Posts about what I write.
One of the main things slowing down our writing speed while drafting is the infernal, internal editor. Here are three ways to override the need to write everything correctly the first time. Continue reading Why Writing Fast & Author Voice Go Together
~ Books and Change ~ The ability to change is essential for survival. Those who refuse to change become dull, boring, and left behind. One force for change is literature. Ever since people learned to write and read, books have … Continue reading Books That Change the World
~ Book Awards ~ This week my romantic suspense Close to the Skin is in a competition to win a Rone Award from InD’Tale Magazine– a beautiful and well-known e-magazine dedicated to romance writing. This award is one in which readers vote for their favorite … Continue reading Are you more likely to read a book that has won an award?
~How to Extend the Story~ When I started writing my first romantic suspense Beneath the Skin, I had no plans to make it into a series. But it didn’t take long for me to start imagining the lives of the … Continue reading Writing a Series – 6 Tips for Success
~ The Olfactory Sense: Using Our Nose ~ Smell is one of the most powerful of our senses. Smell forms and solidifies memories and evokes the emotions. A familiar odor can bring back an image or event from the past. Smells … Continue reading Editing for Sensory Language Part 2 SMELL
Editing Tribulations and Tricks For the last several months, I have been stuck in editing mode. It’s not that I dislike editing. I just like creating new stories better. Editing becomes a tribulation when all you do is edit from … Continue reading Marathon Editing
Or Why Hitching Creativity to the Clock is Doomed to Failure Yikes! Where did the time go? My last post was when – December? So much for keeping a writing journal. It was such a good idea – writing down … Continue reading Time Management versus Creativity in Writing
Dear Readers, I have been busy. In June, my first romantic suspense Beneath the Skin was published by Wild Rose Press. I have just signed the contract for Close to the Skin, Book 2 in the Skin Quartet series. I … Continue reading Forgive My Long Silence…
Where do you like to read? I’m a compulsive reader so I enjoy reading anywhere. I have been known to read while stirring the stew and in the few seconds it takes to microwave my tea. One of the reasons … Continue reading Favorite Places to Read
How I Made a Book Trailer for Beneath the Skin! Book trailers are the hot new thing in book marketing. With my background in making videos, I just had to try my hand at creating one for Beneath the Skin. It … Continue reading How I made a Book Trailer for Beneath the Skin
Beneath the Skin is Here! Look what arrived yesterday! A whole box of my hot off-the-press romantic suspense Beneath the Skin. I have published books before, but I think this was the most exciting of all my books. It has … Continue reading Beneath the Skin is Available for Pre-Order
It’s coming. It’s almost here. My first romantic suspense, Beneath the Skin, will be available for pre-orders any day now, and I am having a Pre-Order Round-Up … Continue reading There’s a Party Going on for Beneath the Skin!
Calling all readers! I have just heard. The worldwide release date for my romantic suspense Beneath the Skin is June 17th, 2016. On that date, Beneath the Skin will be available for purchase through Wild Rose Press as well as … Continue reading Beneath the Skin Coming June 17th
“Traditionally artists have been considered soft and mellow people, a little bit kooky. Maybe we’re a little bit more like pirates that way. We defend our territory, whatever space we steal to paint on, we defend it fiercely.” Sandra … Continue reading Graffiti Art in Beneath the Skin
Now I read a lot of romantic suspense novels. I love them. Why else would I write them? I like the fact that there is mystery … Continue reading Beneath the Skin is different
Blood Code by USA Today bestselling author Misty Evans definitely fits the requirements for a romantic suspense. The heroine is a Russian princess who has lived … Continue reading Zara West’s Romantic Suspense Book Review
Characters have to eat too. Today is National Pizza Day so I thought I would give a plug for Fornino in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This is where my romantic suspense hero in Beneath the Skin likes to eat. Aristides Stavros might be a famous artist, … Continue reading Food Moments in Fiction
So what do you think? Does it matter what characters wear in the novels you read? Is it worth the time for writers to search the Internet for just the right outfit? Today I needed to describe the handbag my character Bella … Continue reading Do what characters wear add to the enjoyment of a romantic suspense?
Today is National Wear Red Day in honor of women. So I thought that I would share some red outfits my characters might enjoy wearing on this day. Note: In keeping with my new awareness of ethically made clothing, all the gorgeous garments featured here are made in conscience to worker’s rights and the environment or from recycled finds. Learn more about the ethical clothing movement here. Melissa Dermott: The petite Asian-American heroine of Beneath the Skin is not a fancy dresser. She’s a debt-ridden graduate student. Most of her clothing is purchased in thrift stores and flea markets. But she has … Continue reading Let Them Wear Red: Ethical Clothing for My Characters
There is nothing more difficult then writing about yourself. Nobody likes to brag. Nobody wants to pat herself or himself on the back. So composing a bio about myself to include in Beneath the Skin was a real challenge. I decided to … Continue reading Zara West’s Author Bio for Beneath the Skin
ZARA WEST'S JOURNAL 