What to do?

Megan and I have been working on something together. Something that we are truly excited about and it's something that will hopefully be a series (since we already have four books outlined and in the works...). I'm not sure how many of y'all are involved with a collaboration in your writing, but this is the first time for me. I've been a Crit Partner, and a sounding board... but a partner in the entire process? Nope, not really.

The first story we're working on is one that came from Megan's brain. She wrote the basics, the characters, where she wanted them to go and handed it off to me. This is how we decided to do it, and it's working rather well for us... at least I think so. Maybe we should ask Megan. Anyway, there have been times when I thought the storyline should go one way, and wasn't sure I was seeing that in her plot... so I asked. She said it was "fine... change away... it's yours too." Okay. But I get the feeling that Megan isn't sure it's going to come out as what she wrote, while I add to what she did give me and go from there, I'm trying to leave the core of the story and the same scenes and movements...just with MY flair added to Megans. Does that make sense?

The story is slowly coming along, and we burn up the wires across country as we IM back and forth and ask questions and make comments and try to move forward. I don't want to do something with her characters that I have to adopt a bit, that she didn't want to happen to them... I think I'm meaner than Megan is... maybe... hmm.

Does anyone else have suggestions... ideas... for working in a collaborative effort with another author you adore and admire? Tips? Or do you think what we're doing is good if it's working for us? And, aside from my slowness, it is working, I think. Let me know what y'all think! It's going to be awesome if we can ever get it finished.

Length or Girth

So technically I'm on vacation. The boys dragged me away - ok, it didn't take much - just sayin'. And you gotta admit, I got you snagged in with that post title. Don't lie. I know it did. (That was my point.)

All silliness aside, I wanted to pop on here and post a question. I'm in the midst (I'd like to say homestretch) of a short story and I keep wondering as I approach my anticipated word count (I plan to go over, but how much is up for debate), how short is too short?

I've read some stories that are say...6k that are fantastic. Sometimes it shocks me how darn much gets packed into 21 pgs. At the same time, I've read some 70k work that is equally fantastic. Again, a lot going into those 300 pgs, but what makes it better or not than the 6k one?

I ask this because my story is right about 5k at the moment. Not earth shattering, I know. (I said it's still under construction.) I'm a firm believer in the story will be the length its meant to be. You can probably make a 6k go on for 50k, but in the end is it worth it? I mean, did it just draw out the story for the sake of pages or was it really adding to the overall meat of the tale? I'll tell you, I've read some 60k stories I thought could've been pared down to 30k and it would've made the story better.

Which do you prefer or does it not matter as long as the story is tight? Short? Long? Good story make the length irrelevant?

I'm dying to know. Really.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all our American friends who are celebrating today!



I'm thankful for all of you who follow us and comment and keep us company. We appreciate you!

I'm thankful for Kealie and Jenny and Megan -- who make the Menagerie a fun place to hang out. I'm so glad fate brought us together.

I'm thankful for my editor and the readers who've supported me.

What are you thankful for?

None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy. ~Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

Happy Hump Day!

So I wrote a free story. Sure did. It's over at Whipped Cream Reviews. Want to see the cover? Sure you do.

Like? I sure do. Read it. Tell me what you think. Come on. You know you want to. **Wriggling Brows**

Is it Hot In Here?

So ... I had a conversation the other day with a friend about what makes an erotic story "erotic" and not just "hot" but mainstream.

I'm not entirely certain I have the answer. Of course, when you toss in stuff that clearly hits the "erotic" button like BDSM, menage (or more!), etc., that's pretty easy, but when does a story with vanilla sex cross the line from hot to erotic?

Or maybe it's not the type of sex that decides it, but the frequency or how soon it happens? Obviously in an erotic romance, there must be consummation and it should occur pretty early in the story.

I recently read a short story of about 50 pages that promised me a hot menage. Cool! I love a good menage. I started reading... and twenty-two pages in there still hadn't been ANY sex. Not really even foreplay. I think there may have been one kiss. I was completely bored (partly because the story consisted of the hero trying to convince the heroine that it was okay if she wanted a menage, that he was all for it).

So ... it is how early the sex happens?

Maybe it's the words the author uses to describe various body parts? No purple prose allowed in erotic romance... you call a spade a spade, and sometimes the cruder the word the better. Heroes don't have swords they sheath, women don't have rosebuds at the tips of their breasts.

Is that what makes a story cross the line from "hot" mainstream romance to erotic?

I'm still not entirely certain and would sure love your input!

Thoughts?

Happy Hump Day!

Poking My Head In

Yes, I know. I have been seriously MIA lately. Other than the posting during Halloween, I've been... missing. I hope everyone can forgive me. My girls, Megan and Mysti have held it together, but I know they were worried for a bit there.

I won't bore you with the details, other than to say that there have been health issues, family issues and just life issues that cropped up. I'm hoping... praying... wishing... that all will be quiet now and I can actually get back to doing what I love. Writing, chatting, catching up with all my online friends.

I didn't get back on the wagon in time for NaNo this year, and a part of me is a bit upset by that. Even though I haven't won one yet, it was fun the last time I did it. I guess I could start now, but the month is already half over... and I just don't see it happening, lol. I'm barely getting back onto a writing schedule.

There are a couple of things I have in the works, and something that Megan and I are working on. We work well together, which is seriously helped along by the whole best friend, finish each other's sentences thing. We're both hoping that within the next few weeks we'll be far enough along, and happy enough with our progress to actually... talk about what we're doing. A whole new world will be opening up... we hope. So, stay tuned on that front.

So, how's everyone else doing? Did you miss me... or even notice I dropped off the face of the internet? What's something you're looking forward to? Anything? Anyone? I know, we can't catch up in one post... but hopefully, we'll at least start.

Inspy

Got your attention with that title didn't I? How could one of the MA girls possibly have anything to do with inspy? HA! never said what *kind* of inspy.

So I was out hunting...a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. And I came across some tasty tidbits. The tidbits more than got the brain working. Hee hee. I'm so bad. So I thought I'd share a tidbit or two with you. You won't be displeased. **enter evil laugh***

So the pants could go a tick lower... I'm waiting....


Stop thinking...start doing!!!


Turn just a little towards the camera...the girls on the street have seen their fill...it's my turn--but the tat does earn you points. Turn!

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Hump Day!

Monday Morning Music Memory: Fun Songs

One of the goofiest songs I remember from my teen years was this one. Do you remember it? Why don't you play along? Post your own fun song from your youth and let me know so I can come visit!

Let Us Interview You!

We Wild Women will be interviewing authors on this blog every Monday!

If you're interested in being interviewed on here on our blog, please feel free to send us an email -- we'll send you a list of questions to answer. We'll schedule you for a date once we receive your responses, and will try to accomodate your needs as much as we can.

What's a Girl to Do?

I'm stuck. Yup. Stuck. I have about sixteen story ideas floating around in my brain, but I need to...research a couple. Figures the boys are asleep (That's the bummer of vampires...not always available).

I'm neck-deep in a M/M story. River and Tory are literally crawling all over each other. Somehow, I don't think they mind...well, not yet. Perpetual foreplay can end up being a super PITA. (pardon the pun--or maybe not... ***enter evil laugh*** muwhahahahahahaa)

I've aslo got a vamp who is desperate to claim his mate, but she's not having any of it. She's too busy avoiding him. It's kinda funny to watch him chase and her sprint. I'll get them to settle soon. I hope.

What do you do when you've got the idea, but aren't positive of the mechanics? (Who DOESN"T like to practice? Yanno?) I'm all interested in what you have to say. Come on, give me your best!

Happy Hump Day!