I’m just going to ramble today because you already heard from me yesterday about The Vanishing Viscountess. By the way, I’ll pick a winner of the book at midnight tonight.
I’m telling you, you all put me to the blush with the nice things you said yesterday. It made me feel really really good and in a few days, when I’m stuck on whatever project I turn to next, I’m going to try to rememember to reread all your lovely comments. (Either that or start pulling at my hair and rending my garments)
I do hope you go look at my Google Map on my website. If you click on the placemarkers you can see the Road Trip. And if you enlarge the map you can see the placemarkers along the side. It is easier to read.
It was fun making the map so I’m really excited to share it.
Talking about the problems of writing a Road Story in the January Romantic Time BOOKreviews, here yesterday, and on my website led me to thinking a lot about the research I do and how I do it. I will not claim to be an expert at this, but I do have my own way of doing it. I’ll be talking about research in various places in the next couple of weeks.
Tomorrow and Wednesday on Romantic Inks where I’ll be giving away a copy of Innocence and Impropriety.
January 15 on Romance Vagabonds, those lovely and enthusiastic writers.
I’ll also be doing a chat January 15 9 to 10 PM ET at Mystic Castle. Chats always intimidate me because I’m always afraid I’ll forget how to get into the chatroom (I always manage). So come ahead of time so you can figure out how to get in, too.
An interview on History Hoydens Jan 15 and more on research Jan 17.
And I’m talking about Research on The Wet Noodle Posse on Jan 10. “How Much to Research Before You Start Your Book.”
Speaking of The Wet Noodle Posse (2003 Golden Heart Finalists), we (and this includes our Janet, too, another noodler) are embarking on a year long blogging project, covering all aspects of how to write a romance novel. Here’s our promotional blurb and a contest at the end for including this blurb on your blogs and websites.
The Wet Noodle Posse had such a great time with our month of Golden Heart prep that we’re giving away writing tips…one month at a time. In addition to book and critique giveaways, join Q&A sessions and read guest blogs from bestselling writers like Sherrilyn Kenyon and Gena Showalter.
Check out our line-up of topics!
January-Getting Started (goals, choosing story idea, focus, etc.)
February-Character Development (names, physical descriptions, backstory, etc.)
March-Plotting
April – Conflict
May-Research
June-Business side of Writing (market, marketing, promotion, etiquette)
July-Prepping for Conference (both for national and smaller conferences)
August-Inspiration (for stories and for keeping yourself going)
September-Writer Health (physical and mental)
October-GH Preparation
November-Writing Challenges (NaNo, BIAW, turning off the internal editor, etc.)
December-Editing/Revisions
Get great information in a fun community! Visit http://wetnoodleposse.blogspot.com/
You can enter to win Barnes and Noble.com gift certificates by posting this news release on your blog or forwarding to a chapter/group e-mail loop or newsletter. To be eligible, e-mail the particulars of your forward/post to jillmonroe@cox.net and post no later than January 20, 2008. A random drawing will determine the winner(s) of the gift certificates.
All this should keep you busy, but don’t forget to READ and, if you are one of the writers, to WRITE. I think I’ll tear my hair out and rend my garments because I’m not sure I have that much to say about research!!!! Yikes!
If you have a chance to look at my Google Map, let me know what you think! And I’m game for more The Vanishing Viscountess sightings to be reported!
The map is great! It’s fun seeing the journey mapped out that way. And, as you well know, I loved VV. Thanks for the heads up on what’s happening at the Wet Noodle Posse. I’ll make an effort to drop in. And listening to you bargain with Tanner simply makes me laugh. I’m terribly glad you gave him his own story. He’d certainly earned it by the end. 😉
Thanks, Judy!
I just got back from checking my local (like in walking distance) Walmart. THEY AREN’T CARRYING THE HARLEQUIN HISTORICALS. I’m sick!
I have some good news. I saw “The Vanishing Viscountess” on Overstock.com. Overstock has great prices and you can get practically anything.
Oh, I love Overstock.com! (even more now 🙂 ) Thanks, Jane!
“I just got back from checking my local (like in walking distance) Walmart. THEY AREN’T CARRYING THE HARLEQUIN HISTORICALS.”
Is this the WM that had the HHs hidden behind other books last summer??? A pox on them!
Diane,
They had TVV at my local Walmart! I looked today.
Amanda, yes, it is the very Walmart. They probably had records that the historicals didn’t sell well there. Go figure. They HID them behind the shelves. Acccckkk!
Deb, I’m glad your Walmart had them! That’s reassuring. And you can see your book there soon!
I did see my book at a local Borders, though (whew). The Borders Express where I saw TVV before Christmas also had two copies of A Notorious Woman!
VV is at my local Wal-Mart as well and it is in the boonies! Cannot wait to get started on the Wet Noodle Posse blog. I had so much fun on the Golden Heart series!! Love learning from the best!
I’ll check my local Walmart later this week, which doesn’t put all the Harlequins out at once. There is a set put out around the first, and then about a week or two later the other group is put out. The local grocery stores don’t carry any of the Harlequin Historicals.
I love the Google map, Diane!
I’m due to stop by my local Borders soon, and I’ll tell you if I can find the HHs this time! (Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes not so much. But maybe they just sell out quickly!)
Cara
This is yet more proof–if any were needed–that Walmart is the Bastion Of All That is Evil (albeit Inexpensive). (Acronym: BOATIE. OK, I’m still working on it.)
I’m very behind in reading romances–and indeed, everything else–but I’m looking forward to reading yours, Diane!
Todd-who-must-now-hide-out-from-the-BOATIE-agents
I knew Walmart was evil! This does prove it. Except for those Walmarts that do carry The Vanishing Viscountess.
And, Todd, sweet of you to even think of reading The Vanishing Viscountess!
Diane wrote:
And, Todd, sweet of you to even think of reading The Vanishing Viscountess!
Awww, gawrsh! (Digs toe in ground.) 🙂
Todd-who-thinks-that-if-reading-books-makes-you-sweet-he-is-the-sweetest-guy-around