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Join me at The Popculturedivas for New Regency Historical Release and Book 5 in a Popular Contemporary Romance Series.

A to Z Blog Challenge -- Z is for Zany

Welcome to Day 26 of this year's A to Z Blog Challenge where --
   

  

Z is for Zany

My attraction to all things silly goes wa-a-a-y-y back, to when I used to sit in my playpen with a bucket on my head making sounds just to hear them reverberate. At a basic level, even as a toddler, I knew it was silly to sit with a bucket on my head.

I do have to say that I come from a long line of silly people. No doubt my penchant for zaniness is genetic.

That's my cousin Charlie on Christmas Eve, 2009 -- an early photobomber.

I remember filling out a questionnaire in my bridal planning book where I had to list the top three things I couldn't live without in a mate.

One guess as to where 'sense of humor' ranked for me.

Even our dog was kooky. That's Xena crammed between the couch cushion and me in the purple shirt.

My sister gets eaten by the rhododendron during the Sisters Christmas Lights Decorating Party, 2012. We don't even try to be serious during lights decorating time.

My cousin-in-law Stephen, at right, can't even be serious at his own film premiere (at last fall's Atlantic Film Festival.)

Sure -- a mutant oversize zucchini is cause for silliness at our house. Why wouldn't it be?

My husband Brad deals with The Damage after a restaurant meal during our Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island vacation last summer.

I will confess to prompting other people to join me in my zaniness. Strangely, my writing group peeps have always been more than ready to flaunt their inner jesters. That's Nikki McIntosh and Kelly Boyce working it before a walk at the 2010 fall retreat.

Hey -- Nikki again at center, still working it at the 2011 retreat. At left, Annette Gallant, at right, Lori Robitaille.

Nikki...you are on a rampage of working it. Fall Retreat, 2013.

Maybe if I sit with my writing group's president Taryn Blackthorne, perhaps I'll settle down...

...nope...

And there you have it, folks! It's a wrap on 2014's A to Z Blog Challenge.

I'll be making my way to all of my commenters in the coming weeks. Thanks Everyone for dropping by A Piece of My Mind. It's been a pleasure to meet you!

A to Z Blog Challenge -- K is for Kelly Boyce

Welcome to Day 11 of this year's A to Z Blog Challenge.
   
My life-is-good moments usually contain a combination of feelings. There is the excitement of reaching a moment in time that I've been dreaming about, running parallel to the feeling of returning to a happiness I've cherished before.

A perfect example of this is The Pinot Grigio Moment, repeated most often with today's challenge feature --
  
  

K is for historical romance author Kelly Boyce

Kelly Boyce and I both joined our writers' group Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada within a few months of each other in 2003.

For many years, we have enjoyed a pinot grigio toast of one kind or another, most traditionally at the yearly writing retreat.

Here's a toast to Kelly with a look back at some of those life-is-good moments. Here's to many future *clinks* together.

Thursday Thirteen - 228 - 13 Things About Hosting A Harlequin Executive Editor at My Writers' Group

1 - A few weeks ago, my chapter of Romance Writers of America hosted a special event - Birgit Davis-Todd, Executive Editor at Harlequin Enterprises, gave an informative workshop and took story pitches from 20 of our members.

That's Birgit at right, next to YA author Renee Pace.













2 - Handling the hosting duties on behalf of our chapter, Annette MacPhee-Gallant, shown here at center, made a hectic schedule seem effortless.












3 - Also on the executive and a co-planner of the event, my good friend Kelly Boyce, shown at left.












4 - And rounding out the exec who pulled the weekend together, Michelle Helliwell in the green sweater, and -










5 - Donna Alward, in the foreground, wearing a blue printed blouse.












6 - First part of the event: a fabulous dinner at a Greek restaurant, Ela! in Halifax.












7 - I really enjoyed my scrumptious spanakopita with rice and salad, as well as a few glasses of pinot grigio. I'm sitting beside YA angel writer Shawna Romkey, who also happens to be one of the critique readers for my upcoming vampire novel.












8 - The next morning, we gathered bright and early to begin the writing all-day workshops and story pitches. Birgit gave a workshop with as much insider experience as one would encounter at the large, national RWA conference, like the one I attended this summer in New York.












9 - For some reason, on a beautiful, sunny September morning - no wind, no rain - the power went out. After a moment of blackness, the hotel's generator kicked in. Must have been a car running into a power pole, or some such thing.

Annette quickly made alternate lunch arrangements for 26 people without batting an eye. As it turned out, the power returned and we were able to keep our lunch reservations at the hotel restaurant, the Redwood Grill.










10 - This is a restaurant near the library where we hold our monthly meetings, so it's a familiar spot for our group. We don't normally descend in such numbers, however!













11 - For the afternoon session, Birgit set up in a meeting room and listened to timed story pitches from 20 members of our group. I realize Birgit's used to doing this by now - but still. My brain would implode after all of that.











12 - While the pitches were given in a separate meeting room, returning president Nikki Figueiredo, at right, led other activities - sharing our own 2-minute pitches of current projects, add-a-sentence stories and word-prompt writing.












13 - And guys - just in case you thought this chapter was a ladies' only outfit, meet Mark.

We've had several male writers join our group over the eight years I've belonged to RWAC.

Most stories have to be written from both the male and female characters' points of view, so it's a good idea to get a sense of what makes the opposite gender tick. I would love to see more men join groups like RWA, and likewise, it's a great idea for female writers to spend some quality guy time before returning to that male character they're writing.

Thursday Thirteen - 221 - 13 Blog Posts by Fellow Bloggers

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on some great posts I've enjoyed in the last little while:

1 - So Many Books...So Little Time... by Kelly Boyce

2 - More on RWA11-part2: Lit Signing & Evil Elevators by Leah Braemel

3 - Everything You Wanted to Know About Digital Publishing But Were Afraid to Ask - A Q & A With Maya Banks by Jane Litte

4 - On Cowboy Sex Appeal - Give Me a Real Good Man by Julianne Maclean

5 - A Peek Behind the Cover by Deborah Hale

6 - On the Shelf (secret librarian tips for historical research) by Michelle Helliwell

7 - Trekking to Toronto by Linda @ Are We There Yet?

8 - Carrie Preston From True Blood Interview by Melissa Bradley

9 - Playing Tourist at Home! by Anna Campbell

10 - To Float or Not To Float... by Jeanne Adams and Cassondra Murray

11 - Life Through the Eyes of a Child by Stella MacLean

12 - Something Borrowed by Ginger Merante

13 - Belleau Wood, 1 June to 26 June 1918 by Travis Cody

Through the Opera Glasses - 77 - 10 Questions For Kelly Boyce, Author of The Outlaw Bride

Day 15 of the A to Z Challenge brings us to a very special celebration.

Because today O is for Outlaw Bride.












Whom do I spy through my little opera glasses this week? Oh there - I see her! Debut western historical romance author Kelly Boyce, whose first e-book hits an e-reader near you TODAY.

Quick - let's pick up our skirts and dash over to see her. I'll just wait until she's in between chatting with readers.


Kelly - thank you for making your first stop on your release week promo tour here at A Piece of My Mind.

1 - You've been writing with clearly-plotted writing and career goals since you began your writing journey.

Don't know why I know that...oh, I know why. Because you've been picking me up for the drive to our monthly Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada meetings for the past 8 years. Ha, ha...!

So, what role do you think concrete expectations have for writers, who have to create their own workdays?

For me, concrete expectations are essential.

Where I have a full-time job (like most writers!), I needed to be very strict with my time management to ensure I wrote every day. I put my writing on equal footing with my day job, and since I wouldn’t dream of not showing up for the day job (they frown on that), I also wouldn’t dream of not showing up for the writing gig.

It means hideously early mornings, starting at 5:30am, which allows me 1.5 hours of uninterrupted writing time. I generally write fast, so I’m able to get a fair bit done in that time (although never as much as I’d like).

I set weekly goals, monthly goals, give myself manuscript completion deadlines, etc. I’m pretty goal-oriented, so having those goals keeps me focused.

2 - If I was going to describe you with a quote, I would definitely pick this one by Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism:

"Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy."

I’m one with Lao.

How does this fit with your writing style?

Being a huge planner, I usually have back-up plans for my back-up plans. That way, if Plan A goes haywire, I have Plan B through G at the ready.

But overall, I’m more of a Nike girl. My motto is “Just Do It”. Tired on Monday morning and don’t want to get up? Too bad. Just do it.

Didn’t make my weekly goal by Friday but don’t want to work the weekend? Too bad. Just do it.

3 - Ha, ha! Exactly.

How long have you been a part of RWA?

I joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) and RWAC (Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada) in June 2003 and promptly realized I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.

What role do you think this played in your development as a writer?

RWAC is probably one of the most supportive groups of talented writers I have ever come across and they were essential at teaching me everything I didn’t know. I would not be where I am today with my writing had it not been for joining up with this crew.

4 - You served two terms as president of our chapter. How did you manage to balance your day job/RWAC exec/writing life/personal life?

I drank a lot.

Well…okay, not a lot.

I mean, not every day, or anything.

The key to being a great chapter president is having a great executive behind you, which I had during both my terms. They made me look good.

The rest of it – day job, personal life, writing - was sheer time management, but I’m a Capricorn, we thrive on schedules. I break out into a rash if I don’t have a calendar handy. It’s not pretty.

5 - What attracted you to the western historical romance genre, Kelly?

I grew up watching spaghetti westerns and have always been a huge Clint Eastwood fan. My early television viewing included Bonanza, Big Valley and of course Little House on the Prairie.

Me, too!

Added to this, as kids, my brother, Craig would devour books on cowboys, Indians and such, then regurgitate the stories back to me. Safe to say, I was fully immersed in the Old West from a very early age, so writing a western historical romance was an easy fit for me.

Who are your favorite western authors?

Maggie Osborne is at the top.
Cheryl St. John.
Linda Lael Miller is great.
I’ve also recently started reading Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove.

6 - If you could set up the perfect western film marathon, what three films would have to be on the playbill?

Oh wow…that’s tough.



Unforgiven, definitely.














And I’m a huge Christian Bale fan and loved 3:10 to Yuma, so that’s definitely on the list.












And the entire series of Deadwood to round things out.










7 - Well, now I'm dying for a peek at what a Kelly Boyce western looks like. Tell us all about Connor Langston.

Aside from being the hottest thing to hit Fatal Bluff since the railway stop, Connor Langston is a good guy trying to do the best he can with the circumstances forced upon him after his brother’s death.

He is a man of honor, whether he likes it or not, and has an indelible sense of right and wrong. And did I mention stubborn and prideful? He starts the story seeing life strictly in black and white, but bit by bit learns things are often shadowed with shades of grey.

8 - And Katherine Slade?

Ah, Katherine…

If ever there was a woman with a streak of bad luck, she would be it. But God love her, that isn’t enough to stop her from trying to do the right thing.

Unfortunately, when a promise to a dead man brings her to Fatal Bluff, her need to make amends collides with her bad luck and she finds herself taking on an assumed identity.

Given that she can’t seem to lie her way out of a jam with any sense of finesse, this charade is destined to end badly. But Kate is never one to give up, and as the story goes along, her sense of justice and determination do not let her down.

9 - What's in store for The Brides of Fatal Bluffs series?

On her way to keep her promise, Katherine meets up with two other mail order brides on their way to Fatal Bluff to meet their intended husbands. Each of these brides will get their own book, and I am toying with an idea for a fourth in the series starring a certain bounty hunter you’ll meet in The Outlaw Bride.

10 - You'll be appearing all over the blogosphere this week - what other stops can readers find you on The Outlaw Bride train?

I am all over the blogosphere this week! Aside from hanging out with you and your lovely readers, I am also making the following appearances:








April 18th: ThePopCultureDivas

Manic Readers

April 19th: My blog!

April 20th: Carina Press Blog as well as Carina’s Facebook page

April 23rd: Petticoats & Pistols

Thank you, Kelly - and congratulations on this very special milestone.

Here is an exclusive excerpt from The Outlaw Bride:




Connor Langston dropped the wanted poster on his desk. He stood, the chair scraping across the floor behind him. Weariness settled into his bones. He placed both his hands on the small of his back and stretched the muscles.

“If the woman doesn’t want to marry Figg, I can’t force her, Oliver.”

“I understand, Sheriff. I just don’t want her to create a scene. I have my business reputation to consider.” Oliver Hewitt patted down the thin ridge of black hair that wound around his shiny head. A sly, hopeful expression blanketed his features. “You know, Sheriff, if she won’t marry Figg, perhaps you should marry her. Lord knows you could use a wife, what with your current predicament and all.”

Connor’s jaw prickled with warmth. He didn’t need anyone musing about his predicament, current or otherwise. It irritated the hell out of him that eight years later the people in this town still looked upon him with pity. He was tired of their sympathy doled out in the tragic clucking of tongues and heartfelt pats on the backs. He didn’t need the constant reminder. He just wanted to get on with his life.

“I don’t need a wife,” he bit out, glaring at the small man.

The sound of raised voices filtered through the half-open door.

“Oh dear…” Oliver’s shoulders hunched up to his ears as if he could block out the noise. “Sheriff, please!”

Connor’s patience snapped. “Dammit, Oliver! Can’t you ever take on a venture without it turning into a complete disaster?”

The deep baritone of Bart’s voice interrupted Connor’s outburst before Oliver could respond. “Why don’t you run along, Oliver. We’ll be right behind you.”

“Yes, yes. Perfect. Wonderful. Thank you, Sheriff!” Oliver spun around quickly and hustled out the door, reminding Connor of a waddling duck.

Bart pulled out a cheroot from the front pocket of his shirt and lit the end. “Stop glarin’ after the man, son, and let’s go break up the brouhaha.”

Connor stalked to the door and yanked his hat from the hook, jamming it onto his head. “Why am I getting dragged into this?”

Bart chuckled, a low rumble from deep within his chest. He slapped Connor on the back. “You’re getting dragged into this, son, because one day you woke up, rolled outta bed and said, ‘Today I think I wanna be sheriff.’”

Connor barely remembered that day. At the time there had been too many other things to think about.

A shriek interrupted his thoughts and he picked up the pace, running across the street toward the train depot, where a growing crowd waited to greet him.

Though he suspected there wasn’t much left in the world to surprise him, Connor had to admit finding a feisty red-headed woman dangling arse end up over Walter Figg’s shoulder was a bit startling.

“Put me down! I don’t care what you were expecting, I changed my mind. Now let me go this instant and go back under the rock you crawled out from! I will not marry you and you can’t make me.” Small fists pounded Walter’s back with all the fury of a cornered bobcat.

“Shut yer yap, woman.”

A string of colorful names rent the air. “Get your filthy hands off me, you flea-bitten warthog!”

Standing in the crowd, Clara Bates gasped and slapped her hands over her son’s ears. Several others snickered, the ruckus breaking up the monotonous routine of their day. Walter appeared the only one unmoved by the woman’s declaration, or her flailing limbs.

With a frustrated groan, Connor shouldered his way through the growing crowd to stand in front of the jilted groom. This was not how he had planned on spending his day, arguing with the slow-witted mountain man and kicking up a row for all the townsfolk to mull over and discuss for a week of Sundays.

For about the tenth time that day, Connor seriously questioned the new vocation he had acquired. With a weary shake of his head, he pointed to the boardwalk in front of him and addressed the would-be groom. “Walter, put the lady down.”

- Kelly Boyce, 2011

The Outlaw Bride is available from Carina Press TODAY - Click here for details

Nearly Wordless Wednesday - 194

Day 11! of the A to Z Challenge brings us back to my photography feature, hosted by Wordless Wednesday.

Normally, Wordless Wednesday is exactly that - a posting of an image that speaks for itself. But sometimes a few words are required.


Like today - because today, K is for Kelly Boyce, debut western historical romance author with Carina Press.











Kelly and I joined our local chapter of Romance Writers of America around the same time.

She has generously driven me to almost every meeting since then, as well as out to the yearly retreat, has been my roomie, my lunch partner, dinner partner, party partner, and general cheerleader and cherished friend.

So Kelly - as you celebrate your dream-come-true with the release of your first book next week - I raise a glass of our favorite pinot grigio.

To Kelly.

Thursday Thirteen - 198 - 13 Ways the Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada Got Connected at Argyle Fine Art in Halifax, Nova Scotia

1 - The week before Valentine's Day was a perfect time for my writers' group to get together at Argyle Fine Art in Halifax for an evening of networking with the Halifax business community.











Photo by Stamos Sotiropoulis

2 - A joint event sponsored by Bconnected, Charlie Mac Productions, Rich Graphics and Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada, the evening was an opportunity to get out of the house on a crisp winter's night, meet new people, check out some really stunning artwork while indulging in a little wine, cheese and fruit.

You can see my husband Brad and myself hobnobbing at right.











Photo by Stamos Sotiropoulis

3 - Then it was paparazzi time.











Photo by Stamos Sotiropoulis

4 - From L to R: RWAC president Annette Gallant, Donna Alward, moi, Julianne MacLean, Deborah Hale, Jennie Marsland, Lilly Cain, Kelly Boyce, Taylor Keating and Renee Field













5 - The business crowd was delighted to discover that nestled here on the rocky coast of eastern Canada are writers who - instead of publishing only locally-set Atlantic Canadian stories with Canadian publishers - publish North American commercial romantic fiction through New York publishers.












6 - Renee Field was the first writer to speak to the gathering.



Her latest release, Beastly Passion, is published by Ellora's Cave.




















7 - Paula, one half of the writing team known as Taylor Keating,


spoke about her debut novel, Game Over, published by Tor.





















8 - Debut author Kelly Boyce


talked about her upcoming April release The Outlaw Bride from Carina Press.


















9 - Deborah Hale


gave us a look at her current release, Married: The Virgin Widow as well as a preview of her upcoming Gentlemen of Fortune series from Harlequin Historicals - which includes her 25th release in a career spanning thirteen years.
















10 - Next we heard from Donna Alward,


who told us about her 16th Harlequin release, Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle.




















11 - Lilly Cain


explained the print-on-demand aspect of publishing, including her third release Building Magic.






















12 - My cousin Julianne MacLean


introduced her new St. Martin's Press series which begins with Captured by the Highlander, releasing March 1st - her 16th release since 2000.




















13 - Wrapping up the author's segment of the evening, Jennie Marsland


shared her second release, McShannon's Heart, from Bluewood Publishing.