Planes, Trains and Cluttering Up My Manuscript

I’ve done it again. And I don’t mean that in a triumphant sort of way. I mentioned that I was working on revisions for book five (of which the partial is now with my editor…hopefully fixed.) and now I would like to talk you through the mistakes I made, that you, dear readers, will not do the same.

First mistake? My setting became the star. I had this idea, you see. A private train car. *squee* So glamorous! And they were going to ride it through Switzerland and there would be diamonds!! *pants*

And what ended up happening? Well…my pacing was all kinds of off because I wanted them to get in that train and travel, baby!! Because the train was so important!!

(what would Freud say about a train starring in my manuscript? Just wondering…)

:-/

What don’t I have in this new draft that’s sitting on my editor’s desk?

*cries*

The train.

Turns out I didn’t need it. It was a gimmick. And I was relying on it to bring sparkle to my story. What I needed was for my characters to sparkle and…meh…they didn’t either.

Which brings us to my next mistake: The heroine.

Poor girl. Her brother had shipped her off to Switzerland until a sex scandal with her name attached was forgotten about by the press and public. But while she’s there…the hero finds her…and voila! We have a woman at the mercy of all the powerful men in her life.

*headdesk*

Of course, I didn’t see it that way. Nope. But that doesn’t change the fact that that’s what I had.

And then of course…I had also take my handy-dandy manuscript bedazzler to the poor thing.

Private train? Check. Jewels? Heckyeah! The heroine modeling for the jewels?? Bring it, baby!!

*pick* *pick* *pick*

I had to say bye to my bedazzlement.

I believe it was Coco Chanel who said you should look in the mirror before you leave the house and take off one accessory. And I believe it’s Maisey Yates who should look at her manuscripts before she sends them off to her editor and remove a ‘thing’.

Because when the things are gone…you have characters. A man and a woman. The train wasn’t their conflict. Her being a model wasn’t the conflict. Her being involved in a scandal wasn’t even the conflict.

So where was the conflict?

Buried.

But without all the stuff…that’s when you start seeing what you really have to work with. And then, a little sparkle is okay.

But don’t forget what the story is really about.

*hint* It’s NOT the train.

Maisey Yates and the Time Warp of Doom

Being a writer is a strange sort of thing, time-wise. Release dates, deadlines and real time are all swirling around in your head, and inevitably, you lose track of real time quite a bit!

I’m going to be the wife that forgets the wedding anniversary, not because I don’t know it (May 21st, thank you very much). Just because I won’t know what date it is…or what month it is.

Example: My debut released to the UK book club readers in June, it was put on the M&B site July, it’s official release was in August. Now in August, the book clubbers will be getting A Mistake, A Prince and A Pregnancy, then in Sept it goes on M&B and HVA goes on eharl in North America…and the HVA releases in the US in October and Mistake in the UK the same month…and I have a deadline in there somewhere…

Do you feel as confused as I do?

Now, on the positive side…life is never boring. I’m a very fast paced sort of person and I like a lot going on. And this means there’s a lot going on!

So this isn’t a complaint by any stretch, but I confess, I get a little fuzzy-headed sometimes with all the numbers bouncing around in my brain. (I’m not a numbers girl…unless the numbers are on a check. kthnxbai.)

In keeping with the breakneck pace, I’ve just re-turned in the partial to The Russian (bk5) and I’m working on two different proposals while I wait to hear back. (that would be bk6 and supah sekrit project bk7).

Oh, also, while I was in Orlando, I got the chance to read the back cover of A Mistake, A Prince and A Pregnancy. And while I was too silly to copy it down…I have a better idea of what I can reveal about the book! So here’s a little teaser for you…

A Mistake…

An IVF mix-up has eternally single Alison facing the prospect of marriage. But not just any marriage…marriage to a prince!

A Prince…

Maximo Rossi had given up on his dreams of becoming a father, but when a woman he’s never met comes to tell him he’s pregnant with his baby, his hope is renewed.

But Maximo won’t be an absentee dad, he and Alison will raise the baby together, as husband and wife!

A Book Release, New Ideas, and A Stubborn Heroine

Yes, yes, it is true, His Virgin Acquisition is officially, officially released in the UK and India! Then in September it will be out in Australia and NZ, followed by the North American release in October! (and then we’ll have the UK release of A Mistake, A Prince, and A Pregnancy in the UK in October…yikes!)

Thanks to everyone who’s bought to book, or is thinking about buying the book, for giving a newbie a chance. I appreciate it so very much!

And before this starts sounding like an Oscar’s speech again, onto the new ideas.

I have two of them. One of which appeared to me, fully formed, as I was bringing groceries in from the car. The other idea isn’ a fully formed book…it’s just a hero. But an unbearable suave and sexy hero that I can’t *wait* to start torturing. I mean…writing about. Not torturing. I don’t do that. That would be mean. *ahem*

Sadly, I can’t get to those ideas just yet, which brings me to, A Stubborn Heroine. The heroine in my current WIP is a tough nut to crack. She has secrets and she doesn’t want the hero to know them, but even more, she doesn’t seem to want ME to know them!

This has required me to take drastic action. Knowing vaguely who she was in the past simply isn’t enough, not for this heroine. I’ve really had to go back to her past and sort of write what happened to her then, in an attempt to understand her better now. This isn’t something I’ve done before, and since her past is a little bit tragic, it’s a very sad place to have to go with her! But I’m going. And I think I understand her better, and, more importantly, I understand what happened. More or less. She’s still being cagey about a few details. (Who says writers are crazy? We’re totally normal!)

Ultimately though, I’m going to go with the thing that will provide me with more conflict. Because we loves conflict. We loves it, preciousss. (so not crazy. nope)

Figuring out what’s going to give me more conflict, however, is requiring an exploration of my heroine’s past, present and future. And is forcing me to go about approaching this MS in a different way than I normally do.

So what about you guys? Got any prickly characters who like their secrets? And do you find one method fits all when it comes to MSs, or does your approach change?

Party Time!

Tomorrow is the *official* release date of His Virgin Acquisition…although…it’s been available on the shelves for a while, and on Amazon for two weeks….but still! *dancing*

And speaking of dancing…

I had the great and glorious honor of attending the Harlequin party at RWA this year! It was fabulous!

First of all, the company was fantastic. There were the amazong Presents authors: Sandra Marton, Susan Stephens, Carol Mortimer, Janette Kenny, Jennie Lucas, Lynn Raye Harris, Kate Hewitt, Jane Porter and Caitline Crews. Mod Heat author Kimberly Lang (who has the most fantastic accent, ya’ll, and also won Reader’s Choice for Best First Book!) Then the fab Historical authors Michelles Willingham and Styles, Elizabeth Rolls, Amanda McCabe and more. The UK editors, of course, who looked amazing as always. And, of course (haha…) Nora Roberts was in attendence. Can’t tell you how strange it was to be in a room with these people! And to be invited to be in the room with these people!

There were lists at the front and people checking them, making sure we didn’t have party crashers. (pseudonyms made this tricky…although, I don’t have one so that was one less step for me!)

And then we got to stand to the side and have our photos taken…photos which were then displayed on the massive screens in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf-Astoria. I had mixed feelings about that. It was great when it was other people…not great when it was me.

And I have to mention…there was an open bar. I’m not an alcohol girl, so I was left out of the signature drink, which was bright pink with Hybiscus syrup and a flower floating on top…but….I have NEVER *ever* seen a coffee bar to beat the one at that party. And, those of you who know me know that coffee is the way to my heart.

Turbinado sugar lumps, white sugar lumps, rock candy to stir into the hot coffee, white chocolate shavings, dark chocolate shavings and a big bowl of whipped cream. Happy Maisey. And this was all by the massive chocolate log that…indeed looked like a log and had candy butterflies on it that were both lovely and tasty. That was what I had for dinner that night…chocolate log and coffee. Don’t judge me.

We all danced…a lot…and eventually all fabulous shoes were kicked off and tossed under tables. And of course, they played It’s Raining Men. And now the song is still stuck in my head.

I didn’t get back to the hotel room until about one am, and it was more than worth it!

It can’t all be about workshops….

I also want to offer up a very humble thanks to all those who have reviewed His Virgin Acquisition. Thank you for taking the time to do that! Means a lot to an unknown author from a tiny town in Oregon.

And finally…I’ve gone Minxy for the day! Come visit me!

Bad Blogger!

Bad blogger! Bad!

Seriously though, this is the very first moment since my plane touched down in Orlando that I’ve had some time to sit…well, sit without yakking. Because there has been a lot of yakking!

I arrived on Tuesday and immediately went to The Dinner, where I got to meet some of the most lovely women I have ever met! All of the Harlequin ladies, and everyone else for that matter, is so lovely!

I spent Wednesday at Disney with lots of lovely writers and some of the M&B editors. We had a blast, we got soaked on Splash Mountain, and I can’t imagine that anyone has more cooler editors than we do.

Thursday I had lunch with my editor, Jenny Hutton, who is as lovely in person as she is online or over the phone. It’s so valuable to get that face to face conversation time. l learned more in five days than I have in seven months.

I think I tend to look on The Publishing Business as being mysterious and unknown. It was nice to hear that there are no secrets, we just need to ask questions. So that’s my early New Year’s Resolution.

One thing I so love and appreciate about Harlequin is the feeling of family. Everyone was so welcoming and sweet to me. Above and beyond what I had expected.

Oh, and the Harlequin Party was amazing!

In closing, I spent a while last night talking to the wonderful Sandra Marton. To hear her speak of writing now after she’s completed eighty books, with as much enthusiasm as I have after four, is an amazing thing. I hope to always love it so much.

Stay tuned for a more detailed break down of the conference…now, I have to get ready to catch my plane!

Countdown!

And no, this countdown isn’t even for His Virgin Acquisition, which is available in shops in the UK, on Amazon UK and on Amazon.com in Kindle form (but only for those who live in the UK!).

And, I have to mention again, the book has gotten mad awesome reviews on M&B UK. I’m so thrilled that so many readers have connected with Marco and Elaine as I have!

Now I need to make sure I’m finding a good connection with Madeline and Aleksei…prickly beasts, both of them…but, they’ll have to sit around and stew until after…

RWA NATIONALS 2010!! *dances*

That’s the countdown I was talking about! I will be leavig *very* early Tuesday morning and arriving in the afternoon. Soon after my arrival I will be meeting some VERY incredible people for dinner…including (and don’t hate me if I forget you…just smack me when you see me!) Michelle Willingham, Susan Stephens, Sandra Marton, Lynn Raye Harris, Jane Porter, Caitlin Cruise, Kate Hewitt, Janette Kenny, Carole Mortimer and Jennie Lucas! (Will let you know if I go absolutely fangirl all over anyone…the odds are high)

Next day is Disneryworld with a list of people just as prestigious. (I’m concerned about the Enlish girls melting…)

But this is all before conference even starts!

Of course, before all of this can happen I have to get on the plane. I will get on the plane. I will. I promise. I will be clutching my box of Starbucks Via for comfort, but I will be there. It’s times like this I wish a drank a little bit. Not a fan of the flying, my friends, not a fan. At least, I think I’m not.

Anyway, watch this space, and the Seven Sassy Sisters for conference updates, writing tips, and insider info. Dearest Abbi and I will both be there (and meeting in person for the first time!) and we will both be blogging about our experiences.

And…I think this post had a point…Oh yes, pray for me as I get on the plane. And maybe send me a bottle of something strong. O_O

Prayers Please

One of my dear Sassy Sisters is going through a hard time. Her son is having some health problems at the moment, which are made worse by a chronic, genetic disease.

So, I, and she, and we, would so much appreciate your prayers and good wishes that Ben is well soon.

Thanks so much,

Maisey

Going in Blind

No, this isn’t about my pansting tendencies…I’m about to hit my first conference. In fact, I leave a week from tomorrow (Tuesday).

And no, I’m not going in blind-blind. The super wonderful and most excellent Lynn Raye Harris has seen that I’ve been given a full rundown, and I will be rooming with the awsomely fabulous Lisa Hendrix (Check out her Immortal Brotherhood series…wow!) and she’s a conference veteran. But, no matter how many tips I read, no matter how many conference survival lists I peruse…the fact is, I’m about to be the country mouse in the big city, so to speak.

I’ve squeezed a lot of life into my twenty-four years. Five years of marriage, three gorgeous kids and four books sold, but something I haven’t done a lot of is…traveling. (can a Presents writer even admit that?)

Combined with the fact that I’m leaving my hubby and kids for the first time, and the fact that it’s my first conference…well, it’s a lot of new!

So here’s Maisey’s newbie survival guide, by someone who has no idea what’s going to happen, for someone who has no idea what’s going to happen:

1. Clothes: Uh…I might wear these. Oh, and these are cute too. And I like this…I’ll bring them all. (this ends with me putting the entire contents of my closet into a bag)

2. Airports: I looked them up. And there are maps. I studied the maps so I know where my gates are, how to get to the shuttle etc (remember now, I live in a town with a one terminal airport…so Orlando and Denver? Whole new world) And when I get to the airports I’ll know exactly where I…*snicker* no, this is where I’ll realize I was looking at the maps upside down and I’m now all disoriented. Then I beg someone for directions.

3. Getting there and interacting with people: Okay, this I’ve got, people are my thing. And in some ways, I may have exaggerated the country mouse thing, since I went to a church that had 5,000 memebers for…well….19 years. So lots of people in a small space? Great. I’m the rare writer extrovert.

Anyway, be nice. To everyone. This is usually followed up by “Because they could become the next Nora, or the next big acquisitions editor”. But I say, be nice just to be nice. Also, don’t talk about people behind their backs, because, inevitably they’ll be standing behing YOUR back when you say it. This is something I learned in jr. high.

Also, don’t fawn all over the big name authors. They’re just people. But you can fawn over me, and you can bring me a fruity drink. And five dollars. (ha…I’m sure you know…I’m absolutely kidding)

4. Disneyworld: Have mouse ears, will travel. And I’ll be eating lunch in Cinderella’s castle.

5. Enjoy. If the tight schedule stresses you out…loosen it a little bit. This is supposed to be a great networking/learning/social experience, and if you’re too strung out to enjoy it and take it all in, it won’t be worth much of anything but…well, a week of post-conference hangover, so to speak.

Hope to see many of you there!

Inspiration and more *delete* *delete* *delete*

Well, I don’t know if I mentioned here that last week I got some pretty hefty revisions on my proposal (The Russian) from my editor.

And today, I finished the partial. The new partial. Totally rewritten and a whole lot better than what I had the first time. So, proudly, I handed it to my husband to read and said ‘So? Whatdya think? Huh? What? What?’ and he said…’meh.’

*face palm*

So I sent it on to the sisters, who were a bit more enthusiastic, but still full of new suggestions. And their suggestions sparked…inspiration.

Totally new inspiration for the same characters. And now…well…that means *delete* *delete* *delete*. Forty pages of *delete*.

Hey, as long as I’m inspired, I do not fear the delete key. It’s that moment, that moment that’s like jumping out of an airplane and wondering if your chute will open, when someone says ‘yeah, that doesn’t work.’ and your mind is totally blank. No idea how to fix it. That’s what scares me.

But going into the big DELETE with inspiration? As Cuzco would say, “bring it on. Boooyah.”

Also, on another, kind of bummer-ish note, I just wanted to touch briefly on book piracy. Any piracy really. If you’re a reader, and you love the books, please do the right thing and support the authors by buying them legally. Writing is our job, the book is our product, not paying for that product is stealing. And it just kind of…sucks. :-/

Now I want to end on a high note… It’s just over a week until I leave for Orlando for Nationals! I’m super excited to meet my editor, my fellow Sassy Sister, Abbi, and a lot of the wonderful writers, both published, and un-published, I’ve met here on the interwebz!

If you’ll be at Nationals, let me know in the comments, and also, give me a hollah if you see me!

Chuffed

I have to say, it’s a scary thing sending your book out into the world. Of course I want my readers to enjoy what I write. That’s the whole point, after all!

So, I have to say, I’m very pleased to say I have one four star and three five star reviews on Mills and Boon UK (although one came from Jackie Ashenden…and she might be biased…)

And, I’ve been having SO much fun over the past three days while Emma Peterson read His Virgin Acquisition and tweeted her reactions to certain scenes.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I thank her for letting me experience her experiencing the book. LOL.

I was treated to gems such as: :Haha! How do you like that, Marco! The tables have been turned! Ha! #HisVirginAcquisition #SexyArrogantBastard

“U kno that heart tug feeling you get at a certain point in a book when ur heart/chest really hurts?…I’m at that part!”

She also pegged, dead on, that I like to torture my characters.

So, thanks, Emma! I really enjoyed that! And now I’ll close the day with a great big smile on my face.

And, and now I have to add the fabulous review Emma left on Good Reads!

What would you do to get what was rightfully yours? If you are Elaine you’d go to the man who bought your father’s company, the company that should be rightfully yours, and you’d proposition him.

It should have been a simple arrangement, one that would benefit them both but when gasoline meets a lit match nothing is simple about the explosion to follow.

His Virgin Acquisition is an originally awesome book that tugs at the heartstrings and not only has the reader suspending belief but convinces at the end there will absolutely be no chance for a happy ending.

Maisey Yates is definitely an author to keep an eye on.