Monday, March 31, 2014

Trusting The Army Captain is an Amazon bestseller!

I'm thrilled to announce that Trusting The Army Captain is an Amazon bestseller!  I even received a brand new banner to celebrate!



Sunday, March 30, 2014

Trusting The Army Captain's First Review!

I'm so happy that my latest e-book, Trusting The Army Captain, published by Totally Bound received a great review from Rainbow Book Reviews.  Serena Yates called it "a short, hot read with a side of mystery." The story was originally included in the Stand To Attention anthology, which has also received positive reviews on both Amazon and Goodreads.  The anthology also got so not-so-great reviews (*sigh*) but I'm going to focus on the positive because that's what inspires me to keep writing.  :-)



Monday, March 17, 2014

My Writing Process - Semi-Controlled Chaos #AmWriting

My Writing Process Blog Hop  #AmWriting

I want to thank my friend H K Carlton for inviting me to take part in the My Writing Process Blog Hop.  I've never been tagged for a blog hop before but I'm glad I have the chance to take part now.

My writing career started a few years back when I used to write short stories and submit them to confessional magazines.  Eventually, I grew bored and only wrote sproradically, but a submissions calls for different e-publications reignited my interest in writing stories with the goal of submitting them.  My story, Trusting the ER Doctor, was accepted into the Emergency Servicing anthology published by Totally Bound, and I've been writing ever since.  My latest, Trusting the Army Captain, is now available for early download.


1.  What am I working on?

I'm editing two different books, both novellas.  One is a M/F story I've coauthored with Anais Morgan about a woman who unknowingly falls for her best friend's ex, and the other is an M/M about a journalist who gets the scoop of his career about a reclusive billionaire, but feels conflicted when he winds up falling for the guy.  I'm also working on a short story about a broadcast news anchor whose network is taken over by a media mogul who just happens to be his ex.  I've also outlined another short story that I plan to submit for an anthology submissions call, and there's a werepanther shifter series I'm in the process of developing under another name.


2.  How does your book differ from others in its genre?

While I don't think my books are too different from others in the erotic romance genre, I think they stand out for their emotional drama.  I really like it when my characters fight!  My stories usually have at least one argument between the main characters.  I'll also add that there's probably less angst in my stories too.  I haven't yet written a story where a main character struggles with his sexual identity or fears being outed.


3.  Why do I write what I do?

I initially focused on erotic romance because it was closest to the confessional stories I used to write when I started my writing career.  It was also the genre that had the most demand and would be the easiest to restart my writing career.  That said, if I didn't love erotic romance and creating tricky situations for complex characters who ultimately have to choose whether their love for each other will overcome their conflict, I wouldn't be writing these kinds of stories, much less having them accepted for publication.  A few months back, there was a submissions call for an e-publisher where I wanted to get my foot in the door but the genre itself didn't particularly interest me.  I decided to give it a try anyway, figuring that if I can write one genre, I should be able to tackle another one, even if I didn't read it.  After several unsuccessful attempts to write a story that fit the guidelines, I had to give up.  My true interests lie in creating sexy stories with lots of drama, and I think that's where my talents shine best.


4.  How does my writing process work?

I don't really have a process, maybe if I did, I'd be more productive.  I have stacks of notepads and legal pads that are filled with story ideas and first chapters in various stages of completion.  When an idea occurs to me, which can be sparked by anything from watching the news to an offhand comment from a friend, I write a outline, maybe a page or so, of who the characters are and what the main conflict will be.  Usually these inspirations come to me when I'm in the middle of something else or I'm about to go to bed, so I don't start writing the story then and there.  Normally, I get back to it in a day or two, and decide, "Margaritas make me come up with really stupid ideas," or go ahead and flesh it out by writing the first chapter.  If I can get past a thousand words in an hour or two, it's likely a story that has legs and I'll complete it.  If four or five hours go by and I'm still struggling with what to say on page three, I'll put that idea aside and try to move on to something else.  I usually only work on one story at a time, but how long it takes me to finish the story depends on how hectic life is at that moment and how much time I can devote to writing.


Thanks so much for dropping by!  Writing about writing is a lot of fun!  Next week I've tagged my friends, authors C.A. Szarek and Anais Morgan, who will share their insights on the writing process.  They are both great writers and I'm looking forward to hearing their 'tricks of the trade!'  :-)



Anais Morgan has been writing, in one form or another, since she was fourteen. Her loves have always been romance, followed by paranormals. It seems cliché, but she loves a classic tale with a sexy twist. If she can get inspiration from anything, it'd be Titanic. Anais has been married since 2007 to an equally strange man. Technically they don’t have kids, but four pets equal kids, don’t they? 

Anais also writes under the pen name Erika Lindsen where you can check out paranormal romances, from sweet to steamy. But Erika does come armed with zombies and vampires.


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Multigenre, award winning and bestselling author, C.A. Szarek is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She is married and has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
She works with kids when she’s not writing.
She’s always wanted to be a writer and is overjoyed to share her stories with the world.
Her latest novel is Tartan MP3 Player.