Scarlet Rose senior editor Diana Carlile couldn't be with us to celebrate today and asked if I'd post the Scarlet celebration blog on her behalf. Take it away, Scarlet Rose!
Hello from the Scarlet Rose editors—Trish Owens, Angela Anderson, Lori LeBonde, and Diana Carlile!
We're excited to celebrate TWRP's third anniversary. We've had a lot of really great titles released from the Wilder Roses this past year and thought we'd talk a little about what we'd like to see more of and what we wouldn't.
Diana: I get really excited when a new query comes in with a m/f/m menage a trois. I would love to see more of them. I am not, however, looking for f/m/f menages at this time. They don't sell that well. Must have something to do with the heroine sharing her man. :) I’m also partial to cowboys. Overall, I'd like to see authors push the edge, go places we haven't been, dig deeper and get dirtier.
Trish: I love to read all different genres of erotic romance, but my favorites are fantasy, science fiction, historicals, and contemporaries with a twist. I like conflict and emotion, and it doesn't need to be contrived or forced! Look to real life for your conflict, and you may find a gem of a story to write. Lastly, pay attention to grammar, typos, missing words, and punctuation problems. I've seen quite a few mistake-riddled manuscripts on my desk lately. Always submit your best.
Angela: I love to see new queries that are well written BDSM. I can't get enough of those STRONG alpha males. It really doesn't matter if it’s contemporary, futuristic, or historical, the stronger the male personality the hotter the story becomes. The Cougar series is a particular favorite...nothing better than a young hot male who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to demand it from an older woman. Mostly, I'd love to see our authors push the limits of their comfort zones—take a different approach to their writing and make it fresh.
Lori: Readers love stories with rich details pulled from how we live our lives today. When I read a story that incorporates text messaging, IMing, iTunes, web videos or online social networking—even TV’s reality shows—I know the author is writing to today’s audiences and her (or his) content will resonate with me and our readers. It’s all about believability. What would happen if the hero, for example, accidentally sends a HOT text message to the wrong woman – who turns out to be the right woman?!? And what about the American Idol-style reality/competition TV shows—what a great setting for a Cougar Club story. Yum, yum!
A little birdie said we needed more erotic historicals and interracial (African American men in particular), so I’m passing the hint along. And as always we are open to submissions in our Destination Pleasure and Cougar Club series.
Keeping the garden naughty,
The Scarlet Rose Editors
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144 comments:
A Scarlet Rose is always a fun read!!!
Amber
Amber,
Thanks for joining our celebration today!
And for reading Scarlets. If you pop back in again, be sure to tell us which type of stories you most enjoy...although keep it PG-rated, since we're not in our own little corner of the garden. LOL
The only thing better than reading a Scarlet Rose... is doing the research to write one... I really enjoyed writing the Master Sergeant.
Ladies,
This post has me excited. I guess I need to polish up my Regency erotica and get it submitted!
WOO HOO!!!!! It's the rest of the Dirty Girls! Nice to see you ladies. You will be happy to know I have 2 I am working on for you right now.
Amber,
I love your eclectic taste in great fiction!
You obviously enjoy reading Scarlets (you "get" that we're fun!), AND you've written a suspenseful romance, "Denied Origin," for the Crimson Rose line, AND a western romance, "Blackest Heart" (part of the Wayback, Texas series) for the Yellow Rose line.
But then, it's all about ROMANCE, isn't it? Romance of all types: with a FBI agent/bodyguard, or a cowboy/champion bull rider...or any guy who knows how to pleasure his woman! *grin*
Thanks for supporting so many different lines in TWRP.
And hey, when are you going to write a Scarlet?!
Lori
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Biiiirthdaaay Dear Wild Rose Press...
Happy Birthday to you!!!
It's nice to know I'm in good company. Having a May Day Birthday all my life it is an easy day to remember.
*waving at Lori* "Do I have to keep it PG? *hangs head... Okay..."
Wow, so many of you here!!
That's awesome!
Yes, Cathy, you have to keep it PG -- but today is Friday...
And ladies, you know what that means, right?!!
Friday Night Cocktails!!!
(and yeah, I spelled it the PC way)
Well, if you insist ;)
I love Wendi Darlin's Scarlet titles. Hired Hands, especially. I'd never ever read a menage before but BOY! I was blown away! I like the Scarlets with paranormal elements. Could we possibly be seeing more of those in the future???
Amber
And Cathy, you would SOOOO not want me to sing Happy Birthday to you. Anyone who has heard me sing would strongly caution against that!
But a huge round of applause to you for celebrating a tiny bit of your special day with us!
What great company we're in!
Happy B-day Cathy!
Kelli,
If you're here, tell us what part of "Master Sergeant" was particularly fun to write and research -- hee hee. If you can keep it PG-rated, that is!
I love to hear the "inside story" from authors on how they wrote their books.
Give us some dirt, woman! (some clean dirt)
Cougar Club series? hmm sounds interesting...
Emma,
Yes, yes, yes!!! (oh, did that sound a bit...orgasmic?!)
Please send us an erotic Regency romance!!
Can you give us any hints about the h/h, or what they're ...uh...engaging in?
Lori
Ann,
Tell us a tiny bit about the two you are currently working on?!
We love tantalizing tidbits...
Lori
I recently read a piece by Wendi Darling, and it was incredible! Only thirty some-odd pages, but what a read.
Kaylea
LOL, Lori, I LOVE Scarlets but I don't know if I could actually write one. I'm a bit of a blusher on the heat scale... I'm a solid 3 on a scale of 5. But I have given serious thought to crossing over with a pen name. I'm actually juggling a post-Civil War novella I've written several pages of. I love the idea, but the storyline calls for some major heat probably not suitable for the mainstream lines. Is Scarlet still interested in contracting historicals or have you closed down that line?
Amber
Happy birthday, Scarlets... Ich habe den "Double Deutsch" gerne gelesen, und beim Ende, habe ich geweint... a surprisingly gentle, passionate ending. i wanted to give props and kudos!
Amber,
Okay, now you have me checking out Wendi Darlin's titles....I just proofread one of hers, I think. Uh oh, I shouldn't have admitted to that -- what if you find a typo in it? hahaha
PG Dirt? oh, a... well... nope! Can't come up with any. (Pun Intended)
*waving* Hi Ann! Little Miss, 'You've been on the top ten list for so long now you might as well just say - Ann Campbell et all!'
Happy birthday TWRP! I'm proud to be a Scarlet author :) And I have to agree with Kelli, the only thing more fun than writing scarlets is doing the research!
Cyrano,
Hey, thanks for joining us!
Glad to know you read "Double Deutsch" and enjoyed it!
And, are you going to translate for us?! (let's hope it's PG-rated!)
Lori
Birthday girls, can I ask a question? (besides that one?)
Emma... You have a Regency erotic in the mix? Awesome. My favorite regency erotic author is Jess Michaels... And I'm not just saying that because of my guest blogger today either. I litteraly burned the family dinner reading her work.
Lori, is there ANY regency erotic's with TWRP?
Amber,
Yes! We like historicals in our naughty corner of the garden, right ladies?
Send me an email at LoriLeBonde@TheWildRosePress.com and we can talk more about your story. You'll want to make sure the underlying premise works for Scarlet...contrary to popular belief, Scarlets aren't just about more and hotter sex -- although we can't have a Scarlet without those elements!!
Ladies, what are your opinions on what makes a Scarlet different from the other lines at TWRP?
Catherine,
I love Jess Michaels! Her novella in the book PARLOR GAMES was one of the first I ever read :)
I'm a little late to the party! Lori, you're doing a fantastic job. Ask away with your questions, cyranowriter!
T.
Hi Eliza - the other Little Miss, "I've been on the top ten list so long now...woman." grin
As for the birthday question... yes I am 29 again... It's amazing how I can be born in 1968 and still be 29. I'm soooo good that way.
And yes, sex is better after 40. Or so I'm told.
Enjoyed reading the comments.
Happy Birthday Wild Rose Press. I visit often
JOYE
JWIsley AT aol.com
Dani88,
I haven't forgotten about you...
Yes, the Cougar Club series is HOT! Can you imagine a Cougar Club story set in an American Idol-type setting, with Adam Lambert or cute Kris as the hero??!!!
Scorching!!
I think the biggest difference between a Scarlet and the other lines with TWRP, is that they are much HOTTER! You can get really naughty in a scarlet and use some dirtier language. But everything else is the same. You still need romance, great characters and an interesting and exciting plot :)
Oh yeah, and another difference, they often get me calling the hubby home early, lol!
Joye,
Thanks for stopping by! Do you have any favorite Scarlet stories? Any setting or subject matter that really works for you? (giggle)
Lori
*Grins* Catherine
When is your hottie in a kilt coming out to play?
I agree with you that I'll be 29 for the rest of my life :)
Kaylea,
Thanks for posting a comment about Wendi's story. She's great!
We're blessed to have lots of fantastic authors in our naughty corner of the garden, as Trish and the other Scarlet editors call it.
And I seem to remember...when I joined the Scarlet group of editors, Trish and I had a conversation about 'dangling parts' in our garden...
Might have to pick that conversation thread up again...during our Friday night chats with Scarlet authors and readers.
We've had some interesting ones there lately! haha
Lori
Lori (and other Scarlets): The translation -- just that I enjoyed reading Double Deutsch... and I cried at the end. Kinda surprising for me. And having been to that area of Hamburg, (but not partaken)... made it even more "real".
The question was/is -- this celebration seems decidedly female. As a newbie wanna-be, and a GUY (although I've been told I'm a bit "different" than most guys)(no, not that way.. just more sensitive)... I guess I'm wondering if I'm out of place. Thoughts?
Happy Third Birthday, The Wild Rose Press. I do hope you have many successful years.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
YAH! YAH! YAH!
All the best,
Suzanne :)
I have a cowboy ranch story I an working on and a vouyer story, NICE!!! I have several others in the wings but these are the only 2 I am working on right now
Eliza,
Yeah, Jess's novels are amazing. She is part of the reason I decided to make a go of writing.
Hey Scarlets. Just dropping in, making my rounds this morning. Happy Birthday and many more! I write for the White Rose line and the Crimson line. Have a great weekend and enjoy the bash!
Eroctic historicals? Wow! That could get a whole bunch of people intrested in history again! Just sayin'... ;)
Eliza,
Uh oh, if you're asking Cathy Bybee when Kilt Worthy is going to be done...well, she and her editor are working on it ...finetuning it to perfection! LOL
(I wonder who her editor is...?! Hahaha)
Maybe you can help Cathy practice patience...you've had several published, so you know how hard it can be to wait!!!
And yeah, Scarlets definitely make me want to find a tall, dark and handsome guy who can float my boat, rock my world, and keep me coming back for more!
Lori
'Sweet to Sensual' just popping in to say Happy Birthday Scarlets.
*Phew* it's warm in here! You ladies certainly seem to enjoy yourselves, I'll just sit over here and fan myself!
Ladies -- and gent!
Wow, a guy...here! To play with us, in our corner of the garden!
NOOO...you're soooo not out of place!
I think a lot of us female types wish our men would read more Scarlets.
Many readers, writers (and editors -- giggle) share their Scarlet stories with their men -- who definitely enjoy them!
And I'm working with an author right now, who has written a Scarlet ms (manuscript), and who is MALE! And decidedly heterosexual. hee hee
Sorry...was doing my prenatal pilates. Here's the submission query that I have typed up...it summarizes it pretty well.
Twice Is Not Enough is about Lady Minerva Peters, a young lady in Regency England with a history of choosing the wrong suitor. At a ball, she overhears her father promise an unknown man that she will be agreeable. Fearing a forced match, she flees and finds sanctuary in the library.
Mr. William Abbott is tempted away from the ballroom by an auburn haired stranger. He follows her to the library, but before he can make himself known to her, another couple decides to use the room to satisfy their carnal desires. Lucky for him, with less than a minute to find a hiding spot, his siren chooses to secret herself away in the same dark alcove in which he hides.
As the other couple heat up the room with their passion, William and Minerva take advantage of the anonymity offered by their hideaway to explore their own basic impulses. When reality once again intrudes and forces Minerva to face the consequences of her actions, she must decide if she can overcome her fears of the past to embrace a future in her lover’s arms.
Twice Is Not Enough demonstrates that not all relationships begin with formal introductions.
Hi Sharon, thanks for stopping by!
and Silver! I would love to see historicals, too! You said it, Silver, what a fun way to learn history!
Hey Joye! Welcome, and thanks for reading Scarlet!
T.
*blowing rasberries at Lori*
Oh, yes... my kilted man is very exciting and oh so yummy. I'm just excited about sharing him with the rest of the world. I'm a giver, Lori. Just wanna share. GRIN
Hywela Lyn,
Yes, we do have fun here! And since it's sunny (where I am!), and a Friday, and we're in a celebratory mood -- yes, it's likely to be a bit hotter here than in other areas of TWRP. giggle
Thanks for joining us. Do you have any favorite Scarlet titles, or types of Scarlet stories?
Emma prenatal pilates sounds like fun :)
And your book sounds like even more fun!!!
It's nice to see all my favorite Scarlet ladies today!
My husband seems to think the prenatal pilates are paying off. He has some favorites that he doesn't mind participating in...hope this is PG enough!
lol Lori!
Thats the one I was talking about :) We need more kilted men in scarlet!
I can't wait to read it. And believe me, even with a few published I still get anxious to get that next baby out there. I think its the boon of every writer. Our entire existense is a waiting game--yet ironically none of us are very patient!!!
Ah, tall dark and handsome...sigh...
Welcome, Sharon and Silver!
I'm still getting caught up with everyone -- so fun to see so many of you here today! Thank you!
Lori
Ohh, Emma.
Sounds wonderful. Some people just come in the closet... OOPS, was that rated R?
me bad!
lol Emma! I used to do pilates and my hubby loved how flexible it made my legs ;)
Trish,
Do you have handy the link to our Friday night events? I have it bookmarked on my other computer, so i never type it in...
We should invite our Scarlet fans to join the CockTale (oops! Freudian slip) hour!
So, Silver, are you going to write an erotic historical for us?!
Lori
There's a man among us, ladies!
And he's feeling out of place...do we want to give him a Scarlet welcome?! hahaha
I've never met a man who didn't like a woman doing pilates! :)
The first time my husband watched me do the prenatal ones, he asked me if I was practicing for a dirty movie. Hey, I can't help the fact that in order to exercise your delivery muscles you have to do pelvic thrusts.
Emma,
Whewee! Just read your Twice is Not Enough piece here...wow!
And prenatal Pilates....love it!
Emma,
Those pelvic thrusts come in handy for lots of things, don't they?
LOL
I'm supposed to pick a winner for the hour...cyranowriter, that's you! Please email me at trishowens@thewildrosepress.com and I shall find out what you won (something from the bookstore!) and how we get it to you!
Thanks for a fun hour, ladies!
Trish
Pilates for better sex? Okay... where do I sign up?
Like I said...there are some things hubby doesn't mind helping me practice! :)
Thanks, ladies and Cyrano, for joining us today!
What a great way to celebrate three years of romance -- in all its forms -- at The Wild Rose Press.
What a fun hour! Thanks for the entertainment ladies and gent!
And congrats to cyrano :)
I'm going to go buy a pilates video, lol
Cool, Cyrano!! Congrats!!
And I bet you learned some things today, listening to a bunch of women talk about sex ... without getting too graphic. hee hee I could tell a lot of them were really holding back (not naming any names, Catherine Bybee).
Did you have a question you wanted to ask?
Pilates....now there's more than one reason to do it when the kids aren't home.
grin!
Hi, Wilder Roses!
Just though I'd stop by and say Happy Birthday to TWRP. Writers, the garden is a great place to start and you can't ask for a nicer group to work with! Scarlet roses are the best of both worlds - hot & romantic!
annick
*BLOWING BIGGER RASBERRIES AT LORI*
Not, naming names, my A$..Foot!
LOL
A happy birthday poem:
The morning has come;
the birthday's done!
With scarlet ladies I hung!
But now they're all done.
The singer has sung
One last rhyme he's wrung.
But before I get gone
I'll shout "I won! I WON!"
Or perhaps whisper "Thank you!"
And now I'm through.
Ann,
If you're still around -- and for anyone who still is -- I, personally, can't wait to read the voyeur story!
(not that there's anything wrong with cowboys -- there's everything right about them!)
You may have noticed in Diana's blog post this morning that she is especially looking for stories that push the envelope a bit in terms of ... well, you know. Use your imagination, ladies!
Our readers are gobbling up the envelope-pushing stories. So go for it!
Thanks, Annick!
We appreciate our readers AND our writers!!!
So glad you came and joined us today. grin
Lori
Cyrano,
Wow, a custom poem, just for your newly made Scarlet friends and to help celebrate TWRP's birthday.
Do you write poetry? And so spontaneously?
I bet you're very ...APPRECIATED by the women in your life, especially if your poems are romantic...or erotic!
Lori, The only problem I am having right now is the getting them together. Vouyer is cool idea but I have some more work to do. I hope to have it ready for AA by june. Kepping my fingers crossed
Crynowriter....very cool poem!
Cathy,
What are you doing today in celebration of your birthday?
Or is it too over the top to describe here? LOL
Ann... one of you CP's (me) has to practice her patience thing... according to her EDITOR...
So, please send me, or let me know when you're on line and we can chat. Or call me. you got the number... just not today. I have a date.
PG - Lori...
Gee, your rules. So I'll have to tell ya later. grin.
No, really it's Pizza with the girls at noon... and fancy din at dinner. Martini's - Mood - and Adult Bedroom Fun.
Maybe a stop at the Batteries Not Included store first. Hmmm... Yeah, I like that!
Catherine If you would ever log on to IM......LOL I'll give you a buzz tomorrow :) have a great time today dear :)
I know I'm late; I had a meeting at school that couldn't be postponed, but I wanted to say happy birthday! You really don't want to hear me sing. : )
I love Scarlet Rose. I tend to like paranormal romance but I haven't read anything I haven't enjoyed.
Here's to many more years of great reading!
Ann,
Well, I'll have to drop a not-so-subtle hint to AA that i'd like to be the editor who proofreads it for her!! LOL That way, I won't have to wait as long to read it. hee hee
I'm sure you'll work it out -- you always do.
And I seem to remember reading a snippet of an ms of Catherine Bybee's that has a voyeur scene in it...I think she was just teasing me with it, actually, since she's not ready to submit it either...you ladies sure do keep your editors coming back for more!
So, now I've done it -- Ooops. I've basically told the world that Lori L grooves on voyeur stories! hahaha And told blabbed that Ms. Birthday Bybee has a voyeur scene in the works...oh well, she lets me be a voyeur on her voyeurs.
Do you have a working title yet? For either of those two stories?
WriterMom,
What about Scarlet paranormals? Do you like those?
Or do you write them?! grin
I have tenativly titled mine ONLY IN THE DARK but we will have to see if it still works after I am done
Catherine and Ann,
You two are CPs!! I should have known. (shaking head)
LOL
Catherine,
Okay, since we're PG here (NOT my rules, hee hee, just repeating them from the powers that be), you probably can't tell us more about what you're going to actually DO tonight (we know it's hubby -- grin) but can you tell us what you're going to wear for this special night out?
Lori
(I'm such a girl!)
Ann,
That works well with Lights Out. Great title. I take it that's the voyeur story?
Lori
Lori
LOL we have the same diry level in our.....minds :) makes for a great team. I have reworked my vouyer 2 times so far but am not sure if I like it better the first way or the new way....we shall see....This is when Cathy comes in handy....good opinion to have
ONLY IN THE DARK is the vouyer story. LIGHTS OUT was just a play on something that happened in the story. It was cute though and if you consider that it was the first story I have EVER done I think it came out nice
Ladies,
(since we seem to have lost our cyrano male)
What do you think about my request for more contemporary/cultural details in our Scarlets? (you'd have to read the blog posts at the beginning of this Scarlet blog -- the ones from each Scarlet editor)
For example, more use of technology (IMing, text messaging, etc.) as part of the plot -- or even just a minor detail that better shows the h/h as they go through their day.
Or, settings that are very timely, such as a Cougar story about a reality show contestant (a la American Idol or America's Got Talent or Dancing With the Stars) -- or even a heroine who watches one of those shows on TV and somehow meets someone from the show...?
I think details such as these would resonate with our readers, and help keep our stories fresh and current. (Not that they aren't right now! LOL)
Your thoughts?
LORI,
I like the idea. I have an idea in my working pile I would like to talk to you about and see what you think about it. IT has a modern spin on how the h/h meet. Ipods and reality TV are a part of whowe are today. Might as well read about them. I like the ideas
Ann,
Wow, yes, Lights Out was a GREAT first story! Congrats. Actually, it was a great story - period. We could all learn from you.
And I can see where you and Cathy have similarly naughty minds. grin Her emails to me are a hoot!
Lori
Wilder (are you Thorton?)-
as far as technology, I've been thinking about doing some IM romance (since I'm somewhat prone to that, in my lonely and drab existence), as well as texting, etc. etc. I think it could be fun!
Also, thank you everyone for the interesting time I've had on this blog as a first time/newbie... maybe I'll write a story about a guy who drops in on a bunch of women writer/editor types, and finds himself immersed in thoughts and feelings he had himself long repressed...
or something like that.
Ann,
Cool! So glad you agree. Yes, they are a part of how so many of us live our lives, get through our days...communicate with our teenagers.
Drop me a line anytime, at LoriLeBonde@thewildrosepress.com so we can talk about it some more. This is an area I've been thinking about a lot the last few months. And I should talk about it with the other Scarlet eds, too, to get their input. Your editor will likely have an opinion too. smile
Cyrano,
Wow, you're full of ideas! And unique ones, too.
So, tell me more about the writer guy who drops in on a bunch of erotic-loving women who are blogging...where does the story go from there? What was his motivation for going there in the first place, and how is he motivated/engaged to stay?
Who does he meet? And what are the obstacles he and she must overcome in order to be together? (I'm thinking this is a romance you're contemplating)
Hmmm...tell us more!
First, a "thank you" to Stacy Holmes (related to John) for her kind comment about the improv poem.
Next:
Motivation for eavesdropping on a bunch of romance writers, mostly female? The hero's a verbal voyeaur. The real question you have to ask is... why is SHE (the heroine) there?
Hmmm.. here's an idea... the group starts doing a Reiku (I think that's what it's called)... each blogger puts in a paragraph... kind of like Improv theater, or the telephone game.
The only catch is: can I end up with the girl at the end?
Cyrano,
If you write a romance, remember to use the boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-gets-girl back progression that all romances must have to be true romances.
(Girl meets boy, etc., also works in these modern times!)
And if you're writing a Scarlet, remember that the premise for the h/h meeting in the first place needs to be about sex. It's the sex that brings them together in the first place, and the sizzling, hot sex that keeps them together as they realize there's more to the relationship than sex...although that's what the Scarlet readers want to read about: sex.
Have I said that little three-letter word often enough in this blog comment?! hahaha
Feel free to email me at LoriLeBonde@thewildrosepress.com -- or any of the Scarlet editors -- to find out more about how Scarlets are different from the other lines at TWRP, and how to deliver exactly what our erotic romance readers want.
But then, you probably already have that covered! hahaha
Cyrano,
If your Heroine and the hero are playing a flirting game back and forth in the writing then there is no reason I see they couldn't end up together. Maybe he goes the first time and after it is over and the rest of the posters have left it is just h/h left in the room. They can go back and forth with a dirty little story, flirting and such. Maybe continue over the next few weeks with the online flirt fest, crank it up a notch to cyber nookie, then maybe they could meet?
Who knows lots of ways it could go
*shaking water out of hair* Sorry, needed to take a shower...
Lori: What am I wearing? Ummm... gee I'm shooting for NOTHING! at some point. Darn it PG.. okay. I have this really cute new top from a woman who sells affordable fassions direct to you. She used to sell High fashions in Beverly Hills... oh, la la.. and her husband is OMG! to die for georgious. I have funny story - not so pg- to tell about that one. Pictures too. Anyway... where was I? oh, yeah, clothes. I'll wear my cute new top on my next video blog and show you.
Ann... much like this blog if I signed on to IM... I'd never get anything written. hint, hint... grin...
I like the current lifestyle / techno / angle, Lori. Which is why I have the cyber-store going with BNI - Batteries Not Included. Which I'm obviously not writing today. grin...
Snuck in to be 100, I hope LOL
Love hot cowboys LOL
Stacy you are 100! HURRAY!!!!!!! (baloons and streamers fly)
101
Okay... i'll take 102
Cyrano,
LOL! You definitely have something there. Great imagination, and fresh idea.
Email one of the Scarlet editors if you have questions, or go online to the "Greenhouse: Writing and Rhetoric" section of our website: http://thewildrosepress.com/publisher/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1821&Itemid=151
At that location, you'll find all sorts of great articles that will help you craft the plot, motivations and character development of your story. You'll also find tips on the mechanics of writing -- just in case you need a refresher on anything. Probably not, but just in case. grin
Yay!! I'll take 100 Scarlet men to bring in the baloons LOL.
Ladies, I've enjoyed the conversation as I might have one or two ideas upon my writing slate that are a little toooo hot for the corral LOL.
Oh, yeah. Hot Cowboys know how to ride.
Oops... was that rated pg-13?
me bad!
Ann,
Great ideas for Cyrano! Sweet of you to offer them. (smile)
And now you really have me thinking about that story. Hope someone writes it!
Cathy,
Ahh...thanks for the titillating tales of your apparel for tonight's big fete! Glad to know you'll be combining the evening's activities with some research...hahaha.
Batteries Not Included is shaping up nicely!
LL
Thanks Ann, Lori, and others who have commented and made me feel welcome (sorry I bailed in the middle... I was taking a shower with Ms. Bybee)(not really "with", but "at the same time as... ".
Another question for all y'all (Yankee by birth, Texan by choice): in these Wild Rose (even or especially the Scarlet Roses), does poetry have a place?
Sometimes I'm prone
if I'm thinking romance
to dash off a poem;
shall I take that chance?
Or should I just
stay prone
and adjust
myself, alone?
If I ever need help... I turn to my CP's - Oh, Ann how is BOB these days?
Cyrano,
I'm a big fan of poetry myself. I've seen lots of authors who use it to start off chapters or parts.
Cathy,
I love how you push the envelope!! I think I said PG-rated...you've changed it to PG-13!!! LOL Which is probably more accurate anyway. hee hee
But that's what makes you a good writer. Pushing that envelope...and other things. grin
BOB ??!!!
Is there something you want to share with us, Ann? or Cathy? hahaha
Stacy,
Well, just round up those sizzling hot ideas and head over to our corner of the garden. hee hee
We'll show you a good time, Scarlet style.
And erotic western romances, as you probably know, are THE BOMB !!
Cyrano,
LOL! I wonder if Cathy Bybee knew she wasn't showering alone. haha
And thanks for the poem! You should definitely drop by the Friday night event, which starts at about 6 pm, east coast time, and 3 pm on the west coast. If you can write poetry that quickly...whew! We'll be fanning ourselves all night long.
Push, push... push, push...
Okay, really do gotta run and enjoy my day. Details on a blog near you... or in a Scarlet Publication in the future.
Bye ladies.
A Birthday Sonnet for the Scarlet Roses: Those both with, and without clothes(es) (grin)
Thank you ladies,
one and all,
for instruction on Pilates;
compliments large and small.
Now, alas, the blue-skied weather
bids me take my leave.
I must unleash electron's tether.
But do not o'er my parting grieve!
For there is much
passionate energy herein.
I will stay in touch,
and return, soon, again!
And perhaps the loneliness rob
of someone who thinks she needs a BOB!
Ladies (and Cyrano),
Thanks again for coming today.
The other Scarlet editors and I will pop in from time to time throughout the day to say 'hi' and see if anyone has questions...although y'all do just fine without any help. grin
Happy Friday, and Happy Birthday to The Wild Rose Press.
And long may our Scarlet flags wave! (silly grin)
Bye, Catherine!
Have LOTs of fun!
Lori
Cyrano,
LOL! Thanks for adding a new dimension to our blogging today.
Enjoy your blue skies,
LL
Cathy,
BOB died :( however I have made a few NEW friends to make the loss less painful. I LIKE the new friends even better though BOB will always have a special place in my........heart?
LOL
CYRANO,
Where in the lone star state? Email me sometime. ann_campbell@ymail.com I am a Texan myself
Ann,
I bet you're full of ideas for Cathy's Batteries Not Included ms!
LOL
TexAnn:
Alas, alack!
BOB died!
Left the trail
awhile back.
If you stand outside
and smell bluebonnets sweet
the path that I ride
was out by Mesquite!
And though the Big D
lay between us,
I worked, you see
out in Las Colinas.
But that trail was ridden in a happier time,
when I was a young man, still in my prime.
(And how you have a Texas Sonnet
to go with your bluebonnet)
(and EVERYTHING'S BETTER with Bluebonnet on it!)
Cy,
You have such a way with words
I feel my heart flutter wildly.
Bet you're hell on wheels
and I'm sure that's putting it mildly.
Coming from a town
steeped in music and history,
I'm sure if you think awhile
You'll learn my Capital mystery.
The flowers here a lush
April showers have done their due.
Life and laughter flurish
as everything begins anew.
Lori,
If you have ever been to my blog you may get a hint at just how dirty a girl I can be :)
Lori,
Actually, I do have a paranormal in the works. : )
I think you made a good point. Technology in contemporary Scarlets is as important as corsets in an historical. It's part of our culture.
I'm so late because I just got home from work a little while ago, but if anyone sees this, Happy Birthday TWRP.
Deb
Ann,
I just visited your blog...and you're right! Assailed by tantalizing headlines, and somewhere I came across a great pic of you -- the wholesome girl next door!
What a fun combination. I bet you drove (still do?) the guys wild. hee hee
Writermom,
Glad to hear you agree with me! Some people think it's "dating" a story too much to include references to such things as IMing or Facebook or American Idol, for example, but they're here to stay, so why ignore them? And it just helps our readers relate to the h/h better, if the h/h act or react in ways similar to how we would, and using similar tools.
And it's not just about technology, either, although that is the easy one to discuss. It's also about our culture -- the big things on TV (the ones that are around for a long time), where we like to vacation -- or HOW we like to vacation, things like that. Our changing society. Does this make sense? And I'm on a roll, so I'll shut up! hahaha
Kudos to you for writing that erotic paranormal! We need more erotically paranormal activities in our lives...or maybe it's paranormally erotic?! LOL
I agree, a Scarlet Rose is always a great read.
Deb,
I just checked out your book, Saje. Whoa. Hot cover, hot blurb...and it takes place on May Day -- today!
How relevant!
Whew! Gotta read that one.
Thanks for joining us today. (grin)
Mary,
Thanks for stopping by today!
Deb,
I loved Saje! Very hot! It has become a part of my must keep and re read pile (virtually speaking anyway)
Lori,
LOL I have long time friends that are shocked when they learn just how naughty I really am. Blame it all on my mom. Only child, I was raised by a single mom who loved romance and she and I had a very open relationship and discussed things most don't talk about with mom. Oh well, I guess it all worked out in the end. But yes, I am not very exotic looking, just the girl next door look but a tiger in the pages of my stories. When I was single though, it was never the guys my age that were drawn to me, it was the older men. Not my bag but thanks anyway
I'm late to the party, but I was at work. Sorry! I'm new to Scarlet Rose--my first Rosette is coming out around Halloween and I couldn't be more excited. I just got my cover from the amazing Angela--Love it!
Happy Birthday to us.
Becky w/a Becca Simone
Ann,
Wow, I can't imagine that ALL the guys weren't after you! Your pic was lovely. So,you said you experienced a sort of reverse-Cougar effect, it sounds like. Yikes! But it's all worked out in the end? You're happily married, and able to show your naughty side in the pages of your books and your blog. Well, and participate in research studies with your husband, too. LOL
It's been great to talk with you here, more than we've been able to do on the author/reader loop. And I can tell I've missed way too many good Scarlet stories! Editing my own authors' works, reading submissions and proofreading the occasional story for another editor - well, there's just not enough hours in the day to get to all the great stories we have in our Scarlet line!
Sooo...I'm off to figure out how to get blogs/RSS feeds/etc coming into my Wild Rose Press email in an organized fashion...so many new ones I learned about today. I need some organization in my life! LOL
Becky,
Welcome! And congratulations on your new (and first of many?) Scarlet story. We'll look forward to it. What is the title?
And Angela does incredible covers, doesn't she?! We love her work. Have you started publicizing it yet, especially now that you have the cover?
What a fun day this has been so far -- celebrating ourselves. hee hee
I'm late to the party. Looks like you guys have been having a blast! :)
Hi Lori! *waves* You'll be happy to know the Scarlet I'm hoping to finish in the next few days features a h/h who meet on an online dating site.
Along another thread I saw mentioned here, the Blaze I recently submitted to Harlequin featured an erotic romance author hero. So there's definitely nothing wrong with men writing romance - especially the spicier ones!
Oh, and since my CP, Helen Hardt, isn't around today because she's at her RWA chapter's conference, I figured I'd give her latest read a shout out, too. Passion in Paris features a sexy hunk, an exotic locale and amazing sex...what more could you want? ;)
I'm really hoping to be a Wilder Rose soon! I like the Wilder side!
Hey Lori,
Thanks for the welcome. My Rosette is called MIDNIGHT TREAT. I haven't started promoting yet as I just got the cover today. I hope this is just one of many I'll have here at Scarlet Rose. I sure love my editor, Pam. She's been amazing.
:)Becky
Cari,
Welcome! You definitely sound like you fit in with us Wilder Roses. hahah
And kudos to you for writing an erotic romance and submitting it to us! hahaha Seriously, I love the idea of the online dating site, which is completely relevant to our times. I'm sure every one of us knows a couple who met online -- and are still going strong. That's a great example of what I meant in my earlier comments.
And I'm sure many of us are curious about Cyrano and what he writes -- or will write. Three cheers for the guys! They are the ones, after all, who fuel our fantasies.
I can't agree with you more about Helen Hardt's Passion in Paris -- incredible! And I just proofread another one of hers, soon to be published. As her CP, you've probably read it too. It sure tied me up in knots, so to speak. hee hee
Our senior editor, Diana Carlisle, is also off at a conference today, otherwise she would have been here earlier. I think she's stopping by later....right, Diana? Unless you're having too much fun meeting Scarlet authors and readers in person. grin
You mentioned you submitted a Blaze ms -- do you have other books out there already? Even if you do, we'll love you anyway! hahaha
So glad you stopped by. Check in again -- us editors are bopping in and out, in between editing your mss. *grin*
Becky,
Yes, Pam is great. Amazing, even! Well, we're all great, but she's amazing! hahaha
I'll be watching for Midnight Treat. Yum, yum!
And you know there are plenty of experts here today, or on our Yahoo! loop, who can give you great ideas for promoting your book -- even before it comes out.
Thanks for stopping by. :-)
We'll be checking in regularly.
Happy Birthday to us!
Happy Birthday TWRP! And I'm absolutely astounded by the number of comments here - really speaks well of all the readers and writers! :)
Okay, Lori, since you offered...
How many months out should I start promoting a story? My Rosette comes out in September? I don't want to over-promote so that readers are sick of it before it actually is released.
And for other authors reading this, what's your top promo tool?
Thanks!
Becky w/a Becca Simone
Beth,
It's awesome, isn't it?! We're so lucky (and proud!) to have great authors and readers who want to join us in celebrating TWRP's third birthday and continued success. :-)
Becky,
If you have your cover, I would start using that in a smaller way immediately. After that, you can add in new elements to the mix. (Ask some of our multi-pubbed authors -- they'll tell you what and when!)
But anytime you have a title and a cover, I'd use them!
Thanks for stopping by! I'll be offline for a few hours, but I'll check in again later to say hi.
Oh, wow, you guys had some party today! Don't let it end here. Keep it going on the Wilder Roses loop.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theWilderRoses
Congratulations to our blog winner Cyrano, and thanks to everyone who dropped by during the Scarlet hour of our TWRP birthday celebration!
Diana Carlile
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