Kristal Lee

My “Books To Be Read” has taken over the top of my dresser and the floor space on either side. And, my “Magazines To Be Read” pile has taken over the armoire. I won’t mention what’s pending in my Nook.

When those precious moments of personal reading time become available, I dive into whatever tickles my interest at that time. This week, I grabbed a popular women’s magazine because the cover mentioned an article on ways to improve memory. Not just a couple of ways, 23 ways. Since I have a background in psychology, I was eager to glean as much as I could from the article.

I only had a few minutes to devote to the article and spent 95% of my time looking for it. I checked the table of contents. Hmmm…not there. I did find an article entitled “Memory Lame.” A play on words, but ironically accurate. I don’t know if the cover was a misprint or if the wrong article was published or if they forgot to print the article in its entirety. But the write-up certainly did not a address 23 ways to improve memory. I counted 8, and that was a generous count. Maybe they expected people to forget that they had promised 23 techniques.

Now, I’m annoyed. I chose this magazine based on the front cover teaser. The magazine failed to deliver the goods. Isn’t there supposed to be truth in advertising?

Building up a reader’s expectation and failing to fulfill them is a critical mistake for anyone trying to build a readership or maintain one. Such a shortfall undermines the reader’s trust. She is more hesitant to invest time or money in the author’s next project.

Lesson learned and filed in my writer’s rolodex. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver and always deliver what you promise.

~Kristal Lee

Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do – Blogging (as Kaelee Morgan) on writer’s voice at New Kids on the Writer’s Block – (Reposted)

I can hear Julie Andrews singing in the Sound of Music simply by reading the words do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do. Her voice is as clear and distinctive in my mind as it was to my ears when I heard her sing them. I will never mistake another singer for her.

Why?

Because her voice is unique and very identifiable.

At the mention of her name, I bet you heard her voice in your head too-- if, you've ever heard her sing. If you haven't, you should.

As a writer, I want my manuscripts to be as vivid and memorable as a Julie Andrews performance. I want readers to recognize my voice from the first paragraph. I want it to stand out. I want it to sing to the rafters.

But first, I have to learn what my voice is and isn't.

I pulled out some old contest critiques on my first manuscript to see if others had heard my voice. What a relief that they had. I read comments about "strong voice" and "unique voice".  But what does that mean?

Ambiguous terms, although complimentary and very appreciated, haven't helped me in my quest to discover who I am as writer.

To help me gain a better understanding of  "voice,"  I bought books and dug through past issues of RWR. ( I keep every issue and stack them on the floor in my home office because they contain nuggets of wisdom that I need to dig for from time to time.)

In the July 2008 RWR, Julie Rowe wrote an article entitled "Love Your Voice" and said, "Voice is an extension of who the writer is. [It] is a writer's personality on paper."

Hmmm.  Houston we have a kink in the fuel line.

In life, I have two distinct personalities. My work personality and my non-work personality. The two are very different. Maybe that's why I'm having difficulties defining my writer's voice. In re-reading the old contest critiques, I came across a reviewer's comment that my writing style fluctuated between formal and informal with the suggestion to pick one and stick to it.

In essence she was saying, "Know thy Self."

Julie Andrews had to learn her true singing range in order to become the vocalist everyone recognizes. I need to learn my true writing style in order to become the novelist I want to be.


Over the next few weeks, I'll be researching the different elements of voice and trying to define my own through some writing exercises. So, come "sing" with me in a two minute  practice session in writing outside the box.

Write at least four alternate uses for the following items:

* A popsicle stick

* A bobby pin (hair pin)

* A newspaper

* A dog bone

I'll post mine in the comments later in the day, and no I won't look at yours first. I already have mine written.

This week hubby and I watched 30 Days of Night with Josh Hartnett. It’s about a small town in Alaska that gets no sunlight for 30 days. Naturally, this set-up provides the perfect smorgasbord for vampires. I won’t go into the gory details of the fanged leeches run a muck. And I won’t give the details of the hero’s demise in the end. I’m a romance writer. I want the happily ever after, not a Nicholas Sparks’s ending, no matter how poetic.

So, what caught my attention the most in this film?

Unnecessary characters.

Throughout the story, there are 5 maybe 6 vampires that are shown consistently. We never learn their names, but we see them often enough to identify them as the collective villain. However in the climactic scene, suddenly there are about two dozen vampires. So, where did they all come from and why didn’t they show up before the end?

Also, a couple of characters emerged for very brief scenes and none of the “humans” knew who they were. Apparently, the vampires didn’t either.

Hello! If no one in the story can explain who the mystery characters are or why they are there, why bother having them pop in?

Unnecessary characters clutter the story and confuse the heck out of me.

I’m not talking about the nameless, faceless, cardboard stand-ins that are the innocent bystanders or persons in the check-out line at the grocery store or the pedestrian the heroine passes on the street who are needed for local color. I’m talking about the characters that suddenly appear, unannounced, un-introduced, and no one but the writer knows who they are or why they’re in the story. Then, poof! They’re gone.

Now, I’m annoyed. I spend more time trying to understand the intrusion and lose focus on the story.

In one such scene, a little girl vampire is devouring a nameless someone. Every known character on screen comments that no one knows who this child is or where she came from. Okay. I was a bit intrigued, expecting a plot twist because so far none of the vampires had children in tow. So, where did this pointy-toothed munchkin come from and why was she in the story?

I’m waiting for the big revelation and they promptly lop off her head.

Big disappointment.

Later, it’s revealed that she bit one of the humans that had banded together and he begins turning into a vampire. Hmmmm. Why not use a vampire character who we’d already seen rather than one that no one knew how to explain?

The little girl was a loose thread and if yanked, the plot wouldn’t unravel. Wouldn’t have left even the tiniest whole in the fabric of the story.

Switching gears to writing…If a new character can be deleted, or replaced by another who the reader has already been introduced to, and still maintain the integrity of the story, you must snip that new character out of the manuscript immediately. Failure to do so will cause little fuzz balls in your reader’s mind. The danger there is that little fuzz balls are worrisome and distracting. The reader may become irritated at those imperfections, lose interest in the story, put it down and never pick it up again.

Every character that you write into your story should be, in some way, integral to the plot. No one else should be able to act or react in they way that character does and his/her actions should push the plot forward, complicate the plot, or twist the plot in a fresh direction. If the new character can be interchanged for another, you’re using the wrong the character or you have a weak plot point. My advice, yank that string out and re-knit that scene.

~Kristal Lee

My former day-boss used to hand out weekly goals with an inspirational message scribbled at the bottom of the page. Only one left a lasting impression on me.


If you only work 40 hours a week, you have a job not a career.

In less than a microsecond, I knew my daily occupation was a “job”, not a career.

I like my day job. It’s interesting, challenging, and a continual learning experience. But, I don’t want to slave at my desk for extra hours or come in on weekends. I give my all during the 40 hours I’m there. But when the LED display on the clock flashes that time to go home, I do. Because at home is where I work on my career.

Dictionary.com defines career as ” a person’s progress or general course of action through life or through a phase of life, as in some profession or undertaking.” For me, that’s writing. That I’m not published and not paid to write doesn’t deter me from doing it any way.

I’m committed. Every spare moment is dedicated to writing or learning the craft of writing. If I had more time, I’d spend it writing. As surely as I live and breathe, I write. It is my general course of action through life. I hope to make progress along the way because I do have the goal of becoming a successful published author. But, I think a career is about the journey, not the just the final destination.

So, do you have a job or a career? Or both?

~kristal lee

Ricky Martin's idea of "Livin La Vida Loca" is kid's play compared to my crazy life.

Up a 5:00am. Exercise, then off to work. Don't get home until after 5:00pm. Then, there's dinner to cook, fur-babies to feed and play with, and can't forget spending time with the hubby or tending to the occasional medical issues that arise from his spinal cord injury and paralysis. Toss in monitoring his autistic brother, laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and dusting and I've used up 27 hours in a 24 hour day.

Okay, so I fudged on the dusting. And I forgot to calculate sleep time. Point is, necessities in life dictate my daily schedule. But, time waits for no writer. So, how do I find the time to write?

In a nutshell...I don't.

Time isn't something you find. It's something you make use of. And I have to make the most of mine.


Tiny fragments of time can add up to a chunk of missed opportunity if ignored. So, I carry a netbook everywhere. I write at work on my breaks and lunch hour. I write waiting at the doctor's office. I write when I'm riding in a car. I write while watching TV.

If I'm not writing during these hidden moments, I'm reading. To be a good writer, one must read. A lot. Read for pleasure, read for study, read for enrichment, read for enlightenment. Reading and writing are like Hansel and Gretel. Where you find one, you should find the other.

My brain is hard-wired for writing. At any given moment, a dozen or so stories may be crowding my cerebral cortex. I've learned to make notes on index cards, scraps of paper, the back of receipts, to keep track of story ideas, characters, and situations.

And, like every other writer, occasionally I get walloped with the wand of the writer's block faery. When this happens, if I can't work through the issue on the computer screen, I sleep on it. Yep, that's right. I go to bed. Or at least take a nap.

Of course, as I close my eyes, I'm thinking about plots and characters, turning points and black moments. Sometimes the solution comes to me when I wake up, sometimes it takes several days. But it does come.

Why?

Because the brain never sleeps. It is the ultimate in the state-of-the-art personal computers. I can input a plot point that isn't working, or a character that's misbehaving, and soon the busy beaver inside my head computes a scenario or solution that gives me that incredulous "Ah Ha!" moment.

Think about. Write while you're sleeping. Capitalize on 6-8 hours of untapped time.

Okay, maybe that's not for everyone. But it works for me.

I like to use weekends for marathon writing. Limiting social activities helps. All my friends and family understand and are supportive of my off-the-cuff time management. I haven't cut myself off from spending time with others, but I'm not running to every BBQ, every potluck, or every picnic that comes along.

Another tidbit on time management came to me when my husband suffered a set-back in his medical condition. I was stretched beyond my capabilities, as far as responsibilities go, and I made the decision to hire a cleaning service until things became more manageable for me. From them, I learned only clean what's dirty. If it isn't dirty, don't clean it until it is. Maybe that's common sense, but it was an eye opener for me. I no longer have the cleaning service, but the rule is still fresh in my mind. The floor still gets vacuumed and mopped, but only when dirty. The laundry gets done in bulk, rather than piecemeal. And so on. Instead of spending a day on the weekend cleaning, I clean what needs to be cleaned and use the remainder of the day to write.

I believe that we can always optimize time to include the things we want to do. Though each day is different, I manage to pull it all together and when I finally stop for the night I'm usually satisfied with the time I spent on writing.

So tell me, what are your biggest challenges in carving out time to write and what ways have you found to overcome those obstacle?

I survived RWA’s 30th Anniversary conference.

Thousands of chickens did not.

I’m not talking about individuals afraid of taking risks. I’m talking poultry.


Chicken is my favorite food, next to pizza. It’s versatile, easy to prepare, and goes with anything. To my dismay, Disney’s lack of culinary creativity would have Chef Ramsay dropping the “F”-bomb because the delectable bird was cut and cooked and served without any variety for two luncheons and the awards dinner. Don’t mistake my intent. There was nothing wrong with how the chicken tasted. But, I expected more finesse and flair and variety from the magnate Mouse of magickal moments. To say I was disappointed, barely scratches the surface of the sentiment.

In pondering the many ways that the chicken could’ve been prepared, I began thinking about books and story-telling. {What can I say? I’m a writer. My brain is wired to that path and all roads of thought will eventually end up there.}

As writers, we must not fall into the trap of disappointing readers by dishing out plain chicken reads.

We must take every opportunity to stock our writer’s rack with savory words, ripened plots, and satisfying world building. Marinate characters with the mesquite of the wild west. Add a bit of cinnamon or cardamon for outer-space spice. Simmer plots like robust stew or turn up the heat for fast-fried scenes.

If we don’t, our stories will be as bland and unappealing as an unseasoned chicken.

That’s why I’m grateful for the RWA’s ongoing efforts to provide authors, aspiring and established, with tools to sharpen and hone our skills. The workshops at Nationals were fun, challenging, and oriented to helping writers learn about the craft of writing.

I had a fabulous time meeting interesting people from all over the world, developing friendships that I hope will be long and fruitful, and gleaning from those who have created their own recipes for success.

I’ve expanded my writer’s rack with fighting tips from Angela Knight, witticisms for career planning from Cherry Adair, admonishments to write without whining because it wasn’t any easier then than it is now from Nora Roberts, and Jayne Ann Krentz’s advice on how not to kill your career.

I learned about publishers and publishing, agents and editors, query letters and synopses, hooks and high concept pitches.

But, the boring poultry, thrice served, that could’ve been much more appealing and satisfying if a little creative effort had been put into making it, will be what I remember the most. Because I never want a reader to feel that I didn’t care enough to season my “dish” to perfection.

~Kristal Lee

Recently I purchased Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. It was recommended to me as a writer’s resource keeper. Of the many gems of Mr. King’s writing wisdom, the nugget I’d like to ooh and aah over today is his confession of writing rapidly with the door shut.

What? Close out the fur-babies, the hubby, my Nickelback iTunes? And what about stopping to make those pesky corrections after I re-read the paragraph I just wrote? Oh, the horror!

Well, Mr. King is the master of horror novels.

So, I allowed his little tidbit to marinate in my shocked and awed mind.

Mr. King explains that he literally closes his door and writes as quickly as he can, transferring what’s in his brain into words exactly as they come to him. He doesn’t stop for corrections and only flip-flops back to check characters and essential back story. He focuses on the goal of finishing the story by writing fast enough to outrun self-doubt. Revisions eventually come, but not until the first draft is complete and adequate time has passed so that sink holes in the plot and stumbling blocks in character building become as apparent as a shimmery full moon in a cloudless, black velvet sky.

Suddenly, I got it. For months, I couldn’t get past the first few chapters of my current WIP because I kept stopping to revise and rework it. As a result, the story twisted tumultuously and kept changing. Mainly, because I became unsure of where I was going with it. Self-doubt mowed me down and kept riding over me each time I made a change. I thought I was working toward improvement when I was actually disassembling the foundation and scattering it to oblivion.

Although I’ve been writing since childhood, I’m a novice when it comes to the craft of writing for publication. Knowing this, I read how-to books, take online classes, and whatever else I can find to do to learn the techniques I need to develop for success. I have charts and outlines and character interviews and storyboards. None have worked to help me complete this WIP.


Mr. King talks about starting with a situation that organically develops into a story. He defines the difference between plot and story as “Story is honorable and trustworthy; plot is shifty, and best kept under house arrest.”

I found that when I returned to the basic inciting situation for my hero and heroine, their story began to naturally evolve. Twists and turns and reveals are occurring that I never imagined when trying to systematically structure the storyline. I also found the writing is easier and faster than when I was struggling to make the jig-sawed plot pieces fit together. With resounding clarity, and a sliver of guilt, I accepted that formal plotting doesn't work for me.

Now, my mission is to write hard, write fast and let self-doubt choke on the dust my fingers leave behind while I'm tapping out that first draft. Do I expect it to be a masterpiece? Not in any lucid reality, but that’s okay. Ernest Hemingway said “The first draft of anything is sh**!” So, I’m in good company.
Reposted from New Kids on the Writer's Block

A blood red moon, partially obscured by passing clouds, cast an eerie orange glow over my house. The forest, strangely still, seemed more mystical than suburban woods should be. A soft, gentle wind nipped my skin just enough to elicit a few chill bumps despite the warm, Florida evening.

I stopped to wonder.

Were faeries afoot? Was tonight the night to behold a Faery Raed, a Wild Hunt? Would the sounds of galloping horses and barking hounds reach my piqued and straining ears?

With baited breath I stood, watching, waiting for a sign of things to come. Yet, as the clouds passed over and beyond the wide-eyed moon, all was quiet and serene. No portent of calamity, no foreshadow of doom. I heaved a sigh of relief. And yet, a twinge of disappointment lingered.

Just once, I’d like to glimpse the Great Faery Host thundering through the black velvet sky. Fierce and glorious in pursuit of their prey. But, I wouldn’t want to get in their way. They have a fondness for whisking humans away.

~Kristal Lee

I hadn’t planned to attend the Romance Writers of America’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee this year. Mostly because travel is difficult due to family circumstances and then, there was the flight, hotel, meals, transportation, and the conference fee. Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching.

However, due to the recent flooding of the Nashville area, the conference was relocated to Kissimmee, Florida. With most of the travel expenses eliminated, it became more affordable for me to attend and it’s practically in my own back yard. So, I’m headed to the conference of all conferences this week.

I’m a little apprehensive, to say the least. Large crowds are the last place I want to be. All I can think of is being caught like a rabbit in a buffalo stampede. Yikes!

Although I’m a friendly conversationalist when I have to be, I’m more introverted than I appear and big social events tend to spike my anxiety. I’ve heard from veteran conference attendees that many writers share this phenomenon. Great. We’ll all stroke out together.

Just kidding.

Most of my stress is the build up before I get there. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with stepping outside my comfort zone. Or outside my routine…but even that seems weird because I don’t really have a set routine. But, I do like to fill every spare moment with writing. And anything that takes away from those precious time slots fills me with angst.

There’s not much that I’d rather be doing other than writing. Oh, wait. Reading and napping are close seconds, but I usually do those when I’m stuck on a plot point that isn’t developing and my brain needs a break.

On the up side, (and so you know I’m not a complete social phobe) I am excited about meeting new people and hearing about their journeys. Also, the workshops and publisher spotlights scheduled look fabulous and I’m all about gleaning as much as I can from those who’ve gone before me.

So, my goal for this conference is simply to listen and learn, make friends and network. I’m foregoing the pressure of pitching since my current WIP is still in development and my completed manuscript needs significant revisions. At least my business cards came in on time, so I can get my name out there. Hopefully someone will remember me fondly when they see my query letters in the not so distant future.

So, tell me…will you be there too?

Finally got a chance to watch “The Wolfman” on DVD with the hubby last night. Ahem…it’s not going on my let’s watch this again list. With a cast that includes Benecio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, and Hugo Weaving, I was expecting more ummph and angst!


It was apparent after a few minutes that the actors were not committed to their characters. They were going through the motions, and perhaps they were technically on cue, but there was no depth or emotions behind their efforts. (Except for Emily Hunt. She did bring life to the scenes whenever she was on screen. So kudos to her for givin’ it her all.)
I did at least enjoy the flick. It seems a throw back to “The Wolf Man” with Lon Chaney, Jr., especially the wolf man costuming. When Benecio’s character, Lawrence Talbot, transformed…for a moment I thought I was watching the 1941 version. Not sure if that was the director’s intention in regards to the special effects, so I’ll leave it at that.

During the movie, I pondered the impact of flat characters. That I was thinking about anything else while the story unfolded speaks volumes. If the characters aren’t committed to their tale, why should I?

I think to buy into a character’s story, we need to understand his/her motivation for being there and a strong emotion must be attached to it. I never got that in this film. Lawrence Talbot returns home to his estranged family after learning his brother has disappeared. It’s apparent that Lawrence doesn’t have an emotional attachment to his family so I kept wondering why is he there and why does he care. Neither question was fully answered, so I ended up with the conclusion that he had to return home for there to be a story. Yikes!

Big lesson learned there on a character’s internal motivation.

The external motivation may propel the plot, but the internal motivation fuels the drive to get there. Addressing only the surface issues results in flat characters because there are no layers to explore.

IMHO, a book, a film, a play, should be about the hero/heroine’s journey of self discovery and we come along because want to cheer them when they face obstacles, sympathize or criticize when they make mistakes, and give a pat on the back when they succeed. As observers, we want to feel and experience the emotion in a work of fiction. Without it, we might as well read an encyclopedia.

~Kristal Lee

Why did I choose Paranormal Romance for starting my writing career?

I grew up watching the classic monster movies (on reruns, of course) and reading epic stories such as Beowulf, The Iliad and The Odyssey, Le Morte de Arthur, and faery tale collections by the Brothers Grimm. Each sparked my imagination and has fueled my writer’s soul.

Vampires and werewolves, dragons and wizards, faeries and trolls, angels and demons, ghosts and goblins, enchantments and curses. The good, bad, and the hideously ridiculous. I can’t get enough. Call me a paranormal groupie.

Yep, I’m the gal who’ll creep down the squeaky, rickety stairs with a dying flashlight in a blackout to investigate the specter haunting the basement. Oh, my heart would be tha-dumping against my ribcage, but it would be from excitement, not fear.

It’s no wonder that I chose the paranormal romance genre to launch my aspiring author’s career. It combines my love for writing with my love of the mystical, magickal, mayhem that thrives in the moonlight. And, the romance part, well, it’s like the marshmallows in rocky road ice cream. It makes something good, scrumptilicious. What’s not to love about that?

~Kristal Lee

Our backyard must be deemed to have the Best Grubs in the Neighborhood. At least, that’s my take on it. Here’s why…

Despite having a fenced yard, wild animals seem to love it. Ergo, the reason for the fence. That, and we have two fur-babies that we don’t want adventuring in the swampy woods behind the house.

Still, a professionally installed barrier is no deterrent for a foraging armadillo. I love the cute little ears. Hate the holes he leaves behind. Especially the huge one that he retreats into when the fur-babies are out.

Monster puppy barks and chases, then looses interest in the armored critter. But, the brave little basset is determined. Determined to do what? I’m not sure. And neither is he.

Wednesday night, he was, literally, standing on top of the grunting armadillo burrowing deep in his hole. Once I pulled the basset off him, I realized this wasn’t the same armadillo that grazed our property several months ago. He is smaller and has different coloring. I imagine he heard through the critter hotline that our grubs were worth the trouble.

I’m hoping he decided that they aren’t. Perhaps the basset’s grand stand on his back was enough to ward off the pesky digger. He hasn’t returned for seconds. Yet.

~kristal lee

I debated for a long time over the current e-book readers.


I had an eBookwise 1150 reading device for a couple of years. It was cheap, $99 when I bought it and was the bare bones of electronic readers. But it finally stopped charging and I could no longer use it.

I shopped the Kindle, the Sony Reader, the iPad, and the Nook looking for a replacement. I read the reviews, went to the stores to check them all out. I pestered friends and strangers whenever I noticed them using an e-reader.

Mixed opinions abounded, confounding my already confused brain.

All I wanted was something that I could comfortably read. I wanted clear, readable text, no jumbled characters allowed. I wanted the device to be lightweight so that I could hold it in one hand and turn the digital page without dropping it.

I didn’t care about making notes, storing music, playing games, or all the other hodge-podge of features that make a device so many things other than an e-reader.

When I read a book, I’m reading a book. I’m not listening to music, playing games, and although I might make notes in the margin of what I like or don’t like, it isn’t essential that I do.

In the end, I choose the Nook.

One, the price was reasonable. Two, it came with a $50 gift card for eBooks. I love to read. Sellers take note, for die-hard readers, a deal sweetened with books is a hook that most of us can’t resist.

Now, the Nook isn’t a bare bones device like the eBookwise 1150. It does have some nifty features. The text size can be adjusted to suit your reading preference. It has 2GB of memory, which I’m told means that it can hold 1,500 books, newspapers, and magazines. If that isn’t sufficient, you can add a memory card.

The version I purchased has built-in Wi-Fi and can utilize the AT&T 3G network if Wi-Fi isn’t available. The Nook also allows you to read complete eBooks while visiting any of the BN stores. I haven’t tried that yet, but WooHoo! if it works! And yes, I will be checking out that feature the next time I’m in the store.

Chess and Sudoku come pre-loaded on the Nook. I’ve played Sudoku and like it. I haven’t tackled the Chess board yet.

When browsing the BN online bookstore, a conglomerate of titles appear and in no particular order. Usually, I use my netbook to browse the online bookstore and make purchases through the website that are then updated directly to my Nook. If you are hunting for something in particular, you can tap the slide bar to access the keyboard and tap out the title or author you are looking for.

I was able to easily order from other online stores and transfer the books to the Nook using the USB cable that comes with the device. I like the USB cable design because it also has an attachment that converts it into a plug so the device can be recharged using a computer or electrical outlet. I find this very convenient because I don’t have to carry two cords.

I love the easy of reading the Nook. It’s lightweight, slightly larger in size than a paperback novel but much thinner. For me, it is easy to read, even in dim light. Some might disagree. But growing up, I was the girl with the flashlight under the covers reading way into the night. I could read by the light of the moon or a flickering candle if need be.

What I’m not a big fan of is placement of the page turning buttons. The top buttons turn pages back. The bottom buttons turn the pages forward. To me, this is backwards. But, I’m adaptable.

Also, I wanted to be able to see the book cover art in color. Although the Nook does have this feature for the thumbnails on the slide bar, it doesn’t transfer to the actual viewer. Big belly-busting bummer!! Part of the fun of buying romance novels is drooling over the hunky heroes blazing on the cover. Some of the sizzle is lost in black and gray.

Speaking of the slide bar, it’s a smidgen too slow for me. Or maybe my fingers are too quick for it. I have to tap it several times for it to respond. Patience, patience, patience.

Dear hubby stresses patience with electronics and elevators. And I say, with OCD and ADD I’ll have patience when I’m dead. Until then, I’ll keeping tapping the button until I get the desired response.

Other than those three teeny hiccups in the design, I’m very happy with my Nook. And my hubby was happy for the $50 gift card. My eBook spending could bankrupt the budget.
~Kristal Lee

I love thunderstorms.

My two fur-babies do not.

They seem to know when a thunderstorm is brewing even before the dark clouds roll in and the first rumble trembles the air. Each reacts differently, but they both want the same thing. To be next to me or my dear hubby. Preferably, between us both. They press against our legs, climb onto our laps or hop on the bed, if permitted. Snuggle hounds, you could call them.

I know they are scared of the rumbling noise the thunder makes. And fireworks, too. But why? And what makes them want to be so close to us during those particular instances?

One theory I read tried to explain that an electrical charge builds when a thunderstorm is imminent. And when dogs lie next to you, the body heat insulates them from this charge. Well, okay. I guess that kinda-sorta makes sense. But there’s no mention of the same electrical build up when fireworks are discharged. So, that blows a hole in that logic. At least for me.

Further research led me to understand that dogs have very sensitive hearing. Duh! I should have known that already. Our 90 lb monster puppy, can hear me whisper his name when I’m in the back bedroom and he’s sprawled on the floor in the front room. He’ll come running every time.
Super sensitive hearing equals aversion to loud noises, i.e., thunderstorms AND fireworks. Bingo!

Now, why do the dogs want to practically lie on top of us whenever this happens?

Dogs are pack animals and as such they want to be close to their pack members. I believe they feel comforted when snuggling against us. Allowing them to do this quiets the baritone basset’s whine and the monster puppy’s pacing. Usually, they fall asleep despite the rattling windows and howling wind.

I’ve read that some animal trainers discourage allowing dogs to seek comfort. They suggest that this reinforces their fear of loud noises and that this behavior needs to be modified through behavioral training or desensitization. Recommendations were provided on establishing a “safe den” where the dogs could retreat when afraid.

Personally, I’m not bothered by my dogs’ mild reactions to thunderstorms and fireworks. If they want to snuggle with me, I’m okay with that. They aren’t ripping up the furniture or chewing the baseboards like I’ve seen some frightened animals do. If they were, as their pack leader, I’d definitely address that behavior with redirection and training.

By the same token, I believe my fur-babies expect a measure of comfort from me. They should be able to trust in my ability to keep them safe from the invisible noise maker that periodically threatens their world. What good would I be as pack leader if I couldn’t?

A stable pack life is dependent upon mutual trust and respect. Without it, everything deteriorates, leaving a household in turmoil.

If your dog exhibits destructive behaviors in reaction to thunderstorms or other loud noises, please talk to your local veterinarian about safe ways to effectively reduce your pet’s anxiety.

Hello. My name is Kristal Lee and I’m a netbook junkie.

I have a desktop computer and a laptop and now a netbook that’s never more than an arm’s length away, if that.

It’s light and portable and oh so easy to use.

The battery life is amazing. I love being able to take it anywhere and not have to worry about finding an outlet. I took the netbook with me on a day trip to see my parents. My hubby drove, of course, while I tapped away on the keys, working on my current project. I was squealfully delighted with the amount of progress I made because the battery didn’t give out before we’d made out of the neighborhood. Hubby was also happy. Since the netbook kept me occupied, I didn’t complain about his driving. He made a mental note to check that my netbook is in tow for all future trips.

My netbook has become so ingrained in my daily routine that I look for it before I look for my purse when I leave home. I still use the desktop or laptop when updating my website or backing up my data, when I need a larger screen or more capacity. But the netbook has become my primary device for writing, my virtual pen and paper. The screen is small, but sufficient and using Microsoft Word I can enlarge the text if needed.

The built-in pad created a bit of a problem for me in the beginning because my palms rested on the surface, causing my cursor to zip here, there, and everywhere. The fix? I disabled it in the settings and use a mini-mouse that I absolutely adore.

Now, I’m all about the netbook until some evil genius designs a way to take the words and images directly from my brain and turns them into an arrangement of coherent sentences on the computer screen while maintaining my writer’s voice, delivering my fingers from the arduous task.

So, which do you prefer when writing? The desktop, the laptop, or the netbook?

~Kristal Lee

“Writing is a dog’s life, but the only one worth living.” ~ Gustave Flaubert


When I came across this quotation, I paused. Then, I googled.

Gustave Flaubert was a 19th century French author, whose only work I recognized in his writing repertoire was Madame Bovary. He is described as a writer who ruthlessly wracked his brain to find just the right word but was never satisfied that he’d found it. The language and construct of his personal letters proved that his literary finesse wasn’t natural, but developed through the sweat and struggle of revisions to meticulously avoid the vague, the ambiguous, the imprecise.

The more I read, the more it seemed that Flaubert was a man tortured by his craft. A further Google search revealed that in the 1800’s, the phrase, “a dog’s life”, referred to a “wretched” one. In the 21st century, even the term “wretched” has become antiquated and in modern tongue, one would simply use the words miserable, crummy, or crappy to describe the sentiment.

A dog’s life equals a crappy life? My how things have changed in three hundred years.

My two fur-babies have posh lifestyles. Nothing crappy about their world, except the spot in the yard where they poo. They are surrounded by people who cater to them 24 hours a day. We feed them when they’re hungry and give them treats throughout the day. Anyone in the house becomes an instant doorman whenever the pooches want to go outside or come in. They are given regular baths with scented soap. (Okay, they probably don’t consider that a perk, but it is a necessity when living in a human pack.) They even get chauffeured to the doggie park for group play dates, followed by a trip to the drive-thru for their favorite kid’s meal. And, of course they get all the love—hugs, pats on the head, belly rubs, and positive affirmations that they want and need.

A dog’s life today is so not like a writer’s.

But I get what Flaubert was expressing.

Writing is a struggle, or at least it should be, even to those born to it. Nothing that comes easy ever satisfies the soul. It is in the wrestling that we find accomplishment.

The writer must pour over every word, honing and tuning it to portray the exact thought or emotion that exists in her mind at the moment of its conception. And, like natural childbirth, only through laborious toil and pain can that creation be pushed from her innermost being into the world. No one can do this for her. She has to do it herself.

I’m not suggesting that as writers we hole up in a closet or a basement, or underneath the stairs to go through this process alone. We should surround ourselves with people who cheer us on, cheer us up, and who are cheery to be around. Be mindful, though, that these same people know when to stop cheering and kick butt. Cheering for the sake of cheering serves no good purpose to a writer.

Despite the challenges and drudge I face, I love being a writer. So, I echo Flaubert’s summation… It is no easy life being a writer, but it is the only one for me.

~Kristal Lee

BOOK BLURB:



Hello Nancy!

Tell us a little about yourself. I am a mature, college educated, wife, mother, and all around modern woman who happens to like all things Scottish and loves to read regency historical novels. I started writing toward publication about three years ago. I signed my first contract for a contemporary romance then, just this past February, sold DRAGON’S CURSE. Both books were released in June and I am thrilled. I grew-up in Huntington, NY then moved to New Hampshire to attend college. I stayed many, many years. My husband and I moved to Raleigh, NC recently to be near family. I write full-time.

What inspired you to become a writer? I have always loved to read and one day my Scorpio-driven type ‘A’ personality said “I can do better than this.” I discovered it is NOT very easy to write a novel. It takes works, training, editing help, critique help, and lots and lots of rewrites. I am a voracious reader and have met some of my favorite authors in my writer groups. They keep me focused toward success.

What were your first steps toward publication? Writing the story came easy. My son arrived home from a tour in Iraq and it felt as if a damn broke open. Maybe the relief from a year of stress had melted away. Whatever happened, the story was finished in one month. After several rejections from agents, I received a request for the full manuscript from Harlequin. Even though they eventually rejected it, I kept going. I have completed six manuscripts to date and have sold three. I’m liking them odds!

What is one speed bump that you encountered along the way and how did you overcome it? I worked feverishly on a Scottish historical with a bit of time travel and a present day witch in order to be able to pitch it at the annual Romance Writers of America conference in July 2009. I waited patiently for my turn with one agent and one editor. Both requested I send them the first three chapters so I raced home, edited it to death, and proudly sent my ‘baby’ out into the world. Alas, the publisher said ‘no thanks’ and I NEVER heard from the agent. Ah, well. I have since worked on the manuscript, using information I learned over the last nine months to make my writing better. I will again pitch my book at the next RWA conference.

Who or what has been the biggest help to you in becoming a published author? If I named names we would be here all day so let me make a shout out to my chapter mates at Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. Besides them, I belong to several on-line groups which are where I realized e-publishing was one way to get published. Sort of a stepping stone, especially for a novella length story like DRAGON’S CURSE.

What sparked your heart to write Dragon’s Curse? I love Dragons (and horses, and unicorns, and mermaids….watch out!) but I love stories where Scotland is a prominent feature. My husband is of Scottish ancestry and we still volunteer each year at the New Hampshire Highland Games (www.nhscot.org.) I decided to combine the two. I thought caves, then thought islands, and did a little research. Scotland has a plethora of beautiful islands and I discovered Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa. It is the oddest looking place I have ever seen. The story flew and I came up with the tale.

Where do you go from here? I think the term ‘juggler’ might describe my life at this point. I have full-length contemporary romance also just out under my pen name, Nancy Lennea. Check it out at www.nancylennea-inlove.blogspot.com. I just sold a full-length romantic suspense which I hope will come out later this year. I am finishing up SPELLBOUND HIGHLANDER for the RWA conference and already have 1/3 complete on a story that takes off from that story. I just started another paranormal set in present day Raleigh, NC at the new Museum of Art. I am aggressively pursuing getting an agent because I would like to submit work to one of the large NY publishers.
Any words of wisdom for new authors with dreams of a publishing contract? Don’t try to do it alone as I did for the first year. Gain membership in at least one writers group. Writing is a solitary profession and the camaraderie is priceless. And just remember: Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.


Thank you Nancy, for chatting with us today. Congratulations on the release of DRAGON’S CURSE.


Nancy Lee Badger writes full-time and lives with her husband in Raleigh, NC. She loves everything Scottish. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Celtic Heart Romance Writers, and Sisters in Crime. She stays busy celebrating the release of her Scottish historical DRAGON’S CURSE available from Whispers Publishing at www.whispershome.com  to get your copy today.
Visit Nancy’s websites: http://www.nancyleebadger.com/ and http://www.nancyleenea.com/.

Visit her blog http://www.rescuingromance.nancyleebadger.com/ For excerpts and more information.

My parents are visiting. I’m happy they are here. I haven’t seen them for a couple of months. And, I’m particularly grateful that my dad was capable of making the trip. He’s battling prostate cancer, finishing his radiation treatments last week.
He feels good, looks good, and hasn’t had any side-effects to date. Again, I’m grateful.

A cancer diagnosis often turns the world topsy-turvy. My dad faced the tilt-a-whirl news with the same quiet, steadiness that I’ve always known him to have. He read the literature the oncologist passed to him, listened to the recommendations, proceeded with the treatment, commenting that he hoped the daily doses of radiation would be administered in the mornings so that he could be about his gardening in the afternoons.

Henry David Thoreau wrote that “most men lead lives of quiet desperation”. I believe my dad leads a life of quiet inspiration. Without lectures, he has shown us love, dedication, and faith. An abiding faith that allows him to take what comes and push forward, steady, unwavering, and unflustered.

He continues to work his garden, piddle in his workshop, and watch Braves baseball. And I am grateful.
Grateful for one more year, one more month, one more day with the quiet man who is my dad.

~Kristal Lee

I’m a Type A personality masquerading as a Type B. Outwardly, I appear laid back, even-tempered, and mellow. And I am, outwardly. On the inside, I’m a rocket ship on steroids firing off to all four corners of the universe and every destination in between. Usually at the same time and faster than ludicrous speed.

And because of this, some times the little things derail my trajectory.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been dealing with yard issues. A grass jungle in competition with the Amazon. Central Florida, rainy season, and St. Augustine grass are the ingredients you need to build your own. Oh, and a yard man waylaid by a family emergency and his own bout with the summer flu.

Although I’m prone to exaggeration, growing up in a Southern family descended from Irish immigrants who believed story telling was a momentous event and the bolder, the more outrageous, the better, I’m not embellishing when I say that our grass is up to my knees and climbing.

Hear that pop? It’s the sound of my Type B persona cracking.

Home Owners Associations, neighbors, and snakes. Oh crap!

Each day that creeps by without the sounds of a mower fists my stomach tighter than a fishing net caught in a boat motor. I called other lawn services for assistance. If they remember to show up, their quotes are more than my hubby is willing to pay. I, on the other hand, would take a second mortgage on the house just to get the job done.

This week has been especially tough and my stress has rocketed past my intergalactic shuttle blowing my Type B cloak to smithereens. I begin wondering, where in CF could I buy a machete. Soon, I might have to whack out a path to rescue the dogs.

And then something wonderful causes a shift in perspective.

I let the dogs out to play, hoping they won’t get lost in the tangle and drown. While I fear having to traipse after them with nothing but flip flops to protect my feet, they have no qualms about diving in and parting the green sea.

Well, one of them doesn’t.

Brave little basset.

All I can see is the white tip of his tail above the lush blades bending to the slight breeze the same way that the leaves in the trees rustle. He leaps. He stalks. He hunts with the determination of Pooh tracking his honey pot.

For that little basset the mountainous green blob about to swallow the house is a land of adventure. A land of opportunity. A land no longer deemed just the place to do his doody.

Watching him play, and grin—yes, he has this weird dog grin, open mouth, flash of teeth, long, lolling tongue, helps de-escalate my stress and teaches me that when things aren’t perfect maybe it’s because I’m looking at the situation the wrong way. Like a kaleidoscope, when we don’t like what we see, we can shift perspectives for a new outlook. Sometimes that slight modification of attitude sets the universe back on its axle and we move forward once again.

It works.

As I began writing this post the endearing sounds of a weed-eater enchanted my ears. My heart beat a little faster than normal. I race the dogs to the French doors, throw back the sheer curtains, my hand flies to mouth, my fingers fan my lips.

There he is…my yardman…my hero for today. Fighting his way through the backyard wilderness to conquer the monstrous turf eating at my sanity.

Some might think, poor little basset. He’s lost his novel land of exploration.

Not to worry. He’s just as content to chase the lizards and geckos from the back porch. Or bark at the deer meandering behind the fence. He’s happy-go-lucky that way. Amazing that he has such resilience after being abused and abandoned and rescued from a kill shelter before finding his forever home with us.

Reminding me again, we can’t control the challenges we face but we can change the view. After all, life is all about perspectives.
~Kristal Lee

** Some may have wondered why we didn’t cut the grass ourselves. The short answer is that we don’t own a lawn mower. Those who know us understand why.

I’m pleased to have romance author, Michelle Young, as a guest. She is the fabulous author of Dragonstone.

Book Blurb:
Lady Katerina is the independent, headstrong heir to the Latharian throne; the one to fulfill the prophecy and defeat Black Magic. When betrayal and a violent Awakening transform her own magical Dragonstone Black, she vanquishes it, rendering her virtually powerless. Now, after a three-year sojourn, she returns to claim her crown and discovers sinister forces are working against her. Though able to handle a weapon as well as any man, Katerina reluctantly agrees to a peronal guard. Amongst the candidates, one man emerges; the handsome but infuriating knight, Sir Logan Shepherd. Can she trust him with her secrets?

Logan harbors secrets of his own. He needs to break through Katerina’s defenses and earn her trust. Katerina, however, is proving to be maddening, as well as captivating. Can he fulfill his duty and keep his heart?

Unless the prophecy is fulfilled, Latharia will be destroyed.

To fulfill the prophecy, the truth must be revealed.

Revealing the truth could destroy everything.



Welcome, Michelle!

Tell us about yourself:

In my ‘other life’ I work as a speech pathologist. Writing started out as a hobby and blossomed into something I never expected-a second career. I still work part time as an SLP, for now. Who knows what the future holds? I am blessed with an incredibly supportive family. My husband is beyond supportive and has helped write some scenes (yes, he allows people to assume he helped with “those” scenes), but in truth, he was really helpful in writing the battle/sword fighting scenes. He also is great to bounce story ideas off of. My kids are great too-although they are too young to read Dragonstone. I have told them they cannot read it until they are eighteen.

When/how did the story and characters for Dragonstone come to you?

It sounds corny to say I was inspired, but it is true. Some of the basics for the story and some of the scenes were in my mind for a long time. One day, I was simply compelled to write it down. And then I just kept writing. One scene just flowed into another. Not that it was perfect the first time around. After I wrote the story out, my husband and a friend read it. They offered suggestions on expanding, adding, etc. In fact, from the first draft to final product, the story doubled in length.

How long was Dragonstone in production before publication was realized? And what were the steps that took you there?

It took me a total of six months to write Dragonstone. Soon after it was completed, I met Rhonda Penders; one of the owners of The Wild Rose Press. I pitched my story to her and she told me to submit. After a bit more work on the manuscript, I submitted to the Senior Editor of the Faery Rose division of The Wild Rose Press, sending a query letter and synopsis. A few months later, a partial (first three chapters) was requested. Another two month wait (or so), my editor, Sarah, wrote and asked for the full manuscript. Another wait (I don’t remember how long), she offered me a contract. After 5 months of editing with Sarah, it was ready for publication. This was in May of 2008. The e-book release date was Nov. 15, 2008 and it was released in print Feb. 15, 2009.

What about this story grips your heart?
It is a story about survival, overcoming the past and learning to trust and love again. The characters are likeable, yet human; each having their own faults. Ultimately, it is a “love conquers all” story. The strong, self-reliant heroine learns that she does not have to face impossible tasks alone.

For me, personally, I have been blessed by the fact that I married my best friend. We live in the belief that, together, we can handle anything. Although that is not what was on my mind when I wrote Dragonstone, as I look back on it, that message is definitely at the heart of the story.

Why have you chosen the paranormal romance genre for your writing endeavors?

I love dragons, magic, fantasy, mythical creatures and creating new worlds. I am a sucker for handsome knights, bad-boy heroes, strong heroines and happy endings. Paranormal romance allows me to write about all of my favorite things.
I also love writing in the medieval period, which is when Dragonstone is set. There is something very magical and romantic about that time period. But Dragonstone is more than a love story; it includes elements of a basic epic fantasy; mythical races (i.e.,elves, dragons), a quest, plot twists, good vs. evil, etc.

In one of the major battle scenes, the fight combines magic along with medieval warfare, which creates, I think, an incredible and exciting climax.

Do you belong to any writing or other professional organizations and how have they helped you along your career path?

I belong to the Romance Writers of America and as well as my local chapter (Central Florida Romance Writers). I can honestly say I would not have gotten published without the CFRW. I learned SO much about writing, publishing, etc. from the ladies in that group-I owe them a great debt.

What’s next for you?

The sequel to Dragonstone, entitled, “The Dragon’s Heart” has been contracted and will probably be released early 2011. It is the next generation, so to speak, with the heroine being the daughter of the couple in Dragonstone. It has some of the same characters as well as several new ones. Like Dragonstone, it is filled with unexpected plot twists and is far more than just a love story. The Dragon race is much more predominant in this story, with a few of the main characters being Dragons who can take human form.

“The Dragon’s Heart” took me longer to write (over a year),but I am very happy with the way the story turned out. It stays true to the medieval fantasy, with a splash of Greek Mythology thrown in.

Any inspiring words for aspiring authors?

Write the story that is in your head-or heart. Don’t stress about what will sell or what meets whose criteria. Write the story and the rest will follow. The important thing is to write if you enjoy writing. When it stops being fun, it is time for a break. If it is fun, then keep writing. If the words are not perfect the first time, that is really OK. To quote Nora Roberts: “You can’t fix a blank page.”

Thank you, Michelle, for visiting today. I’d like everyone to know that Michelle Young’s first novel, “DRAGONSTONE,” has received all 5-star reviews and won “Top Pick of the Year” (Readers and Writers of Distinctive Fiction). For more information or to read the reviews, visit her website Michelle Young.org or become a fan on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Author-Michelle-Young/119120791436799


“Dragonstone” is available from The Wild Rose Press in paperback or e-book formats. It is available at Borders bookstores in Central Florida. It can be ordered at most bookstores (Borders, Barnes & Noble, locally owed stores), through online bookstores (i.e. Amazon) or directly from the publisher: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/dragonstone-paperback-p-3360.html
Coming Soon from Michelle Young:

Stay tuned for more information on a release date!