Romance Writer of America Conference- 2010

Romance Writer of America Conference is going on this week and I am so jealous! I love seeing all the pictures and hearing all the stories, keep them coming ladies! I couldn't imagine what it would be like to meet someone as big as Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz. Is there anyone out there that you would just become speechless if you saw?

The world of social networking

Welcome to the world of social networking! Not only do I have a blog I now have a Twitter account. How will I ever find the time to write, just kidding. Seriously, networking is something every aspiring writer needs to do. We live in a world where it is now necessary to have a online presence. For me I was a little hesitant at first. I have had my identity stolen (fairly recently) and that left me a little worried about creating my online world. But I realized that I was not going to let this person keep me away from my dream. If you want to be a published writer don't let anyone stand in your way. Keep moving forward and create your online world!!


You can now follow me on twitter. Just search Jennie Bryant.

Who's In you movie Part 2

Okay the book I'm working on now has another pilot in it but the pilot is a female, the main character.

Here is my cast of inspiration for my new book.

Damon Lyons- Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Mia Evens- Natalie Dormer
Matt Pines- Zachary Quinto
Brooke Rosen-Bridget Moynahan

Now like in Love and Honor my characters might change as their personalities develop.

Who's In you movie

My newest project is in the works. I have my cast played out in my head. I imagine my story line every night. How I want my actors to play out my scene. For me this is the the fun part of writing. The fantasy of it.

I probably should tell you the full cast of Love and Honor before I tell you the new cast for the new book. LOL.

Max Edwards - Ben Browder

Sarah Wilson - Jennifer Connelly

Trish- Kate Hudson

Marcus- Jerry O'connell

Jeff- Christin Bale ( he plays such a bad a** in American Psycho how could he not be Jeff)

those are the actor inspiration!

I'll post tomorrow the key members in my newest project "Tropical Triangle" ( Title is a work in progress)

Dreams

A good source for my writing are my dreams. My dreams can tell stories my conscious mind is to scared to tell. Love and Honor started out in my dream four years ago. The scene where Max knocks on Sarah's door in the middle of the night during a bad thunderstorm. After that scene everything else just fell into place. Is there a dream or fantasy that has been plaguing your mind? When it comes to you write them down. Who knows you might have a novel on your hands.

Writing Exercises

There are many ways to find your voice and to keep yourself "RAW". This is also a good way to spark some inspiration on your next book. Pick a word any word at random and take 3 minuets to write something about it. You will be amazed and what your mind can come up with.

When I started doing these exercises, I really didn't know what my true voice was. I was given the world "Leaving" and what came out was dark, mysterious, deep, passionate. I didn't realize that I gravitate more towards the dark side of romance. Try it our and maybe you'll learn something new about yourself.

Try using this link for random words. www.watchout4snakes.com/creativitytools/main/main.aspx

Good luck and just have fun with it!

Rejection

Rejection, this will happen to all of us. This has happened even to the best of us. No matter how good of a writer you are you will get a rejection letter sometime in your career path. It's just the nature of the business. You have to remember to keep on trying and not let those rejection letters keep you down. Everyone has different taste and your book will not be the same fit for everyone. You have to remember to keep your head up high and to follow your dreams! Dreams can come true if you pursue them. I've compiled a list of authors and how many times they have been rejected. It just goes to show you even the best will get rejected.

Stephenie Meyers- "Twilight" was rejected 9 times

Jack Canfield- "Chicken Soup for the soul" was rejected 140 times

Stephen King- "Carrie" was rejected 30 times

Margaret Mitchell-"Gone with the wind" was rejected 38 times

John Grisham-"A time to kill" was rejected 16 times

James Patterson- a dozen times at least

J.K. Rowling- "Harry Potter" - was rejected 12 times

Christie Craig-"Divorced, Desperate & Delicious - was rejected 10,000 times!!!

Even the best of us can get rejected. Just remember to keep on trying and your dreams WILL come true!!!

Gemma Halliday

I just finished taking a workshop from a great teacher and writer Gemma Halliday. The workshop was called "Getting your foot in the door: writing query letters and synopsis. Her class helped me with my letter and synopsis. I now know what agents want and I understand what I need to do to be successful. If you want to take the same workshop I did, she does have another one coming up in July. Check out her other classes and her latest book. I suggest everyone who take one of her workshops!! http://www.gemmahalliday.com/

What is Romance?

What is romance. Romance can be found in everything and anything. Romance means different things to different people. Some people need stimulation to provoke the romance in there partner. For example some women might think that a candle lit dinner is romantic or a sensual bubble bath. I think you have to have attraction between two people before romance can exist. If you are not attracted to each other, no amount of candles, chocolate, or flowers will spark romance.

For me romance can be a soft gentle touch, a longing stare, a kiss or even words. Being a writer words score highest on my romance meter.

Think about what gives you that romantic feeling and apply it in your writing. You can even apply it to your real life. Keep romance alive in your life! Carpe Diem!

The Hook

This week I'm taking a course on "How to get your foot in the door". This course is teaching me how to write a correct synopsis and query letter. The big topic this week is THE HOOK. The hook should come first in your synopsis and it should grab the reader. You want the reader to say "WOW" I want to read more. Think about it. When you go to the book store and pick up a book or even a magazine what pulls you in? For example in Twilight "I've never given much thought to how I would die, but dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go." This hook enticed me . It made me want to continue reading. What's a hook that's grabbed you? I would suggest taking this angle when writing your hook.

This is what I'm working with for my hook for Love and Honor.

He was the gallant hero she had always dreamed of, but she never dreamed that such a wonderful love would take her down an excruciating road of terror and hopelessness. A road that will ultimately lead her to the brink of death.

This is still a work in progress. I will continue to post ideas and tips that I've learned from my course.

Dreamin' in Dallas 2011

I am so very excited tonight. DARA has posted information about the Dreamin' in Dallas conference next April. I am thrilled beyond belief!! The conference will have workshops, speakers, agents, publishers, book signings. It is going to be a thrilling day! I am delighted that the key note speaker is none other then the New York Times Bestselling Author Richelle Mead!!!
Every inspiring writer should make plans on attending this conference, This conference will change my life!

Memorial Day Weekend...How to be inspired

People watching is a good way to be inspired. Go to a coffee shop or a book store, sit and watch the people around you. Picture what that person's life is like. Who could be involved with them. Put them into your story. It's a great way to get inspired. So take some time this weekend and get inspired.

In the works

I am hot with a new story on my mind. I truly wanted to write a paranormal romance but this new vision is hot on my mind. I have casted my crew of actors and plotted out the general synopsis. This will novel will entell a love triangle. Two men who are long time friends fall in love with the same woman.

Love and Honor cover Art??

Finding Time to Write

Sometimes life can get in the way of your dreams. Work, school, bills, kids, traffic. The list goes on and on. If you want to truly be a published writer you have to find the time. A few minuets before bed, before you get out of bed, even on your lunch break. I try and write when I'm resting for the night. Unfornatually I have so many fantasies/dreams floating around in my mind at the moment I have many story lines falling into place. I have come across a abundance of inspiration from TV shows to real..not so real life. For me it just takes one person, a movie/tv charater or scene, or even a song. All of these have been inspiring latley.
I think that it just takes inspiration or a muse to get a writers creativity jucies flowing.

What the future holds?

Since I finished Love and Honor, I've had many ideas for my next book. I've actually started a few of them. Honestly I want to try my hand at a paranormal romance. I've been playing with the idea of playing off the mystic ways of the Incas with my "two love birds". I've got a LOT of research ahead of me if I want to pull this one off. I've already started my research. There is no title at the moment. I'm still in the process of casting my characters. All I have right now playing in my head is one sexy love scene that plays out in the dark caves of Matchu Pitchu.

My other idea has to do with a jet crash somewhere in the South Pacific...think Love Triangle.

Why people read romance novels.

Many men wonder why women are addicted to reading romance novels. Many women love the feeling that romance novels give them. When you engulf yourself into the character the reader can feel what the charater is feeling (only if well written).The butterflies, the anticipation, the heat. Other women use romance novels for the escape of their mundane lives. For myself I love the feeling and the escape. I feel that if you love romance novels for both you have it in you to write a romance novel.

Surrender

This is a work in progress. Something that's been in my head. The best thing for a writer to do is PUT IT OUT THERE!!

When he looked at me I felt lost to the world. The passion that burned deep within his eyes ignited the flame that kindled deep inside of my soul. I'm locked in his hypnotic gaze. Trapped like a confined tiger in it's cage, I was anxious to escape. Whatever he wanted I was compelled to give, he had me mesmerized. He reached down and gently caressed my cheek. My knees began to give under me. I felt as if I was falling. His breath blew warm against my lips as he descended down towards mine. The anticipation was killing me as he hovered over me. Then his lips touched mine. The sweetness of his lips intoxicated me. He kissed me softly savoring the taste of me. The world vanished around us as his kiss deepened. There was no resisting him there was no denying him. All there was, was surrender.

In the mood

Romance is something you feel. Just like writing, your not always in the mood. I sometimes find myself with writers block. Other times I find that I can not find a computer fast enough to write down all the thoughts running through my head. Writing a romance is like falling in love all over again. When I write a good scene between my main character I can feel the butterflies. You know the butterflies I mean. The kind you get when you first meet someone your attracted to. This is what I mean when I say "In the mood". The mood can not be forced but it sure can be pushed along lol. What I do when I know I need to get scenes done, I will listen to a sexy song for example the song that gets me in the mood at the moment is "Within Temptation- All I Need" the guitars are so sexy in this song. Listen and you'll see what I mean. The video is not so hot so just close your eyes and feel it. Another thing I do is watch a romatic movie. Music does the best job for me though.

Insert from Love and Honor.

Here is an insert from Love and Honor.

Max watched her eyes dance with fire as she watched him. "I'm sorry...I..just.."he couldn't resist her lips any longer; they beckoned him. He knew it would be wrong but he couldn't find the strength to fight the urge to touch her, to kiss her any longer. He quickly leaned toward Sarah and pulled her to him as he tenderly kissed her lips. He savored her sweet taste. Neither of them had the strength to pull away. Kissing Sarah was better then he remembered. Not being rushed and being able to hold her made a world of difference. He had only kissed her once, but oh how he missed kissing Sarah's luscious lips. It was all he could think about for weeks.

Max felt Sarah's lips slowly part, accepting his kiss, accepting him. He couldn't help but to let a tiny moan escape as he slowly slid his tongue inside of her parted gentle lips. He felt as if he was on fire and, by accepting him, she was stroking that flame that burned so long for her.