Barb Ritchie, Jenn H, Linda Mc, and Mary Falls.

There were a 112 of you to choose from, so I truly put the Random Number generator through its paces this morning. Poor thing nearly fainted from exhaustion.

And if you didn’t win an ARC of Along Came A Duke, don’t despair, there is only three weeks until it releases. And if you hurry, you can get the digital version of Along Came a Duke at the special $4.99 presale price for your Kindle and Nook.

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

Earlier this year I put together a writing workshop in motivation–not character motivation, but motivating the writer to chain her butt to the chair and pursue her dream career. Oh, how easy it is to lecture on a subject I struggle with constantly.

Until I did one simple exercise that truly opened my eyes.

I always hear the same complaint from writers who have to balance an outside job, family, home life, commitments, life–I don’t have the time. I have those commitments as well, I will say. I’ll talk about the time my son with autism takes away from my daily writing, the commitments of being both a stay at home mom and a full time writer. The looming hell that can be deadlines. You have the time, I always extoll these writers. “You can carve it out.”

And quite frankly we all can. Even me.

The light bulb moment came last January as I was both searching for a way to show people how they could write a book–easily–every year. Perhaps even more than one. I’d been taking part of 1K sprints on Twitter and at the retreat I went on with my writer pals. 1K in 1hour they are called. You write, focused and not stopping for one hour–with the goal to get one thousand words into your manuscript. Turn off the editor and just write.

For me this works because I am a plotter. I have my scenes mapped out and I “draft” them by hand before I ever approach the computer. I like to think about the scene and let it mull around a bit before I dive in. So as I would approach a sprint, out came my notes and away I went. But this method also works for Pantsers–people who like to sit down and let the story unfold before them. Either way, you sit down and write for one hour and push yourself to get one thousand words done, which works out to be about four pages.

Now do the math. 1K in 1hour. Five days a week. Over the course of the year. Give yourself some time off for vacations, holidays and sick leave, and do you know how many words you would have written?

290,000.

A little over three full length 90K books.

Holy Crap! It truly was a light bulb moment. And one that has changed my entire outlook. Instead of eating the entire elephant in a month and ending up with a large pile of poo, considering the measured, deliberate, fully thought out approach. A little focus and 1K in 1hour, five days a week.

Thoughts? Comments?

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

1. Where is the most beautiful/romantic place you’ve ever been?

2. If you could go on a date with any superhero, who would you choose and why? Wonder Woman. I want to know how she does it, where she got her boots, and what all the good gossip is in Superhero Land, particularly about the guys.

3. What blogs do you visit? Blame It On the Muse, Two Nerdy History Girls, The Georgian Gentleman, and few other Regency sites.

EB: Warning, I dropped by The Georgian Gentleman and got totally sidetracked!

4. If you were not writing, what job would you have? I’ve always wanted to work in a flower shop.

5. If you were going to an island for a long time, name 5 things you would bring.

• Peanut butter
• Toilet paper
• A trunk full of my keepers
• SPF 100
• My Swiss army knife

Grace’s new book, Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal has just arrived in stores and in digital release. To learn more about Grace and her other Regency set romances, please visit her website GraceBurrowes.com.

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

I started this new series for a variety of reasons–I had felt that the Bachelor Chronicles had run its course. While at first, I thought about doing another spin-off series with Lord Andrew and his band of misfits from Lord Langley is Back in Town, but then I got hit with another idea: a village in England that is cursed.

Before you get to alarmed that this series is going to be paranormal, it is not. The curse was only the starting point.

The first peek at the steamy stepback!

Like any idea, the spark or the curse, in this case, began brewing around in my imagination, and suddenly I saw the entire village. High Street–with its tidy row of shops, the lane running up the backside of the village from the vicarage and St. Edwards, a wonderful stone church dating back to Norman times, with its tall tower that had weathered centuries. And spinsters and young ladies with nothing to do. Not a single gentleman will marry them. And most haven’t the means to go to London.

Then I realized what the true heart of this series must be–it wasn’t the curse, but the friendships, the deep, abiding friendships these women would forge.

Far better for storytelling than just a mere curse.

The more I wrote, the more I fell in love with how these friends looked out for each other, viewed each other as sisters more than friends, and how they would find their place in a world that usually gave unmarried women a skeptical eye.

The first three stories revolve around Tabitha Timmons, Daphne Dale and Harriet Hathaway. None of them are prepared for marriage, courtship or even a flirtatious glance, but what they lack in guile and intrigue, they make up for in sheer determination, spunk, and humor.

Look out London, here comes the spinsters from Kempton! And happy reading!

P.S. And why is the series called Rhymes with Love? Because the titles of the first three books are all taken from nursery rhymes: Along Came a Duke, And The Miss Ran Away with the Rake, and If Wishes were Earls.

As you will notice, the cover for Along Came a Duke even sports the perfect tuffet on which to eat curds and whey while awaiting a duke.

And finally and most importantly, if you haven’t heard, the digital version of Along Came a Duke is on pre-sale for $4.99 at Kindle and Nook.

CONTEST:
To get ready for the May 29th release of Along Came a Duke, I am giving away four prize packets–each of which will include an advanced reader’s copy of Along Came a Duke, as well as an autographed copy of one of Julia Quinn’s books. The prize packet will also feature tons of author swag and bragging rights to have been one of the first to read Along Came a Duke.

To enter, answer the following question before midnight PDT, May 12th: Which is your favorite nursery rhyme?

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

Hurry and download yours soon in your favorite format:

One Night of Passion
Stealing the Bride
Once Tempted
It Takes a Hero
His Mistress by Morning
Tempted by the Night
Something About Emmaline
This Rake of Mine
Love Letters from a Duke
Confessions of a Little Black Gown
Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress
Lord Langley is Back in Town
No Marriage of Convenience

Danvers Series
One Night of Passion

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Stealing the Bride

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Once Tempted

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

It Takes a Hero

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Marlowe Series
His Mistress by Morning

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Tempted by the Night

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

The Bachelor Chronicles
Something About Emmaline

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

This Rake of Mine

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Love Letters from a Duke

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Confessions of a Little Black Gown

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

Other Titles:
Lord Langley is Back in Town

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

No Marriage of Convenience

· Kindle from Amazon
· Nook from Barnes and Noble
· Kobo e-readers
· Sony e-readers
Read an excerpt

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

Take this one for example:

I absolutely loved this gown! A Regency fashion print from 1810, published in Ackermann’s Repository Series 1, Vol 4, the July Issue. Not only was it right dead on for the year of my book, but this would have been quite the height of fashion and daring–which I wanted, if only to get my rather reticent, and unlikely heroine to step out of her shell.

But the print also works to put all kinds of details into the scene–how Tabitha’s ankles would be showing–Scandalous!! The Van Dyke lace around the neck. And the slashings in the front that would let the interior show. I changed the gown to blue to match my heroine’s eyes. And to give the gown even more meaning, it was actually Tabitha’s best friend, Daphne who chose the gown for her–in secret and away from the stringent eyes of Tabitha’s strict guardians. Immediately the gown in this print added all that much more to the scenes. Which is exactly what picture inspiration should do.

I’ve used photos for inspiration since I was a kid. I’m notorious for ripping photos out of magazines–in the doctor’s office, from my mom’s house and my own are shreds when I am done with them. Pics of gardens, house interiors, recipes, knitting patterns, sweater pics, clothes, whatever I find interesting.
And then they go into folders, of notebooks, or pinned to the wall.

Oh, Pinterest where have you been all my life?!

My friend Jane Porter, writes with an entire notebook of pictures to inspire each scene. She collects photos of all her characters–and then goes the extra mile to find as many pictures of those models, movie star or person, who inspires that character. She has them in every mood, nuance and angle, so she can continue to pull from them the bits of inspiration that help round out a scene. Check out her Pinterest boards–they are amazing.

Q. How do you use pictures to inspire? I’d love to know where you find your pictures and how you use them.

P.S. And if you want to see some of the pictures and prints and places that helped inspire Along Came a Duke, here is the link to my Pinterest page.

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

1. Did you have a nickname growing up? Lele, pronounced ‘Lee Lee’. My oldest sister called me that and still does sometimes. No rhyme or reason behind it, just a nickname that was a play off my first name. I always liked it and thought it was cute.

2. Where is the most beautiful/romantic place you’ve ever been? Gatlinburg, Tennessee. My husband surprised me on our 15th wedding anniversary with a trip to Gatlinburg. We stayed in a chalet that clung to the side of the Smoky Mountain foothills. We sat in the hot tub on the deck, looking out over the mountains. And we took all kinds of day trips through the Smoky Mountain National Park, hiking and seeing wildlife and beautiful waterfalls. The highlight was hiking up to Clingman’s Dome where you can see for miles in every direction. We went back a few years later with our extended family, about twenty of us, and rented a three-story cabin. Went horseback riding and hiking. The highlight of that second trip was whitewater rafting. I love Gatlinburg and highly recommend it, both as a romantic getaway and as a great place for family fun!

3. What is the very first romance book that you read? It’s impossible for me to remember the very first one, but I know one of the earliest ones I read was The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. I can still picture the hero, Brandon Birmingham, his tall, muscular, handsome profile standing on the deck of his ship as he took his new bride home from England to America. I could feel the heroine’s sorrow as her beloved homeland slipped beyond the horizon, and her fear of her uncertain future in a strange new land. Several of Woodiwiss’s books became my favorites and sit proudly on my bookshelf to this day, including A Rose in Winter and Ashes in the Wind. Kathleen Woodiwiss was an incredible author who paved the way for so many authors after her. She was the true queen of romance, one of the original Avon ladies.

4. If you could time travel, what time period would you most like to visit? Medieval Scotland, the highlands, during the reign of King John in England. I think that was the late 1100’s, maybe even 1200. That was the time of Julie Garwood’s novel Ransom, one of my all-time favorite historicals. I’d love to go back to that time and see the Highland Laird’s and see firsthand the power-struggles between the British and Scottish people. Of course, I’d want to be invisible on my trip, so I’d be safe. It was a hard, violent time and although I’d love to visit, I wouldn’t want to live there. I enjoy my modern day luxuries of soap, showers, medicines, etc. far too much to actually want to live in medieval times. But, really, who could resist seeing all those Scottish highlanders in their kilts and speaking with those sexy brogues?

5. What are your top three favorite movies? This is where I have to admit that I’m a total movie fanatic. I love romantic comedies and action flicks. My top three favorites probably change depending on my mood, but off the top of my head right now, I’d say Armegeddon (love the Aerosmith soundtrack, and Bruce Willis of course), Notting Hill, While you Were Sleeping, and I have to throw a fourth one in here – Ever After. Oh, and I loved Kate & Leopold, and A Knight’s Tale….and…okay, have to stop myself. Needless to say, I love movies!

To learn more about Lena Diaz and her suspense novels, including her latest, Simon Says Die, please visit her website, www.LenaDiaz.com.

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

Plus, she sent me a picture of Thor to insert in the blog. Just saying . . .

1. Did you have a nickname growing up?
Mad Dog Stefano. Seriously. There was a boxer in the early 70s nicknamed Mad Dog. And then there was me. It was nearly impossible to tell us apart. Except that one was a big, beefy boxer and the other a small, mouthy toddler. Other than that? Total twins, right down to the hair-trigger temper and the nasty right hook.

2. If you could go on a date with any superhero, who would you choose and why? Oh, definitely Thor. He’s not just a superhero, he’s a god. And, well, he looks like this:

Dibs.

3. If you were not writing, what job would you have? Professional dancer featured on Dancing with the Stars. Not that I actually know how to ballroom dance. But I would love to learn! Only problem: cannot abide fake tans. But I’m sure we could figure something out.

4. Most embarrassing song on your iPod. I’m a firm believer in the idea that no music is embarrassing. I love everything from pop to alternative, country to classical, and all points in between. But if I lost my iPod and a stranger came across it, here are the songs that would have them laughing in five minutes flat:

• ABBA, Dancing Queen
• Beastie Boys, Sure Shot
• Destiny’s Child, Bootylicious
• Presidents of the United States, Love Everybody

5. If you were going to an island for a long time, name 5 things you would bring.

• Sunscreen! (A certain someone would have never let me hear the end of it if this item were forgotten.)
• A lifetime supply of guacamole. And chips This really only counts as one item since guacamole without chips is a sad, sad situation.
• My iPod, loaded with every song ever recorded. By every artist. In every genre. Whew, I think that covers it.
• My Kindle, loaded with every book ever written. By every author. In every genre. Huh. I feel like I’ve heard this somewhere before.
• My family. They’re crazy, but I love them. Wait, how long am I stuck on this island? Hmmmm…

Besides being a double RITA nominee, which is huge bragging rights, Stefanie Sloane also has a new book out, The Saint Who Stole My Heart which is garnering all kinds of buzz. Read all about it on her website.

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

And there are plenty of authors to chose from, including Nora Roberts/JD Robb, Robyn Carr, Cathy Maxwell, Amanda Brice, Leigh Duncan, Alma Katsu, Lavinia Kent, Mindy Klasky, Alethea Kontis, Kieran Kramer, Allison Leotta, Pamela Palmer, Hope Ramsay, Alix Rickloff, Christine Trent.

The signing is an embarrassment of riches, so why not take advantage of it and check out what books are available over at Turn the Page. But order before Friday!

Oh, and if you live in the area, the signing is this Friday, from 11-2ish. But you will want to get there early, as they had out tickets for entry and when the tickets are gone, then no one else will be let in. Also, no outside books. Sorry about that! But if you can come, I would love to meet you!

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.

1. Where is the most beautiful/romantic place you’ve ever been? It’s hard to beat the Virgin Islands–turquoise waters and silver sand and jagged volcanic islands scattered in all directions. We’ve stayed in the British Virgins again and again. Paradise. But there are so many other beautiful/romantic places! New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland, Tuscany, the Dalmatian Coast….I’ll stop now.

2. Do you celebrate when you finish a book and what you do? Usually I collapse and sleep for a while, because I’m always frantic and bang up against (or over!) a deadline. Then the Mayhem Consultant will take me to a really nice B&B for a quiet getaway. When I finished No Longer a Gentleman, we want to a lovely place right on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and could look out from the balcony and see freighters and tugs and other boats go by. Very relaxing!

3. What new authors have you recently added to your TBR pile? Sophia Page, a new pseudonym for Harlequin author Sophia Weston.  As Sophia Page, she wrote a wonderful book that came out a few months ago called To Marry a Prince, which was a smart, funny story about a commoner girl marrying the Prince of Wales. Not Kate and William, but it did give entertaining insights into what such a romance would be like. I think she has another book coming, and I’m looking forward to it.

4. If you could go on a date with any superhero, who would you choose and why? Wolverine from the X-Men, but ONLY if played by Hugh Jackman!

5. If you were not writing, what job would you have? I was a graphic designer for many years, but the business had computerized so much I’m no longer hireable. In fact, I’m pretty much unemployable at anything but writing. If I had to find a new career–I like houses. Maybe real estate. Except that I’m not great with contracts and would probably make terrible mistakes and become unemployed again really rapidly.

Mary Jo’s classic 5 star and RITA winning book, The Rake, with its alcoholic hero was recently reissued!!! Huzzah!! No Longer a Gentleman, the fourth in her Lost Lords series, will be released April 24th and received a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly! Learn more about Mary Jo and her wonderful Regency books at http://www.maryjoputney.com/.

©2012 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

.