Thursday, July 23, 2009

Let’s get ready to ramble.

Yeah, that New Year’s resolution I made to come up with better blog titles? Not happening.



Last week I participated in an M/M writing workshop at Romance Divas for the Not Going to Conference Conference. I have to admit, I was nervous. I’m still at that stage where I believe 80% of writing is magic, so I was unsure whether I had anything constructive to offer. But as we settled into a groove, I found I had tips to share on characterization, point of view, and even writing sex scenes. Working with the other authors was a lot of fun, and even though I was one of the writers giving the workshop, I also learned a lot.



I also popped in on other workshops. Sasha White’s “Coping With Burnout” thread turned out to be a godsend for me because I was rocketing in that direction. Truth is, I’ve been feeling off my game lately and spending a week talking about writing really helped. Now I’m going to try and take things a little easier for a while, as well as write some stories for fun. And not feel like a slacker when I watch other writers do their thing. Very important.



In keeping with my whole relaxation theme, I finally got to read volumes five and six of Totally Captivated! LOVE it. Recommend and was sad to see it end:



Totally Captivated Cover



The second quarter stats are in for Lone, and it turns out I made the top ten list at Amber Allure:

1) Allergies by T. A. Chase (Gay/Werewolf)
2) Lone by Rowan McBride (Gay/Werewolf)
3) Satisfaction by M. L. Rhodes (Gay/Contemporary)
4) Bottom's Up: Kinky Orgasm by Amanda Young (Gay/Contemporary)
5) Most Likely To Succeed by Shawn Lane (Gay/Contemporary)
6) David's Dilemma by Lynn Lorenz (Gay/Contemporary)
7) Bring The Heat by M. L. Rhodes (Gay/Contemporary)
8) Car Wash by Shawn Lane (Gay/Contemporary)
9) Carey'd Away by J. M. Snyder (Gay/Contemporary)
10) Betrayed by Cassie Stevens (Gay/Contemporary)



How cool is it that the top two slots are filled with werewolf stories?



Jumping to another subject (this is a ramble, after all), if you’re like me and enjoy bishies and muscle, please check out Yayoi Neko’s art at http://thundertori.deviantart.com/. I love the way she combines power and beauty in her work.



In totally random fun, Katrina Strauss has posted a vid from a Japanese game show on her blog: Bloggin' it with Katrina Strauss. As a result, I’m currently trying to find a way to work the term “acrylic kiss” into a story. Lol.



I feel like an amazing amount of stuff has happened over the past two weeks. Of course, when I start to write it all down, it starts to get fuzzy. Hopefully, if I remember more, and it’s interesting enough to write about, I’ll think of a better blog title. :)

8 comments:

Katrina Strauss said...

As a result, I’m currently trying to find a way to work the term “acrylic kiss” into a story. Lol.

You and me both! LOL Band name? Fashion line? Drink concoction? Kinky sex game?

Rowan McBride said...

@Katrina -- "secret" yaoi code word? Maybe we could make it a game with other authors? lol.

Nina Pierce said...

Love your ramblings, Rowen. I'm kicking myself that I didn't make time to get over to your awesome workshop at Diva's. I heard only good things about it. (And congrats on the top 10 ... not too shabby!)

Rowan McBride said...

@Nina Pierce: Thank you! You can still read through the workshops on the Diva website, including the random and fun segue into nipples and navels. ;)

Sarah said...

Congrats on the stats for Lone. I liked it much! Thundertori is such a wicked artist. :) AND I just watched that video a wee while ago. OMG so cuuuute. hehehe and the screaming girls. O-o

Rowan McBride said...

@Sarah - Thanks for the congrats. :) And I agree, Thundertori is a wicked wicked artist.

Jennifer McKenzie said...

You were rockin' at the workshop and only increased my need to stalk--er I mean READ you. LOL.

Rowan McBride said...

@Jennifer - Stalk. Read. I know from experience it's a very fine line. ;)

Followers