Category Archives: reflections

Self Published Authors Talk to Kim & Sascha Darlington: How To Work With Reviewers & Remove Stigma. #author #amwriting #writerslife

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I did a blog post last night about my views and personal thoughts, after reading on a book reviewer’s site……

“they won’t read books by self-published authors.”

WTF 2

Yeah, I felt the same when I read that. I was traditionally published before self published, I have a strong view point on this statement by book reviewers.  You can read the blog post here, which also lead to a conversation with Sascha in the comments. Interestingly she asked what she could do to help support self-published authors? Even though from what I understand, she has had a bad experience with some. Well I dunno? I guess try to keep reading work from self published authors.

But if you’re a self published author what could help improve the image self published authors have? And how can book reviewers support indie authors? Rather than have a hostile board-line discriminatory attitude toward those that do self publish. Oh and guys please what is your view on “vanity publishing” is that what it’s called these days? I did laugh have you heard this?

I have just a few things/ideas on this poll, add your own in the comments and do give feedback. It would be great for Sascha and I to hear all of your POV’s, as I am only good at talking up for myself… as you can probably tell 🙂

Do Book #Bloggers Discriminate Against #Indie Authors? Can You Believe That? #author #annoyed #writerslife

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WTF

 

Okay I’m about be real honest, state how I feel about what I’ve  just read, post this and that’s that.  If I offend anyone too bad! I’m sticking up for what’s right and authors all around the world. I’m too old to be walking on egg shells and not speak on what I feel passionately about. On top of that, I’m being real here.

Seriously, I’m just sitting here minding my own business catching up on blogs and stuff, with a glass of wine. I just clicked onto a book reviewer’s site and read “I don’t review books from self-published authors…blah blah blah.”  I’m what you’d call a hybrid author I guess, I’m both traditionally and self published.  I was traditionally published before self published. And let me tell you as a traditionally published author, publishers can still f*ck up your s*it, and you can be left rather unhappy with it. Don’t think for a moment because an author is self published they are any less of a writer, author, creator and kick- ass person, who can keep up the stamina to write a good book. Around work, families, drama and all kinds of things. Self published authors are made of some strong stuff, they are determine, they are titian and the world is a better and more diverse place with them. I’ve met some great ones.

WTF 3

 

Yes honey, I did say that! People out there think that being traditionally published is some kind of “gold standard.” Get with it, and move forward. I am so glad I found out all the benefits of self-publishing good well written stories. Yes I would be traditionally published again, but not because it is the be all and end all. Or I need that seal of approval. It’s nice sign a contract of course … I’ve done it three times and loved it but it’s not what makes me “an author” or another writer “an author.”  I’m so fed up with the stigma and stick that self- published authors get, for going their own way. Handling their own business and doing what they love. Self published authors have heart,have hustle and keep going!

 Stop/Do not discriminate! And don’t hate!

What

 *Resting bitch face in full swing*…. You heard me.

Question For All Writers: What’s Your Creative Time? What’s Your Routine? #writerslife #amwriting

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Three Day Quote Challenge 3

I’m fed, watered and ready to spend the whole evening tapping away until the early hours tonight. It’s almost 10.00p.m London time, a random thought popped into my head as the creative bug bit me this evening. I’ve not pulled up my second romance novella I’m working on in five whole days!  *cringe*.  My editor kicked  me up the ass today, she’s excited to read it. Tonight I’ve got a serious case of creativity, not to mention withdrawal symptoms.

It made me wonder, when do other writers get bitten by the creative bug? What’s your most creative hour of the day?  I wonder what other writers do as part of  their “routine” for writing? Do they write every day? Every other day? Once a week … what? So I’m asking you all, tell me I’m really interested. Leave me a comment let’s talk.

Personally, being a mum I write in the evening always. This is not a bad thing far from it, it suits me as this is when I naturally find I’m in the mood, and I have more creativity then. My creative hours are between  9:00p.m-3:00a.m. Or maybe I think I have more creativity as the house is damn quiet! Peace at last!

Five whole days away from a manuscript is a long time for me. I do tend to try to write everyday. I’ll be real honest, the last couple of weeks I’ve not. Mainly as I’ve been tired (nothing new there then), I’ve been reading a lot (like always). The last few books I’ve read have really gripped me. They were hard to put down, I’ve passed up writing to read. I started reading the first novel of one of this month’s Meet The Author featured authors, you’ll find out who on the 25th.  I also want to read the other featured author’s work too.

Anyway, here’s my routine what’s yours like?

  1. Try to write every day. Is this what you do?
  2. Eat dinner, make a coffee, wash my face and turn on the radio. I normally listen to some easy going radio stations, that play all genres of music. We have some great ones in the UK. Or if I’m completely behind and need to knock out some serious word count… I pull out the classical piano playlist, to get in the zone classical music really focuses me.
  3. Sit at the laptop, pull up the manuscript. Glance over it, sip coffee. Check my phone, check Facebook, check e-mail.
  4. Pull up YouTube or some distraction on the internet, mess around for about a good half an hour … or longer *pulls a face*.
  5. Set to work.

Tell me what is your routine? I’m keen to know. And do you get straight to work or do you mess around before you actually type??… don’t lie to me now, be honest.

I better get to work as right now, typing this post, I’m on step four of the above… distraction 🙂

Share your experiences!

 

Reflection: What I write. #writerslife #amwriting

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As much as I love to write fast paced, engaging and gripping stories. With strong characters and even some very dark  unsavoury ones. When it comes down to it, I’ll always be a romance writer at heart. My stories will always comeback to this no matter how gritty , controversial or full of drama they may get.

Yes I’ve knocked out some gritty characters in crime, and physiological themed stories as part of the weekly challenges  for Kim and Didi’s Suspenseful Collection.   And I’ve started to write a novel with this theme too! But this week as writers we have both put out  such a different feel. So different the story moved me to actual tears I just read it back to myself. I can’t recall I time I’ve actually been moved to tears, by something I partly wrote 🙂

Maybe it was the music, I dunno? Unintentionally at the moment I have Magic FM on the radio. If you’re not from the UK, you might not  know that this station plays some of the most relaxing feel good songs. I love to write with it in the background to focus. Around this time in the evening 9:00 p.m it gets a little soppy! It’s called ” Mellow Magic.” This song came on, I actually shed a tear (or a few) while reading the story. Good ol’ Whitney! It fits the story so well.

As I said earlier on today it’s a real close call between week four, and week one as my favourite story so far. I loved creating both pieces of fiction. As a romance author, I sincerely hope you enjoy what Didi and I came up with. And I thank her openly for the decision (not mine) to do a romance theme week. Because love really does concur all.

#London …

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Thank you so much to everyone who as sent me a message to say ” are you all right?”, during the last two attacks we’ve had here in the UK. Yes I’m fine! In light of what happened over night I found out about the attack ,when a girlfriend in Paris sent me a text to ask if I’m okay.  I looked at my phone like … is she okay? Why is she  so panicked.  I turned on the TV and was really upset it was all over the news. The attack was just a few miles from me in London Bridge central London. A place I have wrote about so many times as well in my stories, it’s such a vibrant part of London. Especially at night.

Last night, my family were asleep and I was behind my laptop ,knocking out a few thousand words writing while the attack happened. I had no idea. I went straight to bed in the early hours of the morning. I heard no announcements on the radio as I worked late into the night, which is surprising.

This morning I headed out cautiously to the supermarket. My son, and I saw a heavy police presence on the streets of London. That’s good I guess. I bumped into a friend, a mature lady who was deeply upset as her son was there last night. He witness the whole damn thing. He is safe. I will be clued to the news most of the day via the radio, as my son has taken over the TV with Toy Story movies lol. He is so small, he has no idea of what evil there is in the world at just three years old.

If you or anyone you know has lost someone in the attacks last night, I pray for you today and I am deeply sorry. If you or anyone you know lost someone  in the attack a few weeks back, in Manchester in the north of the UK, at Ariana Grande’s concert, I also pray for you and I am deeply sorry .

London and Manchester let’s stand shoulder to shoulder, and hope that our government has a way to deal with no further attacks on our wonderful cities around the UK.

 

Diversity Within Fiction, Are We There Yet? #amwriting #MFRW #diversity

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When I first started to write it did cross my mind that being a British author, not everyone may connect.  It never bothered me and it still doesn’t  now.  I feel this way as there is a reader out there for every writer, no matter what you write be it dark stuff or light comedy. I’ve come to feel really strongly that writers should not, and can not write to people please. Why? You’ll lose yourself , who you are and what you want to write. I write it how I like it end of.

Over the last twenty four hours I’ve really been thinking about diversity within fiction, this is mainly due to the writing prompt I did on the Ideal  Romance Hero, and  the  guest author post I done with Author Jane Ridson. I was asked ( in the guest post)  how I go about using diverse characters, and what advice I would give to those that shy away from it. To me, diversity is a given, where I’m from in London it’s a melting pot of different cultures  we love diversity this side of the water pretty much, well in London anyway. So it comes natural that I write reflecting what’s around me, and my diverse friends I have. It would be really hard not to.

Last night, I reflected on this point about diversity a little further, when I woke up this morning and read a few  other writer’s POV on the Ideal Romance Hero it occurred to me that my take on Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome  and the ideal romance hero is quite different, which is fine. I don’t mind standing out! One  ( supportive) comment led me to feel that diversity really does need to be embraced, I also had a response to my Beta Reader call from someone who is keen  to be a Beta Reader for me as I’m a different race and gender to them and I’m on  the other side of the world. This is cool really cool. 🙂  But … are we there yet? Do we still have a little work to do with diversity in fiction? There’s a blogger I love his name is Jason Cushman or Opinionated Man to you and I. I’ve said it before he is rather funny, frank, and to the point. He is also rather raw in his take on diversity.  Jason is of Asian descent and embraces it from what I read,  but he does highlight ” the struggle” he’s over in the USA.I thought about Jason, some of his posts I’ve read and his struggles. You should check him out.

I then went to Facebook in search of marketing groups or companies who actually work with writers who feature diverse characters.  I’d like to put my Romance Set in Paradise series in front of some readers who may love and seek a bit of diversity. Also my future work also, as you know I’ll never quit creating diverse characters. Do you know I found none, not one, like not even a choice! I am really surprised. This led me to set up my own group called Black, Asian and Minority Readers and Writers   this is not about segregation it’s more about celebration! Of authors who feature diverse character line ups, and can maybe help support other authors branch into this ( if they want to) without the fear of stereotypes, or stereotyping those they feature,  find readers who want to find  diversity in their fiction, a chance for all writers  regardless of their own race who love, support and read diverse fiction to come together. This includes the gay community also. I have nothing against same sex relationships at all, live and let live is my motto.  I feel like I want to do something from this side of the Atlantic as there are so many in the USA ( FB groups) with this focus on African American writers /fiction, but I see little with a welcome for all minority groups for anyone who would say they are a minority or of some mixed background.  Or am I just not looking hard enough?

So, if you’re an author of an ethnic background, or an author who writes with diversity regardless of your background, or you’d like to try it! Join the group, the link is above. I hope to build a community of support. And readers, marketers and lovers of our diverse work. Because variety is the spice of life.

Tell me, what’s your views on diversity in general?

Kim

 

Poem: Is She You? #amwriting #poem

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Maze
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She, who is she? Is she me or you? If not you then she is who? All I know is she always says whatever it is I need to do …. trust me I’ll do. No matter the weather, no matter the stress her attitude is always “can do.”

Times get tough, troubled and unsettled waters maybe ahead, but does that make her see red?  Let me ask you a question, if you could do it all again in life would you? What would you seek to go back and re-do? You have a long list! Wow, my point, you have missed. Each experience is either a lesson, or blessing in disguise. Wrapped up in drama,  or feeling like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.  But  If you never travelled that road of drama, would you be able to hold your head this high?

Read between the lines you’re much better, you’re like titanium, and much more refined after all that drama you left behind. You’re now one of a kind, so leave those bitter memories behind.

Each day, look in the mirror and figure out what it is you must do, or what you want to do? What’s your next move?

Never be bitter or never be so unkind to yourself, so that you can’t read between the lines.

Gather your strength, keep your goals in mind, never look behind. I promise you with this wind under your wings you’ll fly. Now you must reach for the sky. Some days will be hard, you have the kids, work, school,  dinner to make, cleaning, the list never ends and the worst bit – everyone has their demands of you! You’ll want to scream hold up! What more do you want me to fucking do? Huh?  But remember it’s your strength,

That will see you through. So let me ask you again who is she? Is she me? Is she you? Oh she is you! Then get out there and do what you need to do. Remember Proverbs 31:25 now who is she?? Is she you?… Yeah, that’s what I thought, I knew you had it in you.

High five, keep going and do what you need to do.

 I just felt like writing. Salute to all the mothers, carers, breadwinners, goal makers and hard workers out there!

Kim.

Romance Writer’s Challenge Week #19: My Kinda Guy! The Ideal Hero #MFRW #romance

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It’s week nineteen of the Romance Writer’s Blogging Challenge, what a great week.  I’ve  had many book boyfriends over the years, I’ve been a romance lover for well over ten years of my life, that’s a lot of men. As a reader I like my men just how I write ’em, stylish, strong, smelling good and powerful in more ways than with just their wallet *haha*. Make of that last part what you will!

And no, they don’t always have to be the stereotypical Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome. They can be Mr. Tall, Blond and Handsome for all I care…  Christen Grey sure did it for me. For me it’s more about the man he is when I’m reading romance stories. Good looks is a given, but it’s nice when I read the work of another romance author or any author for that matter, and I’m swooning and giggling that high pitched girly giggle I get over their main man –because of who he is.

I’ve had readers feedback that my character I created in A Stranger in France is “Every woman’s dream”  I’ve heard this more than once. This makes me feel GOOD, I created a nice swoon worthy man. Here’s the secret when I created Nicholas I kinda created my own ideal dream man in real life. Nicholas is handsome, check, financially stable, check, but as a man he is hardworking, respectful to women, down to earth and a modern man. He is relevant to today in terms of his dress sense, views etc he’s not dated. With dated views or expectations of women. Blah! I’ll bin those types of men.

I think the ideal romance hero should have all the boxes ticked visually regardless of his race, but that extra emphasis on his personality I think, as a writer helps  us to not re-write the same type of hero. When I wrote both of my detectives, Jerome Samuels for Not Just For Christmas , my main man in One Night in London the short story collaboration with twelve other authors for Code Red: A Serial Novel and the most recent Sebastian Garcia for Havana Heat I maintained  all the basics for my Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. But they are very different men to Nicholas D’Coix. Age for one, Jerome is a man of a mature age over ten years older than me, with that sexy “mature man’s” persona about him umm humm. Believe it or not he actually starts off as a complete ass LOL my heroine really dislikes him, due to his arrogance regardless of how visually appealing he is. Sebastian is my hot blooded Spaniard with a good heart, but he has “issues” as a man not related to arrogance. My main man in Code Red: A Serial Novel is your average everyday accountant in his thirties.

So in a nutshell I think in my humble opinion, and  based on my own writing style and how I like my men my ideal romance hero is :

  • Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome/ Mr Tall Blond and Handsome- visually he is a knock out regardless of his race.
  • Dare I say it- GOOD IN BED this is a must. I need to read those pages and be like fwwaaaah wow!  This author did a good job setting the bar.
  • Powerful in some way, it could be due to his profession or something about him. There needs to be something about him that draws the female in big time.
  • Stylish (this is just my personal preference as that’s how I write ’em). I like stylish men.
  • He can be arrogant, or a  bad boy they don’t always have to be angles. But he has to grow as a man in the story, so that we readers swoon toward the end  when the dust settles. Personally as a writer this is my style  and I love it as a reader.
  • Not afraid to fight for his woman, this is the major for me. That’s how I write ’em that’s how I like to read ’em. As arrogant as  they are as a man ( maybe), at the end of the day when all the suspense and heat is built in the story- does he fight? … yes please let’s all swoon over this scene.
  • Not, I repeate not dated in anyway shape or form. I really dislike this. That said I am in my mid thirties, and I guess the men I’d swoon over probably would not be dated in my age bracket. It’s helpful if the men are relevant and current. Same with the females. Regardless of their ages. Unless it’s a historical romance of course, that’s another story, different or more time relevant ways of “courting” are to be expected. In a modern day romance keep it current.

I ‘ll never get bored of creating romance heroes, I can’t wait to see who is the most popular with readers from all  the heroes I create. I plan to keep them all different but the basics in tact. All ages, races, professions there is no discrimination here. Deep down I have a feeling it will always be my very own ideal man, one of Paris’ top three entrepreneurs Mr. Nicholas D’Coix.  He makes me smile. I’d love to look back on this post in say maybe three to five years and see if I still feel the same. Who knows?

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Positive Vibes For All Writers With Day Jobs: Why Your Editor is Your Rock. #motivation #amwriting #friendship #writerslife

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I had a quick conversation via text this morning with my editor, it left me so motivated. I’d love  to share the motivational vibes with other writers out there! Randomly she sent me a message to say hi, I love her, she’s an intelligent, hardworking woman. And her accent is so cool! She’s Australian, but I think of Italian descent via her parents.  She was a friend before editor,  (she is still a friend too), I’ve known her for about  five years. This morning she sent me  a few simple words that helped me to stay motivated, while at the “day job” . If  you’re  a working writer with a day job, even if it’s part time like me, I’d like to uplift you too!…. until we become so widely read  we can write full time to pay the bills…..

Text conversation:

Editor: Hi Kim, how are you ? How’s work and writing? Do you still have your French exam next week? xx

Kim: Hey! I’m well, work’s a bore lol, writing is going well I’m 10k words in with story #2 of the  Romance Set in Paradise. Yes, my exam is next week surprised you remembered. How are things your end? x

Editor; work serves a purpose, writing serves you. You must be excited over book one’s release!  I’m good * she then goes off into an update on how she is personally*

I read her message and thought she’s so right stay motivated, stay focused, work is a bore but it’s a means to an end and serves a purpose.… for now 🙂 Writing is what I do and will continue to do!

Working writers near and far I don’t care what genre you write, whether you write short stories, articles, plays, novels or novellas we rock, we work and write. Sometimes all night when we have a 5:00 am wake up!   We get up, get ready and get to work with just a few hours sleep… sometimes none. All I can say is thank God for eye opening make-up artists’ tricks! I can carry a bag of shopping in the bags under my eyes lols.  But I won’t stop and neither should you.

Happy writing, and have a good day “at work.”

Success

Romance Writer’s Blogging Challenge Week #16: My Biggest Dream? #MFRW

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Hmmm ask an author this question and they’ll all say the same thing… New York Times Bestseller, Bestselling Author. These are all the recognition awards and titles we’re after right? Wrong, okay maybe, but not always in this order. 🙂

For me personally living the dream would mean  a  HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE catalogue of novels and novellas in both the romantic suspense and thriller genres. When I think of this dream, the one author that comes to mind is Stephen King. On my last check he has over fifty published novels. And my all time inspiration Jackie Collins the author I salute, as it was her who introduced me to romantic suspense when I was hardly in my mid twenties. I stumbled across  her novel Deadly Embrace , I then read everything by Jackie I could get my hands, on before I became an author. Surprise surprise I sleep and breathe this genre! Creating my own spin on romance and suspense. Jackie had upon her death something like thirty two novels  published I think off memory.  I was so upset when she died, I feel like some part of life is now missing. I’m one of her fans who would wait impatiently for the next hit, I’d check her site regularly to see what’s coming next and curse when I could not see my next hit coming. My other inspiration the great British crime author, Martina Cole has about twenty odd crime novels from memory. A lot of them I have also read.  When Martina publishes a book, a wicked grin comes over my face! I’m excited.  This is the level I’m talking about in terms of books I’d love to write and the kind of buzz I’d love to create in my genre one day as an author. Considering I’m only thirty four if I get a wiggle on and stay focused,  just maybe it could happen! I could knock out plenty of work.

I’m not focused so much on all the awards or labels authors can get, as nice as they are, it’s more about productivity. I’m also not that focused on becoming rich, this is the last thing I’m writing for.  I had an author mention this who will feature in my Meet The Author – I won’t say who it is look out for them on the 25th.  I’d personally like to give up the part time day job, write more full time, pay the bills by doing what I love and feel my talent really is and not worry. That’s the dream. I’d also love an endless supply of M.A.C and Kat Von D make-up, to create a line of clothing, a house with a pool and large garden for my little boy and to live in the sun…. pretty please if God’s listening LOL.

What’s your dream?? What are you doing to make it happen? If you’re an author reading this is it all about the label, money or the volume of work you put out?

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