Cool New Widget...

Jace, Laura, and Mulluane, here's a shout out to you with my new 'Followers' widget.

My readers, these girls have super blogs which you might want to check out. You never know what you may find there, which world you will end up in, or what you may be doing. But it is guaranteed to be fun.

Go ahead and be adventurous.

Frances

I am such a Coward!

But that's just a holdover from being dyslexic. Because it takes me so much effort to learn new things, and I have such a terror of screwing up, I have been avoiding something that I have wanted desperately to do for over a year.

No more! Tonight I installed Adobe Creative Suite on my computer. This is a mega program. My laptop is fairly swift. My computer connection to the Internet is anything but. It took me only a half-hour to install the initial program. I started in the late afternoon. Then the installation notified me that updates were available. LOLROF! The updates took from five o'clock yesterday evening until three this morning. But the dirty deed is done.

"Now, I only have to learn how to use this thing," she said laughing maniacally in the wee hours before dawn.

I think that I'd better try to go to sleep. I'm usually getting up about now.

Happy something, and courage, you too can conquer something that you have been afraid to attempt. :-)

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

Science Fiction Romance Authors to Look for...

Recently I was asked by a friend to recommend some authors who are writing Science Fiction Romance. This post is in response to her request. I hope that you will find some ‘new to you’ authors whose writing is exactly what you’ve been looking for. :-)

The Grand Dames of the Science Fiction genre are Bradley, Butler, Le Guin, Sheldon, Cherryh, Norton, and McCaffrey. However, there is a growing cross genre of Science Fiction Romance also written by women. Their work covers the full continuum from hard Sci-Fi to Space Opera, to Futuristic Romance.

You might like to investigate Lois McMaster Bujold, Linnea Sinclair, Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Susan Grant, Catherine Asaro, C.J. Barry, Colby Hodge, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Robin Owens, to name a few. Their resumes include everything from librarian, Private Investigator, physicist, to 747 pilot; and, you can find links to their websites in the ‘Author Links’ of my sidebar. There are many more, including the rest of us hopefuls; so, if you write Science Fiction Romance, with a reasonably HEA, and would like to have your name included in a ‘future authors to watch for’ post, drop me an e-mail.

I have a number of blogs linked from the ‘Great Blogs’ list in the sidebar. The latest news in the genre can always be found at The Galaxy Express. There is always interesting information to be had at Spacefreighter's Lounge, and Danger Gal. For some pretty heavy discussion on writing, philosophy, and science, Alien Romances is amazing. All are generously seasoned with humor and friendship.

Many Happy Discoveries,

Frances

Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

Be Careful What You Ask for...

You just might get it.

For the past year or so I have been praying for critique partners. Not just any critique partners, but partners who would understand my brand of Science Fiction Romance, and who would challenge me to write at a higher level. Well, my prayers have been answered... with some unexpected results.

Recently, Linnea Sinclair offered to set up a file for patrons of her Intergalactic Bar and Grill to use to critique each other. That's a good thing. Considering the number of her patrons who are: 1) writers; 2) techno-geeks; and 3) really know their Science Fiction and Romance, it's a really, really good thing. And did I say, that although they won't hesitate to hold your feet to the fire, they are a very nice group.

Since fools rush in where angels fear to tread, I quickly uploaded the prologue of my WIP, The Husband. I was soon facing some very penetrating questions. Oh my gosh, I had to seriously think to answer them. I have known for some time that The Husband will be controversial. Better to confront some of the questions now, so that I can hopefully deal with the hypothetical fan at some point in the future.

Next, I got a detailed critique from one partner, and another is on the way. Eeeek! She used Mark-up and Track Changes in MS Word. Bill Gates, I don't know nuth'in 'bout no Track Changes and Mark-up! For the past few days I have been studying the Help section of MS Word trying to learn everything that I can about that aspect of Word.

Let me tell you, writing is tough, especially when you have to learn Mark-up and Track changes. But you and I need to do it anyway. And if you're serious about your writing, you need critique partners too.

Gotta run, the Supreme Pasha Zackery has served notice that he wants to go star gazing, and he wants to go NOW! :-D

Happy Writing,

Frances
Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

Public Service Announcement for My American Readers...

In keeping with being a civic minded person... and also getting seriously irritated by telemarketers and thinking that you might also, I hereby post the following PUBLIC NOTICE:

REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public next month.

All cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.

YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS.

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years.You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.It takes about 20 seconds.

Happy Uninterrupted Writing,

Frances
Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Romance in a Real Future

Addendum:

I've found out this afternoon that the part of this notice about numbers going public next month is a hoax. For that I ask your pardon. The full facts are at the FTC website: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/04/dnc.shtm

The number to call for the DO NOT CALL list is accurate. I went ahead and registered my number because I have had unwanted calls. I usually double check these notices to give the full facts. Back to writing before I get any more egg on my face. :-)

How Doth My Garden Grow...

As a new addition to my blog, I’m going to try to start adding brief posts about my garden at least once a month. I count my garden year from January 1 to December 31, so I am few days late with this post due to feeling like an eighteen wheeler truck ran me down and then decided to back up to make sure that it did a proper job.

As of the first of January, blooming in my yard were:
Paper White Narcissus: very fragrant

Purple Dawn Camellia:

White Camellia:

Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans): very fragrant

Happy gardening,

Frances

Going back to writing now, :-)

A Writer’s Inspiration...

Writers are always looking for inspiration. They watch the news for their plots, and study psychology in order to make their characters more multi-dimensional. As a writer of Science Fiction Romance, I do the same, except... I like to watch animals. I’ve always had an affinity for them, and have had some pretty amazing experiences with them.

The other night I watched a marvelous program on NATURE titled the “Mountain Gorilla King.” This program first aired April 2008. It documented the same gorillas in Rwanda with which Diane Fosse began her studies so many years ago. Through war and poaching, Titus, the silverback male, has kept his family safe and helped them to grow. Now, he’s old. What was going to happen to him and to his family, the largest such group known? This is what the program documented.

I watched a surprising thing happen... yet I don’t recall it being mentioned in the script, and that surprised me. I wonder, how many other viewers noted what really happened? For nearly half of his thirty-three years, Titus has preserved his family through strength and intelligence. He had a second on command, Kuryama, whom, for years, he had skillfully kept subordinate. His second was beginning to push, more and more, for command. The situation was becoming dangerous. Finally, Titus took his entire family to the top of a high mountain, where they were in danger from the altitude and low temperature. Then he held them there. Eventually, Kuryama got up to leave, and two thirds of the family left to follow him. Only Titus’s closest intimates remained with him. Transfer of power was complete. He and his smaller family left the mountaintop and continue living successfully. Show ends.

But think about the ramifications of this for a moment. This was a move worthy of the wisest and wiliest of political strategists. Titus had manipulated a complete change of political power democratically, and without violence... where the opposite is the norm, involving much bloodshed and the killing of babies. Not only was Titus able to ensure the future of his family without violence, it was also without anger. It was then revealed that Kuryama is his son. Titus recognized his growing limitations and knew when it was time to step aside. Even though divided, there has been no war. Would that humanity could act in such a civilized manner.

In researching this article, I have since found that there have been new developments which are equally amazing. Titus has brought his small family into the group now ruled by Kuryama. Titus has assumed the second in command position, and not only has there has been no conflict, he is given respect by his son as well as the group at large.

Writers gain their inspiration from the most amazing sources. Isn’t it wonderful.

Happy hunting for your inspiration.

Frances
Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

I see that I had a guest blogger yesterday...

I see that in my absence I had a helper. He’s been looking very guilty, so I knew he had done something. When I found his post, I didn’t have the heart to reprimand him. He’s been very worried about me; and, he did tell you the things that I had been telling him that I wanted to say to you. I hope that you are all having a Happy and Blessed New Year.

How do you like my new Header? I got bored with the old one. I decided that I liked the image of the Reflection Nebula, NGC 1435, which I used for my Christmas Astronomy post so much that I would put it in the Header for a while. Never know what will happen when I get bored. I sometimes do things unexpectedly. I am getting brave in my old age. It takes a while to gather courage to mess with something that works. What if I blow this thing to kingdom come? EeeeeeK! Yeah... It Worked!

I think that I am beginning to feel a little better. Thanks for your good wishes. Let’s just say that the light that I see at the end of the tunnel looks as if it just might be open countryside instead of an oncoming train. Keep me in your prayers.

Uh...oh! I see someone staring longingly at my computer. He is snuggling up closer to it. I wonder how long it’s going to be before Zack asks me to let him become a regular poster. This could get dangerous.

Happy writing,

Frances
Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future

Happy New Year and International Year of Astronomy

Hi.

My name is Zackery. I am not supposed to touch Mommy’s computer – ever! So please don’t tell on me. She has not been feeling well, and she is worried about her “Happy New Year” post. So I decided to do it for her while she is resting. You can trust me. I know what she wants to say. She talks to me.

She hopes that you had a wonderful Christmas and wants you to have a Happy New Year.

She wants you to know that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy. Mommy thinks I don’t see the stars... but I do. They are there. What more does she want?

I have to go now. She has gotten very strict. She says that I must learn to obey. I do not know if I like the sound of that word. What does it mean?

I remain, the Supreme Poodle Pasha,

Zackery