Lili Tells All

Welcome back, Lili!

2006-08-31T17:18:00.000+02:00

I haven't blogged for amost two months. Frankly, I'm shocked. When did those weeks happen?

I always thought not blogging was something that happened to other people. Yeah, well, think again. Blogwise, I'm just as lazy as I always was. From now on, I'll try to keep up with one post per month. That sounds doable. (Oh, well, we'll see ... *g*)

So, what are my excuses (of course, I have some).
My despression has been acting up again. Silly me to think I might get along without pills AND without anxiety attacks. I'm still not taking pills again and I have been having a lot less attacks, so that's good. As always, I'm much too impatient (or so everyone tells me).
My husband is finishing his diploma thesis. What's that got to do with anything?
1) He's around most of the time which usually is very bad for my own working morale, and 2) we have only one desk. We are now working in shifts: he takes the early morning, I'm on at night. The rest is open to negotiations. As we have only about 6 more weeks to go, I'm not going crazy at the rate I probably should. Still, I'm getting a lot less work done.

Speaking of work. We put out one spectacular and one pretty good issue of LoveLetter magazine. August was especially fine. We had a special about the Australian romance scene. I'm still sightly green with envy about their romance book stores. Take a look at the pictures in our blog. I wish we had something like that around here.

Otherwise I'm back to translating. I started out years ago when I was still at university and did some roleplay stuff ("Vampire: The Masquerade sourcebooks and novels) for Feder & Schwert. Now, I'm translating romance. I hope they (not giving names yet, I don't want to jinx it) like it and want to keep me. :-)

Writing? Yes, I did some of that, too. Unfortunately not nearly the amount I had wanted to. Impatient and with unrealistic notions as to what is possible to cram into one day. Yup, that's me.

So, what do I want to do in September?
Read some good books (August was so-so, but I really enjoyed Pam Rosenthal's The Slightest Provocation), put out a good LoveLetter issue and write some sentences I like (and hopefully a lot more that are at least not totally unsalvageable).

I'll be back in a month to tell you how it worked out.

New "Bellissima" Contest

2006-07-01T18:19:00.000+02:00

As of July, I'm giving away a free copy of "Bellissima" each month. If you leave a comment at my blog you are entered automatically. Also, you can send me an email.
Details on the newly updated contest page at my website.

Good luck!

Fan Girl On The Loose

2006-06-26T22:54:00.000+02:00

Regardless of how much you love romance novels, as an editor of a romance magazine, you have to have some kind of professionalism. So, even though I am at heart a fan girl I try hard not to get carried away. But sometimes I just can't help myself. As happened this month.

I had heard of Marjorie M. Liu on my favorite German romance message board, but I hadn't been tempted to try her novels. Usually, I'm not a big fan of paranormal romance. (I LOVE urban fantasy and I LOVE romance, but somehow the combination doesn't work for me at all.) But we were planning an interview with her and, in that case, it's always good to read the novels beforehand. *g*

What can I say: I was blown away! The first book Tiger Eye wasn't flawless, but I just couldn't put it down. I HAD to know what happened next. And I'm not ususally a reader who is glued to the book. I always have three or four started at any given time.
I ordered the second one, Shadow Touch, the next day and waited breathless with anticipation. When it arrived I delved right into it. I was stunned! It was even better. It's really dark, so beware!
Naturally, I volunteered to review the third. I needed that ARC with a vengeance. The Red Heart of Jade was everythig I had hoped for and more. And just look at that cover!

So, what makes Marjorie M. Liu so special? First of all, I think it's great that she doesn't write about vampire and werewolves, but shows all kinds of different supernatural creatures and abilities. Yes, there are shifters, but they are only a small part of what is going in her world. I like that though the novels all stand on their own she obviously has a bigger plan that is only gradually revealed. If you need all your questions answered at the end of a book these will probably drive you mad. LOL Also, I really enjoy the settings. The three books have taken me not only to the States but to Beijing, Russia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet.
But most of all I love her characters. The heroes are alphas, but not cavemen. I like that in a man. :-) I enjoyed the friendly banter the Dirk & Steele agents have with each other and the way all these loners and outcasts have formed a family. The heroines are not necessarily kick ass girls, but they are no doormats either, but really prepared to do what needs to be done.
The relationships are strong and true right from the beginning. These couples don't waste time fighting each other, they stand together against the forces of evil.

So, to make a long posting short - what I wanted to say (in case you didn't notice *g*): if you like paranormals and haven't read Marjorie M. Liu you should definitely give her books a try!

And make sure to check out her blog. She's an interesting lady. And pretty, too. I would have to hate her if she weren't so damn nice! :-)

First review for "Bellissima"

2006-06-14T17:09:00.000+02:00

I got my first review for "Bellissima"!

Michelle Ellis awarded it 4 stars and writes:

The second story—you’ve had the taster, now comes the HOT STUFF! Pwoooaaarrr ya buggers, you’ll like this one! Ahem—please excuse my phwoarness. (Gets back into review mode)

Okay, this is probably not the most quotable snippet from the review, but this is the one that had me laughing out loud. *g*
You can read the whole review here.

Also, I got a really nice author comment from Sandra Schwab (The Lily Brand) who says: "Funny and sexy -- a truly delightful summer read!"

Add to this the wonderful author chat we Freya's Bower girls had at eBookLove on Sunday and you have me smiling for a week. :-D

4 8 15 16 23 42

2006-06-11T01:21:00.000+02:00

Yeah, well, what can I say. The "Lost" fever got me, too. It took me some time, but when it was shown on tv I was struggling with severe panic attacks on a daily basis and really didn't need any more excitement. In hindsight, that wasn't even a bad thing as now I could watch the first season practically in one sitting. I LOVE DVD boxes! Who wants to wait a whole week before a story continues. There are very few tv shows out there that have me so hooked that I have to watch it immediately. Especially, as it drives me crazy. I'm not a very patient person, I NEED to know what happens next and I need to know it NOW! *g*

I have to admit, "Lost" was love at second sight for me. I liked the pilot well enough. At least, I didn't get the feeling I had to repeatedly bash my head into the wall to end the pain any way I could (my reaction to most tv shows), but I can't say I was entirely enthusiastic from minute one (maybe it was all those people telling me how FANTASTIC the show is, makes me all stubborn and contrary). It happened slowly. But as childhood illnesses are so much worse when you get them as an adult, now, at the end of the first season, I'm firmly and completely hooked. (If you have seen the second season, be quiet. I don't want to hear one single word. This is the one show where I don't want spoilers!)

Also, the show makes for great conversation. Almost everyone has an opinion especially about the characters and who is likable and who isn't. Jack, for example. One of my friends hates him, just hates him. He's too heroic. And tortured, too. "He's 35 and a successful surgeon and still has father issues. Get over it already! Or, at least, get a good therapist, goddamn it!" (Her words, not mine).
I hate Sawyer. I'm sure there are lots and lots of women who adore him, but I just want to slap him around and not in a good way. (When reading this back, I suddenly ask myself if this sentence makes any sense at all. I mean, really, is there a good way to slap someone around?)

Basically, the only one we can all agree on is Sayid.

And Kate. Kate is the best. Strong and capable and... well, just look at her. She sends my little bi-curious heart all aflutter.

Thanks, Sandy!

2006-06-06T14:48:00.000+02:00

Sandy Schwab blogged about me, and it only took me three days to notice it (and another four to post about it here). :-)
I hope you all know Sandra Schwab. If not, go and get her "The Lily Brand" today!

Forever Marked: Troy Sacheverell, fifth earl of Ravenhurst, was captured in France. He'd gone to fight Napoleon, but what he found was much more sinister. Dragged from prison to an old French manor on the outskirts of civilization, he was purchased by a rich and twisted beauty. And more dangerous still was the stepdaughter who claimed him.
Lillian had not chosen to live with Camille, her stepmother, but none escaped the Black Widow's web. And on her nineteenth birthday, Lillian became Camille's heir. Her gift was a plaything: a man to end her naiveté, whose face and body were made for the boudoir. Yet even as Lillian did as she was told, marked that beautiful flesh and branded it with the flower of her name, all she desired was escape. In another place, in another world, she'd desired love. Now, looking into burning blue eyes, there was no place to run. No matter should she flee, no matter where she might go, she and this man were prisoners of passion, inextricably linked by the Lily Brand
So while her heart remains locked in ice, his burns with hate. Will they ever find true happiness?

I know Sandy from my German romance message board. I was very excited when she sold her book, for her, of course, but also because it proved that it could be done at all! Because of her, I joined RWA and decided to take writing seriously. It still took me another year to really sit down and write something publishable, but without her example I might still be procrastinating (something I have down to a fine art). So, thanks again, Sandy!

Win Dayna Hart's Bite!

2006-06-01T19:39:00.000+02:00

Today, fellow Freya's Bower author Dayna Hart sends her readers on a scavenger hunt through blogspace. You can win chocolate (always a good choice) and, of course, her Bite You again. Take a look at her blog to find out more. Happy hunting!

X-Men: The Last Stand

2006-05-31T17:37:00.000+02:00

Proceed with caution: possible spoilers ahead! If you plan to watch the movie you might want to skip this entry. :-)

I don't really want to say all that much about the third X-Men movie, so don't expect (or fear) a complete review. I really liked the first two installements and definitely wanted to see this one despite the mixed reviews I've read.
After I've seen it, all I can say is this: I can understand why people love this movie, I can understand why people hate it. Personally, I felt very well entertained.
But I know I shouldn't start to really think about it. Because if I'd start to think about it, the woman if not the comic fan in me will get very angry (I don't know enough of the X-Men comics to get too worked up about the changes in the movie as a comic fan). There is this really powerful woman, but she's only sexually active when she's bad (and that she's sexually active is a mark of her badness), she is destructive (mostly to the men around her), and - and one can't help but insert "of course" here - mentally unstable. See, it's happening: I'm getting angry...

So, to return to the good things about the movie: I want Phoenix' hair. I want Storm's body. And Wolverine - I definitely want Wolverine (nothing new there *g* and no, he's not too hairy, so shut up!).

Oh, yum!

Bellissima!!!

2006-05-30T18:57:00.000+02:00

There it is! My first ebook. Take a look!

I've been away to Berlin for the past few days and didn't have a chance to happily stare at it like I wanted to. Still, I've been walking around with stars in my eyes and little pink clouds (probably escapees from my website *g*) under my feet. Call me Cheshire Cat! :-D

Fun with Elizabeth and Darcy

2006-05-26T23:51:00.001+02:00

I just got this link in an email: online Pride & Prejudice paperdolls!

How cool is that! As a woman who both loved paperdolls as a child AND, for the past ten years, has been worshipping at the feet of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy (though I've recently deserted him for Richard Armitage as Mr. Thornton, but that's a different story) I'm simply delighted! The whole Stardolls site is a blast if you have five minutes to spare on mindless fun. Paperdolls of actors, singers, celebrities ... Check it out!

Cover!!!

2006-05-25T22:33:00.000+02:00

I just got a mail from my fabulous editor Marci with my very first, very own cover!!! And, in just a few more days, "Bellissima" will be available. May 29th! I can hardly wait.

On the subject of editors: Marci is the best! Without changing anything plotwise she made me try so much harder to get it just right, every single damned word. Which, let me tell you, can, at times, be a rather trying endeavor. Sometimes, around 2 a.m. in the morning, you can't help wondering if there is liquified brain matter oozing out of your ears and, after the 27th reread, you ask yourself: What is this text before me? Are you sure, I wrote this? What am I doing here? And who am I talking to?
But in the end, when you take a look and realize how much better the story is now that you changed that word or that sentence you're at the top of the world. Must be all the adrenaline. *g*
She tells me when she really likes something, too. When I slaved over one particular sentence to get it exactly right it's just perfect to find a note in the next email saying "Loved it!", or something like that.

So, thanks, Marci! You made my first ebook a truly wonderful experience.

Best laid plans

2006-05-19T22:52:00.000+02:00

Originally, I wanted to write a little bit about my blog, but, frankly, that's not very interesting. I got it, here it is. That's about it. At first, I wanted to change the look so it would match the website, pink clouds and all. I took one look at the style sheet and decided that after building the website I had enough of style sheets to last me some time. So I just took the most pink design Blogger had to offer and stayed with that. There, now you know all. And that was more than I really intended to write on the subject.

More importantly, I started on a new story. I know, I wanted to wait until the edits for "Bellissima" and "Taming Claire" were completely done, but here I was, edited stories all sent back and nothing to do but wait and think about the new story.
I made a rather interesting discovery: my heroine is not at all what I thought she would be. I had in mind an innocent who got swept into the world of vampires in a traumatizing way and completely against her will. Boy, was I wrong. The innocent never materialized. Instead I saw her, sitting gargoyle-style on the roof of a big mansion, waiting to pounce on her prey. She is no innocent, not at all. Right from the start, she's a mean huntress, intent to kill. One thing is sure: she will be a real handful, and the hero would be well advised to be cool under fire and extremely quick on his feet.

Build one to throw away

2006-05-16T23:06:00.000+02:00

Somewhere along the way, it dawned on me that as an ebook author it would be really smart to have a website. I've built websites in the past. In the very long away past. I know html, but who cares about that now. Cascading style sheets is the way to go, but that was practically all I knew. As for style sheets themselves, I had absolutely no idea how they worked much less how to use them. I would had happily have somebody else do the work for me, but unfortunately no one came running.

So, I went design shopping at oswd. I found something I liked and tried to make sense of it. I had no intention whatsoever to delve any deeper into the subject (read up on it, who me?), but, eventually, I succumbed and took a look at CSS 4 You.
After I knew much more than I ever had planned on knowing on the subject I had a working website. Or so I thought. Until I saw what the Internet Explorer did to it (I'm a Mac girl myself, and Safari and Firefox rendered the site beautifully). I wanted to cry. That I didn't end my writing career then and there is only thanks to the wonderful Katharina from Vienna who provided moral and technical support.
Encouraged by her, I threw my site away and built a new one. Same look but different style sheet, this time done from scratch - by her, I must add. *g* I only modified it to suit my purposes. Isn't it wonderful to have friends who are webdesign nuts and who stay up till 4 a.m., playing with code, even though they should be working on their degree dissertation?
Her input on the overall design was also deeply appreciated. Even if I didn't use all her ideas she had a big influence on the eventual look of the site. Thanks again, Kat! :-)

One last problem was solved by the fabulously smart Till who eventually sidled over and risked a look at my code. I took this as evidence of his deep and unwavering love for me (but maybe he just got tired of hearing my muttering and cursing). Yes, he is a software engineer, but to get him near anything even remotely connected with website design would usually require at least a cattle prod. He fixed the problem in under 2 minutes, and I was so happy I didn't even hate him for it. He then booted his notebook to Windows so that I could check the site in IE. I fairly swooned! (Yes, I know, but you can't have him. He's MINE!)

In the end, I had a wonderful site that (as I found out later) was even color-coordinated to the Passionate Ink banner. *g*

Next: the blog

How to become a writer in two days

2006-05-14T22:50:00.000+02:00

Oh, okay. I lied. I didn't become a writer in two days. I've been writing on and off for the past 10 years or so. But it had always been just for fun, to amuse myself and a few friends. I never seriously considered becoming a professional writer.
Oh, okay. I lied again. I DID consider it. But never so seriously as to do something about it. It was more of a joke. "Sure, I'll become a ... (insert: famous, rich, bestselling...) writer." I mean, what do you expect? I have a master in comparative literature. It was the expected thing to do. Everyone who has studied comp lit wants to become a writer.

So it comes as something of a shock that now I am a professional writer. How did that happen?

About three weeks ago, I was inncocently going about my business, researching ebook publishers for an article in LoveLetter magazine when I stumbled about Freya's Bower and their Bites Prompt. You didn't have to have anything finished, just send no more than 500 words of your best writing in an erotic romance subcategory of your choosing.
Oh, why the hell not, I thought, and send a very short chick lit scene. A few hours later, I got a mail requesting some erotic writing.
So the next day, I sat down to write a sex scene in 500 words or less, and let me tell you that's not a whole lot of space to get hot and bothered in. But obviously they still liked what they saw, and, on the same day, I got a "Welcome to the Freya's Bower family" email.
Now, I only had to write two stories from a plot prompt that they send me. Which I did.

On June 5th, "Bellissima" will be published at Freya's Bower. "Bellissima" and the second story in this volume, "Taming Claire", follow the adventures of two very different American women who travel to Italy to sample the local men.

The past few days, I've repeatedly thought. "This can't be true. This isn't me." My husband, the fabulously smart Till, then proceeded to tell me about Impostor Syndrome. Great! Like I needed another psychological disorder. But as Wikipedia says that it isn't yet officially recognized (and we all know that Wikipedia NEVER lies), maybe I should just be happy to be able to put a name to it.

Next: the website