Feeling A Little Bit Writing Bi-polar...

Yup, you read that right. I'm feeling a bit battered and bruised and neurotic as I write this post. "Why?" you ask? Cuz I got a response from another ePublisher for my Cowboy story... and they're passing. *sigh*

Once again, the editor was perfectly nice and informed me that I had a great voice and was very talented... BUT she's going to have to decline this story. Have you ever just wanted to bang your head on your computer? That's how I felt... and still do. But, where does the bi-polar part come in? Glad you asked!

I had the pleasure recently to take part in a series of online workshops given by funny, sassy, wonderful author D.D. Scott. She does great classes about Muse Therapy. In one of the classes of the workshop she talks about "Writing Bi-Polar: I Suck vs. I'm a Genius". Go ahead, laugh, and nod your head all you authors out there... cuz you KNOW it's true and you know just what she's talking about. But if you ever have a chance to take one of her "Muse Therapy Workshops" I'd suggest that you RUN not walk to participate.



Anyway, in one of her lessons she gives suggestions on how to get past the lows of rejections and... "I suck!" moments. One of those suggestions is a "Quotes to live by" document or shoebox to help get over the downers, and keep you in the uppers (wow, that sounds bad... but truly it's not). And since I am currently dealing with my own personal "I SUCK!" moment, I thought I'd share a few of my favorite quotes from my own "To Live by" document:

“When the world says, ‘Give up’, Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’” --- Author Unknown

This one is probably my mantra right now. This story has been worked and reworked to the point that it doesn't even really resemble the original story... okay, except in a purely superficial way.

"Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!" Swing Time with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Frank Sinatra did his version of it as well.

This one has actually been a part of my life...well, for most of my life. I have been dancing (ballet, modern, jazz, etc.) since I was ... well, let's not say how young I was and suffice it to say I've been dancing almost 30 years and just go from there. Anyway, it's something that is a bit of a dancer mantra... everyone falls, and if you quit just because you didn't get it perfect the first time, you're never gonna make it in this business. The same can be said for writing for publication. If you let the first, second, third... hell, the HUNDREDTH rejection make you quit, then maybe it's not the business for you.

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground." ~ Author Unknown

This one gets me in soooooo many ways... and you know it does you too. Yes, sometimes we're little nuts. LOL And yes, if we hold our ground, we may just get to where those roots will help us grow.

So, while I'm feeling a bit down, and wondering why in the world I do this to myself, I think that my years and years of dancing, auditions, rejections and sometimes downright nasty comments about my physique (yes, those horror stories are true in most cases) have lent themselves to my philosophy on writing for publication. Nobody got it perfect the first time.

Heck, it's something I tell my little dance students, "Do you think that when I first tried this step that I got it perfect on the first try?" Granted, invariably they tend to nod their heads and think I did in fact master it in one try, but I quickly correct them, "NO! I fell, I tripped, I had to do it over and over again sometimes over a matter of years before I got it just right, and sometimes I STILL mess it up and I've been doing it for 30 years! The point is that you keep trying and eventually you'll get there."

Yeah, I know, I need to take my own advice. LOL And on that note, I think I'll go and set my Cowboy aside for a bit. Not for good, just until I can take another look and see if what is truly wrong with it is something I can see. Until then, I'll pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again with another story. How about the rest of you? Do you have something that helps you get past rejections? Do you have a quote that you want stapled to your forehead so you can always remember it?

Author Interview ~ Wendi Zwaduk

Hey everyone, today is Monday. Yes, yes, I know you don’t really need (or even want) the reminder. And yet, here I am reminding you. Monday means author interview! YAY! LOL, yes, I’m a bit giddy today. Don’t ask. Anyway, today we have my very good friend Wendi Zwaduk on the couch today. Let’s all make sure she feels welcome… although I’m sure the Cabana Boys will take care of that for us.

Welcome to The Menagerie, Wendi! I know, you’ve hung out with us before, but this is the first time you’ve been on the couch as a “guest”. So sit back, get comfy, and let our Cabana Boys take care of you. Let’s get started.

Where are you from?

Ohio – in the middle of farm land and the unique scent of cow poops.

LOL, not so unique… pungent I’m sure. Are experiences in your books based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I lived near Mansfield Ohio growing up so the C-130’s mentioned in my Total E Bound story are what tended to fly over the house a lot. I also went to a college that had a flight program and the pilots in that program... whew. So yeah, a little personal, but not enough to embarrass myself.

Why… am I not surprised? Oh, because I know you! :-D If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Lora Leigh – because she’s down to earth, she’s willing to give advice and she doesn’t take herself seriously.

Gotta love an author who’s down to earth… Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I found a love of Joey W Hill’s books. I like her unconventional characters. The more I read Kelley St John’s fuller figured heroine’s the more I love them.

Ah, yes, a girl after my own heart. Do you see writing as a career?

Maybe if I get with a NY publisher. Right now I’ll stick to being a mom. I mean, if I had my druthers, I’d love to be the next big thing in the publishing world, but I also look at it that there are thousands of authors out there.

That’s a reasonable way to look at it. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Waiting! Tom Petty wasn’t kidding. The waiting is the hardest part. Between waiting for the response (being contracted) to the moment the book is in my hot little hands—patience is not my virtue, but it became that quick.

LOL, again, so not surprised. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Floating body parts – don’t use them unless you have Thing (from the Munsters) in your story. Readers don’t want to have to figure out whose hand you’re referring to.

You mean his eyes can’t travel down her body? LOL What does your family think of your writing?

My Dh loves it because he’s willing to sacrifice himself as my research partner. Yeah, it’s a hard job. But the rest of my family... Mom and Dad love it. Mom wants to open a chili cart where she can sell my ebooks out of the back. My extended family blushes, hems, haws and generally squirms, but I think they still love me. It’s just a bit of a hassle to convince them that even though I might write about a ménage, I haven’t tried one. And my gramma thought a ménage was a massage and wanted to try one... Yeah, that took some strange explaining.

They ALWAYS love being our research assistants… it’s the standing back and leaving us alone when the muse is in control they don’t always understand. And I think I would have liked to see that massage conversation… but you know I’m perverse like that. :-D So, now for our favorite “absolutely-nothing-to-do-with-writing” questions: What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?

Cats. They have attitude, but they still know when to give you attention. Plus, they are the best crit partners. They can listen to you mutilate a line and just blink. Then when you write something you’re really proud of, they still just blink and knock you down to size.

LOL, which is probably why I don’t have a cat… You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

Going to prom on my own. Yup. I did. I think I would’ve put myself out there a bit more and asked the guy I liked. Or even gone and done something else a bit more fun—cause watching everyone else pair up isn’t my idea of a hot time. I just look back at it and think, gee, that was a waste of money and time. But you live and learn.

Like I’ve told ya before, I’d have been there with ya… causing all kinds of trouble. And we’d have had a blast. Too bad we don’t have a time machine… or maybe a good thing. :::shrugs::: What’s a saying you use a lot? Where did it originate from?

NO WORRIES! Which is hilarious because I am a notorious worry wart. When someone asks me to do something, like fix a line or crit their work, I reply, “No worries. I’ll get it done.” I think it came from those Outback restaurant commercials. But I could be wrong.

And how did I know that one? Oh, because now you have me saying it too… Have you ever cried during a movie? If yes, which one and why?

There are so many—oy. Forrest Gump. I didn’t like Jenny much, but I could empathize with her struggles. But I gotta say that it ripped my heart out when he buried her and talked to her. Gets me every time. So yeah, I’m a sap.

Yup, love that too. Do you like thunderstorms?

I don’t mind them, but my bassett/beagle HATES them. She freaks out and wanders the house whining and drooling, so I don’t get to sleep through storms. Oh, and she thinks the bass on the surround sound is a storm. She spends a lot of time on edge—poor thing.

Poor thing… and poor you. Do you sleep with the light on? Why or why not?

Yes, because my son has a nightlight that would blot out Las Vegas. Yeah, it’s a bright light but he HAS to have it on. So if I leave my door open, yup, I have light in my room.

LOL, you’ll have to test that theory out whenever you make it down here. Well, we’ve come to the end of our interview. As always, Wendi, it has been a blast hanging out with you. Not sure I’ve laughed this much in a long time. Thank you so much for joining us on the couch today. Congrats on your releases! I am so happy for ya, girl. Hang out, badger the Cabana Boys, and just have fun the rest of the day.

Wendi Zwaduk always dreamed of writing the stories in her head. Tall, dark, and handsome heroes are her favorites, as long as he has an independent woman keeping him in line. She earned a BA in education at Kent State university and currently holds a Masters in Education with Nova Southeastern University. She loves, NASCAR, romance, books in general, Ohio farmland, dirt racing, and her menagery of animals. You can keep up with her online at her web home.

Right Where I Need To Be by Wendi Zwaduk

Logan Malone needs an acting job and fast. With his string of broken hearts, his professional life lies in shambles. To resurrect his career, he must audition for a television role which could be the job of a lifetime.

Cass Jenson needs an actor for her made for TV movie. The previous actor dropped out, leaving her stranded. Her savior shows up looking sinfully sexy and totally right for the part, but what part is she auditioning him for - her movie or her bed?

Learning How To Bend by Wendi Zwaduk

Their marriage is about to fall apart, but not if she can help it and he's willing to bend.

Abby Donovan imagined nothing could change her simple life as a librarian. Her loving husband Seth, a mechanic in the Air National Guard, is scheduled to return from a short deployment in Iraq. Before he gets home, a letter arrives. It seems Seth is asking for a divorce. She must decide whether to walk away without a fight or to wait and confront him with the thing he's always dreamed of - a ménage à trois. But all is not as it seems.

Seth Donovan wanted an idyllic life to go along with his career in the military. Then he sees the atrocities of war firsthand. A conversation with a colleague ends up as fodder for the rumour mill and so much more. Seth never wanted a divorce. He wants his wife. Will she accept him despite the rumours and advances from another man? Or can their relationship withstand the turmoil of war?

Book Commercial ~ Right Where I Need To Be by Wendi Zwaduk

Right Where I Need To Be by Wendi Zwaduk

Logan Malone needs an acting job and fast. With his string of broken hearts, his professional life lies in shambles. To resurrect his career, he must audition for a television role which could be the job of a lifetime.

Cass Jenson needs an actor for her made for TV movie. The previous actor dropped out, leaving her stranded. Her savior shows up looking sinfully sexy and totally right for the part, but what part is she auditioning him for - her movie or her bed?

Ooops! Ran out of Time...

Like the title says, I ran out of time today and almost forgot this, so.... I thought I'd use a pic or two that I poached off of Wendi Zwaduk's blog. These two guys, whoever they are, are yummy!

A Tale of Two Brains

I like writing from a man's POV. I do... it's fascinating, but can be difficult. I've had more than one crit partner tell me, "Men don't talk that much. Cut back on the dialogue."

It's true. Men DON'T talk that much, at least not about relationship stuff, etc. Maybe about, oh, fishing or cars or guns, but not about how they feel.

It's an exercise in understanding the opposite sex.

Yesterday, I saw this video on a friend's Facebook page and it was absolutely PERFECT. Take a look and be prepared to laugh.



What do you think? Did you sit there and nod all the way through?

And, do you enjoy writing from the POV of the opposite sex? Why or why not?

Happy Hump Day!

Author Interview ~ Emma Lai

Hey everyone, today we have with us an amazingly nice lady… who just so happens to be an author! LOL Our guest on the couch here at The Menagerie is Emma Lai. Let’s all make sure she feels welcome. And I’ll make sure the Cabana Boys take good care of her.

Welcome to The Menagerie, Emma. I’m so glad you could join us today. Get comfy and we’ll get started. Where are you from?

This question never failed to get a rise out of me when I was younger. Since I’m of mixed heritage (Vietnamese/Anglo), this question was often used by people to try to figure out my ethnicity. I can be a pretty, perverse person sometime and would sometimes be deliberately obtuse in answering.

Q: Where are you from? A: From Houston.
Q: No, I meant where did you grow up? A: I lived in Houston until I was 10, in Dallas/Fort Worth area until I was 17 and then back to Houston.
Q: No, I meant where were you born? A: In Arizona.
At which point, the person throws up their hands. Sometimes I would take pity and sometimes I wouldn’t. Like I said, perverse.

In short, though I have travelled around the U.S. and lived in Richmond, VA and Roswell, NM for brief periods of time, I call Houston home.

LOL, nothing wrong with perverse. Don’t forget where you’re at today. Why don’t you tell us your latest news?

Well aside from giving birth to my first (and probably only) child last September, my first story, His Ship, Her Fantasy, released with The Wild Rose Press last August. The second story in the series, His Hope, Her Salvation, released in December. I’m currently working on the third story in the series. And, I’m working on edits for an erotic Regency, Twice is Not Enough. Readers can check my website, http://www.emmalaiwrites.com for updates.

So, my news varies from “The baby likes green beans,” to “I just heard back from my editor and …”

Hee hee, but at least you have news to share. :-D I’m tempted to ask if the baby likes peas too. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

LOL. I’m not sure I do consider myself a writer. I’m still in shock about my contracts. I thought when I signed my first contract, I would feel like a writer. Then, I thought when I received my awesome cover, the feeling would come. Next, I was sure it would arrive with the release of the story. What about after repeating the process? Nope. Maybe, after I sell a full-length and hold the finished product in my hands?

Maybe… but I think you should consider yourself one now. Just sayin… How did you come up with the title?

I love coming up with titles. For His Ship, Her Fantasy it was simple. Ellie was in love with a ship (her fantasy) and Alastair was charged with protecting the ship (his ship). For His Hope, Her Salvation the heroine needed rescuing and the hero had lost hope of ever finding his true love. And, for Twice is Not Enough, well I’ll leave that up to everyone’s imagination. (Remember, it’s erotic.)

Gotta love when it comes to you so easily… mine keep getting stuck with titles like “Max’s Story”, lol. What book are you reading now?

Besides, Rainbow Fish? (Baby book on colors for those who don’t know.) I have multiple books in progress. Forbidden Eternity by Skhye Moncrief. Her Reluctant Rancher by Anne Marie Novark. The latest book in Steven Erikson’s Tales of the Malazan Empire series.

Aside from the baby books, I read whatever strikes my fancy. Erikson’s books are weighty and require attention. Skhye’s books have an intelligent humor that I like. Anne Marie’s book, well who doesn’t love a cowboy? I also have a dozen books within easy reach in case I’m in a different mood.

Ahh, a girl after my own heart. I usually have any number of books going at the same time. And now for the “absolutely-nothing-to-do-with-writing” questions: Do you hate how you look in pictures? Why or why not?

I generally hate how I look in pictures. I always think they make me look fat or my smile looks fake or my eyes are half-closed or or or... The real problem is I thought Barbie was the definition of beauty when I was growing up. And, I’m almost as far from a Barbie doll as one can get. I think this is why it’s easy for me to write heroines that aren’t the ideal body type.

I can certainly understand that, and I think a lot of us have that issue. Do you have any strange handwriting habits, like capitalizing all your “r”s or dotting your “I”s with heart (or anything like that)?

I sign my capital M’s two different ways depending on whether I’m signing my name or writing some other word. I also like to put two exclamation marks at the end of sentences and add a smile underneath.

You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

I have lots of truly horrible experiences in my past, but I honestly think they’ve all helped to make me the person I am. I’ve dealt with them and moved on. How do I know? Because I don’t define my life by these things. So, while I still feel sadness for the girl who went through the turmoil, I wouldn’t change any of it.

That’s a great outlook to have. What do you want to know about the future?

As morbid as it sounds, I want to know how the world ends. Is a giant asteroid going to strike the earth? Is a supervolcano going to erupt? Is the earth going to enter the shockwaves of a supernova? Is the sun going to die and swallow the planet? So, many fascinating possibilities.

LOL, to each their own. Do you like thunderstorms?

I love thunderstorms if I get to snuggle under a blanket on my couch with my favorite book or husband or both. Living in Houston, we get some powerful storms that result in flash floods. It’s better to be inside. This knowledge paid off when we lived in Richmond, VA. A tropical storm settled over the city and poured rain for hours before the work day ended. Rather than try and reach home, we found a nice dry restaurant with power and watched on the big screen as the stranded motorists were rescued from their vehicles.

I have to agree, there’s nothing better than hanging out under a blanket with your sweetie when it’s raining outside. Well, Emma, that’s the end of our interview. It was so great to hang out with you today, and to get to know you better. Thanks so much for being here. Stick around and let our Cabana Boys take good care of you.

Emma likes nothing more than a challenge. First,she tackled the male-dominated field of engineering. Next, she expanded her understanding of the world by studying international relations. Finally, her husband dared her to use her experience and knowledge and devote herself to writing. She accepted his challenge and has been writing ever since.

Writing keeps Emma sane. Her characters demand their stories be told and nag her incessantly until she complies. The characters are very insistent about her remaining faithful to their individual adventures. As a result, Emma writes a range of genres and levels of heat. She never knows what the next set of characters will demand!

His Ship, Her Fantasy by Emma Lai

Ellie Woods is in love…with a ship. When an argument with the ship results in a bump on the head, she finds herself in the strong arms of Alastair. But who is he and where did he come from?

Alastair has loved Ellie from afar for years, but duty has kept him from revealing himself to her. When a grave threat reveals his true identity, he hopes that Ellie will choose reality over fantasy.