by Roseanna White | Jan 5, 2011 | Remember When Wednesdays, Uncategorized
I’m at an interesting point in my work-in-progress right now–see, it’s the same time of year there as it is for real. Pretty neat, and it doesn’t often work that way for me. Oh, I’m a few days behind in Annapolis (it’s currently the 27th of December), but I’m about to skip a few days, so I’ll soon overtake myself. 😉
There’s something really fun about writing about the season you’re currently in, and about reflecting on it what your characters would be doing on this day in their year. I just got through Christmas with them, and my heroine received a leather bound journal–much like the two hard-cover journals I got. 😉 The kids in the family were playing with toy soldiers (which will be made either of wood or metal, though I haven’t figured out which) while mine are dashing around with Matchbox cars and My Little Ponies.
New Years celebrations are actually very similar. I don’t know that they stayed up to greet the New Year like our culture does, and certainly they didn’t watch the ball drop on TV (ha ha) but the first day of the new year was still a big celebration. Families pulled out all the stops and put on a huge feast, often entertaining friends and neighbors. And resolutions have been a tradition since Ancient Roman days, so don’t think that’s a modern concept!
Most fun in my story right now, though, is that “tomorrow” in the story, my hero figures out where my heroine has run off to and chases after her. Meanwhile, heroine reads a letter from her brother saying how sorry hero is for his dastardly behavior, but she renews her decision to sever all ties with him–yes, even as he’s hitching the carriage to the horses and galloping her way. =) Should be fun! I can’t wait to get these two in the same city again!!
Hope everyone’s having a great Wednesday thus far! And don’t forget to check out the two current stops on the Jewel of Persia blog tour for your chance to win–another’s coming on Friday, too! =)
by Roseanna White | Jan 4, 2011 | Uncategorized
I’m doing that thing again and talking about a book that hasn’t been released yet. Mwa ha ha ha! This one comes out in April, so y’all are just going to have to pre-order a copy. 😉
Since the day I cracked open her first novel, I have been a huge Trish Perry fan. No one else’s books make me laugh so hard, yet show me something valuable and meaningful. No one else’s books can capture those goofball moments of life, yet pair them with the deep and intense.
I recently read Trish’s first book in the Teashop Series and adored it, so when I received a galley of the second one, Two for Tea, from her publicist, I was excited as all get out. It’s been an embarrassingly long time since I’ve sat down with a book and then actually wanted to sit down with it again the next day, but of course Trish pulled that off–during the busy holiday season, no less!
Zack Cooper’s teens are out of control, and Zack is at his wits’ end. He has a farm to run and is still recovering financially from when his ex-wife ran off with their savings. Help is the last thing he thinks he needs–until new stunts convince him only trouble lays ahead if he doesn’t take action. Now. When Millie of the tea shop lines up a counselor willing to donate her time, he’s thanking God for the first time in years. But when he realizes the counselor is the gorgeous brunette he spotted not long ago . . . well, that sheds a whole new light on things.
Tina Milano’s life has been steady and bordering on uninteresting for quite a few years, but when Zack (a.k.a. Hunky Produce Guy) and his kids enter her life, things get interesting–fast. From the moment she first starts talking to the handsome, sweet man about his kids, people mistake them for a couple. She’s okay with going along with that, since it makes her job of surreptitiously giving them advice a lot easier. But the town of Middleburg isn’t alone in thinking she and Zack are a great fit. The more time they spend together, the more she begins to wonder if there’s more there too.
Zack and Tina’s story is cute and fun, sweet and savory–much like Millie’s tea shop treats. Though I didn’t find this book hilarious like some of Trish’s others, it gave me quite a few grins and lots of food for thought, plus was romantic and compelling enough to keep me turning those pages (quite a feat at this point in my life!). As always, Trish delivers characters you can’t help but love in situations that both make you smile and tug at your heart–and does it all in a light style that will leave you begging for more.
Though part of a series, the unifying factor to these books is Millie and her tea shop, so each story stands beautiful on its own, without a single wobble if you read them out of order. I can’t wait to see what happens in Middleburg next! Keep ’em coming, Trish!
by Roseanna White | Jan 3, 2011 | Uncategorized
Wow, this is exciting! With the dawn of 2011, I also get to celebrate the realization of many months of hard work. Jewel of Persia is available!!!!!
The digital version, technically. 😉 You can find it at all the major e-book retailers, of course–or will be able to within the next week, but they’re all in process–but we recommend you go straight to our e-book distributor, from whom you can download any format you want. Kindle, Nook, what have you.
Click here to visit my page on eBookIt! It’s priced at a bargain $3.99, so, you know, why not? (And yes, that’s the publisher’s philosopher. “Let’s price it so that people will go, ‘Why not? It’s not even 4 bucks!'”)
For those of us who aren’t so interested in (or don’t have) e-readers, the paperback is also up and available for pre-order at
Amazon or our store,
CrossPurposes. Naturally, I recommend you go to CrossPurposes, so that I can sign it for you. 😉
Oh, and the blog tour kicks off today too! Look over at the left margin for each stop along the way–there’s one a week from now until June. (Okay, I don’t have May filled up yet, but I suspect I will by the time it rolls around. And if you’d like to have me on your blog, just let me know!) I’ll be offering giveaways at them all–your choice of digital or print when I get my copies (I’ll be keeping a list of winners, which I will send out the moment my books arrive).
by Roseanna White | Jan 3, 2011 | Uncategorized
I’ve chatted a bit about this subject before, in that I was wondering if I should consider publishing the two romantic comedies I have with WhiteFire eventually. I don’t think I came to any conclusions, and that’s not really my point today. 😉
I just finished reading a book by who I would consider a romantic comedy author (you’ll find out who tomorrow, when I review her book). As always, her story was contemporary. I happen to know that she was considering doing a historical at one point a few years ago, which she assured me would still have that bit of humor to it, but alas. So far as I know, that never happened.
Which got me to thinking. I’ve read historical romantic comedy, but only by Mary Connealy. (Her books are amazing, by the way. Laugh-out-loud, romantic, and cowboys. Can’t go wrong.) I can’t think of any others I’ve come across. Oh, there are some funny moments in many historicals, to be sure. Lots of them. But not most of them.
Ever wonder why the lighthearted, hilarious novels are usually modern? Maybe because we understand our own senses of humor better? Maybe because we don’t mind trivializing stuff from our own time? Hmm.
I’m guilty of this myself. When I come up with a funny story idea, it’s modern. When I come up with weighter subjects, they’re generally (not always, but generally) historical. Why? I . . . don’t . . . know.
But I’d love to chat about it! Let’s start the year out with fun. =) And I hope everyone enjoyed a happy and safe New Year’s! I’m looking forward to an amazing 2011.
Oh! And to ring it in right . . . you know what? This deserves its own post. Guess I’ll do two this morning. 😉
by Roseanna White | Dec 31, 2010 | Uncategorized
Today we have another book for you lovers of speculative fiction! And if you haven’t already, check out the left margin for the authors coming to Writing Roseanna in 2011. Now let’s give a big welcome to Caprice Hokstad, here to talk about her book Nor Iron Bars a Cage.
Caprice is offering a book to one lucky winner, so as always, leave your comments below with an email address!
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About Nor Iron Bars a Cage
Slavery. Loyalty. Torture. Passion. Betrayal.
All the young outcast wanted was security in a world that destroyed her family and left her despised and ejected. Can the simple farmgirl find a new family through voluntary enslavement to the duke’s household? Not if the prejudiced and conniving duchess has her way!
Crafted in a highly precise writing style so smooth it slips right from the page into your imagination, the fantastical story world of The Duke’s Handmaid examines timeless social issues that inform global justice today.
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About Caprice
Caprice is a stay-at-home-mom from southern California. She currently lives with her husband, three children, a dog, a cat, two rats, a leopard gecko, and a tankful of guppies—all in a mobile home.
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Thanks for visiting, Caprice! (Love your name, by the way.) What’s your latest book?
Nor Iron Bars a Cage released from Splashdown Books on November 1, 2010.
It sounds great! What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
Strength isn’t always physical. Selflessness and service are admirable qualities.
Something I’ve been contemplating lately too. Now, I just refered to this as “speculative,” because it encompasses it all. But what would you call your genre and subgenre? Are there reasons behind it?
Fantasy is the main genre. Any further classification gets dicey. I call my subgenre “Sword Opera” because it’s not typical fantasy with a quest. It’s akin to space opera (e.g. Star Wars) where it’s more about episodes or adventures in the lives of characters.
Oh, fun! See, I knew there would be some interesting classification going on. 😉 What are you reading right now—and what do you want to read next?
I am currently reading Tales of the Dim Knight by Adam and Andrea Graham and I want to read Undersea Colonies (nonfiction) by Dennis Chamberland next.
Hey, the Grahams will be on here soon too! =) What would your dream office look like—and what does your REAL writing environment look like?
A dream office would have a door that locked me inside, was soundproof, and came with a babysitter OUTSIDE. A desktop computer and a nice clicky keyboard would be wonderful too. Instead, I have to make-do with a laptop on a TV tray in a very noisy living room, open to constant interruptions.
LOL. I need a twin office to that! Babysitter–that’s a great feature. Is there any one thing or reference you keep handy when writing? Anything you kept around for this particular book?
I always use a Word Menu, dictionary, and thesaurus. For fantasy, I have books about medieval and Renaissance period so I can look up what they called everyday objects.
Cool to know! What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
That storytelling is a LOT more important than writing skill. People will overlook all kinds of mechanical flaws if they love the story. Unfortunately, I started with a lot more writing skill than storytelling skill.
Then we just have to work at getting both, eh? LOL. How have you dealt with rejection in the past?
Lots of crying and depression, thanks for asking! You just have to accept that as part of the deal. After I collected rejections for several years, I was faced with either throwing the manuscript in a drawer to rot, or self-publishing. I’m not especially proud that I self-published, but if I hadn’t got it out there somehow, I never would have found an independent publisher.
Funny how that works sometimes, isn’t it? Career choices like that are hard, but we have to remember that the Lord has a path for each of us. It might not be what we wish for, but He’s full of surprises! So what’s your advice to aspiring authors?
Keep your day job. Try to think of writing as a hobby if you possibly can. It’s a lot more fun and less frustrating that way.
Aside from writing, what takes up most of your time?
Raising children.
And boy is THAT a job! 😉 Something you reckon not many people know about you?
I can recite “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss, from memory.
My favorite line from that “in their homes where the Whos lay asnooze in their beds.” Love the mid-line rhyming! Well, and the line about stuffing himself up the chimbly, to rhyme with nimbly. =) Next! If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving or gifts to charities allowed!)
A cruise in the South Pacific. I try not to think about it because I know it isn’t going to happen.
What are you writing right now?
Fanfiction for the old TV show, SeaQuest DSV
SeaQuest!! I haven’t seen that in forever. Any upcoming releases we should keep our eye out for?
If Nor Iron Bars a Cage does well with readers, then I will be writing the third book of the trilogy in the very near future.
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Thanks for visiting, Caprice! Readers, you can check out her website at http://www.Latoph.com. Look for her book at Splashdown Books–or get signed copies from CrossPurposes!
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 1/6/11. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
by Roseanna White | Dec 30, 2010 | Thoughtful Thursdays, Uncategorized
Once upon a time, I was a New Year’s Resolution girl, back in the day when I had nothing but time in which to contemplate this stuff, and diaries to write it in. My first real set was when I was 13–I resolved to finish the novel I was working on, and I did.
So along with writing new resolutions on Jan 1, I would take Dec 31 to look back at my past resolutions and examine how I did, to look over the year as a whole. This was even more fun than coming up with new resolutions.
I didn’t write any resolutions down last year (or for countless years before that), but I still like to look back over the past year as it comes to an end. This last one was rather interesting. Speaking professionally, I experienced some unexpected shifts. I was encouraged to write a second Biblical fiction, which I hadn’t planned on doing back in January. Follow-ups with editors at major houses led to a lot of proposal requests. I went from not knowing what project to work on, what was next for me, to having a release scheduled for Jan 3, 2011, and another in the works for 2012. Plus with WhiteFire expanding, that’s a whole new level of, er, newness as we find other authors to work with.
Speaking personally, it was also a year of change. I took the plunge into homeschooling, and discovered how rewarding (and occasionally frustrating, LOL) it can be to share that with Xoe. We watched Rowyn grow from toddler interested only in Mickey Mouse to a little boy wild over anything with wheels. This has also been a year when I realized my sanity is a lot more secure with regular, if brief, breaks from my precious little kiddos. 😉 Special thanks to the grandmothers for watching them now and then and giving me the time I need to recharge–by writing, LOL.
I’m still probably not going to write down resolutions, but I’ve already started some of the things I want to improve on this year. I’ve started exercising again (ugh), and have started prayer journaling. I’ve toyed with it throughout the year (both, LOL, but primarily the journaling), but never kept it up for various reasons. Both my mom and grandmother got me beautiful journals for Christmas though, and nothing inspires me like a beautiful journal. So since Christmas, I’ve been starting each morning by reading a bit in my Bible and then journaling.
Here’s why I like it. With two small kids and no guaranteed quiet time, having a time for praying just doesn’t always happen. I try. I do. But it often sounds something like, “Dear Lord, thank you for–“
“Mommy! I need you!”
“Just a minute, please. Lord, I thank you for my beautiful family and–“
“Mommy, he’s hitting me!”
“Mommy, Xoe take my toy!”
“Dear Lord . . . what was I saying?”
Focusing was always a challenge, and half the time I forgot what in the world I was trying to pray about. With journaling, I’m writing it all down, so when I lose focus, I can get it back very easily by rereading my last sentence. Ah, writing. (Which is, of course, its own reason for me to do it this way.)
Another thing I love about it is that it’s a record, so you can go back days, weeks, months, even years later and see how the Lord has answered your prayers. When I’ve done journaling in the past, that was what I loved most about it. In looking back, I would discover things I’d prayed about that I’d totally spaced after a while, but which I could then see that God had faithfully answered. Pretty cool!
Oh, another quick, cool idea someone on one of my writing loops mentioned a couple years ago. Rather than making resolutions, they ask the Lord for a word each year, one word that they are to live up to, strive to achieve, or which will be important that year. I’m asking the Lord for a word for 2012 too. =)
So while I may not be making traditional resolutions, I’ve already seized the spirit of the thing. How about you? Do you write resolutions, or maybe set goals? What’s the one thing you want to work on this year? Or the one word the Lord has given you?
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.