To honor one of our most inspiring and butt-kicking members, Judi McCoy (author of the Dogwalking Series), Chesapeake Romance Writers created a writers' contest. We call it "Finish The Damn Book" because Judi would have none of anyone's whining about writer's block or complaining about lack of success. She believed in hard work and quality writing but no one got published with a blank page. Her motto was "Finish The Damn Book!"

We invite you to enter your first and last chapters along with a synopsis, not to exceed 40 pages. We need it electronically, all in one document, as we prefer not to butcher an acre of trees when it can be done through the magic of bits and bytes. Your finished manuscript should be novel length (minimum of 40,000 words).

Categories:
Paranormal
Contemporary
Historical
YA/NA
Mainstream with Romantic Elements
Erotic Romance (new this year)

First round judges will provide feedback via scoresheet and final round entries will go to editors and agents.

To register, click here.

For full details, go to CRW's webpage.

Welcome to those visiting from Brenda Margriet's blog. Everyone else, so glad you found mine! Have you ever wondered what goes on inside a writer's mind? Our group of writers provide a glimpse of the inner workings of the creative brain. This week's questions come from Fiona Riplee.

1.Does humor help or hinder you in your creative process? 
Humor provides a release from tension that can cause a block. I write sarcastic, snarky heroines so humor does figure into their character development.

2.What is a favorite go-to book or movie you use to unblock a problem in your writing?
I shy from borrowing from others' work. In fact, I'm hypersensitive to it so when I have a plot problem, I don't go to any book or movie because I don't want to subconsciously appropriate plot devices.  To relax my mind, I might watch The Hunt for Red October or The Princess Bride. 

3.What’s the most inspiring book you’ve read this week or month that’s generated a new idea?
The last book I read was The Lincoln Myth by Steve Berry, which was amazing. He is tremendously talented at creating present day conspiracies interwoven with events of the past. Riveting, I tell you! But no specific idea from that book, but rather a fresh spark for incorporating my passions in my subplots. 

Don't stop now. Head over to the sizzling Dani Jace's blog for a peek into her writing lair! It's on the beach and I bet she's got a cold one waiting for you!

I've been tagged by Dani Jace and Susan Peterson Wisnewski in the Lucky 7 game.  


The rules:Go to page 7 or 77 in your current WIP.

Go to line 7

Post on your blog the next 7 sentence or 7 lines —as they are!

Tag 7 people and do the same.

You can choose between page 7 or 77.

From my work-in-progress which I'm calling The Ghost Story until the perfect title comes to me, page 7, line 7.

Now, I'm tagging Raine Balkera, Renna Morgan, Veronica Forand, Tmonique Stephens, Jen McConnell, Shannon Kennedy and Morgan Wyatt to post your Lucky 7s!

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series.

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment. He's to protect Cassidy Sinclair, the teacher he saved. She thinks he's dead and Rekkus reveals Cassidy's diagnosis of being mentally unstable.

            Trevor waited while his companion drew out the tension. “Well, she says
            she saw the man who dove in front of her and the boy materialize out of
            thin air. Of course, neither that man—who died—nor the dead assailant
            is around to corroborate her story. In fact, neither body was ever found.”


So, what do you think? Is Cassidy crazy or did she see something a little outside the norm? Come back next week for more!

1. If someone could observe you writing without you knowing they were there, what strange practices might they catch you doing?
Gesturing with my hands, mouthing words, squeezing my eyes shut. The worst is when I'm in the car alone. I carry on my characters' dialogue aloud. Strange, I know. It just helps to hear the words out loud. They carry more impact, I guess. Besides, the words belong to the characters, not me. I'm just the conduit.

2. Other than a creative outlet, how does writing benefit you?
Writing relieves stress. If someone ticks me off, I save it up and spew it into the story. Sometimes I make a character like a real life person and torture them (not literally). Very therapeutic. Like a voodoo doll on paper. It's also a creative outlet. I need to write or the voices in my head don't leave me alone. Once the characters' story is on paper, that's where they exist and some other folks move in. And I get all the adventure I want and need without the angst and danger.

3. How do you feed your muse?
Peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches. No, just kidding. I read alot of thrillers and conspiracy adventure books. What I call men's fiction. I also watch what I call geek TV. Shows on the History, Military History, Smithsonian, Destination America and SyFy channels. Whatever catches my fancy. Much of it inspires facets of my plots or characters.

Hop along now and visit the beautiful Katherine Givens, writer of historical romances.


Don't forget to enter our massive giveaway through Rafflecopter. 

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series.

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment. He's to protect Cassidy Sinclair, the teacher he saved. She thinks he's dead and Rekkus reveals Cassidy's diagnosis of being mentally unstable.

Every muscle in Trevor’s body tightened as he processed this new information.
“You met her. What do you think? Does she need a psychiatrist?”


What will Rekkus say? How will Trevor safeguard a disturbed woman who thinks he's dead without sending her over the edge?


(photo credit: http://www.islands.com/gallery/best-islands-to-live-on-usvi-photos)

Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from Amy Jarecki.

1. When did you start writing, and why?
I wanted to write heroines who were more mature, imperfect and flawed. Like me and most women I know. My heroes are tough, sexy, and have to overcome their own demons to earn happiness and love. I get to live fantasies and adventures through my characters from the safety of my writing desk. 

2. What do you like best about writing?
I get to live vicariously through my characters. Drama, murder, intrigue, emotional turmoil. Everything that gets your pulse racing but you don't really want to be in the middle of. And of course, the roller coaster ride of falling in love and the wondrous sex with each couple are exhilarating. Also, the time travel and globetrotting I get to do as research and while translating the story from my head to the page lets me go where I want when I want.

3. If you could go on a writing retreat, where would you go and for how long?
Well, my writer's group (Chesapeake Romance Writers) hosts an annual long weekend writers' retreat which I live for. But ideally? A summer in Ireland, Scotland and Wales (one month each) where a group of writers stay in castles, manor houses and villages would blow me a way! My other ideal locale would be somewhere in the Middle Keys of Florida. Again, a whole summer in paradise would be paradise!

Hop on over to the always delicious J.J. Devine to take a peek inside her author's mind. 

From my paranormal novella Guarding His Heart, one of the awesome Wiccan Haus series.

Trevor Greene, injured again while protecting a charge, recuperates at Wiccan Haus. His leg wound almost healed, he's relaxing by the pool when the island's head of security Rekkus arrives with a message about his new assignment. He's to protect Cassidy Sinclair, the teacher he saved.

“I can’t guard her. She thinks I’m dead.”
Weak, but it was one reason he shouldn’t be protecting her. Besides the
staff on the island and the chairman’s own security team, nobody knew he
was alive, and for now, the chairman had decided to keep it that way.

How will he handle the situation when she thinks he's dead? Come back next week for more.

Romance Weekly's Authors answer questions about serious and non-so-serious aspects of writing. Enjoy! This week's questions come from my friend Dani Jace! Thanks for the thought provoking questions, Dani!

1. What is the most unusual thing you’ve ever done in the name of research for a book?
I don't think I've done anything really unusual. I'm fascinated with other people's cultures and beliefs so I don't feel respectfully observing or participating in others' ceremonies or services that strange. 

2. Name a nonfiction book you’ve read for research that you wouldn’t have read otherwise.  Not including writing craft books. 
Celtic Magic by D.J. Conway. It's an awesome resource book for Celtic rituals and legends recommended by a solitary wiccan practitioner. I love the legends behind the customs and place names in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This provides a better understanding for the history and culture of a wonderful ancient society where women and men shared equal respect.

3. If you could travel anywhere to do research for a book, including back in time, where would you go?
Well, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. I've always felt an affinity for the lore and mystical beauty of the ruins of the British Isles. I'd love to visit the lesser known stone dances and fairy mounds, the castle ruins and small villages, experience the spirit of the thin places of the Celts for myself.

Hop over to visit Dani Jace, author of hard, hot, and handsome heroes. Many of her stories take place in one of my favorite places, the Outer Banks of North Carolina.