Writing Tip Wednesday--Writing Advice from Tara Rose

Welcome to Writing Tip Wednesday! The fabulous Tara Rose is here this week with some equally fabulous writing advice. She's always been a huge supporter of my Writing Tip Wednesday series, so show her lots of love!

Thanks for visiting, Tara!

From Idea to Publication

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is how does an author go from an idea to a published book? There are probably as many answers as people you can ask it of. However, since I’m asked it so often, I thought I’d use the opportunity Mellanie Szereto has given me today to share my process with you, in the hopes you recognize something in it that can assist you on your path to publication.

I write erotic romance for Siren-BookStrand as Tara Rose, and for Evernight Publishing as Ravenna Tate. I’m also published at both Siren and Evernight as Carolyn Rosewood, although I no longer write under that pen name. I’ve been published since the spring of 2011, and in that time I’ve had to develop a streamlined process because I also still work a full time job.

Now when I tell you I rise at 4:00 AM on weekdays, please do not think you have to do such a thing. Everyone has to find what works for them, their schedule, and their personal situation. One size does not fit all. But for me, this is what finally made the difference between treating my writing as a hobby and becoming serious about it.

I do my promotion and social media posting mostly in the early mornings, never forgetting to give a shout-out to fellow authors’ releases and to celebrate their good news with them. This is just as important as tooting your own horn for several reasons. One, we are each others’ readers, and two, I consider these people my friends. Many I’ve met in real life and have built lasting relationships with. We are, after all, still people behind the books. And readers do notice this.

Sometimes I’m able to sneak in writing or editing before I need to get ready for my day job, but usually that early morning ninety minutes is devoted to promo, pimping others, catching up on who is doing what, and writing blog posts.

During my day, I often have small amounts of down time where I can write, but usually that’s reserved for my scheduled breaks at my job. I then finish my word count goal when I get home. On days when I’m not working, I write and/or edit, depending on deadlines, for as long as it takes to catch up.

Yes, I mentioned a daily word count goal. That’s the second thing that made the difference for me between submitting one book a quarter and submitting one to two books a month.

Again, this worked for me. I know plenty of authors who can’t write this way, so you need to find what works for you. I have a daily word count goal of 4,000 to 5,000 words, and I stick to it. Even if that means catching up on weekends, when I don’t work at my day job.

Edits take priority as they have deadlines attached. I either break them down into parts that I tack onto the word count each day, or I do them in one or two days, depending on what else is gong on, and how long the manuscript is. And I don’t only address the comments and make needed changes. I read every single word again. Mistakes happen. We’re only human. I want my work to be as error free as possible, so with each edit I read the book over again.

So what do I do with new ideas? They go onto a Word doc that is labeled with the tentative series name. I just free flow and let the possible titles and ideas for the series and individual books get on paper. Then I place that Word doc in a folder on my desktop labeled with the pen name I’m thinking of writing it under.

Each publisher has certain sub-genres that sell better than others, and I’m now familiar enough with them that once I get an idea, I also know which publisher the series might do better with. When I’m ready to write that series, I pitch the idea to the publisher, just to make sure. If there are no objections to it outright, I schedule the first book and begin work on the main characters.

I do them first for a reason. If I know them, I can write them. I can anticipate their reactions to each other and to external influences, and I understand their goals, motivation, and conflicts. Without those, I don’t have a story.

Once I begin book one, I commit to a certain number of books in the series and try to write them in order. I’ve alternated series before, but I’ve found I do a better job of maintaining flow and momentum if I write them all at once before beginning a new series. Again, this might not work for everyone. I know plenty of authors who write what their muse tells them to write, even if that means jumping around from series to series.

Any new series gets some extra attention in terms of blog posts I do for promo purposes. I want my readers to be as excited about it as I am, but I don’t have standard promo I do for each one. I like to wait and see how the first few books do before deciding how much time and effort I want to invest into promo, and into future books in the series.

I hope these tips have helped. I think the most important thing to remember is that any advice is only as helpful as how it might or might not fit into your unique situation. But one thing is constant, in my humble opinion. If you want people to take you seriously, you need to take your writing career seriously.

If this is only a hobby for you, that’s fine to treat it as such. But if you’re looking to make it a business, you need to treat it that way.

Bio:

Tara Rose loves to write about small towns and the quirky people that inhabit them. You’ll find engaging characters, budding romance, intrigue, and plenty of hot steamy ménage sex within the pages of her books. You never really know what goes on behind closed doors, but her books will take you there, and leave you panting for more.

When she isn’t writing, Tara spends time with her husband—her real-life hero. She loves to cook, collect antique pottery, and she will read just about anything. Tara also plays the cello, and loves decorating her house for Christmas.

Links:
Website: http://www.tararoseromanceauthor.com
Bookstrand Author Page: http://www.bookstrand.com/tara-rose
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TaraRoseAuthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CCBP48I
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6980448.Tara_Rose
Manic Readers Author Page: http://www.manicreaders.com/TaraRose/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tararoseauthor/
The Romance Reviews Author Page: http://www.theromancereviews.com/TaraRoseRomanceAuthor
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/TaraRoseAuthor
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TaraRoseRomanceAuthor

I've been trying to dispel the one-size-fits-all myth since I started sharing writing tips. Thanks for summing it up so well, Tara!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Author Spotlight + Giveaway--Tara Rose

Time for Author Spotlights on Mondays again! This week, Tara Rose has stopped by for a visit with Awakening Her Racy Passion, Book 9 in her Racy Nights BDSM series from Siren Publishing. Welcome, Tara!

Here's some heat to combat all the nasty winter weather we've been having! Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win an e-book copy of this title!

Blurb:
Ria Rodriguez wants to mend her gossipy ways, make up with former BFF, Marisol, and heal the rift she caused in the Racy, Indiana, BDSM community last summer. Sexy twin Doms, Wyatt and Trent Rohan, are more than willing to help her do that. But Ria’s romance with both Doms is complicated by a murder she witnesses. The mystery goes deeper than anyone in Racy first imagined.

Paramedic Trent Rohan is drawn to Ria’s impulsive behavior, but can he escape the heartbreak in his past and learn to love again? And can he share her with his twin?

Wyatt Rohan has been married to his job as a public defender. Ria is the first woman who has crawled under his skin and this far into his heart. Can he allow himself to love her? Or will she get tired of waiting and choose his twin, instead?




Adult Excerpt:
The first strike across her ass must have been with the paddle, and it hurt like a motherfucker. She yelled, and Wyatt stopped. “Was that a safeword?”

His voice dripped with humor, and she fought the urge to call him a few choice names. She’d brought this on herself, and she’d agreed to it. She could do this. The arousal coursing through her was enough to make her dizzy. “No, Sir.”

“Use it if you have to.”

“I will, Sir.”

She grit her teeth as he struck her five times in a row with the paddle, pausing for only a second or two in between the swats. When one of them caressed her sore ass cheeks and slipped his hand underneath to tease her wet pussy and sensitive clit, she moaned loudly. “Not fair, Sir.”

“Why not?” Wyatt’s voice washed over her, sexy and teasing at the same time. They were going to kill her with this delicious torture, and she was going to love every second of it.

“I have to come.”

Trent reached under her torso to grasp her nipples, rolling them between his thumbs and forefingers. She gasped as fresh jolts of electricity shot straight to her clit. “You are not even close to being allowed to come, so don’t bother asking again. We’ll tell you when you can.”

“You two are insane.”

Trent’s breath was warm in her ear. “Yes, we are insane. Insane with lust over you, my beautiful, sexy Ria. We are going to paint that round, gorgeous ass red, and then we’re going to fuck your pussy and your ass until none of us can walk.”
“Oh God…” Shivers ran up and down her spine as Trent licked her nipples, then moved behind her to lick her pussy and then her asshole. When he straightened up, Wyatt began to paddle her again, this time not stopping until he’d given her ten hard strikes. She was panting and whimpering when he caressed her ass cheeks again.

This was the sexiest, most erotic thing she’d ever done. So many emotions rose to the surface, demanding attention. It was arousing and overwhelming at the same time. Ria needed time to process it all. Should she tell them that?

“Trent’s turn. Get up.”

“No,” she whispered.

Wyatt helped her to her feet and both men turned her to face him. He brushed a finger between her breasts. “Was that a safeword?”

She shook her head.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Sir.” She didn’t want it to end this soon. She was enjoying this. It hurt like crazy, but the pain was all mixed up with pleasure and she wanted to prove to them that she could take this. She wanted to experience everything these two had to give her. She wanted to please them, and make them proud of her.

“Are you all right?” His voice was so tender that Ria sucked in a shaky breath. She hadn’t expected that.

“I am. Just trying to make sense of it all…Sir.”

“Play can be very intense and overwhelming your first time. But you have your safeword. Don’t hesitate to use it.”

“I won’t. I promise, Sir.”

Wyatt stood, and Trent took his place on the chair. “Time to get over my knee.”

Once she was repositioned, Trent slapped one ass cheek then the other in quick succession with the strap, five times in a row, pausing only a second in between each strike. Sweat poured down Ria’s face and into her eyes, but she was so aroused now that her pussy contracted in tiny spasms. She could feel her juices on her upper thighs. She’d never been this turned-on in her life.

When Trent paused, Wyatt licked her pussy and ass cheeks. She was so close to coming it was ridiculous. She squirmed against Trent’s thigh, but she couldn’t really move anything except her head. Each time Wyatt stopped, Trent gave her a few more serious smacks with that damn strap. The pain became pleasure, and the pleasure became pain, until she was woozy and whimpering almost constantly.

When he stopped for the last time, they stood her up, removed the cuffs and spreader bar, and then one of them picked her up his arms. She was laid on the bed and Trent was on top of her, kissing her like he never would again. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, and next to her Wyatt stroked her hair. “I’m so proud of you. You took a lot.”

Trent released the kiss and crawled off her. Wyatt took his place, capturing her mouth in a kiss so hot she was sure the bed would catch on fire. Trent teased her sides of her breasts with his fingertips. “I’m proud of you, too.”

She couldn’t even answer them. She had no point of reference for this. All she could do was try to hold off the climax as both men took turns kissing her mouth and her neck. They sucked and licked her nipples, and she ran her hands over their tats, tracing the designs in an effort not to think about how close her orgasm was. The pleasure was overwhelming. She didn’t think she could take anymore, but then they each spread one leg and began to lick her pussy and her clit, and she knew she had to say something. “No. Please stop. Please. I mean it. There is no way I can hold off my climax if you do that. Please.”

Buy link: http://www.bookstrand.com/awakening-her-racy-passion
Check out the rest of Tara's books on her website! http://www.tararoseromanceauthor.com

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Awakening Her Racy Passion!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!