WYSIWYG

Okay, WYSIWYG is a computer term, but it applies to me. What you see is what you get. Well, except for the pen name. What you see in blogs, emails, twitter, and facebook…that’s me. I know some author portray a different persona than the one they own in real life. I find that a little too complicated. I could never be a spy. I couldn’t maintain the façade.

But I do have a pen name. It’s recommended for most writers, not because our names aren’t “cool” enough, but for safety. I know authors who’ve had readers show up on their doorstep. It can be pretty scary. Most people are wonderful, but you never know when the unknown freak-factor will appear. So, many publishers encourage the use of a pen name. When I sold my first book, I was essentially told to pick and submit a name which was then screened and approved. Brynn Paulin was born.

What wasn’t born was a new person—like I said…way too confusing. And, to tell the truth, I think in some cases, it’s pretty low to have a fake life. I know of writers who portray themselves in certain ways to get the empathy of readers—no one on this blog! I think it’s wrong to lie to readers that way. I also think those writers are walking a thin line. If their secret is revealed, their careers might be destroyed.

Obviously, I don’t think it’s wrong to have a pen name, just to lie about who you are as a person. Brynn Paulin and the person who sometimes goes by Brynn Paulin’s real name share the same attributes. No matter my moniker, I am a wife, a mother, a scout leader, opinionated, principled, creative, a mentor, a klutz, a friend, etc. It’s all me.

I might as well have Brynn Paulin as my given name. That’s how much it’s part of me. Heck, sometimes, my kids call me Brynn to get my attention. My friends often call me Brynn as well. At first, it felt weird to have an alternate name, but I quickly acclimated. Out in public, I call my friends by their pen names, too. And geez, poor Dakota, I can’t seem to manage to consistently call her by her real name even in private. It can be a challenge.

I could ramble about this forever, but I’m going to conclude with a couple things. First, to new authors: be yourself. You may have a “new name” but other than that, be the same person.

Second, I want to name some names here, tell you what I know:

Bronwyn Green is the best friend and critique partner that a person can be fortunate to have. She’s kind, fun and resourceful. She’s the biggest hippie I know, and she has a genuine love for kids. She’s pure gold.

Simone Anderson had grit. She’s kind and tenacious and I’m waiting for everything in her life to take off for her. It would be well deserved after her years of work.

Mia Watts…watt can I say? Here’s another hard worker and crazy…the woman is totally crazy and totally devoted to those two girls about whom she often writes. I’m thrilled that she’s moved nearby so I can see her often.

Dakota Rebel is sweeter than advertised. She’s a wonderful woman with a wonderful family and I wish wish wish that she lived closer (but I’m lucky that all four of these fine women live close enough for me to see regularly. I live in the best state for romance writers). Dakota is giving in an understated way and utterly fun to be with. She shares my love of Starbucks and understands that I sometimes enjoy the smell of fresh smoke from a single cigarette (odd, I know, but it’s a nostalgia thing).

I am so fortunate to have such great friends, no matter their names.

I'll answer to just about anything...

Like the title says, I'll answer to just about anything - Bron, Chris, Mama, Mother-Lady, Mrs. Killian's Mommy, Hon, Sisty - and from certain people, Granola, Pickle and Boog.

But other than the name, there's not a lot of distinction between the me that takes the kids to school, rides their asses to make sure they do their homework, hugs them goodnight and snuggles up with the hubby and the me that writes erotic romance novels and plots involving witches, werebears and faeries. There's really no difference between my public and private personas - pretty much what you see is what you get. Although, I will cop to wearing makeup more often at conferences than I ever do at home.

You might wonder why I took a pen name in the first place. There are a couple of reasons. The first is because of my kids. When they were younger, I spent a lot of time volunteering in the classrooms of their fairly conservative school. I knew there were certain parents that would have a fit if an erotic romance writer was interacting with their children. Sad but true. Besides, school can be difficult enough without adding "Your mom writes porn!" added to the catalog of insults kids hurl at each other.

The second reason is that I've always loved the name Bronwyn, and since I didn't get to use it for a daughter, I decided to take it for myself.

That's pretty much it - the same me answering to just about anything.

Dakota vs. Dakota

So here's the thing. I'm kind of just like my pen name. In fact, when we all get together the people on this blog usually call me Dakota (or D) in person. So do their kids. That's just kind of who I am.

I think that most people choose a pen name to keep their writing lives a secret. It protects their families from answering uncomfortable questions about their parents writing erotica.

Me...well not so much. I tell EVERYONE who I am and what I do. My family, friends, and the people who make my coffee in the morning know that I am Dakota Rebel.

Here's what happened:

When I was around 12 years old I wrote bad poetry. Like most pre-teen girls I would imagine. I still have the beat to hell composition book too. It is filled with such gems as -

I'm dead

...yeah. Stuff like that. That's the whole 'poem' by the way, in case you were hoping for more. Nope. That's all she wrote.

Anyway, back in my youth I thought that ALL writers had pen names. So I came up with Dakota Rebel. And it stuck. My friends who read my terrible writing (Mulder and Samantha...no, still not kidding. That's what we all called each other. I was Dakota, and my friends were Mulder and Samantha. We were weird freakin' kids. FINE. We weren't kids. By this time we were in our late teens and I already had a child. But WHATEVER. That is not the POINT of this blog post.)

Where was I? Oh yeah. Mulder and Sam read all of my terrible writing and they did as good friends do and lied through their teeth to tell me how awesome it was. Thankfully I got better. (I hope.)

So Dakota was born out of youth and naivete. When I started actually writing to actually try to make a career out of it, she sort of stuck around. Which is fabulous because I still love the name 18 years later. It looks so good in print. And it's fun to say.

Are there differences? Sure I guess. Dakota is pretty conceited on this blog, but I am not like that in real life. I swear a lot more than Dakota does...even in her books. I don't usually refer to myself in the third person unless I'm talking about her. But that's okay because she's worth it. ;)

But, for the most part I am Dakota and D is me. We laugh alike, we walk alike, sometimes we even talk alike. You could lose your mind.

Can you Duke Roll someone? I think I just did.

You're welcome.

Dakota Rebel
aka
Dakota Rebel

Who am I?

It's more of a pressing question than you would think, when you're a writer. I remember when I first started, I wondered IF I should take a pen name or if having all the glory to myself was what I wanted. I mean, I did want everyone to know that I'd written such and such a book. That I was the genius behind it--because even though we don't all admit it, all writers have egos. Most of the ones I know don't flash it around, but secretly, we want recognition for our work.

I decided that my last name was far too complicated for people to easily look up on the web, when they were buying my books (because I had this lofty thought that I'd put a book out there and that would be it. I'd be famous and wandering the streets of anonymity would no longer be possible. Ah, innocence.) So, I took a pen name.

Then I took another pen name. And then I took another pen name. And then I took another pen name.

(my apologies to the editors who are currently flipping out because I used, "and then" twice. I mock you with common usage.)

That's right. Four pen names. I had good reasons, but it really just divided me into too many parts and not enough backlist to ever really make income at writing. So I dropped a pen name temporarily. I dropped another pen name permanently, and I'm combining the remaining two (Mia and Katie) identities, but using them for different genres.

I've mentioned this a lot lately, because it's very much on my mind. A risk I'm not sure how will pan out, but putting faith in the decision anyway.

So, who am I in real life, if I can't put a bead on who I am in the publishing world? That's almost like self-interviewing, I realize now, just a differently directed question. It's also a little self-indulgent and since I came up with both topics, I'm now questioning the size of my ego.

I never thought I had one, to be honest. In person, I like to hang out at home and do quiet things. My selected family unit which consists of me and my two nieces, are very close. I'd do anything for them and they think I'm the coolest aunt on the planet. I like card games. I like hanging out with my friends. I like the winter, partly because it gives me the perfect excuse to stay indoors. I enjoy cooking and hate house cleaning with a passion. I have a cat, and am looking to adopt two more from the same litter preferably.

I'm also divorced. Single and only passingly looking. I love to organize, and reorganize, and reorganize. When I do get out and see my friends, I tend to talk excitedly, often interrupting myself because my brain switched directions and forgot to tell my mouth. I like to make people laugh. Bronwyn would tell you I'm a line crosser. You know that point where a joke has a limit and then it becomes waaaaay too visual? Yeah, I cross that. It makes people laugh, and I think I get a high from it or something.

I'm smart, and I know it. I don't think I act like a know-it-all, but you'd have to ask people around me. I have a lot of reason to know stuff. I like to research, and I've lived a varied life that most people don't get to. New experiences, hence knew information not commonly held. Oh, and recently, when I went to someone for help with my ghost problems and dream interpretation mayhem, was told that the way I perceive things gives me the potential for huge psychic ability. Which is interesting and I'm not sure how I feel about that yet.

I have dumb blonde moments, though I'm not blonde. And I'm really, really good at playing the naive card. It's a tactical thing that comes out when someone else is more dominant and I just don't want to deal with them. I also have, "mother me" stamped somewhere on my face, because older women constantly tell me what to do, how to do it, and that I should really be listening to them. It could be because I don't look my age, but it might also have to do with that non-confrontational naive thing I do. Fortunately, I can tell my friends to lay off, and have, when they get all mothery.

So, I'm nothing like my personae. I guess you see it here first and only. I won't be spewing this info out to just everyone. I'm most like the first pen name. Or was, until I started adding new ones and changing the way I see things. I'm nothing like the one I dropped. I have an inner Mia, who's always ready for a prank, a laugh, something naughty, and anything involving fun. I have a bit of Katie. Her bio said she was an Aussie, which isn't true, but she is a collection of embarrassing moments. Those are definitely things that happen to me on a regular basis.

Most of who I am, is hidden from the public eye. I like to put on a brave front, and a smile. Beyond that, you might hit that wall I built. I don't let a lot of people in. Not really. But the ones that are there, I'll be loyal to for a lifetime.

Now that this moment of self-indulgence is over. I gotta get back to that writing gig I do. :) Happy reading. Come back all week to find out more about your favorite authors. Who are they on the inside? Can't wait!

Will The Real Simone Please Step Up!

The real me is a lot like the less real me.

Adopting a pen is common for many writers. I did, not because I didn't want my family and friends to know - they do, my family's reaction was what I expected and my friends are much more supportive - but because my real name is too hard to pronounce, even for the community I grew up in and I am related to at least half the Dutch population of the area. Amateur genealogist here - the numbers are really close.

I could have come up with an elaborate back-story filled with adventures and abstract information, but then I'd have to remember that. And that is not what I want to focus my attentions on. So, the less real me is a lot like the real me. I'm not a naturally shy person, but I have a hearing loss that now makes me uncomfortable in large crowds, anyplace where information I need comes over a loud speaker or speaking with people who have voices in the ranges I've lost or listening to them give a presentation or seminar.

----I'm pretty sure I had some thing planned for the rest of this blog post, but as I've sat here staring at the screen for the last fifteen minutes, I can't remember. We had a slight ice storm. There are school closings and power outages and there are mid-terms to be studied for. But my Bug got personal best in 3 events she swam at Saturday in the league championships. My personal life influences my writing life, as they are permanently and irrevocably linked.

I'm sure I'm forgetting things and there are details in the differences I'm not remembering and I'll probably remember them later today or in the week, but I tried to keep the differences minimal because I didn't want to have to remember those details, and I really don't have a problem with what I write or who I am.

Enjoy,

Simone.

Brynn's Interview Thingy

Brynn, Author’s lives intrigue readers and other writers. Tell me about your typical daily schedule.

Typically, my life is rather mundane. I get up at about six to get the kids off to school. Once they’re gone at seven, I drink my coffee and clean my house until eight. After that, I work until about four-thirty when I start dinner. That’s new. I’ve been making an effort to get us eating at a reasonable time. I used to work after dinner, but I’ve started having more family time and less work time.

Do you have a pre-writing routine to prepare yourself to get down to business?

Must. Have. Coffee.

What’s your writing style? Slow and steady? Quick and prolific? All over the place?

Usually, it’s quick and prolific BUT if I’m going through a period of upheaval or “non-creativity” I’ll just stare at the screen and get nothing. It’s frustrating. The most important thing during these times is to keep trying. It’s really easy to go away from the work and watch TV or something. Instead, I find something to trigger creativity. That’s not always easy but can be as easy as lying on the bed, closing my eyes and letting everything flow through my head until I get a trigger. Despite my typical schedule, my life can be in chaos a lot of the time and writers need quiet time to think things through, but often being still is our last resort.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned since starting work in this industry?

Tenacity.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on three books. The next Daly Way, the next Taboo Wishes and a ménage book for my agent.

What’s your favorite genre to write?

Romance—virtually any type except sci-fi (or is it syfy, now?) or mystery/suspense.

A lot of authors like to read outside their chosen genre. What do you like to read?

I read a lot of non-fiction.

Do you have a favorite author or someone you look up to in the industry?

My favorite author is Lynsay Sands.

Tell me your writing story…when did you decide this was what you want to do? How long did it take you to get “the call”? When were you first published? Etc.

Hmmm…well… I knew I liked to write when I was in grade school, but it was just something I was good at. About my sophomore year, I knew I’d like writing to be my secondary career. I wanted to be a doctor. I had the ability in me, but as it turned out, I didn’t have the long-term vision for that many years of school.

I waffled for about a decade, playing with writing while I worked a series of jobs in which I had no desire to make a career. When I was twenty-nine I decided writing really was where I wanted to make a living. I started working at it seriously. I spent seven years going meetings, reading books, learning about and practicing the craft. I studied it and even started to teach it. That’s when I made a bold move… I quite my job. I wouldn’t recommend this course of action, but I did it.

It wasn’t instant success. I sold an essay to an on-line magazine six months after I quit the day job. I sold a short piece to True Story Magazine a year and a half after I quit and I finally sold my first book to Ellora’s Cave two weeks later—eight and a half years after starting serious writing with the intention of getting published.

How many books have you had published and for whom?

I have 32 books published with Ellora’s Cave, Total-e-bound, Resplendence and All Romance eBooks.

What’s your latest release? Can you tell us about the book and how you got the idea?

My latest release came out with All Romance eBooks. They sent me an invitation to write a “Perfect Strangers” book and I agreed. I love books like that. More and more, there are on-line romances that lead to long-term relationships. I wanted to explore one.

What’s your writing space like?


What do you do when you’re not writing?

Mostly, I spend time with my family. I also love to read, cook/bake, draw and watch movies.

What’s your favorite movie and why?

I’m not sure I can pick just one. Here are a few: An Officer and a Gentleman, The Blind Side, Rudy, Akeelah and the Bee…

I love underdog movies and movies that show strength of character and integrity.

Last questions… Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Summer or Winter? Fall

Cat person or Dog person? Dogs all the way.

Bronte or Austen? Bronte

Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Wars

Team Edward or Team Jacob? Team Edward (Can the next movie be out already????)

McDonalds or Burger King? Taco Bell

Favorite color? Blue

Favorite treat? Starbucks Soy Peppermint Mocha

Favorite TV? Supernatural, Bones, Charmed and Queer as Folk

Favorite Animal(s)? Frogs and Penguins

Favorite Disney Movie? Sleeping Beauty. I’m really fond of Maleficent. Can't wait for the Maleficent movie in 2013.

Favorite Fairy Tale? The Snow Queen

What I plan to be doing ten years from now? Writing!

Bio:

When it comes to books and movies, Brynn has one rule: there must be a happy ending. After that one requirement, anything goes. And it just might in her books.

She lives in Michigan with her husband and two children, who love her despite her occasional threats to smite them. They humor her and let her think she's a goddess...as long as she provides homemade chocolate chip cookies on a regular basis. Brynn has conducted workshops at several writers’ conferences around the country and enjoys mentoring and meeting new people.

According to Brynn, her writing success can be attributed to an eclectic collection of music, her local road construction crews, a trusty notebook, and of course, her husband, Mr. Inspiration, who puts up with a lot in the name of research.

You can find Brynn here every Friday and also on her WEBSITE, BLOG, Facebook, Twitter and ARe Cafe.

Why am I sitting here talking to myself? Oh right. I'm a writer.

Soooo...yeah. Interviewing myself, huh? Whose brilliant idea was this? I'm betting Mia's. *grumble grumble grumble*

Me: Okay Bron, is there anything about you we don't already know?

Bron: I kinda doubt it. What you see is pretty much what you get. The good, bad and stupid usually ends up here or on my blog.

Me: So true. So true. Well, let's try some topics people might not know about you...me...whoever. Anyway, what do you like best about your job?

Bron: I love the fact that I get to stay home with my kids. I can stay holed up in my house most of the time and rarely have to interact with people who aren't other writers and editors. It's awesome. Also? I get paid for making stuff up. Granted, it's fun stuff I'd be making up anyway even if I weren't getting paid for it - but the money is nice.

Me: That is pretty nifty.

Bron: I know, right? I'm damn lucky.

Me: Do you have a day job aside from the writing?

Bron: I do. I'm also an editor which is a pretty sweet job, as well. I have a great group of authors who I adore and who make my job fun.

Me: If you weren't a writer what would you want to be?

Bron: Probably a high school English teacher. I really enjoy teenagers.

Me: Freak.

Bron: *shrugs* They're a good time.

Me: What's your favorite animal?

Bron: Cats, followed closely by bats and Brynn's dog. I also like squirrels, bunnies and mice. And--

Me: Favorite color?

Bron: Greens, browns - I'm an earth tones sort of girl.

Me: Favorite curse word.

Bron: Fuckity-fuck-fuck-fuck

Me: Tea or coffee?

Bron: Both.

City or country:

Bron: Definitely the country.

Me: Most embarrassing moment?

Bron: Either the subway incident or having to get cut out of the seatbelt when I was pregnant and had to pee.

Me: If you were a book, which book would you be?

Bron: What the hell kind of question is that?

Me: Just answer it.

Bron: *sigh* The Paper Bag Princess. If you can't slay the dragon, out-think it. And Tam Lin. There are things worth fighting for and the really important ones require love, courage and a willingness to give.

Me: Well, I think that's all we have time for.

Bron: Good. This has been a little...awkward - for everyone, probably.

Me: Thanks for stopping by. And if you have any questions for Bron, feel free to leave them in the comments. She loves to answer questions.

Finally - All about Dakota

Thank you for joining me on this wonderful Wednesday. My guest today is....well it's me! Just in case there was anything about myself that I haven't shared before, I will be grilling myself for your viewing pleasure. Not like...you know, LITERALLY grilling. Though I am so f'ng sick of winter I don't know that sitting on a barbecue for a little while would really be that bad. After these midwest temperatures I'm starting to get the Jersey Shore kids and their love of tanning.

Anyway, sit back and relax and enjoy the interview. You may want to sip your beverage between questions because we all know how hilarious I am. I wouldn't want you to spit all over your monitors.

Are you really this conceited? - No, not at all actually. Mostly I act like this on the blog cause I think it's funny. I'm actual quite self concious and prefer to be a wallflower in real life.

What do you do in real life? - I am a spectacular paper pusher. No really. I can make spreadsheets like nobody's business. I answer phones and pretend to like customers. It's a boring job but it sort of pays the bills.

What is your biggest pet peeve? - Pirates. People who steal my books and feel as if they are entitled to it. They're not. And I don't understand the asshole who buys the book and puts it up on the web. You paid for it, shouldn't that clue you in to the fact that everyone else should pay for it too?

What's your favorite snack food? - Chocolate covered pretzels. ZOMG they are the best.


What have you done lately that you are proud of? - I filed my taxes online. I know, not a big accomplishment. But I saved more by doing it myself than I would have saved by switching to Geico. So it's pretty exciting.

Ok. What have you done writing wise that you are proud of? - I finished my first book of 2010 in January. Sort of. It's done, but I am going back through it to fix a few errors I found on a re-read. It will be part of an anthology with my very good friends that will come out in November from Resplendence Publishing. I'm sure you'll all hear more about that later.

So you're doing pretty well on your goals for this year? - Oh yeah. I wanted to write five books this year. I have one done and a second started. If I can keep up that pace I might actually surpass that goal.

You mentioned that you wanted to quit smoking. How is that going? - Next question.

You kind of suck at being interviewed. - You kind of suck at interviewing. That wasn't even a question.

What's your favorite position? - Quarterback.

You're an idiot. - Screw you.

And now, I would like to steal the interview questions from Inside The Actor's Studio with James Lipton. Because I've always wanted a chance to answer them.

What is your favorite word? - Cock.

What is your least favorite word? - No.

What turns you on? - Gay men

What turns you off? - Hatred...and republicans.

What sound or noise do you love? - My children laughing.

What sound or noise do you hate? - My children crying, whining, or coughing.

What is your favorite curse word? - Fuck. And Douche Bag...but that's technically not a curse word.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? - Gambling professionally. I think I could make a nice living off of Texas Hold 'Em, Let it Ride and Scratch Off Lottery Tickets.

What profession would you not like to do? - I would not like to clean port a pottys. Or crime scenes. You know what, nothing with cleaning.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? - Your dad is waiting for you at the 3/6 table.

Auto-interviewing

Why hello there, Mia Watts! Boy, am I ever excited to meet you! I've heard about your awesomeness, but to be able to witness it in person....zOMG! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with little ol' me.

*Mia rolls her eyes and sighs* Seriously, people are going to read that and believe that's what I actually think.

Yes, but the ones who know you, and hopefully the ones that read your work, know how to spot your sense of humor and tongue-in-cheekness.

It's called hyperbole.

What is?

The thing where you waaaaaay exaggerate for the purpose of humor.

We should tell people that, you know, just so they're prepared for your hyperbol-ass. Do you remember when we first started blogging here? No one stopped by to comment?

Oh, you mean like last week?

Back when you first started here, you used to talk to yourself all the time. Remember?

Yep.

(crickets)

Ah, the memories. *wistful sigh*

I know we have Multiple Personality Disorder, but we should prolly get on with this interview.

Saaaaaaay! That brings a question to mind.

Okay, shoot.

What's this thing I'm hearing about us getting another pen name? Why doesn't anyone ever tell me this shit?

*shooting a look of irritation* You're just showing off for the interview. You totally knew.

Fine, but spill the beans for the others.

Okay. One of our personalities is Katie Blu. I discovered that my male/male readers don't like girlie bits, and writing them, doesn't net any sales. I also discovered that a former pen name of mine, Katie Blu, hasn't put any books out in three years, yet continues to sell every month.

So basically, Katie is getting mouth-to-mouth and she'll take over all my writing projects that have girlie bits in them, even the menage. I, as Mia, will continue to write male/male and male menage.

What about the series stuff?

To avoid confusion, I'll put both names on the books with girl action, Katie being a priority. I've also added her to my website. She's tucked in a corner on there for now. Maybe later, when she grows up big and strong, she'll have her own site. For now, I'm putting baby in a corner.

So what projects are we working on?

Um. I just finished Unchaste for Resplendence (male menage, shifter, time travel). I finished edits on Faking Perfection for DreamSpinner (male/male, priest book).

The day after this interview posts, I'll be working on a Katie book. It's a menage that I hope a new publisher picks up. I'm about a third of the way done. That book will be longer than some of my recent work. More of a novel length.

I also have the second book of the Darkness series to put out. I have some rewriting to do, so that it truly stands alone, then I'm pitching it to Resplendence as a Katie/Mia collaboration. I HOPE it comes out this year, but we'll see.

Wow, so you're super busy.

Yep, kind of like everyone else.

I wish I could write, too, but I never seem to have ideas.

Uh huh. Whatever.

Is there anything else you want to tell bloggers?

I have three books coming out in March: March 1st, Unchaste at Resplendence. March 27th, Wrong Number Right Guy at Amber Quill. March 28th, Faking Perfection at DreamSpinner. I'm excited about all of them.

Do you have anything out that isn't male/male right now?

I just released Boiling Point at Resplendence in January. I have quite a few title there and one over at Total E Bound that are male/female or menages with girl parts, like FU (that's the title). If I'd had my act together sooner, they'd have been listed as Katie Blu books. See how that works?

Yeah, that's real special. Okay, so maybe put up your website info? I just love you, Mia Watts. Keep writing!!!!!

*Mia makes a choice and puts down the coffee*

MiaWatts.com
MiaWatts.blogspot.com
On Twitter and Facebook: Mia Watts

I Have To Answer What?

Since Simone really doesn't like talking about herself, Master Ethan and I offered to interview her and she could just post it for everyone to read. She shut the whole idea down and went back to dealing with a couple of other guys that she won't let us talk to and who have some sort of secret.

Ethan: Are you going to be visiting the brewpub again soon?

Simone: Yes, eventually. I'm a little busy here.

Ethan: Why did you move Logan and Zane's book? They're nice men.

Simone: That has nothing to do with it. Mason's story just needed to come before theirs.

Ethan: Speaking of Mason, where is my cook? In your torture chamber?

Simone: You're the one with the dungeon.

Ethan: (grinning) Dean enjoys it immensely.

Simone: Yes, I'm well aware of that. Now, let me write.

Derek: What is your concern with Mason?

Ethan: He's my employee.

Derek: That doesn't mean he's your concern.

Ethan: It most certainly does.

Derek: One psychopath after him is enough.

Ethan: I'm not a psychopath, Dean and I are concerned for him.

Dean: Master, do you have the other questions for Simone, I'll be happy to dig up answers while you two continue your discussion.

Favorite Color: Green and purple

Favorite Animal: Faeries, Elves, or Dragons

Dean: Faeries aren't animals, neither or Elves.

Derek: Have you seen her office and computer - images of faeries, elves, dragons and tigers.

Dean: Faeries and Elves would be people. Dragons and tigers would be animals.

Derek: Fine. Next question.

Favorite Song: She has a favorite category - Celtic and folk, no one favorite song

Favorite Book Not Written in Her Life Time: Tons - Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Inheritance, William Shakespeare.

Ethan: William Shakespeare is a playwright.

Dean: Yes, but it is impractical to list every play or almost every play by him.

Ethan: I think you might need a good paddling.

Dean: Always, Master.

Derek: Her favorites by Shakespeare would be Twelfth Night and Midsummer Nights Dreams.

Dean: Anything else Master?

Favorite Food: Spicy Orange Beef from the Chinese restaurant in Grand Rapids

Food least Likely to eat: Seafood of any kind.

Song Playing Now: Freya, Shakti by Emerald Rose

Simone: Will you three go somewhere else so I can work?

Derek: Just leaving now. I'm going to find Mason.

Ethan: We're heading for the play-room.

Simone: No surprise there Ethan.

Secrets From My Lounge Chair

Here’s my dirty little secret:

I write for one hour a day, then spend the rest of the time sitting next to the pool, drinking margaritas and letting my bevy of pool boys fan me.

I also have a rich fantasy life, lol.

Okay, so here’s the real dirty little secret: writing will take over your life. And God help you if you edit too. You may never again have a personal life. One or the other will also be with you.

Most authors I know are perpetually in writing mode. Recently, I had a close friend ask me when I’d last taken a vacation, a real vacation on which I hadn’t spent a lot of time doing writing work. I couldn’t tell her without a lot of thought. I guesstimated it was in 2004. I think. Maybe it was.

I love my job. I wouldn’t change it. I’m just warning you that authors are the ultimate workaholics whether they call themselves that or not. It’s not very glamorous.

And that leads me to my New Year’s resolution. A little late, I know… I have a nice DVD collection. I have a few movies I saw at the theater then purchased on DVD but never watched once I had them. I have others on the shelf I haven’t seen though my family has. My goal for this year is to actually take the time to watch all the unviewed DVDs in my collection.

And maybe relax a little more and work a little less. Just a little.

Some not terribly secrety secrets to consider

Hmmm...I'm honestly not sure how to follow up the Mia and Dakota's awesome posts, because there's some damn good info on there. Actually, it's all good info. Well freaking done, ladies!

It's not much, but I have a few things to add. And really, they all seem like common sense type issues, but I've seen every one of these things happen this week and it's only Thursday.

Promo - it's important, but please, don't be one of those people who friends people on Facebook or leaves messages on blogs spamming everyone about your new release. If you want to meet people and network - sweet. But please don't leave posts on their walls or their blogs saying, "Have you heard about my new book? You can see the trailer at itsallaboutme.com and you can get a copy of it at buymybookrightnowImsuperdesperate.com. It's the exciting tale of romance, adventure and true love and it's completely unlike anything else on the market. You'll be amazed! Please feel free to leave me five-star reviews."

I don't know about you, but I don't want to read books that are shoved in my face every time I turn around. I want to read books that look appealing from trolling publishers websites. I also am more likely to try a new author that I've been chatting with on social networking sites and blogs about things that don't involve their latest releases. I've also met some lovely friends that way. One in particular will never read my books because I don't write what she reads. But that hasn't stopped us from becoming friends. If I'd been trying to hard sell my books, I'm fairly certain that wouldn't have happened, and I'd be missing out on a lot of awesomeness.

There's nothing wrong with promo-ing your work on your own sites, but please, don't vomit up ad-copy on other people's pages.

Reviews - everyone gets a bad one from time to time. They suck. Sometimes, they hurt. But they happen. Pick up the phone, call your friends and bitch and cry if you need to. But please, please don't respond to the reviewer and tell him/her that s/he is wrong, stupid, unprofessional or amateur. Please don't blog about the bad review you got. It's okay to be upset about it, but please don't do it publicly. Gracefully let it go. This is the kind of stuff that spreads across the internet like wildfire. You'll be tweeted, retweeted and blogged about. Often people will decide on the basis of your response that your books aren't something they'd like to spend money on. In short, you're likely to lose existing readers as well as future readers. Just take a breath and let it go. It's just not worth it.

Divas - This is an industry that expands daily. There are at least 50 people who'd like to be where you currently are in your career. If you're a pain in the ass to work with, you can be replaced. Probably fairly easily, as a matter of fact. Now, I'm not saying that you should roll over and make changes to your story that you absolutely disagree with, but I am saying, choose your battles wisely. And while you're drawing your line in the sand, remember to be kind. Don't pitch a fit. Don't call your editor names. And definitely don't be a condescending ass. Editors frequently have friends who work for other houses and let me tell you, the word spreads. The last thing you want is a reputation as being difficult work with. It will follow you everywhere. Think of it as a literary STD. After a while, no one's gonna want to get with you.

Like I said, these are things that should be common sense, and yet they arise over and over. Learn from the mistakes of others and avoid these pitfalls.

Insider Trading

Come closer little one. Sit at the feet of the all knowledgable. Hey wait! Come back. I meant meeeeeeeee!

Ok, so I don't know a whole lot. That's obvious. But I do know some stuff. So sit your ass down and pay attention to me. (*Said with love!)

I think the biggest secret in publishing is that publishers are not perfect. That's right. I heard that gasp. But they are not. Publishing houses are run by humans. And humans make mistakes.

Just because one or twelve of them turn down your novel doesn't mean it's not brilliant. Very few people are picked up on their first time out. Even Stephen King used to get rejection letters. And look at him now!

With that example I think I will move on to the OTHER side of that coin. Just because a publisher picks up a book doesn't make it great...or even good. I don't think there is a writer on the face of the Earth who hasn't thrown down a book in disgust and cried "I write better than that! Why can't I get published?" Yeah.

My favorite publishing mistake broke my heart (twice) when it happened. But I can laugh about it now. I submitted Mitch to a house I'd never worked with before. It was rejected. Twice. By the same house. Yeah, they rejected it with a form letter than a week later got the same form rejection again.

At the time it was pretty soul crushing. Not only the rejection but the fact that I still received form rejection letters. I mean COME ON. Do you KNOW who I am? Sheesh.

But I digress. Mitch ended up being my best selling novel of all time. So I guess the joke is on *Stranger Danger Publishing. (*Not their real name).

The same is true of agents, editors, and the like. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone passed on a project that turned out to be a big deal and EVERYONE has taken on a piece of junk for one misled reason or another. It's the nature of the publishing beast.

There are other secrets too, but of course with all big secrets most people already know them. (Of course there are exceptions to *EVERY rule so none of the following secrets are set in stone.)

1. Don't submit to anyone (publisher or agent) between November and January. (People are always gone and stuff around the holidays and can't be bothered with queries around this time.)

2. Small publishers offer a better chance of getting your foot in the door, but bigger publishers will make you more money.

3. Downloading books on the internet without paying for them is a federal offense. It is punishable by not only large fines but time in prison as well. It takes food off an authors table and clothes off of an author's child's back. Even ONE book does actually make a difference. And it is almost never just one book. You could be the 100,000th person in the lottery of making an authors hard work for naught. You make us not want to write any more. You crush our spirits and you decimate our bank accounts. You are an evil, vile, hateful person and I hope you get caught and shanked in prison.

4. Always double space your manuscripts and use a Times New Roman or Book Antiqua font.

5. Don't put copyright symbols on your submissions. It looks tacky and unprofessional.

XoXoXo
Dakota Rebel

Shhhhh!

I love this topic. Why? Because there are things writing newbs should know and things fans have no idea about, behind the scenes. I put forth that every industry possesses its own quality of dirty little secrets.

Here's what I know about writing:
1. The big dogs always win. If they are ripping you off and you go legal on them, they still win. Why? Because if they choose not to pay up, you have to take them to court to order them to pay up. If they still don't pay up, you have to go back to court to order them to pay up again. Meantime, you drop $5000 for filing with the court each time.

2. The business is incestuous part one. Did you hate a publisher or an editor? Did you tell them to go directly to hell without passing "go"? Guess what? You're gonna be working with them again. Many editors work for multiple houses. You may not know it until your work is submitted and you get assigned. Fortunately for me, I've loved my editors. They rock.

3. The business is incestuous part deux. Did you snark all over another author? Guess what? She might be your new editor. No, seriously. I know several authors who also edit under different names. Most I had no idea about until I met them in person as an editor, but saw them on a panel as an author later.

4. Read your contracts. It is not uncommon for a house to change their boiler plate contract. Usually, they tell you changes are coming. Not always. I recently signed a contract with a publisher who pretended not to have received it three months later as it was going to publication. I had the proof of receipt and forwarded it. The publisher asked me to sign again for the record. Turns out, they'd changed the term of agreement from two years to four and were tricking me into accepting it. I didn't, in case you were wondering. They backed down and accepted the original term.

5. The internet, is teh triksey. Whatever is posted, never goes away. It gets picked up and blown way out of proportion, or just brought into the light, and the entire world will know your business.

6. Quarterly payments are paid whenever the hell a publisher feels like it. Usually they go by a schedule, but often they change the rules, or forget to send correct payment. Keep a record of what is owed because it's your money. Control it.

7. Monthly payments are paid whenever the hell a publisher feels like it. See above.

8. Expect that the precious work you've labored hours, days, weeks, months, over, will show up on a pirating site before the sun even comes up on the day of release. You are being robbed and expected to suck it up. Don't. Fight for you rights and income.

9. Divas always get theirs in the end. Did I mention this business was incestuous? Yeah, I was serious. If you fuck over a publishing house, the entire back office knows it... and they talk to each other. They also have the memory of elephants and you won't be able to snow them when you submit to another house where they also work.

9.b. On that topic, watch your alcohol intake and your looseness of mouth quotient at conferences. Telling people that a publisher/author/editor got drunk. Saying they got drunk and said/promised/proposed marriage or something will get you black-balled. In some cases, black-balled by a publisher you aren't even working with because they heard about your behavior and won't allow it in their house. Mind your p's and q's. Be professional.

10. Editors, Publishers, Agents... they often have their own closed loops. If they like you, the industry knows it. If you're a rude, self-important asshole, they know that too.

You can approach the above one of two ways. Either pull up your big girl panties, take a deep breath, and march on. Or, pull down those big girl panties (because you were the diva and are now paying the price), grab your ass cheeks, bend over and wear a smile as you take your due.

However it happens, it happens. And if someone is giving you shit you don't deserve, remember the wheel keeps spinning. It won't be long before everyone realizes that someone can't be trusted and you were probably misrepresented.

Good luck!
~Mia

Shhhh....It's A Secret....

I'll admit to being lost on this topic. It's supposed to be about writing secrets and why they're secrets. Specifically, my writing secrets. I'm not sure what my writing secrets are. Writing is an intensely personal activity. What works for one writer, isn't necessarily going to work for another. They may seem secret because people don't necessarily talk about them, not that they are avoided either.

For me, I can't start writing until I have a title and the main characters (heroes, villian(s), and a secondary character or two) written down with details and photos. Beyond that there are a few things that are talked about sometimes. And some things that are talked about more often.

It takes a combination of talent and tenacity to get anywhere in this business. If you are easily discouraged or take everything personal, making/staying is difficult at best.

And, just like the print side of the business, this is a really small business. Kind of like a small town where everyone knows everyone.

Oh, research and revision are needed.

This is a business, yes it's art or writing, but it is still a business. The writer wants to make money and so does the publisher, professionalism is needed.

Enjoy,

Simone.

Perfect Strangers

I'm super excited. Today's the day my Perfect Strangers story, Dark Sidhe Claimed, comes out with All Romance eBooks! Yep...it's a new faery story!

Here's the blurb and my shiny new cover.

Just one little wish, what could possibly go wrong?

Hunted by both the Kings of the Sidhe and the Dark Sidhe, Tama, Princess of the Seelie Court has sought refuge in the human world. When an ill-timed wish by a friend has reveals her location, she knows she has to leave the life she's created.

Unfortunately for Tama, Kier and Rylan, two Dark Sidhe mercenaries, find her first. The attraction between them is explosive, but is a wish and unbridled lust enough for perfect strangers to become perfect mates?

Feeling a bit nostalgic

Nostalgia? I've got tons of it. For instance, Grover was my favorite Sesame Street character.


Then there's Holly Hobbie - she was one of my favorite dolls. I had a Holly Hobbie bedspread, curtains, blanket, pillow case, dolls and a latch-hook rug kit. Yeah, I loved me some Holly Hobbie.

Almost forgot my lunchbox.

I had Barbies, but I loved my Sunshine Family. This is Steve, Stephanie and Sweets Sunshine. Alliteratively (but not very cleverly) named.
One year, I even got the Sunshine Family Craft Store. Check out the spinning wheel and the pottery wheel. It should be no surprise that my mom got this for me.


I'm also nostalgic about some movies from my adolescence. These are some of my faves.

Child of the 80's

This topic idea came to me because we were waxing nostalgic on Facebook one day. A friend of mine asked if anyone remembered when KMart sold subs. This led to rememberences of taking the elevator to the restuarant in Hudson's department store. And for me, I fondly remember the cafe at Montgomery Ward. My mom worked there when I was growing up and that was the first time I'd ever had a Pepsi Float. They made it with chocolate ice cream and at the time it was the best thing ever. By time I was old enough to work there myself the cafe was gone and that section of the store had been turned into the furniture department.

There were a lot of things about the 80's that I remember fondly...until I catch a glimpse of them now and realize that maybe they weren't actually so great. Like the cartoons. Now, don't get me wrong. I still love JEM and Rainbow Brite and the Smurfs. But we have this channel called Boomerang, and it shows all the old cartoons from when Mr. Rebel and I were kids...and let's just say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Jr. Rebel 2.0 has discovered Fraggle Rock courtesy of Boomerang. I remember watching Fraggle Rock and I remember it being AWESOME. Yeah...not so much. It's kind of stupid now that I'm an adult. Granted Jr loves it because they sing and their brightly colored. He isn't old enough to try to find the nugget of wisdom that is supposed to be burried deep, deep, deeeeeep, in the episodes. But still. Watching it now makes my brain want to melt.

I've discovered this fact is true of many of the those classic cartoons. The Snorks...sucks. Gummy Bears...pretty fabulous still. The Jetsons...wonderful. The Flintstones...SMOKED for God's sake. Winstons as a matter of fact. And the men were misogynistic pigs. So there you go.

Not that the cartoons today are any better. Spongebob has it's moments, but mostly it makes me want to pop my eardrums with a sharp stick. All that Nickelodeon nonsense drives me insane. I would still take a good episode of Barbie and The Rockers over that dribble any day.

(I would like to give a shout out to "Fairly Odd Parents" though because that show is pretty damn good.)

So, basically I have the occasional nostalgic moment for the 80's. But sometimes it's best to leave the past in the past. I had more of a point when I startd this post but then I got on an 80's YouTube loop so I'll just share some hilarious 80's memorabilia with you all.

Happy Hump Day
Dakota






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