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RECOMMENDED READS

For beginning writers, I’ve put together a list of books that have helped me on my way to publication….

The Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published by Evan Marshall

Bird by Bird: Some Instruction for Writing and Life by Anne Lamont

Time to Write, Thinking Write, and Living Write by Kelly L. Stone

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Break Into Fiction by Diana Love & Mary Buckham

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

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BOOK VIDEOS

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ARTICLES

WRITING AXIOMS THAT WORK

I’ve been writing for a total of fourteen years, six years full-time. Many of these years I had nothing to show for the work I was doing. At times, it even seemed like I was the only one who understood that I was actually doing any kind of work at all. Hard work with no reward at the end of the day has discouraged stronger individuals than me. When trying to distinguish what kept fueling me forward on my path to publication and dreams of representation, I realized it was a series of writing axioms I repeated to myself every single day, rain or shine, good day or bad, whether the words were flowing or not. Here are the five adages that have shaped my writing journey and never fail to preserve a healthy work ethic…. Read More

GUEST BLOGGING DO’S & DON’TS

I’m a regular blogger. I’ve been blogging for so long, I’ve taught myself quite a bit of html and learned a great deal about both Blogger, WordPress, and other blog hosts. Above all else, I’ve learned that there is no greater weapon in an author’s promotional arsenal than a strong online presence. There are very few authors who have not branched into the world of blogging and virtual networking. But it takes more than a great website to spread your name around the web. This is where guest blogging comes in…. Read More

BOOKS I’VE TRUSTED ALONG THE WAY

Is it any surprise that nine times out of ten as writers we turn to books if we ever need to learn or be motivated? 2010 is the five-year mark for me as a full-time writer, meaning I actively began seeking publication in 2005. Exactly five years ago today for my 19th birthday, my dad bought me The Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published by Evan Marshall. This book was a crash course in everything I needed to know about the submission process, which takes you step by step through everything from researching agents and editors, formatting, and even gives examples of query letters, long and short synopses, and the right way to package a requested partial or full manuscript…. Read More

THE STEAM FACTOR

I’m feeling wicked so let’s talk heat. Sparks. Fireworks. In romance—life and literary—it’s called sexual chemistry. And my favorite thing about writing romance is molding that chemistry around each individual pair. Never was it so apparent to me that the tone of sexual tension is different for each individual h/h until I wrote a western romance trilogy. … Read More

CONFESSIONS OF A NIGHT WRITER

Confession: I am a night writer…. Writers are constantly distinguishing themselves between plotter and pantser. For me, the most interesting question posed by readers is “When do you write?” My answer is between the hours of 10 p.m and 2 a.m. These are the golden hours. After all the household chores are done, the DH has gone to bed, most everyone on Twitter and Facebook can’t distract me, typical to night-owl-ness, I’m wide awake. I stare into space, waiting for the imaginary wheels to start turning then I open my latest WIP and write anywhere from 500 to 5000 words before I finally wear down a few hours before dawn…. Read More

WHEN SMALL GESTURES MEAN BIG THINGS

I’m a big fan of small gestures in romance. For example, J.D. Robb fans can’t forget the button that fell off Eve’s suit in her first meeting with Roarke in Naked in Death. The button that Roarke found and – for reasons unbeknownst even to him at the time – kept in his pocket during his day to day business. A small gesture with big meaning. Then there’s the scene in the latest film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in which Darcy is handing Lizzie into the carriage. In Regency times, men and women didn’t shake hands. In fact, direct hand-to-hand contact was rare between members of the opposite sex in polite society…. Read More

THE MUSIC BEHIND WESTERN ROMANCE

Western romance, whether you live in the heart of the west or not, is all about worldbuilding – a term more often attributed to the paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi genres. The world is real, yes, but it’s our job as western romance writers to deliver it on the page as a full sensory experience to the reader. With the Texas setting came the landscape, the summer heat, the wind storms, the small town of Wayback, TX, and the culture of the American west. A lot of that culture, I learned, centered around the rodeo arena, the ranches, and – maybe most of all – the honky-tonk…. Read More

RESEARCH LOG: FOREVER AMORE  

When I decided to write a book based in ‘40’s-era Italy, I was shocked by how little information there was on the Verona region of Veneto. World War II was the first highly-photographed, -recorded, and -documented war in history. There was very little to work with in photos, reels, battle sequences, and cultural details from 1944-1945 Italy. But that was ten years ago. Between then and the final draft of my historical romance Forever Amore, detailed books on the subject were published. I was delighted when I happened to peruse the WWII section of the Military aisle at my local bookstore. On my sixth and final revision of the novel, I used some of the information in these books to add scenes that involved Lucille, the heroine, trying to find Charles, the hero working as a spy, in Nazi-occupied Milan. The new elements not only adrenalized the formerly-lagging middle: it gave the story underlying layers of suspense and intrigue…. Read More

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BONUS MATERIALS

*The following is a deleted scene from western romance novella Bet it on my Heart! It contains no spoilers and, for those who have read the novella, takes place right after Keefe and Calli’s “roll in the hay.” Enjoy!

The fact that some time in the night Keefe had left her alone in the hay didn’t occur to Calli until early the next morning when a mournful loe from the corral outside jerked her awake. The place beside her clearly empty, she tugged the horse blanket up over her torso and frowned around the dim space. No cowboys lurked despite the low light peaking through thin wall slats and dust that turned lazy circles in the still air.

Her good-lovin’ cowpoke had been gone for some time.

It took five irritating minutes to locate all her missing garments. It was bad enough having to face the walk of shame across the barnyard, but the man could have had the decency to walk right along with her.

She exited the barn cautiously, peering around to ensure no ranch hands or other early risers were in sight. The only pairs of eyes around to see her flee the scene of the crime, mussed and rumbled, were the dull black of a heifer chewing lethargically on a sprig of grass. Pulling on one heel then the other, she picked her way through the shadows leading to the ranch house.

Not so much as a whistle or a breeze cut across the yard and she breathed easy once she reached the porch steps. There were several trucks in the drive. All she had to do was grab a set of keys from the mud room peg, figure out which four-wheel drive they controlled and hightail it back to her room at the bed-and-breakfast.

The door was unlocked so she tiptoed across the distressed floorboards. She took four and a half steps before someone cleared a throat and ruined her chances of escape.

“Mornin’, Miz Morlani.”

Scowling, she faced the lean, masculine figure leaning against the doorjamb. He was dressed in boots, Levi’s, and a fresh workshirt. Underneath the brim of his Stetson, his blue eyes practically glittered with mischievous light and his mouth was spread wide in a smirk that made all those melting sensations from their roll in the hay rush back in full force.

“Damn it, Keefe,” she hissed, fighting a smile. “I thought you were Nuala.”

“That would have been unfortunate for the both of us. For a housekeeper, she’s a tyrant in the early morning.” He lifted the mug gripped in one wide-palmed, capable hand and cocked a brow. “Coffee?”

She sighed. It was a bribe, and a good one. “Gimme.”

Before she could take the mug for her own, his free hand snaked out and gripped her wrist, tugging her toward him. Despite her hushed protests, he managed to manuveur her back snug up against the doorjamb with his hard torso pressed close against hers and his arms around her.

“Whoa— Uh uh, mister.” She planted her hands on his shoulders and felt nothing but sinew and strength through the soft chambray. “I don’t think so.”

The smirk still dangled from his lips, a temptation she was fighting harder and harder to ignore. “You don’t get your straight shot of caffeine until I get my morning-after kiss.”

“You play a dangerous game, cowpoke. Men have died for less than coming between me and my first  cup of joe.”

He lowered those full, upturned lips down to hers until a bare inch separated his mouth from hers. “For all your fancy talk and diplomas, this is one cowpoke you don’t intimidate.”

And that in a nutshell was what had drawn her to Keefe Ridge to begin with. Her heart pattered hard against her breastbone as he lowered his mouth just enough to nibble her lower lip. The joints of her knees warmed, nearly collapsed inward, as the sinuous shudders of heat she’d felt the night before assailed her.

Dangerous, indeed.

“Now…let’s try this again, slick.” Breathing deep the scent of hay that no doubt clung to her, he closed his eyes and tipped his brow to hers in a gesture of unexpected tenderness. “Mornin’, Miss Morlani,” he murmured.

Her arms came around him. She’ d have thought it was more for support than anything else…but that would have made her a fool. It might have been silly and weak, but she wanted him to hold her in this quiet, sweet morning light—and keep on holding her for a long, long time.

She kissed him deep then turned her face into the warmth of his shoulder to hide a beaming grin. “Good morning, Mr. Ridge.”

Deleted Scene © Amber Leigh Williams

 

*The following is a sexy, short, Valentine’s Day snippet entitled “Wayback Valentine”, which is a fun, flirty follow-up to western romance novella, Bluest Heart. Enjoy!

Josie Brusky had been on her feet pretty much since dawn. Valentine’s Day made Josie’s Treasures—Wayback,  Texas’s solo gift shop—the one-stop place for every cowboy with a sweetheart from a hundred miles around. Now she was finally home and her arches were screaming for some downtime.

 As she walked into the house, she kicked off her heels then frowned. The jars of candles around the room were lit. A vase-full of bluebonnets overflowed with blooms on the coffee table. And the scent of something zesty tickled her nostrils. Following the sound of country music, she made her way back toward the kitchen.

Her jaw dropped. Standing at the counter, beer at his elbow, white Stetson pulled low over his eyes, Casey Ridge poured marinade over two thick, juicy-looking steaks.

It wasn’t the fact that the man was cooking that stopped her in her tracks. What astounded her was the fact that he wore a starched, white KISS THE COOK apron…and nothing else but the Stetson and cowboy boots.

Josie clapped a hand over her mouth as a wide grin broke over her face. Thoughts of a good glass of wine and a quick nap flitted out of her head as she stepped across the tile floor.

 He turned his head and grinned, dimples digging into his sun-bronzed cheeks and blue eyes gleaming. “Hey there, pretty lady.”

 “Well, well.” She shook her head, skimming her eyes from his hat to his boot-clad toes then back up again, enjoying the view. Sliding her hands up his chest and onto his shoulders, she beamed into his face. “You really know how to make a cowgirl happy on Valentine’s.”

He bent his head to kiss her. “Like the apron?”

“I’m thinking about untying it, actually.” She pursed her lips, considering. “You know, I think I’ll dress to match.”

He smirked as she backed away, hand slipping from his. “Wear the red boots.”

She threw a suggestive wink over her shoulder. “You betcha.”

“Wayback Valentine” © Amber Leigh Williams