I wrote this entry earlier this month–as a guest on another blog.  I had a lot of fun with the subject, and people told me it made them snort their morning coffee.   

Enjoy.

Back in the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud asked his famous question, “What do women want?”

Over a hundred years later, it appears that guys are still trying to figure that out.

Witness this piece of–uh–spam that popped into my mailbox a couple of weeks ago.

“Did you know that a recent survey showed that 85% of women actually get aroused by a man who produces ‘above average’ semen amounts? With our pills, she’ll be speechless… and definitely coming back for more…”

Yeah, she’ll be speechless, all right.

I keep trying to wrap my head around this scenario. How does it work? A guy who wants to turn on his new girlfriend invites her into a bedroom and masturbates so she can see how much wallpaper paste he can produce?

Or does he just do it to her, then lie back and revel in her delight as he floods her out of bed?

Okay, I realize I’m getting a little gross here. And I also realize this ad is playing to a male fantasy. It’s easy to satisfy your sweetie. Forget about dinner, dancing, and foreplay. Flowers, candy, and champagne?

Nah. You’ve got everything you need right in your magic wand.

“I come buckets; therefore I am a Greek god.”

Any man who bothered to sit down and read a romance novel would find out very quickly that semen is pretty far down the list of what turns a woman on. Really, how many love scenes have you read where the guy erupts like Mt. Vesuvius? Or love scenes that get around to cleaning up after sex? Or even disposing of used condoms? Not many.

Those aren’t our fantasies. We’re looking for a man who focuses his attention on his woman. Who charms her with his witty dialogue, then slowly and skillfully uses his hands and mouth to bring her to a tingling level of arousal before he . . . .

Well, you get the idea.

I enjoy writing love scenes where a man and a woman give each other pleasure. And when I’m in the middle of one, I’m as focused on the emotions of my hero and heroine as I am on the physical descriptions. The emotions of these two people and the building arousal reinforce each other to give the scene a depth that most male writers can’t achieve.

There are a few who can do it, though. One guy who “gets it” is Ken Follett. In fact, he was actually one of my role models. When I read THE KEY TO REBECCA, my reaction was, “THAT’S what I want to write–two people falling in love against a background of suspense and danger.”

The hero and heroine may start off lusting after each other. They may jump into bed for the fun of it. But they end up committed to each other–body, mind, and soul.

I know my plot is going to drag my hero and heroine to hell and back. But I also know I’m going to reward them with a long, happy life together. And a fantastic sexual relationship is always part of the package.

To bring us around to the paranormal, that’s one of the reasons I got into werewolves. I love writing about the men in the Marshall family–my strong, sexy alpha male shape-shifters.

They enjoy sex on a very basic, very animal level. But when each of them finds his lifemate, the sex between them is mind-blowing–and a strong part of the bond they forge.

Sex is always integral to my stories. But sex in the context of a relationship where each partner takes pleasure in pleasing the other.

That’s what I’d like guys to take away from my books.

So how do we get them to read our novels? And without blushing? I find they’re often embarrassed by the love scenes. Which is a shame. Because if they read our favorite books, it would give them some basic information about what we like in bed.

Would they “get it” if they broke down and read a romance novel? Or is your average guy too “testosterized” to buy into our fantasies?

It’s springtime!! Time for a silly, frivolous, non-writing, non-book related post!

Time to walk barefoot through the grass! Time to buy some cool new sandals! Are your toes ready? Here’s mine.

Ooooh, EEEEK! I know, they are long, freaky looking toes, and yes, I could pinch you with them. The nail color I’m wearing is OPI’s I’m Not Really A Waitress, which I’ve worn for years. I try other colors. I always end up slapping this color back on, sometimes over three layers of other colors. I used to wear a Victoria’s Secret color called Moody Blues and it was so pretty — very blue. I haven’t found a blue I like as well again.

What about you? What color are you wearing on your toes? French pedi, red? Black with little white skulls and crossbones? Or are you au natural (who the heck cares about toes)? I’ve only had two professional pedicures in my life, but I have friends who go faithfully, once every two weeks. What about you? Are you a pedi addict?

Lots of people are starting to plan their summer vacation right about now. Me, I’m thinking about my June release, Come and Get Me. It’s such a fun story, it’s got to do great, but still, I’m a little nervous since it’s my first single title release.

Sadie and Dylan, my hero and heroine of the book, take one heck of a unplanned vacation around the world—from Hawaii, to Tuscany, onto Egypt, then Mexico, and finally, Las Vegas.  Sadie is running from her fear of marriage…and hoping Dylan will catch her!

I was being vacation deprived when I thought of my idea for this book. After having my daughter, going away just wasn’t feasible. This year, we’re hoping to take a little trip to the beach, but still nothing too complex until she’s a little bigger. Two year olds just aren’t fun to travel with! Anyway, I was driving down the road, thinking of all the places I’d love to see, and decided if I couldn’t go physically, I could still venture round-world mentally!  I love to let my writing take me places!

If I could go anywhere, anywhere at all, without cost being an issue (I can dream!), I’d love to rent Guana island. My husband and I didn’t get to go on a honeymoon, so I think we deserve a whole island just to ourselves!  This tropical island is in the British islands—over 850 acres of undisturbed beauty. A pristine beach (all to yourself!).  Castaway picnics. Tropical sunsets. Snorkeling. Sailing. And no one to catch you being naughty during any of it!!!! Can’t you just imagine yourself there?

I’m a freebie hound: there, I’ve admitted it.
 

If there are taster booths in the grocery story, I try out whatever they’re giving away.  (Who needs lunch before going to Costco?)  I fill out surveys for free samples, sign up for free magazines, and can’t resist a buy-one-get-one-free promotion (as long as it is something I’ll use.)  I send away for coupons (which I often forget to take with me and use), and enter draws at fairs, tho’ I never win.  Just type in ‘free stuff’ on any search engine and you will be inundated with links to free sites, offering freebies ranging from candles and cookies to magazines and diapers.  I will say, I rarely go to anything like that though, because there are a whole lot of scams out there, and some sites offer free stuff just to lure the unwary into signing up, giving out private info, or even divulging passwords, PIN numbers, etc.  One must be wary in this world; a little paranoia is a good thing!

The dark side of freebie-fancying, of course, is that I am on EVERYONE’S mailing list, and get far too much junk mail.

So lately the ecologically conscious side of me is nagging; am I being unkind to the environment by sending away for all this free stuff, thus firing a cannon into the snowy mountain of unwanted flyers and causing an avalanche into my mailbox?  I just don’t know.  I always recycle them, sending them off in the blue box to become yet more flyers to stuff in my mailbox, but is that enough?

It’s just that though most of this stuff (Kraft Foods’ ‘What’s Cooking’ magazine, P&G’s ‘Rouge’ magazine) is available online, I hate sitting at my computer to read the articles.  There is nothing like a print magazine to curl up with on the couch.

So, which is it?  Do you send away for stuff, or do you find junk mail shocking in its abundance?   The jury is still out, but I suspect that the side of me that likes free stuff will hold sway for a time.

When I’m not writing, I’m plotting in my head, or finding plot ideas in the life around me.  Even the movies and television programs I watch are connected in theme to my work in progress.  There’s a beat, a rhythm, if you will, to every type of story, especially when comedy is involved, that I believe can be learned even when you’re not trying.  Plus there’s the question of what’s funny and what’s not.  And since I’ve written both contemporary and historical romance, I don’t dare watch a historical while I’m writing contemporary, or my historical voice will come out.  Likewise when I’m writing a Regency or Victorian historical, I watch movies like Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, again, to catch the rhythm and nuances of the language and romance of the time.  And when I’m writing an Amish Historical, I watch Witness and a dozen other Amish movies I own.

When I’m writing a contemporary romantic comedy, I watch romance and comedy on television and in movies.  Romantic comedies like French Kiss (my personal favorite) and While You Were Sleeping, I’ve watched dozens of times.  When I’m working with my witches, I adore Practical Magic, the X Files, Charmed, and now the Dresden Files. Yum. Not only do these movies and programs teach me the craft of storytelling, they teach me the beat, the ‘wow’ and ‘abracadabra’ of paranormal storytelling.  And there’s always Harry Potter. 

The movie Possession, though it contains both a contemporary and historical plot, was a clear inspiration for THE SCOT, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE.  I was fascinated by a love story in the past that influenced a love story in the present, and though my story is a romantic comedy, and Possession is clearly a drama, Possession presented me with the gift of plot.  My muse really liked that movie and we were compelled to take our idea and run with it. 

My favorites television comedies are Two and a Half Men, which I think is one of the funniest shows on television, and have you seen Psych?  A bit slapstick, but addictive, and there’s the psychic element involved that reminds me of my triplet witches.  How about Monk?  What a hoot.  Some not so oldies like Friends and The Gilmore Girls are must-see parts of my television faves, for their great writing, witty repartee, and laughs alone.

So I have a couple of questions for you, keeping in mind that I live sheltered here in my writing cave. 

1. Readers and Writers alike, what programs and movies are directly related to your reading and writing habits? 

2. I’ve been interested in mysteries lately.  Can you give me any suggestions for new ones I might like.  What’s on television for a mystery fan these days?  How about in the movies?

Thanks as always and Happy Spring!

Annette

www.annetteblair.com

ps:  My Favorite Witch is a finalist for Colorado Romance Writers’ Award of Excellence! 

Ok, so coming out from Between the Covers to talk about what’s ON the covers for a moment. My second book, Destiny’s Warrior, went to cover conference this week. This means I dutifully pulled the images that inspired me throughout the writing process of that book and pasted them into a document to be discussed. I made notes as to my preferrences, descriptions of setting and characters. But I have to wonder if any of that matters - likely not.

For the writers out there, I’m curious. Do you have a cover in your head when you’re writing a book? If yes, has the real cover ever come close?

For the readers, I’d like to know what catches your eye? Do you prefer a hero or a heroine? Neither? The setting? An object? Dark colors or bright colors? Will you ever pick up a book and buy it based on the cover alone? (I admit to doing this on one or two occasions.)

I’m really interested in this topic and can’t wait to read your thoughts!

Heather

So today I found myself wondering…what turns your head when it comes to hero hair? I mean, some of my favorite heroic guys don’t even have much in the way of hair. There’s Vin Diesel, for instance, pictured to the left as the character Riddick from the movies Pitch Black…(Ranking: Silver).

Today, I spent a little time catching up on some correspondence (the non electronic kind). So there I was, writing with my cool sparkly pen on Hello Kitty paper, and pondering whether to use my hamster sticky-tape or the gingham one, when it struck me (not for the first time) that I have a serious stationery addiction.

I love browsing the stationery sections in the stores, checking out the pens for just the right nib size and color, playing with the funky new inventions (remember when those refillable pen-erasers came out? Good times!) and generally buying things I probably don’t need but really, really want. I have colored staples, post-its in more colors and shapes than you can imagine and of course, a highly creative selection of pens. Yep, I can always do with more stationery.

Any other stationery addicts out there? Oooh, what awesome stuff do you have??? 

As you may—or may not—know, my Sisters of the Moon Series*** is picking up steam.  Urban fantasy starring three sisters–Camille, Delilah, and Menolly–each book is narrated from the viewpoint of a different sister.  WITCHLING was the first book, and CHANGELING is due out in June.  (By the way: just to set the record straight, I’ve never seen an episode of Charmed *grins*…my concept for the three sisters comes from the mythological aspects of the Triple Goddess, the Norns, and the Fates).

Anyway, I’ve been running a contest on my personal blog and on my MySpace blog (they’re both open till March 31st, by the way, if you want to enter) for copies of the ARCS of CHANGELING.  As part of the contest, I’m asking people to list their favorite characters—and tell me why.  So far, beyond the sisters, Smoky the dragon and Morio the fox demon are miles ahead.  No question about it, women love those men!

So I’ve been thinking about how so many women are taking to Smoky and Morio.  And I’ve been asking myself, why do I love my heroes so much, and why do my sisters love them?  I mean, we aren’t talking HEA romances here—we’re talking bizarre urban fantasy with a dark, humorous undertone.  Lots of action, some explicit sex, relationships galore, subplots everywhere, and mythology from all over the world all mixed into one big cauldron.  So the heroes are all a bit off—not your run-of-the-mill good guys, that’s for sure.  Camille, Menolly, and Delilah are hard put to keep up with this crew.

When I examine my male characters, I see they all possess aspects of the qualities I tend to find attractive in men—and a few not. 

Smoky, a gorgeous white dragon, morphs into a tall, sexy, reserved man.  He’s the man in white, with silver hair down to his calves.  Arrogant, he’s embodies a sense of timeless regality.  Smoky’s got his own agenda for everything he does.  He’s not magnanimous.  He’s wickedly playful, he enjoys sitting back and pushing buttons to control the show.  And yet, right below the surface is a menacing sense that yes, he *is* a dragon and therefore, if you aren’t careful, he might just fry you to a crisp and eat you up.  Dragons and other beasties do not play by human rules in my worlds.

Trillian, a Svartan—a race of rather menacing beings long ago related to the elves—is hedonistic.  Sensual to the core, he’s the magic man who can charm you with a kiss, the pied piper of the bedroom.  He, like Smoky, is a mercenary, and yet he’s there to help when Camille and her sisters any time they need him, even if he complains in the process.  Camille and Trillian have an odd relationship—sexually open, and yet, they are completely bound to one another through sex magic.  Trillian can be your best ally, or worst enemy.

Morio, a fox demon based on Japanese lore, is the unreadable rogue.  He always has a secret smile back there, like he knows something you don’t.  He’s loyal to the core, and yet, unpredictable.  Brilliant, his passion comes through like a quiet flame that can roar to life when he’s in his full demon form.

And then there’s Chase—the human of the group.  Chase is a ladies’ man, or so he likes to think, but let him meet the right woman and he falls hard.  He’s the protector, the sardonic lawman, the cautionary thinker of the group.  He knows he’s in over his head with the sisters and their cohorts, so he gives way when it’s necessary, but he’s always willing to be first into battle and he’ll die for his friends if need be.

And with CHANGELING (and DARKLING), you’ll meet new men—Zachary Lyonnesse, Venus the Moonchild, and others.

So what do my male characters say about me and the way I look at men?  I suppose I find power attractive in a man—that reserved brilliance that challenges you to go ahead, try to best him.  I like men who find intelligence appealing, men who like a woman who thinks for herself.  I can’t stand arrogance without substance behind it and I don’t like ‘who’s your daddy’ games.
 
When I look at my own husband, I see that he’s got a number of these qualities (all the better for me!) that I give to my heroes.  The sensuality of Trillian, the desire to protect that Chase embodies.  Samwise is smart and quiet, like Morio.  And like Smoky, he’s playful. And, he’s got long hair—another plus in my book.  ~grins~

So tell me, what are your favorite qualities in heroes?  What do you like in men that you read about or watch on TV, or invite into your boudoir?

Until next time,
Yasmine

***Note: Berkley may have dubbed my Sisters of the Moon Series as the Otherworld Series.  I’ve suggested not doing that, primarily because I don’t want people mixing up my Otherworld with Kelly Armstrong’s Otherworld Series, because they’re two vastly different places, though I love her world, but I’m not sure what their final decision is.