Passionate Critters

If anyone’s also interested in joining a FAST DRAFT support group, click here.

Does anyone want to do Fast Draft with me from May 1 - May 14? It’s basically writing 20 pages for 14 days.

FYI — each page is formatted Courier New 12 double-spaced.

I want to try this method (I’ve never used it before) to get the first draft of All the King’s Women written.

If you’re interested, please comment.

1. Aspire to be Barbie — the bitch has everything.
2. If the shoe fits, buy one in every color.
3. Take life with a pinch of salt…a wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.
4. In need of a support group? Cocktail hour with the girls!
5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I’m on it and so far I’ve lost 15 days).
6. When life gets you down, just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.
7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no menopause and this is just your personality.
8. I know I’m in my own little world, but it’s ok. They know me here…
9. Lead me not into temptation; I can find it myself.
10. Don’t get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and makes you walk funny.
11. When life gives you lemons in 2008, turn it into lemonade then mix it with vodka.
12. Remember: Every good looking, sweet, single male is someone else’s ex-boyfriend!

Check out Jennifer’s trailer for The Role of Lifetime! It’s quite cute and conveys the tone of the story perfectly.

From Angela James’s Blog

Yesterday was the release day for a really special charity project, Nothing But Red. (Giveaway at the bottom of the post)

The purpose of Nothing But Red is to bring attention to the issue of violence against women worldwide, as well as the continuing need for equality, through art—both written and visual—and by raising money for a charity that strives to help women of all faiths, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with the support of dedicated volunteers who share a desire to promote equality.

From the Press Room section of the Nothing But Red website:

Nothing But Red, the anthology of literary and visual arts inspired by the impassioned plea of Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon in response to the “honor killing” of 17-year-old Du’a Khalil Aswad, is now available for purchase. Sales of the anthology, which is currently available in multiple formats at www.lulu.com/nothingbutred, will benefit the international human rights organization Equality Now.

“I’ve met some amazing people who’ve worked incredibly hard to put this book together over the last year, whether as contributors or volunteers,” said Skyla Dawn Cameron, originator and editor-in-chief of Nothing But Red. “We can’t change Du’a’s fate – but we can let the world know that there are people who still care. That’s where this fight really happens: with each of us, challenging ourselves to do something to make the world better.”

The 313-page collection, which can be purchased as a trade paperback for $15.95 or as a pdf-format e-book for $5.95, is being released on the one-year anniversary of the death of Aswad. An Iraqi adherent of the Yazidi religion, Aswad was stoned to death by family members and neighbors; her brutal beating and murder was captured in a graphic video and spread on the Internet.

Shortly after learning of the murder, Joss Whedon, creator of the television shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly, penned an emotional response on the website Whedonesque.com. His post, which built from the topic of Aswad’s murder to the contemplation of misogyny’s transcendence of culture, religion and era, ended on an appeal to his fans to do something active to change the cycle.

“True enlightened activism is the only thing that can save humanity from itself…” Whedon wrote. “Her face was nothing but red.”

Taking its title from those words, Nothing But Red is a response to Whedon’s call to action, which is included as an essay in the volume. A full list of contributors can be found at nothingbutred.wordpress.com.

Equality Now was chosen as the recipient of the anthology’s proceeds due to Whedon’s public support of the organization and its mission to “[voice] a worldwide call for justice and equality for women,” as stated on Equality Now’s website.

I had a very (very, very) small part in helping with this anthology–in fact, it might make some of my authors happy to know that I actually missed a deadline. Very frustrating (but I do tell you all that it happens, and now I’m proof of that, unfortunately). But I got to read some of the pieces included in this book and they’re a mix of fiction and non-fiction, but all are moving and powerful.

Please buy a copy of Nothing But Red and help raise awareness for violence against women. Visit www.lulu.com/nothingbutred to purchase your copy! The full colour eBook is $5.95, and the black and white trade paperback is $15.95. All profits (about $4 per book) will go to Equality Now.

Everyone loves an alpha hero. They’re strong, sexy, charismatic, and they tell us to do whatever it is they want us to do. Be it washing their dirty socks, cooking their dinner, or taking care of their children.

Wait.

Is that an alpha hero? Sounds more like a male chauvanist to me.

What is an alpha hero?

He is someone who takes charge of any situation and one who can make a woman faint just by looking at her with his soulful eyes. An alpha hero can make or break a romance novel. From fantasy to ancient Rome to future human settlements on Planet X, everyone looks up to that alpha hero and when a meteor or some other catastrophe looms on the horizon, everyone looks for him to save the day.

They also look for him to snag the girl who, in all honesty, probably doesn’t want to be snagged and has girl power written all over her face.

So…what makes a heroine fall for a hero?

His sexy bod. His thoughtful comments. His smoldering smile. His six pack.

And the way how he can make love ALL NIGHT LONG.

Okay, I maybe sounding a little sarcastic and snarky about the typical alpha hero, but what if a hero in a romance isn’t exactly alpha material?

What if he doesn’t have a six pack, can only do it once every six hours (and you know what I’m referring to), and starts to stammer when he gets really, really excited?

Would that still turn people on? Would he still make women faint in droves?

What do you look for in a hero when you first open a romance novel?

If you’re looking for a critique group, The Passionate Critters is accepting applications. Currently we have nine members, and our limit is fifteen. But just because we have room for six more doesn’t mean we’ll just take anyone since we’re looking for someone who’s seriously about writing and craft.

We accept new members quarterly, so if you don’t apply by April 10 at the latest, you need to wait until July 15. Yes, what I’m trying to say is that this is your chance to get in without waiting for too long.