Ramble On!

NaNo - Day Six

2008-11-06T06:47:00.001-08:00

Just a word count update from NaNo. It's going well and I'm super excited about the writing.

11,208 / 50,000
(22.4%)

Chaps Update

2008-10-25T15:45:00.001-07:00

Done with the first draft. Woot!

Free Book from Larkin Rose

2008-10-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Larkin Rose is giving away a free copy of her new release, I Dare You. To enter the drawing, visit Women & Words.

Book Drawing - Winner

2008-10-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Kelly! She won the drawing for a free copy of Split the Aces.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me. You guys rock!

Split the Aces - Free Book

2008-10-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Split the Aces is officially available. To celebrate, I'm giving away a free copy. If you'd like to enter the drawing, send me an email at jovebelle@yahoo.com. Put something super clever in the subject line, like "Give me a Book!"

NaNo

2008-10-10T06:07:00.001-07:00

In a few weeks it will be November, and thus begins National Novel Writing Month or, as it's commonly referred to, NaNoWriMo or just plain NaNo. The goal is simple, write a 50k word novel in one month. This will be my first year participating and I'm not at all convinced that I can do it. But by goddess, I'm going to try.

I wanted to do a in your face bit of erotica, completely with multiple partners and a bit of BDSM. I even have a complete outline for that book, so it should theoretically be easy. But this one character, young, naive, ernest, won't leave me alone. She's in love with a boy. Not because she's straight, but because she's seventeen and lives in small town America, and that's what you do under those circumstances. And over time they become friends. Of course, she thinks they become more than friends and makes a clumsy, seventeen year old move. That's when he comes out. He's a couple years older, has had time to think about why the boys locker room always made him uncomfortably sweaty and gave him that little stirring in his gut to groin area. And now he has a boyfriend and it's awesome. And the main character is shocked and amazed and a little turned on by the deviance of it all. Thus begins her journey toward independence.

Like I said, confused as all hell about how I went from erotica to after school special, but I'm smart enough to listen when the characters talk. I'll keep you all posted as I go.

Wish me luck (and words, lots and lots of words)!

QLiterati! The Update

2008-08-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

QLiterati! on Wednesday was a night of many firsts for me.

First off, it was hosted at the Q Center in Portland (Oregon). Before QLiterati! I didn't know that Portland had a Q Center. I'm feeling a little out of touch with my community. The building is located in an old industrial come hipster neighborhood, not too far from the river (Willamette).

Second, I was able to meet, live and in person, fellow Bold Strokes authors, Jacob and Diane Anderson-Minshall. I've communicated with others online and I've spoken with both Radclyffe and Jennifer (Knight) over the phone, but this was the first time for a shake hands, "nice to meet you" kind of introduction. That was a treat. Both were very charming and engaging.

Third, as I stated before, this was my first public reading. Wow! What a fun time. The setting made all the difference, I'm sure. Let me break down the evening for you.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tara was able to go with me. I didn't think it would matter to me, having a face in the audience that I know, love, and trust, but it did. Having her there to support me added to my overall confidence and enjoyment for the evening.

We arrived early and sat in the car until 6:30pm. I read through my selection twice more, making her listen for consistency, tone, stumbles, and the like. She is right and properly sick of that portion of the book now. I scribbled that section all up, marking out entire paragraphs to omit, rearranging sentences, and changing words. I scrambled for a pen, desperate to make one last change before heading inside. "You sure you should be making changes now?" I ignored her and kept scribbling.

Inside the building we were greeted by a cheerful young woman who pointed us in the right direction, but not before arming us with raffle tickets for the drawing later in the evening. "I don't know what they're giving away," she said, "but their prizes are always good. I wish I could enter." And she was right. The prizes were good.

After a brief introduction and outline of how the evening should go, Tara and I selected seats in the back row. I've always been a back row kind of girl. Next time, maybe I'll change up my perspective and sit in the front. But this time we sat back row, on the edge. I wanted to be able to move to the front, quickly, easily, and with minimum obstacles to trip over. I made it.

A lovely (and totally muscle-ee butch) singer named Joshua Klipp, along with Seattle jazz musician Quinn Fitzpatrick, started the evening out. Joshua and Quinn are both FTM and it was interesting to hear about Josh's experience. Quinn was a little on the shy side and didn't talk. He did, however, turn red when Josh mentioned how cute and talented he is. They did a set of three or four songs and it really helped to loosen up the audience.

After that there was an open mic period. Local writers are invited to take the stage and share their poetry, short stories, essays, etc. One of particular interest was from a woman who works at a local emergency room about the stress and frustration that are part of her everyday life. Very well written and passionate. She expressed concern that perhaps a non-medical audience would not be able to appreciate the tenor of the piece. To put aside any such concerns, I say the message came across loud and clear. I look forward to hearing more of her work.

Excitingly, there were more interested participants for the open mic than there was time for participation. Those who weren't able to contribute were promised time up first at next month's event.

Kathleen Bryson, author of Mush and Girl on a Stick, went first for the featured authors. Kathleen shared a bit of personal history about growing up in Alaska and how that informed the writing in her first book. The setting in Mush, although given a different name, was eerily similar to the small town where she grew up. Girl on a Stick takes place in London, where Kathleen spent 10 years working on her degree(s). It's about a young woman, studying in London, who sees Jesus on the Metro. Interesting social commentary there. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the book.

All too soon, it was my turn. I made it to the microphone without tripping over anything, which was a huge relief. There was a bit of confusion about how to properly pronounce my first name. It's Jove, like clove. Rather than the two syllable moniker that Diane assigned me. Although I will say that her French sounding version makes me sound more interesting and exotic than I really am. Perhaps I should change it.

I'm typically comfortable with public speaking. The 45-50 people watching is a fairly small amount compared to the number in the audience for the last presentation I did. However, it's a whole 'nuther ball o' wax when it's your own writing you're reading instead of just some generic concepts and ideas.

I thanked everyone for sharing my first reading with me. It was a special night for me and all those people made that memory possible. Then I pointed out Tara in the back. She had devised a simple signaling system to let me know if I was babbling and making a general ass of myself. I showed the audience the symbol and asked if they saw her gesturing in that manner, yet I was charging forward oblivious, would they please pass the message forward until eventually I noticed. They laughed but I don't remember them agreeing. Good thing Tara didn't need to make use of the signal.

Then I gave a brief introduction to Edge of Darkness, explaining a bit about the two main characters. I read a very brief section from Ali's point of view and a longer one from Diana's. They were well received and the audience laughed in all the appropriate places. If I have time and a burst of techno-energy, I'll scan the pages I read and post them here. Or myspace. Or some where.

When I started reading, I could feel the tremble in my voice. The microphone refused to stay in position and I couldn't figure out where to put my mouth. I'm accustomed to the clip on mics that attach to your shirt or simply holding the mic and being mobile during a talk. As it was, I needed the stand because my hands were occupied with shaking and holding the book/turning the pages. After about a paragraph of wanting to swallow my tongue, I gave myself a pep-talk about them just being words and the audience just being people. I was much better after that. I battled with the microphone's position through the first part of the reading, but after moving on to Diana's section, I wrapped my right hand around the mic and held it in place. That worked pretty well until I had to do something clever, like turn the page. I'm going to think on this aspect of the reading and find a way to make myself not look like such an ass next time. I'm amazed the microphone fidgeting didn't earn me the signal from Tara.

Finally, blessedly, my turn was over and I went back to my chair and fainted. Tara smiled at me and told me I did good. Bless her.

Last up was Kal Colbalt. She's a self-described omnisexual who writes m/m erotica. I'm not entirely certain that I know what omnisexual really means, another sign that I'm out of touch with my community. But I'm sure she'll explain it to me if I ask nicely. She has a delightful, quirky style that is infused with humor. I'm excited to dig in and pick her brain.

After she finished, there was a Q&A portion where the featured authors, Kathleen, Kal, and me (or is it myself? I never know when to use that), sat in these super comfortable chairs up front and opened ourselves up to questions from the audience.

Before each reading, Diane or Jake read a brief intro and bio about the individual author. I have to say that, on paper, I sound boring as hell. Married for 13 years, 3 kids, live, work, some day I'll die. I know my life is actually pretty interesting, but it didn't translate. It may very well be time to update my bio. At any rate, the things that make me sound ridiculously domesticated and boring, are the things of most interest during the Q&A. Children, while more and more common for same sex couples, are still fairly rare in the lesbian community. What's it like to write in a house full of children. Tell us about your kids. Tell us about your experiences with your son (who is a high functioning autistic).

We were also asked how our real life experiences impact and inform our writing. I assured them, and you now, that I have never been a serial killer. They seemed relieved.

When all questions were exhausted, they held the raffle, giving away some very cool prizes: A copy of Josh's CD, a copy of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, some fuzzy handcuffs, and other nifty things.

After that was wrapped up, there was a milling about period. Getting to know the authors kind of thing. Which I didn't get to stay for. We were already late home for the sitter and had to rush out in a flurry. Next time, I promise, I will stay and chat. I, too, have lots of questions that were never answered.

Tara and I are already planning our return. Next month I'll go and sit quietly in the audience and just soak up the environment. Overall, the whole experience had an awesome vibe and I'm super grateful for being allowed to be a part of this special event.

New Thing - The Box

2008-08-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

My new thing today was to write a poem about a box. I've written poems before, but usually in an effort to get laid. Boxes, as a general rule, will not get me laid. Here's the poem:

i built it, so i shouldn't complain

it's comfy, well appointed

except the furniture doesn't all match

and i fight against the size

big is better, right?

except when it's not

i'm tired and it still needs care

what if it were smaller

and i could sit on the beach and sip frozen drinks

and write on my laptop

while my kids play in the surf

in a world where english isn't the first language

or the second

would that box be more comfortable

and why do i fight so hard for this one?

Mac-a-poopie

2008-08-17T17:59:00.000-07:00

In my endeavor to fill my life with new experiences, tonight I tried a much heard about but never experienced food for my family dinner. I took a plain ol' box of Kraft mac and cheese and combined it with a half pound of ground beef. I've heard of others who have prepared this meal with success, so I figured why the hell not.

Now I can tell you why not.

My son looked at it and said, "Mommy, what's this?"

My wife smiled sweetly and christened dinner. "It's mac-a-poopie, son."

In spite of the moniker, she ate her entire plateful. I did not.

New Thing

2008-08-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I discovered the blog of Marc Acito. His claim to fame is that he does one new thing each day. It doesn't have to be big, just something new to alter his perspective. That got me thinking. I used to do a LOT of things just to be able to say I'd done it. Recently I've fallen out of the habit. How is it that the thing we crave--love, family, stability--also is the exact things that rob us of our flair, our flavor for life?

Time to jump start my ass out of the rut I've landed in, methinks. Thanks to the inspiration of Marc Acito, I'm going to try a social experiment of my own. I will chronicle my experiences here for the time being.

QLiterati

2008-08-11T06:47:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder folks. I'll be doing my very first public reading of Edge of Darkness this Wednesday, August 13, at the Q Center in Portland, OR. That's located here: Q Center 69 SE Taylor (at SE Water Ave), Portland.

Come out and say 'hi.' You can count my 'ummms' with my wife.

Three Words: Ship, Candle, Leaves

2008-08-07T20:52:00.001-07:00

The perma-press crease of her uniform pants stood out in sharp relief. Mine, by comparison, hung limp and impotent. Fishing line, she told me, was the secret. Ironed into the fold, it kept the fabric from relaxing, no matter how many times through the wash. Her father, ex-marine and current social recluse, taught her that. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

One night I found her curled up on her front porch, knees tucked up to her chin, eyes shut tight, hands over her ears. Sounds of battle poured from the house.

Her feet scuffed the ground, scattering leaves as she made her way to my car. Her pants were perfect, oblivious to the chaos in the air.

"Everything okay?"

"He's been drinking." She shrugged like that explained everything. Maybe it did.

Her life, to the rest of us, shone bright, but never quite came into focus. Like the wavering light of a candle.

"I'm sorry." I wanted to hold her hand, but I didn't think she'd let me. I gripped the steering wheel white-knuckle tight.

The scenery slipped by. The giant Mrs. Peasner and her tiny dog on a string. Mitze. The automall with row after row of brightly polished reasons why my beat up '82 Huyndai wasn't good enough. The harbor with one lone ship, white sails billowed in the wind. I drove past our turn and took the interstate, determined to keep going until her heart unclenched.

Three Words: Butter, Stop, Pillow

2008-08-06T19:27:00.001-07:00

Most days Maryanne McArthur spends the afternoon in her kitchen, wine glass in her hand, platter of cookies on the counter. I watch her from my kitchen, through the window and over the fence, our two houses backed up against one another in some cruel trick of housing development design. Our kitchens face one another. Our bedrooms face one another. Our bathrooms face one another. Everything she does, I can see. And vice versa, I suppose, but I don't dwell on that.

She caught me once. Rather than outrage--after all, what kind of person spies on her neighbor--she stared at me, lips parted, for several minutes. Then she raised her glass and winked.

Winked.

She didn't say shriek and close the blinds. She didn't rush out and shake her fist, yelling for me to stop.

I peered out between the blinds, not ready to fully commit to my afternoon hobby of peeping tom activity. Her kitchen was dark. On the top rail of the fence separating our houses, a glass of wine sparkled ruby bright.

I've never been cool enough to drink wine, the tannins sticking in my throat on the way down. Or at least I theorized that it was the tannins. It may very well have been the fruity bouquet. Or the underlying buttery flavor from 100-year-old casks. But I'd drink her wine, even bad wine from a box.

The red imprint of lips pressed against the glass marred one side. A perfect red kiss. A note fluttered to the ground as I matched my bottom lip to the mark and sipped. "Join me" it said in flowing cursive.

The sliding glass door lay open in invitation, but I hesitated. "Hello?"

No response.

I took a step. Just one small step. With the taste of her lips and wine on my breath, how could I not?

She sat on the couch, jacket off, the satin-smooth shell pulled tight around her chest, and a mountain of pillows in a jumbled pile at her feet.

Three Words: Look, Red, Clutch

2008-08-05T21:09:00.001-07:00

"Are you nervous?" Kristen eyed the red Corolla suspiciously, the rapid-fire pop pop pop of her gum echoed through the near empty parking lot.

"No." Liesel wasn't nervous, she was pissed the hell off. She'd won the raffle fair and square and the rules said nothing about sharing Scooter.

Fifty-seven tickets. It took thirty-six hours of babysitting the devil Bradly twins to earn the money for those tickets. All so she could listen to Kristen chew and babble. Maybe this is what her mama was talking about when she said "be careful what you wish for. You just might get it."

A door clanked shut behind them and Liesel whipped around. She pasted a fake smile on her face, the one she used after church to greet Pastor Bob and his wife.

Scooter.

The frozen smile eased and she choked down a unwarranted burst of laughter. Lord help her, she went all doe eyed. Dammit. She made fun of the girls at school who acted like giggling barbies.

Scooter grinned--that Bo Duke charming smile that made her panties melt--and said, "You girls ready?"

Girls? Seriously? She'd be eighteen in 372 days. She'd show him girl.

Since she'd won the raffle and Kristen was a damned usurper, Liesel got to drive first. She eased up to the stop sign separating the school lot from highway 106. Scooter's foot hovered over the instructor's break pedal.

"Easy." He waved his hands in a gentle downward motion, the universal sign for slow down. "Look both ways before going."

Liesel shifted to first, cursing the standard transmission as the clutch slipped and the gears grinded together.

"Shit." She forced the gear stick into position with a clunk.

"It's okay." Scooter patted her arm reassuringly.

Liesel's brain exploded on contact. Perhaps driving lessons with Scooter were a bad idea.

Three Words: wine, attack, chair

2008-08-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

Rachel tiptoed through the room, gathering bits of her pride as she went. Nylons: behind the couch, one toe clinging to the rounded back. Clingy black skirt that Lucy promised would get her fucked: crumpled on the bookshelf obscuring Faust's seven levels of hell. Strappy sandals with heels too tall to walk on: one under the chair, the other being chewed on by the long eared hound growling from the corner. Let him keep it. Panties: Clutched in Jasmin's hand, her long, sculpted fingers wrapped around the tiny bit of lace and stringy fabric like it was her safety blanket after a bad dream. Let her keep them? Hell, no. Their all-too-long affair ended appropriately six months ago. No way was Rachel leaving her a souvenir of their ill-advised reunion.

They would, of course, blame the wine, Rachel reasoned as she tugged her thong from Jasmin's grasp. It was never a good idea for her to drink wine. Especially not that classic Rosso. Especially not the better share of three bottles. Especially not with Jasmin.

Jasmin's fingers wrapped around her wrist just as she extracted the last bit of fabric. "Hmmm. Where you going?" The sleep-tousled inquiry rumbled up from her chest, full of afterglow and tannins.

Great, now they were both awake and sober. It was never as much fun with Jasmin the morning after.

"Home. It's morning."

Jasmin peeled one eye open and smiled. "Stay. I'll fix breakfast."

"That's not a good idea." Rachel tried to break free of Jasmin's hold.

"I have sausage. The kind from Mercer's that you like so much." Jasmin released Rachel and stretched like a cat. No sign in her movements that she'd spent the night on the floor passed out next to empty wine bottles and her ex-girlfriend. She sat up and leaned against the couch, her legs stretched out before her, one straight, the other bent at the knee. The light throw they'd used as a makeshift blanket slid down her torso and crumpled around her waist. Perfect, gravity defying tits on display, she recaptured Rachel's, this time twining their fingers together, and tugged gently. "Come on. It'll be nice. Like old times."

Rachel, still naked with last night's panties slipping from her fingers, felt her skin prickle under Jasmin's hot scrutiny. "Old times, huh?"

That was not a promising invitation. Old times invariably followed the same path: Too hot sex--the kind that romance writers spent years trying to capture in a book, with multiple, simultaneous, screaming, mind-searing orgasm after orgasm. Followed by guilt. Sex with Jasmin, while life altering, always came with a price. She was the kind of woman who had to deconstruct her transgressions--typically with her priest--and make amends for them, one Hail Mary at a time. That Rachel was not Catholic was of little consequence. Jasmin's guilt was large enough to envelop entire cities and easily she settled it around Rachel like an old, unwanted cloak. The hand-holding promise to be strong, to help Jasmin fight the demons that pushed her to be bad, ultimately drove Rachel away. Unlike Jasmin, she didn't see her lesbianism as a sin. The attack on her morality, to elevate her standard, and change her wicked ways became too much burden for Rachel to carry. Even if the sex was Olympic gold medal good.

Jasmin hugged Rachel's thighs, her fingers digging into the meaty part of her ass. She nuzzled the trimmed thatch of hair and snaked out her tongue, barely catching Rachel's clit with the invading swipe. "Stay."

Three Words: Free, limp, reason

2008-08-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Liesel stared at the rolls on the back of Mrs. Davenport's neck. Thick, like a 100-year-old oak, and starting to sag in all the wrong places, Mrs. Davenport was not a woman to trifle with. And she stood between Liesel and the free raffle table at the Mason County Fair--largest in three states.

This year's prizes included a hand crafted rocker donated by Mr. Davenport, a years worth of strawberry preserves donated by the ladies of the Union Street Baptist Church, and a three month session of driving lessons, donated by Scooter McVey. Liesel hopped and shifted to the right and caught a glimpse of Scooter in the gap between Mrs. Davenport's body and the limp folds flapping on the back of her arm as she filled out yet another ticket.

"I declare, I hope someone deserving wins that chair," she said importantly as she dropped the small blue ticket into the gallon sized mason jar.

Scooter smiled indulgently. "Surely, Mrs. D., you know that whoever the good Lord sees fit to have it will be the winner."

"Oh, yes, child. I'm not one to argue with the reasons of the All Mighty." The words all and mighty came out close together as is tradition amongst the righteous in the south. Almighty.

Scooter's perfect white Chicklet teeth sparkled. Liesel wanted to trace them with her tongue and hoped her mama was wrong about God being able to read her thoughts. No way would He see fit to win her those driving lessons if He knew about the thoughts she was having about Scooter McVey and the drastic state of her underwear as a result.

Three Words: Cat, Diet Coke, Rose

2008-08-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

Crystal jutted out her hip, balancing the baby low in her arms. The baby giggled. Or did she gurgle? Crystal, in spite of having three children under the age of five, never felt qualified to determine the finer details, like the difference between giggling and gurgling. She chugged her Diet Coke as she watched the fading trail of dust disappear down the drive. Another broken promise of forever gone in a hail of gravel and gas fumes.

"Good riddance."

"Mom, I'm hungry." The nasal whine of her oldest, Jaime, the dancer, rose from thigh level, pulling Crystal back to the needs of her children. Jaime squirmed from foot to foot, her chubby fingers fisted in the hem of Crystal's shirt.

"Jaime, stop fidgeting," Crystal sighed. Why, at almost five years old, did the child still need her mama to tell her when to go to the toilet? "Go in and go potty. I'll fix dinner in a minute."

Another moment spent staring down the drive, Arthur's words echoing in her head--You're no fun no more, Crystal--as she drained the last of the soda from her can. Tossing it in the barrel at the bottom of the steps, she turned her back on his memory and went inside. The cat, a rangy field mouser with a broken tail and scar obscuring one eye, slunk in between Crystal's feet, barely making it before the door swung shut with a clank.

She heard the last chimes of her phone as it switched over to the machine. "Honey, it's Rose. Pick up."

Crystal muted the volume and went to the kitchen. She didn't need to explain to Rose, her best friend since third grade, that another man had left her. She could hear Rose, clear as if she were standing with her. "Sweetie, you know I'll help you out. Pack up them kids and move to Sioux City. You can stay with me for as long as you want--forever. There ain't nothing left in Rufus. I don't know why you stay."

Maybe, thought Crystal as she wiped Chris's snotty nose for the fiftieth time that day, just maybe I'll take her up on it this time.

Roll the Dice

2008-08-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

My friend went to a writers conference this week. One of the presenters spoke about a very simple idea to help get the creative juices flowing. He writes for fifteen minutes every day. As a catalyst for this project, he has a numbered list of words. He then rolls three ten sided dice. He matches the three numbers with three words from his list and then writes about them for fifteen minutes. Maybe a story is born. Maybe it's crap.

A worthwhile experiment, yes? To that end, I'm going to give it a try. Beginning tomorrow and ending god only knows when -- a month? Longer? I'll post my fifteen minutes of ramble each day. I don't have ten sided dice. I don't have a list of words. And I don't have the patience for such a complicated system of creation. What I do have is fifteen minutes, a keyboard, and an endless supply of words in my very own brain.

Ready, set, write!

Women and Words Workshops

2008-07-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

The first workshop went up today at Women and Words. The first one is about Marketing on a Budget by Moondancer Drake. Additional workshops include: Worldbuilding with a Wiki by Sandra Barret; Brainstorming by Jove Belle; and Hitting the Wall by Larkin Rose.

Check it out!

Paperback Writer: LB&LI Schedule

2008-07-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

Next week Lynn Viehl will be hosting a series of online writing workshops. To participate, go here: Paperback Writer: LB&LI Schedule.

Over at Women and Words, we will be linking in to participate as well and will offer a few workshops of our own. Check 'em out!

Women and Words

2008-07-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all, a group of women writers (me being one of them) have formed a craft-focused blog. The participants are: Andi Marquette, Clifford Henderson, India Masters, me, Larkin Rose, Moondancer Drake, and Sandra Barret.

Come by and check it out here: Women and Words.

Vista Print

2008-06-28T21:32:00.000-07:00

Fellow BSB author Larkin Rose pointed me toward this website: Vista Print

They offer all sorts of cool products for free. Business cards, pens, t-shirts, sticky pads, etc. Any kind of promotional too that you need for marketing your small business, in my case my writing, they can make it. They have rotating specials for free products. You have to pay the shipping, but it's minimal. Over all, very good deal. Check it out.

Listal

2008-06-06T23:20:00.000-07:00

I finally signed up for Listal. It's this cool site that is essentially a database that you can use to keep tract of the books you own, like I did, or the movies or dvds you own. It's kinda cool. Want to check it out, go here: www.jovebelle.listal.com I don't watch too much tv or listen to very much rdio, so the list is almost all books. Feel free to make any recommendations as they come to you.

Review of Edge of Darkness

2008-05-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

There's a nice review of Edge of Darkness on OurChart. If you're interested, you can read it here.

Finally

2008-05-27T23:30:00.001-07:00

My partner does not read. She loves to shop for books (similar to my affection for shopping for wine), but rarely reads. Yesterday she started reading Edge of Darkness. I'm nervous and excited. Unlike everyone else, she'll tell me exactly what she doesn't like about it. Cross your fingers for me!

Romantic Interludes: Discoveries

2008-05-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

Just a little announcement - My short story Three Minutes is going to be included in Romantic Interludes vol. 1: Discoveries. It's scheduled for release September, '08. Want to check it out? Go here: http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/

2008-05-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Again, plenty of time to submit a story to what should be a fun bit of reading when all is said and done.

GIRL CRAZY Editor: Sacchi Green

Publisher: Cleis Press Seeking: short stories; no reprints

Genre: erotica

Theme: "first times"; see details below

Length: <5000>

Payment: $50 + 2 cc

Tentative Deadline: July 31, 2008, for publication approx 1 year later For the erotic lesbian anthology GIRL CRAZY (Cleis Press, Summer 2009), I'm looking for sexual/erotic coming-out short stories (max 5,000 words) about "first times" -- fiction (or memories from youth) recounting experiences of self-discovery, the first thrill of girl/girl erotic play, the first explorations of the wilder shores of sex; the first time experiencing everything from falling into bed to falling in love with another woman to feelings so intense you have to shout them to the world. Give me characters to believe in, plots to intrigue me, settings to draw me in, and sex that makes me forget all the rest. I want a wide variety of stories, most with a positive slant, but a few dark pieces for contrast would work. Kink is always welcome. No obviously under-eighteen characters, please. Payment: $50 plus two copies. Deadline: July 31, 2008. Submissions (in Word or RTF format) and queries to Sacchi Green (sacchigreen@gmail.com); please put "Girl Crazy" in the subject line. Original stories only.

Where the Girls Are

2008-05-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know a whole lot about this editor, but it's with Cleis, so it should be good. Few months between now and the deadline, plenty of time to complete a submission.

Where The Girls Are: Lesbian Erotic Stories
Editor: D. L. King Publisher: Cleis
Press Deadline: August 15, 2008 Payment: $50 and 2 copies of the anthology
Submission info grabbed from here: http://www.erotica-readers.com/ERA/G/Where_The_Girls_Are.htm D. L. King is looking for urban-centered lesbian erotica. Is sex really better in the city? No matter where you grow up, there's a mystique about the big city. The girls are different there, right? They have secret ways of making you scream for more, known only to sophisticated urbanites—don't they? They'll see you coming a mile away and they'll be ready and waiting for you. Whether coming of age in the city, moving to the city or just visiting, lust, luck and love could be just around the corner. Look, here she comes now and she's got her eye on the country mouse getting off the bus; the girl sitting at the end of the bar; standing in line for basketball tickets; reading at the table for one; loitering in the perfume section... Send me stories that are sweet, kinky, sexy, romantic and/or dangerous, but most of all—hot. All characters must be at least 18. Stories should be between 2,000 and 4,500 words, double-spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman or Courier New. Please indent the first line of each paragraph one-half inch and do not include extra lines between paragraphs. Attach your story as a .doc or .rtf and include the title, pseudonym (if applicable) and your legal name and mailing address to girlsantho@yahoo.com. Subject line should read: Submission: TITLE. Please include a 50 to 75-word bio and direct any questions to the same address. Original stories only, no reprints please.

Best Lesbian Love Stories - Call for submission

2008-05-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

The deadline for this one is coming up soon, but I'm thinking about pulling a story together for it. Aylson is nice to work with. They pay on time (usually early) and authors get two copies of the book.

Best Lesbian Love Stories 2009 Publisher: Alyson Books Editor: Paul Florez Seeking: short stories; no reprints Theme: lesbian love Genre: contemporary Length: 3,000 – 4,000 words Payment: not stated Deadline: June 2, 2008 full info here: http://www.alyson.com/2008/05/submission-call.html#comments

Crossing Swords

2008-05-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a cool read for y'all available from Samhain books. One simple download and it's yours to enjoy. Kirsten Saell wrote this great warrior fantasy novel called Crossing Swords. Beware! In addition to fun girl on girl sex, there's also some boy-girl action. In spite of that, there's a super hot chick with a sword and she knows how to use it. Kirsten creates a believable world and I'm looking forward to her next release. If you want to check her out, go here:

http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/kirsten-saell
or here:
http://www.kirstensaell.com/

Box o' Books

2008-05-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Very exciting stuff, folks. Edge of Darkness is officially in print and I've officially held a copy of it! Check out the very cool cover on the front of my blogspot.

If any of y'all would like a copy of your very own, send me an email. I'm going to do a little drawing and give one away. Don't know my email address? That's okay. Go to my website, www.jovebelle.com, and click on the link to email me from there.

Good luck, y'all.

Palm Springs

2008-03-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

The dates have been set for the third annual BSB book festival in Palm Springs. There will be readings/signings at several venues Thursday through Sunday, 05 MAR 09 - 08 MAR 09.

For more information, go here: http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/events.html

Hope to see y'all there.

Kids and keyboards

2008-03-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

Anyone know what happens when you leave a three, soon to be four, year old alone with a laptop? When you come back, all the keys are in a nice little pile in front of the computer. My reaction to this was myriad. First, I was way grossed out because there's some nasty stuff built up under those keys. Second, I was overwhelmingly grateful that I have a desktop so my writing didn't come to a screeching halt with the creative deconstructive efforts of my son. Third, I was simultaneaously pissed off and cracked up. Pissed because OH MY GOD, my kid broke my laptop. No way in hell I can get those keys back on. Cracked up because he was just so proud of himself for taking apart the "puzzle." He loves letters and he just wanted to take it all apart and put it back together.
My wife, who is responsible for setting him up in front of the computer watching a video and then walking away, promptly ran away and returned an hour later with a new toy in a box for me. It's pretty. It's an HP something or other. For those techno geeky types out there you can see it here. It's beautiful and I'm in love.

Me and my magic highlighter

2008-03-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

Today I got this really cool email from my publisher. They sent me a copy of my book, formatted for printing. It looks exactly like it will as an actual book, sans cover. My job is to read through and find any typos, misspellings, that kind of thing. So close to going to press. I am STOKED.

myspace

2008-03-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

For those of you who are interested, stroll on by and check out my page on myspace.
myspace.com/jovebelle

Bold Strokes Newsletter

2008-02-29T14:12:00.000-08:00

Check out Bold Strokes monthly newsletter.
www.boldstrokesbooks.com/newsletter.html

Palm Springs

2008-02-28T20:14:00.001-08:00

Bold Strokes hosts this cool event in the late winter/early spring (this year it was in February, but next year it's rumored to be in March). It's a four day event with readings and signings throughout. Pretty slick, if you ask me. I wasn't able to attend this year, but next year? Oh, hell yeah! I'll be there for sure.
Author Kim Baldwin posted these nifty pic online and has been kind enough to share them with all of us. There are some great shots of the scenery, and some nice candid pics of all the authors. Take a look and enjoy.
PALM SPRINGS PICTURES

Dare to be Naughty

2008-02-26T19:33:00.001-08:00

My publisher, Bold Strokes Books, has a new line of books called Matinee. The idea is that they are shorter, tighter bursts of romance. Word count target is around 50k words. For those of you who are wondering what that adds up to, 60k words is what's required to technically be qualified as a novel. The average for lesbian fiction (this is based on my experience, not emperical evidence) is 75-80k.
At any rate, my next book, Split the Aces, is for this line. But that's not the point of today's ramble.
I actually wanted to talk about fellow BSB author Larkin Rose. First, I have to say, what a great name. Seriously, I love it. Rose is actually her partner's first name (I learned that little tidbit from her website.), but I have no idea where Larkin came from. In my mind it all morphs around into aRose in a Lark. Don't know if that's what she intended, but it creates that kind of image in my mind, so I'm going with it.
Now, let's talk about her writing. I didn't realize, when I saw the press release announcing that she joined BSB, that she also writes under the name Sheri Livingston. Stay with me folks, this is a long game of connect the dots, but I'll get there, I promise.
Sheri Livingston has a short story in Alyson's anthology Ultimate Lesbian Erotica 2008 (as do I and fellow BSB writer and Portlander MJ Williamz). OH MY FUCKING GOD! Woman can write some sizzling sex scenes. Damn. Damn. Damn. So, if you haven't yet, pick up a copy. Her story alone is worth it. Or, email me and I'll mail you my copy (on loan).
More importantly, Larkin Rose, aka Sheri Livingston, has a Matinee book, I Dare You, scheduled for release from Bold Strokes in September, '08. Honestly don't know if I can wait until September. Maybe if I ask real nice, she'll let me beta read for her? Think her editor will mind?

It's all about style

2008-02-25T08:54:00.001-08:00

There are a few writing teams publishing with Bold Strokes and I find that quite intriguing. The whole process is boggling to me. I struggle for control over my own thoughts when writing. I can't imagine inviting someone else into the creative process with me. Not in a fully commited, let's write this mother from start to finish, kind of way. Two of the writing teams are long term couples. Austin and Andrews and Diane and Jacob Anderson-Minshall. I can sort of see how that would work since I do something similar with my wife. When I'm first conceptualizing a project, I bounce ideas off her a lot. She's very good at getting the creative juices flowing, if you will. But she loses interest when it comes down to the actual writing of the story. And that's for the best. If we disagree on a story line, I give her the chance to change my mind, but ultimately I write what I want. What happens when a team disagrees on a beat. How do they decide which direction to go? Flip a coin? Debate until their exhausted and they collapse. Does one of them then sneak over to the keyboard and write the scene the way s/he wants? Or what? Maybe they don't disagree. Perhaps their relationship, their thoughts, are more in sync than mine with my wife. I don't know.
Thoughts anyone?

Edge of Darkness

2008-02-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Update from my little world of writing/publishing. Edge of darkness is scheduled for release in May. Check out the amazing cover. Art work was created by the talented Sheri Dragon. She has a great eye and I'm madly in love with the sword wielding sociopath on the cover.

Here's the blurb from the back of the book, if y'all are interested:

Diana Collins charges at life with an irreverent comment and a right hook, but even her hard-headed attitude may not be enough to protect her heart…or her life.
As a senior investigator for a high-end insurance company, Diana searches for the person responsible for the theft of several rare weapons. Diana struggles to protect her burgeoning relationship with kindergarten teacher, Cami Michaelson, as the investigation leads her into a bitter world of rage and revenge. Diana uncovers one damning piece of evidence after another that challenges everything she knows about right and wrong. She finds her hard-driving work ethic, which demands the thief be held accountable, at odds with the desire to protect her new friend, Ali Sandoval, who is caught in the center of the conflict. As Diana is drawn deeper into a dark subculture of sex, power, and death, Ali must choose between vengeance and peace as she struggles to escape with her sanity intact.

Hazard Pay

2007-06-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

My wife and I have a rearranged our schedules so that we no longer have to leave our kids in the hands of a daycare provider. Long ugly story leading up to that. My one bit of advice, if you even think there's a reason to remove your kids from a daycare. Do it. Don't second guess. Don't question. Don't worry about being polite. Just do it. For real.

Back to my original statement. No more daycare. She's cutting down to three days a week. Saturday and Sunday and then one swing shift during the week. The kids will be with one of us or my wife's mom all the time. Occasionally we may ask our oldest, who is almost nineteen, to pitch in. From now on, it's all mamas all the time.

And I'm grateful to my wife for being willing to make that sacrifice. It'll drive her nuts to only work three days a week. Thankfully, her job is such that it could be arranged. And her scheduled could be manipulated to fit around mine.

Today is Sunday. Day two of me at home, alone, with the kids. I have a new found respect for full time parents. Oh my god. There should be hazard pay involved for this.

Read These Lips!

2007-06-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

The first edition of a new e-publication called Read These Lips was issued on Sunday. It is a collection of some very fine short stories by lesbian writers from literally all over the world. It comes in at just under one hundred words and is published in adobe format. Printing out a copy and sharing with friends is encouraged by the editor. I must say, it's very well done. The writing is first class, the stories compelling, and the content first rate. That's pretty impressive since the writers were not compensated and this was the first edition. The editor managed to draw some major writerly talent and did it without a reputation and without the promise of money. And the end product is a tight design and very enjoyable prose.

The only thing I would like to see done differently is the frequency of publication. The plan currently is to publish a volume once a year. I'd like to see the frequency increased to once a half or, even better, once a quarter. However, it is considerably longer than most similiar publications, so I suppose that's the trade off.

If you haven't read it yet, click on the link above and give it a go.

Happy reading

Hindu

2007-06-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

How is it that my blog is set to default to hindu? I'm not cool enough to read hindu, yet every word I type comes out as a nifty hindu symbol. I figured out how to turn it off, obviously, but why is it there in the first place? Don't get me wrong. It looks super cool. And I think it's kind of fun that it's an option. But why hindu? Why not chinese or spanish or german? Color me puzzled.

I'm sure it's something I selected when setting up this account. Good time. Now, if I can just figure out how to unselect it...

But, that's not really the point for my blog, is it? No. First and foremost, let me introduce myself. Hi, I'm Jove. If you want to see my official bio, you can look here: http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com/Bios/JoveBbio.html. Not to worry if you don't really want to look now. I've included the link under my profile, so you can go there and look any time you like. That page, by the way, is on my publishers website. That makes me a writer. Yep. More specifically, I write lesbian fiction. I know, does the goodness never end?

My current project is called Edge of Darkness. You can see a brief blub about it on the page listed above. I'm also thinking it's time to go back and pull my first novel out of the vault. It needs a complete overhaul. Bleh. However, I know the characters, so I won't have to struggle too much with the change in focus if I decide to work on it between edits of Edge of Darkness. With EoD, my editor sets the pace. I go as fast or slow as she indicates. I need something else to entertain me during the in betweens.

The point of this blog, if there even is one, is to talk about where I'm at with my writing. That's not to say I won't get distracted from time to time, as I am want to do, and talk about completely unrelated subjects.

Okay, enough blogger time fun for one day. I MUST finish the damn short story I'm working on.

Cheers!