One more event for me today. The Historical Author Mixer in a couple of hours and then nothing to do but work on our new book the rest of our time here.
RomCon has been generally good. I've met people I hadn't ever had the chance to get to know at larger conferences--Catherine Anderson!!! Christine Feehan!!! And the creative "games" aspect of the activities has been a lot of fun. There are really cool vendors in the "mall" area of the conference, where you can buy chain mail bikinis, get a massage and a reincarnation reading, and then pick up a lovely necklace from Bulgaria!
I did not purchase a chain mail bikini. Nope. Uh-uh. Not me. I did, however, get a very excellent massage. And bought some Shea butter. And the necklace from Bulgaria.
The bobbles that any new undertaking is bound to have are minimal. I would have liked to have my books at the table with me at the large booksigning instead of having them purchased in another room and then brought to me. I think the convention center has an odd, confusing layout and I never know where I am--although that is certainly not the fault of the event planners. This year, the authors outnumbered the readers. If you missed it, you missed your chance to have us competing for your attention!
So, much fun and some "er?" moments later, I have to say that I would definitely come back next year!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Rockin' the RomCon!
I am in Denver, CO, attending the new Romance Convention and I am having more fun than a lizard stuck in a margarita glass! Let's put it this way--my roomate is contemporary romance author Susan Donovan and we just had dinner with Smart Bitch Sarah Wendell and Sourcebooks' Deb Werksman! Salt or no salt, ladies?
Denver is beautiful, the sky is blue, Susan is hysterically funny and I just drank a margarita that was bigger than my head. Since I'm a total lightweight, I keep having to count my fingers and toes to make sure they're still there. I'm currently getting ready for tonight's festivities and I hope I didn't lipstick my eyebrows.
Denver is beautiful, the sky is blue, Susan is hysterically funny and I just drank a margarita that was bigger than my head. Since I'm a total lightweight, I keep having to count my fingers and toes to make sure they're still there. I'm currently getting ready for tonight's festivities and I hope I didn't lipstick my eyebrows.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
FADE IN:
This past week I attended the SCSFe (Screenwriting Conference in Santa Fe) and I had an amazing time. I love learning about writing in any format and I learned many things that will definitely improve my novel writing as well as give me a new creative outlet in screenwriting.
First of all, screenwriters are so cool. Seriously. Unlike introverted thin-skinned novelists (unlike me!) they are tough, funny and determined. They have ideas coming out of their ears, more smart-assed comebacks than a roomful of teenagers and they are willing to be shot down again and again in the hopes that someone, somewhere will like just one of their ideas. I came out of that week tougher, funnier and more determined to be determined!
The conference seemed a little expensive when I registered, but I had no idea that the week would entail exposure to such amazing professional screenwriters and Hollywood producers. I went in confident about my ability as a writer in general but open to new ideas. I was very frank about the fact that my entire screenwriting experience consisted of the assignment I had to finish for the conference itself.
First, we submit the first 10 pages of our screenplay and join a mentor group. Every day in class we'd rip each other's stuff apart (more or less anonymously) and put it back together--all in a friendly but ruthless way. After lunch, there were seminars for all levels, provided by experienced teachers. In addition, one-on-one critiques were made available. Then we broke for dinner out in the city of Santa Fe--and then the fun began.
Okay, I'll just say it. Screenwriters really know how to party! Drunken Karaoke, anyone?
Fortunately for me, my mentors were very patient and (once I had been thoroughly spanked for my lousy formatting) were very encouraging about my ability to tell a story on screen. So I buckled down and listened and wrote and learned and I started seeing movies in a way I'd never understood before. I learned an entirely new language in a matter of days!
So a big fat thank you to Ian Abrams, Darren Porter, Wendell Thomas, Ken Rotcop and everyone else who taught me more than I thought was possible to stuff into my overworked little brain. SCSFe is the best conference I have ever attended.
I can't wait until next year!
First of all, screenwriters are so cool. Seriously. Unlike introverted thin-skinned novelists (unlike me!) they are tough, funny and determined. They have ideas coming out of their ears, more smart-assed comebacks than a roomful of teenagers and they are willing to be shot down again and again in the hopes that someone, somewhere will like just one of their ideas. I came out of that week tougher, funnier and more determined to be determined!
The conference seemed a little expensive when I registered, but I had no idea that the week would entail exposure to such amazing professional screenwriters and Hollywood producers. I went in confident about my ability as a writer in general but open to new ideas. I was very frank about the fact that my entire screenwriting experience consisted of the assignment I had to finish for the conference itself.
First, we submit the first 10 pages of our screenplay and join a mentor group. Every day in class we'd rip each other's stuff apart (more or less anonymously) and put it back together--all in a friendly but ruthless way. After lunch, there were seminars for all levels, provided by experienced teachers. In addition, one-on-one critiques were made available. Then we broke for dinner out in the city of Santa Fe--and then the fun began.
Okay, I'll just say it. Screenwriters really know how to party! Drunken Karaoke, anyone?
Fortunately for me, my mentors were very patient and (once I had been thoroughly spanked for my lousy formatting) were very encouraging about my ability to tell a story on screen. So I buckled down and listened and wrote and learned and I started seeing movies in a way I'd never understood before. I learned an entirely new language in a matter of days!
So a big fat thank you to Ian Abrams, Darren Porter, Wendell Thomas, Ken Rotcop and everyone else who taught me more than I thought was possible to stuff into my overworked little brain. SCSFe is the best conference I have ever attended.
I can't wait until next year!
Monday, May 31, 2010
I finished!
SCOUNDREL IN MY DREAMS is done! The revisions are nearly finished and the story is everything I wanted it to be. It's such a different story for me. I hope everyone enjoys Jack and Laurel as much as I did. I had sooo much fun with all my imaginary friends at Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen and little Melody.
Melody, as some of you know, was inspired by a real little girl. Frankie Jean is a sweet, funny, mad little thing who talks a mile a minute and travels even faster. "Richochet" is a word that comes to mind. I took video of FJ when she was just three and I kept watching it during this writing process, reminding myself what 3yrs on wheels really looks like.
I hope to post a drawing of my vision of Melody on my website soon. Chubby cheeks, dark curls and big blue baby eyes that turn grown men into pudding.
If you've been following the trilogy, you know that in the future segments Melody is about to get married. I've decided not to tell the story of Melody's courtship in the trilogy itself, but rather do a proper job of it in a novella. The story is completely adorable and I'm very eager to write it. I'm talking to my editor about that currently but I will let you know when that will become available.
SCOUNDREL will be released in late September (practically October!). If you'd like to receive the newsletter be sure to go to my website at CelesteBradley.com and enter on the contest page. I only sent out announcements when something major is happening and I'll never sell your email to a Viagra distributor so go ahead and sign up for the enewsletter when you get the confirmation email! :)
Hugs,
CB
Melody, as some of you know, was inspired by a real little girl. Frankie Jean is a sweet, funny, mad little thing who talks a mile a minute and travels even faster. "Richochet" is a word that comes to mind. I took video of FJ when she was just three and I kept watching it during this writing process, reminding myself what 3yrs on wheels really looks like.
I hope to post a drawing of my vision of Melody on my website soon. Chubby cheeks, dark curls and big blue baby eyes that turn grown men into pudding.
If you've been following the trilogy, you know that in the future segments Melody is about to get married. I've decided not to tell the story of Melody's courtship in the trilogy itself, but rather do a proper job of it in a novella. The story is completely adorable and I'm very eager to write it. I'm talking to my editor about that currently but I will let you know when that will become available.
SCOUNDREL will be released in late September (practically October!). If you'd like to receive the newsletter be sure to go to my website at CelesteBradley.com and enter on the contest page. I only sent out announcements when something major is happening and I'll never sell your email to a Viagra distributor so go ahead and sign up for the enewsletter when you get the confirmation email! :)
Hugs,
CB
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Almost done!
I'm soooo close to finishing SCOUNDREL IN MY DREAMS! I keep thinking "a few more pages" and then I realize that there is another scene to fill in. It's always this way. It's kind of like cleaning your house. You can always find one more thing to clean!
It looks like I'll be pulling an allnighter because I HAVE TO turn it in first thing tomorrow. I've been working hard on this book since mid-January but it feels like I've only had about a month!
Time is getting weird on me these days. This past year flew by! I've written two and a half books since this day last year, got a kid through her senior year (and it was a doozy!) and got another through her freshman year!
Do other writers measure their years in books instead of calendar months? Since I don't go to a job and punch a clock, I often don't actually know what day it is. Children used to keep me scheduled in the real world, but now they manage themselves pretty well.
I know that must sound strange. Imagine your life if you spent all your days reading, just reading and reading and reading. Now, stop and fan yourself because I know that sounds marvelous to you! That's what it feels like just writing and writing and writing, just living in the dream in my head, except I have to sit in a chair at a desk instead of lounging in bed. Okay, I'll admit it, I write in bed as well, but don't tell my chiropractor!
Days stretch into each other. Weeks go by in flash. I have to put every appointment into my phone and program regular reminders as well, or I would never remember to take the garbage out to the street on Monday morning. After all, I'm not entirely sure what day Monday is!
I live most of my day in 1815, England. The rest of my day in 2010 America seems like the part that doesn't fit sometimes.
Still, now that the book is done (nearly!) I can come back to the world. I live in a fun and vibrant city. Today my phone reminded me that there's a concert in the park tonight! I might not make it today, but next week I will be there, on my picnic blanket, glass of wine in my hand, living in the real world again.
I love this book. I LOVE my wacky crew at Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen. I'm also really looking forward to that glass of wine!
Hugs and thanks for reading!
Celeste
It looks like I'll be pulling an allnighter because I HAVE TO turn it in first thing tomorrow. I've been working hard on this book since mid-January but it feels like I've only had about a month!
Time is getting weird on me these days. This past year flew by! I've written two and a half books since this day last year, got a kid through her senior year (and it was a doozy!) and got another through her freshman year!
Do other writers measure their years in books instead of calendar months? Since I don't go to a job and punch a clock, I often don't actually know what day it is. Children used to keep me scheduled in the real world, but now they manage themselves pretty well.
I know that must sound strange. Imagine your life if you spent all your days reading, just reading and reading and reading. Now, stop and fan yourself because I know that sounds marvelous to you!
Days stretch into each other. Weeks go by in flash. I have to put every appointment into my phone and program regular reminders as well, or I would never remember to take the garbage out to the street on Monday morning. After all, I'm not entirely sure what day Monday is!
I live most of my day in 1815, England. The rest of my day in 2010 America seems like the part that doesn't fit sometimes.
Still, now that the book is done (nearly!) I can come back to the world. I live in a fun and vibrant city. Today my phone reminded me that there's a concert in the park tonight! I might not make it today, but next week I will be there, on my picnic blanket, glass of wine in my hand, living in the real world again.
I love this book. I LOVE my wacky crew at Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen. I'm also really looking forward to that glass of wine!
Hugs and thanks for reading!
Celeste
Sunday, May 9, 2010
New blog!
This is the official first post of my new blogspot. Older blogs will still be available for viewing on http://celestebradley.com
First, the blog design. I love to do collage but I'm not very computer able, so I composed the header of this blog with my web-savvy friend Joy Stefan (visit http://linkedin.com to learn more about Joy!).
The background we found at the fabulous http://shabbyblogs.com which I highly recommend. Even I could figure out how to use the background because of SB's easy tutorials.
At the moment I am busy finishing up SCOUNDREL IN MY DREAMS, the third book in my Runaway Brides trilogy. Due to one passionate night, Jack and Laurel had a child. Now Melody needs a real family and Jack and Laurel need to heal the pain of the past. Unfortunately, the passion of the present even exceeds that wicked flash of lust, causing more problems than it solves!
The journey to learn the truth of Melody's origins has been a fun one. I love my crew of wacky characters at Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen! How wonderful to bring everyone full circle in the end.
Take care and thanks for reading!
Celeste
First, the blog design. I love to do collage but I'm not very computer able, so I composed the header of this blog with my web-savvy friend Joy Stefan (visit http://linkedin.com to learn more about Joy!).
The background we found at the fabulous http://shabbyblogs.com which I highly recommend. Even I could figure out how to use the background because of SB's easy tutorials.
At the moment I am busy finishing up SCOUNDREL IN MY DREAMS, the third book in my Runaway Brides trilogy. Due to one passionate night, Jack and Laurel had a child. Now Melody needs a real family and Jack and Laurel need to heal the pain of the past. Unfortunately, the passion of the present even exceeds that wicked flash of lust, causing more problems than it solves!
The journey to learn the truth of Melody's origins has been a fun one. I love my crew of wacky characters at Brown's Club for Distinguished Gentlemen! How wonderful to bring everyone full circle in the end.
Take care and thanks for reading!
Celeste
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)