April 18, 2007

Author, Author, Tell Us More

ST: Good morning, everyone! Here is another of Lizzie’s fantastic covers to perk you up on this fine spring morning. Enjoy.

You can click onto Triskelion Publishing to pick up your very own copy of Boy Toy!

ST: All set to get started, Lizzie?

LTL: Fire away.

ST: You write erotica. Who or what encouraged you to write that specific genre?

LTL: My critique partners, Lena Austin and Lucynda Storey, challenged me with a ‘bet you can’t’, which of course I couldn’t pass up.

ST: How hot are your books?

LTL: The heat level varies. Among the Stones is more sensual than hot and doesn’t have humor. Pretty hard to be funny about someone getting sacrificed. lol. Call Me is pretty hot with all the phone sex and the heroine’s real life connection in the shower and received a 5 star rating from JERR. Night Nurse is pretty much a setup and sex, so it’s hot. Other than Stone, my books also have a lot of humor…I hope.

ST: What’s a normal day like for you?

LTL: Lately, I’ve been a little distracted. A good day for me, is getting a few chores out of the way around the house, answering e-mail and then writing until noon (during the week I get up at 4:45 am). Some days I have to run errands and I’m trying to get back into a workout routine.

ST: With your busy life how do you find time to write?

LTL: I try to treat it like a job. Sometimes, to accomplish this, I have to leave the house and go to a coffee shop or something and pretend it’s my office.

ST: Please describe your writing space.

LTL: I share the workspace with my husband. He’s into genealogy and has crap everywhere. Of course, he promises to file it, but I’m still waiting. Probably one of the reasons I work more and more on my laptop, as I find the clutter distracting a lot of times.

ST: Are there any quirks you have or do before or while you’re writing?

LTL: Music. I have music on and try to gear it around what I’m writing. For emotional scenes I like the sad, heart break songs.

ST: Rats! Our time is up for today. Are you ready to join us tomorrow for the Soft Side of Lizzie T. Leaf?

LTL: I’ll be here!

ST: Just a reminder to everyone, check out Lizzie’s website to find out more about here well written and exciting books. Until tomorrow…

Happy Writing!
Sloane

April 17, 2007

The Write Side of Lizzie T. Leaf

ST: Good morning, everyone. I thought you might like to see Lizzie’s cover for NIGHT NURSE from Aspen Press. Looks good.

ST: Before we begin, Lizzie, let’s tell everyone where they can find out more about your books and ordering them. Just click on to Lizzie’s website for all the info.

ST: Lizzie, what made you decide to be a writer?

LTL: Writing is a dream I’ve carried in my heart and head since I discovered I could put stories on paper.

ST: How long have you been writing?

LTL: In my head, most of life. At various times, I’ve worked on short stories or started books that never saw the light of day. Seriously, about four years ago I became part of a critique group and with their encouragement and my husbands, things began to happen for me.

ST: Do you find writing to be fulfilling?

LTL: Yes, most days.

ST: And in what way?

LTL: It keeps me semi-sane. I love getting the constant barrage of ideas out in the open and get very excited when I hear from someone who has read on of my books and liked it.

ST: What’s your favorite part of writing?

LTL: Creating the characters and their lives. Developing the worlds that I can escape into.

ST: What do you absolutely hate about being an author?

LTL: The fact that I now have commitments, instead of just writing for my own pleasure. There are times I’d rather be reading someone else or napping.

ST: Where do you get the story lines for your novels?

LTL: Everywhere. Sometimes it has been from snatches of overheard conversation when I’m out and about. Watching television, stories someone tells me, or memories from my past.

ST: Our time is up. Thanks again, Lizzie and we’ll see you in the morning.

LTL: My pleasure!

ST: Remember to post any questions for Lizzie. She’ll check back throughout the day and answer. Until tomorrow…

Happy Writing!
Sloane

April 16, 2007

Out and About with Lizzie T. Leaf

ST: Welcome, Lizzie, and thank you for visiting with us this week. Congratulations on Struck by Lightning being a 2007 Award of Excellence Finalist. You must be very proud.

LTL: Heck yeah, I’m proud of it…my first at making the top grouping in a contest…LOL.

ST: Let’s show everyone your beautiful cover.

ST: Lizzie, tell us about yourself.

LTL: I live in the Denver area with my husband of three years. I’ve been seriously writing for the last four years and very seriously, after we were married and my new spouse told me I needed to focus on my writing. The children are adults with families of their own. Ask me if I spoil my granddarlings??? Dang right, I do. Every chance I get.

ST: How many books have you written to date?

LTL: Nine published books in varying lengths. Currently, working on 3 that will be finished between the first and end of February.

ST: Which is your favorite and why?

LTL: Wow, tough question. The one I’m working on at the moment is usually the way it works with me. I love the Again and Again series, as I can bring my fascination with history into the stories. The Sexy Ladies series is also fun!

ST: Do you also have books in print?

LTL: Yes, Struck by Lightning which is in the Triskelion series, The Still Sexy Ladies Guide Dating Immortals. I’ve done a lot of book signings at Borders and it’s available at Amazon.com. I’m currently working on another contribution to the series.

ST: What is your latest release in print and e-published?

LTL: In bookstore print, Struck by Lightning and e-book at Triskelion. In POD and e-book, I have a short in the Jaded Beasts VI with Midnight Showcase and at Lulu.com for the print. In e-book only, my latest is a “hot” little short with Aspen Mountain Press’ called Night Nurse, in their Brown Paper Wrapper releases. All of my AMP books are also at Fictionwise.

ST: Where can we buy your books?

LTL: Stuck by Lightning, Call Me, Boy Toy and Forget the Mistletoe are all available in e-book at Triskelion Publishing. If you can’t find Struck by Lightning at your local bookstore, then try Amazon.com.

Among the Stones, The Nutcracker Returns and Night Nurse are at Aspen Mountain Press and Fictionwise in e-book only.

The Jaded Beasts VI anthology is at Midnight Showcase. I just received an e-mail from someone commenting on Enchanting, which is my contribution. She said she almost wet her pants she laughed so hard while reading my book. Now, that is a compliment! Studly Service is at Erotique/Echelon Press and available at Fictionwise.

ST: You write for at least five publishers. How do you manage that kind of work load?

LTL: The requests were spaced out over time, so it really wasn’t an issue.

ST: Thanks, Lizzie, for all the time you’ve given us today. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

LTL: I’ll be here bright and early.

ST: Please feel free to post any questions you have for Lizzie. She’ll check back throughout the day and answer.

See you in the morning with more from Lizzie. Unitl then…

Happy writing!
Sloane

April 15, 2007

It’s Up!

Yipee! My wonderful web mistress, Emily, has loaded the gorgeous LONNIE HEATS UP cover and excerpt on my home page. Click on and take a gander then please let me no your opinions.

Starting Monday, April 16, Lizzie T. Leaf will be my guest on this blog. Grab a cup and drop in for five entertaining days with this exciting author.

Happy writing!
Sloane

April 11, 2007

There are rules for everything!

I have six short rules that I post in the spiral notebook for every book I write. During the course of my writing and edits I refer to the list to be sure that I’m following my own rules.

1 - Remember the tone of the characters and the book.
If it’s light and funny - keep it light and funny.
You can’t change the characters personalities mid-book.

2 - Keep the sexual tension high.
If you’re writing romance and/or erotica the couple has to WANT.

3 - The hero/heroine can not be apart for more then one chapter.
During the separation they must think about each other.

4 - Every scene must include the five senses.
As a reminder they are See, Hear, Taste, Smell, Touch

5 - Don’t bog down the plot with essentials.
Dribble in the back story.

6 - Toward the end of the book everything must be tighter and move faster.
The reader knows the story’s coming to an end. They can tell by the number of pages left to read and they want it all fast and furious. This is the time to wrap up the loose ends and have a slam bang finish.

Work up your own set of rules for your writing. The most important thing is to be sure you follow them.

Happy writing!
Sloane