Changes in Reading and Writing

I don’t know about everyone else, but self-publishing and self-published authors promoting their books have drastically changed reading for me.

It used to be that I had a set of authors whose writing I consistently enjoyed, thus I always bought or borrowed their books and was perfectly happy reading in my comfort zone.

Now, every time I turn around, some author is touting a *free* book. And because many of my faves write only one book per year and because I’m cheap, like every other human on the planet, I download a lot of those free books onto my Kindle. So now I have such a mish-mash, I can’t decide what to try to read next. I’ve never had so many books I've started, but will never finish.

This experience has been a journey of discovery for me.….. Of the plethora of books I’ve downloaded, I’ve discovered a couple of authors whose free book I enjoyed, so I bought the second in a series or another book by the same author. Nine times out of ten, that has been a mistake because a lot of the time, the story falls apart in Book #2 and I'm disappointed.

I can see that it's a challenge to carry on an interesting story involving only two 2 characters (hero & heroine) throughout a three or even five-book series. I’m in the process of writing a trilogy myself and I am glad I didn’t choose to make it only about 2 characters. I’m glad I have a story arc that begins in Book #1 and ends in Book #3 because I don’t think I could pull it off if I just had the hero and heroine to work with.

Another vehicle I’ve discovered self-pubs using is to publish books that amount to short stories and end them with cliff hangers so that I’ll have to go on and buy the next book if I want to read the whole story. All I can say is that makes me feel cheated. And after disrespecting my intelligence as a reader in that way, an author would have to be telling a heck of story to make me buy Book #2.

And speaking of shorts, I’m close to finishing up a novella. But I’m clearly labeling it as a "novella" so that nobody will be expecting a 100,000-word book if they buy it. In the beginning, it was going to be an erotic novella, but after reading at least two, maybe three dozen erotic books, I’m not sure it’s erotic. It’s hot, with explicit steamy sex, but it’s not kinky. So I’m still undecided if I’m going to try to market it as “erotica.” 

Let me know what you think of the cover:

It does have a cliff-hanger ending, but it’s also a stand-alone story. A reader shouldn’t be disappointed if he or she doesn't read the next book. ….. Oh, and I might change the title. ..... Can anyone say “make up your mind?”

A Case for Audio Books.....

I love audio books. I listen to them while I’m driving. In fact, if I’m really interested in a story, I sometimes hate to stop driving.

I also listen to them if I’m waiting and waiting and waiting in a doctor or dentist’s office. Much more interesting than reading one of the table magazines that’s full of nothing and covered with germs. I used to take my Kindle to medical appointments, but now I take my MP3 player.

I listen anywhere I am where I’m going to be sitting and waiting.

These days, you can buy an MP3 player as cheap as $15 and a pair of headphones for under $10. That makes it easy and affordable to listen. (I remember when my sister bought a used MP3 player on eBay for more than $100.)

Or if you have a newer model car, it might have a place to plug in a listening device and you can listen through the radio.

Or I could listen on my smartphone if I wanted to. I have the audible.com app that I downloaded from Google Play and all I have to do is download a book through it. If you have an iPhone, you can go through the iTunes store.

These days, I don’t have much time for reading. The only time I’m able to do it is at night before I go to sleep, but unfortunately, I’m often too tired to stay awake very long. So listening to audio books enables me to keep “reading”.

Audio books used to be a rarity restricted to only the bestselling or old favorite authors, but thanks to Amazon, they are becoming more readily available from all authors. If an author is lucky enough to get a great narrator who sounds as if she/he understands the story, gets the dialogue right and has a dramatic flair, all the better. It’s sort of like watching a TV show or a movie without the picture.

Currently, I’m listening to a Suzanne Brockman book that has both a male and female narrator. This is interesting. First time I’ve run across one with two narrators.

And that brings me to the fact that I’m in the process of making THE LOVE OF A COWBOY into an audio book. I hope to see it released in July. It will be available on Amazon, iTunes and Audible.com. 

This book won a big contest that enabled me to sell it to a publisher. It was written and originally published some years ago, but it's still one of my best-selling books. If you like alpha heroes and heroines and a dramatic story, you might enjoy listening to it. I was lucky to get a narrator who does an excellent job. So if you like audio books yourself or if you’ve never tried one, give it a shot. Or check to see if your favorite author's books are available in audio.

Tasting Texas by Kimmie Easley

Y’all! Tasting Texas is now LIVE! 

I am beyond excited about this steamy little novella, the first in the series. It’s always fun to write about Texas. The state (my state) is full of history, tradition, and culture.

One of my favorite places to visit is the Fort Worth Stockyards. My family and I never grow tired of the authentic Texas vibe. There’s something for everyone, and the fact that you can purchase salt water taffy by the pound is just icing on the cake, or the hips….

My family never grows tired of the rodeo, museum, and train rides. The food is to die for, and there’s always some form of entertainment to keep you on your toes.

While researching for Tasting Texas I also came across The Ashton Hotel. I’ve driven by the building more than once, but was became intrigued as I dug further into the history of the hotel. The two buildings that make up The Ashton Hotel are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed and built using a unique Italianate style, with wrought-iron balconies, decorative brick patterning, and cast stone. Even today, it remains the only building of this style in Fort Worth.

              

It is now on my bucket list to stay in the Presidential Suite and to eat at the Six 10 Grille!

Another little piece of Texas that I used in my novella was Plum Lake. I’ve had the pleasure of attending a girls’ writing weekend at Plum Lake, nestled right outside of Canton, TX. It’s a rustic style cabin with all of the essentials (other than internet, which proved to be a positive), and even a HOT TUB! My girlfriends and I enjoyed late night chatter by the fireplace with a bottle of wine and yummy snacks.

You can’t throw a rock in Texas without hitting something to do or see. It’s a great place to visit, and an even greater place to live!

If you like short, steamy reads please check out Tasting Texas. It’s the first in The Tasting Series with Tasting New York nipping at its heels!

Tasting Texas on Goodreads: Tasting Texas

Author Interview: Gemma Dufranse

Author Interview with Gemma Dufranse

K: I am thrilled to interview self-published erotic romance author, Gemma Dufranse. Welcome, Gemma!

G: Thanks for having me, Kimmie. You’re my very first interview! And what better place than Smart Girls Read Romance!

K: Sweet! A newbie! Let’s jump right in, good with you?

G: That’s how I like to work. Let’s do it!

K: Yes, so I’ve heard *grins*! It’s kind of a cliché, but what inspired you to write your first book?

G: I’ve always wanted to write. Storytelling is my passion, but it wasn’t until last year that I decided to buckle down and get out my first novella: Tinsel, Tidings, and Temptations. I think being surrounded by fellow writers giving it their all inspired me to jump in with both feet.

K: It’s funny how we thrive on the motivation of others. Do you have a specific writing style?

G: I write steamy stories. I like to be uninhibited and write whatever flows. I don’t like to let others hinder my writing style by what they might think.

K: Do you think that’s rare in authors today?

G: Unfortunately, I think it weighs on authors greatly what others might think, whether it’s their friends, family, or readers. I know it weighs on me. When I say I don’t like to let it hinder me, doesn’t mean I’m immune. I just struggle to write through the scrutiny.

K: Agreed, on all accounts. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

G: Authenticity. I’ve read some erotica where I sit back and go, there’s no way that would really happen! I never want that to happen to me as an author. Some things might be hard to believe, but not impossible.

K: I’ve read a few of those also, and not just in the erotic genre. That’s a challenge we should all be facing in our writing. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

G: Spellcheck is flawed.

K: *snort* Short and to the point! What book are you reading now?

G: I’m reading My Confession by DeLaine Roberts. I am so in love with the passion she has for her characters. My Confession on Amazon

K: You and DeLaine have another connection as well, right?

G: Yes, she’s also my cover designer. I can’t say enough positive things about working with her on Tinsel, Tidings, and Temptations. And the feedback I’ve gotten on the cover is priceless.

K: It is most definitely a hot cover. What are your current projects?

G: Oh, there’s so much going on! This year is going to be a big one. I’m looking to release a few novellas this year in various box sets with some amazing ladies; Abbie St Claire, Geri Foster, Vatonia Boone, DeLaine Roberts, and of course, yourself. The particular project we’ll be working on together is going to be ground breaking. 

*Links to the above authors*

DeLaine Roberts       

Abbie St Claire           

Geri Foster

Vatonia Boone

Kimmie Easley

K: Yes, I’ve never been a part of anything like it and it’s going to be good! That brings me to another question. Have you ever hated something you wrote?

G: Pretty much everything up until last year.

K: I guess we won’t be seeing any of your early stuff. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

G: The people I surround myself with in the writing world. There are many talented men and women out there looking to give back to new authors like myself. Some I may never even meet in person, social media is very instrumental in the literary world. I’ve been very fortunate to make some amazing lifelong friends.

K: I’ve experienced the same thing. It’s a whole new world! Do you have any advice for other writers?

G: Go for it! Don’t wait. Don’t let others hold you back. Don’t write to the market. Don’t lose yourself.

K: Words to live by. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

G: I can’t thank you enough. Every kind word, every constructive criticism, every review, there aren’t enough words to say how much you are appreciated. Read on, loves! Xoxo

K: Thank you so much for joining us, Gemma. It’s been a real honor, and we’re looking forward to great stuff in 2014.

G: Thank you for having me. I’m a little awestruck! I’ll never forget my first interview!

Buy Tinsel, Tidings, and Temptations: on Amazon on Barnes and Noble

Gemma Dufranse: on Twitter

Gemma Dufranse: on Facebook

Gemma Dufranse: on Goodreads

Author Bio: Erotica writer, completing my 'Tramps' series. My novella Tinsel, Tidings, and Temptations is available in Kindle and Nook! I also like the color red. Louisiana