I'll Split The Proceeds 50-50...

If you haven't seen this video yet, watch, then read my comments on the subject below.



For all of you writers reading this post, please tell me how many times someone has told you they have a great idea for a book and if you write the book, they'll split the proceeds 50-50?

I wish I could say no one has ever said that to me. Unfortunately, at least three people have told me that. A variation are the people who asked me to write their biography and promised to split the royalties.

In the course of my day job, I've received several letters from donors who promise to make large donations once their first book sells. What literally scares me is when they talk about quitting their day job so they can write their bestseller and earn a million within the next year.

Honestly, it hardly ever works that way. Maybe never. I wouldn't count on that and would never bank on it unless I had enough money in the bank to cover all my bills for a very long time.

Honestly, I have more ideas for books than I have time to write. And honestly, it takes a lot of knowledge, talent, and very hard work to write a book. No one in their right mind would split royalties with someone in exchange for an idea and no other input.

Unfortunately, I've run into the would-be writer's arrogance, too. If the wanna be writer tells an agent, editor, publisher, or reader his poor oppinions about reading and other books, no one will want to work with him.

Even though this was annoying because I've met people who act so similarly, it was also hilarious. Enjoy!

Ashley

How to leave work early without getting caught

ROFLOL No way would I have the nerve to try this. I wonder that this is real or if it isn't done by graphics. At my day job, people aren't this creative - at least not that I'm aware of. However, they think they're sneaking in late and out early for lunch and breaks. They park around the back where the CEO and HR director can't see them and they sneak out the back door. HOWEVER, my boss, one of the directors (aka corporate snitch) has an office on the back corner of the building and he has huge windows on each side so he sees all the comings and goings. I know he does as he makes comments to me about how the people aren't getting away with it as he can see it, when I've been meeting with him in his office. Our company's pretty strict. Because of a couple brazen thefts a few months ago (two young ladies snuck in and stole checks out of the CEO's secretary's purse) we now have video cameras trained on all exits. We're not allowed in the warehouse. We can only go in the front door although we can go out the front or back door. They watch our Internet and phone usage. I've heard they can even see what we're doing on our computers even if we're just using Word or Excel. We have to wear picture name badges, too. Still, it's a great company to work for - as long as you aren't intent on trying to get away with a no no. When we were smaller, we weren't so security and computer savvy. We'd find strangers wandering around our halls (not often but a few times). We could have done almost anything on our computers and no one would have known. But as careful and conscious as we are, my last company was more so. My last company had the corridors sectioned off and you had to have certain levels of security clearance to get access - by card key. They supposedly listened in on our phone calls. They had the FBI run top secret security clearances on us. (yes, I passed) Before that, I was in the Air Force, which was also very security minded of course and very regimented. So my present company is a piece of cake for me. At least I don't have to wear an ugly green, starchy uniform or pin up my hair every work day. I don't have to pass armed guards on my way in and out. I don't have to swipe my card key to get into every hallway. Not yet, anyway. Well, I forgot, the department where the money comes in is card key coded as is the warehouse. That's all, though. For now, anyway. On another very important subject, my erotic MMF romance "Heart and Soul" will be released by Total-E-Bound tomorrow, Monday September 22, 2008. My editor told me that I did a good job, that it's very emotional and romantic. I've been glowing from the praise ever since. I have to admit, I really love this story. I hope you will, too. Here's a tiny blurb and excerpt to wet your appetite. Mischa Bennett feels she is the luckiest woman alive to be engaged to Steve Krashin, the most wonderful man in the world. That is until he deep-soul kisses Vin in front of her and introduces him as his lover. Reeling, Mischa breaks up with Steve. When pushed, her heart breaking, she admits Steve still owns her heart – but she refuses to give him her soul. Excerpt from Heart and Soul by Ashley Ladd:

Steve brushed her loose tresses away from her face, his fingertips grazing her cheeks. “Hey. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry if I hurt you. I’m not trying to. I hope you believe me.”

Frissons of electricity sparked through her face and down to her heart as if trying to jump start it. But she didn’t want the thing to turn over and spark so she scooted over until she was up against the door. “I don’t know what to believe,” she whispered, her heart threatening to crumble again.

A rogue tear escaped, and she blinked back several more. She didn’t want to swipe at it and alert him, but it was sliding down her cheek. She choked on a sob that refused to back down.

Steve glanced over and swore under his breath. He pulled to the side of the road and killed the engine. Without her permission, he undid her seatbelt and pulled her into his arms. “Hey, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll get through this.”

To her horror, the gentleness of his voice and his touch was her undoing. Her tears flooded the front of his shirt, and she couldn’t catch her breath because she cried so hard.

“You still love me, don’t you?” It was a rhetorical question. Steve cradled her against his chest and rocked her gently.

She wanted to scream “No!” but the lie wouldn’t pass her lips. She needed a Steve fix and like a junkie, she wanted just one more hit, then she’d go cold turkey. But she knew how crazy that was. She felt like she was one kiss away from Armageddon and knew she dare not chance even one tender caress so she tried to pull back.

But Steve didn’t loosen his grip. He massaged her shoulders the way he knew made her melt as his warmth and pine scent seeped into her, further intoxicating her.

The moonlight pouring through the windows didn’t help. It sprinkled him with its silvery sheen making him look divine.

He moved back just far enough to wedge his arm between them. Sliding his finger beneath her chin, he tilted up her face so that she was forced to meet his searching gaze. “Every time I look at you, you take away my breath. Do you know how very beautiful you are?”

Such pretty words from one that also thought other men were beautiful. She no longer took his words at face value. But she couldn’t discount the messages his body sent, his feverish flesh, his swelling cock rubbing against her, the questions shadowing his eyes.

“Oh, okay! If it’ll make you stop badgering me, I’ll admit it. I still love you. I can’t just turn off my heart like it had a switch.”

He inhaled deeply and looked heavenward. “Thank God. You don’t know how much I need to hear that.”

Not finished, she sucked in a ragged breath and narrowed her eyes. “You may own my heart—for now—but you can’t have my soul.”

Insert Sex Scene Here

I just read on Barbara Vey's blog about this incendiary article at Publisher's Weekly: http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnB1Ymxpc2hlcnN3ZWVrbHkuY29tL2Jsb2cvODgwMDAwMjg4L3Bvc3QvNDYwMDI4MjQ2Lmh0bWw= The essence of the poll is okay, but the way they say it is meant to insult. 1. Yes, yes, yes! Bodice-rippers are my ultimate escape. 2. No way. I don't touch those books. 3. Sometimes while on vacation at the beach.

I cast my vote "YES!". I read romance and I'm damned proud of it. Ditto to writing it.

Whatever your vote, Vote here...it's the American way!

I'm sure you get this. I imagine we're all feeling this way.

How high will gas prices go?

This is a question for my fellow erotic romance writers.

How often do you write a story where you go back and add the sex scenes? Do you make a note to yourself to “insert sex scene here” or do you muddle through the scenes even if you don’t feel inspired to write hot sex at that moment?

Or do you do something to get into the mood? Jump your hubby? Watch a hot flick? Read an erotic novel?

Does the inspiration for sex elude you very often?

I ask because in my wip I just did this. Does this make me a fraud? I’ve been accused on more than one occasion of writing a lot of story around my erotic romance. Not that it’s a bad thing. I like a meaty story. But if that particular story is marketed as an “erotic romance” and published by an “erotic romance publisher”, then it’s required to be really damned hot, right?

I doubt I’m the only one to go back and add scenes, sexy or otherwise. But it’s a good reality check to touch base with other writers.

I hope this doesn’t disenchant any of my readers. My goal is not only to write a meaty story, but a sexy, romantic one.

I just watched the fourth Indiana Jones movie for the THIRD time. Yep, you read that right. First time was with DH. The second time was with my dad in Cincinnati. Today, I took DD#2 to see it. And I loved it just as much as the first time. Damn, but it’s not only action-packed and fun, but it’s romantic. You know I’m a sucker for romance. It’s the best sequel of the bunch, maybe even better than the original. My goal is to make my books so romantic, so fun, and my heroes to be as sexy and wonderful as Indy.

Would I want to marry an Indiana Jones? An alpha that has trouble expressing his feelings and keeping the love of his life waiting so many years?

NO!!!

I think I married an alpha and in real life, but I’d rather have a cuddly beta that helps with the housework and dotes on me. Still, Indiana Jones is fun to dream about for a couple hours. Hopefully, the heroes I create and offer to my readers will be as dreamy. I keep trying. :)

The video below was voted as the best commercial in Europe. God, some days I feel like this dad.