Soooo, after a considerable hiatus, I am a writer again. Sometimes you have to step away from something for a time to truly see it clearly.  With that said, I've come to the conclusion that once one is a writer she/he cannot really stop being one, even if they try, even if there is absolutely no tap, tap, tap on the old keyboard.  I’ve learned that it's a thing that has become a permanent part of me. Even when I wasn’t working on anything at all, trying to avoid every aspect of writing--story ideas, character images, and settings continued to pop into my mind.  They nagged me, actually. 

At this point though, my approach is different.  I have reframed how I look at the process so as not to drive myself mad. ;-) For a while there, my focus had become so incredibly narrow, that I was missing out on a great many wonderful things in my life.  No mas!  Writing will not be my only artistic endeavor--the end all, be all of my life.  I will also work with my paper, clay and fabric, and I will feel good about whatever it is I’m working on at the time.  No guilt – no shoulds!  With this attitude, I will probably never hit the big time.  I’ve accepted that.  But, I’ll be happy, and I will find more peace in my life, and that is what I want more than anything.   

Cheers until next time!

Belle   @}---{--------------

    

Starting today, I have an interview up at Deep In The Heart Of Romance, a fantastic authors' site. I read a lot of author interviews, because I want to know more about the persons behind the prose. I’m intrigued with how other writers see things, do things.

Take a few minutes and go check it out.

http://www.deepintheheartromance.com/search/label/Belle%20Sloane?max-results=20

Have a wonderful rest of the summer and Read On!

Belle

@}—{---------------

~~~ Spring is Here! ~~~

I always feel a renewed sense of hope, of wonder and possibility when those wonderful signs of Spring begin to make their presence known.

Yesterday my husband and I took our Lab up into the foothills of the beautiful Manzano Mountains and let her run. She loves our sojourns into the higher country. She gets to sniff, and poke, and explore to her heart’s content. The sun was shining. There was a strong but comfortable breeze. The temp was around 70. I saw definite signs of budding on the vegetation all around me. A jack-rabbit made his presence known about 30 feet down in an arroyo. Luckily the dog didn’t notice him, or our outing might have been longer than we’d planned. J

It feels as though my writing ideas and energy begin to bud and stretch as freely as the cactus and juniper when Spring comes. What seemed so difficult and remote in the end of January, is somehow completely assessable now that the out of doors is coming back to life.

I have a meeting this morning with my editor from Siren Audio studios. http://www.sirenaudiostudios.com/ We’re converting one of my contemporary paranormal romances into an audiobook. This particular company doesn’t just have someone read the work, they have multiple voices, sound effects and music. This is audio theater -- similar to the radio shows of the 1940s. It’s an exciting process. Can’t wait to hear those characters come alive, for real!

‘til next time,

Belle***

~~~ Welcome 2011 ~~~

Happy New Year!

I know, I know -- I’m a late with this, but it’s still heartfelt and real, and I believe the year is still young enough to say it with validity. J

In our neck of the woods we’re enjoying a great deal of snow at the moment. Something that doesn’t happen all too often in this high desert. In spite of the difficulties considerable snowfall can present, I LOVE IT! I love sharing the anticipation and excitement I see in my children, (though they are taller than I am now), at the chance of a snow day. I love the feeling of well-being that accompanies the lovely snow covered view outside the window of my toasty warm kitchen. I love how I can check the horses out back without benefit of artificial light at one in the morning. And on a practical note, we haven’t had a decent rain in months so all this moisture is a very, very good thing.

We have a good sized wood stove that has been stoked constantly for the last several days. While sitting there I starting thinking about the characters in my WIP, as though they were real people, something I find myself doing on a regular basis. I tend to set my stories in desert regions, because that’s where I live. Then I realized I mostly set them in times of year where the weather is the kindest, Spring and Fall, because I don’t’ want my people to be miserably hot or cold. Crazy, huh? Just goes to show you how REAL your characters can become to you.

I give them a break in the personal comfort area, but I’m pretty mean when it comes to their personal conflict. Makes me sound like a masochist, but I believe in the adage I learned from a wise and dear old man years ago, “The truth will set you free -- but first you gotta’ suffer.” And suffer they do. The thing is, the more our characters suffer through their conflicts, the more they learn, and the sweeter the reward in the end. That’s what we all want from our “satisfying endings,” right? I still have a ways to go with the inflicting of suffering.

J.R. Ward, ( one of my favs) is superb at yanking her characters through the proverbial keyhole. Her folks go through hell and back before they get their happy ending, and boy, by the time they get there, you are jumping up and down for them because they absolutely deserve the goods!

So I continue to work toward that goal – to be a tougher task master with my characters! What are you focusing on with your writing? Leave a comment, tell me about one of your writing goals.

‘Til next time,

Stay warm, and dry.

Belle

@}—{-------------

Have Yourself A Glowing Holiday

Happy Holidays!

Wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a peaceful, safe and relaxing holiday season.

Take it easy on yourself and give yourself a chance to slow down, maybe read a little. ;-)

All my best,

Belle

@}--{----------

AND THE WINNERS ARE!

First, I want to thank everyone who entered my contest! I really appreciate you all taking the time out to charge around the net to do so. It was fun to hear all the different venues, and experiences you all had with your proms.

Here is a list of the different venues:

~~~The American Hotel, NYC

~~~The Fairmont, San Francisco

~~~Mexico City, with the pyramids a backdrop

~~~local colleges

~~~Epcot Center

~~~County Clubs

~~~Knights of Columbus Hall

~~~Officers Clubs

~~~Bahamas, Hotel

~~~High School Gymnasiums – which I have seen turned into magical places. My daughter’s high school actually managed to hide/disguise the bleachers. That was amazing.

And the winners are:

Alane of OKC/OK won the box of Godivas

Melissa of Washington won the free copy of Sweet Charity

Congratulations, ladies! I so hope you enjoy your prizes. J

I’m hard at work on my next erotic historical, set in Tombstone, AZ. Lucas and Cara are dying to get at each other, but I need to work out a way that is reasonable while still titillating. I’m almost there. I think the setting is totally fun. Hope to get that out to you all ASAP.

Till next time,

Belle

@}—{---------------

***Sweets From The Sweet***

I’m excited to announce my contest celebrating the release of my erotic historical romance, Sweet Charity, at Red Sage Publishing, Inc. Since sweet is in the title I decided to go with a prize that is totally sweet, a box of Godiva Chocolates. The actual contest page with the entry blank is at FreshFiction.com --http://freshfiction.com/contest.php?id=2868 , and will run through October. Here is a question you need to answer to enter. ==> In what type of venue was my high school prom held? Don’t worry the answer is in the next paragraph. J In fact the answer is in the photograph.

I grew up in a town in Germany known for romance—Heidelberg. The title of a local old favorite song is kind of a trademark for the location. “Ich hab mein Hertz in Heidelberg verloren,” which means “I lost my heart in Heidelberg.” Being an army brat and one who attended high school in Heidelberg, I was privileged to attend prom in a most wonderful and unbelievable place, the Heidelberg Castle which is pictured here. Talk about your fairy tale experience. So head on over to http://freshfiction.com/contest.php?id=2868 and fill out that entry blank for your chance at a box of Godivas!

ALSO: Leave me a blog post telling me about where you prom was held. Make sure you include your email address with your post, because I’ll pick one lucky commenter on October 31^st and send her/him a free copy of Sweet Charity.

Good luck!

Belle

@}—{-------------

Sweet Charity is available now at www.eRedSage.com .

Sweet Charity Was Released on 9/1!

Sweet Charity is officially released!

It’s such a great feeling. I can’t wait to see how this all plays out over time. My next project is to get busy with a website. I’ve got my domain name. I’ve got my color scheme and of course I can’t wait to pick out those inspirational photographs of heroes and their heroines, etc.

I’ll be the guest blogging at http://www.loveromancepassion.com/ tomorrow.

I’ve got a reader contest idea that involves a small but tasty box of Godiva Chocolates. I need to work out the details, but I’ll have that up here soon.

So in the mean time, head on over to www.eRedSage.com and take a good peek at Charity and Dillon. I think you will find those two more than worth the effort.

Belle

@}---{-----------

*** RWA National Post Conference Thoughts***

The RWA national conference was once again an amazing adventure. I had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner with my publisher, Alexandria Kendall, of Red Sage Publishing, Inc., and an incredible group of other Red Sage authors. The food was excellent and the company ever better.

I came away from the conference this time, not with any grand epiphany, but with the solid, comfortable knowledge that I'm moving in the right direction for where I want to go. It's a nice feeling.

I picked up some great info from the few workshops I managed to attend, (I know I'm bad. };-) The one on writing fight scenes presented by Angela Knight, (one of my idols) was so helpful, and as she spoke the information made such perfect sense, things just fell into place in my head. Can't wait to put that info to use. My current WIP is set in the 1890s Tombstone, AZ. I'm sure I'll have at least one fight scene in there. I found it interesting that a lot of the same concepts are employed when writing love scenes, as when writing fight scenes. I guess it has to do with the high degree of physicality.

So looking forward to next year's conference already. New York City! Time Square, here I come!

Until next time.

Belle

@}--{-----------

Hello Fellow Readers and Writers,

Once again I’m gearing up for the Romance Writers of America conference, this year held in Orlando Florida. Never been to Orlando before. The last time I went to Florida was a wayward and crazy trip to Key West for spring break, years ago.

Every year when I go to the RWA conference, I learn many things, but usually come away with some sort of specific epiphany. So looking forward to the special writing gem I’ll glean from the experience this time.

The summer is progressing nicely. Though my writing time has been a bit stunted by our new family addition--a curious and immensely enthusiastic black lab puppy. Practices in patience have been VERY important with the whole canine situation for sure. {Breath in, Breath out--Relax}

I am now officially a listed author at Red Sage Publishing, [ www.eredsage.com ]. Got my own link and everything. J I’m looking forward to a release date, and trying to come up with some clever promo item to sell the story with. With the word sweet (Sweet Charity) in the title, chocolate comes to mind, but I’m not sure. If anyone has ideas they would like to share for promo items appropriate for a western historical erotic romance entitled Sweet Charity, PLEASE leave me your ideas in a comment on this entry. I’d really appreciate it.

Belle @}--{---------

My Cover Is Done!

Well, Hello!!!

Quite a bit has happened since I last posted. I survived the revision process which was difficult, but total GOLD in the learning curve department. Also the cover for Sweet Charity has been finalized and here it is! I love it! I couldn’t have hoped for more. I told my editor, the image of Charity is more like Charity than the image I had pictured in my head. I love the fact that Dillon’s face is in shadow. Mystery is WAY more sexy.

No word on release date yet, but I’ll have it out as soon as I get it.

Stay cool,

Belle @}-{-----

~~~ The Tombstone Bordello-B&B ~~~

Hello All~~~

I have been a bad, bad, blogger. And, after I promised readers and myself I’d post at least once a month. Sheesh! Well, I’m back on track. YEA!

My writing buddy Tami Sinclair and I took a fact finding trip to Tombstone, Arizona, in late January. It was a blast. While there, we stayed in the Tombstone Bordello (B&B), which was actually a working bordello in the late 1800s. The proprietors were wonderful. The breakfasts were tasty, the conversation great, and the beds totally comfy. I recommend it highly if you ever decide to visit Tombstone.

While there I learned all I need to know for my next erotic novel. It’s set in Tombstone, in a bordello of course. I know bordello life was often harsh and difficult. But the bordello that I’m writing about is one where the Madam is a shrewd business woman, fair minded, and careful with her employees. She also has an empathetic heart.

I’ve got the story in my head from beginning to end. Now I need to hit the keys, and flesh (ha) it out.

Onward, to the computer!!!
Belle***

Happy Holidays One and All!

Wishing you Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year. Take time for yourself , treat yourself well.

You deserve it!

I hope your dreams come true, and your resolutions come to pass.

See you in 2010.

Affectionately,

Belle***

I'm So Excited!!!

My erotic romance novel, Sweet Charity won the erotica category of the Land of Enchantment Romance Authors, 2009 Rebecca Contest. Theresa Stevens of Red Sage Publishing, judged the erotica category. After judging, Theresa requested the full manuscript. Unfortunately, I had written only about ten pages further than was necessary to enter the contest. So I jumped on it, and finished the first draft in about a month. A record for me. I went through it several more times, then sent it off. Well, on Wednesday (11/25) I received an offer for Sweet Charity, from Judith Harkins, Senior Editor for Red Sage. YEA!!! Of course I said yes immediately, and the ball is rolling!

Things are moving in the perfect direction. I’m a happy gal!

Write On!
Belle***

Hey! Look At This!

What a thrill. Here is a review from Fallen Angel Review

Airborne
Candice has always hated flying, so when she has to fly to Honolulu for her brother's wedding, she takes all the precautions she can to make her trip safe in her mind. What she didn't expect was to find a hot sexy man sitting in her prearranged window seat. But when the sexy stranger promises to take her mind off the flight, she is more than willing to trust him. As the flight takes off so does her first full blown orgasm. Flying for Candice will never be the same, and she realises placing your trust in a stranger can be exciting. Airborne is a short sexy read. Belle Sloane has managed to write an interesting read that draws you into her story. I enjoyed reading Candice's story and could relate to her fear of flying. Ms. Sloane characters are likeable and interesting. She has delivered a hot jean clad hero that will get your heart racing. Being a short story this is written from the heroine's point of view, yet you still get a clear picture of the hero. The dialogue steams up the aircraft, with secret whispers and promises of erotic fulfillment. Ms. Sloane has managed to write a well balanced story for a short read. Curl up and enjoy.Reviewed by: Sandie


Thank you, Sandie!

Happy Halloween!

Ahhh.....

I just sent Sweet Charity, my latest erotic novel off to Red Sage! YEA!

I love that feeling. And, as I said on my Facebook page, I’m accepting good vibes from anyone, anywhere.

Once I finish a piece of writing, I’m extremely driven to send it off, get it out on its way--somewhere. Unfortunately, all that pesky rewriting and finishing work makes that fun part, (my piece winging its way somewhere) take a lot longer. I have to wait. I hate waiting, don’t you?

Composition is my favorite part of the writing process. I just love letting the story unfold in that wonderful, exciting rush of ideas and emotions. All three of my critique partners are extremely fond of rewriting, and polishing. I am working on improving my relationship with those things. I figure by the time I’ve made peace with the finishing work, my writing will be stellar. Ha! Hey, one can hope, right?

Have a fun Halloween! I know I will. ;-)

Belle***

Good Things Are Happening

I just realized that it’s been a month since I posted. Oh, my! So sorry.

National was fantastic as usual. I came back from there not with any grand revelation, but with the firm knowledge that I am going all the way with this writing stuff. I’m going to make it work for me. I’m going to sell and sell and sell. It feels good to be at this point.

My Airborne promotional pieces for the Goodie Room at the conference, my little airplanes with ordering information attached, just flew. I only brought about 120 of them, but they were all snapped up by the second morning of the conference. YAY to that. (If you send me an email with your mailing address, I’ll send you one as long as they last.)

My other news is that Sweet Charity, an erotic historic novella/novel (I haven’t decided which yet), I’m working on, finaled in LERA’s 2009 Rebecca Contest. That’s pretty exciting, and quite a motivator in production. I’ve been hammering away at it ever since I found out. ;-)

Well, I’d better get some writing done before I have to hit the day job.

Enjoy your day, and press on.
Belle***

=== Gearing Up For RWA National Conference ===

In less than a week I'll be flying off to Washington D.C. to commune with 2000 other romance writers for 5 days of learning, playing, and focusing on the business end of the writing game. This will be my 11th RWA conference and every year I come back having had some sort of writing epiphany. Large or small, those realizations have helped me move forward with my writing goals.

I'll be leaving a fun promotional item for Airborne in the Goodie Room at the conference. Look for it.

I'll give you the scoop on my conference adventures upon my return. ;-)

Until then--read, read, read.

Belle***

AIRBORNE is Available

Just want to announce that my new erotic short story AIRBORNE is up and ready for purchase at www.carnalpassions.com .

Check it out, it's well worth the flight.

Belle***

Airborne Cover Art Is Here!

The cover for Airborne arrived earlier this week, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! It’s perfect.

I expect it will be available for purchase soon at www.CarnalPassions.com . You've got to see how poor Candice finally conquers her fear of flying with the oh, so energetic and attentive assistance of our sexy hero, Mark.

Enjoy!
Belle***