Sonja Foust

I hacked my iPhone yesterday. Robbie says I’m totally 1337. I don’t really know what that means, but go me. I now have an eBook reader and a PDF reader on my phone, which means I just need to figure out how to get files on it. Guess that will be a project for later this week.

Ok, on to more writerly pursuits. Ahemahemahem.

Why I failed NaNoWriMo the last two years in a row:

1. No outline. I really really WANT to be a pantser, but I can’t.

2. Depressing stories. In ‘05 I attempted to write about a homeless girl who hooks up with a guy who’s just gotten dumped by his girlfriend. In ‘06 my Big Idea was a Jesus allegory, so you know there was gonna be death and strife.

3. Life stuff, especially in ‘06. I hated my job (well, not my job so much as a particular coworker), and therefore hated a great percentage of my life. Also, I turned in my two-week notice near the end of November last year, so there was the “switching jobs” stress to deal with.

4. Overthinking. I wanted my drafts to be sellable and, well, good, darnit. I still do. And I’m just going to outright admit that. But the last two years, I was going for some really artsy-fartsy, deep and meaningful stuff. I mean, seriously, a Jesus allegory?

5. Nothing to say. Sure I had story ideas and sort-of-plots, but no theme for either story. I don’t know what I wanted to say about depressing whirlwind rebound relationships, and I really don’t know what I wanted to say about Jesus. So maybe those stories will work someday when I figure out what I wanted to tell you.

Why I’m going to win NaNoWriMo this year:

1. An excellent outline. Ok, well, it’s not exactly done yet, but I’m working on it.

2. A totally awesome non-depressing story.

3. Life is good. I love my husband, house, doggie, job. Yay.

4. I’m not going to worry about being all literary. That’s a stupid goal anyway. My goal should be to tell a story, not to be all literary.

5. I have a theme this year, and an ending in mind, and Something To Say.

So see? I’m totally a shoe-in this year. 1337.

Check me out at So 5 today for tips for NaNoWriMo. They’re really good, I promise, even though this will be my fourth year of NaNo and I’ve only won once. Tomorrow, I think, calls for an exercise in listing all the reasons I failed the last two years and all the reasons I’m going to win this year. So stay tuned.

Now that I’ve finished plotting out my NaNoWriMo novel, the time has come to get all cut-throat and figure out who I want to target. Since it will be 50 or 55k, it’s going to Harlequin/Silhouette, I’m just not sure what line. I have two choices I’m pondering right now.

Silhouette Desire

Pros:
1. Hero fits with the definition: The Desire hero should be powerful, wealthy — an alpha male with a sense of arrogance and entitlement. He is capable of being saved and it’s up to the heroine to get him there.
2. Desires sell really well.
3. I know an author who writes Desires, so I’d have a brain to pick if I reallyreally needed one.
4. It’s an established line and isn’t in too much danger of poofing out of existence in the near future.

Cons:
1. Do I have enough external conflict? According to the website, “The conflict should be dramatic with such classic plot lines as revenge, secret pregnancies, marriages of convenience and reunion romances.”
2. They’re very sensual, and while I can and have written hot sex, it’s not really my “thing.”

Harlequin Romance (Mills & Boon Tender Romance)

Pros:
1. Brand new line– maybe a chance to get in on the ground floor, plus they’re specifically looking for new voices.
2. Highly relationship-focused, character-rooted. Since they’re going to be stuck on a ranch together, a lot of it’s gong to be about the relationship.
3. No explicit sex. While I don’t like being labeled as “sweet,” I tend to write with less sex than a lot of romance writers, so this appeals to me.

Cons:
1. Stories should be really grounded in reality– How much grounding can there be with a movie star and a paparazzo?
2. These sell about half as well as Desires (or did before the two Romance lines merged to form this one).
3. I know I also put this as a pro, but since this is a new line, there’s a possibility it won’t be around long, and won’t have the stability of Desire.

So, what do you think, people? Any opinions? Anyone with experience in either of these lines? Or, you know, just give me your gut reaction. I’m so not sure.

“Romance rocks.” So says the incomparable Nora Roberts, who just won Book of the Year at the Quill Awards.

She won for Angels Fall, one of her recent suspenses. I particularly liked this one because it was set in Jackson Hole, one of my (and my husband’s) favorite little pieces of America. The scenery was breathtaking, as always, and I enjoyed her heroine very much. I felt like the hero got a little shortchanged in the character development department, but that may be just because the heroine had such a surplus of “character.” The mystery was a good one, crafted expertly, and kept me turning the pages. Nice winter read. Made me wish for spring in Wyoming. Still, I think I like some of her old classics better. And she still kicked the pants off opponents like Al Gore. Go Nora!

Romance rocks.

If you’d like a chance to win free books from some awesome authors (like… um… ME!), participate in a chat tonight at 8:00 eastern time. Night Owl Romance is hosting the LIVE chat.

Chat room link: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/chat/chat.asp

Here’s a list of the participating authors and the books they will be giving away!

Bess McBride, Love of My Heart

Cindy K Green, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding

Brieanna Robertson, Better Than Chocolate

Carol Ann Erhardt, Hit Run

Adelle Laudan, Smiling Eyes

Maggie Toussaint, House of Lies

Diana Castilleja, A Stroll in the Park

Sonja Foust, Love In Shadow

Stacy Dawn, Disco Angel

Katherine Warwick, Wilde