Diane's Blog

You'll find me here at Diane's Blog every Thursday, ready to relax and while away the time. Mondays I'm at Risky Regencies and every third Wednesday at Harlequin Historicals. Come join the conversation. You are always welcome.

Special Days

May 23, 2013 – 12:40 AM

This is release week for A Reputation for Notoriety, my latest book, the first in the Masquerade Club series. The release of a new book is kinda like giving birth….Well, not really.

A bunch of years ago today I really did give birth to my son, my second child, and thus the second happiest day of my life (the birth of my daughter was the happiest, because she was first). I’m from a family of girls so having a little boy was a real adventure for me. I learned that boys were different than girls when my son chose to sleep with his trucks rather than a stuffed animal. His favorite book was Truck by Donald Crews, a book virtually without words. When a little older, he transitioned to How Things Work, a book that interested my daughter not at all.

As an adult, he’s restored a vintage car (a la Truck) and, this year, purchased a house, upon which he has done many fix-it projects (How Things Work). He’s also married and is about to be a father himself.

I could not be prouder of the man my son has become. I’m absolutely certain he is a good husband and will be a wonderful dad.

We already know the baby will be a boy, and I’ve already given him his own copy of Truck.

Just one more story about the dear son. One Christmas recently he handed me a present. When I opened it, it was a copy of one of my books. It delighted me to think of my 6 foot tall son in the romance section of the bookstore, finding and picking out my book, then taking it to the cashier. I loved it!

And speaking of the dear daughter, last week she graduated from college! She’d taken a few years off to work before returning to school, so this college degree was delayed, but still a very very proud event. Here we are after the ceremony.

Don’t I have lots to be proud of these days? A new book and my two best “productions.”

By Diane :: Posted in Life :: Comments (9)

Contest Winners!

May 21, 2013 – 12:24 AM

I have a cornucopia of contest winners which is only fitting on this Release Day for A Reputation for Notoriety.

Congratulations to you all!

Website Contest Winner

Edith from Gresytones

Newsletter Update Winners

DNodrog
sillelin
ebreithaupt

Kimberley Kincaid Winner

Sarah

I’ll be emailing each of you, so look for a message from me.

Thanks to all who entered my contests. It is wonderful to have your support.

By Diane :: Posted in Contests :: Comments (0)

Guest Author Kimberley Kincaid

May 16, 2013 – 12:17 AM

I love to showcase new authors. Especially if they are friends of mine! So I am delighted that my guest today is Kimberley Kincaid.

Kimberley writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga (she’s a terrific yoga instructor). She’s also a foodie extraordinaire, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen. Or, if not in the warrior yoga pose or with her hands in oven mitts, Kimberley is probably curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. She is my guest today to talk about …not her first book…her first book won’t be out until February 2014.

Kimberley is here to tell us about her second novella, Drawing the Line, available now as an ebook.

Here are what some readers on Amazon have said about Drawing the Line.

Love Kimberly Kincaid’s newest novella, Drawing the Line! She has mastered the art of crafting beautiful love stories in a sweet 100 pages, only this time she’s thrown in a plotline of danger with a handsome hero cop who must protect a gutsy heroine from the bad guy

Yes, “Drawing the Line” had me salivating, and not just because of the apple turnovers. Okay, well, those had me drooling, too, but mainly it was hunky hero Jason who had me mesmerized.

A solid suspense tale with a hot hot hero and a relatable heroine.. Loved it! Kimberly Kincaid is an auto buy.

To celebrate having Kimberley as my guest, I’m going to give an Amazon download of Drawing the Line to one lucky commenter chosen at random.

Welcome, Kimberley!

1. Tell us about Drawing the Line.

It’s a sweet and sexy foodie romance about a dedicated, blue-eyed detective who is tasked with keeping a feisty restaurant owner safe in the case of a lifetime. Of course, danger ensues. But not before sparks fly in the kitchen…and the bedroom!

2. Your writing journey is a unique one. Your first published book is not yet released. Tell us about how you sold and how you came to write Drawing the Line.

My journey has had a lot of side roads! I sold a three-book series to Kensington last summer, but the books were complete upon sale. So my agent and editor put their heads together to come up with some projects to keep me busy (since production for print takes a while). Enter the chance to write digital novellas! Drawing The Line is the second in a series of three e-novellas about hot cops, sexy chefs, and the people who (fall in) love (with) them. Love on the Line was the first, also available right now.

3. How did you decide to start writing?

I think writing chose me rather than me choosing writing. I’ve loved to do it all my life. But four years ago, I decided all the stories in my head really needed someplace lucrative to go. It was starting to get crowded in there! So I wrote down my first story, then my second. That second one landed my agent, and things got rolling from there. I didn’t sell until my fourth (fifth and sixth) book, but it has been an unforgettable ride.

4. What has been the most difficult part of this new writing life? The best part?

The most difficult is finding time for all of it– I am also a wife and mom of three girls. Thankfully, my family has been so incredibly supportive (no one balks at Cheerios for dinner when mom’s on deadline!) The best part is sharing the success with them, and hearing my kids say, “My mom writes books!” It’s very gratifying to show them dreams really do come true.

5. What’s next for you?

I have one more “Line” novella in the digital series (Outside The Lines, coming later this summer), and then in September, I’ll kick off my Pine Mountain foodie series with Kensington starting with the anthology The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap. I’m thrilled to share food and love with readers!

I have a question for readers. Do you like food with your romance…romance novel, that is? What is your favorite snack while reading a romance novel?

One lucky commenter will win an Amazon download of Drawing the Line! I’ll pick the winner Monday, May 20.

By Diane :: Posted in Guest :: Comments (9)

The Fate of the Historical

May 9, 2013 – 12:17 AM

This week Jane of Dear Author wrote a provokative blog titled We Should Let The Historical Genre Die. She cited dismal sales, an over-saturation of Regency-set Historicals with stories that all feel the same, and readers who are reluctant to try something new. Her main point was that the Historical Romance market was in need of rejuvenation. Both her blog and the 111 comments gave much food for thought.

Some commenters protested; others agreed. All the points of view were interesting.

This took me back to the 1999 Romance Writers of America National Convention in Chicago. My goal at that conference was to decide whether I should switch from writing contemporary romance intended for Harlequin or Silhouette to the genre I loved to read, Regency Historicals. I attended every publisher spotlight and learned that all of them were seeking Regency Historicals.

Interestingly enough, they all also said they were NOT seeking paranormal romance.

Did anyone predict the explosion of popularity of paranormals in 1999? No, indeed.

The demise of Historical Romance, especially Regency Historicals, has been predicted for years, but the truth is no one really knows what will happen, especially in this wild time of change brought about by ebooks and the ease of self-publishing.

What can I do?

Write the best Regency Historical that I can. Avoid rewriting what’s been done before and search for the most creative story I can think of.

And then wait to see if readers like what I’ve done.

What do you think? What do you think will rejuvenate Historical Romance? Or do you think it is doing just fine as it is?

By Diane :: Posted in Regency, Writing :: Comments (13)

The Common Cold

May 2, 2013 – 12:08 AM

I have a cold. I rarely get one, so I’m feeling a bit miserable at the moment. I’m just resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and blowing my nose a lot.

I was curious as to what advice I’d be given for treating this cold had I lived during the Regency, so I looked it up in Domestic Medicine: Or, A Treatise on the Prevention and Cure of Diseases by Regimen and Simple Medicine, by William Buchan, 1798.

William Buchan

“…immediately lessen his diet, at least the usual quantity of solid food, and to abstain from all strong liquors. Instead of flesh, fish, eggs, milk and other nourishing diet, he may eat light bread pudding, veal, or chicken broth, panado, gruels, or such like. His drink may be water-gruel sweetened with a little honey, an infusion of balm or linseed sharpened with the juice of orange or lemon; decoction of barley and liquorice with tamarinds or any other cool, diluting, acid liquor…”

Okay. Now I know what to eat. What else?

“The patient ought to lie longer than usual abed and to encourage a gentle sweat, which is easily brought on towards morning by drinking tea or any kind of diluting liquor.”

Okay, if I do this, what can I expect?

“I have often known this practice carry off a cold in one day.”

Whoo hoo! Now all I need to do is make some bread pudding, find out what panado is, discover a recipe for gruel. I’m also not sure if I can muster up the courage for an infusion of balm or linseed, even if it is sharpened with the juice of orange or lemon. And what are tamarinds and how does one make decoction of barley and liquorice with it? While I’m asking, what would be a cool, diluting, acid liquor…”

I’m perfectly willing to stay abed and drink tea, even if it produces a sweat.

Can anyone answer my questions about tamarinds, panado? Do you have a recipe for gruel, or barley and liquorice? How about an example of a cool, diluting, acid liquor?

Or just give me your favorite remedy for a cold!!!

By Diane :: Posted in Miscellaneous :: Comments (2)

What Downton Abbey Can Teach Us….Part Four

April 25, 2013 – 12:05 AM

I promised I would tell you how my What Downton Abbey Can Teach Us About Writing Historic (and other) Romance workshop at the Washington Romance Writers Spring Retreat went.

It went fine.

It didn’t go as well as I imagined, but, then, the workshop-in-my-head is always better than the reality.

My biggest worry was whether my audio-visual would work. Thanks to the dh who knew and purchased what special connector I needed, I was able to use the equipment with my laptop. First time I ever tried anything like that. My friend, Julie Halperson, ran the a/v for me and it all worked!

I used a series of YouTube videos to illustrate the points I made (To see the points, check Blog Parts One, Two, and Three). If you wish to see the videos I used, look here.

There were comments and questions and challenges. Kathy Seidel made me think on my feet when she challenged me about using setting and specific detail. How can we writers achieve the same effects as film when we can’t possibly show everything a visual image can show.

I said that we can’t. But we can and should make our setting compelling. And we should make it vivid enough that readers can suspend disbelief and feel as if they are in the time and place of our stories. When we use detail, we can use specific detail, e.g. not just a “flower” but a “fragrant, white gardenia.”

What do you think? Are we able to make our setting as compelling as the visual images in Downton Abbey? How do you aspire to do it? As a reader, how have you seen it done?

By Diane :: Posted in Writing :: Comments (2)

What Downton Abbey Can Teach Us…Part Three

April 18, 2013 – 11:00 AM

In just a couple of days I’ll be giving my Washington Romance Writers Spring Retreat workshop on What Downtown Abbey Can Teach Us About Writing Historical (And Other) Romance. Yesterday I worked all day on fine-tuning the workshop and finding relevant clips to use. Cross fingers that I can manage to make the audio-visual equipment work!

In addition to what I blogged about in Part One and Part Two, I intend to discuss how Downton Abbey effectively uses several elements to make it one of the most widely watched television series in the world.

Setting

In the very first scenes of the first season, it is clear that setting enhances the story. In Downton, the country house is like another character in the story. We see her beauty and we worry about her fate.

The setting is enhanced by the exquisite use of detail. Down to the smallest piece of kitchenware, the series remains faithful to the time periods. The costumes and hairstyles change as the years progress. The detail thoroughly convinces me that I’m in the post-Edwardian Age, a time of rapid social and political change.

Characters

The long cast of characters in the story are portrayed as three dimensional people with their own flaws and assets, their own backstories and story arcs. No character is entirely a villain and no character is entirely good (except maybe Anna and Sybil!). Even Thomas, who is very unlikable in series one, becomes the character I’m rooting for most by the end of season three.

Plot devices

I already mentioned how Downton manages to avoid repeating what the viewer already knows. There are other devices that are used to keep the viewer tuning in. Each episode and each season ends with a hook — an unanswered question about what will happen next. We are always kept in suspense about something, either part of the romantic plot or something else.

Romance

The main story of Downton is the romance between Matthew and Mary. Will they stay apart? Will they marry? Can their marriage last? The romance between Anna and Bates is nearly an equivalent story. In addition to these main romances are secondary romances – between Sybil and Branson, between Daisy and William, between Edith and the man of the day, even between Lord and Lady Grantham. Other characters like Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore have their own mini-romances. Each romance has its conflict so that we are kept guessing whether the couple will stay together or not.

Next week I’ll let you know how the workshop went. Until then I’ll leave you on a suspenseful hook–Will Diane be able to get the audiovisual equipment working? Will she stutter and become tongue-ties? Will she get mixed up and become incomprehensible to anyone in the audience? Will more than five people show up–more attendees than her critique partners?

Stay tuned!!

If you are near Westminster, Maryland, come see me Sunday at the Westminster Library for a panel discussion about writing romance. I’ll have books with me to sell and sign.

Meanwhile my contest is still running and my next book is ready for preorder.

By Diane :: Posted in Regency, Writing :: Comments (1)

What Downton Abbey Can Teach Us…Part Two

April 11, 2013 – 1:48 AM

I’m preparing for my workshop at Washington Romance Writers Spring Retreat and thinking about the use of historical events in the series. Downton Abbey begins with the sinking of the Titanic and includes such things as the Battle of Somme, the Spanish Flu epidemic, the Easter rising in Ireland, the Labour Movement in politics.

In writing historical (or other) romance how important is it to connect to the real events of the time?

To me, using real historical events in one’s story enriches it and helps anchor the story into the time period. Without real historical events, you have a wallpaper historical, a story that might have existed in any time period, but wearing the trappings of a certain era (like the Regency).

I particularly like to use real historical events and I’m happiest if I can insert my characters right into the action. Some books lend themselves to this better than others. For example, in A Reputation for Notoriety, the story could have taken place at almost any time after Waterloo, whereas in Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress, several scenes take place in real parts of the Battle of Waterloo.

There is nothing wrong with a wallpaper historical, as long as the author does not ignore historical events. For example, to set your story in the summer of 1815 and not mention Waterloo is just lazy writing (in my opinion). To have characters enjoying festive social events when the country should be in mourning for the death of George III (January 1820) would not work for me.

When I start a book, I always check historical events so that I don’t ignore the real history!

How about you? Do you like historicals that use real historical events? How did Downton Abbey succeed at this in your opinion?

By Diane :: Posted in Miscellaneous :: Comments (4)

What Downton Abbey Can Teach Us

April 4, 2013 – 2:02 AM

At Washington Romance Writers Spring Retreat I’m doing a workshop on what Downton Abbey can teach us about writing historical romance…or any romance, so I’ve been watching a lot of Downton Abbey. As time goes on, I’ll probably have more to say about this, but I thought I’d mention one thing that I’ve noticed over and over in episodes of Downton Abbey.

Once information is known to the viewer, it is not repeated.

Take the incident involving Mr. Pamuk. It happens and there are several scenes where characters are told of it – The scene between Lady Grantham and the Dowager; the scene between Daisy and Edith; the scene between Lady and Lord Grantham. But the viewer never hears the story in its entirety, because it is presumed the viewer remembers it from the original episode.

There are other scenes like that where you know the information will be told to another character, but you, as the viewer, do not hear it repeated. The scene is cut and changes to something else, but you know what was discussed.

So that is one lesson for us writers. Do not repeat yourself. Don’t have your characters telling and retelling the same information. Imply it and move on.

Speaking of Mr. Pamuk, the incident is taken from a real event! Here is Julian Fellowes telling about it.

As I prepare for this workshop, I’ll share more of my ideas on what Downton Abbey can teach us about writing romance.

What are your thoughts about repetition? Do you notice it in books? Do you find yourself writing it (I do–I sometimes forget what I’ve told the reader!)

By Diane :: Posted in Writing :: Comments (14)

“Woody” The Woodpecker

March 28, 2013 – 12:14 AM

Our TV room looks out onto our deck where we have a bird feeder set up with many avian visitors. One day this week one of the birds, a beautiful red-bellied woodpecker, flew into our patio door and fell to the deck. My dh, a lover of any kind of furry or feathered creature, immediately got upset and went out to check on the poor bird.

My husband touched the bird and it didn’t move. I was convinced the poor thing was dead. It was incredibly sad and my husband felt terribly guilty that it was our glass door that caused the bird to injure itself. The Bird Conservation Network says that more than 100 million North American birds die each year from window collisions. Was our casualty one of them?

After about five or ten minutes, the bird started to move again! It must have been unconscious when the dh touched it. But the next worry was whether the bird could fly, whether it would get too cold (we’re still having winter weather here in Virginia – as you can see from Sunday night), whether it could fly. Our daughter’s boyfriend gave it bird seed and water (which turns out is the wrong thing to do according to this website).

A few minutes later the bird was right on the edge of the deck and the dh ran out to rescue it again before it fell (our deck is on the second level of the house), but he was too late. Luckily, the little guy took off and flew to the trees behind our house.

Have you had any dramatic wildlife rescues? (Not that we did anything but worry about “Woody” the wood pecker!)

By Diane :: Posted in Life :: Comments (6)