Monday, June 30, 2008
Forgotten - the plot
How would you feel if you woke up making love to someone claiming to be your spouse, only you have no idea who that person is? Worse, you have no idea who you are.
Coming this July from Vanilla Heart Publishing
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Chelle's Site
Check out my new web blog on Xanga, Chelle's Site
I am looking for Guest Bloggers, read my Introduction for full details.
Wednesdays will be Women in Charge
Fridays will be Entertainment Reviews
Hope to be hearing from you soon.
I am looking for Guest Bloggers, read my Introduction for full details.
Wednesdays will be Women in Charge
Fridays will be Entertainment Reviews
Hope to be hearing from you soon.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
A Writer's Life Series by Chelle Cordero
Read the past five articles of the A Writer's Life series:
the Dreaded Interview Doesn’t Have to be Dreaded
Don’t Sabotage Yourself
Using Social Networks
Writer's Block
The Typical Day
the Dreaded Interview Doesn’t Have to be Dreaded
Don’t Sabotage Yourself
Using Social Networks
Writer's Block
The Typical Day
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Why I wrote Bartlett's Rule
“Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted” www.rainn.org
That is a terribly frightening statistic. Dispel other misconceptions, rape happens more often than just the back alley stranger with a weapon. According to statistics, 73% of rape victims know their assailant, often there is no weapon used other than fear and force, many sexual crimes are not reported, and sexual assault and rape can happen to all ethnic groups, to women AND men, all ages and all economic stations.
Whether you realize it or not, it is more than likely that you personally know at least one survivor of sexual assault.
Rape and sexual assault are traumas which leave lasting effects, it never goes away. The act will forever have an effect on the survivor’s life and on those around her/him. Living through the assault or rape and finding a way to live life afterwards is what makes a survivor; not letting the assailant steal more from your life is one of the bravest acts a survivor can accomplish.
I am a romantic at heart, but also a realist – I know that it takes work, A LOT of work, to make a relationship strong. Every couple will be faced with challenges, sometimes those obstacles seem too great to cope with. Catering to my idealistic and romantic streak, I wanted to create a couple that is able to face and ultimately conquer a more than simple obstacle. This creation led to Lon, with his image imposed expectations, and Paige, with a troubled past and determination.
Once I developed my main characters, the words to my story seemed to flow and sometimes I even surprised myself with the twists that just seemed to develop. Lon and Paige really wrote their own story, I only threw in a few extra characters and helped keep them on track. Shortly after I finished my story, a friend told me about a new publisher and I decided to take a chance and send a query letter.
Inspiration will strike at the least expected times, looking out the car window as my husband conquers city streets, newspaper articles, my own adolescent diary, and people-watching but not necessarily listening. I always play “What if?” and I always manage to come up with many, MANY possibilities.
That is a terribly frightening statistic. Dispel other misconceptions, rape happens more often than just the back alley stranger with a weapon. According to statistics, 73% of rape victims know their assailant, often there is no weapon used other than fear and force, many sexual crimes are not reported, and sexual assault and rape can happen to all ethnic groups, to women AND men, all ages and all economic stations.
Whether you realize it or not, it is more than likely that you personally know at least one survivor of sexual assault.
Rape and sexual assault are traumas which leave lasting effects, it never goes away. The act will forever have an effect on the survivor’s life and on those around her/him. Living through the assault or rape and finding a way to live life afterwards is what makes a survivor; not letting the assailant steal more from your life is one of the bravest acts a survivor can accomplish.
I am a romantic at heart, but also a realist – I know that it takes work, A LOT of work, to make a relationship strong. Every couple will be faced with challenges, sometimes those obstacles seem too great to cope with. Catering to my idealistic and romantic streak, I wanted to create a couple that is able to face and ultimately conquer a more than simple obstacle. This creation led to Lon, with his image imposed expectations, and Paige, with a troubled past and determination.
Once I developed my main characters, the words to my story seemed to flow and sometimes I even surprised myself with the twists that just seemed to develop. Lon and Paige really wrote their own story, I only threw in a few extra characters and helped keep them on track. Shortly after I finished my story, a friend told me about a new publisher and I decided to take a chance and send a query letter.
Inspiration will strike at the least expected times, looking out the car window as my husband conquers city streets, newspaper articles, my own adolescent diary, and people-watching but not necessarily listening. I always play “What if?” and I always manage to come up with many, MANY possibilities.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
My Hero - Lon Bartlett of Bartlett's Rule
A while back I had received questions about Lon, the hero of Bartlett's Rule (I know Paige just adores him!). Here is the basic gist of that interview:
Does his name mean anything special?
I always look up names (usually under baby names) for their meanings. In this case “Lon” means “ready to do battle”; the name Lon also reminds me of a Lion (without the “I” of course!). The Bartlett surname appears many times throughout history (politicians, publishers, racecar drivers, sports figures, philosophers and writers) and is also used for a collection of quotations. Besides, the title Bartlett’s Rule just seems to roll off of the tongue comfortably.
What does Lon look like:
I picture Lon as a big (maybe about 6 foot to 6’2”) man and yet graceful. More to do with image and less to do with vanity, I picture him working out and keeping trim and fit. Because of his public image, he probably has his hair professionally styled and his clothing personally tailored. All in all, he is very comfortable “in his own skin”. He definitely is the type of man who would attract stares from most women.
Who does he love?
Lon loves women generally. His romantic love interest is Paige Andrews. In the beginning he believes his love for Paige stems more from a need to protect her but then he comes to realize that he admires her strength and appreciates how she makes him feel. He also has a very deep and friendly love for his publicist, Shell, who once was a romantic liaison and now is simply his best friend.
Does Paige return his love?
Paige loves him even though her love and need for him scares her. He is so opposite of the type of man she thought she should be involved with. She definitely worries about his reputation and whether he would hurt her or not.
What is some of Lon's "history" before the story begins?
While his family is only mentioned in the story, it is obvious that his closeness with his parents and the way he was raised is a big reason for the self-confidence he has. He's chosen to live in the very urban and bustling New York City. He is an award winning writer with a reputation as a womanizer.
What does he want out of life?
He wants Paige in his life. Lon also wants something more than the shallow relationships that have helped to promote his image.
Does Lon have any great "revelations" about himself during the story?
Lon learns that he is capable of doing anything necessary to protect the ones he loves.
Will there be any more stories about Lon?
No, Lon and Paige go off to live happily ever after; there is no need to feature him in another story. BUT... he may appear as a character in someone else's story at some point. Some of the characters that appeared in the story may take on more of a life of their own. Who knows? Maybe I will see an opportunity for Shell, Jorge, JeanMarie, Cindy or Denny to begin a romance???
Does his name mean anything special?
I always look up names (usually under baby names) for their meanings. In this case “Lon” means “ready to do battle”; the name Lon also reminds me of a Lion (without the “I” of course!). The Bartlett surname appears many times throughout history (politicians, publishers, racecar drivers, sports figures, philosophers and writers) and is also used for a collection of quotations. Besides, the title Bartlett’s Rule just seems to roll off of the tongue comfortably.
What does Lon look like:
I picture Lon as a big (maybe about 6 foot to 6’2”) man and yet graceful. More to do with image and less to do with vanity, I picture him working out and keeping trim and fit. Because of his public image, he probably has his hair professionally styled and his clothing personally tailored. All in all, he is very comfortable “in his own skin”. He definitely is the type of man who would attract stares from most women.
Who does he love?
Lon loves women generally. His romantic love interest is Paige Andrews. In the beginning he believes his love for Paige stems more from a need to protect her but then he comes to realize that he admires her strength and appreciates how she makes him feel. He also has a very deep and friendly love for his publicist, Shell, who once was a romantic liaison and now is simply his best friend.
Does Paige return his love?
Paige loves him even though her love and need for him scares her. He is so opposite of the type of man she thought she should be involved with. She definitely worries about his reputation and whether he would hurt her or not.
What is some of Lon's "history" before the story begins?
While his family is only mentioned in the story, it is obvious that his closeness with his parents and the way he was raised is a big reason for the self-confidence he has. He's chosen to live in the very urban and bustling New York City. He is an award winning writer with a reputation as a womanizer.
What does he want out of life?
He wants Paige in his life. Lon also wants something more than the shallow relationships that have helped to promote his image.
Does Lon have any great "revelations" about himself during the story?
Lon learns that he is capable of doing anything necessary to protect the ones he loves.
Will there be any more stories about Lon?
No, Lon and Paige go off to live happily ever after; there is no need to feature him in another story. BUT... he may appear as a character in someone else's story at some point. Some of the characters that appeared in the story may take on more of a life of their own. Who knows? Maybe I will see an opportunity for Shell, Jorge, JeanMarie, Cindy or Denny to begin a romance???
Thursday, June 19, 2008
A few blogs & sites of note
I've been very lucky to become friends with some terrific writers and their sites are definitely worth a look -
The Write Words: Mini Lessons on Fiction Writing and the Writing Life by novelist and writing coach Smoky Trudeau. a VHP Author!
Mary Quast - Romance Writer a VHP Author!
Karen Harrington, Scobberlotch
About The Author - Ryan Callaway a VHP Author!
Award Winning Writer Sophia Dembling
Writer, Esmaa Self
Namid, founder of The R.A.P.E. Foundation a VHP Author!
...and here is my MySpace page - www.myspace.com/rikki613
The Write Words: Mini Lessons on Fiction Writing and the Writing Life by novelist and writing coach Smoky Trudeau. a VHP Author!
Mary Quast - Romance Writer a VHP Author!
Karen Harrington, Scobberlotch
About The Author - Ryan Callaway a VHP Author!
Award Winning Writer Sophia Dembling
Writer, Esmaa Self
Namid, founder of The R.A.P.E. Foundation a VHP Author!
...and here is my MySpace page - www.myspace.com/rikki613
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
