The Next Big Thing

 Writing is a peculiar business. *ponders* It makes for strange bedfellows as well, but that’s probably the best part of it. You never know who’s going to float into your life and impact it. One of those influential people is someone I met recently. I saw this lady I thought was another one of my editor’s authors (I kept doing that) and waved her over. Next thing I know, Lea Barrymire, Cara Carnes and A.M. Griffin and I were cutting up as though we’d been friends for years instead of just meeting.

Lea, who you can visit here, is a talented author of muy caliente romance. She tagged me in this game called The Next Big Thing. The great part about this game is it gives readers and writers the chance to explore new authors and get to meet them. I hope you’ll check out more about Lea, the other people she’s tagged, the people I’ve tagged and those who tagged her. See? Lots and lots of connections!

 

And now for my part in this crazy game. *crackes her knuckles*

What is your working title of your book?

I actually have three current works in progress. Today though, I’m working on Primal Flavor.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
I’d be lying if I told you where I came up with the idea. Ideas just sort of pounce on me, not the other way around. I was probably doing something completely unrelated to writing and though, Hm, I need to write a book about an overprotective, man-whore of a chef who can turn into a tiger and has issues seeing when his “charge” is all grown up.

 

What genre does your book fall under?
It’s a paranormal shapeshifter erotic romance. Say that ten times fast.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Ooh! Um…tiger shifter…big tiger shifter. I’d have to go with Chris Hemsworth for Zach and Lauren Ambrose to play Ginny.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Um, I think I just said that…An overprotective, man-whore, tiger shifting chef finds big trouble in the human he’s always treated like a little sister when she decides it’s way past time to grow up.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m hoping it’ll be picked up by Ellora’s Cave. Fingers crossed people. Fingers crossed.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Uh, I just restarted it. For the eightieth time. But if my word count holds true to past books, I can probably have the first draft written in 3-4 weeks.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I don’t really know. Maybe the Shelly Laurenston Pride books? But I’d never compare myself to her. She’s awesome. I heart you, Shelly!

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
The series is based on a small south Louisiana town and I guess I drew inspiration from growing up and living down here. There’s so much craziness, it’s kind of hard not to write about it.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

You’ll pee your pants reading it. No, that’s not something people want to do. Um…it’s a fun book, I think. With humor, heat and a man who makes food sexy. What more could a woman want?

 

And now for the authors I tagged. Be sure to look for their The Next Big Thing blogs the week of November 26, 2012

Jillian Chantal

 

Avril Ashton

 

Rebecca Zanetti

 

Sky Robinson

 

Message for the tagged authors and interested others:

Rules of the Next Big Thing
***Use this format for your post
***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (work in progress)
***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:
What is your working title of your book?
Where did the idea come from for the book?
What genre does your book fall under?
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Be sure to line up your victims in advance.

RWA Wrap-up

Well, the 2010 RWA Nationals Conference is over. Most everyone has returned home, most with blisters on top of blisters, others with more books than they thought they’d leave with, and still others who wish the fun didn’t have to end.

I fall in all three categories. I had so much fun and met so many wonderful people that I was sad to go. I was also damned glad to be home. As nice as the hotel was, I missed my bed and my family and pets. So without further ado…

First off, did you know there’s a secret society within RWA? I’m not talking about a chapter (although it could be one). I’m talking about a secret club. I discovered it quite by accident. I smoke. Yes, I know I’m killing myself, but that’s beside the point. I smoke and when I went out to love on my vice, I stumbled across…Beverly Jenkins, Elizabeth Sinclair, Carol Mortimer, Sable Grace, and host of other writers who came and went like feathers on the wind.

The Secret Smokers Club

I met newbies, like me, whom I “clicked” (to borrow Nora Roberts’ phrase) with. Silvia Arada, Heather Long, Malinda (I can’t remember her last name right now!), and others.

Me with one of my "clickers" Silvia Arada. When we get published we'll sit next to each other at literary signings. It's already planned.

Then there was the group of ladies I’d been wanting to meet for a year: Jillian Chantal, Sayde Grace, Cynthia Eden and their friends, Leah Fields, Rebecca Zanetti, and Brandi Hall.

Left to right: Rebecca Zanetti, Brandi Hall, Sayde Grace, and Jillian Chantal

Then there were the ladies I saw on a regular basis, talked to for hours and can’t remember their names unless I have their cards out. I’m sorry if I’ve forgotten to mention you!!

There were so many people, so many friendly faces, I didn’t have time to feel antisocial.

Tomorrow I’ll give you a list of National Conference do’s and don’ts, but for today I’m concentrating on the people who made the conference wonderful for me.

I didn’t run around like the paparazzi, although it was tempting. I exercised restraint and I believe it made my conference experience that much better.

Me with Christina Dodd at the Literacy Autographing. She ran out of books, but was nice enough to pose with her fans.

Taking a picture with Teresa Medeiros. Do you see the awe on my face?

I’d seen Christina Dodd and Teresa Medeiros in the lobby the day of the Literacy Autographing and was star struck. That night, I managed to see Christina and take a picture with her. I didn’t get to see Teresa because there was so much going on, I couldn’t find her. I fixed that when I went to the Avon book signing.

Friday afternoon, I saw a tweet from Kresley Cole saying she was going to be at the Pocket book signing. I had a workshop planned for that time slot, but every thoughts of being a writer were abandoned as I sprinted to the signing room. And sprinting in flip-flops is damned hard to do.

Kresley Cole was worried about knocking heads with me for the picture. Yeah, I did the fangirl thing and said I wouldn't mind. *dies*

After this mind-blowing event, I went next door to Berkley’s book signing looking for the last gem in my crown of fangirldom. I searched all over the room. It was massive! Then, I spotted her. Nalini Singh! I seriously let out a squeak of joy and dodged other writers to get to her table.

She has the most lovely accent and was gracious in the face of my enthusiasm.

Yes, I met 4 of my favorite authors, the ones whose books I read over and over again. There were some missing from this conference, but since I’m planning to go to New York next year, I’ll add them to my collection. Kind of like collecting heads.

Who are the authors you’d want to meet the most at a conference?