fionajayde.com

Guesting at Make Believe Mondays

fiona — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:27:59 +0000

My fellow Samhain author Debra Parmley interviewed me for Make Believe Mondays.

http://makebelievemondays.blogspot.com/2010/08/make-believe-mondays-with-fiona-jayde.html

Check it out when you have a moment!

Still Unpacking and New Interview

fiona — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:36:12 +0000

I’m still surrounded by boxes, but the kitchen and office are usable:)

Not much else to report other then a new interview at Ann Lory’s blog:

http://annlory.blogspot.com/2010/08/in-author-spotlight-fiona-jayde-al-hi.html

How is it almost August already? Didn’t we just ring in 2010?

Fangirl Monday

fiona — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:46:17 +0000

I saw this over the weekend and had to post it – and my fangirl squeals. Is it wrong for a grown woman to crush on an actor? Can’t wait for this movie to come out! I saw some sort of a whispered protest about prohibiting actors playing both Marvel and DC characters, but I’m just happy to see my boy…Though I do prefer him armed with two katanas…

In other news, I’m avidly procrastinating on my second draft of my big mystery project and using packing as an excuse

Bookish Monday

fiona — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:34:49 +0000

I’ve spent the weekend packing boxes and boxes and boxes of books:) The hubster and I are getting ready to move and there are towers of brown boxes in my living room:) And while its a tossup who has more books – hubby or I – I think I’m the clear winner by virtue of collecting books for all interests. And I got plenty of interests:)

Romance Books – Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb dominates:) There’s a good smattering of Linda Howard, Johanna Lindsay and JR Ward (thought I started getting those in Ebook format – Lover Avenged was like a brick! Glad I got that on my Kindle lol)

Writing Books – Looks like I went from “plotting” to “character” -… I still have a hard time getting through a lot of the books because I tend to buy them when stuck on a plot point and forget all about them when said plot point is resolved… James N Frey seems to be a consistent author on my shelves – he’s a damn good writing teacher (hehe – couldn’t help myself there)

Art Books – lots of drawing and painting and “happy little tree Bob Rossisms”. Plus a smattering of those “paint in a book” kits – those are always fun… I should get back into drawing… Someday.

Jazz books – A couple Bill Evans books which I can’t read (I have a hard time reading jazz rhythms) and a couple of Oscar Peterson books (with a CDs yay!). Plus a big stack of photocopied Star Wars soundtrack for the piano… Hubster wouldn’t let me recycle it:)

Hubster’s shelves are actually organized by theme/author – he’s got Robert Jordan on one shelve (HUGE books with neat covers!), a whole bunch of Star Trek TNG books (We once bet that he doesn’t have Q In Law in his collection and he took great pride in unearthing it in 10 seconds flat), Dresden books, and a smattering of various other Urban Fantasy books.

I gotta say – I love my Kindle, but there’s a certain gluttonous pride of ownership in having a diverse library of books:)

How do you guys keep your book collection organized?

Guest Blog: Secondary Characters by Carolyn Smith

fiona — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 04:23:46 +0000

Caroline Clemmons writes paranormal, historical and contemporary romance. Her latest release, the time travel OUT OF THE BLUE, is available from The Wild Rose Press. In addition to being mom to two daughters, Caroline’s work experience includes newspaper reporter and featured columnist, assistant to the managing editor of a psychology journal, and bookkeeper. Caroline and her husband are living happily ever after on a small acreage rural North Central Texas. She loves to hear from readers at www.carolineclemmons.com. Check her blog at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com for prize giveaways, author interviews, book reviews, writing tips, and miscellaneous topic.

Part of the fun in writing is creating interesting secondary characters. Secondary characters don’t have to be bigger than life or appear perfect. The author can play with these guys and make them zany or annoying or heroic. Carefully balance creating characters that are memorable and interesting without letting them steal the spotlight from the hero and heroine. Let’s take a moment and think of some famous secondary characters in film and books.

Clayton Moore as Lone Ranger

Gabby Hayes – Roy Rogers

Robin – Batman

Hawk – Spencer (Robert B. Parker)

Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz – Lucille Ball

The characters I listed above provide different qualities to the story. Tonto, for instance, is a trusted assistant but the poor man also functioned as maid, cook, and messenger. His job was hard and definitely not politically correct—although at the time the stories began, Tonto was chosen to portray the Lone Ranger was open-minded and fair.

Gabby Hayes’ function was comic relief. When the story was as tense as Roy Rogers’ stories ever got, Gabby injected a laugh or a pearl of wisdom. As a child, I loved Roy Rogers but always hoped Gabby Hayes would be a part of the movie.

Currently, Robin functions as an assistant crime fighter being trained by his mentor, Batman. The television series starring Adam West as Batman focused attention back to this duo. I believe the adults who’d read the comic books were the greatest fans. In the movies, Robin has been portrayed with more backbone, but he’s still a favorite secondary character. The duo who began as a spoof on homosexuality has become mainstream.

Robert B. Parker’s Hawk is one of my favorites. Since Spencer has to abide by the rules of his P.I. license, Hawk is the go-to guy for the gray areas. Hawk is not afraid to cross the line—any line. The multi-purpose assistant is a common theme in crime stories, cozies, and romantic suspense. Look at Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum. Stephanie has her policeman boyfriend Joe Martelli to consult on legal matters as well as cozy matters. Ranger, though, can get things done with no-questions-asked.

Ethel Mertz functioned as a calming influence when Lucille Ball overreacted—which was always! Ethel couldn’t keep Lucy out of trouble, but she tried at the same time she was Lucy’s best friend. Ethel is a perfect secondary character for one of today’s romantic comedies. She was a reluctant partner-in-chaos.

But those types of secondary character—with the possible exception of Ethel Mertz—are not really the sort I want to talk about today. We are discussing the secondary characters who (1) are confidantes/mentors, (2) who facilitate the plot, or (3) who turn into a leading character in the next book of a series.

(1) In your story, no matter how secretive the hero or heroine, there might be one person who advises and mentors the protagonist. I’ll use movies “Sleepless In Seattle” since you’ve probably all seen that movie. Meg Ryan has Rosie O’Donnell as advisor/confidante. Tom Hanks has Rob Reiner, plus Tom also has his son urging him to action. The confidante/advisor allows the exposition of details that might be boring in narrative or an info dump. They give the opportunity for humor, such as when Rob Reiner explains modern dating to Tom Hanks or hundreds of letters arrive because of Tom Hanks’ son’s character.

(2) Yoda is the perfect facilitator. He counsels, but takes little part in the action. This character might also be a priest, minister, or family friend. A protagonist goes to the facilitator when seeking help with a decision or quest. Another facilitator might be off-stage in guise of a benefactor whose legacy is the inciting incident. Jodi Thomas’ TWISTED CREEK springs to mind. The main character, Allie, inherits a lakeside home/store in a small community from a man she’d never met or heard of. Her arrival launches this wonderful story set in West Texas near my hometown of Lubbock.

(3) Series are always interesting because they give readers a chance to continue with secondary characters they love. In book one, Jake could be the hero’s brother or best friend. In the second book, Jake becomes the hero, but readers continue to learn about the couple from the first book. Sometimes authors who didn’t plan a series receive a good reaction to a secondary character and write a linked book. For instance, in my upcoming September release, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, the heroine’s brother, Finn O’Neill, is a complex man. My editor asked for a book with Finn as hero. You can be certain I’ll be happy to comply as soon as possible.

A good secondary character exposes the best qualities of the hero/heroine. The secondary character also encourages the hero/heroine. In a crisis, the secondary character may mediate. Whether you want a series or not, create secondary characters who interest the reader. But be careful your secondary characters don’t steal the show from the hero and heroine! That’s why they’re called “secondary characters.”

Monday news and new cover!

fiona — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:47:07 +0000

I can finally post the cover for Night Haven – coming Sep 21 from Samhain! I’m super excited about this series – its a kickass Urban Fantasy with lots of action and passion and well… kicking ass:)

Quick Blurb:

Desire cuts both ways…

Nothing gives Dina more pleasure than leaving the vampires she hunts to the mercy of the dawn. And yet most humans she is sworn to protect seem all too happy to offer up their necks. She has vowed never to be like those needy creatures yet, three months ago, she allowed a vampire to kiss her. The memory still makes her body burn—and her skin heat with humiliation.

For over twenty empty years, Luke has lived in a world of dead pleasure and burning sunrise, feeding off those who long for immortality and taboo thrills. Only his art makes him feel half-alive. Until one night in a dark, moody nightclub, where a reckless, amber-eyed bloodwolf left behind her clean, sharp scent—and an ache in his blood nothing but another taste can ease.

Finally, with the chance to purge Luke out of her system, Dina moves in for the kill. But she comes to a horrifying realization. She can no longer shift, and the desire to taste him—body, soul and blood—is making her crazy. As an enraged bloodwolf threatens to rip them both apart, she may just be crazy enough to trust Luke with her life.

Warning: Contains interspecies lust between a bloodwolf and a vampire, and desire thick enough to cut with a blade.

Read An Excerpt Here

Artsy Monday

fiona — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:11:11 +0000

I’ve had a very artsy weekend and finally created a portfolio on DeviantArt.

I haven’t uploaded all my stuff yet (There’s tons!) but I’ve uploaded a few faves with plenty more coming:)

http://fionajayde.deviantart.com/

Monday Blues

fiona — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:17:28 +0000

So I got a bit burned out writing my mystery project every day of the week, so my friend Lacey Savage gave me permission to take a break this weekend:) Thanks Lace!

I spent the weekend vegging with Netflix. They actually had the audacity to tell me that my que was over limit and I had to remove some items in order to add other items… The embarrassment!

I watched a Korean spy thrilled called Shiri (Swiri) which was like a much darker and more violent Mr And Mrs Smith.

A female sniper from North Korea is sent undercover into South Korea to assinate several key government figures and basically cause chaos.

The man who is obsessed with finding her often has nightmares that the woman he is searching for will murder him and his partner. He doesn’t share the hardship of his high-pressure anti-terrorism job with his fiance, an aquarium supply owner who is a recovering alcoholic.

Lots of kickass action and poignant moments, making wish I understood the Korean language to truly appreciate the subtleties of the movie hidden under the numerous gunshots and explosions.I won’t get into the details (and the tragic ending!) but man it was awesome! Total Fi movie – explosions and kickass female heroine and a romance. Granted, I would have wanted it to end differently, but the ending made sense. Fully recommend it to kickass movie aficionados!

The other movie I watched was called Every Little Step – a documentary about tryouts for a revival of The Chorus Line. I just ADORE musicals and this was a fascinating look at people auditioning for a musical about auditioning for a musical. (HA!)

All in all a terrific weekend, and I got plenty of juice for my word count this week:)

Monday After Chicago

fiona — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:57:09 +0000

Just came back from fantabulous working week in Chicago and ready to dive into my mystery project. I’m writing a full length romantic suspense and loving every minute of it:)

I’ll be revealing a new cover for Night Haven as soon as Samhain gives me permission to do so, but I have release date – September 21.

Here’s an unofficial blurb:

Desire cuts both ways…

In other news, my Sci Fi Romance Cold Victory received some terrific reviews!
Lea the Closetwriter gave Cold Victory 4.5 stars, saying “If you enjoy an exciting, nail biter of an erotic science fiction story, you may like to give “Cold Victory” a try.”
Thank you Lea!
http://lea-closetwriter.blogspot.com/2010/06/cold-victory-by-fiona-jayde-review.html

Dottie at Tink’s Place said “Cold Victory was a very quick, intense read that I found difficult to put down, read in one sitting. I recommend it for readers who like some red-hot romance and space fantasy readers, well worth your time.”
Thank you Dottie!
http://myblog2point0.blogspot.com/2010/06/cold-victory-by-fiona-jade.html

Off for another week for writing and plotting mayhem:)

Monday after RT

fiona — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:59:53 +0000

I’m back from the Romantic Times Convention 2010 and slowly getting re-integrated into the real world:) This was my first RT experience, and even though I went there as an author, I was a complete and total fan girl.

I’m pretty cool about seeing celebrities (I lived in Southern Cali for 10 years and one tends to bump into them). I even told my friend Lacey Savage how I’m non-pulsed about seeing celebrities. That same day I nearly mowed down Rebecca York (who was very gracious about it) in my rush to tell her how I loved her books. I also met Angela Knight who is terrific, got an autograph from J.R Ward (Fangirl Squeee!), hung out with my dear friends Beth Kery and Lacey Savage and Sierra Dafoe, met a whole bunch more people (authors and readers) and had a terrific time.

I met a couple of authors whose books I seriously need to read and talked about writing almost the whole time. I also got some terrific advice from thriller author Robert Gregory Browne: throw out the writing advice books and learn from the books you want to write.

I have a mild fetish for writing books, so I don’t know if I’ll follow his advice completely, but I do agree with it… Better warm up that Kindle!

I also spoke at with Brett Battles about researching vs writing (his advice? just jump into it!) and “little darlings” – those tidbits of your own cleverness that insist on littering a manuscript.

I didn’t have the nerve to sign up for any signings which was a good thing because it gave me an opportunity to walk around and meet other authors “incognito”. That way if I went into fan girl mode, they didn’t know who I was.

I’m still a bit shell shocked, but in all, it was a terrific conference and I’m very glad I went!