Stealing Ideas

I’ve been doing a lot of non-fiction writing, along with working on my current wip. I’m also reading how-to books trying to strengthen my skills. I recently read how often writers claim their ideas are stolen. Now I’ve read this many times in my career but it always fascinates me. Who are we to say someone stole our ideas? As writers we’re always looking for new ideas. It’s very possible to come up with the same idea as another writer. The difference will always be the voice – in fiction or non-fiction.

Back about 15 years ago (likely longer) I loved Danielle Steele books. I wanted to write like her. I did write a book with the same type of tone, setting, etc. that book stills sits in a drawer somewhere and will likely never see the light of day. So much has changed since I wrote that book. For one cell phones came in to play. Anyway, I came up with a great idea for another book. I started writing it. Six months later Danielle published a book…it was THE idea. I don’t want to say MY idea because frankly she wrote the book and subbed it long before I thought of it. But at the time I did wish I’d written it before her and subbed it. Though, the likelihood of me being published back then was slim to none. I had no clue of the publishing world. To say I was naïve was an understatement.

Some days I’d like to go back to those days of naivete. Life was simpler. I just wrote and didn’t worry if I’d sell or if readers would accept me. The only thing I did know was no one was stealing my ideas.

Drop by my blog tomorrow for a chance to win a copy of my print book Ignite the Flames. This book has three of my stories – Splashing Good Time, Ignited and Research Required.

http://amberskyze.blogspot.com

Happy Tuesday 

Biology? Plumbing? What's your sub-genre?

My Regency!

Regency, medieval, contemporary Texas!  Loving all these periods, I also write them! The challenge to change my voice has never been one.
While I attribute that to my undergrad and grad studies and my extensive world travels, I also attribute my ability to shift to my childhood when reading was an inexpensive way to pass my summertime. I was an only child, you see, and so I found great comfort in the offerings of my local library! But in addition and to my mother's dismay, I loved reading her nursing books. And to my father's confusion, I liked reading his plumber's journals.
Say what?
Yes. And to this day, I understand human biology and medical practices better than a lot of lay people. (I am also very healthy so thank god, I do not need to use much of what I know!) But as you might now gather, I understand all too readily what might be wrong with heating systems, cooling ones and regular water pipes. (Here in parched Texas, we have problems with the land so dry that the underground pipes shift, bend and crack. The water wells break down. The air in the system groans and moans. Okay, enuf, you say!)

     But now you know that Cerise not only understands physiology, biology and got great grades in Chemisty too, but she is a good plumber. 

None of that fine knowledge is in any of my books, but now that I mention it....

Ignite The Flames

Three books for the price of one! Now in print at Ellora's Cave

Splashing Good Time
Reece Collins craves a no-strings-attached, torrid sexual encounter. Problem? The only person offering is ten years her junior.Nathan Donovan has lusted for Reece forever. One brief encounter leaves him yearning for more, but when she splashes cold water on his plans, he has to choose between walking away or spanking some sense into her.

Ignited
Nikaya is celebrating her birthday with a new Mustang. As she races up the side of a mountain in her new car, a police officer comes out of nowhere. He pulls her over, spanks her then whisks her away to a secluded cabin. There, the officer—and a friend—have a few surprises for the birthday girl.Surprises that include whips, floggers, blindfolds and more.


Research Required
On the run from the mob, the last thing Ethan needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy—and he wants to take her where she stands. Of course, Bailey would never have sex with a stranger. Then again, Ethan is her best friend’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? And what’s a little sex between friends?

Newspapers, my transition to the web

Two months ago, we decided to cancel our morning weekly newspaper.
Ours was shrinking in size and useful content. I saw Wire stories reprinted and chopped to death. I saw too much advertising and said, hmm, I will try doing without this.
Sure, I get my news every time I log into the net to collect far too many emails, and I can choose to read the entire story of a header, if I like.
Know what I miss?
The feature stories that give me in-depth coverage of topics that really inform me about where I live.
For example, (you see my author mind working here), I have HUGE files on Texas-related topics that I use often to give me perspective on things like:
rodeos
cutting horses
trail rides
drug smugglers
how the Border Patrol works...among other things.
Now? I'm not clipping new feature stories to go in my files and I note how seldom I open my file cabinet to stuff stories inside.
Sad.
But (happy, happy!) I am off to get my Sunday New York Times from my driveway.
Got to get my news fix.

New Cover Art

I'm lacking for things to blog about this week. I've been sick and out of it. I do have cover art for Dante's Desire coming in Aug 2010. It's part of the Alluring Arts theme at EC. I just love Angelo. Not only is he sexy, he fits perfectly for the hero. Dante isn't as buff as Angelo, but that's okay too.

And don't forget I have a new release Friday - Research Required from Ellora's Cave http://www.jasminejade.com/

Research Required

I’m very excited about my newest cover. Research Required will be available from http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8228-50-research-required.aspx on March 19th! Woo Hoo!

Blurb:

Ethan’s on the run from the mob. He’s in for a surprise when he knocks on the door of his sister’s neighbor. The last thing he needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy and dressed in skimpy shorts. He wants to take her where she stands.

Sex with a stranger? Bailey would never think of it. Ethan’s no stranger though. He’s her friend Jenna’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? Sex in the kitchen, sex in the bedroom, sex on the couch, it doesn’t matter. Bailey can’t get enough of this hot-blooded stranger.

Will Ethan’s past catch up to him and ruin any hopes for their future?

Excerpt:

“What’s your name?” she demanded.

“Ethan.” He smiled revealing dimples.

Bailey melted under his intense smile.

“I’m sorry, Ethan. I don’t know who you are or what your business with Jenna is, but I’m not going to give out any information about her to some stranger. For all I know you could be some rapist or something.” In fact hadn’t she just read somewhere there was a guy going around posing as a cable guy raping innocent woman. Fear knotted in the pit of her stomach. “I have to go.”

She kicked his foot, hoping he’d move it, but it didn’t budge.

“I’m Jenna’s brother. I’m not going to rape anyone.” He reached behind him and Bailey screamed.

“Whoa! What are you screaming for?” He pulled out his wallet.

“I thought you— I…” What could she say? She thought he might be reaching for a gun or a knife to hurt her with?

“Look,” he said, removing his driver’s license.

It read his name. Ethan King. Same last name as Jenna.

“Okay so you aren’t a murderer, but if Jenna was expecting you why didn’t she leave you a key or something?”

“I don’t know. I’m worried because it’s not like her to be late.”

“Ha! You don’t know your sister too well.”


“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Jenna will be late to her own funeral. She can’t seem to arrive on time for anything.”

“Are we still talking about the same Jenna? Because my sister has been punctual since the day she was born. Our mother jokes about how she even came on her due date and not a minute late.”

Bailey couldn’t help but laugh. He was funny and cute and oh-so-sexy.

Just then Kyle decided to make his arrival.

“Got your pizza, Bailey. Sausage and peppers on one side, pepperoni on the other.”

She could see Ethan looking at her quizzically.

“What? I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I ordered both.”

“Options. I love options.”

That twinkle in his eye didn’t go undetected. He was flirting with her.

“Thanks Kyle.” She handed him the twenty. “Keep the change.”

“Enjoy the pizza.” He bounced away happy with his tip.

“I’m going to eat my pizza before it gets cold. So if you’ll excuse me.”

“Look, before you go. I’ve traveled twenty-three hours in my cramped little car to get here. I’ve been outside Jenna’s door for another hour and I could use a soft chair to sit on.” His stomach growled.

She was under a tight deadline. She didn’t have time to make small talk with this stranger or share pizza. She had to dive back into her article while she ate. Then a thought hit her.

“I’ll feed you if you’ll answer a few questions for me. I’m working on an article for women. What men find appealing and what they don’t like.”

“I’m your go-to guy. I have a lot of experience in that field.”

Bailey hesitated. “Are you a player?” Because the last thing she needed was a player’s advice for her article.

His stomach growled again.

“Oh just come in,” she relented. She couldn’t leave Jenna’s brother on the doorstep waiting for her to come home, but if he was a player then he wouldn’t work for the article. She needed someone sincere. Someone honest.

She felt his eyes on her as she walked to the coffee table. Her skimpy shorts rode up her ass revealing she wore no panties. He must love the view she was giving him, no matter how unintentional.

“Can I offer you a beer or soda or something?” She placed the pizza on the table and turned practically bumping into his hard chest.

He was close. Dangerously close. If Bailey moved her head forward just a hair their lips would touch and she could find out what those sexy lips tasted like.

As if reading her mind he inched closer, reaching out to graze her lips.

Bailey licked the spot where his lips had met hers. She stood there mesmerized. She wanted more. She needed more. Her pussy lips swelled at the mere touch of his lips. She felt the electricity of his touch run through her down to the tip of her big toe.

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Chillin'

The DH and I took an overdue weekend away. We stayed in NH and traveled into ME. What a wonderful time. The weather was in the 50s. The people of Maine must have thought it was a heat wave. They were out in their shorts and t-shirts. We witnessed people playing tennis and the parks were filled with children. It was refreshing. It was a sign that spring isn’t too far away.

We shopped in Kittery, Portland and Freeport. I haven’t walked that much in a VERY long time.

In Portsmouth we ate downtown at a place called Friendly Toast. I have to say the food was fabulous. It’s very retro. There was an old Superman pogo stick, the RCA dog, and board games from 30+ years ago hanging on the walls. An old Borden’s Ice Cream sign too. The DH and I kept spotting things and saying – look at that. I don’t think two dishes matched in the place. LOL

The wait to get in was out the door both times we went. Yes, we went back, the food was that good.

We hated to come back, but the kids were going nuts. By three on Sunday afternoon we were getting calls and texts asking when we’d be home. LOL We finally broke down and headed home around 5ish. It was nice to sleep in my own bed.

Tomorrow I go back to work and the DH heads out to OK for a business trip. I’m looking forward to the distraction. I have soooooooo much stuff that needs to get done, but no desire to do any of it.

I want to finish Sliding Home my newest M/M by month end. I’m about 3-5k away. Then there’s the last sex scene of Shea Manor. I thought I finished this book, but as I was editing it I realized I left out the most important fantasy for the heroine. DUH!

So hopefully I’ll get some writing done today. Happy Tuesday.

Oh and I’m on the coming soon page for Research Required at www.jasminejade.com. March 19th is my next release date! Yay!

Happy Dance

I woke up REALLY early this morning. I’m working on a story called Dante’s Desire for a themed series for EC. The deadline is the 31st and I just started the story a few days ago. It’s going to be a quickie, probably around 12K. I’m at 5k as of this morning. I should be working on book two of my Shea Manor series, (seeing as book one and three are written), but this story was calling to me – BIG TIME. So I put aside the other story to work on this. I wanted to spend more time writing today, but I promised to baby sit for my grand daughter while my daughter goes to work. I’m happy that I added over 2k today. If I keep this up I can submit it before the 31st.
The BIG news that has me doing the snoopy dance is the contract in my inbox this morning for Research Required. I resubmitted it to my editor Saturday and received the contract today. It needed a little tweaking which I did and much to my editor’s satisfaction, obviously. :o)
So while this New Year started off on a low note, the last week has been a huge turnaround for me.
Happy Tuesday everyone. Next Tuesday is the release of my latest ménage from EC called Ignited. I’ll be posting the blurb and excerpt along with a contest, so make sure to stop back!