When we return... and why we stopped

Today's blog, is, I think, aptly named.

Now that school has resumed (can I hear a Eureka?) and Christmas is over (pooh!) and the edits are done, I can finally settle back into the story I've been working on for some time.

Sure, I should be working on something else, but I need that zing of creativity at the moment to right my world.

With great trepidation, I open the file. Finally, there before me is the masterpiece I'm creating. So different from anything else I've written. My historical...

Gulp. It's been months (at least two) since I've looked at the file. I haven't really had time to consider it, to think about it, to get back into the headspace to write the words and continue the theme. How the hell can I possibly begin to drop back into the story?

I sweat. Shake. Shiver, even.

What if I... stuff it up?

All things I fear. But I need this. It's there, the story is just beyond my grasp.

I open my files, the research docs and spreadsheets, I read through the scenes I've already written.

Oh yes, I read them - Out Loud. (Thankfully no one else is home.)

I listen to my voice, think about the words. A tiny change here and there is okay, because it's letting me immerse myself in the story.

Then there - the light shines and the story tumbles from my fingers, twisting and twining it's way toward my next goal.

Sometimes the art of coming back to a piece is challenging. (Challenges are great - in moderation!) Depending on the reason for stopping (for me it was like a mental exhaustion and pending edits/finish series work etc) all you can do is walk away from a manuscript.

Was it a case of "writer's block?"

I don't think so.

See, I've never been one to push what isn't there. When the story stops flowing, I listen to my inner voice. You know the one -- It's tenacious and insidious. It's the one that says "you're stuck, give it a rest" -- but I like it enough to keep it around. Why? I can hear your questions!

It keeps me focussed most of the time, then hints that maybe I'm pushing too hard when things get tough. It has saved me tons of re-writes and angst, pain and anger. All because I let it direct my creative efforts.

It's also the one that says, "You're ready to resume."

So what has my inner voice got to do with returning? Reopening a manuscript? Lots! See, today, with edits done and kids off my hands, it's whispered in the low and sultry tone... "Come back! Write. You're ready." And dutifully, I have. Its not quite lunchtime and I've managed 1000 words.

Not a lot, it's true, but after 2 months away, it feels like a breath of fresh air. The words are there and I'm heading back to welcome them.

That's the way I work, but I'd love to hear how you handle returning to a manuscript after a break - as well as why you took that time out.

Imogene

Best Fake Day - Promo Post

Superstitious?

Hi everyone. Today I want to talk about superstitions. How many of you believe in them?

I’m not terribly superstitious, but I do avoid walking under ladders. There are also numbers I avoid. Last New Year’s Eve I was really wasn’t looking forward to 2013. Three is my least favourite number and the idea of 13 in a year wasn’t particularly appealing. Not that I think it’s an unlucky number, but because  saying the number out loud makes it sound so…dull. Thir-teen. It made me dread the coming year. How wrong was I?

It was in January 2013 that I clicked send on my manuscript to Beachwalk Press. I hit send and had no nerves or expectations at all. After all, 2013 was destined to be a rubbish year. One month later I got the contract for my first book Daring to Wish. Then I went on to write Best Fake Day and later had that book accepted too.

2013 was an amazing year for me. To be published was a dream of mine and if anyone would have told me in January that I would become an author in 2013, I would have laughed. To have begun the year as a writer with dreams and aspirations, then to finish the year with my second release Best Fake Day was a fantastic end to a very wonderful year.

I wonder what 2014 has planned for us? What are you hoping for?

Best Fake Day by Tracey Rogers

Faking it never felt so good.

Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn't want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.

Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn't a little girl anymore. She's definitely all woman, and there's an attraction between them that's hard to ignore.

Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can't deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can't refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.

Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language

Excerpt:

"Let me work off the money," Izzy said.

She felt Jack's gaze rake over her body, watched the clench of his jaw. "And how are you planning to work it off, Isabel?" he almost growled. "Is that what all of this is about?" he asked as his hand made an indicating sweep over her body. "Dress to impress so you can pay me in kind?"

"Oh God, no," she spluttered. "This is me showing you I'm not the weak, naïve girl I used to be and I won't be pushed around!"

The hard glint in his eyes softened slightly. "You were never weak. Naïve…" He trailed off. "So how exactly were you planning to pay me back?"

"Working here for you for free until I pay you back. I could collect glasses, work the bar, or clean."

"And you have experience in any of those roles?"

"No. But I could learn."

"But what about the house repairs?"

She shrugged. "I could do that during the daytime and work here at night. Then when I'm earning again from my day job I'll pay you back."

"And what exactly is your day job?"

"I'm a photographer. I could even do that here. Take photographs of the patrons and sell them for you."

"You work freelance?”

"I have my own business." She hesitated before elaborating. "As a wedding photographer," she said quickly, hoping he wouldn't snag the teasing opportunity.

Too late. The corner of his mouth quirked until it bloomed until a grin. "A wedding photographer. How appropriate. I knew playing dress-up with your mother's veil and having teddy bears as your guests would have an influence on you one day."

"You mean like wanting to have a traditional wedding where the groom doesn't have to bribe the bride? Yeah, my childhood messed me up real bad," she said with sarcasm.

"You're not working here, Izzy. And this conversation is over."

"No, it's not. I'm giving you a solution to paying off what I owe. I'll work off the amount Ellie paid for our debts and the rest you get from her. So when do I start?"

"You are not working here."

"Why?"

"Do you really want to have some guy groping you as you serve drinks? Or a group of guys? I run a tight ship and look out for my staff, but sometimes it happens."

"I can look after myself. I have been groped before, you know. I can deal with it."

He slid his chair closer, bending his legs so hers surrounded him without touching, but close, very close. He looked up at her under dark lashes. "So if some guy puts a hand on your leg you wouldn’t mind?"

She shook her head.

"And if that hand strayed beneath your dress?" he asked as his hand reached out to graze the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, making her shudder.

She shook her head slowly, earning a dark look. Of course she would mind. But this was Jack.

He stood abruptly, stepping into the v of her thighs. "And if a guy tried to kiss you?"

"I have been kissed before, remember?" she said, inwardly cringing at how breathless she sounded.

"I remember being a boy kissing you as a girl. If I were to kiss you now I wouldn’t be holding back and I wouldn’t be kissing you as a boy—I’d be kissing you as a man."

"Then do it," she demanded.

  

Buy Links:    Beachwalk Press   Amazon     Barnes & Noble  

About the Author:

A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn't searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana's books. I'm still in that world and refuse to leave.

I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around.

Author Links:   Site   Twitter   Facebook 

Tour Dates: January 13th - 31st

This Tour is for Spotlights, Interviews, Guest Post, and Reviews

1/13 - CU's eBook Giveaways
1/13 - Sexy Between The Covers (guest post)
1/14 - Not Everyone's Mama (review)

1/14 - Ella Jade (review)
1/15 - Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews (guest post) (review)
1/16 - Romancing The Pen (guest post)
1/17 - Queen of The Night Reviews (review)
1/20 - Tamaria Soana
1/21 - Reading, Writing, and Roses

1/22 - New Age Mama (review)
1/22 - That Bites- Book Talk and Reviews
1/23 - The eBook Promotions
1/24 - To Pen a Dream
1/27 - What's Beyond Forks? (guest post)
1/28 - Viari Rose 
1/29 - The Talent Cave Reviews
1/29 - Imogene Nix (guest post) (review)
1/30 - Intriguing Reads
1/31 - Sapphyria's Book Reviews (review)

Best Fake Day by Tracey Rogers

Well, I don't do a lot of reviews anymore... It's hard being an author so I tend to only pick and choose those that appeal to me...

Today, though, I have a treat for you.

The Best Fake Day

Tracey Rogers

Izzy Latham is restoring her former home before her father comes home from a nursing home, when Jack Carter, her former crush, turns up on her doorstep. What happens next is a series of events that rapidly spiral out of her control.

Izzy is such an idealistic character, working as a wedding photographer, she believes in love and forever, a total counterpoint to Jack who has nothing positive to say about marriage. He’s embittered by his childhood experiences and is so determined to get the one thing he wants that he’s prepared to do just about anything to get it. But as the story moves along, there is a very definite change in his character.

I loved the fact that she held onto her dreams in the face of his intransigence at the beginning. Every girl needs her dreams and Izzy was no different. I was also pleased that the idealistic view she had of her parents marriage was challenged, otherwise it would have been a high and (in my opinion) unrealistic bar for any married couple to achieve.

Jack seemed lonely and unable to accept that he could change that by embracing what was offered. At times I found his reactions were confusing, but in this situation I think that would be the overwhelming emotions that he would experience - so that added a believability factor.

As is always the case in a good romance, the guy gets his girl in the end, though there are highs and lows in getting there, including a very traumatic event.

This is a lovely story, with an updated version of a classic storyline with some red hot passion thrown in.

Blurb:

Faking it never felt so good.

Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn't want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.

Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn't a little girl anymore. She's definitely all woman, and there's an attraction between them that's hard to ignore.

Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can't deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can't refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.

Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?

Content Warning: contains sensual sex and occasional strong language

Author bio:

A devourer of books from an early age, I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn't searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana's books. I'm still in that world and refuse to leave.
I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around.

You can find me here: http://traceyrogers.wordpress.com/

On Facebook

On twitter

Or email me at: traceyrogersaut@gmail.com