Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Last week saw the opening of Eirelander Publishing, a small-press house many of us RBA posse are involved with. It's been a terribly exciting time for us, and take a moment if you can to check it out. I promise you won't regret it!
So. October... already! Hmm, spooky atmosphere, lengthening darkness, creatures of the night and hallows, Halloween... Expect to see jack-o-lanterns everywhere, rich and warm fall colours, ghouls and other such lot, skeletons...
Speaking of which, we here at RBA are sad to say this, but if you're a book lover, you don't need to look long and hard and even far to see skeletons lately. Just take a look at most books coming out right now and bam! There you are - a skeleton of a story packaged as a book!
This got us thinking, bumping our brains and making hissing sounds come from our lips. Why? We kept asking ourselves - why is there is no real story now? Where are the writers? Where did they check the 'wow' factor that should be so inherent to writing?
Stay with us this month as we try to answer this question while navigating through the sinuous and tortuous waters of what is known today and in this age as publishing and writing.
T.J. and Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will be taking all these on, as well as our regular contributors Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja. And after months off (wherein she achieved another superwoman milestone - that of becoming a mommy!), Angela Guillaume is back with us and ready to roar!
Catch us this week as we hiss the turmoil out of our systems!
On Tuesday, T.J asks writers today whether they really care about their craft.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will want to know whether you're watching books or reading them.
Don't forget:
This October, we want to try and put some flesh, meat and skin on this poor soul we now meet that bears the name of 'story skeleton'. And maybe, get a heart to beat inside this ribcage.
This October, we're on the quest:
Searching for a some meat and beef...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
P.S A little woman-to-woman aside: October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Take a minute to get the knowledge on how a little thing like a monthly self-exam can save your life, and remember, Think Pink!
Showing posts with label Sandra Marshall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandra Marshall. Show all posts
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
We launched off into September with a really swift kick to the backside, touching upon an almost taboo question in the writing and publishing world today: where have all the good stories gone?
Is it a wonder then how many of us as readers are falling back on books written one or even two decades ago? Why, when there's so much writing and books and ebooks and new authors popping up everyday in the world and in cyberspace?
Last week, we attempted to answer that loaded question from a the angle of characterisation - how good characters maketh a good, memorable and lasting-impression story.
This week, we continue to try to find answers to this dilemma.
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she tells us how she feels emotional drive is totally, absolutely missing in most stories today. She also asks us what we feel is lacking in stories today - are we up for grabbing good emotional drive or just mindless sex?
Sandra Marshall pens us her monthly point-of-view piece on Wednesday. Find out what she has to say about what attracts, retains, and repulses her from books. She tells us what a good story is for her as a reader.
On Thursday, catch another of Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn)'s endless rambles on the current topic. This week, she talks about the dwindling collective imagination of this bizarre species called writers.
Don't forget:
This September, we want to go back to the roots of what makes writing, and reading, such a life-changing experience.
This September, we're on the quest:
Searching for a good story...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
We launched off into September with a really swift kick to the backside, touching upon an almost taboo question in the writing and publishing world today: where have all the good stories gone?
Is it a wonder then how many of us as readers are falling back on books written one or even two decades ago? Why, when there's so much writing and books and ebooks and new authors popping up everyday in the world and in cyberspace?
Last week, we attempted to answer that loaded question from a the angle of characterisation - how good characters maketh a good, memorable and lasting-impression story.
This week, we continue to try to find answers to this dilemma.
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she tells us how she feels emotional drive is totally, absolutely missing in most stories today. She also asks us what we feel is lacking in stories today - are we up for grabbing good emotional drive or just mindless sex?
Sandra Marshall pens us her monthly point-of-view piece on Wednesday. Find out what she has to say about what attracts, retains, and repulses her from books. She tells us what a good story is for her as a reader.
On Thursday, catch another of Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn)'s endless rambles on the current topic. This week, she talks about the dwindling collective imagination of this bizarre species called writers.
Don't forget:
This September, we want to go back to the roots of what makes writing, and reading, such a life-changing experience.
This September, we're on the quest:
Searching for a good story...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, August 17, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Well, we're supposed to be talking about sex... The good, the bad, the nasty, the darn ugly... and the downright stupid!
Did I just say, stupid? Yes, and I'm echoing the words of one of the driving forces behind this blog. Catch us this week and find out what we're talking about!
So, what do sex and ambition have to do together? No, we're not talking couch-based promotion. Frankly cannot believe that still exists, but it does, sadly... Sigh
Still, what does a writer do when stringing ambition, writing, and sex in the same sentence? We attempt some answers for you.
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she asks us where our ambition got lost when erotica started to burn trails down the publishers' paths. Don't miss this post, coz it's very insightful!
On Tursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) takes a page off T.J.'s book and pens her own post on where she lost herself in the maze of trying to go down the erotica route. She poses a few questions and tells a bit about where and how sex and characters fit in a story.
And on Friday, don't miss Sandra Marshall's post on the whole issue of sex and heat in writing!
Don't forget:
This August, we're turning up the dial where the heat is concerned.
This August, we're on the quest:
Searching for a blast of heat...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Well, we're supposed to be talking about sex... The good, the bad, the nasty, the darn ugly... and the downright stupid!
Did I just say, stupid? Yes, and I'm echoing the words of one of the driving forces behind this blog. Catch us this week and find out what we're talking about!
So, what do sex and ambition have to do together? No, we're not talking couch-based promotion. Frankly cannot believe that still exists, but it does, sadly... Sigh
Still, what does a writer do when stringing ambition, writing, and sex in the same sentence? We attempt some answers for you.
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she asks us where our ambition got lost when erotica started to burn trails down the publishers' paths. Don't miss this post, coz it's very insightful!
On Tursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) takes a page off T.J.'s book and pens her own post on where she lost herself in the maze of trying to go down the erotica route. She poses a few questions and tells a bit about where and how sex and characters fit in a story.
And on Friday, don't miss Sandra Marshall's post on the whole issue of sex and heat in writing!
Don't forget:
This August, we're turning up the dial where the heat is concerned.
This August, we're on the quest:
Searching for a blast of heat...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, August 10, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Life happens, doesn't it? And when else would it take place but in the scorching months of summer? Everyone's taking a break, we're all over the place, and we soak up the sun. If that's not gonna get the temps up...
Well, allow me to tell you that if the mercury rising in the outside heat is not enough for this August, we've got our own brand of heat and warmth to scorch and sizzle in the writing world. Proof? We're tackling all things heat and hot in romance.
Love scenes, sex scenes, romance, sensuality, erotic romance, erotica... We'll be dealing with all this in the month!
Catch us this week as we set out to bring more heat to the pages of your writings. T.J. kick- started this topic last week, and we're gunning the engines and sending sparks flying.
But, somewhere along the way, we started to ask ourselves - where did the love, emotion, and feelings go? How come sex became just sex in romance nowadays?
This week, we're tackling this very question.
T.J. on Tuesday will be asking you where the sensuality got lost, and she'll give some tips as to how to bring emotions and the five senses back into your characters' lovemaking. And, she also brings us the notion of the 'spark'. Find more about it in her enthralling post.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) takes a little break off from her bed-ridden, flu-suffering state to rant a little about the lack of emotions and in lovemaking scenes - are those characters simply going through the motions? Where have the people making love gone?
Throughout the month, we'll be joined by our regular contributors, Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja.
Don't forget:
This August, we're turning up the dial where the heat is concerned.
This August, we're on the quest:
Searching for a blast of heat...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Life happens, doesn't it? And when else would it take place but in the scorching months of summer? Everyone's taking a break, we're all over the place, and we soak up the sun. If that's not gonna get the temps up...
Well, allow me to tell you that if the mercury rising in the outside heat is not enough for this August, we've got our own brand of heat and warmth to scorch and sizzle in the writing world. Proof? We're tackling all things heat and hot in romance.
Love scenes, sex scenes, romance, sensuality, erotic romance, erotica... We'll be dealing with all this in the month!
Catch us this week as we set out to bring more heat to the pages of your writings. T.J. kick- started this topic last week, and we're gunning the engines and sending sparks flying.
But, somewhere along the way, we started to ask ourselves - where did the love, emotion, and feelings go? How come sex became just sex in romance nowadays?
This week, we're tackling this very question.
T.J. on Tuesday will be asking you where the sensuality got lost, and she'll give some tips as to how to bring emotions and the five senses back into your characters' lovemaking. And, she also brings us the notion of the 'spark'. Find more about it in her enthralling post.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) takes a little break off from her bed-ridden, flu-suffering state to rant a little about the lack of emotions and in lovemaking scenes - are those characters simply going through the motions? Where have the people making love gone?
Throughout the month, we'll be joined by our regular contributors, Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja.
Don't forget:
This August, we're turning up the dial where the heat is concerned.
This August, we're on the quest:
Searching for a blast of heat...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, July 20, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
We're still backstage this week, untangling threads behind the scenes. And as anyone can tell you, tangled threads can get messy! There's publishing, Ny publishing, e-publishing, to consider. Then there's stuff like promotion, workshops, conferences. Life definitely gets hectic for authors out there.
On this backdrop the RBA posse bring you some more about life behind the red curtain.
Find T.J. on Tuesday as she tells us more about what happeens when you hear the magic words "We want to offer you a contract". What can you, and what should you, expect?
On Wednesday, Sandy brings us a post about her experiences as an e-published author.
And on Friday, we welcome the second leg of our guest blogger's posts - Adventures of an RWA conference virgin-Part II is what J. Hali Steele has to tells us now that she's back from the RWA National conference!
Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) is encountering some Internet issues, and will try her best to post on Thursday.
Don't forget:
This July, we're going backstage into the world of writing and the writer.
This July, we're on the quest:
Searching for what happens behind the scenes...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
We're still backstage this week, untangling threads behind the scenes. And as anyone can tell you, tangled threads can get messy! There's publishing, Ny publishing, e-publishing, to consider. Then there's stuff like promotion, workshops, conferences. Life definitely gets hectic for authors out there.
On this backdrop the RBA posse bring you some more about life behind the red curtain.
Find T.J. on Tuesday as she tells us more about what happeens when you hear the magic words "We want to offer you a contract". What can you, and what should you, expect?
On Wednesday, Sandy brings us a post about her experiences as an e-published author.
And on Friday, we welcome the second leg of our guest blogger's posts - Adventures of an RWA conference virgin-Part II is what J. Hali Steele has to tells us now that she's back from the RWA National conference!
Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) is encountering some Internet issues, and will try her best to post on Thursday.
Don't forget:
This July, we're going backstage into the world of writing and the writer.
This July, we're on the quest:
Searching for what happens behind the scenes...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, July 6, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Hmmm, long time no hear... We at Royal Blush hope you all had a wonderful July 4th celebration, and if you live in other parts of the world or are not American, well, we hope you had a nice time over the past week. We know we enjoyed our break, even if we missed making the usual appearance here. Life went on like it usually does at this time of the year. Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) is begging for some sunlight in her dreary winter while Sandra and Diana are asking for some relief from the humidity and heat of the summer in the northern hemisphere. You'll probably hear another such rant in a few months when the seasons change, but what can you do? That's the basic economic premise, isn't it - limited resources for unlimited wants...
But, no digressing, coz we are back in full force this month, refreshed and ready to take on the world. Backstage, we've been giving in to a lot of the 'twist, spin, flip' technique. No, we weren't making pancakes, though one of us could surely give you a good recipe and technique for this delicious concoction. We've actually been thinking about all that goes on backstage in writing, prompted by our very first guest blogger spot for July!
Confessions of a confie virgin is what our guest blogger, author J. Hali Steele, will be telling us about. About to attend her first writer's conference, J will pen for us 2 posts, one prior to her departure and another after she comes back home with a new experience, that of attending such an event. Don't miss her spots on Wednesday 15 and Friday 24.
As usual, our regular contributors will be chiming in - Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja will definitely have something to tell you about the backstages of writing.
T.J Killian and Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will also be clocking their weekly contributions. They start this week with questions about the personal line every writer doesn't cross (T.J on Tuesday 8) and authenticity when you take the fast lane (Aasiyah/Nolwynn on Thursday 9).
Don't forget:
This July, we're going backstage into the world of writing and the writer.
This July, we're on the quest:
Searching for what happens behind the scenes...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Hmmm, long time no hear... We at Royal Blush hope you all had a wonderful July 4th celebration, and if you live in other parts of the world or are not American, well, we hope you had a nice time over the past week. We know we enjoyed our break, even if we missed making the usual appearance here. Life went on like it usually does at this time of the year. Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) is begging for some sunlight in her dreary winter while Sandra and Diana are asking for some relief from the humidity and heat of the summer in the northern hemisphere. You'll probably hear another such rant in a few months when the seasons change, but what can you do? That's the basic economic premise, isn't it - limited resources for unlimited wants...
But, no digressing, coz we are back in full force this month, refreshed and ready to take on the world. Backstage, we've been giving in to a lot of the 'twist, spin, flip' technique. No, we weren't making pancakes, though one of us could surely give you a good recipe and technique for this delicious concoction. We've actually been thinking about all that goes on backstage in writing, prompted by our very first guest blogger spot for July!
Confessions of a confie virgin is what our guest blogger, author J. Hali Steele, will be telling us about. About to attend her first writer's conference, J will pen for us 2 posts, one prior to her departure and another after she comes back home with a new experience, that of attending such an event. Don't miss her spots on Wednesday 15 and Friday 24.
As usual, our regular contributors will be chiming in - Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja will definitely have something to tell you about the backstages of writing.
T.J Killian and Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will also be clocking their weekly contributions. They start this week with questions about the personal line every writer doesn't cross (T.J on Tuesday 8) and authenticity when you take the fast lane (Aasiyah/Nolwynn on Thursday 9).
Don't forget:
This July, we're going backstage into the world of writing and the writer.
This July, we're on the quest:
Searching for what happens behind the scenes...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, June 15, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Third week of June, and maybe it's the fact that summer is just around the bend, but we got around to talking about... Shoes! Of all things!
Yes, we all know every fashionista worth her salt has a shoe fetish, and that she wants the Manolos, the Choos, uhm, even the flip flops from Target if that's what's in vogue that season.
Maybe this turn of thoughts has to do with the fact that we dealt with a very heavy topic last week, namely crit partners and their place in every writer's life and toolbox. We needed some lightness, some fun and frivolous thing to tide us through. What better than shoes? Thus started the discussion T.J. mentions in passing in her post for Tuesday, the fact that most of the ladies in her author's group have ditched the high heels (horror of all horrors! *gasp*)
But that's without knowing the posse of the Royal Blush Authors. We like light stuff yes (souffle foundation, strappy sandals and breezy sundresses among others on the wishlist this summer— oops, sorry, veering off track here *sheepish grin*). Yes, where was I? Oh yeah, the crew at RBA always have something to say, even if on the apparently breezy topic of shoes.
This is how Tuesday will find you with T.J. in a terribly moving and introspective post about what shoes have represented to her in the past days and weeks.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) brings us her post about what it's like to be in the shoes of your heroines. Spurred on by T.J.'s post, this one will make you ask yourself where and how thoughts and shoes meet in perfect harmony.
And, on Wednesday, catch Sandra Marshall as she tells us about one very important aspect of being in a writer's shoes - rejection and how to deal with it.
Don't forget:
This June, we're scratching at the myth surrounding authors and shedding some light on their whole world.
This June, we're on the quest:
Searching for the author's reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Third week of June, and maybe it's the fact that summer is just around the bend, but we got around to talking about... Shoes! Of all things!
Yes, we all know every fashionista worth her salt has a shoe fetish, and that she wants the Manolos, the Choos, uhm, even the flip flops from Target if that's what's in vogue that season.
Maybe this turn of thoughts has to do with the fact that we dealt with a very heavy topic last week, namely crit partners and their place in every writer's life and toolbox. We needed some lightness, some fun and frivolous thing to tide us through. What better than shoes? Thus started the discussion T.J. mentions in passing in her post for Tuesday, the fact that most of the ladies in her author's group have ditched the high heels (horror of all horrors! *gasp*)
But that's without knowing the posse of the Royal Blush Authors. We like light stuff yes (souffle foundation, strappy sandals and breezy sundresses among others on the wishlist this summer— oops, sorry, veering off track here *sheepish grin*). Yes, where was I? Oh yeah, the crew at RBA always have something to say, even if on the apparently breezy topic of shoes.
This is how Tuesday will find you with T.J. in a terribly moving and introspective post about what shoes have represented to her in the past days and weeks.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) brings us her post about what it's like to be in the shoes of your heroines. Spurred on by T.J.'s post, this one will make you ask yourself where and how thoughts and shoes meet in perfect harmony.
And, on Wednesday, catch Sandra Marshall as she tells us about one very important aspect of being in a writer's shoes - rejection and how to deal with it.
Don't forget:
This June, we're scratching at the myth surrounding authors and shedding some light on their whole world.
This June, we're on the quest:
Searching for the author's reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, June 1, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Another month has started, and we're already clocking into the 6th division of the year. Before we know it, Christmas will be at our doors (I'm sure this is what the marketing department of every shop is also thinking!)
So, what do we have in store for you in June? June's the name of a girl... Heroines maybe? Nah, we already covered that, though we haven't said all there is to say about characters. Well, June is the continuation of spring that starts with May, and we thought we'd go about continuation too.
Remember how in May we were searching for an appropriate reality? We touched upon issues pertinent to reality and realism in the penning of a story.
Well, in June we're continuing in the same vein, except we'll be talking about the reality that faces the writer. Yes, get ready for some truths about the business.
We kick off this first week with something many stumble and stutter with - voice. What is voice and why do you need it?
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she tells you about the main consideration every writer needs where voice is concerned.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will try to shed some light on the concept of voice, clocking it in with T.J's post too.
Throughout the rest of the month, we'll also feature our regular contributors Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja, asking them about what they feel is the reality of a writer and what things you simply have to take into account when you step into this field.
Don't forget:
This June, we're scratching at the myth surrounding authors and shedding some light on their whole world.
This June, we're on the quest:
Searching for the author's reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Another month has started, and we're already clocking into the 6th division of the year. Before we know it, Christmas will be at our doors (I'm sure this is what the marketing department of every shop is also thinking!)
So, what do we have in store for you in June? June's the name of a girl... Heroines maybe? Nah, we already covered that, though we haven't said all there is to say about characters. Well, June is the continuation of spring that starts with May, and we thought we'd go about continuation too.
Remember how in May we were searching for an appropriate reality? We touched upon issues pertinent to reality and realism in the penning of a story.
Well, in June we're continuing in the same vein, except we'll be talking about the reality that faces the writer. Yes, get ready for some truths about the business.
We kick off this first week with something many stumble and stutter with - voice. What is voice and why do you need it?
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she tells you about the main consideration every writer needs where voice is concerned.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will try to shed some light on the concept of voice, clocking it in with T.J's post too.
Throughout the rest of the month, we'll also feature our regular contributors Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja, asking them about what they feel is the reality of a writer and what things you simply have to take into account when you step into this field.
Don't forget:
This June, we're scratching at the myth surrounding authors and shedding some light on their whole world.
This June, we're on the quest:
Searching for the author's reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, May 11, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Reality and fiction. Reality and escapism. Reality and well, real people... How real should the fictionalised real be?
We started the debate over this question last week through backstory, and how to use it to bring realism and a dose of real to your characters.
But what makes a realistic character? Is reality a tangible thing in writing? Is reality driven by principles of logic?
The question we were asked to tackle was - What makes a real heroine? How real should she get? And also, how to make the real heroine believable, approachable, and likable?
Catch us this week as we answer on this loaded debate.
On Tuesday, T.J. will bring you the points to consider on realism and the heroine. Find tips also on how to do achieve reality by working around the character arc.
On Wednesday, Sandra Marshall brings us her view on the matter of realism in fiction, and how she as a writer strives to achieve this.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will tell us more about what she views as the real heroine and how she aims to get in touch with reality.
Don't forget:
This May, we're scratching at the surface of escapism and bursting the bubble of what constitutes reality in fiction.
This May, we're on the quest:
Searching for an appropriate reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Reality and fiction. Reality and escapism. Reality and well, real people... How real should the fictionalised real be?
We started the debate over this question last week through backstory, and how to use it to bring realism and a dose of real to your characters.
But what makes a realistic character? Is reality a tangible thing in writing? Is reality driven by principles of logic?
The question we were asked to tackle was - What makes a real heroine? How real should she get? And also, how to make the real heroine believable, approachable, and likable?
Catch us this week as we answer on this loaded debate.
On Tuesday, T.J. will bring you the points to consider on realism and the heroine. Find tips also on how to do achieve reality by working around the character arc.
On Wednesday, Sandra Marshall brings us her view on the matter of realism in fiction, and how she as a writer strives to achieve this.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will tell us more about what she views as the real heroine and how she aims to get in touch with reality.
Don't forget:
This May, we're scratching at the surface of escapism and bursting the bubble of what constitutes reality in fiction.
This May, we're on the quest:
Searching for an appropriate reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, May 4, 2009
With Love, from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
I trsut it you've had a nice little break? Well, I can already tell ya that we here at RBA had a very fulfilling time and now we're back and raring to go!
During our little time off, we conducted a little survey among some trusted guinea pigs, oops, sorry, fellow writers (you know we love you guys, right?) and it has come to our attention that there is one tiny aspect pertinent to writing and logic that can blow out of proportion if one is not careful.
It's about realism and the portrayal of reality in romance and popular fiction in general. How real should we as writers get? Is real boring? Is real not worthy of falling in love with? Where to draw the line between the escapism notion of popular fiction and the gritty portrayal of reality in literature?
This is what we'll be talking about this month. This week, we've already started with backstory, or how to make your characters appear real through this simple but loaded term.
Catch us for the rest of the month as we go through what makes a realistic heroine, how real a hero needs to be, and whether romance and fiction is about escapism or reality.
Our regular contributors, Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja, will be chiming in on the debate. The regulars, T.J. and Aasiyah/Nolwynn, will continue to provide insight on the topics every week.
This May, we're scratching at the surface of escapism and bursting the bubble of what constitutes reality in fiction.
This May, we're on the quest:
Searching for an appropriate reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
I trsut it you've had a nice little break? Well, I can already tell ya that we here at RBA had a very fulfilling time and now we're back and raring to go!
During our little time off, we conducted a little survey among some trusted guinea pigs, oops, sorry, fellow writers (you know we love you guys, right?) and it has come to our attention that there is one tiny aspect pertinent to writing and logic that can blow out of proportion if one is not careful.
It's about realism and the portrayal of reality in romance and popular fiction in general. How real should we as writers get? Is real boring? Is real not worthy of falling in love with? Where to draw the line between the escapism notion of popular fiction and the gritty portrayal of reality in literature?
This is what we'll be talking about this month. This week, we've already started with backstory, or how to make your characters appear real through this simple but loaded term.
Catch us for the rest of the month as we go through what makes a realistic heroine, how real a hero needs to be, and whether romance and fiction is about escapism or reality.
Our regular contributors, Sandra Marshall and Diana Castilleja, will be chiming in on the debate. The regulars, T.J. and Aasiyah/Nolwynn, will continue to provide insight on the topics every week.
This May, we're scratching at the surface of escapism and bursting the bubble of what constitutes reality in fiction.
This May, we're on the quest:
Searching for an appropriate reality...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, March 30, 2009
With Love, From Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
April... The month of the April's Fool. Ah, the pranks one can play, the silliness, the laughter, the utter nonsense of it all. Yet, some can argue there is sense in this madness. Can you prove this right? All I know is that when I was at school, teachers would end up with a very silly paper fish stuck to their backs, or they would have very white butts because they sat down on the chair where we had smeared all the chalk from the blackboard (I know, the good ol' days... sigh).
So, back to the topic at hand: What do we have in store for you this month?
Well, we are trying to make sense.
That doesn't make sense to you? Fear not, it will shortly! For, you see, this month, our topic at the Royal Blush Authors' blog is - drum roll and djembe beats -
Logic!
Yes, we will bring the topic of sense to the whole business of writing a novel and in the same go appeal to your sensibility as writer.
Many fail to realise how logic is at the very base of writing. If the story doesn't make sense, well, you don't have much of a story, do you?
Logic in the setting, in the characterisation, in the plot arc, in the narrative progression; even logic in naming your characters.
All of these are the very foundation of your story and of the craft of writing.
Catch us this month as we bring you more about how to place logic in your work. Every week, T.J. and Aasiyah/Nolwynn will cover an aspect of logic - the first with a technical and theoretical basis for the topic, the second with practical application and explanations of the concept.
Our regular RBA contributors - Sandra Marshall, Angela Guillaume, and Diana Castilleja - will also be piping their input in, and this will surely be funny and worth checking out. Unfortunately, Chiron O'Keefe won't be able to add her quip this month.
This week, Sandra will tell us what she has grasped about logic in the action-reaction realm.
Anyone familar with Pinkie and The Brain? *wink* We'll strive for such a tone throughout the month, so buckle up for a wild ride!
This April, we at RBA are interconnecting all the synapses of our cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and right and left brain hemispheres.
This April, we're on the quest:
Searching for the logic that actually makes sense...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
April... The month of the April's Fool. Ah, the pranks one can play, the silliness, the laughter, the utter nonsense of it all. Yet, some can argue there is sense in this madness. Can you prove this right? All I know is that when I was at school, teachers would end up with a very silly paper fish stuck to their backs, or they would have very white butts because they sat down on the chair where we had smeared all the chalk from the blackboard (I know, the good ol' days... sigh).
So, back to the topic at hand: What do we have in store for you this month?
Well, we are trying to make sense.
That doesn't make sense to you? Fear not, it will shortly! For, you see, this month, our topic at the Royal Blush Authors' blog is - drum roll and djembe beats -
Logic!
Yes, we will bring the topic of sense to the whole business of writing a novel and in the same go appeal to your sensibility as writer.
Many fail to realise how logic is at the very base of writing. If the story doesn't make sense, well, you don't have much of a story, do you?
Logic in the setting, in the characterisation, in the plot arc, in the narrative progression; even logic in naming your characters.
All of these are the very foundation of your story and of the craft of writing.
Catch us this month as we bring you more about how to place logic in your work. Every week, T.J. and Aasiyah/Nolwynn will cover an aspect of logic - the first with a technical and theoretical basis for the topic, the second with practical application and explanations of the concept.
Our regular RBA contributors - Sandra Marshall, Angela Guillaume, and Diana Castilleja - will also be piping their input in, and this will surely be funny and worth checking out. Unfortunately, Chiron O'Keefe won't be able to add her quip this month.
This week, Sandra will tell us what she has grasped about logic in the action-reaction realm.
Anyone familar with Pinkie and The Brain? *wink* We'll strive for such a tone throughout the month, so buckle up for a wild ride!
This April, we at RBA are interconnecting all the synapses of our cerebral cortex, hypothalamus and right and left brain hemispheres.
This April, we're on the quest:
Searching for the logic that actually makes sense...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, March 2, 2009
With Love, From Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
They say men are from Mars (no wonder they're such a mystery!) and women are from Venus.
I don't know about you, but Venus brings to my mind thoughts of warmth, love, caring, and beauty. That pretty much sums up women, wouldn't you say? And all this makes women heroines.
Heroines... What would our dear heroes be without the special woman to make their hearts beat faster and who arouses their protective instinct as well as the fire in the blood?
But, is this all a heroine is about?
This will be our topic for the third month of this year. Throughout the following weeks, we'll all bring you our views and takes on this very delicate matter - Who is the modern-day heroine and what is she made of?
As usual, we'll have our regular contributors - T.J. Killian, Aasiyah/Nolwynn, Sandra Marshall, Angela Guillaume, Diana Castilleja - and this month, we bring you someone else from the Royal Blush Authors posse - Chiron O'Keefe! Chiron will be posting on the last week of March.
In the days to come, here's what we'll be treating you to:
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she tells you what the archetypes for heroines are. Yes, there are archetypes for heroines too, just like for shaping your ultimate hero.
On Wednesday, Sandy will once again bring us her offbeat take on the topic of heroines. Believe me, this is one humorous romp you don't want to miss!
Thursday, Aasiyah/Nolwynn will take you on a trip down memory lane as she recounts a bit about heroines through time - how they evolved, and yet how they remained the same at the core.
Women writing about women...
This March, we at are RBA are delving deep into our hearts and soul.
This March, we're taking you on the inner quest:
Searching for the perfect heroine...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
They say men are from Mars (no wonder they're such a mystery!) and women are from Venus.
I don't know about you, but Venus brings to my mind thoughts of warmth, love, caring, and beauty. That pretty much sums up women, wouldn't you say? And all this makes women heroines.
Heroines... What would our dear heroes be without the special woman to make their hearts beat faster and who arouses their protective instinct as well as the fire in the blood?
But, is this all a heroine is about?
This will be our topic for the third month of this year. Throughout the following weeks, we'll all bring you our views and takes on this very delicate matter - Who is the modern-day heroine and what is she made of?
As usual, we'll have our regular contributors - T.J. Killian, Aasiyah/Nolwynn, Sandra Marshall, Angela Guillaume, Diana Castilleja - and this month, we bring you someone else from the Royal Blush Authors posse - Chiron O'Keefe! Chiron will be posting on the last week of March.
In the days to come, here's what we'll be treating you to:
Catch T.J. on Tuesday as she tells you what the archetypes for heroines are. Yes, there are archetypes for heroines too, just like for shaping your ultimate hero.
On Wednesday, Sandy will once again bring us her offbeat take on the topic of heroines. Believe me, this is one humorous romp you don't want to miss!
Thursday, Aasiyah/Nolwynn will take you on a trip down memory lane as she recounts a bit about heroines through time - how they evolved, and yet how they remained the same at the core.
Women writing about women...
This March, we at are RBA are delving deep into our hearts and soul.
This March, we're taking you on the inner quest:
Searching for the perfect heroine...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, February 2, 2009
With Love From Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Jane Austen said that it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a fortune must be in need of a wife.
We tell you that she's right, and that it works the other way round too.
Every girl needs her hero. (The money doesn't hurt either.)
Heroes... Ah...
These are the men we love, the ones we hate on certain days, love to hate, admire, respect, want to smack on the head on many occasions, drool on, gaze at, fantasize about,
Fall in love with...
Heroes. They do all that to us.
So, is this intro tied in to what we're bringing you this month? You can bet your knickers it is! Our topic this month is Heroes. What better than love for a worthy man to fuel our drive in the month that features Valentine's Day?
Catch us throughout the next 28 days as we bring you heroes viewed by our perception. You'll also glean a tip or two about how to shape and mold your hero.
Catch T.J. tomorrow to learn a bit more about the archetypes behind the construction of every fictional hero.
On Wednesday, Sandra brings us her quirky and offbeat take on the quest for the perfect hero.
Thursday, Aasiyah/Nolwynn will tell you more about the cultural hero.
This February, we at Royal Blush are sending the hormones flying high.
This February, we're taking you on a quest:
Searching for The Perfect Hero...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Jane Austen said that it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a fortune must be in need of a wife.
We tell you that she's right, and that it works the other way round too.
Every girl needs her hero. (The money doesn't hurt either.)
Heroes... Ah...
These are the men we love, the ones we hate on certain days, love to hate, admire, respect, want to smack on the head on many occasions, drool on, gaze at, fantasize about,
Fall in love with...
Heroes. They do all that to us.
So, is this intro tied in to what we're bringing you this month? You can bet your knickers it is! Our topic this month is Heroes. What better than love for a worthy man to fuel our drive in the month that features Valentine's Day?
Catch us throughout the next 28 days as we bring you heroes viewed by our perception. You'll also glean a tip or two about how to shape and mold your hero.
Catch T.J. tomorrow to learn a bit more about the archetypes behind the construction of every fictional hero.
On Wednesday, Sandra brings us her quirky and offbeat take on the quest for the perfect hero.
Thursday, Aasiyah/Nolwynn will tell you more about the cultural hero.
This February, we at Royal Blush are sending the hormones flying high.
This February, we're taking you on a quest:
Searching for The Perfect Hero...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, January 26, 2009
With Love From Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
It's already the final week of January and we'll be bringing you a little bit more about the quest for Identity.
Remember , in the past weeks, each one of us has taken you on a trip to find out more about your identity as a writer and about the identity of your work.
T.J. has explained about the defining aspect of the impact moment for your characters, and then she followed it up with a little expose on how to plant your characters in the story using basis and logic.
Sandra gave us a peek as to who she is in her post about her identity as a writer.
Angela then blogged to show us the multiple facets of her that make the woman and the writer she is, and how these facets mingle and merge to create characters, and how characters can influence the writer too.
Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) started her topic on how to find your ID calling card in the writing world and she followed with how to further this ID and make it work for you using he branding strategy.
So, what do we have in store for you this week?
T.J. will have another scintillating one for you tomorrow as she delves yet again into the inner workings of a story and its characters.
On Wednesday, we welcome another weekly contributor - Diana Castilleja will make her debut and will tell us about her take on the world of writing, marketing and promotion.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will conclude the final leg of her topic on Branding. Catch her as she tells you a bit more how to 'escape' the pitfalls of branding strategy.
Friday, get ready to meet Prudence Tempest, her hunky colleague Malcolm who features in all her dreams and fantasies, her pain-in-the-arse other colleague, Des (shiver here, will ya?), and the boss from hell, Marie.
Last time we met them, Prudence was being sent on a hands-on job with Malcolm.
What will happen now? Catch us, and you'll know!
Join us as we continue
Searching for an identity...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
It's already the final week of January and we'll be bringing you a little bit more about the quest for Identity.
Remember , in the past weeks, each one of us has taken you on a trip to find out more about your identity as a writer and about the identity of your work.
T.J. has explained about the defining aspect of the impact moment for your characters, and then she followed it up with a little expose on how to plant your characters in the story using basis and logic.
Sandra gave us a peek as to who she is in her post about her identity as a writer.
Angela then blogged to show us the multiple facets of her that make the woman and the writer she is, and how these facets mingle and merge to create characters, and how characters can influence the writer too.
Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) started her topic on how to find your ID calling card in the writing world and she followed with how to further this ID and make it work for you using he branding strategy.
So, what do we have in store for you this week?
T.J. will have another scintillating one for you tomorrow as she delves yet again into the inner workings of a story and its characters.
On Wednesday, we welcome another weekly contributor - Diana Castilleja will make her debut and will tell us about her take on the world of writing, marketing and promotion.
On Thursday, Z(Aasiyah/Nolwynn) will conclude the final leg of her topic on Branding. Catch her as she tells you a bit more how to 'escape' the pitfalls of branding strategy.
Friday, get ready to meet Prudence Tempest, her hunky colleague Malcolm who features in all her dreams and fantasies, her pain-in-the-arse other colleague, Des (shiver here, will ya?), and the boss from hell, Marie.
Last time we met them, Prudence was being sent on a hands-on job with Malcolm.
What will happen now? Catch us, and you'll know!
Join us as we continue
Searching for an identity...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, January 19, 2009
With love from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
Here we are in another weeks at the Royal Blush Authors' blog. I hope you have enjoyed the content we have provided for you in the past days. We gave you a little glimpse of who and what we are.
T.J introduced us to the impact moment in backstory.
Sandra told us about her identity as a writer.
Aasiyah/Nolwynn started her topic about who you are and how to represent your unique identity in the writing world.
Friday saw the first instalment of our ongoing free read. You met Prudence Tempest and were introduced to her crazy, wacky world and the hunk who peoples all her fantasies. Not to mention her strange boss and her sticky-like-glue male colleague. What do we have in store for Prue? That'll be coming very soon.
So, this week, one of us, cheeky git that she is (Chiron, yes, that's you!!), tagged us in the ongoing Tag, You're It game running about blogs in the blogosphere. We need to tell you 6 things that makes us happy, and then we need to tag 6 more people (who will we tag???)
So, here goes - 6 things that make us happy.
Here we are in another weeks at the Royal Blush Authors' blog. I hope you have enjoyed the content we have provided for you in the past days. We gave you a little glimpse of who and what we are.
T.J introduced us to the impact moment in backstory.
Sandra told us about her identity as a writer.
Aasiyah/Nolwynn started her topic about who you are and how to represent your unique identity in the writing world.
Friday saw the first instalment of our ongoing free read. You met Prudence Tempest and were introduced to her crazy, wacky world and the hunk who peoples all her fantasies. Not to mention her strange boss and her sticky-like-glue male colleague. What do we have in store for Prue? That'll be coming very soon.
So, this week, one of us, cheeky git that she is (Chiron, yes, that's you!!), tagged us in the ongoing Tag, You're It game running about blogs in the blogosphere. We need to tell you 6 things that makes us happy, and then we need to tag 6 more people (who will we tag???)
So, here goes - 6 things that make us happy.
- Strong plots that tread off the beaten track.
- A story we can lose ourselves in.
- A delicious Alpha hero.
- Getting the call.
- Completing mss.
- Johnny Wilkinson (in case you need a reason why he makes us happy, look a few lines down. There, you get it?)
6 people we're tagging:
JMorgan, Buffi Becraft-Woodall, Bonnie Clarke, Sandra Marshall, Diana Castilleja, Kristin Lawrence
So, what do we have in store for you this week?
T.J will take you tomorrow on a small trip to find out more about the basics of writing, the ones you need to consider before even putting pen to paper.
Angela Guillaume makes her debut post for us on Wednesday. She'll be telling us more about how a writer's identity influences her characters, and how a writer's identity changes with everything she writes.
Aasiyah/Nolwynn will be back on Thursday to expand upon her first post, introducing you to the inner workings of branding in the publishing/writing world.
Join us as we continue
Searching for an identity...
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
Monday, January 12, 2009
With love from Ms. Blush
Hello to you all wonderful, beautiful people!
You may be wondering who I am, and what I'm doing here. Let's put all your concerns to rest, shall we?
My name is Ms. Blush, and I'm the gal who rounds off each and every one of the Royal Blush Authors' posse. Every week, I'll bring you a little reminder of what we at Royal Blush have in store for you.
So, what can you expect from us? Certainly not the hum-drum pace of what you usually see out there.
We give you fresh. We give you news. We give you views. Every week, stick around and get to know us better as we open the doors of our world to you and share what's on our minds and what's on our writing plate.
Speaking of 'we', who are 'we'?
Well, behind this blog stands the posse and crew of the Royal Blush Authors. Some you'll see more often, some you'll see fleetingly, but we can all tell you we're here to stay. We want to get to know you, and we hope you do too.
Basically, what we have in store for you is something a little different. The authors of Royal Blush come with a full package of information, education, and entertainment. Separated into themed months, you'll all know what we're talking about at any given point in time.
Catch author T.J Killian every Tuesday for a little lesson on craft. Or else come find out what she has on her mind that day.
Every Thursday, the author behind the pen names of Aasiyah Qamar & Nolwynn Ardennes brings you her take on an aspect pertinent to the month's topic.
Every Wednesday, we bring you one of the Royal Blush Authors and she'll be sharing her take and view on the topic of the month. Sandra Marshall, Angela Guillaume, and Diana Castilleja will be your date on each of these days.
Friday is a special day here, because every other week, Prudence Tempest will make her appearance. You don't know who she is? Worry not, you'll find out soon enough as the fictional heroine will take you through an account of her topsy-turvy life at each fortnight.
We'll also have ongoing contests, promos and opportunities to meet our authors.
In case you're still wondering who the people at Royal Blush are, catch us this month as we take you on a wild ride that'll make you discover our personas.
This January, the Royal Blush Authors want to announce their presence in the blogosphere.
This January, they're taking you on a quest:
Searching for an identity...
Don't forget to catch T.J tomorrow, Sandra on Wednesday, and Aasiyah/Nolwynn on Thursday.
Our ongoing fictional story also begins on Friday, where you'll meet Preudence Tempest, striving author, striving young woman of today's world, striving singleton and basically, a striving everything kinda gal!
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
You may be wondering who I am, and what I'm doing here. Let's put all your concerns to rest, shall we?
My name is Ms. Blush, and I'm the gal who rounds off each and every one of the Royal Blush Authors' posse. Every week, I'll bring you a little reminder of what we at Royal Blush have in store for you.
So, what can you expect from us? Certainly not the hum-drum pace of what you usually see out there.
We give you fresh. We give you news. We give you views. Every week, stick around and get to know us better as we open the doors of our world to you and share what's on our minds and what's on our writing plate.
Speaking of 'we', who are 'we'?
Well, behind this blog stands the posse and crew of the Royal Blush Authors. Some you'll see more often, some you'll see fleetingly, but we can all tell you we're here to stay. We want to get to know you, and we hope you do too.
Basically, what we have in store for you is something a little different. The authors of Royal Blush come with a full package of information, education, and entertainment. Separated into themed months, you'll all know what we're talking about at any given point in time.
Catch author T.J Killian every Tuesday for a little lesson on craft. Or else come find out what she has on her mind that day.
Every Thursday, the author behind the pen names of Aasiyah Qamar & Nolwynn Ardennes brings you her take on an aspect pertinent to the month's topic.
Every Wednesday, we bring you one of the Royal Blush Authors and she'll be sharing her take and view on the topic of the month. Sandra Marshall, Angela Guillaume, and Diana Castilleja will be your date on each of these days.
Friday is a special day here, because every other week, Prudence Tempest will make her appearance. You don't know who she is? Worry not, you'll find out soon enough as the fictional heroine will take you through an account of her topsy-turvy life at each fortnight.
We'll also have ongoing contests, promos and opportunities to meet our authors.
In case you're still wondering who the people at Royal Blush are, catch us this month as we take you on a wild ride that'll make you discover our personas.
This January, the Royal Blush Authors want to announce their presence in the blogosphere.
This January, they're taking you on a quest:
Searching for an identity...
Don't forget to catch T.J tomorrow, Sandra on Wednesday, and Aasiyah/Nolwynn on Thursday.
Our ongoing fictional story also begins on Friday, where you'll meet Preudence Tempest, striving author, striving young woman of today's world, striving singleton and basically, a striving everything kinda gal!
The best of us for the best of you, that's our promise as we deliver the full flush of romance.
From now till later, enjoy!
With love, from Ms. Blush
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