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Posted by Debora on Jan 30, 2012 in
Writing 
Remember the story of the Turtle and the Hare? Well, for 2012 I've decided to stop trying to be something I'm not, I've decided to stop writing like anyone other than ME.
I've decided to embrace my inner turtle!
For the last few years I gave myself daily writing goals of thousands of words, then kicked myself every night when my numbers fell short.
Then I gave myself weekly goals of thousands of words, once again to feel guilty or disgusted when I didn't hit my goals.
In the end, all the big numbers posted on the cork-board over my desk did nothing to motivate me, in fact, it did nothing but scare the crap out of me everyday!
Clearly I needed a new plan.
Enter the turtle.
Just before the new year, I sat myself down and analyzed how I work best – and giving myself huge goals didn't make the list. Giving myself a giant goal for the week or the month or even the year is more like a noose for me or just plain quicksand. In a word, paralyzing.
I thought about how I motivated my kids when they were small – YES! I am the star on the calendar kind of girl. I am firm believer in the small successes lead to major accomplishments way of thinking, the whole "slow and steady wins the race" philosophy.
How often do you hear, be yourself in every aspect of life. We don't all fit into a one-size fits all box – we don't all have to write the same way. We don't all have to write 2000 words a day or 20,000 words a week. Yes, we have to write, but for each of us the numbers will vary, just like our plots. And for me, without the 1000 word a day noose around my neck, my inner muse is finally opening up and showing up for work.
I've adopted a very small, very achievable plan of writing 212 words a day – close to one single page. Slow, steady and ONWARD! It's working. I've finished a chapter without the guilt of thinking it should have been last week. My family sees a happier me, and those small numbers not only give me the sense of positive results every day, they really do add up!
What about you?
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Posted by Debora on Dec 22, 2011 in
Christmas,
Holidays Today I invite you to join me for a sneak peak into my new "Starlight Hills" series, book 1 - Falling For You will be out in early 2012.
Stick around to the end and comment for a chance to win a free download of my holiday novella, A Knight in Her Arms.
MUFFINS AND MISTLETOE
A Starlight Hills Christmas
By
Debora Dennis
"This is wrong, and I will not be a part of your schemes."
Elizabeth "Bitty" Crane kept her back to her husband, pretending she didn't hear him while she filled the display with her freshly baked muffins. She'd already planned her defense knowing his old-fashioned attitude would have him protesting her latest idea.
George leaned over the counter of the Little Bitty Bake Shop and blocked her retreat to the kitchen. "I know you heard me, Bitty. You've gone too far this time."
"I haven't done anything. Sometimes fate just needs a helping hand. And, when it comes to the Starlight Hills Preservation Society, any fundraising is good fundraising. So pipe down and move out of the dark ages."
George grumbled under his breath as she scooted around him with her empty tray.
He trailed her into the kitchen, like a bloodhound latched on to a scent. “Auctioning men off to women is just wrong. If a man is interested in a woman he asks her out—it’s that simple."
"It's all in good fun and will raise money we need to restore the Gallagher Movie Theater." She paused to touch his arm and went in for the kill. "Don't you believe in our cause, George?"
His brow furrowed with her well-played, guilt-ridden line. It wasn't often in their thirty-three years of marriage she'd resorted to guilt, but this time it was necessary to get him on board. If the women in this town had to wait for the men to do all the asking, they were in big trouble. Their son, Jimmy, was no exception.
George stared her down and tried to look stern, his caramel-brown eyes narrowing. "Did the rest of your committee agree to this?”
"In fact, it was almost unanimous." Bitty nodded and began loading her gingerbread muffins onto the empty tray, leaving two to be hand-delivered to Corinne Mackenzie.
He folded his arms across his chest and shook his full head of thick black hair. "It’s the almost that concerns me."
Corinne Mackenzie rushed up the steps of Town Hall, anxious to get out of the cold. Once inside, she stomped the snow off her boots while she did a quick scan of the area for any sign of Jimmy Crane. Then she came to her senses. Of course, Jimmy wouldn’t be here. He'd been avoiding her. She knew it. The whole town probably knew it too.
Determined not to let their break up ruin her holiday, she pushed him out of her thoughts and focused on the woman coming to greet her, bakery bag in one hand and a wide smile on her face. Between them, fresh pine roping hung from the arched entrance to the main hall, fragrant trees stood tall at each side and glistened with tinsel, white lights and red glass ornaments. Festive and magical at the same time. She pulled off her gloves with a relieved sigh, giving the scents of Christmas a chance to surround her.
"Good morning, Corinne. Fresh from the oven. I know how you love them warm."
"You do know my weakness, Mrs. Crane." Taking the offered bag, Corinne tried not to think what a wonderful mother-in-law Bitty Crane would have been. Then she thought about her waistline and decided she was better off without the permanent supply of the woman's irresistible carbs.
On the other hand, maybe it was all those carbs that gave Bitty her boundless energy. Always bobbing here and there, dark brown curls framing her cherubic face, her blue eyes perpetually filled with mischief. Corinne had to give the woman credit. If it wasn't for Bitty, the annual holiday gala might never be the most talked about event of the season it had become over the last few years.
Bitty took her by the elbow and led her over to the stage. "There's been a slight change in set-up plans and so much to do before the gala tonight."
"That's why I'm here," she said with a slight giggle as she ripped apart a muffin and then popped a bite-sized morsel of gingerbread heaven into her mouth. Decorating would also keep her mind off Jimmy and her biggest mistake since the spray-on tan in her senior year of high school had turned her skin fluorescent orange.
"The rest of the ladies will be here any minute, but we need to move these tables off to the side to make room for the—oh good, Jimmy, you’re here!"
"You said it was an emergency."
The sound of his voice pinged along her spine, up to the base of her neck, and she shivered. Before her mouth went completely dry, she swallowed the remaining bits of muffin and hoped she didn't choke. Could there be a more embarrassing way to die than to choke to death while praying for the love of your life to save you with some good old-fashioned mouth-to-mouth?
While she tried to catch her breath, he walked up beside her and Bitty. After a cursory nod in her direction, he faced his mother. "Okay, you've got me and my tools for the next four hours. Then I have to help Dalton at the Miller house. So, what's this idea of yours?"
He wore jeans, a plaid flannel shirt in shades of green that opened to a white t-shirt underneath. The irresistible urge to touch his arm made her fingers twitch and her palms sweat. Knowing he'd pull away was the only thing that stopped her. She caught his sideways glance and he quickly turned his attention back to his mother. Deep in conversation, he pushed a hand through his thick brown hair, which only doubled her desire to move closer and brush the stray lock off his brow.
She was miserable and she only had herself to blame.
Jimmy and Bitty talked and laughed, but Corinne didn’t hear a word. She nodded and smiled, but her eyes never left Jimmy's face. They could be discussing the gala or making fun of her new haircut—she'd never know. Whatever his words, his voice soothed the ache in her heart, if only for a few minutes.
He was thinner than he'd been the last time she'd seen him, a day's growth of beard covered his jaw line and was it a hint of sadness she caught in his eyes? Had it been three weeks since they'd last spoken, three weeks since those lips had touched hers?
The next thing she knew a box of ornaments and fresh greens had been thrust into her arms. She blinked to clear her daydreaming vision to focus on Bitty and her detailed directions.
"Don't forget to hang the mistletoe in the doorway," she said with a wink.
Sometime in the last few minutes, while Corinne had been busy zoning out to her own thoughts of Jimmy's lips on hers, the other committee members had arrived. They were busy moving tables and covering them with bright red tablecloths. Festive Christmas music filled the hall; the ladies began to sing as they worked. She just didn't have it in her to even hum along.
In what seemed like only minutes, the hall was shaping up to be a winter wonderland. Candles, poinsettias and fresh pine centerpieces adorned every table, gold and silver decorations glittered from the ceilings. With her last decorations hung, she pulled the mistletoe from the box and found herself searching for Jimmy.
The only man carrying two-by-fours, with a tool belt jingling at his waist, he wasn't hard to find.
"Can we talk?"
"I'm a little busy here, Corinne."
She moved to the opposite side of the platform he was building, hoping to make eye contact. "I guess that’s why you haven't been returning my texts or my calls?"
"Yeah, well, it's a busy time of year."
He pulled a nail from his belt and hammered it into the wood between them with a thud. Tears welled up along her lashes, threatening to spill over and for the first time in weeks, she didn't try to stop them. Jimmy needed to see them; he needed to see that he wasn't the only one in pain right now.
"Jimmy, I didn't think I was ready. I thought you'd understand that I was only asking for time-"
Bang. He hammered in another nail and then his narrowed eyes met hers across the platform. It might have been the reflections from the Christmas lights blinking around them, but she thought she caught a tear on his lashes too.
His jaw clenched and then he leaned toward her. "You needed time to decide if you wanted to be my wife? Seems to me that would be something you'd know in your heart. You shouldn't need time to think about it."
He pulled out another nail and the hammer easily found its mark with another bang. Her whole body stiffened with the vibration and the room suddenly got quiet. All eyes and ears were on them.
"Can we go outside for a few minutes and talk about this?" She wanted to beg, wanted to reach out and run her fingers over the flannel encasing the muscles of his arm. Most of all, she wanted to lean into his embrace and ask him to forgive her for being scared and not taking the leap of love he'd offered.
He dropped his hammer on the stage and shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. "Three weeks ago I would have gone anywhere you asked. Time changes things, doesn't it? Well, I don’t have time right now to guess at how you feel."
With a nod of his head in her direction, he picked up his hammer and walked away. She swallowed the lump in her throat, wiped the tears from her cheek and yelled after him, "Stop being so stubborn, Jimmy. What's it going to take? A neon sign for you to understand that I'm telling you how I feel?"
Corinne stood there and watched his retreating back until he disappeared behind the stage curtains. Bitty's arm snaked around her shoulder and she dangled the sprig of mistletoe in front of her face.
"Sometimes you have to show a man you mean business."
Jimmy Crane couldn't remember the last time he'd been this embarrassed. He'd agreed to build the catwalk down the center of the room never guessing he'd end up walking it himself. Now, he stood behind the red curtain while his very own mother introduced him and planned to auction him off in her "Stud Muffins and Mistletoe" fundraiser!
He should have known something was up when she insisted he wear a tux tonight.
"Ladies, get your checkbooks out for our first bachelor of the night, my adorable son, James Thomas Crane!"
For two horrified seconds, he stood rooted to the floor behind the curtain, his heart thumping to the beat of the music. Strobe lights criss-crossed the stage; whistles and hoots filled the room. He was going to have a serious talk with his mother when this was all over.
He thought about sneaking out the back door, but he'd have to get by the oldest member of the Starlight Hills Preservation Society. With her hands on his back, eighty-five year old Mrs. Dempsey leaned into him and whispered, "Show 'em what you got, Jimmy, it's for a good cause," and then she shoved him out onto the stage. At least she didn't swat him on the ass.
The women in the audience were on their feet, but he couldn't imagine any of them paying money for a date with him.
"Turn around, Jimmy. Don't be shy," his mother called from the podium to his left, as if it were perfectly normal to pimp your own son. "And ladies, he's a handyman, he'll bring all his tools on the date."
The double entendre met with hoots from the women and groans from the men. He had a really bad feeling about this.
"A hundred dollars."
Corinne.
He couldn't see her, but he knew her voice. Someone else bid a hundred twenty-five and then Corinne was there—directly in front of him, raising her hand. "One hundred fifty."
There she was, all dressed up in her red velvet dress with its plunging neckline, he found himself stepping closer to the edge of the stage. The single strand of pearls he'd given her last Christmas circled her neck and her long sandy hair was swept back off her face. Seeing her this morning had been torture. It had taken every ounce of strength he'd had to keep from pulling her into his arms and kissing her senseless.
The sight of her tears nearly undid him. He'd been kicking himself all day for walking away. Why did he do that? Pride or insanity? Those were the only two reasons he came up with, and he wasn't proud of either one. Now here she was, bidding on him—showing the whole town she was ready to be his wife.
"Two hundred," shouted Melody Miller.
The two women stood arm to arm, jockeying for position.
"Three hundred."
What was she doing? Corinne didn't have that kind of money.
Melody elbowed her out of the way, shaking her hips and thrusting out her more than ample chest. "Four hundred."
Corinne teetered on her high heels and Melody inched closer to the stage. He'd swear she hip-bumped Corinne right into the lap of Lance Baldwin. And Lance, leech that he was, quickly wrapped his arms around her and whispered something in her ear.
Jimmy's blood boiled in his chest, down to his fingertips. He tried to stare out across the stage and strobe lights to give Lance a warning gesture. Punching a man in the face at the holiday gala would definitely have the town talking all winter.
"Five hundred for Jimmy, and Lance, let me go!"
Beautiful and strong-willed, that was his Corinne Mackenzie. His. In that moment, he didn't need to think, didn't need time for his wounded heart to forgive her. He simply needed Corinne in his arms. Now.
Without a second thought, he walked straight to the edge and jumped to the ground.
As he hauled Corinne from Lance's arms he heard his mother knock her gavel to the podium to declare Corinne the winner of the first bachelor auction of the night.
For one second he allowed himself the pleasure of looking deep into her green eyes, glistening in the bright lights and filled with tears of love. The bare skin on her arms brushed like silk against his fingertips. The scent of her perfume made him hungry to feel her body against his.
He pulled her up close and sealed his lips against hers. All satin and warmth and a hint of gingerbread on her breath—Corinne Mackenzie was worth waiting for.
The Starlight Hills Preservation Society might be five hundred dollars richer, but from where he stood, under the mistletoe with the woman he loved—Jimmy Crane was now the richest man in town.
*The End*
Want more holiday romance? A Knight in Her Arms is my sexy holiday time travel novella and it's available now for only .99 from: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Tags: 12 Days of Christmas Stories on PC, Debora Dennis
Posted by Debora on Sep 12, 2011 in
Writing Craft 
Welcome to Character Empathy month! During the month of September we've decided to dedicate the blog to creating more empathy in our characters and we're going to share some of our ideas with you along the way.
Up first is the idea of giving your character a highly valued trait such as loyalty, love or courage.
I think it's always important to remember that our characters aren't all good or all bad, they are a combination of many traits that form a well-rounded character readers can relate to. It's especially important to show a desired trait to create that empathy before you have that character make a bad or a questionable choice – it helps the reader relate and adds to the conflict!
Showing your character in a positive light can be achieved in a few ways:
Have your character showing kindness to a stranger, to a loved one or even being kind to a pet.
Another great way to show your characters valued trait is to present it through the eyes of a secondary character – a friend coming to them for help, two friends talking about your character, etc.
When you start out creating your character on the page, don't just start by giving him/her a name and few quirky characteristics. Chewing gum, cracking their knuckles or twirling their fingers in their hair does not a character make! You want the reader to connect and feel something for your character – you want to make them believe that during the next 200 pages the decisions they make (good or bad) happen for a reason. You've got to delve deep into your hero or heroine's psyche and give the reader something to latch onto.
Your character needs a dream, a deeply help belief or a loyalty that might be tested. This is something you, the writer, will be building on as the story progresses, so when your hero must make that choice that goes completely against his grain – it's a big moment and the reader understands WHY that choice was made.
Always remember that empathy is about the understanding of the character, because from understanding comes caring and isn't that what it's all about? If we can get the reader to "get" our characters motivation and cheer for them on the road toward their goals, we've got the reader hooked. If they care about the hero or heroine, they will keep reading!
See you next time for another post on Character Empathy! Have some tips you'd like to share? We'd love to hear them!
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Tags: characters, Empathy
Posted by Debora on Aug 17, 2011 in
Food 
As the summer is winding down and the kids are getting ready to go back to school (or is it just me hoping they're getting ready?) I'm looking for easy dinners.
I'm looking for something that makes everyone happy (not easy with a family of 5) and at the same time doesn't require hours slaving over a hot stove.
These mixed kebabs are easy to make, taste great on the grill and are perfect for me when that writing deadline looms and makes it hard for me to drag myself away from the keyboard!
*This recipe says it serves 4 – but it doesn't if you're feeding teenage boys! Adjust the portions accordingly!
Mixed Kebabs
12 Large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 1/3 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 1/2 inch cubes, 1/3 pound sirloin steak cut into 1/2 inch chunks.
Put the meat in a ziplock bag with your choice of marinade for at least an hour (in the refrigerator)
Load up the kebabs on skewers and grill!
Italian Marinade:
2 tsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp bottled minced garlic or 2 medium cloves, minced and 1 tsp olive oil
Tex-Mex Marinade:
2 tsp lime juice, 1 tsp bottled minced garlic or 2 medium cloves, minced, 1 tsp vegetable oil and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
Asian Marinade:
2 tsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp bottled garlic or 2 medium cloves, minced, 1 tsp vegetable oil and 1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil.
Happy eating!
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Tags: Easy Dinners
Posted by Debora on Feb 18, 2011 in
Our Members 
graphic courtesy of glitter-graphics.com
Did you know a few of the Passionate Critters take part in a weekly "Friday Five" meme on their personal blogs?
I'm here to tell you that you'll never know what topics will show up on these fun posts!
Come on by and see for yourself, leave us some comments or join the fun by posting your own "Friday Five" next week and we'll link to you too!
Up this week:
Gina Ardito, Debora Dennis, Dawn Brown & Moira Keith.
See you there!
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Posted by Debora on Dec 31, 2010 in
Holidays,
Life 
As 2010 comes to a close, it's time for me to think back on the past year – the good, the bad and everything in between.
On the personal side of my life, I gained some weight (the bad) and I got a better paying part-time job (the good.)
On the writing side of my life, my first novel was published by Lyrical Press (definitely good!) and my two novellas become homeless the very same month when Blade Publishing took a nose dive and closed their doors (bad, bad, bad.)
But in between success and failure comes the stuff of everyday life. As the saying goes, "it's not the destination, but the journey" that makes us who we are – and who we share the journey with matters a lot!
My husband and kids live with my highs and lows – the many moods of Debora – and I thank them for every minute. But a girl, and most especially a writer girl, needs friends too. And I have to say I am blessed. I have friends that live close, friends that live far and friends that I only know online – but each and every one of them lives in my heart!
To all my Passionate Critters – you ladies rock! Besides the professionalism and the tough love crits I know I'll get when I post my work, your friendship inspires me daily. Ups and downs, from publishing to personal – you girls have my back. I wish each and every one of you the happiest New Year! I wish you contracts and love, good health and laughter.
Let's get ready for 2011 
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Tags: New Year
Posted by Debora on Dec 14, 2010 in
ebooks,
Holidays,
Publishing 
Welcome back to another day of celebrating E-books! I've got a brand new NOOK – just under one month old and since I am an e-published author, I support the technology that supports me. Almost right out the box this little baby is ready to go. I registered my NOOK at the Barnes & Noble site and in seconds I was connected to their website and ready to download books – lickety split. But not being a girl who likes to have only one option – I meandered over to Fictionwise.com to try my hand at sideloading a book. I knew what I wanted for my first purchase, I wanted a holiday romance. I stumbled onto "A Christmas Moon" by Elizabeth Lane!
I enjoyed it so much, I emailed her and asked her to join us here today. Welcome Elizabeth!
MY E-BOOK ADVENTURE
What a great site. I’m honored to be your guest. Since more writers are becoming involved in e-book publishing, I’ve chosen to tell you about my own experience. I’ve written about 30 books for Harlequin and wanted to try something different. My agent encouraged me to write CHRISTMAS MOON. I loved every page of this book, but we couldn’t sell it, not even to Harlequin. No major publisher wanted a Christmas/Western/Time travel.
Here’s where I was luckier than most. My agent has his own e-book publishing venture, E-Reads. We decided to publish it there. Not sure how my contract compares to others, but I was happy with the terms. No advance, and the production cost will be deducted from the first royalties, but at 50% of retail I have no complaints. I knew the book’s success, especially because of the holiday element, hinged on intensive promotion. I paid for much of it, and also hyped it wherever I could. I’m a regular on “Petticoats and Pistols” and got a lot of press there.
The buzz I get indicates that the book is doing well. I won’t know for sure till I see that statement. But if CHRISTMAS MOON proves to be a success I owe it to three things. (1) My agent and I both believed in this book. (2) I was able to work with a publisher I could trust. (3) The book received plenty of promotion.
Thanks again for having me as your guest. Wishing you a happy holiday season.
Elizabeth Lane
Pregnant, unwed and down on her luck, history teacher Emma Carlyle is facing the worst Christmas of her life. Needing some research for her master's thesis on legendary Wyoming lawman J.D. McNulty, she makes a Christmas Eve drive to South Pass City, where J.D. was buried. Heading home, she loses her way in a storm. After her car vanishes, she ends up in 1870, half-frozen and in labor, on the doorstep of a remote mountain cabin. When J.D. himself opens the door with a pistol in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other…well, let's just say that sparks start flying. These two lost souls are clearly meant for each other. But there's one problem. Emma has studied everything about J.D.–and she knows he has only a few weeks to live.
5 Spur review from LoveWesternRomances.com
The romance between J.D. and Emma evolves from suspicion to amazement to a sizzling, unbridled love. Resolving a time travel romance is always tricky but Elizabeth Lane does a terrific job of making it all work – including that little detail of J.D.’s imminent death.
Buy from Amazon
Debora writes romance - all types of romance! Her tastes vary from the paranormal to romantic comedy and everything in between. Believing variety is the spice of life, her website changes frequently to appease her creative spirit! She freely admits to being a caffeine and chocolate addict and loves to talk about romance writing with anyone who'll listen. Her latest release, A Knight in Her Arms, was released August 3rd. Visit her website for me details!
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Tags: 12 Days of Ebooks, Elizabeth Lane, EReaders, Kindle, Nook
