us that doing the same thing each time and expecting a different result is, well, nuts.

So tell me how you are trying to move forward in your writing, or if you’re a reader, in some other aspect of your life? On a wing and a prayer, or with real intent?

You need to read my book.

I got a cute review today from “You Gotta Read Reviews.” Now I didn’t get the “you gotta read” rating, but the next best one, “you need to read.” The rating system is kinda cute. Anyway, thanks Laura: “The reader is led along a merry path of adventure that is never boring or distracting. Ms. Cullen has created a world that seems full of promise for future stories which I intend to indulge in.”

RWA–Please clarify for happiness feelings good all humans

I’m a big fan of the site Engrish.com. Isn’t it sad that this reminded me of Romance Writers of America’s rules for publisher recognition. Oh, they don’t actually do that. Author recognition? No, wait…

It’s not chick porn? Really? You sure that’s not what you want?

Sure, it’s a rant, and it’s personal. A review. “This book wasn’t hot enough. It was kinda warm.” That’s my pet peeve complaint about reviews. Hot enough for what? “No toys were required”? Shudder. Alarmed is a strong word, but I think I actually am alarmed. I’m concerned that while we’re in the midst of a digital revolution, one that I’m strongly behind, the divide between “epublishing” and “traditional NY” publishing is shrinking in many areas except one. If you want to sell ebooks, be prepared to write chick porn. (Okay, that may be a little strong.) But make sure they say “I love you” several times. Then it’s a romance.

I don’t mind if someone doesn’t like my books. Okay, I mind in that it’s disappointing, but you know what I mean. But I loathe when a book is judged on its heat level. Just pick up something from the erotica section, please.

So, help me out here. Name one (yours or someone else’s) small press/ebook that was a success in terms of reviews and sales that had NO significant open door sex. I guess I’ll describe the standard as a classic Nora Roberts contemporary heat level, if that helps. Please restore my faith in…well, I’m not sure who.

Quartet Press Open for Business and Contest

Well, at least submissions are open! And there’s a slogan contest as well. Don’t enter that. I want the iPod and the tshirt. Okay, go ahead.

Let’s see, how did this happen? I mean, how did I meet Kassia Krozser (aka longstanding writer of Booksquare)? Sure, Twitter. I asked a few questions, and twisted Kassia’s virtual arm for an interview.

I think the interview and website say it all, so I’ll get right to it!

Ciar: I have in my hot little hands the submission guidelines for Quartet Press. Summarizing for the less lucky out there–it’s familiar. Excellent books with good characters and plots, romances or stories with a strong romantic thread, a special interest in erotic romance and romantic suspense. Good guidelines for any romance publisher, of course. Is there a special unfilled niche you see Quartet filling?

Kassia: On the broadest level, I’d say mystery/suspense is the biggest unfilled genre fiction niche in digital publishing, which I why highlighted romantic suspense — I love the mix of heat and tension. When it comes to romance sub-genres, we’re seeing more variety, which makes me happy because I like to mix up my reading style. This week alone, I’ve bounced from traditional Regency to straight contemporary to a literary classic.

Your comment about the guidelines being familiar made me smile. Once upon a time I thought guidelines were written in code (one I couldn’t crack!), but the more time I’ve spent with publishers, the more I realize guidelines are just that. It really is about the story, the voice, the characters.

(And the guidelines are now live on our pre-launch site. Get ‘em while they’re hot!)

Ciar: The big question on everyone’s mind (I think)–why now? I personally don’t believe the world will end in 2012, but plenty of people say publishing won’t last that long.

Kassia: Publishing is *changing*, not disappearing. Right now is the best time to start a new publishing house, especially a digital publisher. While traditional publishers are trimming lists and limiting risk, readers want great books and variety. Authors are writing terrific stories. We need to keep bringing those two parties together.

Add to that the rising awareness of ebooks. Forrester Research recently did a study that indicates we have shifted from the early adopter phase of ereaders to a mainstream market. While some of us have been playing in this market for a long time, we’re (finally!) seeing new readers coming online and looking for books. In the next few years, we’ll see an influx of ereaders, better browser-based experiences (there is some cool stuff out there), and increased adoption of smart mobile devices.

As readers change their habits, publishers will adapt as well. Which leads to the next question…

Ciar: I understand Quartet Press will offer product electronically? Exclusively? How does one prepare a business model that is so new? How do you prepare for existing and forthcoming platforms and distribution? It seems from the outside (I blithely just type stories) that it’s like herding cats these days. How about piracy?

Kassia: While print books will be available, our focus, particularly initially, will be on the digital marketplace. The great thing about starting a publishing business from scratch is that we can take advantage of emerging best practices and technologies in digital publishing. We’re lucky in that we know some of the smartest minds in this space…and we’re not shy about asking crazy questions.

And we’re fortunate that, over the past decade or so, we’ve seen the development of a true digital publishing marketplace. We have learned from the visionaries in digital publishing — all of us are huge believers in collaborating and talking, so we plan to follow the example our mentors and share what we learn with the community.

Unlike traditional publishers, who are (slowly because it’s not easy) changing their process to better manage a digital workflow, we’re starting from that point. It’s definitely a huge advantage, business-wise, and allows us to create clean manuscript files that can be released in a variety of formats now and in the future. It’s been a huge learning curve, but a fascinating one. So much so that we’ll be exploring what we’ve discovered and various issues on our blog during the lead-up to launch.

As for piracy. Sigh, pirates have been a blight since commerce began. It’s an ongoing struggle for many businesses. DRM is not the answer (DRM frustrates legitimate customers, not pirates), though Social DRM shows some potential. It’s a matter of vigilance and education. I’d love to have an open forum with readers to hear their thoughts about piracy — I suspect readers have as many thoughts and solutions as we do.

The Prince’s Bride! On sale today.

Here’s a wee bit of my newest release, available today at Loose ID. Can you tell I’m a Pratchett/Zelazney fan?

“Please turn around, slowly.” Sir Andrew circled a gnarled finger in the air. Rita’s cheeks flamed, and she bit back a curse as she turned.

“Who do you think you are, old man?” Rita mumbled to herself. But she knew of the legendary knight, as did everyone in the kingdom; he was the last of a valiant, dying breed.

Rita bit back a retort and glanced up to concentrate on the colorful pennants flapping in the breeze against a brilliant blue sky. She wouldn’t dare look into the crowd of mostly men. One occasionally called out a crude comment.

“Tell her to bend over a bit,” one yelled out, and chuckling erupted. Pulling up the bodice of her dress to cover more of her bosom, Rita clenched her teeth and fixed her gaze on the castle.

“Now turn back around.”

The three men behind the oak table chatted quietly and sat back, evidently satisfied with their decision.

“Well? The rear view… Is it quite satisfactory?” Rita heard the sharp challenge in her voice, despairing that she hadn’t yet acquired the ability to keep her mouth shut for more than a minute at a time.

The youngest of the three knights smiled briefly and whispered something into his companion’s ear. Rita thought the older of the two look-alikes must be Sir Thomas. But she couldn’t pull her gaze away from the youngest knight, Sir Geoffrey.

Although Rita knew the contestants should show some decorum, she had lost already, and she certainly was not going to let the legendary Sir Andrew or the handsome brothers intimidate her.

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The Prince’s Bride Contest! Winners posted in comments!

Help me celebrate the June 2 release of my erotic novella The Prince’s Bride, from Loose ID.

Sexy young knight Sir Geoffrey’s holy vision of the True Cross sends him questing after a virgin, a unicorn, a sacred scroll, and a cursed island. Rita is a plump, poor peasant who speaks with the finder of lost things, St. Anthony. She hasn’t been a virgin for quite a while, so she’s thrilled to win the hand of Sir Geoffrey, and moreso since Geoff delights in introducing her to his sexual peccadilloes, including a generous night of brotherly sharing. It comes as a shock to learn that Geoff’s vision includes his own martyrdom! Is Geoffrey’s vision the result of insanity, or is St. Anthony leading him to something priceless? Only Rita has the power to save her husband, with some help from her heavenly friends.

Enter to win one of four copies of my JERR gold star winner, The Biggest Kahuna or my erotic fantasy The Wizard of Time. PLUS, one winner gets a gift certificate to Fictionwise and a signed copy of any of my print books! That’s five chances to win )
Just post your name here! Now how easy does that get? Contest ends June 5, midnight EST.

Summer reading, Nora Roberts, and getting over paranormals

I read Nora Robert’s Vision in White over the weekend. Spectucular guy, that Carter. Great, wonderful beta hero. Who does a beta male better than Ms. Roberts? He might be my favorite, ever. Wasn’t crazy about Mac, the heroine. She annoyed me a bit. Maybe because she got Carter. I didn’t believe the mom character, Linda. Over the top.

I can’t really remember the last book I read for pleasure. That is, not for review or for a critique partner. So this was a rare treat, as I took time from my own writing (and that’s probably going to come back to haunt me in the form of a lovely rejection when I could have been smurfing up my manuscript).

One thing I found exceptionally refreshing about Vision in White is that it didn’t have a demon, were, ghost, hint of the demon, vampire, hint of anything vaguely foggy. Misty. Foreboding.

I don’t often read romances (gasp). But I’ve decided that I like contemporaries the best. Hands down, demon-free contemporaries. Not even suspenseful ones. Now my question to myself: why haven’t you written a contemporary without a bit of the paranormal? Oh, I did, a few novellas that are under my name Therese MacFarland at Amber Quill. That was a long time ago.

Could I have been slacking by “using” paranormal elements to substitute for great plots and characters? Ah, next up: write a contemporary romance. How about you?

Missing my characters

Oh my, I’ve a bit of post partum whatnot. I wrote and revised and fell into my characters’ world, and now I can’t get out. Has that ever happened to you? I miss my characters. Things were just heating up as I ended my Steampunk Romance (name withheld for a very paranoid reason). The guys and gals were on their way West, with important developments and thrilling adventures around each corner.

I’ve never encountered this, but I think I need to start working on the next book in the series immediately. Because I want to. Yikes! I haven’t sold the first book yet. Perhaps I’ve been mesmerized by Miss Annalise Pettigrew, psychic and prognosticator, or hypnotized by Jasper Corwin aka Screw, magician to royalty. Or maybe I belong in the Jersey asylum with Dr. House.