Author: Melissa Chambers

AN END TO AN ERA, OR MAYBE JUST TWO WEEKS

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

This year, Christmas and New Year’s did me the favor of falling on the absolute perfect days of the week. With Christmas Eve falling on Wednesday, and New Year’s Day falling on a Thursday, I was afforded the luxury of two solid guilt-free weeks off of work.

Let me tell you folks…this is the life. Having your days to yourself to do with as you wish is the most priceless gift one can be given. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate my day job. In fact, I’m better when I’m working when it comes to making and keeping appointments, exercising, eating better, and all kinds of good things that structure can do for us.

But these past two weeks have been revitalizing. I slept in, ate like a horse, breaking all of my “rules,” munching late at night, drinking spiked chocolate milk with whipped cream on top or my new favorite drink — milk with amaretto in it (try it, trust me). I watched television and got caught up on all my guilty pleasures (hello Revenge). And I laid up on my behind.

And I wrote. I wrote a lot, actually.

Monday, my regular routine kicks in. And I’m okay with that. I have some cool writerly things to luck forward to in February and am really looking forward to finishing my WIP and querying it. And when I start to feel the push of the rat race, I’ll just start counting down the days till next December.

Happy January, y’all!

YEAR IN REVIEW – 2014

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

Song of the Week – “It’s About Time” by Young the Giant

As another year comes to a close, many of us are prompted to review our year and set goals for the new one. When I think of how many years I possibly have (if I’m lucky) versus what I’ve accomplished and what I intend to accomplish, I can become anxious, which hopefully will transform into motivation.

I did get a few things done, but as is such in the writing world, time seems to move too fast for what I want to accomplish. I knew the road to publication would be long and rocky, and it certainly has proven me a truth teller in that respect. But I’m holding out for the right book and the right situation before I move forward with publication.

So this year, I finished a contemporary romance that I started in 2013. I then rewrote the entire book based on some solid feedback. Unfortunately, I am told that book will need a third rewrite, but I’m willing to do it. Whatever it takes to make it good. This book is one that pushed me way out of my comfort zone and required oodles of research. It taught me that you really can write about whatever the hell you want as long as you are willing to put in the work.

I finally finished my first young adult romance. I channeled my inner sixteen-year-old girl for that one and adored it. I’m even more excited about writing the second one in that series featuring a hot mess of a heroine who will be sure not to disappoint. If all goes well, I’ll be penning this book in 2015.

I also finished my first new adult novel. This one has been trickier. After I finished it, I read it and hated it, so it’s ready for a rewrite. I’ve even got a plot for the rewrite thanks to an incredible workshop I attended in October with the fabulous Cherry Adair. But the words aren’t flowing. I adore this lead character, and she is what keeps me coming back to the manuscript. I vowed to finish this rewrite by year’s end, but I got sidetracked with another book. I know, I know. We’re not supposed to do that, but I figured I’m not on deadline, and I better manuscript hop now while I still have the luxury.

Which brings me to my final project for the year–the women’s fiction novel I’ve been wanting to write since I first started writing. Some of us writers don’t always write what we want to write. We write what we think is publishable, or what we are advised to write by industry professionals. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that as long as we love what we are writing–and if we are writing it, they are our characters from our screwy brains, so we are bound to. But we salivate for the day we can write that one book that is so outside the box or the last thing agents and editors are interested in, but is the book of our heart. In the midst of my writer’s block for the new adult book, I plunged into my tasty, self-indulgent women’s fiction book, and I’m wallowing in it like a pig in slop.

Goals for 2015? #1 – Get published. Just kidding. I will not publish until the time and book is right, and I really don’t care how long that takes. I do want to finish this women’s fiction book, rewrite the contemporary, finish the new adult book, and write the second in my YA series. I’d also like to self-publish a series of contemporary beach romances that are written but need intensive, time-consuming editing. But, as Woody Allen says, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”

Happy New Year to you and yours!

FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2014

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

Song of the week: “Happy Idiot” by TV on the Radio — Love this song. The whole damn album is fantastic.

I love to recap my year in books here, and I hope you will enjoy this year’s list of my favorite ones. Keep in mind, these are not all books that released in 2014. These are all books that I read or listened to in 2014 — my ten favorites, at least. I hope you find some good suggestions!

InterestingsThe Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

About halfway through this book, I understood that I would one day read or listen to every book this author had available, and I am well on my way to doing just that. I also finished The Ten Year Nap and The Uncoupling this month, and have asked for two other books of hers for Christmas. I adore this writer’s work. I want to be her when I grow up, although our styles are quite dissimilar. These books carefully weave through characters’ lives, typically within groups of friends. If you enjoy deep and honest character study, pick up any one of Meg Wolitzer’s books.

Mariana 2Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

I listened to this one, and I’m not sure what was better, the time travel story, or the narrator’s haunting performance. Kind of creepy and mysterious in the best kind of way.

 

 

still lifeStill Life with Husband by Lauren Fox

I stumbled upon another of Ms. Fox’s books, Friends Like Us, and listened to it on my vacation this summer. I was so drawn to her witty observations and dry humor that I downloaded Still Life with Husband to my Kindle for a birthday present to myself this past summer. I spent my weekends by the pool reading this book and rooting for this main character who was so terribly flawed, but somehow relatable. How did Ms. Fox pull that off?

powerThe Power of Now: A Spiritual Guide to Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Nonfiction? Me? Actually, yes. A friend who I admire and respect recommended this book to me, and it changed my life. I recommended it to my husband and it did the same for him. It’s all about ridding your mind of the ridiculous chatter and focusing on the moment. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s a wonderful concept. When I’m in the thick of this book or fresh off of it, I’m a more attentive mother, wife and friend. This is a book I will listen to and read over and over for the rest of my life.

Where'd you

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

Hilarious. I laughed out loud through much of it. But also intelligent and poignant — and takes place partially in Antarctica. Who can resist that?

 

 

tempting fateTempting Fate by Jane Green

Oh, how I love Jane Green. I’ve been reading and listening to her since the 90’s, and she never has ever disappointed me. This book about a married early-forties woman who is tempted by a younger man delves deep into marriage and the changes mid-life brings to us. You’ll find yourself looking around every corner for a viable solution and coming up empty. But I will say that Ms. Green found a perfect way to leave the reader satisfied.

 

EleanorEleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Yeah, yeah, I know I devoted an entire post to my love for this book a few weeks ago, but I can’t leave it off this list. Take the awesomeness of 80’s alternative music and wrap it around the magic of first love between two strange and awkward teens, and you have the beauty that is Eleanor and Park.

 

 

Seth

 

Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto by Eric Luper

If you like John Green, you will love Eric Luper. Need I say more?

 

 

WonderWonder by R.J. Palacio

I usually don’t like to jump on a book bandwagon, but this one is well worth the leap. What a fantastic and important story for this author to have given us about a perfectly normal boy with a disfigured face. I love all the different perspectives, especially the one out of left field from the perspective of Auggie’s sister’s best friend. This book would make fantastic required reading in schools.

 

OutlanderOutlander by Diana Galbadon

Yes, I totally got sucked in. I swore I wouldn’t, but after all the hoopla and swooning all around me, I had to see what it was all about. I started with the television show, and found myself downloading the audiobook just to get my fix before the next week’s show. I am absolutely amazed and awed by this author’s ability to detail so vividly 18th century Scotland. I swear, it’s like she was there. And the vast amount of research she must have done on everything from medicine to terrain to sword fighting is unfathomable. I like the television show, but I love the book. Be forewarned, it’s insanely long and there are seven others just as lengthy in the series waiting for you after you finish this one.

 

 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW – KERRI CARPENTER

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: “All the Time” by The Strokes

One thing us writers who are involved in writing groups do a lot is judge contests. About one out of every ten or so entries you judge grabs hold of you, and you are totally bummed at the end of the twenty or so pages you are given because you can’t read further! Kerri Carpenter’s The Best Kind of Love was that entry for me.

I reached out to Kerri to rave to her about her pages, and now, finally, her book has been released! Love it when that happens!

Please welcome Kerri Carpenter to the blog today!

TBKoL-mediumPenelope Walker has returned to her hometown of Blue Lake, Virginia after her parents’ untimely deaths, and she’s shocked to find her high school boyfriend, Ethan Callahan, waiting for her. Ethan makes it clear he wants her back but she can’t forget that he left her brokenhearted when he didn’t show up for their secret elopement twelve years ago. Determined to unravel the mystery of their shared pasts, Penelope’s on a mission. A mission Ethan knows will devastate her when she learns what her parents asked him to do all those years ago. Can they learn to forgive and forget in order to remember that they had the best kind of love?

 

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write.

Hi everyone and thanks for having me here today, Melissa! My name is Kerri and I live in Northern Virginia with my adorable and amazing rescued poodle mix, Harry. (Yes, Harry and Kerri!) I’m originally from a small town outside of Pittsburgh and that may be why I love to write small town contemporary romance. When I’m not writing or working at my day job, I love to take Zumba classes and cook. And I adore anything that sparkles. *glitter toss*

The Best Kind of Love takes place in Blue Lake, Virginia. Is that an actual place?

Nope, Blue Lake is firmly located inside my head. Even though on the page it’s set in Virginia, it’s actually a bit of a nod to my hometown of Monessen, PA.

Does your dog, Harry, write with or near you?

Harry is very supportive of my writing. In fact, he likes to sleep in his bed right under my desk while I’m typing away. He also enjoys stealing my pens when I write long-hand (which I do from time-to-time to shake it up).

Is The Best Kind of Love a standalone novel, or can we expect a sequel?

I would love for there to be a sequel. The Best Kind of Love is not only the love story between Penelope and Ethan but also the story of four sisters reuniting in their hometown. So there is a possibility of three more stories. Fingers crossed.

Plotter or pantser?

Definite pantser, which makes zero sense! In every other aspect of my life I’m a total plotter, much like Penelope, the heroine of my story. I love color-coding, making lists, and being organized. But I sit down to write and I just let it all go. Even when I try to plot out a story, it just doesn’t work.

Who are some of your favorite authors, and what are you currently reading?

I love so many great authors – Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Jane Porter, Kristan Higgins, Carly Phillips, Addison Fox who I just started reading, and the list goes on. I’m currently reading another fav, Susan Mallery’s “A Fool’s Gold Christmas.” During December I read all Christmas stories all month long. (Along with watching the Hallmark channel nonstop.)

What’s your current work in progress?

I am working on a follow-up to my novella “Flirting with the Competition,” that was released in October. Two new characters, lots of sexual energy, plus they get locked together in a bar. Sound good

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about The Best Kind of Love?

The Best Kind of Love has been a total labor of love. It took me only two months to write the first draft but then I revised it somewhere around one million times. It was given bad contest scores, mediocre contest scores, a couple of really good contest scores, rewritten, rejected by dozens of agents and editors, rewritten yet again, accepted by a top editor at a huge publishing house who then left that house before I could sign a contract, and did I mention rewritten? During the writing and revisions and contests and rejections of this book, I lost five family members, found out my dad had cancer, bought my first condo, and adopted my dog. And finally, when I decided to put it away for a little bit, I got “the call.” Throughout it all, I always loved Penelope, Ethan, and Blue Lake, and no matter what, I kept going back to them. So don’t ever give up when you have a dream. Keep going, push through it, and work hard. Trust me, it’s worth it!

The Best Kind of Love is available on Amazon.

ProfileKerri Carpenter began writing in her grandmother’s kitchen at the age of seven in a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA. A life-long fan of reading, she got lost in the worlds of The Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. She also assumed that everyone had characters and plots forming in their heads at all times.

Once she turned to romance novels, she couldn’t get enough of books with happy endings, so she started writing her own. Now, Kerri writes contemporary romances, usually set in small towns. She enjoys reading, cooking, watching movies, taking Zumba classes, rooting for Pittsburgh sports teams, and anything sparkly. Kerri lives in Northern Virginia with her adorable (and mischievous) poodle mix, Harry.

Follow Kerri on Facebook, Twitter, or visit her website.

CHRISTMAS PLAYLIST

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

Today I shopped at Macy’s and wished I had my earplugs. After a few decades, as much as I love them, and as fabulous as they are, those same old tired Christmas songs are on my last nerve.

So I’ve put together here what I hope you’ll find to be a fresh Christmas playlist. I hope you enjoy these unique Christmas songs.

 

A Great Big Sled – The Killers

Mele Kalikimaka (Christmas in Hawaii) – K.T. Tunstall

Christmas Wish – She & Him

Boogie Woogie Santa Claus – The Brian Setzer Orchestra

Father Christmas – The Kinks

A Christmas Duel – Cyndi Lauper, The Hives

Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight) – The Ramones

When I Get Home for Christmas – Snow Patrol

Xmas Time Is Here Again – My Morning Jacket

Jingle Bell Rock – Rogue Wave

Christmas Is Going to the Dogs – Eels

Christmas Treat – Julian Casablancas

Wonderful Christmastime – The Shins

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) – Maroon Five

Do They Know It’s Christmas – Band Aid

 

If you do Spotify, to access this playlist on my page, click here.

 

CHRISTMAS BOOKS!

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Gary Hoey — If you’re a rock fan and don’t have Gary Hoey’s HO! HO! HOEY! you must get it. By far my family’s favorite Christmas album!

I love watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books this time of the year. I invited some authors of Christmas stories to visit with us today. I’ve asked them each a Christmasy question. Check out their answers below.

 

Flirting on Ice

FLIRTING ON ICE by Susan Scott Shelley & Veronica Forand

Professional hockey player Zac Elliott is in top form. He’s having the best season of his career, the local fans can’t get enough of him, and he’s in the middle of the most successful contract negotiations of his career. When the sexy little spark between Zac and the team owner’s daughter blazes to life, no matter how forbidden, he can’t resist.

Philanthropist Heather Ryan can’t keep her hands off of Zac. If her father finds out, it could end Zac’s career and ruin her reputation. What they share is deeply passionate and intensely private…until the press exposes their illicit relationship.

Now the fans have viciously turned against Heather, Zac’s game is faltering, and even his team has deserted him. The only way out of the penalty box is for Zac to play hockey like life—and love—depends on it…

Susan – What would the perfect Atlantic City Christmas Eve look like?

I grew up in Philadelphia, PA. Atlantic City, NJ is less than a two-hour drive from where I lived. Christmas in Philly is a ton of fun, and Atlantic City offers many similar attractions, from casinos offering holiday-themed shows that rival NYC’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular, to a Dickens Village, a Winter Wonderland, and a fabulous light show, which combines interactive lights with holiday music, and a huge 35-foot holiday tree in the center of it all.

The perfect Christmas Eve for me would be taking all of that in, and then, ending the day with a walk on the beach. The winter is a perfect time for this because you will often have the entire stretch of sand to yourself. It’s peaceful and soothing, and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. While snow flurries on Christmas Eve would be magical, I’d hope for clear skies instead, so that when I’m standing on the beach, I can look up and see thousands of stars.

Veronica – How are your ice skating skilz?

Growing up in New England, I was able to skate outside on a pond every winter. I’d use my brother’s hand me down hockey skates. My skills included playing tag, jumping downed trees, and a decent hockey stop. I was not a figure skater.

My daughters, however, love to figure skate. When they were younger, we’d spend hours at the rink and instead of sitting around in the snack bar, I took a few figure skating lessons. I’m now able to do a decent waltz jump and some fancy footwork. On occasion, you may see me trying to spin around a few times on two feet. Generally, one or two spins causes severe dizziness so I wait until the end and then sit on the bench trying to find my balance again.

Flirting on Ice is available on Amazon.

 

Christmas Give

CHRISTMAS GIVE by Meda White

Eva Walker returns home to Georgia for the first Christmas since her husband’s death. She’s missed her family, but is afraid the void left by her husband will make it unbearable.

Between losing his job as an NFL defensive back and losing his wife to the star quarterback, Adam “Mack” Riggs has had a rough year. Looking for a change of pace, he visits an old college friend for Christmas.

The attraction between Eva and Adam is instant, and so is the laughter. Enjoying life again feels so good for both of them. Simple Christmas wishes unite with a shared holiday tradition, putting them on a path toward healing and acceptance. A path that could lead to a future, if only their pasts would remain where they belong.

Meda – What is a holiday tradition that you revisit every year?

My family has two traditions we revisit each year, both involve shooting. The first is the family photo shoot. It’s particularly entertaining because it takes a while to get everyone positioned so no one’s head is too large or too small. It’s all about proportion. The second tradition is shooting firearms. In the rural South, it’s not uncommon for folks to have trap machines which throw sporting clays, and shooting berms for still targets. My dad taught my sisters and me to hunt and shoot when we were young, but it’s a skill requiring practice to maintain accuracy. It’s a blast. (Pun intended) After all the shooting, we eat.

Christmas Give is available on Amazon.

 

Love Laughter

FAIRIES & WISHES by Karen Erickson (aka Monica Murphy) (part of the Love, Laughter and Merrily Ever Afters bundle)

Lily the holiday fairy is given a new assignment this Christmas season–teach a lonely doctor how to love again. But all Lily knows how to do is gently coerce people into embracing the Christmas spirit; she doesn’t have a clue what love really is. So imagine her surprise when she falls madly in love–and lust–with the good doctor in the process.

Karen – What magical qualities does Christmas hold for you?

Christmas is a magical time when seen through the eyes of a child, at least for me. I love putting together Christmas for my children, though now….unfortunately…the magic of Santa is over (they’re 11 and 10). But still, encouraging them to help decorate the tree and house, make cookies with me, listen to Christmas songs, watching them open their presents on Christmas morning, it’s all magical. It’s all about traditions too and I hope I’m teaching and encouraging them to continue on with their future families.

The Love, Laughter, and Merrily Ever Afters bundle is available on Amazon. (This one is ten stories for $.99!)

 

Christmas Cowboy_tent cover3

HER CHRISTMAS COWBOY by Adele Downs

Daisy Phillips has a choice to make: return to Pennsylvania and the Christmases she once knew, or stay in Texas and find a new way to celebrate the holiday–with the handsome cowboy who brought joy back to her life.

The heartwarming sequel to the Amazon-bestselling Lunchbox Romance, Kissing Her Cowboy!

Adele – Where is your favorite place to spend Christmas?

My favorite place to spend Christmas is…home. My husband and I plan Christmas dinner and cook it together for our family and friends. We serve organically grown and raised foods to our guests on a table set with winter-themed china and a centerpiece made of fresh pine. A fire burns in the fireplace and our tree glows with lights. I love Christmas and can think of no better place to celebrate than inside the comfort of our family home.

Her Christmas Cowboy is available on Amazon.

 

Mistletoe Wedding

MISTLETOE WEDDING by Melissa McClone

Event planner at the Bar V5 Dude Ranch, Meg Redstone is dreaming of a white Christmas with twinkling lights, sparkly decorations and strategically placed mistletoe. She loves making dreams come true for others, whether planning a holiday wedding or giving her young daughter the best Christmas ever.

Ranch foreman Tyler Murphy loves the holidays, but his newest employee has taken over his barn with her over-the-top decorations. He admires Meg’s desire to give her daughter the perfect Christmas while planning a winter wonderland wedding, but he wants to show her that a Montana Christmas is more than glitter and lights.

After raising his younger sister, an instant family is not on Ty’s Christmas wish list. But he finds himself falling hard for the single mom and her little girl. Meg, however, is not interested in a romance with a cowboy like Ty, or any man. Getting her under the mistletoe is going to take a Christmas miracle . . . or a little help from Santa.

Melissa – What are some of your favorite Christmas decorations, and what color lights do you love the most?

My favorite Christmas decorations are the kid-made tree ornaments, nativity themed decorations (from ornaments to the set that we put under the tree branches) and my snow globe collection. We empty our shelves after Thanksgiving so we can display them! As for lights, I’m a fan of multi-color lights, but our tree has white lights. They reminded us of stars, but I’ve added strands of red holly berry lights so that there’s now some color. Outside we have some white icicle lights and multicolored strands and netting!

Mistletoe Wedding is available on Amazon.

 

These stories all look fantastic, and I’m going to try to carve out time to read each of them this season! Thanks to all of you fabulous authors for visiting with us today and for sharing a little piece of your Christmas magic with us!

THIS SEASON

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Riptide by Vance Joy

PROGRESS FOR THE WEEK: NaNo project–A few teaks on Chapters One and Two resulting in zero additional word count. Fun, new women’s fiction project–9,000 words. I think I’m seeing a pattern here.

I have a love/hate relationship with preachy posts that insist on you taking a break from the frantic holiday season to “remember the reason.” These posts act like people are flying around like headless, maniac chickens, non-stop holiday partying, buying up half the mall, and participating in endless unknown and unidentifiable Christmas activities, all while forgetting what’s important.

With Amazon, I rarely find a need to leave the house on November and December weekends. Yes, there are a handful of parties and events to attend in December, but I want to go to those. And if I’m invited to one that I really don’t want to attend, say for instance one of those sales pitches designed as a “party,” I simply kindly decline. As far as the reason for the season goes, I imagine this season has different meanings to different people, and I don’t think it my place to remind them to remember what it means to them.

But what I do want to encourage you to do is to take time for yourself this season whether that is to watch goofy, Lifetime-style Christmas movies (yes, please!), or to sip a chocolate peppermint martini while staring mindlessly at your Christmas tree lights. Whatever strikes your fancy, enjoy it this season. Because whatever this season means to you, it’s only here once a year. And man do the years fly by.

So cheers to you and yours this holiday season! May you carol ’til you’re hoarse, shop to you drop, and fall asleep to B-list actors from the 80’s and 90’s falling in love in a snowy Colorado village.

 

A TINY TOOT

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: “eez-eh” by Kasabian — New music from one of my favorite bands. Score!

PROGRESS FOR THE WEEK: NaNo project that I’m totally over — 2,000 words. Shiny new women’s fiction project I’ve been wanting to write for like five years now — 4,000 words today alone. (shh!)

It’s been a while since I wrote one of those inspirational blog posts where I encourage you to write if it’s your passion. I’ll be honest, there are many days where I want to get on this blog and scream at you, “Don’t do it! Zoning out to the television is for sure the way to go. Only complete masochists submit themselves to this crap.”

But for so many of us, there is no option. We have to write. There’s this nagging creature that resides deep inside our brain that dumps this huge amount of guilt on us if we even entertain the thought of quitting for a brief moment — even after we’ve been sitting in front of a blank screen for three days.

This industry is brutal. It sucks you in like a tornado and spins you right round, baby, like a freaking cyclone. One day you’ll feel like the road to publication is completely hopeless, and why aren’t I sitting in front of the television right now getting caught up on 87 episodes of last summer’s Big Brother?

But then, from within your miserable one-room cell, the scrape of the metal door above you has you looking up, and you get thrown a tiny little scrap of a bone. Hope.

So, it is with a bold sense of beaming pride that I announce that my first YA contemporary romance story has finaled in the Contemporary Romance Writers Stiletto contest.

What does this mean? Probably nothing. But my twenty pored over pages will go before two editors from two very impressive publishing houses. If they like what they read, they will request more or contact me. That’s it. Oh, and they will decide who “wins” of the three finalists. But really, haven’t all three of us already won?

AUTHOR INTERVIEW–J.L. SALTER

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: Taking Back Sunday “Better Homes and Gardens”

PROGRESS FOR THE WEEK: about 5,000 words (not so great)

This story looked too funny to pass up, so I asked author J.L. Salter to visit with us on the blog. Please help me welcome him today!

Scratch-7-Mon-Itch 500x750

Amanda can’t believe Jason, her new lover, is already cheating — they’ve only been a couple for seven months. But her domineering older friend, Christine, has “proof” and insists Amanda should take it seriously. Knowing Jason spoke with a woman in the mall food court and another in the grocery store isn’t exactly an iron-clad case.

But when she hears rumors about a different woman stalking Jason at his workplace, Amanda reluctantly finds the evidence sufficient to allow her boyfriend to be tailed… provided Christine and her posse of amateur detectives can be discreet. Unfortunately, Christine’s idea of discretion is akin to blowing up a billboard.

The more Amanda learns about Jason’s unusual behavior, the more their recently shaky communication crumbles. Unable to resist the momentum of the mounting case, Amanda joins the investigation and stakeout.

Does Jason have the seven-month itch? If he does, which tramp might be scratching it? And is it remotely possible for their relationship to grow even closer despite the clumsiest surveillance efforts bossy Christine can devise?

Tell us a little about yourself — who you are and what you write.

Retired library administrator, award-winning poet, book reviewer; former photo-journalist, U.S. Air Force veteran; husband, father, grandfather of six.

After decades of focus (and publication) on poetry and non-fiction, I began writing novels and novellas in 2006 after an early retirement from library work. Have since completed nine novels — seven of these have been published (Astraea Press & Dingbat Publishing) and one is under contract. Two of my novellas are also published.

Some of my novels are hybrids of genres, so they aren’t easily pigeon-holed. Other than the two “Amanda” titles in the screwball comedy vein, I’ve written other comedies, a suspense, and books which contain humor, romance, and action. One of my most important novels – fitting that last category – is my tribute to the Greatest Generation, “Called to Arms Again.”

Give us a little insight into Amanda. Is she an inherently suspicious gal, or is she the victim of overzealous friends?

At her job, Amanda is overworked, under-appreciated, and sometimes bullied by her lazy boss. In early family life, she was dominated by a much-older sister who seemed “perfect” and appeared “favored” by the parents. In her relationship with Jason, Amanda thought she’d reached a comfort level even though – him being a big sports jock – they didn’t actually have all that much in common.

Amanda has enough insecurities that she is fairly easily swayed by her domineering friend Christine, who has taken over where Amanda’s older sister left off — “managing” Amanda’s life.

Even though she initially discounts the reports of Jason’s unusual contacts with other women, Amanda begins to be swayed when other “evidence” starts accumulating.

Which authors or series of novels would you say your writing style is similar to?

I honestly can’t think of another author or novel which is similar to the style of my Amanda Moore or Less series. [But if anyone else has a notion, I’d like to hear it.]

However, I can definitely state that my writing in these two screwball comedies was greatly influenced by Hollywood’s wonderful screwball movies of the 1930s and 1940s. In fact, I refer to those films in both of these novels.

In a screwball story, there are almost always characters willing to go to bizarre extremes because of some misunderstanding… and yet hardly ever are they able (if, indeed, they even TRY) to resolve anything by simple, straight, honest conversation. Consequently, small misunderstandings quickly become huge brouhahas.

Scratching the Seven-Month Itch is the prequel to Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold. Tell us a little about that story.

Man-Cold – though written first – is the sequel… and occurs a few months after things are settled about the Seven-Month Itch.

Man-Cold treats a theme likely quite familiar to most women — that many men are real babies when they get sick. Whereas most women (when sick) have to carry on with family, home, and job responsibilities… men (allegedly) expect to be waited on hand-and-foot while the planet ceases to revolve. Ha.

I think my cover tagline captures the dilemma Amanda faces when Jason comes down with his man-cold: “A stubborn boyfriend with the sniffles is the last thing Amanda needs in her apartment during THIS work crisis.”

And the question readers ask during this novel is: “Will Amanda’s relationship even survive the kooky Scare-Cure of Jason’s man-cold?”

What is your writing process? Do you plot everything meticulously or do you dive in headfirst without a rope?

It varies. I often say I write in a hybrid of plot-ster and pants-ter. Sometimes it depends on how fast the story hits me. If I get an idea for a scene which would be in the middle or near the end of the story it will belong to, I may just start writing that scene and then fill-in the rest as I go along.

But if I have a fairly developed concept of a novel – in which I can envision both a beginning and general ending – I may very well spend my early efforts on a sort of outline. It’s usually not a complete outline, however. It’s more like notes to myself about what should happen and roughly in what order. As I’m doing that, I may even stop to write a few lines of dialog or action in certain places.

Whichever way I approach the story, you can be sure that I often find myself eagerly following the characters, wherever they take me. And, often, where we end up is a total surprise to me!

Who are some of your favorite authors and what are you currently reading?
I’ve recently blogged about favorite authors and/or books.

Any list of favorite authors has to include Walker Percy, a critically-acclaimed novelist (among other writings) who lived in my hometown of Covington LA and was also a good friend of my parents. I’ve read all of his novels – some more than once – and have greatly enjoyed almost every one.

When I have my druthers, I often read what I categorize as “international intrigue”. Ken Follett, Jack Higgins, and the EARLY Robert Ludlum books, would be good examples. I also like fiction set during the WW2 era.

Since I’ve been writing stories which include romantic relationships, I’ve also read a variety of the books published by my RWA colleagues. As merely one example, I greatly enjoyed Duffy Brown’s novel, “Killer in Crinolines”.

What’s your current work in progress?

Gosh, I have SEVERAL WIPs going. I have well over a hundred “starts” for stories. Some of these are merely concepts, but many have pages of notes / scenes / dialog. Quite a few have several thousand words already. At least a dozen have over 5,000 words already… and three or four of those have over 25,000 words each.

I guess the comedy I’m trying to resume work on is the actual answer to this question, and I’ve recently passed the 40,000 word mark on it. It will be my 10th novel when I finish.

I have a brand new contract on a novel I completed 13 months ago and just recently revised. I’m sure the next couple of months will feature a lot of editing on that story.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Scratching the Seven-Month Itch?

I make a very general reference to this in my acknowledgements, but about six years ago, I was talking to a young female relative (on my wife’s side of the family). She happened to mention that she’d recently been out with a couple of friends helping one of them “catch” that friend’s cheating boyfriend. No details, other than it apparently involved one or more vehicles.

That image stuck with me as I was writing the Man-Cold novel and I began to think of scenes in which Amanda and her friends did that very thing. But it didn’t fit in the Man-Cold story – which was already pretty ‘busy’ – so I decided trying to catch a suspected cheater deserved its own novel!

I’m glad I did.

And so are we! Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Scratching the Seven-Month Itch is available on Amazon.

Jeff

My published novels (with Astraea Press) are: “The Ghostess & MISTER Muir” (Oct. 2014), “Hid Wounded Reb” (July 2014), “Called to Arms Again” (May 2013), “Rescued By That New Guy in Town” (Oct. 2012), and “The Overnighter’s Secrets” (May 2012). Also the novella “Don’t Bet On It” … which released in April 2014.

With Dingbat Publishing, I have the screwball comedy “Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold” (Dec. 2013) and its prequel, “Scratching the Seven-Month Itch” (Sept. 2014).

Romantic comedy and romantic suspense are among nine completed novel manuscripts.

I’ve also published — as a short companion piece to “Called to Arms Again” — the story, “Echo Taps” (released in June 2013)… and a short story in the AP anthology, “Love and Diamonds”.

I’m co-author of two non-fiction monographs (about librarianship) with a royalty publisher, plus a signed chapter in another book and a signed article in a specialty encyclopedia. I’ve also published articles, book reviews, and over 120 poems; my writing has won nearly 40 awards, including several in national contests. As a newspaper photo-journalist, I published about 150 bylined newspaper articles, and some 100 bylined photos.

I worked nearly 30 years in the field of librarianship. I’m a decorated veteran of U.S. Air Force (including a remote tour of duty in the Arctic, at Thule AB in N.W. Greenland).

I’m the married parent of two and grandparent of six.

Follow Jeff on Facebook or Twitter.

TWEAKING NANO

Posted on by Melissa Chambers

 

SONG OF THE WEEK — The Menzingers “I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore” — because with a title like that, you know you want to listen. And this video is pretty funny. 🙂

So, as we all probably know by now, November is National Novel Writing Month. I’ve never participated officially because I’ve never been at a place where I’m ready to start a new novel at the beginning of November. And to be honest, the pressure is a bit intimidating.

But what I would like to do is pledge to FINISH my current novel before the end of the year, which is right around the corner if you haven’t checked your calendar lately. I’m around 26,000 words in right now, and I’m aiming for somewhere between 75,000 – 90,000. So that’s doable, yes?

But I want the thing DONE. And by done, I mean written, rewritten, edited, tweaked, glossed, flossed and made ready for submission. This year has been my year to tie up loose ends, and this book is a loose end — one that’s laid unfinished for too long. I’m ready to finish this S.O.B.

I will post some form of my progress to this blog each week, because without accountability, what’s the point of laying down a gauntlet?

So I tip my virtual hat to all the NaNo participants this month. You got this. Totally.

And so do I. 🙂