Lacey Savage, Erotic Romance Author

In Search of the Perfect Craft Book

2009-03-05T21:01:00.000-05:00

I came home today with a mission: I was determined to go through my storage room (which is crammed tight with boxes from our last move in preparation for our next move) and find my favorite writing craft book. What is it, you ask?

Well, I could tell you, but then I'd have to--

No, okay, you're right. I won't do anything dramatic. Instead, I'll count down my top 5 favorite craft books and reveal the one that had me digging through storage at the end.

5. The Right to Write, by Julia Cameron

4. Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer, by Bruce Holland Rogers

3. How to Write a Dirty Story: Reading, Writing and Publishing Erotica,by Susie Bright

2. Man, Oh Man, Writing M/M Fiction for Cash & Kinks, by Josh Lanyon

And my number 1 craft book? *drumroll please*

It's...

Ready...?

1. On Writing, by Stephen King

And no, I wasn't able to find it tonight, but I'll attempt part 2 of my mission tomorrow evening. This time, I might even enlist hubby's help.

Dark Island Heaven

2008-08-03T17:10:00.004-04:00

For the first time in months, I had a few spare hours to play with Photoshop this afternoon. The image below is based on a photograph I took while on vacation in Mexico last January.

Click on image for larger version.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

I Know I'm an Ice Cream Cake, but What Are You?

2008-07-29T18:20:00.003-04:00

So, seeing as how I'm a huge fan of dessert (no meal is complete without it, in my opinion), I couldn't resist taking the "What Kind of Cake Are You?" quiz. Yes, it's silly, but considering my stomach's growling and I'd love a giant slice of chocolate cake right about now, it seemed like the right thing to do.

You Are an Ice Cream Cake

Surprising, unique, and high maintenance.

You're one of a kind, and you don't want anyone to forget it.

You're fun in small doses, but it's easy for people to overdose on you!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

The funny thing about this is that while I love cake, and I love ice cream, combining these two yummy treats just leaves me cold (err... no pun intended there). But the quiz-makers are probably right on with their overdose comment. *sigh*

So, spill it -- what kind of cake are you?

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

IMDB's Top Box Office Hits

2008-07-10T15:37:00.002-04:00

It's no secret I'm a huge movie buff, so when I saw this fun game making the rounds in the blogsphere, I had to join in.

RULES: This is IMDb’s top 25 all-time box office hits. Bold the ones you saw in theater, italicize the ones you saw some other way instead, and leave the unseen ones alone.

1. Titanic (1997) $600,779,824
2. Star Wars (1977) $460,935,665
3. Shrek 2 (2004) $436,471,036
4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $434,949,459
5. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $431,065,444
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (2006) $423,032,628
7. Spider-Man (2002) $403,706,375
8. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) $380,262,555
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $377,019,252
10. Spider-Man 2 (2004) $373,377,893
11. The Passion of the Christ (2004) $370,270,943
12. Jurassic Park (1993) $356,784,000
13. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $340,478,898
14. Finding Nemo (2003) $339,714,367
15. Spider-Man 3 (2007) $336,530,303
16. Forrest Gump (1994) $329,691,196
17. The Lion King (1994) $328,423,001
18. Shrek the Third (2007) $320,706,665
19. Transformers (2007) $318,759,914
20. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) $317,557,891
21. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $313,837,577
22. Iron Man (2008) $311,708,133
23. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) $310,675,583
24. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) $309,404,152
25. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $309,125,40

Wow. Of the top 25, there's one one I haven't seen (and have no interest in seeing). And of the 24 I've seen, I watched 21 of them in the theater. Hmm... I think that means the top 25 list is made up of pretty recent movies, overall.

What about you? How many of these have you watched?

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

My TBR (To Be Read) Shelves

2008-07-08T18:58:00.003-04:00

I know... I've teased you all endlessly with mention of my TBR shelves, which, at last count, held over 2000 books. Currently, they're empty -- but don't panic (heck, I'm trying not to, but I still hyperventilate when I look at my beautiful and very lonely shelves), my books are still in boxes.

I took some pictures before leaving Austin, and I thought it was time I stopped teasing you, and started showing you I really mean it when I say I'm a book addict. Ready? Here goes (click on pictures for larger versions):

Yes folks, once again, those shelves only hold books waiting to be read. And yes, I do occasionally wander into that room and complain about having nothing to read.

I should mention that the books are, of course, alphabetized by author. And those little shelves within the shelves you see? They're custom-made additions built by my grandfather so I could double the amount of bookshelf space I have.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

HELP! I'm turning into a... a... pantser!

2008-07-03T18:58:00.004-04:00

Those of you who know me know I'm a die-hard plotter. Character charts. Full, scene-by-scene outlines. Research in advance. The works.

Yeah, well, I have a secret confession. I can't work that way anymore, and facing that fact somehow manages to scare me to death and excite me beyond belief all at once.

Photo by: the trial

I'm not sure what's changed. Maybe I have. The last year has been insane, forcing me to go through some major, life-changing, ups-and-downs. After not writing for a while, I came back to my work enthusiastic and energetic... only to stall in the beginning stages of drafting an outline. I panicked, outlined again... and stalled. So I cried (seriously), outlined again... and stalled.

And then, one day, I said "Fuck it." (Really. I did.) I remembered reading a book that praised writing prompts and their effect on creativity. At that point, I had nothing to lose so I figured why not give this a shot? After all, nothing else I'd tried seemed to work.

I chose a headline from my daily newspaper at random, skipped reading the article altogether, and started writing. Before I knew it, I had a character who intrigued me, in a situation that damn nearly broke my heart. "Aha!" I thought. "Now I can outline." And I did. Only to start writing the story itself, and find my outline was as far removed from the words pouring on screen as Harry Potter is from Anna Karenina.

The really scary part? The stuff coming out on screen was much, much better than the crap in my outline. And I thought it was a pretty good outline to begin with. Guess that'll teach me. Now, every day I sit in front of my computer, I approach the story with a giddy enthusiasm that makes butterflies stir in my stomach. Butterflies? Damn. I haven't felt butterflies in years.

Now, for the first time ever, I'm discovering the story along with my characters. Some days, scenes brew in my mind. Other days, they appear as though out of thin air while my fingers hit the keyboard. When I find myself overwhelmed by questions I figure I should know the answers to, I stop, grab a notebook, and start free-writing. On the characters. On the story. On possible explanations for things that happened in the past, or things that may happen in the future.

I have no idea when the story will end. Or how. Oh, I have a vague hope it might end up where I think it will, but oddly enough, I find myself not caring much if it doesn't. I trust my process. My pantser process.

Not long ago, the word "pantser" would have made me break out in hives. Now, I'm tentatively embracing it, and my newfound creativity (and productivity) along with it.

Are you embracing your process? Or do you fight it, hoping it'll magically morph into something resembling The Hero's Journey instead of The Insomniac Writer's Plight?

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Naughty Stage Actresses and Ghost Stories

2008-07-02T17:21:00.004-04:00

I've talked about inspiration before. I get ideas from everywhere: newspaper headlines, books, movies, tarot card spreads, you name it.

I've had a story idea running loose in my mind for a few months now, which came to me when I dealt a story spread using a brand new Tarot deck. The story revolves around a theater actress and her sex-scapades.

The problem? I know nothing about the theater world. Oh, sure, I've been to the theater, but that's not the same as knowing what goes on behind the scenes. So I've started doing research. A little here, a little there, trying to learn a few things about the life of a stage actor.

In my research, I came across an article on London's Haunted Theaters, and it struck a chord. Twisting my naughty actress story into an erotic ghost tale would certainly add a little spice to my premise.

Photo by: oaspetele_de_piatra
From the ghost of Joseph Grimaldi, whose head is said to haunt the Theatre Royale, to Lyceum Theater's William Terris, who died in the arms of his leading lady, it seems there's no end of inspirational material to fit the theme.

I'd love to hear from you. If you know anything about the theater world you think might be useful to me, or if you simply want to let me know how much you like ghost stories, leave me a comment!

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Diva In Denial - Release Day Interview

2008-06-23T17:00:00.005-04:00

This is horribly late, but I have a good excuse: I've been in the middle of a time-consuming international move. Now that it's (more or less) behind me, I can start catching up on all the things I've been neglecting -- like this blog, and my most recent release.

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by the supremely-talented Beth Kery regarding Diva In Denial, and I thought I'd share that interview here. It's more in-depth and more revealing than my usual interviews, so you've been warned. :-)

Congratulations, Lacey, on your Ellora's Cave release, DIVA IN DENIAL. And now, (drum roll please) it's time for your interview!

1. Any particular inspiration for this story about a 'suburban relationship goddess,' an expert on relationships who doesn't want anything to do personally with one, and a solitary, hunky hero who has a penchant for not wearing any clothes around the heroine's cabin? Any real life individual's appearance and/or personality inspirations for Ava and Devlin?

I wish I had a fun inspiration story to share with you, but the truth is, the story developed rather dynamically all on its own. I started with a title (DIVA -- the "in denial" part came later) and a theme (Older Woman / Younger Man). And then I started to brainstorm. I knew early on that Ava wrote advice columns. Think "Dear Abby" with a sexy twist. And I knew that she had no first-hand experience with any of the issues on which she was giving advice. So I figured that would make for an interesting conflict. Think... Sex and the City. What if Carrie had no dating or sexual experiences? What if she'd been a housewife for 20 years? How would she write her Sex and the City column?

And just as a fun aside, I modeled Ava after Valerie Bertinelli, while gorgeous Devlin is none other than Jake Gyllenhaal.

2. I'm taking a guess that this yummy hero has a er...animalistic nature. *grin* What do you like about doing were-stories?

Well, those of you who've read my work know I like my men to be rough, strong, Alpha-types. Nothing says Alpha like a... umm... "real" Alpha. :-) And this is just my preference, but I think of all shifters as Alphas, whether or not they lead their pack. In my were stories, any of the men could be The Alpha, and that's half the fun in writing shifter books. There's a lot of testosterone between the pages. *g*

3. You've been writing now for many years. When you look back on your career as an author, what's the one piece of advice you would give a younger Lacey? (Make sure you answer as though it really was a younger you, not another writer.)

Honestly? I would tell a younger Lacey not to publish her first 5 books. Seriously. I'd want her to bury them in a drawer somewhere, to learn from them, and to get to the point where she'd be proud to hold up her debut novel instead of cringing when someone said she read it.

I think there's a lot of value in learning the craft. My first published pieces shouldn't have been published. Oh, I'm extremely grateful to my publishers, but I wish they'd said, "Thanks -- this shows promise. Keep working at it and come back in a year or two."

4. What part of the writing craft do you feel you have a 'handle' on, meaning, what is one of your best strengths? What is an area you feel you need work on?

I'm excellent at pouring emotion onto the page. That comes easiest for me. If my characters are angry, sad, desperate, lonely, hurt, horny... I can show it. And (hopefully) I can make the reader feel it, too.

I need work on dialogue. It's by far the toughest element of story-telling for me. Not the dynamics of dialogue or the stuff I can learn from books, though. I'm pretty confident that I can write dialogue that sounds true to life. What I have a lot of trouble with is "hearing" the voices of my characters. When I stall while I'm writing, it's almost always with a quotation mark open. I spend more time thinking about what a character would say next, or how he/she would reply to something, than I do pondering anything else. I wish I could just hear it in my head and write it on the page, but it almost never happens that way. I have to write, edit, and then rewrite my lines of dialogue again and again. It drives me nuts.

5. Do you ever see yourself writing something other than erotic romance? If so, what?

Absolutely. Epic fantasy. It's my first literary love. I'd like nothing more than to dedicate a few years to writing a thousand-page epic fantasy tome. Unfortunately, the market for fantasy being what it is, chances are I could spend the rest of my life writing fantasy manuscript after fantasy manuscript and never have it see the light of day. So I compromise. I combine my top literary loves (fantasy and romance), toss in tons of steamy sex, and get the best of all worlds. :-)

6. What was one of the 'low points' of your writing career? One of the pinnacles?

An editor recently told me I submitted something that was just begging to be rejected. That was, by far, the lowest point in my writing career. I began to doubt everything about writing: whether I'm any good at it, whether I should be wasting my time, etc. It sent me into a tailspin of confusion and a deep funk. It took me months to break out of it. The worst part? She was right. I had, in fact, submitted something that wasn't my best work. I was stressed, on a deadline, dealing with all kinds of personal issues... and somehow I was under the impression that anything I send in would be well received. Well, wrong, wrong, wrong. I'm now more careful about what I submit. If I know a piece hasn't had enough time to sit, or hasn't been through my critique partners and proofers, it doesn't go in to my editor -- even if that means I have to get the deadline pushed back because of real life interferences. It wasn't an easy lesson to learn, but it's been a valuable one.

The pinnacle? Winning the EPPIE award for Best Erotic Paranormal Romance. The beautiful glass award sits on my writing desk as a wonderful reminder that someone saw value in my work. It's a powerful motivator when the words won't come or when a review is less than stellar.

7. There are many writers on our Triple Exposure group, many of which have just become triumphant in their publishing dreams. (YEAH!!) What advice would you give new and established authors in regard to promotion of their books? What works and what doesn't?

First of all, let me echo your "YEAH!!" Congrats, guys! You all ROCK!

Promotion is tough -- no matter if it's your first book, or your fifty-first. Here's some of what's worked for me:

- Cultivate a newsletter list. Yes, some folks are only there for contest prizes, but most are there because they're genuinely interested in your work. That list of names is the most direct way to reach fans when you have a new release. My newsletter has fallen by the wayside since I moved to Austin, but I'm looking forward to sending it out again. More than anything else, having that newsletter list has helped my sales tremendously.

- Chat on Yahoo groups... to a point. In my opinion, there's nothing more annoying than an author who's out there ALL THE TIME. You know the authors I mean: the ones who send out 40 posts a day on every loop they're on, whether or not they have anything to say. It looks like a feeble effort to get their signature lines seen by as many people as possible, and it's a cheap trick readers will see right through. Instead, I think it's a lot more valuable to become a frequent poster in a few groups, and save the rest for when you actually have something interesting to say.

- Invest in a TRS (The Romance Studio) membership. It's $2.50 a month, and it provides wonderful opportunities for exposure. Oh, and join in the TRS Book-A-Day giveaway as frequently as you can. For the cost of an ebook, you'll grow your newsletter list much faster than you would otherwise.

- Create bookmarks, business cards or postcards, and insert them in everything you send out -- from the electricity bill to the magazine subscription form. A human being opens those envelopes. Catch their attention -- you never know when you'll find a new reader. Oh, and always carry bookmarks with you. If the conversation turns to books, which it often does, don't miss an opportunity to introduce a reader to your work.

There are a ton of promotional tips out there, but these are the ones that have worked best for me.

Again, my thanks to Beth Kery for the wonderful interview.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Book Review: Stripped

2008-06-05T12:28:00.005-04:00

Another recommendation straight from my book journal.

My... how Harlequin Blaze has changed. Witches and hot sex? I'm there! Well-written characters and a well-executed plot? Be still my heart!

Title: Stripped
Series: The Bad Girls Club (multi-author series)
Author: Julie Elizabeth Leto
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Harlequin Blaze
Pub. Date: August, 2007
Page Count: 233
My Rating: A+ (96%)

First Sentence: "You can't be serious."

Blurb: Lilith St. John is a witch--really. And she hasn't been too good lately. It seems using her powers to make Detective Mac Mancusi totally infatuated with her was a big no-no. Who knew? After all, what woman could resist having a sexy guy like Mac aching for her every minute they were apart? But the council isn't pleased--in fact, they're stripping Lilith of her powers. What's a witch to do?

Especially now--when Mac's suddenly back in her life, looking to rekindle the magic�

(Read an excerpt on Julie's site)

My Brief Comments: This was such a fun book! I loved how the paranormal elements were not only easily integrated into the plot – they were the plot. Those same paranormal elements also provided both internal and external conflict, which was beautifully handled. A wonderful, touching, emotional read. It definitely deserved the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award it won for Best Blaze of 2007.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Where's the Waterproof Home I was Promised?

2008-06-04T12:47:00.009-04:00

This is an actual item from a 1950's issue of Popular Mechanics.

SOURCE
For anyone who can't quite make it out, the text reads:
"Because everything in her home is waterproof, the housewife of 2000 can do her daily cleaning with a hose."

I don't know about you, but I'm suddenly disappointed that with all our technological advances, we still haven't created the waterproof home.

*sigh*

At least I still have a maid who comes in every two weeks, saving me from having to clean anything myself. She can't just hose down my furniture, but she does a pretty good job anyway.

We'll see what the next 50 years bring. I'll continue holding out hope that in the future, all my furniture and electronics will be waterproof, as promised.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Book Review: Style Statement

2008-05-22T15:49:00.003-04:00

Another recommendation straight from my book journal. If you've ever looked at your closet, your office, or even your career path and thought, "Gee... I wish all this stuff could really reflect who I am," then you must read this book.

Title: Style Statement
Series: N/A
Author: Carrie McCarthy & Danielle LaPorte
Genre: Non-Fiction / Psychology / Health, Mind and Body
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pub. Date: April, 2008
Page Count: 256
My Rating: A (85%)

First Sentence: In a materialistic culture obsessed with image, it can be hard to stay in touch with your real self.

Blurb: Style Statement is an inspiring take on the power of style and authenticity. Deemed "style psychotherapists," Carrie and Danielle are the creators of the Style Statement: a two-word compass that helps you make more confident choices in life -- from your wardrobe to your relationships, your living room to your career plans.

Part workbook, part inspirational narrative, Style Statement presents a series of inquiries that lead readers to the personal words that guide the spirit, look and feel of their life. The first word represents your foundation, your 80%. The second word, your 20%, is what motivates and distinguishes you.

Via Carrie and Danielle's Lifestyle Map, readers then explore how their own unique Style Statement can generate momentum in every area of their life.

My Brief Comments: This book is a treat for the senses. It’s beautiful to look at, lovely to touch, and engaging to read. I enjoyed all the first-person accounts of individual style statements. I was surprised by the level of focus on journaling and self-discovery, but it makes sense, considering the end result is supposed to be two words that apply to every part of your life: from the shoes you wear to the career you choose and the friends you make. In the end, I was thrilled and pleasantly surprised by my style statement. Sensual Artist. Two words that describe me perfectly. In the future, I’ll be sure to draw on this style statement when making decisions, whether aesthetic or internal.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Book Review: The Now Habit, by Neil Fiore

2008-05-21T16:37:00.006-04:00

As I was telling my chat group earlier today, I'm somewhat obsessive about my books. Frankly, I don't think anyone was surprised. I read a lot, and I buy more books than I can read... it's a losing battle, but one that I, frankly, don't want to win.

Anyway, since I keep a book journal, I thought I'd start sharing with you guys the books I really, truly adore. Those that have made a big impact in my life, or those I keep thinking about weeks after turning the last page.

Today, I'm starting with THE NOW HABIT, by Neil Fiore, a book that completely changed my productivity levels.

The following is taken directly out of my book journal:

Title: The Now Habit
Series: N/A
Author: Neil Fiore
Genre: Non-Fiction / Psychology / Self-Improvement
Format: Softcover
Publisher: Tarcher
Pub. Date: April, 2007
Page Count: 201
My Rating: A+ (100%)

First Sentence: Whether you are a professional, an entrepreneur, a middle manager, a writer, or a student who wants to overcome problems with procrastination – or if you simply want to be more efficient in completing complex and challenging projects – this program will help you get results.

Blurb: Originally published by Tarcher in 1988, The Now Habit has sold more than 58,000 copies, and is as relevant as ever!

Author Neil Fiore offers the first comprehensive strategy to overcome the causes of procrastination and to eliminate its deleterious effects. His techniques will help any busy person get more things done more quickly, without the anxiety and stress brought on by failure to meet the workplace's pressing deadlines.

This revised, redesigned edition includes a new introduction and a section that provides strategies to understand and deal with the complex role technology plays in procrastination today.

My Brief Comments: This book was exactly what I needed. I was suffering from a really bad case of procrastination. I wanted to write… just not badly enough to do anything about it. And the more days that passed when not a word got written, the worst I felt about it (and about myself). Fiore takes a positive approach to curing procrastination. His theories are based on the concept that procrastination is good for you. It’s not a weakness or a flaw. After all, we wouldn’t be doing it if it didn’t feel good. So he teaches us how to get those same benefits through other methods. He also says that overcoming procrastination leads to better, more frequent “play” breaks. He’s right.

This is the point at which I would normally offer an excerpt, but I can't seem to find one readily available.

I hope those of you who check out this book get as much out of it as I have.

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Let sleeping cats lie

2008-05-17T15:20:00.001-04:00

Some cats sleep in their owner's bed. Others curl up in their favorite rocking chair. My kitten stretches his little body out on our couch, making it impossible for anyone else to share his comfy spot.

New cover alert!

2008-05-15T17:46:00.003-04:00

One of the most exciting moments for me (second only to receiving a contract offer) is seeing a new cover for the first time. There's something so exciting about my story finally having a "face" to show the world.

My latest cover knocked my socks off. I'm absolutely delighted with it! The artist did an outstanding job capturing the feel of this werewolf tale.

The book is scheduled to be released on June 18 from Ellora's Cave.

Artistic fun with my kitty

2008-05-09T17:48:00.007-04:00

I made some desktop wallpaper images using photos of my kitty and Photoshop. I'm really pleased with how these turned out, so I wanted to share. :-)

Make sure you click on the thumbnail to get the full effect of each image.

Meme: 6 Random Things About Me

2008-05-09T15:39:00.007-04:00

I've been tagged by fellow blogger and Servant of the Muse Lyndi Lamont / Linda McLaughlin.

Rules of the meme:

a. Link to the person who tagged you.
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

So, here goes. Six random things you may not know about me.

1. I drink honey right out of the jar. Most days, I don't even use a spoon.

Photo by: alsjhc

2. I used to work as a collections agent for a credit card company.

3. On my birth certificate, my first name is registered as "Lizuca". (That's pronounced lee-zoo-kah)

4. I'm a poker nut. One of my goals is to win a World Series of Poker bracelet before I die.

5. The only alcohol I drink is rum. And even then, it must be spiced rum, and it must be combined with Coke (regular, not diet).

6. I subscribe to six Harlequin category lines, which adds up to roughly 30 Harlequin books that show up on my doorstep every single month.

And you thought you were weird? Ha!

I tag:

Darragha Foster
Selena Illyria
Trixie Stiletto
Dawn Montgomery
Robin Snodgrass
Fiona Jayde

I can't wait to read your memes!

A writer's work space

2008-05-05T17:53:00.004-04:00

I'm probably the most organized person you'll ever meet. Even my To Do lists have To Do lists. However, those organizational skills don't apply to my writing desk, which is pure chaos on the best day.

Does it bother me? Not at all. I love being surrounded by papers, magazines, books, notes on my latest WIP, journals (I have way too many of those), colored pens, at least six stacks of sticky-notes (of all different shapes, sizes and colors), candles, hand cream, my graphics tablet, my wallet (that credit card has to stay within reach at all times), and 20 tarot decks.

Knowing all that stuff is usually on my desk, you might wonder how I can even fit my keyboard and monitor on its glass surface. Well, not only can I fit those pertinent items, but I even have room for an observer:

So, what about you? What (or who) sits on your writing desk?

On my way to RT!

2008-04-15T08:56:00.003-04:00

It's currently 7:36 AM, Austin time. I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight to board. In front of the gate is a three-year old throwing a major tantrum. And I mean MAJOR. She's rolling around on the floor, screaming "I don't wanna!" at the top of her lungs, while the parent just looks on. It's going to be a long flight. *sigh*

Still, I'm excited. I feel kinda silly admitting this, but I barely slept last night. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Maybe I should also admit that this is my first trip alone -- anywhere. I usually travel with family (most often hubby), or even with friends on occasion. I've never gone anywhere on my own, so I feel like a big girl this morning. :-)

I'm rooming with the wonderful Caitlyn Willows, so the trip promises to be a real blast. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting lots of new folks. This will also be my first official signing (and I'm signing both days, Wednesday and Saturday, so I'm doubly nervous). Wish me luck!

I'll do my best to post updates from Pittsburgh as time allows, but pictures will have to wait until I return home.

~ Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Dreaming by Moonlight

2008-04-09T19:50:00.003-04:00

I've wanted to create a fantasy scene for a while now--something dreamy, yet dark--but it wasn't until this afternoon that inspiration struck.

What do you think?

(click on the image for a larger version)

*sigh* I think she needs a story.

Fun With Planets

2008-03-29T19:04:00.006-04:00

I've been busy writing my fingertips to the bone this week, and my poor PhotoShop habit ended up sorely neglected. So today, I thought I'd mess around and see what I can come up with.

I started with a blank canvas. Three hours later, this was the result:

(Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version)

Since I liked the planet so much, I thought I'd mess with it a little more. So, using Photoshop's brilliant filters, I also came up with...

Planet Under Shattered Glass

(Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version)

Comic Book Planet

(Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version)

Nuclear Planet

(Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version)

Planet on Canvas

(Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version)

Of course, all this messing around with planets got me hankering to write a science-fiction book... something with over-the-top sexy, naughty aliens. What do you think?

Oh, and which planet version is your favorite?

~ Lacey

The Care and Feeding of Ideas

2008-03-20T11:09:00.000-04:00

The question readers, acquaintances and family members ask me most often is, "Where do you get your ideas?" I used to hate this question. Any time someone posed it, I think I'd actually cringe. After all, how do I explain to someone who doesn't write that ideas are literally everywhere? I gave up trying after my response met with blank stares and incredulity. If ideas really were everywhere, wouldn't everyone be writing books? Screenplays? Poems? The world would be filled with writers!

What most people don't understand is that it's not the idea that's important. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that the idea itself means nothing at all. It's what you do with it that matters.

But that's a whole other blog post. For the purposes of this one, let's return to the topic of ideas. Okay, so ideas are everywhere. But how do you find them? More importantly, how do you capture them? And what do you do with them once you have them?

I picture ideas as having a physical form. In my mind, they're fireflies -- little specks of golden light that have a life of their own.

Your job, as a writer, is to capture fireflies and treat them well. Don't force them to do something they weren't born to do. Don't stifle them or put them in a jar so you can tap on the glass every now and then to make sure they're still there. Work with them. Play with them. Live with them.

For a little under two years, I've challenged myself to come up with a new book title every day, and three new story ideas a week. As I go about my day, I keep an eye out for fireflies. They exist in a snippet of overheard conversation, in the tattoo circling a woman's belly button, or in a newspaper headline. More often, they're in books, movies and TV.

To date, I have 700 titles for stories waiting to be written. Since I take my fireflies out to play often, I keep my title file open on my desktop at all times and peek inside a few times a day. Here are the last ten titles I've come up with:

Night Signals
Once a Bachelor
Cowboy Dreams
Dark Fire
Sultry Delight
Taken
Two Naughty Brothers
Bedtime Sins
Carnal Memories
Defiant

I don't pretend to claim these are the most innovative, or even the most exciting, titles. But each one of them holds a grain of an idea. The essence of a firefly.

Once I have a title, all I have to do is play the "What If?" game. On average, I can fill five loose-leaf notebook pages based simply on free-association from one or two words alone. And from there, a book takes shape.

So, to recap:

1. Look out for fireflies
2. Capture them
3. Work with them
4. Play with them
5. Live with them

They'll be good to you.

Just for fun, look around you and spot a firefly. I guarantee you have at least twenty surrounding you right now. Catch one. What does it look like? Where did you find it? Even if you're not a writer, what can you do with your firefly during the course of your day?

Lacey
http://www.laceysavage.com

Interview with Beth Kery, author of FIRE ANGEL

2008-03-13T14:15:00.005-04:00

As some of you may know, I'm not a big fan of historical novels... But leave it to the fabulous Beth Kery to win me over with her new release!

Below, you'll find an interview with Beth led by Fiona Jayde. Thanks to both these wonderful authors for letting me publish the interview here.

Fi: I am really intrigued by this blend of historical and paranormal elements – and I know I read "chakras" somewhere. What a terrific blend of ideas! What made you decide to set this specifically in London over a hundred years ago?

Beth: Thank you. Yes, FIRE ANGEL was a real labor of love for me. As some of my readers know already, if I do a historical, it's usually set in Victorian England. I have this weird fascination--okay, lech--in regard to how strict they were morally and their racy sex life. Makes it so hot, that contrast. lol. I also am very fascinated by magic AND the tarot. So when I read about the spiritualist movement I became enraptured.

My anti-hero, Samael Grovenor, is partially based off the magician Aleister Crowley. He tries to steal the show from Vincent, but I don't know. Vincent's a gentlemen, kick-ass boxer, doctor. If it came to a showdown between the two, I know who I'd pick!

Fi: Is there a relation to The Page of Wands and the themes of the story? (I’m clueless about Tarot, so forgive me if it’s a stupid question.

Beth: It's not stupid at all! The Torrid Tarot endeavor by EC has been fascinating and diverse. Different authors have involved the concept of the tarot to different degrees in the story, but EVERYONE had to include a prelude about their card. And yes, my card places heavily in the story (the card itself.) Despite the cover, my HEROINE is the Page of Wands. Here is my prelude:

Page of Wands - The virgin priestess of the fires of spring; the Secret Flame into which all things Return

—Pamela Eakins, from Tarot of the Spirit

The cards of the tarot deck incorporate multiple symbols and archetypes, making them powerful, concise tools for bringing that which is unconscious, and therefore unknown, into conscious awareness.

The character of the heroine of Fire Angel, Serafina Grovenor, is based on the tarot card of the Page of Wands. This card represents a balance with the natural flow of the universe as it incorporates all of the diverse energies of fire, earth, water and wind.

Wands are the suit of fire in the Tarot. Think of the image of the magician with his wand which focuses fiery energy. Fire is the suit of spirit, creativity, dynamism and discovery. When out of balance the energy of fire and spirit can be uncontrollable, burning everything in its path. However the Page of Wands is also a powerful earth symbol. The volatile passions of fire are grounded by earth, making the Page of Wands balanced and harmonious, a symbol of right, just action.

In many esoteric systems the Page in the card deck is represented as a young, bare-breasted woman and is called the Princess of Wands. It might be helpful to think of the “face” cards in the terms of a family. So for instance the King of a suit is the father, the Queen of a suit the mother, the Prince of a suit the brother and the Princess of a suit the sister. As an example, the Queen of Fire combines the masculine elements of fire with the receptive, intuitive energies of the feminine element of water. The Princess of Wands is the perfect combination of the elements of her powerful father’s fire, mother’s water and brother’s air—the final, balanced manifestation of their energies on the earthly plane.

Like Serafina Grovenor, who can channel spirits, the Princess of Wands is a divine priestess who brings tidings from strange, unknown worlds. She is both calm and tranquil and naturally aggressive. Serafina can manipulate fire and controls it perfectly to suit her will.

Serafina, like the Princess of Wands, is a fierce warrior when those whom she loves are threatened. As Robert Wang wrote in The Golden Dawn Tarot, “Woe unto whomever shall make war upon her…”

Fi: What intimidates me most about writing historical is the research that goes into it – and yet I’ve heard you say numerous times how you often research before delving into a story. Any tips or tools you would suggest? Did you find that as you uncovered more about this time period it gave you more ideas and plot elements that you wanted to incorporate?

Beth: There is no doubt the more research you do, the more ideas you get. As I've said, I'm semi-familiar already with this time period. For me, I already knew a lot about magic, hypnotism, the chakra system and the tarot. It was the spiritualist movement that set my mind a turning. Serafina Grovernor is also based off a real life (amazing) medium during that time period. She also, performed on the stage wearing a veil. There are also some hints that she was abused by the men who tried to take advantage of her amazing demonstrations. If you guys want to hear about her, let me know!

Fi: How will you know when you've "made it" as a writer?

Beth: I know I'm a throwback, but it would be if Sandra Brown walked up to me and told me she loved my books. I'm too racy for her, I think, but she's the goddess of sexual tension and the alpha male. I learned so much from her. She's MY Nora Roberts :)

---

If you haven't picked up a copy of FIRE ANGEL, what are you waiting for? It's available now at Ellora's Cave.

Good doggie

2008-03-06T13:14:00.002-05:00

Hi, I'm Lacey, and I'm a Photoshop addict.

(Hi, Lacey!)

Most normal people, after being rudely wrenched out of bed after only three hours of sleep would find a way to get back under the covers ASAP. Not me. Though I could barely keep my eyelids from snapping shut, I ambled over to my computer, pulled up a new Photoshop file, and went crazy experimenting with brushes, colors, gradients, etc.

Five and a half hours later, I had this:

(click on the image for a larger version)

Sorta goes with my werewolf release today, no? *g*

Creativity, in landscape format

2008-03-04T23:19:00.003-05:00

I believe being creative is a state of mind, one that isn't limited to a particular format. Now, I know I can be creative when putting words together, but my interests also run to visual arts. Unfortunately for me, even my stick people look... impaired.

Luckily for me, however, technology works miracles. Thanks to Photoshop, a graphics tablet and a strong belief that I can do anything I set my mind to, even a girl who can't draw the hangman properly when playing the game can turn out something like this from scratch:

(click on the image to see the full size version)

I'm hooked. Expect many more graphics from me in the future. Hey, I gotta show off my work somewhere, right? And considering I'll never get paid for what I do, I guess I'll be imposing my amateurish attempts on my friends. :-)

Sweating With Sven - Update #1

2008-03-03T16:25:00.008-05:00

Just because I've never been all that good at doing things by the book, I'm completing Sven's challenge a little differently than everyone else.

For a variety of reasons, I don't write on the weekend. So instead of writing for 77 days straight as Sven demands, my goal is to write 2,500 words a day, Monday to Friday -- OR to write a total of 10,000 words a week. (Yes, I know the math doesn't add up -- I'm giving myself permission to let life interfere if it must, otherwise I'll go mad).

My challenge total is 100,000 words on a variety of projects by May 16. (Yes, I know the math doesn't add up yet again, but I'm also giving myself time to plot and edit. So I guess I'm completely messing up Sven's challenge. Sorry, Sven! I gotta do what works best for me.)

Since today was my first official day as a Svenanite (hey, I kinda like that!), I'm happy to report I wrote 2,586 words on a contemporary short novella, newly titled DON'T LOOK DOWN.

My nifty little gadget above says the book is 24% done. I like the sound of that already. :-)

Interview with Fiona Jayde

2008-02-28T14:34:00.003-05:00

One of the most talented writers I have the pleasure to know, Fiona Jayde, has a new book release out today! On the chat loop we share with the also fabulously-talented Beth Kery, we have a release day ritual in which we interview one another. I wanted to post the interview here as well, since Fiona's answers provide a great peek into what makes her books so unique.

If you haven't picked up SEXSOMNIAC already, what are you waiting for? It released this morning at Changeling Press.

LS: Once again, congratulations on your new release, Fi! The book looks wonderful, and I'm head-over-heels in love with that cover. :-) Very hot stuff!

FJ: Thanks Lacey! I too can't stop staring at the cover -- Renee outdid herself!!

LS: You said this was a new genre for you... Where did you get the impulse to write this book? And how did the idea develop for you?

FJ: Originally the idea came from Chrissie, my editor at Changeling. We were chatting over IM and she sent me a link to an article she'd found -- about sexsomnia - its an actual condition. .... The idea took hold as a curse -- what if someone was cursed to "do it" when they sleep, but can't really remember it afterwards?

I had it set as a contemporary, but for the life of me I couldn't figure why someone would curse someone with that and why the readers would care... So about half way into a very boring story, I had a flash of inspiration :)

LS: You also said you had a hard time getting a grasp on your plot and had to re-write quite a bit. Why do you think this particular story gave you so much trouble?

FJ: I've thought about this for a while actually. The problem was -- I had an idea of a premise -- but not how it would actually apply in conflict. Conflict is a big thing for me -- if there's no tension, I'm bored, and if I'm bored, I won't write...

So I figured that before I sit to write, I really need to establish my conflicts to know where the story will go.

LS: I see that Changeling has the book listed as "TechnoMagick: Sexsomniac". What can you tell us about future installments in the TechnoMagick series?

FJ: More exploration of Magick and how humans have this love hate relationship with what they do not understand.

LS: Most authors struggle with self-doubt on a regular basis. How do you handle feelings of insecurity when they pop up?

FJ: Well, you'd know that if you saw my first drafts LOL. I don't entertain self doubt until after edits -- I just focus on getting pages done. 200 words or 2000 words -- and most of it is complete crap :) But its in - and I can fix it later. Then I send it to people to look at and worry.. But at least its done:)

LS: What do you do when you're stuck for inspiration?

FJ: I throw out questions at TripleExposees to spark my imagination!!

LS: What's the one thing you'd like to achieve in your writing career, so that when you achieve it you can put up your feet and say, "I made it!" ?

FJ: Honestly? If Nora Roberts says in an interview "Well, I'll ready anything by Fiona Jayde"

---

I don't know about Nora, but I can guarantee I'll read anything by Fiona Jayde. And you should, too.

I'm letting Sven kick my butt!

2008-02-26T15:32:00.000-05:00

As I was telling a couple of friends earlier today, I've been severely unmotivated lately. Last year really messed with my routine. Between my company being taken over by another, having to quit that job, having to find another, then learning we'd be moving to Austin and subsequently selling our house and going through stacks of immigration paperwork -- and then finally moving -- things were nutty, to say the least. My productivity plummeted. My self-esteem plummeted (though none of the things that happened were particularly bad for me as a person -- quite the opposite, in fact). The bottom line is that I've been struggling to get back to my happily productive self ever since March of last year. I guess that makes it almost a full year now.

As it happens, we're now settled in, I've finally gotten over feeling homesick... and I find myself out of excuses. The problem is, even with all those excuses gone, I'm still just as unmotivated as ever.

So I'm doing something about it. I'm going to let Sven kick my butt.

I'm sure some of you have heard of "Seventy Days of Sweat with Sven". For those of you who haven't, here's a brief rundown from the official blog:

"70 Days of Sweat is designed to challenge (naturally), support, and encourage those of us crazy enough to write a book in 70 days. At the end, we’re looking for a word count between 60-100K. We’ve built an extra week into this round, so technically you have 77 days to sweat meaning . . . Round 3 will run from March 1 to May 16.

The rules are simple. You agree to write 4 - 6 pages a day (depending on the length of your book) every day between the dates listed above. If you need to take off a day, you make up the pages another. If you don’t like to write 7 days a week, too bad. This challenge lasts for only 10 weeks, and if you have to get up early on the weekends to get the pages done, you do it. (Hey, we all do it! You can, too!)"

*deep breath* I'm ready. What's even better, I have the perfect project. I'll be working on a brand spankin' new, erotic contemporary novel titled BREAKING EVERY RULE. I'm aiming for 90k, though knowing me, it'll likely run closer to 100k.

So why am I telling you this? Because, as Sven says, "Going public with your commitment is about owning it." I guess that means I now officially own it.

What writing means to me

2008-02-18T16:22:00.000-05:00

I once read a statistic stating that 90% of North Americans want to write a book someday. I was one of those people, too. I remember one evening, about eight years ago or so, turning to my husband and saying, "You know, I wish I was more creative. Then I could write a novel." (This coming from a woman with a BA in English Literature, who worked as a technical writer. I had no doubt I could write essays, marketing articles and technical manuals. But a whole novel? Nah uh!)

He looked at me, smart man that he is, and said, "Do you really want to write a novel? I mean really want to write one?"

"Of course!" I replied.

"Then do it. That excuse about not being creative enough is just that. An excuse."

I grumbled for a while. I mean, how dare my loving husband tell me I was making excuses? I knew what I could and couldn't do, right? I sure as heck knew it better than he did! And then when I was done arguing, I admitted he might have a point. I started small, one "What If" thought at a time. One day I jotted down a title that resonated with me on the back of a napkin. Another day I came up with a bit of dialogue and wrote that down. Before I knew it, I had a character in mind. And then a premise. So I started writing and I haven't stopped since.

That was 28 books ago. Five of those have been full-length novels. Ironically enough, my first full-length novel won an EPPIE Award for Best Paranormal Romance with Erotic Elements.

What I love most about writing is knowing, without a doubt, that I am creative. That I can do anything I set my mind to. That there are no roadblocks when it comes to what I can accomplish, except for those I create myself.

To me, writing means always having a creative outlet in which to lose myself. It also means having something that's all mine. Something personal and wonderful, born of my own imagination and created, one word at a time, with lots of love. What could be better?

Lacey Savage
http://www.laceysavage.com