Guest - Parker Blue

Hey, this is Debra Dixon. I'm here briefly to introduce you to our exciting new young adult fantasy author, Parker Blue. Her book BITE ME from Bell Bridge Books has gotten great reviews so far.

Help me welcome, Parker Blue !

The Idea Fairy

 

Writers are often asked where they get their ideas, as if there's some obscure idea fairy who bestows the perfect idea upon you with her sparkly wand if you know the magic words. Yeah, right. For most writers, finding ideas is not the problem. Avoiding them is. I've tried to duck as they come whizzing in, but they're sneaky little devils. They like to attack when I can't avoid them. They especially like to blindside me when I'm in the bathtub or shower (there's some strange relationship between story ideas and water I've never understood). Or, lately, they've been waiting until I'm driving 75 miles an hour on the freeway (in my hour and a half commute to work) to hit.

Yes, the diabolical things wait until I have no possible way to write them down, then they strike. You see, if I could just record them immediately, I could get them out of my brain and go back to working on whatever current work in progress I should be writing. But because I can't jot them down, I feel compelled to examine their sharp little edges, poke their intriguing extremities and play the "what if" game to form them into some sort of shape. Then, over the next few months, other bits and pieces pop in. I'll bump them up against other ideas I've had and if enough puzzle pieces fit together, I begin to see a story emerge. I call this my "gelling" period, when the ideas start to gel together. Once I can see a form emerge, then I can start working on a story.

Because of this process, I rarely remember the initial impetus for my books, the very first idea. However, in the case of Bite Me, out this month from Bell Bridge Books, I do remember. This is one of the rare times I went looking for a specific idea instead of letting it find me on its own. I wanted to write for the women's action/adventure line, Silhouette Bombshell (now sadly defunct), so I sat down to come up with four ideas to pitch to the editor. I love paranormal, so I knew I wanted to write an action novel with a female heroine and paranormal elements. My first thought of a vampire slayer. But, since Buffy has obviously been done (and very well!), I wanted to put a spin on it. So, what about a vampire hunter who is part demon as well? Even better, what if she's part lust demon and she has to fight vampires to keep the lust under control? Bingo! I had my idea.

Unfortunately, Bombshell folded and when I rewrote the book as a paranormal romance, the publisher who had expressed interest decided they didn't like it after all. But Deb Dixon at Bell Bridge Books pointed out that it would really work better as a young adult urban fantasy--and she was right. So, I rewrote it once again, dropping the heroine's age a few years, and giving her faithful hellhound a voice (who knew hellhounds were so snarky?). I love the result and I hope readers will, too. Here's what it's about:

Bite Me by Parker Blue, Bell Bridge Books, October 2008.

Eighteen-year-old Valentine Shapiro got a raw deal in the parent lottery. Her father was part incubus demon, and her mother's never forgiven her for that. Thrown out of the house by her mother, Val does the only thing that seems to make any sense—she takes aim at the town vampires, figuring a stake a day keeps the demon at bay. Soon enough, she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground with the help of her faithful hellhound, Fang, and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not.

Parker is blogging on NovelTalk as well--check it out and comment there for a chance to win an autographed copy of her book! Plus Bell Bridge Books will be giving one away today, so start racking up those comments!

Pam McCutcheon / Parker Blue
http://www.parkerblue.net
http://www.pammc.com

Seduction 101

Betina here. Perplexed by life, as usual.

My current problem is writing related.

If you had to seduce someone (I'd say a man, but I don't want to be exclusionary!)do you have a tried and true method? Something you've personally researched and know to be a winning bit of hoochie-mama magic? A favorite line? A sure-fire passion igniter? A fall-back technique/scenario/method that always works for you? A favorite lead-in to loving that you like to use in your books? Or like to read about?


Me either. sigh.

And since I'm writing sexier in my current work-in-progress, I figured I'd throw out a hook and see if I can reel in any tips or pointers on seduction. I could sure use the help.

See, MY fall-back technique is talking. No surprise there, eh? To me nothing says "ya wanna fool around?" like a little sexy or suggestive talk. But, sooner or later people do get tired of talking. So I've been doing research. I found a book that promises "203 ways to drive a man wild in bed." But that's kind of the cart before the horse. You have to get them into bed before you can drive them wild. Don't you?

Oh. ::blush:: Silly me.

Well, it turns out, many of Ms. 203 Ways's suggestions involve writing notes and leaving them pinned to clothing or sending them tucked into gifts or provocative surprises. Words again. Also sexy telephone calls mid-day. . . reading erotic literature in person or via phone. . . writing and sending erotic poems. . . wearing and describing sexy new underwear. . . or NO underwear.

Is this blog X-rated yet?

So, I got another book that tells you how to seduce people based on their astrological sign.

Taureans' weakness is food. . . so you need to feed them.

Geminis love telephones and fax machines. . . use those to tease and tantalize.

Cancers are focused on domestic tranquility and love their mothers. . . they need to be cuddled and given sentimental gifts.

Aries folk are natural warriors and love the smell of battle. . . challenge them to games and beat them or let them beat you.

Leos are all about luxury and pampering. . . escort them to fine events and locations; give them gifts of obvious quality and style.

Virgos are sincere, natural, and health conscious. . . take them on nature walks and let your inner child free to play.

Librans are sophisticated and proud. . . they respond to flattery, especially when you mean it.

Scorpios are mysterious and passionate. . . a sexy dare will get their attention and a hint of sexual sorcery will keep it.

Sagittarians are impulsive, and adventuresome. . . take them back to your place to see photos of your trek to Tibet.

Capricorns are steady and conservative and crave privacy. . . arrange quiet rendezvous and give watches and power tools as gifts.

Aquarians are the free spirits of the zodiac. . . they need easy, no-strings-attached fun and spiritual-themed gifts.

Pisces people are intuitives who crave creature comforts. . . they need lots of touching and warmed towels and special herbal teas.

Yeah. Well. All very interesting. Maybe even a little true. But, I'm not sure how that helps me write tantalizing seductions between the feisty widow and the prince's best friend. Could I have her eat grapes in front of him or something? How about drizzling his fingers with honey and licking them? Too schnauzer-like? Too needy?

I simply refuse to do another bathing scene seduction. And I'm not crazy about accidental falls into bodies of water, either. That whole "we must get you out of those wet clothes" line just creeps me out. But, I'm desperate here, folks.

Remember the days ( I think it was the 70's) when "marital experts" advised women to wrap themselves naked in Saran Wrap and meet their husbands at the door with a martini? You don't? Did I dream all that? Anyway, that won't work; they didn't have Saran Wrap in Victorian England.

So I'm back to talking. And maybe a little stuff with sexy clothing-- combined with talking. Maybe flashing an ankle. Or a corset. Unless you have a few good suggestions.

So, what's your favorite seduction scenario in a book? Or in real life? Is there a sexy come-hither that just melts you into puddles? Seen a seduction in a movie that just took your breath? Care to share?

Oh, and feel free to use the abbreviated "astrological" seductions above on your favorite zodiac sign. Just be sure to "share" afterward!