By Kate Deveaux (Guest Blogger)
Inspiration. It’s what gives
all of us writers that extra oomph. The gusto to put hands to
keyboard, to start frantically typing as fast as we can; lest we lose
that fleeting moment where idea meets clarity, and the words just
flow on the page.
For me, it’s that thrilling feeling
when I first start a new book. The characters and plot are carrying
on in my head like a movie being played on a big screen and I’m
just trying to write it down as fast as I can — wishing there was
movie theatre fresh-popped popcorn with lots of butter! But there’s
not, and besides it would only get stuck in the keyboard. Of course,
after the initial rush of excitement, with a chunk of text down on
the page, there is always a break in the inspiration. Just like in
music, a reprieve of sorts and I am forced to re-group and try to
focus again. Over the years, I have found several ways to re-kindle
inspiration when it wanes on a project.
Setting: For me, setting is
probably one of the biggest sources of inspiration. I’m a very
visual and sensory person who loves jotting down details, the more
sensual the better. I can see it, taste it, and smell it. It could be
a crowded tube station in the muggy August heat with the crush of the
passengers close together, the hum of the engines, the scent of
fumes, and the silk blouse that clings to the heroine’s skin. Or
the inspiration could be the blistering hot sun on the Caribbean Sea,
the sparkle of the turquoise water, as a seventy-foot sailboat cuts
across the surface, and my hero and heroine on board for sexy mayhem
— alone at sea. Or it could be the jagged cliffs of Capri, the
lemon scented air mingled with the salty Mediterranean, with it’s
hillside town, villas imbedded in the rock, that inspires me to write
what goes on in in that small village — behind bedroom doors, or on
moonlit terraces, or in secluded corners at the neighborhood bistro.
For example, in one of my books,
Academy of Love, it was Equestrian Hunt Country Virginia and
the ivy-clad all girls’ boarding school (yes, it’s true, I
attended one myself for years) that inspired me to write an erotic
romance novel. That majestic setting, turned seductive by night, was
perfect for the hero and heroine to be reunited after years apart.
In another book, The Butler Did It, the heroine’s lofty
mansion in the Miami sky provided just the right crisp sizzle to
spice up her deepest sexual fantasies. If can see, smell, and taste
the moment, then I hope, so can my reader.
Characters: Characters for me
can be very inspiring, especially when I begin to develop one or two
personality traits or quirks. For me, developing the physical and
emotional elements is almost like meeting someone new for the first
time, especially if he’s a super hunky hero. Frequently, these
types of inspirations come at the worst time — while in the
doctor’s waiting room, or in a long line up at the grocery store,
or worse yet, while I’m driving! I can’t get home fast enough to
jot it all down before it falls out of my brain. It can be quite
heady writing those first few words between the hero and heroine,
it’s often enough to inspire me to write and quickly! Those heroes
always have me at “Hello.”
WIPs: An unlikely source of
inspiration for me can come from neglected WIP’s. Like many working
writers these days, we are all super busy. We have to balance writing
with promotion, with editing deadlines, and still get dinner on the
table, in an attempt to have some semblance of a normal life — for
those who live amongst us that aren’t writers and don’t brake for
hunky heroes.
One of the things I found the hardest
in my career is having to abandon a WIP that I am deep into. Before I
was a published author, the focus was all on the WIP. Nowadays, the
WIP often gets thrown casually to one side, while a new manuscript
with a deadline takes precedence. Sort of like trading one lover for
another. So where’s the inspiration in that you think?
Well, every once in a while I have a
moment, when I’m re reading some WIP placed on the back burner, and
in re-reading it, I actually get a moment when I think, “Wow,
that chapter was really good, or that line was really great, or I
can’t believe I wrote that.” Granted, it doesn’t happen
that often, but when it does, there’s not a better feeling. It
inspires me to keep on writing every time it happens. We won’t
discuss any of the other times, when I blurt out loud, “What was
I thinking?” and shake my head and immediately get out the big
red pen. That’s definitely not inspirational, but I’m sure many
authors can relate!
So for me, inspiration comes from many
places: conversations overheard at crowded coffee shops, the
scrolling headline on the local news, the baggage carousel at a busy
airport, or a hunky hero darting out in front of my car.
That of course if the very best kind. As an erotic romance
writer, I brake for Hunky Heroes, wouldn’t you?
Thank you so much Lisabet for
hosting me on your awesome blog! It is a pleasure to share some of my
inspirations and also my newest release, The Butler Did It.
Readers - leave a comment (including your email address) and you could win a fabulous, limited release notebook featuring my wonderful cover.
Readers - leave a comment (including your email address) and you could win a fabulous, limited release notebook featuring my wonderful cover.
http://www.cafepress.com/totalebound.847296456
Sparks fly when Vi Martin hires Clarkson Dale, a professional butler for her swanky Miami retreat. Work turns to play when they break all the rules.
Vi Martin, successful multi-millionaire businesswoman, is in for a surprise when the domestic agency sends her a new butler for her swanky Miami penthouse. Drop dead gorgeous Clarkson Dale is the consummate professional butler…until he meets his new employer. The sparks fly and their attraction is undeniable when they break all the rules. She knows it’s wrong to have sex with the hired help but the woman is used to getting what she wants and she can’t resist temptation.
Clarkson is conflicted by his professional role and his flagrant attraction to Vi. They strike a compromise, work is work and play is play. Strictly professional by day and all bets are off at night when they explore their fantasies. Vi likes it when a man takes control and she’s open to new experiences. Clarkson has just the man for the job. Michel, Vi’s personal chef, has other talents, and joins Clarkson and Vi in exploring her deeper sexual tastes. Clarkson takes control of a night of passion and guides Michel on how to properly pleasure their employer. Michel has no problem rising to the occasion.
Excerpt
Vivienne Martin heard the door chime echo across her vast
penthouse. She put the phone down and impatiently called for Marie to
answer it. The bell chimed again but still no Marie. Just where had
her maid got to? And how was Vi supposed to get any work done around
here if she had to answer both the phone and door at the same time? A
reminder of just why she had let the agency know she was desperate
for a butler for her new sprawling Miami retreat. Exasperated, she
left her office, her Ferragamo spiked heels clicking as she strode
quickly across the marble foyer.
Smoothing her skirt, she opened the front door widely and smiled.
"Ms. Martin?" Clarkson asked, with surprise.
"And you are?" she asked of the hunky well-dressed man before her. Damn the media, he was probably a reporter looking for the newest scoop on her Miami retreat.
"Clarkson Dale," he stammered slightly, his eyes lingering on her silk blouse, unbuttoned to reveal ample cleavage. "The agency sent me. You requested a butler."
"Clarkson, last name or first?" she said crisply, relieved that he was the new butler. He could deal with the snooping press from now on—he was tall enough and built well enough to take them on.
He just stared at her. He probably wasn’t used to an employer answering her own door. That made two of them. "Clarkson, first name, madam," he said politely.
"Madam," she snorted, and she saw a smile flicker across his chiselled face. "No one’s ever called me that. Now come on, Clarkson, I don’t have all day to stand here. The sooner you get to work the better. I’ll give you a quick tour—I don’t know where Maria got to. She’s the maid and she should really show you around, but I guess I’ll have to."
"Yes, madam," he said, following her into the lavishly decorated surroundings.
"Vivienne," she said, "but I prefer you address me Ms. Vi. Definitely not madam."
"Of course, Ms. Vi."
She glanced back to catch him eyeing the sashay of her pencil skirt. It was one of her own designs and she was well aware that it accentuated her pert ass. But she also knew that as a professional butler, he knew better than to think of his employer in anything but a professional sense.
The Butler Did it is currently available as part of the At Your Service anthology
Buy link: http://bit.ly/16SgyiI
It
will be released as a standalone story by Total-E-Bound soon!
Preorder: 17th
JunePrerelease: 1st July
General release: 29th July
About Kate
KATE DEVEAUX is a contemporary, erotic romance writer and die-hard romantic. It was after reading Jane Eyre in high school, that she became hooked on the idea of writing about romance, excitement and drama. Kate has been penning stories, from the sensual to the sinfully sexy, ever since!
In addition to red hot romance, Kate's fictional stories explore the dynamics of why relationships do or don’t work, the choices people make, family dramas and the unexpected events that set everyday life on its head. She is currently busy completing two erotic romance novels and one contemporary romance novel for release in 2013 —each filled with sexy romance, heroines who are no shrinking violets and heroes who make your heart skip a beat
A former wedding planner, Kate has always been "in love" with love! She was inspired to transition from writing racy short stories to full length manuscripts after meeting other authors in the romance world at industry workshops, conferences and events. Now a full-time contemporary romance novelist, Kate is a member of Savvy Author, Romance Writers of America (RWA) as well as their erotic romance chapter, Passionate Ink. Born in London, England, Kate has lived in both the U.K. and the U.S and she is a graduate of the University of Alberta in Canada. She and her husband currently reside in Arizona. When she’s not writing or reading, Kate can be found on the tennis court—yes, there’s even "love" in that game too!
Please visit Kate at:
Website: www.katedeveaux.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Deveaux/349294291841235?fref=ts,
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KateDeveaux
Buy link: Total E-Bound: http://bit.ly/16SgyiI
3 comments:
Hello, Kate,
A warm welcome to Beyond Romance, and best of luck with The Butler Did It!
May it be the first of many releases for you (all, of course, with hunky heroes...)!
Hi Kate - Great sources of inspiration. And you're right - the best ideas can occur at the most inopportune times! I'm excited to see what you have planned for next year. :)
Thanks Normandie for stopping by!
Best,
Kate
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