Switching Gears in Writing

I write romance books. Always loved the "happily-ever-after" books and movies.

I started writing "sweet" romance stories, having decided I could never create a book showing what goes on behind closed doors. My first books always left you wondering as the bedroom door closed at the end of a scene or chapter.

In 1994, I went to my first Romance Writers of America conference in New York City. Loved every moment of my hectic and confusing time there. I had a roommate, unknown to me before we shared a room, who wrote, what I considered, "hot stuff". She had sex in her story and actually wrote about what happened after that bedroom door closed.

I told her I could never do that.

Boy, have I changed!

I gradually wrote books that let the reader enter the bedroom with the hero and heroine. Sometimes they even opted for sex in a tub, shower, living room. Once I got started throwing descriptions in my books, just hinting about sexual encounters never crossed my mind.

Heroes and heroines had sex. Readers wanted to know what they did and in order to "feel" that emotional connection the lovers obtained. The more books I wrote, the bolder my writing became. I finally ended up selling my first book to Ellora's Cave (Cerridwen Imprint) and told my editor I could never write an erotic romance.

Once again, I denied my ability to tackle a new edge in how sexually explicit my writing could get. After selling three books, my editor said that since they were all "very sensual" in nature, I could probably write an erotic book.

Dilemma. Would readers who knew me as Marianne Stephens, mainstream romance author, accept me as an erotic romance author? I decided to use another pen name, April Ash, and wrote "Strip Poker for Two".

Now, this did not please everyone. Some people thought I'd "sold out" to the dark side in writing erotica. I've decided I kinda enjoy explaining exactly what goes on and can follow guidelines so I don't cross that line of porn for porn's sake only. These books, erotic romance stories, are just that. Romance books written with erotic, graphic descriptions.

As I told one friend, I know all the correct names of body parts and how to use them. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed by what I write. Questions about where I get my descriptive ideas from always have me answering, "Some come from experience and then again, I'm very creative."

I have to keep everyone guessing about that...can't divulge all my secrets!

April has sold another erotic romance book, "Sexy Games", to Ellora's Cave. No release date yet!
Check www.aprilash.net for more information.

My Writing Space

As an author, I need my space to write and feel comfortable. I love having my own office while my husband has his in our finished basement. Bonding with your spouse is wonderful, but there are times I need to work and not be interrupted!

I recently bought a new desk. My old roll-top had outlived its usefulness. It had the monitor near the left side and a pull-out writing board on the right. Great for people who are right-handed, but not convenient for those of us who are left-handed. I constantly set up a tray table on the left side to give me room to scribble notes. Not pretty or comfortable, but functional.

My new desk has the monitor right in the center. The two shelve/drawer inserts are movable, so I can place them where they're not in my way. And, I have two pull-out writing boards, one on either side. Of course, I have lots of space now on the left side to scribble my notes without any difficulty.

I don't listen to music while I write. It distracts me. I hear the cuckoo clock in my dining room as it alerts me to every new hour or half-hour. Sometimes, though, I'm so engrossed in writing that I don't hear a thing. I'll admit, however, that I've toyed with the idea of getting a small TV in here, just so I can keep track of baseball games as I'm a big fan of two teams.

I like lots of light when I write. I open the drapes to let in the sunlight, and always have the overhead light on. At night, I also turn on a lamp on my desk. Maybe it's "old eyes" syndrome, but I need to have things really bright.

I'm surrounded by bookshelves, cabinets, and a fireplace. And, of course, lots of photos of family and friends adorn spots with shelf space. I have one vase with flowers received from Mid-America Romance Authors, my RWA chapter here in the Kansas City area. And I'm into glass flowers, so have four different vases with various sizes/types of glass flowers throughout the room.

My desk chair is comfortable and "worn-in" to suit my needs. I also have a rocking chair near the window, one I've had for almost 34 years.

This is where I create my stories. I can see out the large window near my desk and watch as the season change when I need a break from writing. I'm happy in my writing space and feel fortunate to have it all to myself!

Where do you write? Or, where do you go for some private time?
Marianne/April

Check out www.mariannestephens.net and www.aprilash.net for updates on their books. April just received a new contract so another erotic book will soon be available!
Marianne and April blog at www.goddessessofstorytelling.blogspot.com on the 8th of every month and also at www.romancebooksrus.blogspot.com.

Join our newsletter for a monthly contest and updates! Send an email to marianne@mariannestephens.net or april@aprilash.net and put "Join Newsletter" in the subject line.

Blind Dates, Part Two

I blogged about the weird blind dates and the toads I'd come across. As promised, now I'll tell you about two blind dates that turned out fine.

Again, these happened while I was in college.

BLIND DATE NUMBER THREE: Once again, my college roommate, Carol, and her boyfriend, Bob decided to try once more and set me up with another friend of theirs. I made them promise no playboy types and it had to be someone who'd at least stick by me for our date night. Embarrassed by their first try, they were anxious to match me again and show they could get it right.

This time it worked.

Steve was studious and in the ROTC program at their college, just like Bob. We hit it off right away since I'd always respected military life after listening to my father's stories of being in the Navy.

We dated for about six months and Carol and I spent many weekends double-dating at the guys' college. Even went to a ROTC military ball. Eventually, Steve and I went our separate ways as he graduated and went into the Army.

BLIND DATE NUMBER FOUR: Carol wasn't done with me yet! Even though she and the guys had graduated and I was a college senior, she tried again...thinking she had figured out how to "match" me. This guy was from her hometown but now in the Army.

Mike was great. Really considerate, great listener...and I really liked him. I dated him on weekends he was home and I visited Carol. Even had him come to my home during spring break and thought we'd had a wonderful time.

Sadly, I was wrong. Mike decided he didn't want to get serious with anyone, and I was looking for a commitment with a future together. The next time I visited Carol, he said he couldn't get home. Carol and I went to a dance club one night and saw Mike there with another girl. I'd lost him, but still have nice memories of our dating.

Have you been on a blind date? Good or bad? Or, have you had different experiences like I did?

Don't forget to visit www.mariannestephens.net and www.aprilash.net for information about their books! Join their newsletter for a monthly contest! Just send an email to marianne@mariannestephens.net or april@aprilash.net and put "join newsletter" in the subject line.

Blind Date, Anyone?

Spring is here, love is in the air...and matchmakers are on the loose! It's time for them to find you the perfect date and they nag you until your strength depletes and stamina wavers so you agree. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Now you're in for it!

I've been on a few blind dates in my younger years after high school. Two were particularly strange.
BLIND DATE NUMBER ONE: Good friends John and Mary asked if I'd go on a blind date with John's friend, Sam. Apparently Sam had been ill, was recovering, but had lost all his hair (I can't remember what the illness was). I agreed, figuring I'd known Mary since grade school and John since we took accordion lessons together in middle school. Surely their friend would be a pleasant date, and hey...I considered myself an interesting and fun person to be around.

Wrong.

Not about me, but about Sam. The entire evening had me conversing with John and Mary. Sam barely uttered ten words, very few in sentences. Our trip to a club proved disappointing. He didn't dance. When we went to a diner to eat, he scooted into the booth seat next to John. In the car, he sat in front with John and was the first to be driven home.

We then figured Sam still had issues with being out in public (although I don't think I kept looking at his bald head even though I knew it was there). Blow to my ego? Kinda. I felt like I wasn't interesting enough to make him comfortable.

BLIND DATE NUMBER TWO: Carol, my college roommate and her boyfriend, Bob, set up a blind date with Jim, a friend of Bob's at their college. Carol was sure we'd hit it off as he'd dated another of her friends and I was "just like her". Bob came to our college to pick us up and drove to his and Jim's college. We were dropped off to spend the night in a sorority house.

Strange thing, though. Every time I told girls there I'd be going out with Jim Smith, I'd get the weirdest reactions. Some just blinked, others whispered to each other. And their responses were always "Oh".

Jim and Bob came to pick us up at the sorority house. I took one look at him and thought dreamy, handsome...trouble ahead. He flashed a big smile to ALL the girls there and flirted before we had a chance to leave.

We went to a frat party where he led me to the chairs, said he had to talk to someone and would soon return, and stayed away for twenty minutes. I was annoyed as I watched him flit about the room being sociable. When one of his fraternity brothers asked me to dance, I did. I danced with him for another twenty minutes until my "date" showed up to claim me.

I was out with an ever-popular playboy and apparently wasn't his type. Nor was he mine. When it came time to leave, he hugged and kissed me and we parted after talking about our friends and the argument they'd had. Jim promised to pick me up for church the next morning so I figured I'd see him one last time.

He came to get me, and had four other girls in his car. Jim drove us all to church and sat in a pew with five girls surrounding him.

When it came time to drive us back to our college, Bob stopped at Jim's dorm to see if he'd like to go with us. I told Bob not to bother as I already knew he wasn't interested in me. Bob seemed surprised and said I was wrong. He went in, came out alone and angry, and said Jim had to study. I thanked Bob and Carol but said ours was not a match Jim wanted any part of. Nor did I.

Later this month, I'll blog about two blind dates that turned out fine. Good things can happen, but watch out for the toads if you agree to a blind date!

Matchmaking is a job one of my heroines does. In "Second Sight Dating" by Marianne Stephens, Serena uses her "second sight" to match couples. Read it to find out about one client she can't seem to find a perfect match for. Is it because she wants him for herself?

To sign up for my newsletter, Marianne's Musings & April's Antics, send an email to marianne@mariannestephens.net or april@aprilash.net and put "join newsletter" in the subject line. I offer a monthly newsletter contest!

Check out:
www.mariannestephens.net
www.jasminejade.com
www.aprilash.net
www.ellorascave.com

What Stops Me From Writing?

I always have thoughts racing through my head, either plotting out scenes in a current book I'm working on or a future one. Right now, thoughts of finishing two books I've started and revamping four others to make them read-worthy keep my mind busy.

So...what's been holding me back from actually sitting in front of the computer and writing, putting ideas in print? Every night before I go to sleep, I go through scenes I want to use for the two books I'm determined to complete. I've also got another new book plotted out (except for a few minor details I need to work on to make the conflict important). Night after night, I go through these and plan to write the next day.

But, my motivation ends with sleep.

Okay. I've had a rough time with hospital stays, complications and surgeries. Yep. I've got the excuses ready. Why can't I overcome them and get back to work?

I'm tired a lot, and the idea of sitting in front of the computer instead of napping never wins. I've been able to do more on the computer now that drug-induced "brain fog" has disappeared. I'm catching up with email and rejoining loops I've been "no mail" on for some time.

Am I just being lazy? Couldn't I push myself more? I'm firmly determined to start March off right, and get back to writing. I keep thinking of a friend who kept writing, even while her husband was dying of brain cancer. She managed to keep motivated and bless her for doing so.

I've got to put my pity party tactics behind me and write! Yes, I've gone through some miserable stuff...and it looks like my husband will be losing his job...but maybe it's time for me to challenge myself and get busy!

My first erotic book, "Strip Poker for Two", by April Ash, is now available in both ebook and print versions at www.jasminejade.com . This website is for Ellora's Cave. The book should show up soon at Amazon.com, Border's and Barnes & Noble websites. I need to promote this. I need to spread the word. I need to do my job.

I've kept up with my newsletter, and welcome emails from the people on my list. I run a contest every month, and try to keep readers motivated. You can join my newsletter by sending an email to marianne@mariannestephens.net or april@aprilash.net.

Keep motivated to do what you need to do, and my plan is to do the same!

Are You Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions?

Every January 1st., lots of people begin with making New Year Resolutions they hope to accomplish throughout the year. How many succeed? How many fail?

Mine always seemed to have to do with losing weight. Where and when did the pounds attach themselves to my hips? Was it just "holiday eating"?

I asked my newsletter fans to tell me about their resolutions. Here are some of them:
Lose weight
Get healthy
Clean closets and house clutter
Reading more and reading books other than romance
Keeping in touch with family
Quit smoking
Exercise more

See yourself among my fans and recognize a resolution as one of yours?

Why don't we follow through? Lack of interest, other things detour us, too stressed?

I'd hoped to make 2009 a healthier one and for once didn't resolve to lose weight...since I'd lost so much after my surgery. But, I never made it through New Year's Day without complications from my previous surgery appearing. So, I'm back to step one, facing more hospital visits and surgeries.

Regardless, I'm determined to finish editing a book I wrote and send it to my editor. I'm already planning on having my laptop at the hospital (if allowed) and working!

GOOD NEWS!! "Strip Poker For Two", by April Ash, will soon be available in paperback!

May You have a Wonderful New Year and accomplish your goals!

Marianne/April
www.mariannestephens.net
www.aprilash.net

It's Already December?

We just had our first snowfall of the season. I don't know about you, but the year has gone by so quickly! Lots of events and new experiences have happened, both good and bad.

I had two books published this year. Gone to the Dogs, my third Cerridwen Press, mainstream romance, has been available since May. Strip Poker For Two, my first erotic romance published by Ellora's Cave in August, inspired me to create another pen name (April Ash).

I attended my first few booksignings now that one book, Second Sight Dating, published by Cerridwen Press, is now a paperback. It's so interesting being on the other side of the table!

Health issues took up much of the last few months for me, and I found myself unable to concentrate on sitting in front of the computer and writing. However, "head writing" did occur frequently and ideas raced through my mind. Now my quest is to put those thoughts on the computer screen and continue with my career.

The holiday season...which I love...has been scaled down a bit this year for me since I'm physically unable to do all I've done in the past. My reprieve comes in another week when my activity limitations finish the 12 week program I've had to follow and I actually get to lift and carry things again! AND, that means shopping for Christmas gifts!

May you all enjoy the holidays, whatever you celebrate. Let's hope for a healthier New Year (and a better economic outlook). Enjoy time with family and friends!

Marianne/April
www.mariannestephens.net
www.aprilash.net