Don’t even get me STARTED on my Kindle collection. One-Click is the devil.
Flash Friday Fiction: If You Can’t Beat ‘Em …
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em … – 148 words
I was jealous. Damn jealous. Wanting the gold to myself. Wanting to wrap myself in it, luxuriate in its weight, let those baubles trickle through my fingers.
But no. It was you. Always you. You got the dresses, the earrings, the fame. I was merely background, my sober demeanor matching my black and white formalwear.
Am I not pretty? Is my hair not as perfectly coiffed as yours, Brilliantine securing its rippling waves? My eyebrows have not your arch, I concede, but my lipgloss catches the light better than your matte finish.
I wanted to garb myself in flowing robes of glittering delight, to paint my face all the colors of the rainbow, to revel in the beauty of my own fine form.
The closest I got was embracing you.
Why else do you think I married you?
I didn’t want your body, darling.
I wanted your closet.
This week’s novel inspiration: The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic tale of excess and social upheaval in 1920s America as portrayed by the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby’s obsession with the married Daisy Buchanan.
Story elements (base your story on any TWO of these elements; be sure to tell us which two you chose. Reminder: please do not use copyrighted characters).
* Conflict (choose one): man vs man; man vs society
* Character (choose one): nouveau riche, jealous husband, shallow socialite
* Theme(s) (choose one): obsession, prohibition, the limitations of wealth
* Setting: 1920s New York
I chose character (jealous husband) and theme (obsession, and prohibition, of a sort), for this week’s tiny tale. Stories had to be between 100-150 words. What do you think of my silly offering?
Please style your way on over to Flash Friday Fiction to check out the other entries, and perhaps leave a comment or two for the very talented writers there!
Twofer … Friday? I’m doing double duty on two different blogs today – woo hoo!
Wow. I am feeling the love today. I’m so thrilled that Annie of The Write Review and Cate of Romance Debuts wanted to interview me – and so surprised that both interviews hit the Internet today!
Find me (and my babbling here):
Romance Debuts – Keep your eye on this new blog; Cate is featuring debut novels from newbie authors (like me). Isn’t that a wonderful gift to the writing community?
The Write Review – Leave a comment on my interview and you could win a free copy of A Man of Character! Annie is such a delight, and I’m so privileged she profiled me on her site.
Thank you, Annie & Cate!
#Whole30 Thursday: Prep Week
If you know me in real life, or have read my posts about sugar woes, you know that food and weight have been lifelong battles for me.
Last year, I successfully gave up sugar for six months. Since then, I’ve hopped on and off the sugar train more times than I care to count (why does the conductor keep punching my ticket?). I dropped a bit of weight, most of which has stayed off, and yet my eating habits are straying back toward utterly reprehensible from merely rather embarrassing. And the walking I’d been doing? Yeah, that has disappeared, as well.
It’s time to do something. I sit far too often and move far too little (especially now that I’m writing). I eat nutritionally empty foods, and then complain about how I feel. And now that I’m in my 40s, some of the deleterious effects of this non-approach to health are making themselves known. No fun.
As I a) do well with new approaches and b) do well with all-or-nothing type deals (moderation is NOT workable for me when it comes to this issue), I’m doing the Whole 30, a plan recommended to me by my doctor, and about which I’ve been reading a lot the last few days.
Sure, there will be things I’m giving up:
- sugar [cue the sobbing]
- grains/gluten [what? no donuts?]
- dairy [cheeeeeeez]
- alcohol [ha ha, I don’t drink]
- legumes [bye bye, beloved peanut butter]
- soy [oh boy]
But there will be things I’m gaining: not only will I finally be eating the foods that are really GOOD for my body (high-quality protein, veggies, fruits, and good fats), but if things go as planned, I’ll also be improving the quality of my sleep, my energy levels, the way my body feels on a day-to-day basis, and maybe I’ll even drop a few pounds.
(If you’ve done this plan, I’d LOVE to hear from you, either in the comments below, or via email at AuthorMargaretLocke@gmail.com.)
Once a week, I’ll pop in and document my progress, not because I think y’all will be riveted to the screen, but because I need accountability, and how much more accountability can one ask for than to post publicly that one is doing this?
Pray for me, will ya? Or send warm wishes – whatever works for you. Because it isn’t going to be easy for this sugar-addicted, chocolate-inhaling, carb-loving woman to give that up.
But it will be good.
#ThrowItForward Thursday: Meet Cate of Romance Debuts
Throwback Thursday is so last week.
I’d like to throw it forward by acknowledging and honoring those who help promote authors, whether they be fellow authors, book bloggers, Street Team members, crazed fans, or the like.
So many people have blessed me by inviting me to guest blog on their sites, by reviewing my book on their blog or on Amazon or on GoodReads, by spreading the word about A Man of Character in one way or the other. It’s a delight to turn the tables–and the spotlight–back onto them.
Today, as my first honored #ThrowItForward guest, I have Cate from Romance Debuts! Cate recently launched her new blog to celebrate and promote debut novels from debut authors.
Could that be any more helpful to those of us clamoring for readers in a wild and crazy reading world?
She kindly agreed to answer a few questions, so that we could get to know the woman behind the blog. And here we go!
What do you write?
Over the past ten years, I’ve written parenting articles for regional magazines, and I used to write stories about local business owners and personalities for a small town magazine. I’ve been working on and off (interrupted by moves, new babies, etc.) on two different contemporary romances.
How long have you written?
I first started writing a lot after I had my first kiss. I would write terrible, sappy poetry. LOTS of it. Thankfully, I gave up poetry after a few years, and for a while, I only wrote academic research papers. When I got pregnant with my first child, I wrote all the time…on scraps of paper, napkins, everything. I wrote parenting articles, essays, short stories, thoughts on motherhood, everything. I don’t write so obsessively anymore!
Why did you decide to start a blog?
Writing a novel is such an isolating task, as is being a stay-at-home with three kids. I felt like this blog could help connect me to the romance writing community while helping new writers connect to readers and motivating aspiring writers to finish their books.
(ML says: I hear you on the isolation thing! I don’t think I would have survived as an at-home mom if I’d lived before the Internet era.)
What’s your favorite thing about the romance genre?
What’s not to like! The engaging characters, the developing romance, the happily ever after. At this point in my life, I read for escape, and I want to read something fun and up-lifting.
What’s your favorite kind of romance to read?
I stick primarily to contemporary romances and occasionally historical. I’m not terribly discriminating, though! I just love a good story!
Who are your favorite authors, and why?
My all-time favorite is Kristan Higgins. I know when I read one of her books that it will be funny and that I will be able to relate to her characters.
My favorite book of hers is Too Good To Be True, because I completely relate to the protagonist, Grace, who makes up fake boyfriends to deal with romance challenges. Now, before you jump to conclusions, know that I haven’t done exactly that. But, through much of high school, I had a “boyfriend”—a real life boy I met at the beach who lived about 8 hours away. We did talk on the phone and visit each other a couple of times, but it wasn’t exactly an exclusive, serious relationship, especially considering that we lived so far apart and neither of us had a private jet … or even a driver’s license. But I remember talking about him whenever someone asked if I was dating anyone … embarrassing!
Name two things people don’t know about you?
I think I embarrassed myself enough with the last question, so I should be off the hook with this one.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to newbies – or, if you are a newbie, what’s the one burning question you most want answered in regard to writing/editing/publishing?
How do writers keep going with that first book when there’s no external demand for their writing and they get rejected by lots of people? How do you develop the confidence to keep going?
(ML says: Great question! For me, I had to write for myself, because I needed to get the story out. Worrying about what others thought came later. The key for me was finding a writer’s group and a critique group–I’ve had amazing friendships develop out of those, and have had lots of help and support because of those groups, as well.)
Do you like books or ebooks?
I love actual books, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give them up. The feeling of holding a real book in my hand can’t be duplicated. That being said, I recently read my first ebook (I know, I know, I’m a late bloomer), and I actually enjoyed it!
Traditional or indie?
Whatever I get my hands on! Most of the time, I read whatever books my mom loans me, I find in the free library down the street, or I find quickly at the bookstore or library. I know that sounds terrible, but with 3 kids, I don’t have the time to browse. That’s also partly why I wanted to do the blog—to help time-crunched readers discover new favorite authors.
Where do you see the romance market in 5 years?
I’m certainly not an expert, but I think it’s going to continue to grow and become more diverse. There seems to be a growing demand for more types of romances, and I feel that independent publishing and the increasingly diverse tastes of readers will help level the playing field somewhat. Maybe there will be fewer big-name writers who sell tons of books and more writers who do pretty well.
Are you involved in any professional writing communities?
Not yet. Signing up for Romance Writers of America is on my to-do list, though!
Where do you find support for your writing?
I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband and a few really amazing friends, including my mom, who provide the emotional support I need to keep going.
Are you formally trained?
When I took a college course in popular fiction, the teaching assistant passed out a brochure published by Harlequin about how to write a romance…does that count? 😉 At the time, I really, really wanted to try writing one, but I didn’t think writing romances was a “serious” enough thing to do. Just think where I could be now if I had taken it more seriously!
What are your top 5 romance novels of all time?
These are the ones that have stuck with me the most (though I’m sure I’m forgetting some!):
- Too Good to Be True by Kristan Higgins
- Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella
- The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer
- Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
- Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
If you could tell the world about any one newish author you think they should read, who would it be?
Margaret Locke, of course.
(ML: Wha? Holy cow! Thanks so much. Now I’m blushing!)
What most energizes you about writing?
That it’s very different from the day-to-day tasks of being a stay-at-home mom. When I write (usually at the end of a long day), I get completely immersed in the story, and it’s the only time in the day that I don’t have to think about the burning questions of my daily life: Has my 3-year-old gone potty recently? Has the puppy gone out to pee recently? Have all the kids brushed their teeth?
What most scares you about writing?
Am I ever going to be able to finish a project? I have two drafts that I’m trying to work on and limited time to work on them. And no one is waiting for me to finish a book, whereas there are people who need me to do laundry, cook, clean, make lunches, pay bills, drive them to practices, etc.
Connect with Romance Debuts:
Website: romancedebuts.wordpress.com
Facebook: Romance Debuts
Twitter:@romancedebs
I’m starting to think Cate and I are the same person,
given her answers so closely match what I would say!
Thank you, Cate, for your time and for stopping by.
I wish you nothing but the best with Romance Debuts.