AN UNUSUAL SOLUTION TO UNLOCK THE MUSE

Most authors write because it's what we love to do. Most of us have been doing so from a very young age, or at the very least, have been telling stories throughout most our lifetimes. If you've ever sat down and actually talked to one of us, even a group of us together, you'd swear we were destined for a sanitarium at some point and probably wonder why we weren't already there. You might wonder what kind of medications we were taking and then wonder why they weren't working. Unless you've ever sat down in front of a blank page and had at least one voice tell you what to write, (this voice being in your head), there's really no way of understanding the how of what we do. The why of what we do, is because we are driven to it by a love for the characters that speak to us out of, literally nowhere.

Our inspirations come from many different places. For some of us, it's a favorite restaurant where we go each week to get coffee and or lunch or a favorite treat, for others, it's sitting in a crowded mall on a Saturday afternoon and watching the many people come and go. Sometimes, a line in a song can inspire an entire novel or a single painting, or color in that painting, a series of novels. Many of us tend to dream in full technicolor with digital Dolby surround sound. One single dream can turn into an epic series. The muse as we like to call it, comes from anything, place, sound, sight, touch or smell. Perhaps, even the even cadence of a pleasant voice.  That's the easy part.

The hard part, and it doesn't happen often, is when that muse freezes. When you end up staring at the page, whether it be a blank one or at the last sentence where you left off a few days ago and can't write another word. You know how the story ends, your characters are screaming at you to finish because most of us are working on more than one thing at a time and they don't want to be left hanging, and yet there you are, hands ready to type, and there is nothing flowing through you. It goes by another name, too. Writer's Block. When this occurs, it's physically painful, causing heart palpitations because time is moving on and you know you have to get the work done.  That's called a deadline. For me, a deadline often means a flat line, as in heart monitor flat line.  Once I figured out what was happening, I discovered a simple solution.

As writer's we all deal with this at one point or other. For me, and for others I suspect as well, freelance work is my "Waiting tables until my big Hollywood Star Break."  Sometimes these projects require a deadline, some don't. Recently, my biggest one asked for a deadline and then it happened. I was in pure writer's block.  I couldn't write word one on any project, mine or anyone else's.  I ended up talking to my client and we came to an understanding that caused the jump start to my heart monitor flat line. I have normal sinus rhythm again, but have to take it easy for a day or two to recover completely. 

The solution? Remove the deadline! By doing that, I am able to finish everything I am working on without further worry. That's not to say that I won't still have to face deadlines again. That's a hazard of this job. Hopefully, when that time comes again, I will be working on only one project; mine.

STARTING THE NEW YEAR GENEROUSLY

Sometimes I feel a little bit overwhelmed. As a freelance editor, proofreader and ghostwriter, not to mention freelance screenplay writer, it is hard to meet the demands of everyone I work with on a daily basis.  Then, there are those stories, poems and other little writing projects for myself. One of which, I hope you are currently enjoying.   I do have goals for this year, but am not into resolutions. I have outgrown those thank heavens!  My goals?  1) To finish the projects I am working on for other people, 2) To score three contracts for my own works, (this is a big one) and 3) To host other authors and to help promote their works and learn more from the wonderful group of ROSES at The Wild Rose Press at how to become better at what I love to do, which is the business of writing.  My heart and soul! My Joy! Well, you get it! 

Now, the part of being generous?  I've always wanted to do things for others and make that my mantra and have for many years.  This year I've taken a book that has reverted back to me and uploaded it at Goodreads for a free download.  That's right, one of my own.  Here's the link.

 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17206886-queen-of-hearts

The book is called Queen of Hearts. It was given a 5 star review and nominated for best Paranormal Romance of the Year in 2007.  For those of you who love vampires, your going to really love this one. It's a look, a different glimpse into my imagination. A look at the world of my vampires.  I hope that one of the contracts I intend to score this year is another of my vampire novels, one that was originally planned for this series.

I hope you let me know how you like it! I would love to hear from you.  Enjoy!

Last Post of 2012!

Dear fellow authors and fans, readers of all our romantic dreams brought to life on the page, I wanted to say thank you for being you! Thank you for sticking with me through the ups and downs and the first release I've had in quite a while.  BE STILL MY LOVER'S HEART began as just a short story for a contest and became a wonderful novel full of adventure, romance and the beginning of a five book journey with THE MEMORY MAKERS.  2012 was a very difficult year for me, losing a job and multiple health issues, yet I have prevailed with only the help of God and my wonderful husband.  

I know without doubt that 2013 is going to be a spectacular year! I have many goals including three contracts I hope to secure for three wonderful books you're sure to love! Book 2 in The Memory Maker's series is underway but is still being fleshed out. I hope to have it completed by the end of next year and out to you all by 2014. Know one thing for sure, I have so many wonderful tales to get out to you that you are going to absolutely love!  Many have already been written and are just in need of editing. Many are on hold for a short while.  I will have a wonderful Christmas story for all of you for next Holiday Season, I promise. 

Now, you are all getting ready, if not already celebrating the coming in of 2013. Please be safe, be responsible and know that I look forward to seeing you all next year!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

HOW DO THEY KNOW?

Every year, whether or not we put up the Christmas tree, our kids (the four footed variety) cats to be more specific, always know what time of year it is. I think it's rather funny. I have three 7 year old male cats that are all indoors. They have kitty t.v., the front balcony, when the door is open, and more furniture than we do.  It never fails to amaze me that when Christmas time comes around, they act differently. How? Well, they tend to be nicer to one another, leave the garbage alone and shred less paper products. They are on their best behavior. I swear it is like having children in the house again.   This year, we decided to put up the tree after three years of not doing it. I decorated it very nicely, making sure that the more expensive ornaments are in the upper part of the tree and the cheap, unbreakable ones are on the lower branches. Even though
they are older cats, they still love to bat at the ones on the lower branches. At least they don't try to climb up inside the tree anymore. You'd think that with all the toys and things they have to keep them  happy, even home grown kitty weed, they wouldn't pay attention to something like a human holiday.  I know that animals tend to pick up on our moods and I think that is part of their charm.  My three boys are like excited three year old children this year. Fortunately, we still have toys in a drawer that they have never seen yet. We thought we might get away without putting stuff out for them this year. We thought wrong. Everyday, they look at the tree, check under it for something that might be for them and then wait until the next day  and repeat. I love my boys dearly. I do have grown children, but they celebrate a family Christmas in New York with their dad and stepmother. I did get to spend Thanksgiving with two of them and that was priceless. But, I get off the subject here.

This year, like in previous years, we'll put out new toys for them under the tree with the other few gifts and then hurry to beat them upstairs on Christmas morning. (They have their own room and like to be put to bed at night.) It will be a joy just watching them picking out their prizes and begin to play with new toys. Then, when we have celebrated our own gift exchange, the cats get the boxes, paper and bows to play with for a few hours. Then it's time for one of their many catnaps per day.  Still, I can't help but wonder... how do they know?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

ROMANCING YOUR E-READER BOOK BASH!

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone and their families! If you received a wondrous new E-reader for Christmas, congratulations! Make sure to participate in this fantastic contest guaranteed to give the lucky winners hours of precious escape time into the worlds of our romances. Here is my contribution, a Paranormal Romance with Futuristic and Science Fiction elements.

Ethereal beauty Shea, a Lieutenant in  a Universal military, has spent the last four years protecting Colony supply freighters on a small space station. If not for her partner and the hopes of a better assignment, the loss of her husband and a devastating illness would leave her little desire to live.

That is until she meets Tempest, an alien whose species is rumored to be the origin of the vampires.  A man who makes her feel alive in ways she's never felt before.

Tempest has prayed to the Divine One for countless years for his bondmate.  Shea is his long-awaited answer and so much more.  One night will not be enough for a man who has waited a lifetime, but he is determined to make Shea his forever.

With a madman out to destroy them and certain death nipping at their heels, will Tempest and Shea outwit Remi and survive to share a future together, or die protecting all they hold dear?

Here's my question:

Shea and Tempest live in a futuristic world where they find an unexpected love against all odds. 

What is your all time favorite Futuristic or Science Fiction movie?

Don’t forget to leave your answer in the comments, then head on off to check out the rest of the blurbs and more chances to win. Good luck and happy reading.  

Lisa Hannah Wells 

 THAT DATING THING by Mackenzie Crowne ~ mackenziecrowne.com

HOME  by Calisa Rhose ~ calisarhose.wordpress.com

MONA LISA'S ROOM by Vonnie Davis (plus a little sweet) ~ vintagevonnie.blogspot.com

STEPPING OUT OF LINE by Linda Carroll Bradd ~ blog.lindacarroll-bradd.com

DECEPTIONS OF THE HEART by Denise Moncrief ~ ~ denisemoncrief.blogspot.com

BE STILL MY LOVER'S HEART  by Lisa Hannah Wells ~ memorymakerscreator.blogspot.com

MURDER IN THE BUFF by Maggie Toussaint ~ mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com

THE TREASURE OF COMO BLUFF by Alison Henderson ~ AliceHenderson.com

SHANGHAI CONNECTION by Carol Henry ~ macsmadmania.blogspot.com

SOMEWHERE MY LOVE (A ghostly time travel romance) by Beth Trissell ~  bethtrissel.wordpress.com

FAERIE FOOL by Silver James ~ Silverjames.com

CLEAR AS DAY by Babbett James ~ babbettjames.com

AN UNEXPECTED GIFT by Katherine Grey ~ katherinegrey.blogspot.com

TAKE ME HOME, COWBOY by Krista Ames (Plus 4 Anthology titles below) ~ apassionforromance.blogspot.com

THE DOLLHOUSE (For the Love of Christmas Anthology) by Dani-Lyn Alexander~  danilynalexander.com

STUDIO RELATIONS by Georgie Lee ~ georgielee.blogspot.com

by Carolyn Sullivan

A SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER by Joanne Stewart ~ jm-stewart.blogspot.com

MAGIC OF THE LOCH by Karen Michelle Nutt ~ kmnbooks.blogspot.com

THE BETTER MAN by Ceri Hebert ~ cerihebert.wordpress.com

THREAT TO OUR FOREVER by Em Epe ~ emeperomances.blogspot.com

CONNECT THE DOTS (For the Love of Christmas Anthology) by Jennifer Eaton ~ jennifermeaton.com

FADEOUT by Rolynn Anderson ~ blog.rolynnanderson.com

by Diane Okey ~

Plus four anthologies, courtesy of Krista Ames.

BELIEVE CHRISTMAS ~ BE MINE, VALENTINE ~ ALL BETS ARE ON ~ SUMMER SHORTS

There will be two winners. First gets 15 titles, second gets the remainder, 12.