Sex in Young Adult books: A controversy

I am at the end of F4F, which is a good thing since it's due, like tomorrow and I had to get off the fence about the great Young Adult Sex controversy. Do they or don't they? And if they do, how much do I detail?

Poor Colby and Thomas. I have tortured these two for their entire relationship (two books now). Colby wants it, Thomas isn't giving it up. I threw in a dead half blood vampire just to shake things up and still, their dry spell continues. Will they or won't they? I am at the last couple of scenes and candidly, I am getting blue balls just writing their thwarted attempts at intimacy. Imagine how they feel? These imaginary not-quite lovers but hormonally driven vampires possess two very different agendas. Can they make things work?

Will they or won't they? Should I or shouldn't I? Mwuahahahahahahah. I'll never tell. Read the book. :)

Drive by blogging

Okay, I have nothing relevent to say. Nothing amusing, nothing meaningful. I mean nothing. I am negative 6 days and counting to get my book done and it's crunch time. But, I didn't want anyone to think I was a huge slacker and should at least drop by and say, 'Hey! What's up with you? My eye? You mean this nervous tick I've developed? Oh it's nothing really. What? Why am I scratching my arms, face and legs? Oh, it's just a rash brought on by stress. Nothing to worry about. My face you say? Breaking out like a teenager? Oh well, it's all part of the deadline package. My ass? It's bigger than a house? Well, sure, I've popped a few chocolate bars in my deadline state but big as a house seems to be a little extreme, don't you think? Why am I wearing sweats instead of jeans? Hey, I don't have to answer to you. Are you my editor? Are you my agent? No?! Then bite me. I don't have to take this. I got deadlines to meet buster!"

I walk away in a huff, fat ass and all. Gotta love deadlines.

Taking Liberties

A writer friend of mine has had a recent run-in with, well for lack of a better name, the Legend Natzis. Sadly, there are people out there who write scathing reviews of books and pick apart the 'accuracy'. Now, I'm not talking about picking about historical accuracies of who was ruling when and at what time but legend accuracies. Yes, LEGEND accuracies. (note sarcastic use of this oxymoron)

For example, the King Arthur legend is one that has been told and retold for hundreds of years. The basic story of Arthur falling for ol' Guinie and her, in turn, falling for ol' best friend of Arthur, rugged Lancelot is the stuff great movies are made of, and have been for the last fifty years. It's also the stuff any writer loves to play with and tell their own version of the tale. Yes, their own version of the tale.

It's called fiction people. And commercial fiction at that. So, seeing those not so nice Legend Natzis blast my poor friend I started to think about my own books (because, really, this blog is all about me anyway). I take some serious liberties with the vampire lore in Braced2Bite. Like, serious liberties. Because my books are about MY take on vampires. Sure, I know what Anne Rice thinks vampires are like and everyone knows Bram's view but my books are my take on the legends.

Now, you may or may not agree with them. You may love them or think I should be staked through the heart but kindly remember that as an writer of fiction, I can take liberties with the legend because its MY story. Lately every director in Hollywood is doing the "Reimaginng" of every popular legends/historical event. Yes, 'reimaging'. Doesn't that roll off the tongue? That's a really cool way of saying 'I'm so gonna screw with this legend/historical event.'

So next time you pick up a fiction book or head to the 'Reimagining' of -insert legend/historical event here- kindly remember to check your prejudice at the door. Because hey, it's only fiction.

Deadlines and being Funny

Writing romantic comedy is a curse and a blessing. I am under serious deadline pressure this month because I promised Fangs4Freaks to my editor at the end of August. Umm, did I say the end of August? I could swear I meant the end of September.....

Anyway, I am writing frantically and I discover a teeny weeny problem. I'm not very funny under pressure. Oh sure, I'm the first to crack a joke at a funeral (Hey, I don't do sad. I do irreverant because I am a very ugly crier) but when the deadline is looming my humor turns a little desperate. Which we all know is not funny, it's just kind of sad and needy. (Side note: On occasion, I have been known to do needy. Deal with it).

So, in an attempt to find my inner funny, I always hit the blogs of those gals who are way funnier than I am. People like Harlequin writer Jamie Sobrato. She is beautiful and funny. Oh yeah, and NICE. I know, you want to hate her but just can't. I feel your pain.

My fellow YA writer Niki Burnham confessed to me she doesn't keep a blog because she wants to keep the funny for her books. Sure, now she tells me. Well, what do I expect? She was a lawyer in her previous life.....(just kidding Niki, please don't sue me)

I think writing is much like dating. When you are really feeling the pressure, you might come across a little desperate. Maybe its more like not having a date in a while and then you get one and then you really want it to work out great and you start emailing, calling, etc and come across needy. Which we all know is a total turn off and the guy (in this case, my book characters) are all like, "Whoa- you're moving waaaay to fast here. I'm liking the slow coffee dates and you're all sending me Bride Magazine vibes here."

Sigh. Well, it's getting later in the day, ie: closer to my deadline and I need to call, er, write more about my characters. I hate leaving them all those voicemail messages but I can't get them to pick up the phone!! (tell me you giggled a little, please? What perfume am I wearing? Eau de desperation. Get it at a deadline near you)

It's about time you got off you *ss

Elizabeth Boyle is in my local Chapter and took me under her wing when I first started writing. She is a mentor to me. When I decided to pitch at my first Emerald City Writer's Conference, her words of wisdom spoke volumes to me.
"It's about time you got off your *ss."

Through subsequent steps in my career, Elizabeth has always been there with words of guidance and support. She was also there with a swift kick when I needed it (and boy, sometimes I really needed it).

Then when I received The Call, she was one of the first people I called. She sent me flowers and welcomed me to the club. She is an inspiration to me. The kind of writer/mentor I want to be. One who nurtures and supports. One who understands that a high tide raises all the ships and one who never begrudges a fellow writer their time in the spotlight. Oh yeah, and one who isn't afraid to tell it like it is and smack some sense into ya!

Jennifer Crusie and myself

Last year Jennifer Crusie spoke to the Pro's at our retreat (Pro meaning you had proof of a completed manuscript but not yet sold). She got teary eyed when she spoke of the first book she ever completed and printed out. I knew what she meant because I felt the exact same way. She inspired me.

So it was with great delight I was able to share my news of a 3 book contract with her. I gave her a Psi Phi Omega T-shirt and got a picture with her. How cool am I?

Pardon me, I'm with the band

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we danced the night away with N253 who was playing the Reno Hiltons bar. Look at all those lovely ladies! Just a small selection of the glam romance writers who closed the bar down each night. (from left to right: Cindy Proctor-King, Band guy, Band guy, Gennita Low, Christina Arbini, Jamie Sobrato, Shannon McKelden and moi)

Mommy, look at the shiny lady

Thought I would add some other photos from our grand Reno Writers conference. From left to right is Shannon McKelden, Christina Arbini and me. Don't I look like a shiny fishing lure?

On a side note, walking through the casino an older gentleman stopped and said, "I've lived in this town since '71 and I have never seen a more dazzling woman than you." I would like to add he didn't walk all that steady and also complained that Johnny Rockets would not warm up his doggie bag of food from another restaurant. Uh huh. Exactly.

A call to arms

While I had the best time at conference (as did all my fellow chicks) one of them came home to find the house they were renting was struck by lightning and burned to the ground! Everything was lost and she did not have renter's insurance!! So, a call to arms for anyone wanting to help. Go to Literary Chicks and find out how you can support Marianne.

Thank you! Think of the good karma your generosity will generate!

Back from Reno

What can I say about that? I had THE best time at RWA National conference this year. And I mean THE BEST TIME. (Note the overzealous use of capital letters). Yeah, it was that much fun. Not only did I get to rub elbows with my fellow writers, I met my agent and editor face to face.

The workshops were good, I was able to attend my agent's party (fun), my publisher's party (crowded) and the chick lit chapter's party (blast). We spent the evenings dancing to a great band called N253 who happened to be from (drumroll please) Seattle. Talk about a funny coincidence. We danced all night to this fab band and highly recommend if you have a chance to check them out. Who knew we would turn into band groupies so late in life?

My flight was delayed coming home and at around 1 am, I managed to touch down. I don't think I have ever slept so hard before. To bad it's right back to work because Fangs4Freaks is due at the end of the month. I brought home a ton of great books and I can't read any of them until I am through with F4F. We don't need another Buffy incident. The books are mocking me on the countertop. I swear I hear their siren's song, beckoning me to procrastinate just one more day. Argh!! Is there a pill for this? ;)

Shannon and Christina, writing my partners in crime.

I am in red. Don't I look like I am 'writing'?
My agent and me. (I love saying that)

Marianne, myself and Dona at the chick lit party.