Creating the Perfect Parfait

The word “parfait” means “perfect” in French, and truly, the parfait is one of those desserts that, in my opinion, isn’t given its due. On the surface, a parfait appears a rather simple concoction. There is no blending of ingredients, no baking, no need for dough to rise or for alcohol to burn off. There’s no risk of milk curdling or over-beating of eggs.

Yet many times, in my opinion, the parfait is done wrong. To me, the perfect parfait consists of alternating layers of smooth and creamy, fresh and fruity, hard and crunchy. Without a substantive layer of granola or cake, a parfait is nothing but a dish of pudding. You need something into which you can sink your teeth.

parfait / パフェ

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kankan/39427698/ (Photo by Kanko)
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by Jaye Marie Rome on May 22, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jaye Marie Rome on May 22, 2013

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Come on! Get Your Will Ferrell On

Deconstructing Sentences: The Will Ferrell Effect

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Imagine sitting in an auditorium and listening to a lecture on macroeconomics. The professor is going on and on about consumerism. How Americans buy more than they produce. On, and on, and on. The monotony of the professor’s voice sounds like a Maharishi’s mantra, lulling you toward a deep, blissful sleep. On, and on, and on. To the point where your numbed mind begins to wonder if investing money in this class–along with your 400 other fellow American, college student, consumer, investors . . . yep, the same ones nodding off next to you—was a bad idea.

Now, take this same scenario and pretend the professor is . . . Tom Hardy. (Sorry, I’m still in my dream state at the macroeconomics class.) Okay, I’m keeping Tommy for myself. How about . . . Will Ferrell?
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by Michele Mannon on May 14, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Michele Mannon on May 14, 2013

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What’s Your Theme?

There’s No Place Like Home

A short while ago, with an eye roll and long suffering sigh, my ten year old daughter asked why do I love reading and writing romance? More than anything I love watching the complications towards happily ever after unfold and being “present” during that exciting time when a couple comes together and starts to form a family. To this end, I believe that is one of the things that inspired me to write a series. As a reader and writer, I like catching glimpses of a couple after their happily ever after in future installments of the work.

I have written in two genres now and the same overarching theme in each manuscript is Home and Family. Regardless of age, gender and conflict, all of my characters are looking not just for their happily ever after, but for a place to call home.
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by RoseAnn DeFranco on May 6, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by RoseAnn DeFranco on May 6, 2013

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Revising the Pitch—A Writer’s Show and Tell

ImageBefore I take out my humble red pencil and oversized eraser, I’ve got two exciting announcements to make.

First, the winner of Diana Quincy’s new release “Seducing Charlotte” is Nicole Doran! Congrats, Nicole!

Second, we are thrilled to announce a new member of The Violet Femmes: RoseAnn DeFranco! RoseAnn writes both Contemporary and YA Fantasy, and her wonderful, Jersey Shore-set romances are soon to be published with The Wild Rose Press. She is smart, generous, hardworking; and she makes a mean meatball, too. Suffice it to say, we are honored that RoseAnn will make us six!

Now, to work. I really struggled with the pitch for my current manuscript Unhinged. Early attempts yielded this monstrosity:

After finding herself and her teenage son nearly homeless after her rat of an ex wiped her out and then abandoned them, Evie Radnor’s entire focus revolves around creating a safe, stable, flush environment. To this end, she’s determined to both help others and grow her fledging business, which helps at risk homeless and their families secure jobs, without the help of a man. The first big turning point for her—a contract with Miller’s Markets.

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by Jenna Blue on April 30, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jenna Blue on April 30, 2013

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A Chat + Giveaway With Historical Author Diana Quincy

This week, the Femmes are happy to welcome debut Historical author Diana Quincy to the blog. Not only is she incredibly talented, Diana is smart, generous, and hilarious. Her first novel, SEDUCING CHARLOTTE, has just been released with Entangled Publishing.

VF: Give us three words that describe SEDUCING CHARLOTTE. Seducing-Charlotte-Cover-200x300

DQ: Sexy, smart and surprising. (At least I hope that’s what readers will think!)

VF: How did you get the idea for the story? 

DQ: I was doing research for another project when I stumbled onto information about the Luddite uprisings. For those readers who don’t know, the concept originated with a workers’ rebellion which began in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1811, when desperate, unemployed workers took to breaking into factories at night to wreck the machines which had stolen their livelihoods.I was fascinated to read that the machine breakers were led by the elusive Ned Ludd, a man who may or may not have been fictional. That sparked the idea of a story about machine breakers and placing my hero and heroine on opposite sides of the conflict. 
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by Joanna Shupe on April 22, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Joanna Shupe on April 22, 2013

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Ingredients Of A Great First Line

Golden Heart necklace2A special CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Femme, Joanna Shupe, whose historical manuscript, Drawn to the Earl, finaled in RWA’s Golden Heart contest! We’re all thrilled for her and wish her good luck in Atlanta!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve agonized over the first line in every one of my manuscripts. We’ve been told we only have a few lines, a paragraph, or maybe a page to draw the attention of an agent or editor. Talk about pressure. I recently attended a workshop on writing a fabulous first line, given by the wonderful Sarah MacLean. Let me share some of the ingredients Ms. MacLean shared to help writing your first line a little easier. I found them helpful and I hope you will, too.
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by Maria K. Alexander on April 16, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Maria K. Alexander on April 16, 2013

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Creative Researching

Remember when you were in school, and you had to write a research paper? The boring, labor-intensive , and (now I’m showing my age) endless searching through the card catalog for resources for a non-fiction article, usually the day or two before the term paper was due? Yeah, me too.File:Copyright Card Catalog Files.jpg

What was it about those assignments that we hated? The stress? The solitude of researching, when all we wanted was to hang out with our friends? The fact that we had no interest in the subject matter, that it was a necessary evil, that someone was “making” us do it?
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by Jaye Marie Rome on April 10, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jaye Marie Rome on April 10, 2013

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Thirteen Writing Resources for 2013

The year 2013 is well under way. I’ve decided to repeat one of my most popular posts, pay it forward once again, and share with you a dozen plus one lessons and resources from my arsenal of tools. Hopefully, you’ll find something useful for your own writing.

Thirteen may just prove to be the luckiest year yet—if you’re a believer, like me. I’m certainly wishing you a wonderful, belated 2013.

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Thirteen Writing Resources for 2013

Critique partners unite 

Ever feel like you are so caught up in revising your story that you can’t hear your characters anymore?

There are so many advantages to collaborating with critique partners who understand your voice and let you fly, but give you honest feedback when you’ve gotten into writer-gone-wild mode. Yes, it’s helpful when someone points out poor word choice or incomplete sentences but set your expectations higher when working with someone else’s manuscript and visa versa. The real challenge is in making your story sing, both beautifully and loud enough to draw attention to it. And, when your characters world gets murky and their voices sound flat, the value of good critique partners is immeasurable.
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by Michele Mannon on April 2, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Michele Mannon on April 2, 2013

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You Get Out What You Put In

Last year, when I was in the thickest part of the work for the NJRW conference materials, juggling work, kids, writing, life, and volunteering, one person close to me kept asking, but why? Why do you agree to do that? Why do you give that writer’s group so much time? For lots of reasons, of course, however today I want to focus on that age old tenet: You get out what you put in.

Often, it’s the intangible stuff that’s so great, like that feeling of being included, getting the inside jokes, sharing history, forging friendships, the pleasure of common interests. Maybe you feel valued, because your time is appreciated or your contribution helpful. Or, perhaps there’s simply a sense of satisfaction.

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by Jenna Blue on March 25, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jenna Blue on March 25, 2013

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What Sells Books?

It seems as if everyone ponders this question. For those of us struggling to land publishing contracts, we’re told to blog, be active on social media, create a brand, and network. Then, down the road, all of this will pay off in spades when we have that first debut novel to promote.

All of those things are worthwhile endeavors, but do they actually sell books? According to the latest research: No. Word of mouth is what sells books.

That’s right. It’s not Twitter, or Facebook, or blogging. It’s Reader A recommending your book to her BFF, Reader B. But word of mouth is elusive. Unpredictable. How do you get it, especially in such a crowded literary landscape?
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by Joanna Shupe on March 18, 2013  •  Permalink
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Posted by Joanna Shupe on March 18, 2013

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