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!

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 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 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.

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!)

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 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!

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?

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. 🙂