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THE ALL-IMPORTANT PLOT

I thought I would share another of my good friend’s posts.  Laurie Sanders has very much been a mentor to me over the years.  I value her writing skills.  When we first met I wrote rather dodgy ill-considered pros.  She made a lifelong ambition to become an author come true.  We chat often about books and publishing, I wanted to share another of her blogs.  This is on the all-important plot.   I would recommend looking at her website.  I would also recommend signing up for one of her workshops and sign up for her newsletter.  Please enjoy Laurie’s post as...

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THE THRILL OF A GOOD REVIEW

There is satisfaction on the publication of a book, a joy of getting a story out into the world and family and friends celebrating with you, but a thrill in reading a good review.  Somebody, you don’t know reads and loves your book.  For me, it is the most sincere form of flattery.  I would like to share with you one of our recent books The Caretaker by Carol Schoenig. The Review: The Caretaker by Carol Schoenig tells the story of Phae as she tries to make her own life after an abusive marriage and many years as a single-parent. ...

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WHY NO, MEANS, NO!

In life, nobody should be forced to have sex.  This may not hold for all forms of literature but believe that in good romance stories, that feature sex, the sex should be consensual.  A lot of romance novels go into the darker world of domination and submission.  I write in this genre myself and I know the sex scenes can be more progressive.  The sex can be rougher and even out of the boundaries of what some folk would call normality, whatever normal is.  Even in the framework of BDSM and D/s, the participants should agree on sex.  This might...

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ARE VIRGINS AS GOOD AS YOU THINK?

A deliberately provocative title, in this case, probably not the subject you might have been expecting.  Provocative title inspired by a great publicist and the subject of this blog.  I have just finished a book by Virgin founder Richard Branson.  He has been a hero of mine for years.  I first became aware of Virgin through the record label and have followed the growth of the company through record shops, airlines, telecommunications, trains.  Have followed his exploits, Atlantic boat time records, record-breaking balloon flights and now heading into space.  All great enterprises and all worthy in their own right, but the...

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YES, BUT IS THE VIAGRA REALLY THE CURE?

Ok, a bit of a personal blog.  I did wonder whether to or not, but thinking about it yesterday I thought why not.  Without going into medical stuff, mostly because it is pretty boring, I have been walking with a stick for the last few days.  It has been a bit of a chore but it has not affected my work at BVS and I try to take the positives where I can get them.  The positives have had some extra time to read scripts, something that always needs doing.  I read for pleasure too and have been reading Richard...

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SHIBARI KINK OR ART FORM?

Shibari bondage is it a kink, or is it an art form? I have followed the Japanese art of Shibari both ground-based and suspended for a lot of years. I saw my first demonstration at an art exhibition at the Barbican Centre in London back in 2005. I thought of bondage as a bit kinky at the time, I did not see it as anything other than an activity some people did, in the privacy of their own bedroom, for there own pleasure. I have read a lot more, seen more and even had a modest attempt as Shabari since...

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DO VEGANS GO ALL THE WAY?

Is semen vegan-friendly?  This started as a chat in the bar, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of a vegan lifestyle.  Animal welfare is core to a vegan lifestyle.  A definition from The Vegan Society being, Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as is possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. I have friends and colleagues who are vegans, and although I am not a vegan or vegetarian, I respect their views. Back to the discussion in the bar.  By the time we had talked...

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WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER?

Who is your favorite character? Do you pick up and put down characters? Or do you have favorites?  Have you ever considered your character having a life beyond the book?  I would think that it is common.  I have seen the number of fan websites, where authors write their own stories, continue the lives of there favorite characters.  So what character would you take from the book and what would you do with them?  A meal?  Just chat?    Or a step sideways is there a character that you would kill off?  And why? Do share I’d like to hear any...

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DOES YOUR LOVE-LIFE FIT THE GOLDILOCKS EFFECT?

Sex, too hot? Too cold? Just right?  Anyone that works with me, I am afraid has to put up with my slightly odd sense of humor and my wandering mind.  I tend to free-associate with things so please bear with me while I get to the point, I was listening to the radio the other day and heard “Dear Darlin’” by Olly Murs.  The lyrics start: Dear Darlin’, please excuse my writing. I can’t stop my hands from shaking And that always reminds me of a very old joke…  so sorry…  There is a lady, handwriting a letter to a...

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