Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

http://www.ethshar.com/thesprigganexperiment0.html

What do you think? As a reader would you send someone money for this? As a writer would you consider doing it?

Lori

Well, I have decided on WriteWay. Actually, I really like it. I really think it will help with my writing. There are only a of couple things so far I miss about Word. One is spell check. WriteWay has spell check, but not as extensive as Word and it doesn’t have the little feature where a questionable word is either automatically fixed or accented with a colored underline. The second is the right click thesaurus Word has. I am a tad addicted to it, but the other features WriteWay does offer far out weigh that one inconvenience.

Till later!

Lori

A new line appears…

Apparently Harlequin is starting a new paranormal line–75,000 words, 2 times a month to start in October 2006, and Leslie Wainger is heading it up.

That’s all I know–anyone else know more? Heard it might be like Shadows, which someone else told me was dark. I hope not–we need funny, people!!

Lori

Update: Just heard for certain–dark, yep, it’s dark. Isn’t dark over yet?

So, Harlequin just announced the end of the Signature Select line. I don’t know much about that line–isn’t this the one that came with “extras” or am I confused? And it’s only been around a year or so, right? Anyway, the constant changing of lines has to be discouraging to many writers. I know I am still mourning the loss of Flipside. :(

Lori

So, for Christmas my mother is getting me some writing software. I have downloaded the trial versions of both Power Writer and WriteWay. It’s a tough call.

At first I was leaning toward Power Writer. A friend of mine recommended it and it is pretty straightforward. It also has a nice tutorial to get you up and running, but one thing I don’t like about it is that you can’t print the character sheets. I emailed the company, and they said it was in the works, but not until next year some time. FYI: at that time it will be a major upgrade, so costs may increase, but sounds like a number of things may change.

What I didn’t like about WriteWay was that I don’t find it intuitive and there aren’t any real tutorials. There is a help section, but I think it could be easier to navigate. And there are “sample” books for you to look at which might be helpful. But it has a lot more to it than Power Writer. I’m just not sure if that is good or bad yet.

Anyway, I’m trying them both out and I’ll let you know what I decide. Anyone out there have more experience with them?

Lori

Well, I’m getting ready to do the whole ARC thing again. So far I have contacted one reviewer about sending a copy of Love is All You Need. What can I say, I love this book–I really do. That is such a nice feeling. Anyway, any reviewers who are cruising by and want to review my newest–drop me a line. :) And yeah, I’ll do it the “proper” way too, and send out queries–just thought I would mention it here.

Lori

Big night for reality TV - Finale of America’s Next Top Model and Premiere of Project Runway’s new season.

You know where I’ll be tonight!!!

Lori

I’d like to welcome Kate Pearce to my blog. Kate and I are both members of RWAonline and Your Virtual Book Bag. Kate’s new release is a Regency set romantica published by Ellora’s Cave.

Q.) First tell us about your books.
KP: Eden’s Pleasure is a Regency-set erotic romance. It’s about a widow who is offered the opportunity by the Harcourt twins. (Gideon and Gervase) who ruined her, to make all her erotic fantasies come true.

Q.) Are you a plotter or a panster? Character-driven or plot driven? Ever try to be the opposite? Do you have a set method you use when starting a book?
KP: I’m a true panster, If I write one page of plot, character notes and a list of what’s going to happen I consider I’ve done a lot. I think I’m 50/50 on the character and plot. I love adding complexities to both. I’ve never tried to plot. I feel as if I’ve told the story and what’s the point of writing it? I try and write in a more linear fashion these days as I’m often sending out the first 3 chapters and synopsis on spec now-of course sometimes that means I have to rush to finish the book but I’m fairly prolific.

Q.) Your current book is a Regency set. What attracted you to that period? Do you plan on setting future books in this period also?
KP: I love Jane Austen and I grew up reading Georgette Heyer. I’m originally from England and grew up near London. I have a deep sense of familiarity with the time period and the places. To me, writing about it is as natural as breathing.
I’ve written a follow up to Eden’s Pleasure which I’m busy editing at the moment before I ship it off to my agent and editor and I plan to write plenty more.

Q.) Your book is also Romantica. What made you decide to write spicier?
KP: I had a sense that I wanted to push myself as a writer. I gave myself permission to ignore all my inhibitions and really write as if no one would ever see the thing. (That was my original intention, The book sat under my bed for 2 years before someone coaxed it out of me.) I’ve always found writing the love scenes easy and my agent suggested I push that aspect of my writing just to see if I could-obviously I can,…

Q.) What can readers expect to find in all your books no matter the setting?
KP: Good question. Hopefully good tight elegant writing, strong characters and plots and quite a lot of sex!

Q.) Any new projects on the horizon? What would you like to try next?
KP: I’ve flitted around a bit with the various romance sub-genres. At the moment I have a contemporary erotic romance, a sensual Regency historical and a futuristic making the rounds of editors. I’m trying to focus a bit more and even do some career planning. I completed four books this year and almost wrote myself into the ground. Next year I intend to be more careful and perhaps more selective. On the horizon? A second Regency set erotic romance, a second futuristic (if anyone likes the first one) and a big new project involving werewolves, gothic romance and a historical setting, as yet undecided.

Thanks for the interview, Kate!

To learn more about Kate and her books, check out her web site.

Till next time–stay warm. It was -8 F in Wisconsin this morning. (brrr - I’d say something else but this is a G rated blog.)

Lori

Thank you Laura Drewry for introducing me to the world of Blog Tag. ;-) Here’s the game list 15 preferences/quirks/habits/likes or dislikes you have about books.

1. When I was in high school I got a hold of a list of books “everyone” should read and systematically tried to work my way through it–checking it off as I went. Yes, I read The Turn of the Screw by choice.
2. I have never read anything by Nora Roberts.
3. An Oprah read pretty much means a no read for me–I am not into angst.
4. I would love to see Laura Drewry write a romantic mystery.
5. The first book I remember owning was a book of Winne the Pooh poetry. In particular I remember the poem When I was Five.
6. I love pop-up books or books that do cool things–just gave my daughter one I got in the second grade that folds out to become a school house.
7. I would love to write straight fantasy.
8. Everything I read must have at least some humor in it.
9. I refuse to by a children’s book that was written by a celebrity.
10. My favorite books to read to my children: How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague and Toad by Ruth Brown.
11. I don’t plan my characters–they just are.
12. I love what I call psycho killer books like John Sandford’s Prey series and Jonathon Kellerman’s Alex Delaware books, but for some reason haven’t read one in years.
13. Read Rosemary’s Baby because I knew my mother didn’t want me to.
14. With the exception of the aforementioned Rosemary’s Baby (which I enjoyed) I don’t read horror.
15. I will never finish another book, if I have to do many more of these blog tag thingees. :)

I am going to tag Teresa, Kathleen Long, and Mary Stella. Consider yourselves tagged ladies!

Lori

For all kinds of yummy things and I am determined to stop the ever creeping poundage. I have my annual doctor’s visit in December each year–such a lovely time to confront your annual weight gain. Ugh! So, I am looking for ways to feel festive and full without packing on more pounds.

Did you know a mini pumpkin chocolate chip muffin has only 34 calories? Not bad. Did you know if you freeze them to discourage yourself from eating five a day (170 calories) they are just as tasty? Yes it is true.

How about Eggnog? Any other addicts? I discovered two years ago that I adore the stuff. Usually I buy the “diet” kind and cut it with skim milk, but this year I am going to hit it harder. I am going to try and make my own. Hopefully, I won’t die of salmonella. Here’s the recipe I’m going to try–with modifications. I modify everything. In this case, I think it needs cinnamon.

Anybody have any other great holiday calorie saving tricks? I hate fudge so that’s one plus in my corner. I am dying for some real pecan pie though. Can you believe I went to two family gatherings over Thanksgiving where pie was served and there wasn’t a pecan pie in sight. What is the world coming too?

Thinking thin!

Lori