Introvert Remade?

A note from the Three Wicked Writers: Please make welcome the wonderful Brenna Lyons!
Thanks for coming to blog with us today.


If you were asked if I was an introvert or an extrovert, which would you guess? Most people would guess I was an extrovert, but they’d be dead wrong. Being able to do something doesn’t mean it’s my preferred choice.

It’s largely true that the creative type tends to being introverted. There are those that break the mold, but your average writer is not a party-hearty social butterfly.

It is ironic that, in today’s world, authors--long considered by the IRS as performers akin to singers and actors--are expected to be social creatures. For many people who are introverts, this ranks somewhere between an irritation and terrifying. Which means we become performance artists...actors that should be considered for the Oscar, in some cases.

I’ve found online social networking much more comfortable than face to face or live voice work. Some others even have to pick and choose online types and cannot, for instance, stomach the idea of a chat room environment. That’s one of the many reasons I tell authors to choose something from as many of the subgroupings of online promo as they are comfortable with. If you can’t at least play off enjoying doing it, you can’t do it effectively.

Personally, I am at home in an online networking environment, though the fact that I’m a strong personality and the fact that I am a Mack truck in problem-solving discussions sometimes leads to misunderstandings that frustrate me and the other party involved. I enjoy almost any type of online social medium you can name.

I can take on chat rooms that are unmoderated and no-holds-barred, which some authors run in terror from. Thirteen years plus of being a Navy wife taught me well to put on a good front when I have to, and there is very little someone can say to embarrass me these days.

Still, playing the smartarse hostess with the Navy brothers is vastly different than doing it with a chat room crowd. For one thing, I do have lines that I make sure not to cross in a chat room, even when it seems I’ll say anything and everything to the readers. The readers, fun as some of them are, are not confidants like the brothers are, and there is such a thing as TMI.

Doing live voice (internet radio and like promos) is harder still. Having notes on hand and practicing with friends for likely questions is about the best you can do. It took classes in public speaking, speech writing, and public performance for me to be able to do even a live voice appearance, let alone a public reading or Q&A session.

Face to face promo is something you can either do or you can’t. Many of the more introverted can force themselves to do these sorts of promos and some so convincingly that you might think they really enjoy doing them.

That would be me, in most face to face situations. I’m the writer who carries stuff in my arms, hoping for an excuse not to shake hands, but I can if I have to. I’m the person who shoves one hand in my pocket at public readings or white knuckles the edge of the podium, because that’s how I learned to get through public speaking. I smile convincingly. I laugh convincingly...and honestly, when I do. But somewhere deep inside, I am cringing at being in a crowd. I even do Christmas shopping online, because the crowds in stores make me feel like hives are breaking out all over my body.

It’s not that I don’t like people. Well, admittedly, a lot of people annoy me, simply because they are thoughtless or rude or lack common sense, but in general, I love people. I love talking to people. I just don’t like them pressing in around me, and I prefer to have them come to meet me rather than the other way around.

So, the questions of the day for the authors... How introverted or extroverted are you? What can or can’t you force yourself to do believably?

And for the readers... Have you ever seen an author being introverted, or do you think we all hide it pretty well and deserve the Oscar?


Available NOW at Loose ID

Link

All I Want For Christmas Is You- One of Brenna's rare contemp erotic romances! Two years after losing her fiancé Zach in a car accident, Robin is moving on. She's set her priorities, and one of them is following through with a life plan she and Zach made together...having a baby. It would be best if said child shared some of Zach's genes.


Enter David, Zach's older brother. He's Robin's best friend, her confidant, the one person who won't think she's crazy to do this...she hopes. Since there's no chance the ladies' man will fall for her, she hopes sex with him will stop the dreams where David takes Zach's place.



It's the invitation he's been waiting for, three years of watching Robin with his little brother, then watching her grieve Zach. If only she wanted David for himself and not a convenient sperm donor to conceive his brother's child. Then again, in such close quarters, maybe he'll be able to convince her to something more permanent...if his parents don't catch wind of the whole thing first.

HEA-yes, VIOLENCE-mild, LANGUAGE-graphic, SEX-erotic

Content advisory- BDSM overtones, anal sex


Cover art by April Martinez!


Bio-


Brenna Lyons wears many hats, sometimes all on the same day: president of EPIC, author of more than 80 published works, teacher, wife, mother... She's a member of ERWA, MWW, IWOFA, WPM, and Broad Universe.

In her first seven years published in novel-length, she's finaled for 11 EPPIES, 3 PEARLS (including one HM, second to Angela Knight), and a Dream Realm Award. She's also taken Spinetingler's Book of the Year for 2007.

Brenna writes in 21 established worlds plus stand-alones (for between 6 and 8 publishers, at any given time), poetry, articles, and essays. She's a bestseller in indie/e fantasy and horror, straight genre and cross-genres thereof. Brenna has been termed "one of the most deviant erotic minds in the publishing world...not for the weak." (Rachelle for Fallen Angels Reviews) Milieu-heavy dark work is practically Brenna's calling card, with or without the erotic content.

She teaches classes in everything from POV studies to advanced editing, networking to marketing.

Brenna enjoys hearing from people who read her work and can be reached at via her site.

EEEEP. Sorry!

Hey, ya'll. Sorry I'm late getting my blog up today but I had COMPANY last night. I very very seldom get to spend quality time with friends and a cool writer chick came to Texas to visit me yesterday. Anyway, long story short, we were up talking and such until 2 am!!!! Like I said....EEEEP. I know you guys will be quick to forgive my lateness though.

I've been wondering about something. Now we've all heard about the recent tribulations of a very famous sports figure. It's all over the tv and newspapers. I'm not going to mention his name because I believe that personal problems should stay personal, ya know? I don't care if you are a celebrity or not...I don't want to know about your marriage troubles. But damn if I'm not shaking my head over something. Why, why, why would a supposedly smart person who jealously guards his privacy send out things on a voicemail or text messages? I don't get it. Don't they realize that a spurned lover will SELL this stuff to tabloids??? Most of us are on loops, we blog and comment and we KNOW that everythis is public these days. I know plenty of people who blab their personal troubles on blogs and loops but would I do it? Oh HELL NO. Yes, privacy is hard to come by these days but I will jealously guard whatever tiny shred of it that I have left.

Confessions of a recent slash addict

Guest blogging with us today we have author Adrianne Brennan!


I have a confession to make: I am one of many women who didn't understand the appeal of slash for a very, very long time. Comprehending what was hot about watching two men go at it was beyond me. Slash between two women I’ve always found hot, but never got into erotic romance novels between two men.

It actually was not until my favorite fandom pairing arose that I "got" it: it's really about two men whom you find to be hot and whose chemistry you find to be hot that makes it work. It's also about that lovely, perhaps-only-slightly-subconscious desire to be the filling in that sandwich. It is my belief that this is why m/m erotic romance sells well with women who want to appreciate men’s bodies and sexuality and find it to be a turn on.

The genre of m/m erotic romance had gone mainstream recently, and I blame it on the British sci-fi television show known as Torchwood. Its pairing of two of the main characters, Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones, have sold the show for many people who may have never watched it. I personally got into the show because I am a fan of the original show it spun off from, which is Doctor Who. Torchwood broke through a lot of boundaries for the GLBT world with its loose boundaries and definitions of sexuality with its omnisexual main character, Jack.

Often times my writing is inspired by what I read and watch on television, and I write what I consider to be “gender blind” characters for the most part. So far, my books have featured m/f, f/f, f/f/f, f/f/m, m/m, and m/f/m pairings. My scifi/paranormal erotic romance book Dawn of the Seraphs is my entry into the wide, wonderful world of m/m and it definitely won’t be my last! :D
Readers and writers, feel free to sound off! Are you a fan of the m/m genre and if so, why? Do you have any preferences as to associated genres? Do you prefer m/m paranormals, historicals, contemporary?


*************
The winner of Madison's contest yesterday is Analisa! Please email writermadisonscott@yahoo.com

Love those hard workin' men!--AND a contest

When I sat down to start my erotic romance series, I knew a couple things, I wanted it to be a series about three smokin' hot brothers and I wanted the books equally as smokin' hot. As I started working through character sketches, and crafting the little town of Last Chance Oregon I found more than just smokin' hot brothers. I found hard working, blue collar men with their calloused hands and fierce love for their families. They all reside in a small town, with the river running right though the middle of it where they take their fishing poles down to relax after a hard days work at Malone Construction.

As I started writing I fell in love with the town and the men. There's some so incredibly sexy about those confident, strong, alpha men who work hard and have a passion for pleasing their women. Who know how to caress a women with their work-roughened fingers. Who enjoy a cold beer, and the laid back life in small town America.

This is the Malone Brothers. The journey to Last Chance started out with Ty's story in Satisfy Me and now, I'm SO excited that the second book in the Malone Brother's series, Bliss, has hit the virtual bookshelf!




Ethan Malone has had his fair share of women. Life is short and he damn sure plans to enjoy it. When Lindy Bliss starts work at Malone Constructions, he never expected to want her. She’s nothing like the women he usually brings to his bed. Immediately he’s drawn by her quality work on the job, and her sharp, sarcastic tongue. Of course, the way his name hugs Lindy’s breasts in her work shirt has a whole hell of a lot to do with it too. He needs to get the tomboy, with the stripper name out of her faded jeans and tool belt, so he can play with the feminine curves beneath.

Before he loses a finger or two because he’s distracted by his perpetual hard on, Ethan propositions Lindy for a no-holds-barred weekend of sexual pleasure. Once he has her under his roof and in his bed, he isn’t sure he wants to let her out again. Having Lindy beneath him is exactly what he thought it would be…pure Bliss

Excerpt:
Lindy ordered her usual Coors Light and added an order of cheesy fries. Her stomach grumbled in anticipation for the grease and beer fest she had planned.

A few minutes later her meal arrived. She wasted no time diving in to savor the fries and cheese on her plate. Behind her, the rickety door creaked open. Loud footsteps crunched across broken peanut shells in her direction. Stuffing another gooey, clump of fries in her mouth she chewed like she hadn’t eaten in days when a familiar scent of freshly cut trees, and the musky smell of a hard-working man swirled around her.

“Been a while since someone fed ya, has it?” Ethan pulled out the bar stool next to her and sat down.

Great. Just my luck.

Lindy finished her bite. “Well, I’ve been so busy picking up the slack for all the meat-heads I work with I hardly have time to do something as trivial as eat. Not used to a woman eating in front of you? I may be thin but I’m not a dry salad kind of girl, like the ones you’re used to, I’m sure.” She pushed another bite in her mouth. This one not as big as the last though.

Rich, hearty laughter erupted from Ethan’s perfect mouth snaked around her, causing goose bumps to pebble up her arms.

“I have to give it to you for your comebacks, Bliss. That one was pretty good. A crock of shit, but funny.”

Lindy downed the rest of her beer in one gulp. “Isn’t it bad enough I have to see you all day at work? Why are you coming into Smokey’s now too?” Ethan and his younger brother Shane did come in from time to time, but they spent most of their time at The Last Chance. Smokey’s was pretty far out of town. Not that Last Chance was all that big to begin with, but she figured the guys liked to hang out closer to town since that’s where they lived.

“Free country.”

He gave her a wink and smile. His smile made all the women in town melt like warm butter. It pissed the hell out of her that it worked on her too. Not that she’d let him know it. Before she could think of something smart to say, Smokey walked up.

“I’ll have a bottle of Coors.” Ethan tilted his head toward her. “Bring another light beer out for the lady, too.”

“I can order for myself, Malone.”

“Oh, come on, Bliss. Aren’t ladies supposed to like it when a man orders a drink for them?” The right side of his mouth rose as if he tried to hide his smile.

The man took pleasure in grating on her nerves. She could see it in the light in his sparkling blue eyes. “Only a woman without a brain--like the ones you usually date.”

“Usually, huh? Does that mean we’re on a date now?”

Oh yeah. He was enjoying this. Ethan Malone was the devil himself. He didn’t even try to hide his smile this time.

“I guess I’ll leave you two alone.” Smokey looked at her and winked. She hadn’t even realized he was still there. And what the heck was the wink about? She’d known Smokey since she was ten years old and the man never winked at her.

“Please, you know we aren’t on a date as much as I do. First of all, I don’t date jerks and second, I’m so not your type.”

Ethan took a swig of the beer. “What makes you think you’re not my type?”

“I have eyes.” He licked his lips and watched her. She kind of wished she was his type, which surprised the hell out of her. Honestly, even though Ethan was the hottest thing in a pair of faded jeans and a tool belt, he wasn’t really her type either. It wasn’t too often that Lindy dated, but when she did, the men sure weren’t womanizers. Or alphas, and Ethan was both of those.

“The women I date have eyes, Bliss.”

Lindy tried to hide her smile. “Good one, Malone. You know what I meant. I’m not stacked, flirtatious, and I don’t put out to any man with a six-pack.”

Ethan set his bottle on the bar. “So you’ve noticed my six-pack, huh?”

This time she couldn’t help but laugh. Part of her knew he was serious. The man really did know how hot he was, but that wasn’t his only quality, he had a good sense of humor. Ethan joked around more than anyone she knew.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“You like me.” He leaned toward her. “Admit it, Bliss. You want me just as much as I want you. You might not be my usual type, but you’re damn sexy and I have to tell you, I’m tired of pretending I think otherwise.”

Lindy knew she stared at him open-mouthed, but there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. Never in a million years did she expect to hear Ethan Malone come on to her. Hell, they didn’t even get along all that well. But he was right. She wanted him, but was it in her best interest to have him? Being the only woman on the site, she already had to fight for all the guys’ respect. If they found out she was sleeping with Ethan, one of the owners, she’d never live it down. “Listen, Malone.”

Ethan reached up and put a finger to her mouth. “Shh. Don’t even say it. I want you, Lindy Bliss, and when I want something, you can be damn sure I’m not going to give up until I have it.”

Available HERE

What kind of heroes do you like to read about?
At 9:00 PM Pacific time this evening I will draw a name from ALL the commenters and the winner will get a FREE copy of Bliss! The winner will be posted on the blog tomorrow!

Wrap it UP!

Did anyone brave the Black Friday crowds? Honestly, after all the Thanksgiving stuff that was the LAST thing I wanted to do but, damn it, they had such great prices on coats at one of our local department stores. So my daughter and I loaded up and headed to the mall. Actually, it wasn't too bad. Found a parking spot pretty easily and once in the store, found the crowds weren't quite as horrendous as I'd thought. Hm. Maybe everyone else was thinking OH HELL NO and stayed away in droves, as horrified as I at the possibility of all those people! Ya, think?

Anyway, we found a great deal on a very pretty coat, bought a hat and gloves and naturally, she tried on a few things to 'get ideas'. Afterwards, we checked out New Moon. Yes, definitely Team Jacob here! LOL. All in all, the afternoon wasn't traumatic in any way but I didn't do any actual holiday shopping. Just a lot of looking.

It's funny. I remember how easy Christmas shopping was when my kids were little. Of course, there was always that ONE toy that was virtually impossible to find. I tend to think it's some kind of conspiracy because it has been this way for as long as I can remember. Back in the 80's you couldn't find a Cabbage Patch Doll to save your soul. I was living in Houston at the time (newly married, no kids) and there was such a run on these things that a local radio station filled up a football stadium and flew a plane overhead to "drop" Cabbage Patch dolls to the crowd. Crazy!

Aside from that, I recall that every year we had mountains of gifts under the tree. Little kids gifts are easy and usually cheap so we tended to buy a LOT of stuff. Ever wrapped a gazillion five and ten dollar toys???? The gift wrap and bows was almost as expensive as the darn toys.


These days the pile of gifts isn't so huge and there's an explanation for that. My kids are now grown and the request is usually for 'big ticket' items like electronics, gaming systems, etc. I've been noting all the commercials and print ads for e-book readers and all indicators are that these will be big sellers this year. YAY for us ebook readers and authors!!!! Barnes and Noble has announced they have already sold out of the Nook but are offering certificates for gift giving and promising they will be available after the first of the year. The e-bookwise reader that I have is now marked down to $90. So if you want to 'get your feet wet' with an ebook reader, this is a good opportunity.

Do you start early with the shopping stuff? Or are you a last minute shopper? A good friend of mine does all her shopping on Christmas Eve. It's a tradition at her house doing the mad scramble thing. Yes, I quickly told her that I loved her but she was NUTS!

Vivalook!

Okay, so today I want to share something special with you all. A new site called Vivalook. Some of you might know this already, but for those who don't, my oldest has been interested in graphic design for quite awhile now. And because art has always been something that fascinates me I decided to interview her for TWW.




Thanks for being here! First, I want to know how you became interested in this particular field?



Well, it all started because my dad had put photoshop on the family laptop, which I've sort of claimed. I began exploring it and editing
my pictures for Myspace, and some of my friends who'd seen my work.

Where did that lead you?

When Dad saw some of my pictures he told me that people would pay to get their pictures retouched, etc.. He also said that people can't always figure out how to use photoshop. This kind of shocked me. I'd just assumed everyone who had a book cover or banner or just a picture done had done it themselves or someone very professional did it for them. So, he helped me set up a website and helped me organize all the things I am going to be doing.

For some people, creating a banner or retouching a picture is a time consuming endeavour. What is it about this sort of work that you like?

I enjoy doing it so much because it's like another way of expressing yourself. Plus, I'm 16 and I need a car, lol.

Is there something specific you enjoy doing the most? Is it the retouching, like changing the eye color or hair color, or is it something else?

I like starting from scratch. Like when I make a banner I'm using photoshop more, I'm not getting help from other pictures. It's sort of like taking a blank canvas and making it into something unique.

And what part of graphic design do you want to learn to do better?

I'd like to get better at animation and flash. There are a lot more options with animation and flash. It's not as limiting.

Thanks for answering my questions. I can't wait to see all the things you create in the future!

Thanks for reading! I hope I hear from you! :)

You can see Vivalook's portfolio here Also, be sure to check the Vivalok site often as more pictures will be added daily!

Happy Thanksgiving

We're taking a little break here at Three Wicked Writers, but before we go, we wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. We're so thankful for everyone who follows our blog, visits our blog and comments on our blog. We appreciate you all so much. You’ve given us a great year! Here’s to lots more years filled with humor, love, romance and of course naughty mischief!

Happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you back here on Monday! In the meantime, what are you thankful for this year?

Crazy Holiday Stuff

Okay, I'll confess...I'm getting hungry already! When I went out to scope out pics today, my eyes zeroed in on this dinner pic and I just couldn't resist.

Things at our house are pretty crazy right now and about to get a whole lot more so. I've been to the grocery store and bought my recipe stuff but, as happens EVERY DAMN YEAR, I've of course forgotten a couple of things. So yeah, back to the store for me today among taking the dog to the groomer, baking, cleaning house, etc. I've been in and out of my car like a dang jack-in-the-box all morning running piddly little errands.

It's always like this. Just nuts. Of course, this isn't as crazy as Christmas but tons of work goes into a meal that will be finished in about 20 minutes.

The good news is my daughter will be in from college tonight...YAY!!! She has already told me she's starving and can't wait for our feast on Thursday. She is also chomping at the bit to help me cook some things. My son has to work and won't be coming in until Friday so I'm boo-hooing a little about that. These things tend to happen when our kids become adults so I'm bracing myself for the day they'll be married and spreading their time between two households. Must admit I dread that so I'm trying not to think about it. sigh.

I remember the early years of our marriage, splitting everything up and I hated it. Let's face it. Two thanksgiving dinners with all the trimmings with two families. We needed to be carried home in a damn truck. As our families became more spread out and our parents grew older, it just made sense to have the dinner at our house. Much easier. At least for us.

This is my last post until after Thanksgiving, so please, have a good day with family and friends. Be safe if you're traveling. I'll end by saying that I'm thankful for so many things. My family, my friends, my home and my career. It's been a great year with many things for which to be thankful. Hugs and much love to you all.

Anyone feel like drooling??

I'm a little late posting today.
So, to apologize I decided to find something tasty for you all.

Sorta like offering brownies as a way of saying I'm sorry, I give you...beefcake.


First we have Crème Brûlée...a, nice hard layer, but with a rich creamy center



Chocolate Mousse...smooth, dark, and definitely decadent
Bundt Cake...perfectly sculpted and goes great with coffee



Last, but not least!
Cannoli...exotic, a bit of a guilty pleasure...but it's sure to be a treat to bite into!

am I forgiven? *grin*

And So It Begins...

Must confess I'm really in the mood for the holidays this year. Maybe it has something to do with missing my kids since they are both off in college and I don't get to see them nearly as much as I'd like. I don't know. I just signed a new contract and I'm currently buried deeply in another WIP but I finally shook loose the other day and hit the grocery store. Bought all my Thanksgiving stuff except for a few small items that must be last minute.

When I was little, we had this really big family. We'd meet up every Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's house and everyone would bring a 'dish'..you know, something to add to the giant mix that was Thanksgiving Dinner. The adults would sit at one big table with us kids relegated to 'small tables' somewhere else. I think my Grandma felt sorry for us being consigned to 'no man's land' and was continually popping up to see if we were okay, to ask if everything was 'good' and did we need anything. Such a sweetheart.

I was always one of those kids who liked to hang out and listen to the adults so being 'set apart' bugged the hell out of me. Back then, I promised myself I would never do that to my kids and I have to say, I never did. Granted we have a really small family now but my kids have always been in on the action. What they had to contribute to the conversation has always been just as important (and maybe even more so) than what the adults were talking about.

Ah, I digress, the wisdom of children is a topic for another day. These days my family is very small. Extended family lives miles and miles away. It's sad but a fact of life for us. I do all the cooking for Thanksgiving dinner and have for many years. Part of the reason is that I LOVE to cook. Love, love, love it. We have the exact same meal every year and it doesn't bother anyone. They are recipes that have been handed down to me from my grandmother and my mother and they are things...rich and fattening...that my family has come to expect. Every year we'll sit around, just before Thanksgiving and I'll always say....sooooo, what do YOU want for Thanksgiving dinner. The kids will begin by saying...oh THIS is my favorite or THAT is my favorite or Mom? Can you fix TWO of those this year? It's actually a pretty funny conversation because they already KNOW what I'll be cooking but they never fail to play along.

I have found over the years that my husband and I have developed our own traditions. He is in charge of the meat. He is a man after all, and men get into that. Every year, without fail, he smokes big turkey breasts and I do the rest. I'll bake pies the weekend before Thanksgiving (yes, you all now know what I'll be doing Sunday afternoon) and will fix up assorted things every day from then until dinner next Thursday.

Do you have certain traditions you observe for this holiday? I'll confess, it's my favorite. Nothing more wonderful than sitting with the family for a nice meal. No stress. No pressure. No gifts to buy...at least until Black Friday comes the very next day.