Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Tipsy Tuesday

Ways to Keep Your Words Flowing


Rule #1: Keep moving forward despite your moods. You can't allow achievement to depend on mood. Grown-ups have to get the job done no matter what. If Rule #1 fails, apply...

Rule #2: When things get too tough, take a vacation. Say, "I need two (or three, whatever) days off." At the end of the allotted time, you're likely to feel much better.

Rule #3: The difficulty you're experiencing is normal--and necessary. Sometimes writers have a hard time with stress simply because they haven't recognized that stress is necessary. It's not par for the course--it is the course.

Rule #4: Don't doubt yourself. Identify the negative influence that has caused your resolve to falter. Lack of confidence is for all of us the greatest enemy. But the successful person manages to move forward despite his/her lack of self-confidence. Self-confidence increases when you continue to act (in this case, write) with no regard for your insecurities.

Rule #5: Associate with positive people, and stop associating with negative people. Nothing is more helpful than a positive support group, and nothing more damaging than constant negative reinforcement from "friends" and family.

And...keep writing!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Man Meat Monday


Now, ordinarily I might tell a cowboy he can leave his hat on. In this case...

I think he needs to get rid of it.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday Funny


To help relieve any stress you may be feeling today... LOL

And just in case that pic goes away, there's this one:


Who knew I'd been weighing myself wrong all these years?!? *G*

Thursday, March 26, 2009

New Review for FALLEN ANGEL


4 Stars!

Just Erotic Romance Reviews had this to say about Fallen Angel: "I enjoyed Talon's character since he is a 'bad-boy' type angel. He is so sexy and enjoyed taking charge... Ms. Quinn created a unique paranormal story involving Sassy Devils LLC... Fallen Angel is a very quick read with lots of suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat."

To read an excerpt or buy, click here.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tipsy Tuesday

I came across this while I was cleaning out one of my home office filing cabinets in preparation to move to a new place next month. It's the 12 Stages of Intimacy according to author Linda Howard.

You can use these stages to build sexual tension in your books, as well as in love scenes.

1) Eye to body. That old once-over--except it happens in a fraction of a second, and usually only a few significant details are absorbed--and attraction either occurs or it doesn't.

2) Eye to eye. Contact with a stranger across a crowded room. Eye contact is sustained only between intimates. Our first instinct is to look away. If a stranger continues to stare, it's usually considered an act of aggression.

3) Voice to voice. Small talk.

4) Hand to hand. Demands a certain degree of trust. Hand to arm--to guide a woman across a streeet, for example--is just the man's excuse to get his hands on her. ;)

5) Arm to shoulder. Body contact, i.e., a hug.

6) Arm to waist (or small of back). This is sexual in nature--men don't do this to other men. (Well, straight men don't.)

7) Mouth to mouth. Full frontal contact during a kiss.

8) Hand to head. During a kiss--requires major trust.

9) Hand to body. Breast, shoulder, chest.

10) Mouth to breast. Hopefully takes place in private!

11) Hand to genitals. Hmm. We all know where this can lead!

12) Genitals to genitals. Face to face body contact is different than in other animals. It's not just opposable thumbs that sets us apart...!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Man Meat Monday


Look at those obliques! Growwwwwwwwf!!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Ellora's Cave Big Sale!

To celebrate over five years of publishing Cavemen Anthologies, Ellora's Cave has seven print titles that they are putting on inventory clearance (for one week or while quantities last, whichever comes first) for $5.99.

But the BIG news is – they're are putting the ebooks (all 20 – Tales From the Temple, Legendary Tails, Dreams of the Oasis, Seasons of Seduction (I have a story in Seasons of Seduction Vol. I), and Jewels of the Nile) on sale for $6.99 each (regular price $9.99). That's 20 books, each with 6 quickies, for a total of 120 Quickies at $1.165 per story (in groups of six).

What a deal!! So head on over to Ellora's Cave and take advantage of these bargain prices!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Friday Funny

Thought I'd share some random Maxine with y'all today...






LOL Have a great Friday!!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

My Report on the Tucson Festival of Books

Despite a few glitches and the fact that I had to park several blocks away and hoof it carting along my books and giveaway goodies, the event was a success. They're already planning for next year--already selling booth space, as a matter of fact. My local RWA chapter plans on being there again, and we'd like to have several more romance panels (five instead of the three we did this year). And in spite of nervous jitters before my panel discussion, once it got underway I was fine. And had a blast. It helps when people in the audience are responsive.

Over 30,000 people attended, over 450 authors participated, plus they had food vendors (including someone who made kettle corn--man, oh, man, that was all you could smell. Now, that's advertising. Of course I had to buy some... LOL) Plenty of stuff for kids to do, and the weather was beautiful.

So if you had wanted to attend this year and couldn't/didn't, mark your calendars for next year and plan to attend. I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Tipsy Tuesday

Does being a gracious author hurt you?

In my opinion, no.

Tucson just had its first Festival of Books, and it was a huge success. Over 400 authors participated, and in two days over 30,000 people attended. I'll have more to say about this on Thursday, but here's the point I want to make as today's tip.

Participating in an event like this is not about selling your book(s). It's about selling yourself. At the RWA Tucson booth we had a "BOGO" deal--buy one, get one free. There were three of us that had author copies we'd been given free by our publishers, and we wanted to give those away. Other authors who wanted to sell their books were afraid that they wouldn't be able to sell if we were giving ours away. So we came up with the BOGO. At one point, someone came up and saw my book, recognized my name, and was thrilled that I was local. (Is that too cool, or what?!? Except I wasn't there...) She couldn't afford to buy any books, and the authors in the booth at the time wouldn't let her take my book without buying another one. (I'm happy to say that she came back later and one of my friends, who was volunteering in the booth, not signing books, let her take a copy of DARING THE MOON.)

So this is my point (finally): It never hurts an author to be gracious. On the contrary, I'd argue that it hurts an author to be ungracious. (Not sure that's really a word, but you know what I mean!) Remember this as you build your career--people remember authors who are friendly and grateful to readers; they remember authors who are focused on selling their book(s) to the exclusion of everything else even more. And not in a good way.


Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Man Meat Monday


Rawrrrrrr!

Friday, March 13, 2009

FALLEN ANGEL ~ Recommended Read

Fallen Angels, book 2 in my Sassy Devils series, received 5 Angels and a Recommended Read from Fallen Angel Reviews!


"Raegan is a strong heroine who works in a demanding job. Her skepticism is normal, and it is amazing the bond she feels with Talon. Talon is an equally strong hero, and I loved watching him 'fall to his knees' for Raegan. Although Fallen Angel is a fast read, Ms. Quinn created a well rounded, full story, and I look forward to reading more in this series!" (Kim N.)

You can read the full review here.

To read an excerpt or buy, go here.


Happy Friday the 13th!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Tucson Festival of Books

It's coming this weekend! A gathering of over 350 authors and exhibitors, with panel discussions and opportunities to chat one-on-one with some fabulous people, including J.A. Jantz, Elmore Leonard, Diana Gabaldon, Vicki Lewis Thompson, and...

Me! LOL

I'll be part of a panel discussion on Saturday at 11:30, and will be giving away/signing copies of Daring the Moon Saturday afternoon and Sunday. For more information, go here.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Tipsy Tuesday

If you want your book to be a can't-put-it-down page-turner, one of the keys is vivid writing.

One way you can do this is to begin your sentences with the subject and verb--and keep them together. Make sure your sentence is active versus passive. For example, "Martha slammed down the phone and glared at her husband" is much better than "Martha was fuming and slammed down the phone as she glared at her husband." Use those strong action verbs and watch out for those -ing words (i.e., "slammed" versus "was fuming"). Collect verbs like a dragon hoards precious gems. Your writing will be the better for it.

This is not to say that every sentence should be this way or you should never use -ing words--you need to mix things up or your writing becomes too boring, and readers need to be able to take a pause from the action. Catch their breath so to speak. But you do need to make your writing as vivid as possible.

Monday, March 09, 2009

Man Meat Monday


Don't you just want to trace the line of his ribs, his obliques, his...?

Friday, March 06, 2009

New Release - ANGEL & THE DUKE OF SEX


Angelique Chadbourne had been trapped for 10 years in a loveless marriage while her wastrel husband chased after prostitutes in the East End of London. Now, in 1888--two years after his murder--she has ended her period of mourning and is ready to live life on her own terms. And a big part of that is learning what passion is all about. For that, she needs Harry Atherton, the Duke of Sexton or, as he is notoriously known in upper society, the Duke of Sex.

Harry has always had his eye on Angel, thinking her to be the perfect woman to be his wife. She's beautiful, gracious and intelligent--just the sort who would fit in his household and provide him with an impeccable hostess. To find out she also has hidden passions she wishes to pursue is the sugar in his tea. He's never been one to let an opportunity pass him by, and he's not about to start now.

Oral sex, anal sex and a menage e trois round out Angel's education, but there's evil threatening her. Jack the Ripper is in their midst and it's only a matter of time before he strikes again.

~ * ~

He stood in the shadows and watched a stylishly clad gentleman step down from the elegant brougham stopped in front of the Ten Bells, one of many pubs dotting the East End of London. The well-dressed man reached up and helped down a young woman—a woman more like an angel, with dark hair piled on top of her head, showing off her long, slender neck. Her fancy day dress drew his eyes to her curvaceous figure.

She was so different from the women in this world he’d chosen to inhabit. She was fresh and clean and pure. Not like these filthy whores who sold their bodies for tuppence or a glass or two of whiskey.

The older man bent over the angel solicitously, his expression wavering between concern and irritation. It was clear he didn’t want to be here in Whitechapel.

The watcher straightened and strained to hear the murmured conversation between the two. He caught a few words, “Freddie…husband…goodbye.” Then he heard her name.

“Angel,” the older man said, drawing her back toward the carriage, “Freddie is gone. Seeing where he died will serve no purpose other than to renew your pain.”

She shook her head, her chin tilted in challenge. Her response was in too soft a voice for the watcher to hear.

But that was all right. Her name was Angel. His angel.

Reaching down, he stroked his fingers idly over his erection, enjoying the slow rise of his flesh. It always began this way. He saw a woman, he wanted her. He stalked her, he fucked her.

He killed her.

He’d never had a woman like this before. Even though his upbringing was respectable and he moved about freely in Society’s upper crust, he’d never felt like he belonged.

He glanced around to make sure he continued to be unobserved, then looked again at the woman in the creamy yellow dress. His hand stroked a bit faster over the hard ridge of his cock. What would it be like to fuck her? To bury himself in the hot depths of her body, to plunder her at will?

Then get about his job, showing her the error of her ways?

“Oy, luv.” A woman’s voice with a lilting Irish accent interrupted his musings. “Don’t ya be lustin’ after the likes of that one. She’ll not give ya the time a day.”

He turned his head slowly to stare at the small woman standing to his left. Only a foot away from the doorway in which he stood, she leaned one shoulder against the brick wall. Her dark dress was frayed and torn in places. Her right shoe had a small hole in the tip.

He looked back up at her round face. The East End hadn’t yet dulled her vivacity; blue eyes holding a hint of life sparkled at him.

“And you would?” he asked.

“Wot? Give ya the time a day?” At his nod, she grinned, showing surprisingly white teeth, though they were a bit crooked. The cheerfulness in her expression made her appear even younger than she was. “Aye, luv. That I would. For a small price, o’ course.”

She twirled a strand of red hair around her index finger. A small black hat sat at a jaunty angle on her head atop a small fringe of hair at her forehead. She wasn’t an unattractive female, for a female of her sort.

“What’s your name, darling?” he asked, turning his attention fully upon her. The angel in yellow was a fantasy. This little pretty was reality. She was a whore, all right, and his job was ripping whores. It was time he got back to it.

“Mary.” She held out her hand and he took it, automatically bringing it to his lips to press a kiss upon her bare knuckles. She giggled like a schoolgirl, impressed with his manners, as he’d known she would be.

“Mary Kelly.” She gave another giggle and tapped him flirtatiously on the shoulder. “An’ just who might you be, sir?”

“You may call me…Jack.”

Copyright 2009 Sherrill Quinn. All Rights Reserved.

Angel & the Duke of Sex - available today at Ellora's Cave!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Tucson Festival of Books

It's coming--in just a little over a week! I'm excited.

And terrified.

The Tucson Festival of Books on March 14-15, sponsored by the Arizona Daily Star, presented by University Medical Center and hosted by the University of Arizona, has expectations of eventually being on par with the LA Times Festival of Books. Eventually?

This year, our first, we have 340 authors. That's only 110 less than the LA book fest. Mah knees are shakin'.

Why? Because Anastasia Rabiyah, Jill Knowles and I are holding a panel discussion on Saturday, May 14 on "Turning Up the Heat: The Spicier Side of Romance" in a room that holds 140 people. I have spoken in front of larger groups, but it was different. I wasn't talking to them about the difference between erotic romance, erotica and pornography.

But...I'll be ready. At least I'm not up there by myself.

So, if you're in the Tucson area next weekend, plan to come to the Tucson Festival of Books.

For more information, click here.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Tipsy Tuesday

I take advantage of as many freebies as I can, especially when it comes to learning more about writing. Some information I hear over and over, such as the following:

1. Put off editing - in other words, don't edit while you write. Work from the unconscious level of your brain, where powerful images and words are created. Do this, and you can shut down the inner editor part of your mind. That way you don't worry about spelling, grammar, finding the exact right word, etc.

Of course, spelling counts, as does good grammar. They support vibrant writing, but they do not create vibrant writing. There are a great many correctly written lifeless sentences. The best writing comes to life first, and later is refined just enough to make it crystal clear. But first you must give it life. Edit once it's all down.

2. Write what you know - Given the chance, what do you talk about endlessly? What drives you to seek out information? What are your passions? When you write what you know, you write with authority. People listen to you because you are one who knows. You are interesting because you are interested.

3. Research - No matter what you know about the subject, there is always more to learn. Make sure you have the latest information available on your subject. Once you write something, at least some of your readers are going to believe you. You owe them accuracy.


Now, there is value in all of this. I absolutely agree with #2 and #3. But...I can't follow #1. I've tried, and it blocks me more than helps to try not to spell correctly and have the correct grammar as I go. I need to find the exact word, though I have (rarely) put in the word that's in my head (the one I know I'm not using correctly or isn't the right one), highlight it and move on. But my writing process very much involves my inner editor along for the entire ride.

And you know what?

That's okay. This is the point I'm trying to make. Whatever information you come across regarding the writing process, you must remember this: No one way is the right way. There is no wrong way. There's only your way. And your way is most likely different than my way.

And that's all right.

Monday, March 02, 2009

Man Meat Monday

I have the day off today, but too much to do to sleep in. Although, if this guy were waiting for me...


I'd definitely still be in bed!