Thursday 13 - "Twinterview" With Melanie Fine

I heart Twitter! I have met so many great people that I now consider friends! Everyone is willing to help each other out, post links, etc.

This week, I started a new activity on my Twitter account, an interview with one of these cool Twitterers, and called it a "Twinterview." Melanie Fine, fellow travel nut and good Twitterer, graciously said she would be my first Twinterview subject. We had a couple of people participate, and it was a success!

Here's what I discovered on our Twinterview about Melanie:







1. Melanie's favorite destinations are exotic ones. She'll be going to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand in July (lucky dog)

2. Her trip after that will be a cruise to Egypt and Turkey on NCL. She likes the freestyle cruise.

3. She's been to Fiji - 14 years ago - and the Twitter tweeps want to go back. Except we don't want to do the activity with 6 foot bats!

4. But Melanie likes to watch her back-yard bats catch bugs in the evening (we had a small sidetracked conversation!)

5. She has also cruised to Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii

6. She was a travel agent for 20 years.

7. She thinks that anyone can afford travel, it's a matter of priorities. (Cut out that daily Starbucks and go on a trip!)

8. Melanie says that Planning the next trip is the best way to get over the sadness of coming home from a trip, and I agree!

9. To book a trip, first she does lots of research and books the best trip for the best price.

10. Her suggestions for surviving long flights are a) hydrate and b) take things to entertain you. She's taking 5 movies on her 15-hour flight to Asia in July

11. She's too excited about her destination to sleep on the plane, so she sleeps when she gets there. She's getting better at napping on the plane

12. This trip will be a romantic getaway with her wonderful hubby!


13. You can find her on her various travel sites, her website and travel journal. She's also on Twitter at @MelanieFineEVI and you'll find her if you search on Facebook as well.

If you want to read the full chat, you can log into the chat room at Tweetizen (You'll want to enter the room called #twinterview)


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Thursday 13 - Meet Denise Robbins

Before I get into this week's guest, I just wanted to tell the Thursday 13 people that THE LIST won a 2009 Indie Book Award in the Romance category. Yay!

And with that out of the way, I want to introduce you to another author, my Twitter friend Denise Robins (@dkrobbins). You can find her at www.deniserobbins.com and
http://deniserobbins.blogspot.com (You can head to her blog this weekend, as I am her Book of the Week Challenge author!)

She wrote a book called IT HAPPENS IN THREES, which I just finished reading. Man, can this chick write a love scene or what!

Here's a tease for the book:

Everyone knows bad things happen in threes, especially Ruby Goodman.

1-Fired from her job
2-Her ex-fiancé turned stalker
3? . . . Ruby is not sticking around to find out

Fleeing Florida to escape her fate, she runs headlong into. . .Michael Augustson, secret agent, and. . . straight into danger.

Once burned, twice learned, does Ruby dare trust again?

And now, here's my interview with her.




1. What motivated you to write this book? Your first book.

A software engineering manager by day, I developed a passion for romantic-suspense novels when I was out of work five years ago. I began writing IT HAPPENS IN THREES as a way to combine my love of writing with a lifelong interest in true crime and mysteries. In this debut novel, I used my own knowledge of computers and software to take readers on a roller coaster ride of suspense and intrigue

2. Are the experiences in the novel based on someone you know, or events in your life?

A little bit of both. The story starts in New Hampshire where I live now and then moves to Florida and Hawaii, both places I have lived or visited. The underwater descriptions are places I have been on various scuba adventures. Of course, the computer technology aspect of the story is from my software engineering background. To top that off, I have a longtime friend who is a spook.

3. Do you have a specific writing style?

My writing style would be considered “by the seat of my pants.” I have never been a person who can outline or plot. I do try and have gotten better so that now once I start a story, I plot several events or chapters ahead at a time.

4. If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

That is actually a tough question. A voracious reader, I enjoy several authors that as soon as a new book comes out I have to get it, and I try to get everything they have ever written. The author that influenced me to actually start writing would be Linda Howard after reading her book ALL THE QUEEN’S MEN.

5. What are your current projects?

My second book KILLER BUNNY HILL is scheduled to be released in July of this year by L&L Dreamspell.

I am currently working on book number four with a working title of NEVER TEMPT DANGER. This book delves into two characters who both work for a governmental spy agency, but the heroine finds herself in a pickle when her knowledge and skill gets her would-be fiancé killed and then the killers go after her. The technology focus in this story revolves around the tiny transformer robots the government wants to use in the military.

6. What makes your stories unique?

I believe the “Denise” aspect, the part that makes the stories uniquely mine, are the fact that each of my stories involves computer technology. In IT HAPPENS IN THREES, one of the characters uses software to launder money from large corporations under the guise of helping them with their network security. The heroine writes a piece of software called a trojan to get in and follow the thief’s software and then make it appear that the funds are transferred – when in fact they are not.

In KILLER BUNNY HILL, the technology revolves around nanotechnology and the creation of manmade real diamonds for use as computer chips and laser weapons.

7. How do you come up with your story ideas and your characters?

That is both the easy and the hard part. With my current work-in-progress, the beginning of the story popped into my head as I was crawling into bed one night. With IT HAPPENS IN THREES, I sat at my computer and the beginning just flowed out. I had no clue where it would take me.

If the story idea does not hit me in the head and say, “hey, write me,” I approach it a little more methodically. I sit down at a local restaurant with a notebook and pen, and I listen and observe. After a while, I start to write the name of my hero and/or heroine and what I know of them such as what they may look like, where they are from, maybe their fears, and then it hits me as to what jobs the characters have.

I tend to come up with the characters before I come up with the storyline. Once I know my characters, I can come up with a story.

8. When do you find you are the most creative or write the most?

I am my most creative and most productive first thing in the morning and usually when I am not at home. For whatever reason, when I’m at home I tend to get interrupted or sidetracked easily with everyday chores. If I go out for breakfast, I can tune out the world and write like a mad woman.

9. Who came up with the book cover for IT HAPPENS IN THREES? Why?

The main idea was mine and then my publisher tweaked it. Because the majority of the story takes place in Florida and Hawaii, there is a lot of ocean time and the heroine wears a bikini. The heroine’s scuba fins are hot pink same as on the cover. The original idea had three shark fins, but the publisher thought one large one was more menacing and I agree.

The most important piece on the book cover and any of my book covers is that you don’t see the character’s face. It should be up to the reader’s imagination to draw that picture in his or her own mind. Even on my website, you don’t know what the hero or heroine look like.

10. Were you the model for the book cover?

HA! I get asked this all the time. . .and I shall never tell

11. How to you get inspired to write your romantic scenes?

I have to say, this question made me laugh. Who needs inspiration to write a love scene? For me, the love scene just seems to flow into the story at the right time and does not require any "prep" work. Although, after I’ve written the love scene, a good "review" is always fun. :)

12. Who is your favorite character in the book?

My favorite character is Jake. For some reason, Jake, this tall, broad shouldered "Neanderthal" of a Southern speaking guy just drives me crazy. At one point, I almost made him the hero. He is so lovable and pushy that Jake actually makes appearances in all my novels and gets to be the hero in CONNECT THE DOTS, my third novel. My editor and I actually fight over him. Of course, I created him, so he’s mine.

13. What is your guilty pleasure?

Hm. There are probably too many to name. One guilty pleasure is my caffeine addiction to Mountain Dew. What can I say? If there is a can of Mountain Dew in the house, I drink that before anything else, including for breakfast. My other extreme guilty pleasure is books. OMG! I could be dirt poor, but if I see a book I want to read, especially an old one that is no longer in print, you bet I will scrape through my change jar and car floorboards to get the money to buy that book. And yes, I have done that.


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Looking Forward

I'm in a post-vacation, it's-always-raining-around-here, lull. I need some things to look forward to, so I came up with a list of 13. And you should be looking forward to next week's Thursday 13, where I interview a fellow author, Denise Robins, of IT HAPPENS IN THREES. Man, does she know how to write a steamy scene!



1. I'm looking forward to being the featured speaker and author at the UVA bookclub here in Richmond next Monday. I hope I represent!

2. I'm looking forward to a long weekend and an extra day off of work for Memorial Day.

3. I'm looking forward to going to Virginia Beach on said Memorial Day weekend for some R&R and to see for sure if we'd like to move there.

4. I'm looking forward to the BF completing his training (he was laid off, and I'm so proud of him for pushing forward and getting this new training!) so we can move to Virginia Beach if we like it.

5. I'm looking forward to the paint supplies being taken out of the kitchen. We just tore down wallpaper (evil, evil stuff) and painted. A few touch-ups, and I get my kitchen back.

6. I'm looking forward to a housing rebound, right around the time we put our house up for sale, so we can move. :)

7. I'm looking forward to a visit from my mom soon. I hope she can talk my dad into giving up a golf day so he'll come with her.

8. I'm looking forward to the gnomes that will come and remove the wallpaper from the other two rooms. (They exist, right?)

9. I'm looking forward to Janet Evanovich's Finger Lickin' 15, coming out in June.

10. I'm looking forward to the new Harry Potter movie in July.

11. I'm looking forward to summer. I love summer.

12. I'm looking forward to our next trip. We're thinking of a cruise (since we sell them) - maybe to the Mexican Riviera? I'm hoping the H1N1 virus will be a non-issue by then.

13. I'm looking forward to selling more books. I always get a happy, warm fuzzy when I see someone has bought one!


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Thursday 13 - Linky Linky!

Here are some links to important (to me) things from the past week.



1. THE LIST was featured in my sorority magazine (Alpha Xi Delta). You can view the PDF here, and scroll to page 29.

2. I co-hosted a LitChat in April. If you're on Twitter, it's a literary discussion every M, W, & F at 4 p.m. EST under hashtag #LitChat. You can view the transcript of my chat here.

3. Here's a link to Amazon if you'd like to buy a copy of THE LIST.

4. I don't know if I told you, but we have a new travel agent/cruise business. We can give you lots of info, and help you book an awesome deal! View our Website for Cruise Deals/info.

5. I posted my trip photos on Facebook. You don't need an account to view them. The first set is of the Keukenhof gardens and the TULIPS!

6. The second set is the Red Light District. (Don't worry, this is the PG version.)

7. The third set is of our Mike's Bike Tour of the Amsterdam countryside.

8. The next set of photos is the sites on our canal boat tour.

9. These are the general Amsterdam photos, Volume 1

10. These are the general Amsterdam photos, Volume 2 (I took a whopping 1000 pics on this trip!)

11. These are the Brussels photos - just the chocolate parts.

12. These are the Brussels photos - the things to see in Brussels parts.

13. Did you see my iReport on the Netherlands on CNN? They mentioned my name! And Jim's! http://bit.ly/ugpnk My part is at about 2 min 30. If the player won't work, do a search of CNN's site for "CNN: May 2, Pt. 3"


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No Thursday 13 :(

Since I'm traveling to Boston today, and probably won't be able to get some quality online time, there's no 13 today. Plus, I want to be able to actively participate, and visit all of you as well.

But next week will be a GREAT 13. With links to my trip photos, other interesting links, etc. So COME BACK THEN!

Thursday 13 - Why My List Isn't Better This Week

1. I just flew in last night from my trip to Amsterdam and Brussels. Boy, are my arms tired (along with everything else.)

2. I'm still on Amsterdam time. Right now, it's six hours ahead there. So my body is still adjusting, and I'm beat.

3. We walked and walked and walked. That's what I love about Europe. But it takes its toll on normally sedentary bodies. ;) So I'm tired from that.

4. I can't wait to share my photos from the trip, but there are a LOT of them, so I'm spending time getting those together.

5. After only one week, our DVR is 100% full. I've got to make room for new stuff, and get caught up on Lost and Heroes before someone spoils it for me.

6. Do you know how much dirty laundry can come out of a small suitcase?

7. There is no food in the kitchen for eating. None. Except the milk I bought on the way home last night. Grocery store, here we come.

8. We also shot a lot of video. Need to upload that (takes forever).

9. Then we need to edit the video. Also takes a while. But all for your enjoyment!

10. Need to prepare to go to Boston next week, pitching my book to some agents at Connecticut Fiction Fest!

11. I have a ton of books that I need to get to reading!

12. Came back from vacation to job cuts at work. Spared this time, but still nervous. Grateful and feel guilty for being okay, too. So I need to put in special extra effort.

13. Still need to do some promoting work for \THE LIST to get more people to check it out!

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Thursday 13, By Guest Blogger Kimber Chin - Another List. :)

Candace, in Carmen's novel The List, has a list of 50 qualities she wants in a man. I'm happily married to the man of my dreams but my heroine, Maeve, in Invisible is looking. Well, actually she's NOT looking and that's part of the problem. But if she DID look, these would be her requirements (for fun, lets see how our hero Hagen stacks up)…



Thursday 13 – Maeve's List Of Requirements For The Perfect Guy

1) The perfect man knows the less said the better.
Hagen: Silence is to be filled with words, many, many, many words.


2) The perfect man accepts that there is no reason to discuss the past. It is over and done with.
Hagen: As an antique dealer, I know that the history of any object adds to its value. I apply the same concept to people. The more I know their past, the tighter our bond.

3) I don't like to be touched. The perfect man would respect that.
Hagen: Why would women be so soft and rounded if they weren't meant to be cuddled with?

4) Loyalty to people is everything. The perfect man would kill for me.
Hagen: I completely agree. I would do anything for my loved ones. That's why I'm spending three weeks with the most irritating woman on the planet.

5) The perfect man wouldn't want anything from me. Nothing at all.
Hagen: I share everything with my loved ones. What is mine is their's. What is their's is mine.


6) The perfect man would understand if I disappear for weeks at a time. He wouldn't ask questions.
Hagen: No freakin' way. I update everyone on where I am (and why). I expect the same.

7) My perfect man would love me.
Hagen: I made a mistake not marrying Isabelle. I plan to fix that. She's the perfect woman for me. Not some closed mouth green-eyed witch.

8) My perfect man would like to travel. Discretely. Without fuss.
Hagen: I like to travel. In my private jet. Big freakin' seats.


9) My perfect man wouldn't mind that I hang with sugar daddy mafia bosses and knife wielding vigilantes.
Hagen: My loved ones should be untouched by the unsavory sorts in the world. D--- it, I don't even cuss around them.


10) Sex is not a requirement for my perfect man.
Hagen: (Raises eyebrow) Do I even have to address this one? I'm a big guy with big appetites.


11) My perfect man wouldn't draw attention to himself.
Hagen: I'm built like a truck. I'm ugly as sin. I have more money than royalty. People staring is a given.

12) My perfect man would eat my cooking.
Hagen: See Number 10. I eat anything that's at all edible. (snorts) Not that the crazy woman cooks or anything.

13) My perfect man wouldn't leave me.
Hagen: The second we find the d--- deed, I'm never seeing this nutcase of a madwoman again

Named Love Romances And More's Rising Star for Spring 2009, Kimber Chin writes contemporary romances set in the sexy world of business. Her latest release, Invisible, is a contemporary treasure hunt romance through the world of hidden identities. A world where loyalty and love can be found in the most unexpected places. You can track her down on http://businessromance.com/ where she gives away her favorite eBooks, shares short stories, and posts photos of good looking men in business suits.

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Thursday 13, My To-Do List

I leave for Amsterdam and Belgium in 5 days! Woot! I'm excited for the trip, but I have lots of things to do before I go. You know this site is all about my book, THE LIST, but I now have a list of what I need to do before next Tuesday.



1.I have to schedule the posts for my GUEST BLOGGER! That's right, come back next Wednesday, and then Thursday for the Thursday 13 to meet Kimber Chin. She's also a romance novelist, and publishes her works in the form of ebooks. She's a hoot, and I think you'll enjoy her posts. You can learn more about her before-hand by visiting her Website.

2. I need to make sure my favorite PJs are washed and ready to go.

3. I also have to make sure that the rest of the clothes I want to take are laundered. I hate laundry, btw.

4. I need to exercise a bit more. Walking in Europe is exhausting. And I'm sure all the biking will take a toll on my bottom. I'm hoping that my recent walking and biking endeavors here at home will lessen the pain.

5. I need to make sure all our tickets and passports are ready to go.

6. I need to start my "packing pile." Days before actual packing begins, I start piling up items that I'm likely to forget.

7. I need to print out my nice Excel packing list - yes, I have a list for that, too. It includes little boxes for me to check off when I've packed a certain item.

8. I need to confirm with the pet sitter that Pooh Bear will indeed get fed, and the occasional head scratch.

9. Need to print out our Dutch travel words, so I can at least try. I know "thank you" and "hello" and "please" so far. And interestingly enough, "toilet" in Dutch is almost exactly like it is in French. Good think they speak English over there. However, I do like to try and not be the conceited American and make an attempt.

10. I need to decide which book I'm going to take for the plane. I have so many to read, but several are signed by the authors, so I don't want to risk losing them.

11. I have to finish my current book, TURN COAT, by Jim Butcher before I go. No problem, because it's so good. I'll likely be done quickly.

12. I need to keep checking the weather, and crossing my fingers for sunshine and very little rain.

13. I need to post about my new book selling plan. For every purchase of THE LIST between now and the time I return, I am donating part of the proceeds to my hometown food pantry. So, if you've been thinking of getting a copy of THE LIST, now's a good time!

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Thursday 13 - Interview with Rekaya Gibson

I feel that my readers may be getting a little tired of hearing about "me me me" all the time (I don't understand this. Ha!) So, this week, I'm introducing you to another author besides myself. Meet Rekaya Gibson, author of THE FOOD TEMPTRESS. I've asked her 13 questions, and she's answered them below. You can find her book on Barnes & Noble's Website. Buy it here.

Of course, if you never tire of hearing about my book, THE LIST, or me, Rekaya is interviewing me over on her site. There, you can see my interview and learn more about Rekaya.



1.Quick! You've met a movie producer, he says "walk with me for 15 seconds" tell him what THE FOOD TEMPTRESS is about. My main character, Ambrosia, uses food to not only seduce men, but to convert them into the perfect guy. Paralleling southern cuisine, each short story captures the hearts and minds of different men ranging from the local police chief to a Bourbon Street musician. The Food Temptress serves up a delectable treat connected by Ambrosia’s continuing quest for both romantic and culinary perfection.

2. Each chapter has a different food theme. Which was your favorite to write? I loved writing the last chapter, Hurricane Katrina. I wrote it halfway through the book. Certain details were fresh in my mind and I wanted to capture them.

3. Which would be your favorite to eat? Jambalaya

4. New Orleans is a supporting character throughout your book. Tell me about your time there, and how it influenced your writing. I lived in New Orleans approximately 13 years until Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29, 2005. I connected with the city and its people. Some considered me a native, but I was born and raised in Indiana. New Orleans was the perfect backdrop for The Food Temptress because of its culture, food, and history. Of course, I feel in love with the food, and how it was the focal point of most activities. I began a serious writing career the same year as Katrina and I never looked back. I wanted to make sure that I captured all her grace and charm prior to the storm.

5. How would you clarify THE FOOD TEMPTRESS? Is it a pure romance? Food romance? Romantic comedy? Chick Lit? I have always considered The Food Temptress a Chick Lit.

6. I hear tell that there are recipes that induce proposals, I think one is called "marriage chicken." What would be your own, personal recipe to "reel him in."? I know this answer is going to freak some folks out, but I use spaghetti. I make my own meat sauce. My secret is to include a little hot sausage with the ground meat.

7. My favorite of the dishes would be the peach cobbler. Tell us about the chapter where the peach cobbler ends up in the wrong hands. :) While in Atlanta, Ambrosia is invited to a birthday party by her best friend, so she decides to make peach cobbler for the “birthday girl”. When she arrives at the party, she places the dish in the kitchen. Well, when the stripper, Black Thunder, finishes his routine, he heads to the kitchen for a snack. Guess what dish he selects?

8. How did you come up with the idea for THE FOOD TEMPTRESS? I developed the concept from the adage, “a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” I took my interpretation and expanded upon it, using my creativity. As result, I birth The Food Temptress.


9. What is your writing process? How do you work? I write best at night. Lately, I notice the creative juices kick-in after midnight, not a good thing when you have to work a full-time job. I do write during the day, but I am not as productive. If I have time, I write on my lunch hour. The adrenaline rush is nice since I have a limited amount of time, perhaps that is my answer to procrastination.

10. I understand there's a sequel in the works. Give us the cover blurb. Yes, I am working on the sequel, “The Food Temptress: Ambrosia’s Delight.” I rather not give the cover blurb for three reasons. One, some folks are still reading the first book or have not read it. Two, I have not completed the sequel yet. Three, though I have written the ending, it may change. However, I will tell you this; Ambrosia continues her quest to find real love and a life-long partner.

11. Tell me about your publishing process. How did you get representation? I spent ten months writing “The Food Temptress.” I searched for an agent for twelve months, to no avail. I conducted research on several publishing companies. Xpress Yourself Publishing Company (XYP) was the right fit, so it was the only one that I submitted my manuscript to for review. Six months later, I received a contract.

12. Tell me something about Rekaya that you put into your main character, Ambrosia. I think Ambrosia and I have a great love for cooking.

13. How do you come up with the names for your characters? Well, Ambrosia is the Greek Goddess of drink and food, so it made sense to use that name. I come up with names as I make my keystrokes. I do not spend a great deal of time thinking about it.

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Interview Me

If you participate in the Thursday 13 meme, you may have seen this interview last Thursday, but I wanted to post it anyway because it's so cute. :)

Interview with Carmen

Thursday 13 - Virginia Festival of the Book

I will be attending the Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville, VA this Saturday at the Omni Hotel, which is on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. I'll be exhibiting, selling and signing THE LIST. It's a big day for me, because visiting Charlottesville is like going home, because for 4-years at the University of Virginia, it was home. (And don't anyone start on me about not being in the March tourney.) So this week's list is things I'm looking forward to on Saturday.




13 Things I Look Forward to On Saturday:

1. The Booksigning Okay, that's obvious. I hope to network with lots of people, and sell some books!
2. Lunch at Bodo's Bagels: Some of my online friends have already heard me wax poetic about these bagels. They truly are all that. My fave? Onion bagel with cream cheese. Yum.
3. Seeing the Rotunda: No trip to Charlottesville for a UVA alum is complete without paying respects to the Grounds (which is what we call the campus) and the Lawn with the fabulous Jefferson-designed Rotunda. Photo op!
4. Feeling Like I'm Home: Aside from my parents' house, this is where I always feel like I belong.
5. Having a "Tweet Up": I've connected with quite a few authors and those in the publishing world through Twitter. (follow me @carmenshirkey) Several will also be in attendance, and I'll get to put a face with each Twitterer!
6. Spring in Charlottesville: Blooming dogwoods, and lots of sneezing allergies. :)
7. Twittering My Day: Speaking of Twitter, I plan to post updates on the festival throughout the day. Barring Internet complications.
8. Possibly Seeing Brad Meltzer: He's one of the author guests at this year's festival. I don't have tickets to his luncheon, but I keep hoping that maybe he'll come check out his competition . . . I mean the other authors. ;)
9. The Downtown Mall: I had to do a school project at UVA when I was in architecture school (yes, me. I changed majors after 1st semester thanks to a sexist professor, my one regret) where we studied the architecture of the Downtown Mall. It's really beautiful, and houses a lot of unique shops and galleries.
10. Dinner on the Downtown Mall: The restaurants change all the time. So I don't know which one we'll visit, but it will depend on what we're hungry for then.
11. Driving with Jim I know it's corney, but I just like spending time with my S.O. A one-hour drive means dedicated time. Even if we don't talk.
12. Networking: I hope that I can make contact with the right people. It's all about who you know.
13. Success!: I just know that this is the right time for this book.

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Thursday 13 Friendship Poems

You may or may not know, this blog is the home of my new novel, The List (buy it on Amazon!).

This week's 13 has nothing to do with my book. Are you shocked? Well, it also doesn't have 13 items. I'm breaking all kinds of rules today. My friend Monica sent me this in an email, and I thought it was funny enough to share.




13 (or 9) New Takes on a Friendship Poem:
Are you tired of those sissy friendship poems that never come close to reality? Well, Let's try this my way, just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad: I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!
2. When you are blue: I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile: I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.
4. When you are scared: We will high tail it out of here.
5. When you are worried: I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!
6. When you are confused: I will use little words
7. When you are sick: Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.
8. When you fall: I'll pick you up and dust you off-- after I laugh my ass off!!
9. This is my oath: I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask; because you are my FRIEND
10. Hope
11. you
12. enjoyed
13. it!

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Thursday 13

You may or may not know, this blog is the home of my new novel, The List (buy it on Amazon!).

Being a writer isn't all cupcakes and cookies, you know. There are some hard lessons to be learned. Here are 13 of mine.




1. Rejection is a hard pill to swallow. Hey, I expect rejection, but it can start to get you down.
2. Books don't sell themselves. Oh man! Shoot. :)
3. You have to spend money to make money. I'm trying to be smart about spending, I'm not paying any agents (bad, bad), I'm not paying for any reviews (can they be honest reviews if they're bought?), etc. I'm paying travel fees to attend signings and conferences and such.
4. You don't make money as fast as you spend it. :)
5. I didn't do this to make money, but I would like to not see those red, negative numbers in my balance sheet.
6. Getting someone to write a review is akin to getting a cat to do anything. Both are extremely difficult.
7. Some people are incredibly lazy, or dense, or both.
8. Some people can be outright cruel with their "constructive" help. Just like Simon and Paula on AI, I think there's a balance somewhere between being rude and lying to me to make me feel better.
9. Four star reviews are great! However, they still make you twinge for a five star. :)
10. Everyone's question to me is "When will you write the next one?" Dude, when would I have time, while I'm trying to sell this one?
11. There has got to be a better process for getting an agent. The current "send a query letter to a perfect stranger, they don't read it, receive rejection" just isn't a great way to go. :)
12. Even when you get an agent, I'm told the work doesn't stop. :)
13. Agents whine a lot. Authors whine a lot. Everyone whines. :)

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Thursday 13 - Good Quotes from My Reviews

You may or may not know, this blog is the home of my new novel, The List (buy it on Amazon!).

I've gotten some wonderful reviews, some from people I haven't heard from in years and years, and others from professional review sites. Reviews are an author's way of feelin' good about their work, so I thought I'd share some of the things people have said about The List.




1. "I can picture it being made into a movie and featured alongside How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Runaway Bride." - From Love, Romance, Passion site review
2. "The List is a downright funny read!" - Coffee Time Romance site review
3. "Move over Janet Evanovich!" - Amazon.com review
4. "However this triumphant book assists the reader into actually thinking of putting away their list and enjoying the pleasures of dating...if only for a little while." - Coffee Time Romance site review
5. "What a fun and satisfying read." - Amazon.com review
6. "I ended up so into the story that I exercised way past my usual time...now my legs are sore!" - Amazon.com review
7. "Carmen has written a fun book with a good plot and ample humor to brighten a wintry day." - Amazon.com review
8. "I love how it took a common idea that many women have (the list) and turned it into a sweet parody of that idea." - Love, Passion, Romance site review
9. "I laughed out loud, got angry, felt the disappointment, then the elation and excitement along with the main character as her love life evolved." - Amazon.com review
10. "The characters are smart and vibrant, without giving you the feeling that these-people-don't-exist.".
11. "This book was fantastic, witty and puts down on paper what we all think and live in the life of a 20/30s someone." - Amazon.com review
12. "Shirkey's style is sassy and full of spunk!" - Amazon.com review
13. "Very enjoyable. I recommend it for a cold winter day in front of the fireplace or a hot sunny day on the beach."

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Thursday 13 - Things I've learned about being an author

You may or may not know, this blog is the home of my new novel, The List (buy it on Amazon!).

I've learned a lot about being a self-published author, and here's a list of 13 things I've learned!




1. "Self-published" still has a stigma. It's like wearing a big red letter. But things seem to be getting a little bit better that way.
2. If you don't toot your own horn, few others will toot it for you.
3. You have to ask for what you want. If you ask, sometimes you will receive.
4. Social media is a mixed bag. You can let yourself get sucked into doing nothing else, but if you use it wisely, it's just another way to get the word out.
5. Marketing your book is almost a full-time job.
6. Correction, it IS a full-time job.
7. I'm a marketer by trade, and it's a lot easier, from a comfort standpoint, to market someone else rather than to market yourself.
8. When you market yourself, you had better have a thick skin, because everyone's a critic.
9. However, there are a few kind souls out there that are always willing to help. They're like writing angels.
10. For some reason, getting people to write reviews, even if they really like your book, is like pulling teeth.
11. Remember that old saying, "you have to spend money to make money?" Well, sadly, it's true.
12. Because of all these things, you really have to believe in what you're selling. I really believe in my book, in my story, and in my storytelling. So I have faith that eventually, I'll at least break even. :)
13. Though, you should always listen to advice. It's like those American Idol singers that are really horrible but think their great. Get advice outside of your family and friends. If you get constructive criticism, take heed.

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Thursday 13 - Why You Should Play in the Contest!

You may or may not know, this blog is the home of my new novel, The List (buy it on Amazon!).

Since The List is a romantic comedy, I can't let the most romantic of holidays go by without celebrating somehow. So I'm having another contest!

This Thursday 13 details the contest and why you should join. It's so easy to enter!



1. To enter, become a fan of The List on Facebook.
2. Really, that's it! Not on Facebook? It's so much fun, a great way to keep in touch, and it's all the rage. (peer pressure) It's easy to register.
3. If you already ARE a Facebook fan, thank you.
4. For my "already a fan" base, to be entered in the contest, just leave a comment on the Facebook fan page.
5. If you're already a fan, and have a copy of the book, you may also write a review as a way to enter.
6. Clarification, if you're already a fan, you're not automatically entered. You need to leave a comment or a review. But that's not hard!
7. The contest is open from February 12 through February 15.
8. I'll randomly draw a name from a hat from everyone who entered. I'll announce the winner on February 16, and send the winner an email on Facebook.
9. No purchase is necessary, but if you'd like to read the book, you can buy it here.
10. Men, just because it's a romance book, doesn't mean that you can't become a fan. Maybe your wife/girlfriend/mother/sister would like a copy, and I KNOW they'd like the prize.
11. Let me tell you about the prize. It's a necklace by a wonderful jewelry designer, Peggy Li. She sent this one specifically for my book, because of its romantic nature. :) It retails for $65! Peggy's jewelry is so great, that it's been featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, CSI, Without a Trace, and more.
12. Remember, all you have to do is become a fan on Facebook! It's so easy I almost hate myself for doing it. ;)
13. Here's a picture of the necklace:



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Thursday 13: What I've Learned

One of the most-asked questions I get about my new book, The List (buy it on Amazon!) is how I wrote the book, and what I've learned. Here's a list of 13 answers to those questions.



1. I always think of my creative ideas in the middle of the night, like a dream.
2. Once I have an idea, it doesn't let go until I do something about it - write it down, etc.
3. I needed something to push me to write, I couldn't get motivated on my own, so I participated in National Novel Writing Month, at NaNoWriMo.com
4. For one month, I wrote about 3000 words per night to finish the contest.
5. I learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to.
6. I've also learned not to give up.
7. Another lesson: you have to fight for what you believe in. You'll have a lot of people tell you "no" or think you're crazy.
8. If you have other people that believe in you, it makes things easier.
9. Rejection letters are to be saved for when you are proven right, and then rolled around in. (This day has yet to come, but it will!)
10. Self-marketing is the hardest kind of marketing I've ever done.
11. I've also learned that a good editor is probably worth the outrageous price you'll pay.
12. Writing takes discipline. And patience. Both something I lack, but I learned.
13. Write what you know.


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13 Wacky Items on Candace's List

More and more people are telling me that the theme of the book really resonates with their life. Well, duh! ;) Everywhere I go people are telling me "My wife had a list!" or "My list has that!"

Here is a list of 13 things that are on Candace's list the main character in my romantic novel, The List. (They're in no particular order) You can now buy The List on Amazon, made easy thanks to this sentence of shameless self promotion.



1. Likes to hold hands
2. Has good taste in furniture
3. Doesn't live with Mom
4. Not a vegetarian
5. No tattoos
6. No piercings
7. Hair in the right amounts and in the right places
8. Good kisser
9. Not tone-deaf
10. Likes to dance
11. Has a steady income (no moochers!)
12. Good dresser
13. Taller than me


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