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I’ve been a bad blogger of late and I apologize for this. Sunday is supposed to be my day for posting and I have a tendency to forget.

But today I remembered. And my topic for discussion is inspiration. Inspiration can come to a writer in many shapes, forms and ideas.

Back in April, during the Romantic Times BOOKlover’s convention in Pittsburgh I was standing in line at the bar. I casually glance around the room to see who else was about when this short older woman with dark, short hair gets in line behind me. I turn to see who the person is and then turn back around. It took about 2 full seconds for my brain to realize who she was.

Bertrice Small.

Yes, the author of the very first romance novel I ever read now stood not 12 inches away from me. OMG!

Like a star struck idiot I turned around and introduced myself. Blathering and stammering like a complete fool I manage to stop my hands from shaking enough to shake hers. She was a doll.

The woman actually blushed when I told her Skye O’Malley was the very first romance novel I read. She asked questions about my writing, where I wanted my career to go and she squeezed my hand one last time and said, “Don’t ever give up on your dream. I wish you all the success in the world, Kayla.”

I floated on cloud nine for the next 2 days of the convention. Saturday rolls around and now we have the massive booksigning with every author of the romance genre you could possibly imagine signing their books, taking pictures with fans, and just being the wonderful people they are. Bertrice Small has an entire table to herself. One of the perks of being a big name author for 20+ years, and what is she signing? Ballantine has rereleased Skye O’Malley in trade paperback. She remembered me from our bar encounter 2 nights past. How cool was that? Anyway, she signed my brand new copy and I happily went on my way.

The moral to the story and how this relates to inspiration?

Just like Ms. Small told me. Never give up on your dream.

Happy Writing Everyone,

Kayla Janz

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If you’d like the answer to that question, you’re in luck!

During the month of August, I’m teaching an online class on that very subject

Here’s the info - I hope to see you there!

PERMISSION GRANTED TO FORWARD

Living the Life of a Writer: Is it all Really Glamour and Bon Bons?

When people think about the life of a writer, they might envision said writer dressed in comfortable yet designer clothes, sitting on the balcony of their posh but understated mansion that overlooks a pool and possibly the scantily clad pool boy—or girl.  Said writer sips a fruity drink from a martini glass while typing their next masterpiece in between calls from their agent, movie studios and other authors, while their personal assistant bustles around them taking care of the small but insignificant details.  Unfortunately, unless your name is Nora Roberts, James Patterson or Steven King, this picture is much more myth than reality.  So, if you want the cold hard truth, be sure to check out Tina Gerow’s August workshop for STAR.  Tina will enlighten us about the business of being a writer.  Her workshop will cover topics such as money, sales, agents, editors, deadlines, promotions, and even critique groups.  She will share an insider’s view of the pros and cons of being a writer.

Tina Gerow’s Into a Dangerous Mind, won the award for Romantic Times Best Small Press Contemporary Paranormal in 2006.  Since then, Tina has published several more books, including the popular Maiden series.  She also writes for Kensington’s Aphrodisia line as Cassie Ryan—the first of her three book erotic paranormal romance series, Ceremony of Seduction, released in August 2007, with Visions of Seduction scheduled for a June 2008 release.  Tina is an active speaker on several subjects including promotions, character creation, goals, motivation and more.  She has spoken at several RWA chapters, as well as at the Romantic Times Booklovers convention in 2006 & 2007.

This 4-week long online writing workshop is conducted using a private listserve. It’s easy to participate; if you know how to send e-mail, you’ve mastered all of the necessary technical skills. The class costs $15 for RWA members, $20 for others and begins on Monday, August 4, 2008.  The deadline to register is August 1st. To enroll in this class, send a check or money order (in U.S. dollars) made payable to STAR Writers Workshops to the STAR Workshop Coordinator, Jennifer Lorang, at 20 Mohawk Drive, Lisle, NY  13797 USA (include your name, e-mail address, phone number, workshop choices, and RWA number, if applicable). You may also register via Paypal by sending the payment to starpay@gmail.com no later than August 1st. If using Paypal, please send your information (name, e-mail address, phone number, workshop choices, and RWA number, if applicable) to the coordinator at rav37ven@aol.com.  You will be automatically enrolled in the class during the last week of July. For more information about the Southern Tier Authors of Romance (STAR), or to see the list of other upcoming 2008 workshops, please visit: http://members.aol.com/starrwa/workshop.html.

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A Sure Thing
by Brit Blaise
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-258-3 (Electronic)

What happens when a sassy, savvy, plus-sized professional woman jumps out of her element and into the frying pan? Can she resort to cooking to get a shot at a sure thing?

Cara Thomas is confronted with her worst nightmare—the kitchen stove. For her thirtieth birthday, she receives the unwelcome gift of cooking lessons from her mother. Cara doesn’t care if the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The only thing she finds interesting about a man’s stomach is a six-pack of muscles and she doesn’t expect to find them in the kitchen. Her best friend’s promise of hot sex with the chef, however, motivates Cara to take his class. But XXX-treme cooking?

Hunky master-chef Mike Nichols dislikes taking time to teach cooking classes, but when a local TV station decides to film the segments, how can he refuse? His partner and co-owner of the restaurant delivers the usual bevy of blonde-baking-Barbies for the filming…but one voluptuous redhead steals the show and maybe his heart.

In the world of desserts and love, Mike proves to be as bold and buttery as they come! He gives Cara a preview of what she’s been missing her entire life and she develops a taste for more. But is she brave enough to see where it leads…even when it involves cooking?

Sparks fly—and it isn’t the Baked Alaska!
Genres: Contemporary / Romantic Comedy / Exhibitionism / Public Places / Rubenesque
Heat Level: 2
Length: Extended Novella (38k words)

	Regular				Club
You Pay:	$6.00				$5.10
Micropay Rebate:	0%				25%
Cost After Rebate:	$6.00				$3.82
You Save:	0%				36.33%

http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook69193.htm?cache

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As I’ve blogged before about taking a Donald Maass workshop in July.  I had asked several people who have taken the class a lot of questions.  One of them is, Do I need to do anything special?  No, you’ll have a great time.  Relax…said the spider to the fly.

Well, I got the email this week going over the workshop logistics and everything we need to bring.  To my amazement I have homework.  Whew, how much time do I have left before the class?  2 weeks, yikes!

One of the items they would like is a brief note regarding my goals for the workshop.  Well, of course I want to sell my book, have it sell a million copies, have it enable me to be a NY Times best selling author, have it show up as the top list in Publishers Weekly, and have it win tons of awards.  Maybe I want to build a world like Sherrilyn Kenyon and have everyone dress as my characters at a convention celebrating my book.  Yeah, well dreams do come true.

Come to the class having already read his book writing a breakout novel.  No biggie, been there done that. - Whew, one thing I’ve done.

I need to bring fifty pages and synopsis - what?  I thought I would do updates in the workshop - so I haven’t been working on it.  NO!!!  OMG, I really need to get it ready.

I need to put all my scenes on index cards.  Again, OMG - do I have all my scenes.  Are they in a state that I can share them with others?  Do I share well with others?

I need to also bring six copies of my chapters so I can get into a critique group.  I also need to bring paper in case I need to print.  OMG, at this point I’m wondering if I know what paper is, can I work a printer.  I’m clutzy and am in a panic mode.

I can also bring a tape recorder.  Just in case I would like to record my one-on-one consultations.  OMG, I’m pitching.

They also have a great loop for the workshop so the authors can ask questions and get to know each other.  OMG, another loop!!!

Okay, I have to get all this done while working 10 hour days, playing with my cats, seeing friend and family, doing critiques, working on taxes I still don’t have done, getting my car worked on, do fourth of July, and well of course I need to sleep.

No in all seriousness, I’m excited and re-engergized to really get my book published.  I can’t wait and I’ll give everyone updates I progress down Maass lane.

Isebella, really going grey and needing a good drink.

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Hello everyone, Dani here waving from her office and  reporting in to tell you about my wonderful day.  First I was gently awaken by my husband who brought me a cup of coffee while I lounged in bed. Then, as I sipped my morning caffeine, he drew me a bubble bath, lit candles, turned on soft music and left me alone to enjoy the solitude before I had to face my day.

Oh, wait! Back up….rewind, rewind. 

Husband yelled “It’s 5:30. Ya getting up.” Then he promptly rolled over and went back to sleep for a half hour.  Me? I jumped up and hustled downstairs to turn on the coffee pot, run out and get the paper, tossed it on the table and then ran back upstairs to throw on some clothes so I could get my dog, Rocky, to the groomer’s by 7 A.M.

Why so early?  Because Rocky’s a barker. He has to go in first so they can get him in and out before anyone else arrives.  He barks non stop from the time he walks through the door till he leaves.  This morning, I was assured by the new girl at the salon Rocky would be no problem. I tried to warn her, but she seemed to know more than me about dogs.  Okay…so…I left.

Two hours later, she called for me to pick him up, only this time her voice was a bit rattled.  “Rocky is ready. And…could you please hurry.”

Yikes, that kinda scared me. He is an old dog. Maybe he had a heart attack or something.  “Is he okay? Should I bring my husband with me?”

“He’s fine. He’s just driving us all nuts.”

“Oh! I’ll be right there.”

When I arrived, he looked beautiful and, yes, I tipped her well.

After Rocky was safely deposited at home, I hustled off to meet with my writing partner.  We finished up our topic on a talk we’re doing tomorrow night at Glendale Community College.  Alexis Walker, a friend and member of our local RWA writing chapter, Valley of the Sun, asked us if we would speak to her class about team writing.  And, BTW, we get asked about that a lot.  It seems to fascinate prople that we can write together and make it work so well.  I added the ’so well’ part.  My personal opinion. LOL.

We put the workshop together and titled it - “Survival Tips by Tia Dani.  If You Want To Walk The Walk…Then Walk This Way.”

Carol Webb will be there too, talking on networking and promo and Vijaya Schartz will be speaking on websites.  Lots of great info from our Valley of the Sun and Desert Rose writers.  I’ll let you know how it goes. 

We’re pretty new at this speaking thing.  It will be fun, I’m sure.  One of the reasons, I think we write so well together is because we’ve created a voice for Tia Dani.  We’ve worked hard to combine our personalities to form a completely new person.  This took some experimenting and practice.  It didn’t happen overnight.

We read aloud to each other what’s been written.  Actually, I read till my voice gives out then Tia reads till her voice is gone.  Over and over we do this, constantly listening to the rhythm of the story.  If something doesn’t sound right to us, or work the way we like, we talk about it until we agree on the wording and pacing.  The end result?  We both have to be happy.  It has to sound like Tia Dani.

In fact, recently we’ve become so used to being Tia Dani that we often talk in sort of a mixture of words.  What Tia begins with I often finish the sentence.  Or it’s vice versa.

Some days, it gets so bad that some of our friends hold their heads between their hands and say, “Enough, I’m beginning to feel like the bouncing ball following the words.”

Tia and I immediately look at each other and grin.  It’s so much fun discovering who Tia Dani really is.

Yep, Tomorrow is another day and there will certainly be another adventure for Tia Dani to experience.

I’m having the time of my life.

Dani 

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