SCIONS giveaway!
The other day on Dear Author they talked about books featuring werewolves and whether or not readers preferred to read an entire series with werewolves or books that sometimes feature werewolves. I’ve written werewolves, vampires and panthers before but never in one world, at least not until I wrote my SCIONS series for Silhouette Nocturne. I had a lot of fun with this series and I really enjoyed writing stories featuring tortured alpha heroes and heroines strong enough to match them.
One thing I’ve always done with each of my books was create a hero spotlight. The only place you’ll find these spotlights is on my website, but I’ve added them below for fun. They show how the hero feels about the heroine–things he would think but would never say.
Scions: Resurrection
I was cast out and meant to die, but I was built to survive. Ruthless and resolute, I’ll do everything in my power to live another day, no matter the consequences. I live, because my clan needs someone to believe in the prophecy, to always look for the signs.
You’re human, of a race I heartily despise, yet your inner strength shines like a beacon, guiding me toward you. Your quick wit and your steadfast humanity achingly remind me what I want most, while your intoxicating smell makes me want to inhale your very essence…
Click HERE to read the rest and to ENTER for a chance to win all three SCIONS books!
Book to film: What’s your poison?
Odd Shots Post is up!
The other day I was talking to an author friend about my favorite movie, Practical Magic. Normally I’m a sucker for a great action flick (Transporter, anyone? Sexy accent, sexy body, over-the-top fight/chase scenes…what’s not to love?), but I must’ve watched Practical Magic at least six times over the years…and for me that’s a lot. I can count on two hands the movies I’ve re-watched, only twice. I love the story of the two sisters’ relationship with each other and the town. I love the heartbreak and the sadness and then the love story…and how magical it was. I loved the wacky aunts! They cracked me up. I’m aware that the Practical Magic movie was based on the book of the same name by Alice Hoffman, I just haven’t read the book. Yet. I plan to order it. I want to see the feel good, magical story I know from the screen turned into a great magical story on the page.
Which got me to thinking about books turned into movies, well, Hollywood’s version anyway…
Click HERE to read the rest of the story.
Behind the Book
My WEDNESDAY Odd Shot’s Blog post is up…(FYI, I’ll be posting at Odd Shots every Wednesday).
BEHIND THE BOOK
Until I became an author, I assumed authors had major input into their books’ covers. I mean, didn’t the author control everything, from soup to nuts, about her book?
I thought I’d share a few truths about publishing with you. Most of these are based on questions I’ve received from readers in the past.
* Authors don’t have any control over their covers or the models used on their covers…
Tell me a colorful story!
My Odd Shots blog post is up. Tell me a colorful story…about tattoos! Check it out. 
Do you believe in the Paranormal?
Hi everyone! I’m blogging at THE ODD SHOTS today. The subject is: Do you Believe in the Paranormal? I hope you’ll stop by and share!
Patrice
The Odd Shots!
Hi everyone,
I’ve been quiet lately, I know, but it’s cause I’ve been writing and editing and writing. I have been on twitter several times a week, so you can always keep up with me HERE, but I wanted to let you all know about a group blog I’ve joined with a fabulous group of authors: Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Jill Myles and me.
Check out The Odd Shots blog and comment on our very first post for a chance to win: a copy of MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS.
If you link to The Odd Shots on Twitter or your blog and post proof of a link here in the comments on the Odd Shots site, your entry will count as three chances to win instead of one.
Winner will be selected randomly. The deadline to enter is Sunday, 09/06.
Come by and visit, and let us know what you’d like to see in a group blog!
Patrice
How do you know where to start your story?
This is a recent post I did for the Fangs, Fur & Fey community blog where I answered a Topic of the Week question: How do you find the beginning of your novels? How do you know where to start them?
I admit it, I was a back story queen when I first started writing. But I think that had more to do with the fact I was 1) a total seat-of-the-pants writer and 2) I didn’t plan my characters. They evolved as I wrote the story. So my first two or three chapters were really me creating long, drawn out…very involved character sheets. Heh.
Then a writer friend passed along a concept that has stayed with me…
Start your story where your character’s conflict and your plot’s conflict collide.
I’ve never forgotten it. Did it change how I started my books? Sure it did. But what I also discovered was that my progress slowed a bit in the beginning, because (apparently) I ‘needed’ those first two chapters to get to know my characters inside and out. That was ‘my’ muse’s process.
Now, instead of chopping three chapters in the beginning, I’ll have to go back and add some in the beginning. I now also write up a detailed outline as a way to ‘get to know’ my characters, so that I’ll know what I need to go back and add to flesh them out more for clarification.
But keeping that rule of thumb in mind has been immensely helpful to me. It forces me to stay focused and reminds me that all that ’stuff’ I’m itching to show about my character right up front can come later, sprinkled in bit by bit.
The nice thing about following the concept of starting where the character’s conflict and the plot’s conflict collide is that you have so many options for a gripping opening scene…from an action scene to a dialogue scene…to even strong narrative. I just ask my character(s): What kind of scenario can I put you in that represents the crux of YOUR issue and the story’s main plot?
A must read!
I think every aspiring author should read this great post by NY Times best selling author Lynn Viehl, where she breaks down her royalty statement and gives honest feedback. Major kudos to Lynn for her candid and informative post!
Lynn also keeps one of the best blogs under the name Paperback Writer, where she offers writing tips as well as interesting, informative and inspiring posts. If you take the time to read through her archives, I guarantee you’ll come away learning something new and with some wonderfully helpful advice.
SCIONS:PERCEPTION Free only for TODAY! Details inside! :)
Hey everyone!
I just learned that Harlequin in giving away SCIONS: PERCEPTION for FREE if you buy a print book. Go HERE for DETAILS.
This FREEBIE is ONLY for TODAY. I hope you’ll check out this cool deal, so you can meet the darkly sexy Gabriel!
Have a GREAT weekend!
Patrice
Updates, signings and stuff!
Hi everyone!
I’ve been remiss in posting on my blog lately, so forgive me. If you ever want to see what I’m up to, I’m usually on Twitter a few times a day. I’m finding one-liners MUCH easier to keep up with on a daily basis.
Next week I’ll be at the Romantic Times conference in Orlando from April 21 - April 26th (will be signing Scions:Revelation on that Saturday if anyone would like to stop by and say hello. I’ll also have copies of the Scions Collector Cards to give away). During the conference, I’ll also be participating in the following panels. I hope you’ll stop by and ask some questions.
VAMPIRE
•THE COLOR OF BLOOD Violence, mayhem and kick-butt heroes and heroines. How to keep your vampires and humans in one piece while appealing to your readers’ desire for something edgy. PANELISTS: Vivi Anna, L.A. Banks, Angela Knight & Jeanne C. Stein MODERATOR: Patrice Michelle
•FROM VAMPS TO TRAMPS Sweet, sexy or erotic? A discussion on the different levels of sensuality and sexuality in today’s vampire tales and how readers are reacting to such different bites of romance. PANELISTS: Michele Bardsley, Carole Nelson Douglas, Angela Knight & Patrice Michelle MODERATOR: Caridad Piñeiro
PARANORMAL
•REAL LIFE WITH A TWIST From psychics to ghosts to other unexplained phenomena, learn how paranormal elements are being integrated into traditional genres to create fresh new stories. Authors dish on the secrets behind the paranormal happenings in their stories. PANELISTS: Heather Graham, Sally Painter, Eden Robins & Jennifer St. Giles MODERATOR: Patrice Michelle
•HYBRID PARANORMALS — IS IT AN URBAN FANTASY OR A PARANORMAL ROMANCE? The big debate and books that straddle the two popular genres. PANELISTS: Jeaniene Frost, Jackie Kessler, Mark Del Franco, Melissa Marr & Adrian Phoenix MODERATOR: Patrice Michelle
•DARKNESS, CREATURES AND ACTION! Paranormal romances are getting gritty, dark and action-filled. How authors balance romance with these other intense elements. PANELISTS: Anya Bast, Rhyannon Byrd, & Rita Herron MODERATOR: Patrice Michelle
•HISTORICAL AND PARANORMAL — MIXING THE MYSTICAL WITH THE PAST How authors create paranormal worlds using historical settings or historical elements. PANELISTS: Jeri Smith-Ready, S.J. Day AKASylvia Day, Deidre Knight, Shayla Black & C.L. Wilson MODERATOR: Patrice Michelle
•HUMOR IN PARANORMALS — Timing is everything, even when dealing with the undead and uncivilized. From zombies to werewolves to vampires and everything in between, these authors will talk about the writing strategies that make you laugh out loud. PANELISTS: Michele Bardsley, Dakota Cassidy, MaryJanice Davidson, Mark Henry & Judi McCoy MODERATOR: Patrice Michelle
When I get back, I’ll share highlights about the conference for those who couldn’t attend.
What I’m working on…hmmm, lots of projects. One theme they all have in common seems to be paranormal. I promise that as soon as I can share some more info…I will.
Best,
Patrice
