NEW SALE to Black Lace

ANNOUNCING MY NEW SALE!

'Twelve Steps' By: Shada Royce

in

Seduction: A Collection of Naughtiness From Black Lace!
Short story anthology, Available February 2009 - UK & April 2009 - US
Available for Pre-order at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

The main character of this story is a woman who sets out on a path to sexual self discovery by developing a twelve-step program which leads her to seduce a stranger and thereby release her inner vixen. The threat of having a tryst in a public location, with a stranger, only heightens her desire. In the end, she finds letting go of the reigns may be the ultimate step to any seduction...

SQUEEEE...Isn't is AMAZING!?

Photography

So I haven't been totally useless...in the midst of a major upheaval right now, in the tornado of chaos that has become my life, I have hit a good ole hard writers block. I know, you're not supposed to talk about it when you do - what if someone hears you have suddenly stopped typing!

I haven't stopped altogether, I just prefer to think of this time as 'vacation' for my characters...grumble, grumble, hope they return soon.

In this time of quiet reflection, I have reverted to my other favorite pastimes: Reading, photography, poetry, and music.

Reading: I am reading anything I can get my hands on right now. I've always been told that is the fastest way to work out writer's block. So currently on my nightstand: "The Other Boleyn Girl", "Doghouse Roses", and "Cherry Bomb". All of which hopefully don't give me nightmares, but is kind of like eating cold pizza and pickles before bed.

Photography: Check out 'S. Roberts Creative Photography' (go to http://www.shadaroyce.com/, then look under the 'links' tab), this is what I'm doing on days when I need to escape beyond the pages of a book. One of my favorite pastimes is to jump in my car, turn on my tunes, and drive around until I see something interesting to capture. Hey - its something creative, right!?

Poetry: That's write, I'm back to writing those toe-curling prose that make even me want to vomit, but sometimes you just have a bunch of emotional dribble you need to dispel - so I have been dispelling all over my newest composition notebook, of which I am SURE will have to be burned after the use of the last page (<---- really bad stuff {gagging})

Music: I have a new toy! (No, pull your head out of the gutter! NOT that kind of toy, sheesh)...dun, dun, duhnnnn: an iPOD - woohoo, welcome to the 21st century Ms. Royce, glad you could finally join us after almost NINE years. (Oh, and have to throw in my newest skill - TEXT MESSAGE - it's a necessary evil - some twitter, I text). So my iPOD has become the soundtrack of my life. I think that'd be a great iPOD commercial - you see this soccer mom (al la moi) in the grocery store and all the cashiers and bag boys are dancing with the fruits and veggies, then soccer mom blinks and takes off her headphones and all is normal again - but it's because she's jamming to her iPOD that she 'visualizes' this much more interesting reality. Do you get me here? You could have scenes where she is cleaning the house and she's all decked out in leather and singing then the kids walk in and she's in her yellow gloves and singing into the mop handle (has never happened to me, uh-hum). You could have scenes in traffic or on the subway or at the bank. The catch phrase could be "Make life a musical" - or something totally not that gay but catchy.

Ok...I just went off on a tangent...wonder if the muse is back? Hmmmm.....

Readers Speak Out On Overused Phrases

Ok, so I HAVE to blog about this because not only did I just have the most fantastic laugh in more than a month, I learned just a little about what readers are expecting from romance writers.

If you haven’t made your way over to Amazon.com and the “Your darned hated certain phrases!” thread – then you are seriously missing out on the howl of the day.

From what I can tell, the first post started with a writer complaining of a phrase about the hero’s hands spanning the heroine’s waist. Since its July 23rd conception, over 650 posts have been added to this thread in response to the complaint. It has basically turned into a free-for-all for readers to drop by and let the world know what is annoying them most in romance writing.

My very favorite suggestion came about half-way through the thread, where one writer says something to the effect of:

“Authors should retire these phrases like athletes retire numbers. At romance conventions they should hold a vote, write the phrase on a huge piece of paper, and haul it to the ceiling.”

One contributor goes on to say: “I'm all for your idea of banning/retiring phrases. But instead of authors getting to choose, IMO readers should get to vote on the phrase to be retired....kinda like "Voting A Phrase Off The Island". They can announce the winner and perform a Ceremony of Induction into the Hall Of Shame at one of the conventions.”

I did scroll through several pages on the post, tracking the most hated, and ‘voted’ on phrase more than four times. By “voted on” I mean mentioned as being overused. These the most votes that I counted after going through half the thread:

1. Slanted his mouth over hers (6)
2. He smelled of man/musky (6)
3. Honeypot (5)
4. Burning sword of his manhood (5)
5. Her bones turned to liquid/boneless reference (5)
6. Her pink tongue wetted her lips (4)
7. Anything dripping or gushing (7)
8. PINK nipples (and small) (5)
9. THROBBING anything (member, manhood, etc) (8)
10. Having sex on a horse (6)
11. Touching her womb/ramming her womb (6)
12. Pinching nipples or clit (5)
13. His ‘manroot’ (9)
14. Having morning sex without showering the ‘goo’ from the night before or brushing teeth or peeing (10)
15. Kissing after oral sex (6)
16. A term for oral sex ‘Buffeting’ (like Golden Corral - ? Didn’t get this one)
17. The bulbous end of his shaft (4)
18. His manhood (6)
19. Steel encased velvet (or some mix) (4)
20. Purple penis (4)
21. Pulsing veins on penis (4)

Now I didn’t get through all the posts, it’s late and I’m exhausted, but one thing consistent through the thread was that writer’s were asking for REALITY in the writing – from protective sex to the heroine having her period to not all women enjoying anal stimulation. So although this is interesting, I’d say take what you agree with and then take the rest with a grain of salt. This is just a sampling of the reading community.

Now, for my top 6 favorite comments from the post, these had me laughing out-loud.

(1) I made the mistake of reading (author name and book removed) and by page 15, I felt like the single-minded, sadistic child of a gargoyle and imp, who had Satan as a godfather was repeatedly bashing me over the head with the word "howbeit." I honestly never dreamed of seeing the word that much even in my worst nightmares, and needless to say, by page 30, I in turn, felt like bashing the author, editor, publisher, cover artist, 3rd cousin once removed and their adopted dog - anyone even remotely connected to the book (and by association, the word "howbeit") - over the head with a sledgehammer named "Howbeit's Demise!"

And, I'm 5'11" and have dated a 6'8" guy before. Ummmm...it was hard enough for me to have a 'lil lip-lock time, I can't even imagine a 6'6"/5'0" or under pair. Some authors & directors are seriously missing out on some $ for the porno versions the Fantastic Four movies. You could have the Fantastic 69 with lots of stretchy, sweet-smelling cleavage/honeypot furrow chicas and throbbing, pulsing manroot hotties! And hey! Then we could even justify not knowing where one began and ended since they really would be pretzels!

(2) All of these examples of the male anatomy remind me of a line in Plath's 'The Bell Jar', after the young man has dropped his pants in an effort to seduce the heroine. 'All I could think of was turkey neck and turkey gizzards and I felt very depressed'. I wonder if the turkey was throbbing?

(3) Suddenly recalling a conversation some friends and I had regarding hairless dogs and their feeling somewhat like a penis - at least in skin texture. Now...if an author ever has the heroine liken *it* to a Mexican Hairless... What would the hero's reaction be I wonder?

(4) I know what you all mean about that "musky man" scent. Isn't that BO? Sweat? Not a pleasant smell. Does not make me want to have sex with him until he showers. Also...how come in romance novels when they wake up, first thing in the morning, they want to have morning sex without brushing their teeth first? Maybe it's just me, but the morning breath along with the musky man smell doesn't really make me want to grab his manroot until I'm boneless? Maybe after a shower and a toothbrush...

(5) I was reading a Historical Romance and his penis (or maybe his testicals, it was never made quite clear) was refered to as his 'ladycrackers' Which is just wrong. Needless to say, I didn't finish the book. It wasn't worth it.

AND MY FAVORITE…A SUMMARY FROM ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS:
(6) He, of the "gigunda manroot" wakes up and "spans his hands" around the waist of the "blonde, violet eyed" smurf lying "prone" on her back. He proceeds to wipe up all the "gushing" with his face. Waking her in the process with a "peachy" woman tasting kiss. She is so overcome she reaches out, thinking she is grabbing a tree trunk, she latches onto his "oversized manhood". He says "not yet first I must make you scream my name at least 10 or 15 times”. She nods weakly and sniffs his manly, horsey, sunshine smell. He says, "lie back and let me take care of your velvet sheath, while he is stoking her satiny shin and her silky hair". His eyes turn from grey to blue, hers from violet to a "gimlet" brown. He touches her "nubbin", just north of her "honeypot". She licks her lips, then purses them into a perfect little O. Her size DD's quiver on her 80 lb body, pink tipped of course WATCH OUT SHE'S GUSHING AGAIN.

I honestly have not laughed so hard in so long. I want to thank all the posters on Amazon and I have to say that I am impressed with the imagination and creativity in some of these posts. Now why are you still here reading this – go read all the comments! Besides, my fingers are ‘throbbing’ >wink<

PART II: Characterization

PART II: To Horoscope or Not to Horoscope, that is the question…This blog is a continuation of the original ‘To Horoscope or Not to Horoscope, that is the question…’ In my writing career, I have attended workshops, read craft books, and asked characterization questions until I’m dizzy with all of the information. This past summer, I decided to compile all of my information and compare notes, if you will, between all that I have learned.

To avoid infringing on any copyright laws, let me stop and state that the archetypes are well-known and universal; they have been used in numerous craft books and blogs. The most helpful and descriptive archetype book I have found is: The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines Sixteen Master Archetypes” by: Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever, and Sue Viders. This book is like the bible to archetypes.

The 16 Archetypes should be used to determine WHY a character reacts the way he/she does – NOT WHAT THE CHARACTER DOES! I repeat – the Archetypes are to help the author (you and me) determine WHY a character reacts the way that they do. By defining your hero/heroine as one of these archetypes – you can DETERMINE HOW AND WHY the character will react to any situation.

Sounds easy, right? Confused the HELL out of me. No matter how many times or how deeply I studies the archetypes, I was still lost on HOW my characters would react.

But horoscopes – real life people in my life – I understand them. I’ve grown up with them. I know why my best friend runs when she is faced with a serious relationship – she’s the CLASSIC waif. Another friend faces a challenge head on – she’s the go-getter, the BOSS. So if I can project some of the characteristics of the people I KNOW to my characters – I get a much deeper insight into my characters and their possible backgrounds.

Over the next few weeks, I am going to explain my method to my madness. What I did was take the basic archetypes and give them birthdays – I wanted to see how the 16 archetypes compared to the 12 astrological signs. That’s it – I am in no way claiming any credit for the archetype descriptions – I’m just sharing my personal notes and findings.

As I stated in the previous post, just to recap, I meticulously went through the archetypes and tried to ‘match’ them to a horoscope. I looked at the similarities in personalities between the archetypes and the birth signs. Once I did this, I went back through each archetype/horoscope pair and matched them with people I actually knew that had that birthday! This gave me instant insight into my characters. Suddenly I knew how they would react in a situation because I could compare my characters to real-life people who I knew.Last blog I looked at the HEROINE ARCHETYPE: The Boss. I want to extend that description some in this blog and look at her male counterpart, the HERO ARCHETYPE: The Chief.

(Again, these are my own interpretations which help me to develop characters):

Heroine Archetype: The BOSSBirth Signs: Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn, and LeoCharacteristics of the BOSS: loss at personal relationships, confident, dynamic, competitive, blunt, workaholic, arrogant, aloof, intolerant, short-tempered, self-assured, highly organized, achiever, demanding and challenging leaders, realists, make quick decisions.Possible Occupations of the BOSS: chef, prosecutor, Madam, surgeon, queen, editor, entrepreneur, pilot, publisherNow, compare the BOSS to the four horoscopes defined:

Virgos are meticulous, reliable, practical, diligent, intelligent, analytical, overcritical, harsh, perfectionists, idealistic, and conservative. The sign of the Virgo, a virgin holding sheaves of wheat, symbolize wisdom. Like a true virgin, most Virgos are shy and wait to give herself to the perfect lover. Can become a skeptic and cynical due to disappointment. Loves books, magazines, and writing. A Virgo’s critical eye causes an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone. May act a martyr when offerings to help are ignored.
Possible Occupations: Editing, fashion, health professions, teaching.


Aquarians are generally intelligent, unorthodox and inventive, although they often appear to be eerily detached and personally uninvolved (i.e. loss at personal relationships). Champion the highest principles, while at the same time an independent thinker. Stubborn, resistant to imposed change, rebel when confronted with unreasonable authoritarian demands, skeptical, lover of science.Possible Occupations: science, engineering, international finance, writingCapricorns are structured, responsible, organized, ambitious, loyal, faithful, possessive, jealous, well-grounded, pragmatic, goal-oriented, aspire to positions of power, lack self confidence, defensive, competitive, impeccable sense of humor, hold grudges. Capricorns view insecurity and fear as weakness, and attempt to hide such feelings, making it hard for other to get close. Capricorns are ready for hard work if it means getting what they want. The energy and randiness of the goat is proverbial, but Caps can be lazy if they see no sense in working or a less strenuous path. Caps respond to traditional values, rules, and proper behavior.
Possible Occupations: Construction, engineer, politician, lawyer, or business executive.

Leos are grand, confident, generous, egocentric, overbearing, likes to be center of attention, expects awe from others, enjoys a thoroughgoing love of life, natural entertainer, genial host, get pleasure from helping others enjoy, enthusiastic, ambitious, can be lazy, stubborn, resistant to change, tenacious.
Possible Occupations: Arts, Crafts, theatre, philanthropic societies, religious organizations



Heroine Archetype: The CHEIFBirth Signs: Aries, Virgo, and CapricornCharacteristics of the CHEIF: leader, active, dynamic, strong-willed, needs to fix problems, appears unemotional and harsh, protective, independent, goal oriented, responsible, stubborn, organized, motivated, confident, and inflexible.
Possible Occupations: CEO, surgeon, nobleman, pilot, editor, sheriff, stockbroker, movie director

Aries are creative, inventive, leader, bold, self-confident, can be impulsive, great organizers, original, lack discipline for prolonged effort (minions must be found to do the work), intuitive, articulate, courageous, can be overbearing, powerful fighter. Possible Occupations: CEO, manager, nobleman, marketing director.
Virgos are meticulous, reliable, practical, diligent, intelligent, analytical, overcritical, harsh, perfectionists, idealistic, and conservative. The sign of the Virgo, a virgin holding sheaves of wheat, symbolize wisdom. Like a true virgin, most Virgos are shy and wait to give herself to the perfect lover. Can become a skeptic and cynical due to disappointment. Loves books, magazines, and writing. A Virgo’s critical eye causes an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone. May act a martyr when offerings to help are ignored.
Possible Occupations: Editing, fashion, health professions, teaching.

Capricorns are structured, responsible, organized, ambitious, loyal, faithful, possessive, jealous, well-grounded, pragmatic, goal-oriented, aspire to positions of power, lack self confidence, defensive, competitive, impeccable sense of humor, hold grudges. Capricorns view insecurity and fear as weakness, and attempt to hide such feelings, making it hard for other to get close. Capricorns are ready for hard work if it means getting what they want. The energy and randiness of the goat is proverbial, but Caps can be lazy if they see no sense in working or a less strenuous path. Caps respond to traditional values, rules, and proper behavior.
Possible Occupations: Construction, engineer, politician, lawyer, or business executive.Once a writer understands characterization, then you can begin to layer the archetypes and experiment with evolving characteristics. If you have trouble with characterization – give this a try! It might be your “ah-ha” moment, like it was mine! Thanks for reading, and come back for next week’s blog for Part III.

Setting the Scene

Ok - so I'm a few days late - oops!

From past critiques, I have been told that my description of setting is pretty good. Ok, so I can paint a picture (which, by no means is a small task), but blue skies and fields of green do not a story make.

So from these comments from fellow writers, I started to wonder – how do you set a scene?

First and foremost, the setting has to be COMPLIMENTARY to the scene, NOT the focal point. To show an impending doom, have a dark and stormy sky. To show happiness and new beginnings, weave in bright sunshine. You get the drift.

Sometimes a writer falls into a pitfall, one where the writer already ‘sees’ the setting and instead jumps feet first with an action sequence or dialogue. The reader wants to know where your characters are, how they interact with their environment, how they see the world, their feelings about their surroundings. How do the FEEL about the rain (do they LOVE rainy afternoons or do their moods turn sour). You can tell a lot about your character in their observations of their surroundings. Let the reader EXPERIENCE the scene through the five senses (you don’t have to use them all, but two or three can be quite powerful). For example, let’s take a subway.

One character might see the subway as a sinister place, full of germs, blank faces, and dark corners, a suffocating force which presses down on them during their daily commute. Think how the setting might affect her sense: the loud, discomforting noise. The rushing of the air through the portals, serving to only coat her in the unknown. The thick scent of grease and underground.

A different character might view the subway as freedom, a way to quickly travel from one location to another, a place of wonder and intrigue. She might raise her face to the cool blast of air whipping through the tunnels. Enjoy the blend of cultures presented by other riders. Feel a sense of belonging, or connection, in such a large city. She might be fascinated by the clips of conversations or music she hears.

The first character might be the mousy, quiet, stubborn type who deals with the world only because she has to in order to succeed, and she refuses to let something like the subway prevent her from her dreams.

The second character might be the power hungry business woman or the easy, free-spirit. Either case, the world is their oyster and the subway is their transportation to the top.

See? So much can be SHOWN (ahhhh – the devious ‘Show Vs Tell’) about your character depending on how they see the world. But the scene is set!

Of course there is always the omnipresent view of scenes, but a reader really gets excited about learning about the characters. So weave in their views of setting as much as you can.

Remember - keep reading!

I'll continue my "To Horoscope or Not To Horoscope..." blog next week with Part II of the installation. Stay posted!

Shada

WINNER OF CONTEST

Congratulations Kimmy Lane!

You won a $20 gift card from Barnes & Noble just by visiting and leaving a comment! You will recieve an electronic gift card soon!

Thanks for participating and as always, keep reading ~

Shada Royce

Characterization

To Horoscope or Not to Horoscope, that is the question…

Many writers use different methods to ‘discover’ their characters. Some say the character jumps fully formed into their mind, begging for their story to be told. Others say they spend days, if not weeks, rounding out their characters long before they start writing. Unfortunately, for me, I have to confess I’m still straddling the fence.

I’m new to writing romance, although I have been a reader for years, and to tell you the truth – characterization is HARD (for me). Every action, every word, every ‘breath’ a character takes has to be true to their, well - their character!

For me, the hardest part of writing a good story is giving my characters enough depth. And in order to do so, we have to know our characters – like we know our sister or our best friend from high school. We have to have that level of understanding. We have to be able to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at them and know which way they’ll duck (if they duck at all, as in the case with a few of my friends).

I’ve read books on the hero/heroine archetypes, trying to discover which hero/heroines would actually fall in love and if they are appropriate for my plot. So I had my archetypes, I had my chart for external and internal conflict – I should be able to characterize – right? WRONG! No matter how real those characters were in my head, I still had trouble really understanding them.

Know what I decided to do: give them a birthday. That’s right. I meticulously went through the archetypes and tried to ‘match’ them to a horoscope. I looked at the similarities in personalities between the archetypes and the birth signs. Once I did this, I went back through each archetype/horoscope pair and matched them with people I actually knew that had that birthday! This gave me instant insight into my characters. Suddenly I knew how they would react in a situation because I could compare my characters to real-life people who I knew.

It was liberating. It was fun. It also sucked. Sadly, our characters (whom we love like our children) can’t be perfect – just like the people we know in our every day lives. Because of this, I could see my characters flaws and emotional hurdles. Yes, readers like to read about suffering, but for writers – it kills us. Although I loved knowing who my characters were, I also hated knowing they had flaws.

But flaws, not fairytales, are what make great fiction – right?

So just an example of my comparisons (these are my own interpretations which help me to develop characters):
Heroine Archetype: The BOSS*
Birth Signs: Virgo, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Leo
Characteristics of the BOSS: loss at personal relationships, confident, dynamic, competitive, blunt, workaholic, arrogant, aloof, intolerant, short-tempered, self-assured, highly organized, achiever, demanding and challenging leaders, realists, make quick decisions.
Possible Occupations: chef, prosecutor, Madam, surgeon, queen, editor

Now, take Aquarius for example: Aquarians are generally intelligent, unorthodox and inventive, although they often appear to be eerily detached and personally uninvolved (i.e. loss at personal relationships). Champion the highest principles, while at the same time an independent thinker. Stubborn, resistant to imposed change, rebel when confronted with unreasonable authoritarian demands, skeptical, lover of science.
Possible Occupations: science, engineering, international finance, writing

This personality type reminds me of myself (Capricorn) and my mother (Aquarius). Although I think people in our every day lives are not this ‘cardboard cutout’, it gives me a place to start. Once a writer understands characterization, then you can begin to layer the archetypes and experiment with evolving characteristics.

If you have trouble with characterization – give this a try! It might be your “ah-ha” moment, like it was mine! Thanks for reading, and come back for next week’s blog about ‘Setting the Scene’.

* If you are unfamiliar with the archetypes, try “The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines Sixteen Master Archetypes” by: Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever, and Sue Viders.
Oh – and don’t forget about my contest – which ends THIS FRIDAY – July 18th! All you have to do is leave me a comment to have your name thrown in for a Barnes and Noble Gift Card drawing!

CONTEST

I'm holding a CONTEST until July 18th, 2008 - Just because.

If you leave me a comment on my blog OR my website (www.shadaroyce.com) you'll be entered to win a Barnes and Noble gift card!

Thanks for playing!

Shada Royce

What's In A Name

What's in a name? My name, Shada, means Pelican in American Indian (Cherokee I believe), and if you've ever seen my chicken legs - you'd say I was true to my name sake.

So I thought this week I'd talk about character names. Personally, as a writer, I think character names are one of the biggest hurdles for a writer, and therefore, one of the most important.

In my story "Always Tomorrow", my hero's name is Gavin Saxton - a very British, Victorian sounding name to my ears. I even had someone from the UK email me, lettling me know HIS name was Gavin Saxton. Anyways, I had one reader complain about the name - calling it soft. Now I must admit, the character names for "Always Tomorrow" just came to me on a whim. As with most stories they hit me like a bolt of lightening. But after I wrote the story, I decided I wanted to know what Gavin meant and what his leading ladies name, Sara, meant.

Gavin meant "White Hawk" and Sara means "Princess" - ok, so you can draw SOME conclusions into each of their characters.

But then my "Divine Sister's Trilogy: The Maiden of Life", the heroines name is Eve. This name again came to me on a whime, as well as her physical characteristis, notably her white-blonde hair. Surprisingly, the name Eve means "Life Giving" - so how perfect of a name for the Maiden of Life - protector of life from the mood swings of Mother Earth.

My "Cowboy's Aren't For Loving", the heroine's name is Mallory. The story is about a woman who looses her fiance, looses her biggest client, looses her job and moves to Nashville with her sister to start a new life. Well, Mallory means "Ill-fated luck" - imagaine that - LOL.

In my latest story "Natural Treasure", I struggled with my heroines name. She's of American Indian heritage, she a well-respected archeologist intent on protecting her heritage, and her father was a geologist/archeologist. So I wanted a name a hippie, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of father would name his child. After a few days and 20 names, it hit me. Jade. The perfect name for her. The hero - his name flashed to me on the drive to the dratted day job: Bryce Sterling.

So yeah, what is in a name. Do you think character names can make or break a novel? And what are your most memorable character names and why?

Come on - let me hear your feedback!

Thanks for reading -

Shada Royce

NEW REVIEW

Who ever thought that my lil ol' short story "Always Tomorrow" would be reviewed by so many? I am excited to say that 'Once Upon A Romance' was kind enough to review Sarah and Gavin's story. Here is what the reviewer said:

"This wonderfully romantic short story gives us a glimpse into the torture that Gavin put himself through as he lived with a secret that he never told his best friend. He’s now racked with guilt because he feels responsible for Ed’s death. Sarah is a woman of great fortitude and resilience. She’s got chutzpah and lots of it. I admire the courage she used to face down Gavin at his most formidable. Can each of them put aside the past and give themselves a chance at a future together? Overall, Always Tomorrow is a pleasant diversion and good story."

Here is the direct link to read the full review! Pretty cool, huh?

http://www.onceuponaromance.net/AlwaysTomorrowReview.htm

WOW - what a ride

So in the last week I've: been part of a serious, real-life joke (if you know me personally and heard the Crazy military guy, the 'flighty' flight attendent, and the asian dude - you'll know what I mean), visited a historic cemetery, seen a movie at the famour FOX theater, attended a conference for the day job, visited a 1920's home, eaten a Bison steak, and toured the Museum of High Art...whew...

Oh, AND I updated my blog, finished "Plot and Structure" and "Hero's and Heroines", outlined three books, and started character sketches.

Man, my feet/brain hurts. All of that said, I didn't quite do some very personal things I should have taken care of, such as: call my friends Brandi and Sherry (I love you guys) and started my next BlackLace story. The first - I HATE talking on the phone, to anyone, so it's not personal. The second - well, I can't get a good idea and I've been so focused on my Mist's stories - now called "The Divine Sister Trilogy" - well, procrastination is my middle name. So back to the trip...{Portrait of me at The Fox} Sunday night, June 7th, I visited the Historic Fox Theater to see the movie "Atonement". Fabulous movie - heart-wrenching love story.

Entering the FOX

At the Fox, visitors encounter an indoor Arabian courtyard with a sky full of flickering stars and magically drifting clouds; a spectacular striped canopy overhanging the balcony; stage curtains depicting mosques and Moorish rulers in hand sewn sequins and rhinestones. Beautiful light in the theater.

The giant Möller theater organ Mighty Mo is the Fox Theatre's crown jewel. This irreplaceable relic of movie theater lore is a masterpiece of organ design. Mighty Mo was custom-made for the Fox Theatre in 1929. It's the second largest theater organ in the world. Organists consider a performance on Mighty Mo the pinnacle of their career. Bob Van Camp was the house organist for more than 25 years. When he died, his ashes were sprinkled in the attic over the organ chambers.

Next, I visited the Atlanta Historic Center and toured the fabulous Swan House. I was unable to take any interior pictures, but here are some photos of the gardens leading up to the house and the exterior of the house.

The Swan House is an example of how one prominent family lived during the 1920s and 1930s. The heir to a large cotton brokerage fortune amassed in the post-Civil War "New South” era, Edward Inman was a wealthy Atlanta businessman with interests in real estate, transportation, and banking. Philip Trammel Shutze was the architect for Swan House and its gardens.

The Inmans moved into their new home in 1928; just three years later, Edward Inman died suddenly at age 49 from a heart attack. Alone in the large house, Emily Inman asked her older son, Hugh, and his family to live with her. The elegant adult retreat became a home for children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Inman lived in Swan House until 1965 during which time she made only minor changes to its interior and exterior. The house, furnishings, and 28-acre estate were purchased by the Atlanta Historical Society in 1966 and opened to the public the following year. Most of what you see belonged to the Inman family.

Then I toured the exhibit on the history of Atlanta, from the beginning establishement, through the Civil War and the burning of Atlanta, to today. Atlanta is often symbolized by the Pheonix, a bird which erupts in fire at the end of its life and is reborn from its ashes. How very symbolic.

Atlanta is rich with history, a cornerstone of much of Americas history resides here. I had a wonderful visit, the people are full of Southern hospitality, the food is full of flavor and surprise, and you never know what you'll learn around the next corner...

Time to return to my real-life, but what an adventure!

Historic Oakland Cemetery

Once again I was sucked into the 'underground' world of a city. This little adventure proved even more exciting to find out the famous Margaret Mitchell ~ an inspiration to romance writers the world over. First, you know you are going to a place rarely visited by the living when you get in a cab and say "The Oakland Cemetery" and the cab driver says "Where?", THEN hotel concierge doesn't know either when the cab driver asks him! After a bit of an adventure with the cab following my address specifications and a GPS unit, we arrive. I began my personalized guided tour at the Oakland Street entry.

This is the Oakland Street Gated Entrance, built somwhere around the 1890's.

Welcome...to the Historic Oakland Cemetery. There are something like 19 moseleum over the 48 acre cemetery.

Interesting engraving, and kind of spooky: "She is not dead, she is just away."

My very nice tour guide and I began at the historic bell house. The heat index for Sunday was over 100 degrees, but the heat was so worth the amazing history of this fabulous southern cemetery. In the beginning of the cemetery, the bell in the bell house would be tolled at the time the casket entered the cemetery until the casket arrived at the bell house or the plot. Just some quick history: the cemetery was established in the mid-1800's. The City of Atlanta formed at the convergence of two railroads and was originally just a small stop on the railroad. For four years, the Mayor's daughter was the original namesake of Atlanta - so Atlanta was once known as Marthasville. Within four years, the terms "Atlanta" was used to define the city because of the location of the city on the Atlantic Ocean.

The Saxon used to live in the bell house, but it has now been converted to offices and a very unique, and charming isitor center and shop. The guide began our tour here first. This is the 'basement' of the the bell house where they could store caskets until the funeral. They kept them here because it was nice and cool. Frankly - this creeped me out! Think Blair Witch Project - ...

This man built the first suburb in Atlanta. He had this statue made while he still lived. When the statue was set, he had them turn the monument so that he faced the Oakland Street entrance, because, as he said, "To see all who enter."

This cemetery probably has MANY upset spirits. The cemetery sustained quite a bit of damage from the March 2008 tornado that ripped through Atlanta. Huge, ancient trees and tall headstones lay broken and demolished all over the cemetery.

This statue was near the bell house. A woman in misery, head bowed. But the thick, black, moss covering her mouth appears to be preventing her from speaking...I kept waiting for her to turn and look me in the face...

Beautiful moseleum. One thing I noticed was the lack of glass in the moseleums as well as the doors being left open.

A beautiful headstone with interesting family name.

This squirrel was staying out of the heat...or was he protecting the shadowed headstone? Could he be the eternal guard of the grave, in the form of an animal. Or is the spirit of the dead, reincarnated in animal form?

And where is this door leading??

A little note to those who pass by:

Another moseleum. This families young children died and placed two huge, copper urns on either side of the moseleum.

This one dedicated to their daughter on her 26th birthday...

Oh, and by the way...I found him...LOL

Statue of a mortally wounded lion still clutching the flag. A momnument to the unknown Confederate dead.

This man had this statue commissioned on the death of his daughter (right) and wife (left). Notice the wife looking up with an open book - this means wisdom and knowledge. The daughter looking down, a closed book on her lap - means conceled from man. The palm leaf is for Spiritual Victory, and the wreath is for memory. The cross is a testiment to their Irish backgrond.

This early doctor practiced in an age when much was unknown about death. The time when graves were installed with bells and strings leading to the deads coffin, so if they were buried alive - they could ring the bell upon waking and the Saxon would come dig them out! This doctor asked to have his throat slit upon his death to ensure he was dead.

Another explaination for 'wakes' - around the clock watching of a corpse to make sure they did not "wake up" to prove they had not died.
This angel fell from this large Congressmans headstone. Originally it had a life-size Gabrielle on top with two smaller angels on either side of him - snuffing the fires of 'life' with their horns.

This angel was placed here by the Orphanage. She watches over the children who died from the Orphanage. Her urn was full of coins ~ offerings and gifts to the Orphanage.

This moseleum has an interesting story. In the time before Altanta was a well established City and was still mostly a 'Saloon' type town - two brothers, the Hill brother - went downtown to drink. At the Saloon, they got into an argument. The fight followed them back to their apartment that night where one brother shot and killed the other. Later that night, the surviving brother turned the gun on himself. The Uncle built this moseleum around the two brothers, sealing them togehter for eternity. The moseleum has no windows or doors. He forced them to live together into eternity...

This moseleum belonged to a foreign banker. He only lived in Atlanta a short time, but loved the City so much that he built this Gothic-style moseleum - complete with gargoyles.
Beautiful dedication to a woman admired by the Community. Apparently she was always the one to visit the sick or to lend a helping hand...

And the burial plot of Margaret Mitchell Marsh. A woman who wrote an eic novel. She never would write another book after Gone With The Wind - so turned off by the publicity the epic story earned her. Legend has it that she almost didn't go to the movie premier - but the charming Rhett Butler convinced her to allow him and Vivian Lee to escort her.

Margaret's father was one of the historical preservationists of Atlanta, so I sure she heard many first hand history accounts from her father around the dinner table.

Thanks again for reading...oh, and guess who I saw while out the next day! That's right...

Cemetary Tour - Mount Holly

I love history. If I could choose, I'd go back 10 years and go to college to be a high school history teacher. (Not mention this would afford valuable family time and summers off). My love of history leads me to a love of places full of history: Old homes, libraries, black and white films, and....cemeteries. Yes, mobrid, I know - but fascinating none-the-less. After living in Little Rock my entire life, I had never taken the opportunity to visit one of the oldest and most historical cemeteries in Arkansas.

On May 17th, 2008, Diamond State Romance Authors took a self-guided tour of the grand Mount Holly Cemetery. We shared our adventure with the local artists’ guild. What an experience! The sun was shining, the breeze cool and refreshing, and to walk by beautiful old grave sites to see oil paintings or charcoal sketches of these sunlit spots – well, it was inspiring to say the least.

I find the spithaies left by the living for the dead give you an insight into the lives of teh deceased. You see sense of humor which leads you to wonder the personality of the person buried there. Or sometimes you see a site that makes you want to weep. The very tragedies people never recovered from, as told by the carefully chosen words they leave engraved in stone: “Beloved wife…” “Gentle angels…”

The daughters of this couple arranged to have this monument made to their parents. Not an angle, but a forlone, sad woman sitting atop the gravestone. Perhaps a symbolism of the longing for their parents.

This inscription gave me the chills. Is says:

Ever near us tho’ unseen

Thy dear immortal spirit treads

For all the boundless universeis life

there is no dead.

The day before we were set to arrive at the cemetery, I went and picked up some pamplets at the bell house. Next to the bell house is the most tragic grave site I have ever seen. I turned and looked at this grave site. Chills creeped up my spine as I read the inscriptions on the children's tombstones: "Papa's Baby" and "Mama's Darling" for Little Martha and "Papa's Sweetheart" and "Mama's Pet" for Pearl. The husband and father was buried many years after the deaths of his two very young daughters and his beloved wife. After reading these two gravesites, I immediantly felt a definant presence - deeply saddened and of great, everlasting love. Maybe it was simply my 'mothers' instincts or the spirits of this young family, regardless I was reduced to tears. Notice how the mother's statue appears to be coming toward the camera, as if in protection of her two daughters.

Little Martha and Pearl:

This is a beautiful statue on a headstone. A weathered angel keeping watch over souls.

These are my sisters in crime, from left to right: Linda, Shayla, Me, Elle, Sandi, Sara, and Delilah.

If you’re a writer, take a trip to your local cemetery - what an amazing place for inspiration. In fact, on my adventure to Georgia this month, I'll be visiting the Historic Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. Stay posted for pictures and blogs about my next adventure.

Oh and speaking of real life experiences. Here's this from a fellow author. In her free time she and her dad are the caretakers for a cemetery. She was weed-eating around the tombstones when she took a step backwardsand her leg fell through the ground up to her knee! Interesting huh?

Thanks for reading and keep coming back! You never know what I'll talk about next!

Shada

Twelve Steps (of Agony)

Well, I went and did it. I took the BIG leap because of a challenge put forth to DSRA by one of our members.

What was this challenge, you ask: To write a 6000 word story for the New Black Lace Anthology Series.

I did it - and LOVED every word of it.

What is Black Lace? Black Lace is an imprint of Virgin Books that specializes in erotica and erotic romance written by female authors specifically for female readers.

The first series was themed "Seduction" and due on June 2nd, 2008.

My first story, titled "Twelve Steps", is about a woman who sets out on a path to sexual self discovery by developing a twelve-step program which leads her to seduce a stranger and thereby release her inner vixen. The threat of having a tryst in a public location, with a stranger, only heightens her desire. In the end, she finds letting go of the reigns may be the ultimate step to any seduction.

The next three themes are:
Liaisons (due Aug. 4th, 2008)
Misbehavior (due Sept. 8th, 2008)
Affair (due Nov. 3rd, 2008)

So stay tuned as I make this writting journey. I'll be posting excerpts on my MySpace page on each deadline.

Thanks for reading!

2008 DARA CONFERENCE

Cynthia D'Alba, E.C. Gray and I ventured
to Plano Texas April 4th and 5th for the 2008 DARA conference. The long drive down was spent brainstorming one of my WIP's - the "Mists of Life". Needless to say, we got nowhere.

Only after we checked into the hotel, registered at the DARA booth, and spent time "relaxing" in the hotel bar that we could finally 'exorcise the demon' and really start planning the story. Really! You think I'm kidding. You know how we authors do, killing off characters left and right. I'm surpirsed the local authorities didn't show up and ask us whose murder we were plotting...

Isn't that one of the cruxs of writing? You have to be flexible and listen to those you brainstorm with. Never hold onto an idea so tight that you don't give it room to grow. There was no reason for my hero to be half-demon. So - we got rid of the demon and instead killed off his family...(just another kind of demon really).

Anyways, what couldn’t be done in a five hour drive from Arkansas to Texas was plotted in little over an hour. (Mind you, only after several "bartender specials", the best steak nachos in the country, and many jokes later).

{Side note: Best joke of the night: We are sitting in the bar, a few other authors whom are knew sat down with us at our table (they will forgive me for not remembering thier names). A series of horrific tornados had just blown through Arkansas. Thankfully, no deaths resulted that night from tornados, but the meterologists on tv couldn't hardly contain themselves. We sat and laughted at the almost inappropriate excitement of the weathermen during these storms. One of the authors at our table laughted along with us, but once we quieted down she informed us that her husband is a meterologist. - Needless to say, they almost asked us to leave the bar we were laughing so loud.}

Back to brainstorming - I, with infinite wisdom, wrote those ideas down on a hotel bar napkin. I can only imagine the hundreds of great story ideas that are jotted down on bar napkins. Why is it that I had a stock pile of tapes and a mini recorder, including a small notepad, during the five hour brainstorming session down, but none of those tools were available during this creative snap!?

But, all joking aside, the conference was informative and enjoyable. The most interesting
sessions to me were those given by the Agents and Editors. One particular question posed to the Editors were about trends. All three of the Editors present agreed that there was no way to predict the future trend. And their best advice was to encourage all authors to simply write what they love. So basically - JUST WRITE A GOOD STORY.

Cynthia, E.C., and I at the morning breakfast session.

Best selling author, Lori Foster, gave a very up-beat and inspiring talk on focus and writing. Made me want to get home and get to writing! That's what conferences are about - right? Enthusiasm for the craft, making new friendships, strengthening old ones, and brainstorming a really great book idea on a hotel bar napkin....man, I can't wait 'til next year!

REVIEWS for ALWAYS TOMORROW

The Long and The Short Of It rated 'Always Tomorrow' as a 3.5 out of 5 books. The review said: "The scenes in this story are detailed and well constructed. I felt fully immersed in eighteenth-century England, from the powerful, descriptive opening on the battlefield, to the steamy love-making scene later on. Gavin and Sarah are nicely developed and likable characters, too." To read more, visit: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2008/04/review-always-tomorrow.html

Simply Romance Reviews rated 'Always Tomorrow' as a B+, making it a SRR Recommended Read. The review said: "Always Tomorrow is the new historical short story by debut author Shada Royce. Always Tomorrow tells the story of Gavin Saxton and Sarah Noble. This story will pull at your heartstrings from the first page to the last. To read more, visit: "http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/alwaystomorrow.aspx

Night Owl Romance rated 'Always Tomorrow' with 3 out of 5 hearts. The review said: "A fast enjoyable read that takes up 32 pages and only 18 pages is the romance. Characters are well thought out, they have some depth." To read more, visit: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1614

Cocktail Reviews awarded 'Always Tomorrow' three champagne flutes. To read more, visit: http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/category/wild-rose-press/

Better Late Than Never

CONTEST RESULTS:

Congratulations to Devan McElreath for winning the stamp and stationary! Devan's name was shosen from a group of 15 responses.

Congratulations again and keep reading my posts - you never know when I might give something else away!

CONTEST

LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST TO BE ENTERED TO WIN THIS 'HEART SHAPED' WAX SEAL AND ITALIAN STATIONARY.

Read 'Always Tomorrow' excerpt on my website or on myspace.

Now...what better way to remind your loved ones your are thinking of them!


To celebrate the release of my book "Always Tomorrow" I am holding a contest to win an Italian Stationary Set and an Italian ‘Heart’ Seal & Wax Kit. To see a picture of the prize, visit my website at www.shadaroyce.com or my myspace page under the picture album “contest”.

All you have to do register to win is one of three things: (1) Go to my website and sign my guestbook with your name and email addy, (2) Leave me a comment on my myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/shada_royce with your email addy, or (3) leave me a comment on my blog “CONTEST” at http://romancebyroyce.blogspot.com.

The winner will be randomly chosen on April 2, 2008 and no purchase is necessary. If you enjoy short romantic, spicy reads, check out “Always Tomorrow” available from The Wild Rose Press at http://www.thewildrosepress.com on APRIL 2, 2008. Remember The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over half a library to make one book ~ Samuel Johnson.

Thanks for participating and keep reading!

Shada Royce

Always Tomorrow

Isn't the book cover AMAZING!? This is the cover for my new short story "Always Tomorrow" soon to be released from The Wild Rose Press.

I have truly been blessed by the cover gods (this time).

Stay posted for the release date of "Always Tomorrow" and my contest to celebrate the day!

Love,

Shada Royce

I'M OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED

WOOHOO -
What an amazing Birthday week this has been!

On January 13th, I was officially offered a contract for my first short story "Always Tomorrow" to be published with The Wild Rose Press!

These last two weeks have been a blur with plotting bootcamps, online classes and a slue of self-editing!

See my blog "Always Tomorrow" to read a short excert from my coming story - release date to be announced.

Thanks for visiting!