International Day Against Homophobia

Today is one of those rare days when I get up on my soap box and spout off about my beliefs. This does not happen very often. For one, I don't have too many hard and fast beliefs about which I wish to spout. For another, I try very hard not to preach my beliefs at other people.

Lucky for everyone, this is a topic I feel very strongly about. Homophobia.

I don't get it. I don't like it. Any prejudices, for that matter, I find incomprehensible, but today is the International Day Against Homophobia, so that's where I'll be focusing my attention.

Here's the thing, after last week's referendum in North Caroline constitutionally defining marriage as between a man and a woman and President Obama's subsequent declaration supporting same sex marriage, the topic has been talked to death. Which doesn't mean I don't want to add my two cents--I truly believe every voice counts when pushing for social change. It just means I won't be able to add anything that hasn't already been said and likely said better than I could come up with.

I know gay and lesbian people. Some are family, some are friends, some are coworkers. I can tell you that they are no different than you or me. The love, they laugh, the fight, they worship, they play, the  work. They are human. 

I am reminded of the "Hath not a Jew eyes" speach from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.

"I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means, warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?"

Now, replace every reference to Jew and replace with Homosexual. (Again, I dislike prejudice and biggotry of any kind, so I'm not downplaying the trials of the Jews).

"I am a homosexual. Hath not a homosexual eyes? Hath not a homosexual hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means, warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer, as a a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?" 
Anyway, it's something to keep in mind.

Now, there are hundreds of authors on a Hop Against Homophobia. Go HERE and check out some of the entries and contests that are being held.



Angela Knight's Guide to Hot Blooded Love Scenes

Back in April I attended the Romantic Times Book Reviews Book Lover's Convention in Chicago. One of the workshops I attended on writing steamy love scenes for paranormal romances. The panel for that workshop included the fantastic Angela Knight, Shannon K Butcher and Cynthia Eden. Knight, who's own novels never shied away from heating up the pages, provided the attendees with Angela Knight's Guide to Hotblooded Love Scenes.  I'm going to share these top ten tips from this New York Times Bestselling Author.

Shannon K. Butcher, Angela Knight, Cynthia Eden at RT12.

DISCLAIMER: These are not my original thoughts; these are from Angela Knight. I claim none of this brilliance for myself. I've added my own commentary to her tips, but the tips themselves came straight from her. 
Find out more about Angela Knight and her Mageverse at www.angelasknights.com. 

So, with no further ado, here is Angela Knight's Guide to Hot Blooded Love Scenes.


1. Romance Readers want to experience the thrill of falling in love with an incredible man.
This does not mean that we as romance authors should tell the readers that hero is fantastic and everything a hero should be and worth falling in love with. We should make the reader fall in love with him by his actions, interactions and thought. Show the readers that this is the hero of our dreams. Since this is a Guide for love scenes, this has to translate into the bedroom. "Do not hold back during love scenes for fear of being called a slut."

2. In a romance, love scenes should be used to show the development of emotional intimacy with power and impact.
In general, sex for sex's sake is, yes, I'm going to say it, gratuitous. Every love scene needs to have a purpose--it should drive the plot, further character development, and, most importantly, illustrate the connection developing between the H/H. Let's face it, sex is an important part of a relationship and in romance novels particularly, it's one of the defining moments of developing the relationship and reaching the all-important HEA.

3. Love scenes should lay the groundwork for the romance's promised Happily Ever After ending. Romance readers expect a HEA and will be outraged if they don't get one. 
It doesn't matter who your hero is (Knight uses the examples of vampires or NASCAR drivers) making love to the heroine should mean something and change him in some way--open his heart, tear down emotional barriers, etc.

4. Your characters should care about more than their next orgasm. 
Selfish lovers need not apply. A hero who is concerned about his partners pleasure is automatically more likable and sympathetic. If he's a selfish pig, we feel sorry for the poor woman in his bed. Nothing remotely romantic about him. Or, if the heroine is a selfish lover, we don't like her either. Neither of them deserves that HEA. This also goes back to the sex scene having to have a deeper purpose than just prurient kicks.

5. Be aware that love scenes reduce tension, which can make readers stop reading. 
"Fight that by planting the seeds of further conflict. Consider the implications, and hint at them during the scene."
Some of the other speakers I listened to during RT said the same thing. Like the scene having to move the plot or develop character, the scene to add to the tension and conflict. Sex should complicate the plot, make things worse. There are a lot of ways to do this--what are the consequences of their actions? How do others react to the intimacy? Are there regrets? Did they get caught with their pants down (literally)? That is how you make sure the love scenes don't slow down the pacing.

6. The way the characters make love must change over the course of the plot. The first love scene--before the couple falls in love--should be different than the last love scene, after they are fully committed to each other. The last scene should be intensely romantic, so we will believe they have their HEA.
This is another point several presenters made during the course of the conference. There was discussion that some of it comes down the the amount of space/time the scene uses. If the scene is just hormones setting fire to the sheets, then less time and space should be dedicated to it, and will have more to do with physical sensation and less to do with emotional intimacy. Notice I said "less", not "nothing". It should still matter and still change things. At the end, however, it should be more romantic (no less hot!) and have more to do with affirming and celebrating their love than just getting off.

7. Show the reader how it feels to make love to the wonderful hero. Focus on the five senses to create sensuality.
This is also a good way to show characterization. The touches, the sounds, the movement, all give the reader an insight to who the character is (which means, of course, that as writers these aspects need to be in character). That brusque, cold-seeming hero who likes to cuddle after coitus brings some depth and layers to the character.

8. Don't limit yourself to the bedroom Be creative with the setting. Consider a location's sensual potential, whether it's a tub full of bubble or a leafy forest clearing.
Because I don't have Knight's sense of humor, I'm quoting the worksheet for the commentary: "Not every setting is equally sensual. A cold mountain stream is probably not the best choice for a hot love scene. Shrinkage is not your friend.

9. Don't limit yourself to the missionary position. 
When I read a love scene I want to be caught up in the moment, not thinking to myself "Been there, done that." Be creative (but feasible... readers are less likely to relate to a contortionist's exploits) and by all that's holy, keep an accurate count of body parts--I don't want to have to figure out where a fifth hand came from.

10. The most important rule in fiction is "Don't be boring!"
'Nuff said.

It's easy to see how, by following these guidelines, a writer can keep the steam up while enhancing the story.

What do you think? What are your guidelines for a love scene, both as a writer or as a reader?

Ultimate Fan-Girl Moment

So, I know it's been a while since I've checked in here. Everyone has probably forgotten that I exist, and I totally deserve it.  But I hope with my excellent (okay, maybe just mediocre) photos from the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention in Chicago last week I'll be forgiven.  Pretty please?

For those that don't know, the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention (hereafter referred to as RT) is an annual gathering hosted by RT Book Reviews that brings together anyone and everyone that reads, writes, sells, edits, publishes etc. romance novels. There are workshops and sessions focusing on craft and improving your writing, discussions with favorite authors, games for fans and authors alike, sessions for librarians and booksellers... man, they are able to fill every minute of the five day convention. And then there are the social events that allow readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents (pretty much everyone actually) to mingle and dance and dress up. Yes, costumes certainly played a role.

I'm going to give a brief anecdote of my ultimate fan-girl moment at the convention. It involves one of my absolute favorite authors... J. R. WARD! 


On the Saturday of the convention there was a book fair where authors were selling and signing their books. (Needless to say, I spent an awful lot of money that day).  There were seven authors that had limited autographing (they were only able to take the first 200 people for each one): Francine Pascal, Ann Rice, Sue Grafton, Richelle Mead, Charlaine Harris, J.R. Ward and for the life of me, I can't remember the seventh, but it was someone totally awesome.  Anyway, since I was determined to get a J. R. Ward autograph for a friend of me (the one and only Gina Leigh Maxwell) I decided that I'd try my luck there.


A side note of some importance: Everyone conference attendee's name badge gave a designation based on their major role at the conference, reader, published author, aspiring author, bookseller, media, etc. Mine said "Aspiring Author".


I came face-to-face with the fabulous J. R. Ward (who looks just like her promo picture, blonde hair in a twist and dark glasses).

See, isn't she cool?

J.R. Ward at the RT Awards Ceremony

Anyway, here I was face-to-face with BDB woman herself and she sees that my name tag says Aspiring Writer. So of course she asks what I write. Because I'm a little embarrassed by my limited WIP progress, I'm quick to preface my "I'm working on..." blah with "I've had a couple of paranormal and erotica short stories published and I'm currently working on a couple of novel-length projects..."

She stops me and asks me, "Why doesn't your badge say published author?"

Then, in my abashed, insecure-self voice I admit that I wasn't sure when I registered if they counted.

She tells me of course they count. Then, J.R. Ward, creator of the sexiest, most bad-ass vampires in romantic fiction, grabs my name tag, crosses out "Aspiring" and writs in "Big Deal."  Yes, she totally graffiti'd my name badge! It now reads "J. Leigh Bailey--Big Deal Author".  Aaakk!! I only wish I had a picture to show of it. I have the badge saved, but I forgot to take a picture.

There you have it. My ultimate fan-girl moment at RT.

Here are a few other shots I did manage to catch while there:

Cherry Adair in a session about writing suspense. 

This was the second opportunity I've had to attend a session with Cherry Adair. The woman is hilarious and forthright. She doesn't pull her punches when it comes to giving advice and good, solid content, but she makes it so much fun to watch that I will attend any session she's part of.

This is some cover model guy who was walking around. He usually had most of his hair covered in a bandanna, but for the awards ceremony, he let it all hang out. And, dude, he had a braid as thick as my wrist that hung down to his ass.

Damon Suede

Z A Maxfield

Damon Suede and Z A Maxfield, both of whom are M/M romance writers, were part of a panel (which also included Marie Sexton and Heidi Cullinan) that focused on writing sex scenes the readers wouldn't skip. This session was the best session of the conference for me. The presentation was fantastically funny with fabulous content. I could have listed to them for hours. If you ever get a chance to listen to these two speak, I say go for it. Also, if you haven't read them yet, Suede's Hot Head and Maxfield's Crossing Borders are two of my all-time favorite M/M books--both had a huge impact on my reading habits and how I viewed the world and with as much as I read, that takes something special.

Francine Pascal at the RT Awards Ceremony.

Name a woman around my age, plus or minus a decade, and she's probably read a book or two or a dozen by Francine Pascal. She's the author of the very sweet Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High series. I remember devouring her books when I was in middle school--right before I made the leap into... adult romance! Her books were like the gateway drug into my romantic reading obsession.

Shannon K. Butcher, Angela Knight, Cynthia Eden.

Here are three big names in the Paranormal romance world, all with differing levels of steam in their work. I am a HUGE fan of Shannon K. Butcher's Sentinels series; Angela Knight's Mageverse series is always diverting and, with Cynthia Eden, I have a new body of work to check out. Angela Knight even gave us a Guide for Writing Sex Scenes that I will likely be sharing with everyone at a later date.

Sabrina Jeffries, host of "So You Want to Be a Duchess?"

On the Saturday of the conference, the focus was on the fans, with a number of break-out sessions that gave fans the opportunity to meet and mingle with their favorite authors. This was the "So You Want to Be A Duchess" trivia contest with some of the best in Regency Historicals, including Sabrina Jeffries and Lydia Dare.

Tessa Dare and Vivian Arend host "Romance Readers Family Feud"

Husband and wife writers Nico Russo and Zoe Archer also hosting "Romance Writers Family Feud"

The very first session I attended at RT was the Romance Readers Family Feud, hosted by contemporary author Tessa Dare, Paranormal Romance author Vivian Arend, Sci-Fi/Urban Fantasy author Nico Russo and his wife, Historical/Paranormal author Zoe Archer. My team won because we knew the top 5 survey answers for another word used to describe the "man muscle". My answer, by the way, was the one that took the "steal" from the other team.

Laurie London, Larissa Ione, the duo of Gordon and Ilona Andrews (who write as Ilona Andrews)

I was upset (mildly) that this session ended up being standing room only. Because of that (and since I was one of the ones standing) I wasn't able to take notes and the at the world building session with this great group. The information was intense and I was hugely impressed by the knowledge and articulation of the authors. Yes, I expect authors to know how to say things, but  speaking in public,and speaking intelligently in public, is vastly different than writing well.  A couple of things I learned, since I'm not one for much author stalking. 1. Ilona Andrews' novels are written by her and her husband. And they, as well as most of the others on the panel, have been known the choreograph and act out their fight scenes, complete with plastic knives and brooms. There was also great things about pacing and terminology, depending on POV, etc. that were great, but since I was standing and right next to the water cooler, I wasn't able to get the notes I wanted.

Fan-Girl Moment! This is Nalini Singh, Charlaine Harris and Jeaniene Frost. OMG!

Another favorite session of the convention was the sit-down with Nalini Singh, author of the Psy-Changeling and the Guild Hunter series, Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series (now an HBO series, True Blood) and Jeaniene Frost, author of the Cat and Bones series. Lots of insight about the characters and the series and the future of same, but no spoilers, darn it!

Sue Grafton at the RT Awards Ceremony.

There were a couple of roaring 20s themed evening events and some people went all out! 

This isn't the best picture, but this blue-haired, Scottish Steampunk Pirate wandered the line-up as we waited to get into the book signing on Saturday. 

So, there's a few images from RT12.  I can't wait for next year's event, held in Kansas City! 

Goofy Grammar That I Never Knew

i.e.  vs.  e.g.

I admit it. I had no idea there was a discernible difference between i.e. and e.g. I for one am guilty of having used them interchangeably.  But now, thanks to Mignon Fogarty, the Grammar Girl, I know when to use which one!

I.e. and e.g. are both abbreviations for Latin terms. I.e. stand for id est and means "that is." E.g. stands for exempli gratia, which means roughly "for example."  But, since most of us don't speak Latin, there is an easier way to know the difference.

     i.e. starts with i = in other words
     e.g. starts with e = example

Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure

Assure, ensure and insure have the same underlying meaning, but they each have a slightly different use.

Assure is the only one of the three words that means "to reassure someone or promise."

Ensure chiefly means "to make certain or to guarantee."

Insure can be interchangeable with ensure  in some cases, but it's easier to keep the words straight by reserving insure for references to insurance.

Backward vs. Backwards

When backward and backwards are used to describe verbs, both are correct and interchangeable.

According to Fogarty, "The s is more common in Britain than in the United States, so you should consider what the convention is in your country and use backwards in Britain and backward in the United States."

The main exception to this is: Never use the s when you use backward as an adjective.

Farther vs. Further

Farther = to talk about physical distance (farther has the word far in it, so it's easy to remember)

Further = to talk about metaphorical or figurative distance.

The Grammar Girl says that sometimes the distinction between physical and metaphorical distance isn't always clear. In which case, she asserts, it's okay to use farther and further interchangeably.

Okay, here's a question: with the ways that grammar rules tend to change and morph (does anyone actually spend time re-writing a sentence to avoid using a preposition at the end?) which rules do you consider hard and fast and which ones are ignorable?

For more down and dirty tips about grammar and punctuation and the like, check out Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty.

Steampunk by the Rules

Sharing my current research obsession, and celebrating the last day of Tor's Steampunk Week.

Steampunk is a vast and varied genre (see my post from Wednesday) with limitless possibilities for themes, settings, and characters. According to Beth Daniels, author of Writing Steampunk, there are, however, a few rules. Even within these rules, there's some wiggle-room. 

Rule #1
As most steampunk stories are remakes, updates, reconfigurings inspired by the first science fiction stories ever written, they need to be, in essence, Victorian.  No matter the setting, dimension, era, etc., the feel is one with the Victorian world.

Rule #2
The story involves steam-driving machines, clockwork mechanics doing things that similar devices were incapable of actually doing in the time period.

Rule #3
The storyline uses elements of magic or that appears to be magic.

Rule #4
Because steampunk is alternative history, if set on Earth of involving the citizens of Earth, historical figures can appear or be mentioned.

Rule #5
Paranormal creatures and the fae can become featured performers in your piece.

Rule #6
Science is very much a part of the Victorian era, and thus beings created by science are welcomed in steampunk tales--including robots, cyborgs, people with mechanical limbs, creatures built from spare biological parts, etc.

Rule #7
Mystery, suspense, danger and frequently a ticking clock feature can be part of a steampunk story. Not only was the science fiction genre created in the closing years of the 19th century, the era also gave birth to the mystery novel and and detective story.

Rule #8
Time travel--the trick is to make the process believable and steampunkishly creative for your audience.

Rule #9
Beings created via magic are another trope used in steampunk, including golems, zombies, etc.

Rule #10
Practitioners of magic--though these don't necessarily need to be wizards or witches, they can be humans with a fount or stolen conjuring book, or any other magic-wielder.

THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE--
THE STORY MUST REFLECT THE WORLD OF EARLY SCIENCE FICTION  IN SOME WAY AND MUST INCLUDE A BEING EITHER MECHANICALLY, BIOLOGICALLY OR MAGICALLY CONSTRUCTED OR WITH A PARANORMAL FAE OR SPIRIT NATURE OR A PERSON TURNED INTO A MONSTER VIA A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE.

Gettin' My Goggles On

Steampunk. It's a term I'd heard before, but never really understood. I mean, goggles and dirigibles?  What the heck?  Then I saw a contest/call for submissions with the great people at Pill Hill Press and someting clicked for me. Pill Hill Press has been good to me and every time I tried something new, something I didn't think I could do, I've succeeded.  So I thought, why not?

Well, with that in mind, a great deal of research ensued. I had to figure out what, exactly, steampunk was and what kinds of stories are included and if the vague idea I had brewing in my head was going to even fit in the genre.

Then, as if directed by fate, I found out that this week is Steampunk Week at Tor books!

So I decided to share a bit of what I've learned about steampunk.

First, what is steampunk?  Steampunk is a sub-genre of speculative fiction, basically a "what if" genre in which geniuses are able to produce mechanical wonders such as robots and floating battle ships that run on steam power and sometimes clockwork. The genre is modled after CyberPunk and usually has some kind of anti-establishment theme, and is often set in the Victorian era or the Old West.

There are several sub-sub-genres of steampunk.

1. BoilerPunk--The blue-collar answer to aristocratic steampunk, incorporating the experiences and hardships of the workers actually shoveling coal to bring steam to the upper-classes.

2. ClockPunk--Clockwork technologies replace and supercede traditional steam power.

3. Dieselpunk--A heresy in which diesel fuel and nuclear power replaces steam power in alternate histories that often have a political component.

4. Gaslight Romances--A mainly British term for alternative histories that romanticize the Victorian era.

5. MannersPunk--Fiction that may or may not be deemed steampunk, in which elaborate social hierarchies provide the friction, conflict and action of the narrative usually in the context of endless forms--dances, parties, etc.--in manners.

6. Raygun Gothic--Although not strictly a sub-genre, this type of retro-futurism based is in part on art deco and streamlined modern styles has been used for a variety of science fiction settings, usually in movies.

7. StitchPunk--Fiction influence by the arts and crafts element of steampunk, with a prime example being teh animated movie 9 in which a cute Frankenstein dall-creature stitched together from bits of burlap sack tries to save the world. In a wider context, stitchpunk emphasizes the role of weavers, tinkers and darners in steampunk.

8. CyberPunk--Dark techno-fiction set in a near future.

Here are some highly regarded steampunk novels that have been recommended to me.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

The Immorality Engine by George Mann

Morlock Night by K.W. Jeter

The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling

If you're a fan of the genre, which are your favorite books or movies?

The Twelfth Monster of Chaos--A sneak peak

A Sneak peak at "The Twelfth Monster of Chaos" ...In times of trouble, know there is something watching over you...


Coming soon from Pill Hill Press, Dark Heroes.

My contribution--"The Twelfth Monster of Chaos"--tells of Omar, a reclusive, bitter storm demon, living in obscurity until an old frenemy returns. Seven words--"Choas reigns and her resurrection is imminent"--and an ancient artifact brings back the past he's trying to forget. Now he has to battle Tiamat, the creator of all things, to protect the world and the woman who snuck past all of his defenses.

Here's a small sample:

---------------------------

Omar's entire body stiffened as smoke seeped in from below the door. It smelled of foul herbs and sulfur
and caused the demon inside of him to demand release. The scent was familiar and unwelcome.

It smelled like enemies.


It felt lik family.


Sharp fangs exploded in his mouth and his hands grew bigger, longer, and developed razor-sharp talons. Aware of the fragile female huddled against his chest, he fought his body back. He had two contradictory needs: to defend and protect Lia from what he knew was coming and to protect himself from Lia ever discovering his demon nature. He had limited success in holding his demon back. The teeth and claws receded only slightly, and his overall girth increased, but to nowhere near his full size. He managed to keep the curved horns from sprouting atop his head, and the hard carapace that should cover his upper-body stayed hidden.


The dense smoke solidified, separated and formed hundreds of giant scorpions, each steel grey and the size of a grown man's forearm. They buzzed and clicked as they scurried towards them, stingers raised. They crawled over each other, wave after wave of poisonous beasts, targeting Omar and Lia. Lia screamed and tried to climb up Omar's body. Her breathing came quick and harsh. He swung her up into his arms, pushed her face into the crook of his neck.


"My children return to me, Imhullu. Will you, too, return, my son?"


"Not a chance, Mom." Omar kicked at a mutuant scorpion that had skittered close to his foot. It squealed as it winged through the air. The venom of the creature wouldn't kill him, but it would hurt like hell. Lia, on the other hand, would die a horribly painful death if one stung her. The clicks and shuffles of the armored creatures increased in intensity, as though they were angry on behalf of their punted brethren.


The cacophony of breaking bottles, crashing picture frames, colliding chairs and stools was deafening. Omar twisted and ducked, doing his best to keep Lia out of the line of fire. Though her weight was negligible to him, it was still awkward. Lia muttered against his neck. "This isn't happening, it's just a dream." She whimpered as a wooden plaque whizzed by close enough to ruffle the ends of her ponytail. "It's just a dream. Please, just a dream."


"If you will not return, then you will die."

----------------------------

Look for Dark Heroes to come out in September. As soon as it's available, I'll post a link.