The Author’s To-Write List

by Jessica E. Subject

The other night, I had a dream so vivid that I woke up believing what I saw really happened. It took a few seconds to realize it had been just a dream. In some ways, I was very disappointed. There was so much sexual tension in that dream, I wanted to know what happened next. So, instead of letting that memorable scene slip away, I decided to use my imagination to finish out the story. Yes, I daydream...

But, before I played out the ending, I needed to know what happened before that hot scene in the kitchen. (No sex in the dream, just the tension.) So, while the rest of the house slept, I laid in bed directing a movie in my head. And then I wrote it all down in point form notes.

Perfect, you say, now write the story! If only it were that simple. I have a few stories I want to finish this year, two of them already started. So, I must file it away in my to-write folder.

Just like readers (including me) have a long list of books to-read, many authors also have a to-write list. Some plan years ahead of time while others plan only for the year or month ahead. But the ideas are constantly there. And when we’re fresh out of ideas, all we have to do is go to our to-write folder, or check out the news headlines, listen to music, or simply people watch for more inspiration.

Giveaway!!

Okay, readers, I want to know... How many books are on your to-read list? The ones you actually own. If I count those on my e-reader apps, the number is embarrassingly huge. Leave your answer along with your email address for a chance to WIN an ebook from my back list at Decadent. Contest is international. Must be 18 or older to enter.

Accidental Romance

The Challenge series

Contemporary Western New Adult Romance

ISBN: 978-1613334607

At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?

Available from:

Decadent Publishing | Amazon (Canada/US/UK) | All Romance | Barnes&Noble | more

 Author Bio:

Jessica E. Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

Website/Blog | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook

Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph

#jsubject, #decadentpub

A New Year and New Adult

Available HERE

By Jessica E. Subject

Happy 2014! I hope your new year is starting out well. For me, my kids are now back at school, and I’m back to writing. This year, I hope to write even more. Longer stories especially. And my focus will be on new adult stories. Yes, this genre is really big right now, but that’s not why I’m writing in this genre. You see, some of my stories already fit in this genre before it became popular.

New Adult looks at those between 18 and 25 who are leaving home for the first time, making big decisions that can affect the rest of their lives. The stories can range from no romance at all to erotica, so there’s something for everyone.

The first New Adult story I wrote was Never Gonna Let You Go, which is celebrating two years published this month. At 18, Calla and Erik left home to work for Planet Core, promised food, shelter, and a good life. But when they are sent to another planet, they learn of Planet Core’s deception.

In An Unexpected Return, Xia has just graduated from learning the art of erotic massage, and is taking her first clients. But when a different life is offered to her, she must decide what she wants in life.

Accidental Romance (one-year published this month) is one of two contemporary romances that I have published. The people I know, the stories I’ve heard, and the places I’ve lived helped to inspire this story. Leanne, just graduated from college, is getting ready to take over the family farm. When she loses her hand in an accident, her life is changed forever. She must decide whether she wants to fight for her dream, or give everything up she’s ever wanted.

And His Alien Virgin is coming soon from Decadent Publishing. It is a 1Night Stand story about 18-year-old Skylar who escapes from her home planet to get out of her arranged marriage to a space pirate. Will she find what she’s looking for on Earth?

I have to say that I went through a lot of changes during this time in my life, from leaving home to go to University, figuring out what I wanted to do in life, leaving home for good and moving in with my boyfriend (now husband), and getting pregnant. It’s an exciting yet tough time, and there is so many stories that can come from it.

Tell me: What do you remember most about that time in your life?

Giveaway!!

Answer the above question for your chance to WIN an ebook of Accidental Romance. Contest is international. Winner will be drawn January 10, 2014.

Accidental Romance

The Challenge series

By Jessica E. Subject

Contemporary Western New Adult Romance

ISBN: 978-1613334607

At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?

Buy Links:

Amazon (Canada/US/UK) | Decadent Publishing | All Romance | Barnes&Noble | more

Excerpt:

   A million needles pierced her wrist. She had to get away from the fire. Leanne flicked open her eyes, screaming, longing for the agony to stop.

   White walls surrounded her. Machines beeped. Taking in the new scenery, she closed her mouth, the pain forgotten. Bags filled with clear liquids as well as blood hung from a metal pole. She followed the tubes from the bags into her left hand. Was that where the burn came from? She glanced at the other arm, the end of which was wrapped in thick bandages. The image of spinning blades and her mangled flesh flashed before her eyes. She screamed again, tears falling down her cheeks. This can’t be happening.

   Bodies rushed into the room, many in scrubs. With her vision blurred, she didn’t recognize anyone. All strangers. She was in the foreign place by herself. A nightmare. Has to be.

   “Shh, calm down, sweetie. You’ll be okay.”

   A familiar voice. She glanced to her other side to see her mom standing beside her, her eyes glassy. She held her hand, but Leanne couldn’t feel it, only the throbbing which had returned to her other one, the one that was…gone? She groaned, turning on her side, and pulled her knees up to her chest.

   “Mom, is it really…?”

She brushed her fingers over her forehead. “Don’t worry about it right now. You need to rest.”

   “It hurts so bad.”

   “I know.” Her mother stroked her face again. “But the nurses will help it go away.”

   “Leanne,” one of the nurses hovering around her said. “I want you to take deep breaths and count backward from ten.”

   “Ten.” She sucked in air and cried out in agony.

   Between clenched teeth, she continued. Anything to stop the pain. “Nine.”

   Ice traveled through her veins. “Eight.”

   The throbbing slowly ebbed away. Seven.

   Darkness swept over her and pulled her down with it.

Bio:

Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

Website/Blog | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph

Milkers and Augers, and…Huh?

By Jessica E. Subject

Hey everyone! I’m coming to you live on release day, where I have not one, but TWO books releasing today. Okay, so maybe I’m not live, since that wouldn’t be a good idea. I’m wearing sweat, with no makeup, and my hair a mess. I’ve just got my kids off to school, and my mind is racing with all of the things I need to get done today.

BUT, I’m stopping by to talk about one of my new releases, Accidental Romance. Now, when Valerie and Kate first asked me to write for The Challenge line, I was so excited. Most of the stories I’ve written so far deal with characters facing challenging lives. Yet, it took me forever to come up with a plot. Way too long. When Leanne finally popped into my head, I was jumping for joy. I had to tell her story.

The only problem was, she lived on a dairy farm. I live in the city. Not a big city, but my experience with farming is driving by fields and pointing out the tractors and combines in the fields. Though I do know the difference between a John Deere, a Case IH, and a Ford. Green, Red, and Blue. The only time I’ve ever been for a tour of a dairy farm, I passed out against the milk tank. (I was a teen and experiencing undiagnosed fainting spells.) Even when we lived in the country for a couple of years, across the road from a dairy farm, I never went over. Though some of the cows did escape one day and came to our house for a visit.

So, the whole “write what you know” advice didn’t apply here. I had to do some research. Lucky for me, my husband used to work for two dairy farmers as a teen. While I still did research online, learning more about augers and milking equipment, there were some things he had to explain to me. I kept the farm in the story small (what he had experience with), often referred to the diagrams he drew for me, and listened to his stories about working on the farm. We’re also friends with people who grew up on a dairy farm. So, I tried to put a little of all of that into this story.

And now, while there is no way I could milk a cow, I at least know the process. Oh, and I learned one should always turn the tractor off before trying to unclog a grain auger.

Accidental Romance Blurb:

At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?

Now available from Decadent Publishing and other ebook retailers.

More information and Buy Links

Excerpt:

A million needles pierced her wrist. She had to get away from the fire. Leanne flicked open her eyes, screaming, longing for the agony to stop.

White walls surrounded her. Machines beeped. Taking in the new scenery, she closed her mouth, the pain forgotten. Bags filled with clear liquids as well as blood hung from a metal pole. She followed the tubes from the bags into her left hand. Was that where the burn came from? She glanced at the other arm, the end of which was wrapped in thick bandages. The image of spinning blades and her mangled flesh flashed before her eyes. She screamed again, tears falling down her cheeks. This can’t be happening.

Bodies rushed into the room, many in scrubs. With her vision blurred, she didn’t recognize anyone. All strangers. She was in the foreign place by herself. A nightmare. Has to be.

“Shh, calm down, sweetie. You’ll be okay.”

A familiar voice. She glanced to her other side to see her mom standing beside her, her eyes glassy. She held her hand, but Leanne couldn’t feel it, only the throbbing which had returned to her other one, the one that was…gone? She groaned, turning on her side, and pulled her knees up to her chest.

“Mom, is it really…?”

She brushed her fingers over her forehead. “Don’t worry about it right now. You need to rest.”

“It hurts so bad.”

“I know.” Her mother stroked her face again. “But the nurses will help it go away.”

“Leanne,” one of the nurses hovering around her said. “I want you to take deep breaths and count backward from ten.”

“Ten.” She sucked in air and cried out in agony.

Between clenched teeth, she continued. Anything to stop the pain. “Nine.”

Ice traveled through her veins. “Eight.”

The throbbing slowly ebbed away. Seven.

Darkness swept over her and pulled her down with it.

Bio:

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from her readers.

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph

Giveaway!!

Leave a comment telling me whether you prefer the city or the country for your chance to WIN an ebook copy of one of my backlist titles. Winner will be notified by email January 19, 2013. Good luck!