Books, Music, and Romance

By Kristine Charles

Today is 17 February and it’s Ed Sheeran’s birthday.

Now, I can’t confirm or deny whether Ed is actually into romance or not but it seems a reasonable bet given:

• the man has written a heap of stellar love songs; and
• he recently married the woman he met at high school when they were both 11; and
• his song Perfect was inspired by his now wife <swoon>. 

Photo from Milkos via depositphotos.com (Image: 321559668)

So, I thought, what better day to explore the connection between music and romance than Ed Sheeran’s birthday.

Many of the authors I know, and read, in #Romancelandia listen to music while they write.

Some have to listen to instrumentals because lyrics are distracting, especially if you like to sing along (like me!). If you’re as addicted to Life Hacks as me, you’ll know that listening to Hans Zimmer music while studying is recommended because it has no lyrics, and the music is intended to motivate.

Others listen to the same song, over and over, to stay in the mood, or the headspace of their characters. I’m pretty sure I heard Lauren, of Christina Lauren, once say that she listened to Xxplosive by Dr Dre to get in the mood for writing Finn of Dirty Rowdy Thing. I <heart> Finn, and that song is hot.

Photo from fxquadro via depositphotos.com (Image: 250373478)

Others create entire playlists to feed their output. For example, Penny Reid and J. F. Lowe both have heaps of playlists on Spotify which, they say, are the songs that inspire the writing of the book.

And then others, again, can’t listen to anything and need silence to feed their creative muse.

Then there are authors who use music to inspire their stories. For example, Renee Conoulty’s Got that Swing series all have song-based titles and the song is central to the story. M. L. Tompsett, Renee Dahlia and Joanne Tracey also use songs to inspire their stories – Shakespeare’s Sister, Lorde and (of course!) Ed Sheeran, respectively.

And then there’s how one particular song can make or break a moment. If anyone went and listened Thomas Tallis after reading Fifty Shades of Grey, you’ll know what I mean… Spem in Alium is haunting and hot in equal measure.

Photo from Vadymvdrobot via depositphotos.com (Image: 336781326)

So, what’s your favourite 'books, music and romance' moment…? 

Love to love: music. It never fails to make me feel better.

Love to laugh: Did you hear about the bed bugs who fell in love? They’re getting married in the spring!

Love to learn: About writing sex and love! Spent three hours with Leisa Rayven this morning and it was fabulous! Leisa is a Queensland based author, has written the Starcrossed Series (Bad Romeo, Broken Juliet and Wicked Heart), and is currently working on the Masters of Love Series. Check her out at leisarayven.com

And you can check me out at www.wordsbykristinecharles.com :-)

5 Characteristics of a Romance Villain

By Cassandra Samuels

Villain: A  character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot.

Don't we just love to hate a good villain?  This week I'll be exploring the world of the bad guy/gal and what's needed to make a good one. Villain in this post also refers to villainess.

In romance the villain is someone who could stop our love birds from getting together. Someone who could be the cause of past, present or future trauma. Or who might endanger either hero or heroine.

1. Villains have to have a backstory, something that made them into this person they have become. They can often be charming and quite likable until you learn their true motives. What are their motives and what brought them to this point?

courtesy of Cat Planet

2. Villains have a lot of the same characteristics as the hero, it's just that they are misdirected. They are often convinced that they have been hard done by or wronged in some way and therefore their anger and revenge is justified.

Giphy.com

3. Villains will not stop until they get what they want, to the point of obsession.  Often their revenge will be the only thing that is keeping them going. They have committed their life to the pursuit of their justice.

4. Villains have to be a worthy opponent to your hero. It's important that your villain's actions prompt the hero to act, even if it is out of character for him. Otherwise why would the hero bother to act at all?

screen shot from the movie The Scarlet Pimpernel

5.Villains are smart and calculating and can't be fools, although they may play the fool to disguise their true motives. Ultimately, though, you want your villain to be as well fleshed out as your protagonists.

What do you look for in a great romance villain? What is your favourite romance villain from a book?

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Love to Love  attending the Historical Novel Society conference

Love to Laugh at my husband and his dry sense of humour.

Love to Learn about writing and being an INFJ personality type

The Fashionable Writer

I adore autumn, it is hands down my favourite time of year. The nights are cool, the days fresh yet still enough heat in them to enjoy being outside. The trees are turning every shade of red, orange and yellow. It’s magical.

It’s also my favourite time for shedding the summery outfits and shifting into comfy slouchy autumn wear. Jeans. Who doesn’t love jeans? They are the perfect pant (IMO). Dressed up or dressed down, they work with all types of shoes and really, denim is one of the easiest colours to work with as a base.

You’re probably wondering what I’m rambling on about by now? But I thought, given it’s my favourite time of year, that it would be fun to talk about a writer’s wardrobe. Contrary to popular opinion, just because you can do your job wearing PJs, it doesn’t mean it’s the choice we all make.

So, I’ve detoured out into the writing wilderness to ask the serious question:

What is your writing outfit?

Here are my ‘fashionable writer’ results below

Left: Active-wear Writer
Right: Lounge-wear Writer
Sketches by Jayne Kingsley

The Active-wear Writer

Enjoying leggings and a baggy tee, these writers are ready to jump up and go for a walk at any moment to ensure those creative juices continue to flow.

Most likely dressed from a selection of Kmart and country road, black is always the best answer.

The Lounge-wear Writer

Praise the day that lounge wear became a thing. Who knew that wearing tracksuit pants would actually become a fashion yes, not just a fashion faux-pas. (Apparently not me when I was 14 and went down the street in matching bottle green tracky-dacks and jumper, but that’s another story). Here are the eternally comfortable yet stylish writers, those whose wardrobes are filled to the brim with Susan’s latest catalogue.

Left: Denim is the only option Writer
Right: Stylish Writer
Sketches by Jayne Kingsley

Denim is the only option Writer

This is popular among the mum writers. Those who actually have to leave the house and look presentable, when really, they’d prefer to be wearing their PJS all day. I might add this is most definitely where I fall. Denim lover forever!

The Stylish Writer

These are writers who are just plain stylish and would be no matter what they did with their lives. Yes, you know who I’m talking about, those people you imagine wake up, their make-up already in place, bad hair days don’t exist, and they have an aura of effortless cool. I aspire to be this writer, a girl’s gotta dream right ;)

The Office-wear Writer

Left: Office-wear Writer
Right: Pjs Writer
Sketches by Jayne Kingsley

These are people who have a job and find time to write around that – amazingly organised writers these ones. I’ve also had writers tell me that wearing their work clothes helps them turn on their inner dialogue better – because they feel like they are still in work mode. I have decided to try this – might be a good use for my collection of heels.

The PJs Writer

You knew it was coming. It’s a big draw card on the working as a writer list of perks. Of course the hard slog that is writing, coupled with intense self doubt and a strong requirement for chocolate… well it just says PJs doesn’t it?

In case any of you would like a further giggle – I highly recommend this article by Maggie Downs for The Coachella Review. It made me laugh and really, if you’re a writer, I bet you will also see the humour in this piece.

http://thecoachellareview.com/wordpress/2014/04/25/the-clothes-behind-the-books-how-to-dress-like-a-writer/

I love to love... denim jeans
I love to laugh... at my outfit of pjs and heels
I love to learn... other people’s views on the importance of a ‘work’ uniform, and do writers have a work uniform that helps them

So, these are my ‘bit of fun’ writer fashion groupings. What about you? Are you a lover of Autumn fashion? Do you have a special outfit you gravitate to for your writing? And does it help you get those words out on paper or keyboard?

3 Writers: 3 Creative hobbies

By Cassandra Samuels


Today I have 3 amazing writers who do beautiful creative hobbies. So, I asked them a few questions and they were happy to share some of their work with us.

Alison Stuart is the author of English Civil War novels and she likes to make quilts when she is not sitting down writing words.

Buy this book here

1. When did you start quilting and why?
When I was in Form 2, my school introduced a new idea – extra curricular lunchtime activities (how the teachers must have hated it!). It just so happened that Mrs. Howard the science teacher offered up patchwork – and perched on the benches in the science lab I learned English Paper Piecing patchwork (which is a considerable improvement on anything else I learned in the science lab!).

Alison finishing her first quilt

2.How important to you is refilling the creative well?
I know I am writing better when I am sewing (I also do cross stitch). I I do love hand quilting in particular but it is an awkward piece of sewing and the discovery of a local machine quilter has made me rather lazy!

3. And have you ever suffered as a consequence of not doing so?
At the moment I am definitely suffering because to embark on a major quilting project I need the same amount of creative (and physical!) space as my writing demands. I have to plan my project and it takes me a couple of days to get all my ducks in a row and cut out the material for assembly and piece the quilt top.


Cate Ellink  likes to write spicy hot romances for Escape Publishing as Cate Ellink and small town romance under Catherine Evans, but when she is not making her readers hot under the collar she likes to take amazing photographs.


1. When did you start taking photos and why?

Ever since I can remember I’ve written and taken photos. My extended family are good photo-takers. I hate having my photo taken so I rarely take others.

Buy this book here

Buy this book here

2. How important to you is re-filling the creative well?

I tend to think of this as balancing myself and my life, rather than re-filling the creative well. If I’m indoors too much, I begin to feel confined. If I’m doing too much for others, I become drained.

3. Have you ever suffered as a consequence of not doing so?

My balance is never perfect! Some years back, I had a really bad run with lots of stressful life events in a short period and everything got totally out of balance. I ended up really sick. As part of my change of focus, I looked more at creative pursuits. 

courtesy of Catherine Evans

It’s so hard to pick a favourite photo but since I have to, I’ll choose this one I took at Uluru in 2007.   I’d never seen one like it, so I was happy (even if you can’t really tell it’s Uluru!)

Melanie Scott likes variety in her books and so she writes fantasy under MJ Scott, hometown romance under Emma Douglas and sports romance under Melanie Scott. When she is not creating new worlds, new towns or new sports' heroes she loves to create lovely watercolours.

Copyright Mel Scott

1. When did you start painting watercolours and why?

I took a class on a whim in 2014. It was a few years after my first book came out and I had started to realise that I needed another creative hobby that wasn’t my job as well. I’d always liked watercolour but never been particularly arty so was just trying something out. Happily, I loved it!

Buy this book here

buy this book here

2. How important to you is re-filling the creative well? 

For me it’s really important. I know writers who don’t read while they’re writing or don’t watch TV/movies etc but I can’t do that. My brain needs lots of stories being fed into it as well as looking at pretty things and nice colours. There’s so much pressure on writers to just write, write, write these days and I don’t think most of us can do that long term without burning out.

3. And have you ever suffered as a consequence of not doing so? 

I definitely notice when I’m stressed and I start doing mindless internet surfing etc instead of reading or watching something on TV or doing some art that it flows over into the writing not going well.

What is your creative outlet?

I love to love…sitting at a cafe with a view and enjoying a sweet treat.

I love to laugh….at the positions my cat Angus gets himself into.

I love to learn…about other people's creative outlets.

The Ethics of Writing

by Tory Hayward

Ethics and writing seems straightforward enough at first. Do not plagiarise, and that is about it. Don't take the work of others and pass it off as your own.

But if we dig a little deeper it becomes much less simple. Writing a story produces a 'truth,' or as Judy Nunn said in an interview on the Morning Show on the ABC the other week, "Reading is always a learning experience." Even when the reader knows they are reading fiction, they still learn from what you have written.

So does that then behoove writers to write meticulously researched novels? To produce some educational tome? Well of course not. It's fiction. Real facts can be woven into our stories, but in some instances there are no real facts. Our stories are imaginary worlds, and it's perfectly acceptable that our facts are imaginary too. How can the writer who has her romance set on a planet in a distant galaxy be writing something based on an accepted fact? Neither she nor her reader expect it.

Which brings us to the issue of context. Can the Aussie-born writer with no Asian heritage write an Asian heroine? And if not, where is the line that a writer cannot cross? Can an erotica writer write a story that romanticises a taboo relationship?

As we all know, a writer can write whatever they like, and in these days of self-publishing can find somewhere to publish it. And this is how it should be. Imagine for a moment a world where there were rules about who could write what. It would be a grey, dictatorial world at the very least.

I like to subscribe to Oscar Wilde's view:

Books are well written or badly written. That is all.

So go forth, my writerly friends. Leap into our uncensored world where it is ethical to write unethically. Twist facts, push the status quo, and let truth in your writing simply be your truth.  Everything is possible.

The NOT Writing Habit and How to Break It

by Dee Scully

I gotta be honest. I’m struggling.

Image courtesy of Write NOW http://instagram.com/deescullyromanceauthor/

For a while now I’ve had little to no time to write. At first it frustrated me, because of all people, I should be able to schedule time to write. I mean; I’ve blogged about goal setting and committing to those goals too many times to count and I truly believe in what I wrote, but…

Over the last few months, I’ve come to accept the lack of time as the norm and now, now that I actually have a few moments to write, I don’t even know where to begin.

Worse yet, is the fact that I’m actually a little afraid to open my work-in-progress (wip) and get stuck in and I don’t even know why!

What’s wrong with me? 

 I seem to have lost my mojo.

While trying to figure out why I can’t seem to get stuck back in to my wip, I’ve found ten tips that may help others find their lost mojo.

TIPS TO FINDING LOST MOJO

Image courtesy of Google Images

1. Write anything. Write a letter to a friend or to one of your characters. Write a hook to an upcoming chapter end. Write your train of thought. Just get writing. Once the proverbial writing ball is rolling, you’ll find it a lot easier to get stuck into your wip again.

2. Be honest with yourself. Why aren’t you picking up that pen or opening that laptop? Figure out what’s mentally barring you from writing and make the necessary changes to get yourself writing.

3. Review your writing goals. Be SMART about it—are your writing goals:  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, AND Timely?  You might find that one of these was lacking and threw you off-track. Revise your goals with SMART in mind and it will be a lot easier to not only get stuck back in but to keep going in the first place.

4. Imagine your story. Find a comfortable place and let your mind roam around the crevices of your imagination. Really visualize your characters and your story. Feel what they feel. See what they see. Hear what they hear. Make your story real inside your mind and it will seep into your muscles and get those fingers tapping on the keys in no time.

5. Remember why you write. Is it your passion? Do you have stories that need to be told? Do you just like the freedom of putting your thoughts on paper? Has your reason for writing changed?

6. Think about the consequences. What would happen if you never wrote again? How would you feel? What would happen to your story, to your hopes of publication, to your self-esteem?

Image courtesy of Write NOW http://instagram.com/deescullyromanceauthor/

7. Engage in story housecleaning. Get your house, or in this sense, story in order. Review your story outline. Revise your synopsis. Outline an upcoming chapter. Re-engage with your story by cleaning up the story basics.

8. Change where you write. Change is as good as a holiday. Ok, so that may not necessarily be true but it can sometimes be motivating. If you usually write at your desk, go to your kitchen table. Maybe go to a café or write at the park. Change your scenery and you just might change your perspective.

9. Connect with a writing friend. Write, email, text, call, do coffee with a writing friend and talk about your struggles. Getting it out in the open might be what you need to move past it and who better to discuss it with than someone who’s probably been in a similar position at some stage in their writing career.

10. Compliment yourself. Yes, you heard me. Compliment yourself. You are a writer. You create stories in your head and commit them to paper (often but not always) in order to share them with others. You are creative and hardworking and generous. Breathe that bit of honesty inside you and let it refresh your writer’s soul.

Funny…after writing this blog article (TIP #1) and being honest with myself (TIP #2), I realize that my writing goals weren’t completely SMART (TIP #3). So, I’ve sat myself down, revamped my goals and really visualized my story (TIP #4), which has reminded me of why I write (TIP #5) in the first place and what the consequences of not writing would be (TIP #6). I’ve engaged in a bit of story housecleaning (TIP # 7) to refocus and re-engage with my characters and story. I’ve changed up my writing space (TIP #8) and here I am…connecting and commiserating with you, my romance writing/reading friends (TIP #9).

Thank you for allowing me to share my frustration and struggles and for helping me to find my writing mojo again.

I love to love…finding inspiration in the world around me. The cockatoos that frequent my front yard inspire the characters that populate my books.

Image courtesy of Google Images

I love to laugh…at the things that I used to think were difficult. With time and experience, they don’t seem so large or painful.

I love to learn…from my friends. They have taught me so much! (LOL—yes, even some things that they shouldn’t have!)

What do you do when your mojo seems to be lost?  Do you have any tips or advice to share?

Until later...happy writing/reading!

D

Dee Scully

Historical Romance Author

Breathless Blogger

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Breathless Places

By Cassandra Samuels 

I love to know where writers and readers spend their time, don't you? The places where they dream and are inspired. Whether it is reading or writing, we all have a place that makes us feel empowered so as a fun post for this week I am revealing our very own Breathless places.

First up is Dee, who loves to have her furry friend Rosebud by her side while writing.

Rosebud Poppimonster Scully

Dee says: My writing place is anywhere my dog is. I’ve tried cafes and the library but I can never really focus. Maybe too much is happening around me. I even struggle when I’m sitting at my desk sometimes, but if my Rosie is sitting near me when I start to lose concentration I reach over, give her a cuddle and I’m able to get right back to whatever I’m working on. Distraction averted!

Miranda, our very own book reviewer, has her favourite reading place. It is her comfy pink recliner. No wonder. How inviting does it look? Miranda  says it is perfectly situated for her in this nice sunny spot near the fireplace with her current To-Be-Read pile at arm's length. Now you know why she can bring us such a fantastic array of wonderful book recommendations.

Miranda finds reading bliss in her comfy recliner.

Our newest published member, Marilyn (author of The Farmer's Perfect Match), tells us why she loves her writing space: Although it's not particularly clear in this photo, my writing cave is painted a beautifully serene peacock blue. At my corner-nook desk I'm surrounded by books (reference), pens and paper (for when the words won't flow on the computer), a citrus candle (ambience), my honey bear (to remind me to write every day), and other things I love (like my mini Jamie Fraser cutout - thank you, Cassie.)

You're welcome Marilyn. Every desk should have a pop-up Jamie! . Can you spot him?

Marilyn loves her writing cave.

Enisa describes her breathless place: Ideally surrounded by glowing candles and powerful crystals, I sit in a rustic cabin by a river in the midst of a forest and type away. The soothing sounds of nature enhance rather than disturb my creativity and my muse is happy.

Photography courtesy of Mark Lafontan

In reality, I type on my desktop computer in my home office (when writing time is abundant), or on my netbook in the living room (if time is sparse). I write in silence (music and chatter distract my creativity far too much). Inspirational quotes and precious crystals are scattered about. I'm big on positive energy. And the words flow.

Enisa Haines' writing space is surrounded by some of her favourite writing inspirations.

Karen M Davis shares with us her Breathless place: This is my messy study. I love writing here because it is my space. I close the door, put earplugs in so I don't get distracted by outside noise and start writing.
I hear you Karen. A lively house can be very distracting. I use headphones.

Karen's desk shows she is busy creating.

Sharon Burke's dream writing space.

'I have always wanted my own writing space. I have written two non-fiction books, one work of fiction, and several short stories and articles on a shared family computer. Earlier this year, I was given a laptop. I have just managed to acquire a roll top desk - something I have always wanted. My own writing space - finally!
I am so excited. Looking forward to restoring the desk, putting it in our study nook and enjoying the privilege of writing in my own space.'

Imagine how good this desk will be for Sharon's creative pursuits once it has been restored.

As for me? My writing space is lucky last. As you can see I like to have lots of things on my desk; it's in a corner of my bedroom so I don't really have anywhere else to put these things. I love being surrounded by some of my favourite reference books and notebooks. My desk is guarded by my Game of Thrones boys (Tyrion, Jon Snow and Rob Stark), and Loki also causes mischief here. My RWAust First Sale Ribbon has pride of place, as well. You might even see a pop up Jamie somewhere there.

When I am not writing at my desk I write in bed on my laptop, especially in winter. You have to keep the muse warm, you know.

Where do you love to write or read? What is your Breathless Place? Let me know in the comments.

Love to Love... my headphones. They are the most comfortable set I've ever had and are noise-cancelling as well. They let me escape into my Regency world and forget about reality.

Love to laugh...  at the new Bridget Jones movie trailer. Are you planning on seeing it?

Love to Learn...  about other writers' creative spaces and processes.