Pinterest and Silver Foxes

When looking for inspiration for the characters in my Silver Fox Romances series, I didn't have to go any further than Pinterest. I've spent probably more time than I should have scrolling through mouth-watering pics of handsome men with silver hair, or white or sexy salt and pepper. Their faces aren't baby smooth but etched with laugh lines and experiences. (And here's where I say there is nothing wrong with a sexy younger guy - I drool over them too!) If you want to see what I'm talking about, you could check out my Silver Fox board:

https://www.pinterest.com/natashamoore144/silver-foxes/

While men seem to get a pass for having silver hair, women are another story. I let mine go to my natural salt and pepper quite a few years ago and I had many people at the time tell me how much older I would look. It was hard to do at the time, but I'm glad persevered. I've had many women come up to me and tell me if they knew their hair would look this good they'd do it. I tell them they'll never know until they try, I know I'll never dye my hair again. I wish Pinterest had been there back then to give me inspiration as I lived through the half gray/half dyed brown hair phase. Now, Pinterest has tons of inspirational pics of gorgeous women who have let their crowning glory shine with shades of silver. See what I'm talking about here:

https://www.pinterest.com/natashamoore144/silver-foxy-women/

I found many pics of mature silver fox couples too. How can you not imagine romance stories for every one of them?

https://www.pinterest.com/natashamoore144/silver-fox-couples/

I'll be adding to these boards often, and I'm starting to set up boards for the individual stories I'm planning. So feel free to follow the boards if you'd like. And of course, sign up for my mailing list if you'd like to get notifications of my releases.

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Dream Vacation

Summer is usually a great time to get away and have some fun, or at least get some rest. I've been lucky enough to have had some great vacations in the past. I've gotten to visit family and friends. I've enjoyed the big city and sandy beaches. I've gotten to see amazing landscapes and meet lovely people.

This year we plan to visit family in the northeast, which will be nice because we don't go there often. However, as I'm planning the trip, I find myself wishing for a different kind of vacation...a writing vacation.

My job, although better than it was before, still requires more time than I'm thrilled with, so I don't get to write as much. I have one major story I work on, but there are bits and pieces of others that are just hanging, and that bugs me.

Therefore, if this trip got canceled for some reason and my DH asked me where I want to go or what I want to do, I'm probably going to say "to my computer" and "to write." I would also add that the computer would be a charged laptop on the beach, like this one.

If he argues, I would tell him that sights--like this sunset--inspire me and that I need a little inspiration. Usually when I say that, I'm sucking up to get jewelry for my birthday or something. I think the sunset would be much cheaper. See how easy I make it for DH to agree with me? There's an art to it, I tell ya'.

For right now, I'm packing for our trip. I am taking my laptop along in case I do get the chance to act on any random inspiration or one of the fifteen story ideas banging around in my imagination. What about you? What's your dream vacation? Does it involve summer reading? Summer writing? Summer love? Please do share!

Happy Reading!

Let's Get Excited!

It’s spring! It feels like a heavy weight has been lifted from my shoulders, or maybe it's just my skin isn't so dried out. Anyway, to see the sun after such a strange winter is immensely inspiring, but it’s not the only thing that rouses me. I realized as I enjoyed the blue sky and sunshine today that a number of things, little things mostly, inspire me, and I thought I’d like to share them in today’s post. So, here is my list of “Things That Inspire Cameo”:

1. Love—This is self-explanatory.
2. Technology—Remember when we didn’t have cell phones? Or home computers? Or blogs or e-mail? Yes, some say it was a simpler time and that technology is sucking our lives away. I don’t see it that way. It inspires me that we can connect to people around the world to find solutions to problems that have plagued us for years; that we can save lives and improve the lives of those who need it most because we are connected. Yeah, that definitely inspires me.
3. Johnny Depp—This, too, is self-explanatory.
4. My cat—Who would not be inspired by the love and loyalty of a creature who sees your every flaw and still allows you to be its servant 24 hours a day, seven days a week?
5. Music—I truly believe music is the universal language. Take two people and put them in a room, one who loves blue grass techno jazz and one who loves Scandinavian scream singing, and after several tension-filled minutes they will come out with the understanding that even though they have their differences, they are united by the fact they share a true passion for something that is bigger than both of them, something that unites us all, and that’s more important than anything. Kind of wish some world leaders would do the same.
6. Flowers—They’re just so darn pretty!
7. Writing—Even though I do it professionally, it still inspires me artistically and emotionally, especially other people’s work. I love to read, and everything I read affects me in some way, for better or worse. I’m changed. I’m a different person than I was just before I read those words by that writer. Words have such power, such a magical quality. They are my thoughts and my breath and my heartbeat—how can they not be? And how can I not be inspired by the written word?
8. My mistakes—Because I made them, and because they make me a better person, at least most of the time. Where would I be if I never made any mistakes? I’d be left with only numbers 1-7 and number 9 on the list to inspire me. Speaking of which…
9. Spring—The season of rebirth and renewal always infuses me with hope. It’s irrational and I can’t explain it, but I just feel better when the world comes alive again after a long winter’s sleep. I don’t question it anymore; I just enjoy it and hope you do, too.

 What about you? What inspires you? Please do share. :)

Guest Blog: Inspiration is Everywhere – Really! by Lacey Savage

As a writer, I get asked this question more than any other: “Where do you get your ideas?” (My second most often asked question, by the way, is “When are you going to get a real job?” – but that’s a topic for a different post.)

I admit, even though I’ve been published for ten years, and writing full time for two of those, I still get stumped by this question. My honest answer – “Everywhere!” – doesn’t satisfy people. They think there’s some cosmic secret and I’m not willing to share. But the truth is, I really do get my ideas from everywhere.

I’ve written books based on a grain of inspiration I grabbed out of a bit of overheard conversation. I subscribe to magazines like The Smithsonian for no other reason than it’s an amazing idea mine. I recently wrote a book featuring a reality TV star, which came out of my love for all things reality TV. (Don’t judge me – you’ve got guilty pleasures too!)

A flash of inspiration that came to me while lying in bed one morning sparked my most recent release, COMING UNBOUND, which just came out last week from Ellora’s Cave. I imagined a married couple wanting to bring some heat back into their bedroom, and started to wonder how things could get complicated for them. I knew I had my story when I pictured the husband opening the door to what had previously been a run-of-the-mill suburban basement, and showing his wife the BDSM dungeon he’d had installed. Surprise!



If I had to dig deep, I’d say the grain of the idea came from the fact that I’ve been married for 14 years. These days, I find myself wondering whether my relationship with my husband is typical. Do other couples struggle with the same issues as us? Are they as happy as we are after all this time? Happier? So I set out to explore some of those topics in my books. And, well, I write erotic romance, so even though I was exploring fairly basic, day-to-day marriage issues in COMING UNBOUND, I did so alongside a heavy dose of kink and erotic behavior that most married couples I know would never indulge in. But that’s the fun of writing fiction, isn’t it? You start with a grain of truth, a bit of reality, and you spin it into a yarn that’s pure erotic fantasy – even when it’s set right here, in the real world.
---
BLURB:
Ginny and Cole have struggled to connect intimately since before their marriage. When Cole suggests they surprise each other with the most sexually daring things they can dream up for their anniversary, Ginny reluctantly musters every ounce of courage she possesses to get nipple piercings.

Cole’s surprise?

He’s turned their suburban basement into a dungeon—and hired a sexy Dom to teach them the art of BDSM.
Desperately in love with his wife, Cole’s aware of sensitive sexual demons in Ginny’s past, and will try anything to beat them. Whips, toys, ménage play with the Dom…all these and more could help Ginny find pleasure, break through her issues.

Or, if they’re not careful, possibly just break Ginny.

COMING UNBOUND is available at Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/coming-unbound.html

Quotes that Inspire

Every so often I like to share inspirational quotes. I seem to go through phases where for a while I'm searching out all the quotations I can find to inspire me. Then I'll go months with out reading any - except for the favorites I have pinned to the cork board beside my desk.

My friend Lacey Savage started sharing quotations on Facebook and Twitter and it got me thinking that this was a perfect time - the beginning of my life as a full time writer - to check out my collection of quotations and share some of them with you on this last Monday morning of January 2013.

My favorite - pinned to the wall & looked at every day:
"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy. I'm telling you it's going to be worth it."
- Art Williams
Not much in this life come easy, and those things we need to strive for are that much more special when we achieve them. Think of the characters in our stories and what they need to overcome.

Others on my cork board wall:

"Don't Stop Believing!" - and it's okay if it makes you think of Journey. Or Glee. Go ahead and sing along. And don't stop believing in your dreams.

"What can I do TODAY to help me reach my goal?"
This came from a goal setting workshop I took once upon a time and I'm sorry to say I never wrote down who gave that to me. Sometimes as we look down the road, the destination we're headed for seems so far away. The number of steps we need to take so many that it's easy to give up. But if you just focus on what you can do today, eg. Write 100 words. Come up with new, exciting blurb. Read a chapter in a craft book. Something. Anything to bring you one step closer. And then tomorrow it may be easier to do even more.

And a couple from the massive list I have saved to my hard drive:

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
We're not going to make it every time we try. Rejections will keep coming. Your editor may leave. Your publisher may fold. That book you fell in love with may not do as well as you hoped in sales. Keep going. Keep trying.

So:
"Jump into the middle of things, get your hands dirty, fall flat on your
face, and then reach for the stars."
- Joan Curcio

As the first month of the new year draws to an end, what quotes inspire you to keep going? Keep trying? Keep believing?

Natasha
Silken Canvas - available now
www.natashamoore.com

Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle

One of the places that inspired several scenes in my new release, My Brave Highlander, was the Assynt area of northern Scotland in what is now Sutherland. Ardvreck Castle inspired my Munrick Castle which I placed on Loch Assynt. I did an earlier post about Ardvreck Castle where you can see a few more pics.

The area is hauntingly beautiful and incredibly scenic. Ardvreck Castle sits on a promontory which is almost like a small island. Water from the loch seems to keep encroaching on the narrow walkway leading to the castle.

Sorry this photo ended up a bit tilted. But you can see how the castle seems somewhat scary. This is the mood I used in the scene where I introduce Isobel MacKenzie, the heroine in My Brave Highlander.

 Here you can see the castle ruin from a different angle, from further back on the island. On the right side, in the background you can see Calda House, where the MacKenzies moved after leaving Ardvreck.

The narrow walkway leading to the castle.

The mystical view across the loch from the castle is beautiful.

Another view from the castle but in the opposite direction, toward Calda House. I like to be able to visualize what my characters see when they look out a window.

Another view of the castle from a different position on the island. This is the best preserved portion which makes it easier to imagine what the castle must have looked like when it was in use.

If you click on the two photos below, you can see the on-site signs at a larger size and read about the history of the castle and the area. The drawings of what the castle is believed to have looked like when constructed are interesting.

The road and landscape leading down to Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle. The yellow flowered bushes are gorse.

In my story, I attempted to bring this stunning and beautiful area to life. Of course, My Brave Highlander takes place in November instead of May, so visualize snow instead of green grass. :)

Excerpt from My Brave Highlander which takes place in this area:

Gusts of chill wind flung icy snowflakes into Dirk's eyes. After several days travel on galleys up the west coast, he and Rebbie had disembarked at Ullapool. With the strong winds, it had been unsafe to sail further north. Then, they had traveled north on horseback.

'Twas slow going on a narrow footpath through the rugged countryside. He glanced up at the Assynt Mountains surrounding them, their rocky peaks hidden in the low-hanging clouds. Snow blanketed even the lowest slopes in white.

"Is the weather always so inviting here?" Rebbie called out several feet behind him.

Turning in his saddle, Dirk glanced back and smirked. Rebbie had become spoiled in the temperate Scottish Lowlands and England. Snowflakes littered his friend's dark hair. Breath fogged from his mount's nose.

Of course, Rebbie had insisted on bringing his manservant, George Sweeny. He'd wanted to bring two servants but Dirk had to say no. It would've been more difficult for a large entourage to secure passage on a galley.

"I was thinking you were a Highlander," Dirk called.

"I am, indeed. But from much further south."

"Use the mantle's cowl." The plaids and mantles Lachlan had given them had come in handy. The wool over his head would catch the water from the melting snow and hold in the warmth from his body heat. Beneath that, Dirk wore a piece of metal-studded leather armor—because one couldn't be too careful in the Highlands—and a belted wool plaid over his trews.

Rebbie generally dressed like a Lowlander. But now they both had on several layers of clothing, both Highland and Lowland.

Evening was upon them and the temperature was dropping. They needed to reach Munrick Castle before nightfall. The MacKays and MacLeods had ever been allies, most of the time, anyway. He hoped the chief would provide them shelter for the night.

No doubt word had circulated through neighboring clans that the MacKay heir had died several years ago and a younger brother was set to inherit. Dirk wasn't yet sure how he would explain that he was indeed alive.

During his twelve year absence, he'd forgotten exactly how forbidding the weather in the Assynt region could be. If anything, MacKay Country, on the north coast was even harsher.

The trail through the Highlands only handled single file horses and foot traffic. He inhaled the bitter peat smoke trailing from nearby crofters' cottages. What he wouldn't give right now to be sitting beside one of those smoldering fires. The smoke scent blended with the damp air off the nearby bog and frost-bitten plants created a scent that reminded Dirk of his childhood.

When he was a lad, he had visited this area a few times with his father as they had dealings with the MacLeods. Generally, they got on well, but most Highland clans were canny enough not to trust another clan with one hundred percent conviction.

A movement out ahead caught Dirk's attention. What was that? Not a red deer. He thought he'd seen a flash of plaid. The trail turned uphill and passed through low-growing gorse bushes. Someone was hiding behind that boulder.

Dirk stopped and turned. "Rebbie," he said low. "Someone's lurking up ahead."

Rebbie nodded. They both quietly dismounted and withdrew their swords.

"Hold the horses," Rebbie murmured to George. "But if they come out fighting, give us a hand."

George nodded. "Aye, m'laird."

With the wind blowing constantly, Dirk could hear naught above it.

"Who's there?" he called out. "I'm a MacKay, just passing through."

No response. The knave was still hiding. Might be more than one of them. Was this an ambush by highwaymen or desperate outlaws?

Gripping his sword, Dirk sneaked along the trail, trying to avoid kicking loose stones. Rebbie followed a few feet behind.

The wind picked up, whistling through the gorse branches and stinging his face. Good. This would cover any sounds they made, especially since they were downwind of whoever lay in wait between the bushes and rocks. If he could sneak up on them, he could gain the upper hand.

If they were members of the MacLeod Clan, he'd have to assure them he was a MacKay ally. He prayed there hadn't been any clan feuds since he'd last been here. His uncle hadn't mentioned any in his missive, but then his message had been brief and to the point.

Each step took Dirk closer and closer to their hiding place. He held his basket-hilt broadsword at the ready, fully aware two or more men could leap out at any moment.

At last, he reached their hidey-hole and stole around the side of the boulder. Naught but snow-covered heather and low-growing plants greeted him.

Damnation, where had they gone?

He crept forward, down an incline and around a bush. There, two forms in drab plaid huddled, one standing upright, back pressed against a giant boulder, and the other crouched.

Dirk froze, as did the two strangers.

A lass? Dark fierce eyes met his from beneath a cowl, but the face was definitely female and so was the clothing—a long arisaid. Despite her bulky and voluminous clothes, he could tell her shoulders were slender. Her eyes narrowed, and her stance was defensive. He glanced down at her hands, partially hidden in the folds of her skirts, but he did not miss the glint of a dagger clutched in one fist.

His gaze darted to the other figure. Also a woman, but a few years older.

"What the devil?" Rebbie muttered, coming up beside him.

"What are the two of you doing out in this weather?" Dirk asked in Gaelic, his tone harsher than he'd intended. Were they mad? Gloaming was approaching, and the snow and wind would only worsen.

"Leave us be," the lass said, her voice strong.

He exchanged a confused glance with Rebbie. He was surely wondering the same thing Dirk was. Why were they here, far from the nearest village, croft or castle?

"'Tis not safe for two women to be wandering about. Do you not ken of the outlaws and thieves in these parts?" At least there had been twelve years ago, and he doubted things had changed much.

"We're not troubling you, and we have no need of your help. Not much further and we'll reach our destination." The glint of her dagger taunted and irritated him. Undoubtedly, she was afraid of them.

Dirk returned his broadsword to its scabbard. "And where would that destination be? It's been a long while since we passed through a village." And even longer since they'd left the keep they'd stayed in the night before.

"'Tis none of your concern."

Ah. So the lass had an impertinent mouth on her. Even more interesting, she had the speech of the Highland aristocracy, the dialect of somewhere south of here, but Western Highlands for a certainty. He nodded. "Well, I cannot leave you out here in the elements. I'll take you and your companion to Munrick Castle. The MacLeods will help you."

"Nay," she snapped and turned about, helping her friend—or her maid—rise to her feet. "Leave us. We are well."

"We mean you no harm, m'lady." He watched for her reaction to the title.

"I thank you for the offer of assistance, but we have no need of it."

She didn't notice the title, so clearly she was used to being called lady. Aside from that, her speech spoke volumes about her social station. And her status meant he definitely couldn't leave her unprotected in a snowstorm. She would not be as accustomed to the elements as a hardier crofter maid might be. Was she some chief's daughter who'd run away?

"Which clan are you from?" he asked.

"Does that matter?"

"Aye." He always liked to know who he was dealing with. Helping her would no doubt have repercussions.

The shape of her lips and the curve of her jaw line gave Dirk a sense of déjà vu. Though he could tell her eyes were dark, he could not see the shape clearly beneath the cowl and curtain of her dark brown hair. Had he seen her somewhere before?

"Are you a MacLeod? A MacKay?" he asked. Those were the two main clans in the area. But if she was from somewhere further south, as her dialect indicated, no telling which clan she'd come from.

"Nay," she said. Why the devil wouldn't she reveal her clan name at least?

"Are you running from someone?"

She froze, staring at him wide-eyed. That was it. Who was she running from and why?

A sharp gust of wind grabbed her cowl and flung it back, revealing more of her face and long dark hair.

Indeed, she was familiar. Was she someone he'd met during his youth? The familiarity niggled at the back of his mind, tormenting him.

"I've seen you before," he said.

My Brave Highlander copyright 2012 Vonda Sinclair

Thanks so much for checking out my pics and excerpt! What is your favorite area of the northern Highlands of Scotland? Do you enjoy learning what inspires certain scenes or settings in stories?

Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com

Time for More Inspiration

From time to time I like to share some inspirational quotes I've discovered on my journey toward this goal of published writer. Of course, once I reached that goal, I find I still need to return to these quotations as my journey continues. For we're never really done. One goal leads to another. And another.

"Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make
your mental blueprint and begin."
-Robert Collier-


Self-discipline is when your conscience tells you to do something
and you don't talk back.
-W.K. Hope


When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.
-John Ruskin


If the going is real easy, beware, you may be headed down hill.
- unknown


You may be on the right track, but if you just sit there you'll get run over.
- Paul H. Dunn


Hope one of these may give you the inspiration you need to move forward toward your current goal this week.

Natasha
FLAUNT IT - Available now
RISK IT - Coming Nov 15th
www.natashamoore.com

An Inspiring Walk

There are things I don't like about spring - at least spring where I live in western New York state. There's snow until like...two days ago - and I wouldn't be surprised if we got more before it's all said and done. And when we don't have snow, we have rain. And mud. Lots of mud. From the melting snow and the cold rain.

But there are elements of spring that I truly enjoy. The first night of the year when I don't have to turn on my electric mattress pad. The first day when I can open the windows and finally get some fresh air in the house. The daffodils which are now just starting to bloom under the front window. The buds forming on the tree branches. In a few more weeks the flowering trees in my back yard will be a beautiful mix of pink and white.

Spring signifies renewal. The earth coming back to life after the winter. That in itself is inspiring. But the walk I took with a friend around the neighborhood this weekend was truly inspiring.

For the first time this year, it was warm enough to walk without a jacket. People were out and about everywhere, walking and jogging (with dogs and without) or picking up the yard or working on their houses. It's a time to reconnect with neighbors after a long period of hibernation. Walking always seems to stimulate my brain as well as my body, the creative juices always flow a little stronger after a walk outdoors.

But none of those things was the real reason I was inspired this weekend when I walked in the spring sunshine with my friend. See, she just got some scary health news a couple days ago. And after crying with fear and ranting at fate, she called me and said, "Let's walk." We talked as we walked, about what she knows for sure and what she fears and what she hopes. We laughed a lot too. And we hugged each other tight.

Whatever the year has in store as spring coaxes the world back to life, bringing color back to the gray and dreary world around us, I hope I can be as strong as she is. See, it's scary for me too. I don't even know if I'll know the right things to say to her, the best things to do for her. All I can do is be there for her. She's mad now at this cancer that's invaded her body and ready to fight like hell.

It doesn't get more inspiring than that.

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Getting The Words Down

I don't want to bring on any bad juju or anything, but guess what? I've been writing again! Yes, I know. Crazy for a writer to write, isn't it? Like I told you in my post from last week, I've been plugging away at a couple different stories. The words were coming in tiny bursts, and sure, every little bit helps. But this week, well this week I actually felt like a writer again. Man, I love that feeling. And the best part? I was in a really great groove the other day (for me, anyway:)) and -- WHAM -- another plot line hits me. One that will really add to the story. I was able to flesh it out with the help of an awesome CP, and it got me really excited to continue on.

So, unfortunately, this post is going to be short and sweet. I gotta get back to it, while the mind is fresh and hot. But let me leave you with a little bit of what's inspiring me. Remember, I told you my hero is a fireman...


Have a great weekend!

Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels
http://twitter.com/Kristin_Daniels

I have a logo!

I have a logo!

What do you think? Isn't is great?

When I told graphic artist Tuesday Dube from Purple Ink Graphics and Design that I was thinking of creating a logo, she asked me what it was that I wanted to convey. I thought about it, and my answer was simple. "I want to portray alpha hot sweet sexiness." She just laughed and gave me a "Yeah, right."

As she designed this, though, through all the different incarnations, different fonts, shading, fades, etc., the design started to morph little by little into what you see now. When we were both satisfied, she said, "You know, I think we found what you were looking for." I completely agree! THIS is my alpha hot sweet sexy Kristin Daniels logo! I can't wait to start using it!

In the meantime, I've been plugging away at a couple new WIP's. One is talking to me more than the other right now, which is not surprising. I've tentatively titled it Burned and Broken. Being my typical pantser self, the idea is coming to me slowly, but I can tell you it's about a fireman -- a fire jumper to be exact -- who has a lot in his past he needs to set right.

And what have I been using for inspiration? When I sit down to write, I listen to this song -- several times! Works like a charm. Ready? Here we go...



Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels
http://twitter.com/Kristin_Daniels

Quirky Inspiration

Inspiration happens when you least expect it. For me, most of the time, it happens so subtley that I don't realize what's going on until it's over (kind of like sex after a few too many glasses of wine), so I don't get to enjoy it as much, if at all. Well, this weekend I got to enjoy a little inspiration.

I was on Facebook when I ran across a link to a video by Paloma Faith, an quirky entertainer from the UK. I liked it, and when I searched on her to find out more, I found a video for a song called New York.

For some reason, listening to this song (not necessarily watching the video) made me want to learn to sing. I have a terrible voice, always have had, but when I heard this song I thought, "Wow, it would be neat to be able to sing that!" Also, I loved that lyricist decided to personify the city of New York and make it the "other woman." I found it unusual and intriguing, and thus I was inspired.

And that incident, like my husband's kisses, inspired me to write about inspiration. See how contagious it is? lol

Usually when inspiration strikes, I don't think about it until much later and I don't get to embrace the energy. However, there have been times in the past when I did.

For example (and in keeping with the fact that Mother's Day was this weekend), writing You're All I Want for Christmas was a conscious effort inspired by single moms everywhere, including mine, who struggle around the holidays to provide for their children.

I know many writers are moved to write by their favorite authors, or least favorite (OMG, even I can write better than that!). I actually have to write or I can't think, but my favorite authors and their tremendous story-telling skills inspire me to try to write different types of stories.

What inspires you? What has inspired one of your books or stories? Or moved you to action in some way? Do share! It just might inspire someone else.

Happy Reading!

Inspiration works differently in all of us

by Kristin Daniels

Isn't it funny how the same thing can inspire people differently?

So, I was in my car the other day, just driving along, minding my own business, when a song comes on the radio. It's a newer song, and I'd heard it before. But until that day, I guess I'd never really listened to the words (or maybe it was because I was alone in the car and could actually hear them this time!). I immediately saw this song in my head. I know you all know what I mean... It was as if the song became a movie in my mind. And right then, I was inspired.

I saw a woman sitting alone, and at that moment, very lonely. She wanted to call her man, an ex I'm assuming. She's tired of missing him, tired of being by herself. It's late, and she wants company. She wants his company. Throughout the song, you feel the history between these two. She wants to call him, he wants to call her, but they both feel that if they do, it would be like losing a battle, losing control. But that doesn't matter to either of them, because you see, they need each other.

A story began to form in my head. Their background, what led them to the point where they're both wanting so desperately to call the other. What led them to needing each other for comfort (or some really hot... never mind. That's the erotic writer in me, LOL). What-if's started firing in my head. And words starting flowing on the page. I love it when that happens.

Later that day, I went online and looked up the band. I wanted to see the video for the song, just to see if what was in my head was anything close. And for the most part, it was (which just inspired me even more). Until the end. The end was completely different than what I had in my head. The song obviously inspired the director differently than it did me. Cool, I thought.

A day or two after that, I was chatting with our very own Esme (Hi, Esme!). I told her about the song, which I promptly bought from iTunes after that first day, and how I couldn't stop listening to it. She knew the one I meant. I told her I started writing a book inspired by it. She said she'd been inspired as well and had her own plot line swirling in her mind, and wasn't it amazing how different our ideas were. Again, I thought that was very cool. It just goes to show that there are no original story ideas any more, but the way an author shows the movie running inside their own head, well that can be very, very different.

See for yourself. Watch the video. Listen to the words. What do you think is going on between these two? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Monday Morning Inspiration

I love to collect inspirational quotes. I've printed out my favorites and tacked them up on the cork board beside my desk. Most of them are short nuggets of inspiration, but reading them can often give me the boost I need to keep going.
"The only one who can take you out of the game is you!"
"Take risks."
"Remember the joy!"
"Think outside the box."
"Nothing happens without a dream"
"Don't stop believin'!"


I like visual inspiration too. Like our popular "Eye Candy". I have a file full of pix of hunky guys and browsing through them from time to time can really get the creative juices flowing. For instance, I'm just finishing up a series of erotic shorts that I hope my editor at Red Sage is going to love. All the stories take place at a place called Paolo's Playhouse.


Getting together with other writers, and with readers, can get me inspired to write. Last week I, like Kristin, attending the Romanticon in Ohio. I had a great time talking with other authors, meeting enthusiastic readers, attending informative workshops, and getting the chance to meet on-line friends face to face. Oh, and watching those hunky cover models. I left the hotel fired up with the desire to get back to the keyboard.


Being a writer is mostly a solitary occupation and it can often be difficult to push away the distractions and get the pages written. I've found that any kind of inspiration that can help me get the words on the page is priceless. Especially on a Monday morning after a busy weekend.

What do you use for inspiration?

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Twice the Inspiration: Two Mothers

There's no better topic to write about on a Monday than something we all desperately need after the weekend--inspiration. Specifically that of a literary nature...

What is your first memory of writing a story? When I was very young, I don't recalI my exact age, I remember tapping out a story for my grandmother, who helped raise me. She was in the hospital, and I missed her desperately. All I remember about the story is that the main character was a little girl who could move objects with her mind (a harbinger of my penchant for all things wildly weird), but I vividly remember my grandmother's reaction to it.

She was impressed.

Probably a little scared, too, considering the subject matter, but she never showed it. Her exact words escape me, but they were encouraging. An avid reader, one who could put away two mass market paperbacks in a day, I never saw her without a book in her hand. Her learned opinion meant the world to my tiny writer’s soul, and her words carried great weight with me then just as they do know. Like her, I read quickly and constantly need the stimulation of the written word. The image of her so-dear scrawl across the graying type on that yellowed sheet of paper flits through my thoughts every now and then, such a subtle, yet powerful, memory. Because of her, I kept daring to imagine and create and enjoy the stories that whip through my scattered thoughts. One moment of gentle inspiration, and I've been writing ever since.

Unfortunately, my grandmother didn’t live to see anything of mine published, nor did my mother, my greatest fan and greatest source of inspiration. She lived with cancer for several years, and I watched as her reading habits changed from reading stories to me as a child, to reading with me as I grew older, to reading to keep her mind active as her other activities became more and more limited.

Eventually, her reading also came to include anything of mine I put in front of her. She always read whatever stories I asked her to, and although her opinion was always the same--"Great!"—and didn’t help much in the way of a formal critique, her enthusiasm buoyed me. There’s nothing like the support of a parent during a rough patch, and writing is full of them. Her encouragement was a priceless gift in a profession full of disappointment and discouragement, as well as a reminder that the enduring image of mother and child, the sanctity of that bond, is real and not just a theme that artists exploit in the name of poignant drama.

I often wonder what she’d think of my writing erotica and erotic romance, and though I will never know for sure, I like to think she’d be thrilled. We’d often sit and read romances together, her with her favorite historical and me with my contemporary of choice. Much of what I incorporate into my work comes from observing what she liked and didn’t like during those sessions. For example, she once stated she loved the romance she was reading, but the author described everything to death, including the flowered chair and the curtains and on and on. The lesson? Don’t overdo the descriptive narrative.

Another time I found her giggling her way through a tome, one that became an instant favorite because of its bawdy humor and witty banter between the hero and heroine. The lessons? Make ‘em laugh, and don’t forget to develop the intellectual chemistry between the main characters through sly, sexy dialogue. Sex is 90% mental and so is romance, so there’s got to be more to the main relationship than heat that will settle after gravity and age take their tolls, as they are wont to do.

The more I write, the more I see the results of my mother’s and grandmother’s influence, but occasionally, even my husband’s mother gets in on the act. One night we were discussing her funeral during dinner, and the idea for A Stranger’s Desire popped into my head. Just like that, Beau and Lilly were born thanks to a lovely woman I'd never gotten to meet, but who passed on her zest for life to my hubby, a quality of his I get to enjoy every day. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Whether it’s a story about living with cancer, like The Survivors in Alyson’s Island Girls anthology, or a novel about bearing the burden of a lost loved one and finding new hope in a new kind of family, like Pleasure 2035, my experiences with my two greatest inspirations always slip into my work. Perhaps it’s my way of paying homage to the women who paved a path for me, one they could never be sure I would take, but they did it anyway. Why? Because that's what those who inspire us do.

So, on this Monday before Mother’s Day, and during this week of celebrating those people and things who make us seek to go beyond ourselves, I raise my glass to my two greatest inspirations--my mother and my grandmother--two wonderful, intelligent women who loved a great read, an exciting adventure, and, to my good fortune, me.

Thanks.

What Gets You In The Mood?

by Kristin Daniels

So far this week, we’ve discussed several different areas of writing. Openings, point of view, conferences and plotting. But what I’d like to know is what you do to gear yourself up to sit down in that chair at your cluttered desk (or curl up on the couch with a pad and a pen, or drive you and your laptop to the local Starbucks) so you can begin writing for the day.

We recently had this discussion at my local RWA chapter meeting. The varied answers crossed the board. One author told us she had to play several hands of solitaire on the computer before she could put word one on the page (her husband would see that and comment, “Ah, I guess you’re going to write today.”). Others would check the news, or go back to read what they had already written. Me? I do two things. One, I check my blogs. I have a lot of writer and editor blogs that I follow and I love reading those before I settle down to work. The second is listen to music. Music was a big factor for most of the authors at the meeting.

Some authors have what they call a ‘soundtrack’ for the book they’re writing. They’ll make a CD, or create a playlist on their iPod and that’s all they listen to while they work. For whatever reason, I can’t listen to music while I write. It always distracts me. But I can listen before I begin, like setting the mood in a way. It’s usually only one or two songs, but it’s enough to get those juices flowing.

My favorites? Well, currently I have a few. As an erotic romance writer, I deal with sexual situations, so the songs I listen to before I write any sort of sexual tension or the actual sex scenes lean that way. For starters (and yes, this is the edited version, LOL):

Then, of course, there’s always this one:

Those never fail to get me going. But what about other types of scenes (I do have some that don’t include sex!). If I’m going to put my characters through some angst that day I might listen to this one:

Okay, so I like the harder stuff, but you get the point. All those songs set the tone for what I’m writing. What about you? What works for you? What is it that gets you in the mood?