Sela Carsen

Carolina Purple! I mean…Pearl!

Sela — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:54:47 +0000

I got my 2nd round of edits!

Sela — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:10:47 +0000

I know. I’m a freak. Sometimes I think I’m the only writer on earth who actually loves going through the editing process.

Not on my own, though. Those final revisions before something is ready to submit are torture, but there’s something about the collaborative process of editing WITH an editor. Like you’re both working together to make the final product this little slice of awesome.

The first round of edits for CAROLINA PEARL wasn’t as painful as I’d feared. Even though I like the process, this was the first book I’d turned in that I had serious doubts about. So it was a pleasant shock to find that it didn’t suck as badly as I’d imagined it did!

I like to talk my way to solutions, so as I edited the obvious stuff, I chatted in the margins.

Side note: The Chicago Manual of Style is pure evil. Rotten @(*%&@# comma killers. Up is down, right is left, and they’ve taken the comma out before “too” at the end of a sentence. The sky will shortly fall and kill us all. You’ll find my corpse clutching a dogeared copy of Elements of Style.

Aside from my new, permanent grudge against the CMoS, I read her suggestions, followed through on about 95% of them, edited out my extraneous “thats,” and asked questions about the rest.

Now that I have the 2nd round in hand, I get answers to those questions, a few new tiny things to shine, and we’ll be close to done. The end is in sight!

Provided I work my tushy off today getting them turned in.

Now that I’m back

Sela — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:24:23 +0000

I decided to do a little old-fashioned (because time in the Twitterverse moves so quickly) blog hopping. Remember blog hopping? When you’d scroll through your sidebar and click on friends names to see what they were up to? These days, I can never remember how to update my sidebar, so there’s hardly anyone there. And the friends I used to have on there have probably forgotten who I am because it’s been so long since I visited their blogs.

But today I visited, even if I didn’t comment:

Raine Weaver. She’s got gorgeous pictures of a doe who’s been visiting.

Southern Fried Chicas. Top post is hie-larious.

Vanessa Jaye. I’ve been seeing the Franzenfreude link for some time, but I finally clicked on it.

Anna Louise Lucia. Looks like she’s part of a new group blog. I may head over there and check it out.

Julie Cohen. Now that I’ve found her and Anna on Twitter, I read the blog for Fecklet updates.

And that’s it for today. Wouldn’t want to overload, you know.

Edit: I had to check out The Heroine Addicts, the group blog Anna and Julie are in. Great posts!

Monday Mythology at RITBS

Sela — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:16:04 +0000

I’m the Monday Mythology blog today at Romance In The Backseat!

I’m talking about mythology and folklore from Brittany in the north of France and the stories I used as the basis for my Carolina Wolf series.

It’s fall!

Sela — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:21:05 +0000

Maybe just for today, but it’s definitely autumnal out there. In the mid-50s when I woke up and my maple tree has a dozen red leaves all of a sudden.

I love fall and hope it’s a long season this year. Of course, just watch. We’ll get another heat wave out of nowhere now.

The World Flood – Diluvian Tales in Comparative Mythology

Sela — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:46:08 +0000

Seriously. I feel wicked smart today. Blogging at Beyond the Veil about the Great Flood.

As seen on a T-shirt

Sela — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:24:13 +0000

I have A.D.O.S.

Attention Deficit…Ooh Shiny!

(Couldn’t paste the picture, sorry.)

As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve been struggling to get back in writing form after the summer holidays. I’ve been using timed challenges to help, but they’re 20 minutes long. I can’t stay on task for 20 minutes. Yes, I realize that’s pretty bad.

So yesterday, partly in self-flagellation, partly out of sheer desperation, I tried 5 minute challenges.

It totally worked. I wrote nearly 1K in about 40 minutes of short challenges. Woohoo for something that works!!

In other news, I finally figured out why I’m not getting any tomatoes off either of my cherry tomato plants. They have lots of green tomatoes, but I never seem to pick any ripe ones. Know why?

THE DAMNDOG IS EATING THEM RIGHT OFF THE PLANT!!! I kid you not. I happened to look outside the other day while he was outside and he just reached up and very gently bit the tomato right off the stem. I’d have been mad, but I was too busy cracking up. I’m going to have to catch that on film one day, but he’s sneaky.

What am I writing?

Sela — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:00:42 +0000

Working on the 3rd Carolina story, as yet untitled. Although the DNPH did suggest CarolinAmok. Yes, he’s a funny, funny man.

I’ve struggled to get back into anything resembling a routine after the summer break. Now that the MCs are back in school, I’m slowly finding my raggedy old groove. So last night, I finally get some words down and I’m motoring along until… duh duh duuuuuuuh! My hero’s POV comes to a crashing halt.

Why?

Because he’s broken. Cracked. Mental. And I don’t know why or how he got to where he is. A couple of friends in RD Chat gave me some ideas, but until I get it settled in my mind, I’m at another bloody standstill.

Gah. Bloody nuisance. Bloody hero. Stoopid story.

In other news, I’m taking “hot yoga” classes. 26 poses, 90 minutes, room heated to 90 degrees. Awesome workout.

Also, I’m blogging at Beyond the Veil on Friday and I’m writing about Great Flood stories in comparative mythology. Fun!

And that’s me. What’s up with you?

The Taming of Mei Lin by Jeannie Lin

Sela — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:19:37 +0000

Jeannie Lin’s debut story, The Taming of Mei Lin, (Harlequin Historical Undone, e-only) which comes before the release of her debut print novel, Butterfly Swords, (Harlequin Historical) is out today at eHarlequin!

I’ve had the pleasure of reading some of Jeannie’s work before and I’ve been waiting for these releases forever. I’m putting my money where my mouth is and I’ve already bought this one.

And it doesn’t hurt that the hero looks like Daniel Dae-Kim from Lost!

The Not Going to Conference Conference — July 28-31

Sela — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:59:07 +0000

Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever “business casual” means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference…

The Conference You Don’t Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors — and you don’t even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We’ll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O’Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL’S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora’s Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner’s choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis…/crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner’s choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner’s choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner’s preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR’S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner’s choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner’s choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner’s choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format