Tuesday, June 29, 2010

102 Plot Ideas

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I’m a winter person. I truly am. But there is something fabulous about lying next to the pool with an icy glass of lemonade by your side, the scent suntan lotion wafting in the air, listening to oldies from the past and losing yourself in a great book. I cherish those seconds. Yup. You read right, seconds.

My to-be-read pile is going to take a little longer. Life is so busy on the mountain top. We had an early summer here, in PA USA, and it has made for superb swimming. I’ve always had the Kool-aid house. It’s not a complaint. I love having all the kids around. Their smiles and laughter are energizing, and watching the young couples racing after each other, giggling and laughing brings back so many memories of new love. Witnessing all this, how can a romance writer not have a hundred and two plot ideas running through her mind?

The hundred and two plot ideas are my problem. I feel like a kid standing in front of the famed Wegman’s candy wall wondering which morsel I should munch on first. Should I write my next suspense? Or maybe the seaside tale that has been on the backburner for awhile now? Or should I try writing a YA, since I such great material running in and out the door every few minutes? SIGH What to do?
So my question for this week, do you ever run into this problem? And if so, how do you decide what your next project should be? Do you draw plot of a hat? Please share.

Signed : undecided author

PS: If you’re stopping by on June 30th, this is the last day to enter my contest for the $50.00 B&N certificate. Read my June 18th post for details. Winner will be announced tomorrow, July 1st, at noon.

Friday, June 25, 2010

CONTEST WINNER FOR STEPHANIE AND JOHN'S STORY COMMENTS

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Good afternoon, readers. Yesterday, my dear hubby, a few friends and I spent the entire day in the beautiful NY Finger Lake area--wine tasting of course. It was a gourgeous day. We stopped at the Krispy Kremes doughnut shop on the way up for some yummy treats. And after stopping at about twenty wineries (I didn't realize how many there are in the area and we didn't visit half of them) we had a great dinner on the lake in Watkins Glen. Awesome food!


Along the way we met up with this guy. I think he enjoyed the area too much.

Needless to say, we came home tired and carrying a case of wine, which I plan to enjoy with friends and family over the summer months as we sit by a outdoor fire.

I threw everyone's name into a basket containing a few bottles of wine and pulled out the winner of an e-copy of Obsessed By Wildfire.


DRUM ROLL

BRRRRR

BRRRRR

YADKAY


YEAH! YADKAY

I'll be emailing you shortly. In the meantime, we have a few days left until I draw the winner for the $50.00 Barnes and Noble certificate. To read the details on how to enter, please read my June 18th post EVIL'S WITNESS IS OUT!

Friday, June 18, 2010

WOOHO!! EVIL'S WITNESS IS OUT


Today is the release day for Evil's Witness. It's available at The Wild Rose Press, Barnes & Noble, and AMAZON. In honor of EVIL'S WITNESS'S release, I'm holding a special contest which will run through June 30, 2010. I'm going to award one lucky person (here in the US) a $50.00 gift card for Barnes and Noble. Wait! Tell you what, if you're outside of the US and want to be entered into a contest for a copy of my last release Obsessed By Wildfire, in e-format, just follow the same rules noted here.

All you have to do is post the below announcement on your facebook page or tweet it or post it in the comment section of your Myspace page and sent me an email to autumnjordon@yahoo.com with Evil's Witness Link in the subject line (if you're outside the US put OS US Evil's Witness Link) and send me the link to your page, and the date you posted the announcement. Once I verify, your name will go into the basket on my desk, On July 1, at noon, I will post the winners names. Now, you can enter more than once. You just need to post or tweet numerous times. Send the links in different emails.

Tell your friends too.

Here is the announcement:

A HOT summer read just released June 18, 2010 from The Wild Rose Press Evil's Witness is an award winning romantic suspense novel that will have you turning pages. Check it out! www.autumnjordon.com
Available in paperback or e-book at The Wild Rose Press, Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com



Okay, check list

1. Post above notice to your sites. And remember if you FB, MYS, Twitter that is 3 chances to win.
2. Email me the links in separated emails please. Subject line must read Evil's Witness Link or OS US Evil's Witness Link
3. Tell your friends. Tell them to tell their friends.
4. Check back here on July 1, 2010 at noon for the winning announcement.


Not sure if you want to do this, read John and Stephaine's story--my last two posts. WINK.


Let's celebrate. Popping the cork on the bubbly. GRIN

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Stephanie's Story



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Startled by a crash, Stephanie woke and fell from her couch to the floor. The boom reminded her of the episode last winter when a car skidded into their front porch taking out a corner post. Gripping the leather cushion, she sat up, swept her hair back from her face and stared into the dark corners of her living room. The red display of a digital clock on the entertainment center read three forty-two.

Another thump vibrated the floor seconds before the door which lead to the garage burst open. Light spilled across the carpet. Gene was home, finally.

“Damn kids.” His words were slurred and the alcohol he’d consumed over the last six hours while at his weekly poker game preceded him by about twenty feet.

More rattling.

“Stephanie, I’m caught. Get this damn thing off of me or I’ll—“

“Will you keep it down?” She scurried to her feet and hit the light switch to the high-hat lights above the fireplace. “The kids are sleeping. They have to get up for school in two hours.”

“This is my house and I’ll yell at them for leaving their freakin’ bikes lying in front of the door anytime I want.”

Em’s bike had been parked against the wall where it was supposed to be. Gene probably knocked it over making his not-to-steady way inside. However, arguing with him while he was in this state of mind was not going to do her any good. He’d only get more boisterous and eventually wake the kids just to scold them for something they didn’t do, and was his own fault. God, she was tired of Gene’s partying. He was married, a father of two. What example did he set for Bobbie? Would he ever grow up?

The sadness which filled her cemented the truth in place. No.

Gene fell forward and she grabbed him under his arms. As he struggled to free his foot from between the railings of Em’s bike, he leaned onto her and Stephanie’s nose became buried in his beer stained tee shirt. “My, God. How much did you have tonight? You didn’t drive home, did you?”

Em’s bike clattered against the garage’s concrete floor. “Damn straight I did. “

“You’re drunk.”

“So. “

Over his shoulder, she caught a glimpse of their wedding portrait and wondered where that happy, young couple went wrong.

Disgusted, she pushed Gene away. “So you’re a cop.”

“Yeah." He shrugged and then scratched his stomach, pulling his tee shirt up over the flat abs he worked hard to maintain since he quarterbacked for their high school football team. "Don't worry. The guys won't ticket me.”

She folded her arms across her chest in order to keep her hands from reaching out and strangling some sense into him. “What about hurting yourself, or God forbid, someone else?”

“I didn’t, okay.” He waved her away. Then with dithering steps, he made his way into the kitchen and flipped on the lights. “What’s to eat?” He called over his shoulder. “I’m starved. Rosie got pissed with Tony and threw the pizza we ordered at him. ”

Steph drew a breath as she raced after him hoping he wouldn’t reach the pots and pans before she could block him. His buddies probably ordered the pizza after midnight and the delivery guy woke Rosie’s seven-year-old twins. Poor Rosie.

She stepped between Gene and the stove just as he reached for the knob to turn it on. “Why don’t you go get a shower and I’ll—”

His frown turned wolfish as he grabbed and pulled her close, grinding his hips into hers. “You’re hoping I’ll fall asleep aren’t you?” He nuzzled her neck. “After I grab a couple eggs, I’ll be ready to take care of you, babe. Why don’t you whip them up for me?”

Not in the mood to be manhandled, she pulled away from his clutch. “Stop it, Gene. I’m not in the mood for your games. I’m going to bed.” Stephanie turned only to be stopped by the bite of his fingernails on her arm.

His eyes narrowed. “I said I’m hungry.”

“And I want a divorce.” She yanked her arm free. “See who gets what they want first.”



Author's note: I hope you enjoyed Stephanie's Story. The official release date for Evil's Witness is June 18, but it's on sale now at The Wild Rose Press, as an early bird special. Here is the link. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Also remember, if you leave a comment on either John's story or Stephanie's, your name will go into the June 23 contest drawing. I'm giving away one e-copy of my January release Obsessed By Wildfire, which has received two GREAT reviews. You can check out those at my website. Because OBW is rated spicy, you must 18 to win. If you're under 18, I'll send you a great gift via US snail mail anyway. If you've already bought OBW, and many of you have, thank you very much, you can choice to receive a $5.00 Starbucks ceritifcate. Each time you comment, your name goes into the hat, so comment on both posts.

Make a memory today. AJ

No part of this posting may be used without the expressed permission of the author.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Evil's Witness John's story

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Good morning or afternoon or evening. Welcome to my blog. I'm so excited. Evil's Witness offical release date June 18, 2010 is approaching so fast. I'm getting ready for a huge summer blog tour that will end in September.

For the next week, this post will remain up. It's John Dolton's story, my hero in Evil's Witness. On June 16 I will post Stephanie's story and then on June 23, I will pick a winner from those who have left comments at both blog posts. The winner will recieve a e-copy of my January release Obsessed By Wildfire. If you you've already bought OBW, and many of you have, thank you very much, you can choice to receive a $5.00 Starbucks ceritifcate. Each time you comment, your name goes in the hat, so comment on both posts.

A look into John's past.

John Dolton crashed to his knees. The inferno in front of him consumed his life.

His heart pumped against his sterum with strong, wild vibes, but his brain felt starved for oxygen. How could that be?

Heat like tiny flesh straved piranhas gnawed at his skin. He gulped against the pain. Roasting air seared his lungs, expanding them until his chest felt as if were about to explode.

He didn’t care.

“Damn, John, snap out of it.”

He blinked and focued on the fingers clinking inches away from his nose.

“Come on, man. You’ve got to get back.” He heard his partner’s cry but Luke’s voice was diffused, coming at him from several directions.

Something looped under his arms and yanked him upward, lifting his dead weight off his knees—the ones that had given way when he’d seen his life gone.
The heels of his boots marked the tarmac with duel tracks as he was drugged away from the wreckage. He didn’t fight. He couldn't. Every muscle in his body had died. His gaze remained on the windows of what once was his SUV.

Staring beyond the flaming bizarre tongues licking at the vehicle’s roof, he saw his wife and little girl as he had left them only ten minutes ago. Happy. Laughing. Anticipating a long overdue family vacation.

“Why?” A screamed like that of a savage, wounded animal rivaled sirens.
He searched the faces staring at him. Wide-eyed, brow ceased, sad faces stared back.
Had the horrendous cry come from him?

Julie.

Katie.

He had to save them.

Adreline surged through his veins and John pulled from the force that pulled him back.

Luke’s grip tightened.

“Let me go. I've got to try.” John twisted and swung a fist at his partner’s jaw, but Luke ducted in time.

Pain ripped through John's shoulder as Luke grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back.

“They’re gone, John. You can’t save them.”

The agency’s emergency response team raced around the inferno, but John knew in his heart they were too late. He was too late. He had failed to keep Julie and Katie safe.

With the dousing of the flames, John caught a glimpse of the smothering arm lying on the sidewalk against the store front a moment before a fireman covered it with a white plastic sheet. A silver band encircled had the tiny wrist.

Julie.

John swore a fiery rod pieced his gut. He grabbed his ribs and a second later hurdledthe egg-muffin ate an hour ago.

“We’ll get them. I promise you.” Luke’s voice shook as he held John. “I swear. I will die before they get away with this.”

They?

John fell to the sidewalk. Cold laughter mingled with the taste of vomit in his mouth. Luke nor he knew who they were.

They had taken his reason to live. When he found them, they would wish this day had never happened too.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Saturday Morning What Gives

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Glimpsing at the paper this morning during my walk, (I’m a mom. I’ve learned to do several things at once.) I came across an article on the recall of McDonald’s promotional Shrek glasses. If you haven’t heard about it, the glasses are being recalled due to the levels of cadmium baked into the glasses. The article stated long term exposure to low grades of cadmium can cause bone softening and severe kidney problems. Also, like lead, it can also hinder brain development.

If you have any of these glasses, please visit www.mcdonalds.com and learn more on the recall and how to get a refund.

I wonder who will end up taking the responsibility for this faux pas.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Welcome Kaylea Cross

Wednesday June 2, 2010
Today, I'm happy to welcome fellow crimson rose author Kaylea Cross. Pleae join me in learning more about this new author.

Kaylea, No Turning Back, which released this past Friday, May 28, from The Wild Rose Press sounds awesome. What do you think makes your story different then other suspense novels? What will draw readers to it?-

Thanks, Autumn! I put a lot of work into researching the geography and political scene in Afghanistan, plus the military backgrounds of all my heroes. This is the third book of five in the series, and I think readers will like it because after book two, they’re desperate for Ben to find a HEA. Plus there’s lots of fast-paced action to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Where do you find your inspiration or come up with your ideas/plots?

-I love military special ops, so my heroes all come from that background. Plots come from reading special ops non-fiction, newscasts plus documentaries I’ve seen, and then I let the characters take it from there.

You write about agencies such as the CIA. How do you research them? And do you do all your research before you write the story, or as you go?

Great question! As I said, I read a lot of military non-fiction, so that’s always my starting point. There are some really great resources out there for my genre. Plus I’ve been lucky to have interviewed military personnel to get the “real scoop”, and their point of view on what it’s like on the ground in a combat zone (Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.). I do the majority of the research before I start the draft so I can get the main plot worked out (I’m an anal-retentive plotter, by the way), but then I often go back to my sources later on to get the picky little details right, in order to make the story come to life. It’s fiction, yes, but I hope it’s based in enough reality to show I’ve done my homework and make the story plausible.
Also, for this book and the next I got to interview a renowned neurosurgeon to discuss the particular Traumatic Brain Injury one of my characters suffers, and the emergency in-situ flap craniectomy that’s performed on him. I’m a registered massage therapist, so I’m trained in all the anatomical and medical jargon, and the information he gave me was amazing! Sometimes I think I love researching better than writing.

Do you have a favorite character? And what makes him or her special?

Yes! OMG, Luke Hutchinson is my favorite by far. I love him, and if you’ve read any of my other books, I’m certain that’s pretty obvious. He’s just so gorgeous and brave and cynical, and he’s been through hell. I couldn’t wait to finally write his book!

You have several other stories. What makes them unique?

They all follow a similar theme, featuring strong alpha military heroes (yum). The stories give a glimpse into what these incredible soldiers do by highlighting their skill sets, and I’ve also given some basics about the various militant factions wreaking havoc in Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope my books will teach you something, as well as entertain you.

Has your writing journey been a smooth or bumpy ride?

-To be honest, the bumpiest thing for me is the drafting phase. I actually loathe that part. So far I’ve only written single titles, and generally I can finish and polish one in about four months or so. No Turning Back took a little longer because I got stuck partway through, but when I finally got unstuck I couldn’t get the words down fast enough. I love that feeling.

The last book, Absolution, is Luke’s book, and it only took me two-and-a-half months from start to finished submission. That’s the smoothest writing process I’ve had to date, but I was just dying to get his story down and it flowed out of me.

There is a great deal of news concerning the e-publishing world. Why did you decide to publish your stories with The Wild Rose Press?

Actually that happened sort of by fluke. After I finished my first novel (Out of Her League), I joined RWA and hadn’t submitted it to anyone yet. TWRP was featured in the first RWR magazine I received with my membership, and since they claimed to be a “kinder, gentler publisher” that gave actual feedback if they rejected you, I submitted to them. I was kind of shocked when I got an e-mail a week after submitting the full for OOHL offering me a contract, but damn straight I took it! The other books are all related, so under contract TWRP has right of first refusal on them. Lucky for me, they contracted all five books.

What advice would you give to a new/ aspiring writer?

Boy, where to start? First I’d say to write what you love because you love it, not because your bucket list includes getting published. Believe in yourself and try to grow a thicker skin, because this business isn’t for wimps. Find an awesome critique partner or group that will help you improve as a writer and have your back when things get tough. Don’t let rejection get you down (sooo much easier said than done!) or make you quit. And finally, read, read, read, because it will make you a better writer.

What is your favorite writing memory?

Hmm. It’s a tie between typing The End on OOHL and getting a contract for Absolution, because it meant I had actually written and published a series of books.

What is the worst advice, concerning writing or publishing, you’ve received?

I’d have to say writing for trends/the market is a bad idea. If you don’t write what you love, it will show in the story. Also, don’t try to copy someone else’s style or writing process. We’re all different, and you have to find what works for you. Not all of us can knock out 1-2k words every single day, so don’t beat yourself up if you can’t hit a daily word count. It’ll only suffocate your muse.

Tell the readers something interesting about yourself.

I’m such a research freak that I took up belly dance to bring more realism to my second book, Cover of Darkness. I’m also deathly afraid of flying, but I made sure I studied some flight manuals and then went up in a helicopter to better describe helos in my books. The pilot even pretended we were flying a night mission with Navy SEALs on board, cruising low and fast over the water to come up on the beach landing site we’d picked out. He was such a good sport! Plus I lived to tell about it, which made me extremely happy.

And despite the bloodthirsty nature of my writing, I’m actually a big wimp. I’m happiest puttering in my garden, sitting on my back porch swing with my laptop or a good book, or baking cookies with my little guys.

Where can readers find you?

My website is www.kayleacross.com. My blog is www.kayleacross.blogspot.com, and I’m also on Facebook.

Thanks so much for having me! I’d like to give away a digital copy of No Turning Back to one of your readers, so if you’re interested in taking a glimpse into my dangerous world of special ops heroes, just leave me a comment.

Happy reading!
Kaylea Cross

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Evil's Witness releases June 18, 2010. Next week Steph's story.