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Pygmalion. My Fair Lady. Pretty Woman. You can call them transformation stories, but at their heart, it’s ugly duckling syndrome. And they just get under my skin. Here’s why:Read More →

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On changes in the romance genre: The relationships had also modernized: by the 1990s, it was rare to see a book which featured a man raping his future wife. via Romance novel – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Yeah, thank goodness those crazy men finally came to their senses.  In the NINETIES.  What the? I get that this still happens in books.  Not books I read, but, it happens.  I get that some people enjoy this… forced intimacy.  But, damn it, who the hell marries someone who respects and loves them so little they just commit a crime against them?  Who else do they fall inRead More →

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Turn your picture into a romance novel cover. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversary, wedding gift or just for that special person you’ve been dating. If you’ve ever dreamed of being on the cover of a Harlequin Romance Novel, this is as close as you’re likely to get. via Use your picture to make a romance novel cover!. I haven’t used this yet, so I don’t know how the results look.  (I don’t mind my pic so much, but I’m hesitant to star my poor husband on a romance cover).  I’d love to see it, if you give it a go.Read More →

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Okay, this isn’t a well-researched, in-depth look at love or romance or…well, anything.  I’m writing, give me a break.  You don’t tell the muse, “Not now, honey.  I’m busy writing this blog.”  You can totally tell your husband that, but not your muse.  That chick is vindictive and might not show up again for six months.  *I know*. So, for your enjoyment, a very extensive list of endearments for your sweetheart.Read More →

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I’d love to have this book. (Makes a note to add to Amazon wishlist).  I’ve been reading the bitches for a couple of years now and I love them.  They’re funny “like damn and whoa,” they have awesome commenters, they call their readers the bitchery, and they’ve got something to say.  We shouldn’t be ashamed of loving our romances.  Hold those Fabio covers up proudly and proclaim to the world, “Yes, I am a smart bitch and I freaking love trashy novels!” Found: A video made by assorted pubbed romance authors endorsing the greatness of their book (above).Read More →

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I think that I’ve outgrown pop quizzes.  They were all about doing something fun and delving into different aspects of romance, but they were more flash than substance.  Also, while completely random and silly, they were still personal, in that they were about me.  And why do you care if I kiss like a woman or what movie my love life is like? So, from now on, Saturdays will be the day that I discuss romance*.  Sometimes it’ll be something one could incorporate into their writing, or it might be inappropriately amusing, or it might be kind of touching, or… you know what?  We’ll justRead More →

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In my new manuscript, my heroine is a romance writer with a list of ten characteristics she expects her heroes to live up to.  I think she uses it a little bit for a personal measuring stick as well.  Anyway, for your reading pleasure: Skye’s Ten Traits of a Hero Always keeps his word/promises. Respects the heroine as an individual with intelligence and many other ass-kicking qualities. He loves her brand of crazy. Once they begin their own mating dance–even if it involves slammed doors and acidic wit–he doesn’t/can’t sleep with another woman.  If he does, he finds the experience hollow and unsatisfying. Even ifRead More →

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Not advocating the writing of such, but I found this Erotic Thesaurus – A Guide to Purple-Prose for the Literary Artist. Edit 08.19.2012: Recently this site has been down for exceeding its bandwidth. If it’s not working, my site will (usually) strike-through the link text. If that continues, I’ll remove the link.Read More →

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Let me preface this by saying, I have children.  From 4 to 14, which means I watch everything from The Secret Life of an American Teenager to The Imagination Movers.  And, yeah, I realize my kids should be reading.  My kids do read.  They just also watch television and play video games.  Sueme.  TV is flashier and easier for them. There goes that point again, making a break for it.  Monday night, my daughter’s watched Spectacular, a much hyped, brand new movie from Nickolodeon.  Except, it’s not all that new. Premise: Boy is good at one thing, probably has a future as a professional.  BoyRead More →

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Apparently, there seems to be a link between creativity and…well, madness.  A show of hands, please, from anyone who is surprised.  Anyone?  Didn’t think so. Here’s the link for the article.  Research was done by U of T (no clue) and Harvard. This discovery, I think, is about as shocking as finding out the wheel is round.  Do you know any sane writers?  If you do, they’re faking it.  Trust me.Read More →