Where will you be this year?

Happy New Year! I'm so excited to get rockin' and rollin' on a killer 2011! 2010 was difficult for me in a lot of ways, and I wasn't the least bit sad to see it go. Believe me, I'm ready to start off fresh.

I'm not one to make resolutions because, quite frankly, I typically fail to keep them. But, I do have some goals for this year. One is to write. Write, write, write. I took most of 2010 off, and I really missed that creative outlet. I've found I need it. It's like dark chocolate to my soul. So, this week I've spent a lot of time putting fingers to keyboard, banging out the words. I love being back in the saddle. I just hope everything stays on an even keel so I don't get knocked off.

My second goal is to attend a few conferences this year. I'm looking at three or four, in hopes I can do at least two. RT and RWA Nationals are iffy, while Ellora's Cave RomantiCon is a given. I can't give up those Cavemen! Another I'm looking at is Lori Foster's 7th Annual Reader and Author Get Together. I've heard nothing but great things about this conference, so I think I'll give it a go.

Any other great conferences you've heard of or are attending? I'd love to hear where everyone will be this year!

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

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

Great Review for Chains of Desire

In the last couple years I've noticed a decline in the number of on-line reviews I receive for my releases. I realize it's a case of too many books, not enough reviewers. And I know I shouldn't care about reviews anyway...but what can I say. I do care. I always hope the reviewer enjoys the story because she's a reader, first and foremost. And the readers are who I write for.

So I was thrilled to get a great review for my latest Ellora's Cave release, Chains of Desire. Even more thrilling was the personal e-mail from the reviewer, telling me how much she enjoyed my writing. That made it even more special.

You can read the review here.

I've also found out that Chains of Desire will be coming out in print later this year. It should be out in time for me to sign it at the booksigning at Ellora's Cave's first Romanticon this October.

I'm looking forward to meeting readers and other authors. And maybe even a few reviewers. So who else is going to the Romanticon this year??

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com