Heart Pounding Romance

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Five Reasons to Love Steampunk

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Even if you’re not a sci-fi fan, here are five reasons to love steampunk — that have absolutely nothing to do with plot or genre! But first, a quick definition. Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy novels that features industrial  steam powered machinery rather than advanced technology into its plot. As such, many stories will take place around the 19th century. Or, some will incorporate time traveling elements, such as my book “Released,” which features a time-traveling genie. 

Here are five elements associated with steampunk that made me fall in love with this subgenre.

  • Corsets

Screen shot 2016-02-29 at 9.20.38 AM

The clothes are gorgeous, sexy and so feminine.

  • Jewelry

What woman doesn’t love jewelry? Even better, jewelry adorned with butterflies, moving parts, and other intricacies make it a talking piece

  • Keys

Steampunk Inspiration

Old-fashioned keys are commonplace in steampunk and the ones described make one imagine that it is a symbol for being “the key to one’s heart.”

  • Gears

Normally, I would think of gears as something associated with a mechanic’s office, but in terms of steampunk they are much more. They are the very element that moves time forward and take on a lifeblood all their own.

  • Clocks

Time. It’s the one thing that nobody can give you. If there was ever a superpower to be found, this would be it. The clocks associated with steampunk are beautiful, moving elements that take one from this world and into another.

Check out my Pinterest board specifically on this subject to see amazing pics of my personal steampunk inspiration. 

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Goodbye Daylight Savings

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mistress of the darkness

As a writer, this is my favorite time of year. Not because of the abundance of chocolate lurking and ripe for the taking thanks to my kids’ trick or treating efforts. Not because of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. But because I say goodbye daylight savings and cheer that it coincides with #NaNoWriMo — national novel writing month.

The house is dark and my internal clock hasn’t yet adjusted to the new time change. So, rather than force the issue, I’m up at 5:30 — an hour before the rest of the house — and this time is mine to write! Halloween may be over, but I’m still Mistress of the Darkness.

For one hour, I won’t be making school lunches, feeding the dogs, catching up on laundry, locating homework, or any of the other what seems like 250 million chores that occur between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. when the mad dash to three different schools takes place.

Writing. That’s all I’m doing. NaNoWriMo kicking off is a bonus. Sure, it would be nice to have 50,000 words under my belt in a month, but my real goal is to just keep with the schedule of devoting this extra hour a day to my novel.

So, if it you haven’t adjusted to the time difference, embrace the darkness! Get your write on.

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An Excuse to Eavesdrop

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An Excuse to EavesdropWriter’s block happens to the best of us. You shouldn’t berate yourself that it happens, unless your response to it is to wallow in self-pity. Let’s get to the bottom of this with a snappy quiz.

When writer’s block occurs do you?

  1. Drown in sadness, perhaps with a bag of marshmallows by your side?
  2. Retreat under the covers. Maybe the answer will come to you in a dream.
  3. Eavesdrop!

If you answered “C,” you already know that listening and more importantly, observing those around you can be great inspiration for your writing. But if you’re not convinced that eavesdropping is an acceptable social habit, allow me to present you with your excuse to eavesdrop. Here are the benefits of eavesdropping on your writing:

  • Read reactions. Can you guess in advance what a person will say/do?
  • Authentic dialogue. Listen and you’ll be more aware of how people naturally speak.
  • Become a keen observer. Pay attention to body language and expressions.
  • Social behavior. Become an authority on how people engage with each other.

So where do you go for prime eavesdropping? Here are my favorite spots:

– grocery store check out

– coffee shops

– schools

Now go test it out. Here’s your homework assignment:

Watch a couple and decide how well they know each other. Is this a date? Is it a first date? Was it a set up or a blind date? Or, is it something completely different? Is the man trying to pick up the woman and she hasn’t yet figured out how to get rid of him?

You might not get it right the first time, but if you watch enough people, you get a feel for social behavior. Furthermore, these telltale signs will work their way into your writing to make your scenes more realistic and authentic.

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5 Worst Date Foods

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5 worst date foods

Going out to eat is one of the most common ways to spend a date. It can be a wonderful  entry into a relationship as you linger over witty conversation or it can result in a never again attitude as manners are tested. Avoid these 5 worst date foods to ensure your dinner date results are strictly romantic.

Spaghetti

It might have been cute for Lady and the Tramp, but spaghetti (or any long noodle) oozing with sauce that dares to drip down your chin, onto the white linen tablecloth or even worse, across your shirt, should be avoided on a first date. It’s unlikely that your date will grab the opposite end of the noodle in order to gain a kiss and let’s face it, wouldn’t that be kind of creepy?

Peanut butter

True, a restaurant probably won’t have peanut butter sandwiches on the menu, but there’s always a chance that your first date might be a picnic outing. If so, avoid these. Unless you’re both partaking, the smell is offensive and today, peanut allergies run rampant. Wouldn’t want to put your date into anaphylactic shock before you get a second chance.

Garlic

Do I have to even mention it? Yes, I know garlic is delicious and enhances so many dishes. Giada de Laurentis uses it all the time and let’s face it, she’s adorable. But garlic is not the food of choice for a first date. It’s not just that it causes bad breath, ordering food laden in garlic basically tells your date, “Don’t even think of trying to kiss me goodnight.”

Raw onions

The best friend to garlic, raw onions is also a warning to your date that you want to stay in the friend zone. If you order a burger and tell them to hold the onions, your date will know that you’re thinking of that possible kiss that will come at the end of the evening. Keep the onions and you’re sending a definite message that he’s not worthy of a tasty sacrifice.

Cereal

Take a hint from “Silver Linings Playbook” and never order cereal on a first date. If you’re a guy and you do this your date is forced to order on par with you, which leaves her with such imaginative choices as jello or a cup of soup. If you’re a girl and you do this, your guy is likely to think you enjoy spending endless hours in your pajamas.

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Spoon Heaven!

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spoons

As a writer, I’m always looking for new ideas. Fortunately, I have an active imagination and it doesn’t take much to spark it. Case in point…I found Spoon Heaven! No, not spooning…let’s get our mind away from romance for just a minute. I’m really talking about spoons of the utensil variety.

While recently perusing Pinterest…actually, I was lost in the Pinterest portal. I have a tendency to do that. But I digress…while perusing Pinterest I found a cute pin that showed an old spoon that had been used as a kitchen cupboard handle. Rather than go back to my writing, I decided to type in “spoon” in my Pinterest search box and wow! Who even knew that one could get so excited about spoons?

There were spoon wind chimes, spoon necklaces, spoon garden markers. So many choices and such creativity. It was inspiring and it reminded me of why I love writing so much. Inspiration can come from any direction…even a spoon.

Click if you’d like to check out my new Pinterest board dedicated to spoons. Warning: do not view if you have a job to go to!

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Malibu Top Five

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malibu-pier

My book, “Malibu Angel,” is set in Malibu, California, one of the most beautiful beaches and home to surfers, celebrities, and regular folk. If you’re able to make a visit, here are my Malibu Top Five favorite things to do — some taken from the pages of my book.

El Matador Beach

This is the most beautiful beach…ever! Rock caves, surfing, a wooden staircase that leads down to the shore. It’s perfection.

Malibu Pier

Relaxing, walking, shopping, eating. Malibu Pier has it all.

Solstice Canyon

If you’re a hiker, this is a gorgeous venue. It’s famous for its waterfall, the only year-round one found in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area. The full hike is six miles, but there are shorter versions.

Pepperdine University

The university sits atop a hill with views of the Pacific Ocean yet somehow students manage to get their work done free of distractions.

Malibu Country Mart

This open air shopping center features amazing boutiques and restaurants for definitive foodies. There’s even a child’s playground in the center.

If you’ve taken part in any of these activities, tell me about your experience.

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